A rail coaster operates as a cross between a roller coaster and a zip line. A rail may be suspended under a frame by flexible cables or solid brackets. The rail may turn, incline, decline, or twist, but need not twist to still provide a rolling degree of freedom for a rider. An eddy current brake provides proportional braking as a function of speed. A cam-adjustment-axle (eccentric) carries certain wheels to provide finely divided, discrete, but incrementally small adjustments of idler wheel clearances to accommodate variations in the rail, wheel wear, and onsite adjustment of tolerances for curvature, unevenness, and friction. A static universal bracket provides adjustment in four degrees of freedom, three of translation and one of rotation in securing a rail to a supporting frame.

A locking system is provided for fall protection. The locking system includes a housing. The housing defines a guide path through which the housing is slideably attached to a guide member. The locking system also includes a braking lever having a braking surface and an attachment end. The braking lever is configured to rotate so as to allow a braking surface to engage the guide member. The locking system further include a locking lever that is rotatably coupled to the braking lever. The locking lever is rotatable such that it rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the unlocked position an activation end of the locking lever is positioned in a first location that is proximate to the attachment end and in the locked position the activation end is positioned in a second position distant to the attachment end.

A locking system is provided for fall protection. The locking system includes a housing. The housing defines a guide path through which the housing is slideably attached to a guide member. The locking system also includes a braking lever having a braking surface and an attachment end. The braking lever is configured to rotate so as to allow a braking surface to engage the guide member. The locking system further include a locking lever that is rotatably coupled to the braking lever. The locking lever is rotatable such that it rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the unlocked position an activation end of the locking lever is positioned in a first location that is proximate to the attachment end and in the locked position the activation end is positioned in a second position distant to the attachment end.

A first conveyance arrest system includes a trolley arrest cylinder comprising a piston rod mechanically coupled a trolley receiver. The trolley receiver engages a conveyance trolley, displaces the piston rod and pressurizes a working fluid within the trolley arrest cylinder. The trolley arrest cylinder comprises a port that vents pressurized fluid within the trolley arrest cylinder and provides a vent resistance to fluid escaping the trolley arrest cylinder. A second conveyance arrest system includes a conveyance trolley slideably coupled to a conveyance guide, and a trolley arrest cylinder mechanically coupled to the conveyance trolley. The second conveyance arrest system also includes a conveyance stop configured to engage a stop engagement end of a piston rod and thereby pressurize fluid within the trolley arrest cylinder in response to movement of the trolley toward the conveyance stop.

A first conveyance arrest system includes a trolley arrest cylinder comprising a piston rod mechanically coupled a trolley receiver. The trolley receiver engages a conveyance trolley, displaces the piston rod and pressurizes a working fluid within the trolley arrest cylinder. The trolley arrest cylinder comprises a port that vents pressurized fluid within the trolley arrest cylinder and provides a vent resistance to fluid escaping the trolley arrest cylinder. A second conveyance arrest system includes a conveyance trolley slideably coupled to a conveyance guide, and a trolley arrest cylinder mechanically coupled to the conveyance trolley. The second conveyance arrest system also includes a conveyance stop configured to engage a stop engagement end of a piston rod and thereby pressurize fluid within the trolley arrest cylinder in response to movement of the trolley toward the conveyance stop.

A protection device for traversing a guide member and method of making the like, the protection device includes a wheel configured to engage the guide member. In some embodiments, the protection embodiment includes a locker configured to engage a braking surface. The locker engagement mechanism configured to releasably engage the locker. In some embodiments, a centrifugal actuator operatively coupled to the wheel and configured to actuate the locker engagement mechanism to release the locker based on a threshold speed of the wheel. In an instance in which the wheel is rotating at or above the threshold speed of the wheel in a first direction, the centrifugal actuator is configured to actuate and rotate the locker engagement mechanism to release the locker and to allow the locker to rotate and engage the braking surface. A corresponding method of operation is also provided.

A protection device for traversing a guide member and method of making the like, the protection device includes a wheel configured to engage the guide member. In some embodiments, the protection embodiment includes a locker configured to engage a braking surface. The locker engagement mechanism configured to releasably engage the locker. In some embodiments, a centrifugal actuator operatively coupled to the wheel and configured to actuate the locker engagement mechanism to release the locker based on a threshold speed of the wheel. In an instance in which the wheel is rotating at or above the threshold speed of the wheel in a first direction, the centrifugal actuator is configured to actuate and rotate the locker engagement mechanism to release the locker and to allow the locker to rotate and engage the braking surface. A corresponding method of operation is also provided.

The zip line rail system can be connected to a challenge course, a zip line, a zip track system, or any combination thereof. The zip line rail system of the present invention can have two rails that a member slide's two wheels rollably engage with, and the zip line rail system can be configured in any of a variety of directions.

The zip line rail system can be connected to a challenge course, a zip line, a zip track system, or any combination thereof. The zip line rail system of the present invention can have two rails that a member slide's two wheels rollably engage with, and the zip line rail system can be configured in any of a variety of directions.

A portable zip line emergency brake system intended to stop or slow down a zip liner (or load) on a cable while giving the control to the device user or operator on the opposite end of the zip line. As an out of control rider comes down the zip line the operator will lock the device onto the cable and roll it out onto the zip line using a combination of sending force by the operator and gravity to meet the rider's pulley. The device is adjustable for different riders' estimated weights. Once the rider's pulley comes in contact with the device far out on the cable it will use a lever camming action between two brake pads on the cable as it reverses direction. As the brake is engaged it will stop or slow the rider. The operator can then pull the rider to the end safely.