Zip Line Brake

Abstract

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 the zip line using a combination of sending force by the operator and gravity to meet the riders pulley. The device is adjustable for different riders estimated weights. Once the riders pulley comes in contact with this 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 them to the end safely.

Claims

1. A Braking device for a zipline operator that consists within a frame that engages the cable using a camming motion that once activated puts pressure on the cable in order to slow down or stop the speed of the rider

2. The operator brake of claim 1 comprised of and within frame

3. The operator brake lever of claim 1 is within the frame and engages the cable using a camming action

4. The operator brake lever of claim 3 has a brake pad attached to it

5. The operator brake of claim 4 is a rubber or synthetic material fastened to the lever.

6. The operator brake of claim 1 has a brake fastened to it so the brake lever of claim 4 can create a camming motion and friction for the cable

7. The operator brake of claim 1 consists of a pulley to roll on the cable

8. The operator brake of claim 1 has a gate

9. The operator brake of claim 7 has a gate that can be locked

10. The operator brake of claim 3 has a pin weight adjuster on the lever to control the lever for the riders weight

11. The operator brake of claim 1 has a tapped hole for a hook to attach to the pulley for easy retrieval of the brake and rider

12. The operator brake of claim 3 has a pin to open and manage the lever

13. The operator brake of claim 1 is fastened together with an upper plate, lower plate, gate lock, lever and pulley with fasteners.

14. The operator brake of claim 1 has a hole in for the attachment point.

15. The operator brake of claim 1 can have a bluetooth actuator to use remotely on claim 3

16. The operator brake of claim 3 uses a spring or weighted lever to engage the camming action

17. A brake that an operator engages that once impacted will slow or stop the rider while nearing the end of the zip line if needed by the discretion of the operator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0010] There are 1 figures in the accompanying drawing wherein identical reference numbers correspond to better understand the exemplary embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1. Carriage/shell

[0012] FIG. 2. Spring Weighted Lever

[0013] FIG. 3. Pulley Wheel

[0014] FIG. 4. Upper Frame Plate

[0015] FIG. 5. Lower Frame Plate

[0016] FIG. 6. Gate

[0017] FIG. 7. Upper Brake Plate

[0018] FIG. 8. Brake Fastener

[0019] FIG. 9. Lower Brake Plate

[0020] FIG. 10. Frame Plate Fastener

[0021] FIG. 11. Gate Pin

[0022] FIG. 12. Lift Pin

[0023] FIG. 13. Carriage to rider pulley hook

[0024] FIG. 14. Pin lever rider weight adjuster

[0025] FIG. 15. Gate Lock

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] FIG. 1: The frame can be 3d printed, milled or welded

[0027] FIG. 2: The spring weighted lever works as a camming action

[0028] FIG. 3: The pulley allows for a smooth roll

[0029] FIG. 4: The upper carriage plate is fastened to the frame

[0030] FIG. 5: The lower carriage plate is fastened to the frame

[0031] FIG. 6: The gate allows the cable to enter and exit the frame

[0032] FIG. 7. The upper brake plate is the medium to allow the upper brake pad a means to attach to the frame

[0033] FIG. 8. The fastener allows the upper and lower brake pads to adhere to the frame

[0034] FIG. 9. The lower brake plate is the medium to allow the lower brake pad a means to attach to the frame

[0035] FIG. 10. The fasteners hold the plates, lever, pulley and gate tot he shell

[0036] FIG. 11. The gate pin allows the gate to open and close

[0037] FIG. 12. The lift pin allows for easier opening and closing of the lever

[0038] FIG. 13. The carriage and pulley hook will insert into the hole. It will connect to the riders pulley to be able to pull them to the end point of the zip line.

[0039] FIG. 14. The pin weight adjuster will set the lever position for the riders weight and control them safely.

[0040] FIG. 15. The gate lock will lock the gate the gate so the cable will not exit without permission

[0041] As used in the term “Brake Pad” is any device which converts the kinetic energy of the operators brake to thermal energy by friction. The brake pads can be made out of any of the following materials: Ceramic, synthetic and non synthetic compounds, fibers, rubber, plastics, and combination of these.

[0042] Having shown and described this embodiment there maybe many ways to modify variations of this brake system within the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally many of the clams above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result for the operator as the user. It is the intention therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.