Abstract: A ropeway vehicle is used within a ropeway vehicle transportation network. The ropeway vehicle includes at least one power drive wheel that is powered to move the ropeway vehicle along ropeway lines. At least one commutator wheel draws electrical power from ropeway cables that form the ropeway lines. A controller includes an on-board battery to back-up and supplement electrical power obtained from the ropeway cables.

Abstract: An integrated bollard, anchor, and tower (IBAT) system constructed as a single monolith may be formed of a single material, such as concrete or steel, or assembled from components of distinct materials, such as reinforced concrete with metal brackets, fixtures, fasteners, and so forth. An anchor (e.g., base, pad), sized to engage the ground therebelow by weight and friction, includes a mass sufficient to provide frictional stability (no appreciable movement) of the IBAT unit at each end of a track line (cable, wire rope, line, etc.), which wraps around the bollard portion of each upright (tower, fin) portion at an operational height defining the path of a trolley carried on the free span of the resulting catenary.

Abstract: A portable ski rope tow system, which is capable of ascending various pitched slopes. The system only needs to be anchored into snow for operation. The system consists of a main drive mechanism, a continuous loop tow rope, rope support posts that include adjustable rope guide sheave wheels, an end post that includes a rope return pulley utilizing a cable puller/come-a-long for tow rope tensioning. The system is equipped with a pull cord safety device, which runs the length of the system. A towrope clamp attached to a climbing harness is needed by the skier/snowboarder to eliminate hand fatigue and mainly to be able to pass through rope guide sheave wheels. Most of the structural components of the system are lightweight, made of aluminum to provide easier mobility, set up and take down.

Abstract: A trolley having a trolley upper portion; a trolley wheel carriage secured to the trolley upper portion; and a trolley lower portion extending downwardly from said trolley upper portion, allowing the trolley to be displaced along a box to box cable.

Abstract: A fall arrest assembly having belay lines and anchor stations extending between support structures and which slidably receive a shuttle mounted to a person traversing the belay lines, the assembly including a mounting plate having a plurality of openings therethrough and a supporting extension fixed rigidly thereto and wherein the support extension carries a shuttle guide coupled to the belay lines and configured for slidable passage of a shuttle there over, and a plurality of anchor elements having a section configured to extend through the plurality of openings in the mounting plate and clamps for securing the anchor elements to the support structures.

Abstract: A circuit board is enclosed in a housing containing rows of metal oxide varistors. Multiple surge ferrule type fuses are soldered directly to circuit board holes between the rows of metal oxide varistors. A ring connector electrically connects pairs of fuses and an electrical conductor connects the ring connector to an electrical circuit to be protected.

Abstract: Methods for making various titanium base alloys and titanium aluminides into engineering components such as rings, tubes and pipes by melting of the alloys in a vacuum or under a low partial pressure of inert gas and subsequent centrifugal casting of the melt in the graphite molds rotating along its own axis under vacuum or low partial pressure of inert gas are provided, the molds having been fabricated by machining high density, high strength ultrafine grained isotropic graphite, wherein the graphite has been made by isostatic pressing or vibrational molding, the said molds either revolving around its own horizontal or vertical axis or centrifuging around a vertical axis of rotation.

Abstract: A device for collecting electric current for a rail vehicle that tilts. The rail vehicle includes a car body having a roof and a bogie beneath the car body. The bogie has a bogie frame and a bolster above the bogie frame and the car body is supported on the bolster. The bolster tilts around an axis with respect to the bogie frame upon tilting of the body. The collecting device includes a platform supported on the roof of the car which is movable transversely to the vehicle access. A pantograph supported on the platform, a flexible connection between the bogie and the pantograph for moving the platform on the pantograph transversely with tilting of the bogie frame, but for not moving the platform along with tilting of the bogie bolster. A motion reducing and amplifying mechanism between the platform and the flexible connection.

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: An apparatus for temporarily increasing the load-bearing capacity of bridge girders during assembly work includes supports with deflection pulleys that are placed in the vicinity of bracing points. A relief cable is made taut over the deflection pulleys and the bridge girder is suspended from it as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for yarding logs by introducing slack is provided for use with a mono-cable system having a continuous loop of cable strung through a logging area along a path that the harvested timber is conveyed. The invention includes advancing the mono-cable system along the path of the mono-cable system until a length of cable not being used to secure a log is available. Slack is then created in the cable of the mono-cable system, after which the cable is transported to a log located on either side and distant from the path. The choker is then secured to the log, and the hook of the choker is secured to the cable. The slack of the cable is then eliminated, such that the secured log is retrieved from its felled position distant from the path to a position adjacent the path. The cable is then advanced such that the hook of the choker is caught on a stopper of the mono-cable system, and the log is moved along the path to a transport location from which the log is removed from the logging area.

Abstract: An aerial cableway system for filming subjects in motion over moderate to long distances. An endless cable is tensioned between two support structures in an elongated loop. A cable carriage is suspended from the endless cable and is in contact with both segments of the endless cable at all times. Each segment of the endless cable passes through the cable carriage in opposite directions by wrapping 180.degree. around two drive sheaves for a total cumulative wrap of 360.degree.. Each drive sheave has associated with it a disc brake assembly. The endless cable is driven by a bull wheel mechanism which is located at the base of one of the support structures. As the endless cable is continuously driven the two segments travel in opposite directions. When the disc brakes on one side of the carriage are engaged, the drive sheaves are immobilized on one segment of the endless cable and the carriage is carried along in the direction that the grasped segment of the endless cable is traveling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tensioning apparatus and method for creating and maintaining a substantially constant tension force in a flexible cable or shaft element. The apparatus used for maintaining the flexible cable at a constant tension includes interconnected reel and camming elements joined to a resiliently acting element. The reel and camming elements cooperate to adjust a variable tension force produced by the resiliently acting element to a substantially constant tension force of selected characteristic in the flexible cable.

Abstract: An automated transportation system utilizes the force of gravity to propel vehicles along a system of cables. The cable may be manipulated through a hydraulic system to adjust their slope in a manner allowing vehicles to travel thereover in one direction or another. Savings in energy accrue through the use of the present invention which facilitate its use throughout the world.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a boatless water skiing tow system and a unique traction apparatus for use therein. The traction apparatus comprises a plurality of cable loops connected end to end to form an endless sequence giving the semblance of a dual cable traction device without the disadvantages of such a traction device. Apparatus is provided for equalizing the action of forces applied to the upper and lower arms of the various loops.

Abstract: A cable tensioning apparatus and method for automatically maintaining and adjusting the tension forces in an endless cable for a ski lift, aerial tramway, etc. is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carriage on which the cable is carried, a pneumatic carriage displacement apparatus in the form of a piston and cylinder, a source of gas under pressure, and a regulator and relief valve connected to establish and maintain a pressure within the cylinder which falls between predetermined minimum and maximum pressures. As the aerial tramway is subject to passenger or cargo loading and ambient conditions which change the tension forces, the pressure in the pneumatic cylinder will vary within the preselected range, and upon a change in the tension force beyond the range, gas is automatically exhausted from or interjected into the pneumatic cylinder to maintain tension forces within the preselected range.

Abstract: A car wash conveyor system has a conveyor pit extending the length of a car wash enclosure. A continuous chain with spaced rollers thereon is driven along the conveyor between wheel guides. A nylon belt anchored at both ends of the conveyor overlays the rollers, the latter creating a wave form in the belt which causes rotation of automobile tires lying forwardly of the rollers and engaged by the belt.

Abstract: A drive terminal, for a continuous aerial cable tram system, movable on rails to tension the aerial cable. The drive terminal is biased to tensioning position by a suspended weight coupled to the terminal by a particular compensating linkage that eliminates torque forces between the drive terminal and its support.

Abstract: The invention relates to the terminal of an overhead cable transporter in which the cable return sheave is suspended from a tensioning carriage moving on runways formed by two bracing girders fixed to two piers forming an inverted V.