Abstract: The cable-car or gondola lift according to the invention comprises two upper cables (10, 12) which laterally frame the upper part of the vehicle (18). The latter bears two support parts (20, 22) articulated on a single horizontal transverse axis of the vehicle (18), each support part being able to be coupled to one of the cables (10, 12). The two cables (10, 12), for example carrier-hauling cables, move in synchronism, the vehicle (18) being able to be detached at the entry to the stations for unloading and loading at a standstill or at reduced speed. The longitudinal stability of the vehicle (18) is ensured by one or more cables staggered in height with respect to the cables (10, 12). According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal stability is conferred by the structure of the vehicle (18) itself, in this instance a modular structure.

Abstract: A load-transfer device comprises a pair of rotary members each having an annular series of projecting peg-like elements, and a location member having arcuate tracks in its opposite sides to receive tip portions of the elements respectively. A wire or other elongate element extends beneath the location member and the upright parts of U-shaped clips supporting the wire are received in the spaces between the elements when the device encounters such clips, whereupon the members rotate relative to the location member to permit the clips to pass through the device.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for support of the haul rope of an aerial tramway or the like is disclosed. The assembly includes rocker arms, rope supporting sheaves rotatably mounted to the rocker arms and cantilevered from an inwardly facing side of the rocker arms. The rocker arms are additionally formed with rope catching groove or recess positioned outwardly of the sheaves and having a configuration which will enable not only the rope, but a hanger arm and grip to pass over the rope catcher in the event that the haul rope derails from the sheaves. The rocker arm assembly also preferably includes a platform which acts as a mount for the rocker arms and can be used for maintainence and repair of the rocker arms and rope supporting sheaves. Additionally, the rocker arm assembly includes haul rope derailment responsive apparatus formed to shutdown the tramway operation upon derailment of the rope from the sheaves.

Abstract: A skyline logging system wherein a skyline cable is supported at an intermediate location by an intermediate support assembly and a logging carriage is supported on the cable and is arranged to pass over the intermediate support assembly. The carriage has inwardly tapered pulleys which ride on oppositely bevelled tracks on the top edges of an upwardly-facing channel shaped member forming part of the intermediate support assembly. The top edges have ramp-like end portions. The carriage is lifted off the cable and rides on the bevelled tracks when crossing over the intermediate support assembly. The carriage can tilt laterally relative to the intermediate support assembly while riding on the bevelled tracks because of the lateral movability of the tapered pulleys on the oppositely bevelled tracks, whereby to maintain stability during passage of the carriage over the intermediate support.

Abstract: An arcuate jack is arranged to be secured to a spar for supporting a skyline over it. A carriage assembly comprises a main carriage arranged to travel on the skyline and a secondary carriage supported on the main carriage for movement between leading and trailing ends of such main carriage. A brake is operative between the main and secondary carriages to control movement of the secondary carriage on the main carriage. The secondary carriage supports a drop line for connection to a load, and a mainline is connected to the secondary carriage for pulling the carrige assembly along the skyling. A guide for the mainline is provided on the spar and is disposed below the jack in an arrangement whereby the pull on the carriage assembly from the mainline is substantially tangent to the arcuate contour of the jack at its entrance end.

Abstract: A skyline intermediate support for use in cable logging systems and a logging carriage are shown and described. The intermediate skyline support permits the skyline cable to pass freely through the intermediate support while positively retaining the cable on the support, and allows the logging carriage to pass over the top of the intermediate support, with freedom to allow for a rocking motion in the carriage.

Abstract: An intermediate supporting device for a logging cable for supporting the cable above ground at an intermediate location. The device is arranged to permit a logging carriage to travel past the intermediate location substantially without being obstructed by the device. The device consists of a supporting sheave assembly supported on a transverse line extending between two intermediate spars or spar trees. A first horizontal shaft is swivelly connected to the lower end of the sheave assembly. A normally vertical link bar is pivotally connected at its top end to the first shaft and is pivotally connected at its bottom end to a second horizontal shaft which is parallel to the first shaft. Rigidly secured perpendicularly to the second shaft beneath the supporting sheave assembly is a support body member having spaced transverse vertical flanges with horizontally aligned peripherally grooved pulleys journalled therebetween, the flanges having holes to receive a haulback line engaged in the grooves of the pulleys.

Abstract: A yarder is employed with a running skyline provided with a carriage. The running skyline has an intermediate suspended support consisting of a hanger bar with a shoe pivotally connected to the lower end of the hanger bar by a transverse shaft. The shoe has supporting sheaves and an enclosure rail, with the skyline haulback line supportingly received between the rail and the sheaves. The carriage is open on one side so as to be able to pass the transverse shaft of the intermediate suspended support. The open side of the carriage has a yieldable safety gate which allows the carriage to pass the transverse shaft but which retains the haulback line within the carriage. The lower portion of the carriage has respective sheaves for a slack pulling line and a log suspension line to which logs to be transported are connected. A mainline extends between the yarder and a junction member connected to both the slack pulling line and the log suspension line.

Abstract: This suspension device for the car of a ropeway comprises a pneumatic balloon tire interposed between the bottom of a carrying strap suspended from the wire rope of the ropeway and an upper frame of the car framework which bears upon the tire.

Abstract: A compound frame to support a plurality of sheaves on a tower of an aerial tram with a predetermined bias between each sheave and a supported transiting cable. The sheaves are supported in paired opposed groups with each sheave of a group in substantial opposition so that the bias of each group of sheaves provides a safety factor to aid in maintaining a transiting cable therebetween. The manner of biasing paired sheave groups requires minimal forces for greater economy. An associated desheavement annunciating system is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides safety equipment to enable a person to work and move freely around on deck in all weathers while being securely attached to the boat and to enable recovery of a person overboard by other crew members. The equipment comprises a life-line secured along both sides of the boat. At the intermediate attachment points the life-line is secured by latchways which allow a lanyard hook clipped onto the life-line to traverse each such attachment point. When a person goes overboard, the drag force on the lanyard causes the lanyard hook to move to the aft-most stanchion from where the person overboard is towed and removed by other crew members. In another embodiment, the person overboard is towed by pendants at the stern of the boat. A hoist is provided to haul the pendant inboard for recovery of the person overboard.

Abstract: A load transfer device is disclosed which includesa rotatable wheel which is formed with several recesses in its periphery to receive a load bearing element. The load bearing element extends transversely to the plane of the wheel and cooperates in use with the load transfer device, the recesses being evenly spaced around the wheel and adjacent recesses being separated by a projecting part of the wheel.at least one guide member is supported at a peripheral part of the wheel, the wheel and guide member having cooperating relatively rotatable surfaces to allow the wheel to rotate about its axis relative to the guide member with the load bearing element being received, guided and passed in at least one of the recesses while being located with respect to the wheel by the guide member.

Abstract: The safety equipment is used in conjunction with a conventional ski lift system having a series of towers plus turnaround stations, arms extending out from the towers, and single or multiple bogey beams, each having at least two rope support sheaves. A continuous cable, or rope, extends over all of the support sheaves and around the end stations. The safety features include a secondary sheave mounted beside and outward of the primary sheaves with its upper margin below the upper margins of the primary sheaves. If a rope is displaced from the primary sheaves it will fall into the groove on the secondary sheave. To prevent displacement from the secondary sheave, a star wheel is mounted above the sheaves for rotation on a horizontal axis and the radial fingers pass down close to the outside of the secondary sheave and overlap its upper portion. The gap between the sheave and the guard fingers is so small that a rope cannot fall between them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skilift or chairlift having cable supporting wheels arranged in the form of an inverted V to allow the passing of the grips between the wheels. The wheel has a lining shaped as a half pneumatic tire and made of a quasi inelastic wear resistant material.