Abstract: A bull-wheel of a fixed carrying-hauling rope chair lift is driven by a geared motor mechanism having a coaxial shaft line extending perpendicularly to the bull-wheel in a substantially vertical direction. The geared motor mechanism is composed of an electric motor and a mechanical speed reducer forming two independent modules arranged on opposing sides of the bull-wheel, which is fitted on a movable carriage to provide mechanical tensioning of the rope.

Abstract: A bull-wheel for a rope transport installation comprises a hub and a peripheral rim joined to the hub by a metal connecting framework composed of a perforated central disk strengthened by rigidifying arms. The rim is radially subdivided into several circular segments assembled to one another by first fixing members. The hub is fixedly secured to a support enclosure comprising at least one coaxial plate of polygonal cross-section confining at the ends bearing surfaces for the central disk and the radial rigidifying arms assembled by second fixing members. The assembly is arranged so as to distribute the radial forces in the axis of the rope uniformly regardless of the angular position of the bull-wheel when the latter is driven in rotation.

Abstract: A bull-wheel of a fixed carrying-hauling rope chair lift is driven by a geared motor mechanism having a coaxial shaft line extending perpendicularly to the bull-wheel in a substantially vertical direction. The geared motor mechanism is composed of an electric motor and a mechanical speed reducer forming two independent modules arranged on each side of the bull-wheel, which is fitted on a movable carriage to ensure mechanical tensioning of the rope.

Abstract: A disengageable cable car station includes a support structure (1) extending above the ground (2) for guiding and driving the cable (3) supporting the vehicles transporting the passengers and for guiding and supporting the vehicles which have been disengaged from the cable (3). The cable (3) forms a loop for bringing the vehicles to the station entrance. A device is provided for moving the disengaged vehicles as far as a passenger disembarkation and embarkation area (5). The structure (1, 1a, 1b) supporting, guiding and driving the cable (3) and supporting the disengaged vehicles is elongated in the direction of the cable (3) and is inclined in order to guide the cable (3) and move the disengaged vehicles along a slope in order to decelerate or accelerate the vehicles. The entire station support structure (1) is inclined.

Abstract: A system (1) for transferring a movable load (2) for an installation (3) for conveying the load (2), and to transfer the load (2) from an arrival track (8) where the load (2) is conveyed along an entry conveying path (C), to at least first (9) and second (10) exit tracks where the load (2) is conveyed, the system (1) including a movable track section (11) adjustable for position, where the load (2) is conveyed along an intermediate conveying path, in which the section (11) includes at least two end to end track segments (16) mounted pivotally with respect to each other by a device (17) close to a junction (18) between segments (16) so that the entry, intermediate and exit conveying paths form, end to end, a conveying path whose tangent has continuous variation.

Abstract: The disengageable clamp of a cable car or chair lift has a control lever 17 carrying the movable jaw 14, articulated on the fixed jaw 13. At least one flexion leaf spring 23 is interposed between the clamp body 10 and the control lever 17 in order to force this lever into the clamp closure position. Two leaf springs can be disposed on each side of the clamp body 10.

Abstract: A process for both storing vehicles of an aerial cable transport installation and taking vehicles from stored stock in a station. The vehicles are suspended by disengagable coupling clamps to the cable. The installation is shut down by braking and stopping a first car in the vicinity of a station exit, transferring the other cars in the station during the first step, braking and stopping a second car, transferring the rest of the cars in the station during the preceding step, and repeating the last two steps to use the entire station length to store cars. In one embodiment, the cable speed is approximately constant during the second and fourth steps of the process.

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 detachable grip of a gondola lift or chairlift has a movable jaw urged towards a fixed jaw by a pair of compression springs. The movable jaw is rigidly secured to one end of an operating lever, which pivots in a vertical plane containing the grip body to control the opening or closure onto the cable of the jaws. One end of the springs is secured near the free end of the operating lever, opposite to the movable jaw, and the other end of the springs is secured near the fixed jaw. The mutual distance of the spring ends near the fixed jaw is higher than the mutual distance of the spring ends near the the free end of the operating lever, so that the springs are twice inclined with respect to the grip body.

Abstract: Vehicles of a passenger transport installation are hauled along a track by a traction cable. Each vehicle is equipped with a detachable grip having a pair of jaws for clamping the traction cable. A grip control mechanism comprises a toggle device with a spring, arranged so as to exert a cable clamping force when the toggle is in the straightened position, further to the dead center position. The toggle device provides a safe lock against accidental opening movement of the jaws.

Abstract: A passenger transport installation making use of a continuously moving high speed traction cable for hauling vehicles, equipped with a detachable grip, along a high speed track zone. Each vehicle comprises an on-board electric motor for driving the vehicle, uncoupled from the traction cable, along the acceleration zone and the deceleration zone and an on-board rechargeable electric battery for supplying the electric power to the motor. The capacity of the battery corresponds to the power needed for the acceleration of the vehicle and during the stopping of the vehicle in the station, the battery is connected to an electric power source for recharging the battery.

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.

Abstract: A passenger transport installation in urban aeras comprises a wide track, constituted by two parallel, laterally spaced track cables and vehicles having supporting wheels for running on that track cables. The supporting wheels are located above the vehicle roof at a small constant distance thereof, so as to provide a clearance between the vehicle roof and the horizontal plane containing the track cables, wherein are housed the track cable bearing shoes and the vehicle traction cable loops with their return wheels.

Abstract: A fixed grip chairlift comprises a continuously moving conveyor for transporting the skiers to the loading point, where they are catched up by the chair which moves at a higher speed. The chair impact is thus reduced and the chairlift speed may be increased. The conveyor comprises an endless belt which passes around two drums, each drum being barrel like shaped to centralise the belt on the drums during running. The drum outer surface has holes to allow the snow transported by the belt towards the drum to escape.

Abstract: A fixed grip chairlift comprises a continuously moving conveyor belt for transporting the skiers to the loading point where they are met by a chair which moves at a higher speed. The chair impact is thus reduced and the chairlift speed may be increased. A gate is disposed at the entrance of the conveyor belt to control the access. A loading cycle is started by the passage of a chair at a predetermined point. The gate is opened so that the skiers may step onto the conveyor belt and are transported to the loading point where they are caught by the chair which has started the cycle.

Abstract: A transport installation making use of passive vehicles hauled along a track by traction cables. The track is divided into successive track sections extending between successive stations and each equipped with a traction cable for moving the vehicle along this track section and for stopping it in the stations. The taking-over of the vehicle by the successive traction cable is operated in the station while the vehicle is stopped. The track section of greatest length is equipped with a greater number of independent traction cables to increase the transport capacity.

Abstract: A cableway cabin especially for a gondola lift has an asymmetrical shape with reference to the vertical median plane extending in the direction of travel of the cabin. The width of the inner lateral side of the cabin, which faces the inner side of the curve when the cabin travels on the half-loop circuit, is smaller than the width of the opposite lateral side. Two benches are disposed against the front and the rear sides of the cabin and the space between the two passengers seated near the inner lateral side is just sufficient for the feet of the passenger while on the other side of the cabin, equipped with the door, an open space is provided in front of the door for access of the passengers.

Abstract: An overhead cable transport installation (e.g., a gondola lift or a chairlift) possesses a transfer rail in an end station on which grips of carriages are detached from the cable. At the exit of this transfer rail a coupling rail section extends parallel to the cable so that the cable is inserted between the jaws of the grip before the closing of the grip for clamping the cable. The coupling rail section comprises a safety device in the form of a sleeve partially surrounding the cable which allows the free passage of the grip when the cable is inserted between the jaws. Conversely, when the cable is outside the jaws, the grip is wedged and held back to prevent the chair from reaching the end of the transfer rail and falling down.

Abstract: Chairlift or gondola lift with a carriage supporting a gondola or a chair, the carriage including a detachable grip for coupling on a continuously moving cable. In the terminal, the carriage is uncoupled from the cable and it runs on a transfer rail. This transfer rail is equipped with friction drive sheaves for engaging a friction plate rigidly secured to the carriage. The sheaves are driven at a different speed with respect to the direct neighboring sheave so as to decelerate or to accelerate the carriage. The friction plate has a high friction coupling zone and a low friction coupling zone which permits a slip engagement with the friction sheave. The high friction coupling zone of the plate is shorter than the distance betwen two successive sheaves.

Abstract: The hauling-carrier cable of a gondola lift or chair lift is subdivided in two endless cable loops operating together. These cable loops are linked by a technical relay including two bull wheels or a bull wheel with two grooves, one for each cable loop. Transfer rails located in the technical relay permit the passage of the cabins from one cable loop to the other. The cabins, uncoupled from the cable, run on the transfer rail at the same velocity as the cable. The two bull wheels are mechanically coupled to transfer the driving power from one cable loop to the other.