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 continuous track, comprising: a frame (50) having a main track (30); said main track (30) adapted to receive a trolley (80); and said main track (30) operably connected to a return track (40), whereby said trolley (80) can displace within said main track (30) to said return track (40) and from said return track (40) to said main track (30).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an intersection (60).

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: an element (70) fixedly disposed to said frame (50).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main track (30) and said return track (40) have a track slot (110) adapted to receive at least one of either a trolley (80), or anything connected to a trolley (80).

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a safety cable (90) extending from said trolley (80), whereby a person using the challenge course (10) can be connected to the safety cable (90).

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said element is at least one if either 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, 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, a rope that can be pulled so participants take their own picture by pulling a rope, or a bench swing element.

7. A continuous track, comprising: a frame (50) having a main track (30); said main track (30) adapted to receive a trolley (80); and said main track (30) operably connected to a return track (40), whereby said trolley (80) can displace within said main track (30) to said return track (40) and from said return track (40) to said main track (30); an intersection (60). an element (70) fixedly disposed to said frame (50); wherein said main track 30 and said return track 40 have a track slot 110 adapted to receive at least one of either a trolley 80, or anything connected to said trolley 80; wherein said element (70) is at least one if either 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, 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, a rope that can be pulled so participants take their own picture by pulling a rope, or a bench swing element.

8. A challenge course with a continuous track (10), comprising: a return track (40); said return track (40) capable of movably receiving a trolley (80) that can move within said return track (40).

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a main track (30) that is operably connected to said return track (40) so that said trolley (80) can move between said main track (30) and said return track (40).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a hub track (120) operably connected to at least one of either said main track (30) and said return track (40) so that said trolley (80) may move between said hub track (120) and at least one of either said main track (30) and said return track (40).

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said hub track (120), said main track (40), and said return track (30) each have a track slot (110) which may receive at least one of either said trolley (80) or anything connected to said trolley (80).

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an element (70) disposed on the challenger course (10) so that users engage with said element (70) while connected to said trolley (80).

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein two track slots (110) meet to form an intersection (60).

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said element is at least one if either 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, 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, a rope that can be pulled so participants take their own picture by pulling a rope, or a bench swing element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0023] 10 challenge course

[0024] 20 column

[0025] 30 main track

[0026] 40 return track

[0027] 50 frame

[0028] 60 intersection

[0029] 70 element

[0030] 80 trolley

[0031] 90 safety cable

[0032] 100 non-returnable intersection

[0033] 110 track slot

[0034] 120 hub track

[0035] 130 distal portion of return track

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The track slot 110 may span the entire length and configuration of the main track 30, return track 40, and hub track 120.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.