Challenge course with return track

Abstract

An apparatus and system whereby a user can move by guidance of a return track on a challenger course. The return track may extend away from the challenge course and overhang its main frame so the user can experience an element outside of the main frame.

Claims

1. A challenge course with one or more obstacles for users to navigate, comprising: a trolley slideably arranged within a track slot, the trolley having a safety cable extending from the trolley, the safety cable configured to attach to a user during navigation of the challenge course; the track slot spanning an entire length through a main track, a hub track, and a return track; the main track positioned above at least one obstacle of the challenge course, the main track connected to the hub track; the hub track mounted around a support column, the hub track having a plurality of track attachment points facing outward from the support column, the hub track connected to the return track; the return track extending away from the support column of the hub track, the return track positioned above at least one element that can be navigated.

2. The challenge course of claim 1, wherein the return track comprises a loop.

3. The challenge course of claim 2, wherein the return track is connected to the hub track at a single track attachment point.

4. The challenge course of claim 2, wherein the return track is connected to the hub track at more than one track attachment point.

5. The challenge course of claim 1, wherein the return track comprises a straight segment of track.

6. The challenge course of claim 5, wherein the return track is connected to the hub track at a single track attachment point.

7. A challenge course with one or more obstacles for users to navigate, comprising: a main track, a hub track, and a return track; the main track associated with at least one obstacle of the challenge course, the main track connected to the hub track; the hub track forming a loop and supported by a column positioned at the center of the loop of the hub track, the hub track having a plurality of track attachment points facing outward from the column supporting the hub track, the hub track connected to the return track; the return track extending away from the column supporting the hub track, the return track associated with at least one element that can be navigated; wherein a safety hook can displace from the main track to the return track and from the return track to the main track via the hub track, the safety hook having a harness cable for attachment to a user.

8. The challenge course of claim 7, wherein the return track comprises a loop.

9. The challenge course of claim 8, wherein the return track is connected to the hub track at a single track attachment point.

10. The challenge course of claim 8, wherein the return track is connected to the hub track at more than one track attachment point.

11. The challenge course of claim 7, wherein the return track comprises a straight segment of track.

12. The challenge course of claim 11, wherein the return track is connected to the hub track at a single track attachment point.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

(4) FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference Numerals

(5) 10 challenge course 20 column 30 main track 40 return track 50 frame 60 intersection 70 element 80 trolley 90 safety cable 100 non-returnable intersection 110 track slot 120 hub track 130 distal portion of return track

(6) Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words upwardly, downwardly, rightwardly, and leftwardly will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly and outwardly will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives, and similar words.

(7) Referring to FIG. 1, a challenge course 10 is illustrated with both the standard intersections 60, non-returnable intersections 100, a main track 30 and a return track 40. The main track 30 and return track 40 may be integrated and connected so a trolley 80 can move from the main track 30 to the return track 40, and from the return track 40 to the main track 30. An element 70 or obstacle 70 may be configured so that a person connected to the trolley 80 or otherwise using the challenge course may walk or interact with the element 70 or obstacle 70.

(8) FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment as to how a return track 40 of the present invention may be configured. In FIG. 1 the return track 40 is illustrated as substantially circular. However, in FIG. 2 the return track 40 has five (5) sides. The main track 30 and return track 40 may have a track slot 110. The trolley 80 may be movably disposed within the main track 30 and return track 40, and may extend downwardly from the main track 30 and the return track 40 through said track slot 110.

(9) The track slot 110 may be contiguous from the main track 30 to the return track 40, and vice versa. An element 70 may be operable by a user when traversing through the return track 40. A column 20 may support a hub track 120. The hub track 120 may have a track slot 110 therein that may also be contiguous or integral with the track slot 110 of both the main track 30 and the return track 40. The hub track 120 may have six (6) sides as illustrated in FIG. 2. However the hub track 120 may also be circular, or any shape or configuration.

(10) FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a top view from FIG. 2. A main track 30 may be operably connected to a hub track 120, and the hub track 120 may be operably connected to a return track 40. A column 20 may extend from a hub track 120 downwardly to any other portion of a challenge course 10, to the ground, or to an element 70 or obstacle 70.

(11) The track slot 110 may span the entire length and configuration of the main track 30, return track 40, and hub track 120.

(12) FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a return track 40 of the present invention. The return track 40 may extend away from the challenge course 10. The return track 40 may extend away from a column 20. An element 70 may extend downwardly from the return track 40. The element 70 may allow the user to climb around or upon the element 70.

(13) An element 70 or obstacle 70 is any structure upon which the user may be challenged. Examples of elements 70 or obstacles 70 include but are not limited to ropes that can be walked on, beams, a climbing wall, a bar that requires users to use hands to move along the element, horizontal or angled platforms or steps, horizontally strung cables, ropes, boards and other materials secured between columns 20 or other elements 70, a free-fall simulation device, which allows participants to safely fall, for example, 30-feet from the air, a walk the plank element, a 6-inch stand-alone beam, allowing participants to walk a distance of 7-feet and turn-around hands-free, participants take their own picture by pulling a rope at the end of an element for instant proof of their fearless adventure, or a bench swing element.

(14) Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been discussed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.