Self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the (aerial) panoramic observation of the environment

Abstract

The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment comprises: A cable suspended over the ground held and tensed by brackets fixed to any natural element available like trees, rocks, etc., or to any type of artificial element, like poles towers, constructions, etc., along this line vehicles driven by the a user's feet run in a safe and comfortable manner to observe the environment without having to stop at the cable's anchoring points. The user has full control of the vehicle's speed, being able to accelerate, break and stop at will, having at all times both hands free. This system may be installed and used on any type of ground with recreation and/or scientific observation purposes.

1 . A self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment, said self-driven cable transportation system comprising:
 a cable route having a cable, wherein said cable is suspended over the ground and is supported and tensed by one or more brackets fixed to available natural or artificial elements; and   a vehicle driven by a user's legs and feet, wherein said vehicle runs along said cable and wherein said vehicle can displace in a safe and comfortable manner along said route without having to stop at said one or more brackets.   
   
   
       2 . The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more brackets support and tense said cable ( 1 ) sideways and are each fixed through a second cable and a third cable to said available natural or artificial elements. 
   
   
       3 . The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 1 , wherein said available or artificial elements are selected from the group consisting of trees, rocks, poles, or tower constructions. 
   
   
       4 . The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more brackets comprise an L-shaped bracket having a lower part for attachment to said cable and an upper part for fixing to said available natural or artificial elements, and wherein said upper part has an outer side and an inner side. 
   
   
       5 . The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more brackets comprise a lower part having a ledge with a tab coupling flange ( 15 ) to support said cable ( 1 ), wherein said coupling flange surrounds said cable and fastens to said cable with one or more screws. 
   
   
       6 . The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more brackets comprise an upper part connected to a tensor cable ( 16 ) and a positioning cable ( 17 ) on an outer side of said upper part. 
   
   
       7 . The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more brackets comprise an upper part connected to an opposed tensor cable ( 16 ) on an inner side of said upper part and a positioning cable ( 17 ) on an outer side of said upper part. 
   
   
       8 . A vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment, said vehicle comprising:
 a frame comprising a rigid material ( 5 ), said frame having a hook-shaped arm ( 20 ) at a top of said frame;   a seat with a backrest ( 6 ), wherein said seat has safety straps which fasten a user to said vehicle;   a lower pair of grip bars ( 8 ) fixed to said seat;   an upper pair of grip bars ( 9 ) placed on said frame;   a drive mechanism ( 11 ) having two pedals, one or more chains, one or more sprockets, and one or more grooved wheels, wherein said drive mechanism is driven by said user's feet; and   a braking system installed at said one or more grooved wheels, wherein said braking system is actuated by a lever ( 10 ) located on said upper pair of grip bars.   
   
   
       9 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 8 , wherein said vehicle ( 4 ) hangs from a cable by said hook-shaped arm ( 20 ), and wherein said one or more grooved wheels ( 13 ) and a mechanism for proper hanging are fixed to said hook-shaped arm. 
   
   
       10 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 9 , wherein said hook-shaped arm, said one or more grooved wheels, said mechanism for proper hanging and said frame form a safety system which prevents said vehicle from being removed from said cable while said vehicle is in use. 
   
   
       11 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 9 , wherein said hook-shaped arm, said one or more grooved wheels, said mechanism for proper hanging and said frame form a safety system which allows said vehicle to be removed from said cable when said vehicle is not in use. 
   
   
       12 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 9 , wherein said hook-shaped arm, said one or more grooved wheels, said mechanism for proper hanging and said frame form a safety system which allows said vehicle to freely run through a support bracket connected to said cable. 
   
   
       13 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 9 , wherein said hook-shaped arm, said one or more grooved wheels, said mechanism for proper hanging and said frame form a safety system such that when said vehicle derails from said cable, an angle created by said vehicle with respect to said cable is sufficient for said vehicle to seize to or get stuck with said cable. 
   
   
       14 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 8 , wherein said vehicle has a mechanism for proper hanging from a cable comprising a set of “V”-shaped guides ( 14 ) which align said one or more grooved wheels ( 13 ) of said vehicle onto said cable ( 1 ). 
   
   
       15 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 14 , wherein said “V”-shaped guides ( 14 ) each comprise tapered guides located on each side of said one or more grooved wheels. 
   
   
       16 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 8 , wherein said vehicle hangs from a cable on two grooved wheels, wherein each grooved wheel has a rubber-lined rolling surface, and wherein the first of said two grooved wheels rotates idly, and wherein the second of said two grooved wheels provides traction for motion along said cable and is driven by said drive mechanism ( 11 ). 
   
   
       17 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 8  further comprising a mechanism for adjusting said seat horizontally, vertically, or both horizontally and vertically within said frame to fit the size of said user. 
   
   
       18 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 8  further comprising a protective top ( 7 ). 
   
   
       19 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 18 , wherein said protective top has any geometrical shape and is comprised of any material. 
   
   
       20 . The vehicle for a self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment of  claim 8 , wherein said pedals have elements allowing said pedals to be fixed to said user's feet.