A load stopping system for mechanically stopping a load in a relatively slow and controlled manner using rotational and frictional forces. The system includes a glide rod, a guide collar that moves longitudinally over the glide rod, two vertically mounted friction rods mounted on opposite sides of the glide rod, a friction collar that moves longitudinally along each friction rod, and a support platform coupled to each friction collar and to the guide collar. The glide rod includes a spiral fluted vane along its entire length upon which the guide collar rides when a force is placed on the support platform. The friction rod and collars use friction to control the movement of the support platform along the direction of travel.
This is a continuation patent application based on the continuation in-part patent application (application Ser. No. 10/816,243) filed on Apr. 1, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,451.
