Abstract: A fixed, elevated cableway having a plurality of intermediate supports for transport of persons for nature observation is described. One or more self-powered trolleys may travel simultaneously on a common cable span between two intermediate supports. Intermediate supports may join separate cable spans and/or allow tight turns. The trolley possesses one or more speed-governing devices, locks to the support cable and to intermediate supports. Combined features produce a slow-speed elevated cableway having minimal impact on the environment while providing improved installation flexibility for the purpose of nature observation.

Abstract: A transport system comprising a cable traveling subsystem movable along a cable that is attached to and extends from a mounting subsystem. The cable traveling subsystem comprises a wheel that rotates along a length of the cable. The cable traveling subsystem further comprises a movable gate which keeps the cable traveling subsystem in physical communication with the cable even should the wheel become disengaged from the cable, and which further allows the cable traveling subsystem to travel though the mounting subsystem thereby resulting in the cable traveling subsystem's uninterrupted flow of motion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the suspension and displacement of an object or a person, this device including at least two unaligned cables, a profile borne by the cables and a trolley mobile over the length of this profile, characterized in that the profile links said cables together, in that the profile located between the two unaligned cables defines a curved zone, in that the profile includes at least one rectilinear zone in which the cable is kept in the profile and in that the cable is located outside of the profile in the curved zone and close to this curved zone. This device can be used as a Tyrolean traverse.

Abstract: A driving system of a self-driving cableway car includes on both sides of a vertical plane (8), in which the bearing cable (6) is located, driving chains (9, 10) that revolve about chain sprocket wheels (13, 14) with horizontal rotational axes (15, 16) The driving chains carry clamping units (31) with friction linings (35) for contacting the bearing cable (1), and lead rails (36, 37) disposed on opposite sides of the bearing cable. The clamping units (31) are guided during the revolution of the driving chains (9, 10) through a particular interspace (38, 39) between the bearing cable (6) and one of the lead rails (36, 37), and the friction linings (35) of the clamping units (31) are pressed onto the bearing cable (6) by rollers (33) rolling out on running faces (40, 41). Also, a particular lead rail (36, 37) is preloaded by a spring device (46) against clamping units (31) located in the interspace (38, 39) between this lead rail (36, 37) and the bearing cable (6).

Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. The brake pad may include a plurality of segments contacting the cable. A first such segment may be formed from a first material. A second such segment may be formed from a second material, distinct from the first material. The sequence, composition, gaps, and the like of the plurality of segments may be selected to provide a desired resistance to wear, frictional coefficient, all-weather braking, and the like.

Abstract: A remote-controlled vehicle adapted to be mounted on at least one conductor and to pass over an obstacle encountered thereon. The vehicle includes: a frame, inspection systems, motors used to move the vehicle, a remote control system, at least two carrying arms pivotally mounted to the frame and exerting a pressure in the direction of the conductor(s) for suspending the frame to the conductor(s) and two opposing wheels attached to each carrying arm in order to enable the vehicle to travel along said conductor(s) while suspended. The axis of rotation of each of the wheels is inclined in relation to the vertical axis and at least one of the wheels is actuated by the motors. At least one temporary support rotor is equipped with at least two pivoting blades disposed above the corresponding conductor in order to temporarily support the vehicle when one of the wheels encounters an obstacle.

Abstract: A cableway with suspended tram and remote bogie is disclosed. This includes a self-contained motor, traction and support sheaves with provision for adjusting the height of the tram below said cable for limiting vertical acceleration caused by travel along the cantenary curve of the cableway.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a zipline trolley comprising of two substantially flat side flanges arranged in a parallel configuration, a substantially flat front face attached perpendicularly to the front edges of the side flanges, and a substantially flat back face attached perpendicularly to the rear edges of the side flanges. There are also provided two axles for bearing wheels and four lines for attaching the side flanges to the two spreaders. One set of two lines is attached to the bottom of each of the side flanges. The lines are connected to two spreaders, which are attached to the ends of a handlebar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable derailing prevention device for carrier/traction cables of cable car systems in an installation including: a carrier/traction cable; a multitude of rollers which flank a coupling rail and are located at the exit from the station; a multftude of clamps from which the driving means are suspended; at least one roller that has a couple and clamp and supports the cable, and a support roller or hold-down roller battery according to the cable guide, the coupling rail forming a coupling area between the cable and the clamps. According to the invention, an aligning device is mounted in front of the coupling area of the clamps on the cable before the coupling rail and limits the deviation of the cable due to a derailing on the roller battery so that the cable is always located inside the opening of the clamp.

Abstract: The invention concerns a remote-controlled vehicle designed to be mounted on a support and capable of clearing an obstacle on the support. The vehicle comprises first and second mobile frames. At least one articulated arm is mounted mobile on the first frame and a wheel is mounted on the articulated arm to maintain the vehicle on the support. A fastening means co-operates with the wheel and is adapted to retain the wheel on the support. At least one temporary support arm is mounted mobile on the second frame. The temporary support arm comprises retaining means for maintaining the vehicle on the support. The vehicle comprises motor means connected between the frames and the arms for moving same with respect to one another so as to clear an obstacle encountered on the support.

Abstract: A trolley travels in response to rotation of a winch along a main cable of a suspension bridge having a tower and support cables extending along and substantially parallel to the main cable. The trolley includes a support assembly engaged with the support cables, first and second enclosures suspended from the support assembly, each enclosure located at a laterally opposite side of the main cable, and a tugger cable engaged with the winch and connected to the support assembly for pulling the enclosures along the main cable toward the tower and/or allowing the enclosures to move along the main cable away from the tower.

Abstract: A damper is described for cableway traction cables comprising a carrying cable (2) stretched between a downstream station and an upstream station with a traction cable (3) returned by pulleys in the stations and at least one support (9) of the cables (2, 3) provided along the path of the cableway and bearing a support and a roller battery and a plurality of cabins (4) running along the carrying cables (2) and can be coupled with the traction cable (3) by means of clamps (6). In accordance with this invention to the structure of the roller battery and preferably at the entrance of the roller battery in the direction of movement (16) of the cabins there is joined a lever (12) bearing at its free end a roller (13) engaged on the traction cable (3) and the lever is loaded by elastic means or weights towards the traction cable in such a manner as to soften the passage of this roller over the back of the clamp and to accompany the traction cable in the lowering onto the roller battery.

Abstract: A cableway system has a carrying and conveying cable on which transportation devices, such as chairs or gondolas, are carried on load-bearing bars. The latter can be fastened with clamps and they are guided, in the stations, over reversing pulleys. Between the stations, the cable is guided over supporting rollers and beneath hold-down rollers. A first strand of the cable is guided over a group of deflecting rollers or the like and a second strand is guided over at least one deflecting drum along a angled portion of the travel path. The deflecting drum is rotated continuously by the carrying and conveying cable and it is formed with a plurality of circumferentially distributed recesses which accommodate the load-bearing bars for the transportation devices as they are moved past the deflecting drum.

Abstract: A cableway has at least one valley station, a mountain station, a hoisting cable between the valley station and the mountain station, and transport devices for transporting persons and/or goods from the valley station up to the mountain station. The mountain station is supported on a carrying construction and is displaceable thereon in the horizontal and/or vertical direction. This construction allows the cableway to be used also in sand dunes.

Abstract: The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment comprises: A cable suspended over the ground held and tensed by brackets fixed to any natural element available like trees, rocks, etc., or to any type of artificial element, like poles towers, constructions, etc., along this line vehicles driven by the a user's feet run in a safe and comfortable manner to observe the environment without having to stop at the cable's anchoring points. The user has full control of the vehicle's speed, being able to accelerate, break and stop at will, having at all times both hands free. This system may be installed and used on any type of ground with recreation and/or scientific observation purposes.

Abstract: A damage indicator for indicating potential damage to a sensor.

Abstract: A trolley travels in response to rotation of a winch along a main cable of a suspension bridge having a tower and support cables extending along and substantially parallel to the main cable. The trolley includes a support assembly engaged with the support cables, first and second enclosures suspended from the support assembly, each enclosure located at a laterally opposite side of the main cable, and a tugger cable engaged with the winch and connected to the support assembly for pulling the enclosures along the main cable toward the tower and/or allowing the enclosures to move along the main cable away from the tower.

Abstract: A trolley for traveling along a cable. The trolley may include a frame having a first end, a second end, and a rail positioned between the first and second ends. A brake pad may connect to the frame. A sheave mount may also connect to the frame and include a sheave for rolling along the cable. A carriage may connect to the frame and include a user mount for suspending a user. The carriage may selectively travel along the rail through a continuous range of motion to control a braking force generated by the trolley between the brake pad and the cable.

Abstract: A range of mixed support and compression sheave assemblies is formed from standard 2S2C modules each comprising: two compression sheaves (11) and two support sheaves (12) respectively mounted rotating freely on the ends of two pairs of holding arms (15,16; 18,19) articulated on one another by a first upper joint pin (17) and a second lower joint pin (20), a first damping element (24) inserted between two bearing edges (22,23) securedly fixed to the two holding arms (15,16) of the compression sheaves (11), a second damping element (27) inserted between two bearing edges (25,26) of the two holding arms (18,19) of the support sheaves (12), and a frame (28) connecting the first and second joint pins (17,20), said frame being arranged to be connected to the end of a beam (14) with a swivel-pin (21).

Abstract: An aerial cableway system with transportation devices, such as gondolas or lift chairs, is formed with two cable loops to which the transportation devices can be coupled and from which the transportation devices can be decoupled. A lower station, one or more middle stations, and an upper station are provided. A lower cable loop extends in the section from the lower station to the middle station and an upper cable loop extends from the middle station to the upper station. In the middle station the lower cable loop and the upper cable loop are guided about a shared guide device in the form of a double-groove pulley or two sandwiched single-groove pulleys.

Abstract: An offshore wind farm comprises a plurality of wind turbines. In order to provide such a wind farm with transport between separate wind turbines that can be effected more safely and with less dependence on weather, cable connection is provided between the wind turbines of the wind farm, and a gondola is disposed on the cable connection to carry cargo or personnel from one wind turbine to another.

Abstract: A trolley retrieval system for transporting or returning trolleys from a finish area back to a start area for traveling along a cable. The systems may include a cable held in suspension between the first and second supports. A retrieval line may be suspended in a closed loop extending from proximate the first support to proximate the second support. A trolley for traveling along the cable may be selectively connectable to the retrieval line. A motivator may selectively circulating the retrieval line around the loop. A controller may control operation of the motivator.

Abstract: A traveling highline aerial cable rail system for moving objects over large distances in three-dimensional space. A pair of track dollies mounted beneath substantially parallel and distantly separated support trusses allow the entire load bearing highline itself to traverse X-axis space. The highline defines the Y-axis of the system and supports a skate that moves along this axis. A platform suspended from the skate moves vertically in the Z-axis and can support extremely heavy loads depending on the gauge of the rope used in the system. A three motor pulley system with a multiplicity of sheaves allow independent movement of all three axes. The system can move objects weighing thousands of pounds stably at 60 miles per hour or more through three-dimensional space. The system can be modularly widened along the X-axis by adding truss sections, and the highline can be configured to up to 1000 feet or more, using rope that can support several tons or more.

Abstract: An aerial balloon railway and system of using the same including balloon-carriage assembly having at least one balloon structure and at least one carriage structure for accommodating passengers and/or cargo which operates through a single or network railway system, whereby the balloon-carriage assembly travels above and along a triangulated track system by at least one drive cable assembly.

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.

Abstract: Installation for carrying persons down from a mountain station into a valley station along a guide rail which is born by supports or the like at a distance above the ground. Individual sections of the guide rail are connected to one another in an articulated and longitudinally non-displaceable manner, and the guide rail is fastened on at least some of the supports in each case via a link that can be pivoted about a more or less vertical axis.

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.

Abstract: A suspended supporting system for supporting a substantially rigid linear structure (2) such as a pipeline, a tramway, a walkway bridge, a transportation gallery, an underwater tunnel, etc. placed above the ground/seabed/riverbed, the system including: apparatus (1) attached to the linear structure, pulling the linear structure upward, generating upward vertical force of magnitude great enough for carrying downward vertical loads and lateral loads applied to the linear structure; and at least two guy ropes (5) placed at an angle with each other, upper ends of which are attached to the linear structure and lower ends of which are attached to a footing structure (7) placed on or anchored in the ground/seabed/riverbed.

Abstract: A vehicle for use on a live line. The vehicle is provided with three coplanar traction wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom. The vehicle is also provided with two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom. The vehicle has a driving motor mounted on the frame, for driving the traction wheels. The motor has a source of energy, such as batteries. The vehicle has a pressure mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the traction wheels and the pressure wheels. The vehicle has a control mechanism coupled to the motor for controlling the motor. Thereby, in use, the vehicle is moved along the line. The vehicle can also be provided with a de-icing tool. The de-icing tool has a collar with two parts opening and closing around the line.

Abstract: An improved bypass device for a fall arrest system that is not impeded by cable supports as it is pulled along a flexible and/or rigid cable. The bypass device has a gate which can be quickly and easily removed from a frame of the bypass device to reveal an opening which allows the bypass device to be positioned on the cable. Once the bypass device is positioned on the cable, the gate may be reattached to the frame to partially close the opening. A portion of the opening remains unblocked by the gate so that the bypass device will pass over one or more cable supports when it is pulled along the cable. The cable supports act to guide the cable along a desired workpath. The supports are also constructed to withstand the force exerted on the cable in the event someone or something connected to the bypass device falls.

Abstract: Persons can be carried downhill from a mountain station to a valley station. A guide rail is fastened on a supporting cable at a distance above the ground. The guide rail is formed of a multiplicity of sub-rails and carriages with a chair, a cabin, or the like can be displaced along the rail. The sub-rails are connected to one another such that they can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

Abstract: Installation for carrying persons down from a mountain station into a valley station along a guide rail which is borne by supports or the like at a distance above the ground. Individual sections of the guide rail are connected to one another in an articulated and longitudinally non-displaceable manner, and the guide rail is fastened on at least some of the supports in each case via a link that can be pivoted about a more or less vertical axis.

Abstract: An aerial ropeway wherein oppositely located first and second sheave trains are supported on a crossarm wherein first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are pivotally mounted at fixed spaced apart locations on the crossarm and the first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are each pivotally connected to an elongated member extending therebetween.

Abstract: A transport device includes a vehicle on an elongated support element extending between a departure station and an arrival station, the departure station being located at a higher elevation than the arrival station. The arrival station includes at least one braking unit for slowing the vehicle. The braking unit may be a series of rollers that engage the vehicle or a series of downwardly depending members that strike lateral extension from the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic clamping device for cableway systems including a pair of jaws. One jaw of the pair of jaws is driven in opening and closing through at least one arm, which is capable of rotating around at least one articulated joint. The rotation occurs due to the action of springs or by operation from outside on an opening lever so as to grip or release a traction cable of a cableway system of the two-cable type.

Abstract: A double-acting trolley for a one-cable installation support for chair lifts and cabin lifts, includes a bearing member mounted in a swinging manner to a one-cable installation support, and supporting two equalizers respectively below and above the one cable and with each equalizer having at least two rollers engaged with the cable. Also, above and below the cable the respective two equalizers are articulated centrally and respectively to supports each of which is articulated in an elastically damped manner at one end to the bearing member.

Abstract: A fall protection system includes substantially horizontal anchoring lines and at least one trolley capable of movement along the anchoring lines. The trolley moves with an object to be secured. The anchoring lines are arranged in parallel, spaced relation. the trolley is provided with multi-part running gear which makes contact with each of the anchoring lines. Such a fall protection system is low-noise and low-vibration, and enables easy passage of the trolley along anchoring line suports, withouyt requiring extra effort and without limiting the working space and the freedom of movement of the person secured to the fall protection system.

Abstract: A vehicle for use on a live line. The vehicle is provided with three coplanar traction wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom. The vehicle is also provided with two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom. The vehicle has a driving motor mounted on the frame, for driving the traction wheels. The motor has a source of energy, such as batteries. The vehicle has a pressure mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the traction wheels and the pressure wheels. The vehicle has a control mechanism coupled to the motor for controlling the motor. Thereby, in use, the vehicle is moved along the line. The vehicle can also be provided with a de-icing tool. The de-icing tool has a collar with two parts opening and closing around the line.

Abstract: The invention, in a preferred embodiment, is an apparatus for pulling wire and other objects between two vertical supports, such as telephone poles, connected by a cable strung above the ground. It is particularly suited for making lashers easier to use in rough terrain. The device consists of a carrier having four sides, a base, and an adjustable split top having an upper surface and a lower surface. Contained in and on the carrier is a pair of gear driven looped roller chains horizontally mounted on opposite sides of the split top. These roller chains have mounted about their outside surfaces cable-gripping clips. A pressure-regulating bar is positioned within the inside vertical surfaces of the opposed looped roller chains. Also present is a drive for adjusting the split top so that the opposed looped roller chains engage the strung cable. Within the carrier is mounted a motorized drive train for turning the opposed looped roller chains in opposite directions at a constant speed.

Abstract: An easily carried and assembled apparatus for use in moving materials between two elevated locations, such as windows of spaced building, that includes a sending assembly positionable across a window in a first building, and a receiving assembly positioned across the window in the second building. Each assembly included a pair of triangular bracing members with bases that are positioned against the interior of the wall on either side of the opening, and a crossbar that is attached at its ends to the apexes of the bracing members, and extends across the opening. A cable is stretched between the assemblies, and a material support is used to carry materials along the cable between the buildings. The apparatus may be combined with a vertical lifting assembly that is attachable within a wall opening in one of the buildings.

Abstract: A method and trolley for restringing downed utility wires between utility poles in which a self-powered trolley is hooked onto a remaining intact line and caused to traverse along the line by motor driven pulley wheels engaging the intact line, while towing a P-line towards the next pole. A bumper contact operates a switch to turn off the motor when the trolley reaches the vicinity of the next pole. The motor is powered by a battery in a lower housing, the lower housing mounted below an upper housing carrying the wheels and motor, with a space therebetween allowing the trolley to be hooked onto the intact line. The P-line is used to pull the replacement line to the next pole.

Abstract: A trolley having a top member and a base member that are releasably coupled together without the use of a separate fastener. The top member has a top connecting portion with a top locking element, and the base member has a base connecting portion slidably engaging the top connecting portion. The base connecting portion has a base locking element hinged thereon and releasably engaging the top locking element for releasably locking the top and base members. To unlock the top and base members, and allow them to freely slide relative to one another, a screwdriver can be used to bias the base locking element away from the top locking element. The base member further has a portion for attaching a holding device. The top and base members define a through passageway that receives an elongated support therein and has rollers for allowing the trolley to move along the support.

Abstract: Aircraft with full flight capability are connected to structural cables by an electrically powered drive element traveling inside the structural cables. Electricity distribution cables, part of a power distribution grid, connect to the structural cable along its length and provide power to the drive element. A linear series of annular electromagnets in the structural cable encircle a linear array of circular electromagnets in the drive element. A centralized computer controls a constantly changing phase shift in the electromagnets along the structural cable causing the drive element electromagnets to move through the structural cable without contacting the structural cable. The aircraft is connected by cables or rods to the drive elements. Retractable delta wings, an airfoil body, and a controlled angle of attack create lift maintaining the aircraft in flight as the drive element moves through the structural cable.

Abstract: The transport cableway for transporting heavy loads includes a motor-driven cable winch fixed on a pivotable stirrup. The pivotable stirrup is pivotable relative to a part rigidly connected with a housing containing the drive motor and the hydraulic drive, and partially encompassing the carrying cable with a hook-shaped end.

Abstract: A rescue vehicle 1 for a cable railway is conveyed above the passenger cars 2.sub.B, 2.sub.T on cable 4 in the direction of travel F. Its cabin 3 is hung on suspension tackle 5 which rides on the cable 4, and which can swing in the manner of a pendulum (5.sub.1). The rescue cabin 3 can be released from the suspension tackle 5 and lowered on at least three triangulated hoisting cables (6) to a rescue position at the level of a stranded passenger car 2.sub.B in order to pick up its passengers. A cable winch 7 with a single shaft and winches is mounted on the roof of the cabin, to synchronously wind in and pay out the hoisting cables.

Abstract: A curved guide rail for passenger and material transportation systems in which sheet-metal plates (3), wedged against one another, are arranged in a row on a prestressed rope (2) and the spaces in-between are bridged by an overlapping tooth construction (5), so that the guide rail can be curved as desired prior to being braced.

Abstract: A frame and ladder assembly which includes an electrically conductive frame that is provided to engage two, generally parallel, aerially suspended, transmission conductors of a phase bundle and to be supported therefrom; within the frame a side opening structure which defines a cradle is provided, and in the cradle structure is provided means to engage the phase, such as a plurality of rollers with circumferential recesses, so that the frame can be repositioned along the phase similar to a carriage, without disengaging the frame from the phase; the ladder assembly comprises an insulated triangular ladder assembly which is attached at its vertex to the frame and hangs beneath it, permitting a line worker situated on the ladder assembly to easily perform maintenance and repairs on an energized phase directly above the ladder assembly; the ladder assembly is also comprised of pivotally connected ladder legs so that when the top of one of the two inclined side ladders is released from the frame, the other ladder

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 device for hanging loads and transporting them along a suspended cable or rod constructed of a housing having two parallel side walls, a bottom wall with a longitudinal slot, a top wall and two end walls and containing a plurality of identical pulley-like wheels each having a groove in its peripheral face and a breadth, depth and shape allowing it to accommodate the cable or rod, the housing defining inside it a circumferential path which is essentially filled with wheels which freely move in a plane parallel to that of the side walls and around a core member, the arrangement is such that the wheels located in the lower portion of said path which is adjacent to the bottom rest on said cable or rod.

Abstract: A beacon for power lines or similar cables, intended to scare birds and/or warn them of the existence of cables and having a central body attached to the line as a clamp, equipped with side fins, arranged vertically and with a color, layout and configuration consistent with the area's terrain and fauna. For installation, a car-shaped device, equipped with an electric motor and battery-operated, has been provided, which has a beacon charger and a device for setting down the same, which is moved through the line by remote control.