Abstract: The present invention provides an elevator system for transferring a large number of passengers at a high speed and for operating elevators to stop at each floor or as an express for passing floors. An ascending passage and a descending passage are sectionally formed in an elevator shaft having an upper turning portion, a fixed portion and a lower turning portion, respectively. Both the ascending and descending shafts are provided with a local line, a passing line and a sliding area. Switch frames for switching the line and the area are provided at a plurality of locations and a linear motor drive mechanism is provided on the cages and a center core of the elevator shaft.

Abstract: A ski chair lift with variable speed drive for each chair. A linear motor is used in lieu of the conventional closed loop tow cable. The stator of the linear motor includes a closed loop I-beam guide rail, electromagnets secured to the top flange of the I-beam, and permanent magnets secured to chair lift carriers which are driven by selective energization of the electromagnets. Failsafe stops and brakes delimit movement of the chairs on the guide rail in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: An underground continuous impervious wall is disclosed, which includes an impervious sheet which partitions a gutter and prevents water from passing through the wall. The gutter is formed in the ground such that it has a small width. The impervious sheet is lowered into the gutter to partition the gutter in the width direction. A hardening material is charged against the opposite side surface of the impervious sheet in the gutter and solidified, whereby an impervious wall with the impervious sheet intervening between opposite side wall portions is obtained. The impervious sheet is disposed in the gutter by lowering the sheet in a state of roll or lowering the sheet in a state stretched on posts or lowering the sheet in a state accommodated in a sheet cartridge. Adjacent sheets are connected to each other by female and male hooks.

Abstract: An underground continuous water-impervious wall is disclosed, which includes a water-impervious membrane to partition a trench and to prevent water from passing through the wall. The trench as formed in the ground has a narrow width. The impervious sheet is lowered into the trench to partition the trench longitudinally. A hardening material is charged against the opposite side surfaces of the impervious sheet in the trench and solidified, whereby a water-impervious wall is obtained, with the impervious sheet sandwiched between opposite side wall portions. The impervious sheet is disposed in the trench by lowering the sheet in the form of a roll, lowering the sheet pre-stretched between posts, or lowering a pleated sheet pre-packed in a sheet cartridge. Adjacent sheets are connected to each other by female and male fasteners.

Abstract: A structure is provided for indoor skiing on artificially made snow. The structure is thermally insulated and contains one or more support towers about which serpentine configured ski ramps are secured to provide relatively long ski run descents for relatively little lateral travel. For snow-making purposes, a small portion of the ski ramp is enclosed with a thermally insulated cubical module having a top and four sides but no floor. The module is track-mounted and self-propelled for movement along the ski ramp and means are provided to reduce the temperature within the module to snow-making temperature. Self-propelled snow-making machines are placed within the module to move down the ski ramp at the same rate of speed as the module. Skiing conditions encountered on outdoor ski slopes are simulated on the indoor ski ramps.