Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) for transporting people on a sloping track (V) of a cable transport installation, said vehicle comprising a carriage (10) suitable for running on the track (V) while being drawn by at least one traction cable (C1) of the transport installation, a cabin support (120) carried by the carriage (10), an onboard braking device (14) and a shock absorber (13) linked to the onboard braking device and to the cabin support (120), and suitable for transforming the kinetic energy of the cabin support (120) into heat when the cabin support (120) moves relative to the onboard braking device (14) along a shock absorption trajectory in the shock absorption direction, characterized in that the onboard braking device (14) is rigidly connected to the carriage (10) and the vehicle also comprises a slide link (12) between the cabin support (120) and the carriage (10) to guide a movement of the cabin support (120) relative to the carriage (10) along the shock absorption trajectory.

Abstract: A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including a track extending through the transportation tube and a cable disposed at least partially inside the track, the cable configured to be coupled to the transportation pod as the transportation pod is propelled along the track; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.

Abstract: An incline elevator with a load carrying unit running on a U-shaped track. The load carrying unit is mounted on trucks engaging the track. Below the trucks are swivelably mounted eccentric safety devices, with roller guides spring loaded against the interior walls of the channel, and eccentric brakes retracted during normal operation or extended during emergencies like a break in the elevator hoist cable. The eccentric brakes are retracted when both mechanically and electrically driven linkages are engaged. The brakes are retracted when tension is present in the hoist cable, and when electrical speed sensors sense an underspeed condition. The eccentric brakes deploy when either there is a hoist cable break, an overspeed condition, or an incline elevator power failure. The eccentric brakes are spring loaded to swing out, engaging the interior walls of the channel of the track, and jam in position stopping the load carrying unit.

Abstract: A lift for an attic staircase is provided. The lift includes a base that is attached to a floor near the entrance to the attic. An incline frame may be slidably attached to the base. The incline frame may be oriented at an angle that is substantially the same as the deployed attic staircase. A winch that includes a cable may be used to hoist a cart up the staircase and into the attic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail transport system comprising at least two run- ners (20) having a shaped profile, a transport rail (61) and a transport carriage (2), the run- ners (20) with a shaped profile being exten- ded over a staircase or over a flat section and the transport carriage (2) being moved along the transport rail (61). The transport carriage is provided with at least one electric motor. The runners (20) having a shaped profile and the transport rail (61) are stored in the trans- port carriage (2). The invention also relates to a method for constructing a rail transport system and for transporting at least one con- tainer for loading and/or unloading the galley of an aeroplane, and to a system for simulta- neously loading and/or unloading the galley of an aeroplane.

Abstract: Lifting device for the assembly of a wind turbine of which the top part of the tower (21) is fixed to the supporting structure (32) located above the upper platform (31) of the lifting device (3). The sections (221) of the lower part (22) of the tower are then installed, in such a way that the lifting device (3) is embedded in the anchoring beams (225) of the lower part (22). 10.In order to lift the upper part (21) of the tower, the upper platform (31) is separated from the lower platform (33) using cylinders (34) between said platforms, the upper platform (31) is fixed to the anchoring beams (225), the lower platform (33) is freed from the anchoring beams (225), the platforms (31, 33) are brought closer together and the lower platform (33) is anchored to said beams (225). Continuing successively until the flanges (211, 222) of the parts (21, 22) of the tower make contact.

Abstract: A portable raise climbing system is provided that comprises a starter box for interfacing with an existing raise climb track, a raise climber that is deployed by the system onto the existing track for normal raise excavation operations, and a transporter. The transporter is configured to carry the raise climber from site to site by interfacing with moving equipment. The moving equipment preferably includes a front hydraulic quick connect/disconnect lift system, e.g. front-end loader, forklift, plough, scooptram, etc.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus including a travel platform moving along a support frame to transport people and objects, and a lifting method for moving the travel platform up and down along the support frame to transport people and objects.

Abstract: A hoisting device for the transfer of formwork and other construction materials that does not require cutting and welding of the guide rails for assembly and disassembly on site, yet does not pose the difficulties of transporting and handling the fixed span of a full length guide rail. The hoisting device also offers advantages in the transfer materials along floors of buildings that do not follow a vertical line, and in allowing the hoist car to access “green” slabs that are yet to attain full strength.

Abstract: A ramp system for efficiently transferring a wheelchair or other vehicle from one vertical end of the ramp to the other. The ramp system generally includes a ramp including a slot, wherein the slot extends through the ramp along a longitudinal length of the ramp between an upper end and a lower end of the ramp, a drive assembly mounted proximate the ramp and a catch tool connected to the drive assembly, wherein the catch tool travels between the upper end and the lower end of the ramp via the drive assembly, wherein the catch tool travels within the slot of the ramp.

Abstract: An incline elevator with a load carrying unit running on a U-shaped track. The load carrying unit is mounted on trucks engaging the track. Below the trucks are swivelably mounted eccentric safety devices, with roller guides spring loaded against the interior walls of the channel, and eccentric brakes retracted during normal operation or extended during emergencies like a break in the elevator hoist cable. The eccentric brakes are retracted when both mechanically and electrically driven linkages are engaged. The brakes are retracted when tension is present in the hoist cable, and when electrical speed sensors sense an underspeed condition. The eccentric brakes deploy when either there is a hoist cable break, an overspeed condition, or an incline elevator power failure. The eccentric brakes are spring loaded to swing out, engaging the interior walls of the channel of the track, and jam in position stopping the load carrying unit.

Abstract: A portable raise climbing system is provided that comprises a starter box for interfacing with an existing raise climb track, a raise climber that is deployed by the system onto the existing track for normal raise excavation operations, and a transporter. The transporter is configured to carry the raise climber from site to site by interfacing with moving equipment. The moving equipment preferably includes a front hydraulic quick connect/disconnect lift system, e.g. front-end loader, forklift, plough, scooptram, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine tower comprising at least two annular tower rings placed vertically on top of each other. The wind turbine tower is characterized in that, a first tower ring overlaps at least a further tower ring of the at least two tower rings. The invention further relates to a wind turbine, a wind turbine tower elevator for use in a wind turbine tower and a method for assembling a wind turbine tower.

Abstract: Accordingly, embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise a personnel lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations or from a base elevation to a raised elevation. A moveable lift platform rides within a track provided on a pair of substantially upright side rails. The platform is connected by a flexible metallic cable to an electrically operated winch. The personnel lift eliminates steps and ladders on recreational items or any equipment requiring climbing.

Abstract: An incline lift unit (2) is designed for conveying a load along a guide (3) with a varying angle of inclination. The incline lift unit (2) comprises a conveying unit (5), which is designed to be carried by the guide (3) and to move along the guide (3). The incline lift unit (2) comprises a load carrier (4), which is rotatably connected to the conveying unit (5). The incline lift unit (2) comprises rotation means (31) and a control unit (37) for driving the rotation means (31) in such a manner that the load carrier (4) assumes a desired orientation relative to the vertical. The conveying unit (5) comprises a conveying frame (29) and two-gear mechanisms (41). The gear mechanisms (41) are rotatably connected to the conveying frame (29) and comprise a gearwheel (49). The gearwheel (49) is intended for engagement with a gear rack (22) of the guide. The incline lift unit (2) furthermore comprises detection means (55) for detecting a difference in rotation of the gearwheels (49).

Abstract: The invention provides for a transport system and method of using the transport system. The transport system may include a transport track; and a platform assembly that transports along the transport track, the platform assembly including (1) a cargo platform; and (2) a pair of drive pinion trucks mounted on opposing sides of the cargo platform, each drive pinion truck engaged with the transport track for movement along the transport track. The drive pinion trucks may be provided with a leveling system to provide leveling of the cargo platform during operation.

Abstract: A device supported by a ground surface and a structure for at least one of elevating and descending a user. The device includes a first guide rail having a first channel extending along a length thereof and a second guide rail having a second channel extending along the length thereof. At least one connector connects the first guide rail with the second guide rail at a predetermined location along a length thereof so that said first channel and said second channel face inwards towards each other. A platform for supporting the user having a predetermined amount of weight is connected within each of the first and second channels and between the first guide rail and second guide rail. The device further includes means for moving the platform along the length of each of the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide for a lift along a staircase, comprising an elongate profile with at least one edge thereon, which edge extends along a considerable part of the length of the profile, wherein the edge of the profile is serrated and forms a gear rack for engagement thereon by a drive of the lift.

Abstract: This patent relates to a machine for transporting people and cargo with three-dimensional and infinite movement along properly positioned rails. The main application is for transporting people between two points with different coordinates, for example between one floor of one building and another floor of another building, kilometres away. It is composed essentially of: a set of wheels (1 and 2) that roll on the rails (8 and 9); a cabinet (7) where the people and cargo are transported; a chassis that connects the wheels to a “T” beam (10); this “T” beam (10) connects the chassis to the cabinet (7); electrical engines that move the wheels. The set of parts allows the cabinet to have a non-straight, three-dimensional and infinite movement, the cabinet always being in the vertical position.

Abstract: A marine gangway to enable handicapped users to move between floating and fixed landings may include a gangway ramp extending between the floating and fixed landings, and at least one rail carried by the gangway ramp. The marine gangway may further include a drive unit coupled to the at least one rail and movable between the floating and fixed landings, and a handicapped user lift unit carried by the drive unit and pivoting with respect thereto to be level at at least one of the floating and fixed landings. As such, the lift unit may remain level in a loading/unloading position at the floating or fixed landing despite changes in inclination of the gangway ramp, which prevents damage to the lift unit as a result thereof.

Abstract: In an escalator having a high-speed inclined portion escalator, a shape for of an auxiliary track in a speed-changing region for steps is determined by finding a positional relationship between step link roller shafts of at least one of the steps and an adjacent step from a step speed profile representing a speed of the step link roller shafts relative to as a function of time. A The shape for of a riser is determined such that the riser aligns with a relative movement locus of the adjacent step by finding a relative positional relationship between the step and the adjacent step from the step speed profile.

Abstract: The present invention describes a formed of curved stairlift rail (12) formed by bending two sections (20a), (20b) of a relatively small diameter, standard, round tube to a mating configuration; nestling the tube sections together, one above the other; and then fixing the sections together by, for example, welding along the junctions between the tubes. The invention also describes novel forms of carriage (11) described having fixed central roller assemblies (42, 44); (65), (70), (71); and two outer, leading and trailing, roller assemblies (41, 43); (73a), (73b) which move in a substantially mirror fashion to one another when negotiating inside/outside bends, but which move together, along spaced parallel axes, when the carriage is negotiating transition bends. Spring (50), (90) are provided to bias the outer roller assemblies against the rail.

Abstract: The invention provides a ramp system for transporting objects from a lower site to an upper site and vice versa while keeping the object in a generally horizontal, or upright, orientation when the object is moved up a variable incline. Two rails are provided between the upper and lower site, and a carriage is provided with wheels to allow it to move along the rails. A plurality of cables extend from the carriage to the upper site and to the lower site, the cables passing through pulleys affixed to the carriage, in an arrangement which causes the front portion of the carriage to be cantilevered over the rails, thus keeping a horizontal orientation notwithstanding the incline of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented in a marine environment between a floating dock and a fixed pier.

Abstract: The invention provides a ramp system for transporting objects from a lower site to an upper site and vice versa while keeping the object in a generally horizontal, or upright, orientation when the object is moved up a variable incline. Two rails are provided between the upper and lower site, and a carriage is provided with wheels to allow it to move along the rails. A plurality of cables extend from the carriage to the upper site and to the lower site, the cables passing through pulleys affixed to the carriage, in an arrangement which causes the front portion of the carriage to be cantilevered over the rails, thus keeping a horizontal orientation notwithstanding the incline of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented in a marine environment between a floating dock and a fixed pier.

Abstract: An inclined elevator for excavating an open cut mine in stopes has a traveling platform and counterweight coupled by cables whose upper and lower passes extend over upper and lower cable pulleys to the drum of a conveyor or drive machine. The cables can pass around a rerouting pulley which can be shifted on the foundation for the inclined elevator to compensate for increased depth of the excavation. The traveling platform which carries the car or truck for the mined material can have pins engaging in a bottom which is removable from the platform and can be locked in upper and lower positions relative to the foundation by pawls engaging in notches or recesses of the bottom.

Abstract: An autonomous transport system is disclosed, formed by four main subsystems: a channel subsystem; a vehicle subsystem; a wheel guide subsystem and central control station subsystem. The system is designed for the transportation of people or goods, to be used in tall buildings and in small and large scale urban environments. It comprises unitary vehicles that may move in different directions: horizontal, steeply sloped and also vertical tracks, thanks to novel traction wheel assemblies that roll on carefully designed wheel tracks. The system's cabin maintains the horizontal level/position regardless of the changes of track direction or slanting thanks to pendulum based automatic level control and may rotate up to 180° under normal conditions and even a full 360° turn respect to the wheel assembly in space restricted positions. The cabin is mounted on a cantilever, thereby displacing its center of gravity respect of the wheel guides.

Abstract: A removable lift assembly for moving a wheelchair or other heavy object over an outdoor set of steps includes:

Abstract: An installation for transporting people and/or goods, suitable for transporting people with reduced mobility and people in a wheelchair notably, comprising in combination:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transporting persons along a staircase, comprising:

Abstract: A stairlift has a vertically displaceable load-receiving device on which a platform, hinged ramps and barriers are disposed, vertically movable barrier-actuating bars, which protrude downward over the load-receiving device and individually link the barriers, a spring-loaded pretensioning device for the platform, which forces the platform upward, a tilt lever on the platform, which interacts with a tilt stop of the guide body and swings the platform up and down in the unloaded state, and two lifting bars linked to the platform, for interaction with rotating stops of the barriers in order to move the barriers out of the lowermost into the horizontal position as the unloaded load-receiving device is lowered.

Abstract: In a chair type stair elevating device in which upper and lower rails and a rack or chain parallel to the rails are provided along the stairs, an elevating mechanism mounted on the rails is moved by a pinion or sprocket of a driving machine meshing with the rack or chain. A chair is mounted on the elevating mechanism, and the rack or chain is received in the rail in a hidden state. In this way, the rack or chain is invisible, so that the design value of the entire device improves, and it is also possible to prevent injury and soiling of clothes by the rack or chain.

Abstract: The autonomous tilting platform unit is for infrastructure work over a 0-90° slanted surface. It has a platform assembly pivotally connected to a carriage assembly provided with wheels for displacement over the surface. An autonomous motor unit is mounted on the carriage assembly through a pendulum assembly. The tilting angle of the platform assenbly with respect to the carriage assenbly is adjusted with a jack device powered by the motor unit. A pair of winches powered by the motor hoist the platform unit along the slanted surface. A control unit is mounted on the platform assembly, and operates the motor unit and controls the jack device and the winches.

Abstract: A running gear (3), for a drive mechanism of a rail-guided displacement device, such as a passenger lift, comprising a base part, a drive and at least two sets of guide wheels (9), arranged behind each other, viewed in direction of travel of the running gear, so that, during use, the running gear is guided along the rail in a desired position by the guide wheels, the base part comprising at least a bridge piece (5), a first and a second frame part (6, 7), the frame parts each being connected to the bridge piece so as to be movable about at least one pivotal axis, each frame part carrying a set of guide wheels and the frame parts being mutually coupled by coupling means which form a mechanical mirror, so that the movements of the first and the second part are always each other's mirror image in a first plane of symmetry extending at right angles to the driving direction of the running gear between the first and the second frame part, and viewed relative to the bridge piece.

Abstract: A slide extends from an upper level platform to a lower level. The slide includes a bed with a smooth top surface and side frames that project upwardly from the bed. The bed is a sheet having upraised lips along its side edges. The lips are received by first channels in the side frames. Crossbars extend transversely beneath the bed, with the ends of the crossbars being received by second channels in the side frames. A groove is formed in the top surface of the bed, which groove receives a line. The line is coupled to a motor and to a carrier located on the slide, wherein the carrier traverses up and down the slide. Objects can be raised and lowered between the two levels using the carrier. Alternatively, objects can be allowed to slide down the bed.

Abstract: A variable-incline ramp system guides a vehicle through the incline between a first site and a second site while at all times maintaining the vehicle in its natural horizontal orientation. The ramp system includes a separate set of rails for guiding the front and the rear wheels of the vehicle. In profile, the two sets of rails form a parallelogram having one pair of sides of a length equal to the wheelbase of the vehicle. So long as these parallelogram sides are horizontally oriented, the vehicle traveling along the rails will maintain its normal orientation because its wheelbase axis will be parallel to the horizontal sides of the parallelogram. In one embodiment suited for use in marine settings, the rails are movably connected to the first and second sites such that as the site elevations change, the parallelogram is free to skew while still remaining a parallelogram with the same length sides.

Abstract: An incline lift system for incline operation. The lift system includes a pair of guide rails that run parallel to each other at a constant vertical gauge, on which a pair of traction roller sets move thereto. The pair of traction roller sets are mounted to a carriage frame which travels on the pair of guide rails. Each traction roller set includes a driven roller which is positioned on top of the respective guide rail and a pair of pressure rollers which are positioned below the respective guide rail. The periphery of the pressure rollers are driven into the guide rail by means of a restrained compression spring in such a way as to augment the natural gravity contact such that the primary motive force is transferred via traction. The traction roller sets are arranged in such a manner that the pressure rollers press against the respective guide rail and into the driven roller with sufficient force as to increase the gravity traction and create an adequate traction contact area to support the carriage frame.

Abstract: A convertible lift mechanism for lifting an object from a first surface to a vertically displaced second surface includes a source of motive force, a conversion stair, and a lift linkage. The convertible lift mechanism may be utilized as a platform lift or a wheelchair lift. The conversion stair has a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the conversion stair functions as a stair within a stairway. In the second configuration, the conversion stair has a substantially horizontal lifting surface movable between a first position and a second position. The substantially horizontal lifting surface forms at least a portion of a lift platform.

Abstract: A vacuum wall walking apparatus includes an annular body frame, a plurality of leg mechanisms extending downward from the body frame, and a plurality of suction cups attached to fore ends of the respective legs. The body frame is composed of a flexible member. The body frame thus constructed is bendable to conform to the profile of a curved surface when the vacuum wall walking apparatus is used with a wall having such curved surface. With this bending or deformation of the body frame, the suction cups are always able to retain an optimum posture to insure that the vacuum wall walking apparatus is stably held on the curved surface of the wall by a vacuum formed in the suction cups. The vacuum wall walking apparatus may include a surface treatment mechanism, in which instance a winch is provided to minimize or substantially eliminate the load exerted from the surface treatment mechanism to the vacuum wall walking apparatus.

Abstract: A people mover system (110) comprising an elevated track (112) having a horizontal section (114) and vertical end sections (116, 118) and a passenger car (124) movably carried on track (112). Horizontal track section (114) is elevated above an intersection or roadway (140) a height sufficient to permit vehicular traffic to pass beneath car (124). A drive mechanism is provided extending along track (124) for propelling the passenger car in both vertical and horizontal directions between a first load/unload point (120) and a second load/unload point (122).

Abstract: A raise buggy has a storage and transport cabinet for storing and transporting equipment and material along an inclined raise, over an inclined raise floor extending between a base level and a raise face, wheels for rolling the cabinet over the raise floor in contact with the raise floor, the cabinet having a forward, inclined, generally planar primary work surface extending between an upper surface of the cabinet and a lower surface of the cabinet, inclined so as to be generally horizontal when the raise buggy has been elevated along the inclined raise floor by selective winching by cable means to a position adjacent and below the raise face.

Abstract: A stairlift comprises a carriage for movement along a fixed rail the angle of inclination of which varies along its length. A seat is pivotally mounted to the carriage and an actuating device is used for turning the seat relative to the carriage. A control device of the stairlift responds to the position of the carriage along its rail and the stored data representing the desired angle between the seat and carriage at different positions along the rail, to control the actuating device so as to maintain the seat substantially level as the carriage moves along the rail.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a freight elevator or a stair climber for the handicapped is guided on at least one supporting waling or spar. A driving strip is disposed on the supporting waling or spar. According to one embodiment, the driving strip has recesses formed therein at equal intervals. A load-receiving configuration has a motor-driven drive wheel and drive elements are adapted to the recesses for form-lockingly engaging the drive wheel with the recesses. According to another embodiment, squared blocks of constant length are secured to the supporting waling or spar at equal spacings. A load-receiving configuration has a motor-driven drive wheel and drive elements are adapted to the spacings of the blocks for form-lockingly engaging the squared blocks with the drive wheel.

Abstract: A substantially straight rail assembly on which a carriage of a stationary inclined elevator is guided includes two track rails, each having two legs joined by a web having a plurality of holes. Box-shaped frames, each comprising two rails having holes and coupled together with transverse bars, are screwed to the track rails at arbitrary positions in the longitudinal direction of the track rails to couple the track rails together at a predetermined distance from each other. Splice frames connect additional pairs of track rails to the track rails. The box-shaped frames and splice frames are removably mounted to foundations positioned along a gradient surface to mount the rail assembly to the gradient surface at desired angles of inclination. A cable winch or revolving cable drive moves a carriage of the inclined elevator along the track rails.

Abstract: A stairway lift is provided on the treads of a stairway along a sidewall. A guide of the lift is provided on the treads along the sidewall so that a space is formed between the sidewall and the guide. The guide has a first side that faces the sidewall, a first rail provided on the first side, a chain rack on the first side that extends along the sidewall and a second side that faces away from the sidewall. A mobile body is supported by the first rail in the space formed between the sidewall and the guide. The mobile body has a drive sprocket engageable with the chain rack and an electric motor coupled with the drive sprocket for rotatively driving the drive sprocket. A carrier is provided for carrying a person or object to be moved along the stairway. A coupling arrangement couples the mobile body and the carrier so that the carrier is removably supported by the mobile body on the second side of the guide and guided for travel by the guide.