Cable And Rigid Combined Patents (Class 104/87)
  • Patent number: 11368002
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle mountable to an aerial conductor of an electricity transmission line to monitor a component. The unmanned aerial vehicle has a body having a propulsion system to lift, lower, and navigate the vehicle. A component monitoring tool is mounted to the body and is vertically displaceable between a first position and a second position. The tool in the first position is vertically spaced from the component. The tool in the second position is engaged with the component. A displacement assembly is mounted to at least one of the body and the tool and includes at least one displacement member to displace the body and the tool along the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Samuel Lavoie, Matthieu Montfrond, Eric Lavoie
  • Patent number: 11254334
    Abstract: A trolley for supporting transporting units of a transportation system, wherein the transporting units are supported suspended from a guide defining a direction of movement; the trolley comprising: a frame; rolls supported by the frame and configured for resting and rolling on the guide; a suspending arm for supporting the transporting units, wherein the suspending arm pivots constrained to the frame about the direction of movement between a first and a second angular position; a rotation limiting device selectively operable for limiting or blocking the rotation of the suspending arm with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LEITNER S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nikolaus Erharter
  • Patent number: 11207605
    Abstract: A mechanical assemblage similar to a traditional zipline, where a wheeled cart travels with the assistance of gravity along a guide cable strung between two points. However, this new system allows the cart to travel further, along multiple segments of guide cable and track, connected to each other by an unique attachment system which allows the cart to travel unabated, from cable to track and back to cable, by allowing the mounting attachments for the track segments to pass through an opening in the side of the cart and then close the opening to make it impossible for the guide cable to escape the cart, while riding on the guide cable. This is the most compact, simple and highly functional solution yet presented for genuine cable and track zipline system able to function with only the potential energy of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Flynn
  • Patent number: 8850988
    Abstract: An overhead installation for transporting people in an urban environment includes two carrying cables, which sag in curved manner and are spaced apart from one another, on which the rollers of the vehicle without a hanger arm run. Jacks with vertical displacement, controlled by a central unit, are placed in the connection between the rollers and the vehicle so as to reduce transmission of undesirable movements, resulting from the sag of the cables, to the car of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Creissels Technologies
    Inventors: Denis Creissels, Jerome Richard
  • Patent number: 8640627
    Abstract: A ramp system for bridging a flexible cable to a rigid rail to improve the movement of a trolley along a low tension fixed aerial cableway. The ramp system has an inverted U-shaped elongated channel having a contact surface, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is disposed atop and contacts a portion of the cableway and an anchor configured to pivotably support the proximal end of the channel at a second point at a second level. The second level is disposed higher than the first level, wherein the distal end of the channel is slideably but positively secured to the portion of the cable and the first point, second point and distal end cooperate to form a triangular relationship, thereby reducing bending in the cable, reducing the approach angle and fatigue exerted on the channel and cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Perry
  • Patent number: 8640626
    Abstract: A ramp system for bridging a flexible cable to a rigid rail to improve the movement of a trolley along a low tension fixed aerial cableway. The ramp system has an inverted U-shaped elongated channel having a contact surface, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is disposed atop and contacts a portion of the cableway and an anchor configured to pivotably support the proximal end of the channel at a second point at a second level. The second level is disposed higher than the first level, wherein the distal end of the channel is slideably but positively secured to the portion of the cable and the first point, second point and distal end cooperate to form a triangular relationship, thereby reducing bending in the cable, reducing the approach angle and fatigue exerted on the channel and cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Perry
  • Patent number: 8505461
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diverter system to allow a line inspection robot to traverse an object. The diverter system includes a first diverter attached to a shield wire, a second diverter attached to the shield wire at a position spaced from the first diverter, and a bridge having a first end connected to the first diverter and a second end connected to the second diverter. The first diverter disengages the robot from the shield wire and onto the bridge and the second diverter disengages the robot from the bridge and onto the shield wire to allow the robot to traverse the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Mark Major, Glynn R. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8499696
    Abstract: A method and system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a multi-segmented guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from a series of support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. Safety mechanisms (300) prevent the trolley from leaving the cable (180) unintentionally. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Zip Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Martin C. Tilley
  • Publication number: 20130125776
    Abstract: A ramp system for bridging a flexible cable to a rigid rail to improve the movement of a trolley along a low tension fixed aerial cableway. The ramp system has an inverted U-shaped elongated channel having a contact surface, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is disposed atop and contacts a portion of the cableway and an anchor configured to pivotably support the proximal end of the channel at a second point at a second level. The second level is disposed higher than the first level, wherein the distal end of the channel is slideably but positively secured to the portion of the cable and the first point, second point and distal end cooperate to form a triangular relationship, thereby reducing bending in the cable, reducing the approach angle and fatigue exerted on the channel and cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Donald Perry
  • Publication number: 20130098260
    Abstract: An overhead installation for transporting people in an urban environment includes two carrying cables, which sag in curved manner and are spaced apart from one another, on which the rollers of the vehicle without a hanger arm run. Jacks with vertical displacement, controlled by a central unit, are placed in the connection between the rollers and the vehicle so as to reduce transmission of undesirable movements, resulting from the sag of the cables, to the car of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: CREISSELS TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Denis Creissels, Jerome Richard
  • Patent number: 8262071
    Abstract: A positioning assembly using a pair of rollers elastically connected to a holding base for clamping two cutters received in the holding base. The cutters in the holding base can be adjusted to make different blades contact and align precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Feng Huang
  • Publication number: 20120090494
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: INNOVA PATENT GMBH
    Inventor: MARKUS BECK
  • Patent number: 7823511
    Abstract: An installation conveys individuals by way of a transporting device along a track located above the ground and borne by supports. The installation further has a base station, an apparatus for conveying the transporting device from the base station to a top station, and a running rail for the transporting device which starts from the top station and runs predominantly downward. The running rail extends along curves and loops from the top station to the base station. Provided in the region of the base station, in which the boarding location for the passengers is located, is a conveying tower configured with an upward-conveying apparatus for the transporting device. Located in a region of the top station is a transfer location at which the transporting device occupied by passengers is transferred from the upward-conveying apparatus to the running rail, along which they descend to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Lins, Reinhard Albrich
  • Patent number: 7712760
    Abstract: When the electric vehicle is to be towed by a towing vehicle, the two vehicles are connected by a connection tool, and a drive motor prioritization control unit is connected to the communication network by a communication cable. Power from a battery is then supplied to the low voltage line by a power supply cable, and the inverter is controlled by a signal from the drive motor prioritization control unit of the towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yosuke Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 7490556
    Abstract: A cableway installation has a suspension and hauling cable with transport devices such as cableway gondolas, lift chair, or the like, which are capable of being disconnected from the suspension and hauling cable in the stations. There, they are conveyed along guide rails through the stations and subsequently reconnected to the suspension and hauling cable. The transport devices can be caused to rotate in relation to the suspension rods about an approximately vertical axis by way of a turntable drive unit. A detector device is disposed in the entry area to the stations, by way of which the rotational position of the transport devices is monitored as they enter the stations and switching-off of the cableway gondola installation is occasioned in the event that a preset value for the rotational position is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Rein, Thomas Stefani
  • Patent number: 7461598
    Abstract: A loop-shaped maintenance bay route 6 directly connected to an inter-bay route 4 is provided for the maintenance of an overhead traveling vehicle 8. An operation check traveling line 16 and an operation check station 18 are provided along the maintenance bay route 6 for fully carrying out tests for traveling operation and transfer operation of the overhead traveling vehicle 8. In an adjustment/repair area 14, adjustment, configuration, repair, reconfiguration, or the like of the overhead traveling vehicle 8 are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tamotsu Shiwaku
  • Publication number: 20030183118
    Abstract: The intermediate support device is used for supporting an intermediate portion of elongated element such as a lifeline. The intermediate support device comprises a frame which is to be fixedly attached to an external structure, and a wheel comprising a hub rotatably carried by the frame and a number of peripherally spaced-apart spokes fixedly attached to and radially extending from the hub, the spokes defining a common first channel side and a common second side opposite the channel side. The frame comprises a frame guard in facing spaced register relative to the spokes first channel side and having an edge portion adjacent the spokes whereby the wheel and the frame guard form a substantially closed loop defining a channel therethrough on the spokes first channel side, for allowing the elongated element to extend through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Marco Simard, Georges Begin
  • Patent number: 6543366
    Abstract: A continuously moving cable traction haulage system with vehicles equipped with coupling clamps disengageable from the cable comprising in the stations an uncoupling rail and one for coupling the clamp to the rail is described. In accordance with the present invention the coupling rail (1) is supported in a sprung manner and therewith is associated a sprung roller (23) bearing the traction cable (7) between two fixed guide rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: High Technology Investments BV
    Inventors: Otto Pabst, Andreas Mair
  • Publication number: 20030061960
    Abstract: A tramway transport system (31) including a flexible belt track (32) which spans between two transport terminals (33,34) and, a belt anchorage at each of the terminals. The belt track (32) is not driven to propel the transport vehicle (36, 36a) but instead is tensioned by a belt tensioning assembly, preferably a belt reel assembly (41), formed to apply a tension force to the belt (32). The transport vehicle (36, 36a) mounted to the belt (32) for movement along the belt (32), and is preferably self-propelled. The belt reel assembly (41) is capable of rapid, substantial, dynamic length adjustments of the belt track (32), which enables application of the transport system (31) to underway ship replenishment applications. A method of transporting loads between terminals (33,34) using a flexible belt track (32), a tensioning reel (41) and load-carrying transport vehicle (36, 36a) also is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Jan K. Kunczynski
  • Patent number: 6526894
    Abstract: A running-gear mechanism for the transport assembly of a cableway system has running rollers that roll in guide rails while the coupling assembly is uncoupled from the haulage cable. In the region of the running rollers there is provided at least one downwardly projecting continuation which projects into the guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Meindl
  • Publication number: 20020162477
    Abstract: This invention is a high speed dual cable zip line ride whereby the participant(s) ascends by a mechanical motor drive system and descend using a combination of mechanical and gravitational forces. The participant(s) will be secured in either a harnessed or a seated tram configuration. The control of the deceleration and stopping of the ride will be performed by one of four mechanical configurations depending on the dimension of the ride (i.e. Length and height of the ride). These configurations will be an air shock system, a nitrogen shock system, a hydraulic disc braking system, or a magnetic disc braking system. In all embodiments of the ride appropriate platforms and procedures for safely embarking and disembarking will be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Emiliano Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20020134276
    Abstract: A continuously moving cable traction haulage system with vehicles equipped with coupling clamps disengageable from the cable comprising in the stations an uncoupling rail and one for coupling the clamp to the rail is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Otto Pabst, Andreas Mair
  • Patent number: 6427601
    Abstract: The installation conveys persons from a valley station to a mountain station and for carries individuals from the mountain station to the valley station via carriages that are guided along a track formed by a running rail. The installation has a cableway system with a haulage cable and transport assemblies that can be coupled thereto and are intended for persons and for conveying devices that convey the carriages from the valley station to the mountain station. The haulage cable is guided over cable-deflecting pulleys in the valley station and in the mountain station. Guide rails are provided in the valley station and in the mountain station along which the conveying devices and transport assemblies, uncoupled from the haulage cable, are guided around the cable-deflecting pulleys with conveying wheels. Bypass rails are connected to the guide rails via diverters both in the valley station and in the mountain station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Albrich
  • Publication number: 20020088368
    Abstract: A counter-sheave device for traction cable transportation systems running on guide sheaves is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Otto Pabst, Andreas Mair
  • Patent number: 6412420
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is cable by-pass device comprising a guide wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, at least one toothed wheel having a plurality of teeth extending radially therefrom rotatably mounted independently of the guide wheel, a bracket to the rear of the guide wheel, and an attachment portion below the guide wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sellstrom Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Rafael Kramer, Anne Jahnke
  • Patent number: 5515789
    Abstract: A single-cable aerial cableway including guide rails forming a lead-in guide, secured to a stationary cable support structure. The lead-in guide cooperates with a wheel secured to the grip so as to stabilize and position the grip and the load before they pass along the structure. The position of the lead-in guide is automatically adjusted when the position in height of the cable changes so that the weel always enter the lead-in guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Pomagalski S.A.
    Inventors: Max Brochand, Jean-Pierre Rastello
  • Patent number: 5159880
    Abstract: In the by-pass zone of a car transfer track, in a terminal station of a detachable gondola lift or chairlift, the cars are driven by tired wheels. Transmission between two successive wheels comprises two toothed bevel pinions, wedged onto the wheel spindles, which engage with an inverter bevel pinion inserted between adjacent toothed benel pinions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Pomagalski S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Mugnier
  • Patent number: 5127338
    Abstract: A load attachment system comprises an elongate element secured with respect to a supporting structure and a load attachment, traversing device engaged therewith for sliding movement therealong to traverse intermediate attachment points for the elongate element without detachment therefrom. The traversing device includes a pair of rotary members which cooperate to define a channel for receiving and locating the elongate element. The rotary members are supported on mounting structure adapted to allow relative movement of the rotary member to narrow, or increase, the width of the channel. A load attachment connection is provided on the mounting structure to cause loading of the rotary members, under loads applied in directions away from the elongate element, so as to firmly maintain them in relative positions in which the channel is narrowed thereby securing the elongate element in the channel and reducing the possibility of detachment of the load from the elongate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Latchways Limited
    Inventor: Peter R. Flux
  • Patent number: 5121695
    Abstract: An overhead cableway is disclosed, in particular a chair lift, with a cable revolving between stations and with transport devices having a traveling gear and connected with the cable via removable clamps. Travel segments are provided at every station which include driven friction wheels, which act on the transport devices via friction surfaces provided on their traveling gear, and forming at least one deceleration and one acceleration section each, and with guide elements associated with the travel segments, which cooperate with the traveling gear. In accordance with the invention, the friction wheels (6,10) define traveling surfaces (20) and the transport devices (50) are supported by their downwardly oriented friction surfaces (88) directly on the friction wheels, and the guide elements (48) are seated rotatably and fixed in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Von Roll Transportsysteme AG
    Inventor: Fritz Feuz
  • Patent number: 5119733
    Abstract: A tension station of a detachable chairlift or gondola lift includes a sliding carriage which supports both the return pulley or drive pulley and transfer rail with the associated drive mechanism which drives the cars of the cable transport installation. The carriage is mounted such that it may slide along a longitudinal axis between the tension station and another station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Pomagalski S.A.
    Inventor: Max Brochand
  • Patent number: 4958574
    Abstract: A cable conveyance having a storage region for garaging the carriers which an be decoupled from the transport cable. The carriers are displaced along a transport rail to the storage regions by a reversible drive and are permitted to move by gravity along storage rails into this region or by positively tilting these storage rails back to the transport rail to return to the cable. Thus within the storage region the displacement of the carriers is by gravity only and there is no need to provide a special drive for entrainment of the carriers along the storage rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Konrad Doppelmayr & Sohn Maschinenfabrik Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Meindl
  • Patent number: 4608930
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Dite: Etablissements Montaz-Mautino
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Galmiche
  • Patent number: 4440305
    Abstract: A skyline logging system wherein a skyline cable is supported at an intermediate location by an intermediate support assembly and a logging carriage is supported on the cable and is arranged to pass over the intermediate support assembly. The carriage has inwardly tapered pulleys which ride on oppositely bevelled tracks on the top edges of an upwardly-facing channel shaped member forming part of the intermediate support assembly. The top edges have ramp-like end portions. The carriage is lifted off the cable and rides on the bevelled tracks when crossing over the intermediate support assembly. The carriage can tilt laterally relative to the intermediate support assembly while riding on the bevelled tracks because of the lateral movability of the tapered pulleys on the oppositely bevelled tracks, whereby to maintain stability during passage of the carriage over the intermediate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Cleveland J. Biller, David D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4050385
    Abstract: There is disclosed a high capacity passenger transport apparatus which may be employed as a ski lift including a high speed main cable ascending up a ski run and driven at high speeds. A pair of first and second shuttle tracks lead from the downhill run of such cable at the bottom station and separate to pass through respective first and second loading areas and then merge back together at the uphill run of the high speed cable. Chair trucks are carried on the main cable and include releasable grippers gripping such cables and are intercepted at the end of their downhill travel by escort cars which decelerate such trucks and escort them past a selector switch to direct alternate ones thereof onto the respective first and second shuttle tracks and then to a stopped position at the loading area so skiers can be loaded thereonto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Walt Disney Productions
    Inventors: Robert H. Gurr, Roger E. Broggie
  • Patent number: 4034678
    Abstract: A toy train system providing a plurality of sections of rigid and flexible track members and a switching device for selectively connecting one of the members together. The switching device includes a pair of stationary rings and a rotatable ring with the flexible pieces of track extending between them and selectively registerable with the rigid track members at one of them. Self powered cars are equipped to travel the tracks in upside down condition, upright or on their side, the tracks being especially formed to receive the cars and maintain their security regardless of their oriented condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Inventor: Warren Elvin Wilson