Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B5/00—Apparatus for jumping
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B5/00—Apparatus for jumping
  • A63B5/16—Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids
  • A63B2005/163—Free-fall jumping on elastic cords, e.g. Bungee jumping
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
  • A63B2225/30—Maintenance

Definitions

• the present invention relates to retrieval equipment for a deployed bungy and more particularly to a novel retrieval/hauling unit which is inter-engageable with a bungy terminal coupling unit and method of using same.
• the pursuit of bungy jumping from a structure such as a cliff, bridge, jumping platform or tower is known.
• One end of the bungy is releasably anchored to said structure and the free end is releasably attached to a terminal connection means (e.g. a karabiner or coupling unit) from which the harness or ankle-cuff secured to the jumper can be releasably connected thereto.
• a terminal connection means e.g. a karabiner or coupling unit
• the bungy is releasably anchored to said structure by means of a tethering cable secured to a crane arm located at the jump site.
• the strain and effort of a manual haul can be exhausting for the operators and may lead to back injury, particularly if the jump rate is high and/or the distance between the landing site and jump site is large.
• the hauling position becomes uncomfortable with time in view of the necessity to wear a safety harness.
• said retrieval/hauling member is substantially symmetrical in shape and said aperture is concentric relative to the central axis thereof.
• said aperture is offset.
• said opening mechanism is a lockable hinged opening.
• said opening mechanism is effected by the dis-engagement of over-centre latches located on opposing sides of the retrieval/hauling member.
• Fig. 15 is a plan view from above showing a modified retrieval/hauling member of Figs 2 & 3 or 4 wherein the collar aperture is off-set
• Fig. 16 is a plan view from above showing a modified retrieval/hauling member of Fig.s 9 & 10 wherein the collar aperture is offset.
• the terminal coupling unit 2 comprises a bracket 3 supporting a reel 4, tethering bar 5 and ring 6.
• the free end of a bungy is secured around the spool of the reel 4, and the harness or ankle-cuff is releasably connected to the tethering bar 5 usually via means of a karabiner and tethering rope.
• the rim of the ring 6 is formed as a continuous peripheral projection 7.
• the peripheral projection 7 provides a flange as a contact point for inter-engagement with the retrieval/hauling member to initiate retrieval of the deployed bungy as hereinafter described.
• the ring 6 is removable for maintenance or replacement.
• Each section 10, 11 has a plurality of retractable spring retaining mechanisms (15, 16).
• Each mechanism (15, 16) comprises a catch 15 capable of moving between an extended locking position as shown in Fig.s 2 and 3 and a retracted position (shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2) wherein the catch 15 recedes within a slot 16.
• Each catch 15 is biased by spring means (not visible) to the extended position wherein the hook shaped portion protrudes from the slot 16.
• the means to attach the retrieval/hauling member 8 to the retrieval cable is a plurality of equi-distantly spaced lugs located on the periphery of the collar 9, as illustrated in respect of the third preferred embodiment (51, 52, Fig.s 9 & 11).
• the retrieval/hauling member 8 is run down the deployed bungy length by gravity feed of the retrieval cable or under winch control until the ring 6 of the terminal coupling unit 2 contacts and docks with the spring locking mechanisms 15, 16.
• the throat guide 12 prevents the deployed bungy length from being snared on the extended catches 15 or free end arm length 19, even if air turbulence effects swinging of the bungy. Docking is achieved by the inter-engagement of each catch 15 with the peripheral projection 7:- the projection 7 pivots the catches 15 in the direction of Arrow A (Fig. 2) as the retrieval/hauling member 8 slides down over the terminal coupling unit 2. As the retrieval/hauling member 8 slides into the position shown in Fig.
• a retaining device 29 comprises a fixed arm 30, which is secured to a strong point such as a hand rail 31 of the jump platform 32.
• a pivotable arm 33 is pivoted to the fixed arm 30 at a pivot 34, and the two arms are biased towards each other (i.e. to the closed position shown in Fig. 8) by a spring (not visible).
• the retaining means has been described as being capable of supporting the terminal coupling unit 2 or 44 when it is dis-engaged from the retrieval hauling member 8 or 49, it will be appreciated that the retaining means also may be adapted to support an engaged terminal coupling unit 2 or 44.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)
• Ropes Or Cables (AREA)
• Buckles (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Related Child Applications (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19926856

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 1999
  • 1999-07-28 WO PCT/NZ1999/000119 patent/WO2000006275A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1999-07-28 AU AU48087/99A patent/AU743805B2/en not_active Expired
  • 1999-07-28 CA CA002380862A patent/CA2380862A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-07-28 EP EP99931643A patent/EP1119399A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-07-28 JP JP2000562118A patent/JP2002521160A/ja active Pending
• 2000
  • 2000-12-21 ZA ZA200007765A patent/ZA200007765B/en unknown

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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