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EP-4739559-A1 - DESCENDING TRACK SWING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

EP4739559A1EP 4739559 A1EP4739559 A1EP 4739559A1EP-4739559-A1

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for engaging with a user, the system for transporting the user forward from a first position to a second position. The system can include (A) a frame assembly including: (a) a left leg assembly and (b) a right leg assembly,; (B) a Y-connection assembly, the Y-connection assembly connected to both an upper end of the left leg and an upper end of the right leg; (C) a track support assembly, the track support assembly being connected to, and supported under, the Y-connection assembly, the track support assembly extending in a transport direction and along the vertical axis; (D) a track assembly, the track assembly being supported by the track support assembly, and the track assembly including a track; (E) a trolley, the trolley movably positioned upon the track; and (F) a grab device.

Inventors

  • MOY, RUSSELL I.
  • SALZMAN, Alexander T.

Assignees

  • Pyramide USA Inc

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240703

Claims (14)

  1. 1. A system for engaging with a user, the system for transporting the user forward from a first position, in a transport direction, to a second position, the system comprising: a frame assembly including: a left leg assembly, the left leg having a left lower end and a left upper end, and the left lower end being secured upon a left supporting base, and a right leg assembly, the right leg having a right lower end and a right upper end, and the right lower end being secured upon a right supporting base, and the left leg and the right leg being arranged on opposing sides about a vertical plane that is aligned with the transport direction; a Y-connection assembly, the Y-connection assembly connected to both the upper end of the left leg and the upper end of the right leg; a track support assembly, the track support assembly being connected to, and supported under, the Y-connection assembly, the track support assembly extending in the transport direction and along the vertical axis; a track assembly, the track assembly being supported by the track support assembly, and the track assembly including a track; a trolley, the trolley movably positioned upon the track so as to move from the first position to the second position; and a grab device that is supported by the trolley, the grab device adapted for a user to engage with such grab device.
  2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the left leg is positioned at a first angle relative to the vertical plane, such that the left lower end is further away from the vertical plane than is the left upper end, the left upper end being forward of the left lower end; and the right leg is positioned at a second angle relative to the vertical plane, such that the right lower end is further away from the vertical plane than is the right upper end, the right upper end being forward of the right lower end
  3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein: the first angle is between 1 degrees and 22 degrees; and the second angle is between 1 degrees and 22 degrees.
  4. 4. The system of claim 2, the first angle and the second angle are substantially the same, such substantially the same meaning within plus or minus 5 degrees from each other.
  5. 5. The system of claim 1, the first leg assembly is constructed of a plurality of straight segments; and the first leg assembly is constructed of a plurality of further straight segments.
  6. 6. The system of claim 1, the grab device is a rope.
  7. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: the left leg includes a left leg tube assembly that is constructed of at least one metal tube; and the right leg includes a right leg tube assembly that is constructed of at least one metal tube.
  8. 8. The system of claim 1, the system further including a retraction system, the retraction system retracting the trolley from the second position to the first position.
  9. 9. The system of claim 8, the system further includes a weight, and the retraction system is gravity driven by the way, the weight being mechanically attached to the trolley via a pullback line.
  10. 10. The system of claim 9, the retraction system including a retraction tube in which the weight is slidably disposed.
  11. 11. The system of claim 10, the vertical plane passes through, and is aligned with, both the retraction tube and the track assembly, such that the retraction tube and the track assembly spatially define the orientation of the vertical plane, and are aligned with the transport direction.
  12. 12. The system of claim 1, the left supporting base includes a left base plate, the left base plate including fasteners for securement into a supporting surface, such as concrete; and the right supporting base includes a right base plate, the right base plate including further fasteners for securement into the supporting surface.
  13. 13. The system of claim 1, further including a retraction tube assembly that contains a weight, the weight mechanically coupled to the trolley via a retraction cable, the weight slidable in the retraction tube assembly so as to impose a force under gravity on the trolley.
  14. 14. The system of claim 13, the retraction tube assembly is: attached at a top portion of the retraction tube assembly to the left leg assembly and the right leg assembly by a pair of struts; and attached at a bottom portion of the retraction tube assembly to the left leg assembly and the right leg assembly by a cross-brace. ***

Description

DESCENDING TRACK SWING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/511,890 filed July 4, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure is directed to and relates to recreational systems to transport a supported user and methods of making and using such systems. Water recreational systems are known. For example, it is known to use a zip-line system in a water environment. A zip-line system can include a trolley that runs along a rope or cable. The trolley can be supported by the cable along which it runs. The trolley can, in turn, support a support mechanism upon which a user, i.e. a human being, can be supported. For example, the support mechanism that is mounted on the trolley can be in the form of a rope. A first end of the cable, on which the trolley runs, can be higher than a second end of the cable. Accordingly, the trolley will be driven under gravity from the first end of the cable to the second end of the cable. In other words, the trolley will be driven under gravity from a first position to a second position. A zip-line can be provided in a physical scenario in which the first position is "on land" in the second position is over water. Accordingly, a user can grab a hold of the rope, of the zip-line, while the user is standing at the side of a pool or other body of water. The user can then pull themselves up - so that their weight is supported by the rope. Under gravity, the trolley can then be driven from the first position to the second position. At the second position, the user can release their grip on the rope and fall into the water in a fun manner. Accordingly, zip-lines are known and have brought much enjoyment and entertainment to many people through the years. However, zip-lines are often complicated systems. Also, a zip-line can be costly to manufacture in a safe manner. Known zip-line systems have deficiencies with regard to providing a safe and fun system in a cost-effective manner. Further, there are known systems, that are available on the market, that combine a zip-line with a rope swing. However, such systems are complex and burdensome, in particular with regard to the complexity of manufacture of the frame that such systems can use. Such complexity can result in a higher than desirable manufacturing cost. The systems and methods of the disclosure address these deficiencies and others, as described below. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure is directed to and relates to systems and methods are provided for engaging with a user, the system for transporting the user forward from a first position on a side of a body of water, in a transport direction, to a second position over the water. The system can include (A) a frame assembly including: (a) a left leg assembly, the left leg having a left lower end and a left upper end, and the left lower end being secured upon a left supporting base, and (b) a right leg assembly, the right leg having a right lower end and a right upper end, and the right lower end being secured upon a right supporting base, and the left leg and the right leg being arranged on opposing sides about a vertical plane that is aligned with the transport direction; (B) a Y- connection assembly, the Y-connection assembly connected to both the upper end of the left leg and the upper end of the right leg; (C) a track support assembly, the track support assembly being connected to, and supported under, the Y-connection assembly, the track support assembly extending in the transport direction and along the vertical axis; (D) a track assembly, the track assembly being supported by the track support assembly, and the track assembly including a track; (E) a trolley, the trolley movably positioned upon the track so as to move from the first position to the second position; and (F) a grab device that is supported by the trolley, the grab device adapted for a user to engage with such grab device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like or similar elements, and in which: Fig. l is a rear perspective view of a Descending Track Swing (DTS) system, in accordance with principles of the disclosure. Fig. 2 is a side view of a DTS system the same as or similar to the system shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with principles of the disclosure. Fig. 3 is a top view of the DTS system the same as or similar to the DTS system shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with principles of the disclosure. Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the DTS system the same as or similar to the DTS system 100 shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with principles of the disclosure. Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of a bottom leg tube assembly, i