Suspended frame structures

Abstract

The disclosure provides a frame assembly for suspending a rider from a trolley moving along a rail in a longitudinal direction. The frame assembly includes a bar fixedly mounted to the trolley transverse to the longitudinal direction. The frame assembly also includes a frame including: a horizontal segment positioned above a location for the rider; at least one vertical segment extending from the horizontal segment; and a substantially horizontal platform suspended from the vertical segment. The frame assembly also includes a pivot assembly including a first portion coupled to the trolley and a second portion coupled to the horizontal segment. The pivot assembly includes at least two axis of rotation between the first portion and the second portion. The frame assembly also includes a sway limiter connected between the bar and the horizontal segment limiting a range of movement of the pivot assembly.

1 . A frame structure for suspending a rider from a trolley moving along a rail in a longitudinal direction, comprising:
 a bar fixedly mounted to the trolley transverse to the longitudinal direction;   a frame including:
 a horizontal segment positioned above a location for the rider, 
 at least one vertical segment extending from the horizontal segment, and 
 a substantially horizontal platform suspended from the vertical segment; 
   a pivot assembly including a first portion coupled to the trolley and a second portion coupled to the horizontal segment, wherein the pivot assembly provides at least two axes of rotation between the first portion and the second portion; and   a sway limiter connected between the bar and the horizontal segment limiting a range of movement of the pivot assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable harness connection slidably mounted to the vertical segment. 
     
     
         3 . The frame structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a harness assembly coupled to the adjustable harness connection. 
     
     
         4 . The frame structure of  claim 3 , wherein the harness assembly includes a back support oriented in a vertical plane and pivotably mounted to the adjustable harness connection. 
     
     
         5 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the pivot assembly is a hanger and the second portion is a bracket coupled to the hanger via a pin, wherein the bracket includes a cylindrical bearing retaining at least a portion of the horizontal segment. 
     
     
         6 . The frame structure of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal segment extends from each end of the cylindrical bearing and a vertical segment extends from the horizontal segment on each side of the cylindrical bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The frame structure of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal segment extends from one end of the cylindrical bearing to the vertical segment and another end of the horizontal segment includes a cap that abuts the cylindrical bearing. 
     
     
         8 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly comprises a universal joint coupling the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly comprises a closable linkage coupling the bar to a tether, wherein the tether passes through an opening in the second portion of the pivot assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The frame structure of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the pivot assembly includes a cylindrical bearing retaining at least a portion of the horizontal segment. 
     
     
         11 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein the sway limiter is one of: a length of tensile material, a hydraulic cylinder, or a pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising a fixture simulating sporting equipment mounted on the horizontal platform. 
     
     
         13 . The frame structure of  claim 12 , wherein the fixture is one of: a saddle, a seat, a handle, or a foot binding. 
     
     
         14 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second bar fixedly mounted to a second trolley riding on the rail, the second bar transverse to the longitudinal direction;   a second pivot assembly coupling the second trolley and the horizontal segment;   a sway limiter connected between the second bar and the second horizontal segment limiting a range of movement of the second pivot assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The frame structure of  claim 14 , wherein the horizontal segment includes a plurality of lateral supports connecting two outer frames. 
     
     
         16 . The frame structure of  claim 14 , wherein the outer frames include the at least one vertical segment. 
     
     
         17 . The frame structure of  claim 14 , further comprising at least two seats mounted in tandem to the substantially horizontal platform. 
     
     
         18 . A transport system comprising:
 a support mechanism;   a track assembly supported by the support mechanism to allow unimpeded translational movement of a trolley along the track assembly in a longitudinal direction; and   at least one frame structure suspended from the trolley, comprising:
 a bar fixedly mounted to the trolley transverse to the longitudinal direction;
 a frame including:
 a horizontal segment positioned above a location for the rider, 
 at least one vertical segment extending from the horizontal segment, and 
 a substantially horizontal platform suspended from the vertical segment; 
 
 a pivot assembly including a first portion coupled to the trolley and a second portion coupled to the horizontal segment, wherein the pivot assembly provides at least two axes of rotation between the first portion and the second portion; and 
 a sway limiter connected between the bar and the horizontal segment limiting a range of movement of the pivot assembly. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . A frame structure for suspending a rider from at least two trolleys moving along a rail in a longitudinal direction, comprising:
 at least two horizontal segments oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, coupled to a respective one of the at least two trolleys, and positioned above a location for the rider;   at least one vertical segment extending from each horizontal segment;   a substantially horizontal platform suspended between the vertical segments; and   a harness assembly positioned above the substantially horizontal platform.