Patent Application
20230330467
This disclosure relates to a trolley apparatus, system, method of use, and method of manufacture.
“Slacklining” is a recreational activity that involves the act of walking, running or balancing along a suspended length of flat webbing that is tensioned between two anchors. Slacklining is similar to slack rope walking and/or tightrope walking. However, slacklines differ from tightwires and tightropes in the type of material used and/or the amount of tension applied during use. Typically, slacklines are tensioned significantly less than tightropes or tightwires in order to create a dynamic line which may stretch and bounce like a long and narrow trampoline.
One or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to a trolley apparatus, in particular, a trolley apparatus configured for use with slackline webbing. The type of webbing used in slackline activities typically comprises a webbing that is wider and flatter than conventional tightwires and tightropes, as well as other conventional webbing (e.g., for straps). For example, a slackline webbing may have a width of about 3.8 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches), or greater. A width in this range may be preferred over narrower widths since the activity of slacklining typically involves a user walking barefoot across the webbing.
The slackline webbing is first made taunt across two anchors. The tensioning may involve using one or more of pulleys, ratcheting buckles, and/or other components. In some instances, pulleys may be attached to tensioning straps coupled to the ends of the webbing and the respective anchors. These tensioning straps are typically narrower than the slackline webbing. For example, the tensioning straps may comprise a 1 inch wide webbing (e.g., around 2.5 centimeters) material. Accordingly, the pulleys themselves are also sized and dimensioned to accommodate the relatively narrower tensioning straps. The straps and pulleys allows users to get the slackline webbing relatively taunt, as may be desired in some forms of the activity. One notable characteristics of pulleys that operate to tension slackline webbings via narrower straps is that they are not dimensioned to operate with the width of the slackline webbing—meaning the slackline webbing itself cannot be fed through the pulley.
A trolley may be a device that is suspended by a line of material that is anchored at two ends, such as traditionally known zipline trolleys. The traditional zipline trolley may comprise of a set of rollers or wheels that are positioned to roll along the line of material. However, the line of material that traditional zipline trolleys use are steel wire cables.
In recent years, some users have adapted slacklines (or webbing having the same or similar width) to facilitate other types of recreational activities. For example, some users may affix handles along at various distances along the length of a slackline to create “monkey bars” or some other jungle gym arrangement. In these activities, the users may hang below the slackline, swinging between the different handles.
The inventors of the present disclosure have identified that there has yet to be an implementation of a trolley that operates with a slackline webbing. While some users have adapted slacklines to include fixed handles, there has yet to be a trolley apparatus that can be used on a slackline. The pulleys used in tensioning slacklines via tensioning straps simply do not accommodate the width of a slackline webbing and cannot be utilized as a slackline trolley. The present disclosure proposes a trolley apparatus configured for a slackline webbing.
In some implementations, a trolley apparatus may comprise one or more of a first side plate, a second side plate, a support axle, one or more roller components, and/or other components. The first side plate may have one or more of a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first interior surface, a first exterior surface opposite the first interior surface, and/or other components. The second side plate may have one or more of a third end, a fourth end opposite the third end, a second interior surface, a second exterior surface opposite the first interior surface, and/or other components. The support axle may be mounted through and/or between the first side plate and the second side plate. The support axle may be mounted such that the first side plate and the second side plate are at opposite ends of the support axle. The support axle may be configured to support the one or more roller components. In some implementations, a distance spanning between the first interior surface of the first side plate and the second interior surface of the second side plate may be greater than 3.8 centimeters. In some implementations, a distance spanning between the first interior surface of the first side plate and the second interior surface of the second side plate may be greater than five centimeters. The distance may be specifically set to allow the trolley apparatus to accommodate a slackline webbing which may have a width in a range of about 3.8 centimeters to around five centimeters, or greater.
In some implementations, a trolley system for entertainment may include a trolley apparatus, a webbing strap, and/or other components. The system may be configured for use by children as a recreational activity. However, modifications may be made to adapt the apparatus for users of any age.
The webbing strap may be configured to be tensioned between two anchors. The trolley apparatus may be configured to be supported by the webbing strap. The webbing strap may support the trolley apparatus by communicating the webbing strap between the first interior surface of the first side plate and the second interior surface of the second side plate such that the one or more roller components of the support axle sit atop the webbing strap.
A method of manufacture of a trolley apparatus may comprise one or more of: forming a first side plate; forming a second side plate; mounting a support axle through and/or between the first side plate and the second side plate; and/or other operations.
These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
It is noted that terms such as “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” “distal,” and/or other direction terms herein may refer to conventional use of such terms as applied to conveying spatial orientation with respect to an as-used mode of the trolley apparatus 100 that may become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. The use of these terms with various components should therefore be easily understood by a person skilled in the art as related to orientation, direction, and/or disposition. Further, some directions may be specifically defined herein and/or shown in the figures.
In some implementations, trolley apparatus 100 may comprise one or more of a first side plate 102, a second side plate 112, a support axle 122, one or more roller components 124, and/or other components. In some implementations, first side plate 102 and/or second side plate 112 may be made from one or more materials. A material may include one or more of aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, carbon fiber composite, and/or other materials. In some implementations, first side plate 102 and/or second side plate 112 may be formed by one or more of cutting, forging, bending, and/or other techniques. In some implementations, first side plate 102 and/or second side plate 112 may be made from forged aluminum alloy and/or other materials. In some implementations, first side plate 102 may be about half a centimeter thick. In some implementations, second side plate 112 may be about half a centimeter thick. In some implementations, first side plate 102 may be about a quarter of a centimeter thick. In some implementations, second side plate 112 may be about a quarter of a centimeter thick. In some implementations, trolley apparatus 100 may have a total mass of less than 500 grams. In some implementations, trolley apparatus 100 may have a total mass of about 200 grams.
It is noted that although the depiction of the trolley apparatus 100 in
First side plate 102 may have one or more of a first end 104 (e.g., bottom end), a second end 106 (e.g., top end) opposite first end 104, a first interior surface 108, a first exterior surface 110 opposite first interior surface 108, a first aperture (not shown in
Second side plate 112 may have one or more of a third end 114 (e.g., a bottom end), a fourth end 116 (e.g., a top end) opposite third end 114, a second interior surface 118, a second exterior surface 120 opposite second interior surface 118, a second aperture (not shown in
Support axle 122 may be mounted through and/or between first side plate 102 and second side plate 112. Support axle 122 may be mounted such that first side plate 102 and second side plate 112 are at opposite ends of support axle 122. Support axle 122 may be configured to support one or more roller components 124. In some implementations, support axle 122 may be machined stainless steel and/or other material. Support axle 122 may have one or more of a fifth end 134, a sixth end 136 (see,
In some implementations, a portion of fifth end 134 may be visible alongside first exterior surface 110 (e.g., a press fit element that mounts fifth end 134 to first side plate 102). In some implementations, a portion of sixth end 136 may be visible alongside second exterior surface 120 (e.g., a press fit element that mounts sixth end 136 to second side plate 112). In some implementations support axle 122 may be comprised of a bolt or screw with fastening nuts at one or more ends. In some implementations, support axle 122 may comprise a machined axle with riveted heads. In some implementations, support axle 122 may include female threads that sits within a side plate, and bolts on both sides to attach. The support axle 122 may not be visible or extend through the side plates.
In some implementations, the one or more roller components 124 may be supported by support axle 122. By way of non-limiting illustration, the one or more roller components 124 may be press fit over support axle 122 and/or attached to support axle 122 in other ways. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include one component. In some implementations, the support axle 122 itself may be a roller component. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include two components. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include three components. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include four components. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include five components. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include six components. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include seven components. In some implementations, one or more roller components 124 may include more than seven components. The description of “press fit” engagement of the one or more roller components 124 over support axle 122 is provided for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, other types of engagement may be used, e.g., slide-on and/or other types of engagement.
In some implementations, an individual component of one or more roller components 124 may comprise a radial ball bearing and/or other devices. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter in the range of five millimeters to 100 millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter in the range of twenty millimeters to sixty millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter in the range of twenty millimeters to thirty five millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter in the range of thirty millimeters to forty millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter of about thirty five millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter of about thirty two millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter of about twenty four millimeters. In some implementations, an individual component may have a diameter of greater than 100 millimeters. In some implementations, the larger the diameter, the smoother, faster, and/or more efficient the ride may be.
In some implementations, an individual component may be made of one or more of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, and/or other materials. In some implementations, an individual component may be about one centimeter in width. In some implementations, an individual component may span the spacing (e.g., D1) between first interior surface 108 of the first side plate 102 and second interior surface 118 of the second side plate 112 (see, e.g.,
In
In some implementations, the first side plate 102 may include one or more of a first portion 126 (e.g., bottom portion), a fourth portion 150 (e.g., top portion), and/or other portions. The first portion 126 and the fourth portion 150 may comprise respective halves of the first side plate 102 (e.g., top and bottom halves). In some implementations, the fourth portion 150 of the first side plate 102 may be adjacent to second end 106.
In some implementations, the second side plate 112 may include one or more of a second portion 128 (e.g., bottom portion), a third portion 148 (e.g., top portion), and/or other portions. The second portion 128 and the third portion 148 may comprise respective halves of the second side plate 112. In some implementations, the third portion 148 of second side plate 112 may be adjacent to fourth end 116.
In some implementations, the first portion 126 of first side plate 102 adjacent first end 104 may be bent toward second side plate 112. In some implementations, the second portion 128 of second side plate 112 adjacent third end 114 may be bent toward first side plate 102. In some implementations, the respective bends may be a straight line bend and/or curvilinear bend. By way of non-limiting illustration, first portion 126 of first side plate 102 adjacent first end 104 may curve toward second side plate 112. In some implementations, the second portion 128 of second side plate 112 adjacent third end 114 may curve toward first side plate 102.
In some implementations, the bends of the various portions may define a second distance D2. The second distance D2 may define a distance spanning between first end 104 and third end 114. In some implementations, distance D2 may be in the range of zero to five centimeters. Distance D2 being about zero centimeters may mean first end 104 and third end 114 may be touching, or relatively close. In some implementations, the second distance D2 may be about two centimeters. In some implementations, second distance D2 may be eighteen millimeters (0.7 inches). In some implementations, the second distance D2 may be about three centimeters. In some implementations, the second distance D2 may be less than three centimeters.
In some implementations, first end 104 of the first side plate 102 may be offset from the second end 106 of the first side plate 102 by a third distance D3. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be in the range of zero to 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be about 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be greater than 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be about two centimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be about eighteen to nineteen millimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be eighteen and one half millimeters. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be measured along a direction that is parallel with a central axis of support axle 122. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be measured from first interior surface 108 in first portion 126 to first interior surface 108 in fourth portion 150 of first side plate 102. In some implementations, third distance D3 may be measured from centerlines of first side plate 102 in first portion 126 and in fourth portion 150.
In some implementations, third end 114 of second side plate 112 may be offset from the fourth end 116 of the second side plate 112 by a fourth distance D4. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be in the range of zero to 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be about 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be greater than 2.5 centimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be about two centimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be about eighteen to nineteen millimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be eighteen and one half millimeters. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be measured along a direction that is parallel with a central axis of support axle 122. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be measured from second interior surface 118 in second portion 128 to second interior surface 118 in third portion 148 of second side plate 112. In some implementations, fourth distance D4 may be measured from centerlines of second side plate 112 in second portion 128 and in third portion 148. In some implementations, distances D2, D3, and D4 may each comprise about one third of distance D1.
In some implementations, trolley apparatus 100 may be constructed such that a difference between D1 and D2 is greater than a threshold. In some implementations, the threshold may be in the range of zero to 5.5 centimeters. A threshold of zero may mean that D1 and D2 are about the same distance—this may be accomplished by having first side plate 102 and second side plate 112 that are relatively flat (e.g., little or no curve or bend). In some implementations, the threshold may be about 3 centimeters. In some implementations, the threshold may be greater than 5.5 centimeters.
In some implementations, the use of the term “about” may apply to one or more described numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. Those skilled in the art may appreciate that use of “about” does not render the aforementioned numeric values indefinite, but instead may understand that the numeric values convey an intended or desired value where some deviation and/or tolerance may be acceptable without departing from the spirit and intent of the disclosure. This term may generally refer to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider as a reasonable amount of deviation and/or tolerance from the recited numeric values (i.e., having the equivalent function or result). For example, without limitation, this term may be construed as including a deviation of one or more of ±0.1 millimeters, ±0.2 mm, ±0.5 millimeters, ±1 millimeter, ±2 millimeters, and/or other such deviations and/or tolerance that may be understood by a person of ordinary sill in the art as acceptable without altering an intended function or result of the apparatus.
Webbing strap 138 may span between anchors 140a and 140b. By way of non-limiting illustration, anchors 140a and 140b may be trees, poles, posts, walls, or other anchors that enable webbing strap 138 to have tension therebetween. In some implementations, webbing strap 138 may be configured of nylon, polyester, and/or other synthetic materials, and/or other non-synthetic materials. Webbing strap 138 may run under one or more roller components 124 so that one or more roller components 124 may rest or roll across or along webbing strap 138.
In use, coupling component 142 may communicate through first aperture 130 and second aperture 132. User-suspension component 144 may have a coupling end 146. Coupling end 146 may be configured to attach to coupling component 142. In some implementations, coupling end 146 may be a circle shape, an oval shape, a square shape, or other shape. Thus, trolley apparatus 100 may be coupled with coupling component 142 and coupling component 142 may be coupled with coupling end 146 of user-suspension component 144. As such, a user may sit on user-suspension component 144, stand on portions of user-suspension component 144, or suspend from user-suspension component 144 and roll across webbing strap 138 between anchor 140a and anchor 140b, and/or from an anchor to one or more intermediate points therebetween.
In some implementations, method 1400 may be implemented using manual and/or automated manufacturing techniques. A manual manufacturing technique may include one or more forming techniques used by skilled artisans in manufacture. Forming techniques may include one or more of cutting, casting, extruding, grinding, bending, forging, stamping, turning, additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, metal injection molding, compression molding, drilling, riveting, screwing, welding, sanding, and/or other techniques. Other techniques known to skilled artisans are also within the scope of the present disclosure. An automated manufacturing technique may include machines and one or more processing devices. By way of non-limiting illustration, a machine may include one or more of plastic injection molding machine, CNC machine, CNC lathe, and/or other machines. A machine may include one or more processing device, non-transitory electronic storage, and/or other components. The one or more processing devices and/or machines may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method 1400 in response to instructions stored electronically on electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices and/or machines may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method 1400.
An operation 1402 may form a first side plate. The first side plate may have one or more of a first end, a second end opposite first end, a first interior surface, a first exterior surface opposite the first interior surface, and/or other components. For example, the first side plate may be the same as or similar to first side plate 102 shown in the figures and described herein.
An operation 1404 may form a second side plate. The second side plate may have one or more of a third end, a fourth end opposite the third end, a second interior surface, a second exterior surface opposite the second interior surface, and/or other components. For example, the second side plate may be the same as or similar to second side plate 112 shown in the figures and described herein.
An operation 1406 may mount a support axle through and/or between the first side plate and the second side plate. The support axle may be mounted such that the first side plate and the second side plate may be at opposite ends of the support axle. The support axle may support one or more roller components. A distance spanning between the first interior surface of the first side plate and the second interior surface of the second side plate may be at least five centimeters and/or other distances. For example, the support axle may be the same as or similar to support axle 122, 1302, and/or 1306, shown in the figures and described herein.
An operation 1502 may suspend a webbing strap between two anchors.
An operation 1504 may tension the webbing strap to a desired tension.
An operation 1506 may mount the trolley apparatus to the webbing strap so that the webbing strap may run under one or more roller components of the trolley apparatus. The one or more roller components may rest on, or roll across or along, the webbing strap.
Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17493399 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Child | 18342928 | US |
