Abstract: The invention utilizes a ski lift for wind power generation outside of the ski season. The carriers on the ski lift are replaced by wind catching structures that pull the haul rope either uphill or downhill, depending on the prevailing wind. The haul rope rotates the electrical drive motor of the ski lift, causing it to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: Device for attaching a cabin designed to be hauled by a cable, including a fastener to couple the device to the cable, and at least one arm configured to attach the cabin in removable manner and mounted mobile on the fastener to move the cabin with respect to the fastener.

Abstract: A cableway system for the transport of persons or goods has two pairs of track cables, which extend between two terminal stations, such as a valley station and a mountain station. Transport vehicles, such as gondolas, are moved along the track cables by at least one traction cable. The track cables run in a curved path in the region of at least one tower and the traction cable is guided in the region of the at least one tower via carrying rollers. At least some of the carrying rollers for the traction cable, which are located in the region of the at least one tower, are adjustable in terms of their position in relation to the two track cables.

Abstract: A cableway installation including a travel cable, a vehicle suspended therefrom, boarding and disembarking points, an aerial carrier configured to support and drive the travel cable, a mobile conductor disposed on the vehicle, a fixed conductor disposed on the aerial carrier adjacent to the travel cable and in an area proximate to at least one of the boarding and disembarking points, the fixed conductor including a first fixed contact element connected to a low voltage electric supply and a first plurality of flexible conductive contact wires extending from the fixed conductor along a longitudinal length of at least one side of the travel cable, where the mobile conductor is disposed so as to the contact the first plurality of flexible conductive contact wires and establish electrical contact with the first fixed contact element and with the low voltage electric supply when the vehicle is transported between the boarding and disembarking points.

Abstract: A cable railway system has a conveying cable, which in the two end stations of the system is guided over a respective deflection pulley. Transport vehicles, which can be coupled to the conveying cable and are configured with a clamping device and with a running gear. The vehicles are coupled to the conveying cable along the route and are guided in the stations by way of the running gear along guide rails. There, the passengers disembark and board. The movement of the vehicles in the stations is governed by control tires, which are drivingly coupled to one another by gear mechanisms. The drive power of the control tires is taken from at least one support roller for the conveying cable, which support roller is located in the station. The support roller for the conveying cable via which the drive of the control tires is derived from the conveying cable by way of at least one drive belt is elastically mounted on a rigidly fastened axle.

Abstract: A transport installation comprising an aerial rope with continuous running on which vehicles are suspended by detachable grips, comprises a transfer circuit equipped with means for moving the vehicles. The means for moving comprise at least one set of wheels with pneumatic tires one of which wheels is connected to a power take-off derived from running of the rope and equipped with drive means whereby each wheel is made to rotate by one of the adjacent wheels. One of the wheels of said set of wheels is connected by transmission means to the output shaft of an electric torque motor generating a constant turning torque independent from the speed of rotation of said output shaft.

Abstract: A cable railway system has a valley station and at least one mountain station. Transport vehicles such as cable cars are moved along a carrying and conveying cable and they are uncoupled from the cable in the stations and moved through the stations along a guide rail. The passengers board and disembark from the cable cars in entry and exit areas. Switches are disposed along the course of the guide rail for selectively moving a first group of cable cars along a first guide path and a second group along a second guide path through the entry and exit area. A common entry and exit area for the passengers is associated with the two groups of vehicles and disposed between the two guide paths. Entry and exit doors of the first group of vehicles open on a first side of the same and entry and exit doors of the second group of vehicles open on a second side, such that they face the common entry and exit area.

Abstract: A cable railway system has a valley station and at least one mountain station. Transport vehicles such as cable cars are moved along a carrying and conveying cable and they are uncoupled from the cable in the stations and moved through the stations along a guide rail. The passengers board and disembark from the the cable cars in entry and exit areas. Switches are disposed along the course of the guide rail for selectively moving a first group of cable cars along a first guide path and a second group along a second guide path through the entry and exit area. A common entry and exit area for the passengers is associated with the two groups of vehicles and disposed between the two guide paths. Entry and exit doors of the first group of vehicles open on a first side of the same and entry and exit doors of the second group of vehicles open on a second side, such that they face the common entry and exit area.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels that are held in a substantially fixed relationship to one another, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the slope of the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: A cableway with suspended tram and remote bogie is disclosed. This includes a self-contained motor, traction and support sheaves with provision for adjusting the height of the tram below said cable for limiting vertical acceleration caused by travel along the cantenary curve of the cableway.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus comprising a traveling unit which runs; a winding roller which is supported by the traveling unit; a belt which is wound on the winding roller so as to be unwound and wound by the winding roller; a pulley which has a peripheral surface guiding the belt and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the winding roller; and the pulley having no flange on both ends thereof; a belt positioning guide which is provided below the pulley and guides both edges of the belt in the win direction thereof so that the belt is positioned in the width direction; and a support unit which is attached to the belt and supports a conveyed object.

Abstract: A damper is described for cableway traction cables comprising a carrying cable (2) stretched between a downstream station and an upstream station with a traction cable (3) returned by pulleys in the stations and at least one support (9) of the cables (2, 3) provided along the path of the cableway and bearing a support and a roller battery and a plurality of cabins (4) running along the carrying cables (2) and can be coupled with the traction cable (3) by means of clamps (6). In accordance with this invention to the structure of the roller battery and preferably at the entrance of the roller battery in the direction of movement (16) of the cabins there is joined a lever (12) bearing at its free end a roller (13) engaged on the traction cable (3) and the lever is loaded by elastic means or weights towards the traction cable in such a manner as to soften the passage of this roller over the back of the clamp and to accompany the traction cable in the lowering onto the roller battery.

Abstract: A cableway system has a valley station and at least one mountain station. A conveying cable is guided over deflecting pulleys in the stations. Transport devices in the form of chairs and cablecars are uncoupled from the conveying cable in the stations and moved through the stations along guide rails, where passengers board them or disembark. On exiting the station, the transport devices are once more coupled to the conveying cable. At least two diverters are provided along the course of the guide rails and along which the lift chairs are moved through a first boarding and disembarking region and the cablecar gondolas are moved through a second boarding and disembarking region. The chairs are for passengers with skis attached and the cablecars are for is passengers without any skis attached. The chairs are moved through the first boarding and disembarking region at twice or more the speed of the cablecars moving through the second boarding and disembarking region.

Abstract: A drive sheave equipped with a deformable tire is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the drive sheave comprises a tire portion wherein the tire portion comprises an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface. The tire portion also comprises a first surface extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface. In addition, the tire portion comprises a second surface extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface, wherein the second surface is oppositely disposed relative to the first surface. At least one opening in the tire portion extends between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout two-dimensional space by using a support rope that is coupled with both opposing sides of the platform. This rope controls the Y-axis motion and Z-axis motion of the platform and is designated the YZ movement rope. Displacing a portion of the YZ movement rope allows vertical displacement of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of horizontal movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. In addition, since the rope is commanded from one point, distantly located motors and electrical cables are not required. Many types of useful devices may then be attached to the platform including devices that require external power or devices that possess their own power and are operated via wireless signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout two-dimensional and three-dimensional space by using a movement line that is coupled with a plurality of opposing sides of the platform. The movement line is used to control the horizontal axis motion and Z-axis motion of the platform and is designated the horizontal movement line. Displacing a portion of the horizontal movement line allows vertical displacement of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of horizontal movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. Nested embodiments utilizing one or more rope allow for three-dimensional movement of an object or angular displacement of an object with respect to the vertical axis. A mounting beam for positioning and supporting the Z-axis and horizontal axis motors and visual display element(s) and other optional multimedia devices may also be positioned independently of the platform.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are ideally suited for use filming movies, sporting events, or any other activity that requires fluid movement of a camera or other object to any position within a defined volume of space. To accomplish such positioning embodiments of the invention are configured to move an object throughout three-dimensional space by relocating one or more lines that are feed through a plurality of opposing sides of the object. These line(s) (e.g., a cable, rope, string, cord, wire, or any other flexible connective element) which support the object over a volume of space are arranged in way that allows the object to be rapidly moved to and from any location within the defined volume of space.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are ideally suited for use filming movies, sporting events, or any other activity that requires fluid movement of a camera or other object to any position within a defined volume of space. To accomplish such positioning embodiments of the invention are configured to move an object throughout three-dimensional space by relocating one or more lines that are feed through a plurality of opposing sides of the object. These line(s) (e.g., a cable, rope, string, cord, wire, or any other flexible connective element) which support the object from above or below the object within a volume of space are arranged in way that allows the object to be rapidly moved to and from any location within the defined volume of space. For instance, the system may be arranged to perform dimensional movement using one line configured as an endless loop, one line configured as a half loop, two lines configured as endless loops or two lines configured as half loops.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout three-dimensional by using two supporting ropes each of which connects to both opposing sides of the payload. If one rope breaks, the payload gently travels to the middle of the coverage area in a safe manner, maintaining the given displacement in the other unbroken axis. One rope controls the X-axis motion of the platform and is designated the X movement rope. The other rope controls the Y-axis motion of the platform and is designated the Y movement rope. Displacing equal lengths of the X and Y movement ropes allows the Z-axis of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of X and Y axis movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. In addition, since the ropes are commanded from one point, distantly located motors and electrical cables are not required.

Abstract: A traveling highline aerial cable rail system for moving objects over large distances in three-dimensional space. A pair of track dollies mounted beneath substantially parallel and distantly separated support trusses allow the entire load bearing highline itself to traverse X-axis space. The highline defines the Y-axis of the system and supports a skate that moves along this axis. A platform suspended from the skate moves vertically in the Z-axis and can support extremely heavy loads depending on the gauge of the rope used in the system. A three motor pulley system with a multiplicity of sheaves allow independent movement of all three axes. The system can move objects weighing thousands of pounds stably at 60 miles per hour or more through three-dimensional space. The system can be modularly widened along the X-axis by adding truss sections, and the highline can be configured to up to 1000 feet or more, using rope that can support several tons or more.

Abstract: An aerial ropeway wherein oppositely located first and second sheave trains are supported on a crossarm wherein first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are pivotally mounted at fixed spaced apart locations on the crossarm and the first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are each pivotally connected to an elongated member extending therebetween.

Abstract: The chairs or the cabins of an overhead cable transport installation are driven on a transfer rail in a station by means of friction sheaves staggered along the travel circuit and interconnected by a belt drive arrangement. The rotational movement of the friction sheaves is derived from a cable support sheave by means of a movement take up module, having a girder like box secured adjacent to the girder which supports the friction sheaves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for yarding logs by introducing slack is provided for use with a mono-cable system having a continuous loop of cable strung through a logging area along a path that the harvested timber is conveyed. The invention includes advancing the mono-cable system along the path of the mono-cable system until a length of cable not being used to secure a log is available. Slack is then created in the cable of the mono-cable system, after which the cable is transported to a log located on either side and distant from the path. The choker is then secured to the log, and the hook of the choker is secured to the cable. The slack of the cable is then eliminated, such that the secured log is retrieved from its felled position distant from the path to a position adjacent the path. The cable is then advanced such that the hook of the choker is caught on a stopper of the mono-cable system, and the log is moved along the path to a transport location from which the log is removed from the logging area.

Abstract: A system of suspended supports for aerial transportation like ski lifts, tramways, freight ropeways, and high voltage electricity lines, has a main carrying element which is a long-span cable along the route, and which is suspended at its ends. A plurality of spaced supports for the aerial means are hung from the cable. Each support has a rigid element carrying the carrying cable and guy ropes, one end of which is attached to the rigid element and another end which is anchored in the ground. The guy ropes carry horizontal and upward vertical loads, and torques applied to the rigid element and fix a position of the rigid element.

Abstract: A bypass for a car of a circuit cable railway system, which is positioned at a turn-about station of the system between the incoming and outgoing lines of at least one revolving conveying cable. The bypass includes coupling points, disposed on incoming and outgoing tracks of the station, at which the car is decoupled from the conveying cable when entering the station and coupled to the conveying train cable when exiting the station. A conveying apparatus drives the car, which has been decoupled from the conveying cable, at a feeding velocity around the station on a station track, and accelerates movement of the car on the station track to enable the car to recouple with the conveying cable at the coupling point when exiting the station. The station track has an incoming portion at the location where the car enters the station and an outgoing portion at a location where the car exits the station.

Abstract: A rope guide system and for an aerial ropeway includes a haulage rope that travels along a path between two stations, and comprises two driving wheels 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 disposed at one of the stations and laterally offset with respect to each other, which convey the haulage rope. Two inner deflector wheels 6.sub.1, 6.sub.2 direct the rope to cross over itself at a predetermined location to form inner and outer rope loops, and cooperate to direct the inner rope loop toward and away from the two driving wheels. A first reversing wheel 5.sub.1 is disposed at the other station, and the inner rope loop passes around it. Either two additional reversing wheels 5.sub.2, 5.sub.3 or a second, larger reversing wheel 5.sub.2, about which the outer loop passes, is/are disposed at the other station. Two outer deflector wheels direct the outer rope loop toward and away from either the two additional reversing wheels or the second reversing wheel.

Abstract: An aerial tramway having a pair of side-by-side, substantially parallel, movable haul ropes and at least one load carrying unit attached between the haul ropes for advancement therewith. A plurality of detachment assemblies are positioned periodically along the course of the haul rope to detach the load carrier from at least one of the haul ropes and thereby relieve torque induced in the load carrier due to differences in haul rope speeds. The load carrying units preferably have grip assemblies which wedge against the haul ropes, and detachment wheels lift the load carrier unit and grip assemblies up off the haul ropes to effect detachment. A method of conveying load carrying units by side-by-side haul ropes which prevents torque build-up in the units also is disclosed.

Abstract: A bicable ropeway aerial transport system is disclosed which includes a pair of carrier and haulage ropes and at least two pair of end pulleys that are respectively engaged with the ropes in embarking and disembarking stations. The end pulleys in at least one of the stations are offset longitudinally and form between them a free space dimensioned to permit the engagement and disengagement of the vehicles from between the ropes in the free space.

Abstract: An aerial transportation system including two generally parallel endless aerial carrier and traction cables is disclosed in which apparatus is respectively associated with each of the cables for separately supporting each cable. The supporting apparatus associated with each cable each comprise at least one basic balance beam, at least one roller rotatably mounted at one end of the balance beam for engaging its associated cable and at least one support balance beam with the basic balance beam being pivotally mounted at one end on the support balance beam for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending at right angles to the cables. A support structure is provided for the balance beams with the support balance beam being pivotally mounted on the support structure.

Abstract: The cable-car or gondola lift according to the invention comprises two upper cables (10, 12) which laterally frame the upper part of the vehicle (18). The latter bears two support parts (20, 22) articulated on a single horizontal transverse axis of the vehicle (18), each support part being able to be coupled to one of the cables (10, 12). The two cables (10, 12), for example carrier-hauling cables, move in synchronism, the vehicle (18) being able to be detached at the entry to the stations for unloading and loading at a standstill or at reduced speed. The longitudinal stability of the vehicle (18) is ensured by one or more cables staggered in height with respect to the cables (10, 12). According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal stability is conferred by the structure of the vehicle (18) itself, in this instance a modular structure.

Abstract: A cableway-type transportation system has an endless cable looped under tension about two reversing pulleys between which its two substantially parallel runs are supported by sustaining rollers yieldably overlain by retaining rollers. At an intermediate point the two runs are laterally bent in the same direction by respective deflectors lying within the loop plane, namely a first deflector comprising a relatively large pulley inside the loop and a second deflector including an array of relatively small pulleys outside the loop. The latter pulleys are partly overlain by a curved shelf rigid with a vertical web of a guard rail, the corresponding cable run passing normally under that web.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a boatless water skiing tow system and a unique traction apparatus for use therein. The traction apparatus comprises a plurality of cable loops connected end to end to form an endless sequence giving the semblance of a dual cable traction device without the disadvantages of such a traction device. Apparatus is provided for equalizing the action of forces applied to the upper and lower arms of the various loops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous operation gondola lift with twin parallel suspension/haulage cables, between which the gondolas hang, connected to the cables by means of detachable grips. Inside the terminals the gondolas are disconnected from the cables and travel on transfer rails at reduced speed.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is an aerial cableway having a towing cable which is continually driven by a drive motor located in one station. In another station, the cable passes over a return sheave which is mechanically coupled to an electric speed stabilization device which drives or brakes the rotation of the return sheave so as to maintain a speed set value corresponding to the motor drive speed.

Abstract: Single rope aerial cableway having a load-carrying head carriage with two clips of inverted-V form for gripping the rope by the action of the weight of the load. Each clip is provided with a rearwards extending fork and is rotatably mounted to move the fork in a downward direction upon upward movements of the clip relatively to the rope so that the rope is engaged and guided by the fork. A finger engaging the rope is slidably mounted on the front side of the clip and the support sheave is provided with two side grooves.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus for lifting and/or lowering heavy objects such as drill pipe, drill collars and the like to and from the elevated floor of a drilling rig from a lower storage position including an endless loop cable rove in a single layer in wide spaced grooves on a pivotably mounted rotatable drum and a deep, wide grooved sheave mounted substantially vertically on a load aligning floor pole with means for pivoting the rotatable drum to slacken or tension the cable to vary the elevation of the object being carried on free running trolly means and means for automatically preventing overloading of the cable.

Abstract: A rigging arrangement and yarder are disclosed for yarding in which a single cable is used. This cable is anchored at a main storage drum on a yarder and preferably at an anchor in the vicinity of the tail block. The single line serves as a running skyline for supporting a carriage and includes several loops around a tram drum and an idler drum (but only one layer on said drums) which operate to hold cable or to reel equal amounts of cable in or out to both the yarder side and the anchor side of the carriage to move the carriage without introducing slack into either side. Since only a single layer of cable is wound on the tram and idler drums, no energy is lost dealing with varying speeds and torques caused by changing effective diameters, thus saving energy and weight of equipment.

Abstract: The endless single cable conveyor with lugs moving in a guide channel for engaging either an article to be conveyed or a carrier for the article has the lugs molded of a synthetic resin onto the cable in triangular shape and received within a complimentary shaped channel for both the conveying run and the returned run respectively. With such complementary triangular shapes for both the lug and its channel, the channel may be bent in any direction as desired for the conveyor without fear of the lug moving out of the channel, and if excessive wear occurs to the portion of the lug extending beyond the channel to engage the article, the lug may be removed from the channel, rotated 120.degree., and reinserted within the channel to present a new article engaging portion that is undamaged. The channels are constructed opposite each other with a box beam between them, and the entire channel and box beam assembly is constructed in one piece by extrusion.

Abstract: An article conveyor comprises a pair of belts, each trained around a pair of pulleys, with straight stretches between said pulleys. The four straight belt stretches are coplanar and parallel. One pulley for each belt is so driven that the belts move in opposite orbital directions. Corresponding stretches of the two belts are confined to lengthwise motion, as by additional freely rotatable pulleys or by a rail-like member for each of said stretches having a groove in which the belt is slidingly received. Each article carrier has belt engaging portions with long, laterally oppositely opening grooves in which said belt stretches are received, so that said stretches support and drive the carrier.