METHOD FOR RETURNING ZIPLINE USER TO THE START POINT BY ADJUSTING THE CABLE TENSION

The utility model belongs to the constructions of attractions such as Zipline (Trolley), particularly the systems and methods for returning carts of Zipline attractions and can be used to return attraction carts together with a user to the starting point and the ability to control the user's speed.

There are modem designs of attractions such as Zipline, which usually include one or more cables passing between the supports, which are referred to as "start point" and "finish point". Each support has at least one platform from which the user is descended. A cable running from one support to another is attached at its ends to each support. One support or cable fixing point is always higher than another one, so that the cable has inclined stretching. In a configuration with two supports, the user connects to a special block device that slides on a taut cable with a safety belt. Then a user leaves one support and moves on a cable under the influence of gravity. A user upon arrival to the finish point disconnects from the cable and the trip ends. These types of attraction designs have significant disadvantages: the equipment and the roller block must be returned to the starting point for the next user; there must be an instructor at the finish point all the time; the user's speed is not adjustable, which leads to the need of installation a complicated brake system; as a rule, it is desirable to return a user to the starting point, or vice versa, a user is transferred by special transport from the finish point to the starting point, which usually requires additional costs and time. To avoid these problems, the means of returning users of Zipline attractions with several supports and two ropes to extend the travel time have been invented. Thus, the user starts moving from one support, moves to the next support, then disconnects from his current cable and connects to another cable to get to the second support, and so on until the cycle is completed. Stations (supports) of such attractions are usually arranged in a non-linear manner to provide users with a sense of diversity. However, such a method of returning Zipline users is not easy due to the complicated and rather expensive design of such Ziplines due to the need of building multiple supports and the presence of an instructor on each support.

The closest of the world's existing analogues in terms of application scope, technical level and the positive effect achieved, accepted by the author as the prototype, is the system of returning carts of the Zipline attraction, described in the patent US9579578B2. Structurally, the return system consists of a complex unit that includes a motor, a system of rollers and pulleys, a control system and an autonomous power supply. After the user on the cart has been descended on inclined cable from the starting point to the finish point, the cart is transported up on the cable by means of an engine with the help of return system. In this case, the Zipline user, if necessary, must return to the starting point. Moreover, the return delivery of the attraction cart to the starting point using engine takes a long time, which reduces the useful time of the attraction. The drawback of such a method of returning carts is the need to use a complicated mechanical unit that has unreliable components and units, the inability to return the cart with the user to the starting point of, a significant attraction downtime for the period until the cart is returned to the starting point.

The task is solved by the method for returning the Zipline user to the starting point on a single cable by adjusting the tension (sagging) of the cable during the movement of the user. Adjustment is carried out by a special device, it can be an engine, winches, etc., let's call it a system of cable tension adjustment, which shortens the working length of the cable and changes its tension and sag. Increasing the sag increases the speed of a user, decreasing the sag decreases the speed of a user. Changing the tension and sag of the cable allows accelerating and braking the Zipline user on a single inclined cable with the ability to control the user speed with returning a user back from the finish point to the starting point.

The technical result that can be obtained with this utility model is as follows: simplified design of the node, which returns a user to the starting point, as well as the ability to adjust the user speed by changing the tension of the cable, to reduce downtime and increase throughput of the attraction, simplification of the finish point, reducing the number of service staff.

Figure 1 shows the construction of the Zipline attraction, consisting of the anchor 1, the start point 2, the finish point 3, stretched between the start and finish points of the cable 4, the roller and the attraction’s cart 5, the cable tension adjustment system 6. One end of the cable 4 is connected to the finish point 3, the other passes through the roller to the starting point 2 and is fixed at the anchor point 1. The tension adjustment system 6 has the ability to tension the attraction cable, thus adjusting its tension and sag. The direction of movement of the user from the starting station to the finishing station is marked with the indicator on the drawing.

Figure 2 shows the method of returning the user of the Zipline attraction from the finish point to the starting point. The direction of the user's movement from the finish station to the start station is marked with the indicator on the drawing.

The method for returning the Zipline user to the starting point on a single cable works as follows.

At the start of the user, the cable 4 of the Zipline attraction has a sag. Start point 2 is below the finish point 3, and the lowest sag point of the cable is below the start point. The user of the attraction on the cart 5, under the action of gravity, begins to move down from the starting station 2 on the sagging cable 4 of the Zipline attraction. When the user reaches the lowest point of sagging, the cable tension adjustment system 6 turns on and the cable 4 is stretched and the user due to the accumulated inertia force continues moving to the finish point 3. After the user of the attraction has reached the finish point 3, the cable tension adjustment system 6 is switched on again, the cable is sagged and the process is repeated. The user moves down again, reaches the lowest point of sagging, the cable is stretched and the user due to the accumulated inertia force returns back to the starting point 2. The comfortable user’s speed and finishing can be set and adjusted by the sagging magnitude.

The proposed utility model in comparison with the prototype and other known technical solutions has the following advantages: the ability to return the user to the starting point on the same cable without stopping for a change; no need to install an additional cable and equip the finish station; increasing the time and distance of descent on the Zipline attraction along the cable with the same length; adjusting the user's speed depending on his wishes; adjustment of a comfortable finish depending on weight, speed and a win direction; no need for a separate brake system at the finish point; reduction of construction and installation costs; reduction of the number of service personnel; the ability to place the Zipline finish station in previously inaccessible places on the opposite slope without road construction.