Pulley block

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a pulley block for the movement and/or aerial transport of a body along a support cable, particularly intended to be used on "zip-lines", which reduces the risk of an accidental detachment of parts supporting the body to be transported, thanks to an auxiliary seat (7) which is distinct from the cable seat (3).

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention is a pulley block for the movement and/or aerial transport of a body along a support cable, particularly a pulley block intended to be used on the so-called "zip-lines", for example, in adventure parks.

[0002] The known pulley blocks comprise a main structure consisting in a U-shaped plate to which pulleys are rotatably connected, which are adapted to roll along a support cable. A removable carabiner can be connected to the main structure, which carabiner is connected to the main plate by inserting it into openings obtained on two opposite flanges of the U-shaped plate. The carabiner serves the function of connecting the pulley block, for example, to a belt which, in turn, can be connected to a harness of the pulley block user, who is thus hanging on the support cable. The carabiner can also serve the function of avoiding the accidental disengagement between support cable and pulley block.

[0003] For safety reasons, it is important to minimize the risks of an accidental release of the carabiner from the main structure in the event of an opening thereof. To this aim, a safety rope is provided in some types of known pulley blocks, which permanently connects main structure and carabiner. In other types of known pulley blocks, means are provided which essentially rigidly connect carabiner and main structure, for example, threaded connecting means.

[0004] However, the presence of such additional parts (safety cables, screws) has the drawback that it requires a number of additional processing operations for the pulley block, as well as requiring frequent checks on the efficiency of such additional safety parts. For example, it is necessary to check that the screws are properly screwed, or that the safety rope is not worn or damaged.

[0005] A further drawback of the known pulley blocks consists in that, in case the support cable accidentally disengages the pulleys, the pulley block tends to overturn, thus rotating around the same support cable. In such situation, to restore to the pulley block proper operative position can turn out to be extremely difficult.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a pulley block which at least partially overcomes the drawbacks cited with reference to the prior art.

[0007] Particularly, object of the present invention is to provide an improved safety pulley block, in which the risk of an accidental detachment of parts, particularly parts which are adapted to support the body to be moved, is reduced, and in which the difficulties in restoring the pulley block proper operative conditions, in the event that the latter is at incorrect positions relative to the support cable which supports it, are also reduced.

[0008] These and other objects are achieved by a pulley block according to claim 1.

[0009] In order to better understand the invention, and appreciate the advantage thereof, some exemplary, nonlimiting embodiments thereof will be described, with reference to the annexed Figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a pulley block according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a further perspective, schematic view, from a different angle of the pulley block in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a further perspective, schematic view, from a further different angle of the pulley block of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side, schematic view according to the arrow A of the pulley block of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a partial, sectional, schematic view, according to the line V-V of the pulley block of Fig. 4.

[0010] Fig. 6a is a side, schematic view according to the arrow B of the pulley block of Fig. 1 in two different use conditions;

[0011] Fig. 6b is a further side, schematic view, from the same angle of the pulley block in Fig. 6a, in one of the use conditions illustrated therein.

[0012] With reference to the Figures, a pulley block for the movement and/or the aerial transport of a body along a support cable (support cable and body are not shown in the Figures) is indicated by the reference numeral 1. The pulley block 1 is adapted for use on so-called "zip-lines", for example, in adventure parks. The body to be moved and/or transported along the support cable can be, for example, the body of a pulley block 1 user.

[0013] The pulley block 1 comprises a main structure 2 defining a cable seat 3 adapted to receive at least a portion of such support cable therein. The main structure 2 comprises a support body 4, and a closure arm 5 which is preferably rotatably connected to the support body 4 (alternatively, the closure arm 5 can be connected to the support body 4 in a different way, for example, slidably). The closure arm 5 can move, relative to the support body 4, between an opening position and a closure position, particularly it can rotate relative to the support body 4 around a rotation axis of the arm E. When the closure arm 5 is in the opening position (in this regard, see Fig. 6a, dotted line, and Fig. 6b), the cable seat 3 takes an open configuration, and it becomes possible to insert or withdraw the support cable therein or therefrom. On the contrary, when the closure arm 5 is in the closure position thereof (in this regard, see for example Fig. 6a, solid line), the cable seat 3 takes a closed configuration, therefore the support cable insertion or withdrawal in or from the cable seat 3 are prevented. In this manner, a high safely level of the pulley block is achieved, particularly, accidental withdrawals of the support cable, which could result in serious consequences for the pulley block 1 user, are avoided during the pulley block 1 use. Furthermore, the connection, particularly the rotating connection, between closure arm 5 and support body 4 makes the insertion operation of the support cable into the cable seat 3 particularly easy, which operation can be performed also with only one hand by the pulley block user.

[0014] The pulley block 1 comprises one or more, preferably two, pulleys 6 associated to the support body 4 and engageable by the support cable, particularly when this is received into the cable seat 3. Preferably, the pulleys 6 are circumferentially U-shaped, so as to form a notch 8 adapted to receive the same support cable. The pulleys 6 are preferably rotatably connected to the support body 4, so as to be able to roll along the support cable, thereby allowing the pulley block 1 to slide along it. Alternatively, the pulleys 6 can be rigidly connected to the support body 4, or can be formed as a single piece with it, so as to form fixed shoes adapted to slide along the support cable. The pulleys 6 further define a cable straight line R along which the support cable portion engaging the pulleys 6 is essentially arranged. The pulleys 6 are preferably so arranged and shaped that the cable straight line R is essentially parallel to the arm rotation axis E.

[0015] Since the support body 4 is associated to the pulleys 6, and since it is also connected to the closure arm 5, under the standard operative conditions of the pulley block, mutual accidental detachments of the above-mentioned parts cannot occur, with the resulting advantageous effect from the pulley block overall safety point of view.

[0016] The pulley block 1 further comprises an auxiliary seat 7 adapted to support suitable means for the connection of the pulley block 1 to the body to be moved (not shown in the Figures). For example, such means can comprise a belt for the connection to a harness which is worn by the pulley block 1 user.

[0017] The auxiliary seat 7 is advantageously distinct from the cable seat 3, where the term "distinct" is to be meant not only in a physical sense, but also in the functional sense. For example, therefore, not only two seats not communicating with each other, but also two seats which are interconnected, for example, through slots or notches, but not allowing the passage of pulley block functional elements from a seat to another one, for example, of the support cable or the connection belt, are to be considered distinct. In this manner, the risk is reduced that the support cable, received into the cable seat 3, and the pulley block 1 connection belt to the body to be moved and/or transported, instead received into the auxiliary seat 7, can interfere with each other.

[0018] Furthermore, the fact that the auxiliary seat 7 is distinct from the cable seat 3 makes it possible to locate the two above-mentioned cable and auxiliary seats in particularly advantageous mutual positions.

[0019] In fact, in accordance with a possible embodiment, the cable seat 3 and the auxiliary seat 7 are mutually arranged so that, in use conditions, downward loads applied in the auxiliary seat 7 urge the cable seat 3 closure.

[0020] Alternatively, or in addition, the cable seat 3 and the auxiliary seat 7 can be mutually arranged so that, under use conditions, following the pulleys 6 disengagement by the support cable, downwards loads applied in the auxiliary seat 7 urge a re-establishment of the pulleys engagement by the support cable 6, for example, in the event of an accidental overturning of the pulley block. The terms "top" and "bottom" or the like are to be referred to the direction of the acceleration of gravity G, intended as the vector having a top-bottom direction, as illustrated in the Figures. Furthermore, the term "use conditions" of the pulley block refers to the conditions in which the pulley block is supported by the support cable, and supports according to the described modes the body to be moved and/or transported.

[0021] The auxiliary seat 7, which can be alternatively associated to the support body 4 or the closure arm 5, preferably the closure arm 5, is advantageously arranged at a certain distance from the cable seat 3, preferably in an opposed position relative to the pulleys 6. In this manner, in the use conditions of the pulley block 1, between the resultant of the forces which act in the cable seat 3, particularly on the pulleys 6, and the resultant of the forces which act in the auxiliary seat 7, there is an arm which is adapted to create a moment which tends to make so that the pulley block 1 takes the correct operative position, that is, a position in which the pulleys 6 are arranged at the top and the auxiliary seat 7 at the bottom. If the support cable accidentally come out from the pulleys 6 notch 8, and the pulley block overturned, and therefore the pulleys 6 were faced downwards, and the auxiliary seat 7 upwards, the moment which would be created for the above-described reasons would tend to spontaneously bring the pulley block 1 back to the correct operative position thereof, that is with the pulleys 6 turned upwards, and the auxiliary seat 7 turned downwards. The particular shape of the pulleys 6, provided with the U-shaped notch 8, would further make the support cable to come back into the notch 8 in a spontaneous manner. In all the described situations, the support cable would not be able to come out from the cable seat 3, since the closure arm 5 would remain in the closure position thereof, therefore the cable seat 3 would maintain the closed configuration thereof.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment, the auxiliary seat 7 comprises a slot 10, preferably having an essentially elliptical shape, passing inside an auxiliary protuberance 9 of the main structure 4. The slot 10, which extend along a slot axis D, is adapted to receive the means for the connection of the pulley block 1 with the body to be moved. For example, it is possible to make so that the above-cited connection belt to the harness of the pulley block 1 user passes through the slot 10.

[0023] Advantageously, the auxiliary protuberance 9 is made in a single piece with the closure arm 5.

[0024] According to a possible embodiment, the auxiliary protuberance 9 is arranged in the proximity of a connection zone 11, where the connection between closure arm 5 and support body 4 is performed. Preferably, the auxiliary protuberance 9 projects from the main structure 2, still more preferably it projects downwards, so as to be facing the body to be moved, so that the connection means of the pulley block 1 to the body to be moved do not hinder other pulley block 1 parts.

[0025] Furthermore, advantageously, the slot axis D and the arm rotation axis E are mutually essentially parallel, therefore defining an arm between the loads applied in the slot 10, for example, due to the load of the body to be moved, and a fulcrum defined by the arm rotation axis E. The auxiliary protuberance 9 and the slot 10 are advantageously arranged, relative to the arm rotation axis E, so that the loads applied in the slot, which, under the standard use conditions are facing downwards due to the action of the force of gravity G, urge the closure arm 5 to move closer to the closure position thereof. In other terms, the slot 10 is in such a position that the forces usually acting thereon spontaneously tend to close or maintain the closure arm 5 in the closure position. Consequently, the application of loads on the pulley block 1 increases the safety of the latter, since these loads have the effect of firmly maintaining the cable seat 3 in the closed configuration.

[0026] According to a possible embodiment, the support body 4 comprises a first side flange 12, and a second side flange 13, mutually opposite and facing one another, preferably mutually essentially parallel. The first flange 12 supports the closure arm 5, which is advantageously hinged thereto, so as to rotate around the arm rotation axis E. Furthermore, the first flange 12 preferably has a higher length that that of the second flange 13. The different length of the first flange 12 and the second flange 13 makes the support body 4 to form an access opening 14 to the cable seat 3 in the open configuration thereof. In order that such access opening 14 can be closed, therefore in order that the cable seat 3 can take the closed configuration thereof, the closure arm 5 is advantageously so configured as to connect the first 12 and the second 13 flanges, particularly their ends 15 and 16, respectively, when it is in the closure position thereof, so as to close the access opening 14 to the cable seat 3.

[0027] The first flange 12 may have a through withdrawal opening 17. Such withdrawal opening 17 serves the function of allowing the closure arm 5 at least partially projecting from the main structure 2 outer part, particularly the first flange 12 outer part, when it is in the closure position thereof (in this regard, see for example the figure 6a, dotted line, and 6b). In this manner, the support cable insertion and withdrawal operations in and from the cable seat 3 are promoted, since, thanks to the higher available angular travel of the closure arm 5 between the closure and opening positions thereof, also the maximum width of the access opening 14 to the cable seat 3 increases as a result.

[0028] Advantageously, the closure arm 5 comprises a coupling portion 18 adapted to fit in a through coupling opening 19 of the second flange 13 when the closure arm 5 is in the closure position thereof. According to an embodiment, such coupling portion 18 has a toothed profile, which comprises a tooth 20 adapted to insert in the coupling opening 19, and a bottom 21, into which a portion of the second flange 13 end 16 can insert. Thanks to the presence of such coupling portion 18 with a toothed profile, the downwards loads acting on the auxiliary seat 7 are unloaded on both flanges 12 and 13 of the support body 4.

[0029] In order to ensure the cable seat 3 correct closure, therefore in order to ensure that the closure arm 5 keeps itself in the closure position thereof under the use conditions of the pulley block 1, the latter advantageously comprises elastic means 22 acting between the support body 4 and the same closure arm 5, so as to urge the latter towards the closure position thereof. According to a possible embodiment, the elastic means 22 comprise a spring 23 which is essentially U-shaped, and which is adapted to insert in opposite and unaligned closure arm 5 holes 24, and to slide along a first flange 12 inner face. The holes 24 are preferably arranged on two outer and opposite sides 26 and 27 of the closure arm 5.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment, the first flange 12 and the second flange 13 are interconnected by a bridging member 36. The bridging member 36 extends preferably astride the cable seat 3 and, still more preferably, is made in a single piece with the first flange 12 and the second flange 13, so that the main body 5 essentially takes the shape of a U-shaped plate defining the cable seat 3.

[0031] Advantageously, each of the pulleys 6 is rotatably connected at two sides to the first 12 and the second 13 flanges, respectively, and it is able to rotate around a pulley rotation axis P, which is preferably essentially orthogonal to the inner faces (that is, facing the cable seat 3) of such first 12 and second 13 flanges.

[0032] In accordance with an embodiment, in order to implement the rotatable connection of each of the pulleys 6 with the first flange 12 and the second flange 13, a pivot 28 is provided, which is connected at the two sides thereof to such flanges 12 and 13 (Fig. 5). The pivot 28 comprises heads 29 which are adapted to constrain the pivot 28 in the axial direction, abutting against the flanges 12 and 13 outer faces. To this aim, a ring 30 can be further provided, which is sandwiched between at least one of the heads 29 and the outer face of the corresponding flange. The pulleys 6 can be provided therein with a bearing seat 31 which is adapted to receive a rolling bearing 32, for example, a ball bearing, connected to the pivot 28. The bearing 32 can be axially locked to the pulley 6, for example, by means of an elastic ring 34 engaging a corresponding pulley 6 ring seat 33. Furthermore, the bearing 32 can be axially constrained to the pivot 28 through two spacer members 35 which are mounted on the pivot 28 and sandwiched between each of the two flanges 12 and 13 inner faces, and the two bearing 32 axially outer sides.

[0033] A similar connection system can be provided for the rotatable connection between closure arm 5 and support body 4.

[0034] From the description given above, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the pulley block according to the invention at least partially overcomes the drawbacks cited with reference to the pulley blocks according to the prior art.

[0035] Particularly, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how, in the pulley block according to the present invention, the risk of an accidental detachment of parts which are functional or adapted to support functional elements in use, which detachment could provoke incidents and serious damages to the user of the same pulley block, is reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the presence of the auxiliary seat, distinct from the cable seat, reduces the interference risk between the support cable supporting the pulley block in use and, for example, a belt connecting the pulley block to a harness worn by the user of the same pulley block.

[0037] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the auxiliary seat, suitably arranged on the pulley block main structure, allow distributing the loads due to the pulley block user's weight on the closure arm in such a manner that the latter is firmly kept in the closure position thereof, therefore warding off the risk of an accidental withdrawal of the support cable from the cable seat.

[0038] Finally, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the presence of the suitably arranged auxiliary seat, makes so that, in the event of an overturning of the pulley block in use under the action of the user's weight, which is mainly applied on the auxiliary seat, the pulley block spontaneously tends to return to the correct operative position thereof.

[0039] To the above-described embodiments of the pulley block according to the invention, those skilled in the art, with the aim of meeting specific, contingent needs, will be able to make a number of adaptations, modifications, or replacements, of elements with functionally equivalent other ones, without anyway departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A pulley block (1) for the movement and/or aerial transport of a body along a support cable, comprising:

- a main structure (2) defining a cable seat (3) adapted to at least partially receive said support cable, said main structure (2) comprising a support body (4) and a closure arm (5) connected to said support body (4), and movable relative to it from an opening position and a position so that, when the closure arm (5) is in said opening position, said cable seat (3) takes an open configuration which is suitable to the insertion in and the withdrawal from said cable seat of said support cable (3), and when said closure arm (5) is in said closure position, said cable seat (3) takes a closed configuration adapted to prevent said insertion in and withdrawal from said cable seat of said support cable (3);

- one or more pulleys (6) associated to said support body (4), and engageable by said support cable;

- an auxiliary seat (7) adapted to support means for the connection of the pulley block (1) to the body to be moved, in which said auxiliary seat (7) is distinct from said cable seat (3).

2. The pulley block (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said auxiliary seat (7) and said cable seat (3) are mutually arranged so that, in use conditions, downwards loads applied in said auxiliary seat (7) urge the closure of said cable seat (3).

3. The pulley block (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said auxiliary seat (7) and said cable seat (3) are mutually arranged so that, in use conditions, following the disengagement of said pulleys (6) by said support cable, downwards loads applied in said auxiliary seat (7) urge a re-establishment of the engagement of said pulleys (6) by said support cable.

4. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said auxiliary seat (7) is associated to said support body (4) or said closure arm (5).

5. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said auxiliary seat (7) is arranged at a distance from said cable seat (3).

6. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said auxiliary seat (7) comprises a through slot (10) in an auxiliary protuberance (9) of said main structure (4).

7. The pulley block (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said auxiliary protuberance (9) is made in a single piece with said closure arm (5).

8. The pulley block (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said auxiliary protuberance (9) is arranged in the proximity of a connection zone (11) where said connection (11) between support body (4) and closure arm (5) is realized.

9. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the claims 6 to 8, wherein said slot (10) extends along a slot axis (D) which is essentially parallel to an arm rotation axis(E).

10. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closure arm (5) is able to rotate relative to said support body (4) around an arm rotation axis(E).

11. The pulley block (1) according to the claims 9 or 10, wherein said slot axis (D) defines an arm with said arm rotation axis (E), said arm being so oriented that downwards loads on said slot (10) urge said closure arm (5) to get closer to said closure position thereof.

12. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the claims 9 to 11, wherein said slot axis (D) is essentially parallel to a cable straight line (R) along which said support cable is essentially arranged when it engages said pulleys (6).

13. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support body (4) is essentially configured as a U-shaped plate.

14. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support body (5) comprises a first side flange (12), and a second side flange (13), mutually opposite and facing one another.

15. The pulley block (1) according to claim 14, wherein said closure arm (5) is hinged to said first flange (12).

16. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the claims 14 or 15, wherein said first (12) and said second (13) flanges have different lengths, so as to form an access opening (14) to said cable seat (3).

17. The pulley block (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said closure arm (5), when it is in the closure position, connects said first flange (12) and second flange (13) so as to close said access opening (14) to the cable seat (3), so that said cable seat (3) takes said closed configuration thereof.

18. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the claims 14 to 17, wherein said first flange (12) comprises a through withdrawal opening (17), so as to allow said closure arm (5) to at least partially outwardly project relative to said main structure (2) when it is in said opening position thereof.

19. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the claims 14 to 18, wherein said closure arm (5) comprises a coupling portion (15) so conformed as to fit into a through coupling opening (19) in said second flange (13), when it is in said closure position thereof.

20. The pulley block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising elastic means (22) acting between said support body (4) and said closure arm (5), so as to urge said closure arm (5) towards said closure position.

Drawing