Abstract: A funicular system including a passenger carriage or vehicle (21) supported for movement along a path relative to a support surface (22) , an endless haul rope (23) mounted in a loop-like plurality of support sheaves (26, 27, 28) for guided movement along the path, and grip assembly (24) coupled to the carriage (21) and coupled to the haul rope (23) and formed for passage of the grip assembly (24) over the support sheaves (26, 27, 28) without significant relative displacement between the haul rope (23) and support sheaves (26, 27, 28). The grip assembly (24) preferably is comprised of a linear array of band assemblies (41a-41n) which encircle the haul rope (23) and have a relatively thin thickness dimension. The band assemblies (41a-41n) are clamped to the haul rope by a clamp (32) and coupled by a flexible link (56) to the undercarriage (59) of the vehicle (21).

Abstract: A seat assembly (22) for a chairlift or the like in which there is a transversely-extending hollow extruded body (31, 32, 33, 61, 62) having a length dimension sufficient to support a passenger thereon. A pair of side assemblies (34, 63) are mounted to opposite ends of the extruded hollow body, and an elongated transversely-extending securement rod (46, 47, 64) is coupled to both the side members (34, 63) and extends through the hollow body to sandwich the sides against the intermediate hollow body and secure the body members (31, 32, 33, 61, 62) together as a unit. The same system is used for forming the seat (23), as well as the seat back (24). Cushion attachment and tensioning recesses (81, 86, 91, 96) or pockets are provided in the extruded seat and seat back bodies which allow capture of enlarged edges (84, 88, 92, 98) of seat cushion material (85, 89) to effect attachment and tensioning.

Abstract: A chair assembly (20) for chairlift including a seat (22) and enclosure member (43) mounted to the seat (22) for movement between open and closed positions. The chair assembly (20) has a drive (51) for moving the enclosure (43) which includes a rail (52) mounted to the movable enclosure member (43) and drive rollers (56, 57) carried by the frame (26) of the seat assembly (21). The drive rollers (56, 57) are powered by motion of the chair assembly (20) through actuator rollers (82, 83) that engage stationary actuator rails (84, 85) at the chair terminals. The actuator rollers (82, 83) are coupled by flexible drive cables (87, 88) to the drive rollers (56, 57) so that movement of the chair along the actuator rails (84, 85) produces rotation of the actuator rollers (82, 83) and the drive rollers (56, 57), which displaces the rail (52) and movable enclosure member (43).

Abstract: A rope tow system including a haul rope (23, 23a) extending along a path, haul rope mounting assembly (21, 22) mounting the haul rope (23, 23a) for movement in spaced relation above the tow path. Haul rope driving assembly (31, 32) is coupled to the haul rope for advancement thereof, and a plurality of hanger arms (42, 42a) are coupled to the haul rope and depend downwardly therefrom. Each hanger arm (42, 42a) is mounted to the haul rope (23, 23a) by a mounting assembly (43, 43a) substantially preventing rearward deflection of the hanger arms (42, 42a) relative to the haul rope (23, 23a). Finally, a user-grippable tow rope (41, 41a) is coupled to each of the hanger arms (42, 42a) for movement therewith. The tow rope (41, 41a) is secured to the hanger arms (42, 42a) in positions below the haul rope (23, 23a) and at a height above the snow surface (29) suitable for gripping by skiers while being towed along the tow path.

Abstract: As drive shoe assembly (50) for a transportation system in which transport units (31) are propelled along a path by frictional engagement of the drive shoe assembly (50) by a drive assembly (36). The drive shoe assembly (50) includes frame members (54) and a plurality of resiliently flexible traction members (52) disposed therebetween defining a resiliently flexible traction surface (60). The traction surface (60) is coupled to the frame members (54) and, further, is positioned to be frictionally engaged by a plurality of drive wheels (36) in a sequence situated along the path to propel the transport unit (31) forward. Upon engagement between the drive wheels (36) and the traction surface (60), the resilient traction surface (60) is sufficiently deflected such that any ice accumulation on the resilient members (52) will crack and fall away.

Abstract: A drive-shoe assembly (30) and method for accelerating/decelerating a carrier unit (14) along a rail (12) or the like. The drive-shoe assembly (30) includes a rigid shoe segment (36) which frictionally engages the adjacent acceleration/deceleration drive wheels (22) operating at different speeds, and a movable segment (38) which supports the weight of the carrier unit (14) yet does not impart any significant velocity to the carrier unit (14). The movable segment (38) includes a plurality of roller elements (35) which are in rolling contact with higher or lower speed drive wheels adjacent to the drive wheels (22) controlling the carrier unit velocity so as to minimize drive wheel wear and insure smooth carrier unit acceleration.

Abstract: An aerial tramway (21) having an endless loop haul rope (41,42,43,44) supported for movement between end terminals (27,36) and preferably for movement over at least one intermediate support tower (75) with the haul rope oriented in a substantially vertical plane. The haul rope (41,42,43,44) has an upper rope portion (57) moving in one direction and a lower rope portion (56) moving in an opposite direction, and at least one carrier unit (46) is coupled for movement by a grip assembly (55) to the upper or lower rope portion. The carrier unit (46) further includes a sheave assembly (66) positioned to be in rolling engagement with the rope portion that is not gripped. In the preferred form, the grip assembly (55) grips the upper rope portion (57) while the sheave assembly (66) rollingly engages the lower rope portion (56).

Abstract: An aerial tramway system and method are disclosed in which pairs of haul ropes are mounted to vertically oriented bull wheels. The drive bull wheels are preferably mounted to a common drive shaft to help synchronize haul rope advancement. An adjustment assembly is provided on one of the pair of drive bull wheels to enable dynamic adjustment of the effective radius of the bull wheel without changing the bull wheel rotation rate. Adjustment is based upon sensor feedback to previsely synchronize the haul rope advancement. The aerial tramway system further includes a first pair of endless loop haul ropes operating in one direction and a second pair of endless loop haul ropes operating in an opposite direction. The passenger carrier units are demountably attached to the haul ropes and transferred along transfer paths between stations at the end of the haul ropes so as to provide a system in which the passenger carrier units can be continuously cycled around the loop formed by the two pairs of haul ropes.