Cable Patents (Class 104/173.1)
  • Patent number: 11656622
    Abstract: An amusement park system in accordance with present embodiments includes multiple separated park areas, an autonomous vehicle configured to drive along ground surfaces within the multiple separated park areas, and a gondola system configured to transport the autonomous vehicle between the multiple separated park areas. The amusement park system further includes a control system configured to operate the autonomous vehicle to engage with and disengage from the gondola system to facilitate transport of the autonomous vehicle by the gondola system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Keith Michael McVeen
  • Patent number: 11192724
    Abstract: An inclined shaft continuous feeding system for solid backfilling materials includes a surface loading system, an inclined shaft transportation system, and a downhole unloading system. The inclined shaft transportation system is arranged between the surface loading system and the underground unloading system. The inclined shaft transportation system includes a bottom unloading dumper, support guide wheels, a guide rail, a drive wheel, a reverse wheel, and a traction steel wire rope configured between the drive wheel and the reverse wheel. The present invention can realize a steady, continuous and efficient transportation of the solid backfilling materials from the surface to down hole. Moreover, the material transportation system does not wear easily, has long service life and low material transportation cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Xiexing Miao
  • Patent number: 11097750
    Abstract: A cable transportation system for transporting people or goods defines an advancing path extending between two end stations and having a designated length L, and has a hauling cable looped into a closed ring and having a forward branch and a return branch, which extend between the end stations; at least one vehicle configured to be alternately advanced between the two end stations, and selectively and alternately clamped to the forward branch and the return branch of the hauling cable at the end stations; and a drive member for advancing the hauling cable along the advancing path and selectively stopping the hauling cable when the vehicle clamped to the hauling cable is at one end station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: LEITNER S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Conte, Franco Coco
  • Patent number: 11027754
    Abstract: A transport installation includes a traction member extending in a circuit and associated with an external power source so as to be moved along the circuit, a vehicle having a power storage system, a motor system, a generator system and a fixed support adjacent to the circuit. The generator system of the vehicle includes a generator that may be activated to supply power to the storage system when the vehicle is coupled to the traction member and driven along the circuit by the traction member. The motor system of the vehicle includes a motor that may be activated to receive power from the storage system and move the vehicle relative to the fixed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Vinci Construction
    Inventor: Jérôme Stubler
  • Patent number: 10843712
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting goods includes at least one track and at least one transport vehicle which is configured to travel on the track and to transport the goods. The transport vehicle has at least one vehicle-side or on-board drive for moving the transport vehicle relative to the track. In order to enhance the performance of the transport device in a simple and cost-effective manner, the track has at least one track-side or in-track drive for moving the transport vehicle relative to the track at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaf
    Inventor: Rainer Zisch
  • Patent number: 10457481
    Abstract: Structure protector (5), wherein these structures (5) are shelves, doors, pillars or similar and have support legs (6), which comprises a covering element (1) of the support legs (6), formed by a profile (1.1) with a C-shaped section suitable for being adjusted on the exterior lateral contour of said support legs (6) and with a support base (1.2) to the ground and at least one element with a hollow truncated pyramid shape (2), with three inclined sides (2.1) and one open side, an open lower base and an upper base, which is open towards the open side, which has a horizontal flat surface (2.2) in the contour corresponding to the three inclined sides (2.1), where the shape of the interior contour of this horizontal flat surface (2.2) is suitable for fitting the surface around the covering element (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Miguel Medina Casado
  • Patent number: 10414418
    Abstract: Cableway installation including at least one vehicle designed to be hauled by the cable, a loading terminal including a boarding area where passengers are positioned to board the vehicle, a drive motor of the vehicle in the boarding area, image acquisition device generating at least one image representative of the vehicle and of the passengers in the boarding area, and an electronic control unit configured to determine a surveillance area around the vehicle and the positions of the passengers, in the at least one representative image, and to generate a speed setpoint for the motor according to the positions of the passengers in the surveillance area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: POMA
    Inventor: Sébastien Martin
  • Patent number: 10328999
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to launch and recovery systems for a remotely operated vehicle. The embodiments eliminate or minimize the need for load lines, and provide virtually unlimited excursion distances for remotely operated vehicles, limited only by the amount of tether available at the launch point. Further, the embodiments allow for extended deployments of ROVs by allowing recharging of a tether climbing component while submerged. The system can include a launch and recovery assembly, a tether climbing component, and a remotely operated vehicle attached to a remotely operated vehicle tether. The launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: WT INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Patrick Trail
  • Patent number: 10328960
    Abstract: A train system has a locomotive traveling at a controlled speed on a main track, with passenger cars capable of locomotion and of automatic coupling and decoupling, forming a train on the main track. Appropriate passenger cars are decoupled and switched onto a side track at stations to unload passengers while the rest of the train passes the stations without stopping. Passenger cars loaded with passengers at these stations are then deployed to couple-up with the train after it has passed the station. This combines local service with express service. Operation in most cases is guided by a central computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Robert W Fifield
  • Patent number: 10295314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment for target ranges, and more specifically, to moveable track-mounted target carriers having means for adjusting suspension or cushioning. The present disclosure also relates to target carriers with cable tension adjusting means which can be accessed without disturbing or disassembling the target carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventor: Devin Anderson
  • Patent number: 10214911
    Abstract: A system that automates the application of shingles to the roof of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Kanishka Ragula, Vikrant Ragula
  • Patent number: 9597478
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems drive an infant carrier through space while providing soothing acceleration and/or sonic components. Infant-soothing swaying and vibrating mechanisms help to calm an upset infant and/or help the infant to fall asleep. Embodiments described herein include infant carriers capable of self-locomotion and/or platforms capable of self-locomotion with snap-in fasteners to accept an infant carrier. In some embodiments, a platform with an attached infant carrier travels along a track or monorail. In some embodiments, an infant carrier with wheels may be pulled by a toy providing the locomotion. Some embodiments incorporate a device controller with biofeedback mechanisms to adaptively pinpoint characteristics of soothing motions and sounds appropriate to a selected soothing task for a particular infant in a particular emotional state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Albert Daniel Houston
  • Patent number: 9463811
    Abstract: A cable transportation system has rails and a draw cable, both extending along a transportation path, a drive member for driving the draw cable; at least one vehicle, which moves along the transportation path and has wheels which roll along the rails, and a coupling device for connecting the vehicle to the draw cable, at least one passenger station where the vehicle is stopped and an electric machine located on the vehicle and driven by the wheels to generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ROPFIN B.V.
    Inventors: Federico Bavaresco, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 9437124
    Abstract: A flying decoration includes a drive unit, at least one object mount, a transport line and an idler pulley device. The drive unit includes a drive motor, a system controller and a speed sensor. The drive unit is retained above the ground in one location and the idler pulley device is retained above the ground in another location. A drive pulley is mounted to a drive shaft of the drive motor. The system controller controls the rotation of the drive shaft. Both ends of the transport line are secured to the object mount to form a transport loop. The system controller includes an automatic travel distance calibration program. The object mount includes a line tensioning device for reducing slack in the transport loop. One end of the transport loop is retained on the drive pulley and the other end is retained on an idler pulley of the idler pulley device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: John T. Hrehoriak
  • Patent number: 9399530
    Abstract: A system for moving heavy objects about a manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the system can include a pair of rails disposed on the ground of the manufacturing yard; a plurality of multi-ton rollers configured to mate with the rails, each multi-ton roller configured to be attached to a movable platform which is configured to accept a packed column section; and a winch disposed between the pair of rails and secured to the ground of the manufacturing yard, the winch having a spool of cable with one end configured to be attached to the movable platform, the winch configured to apply a force to cause the movable platform to travel about a length of the pair of rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Claude Granger, Jean Roy, Sylvain Made
  • Patent number: 9333876
    Abstract: A cable transportation system has a pull cable; at least one transportation unit moving along a given path and connectable selectively to the pull cable by a coupling device; at least one passenger station where the transportation unit is detached from the pull cable; and an auxiliary drive device having a linear electric motor extending along a portion of the given path to move the transportation unit along the passenger station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ROPFIN B.V.
    Inventors: Federico Bavaresco, Peter Leimstadtner
  • Patent number: 8960096
    Abstract: Disengageable chair-lift station having a transfer way made up of a first longitudinal part extending in alignment with the line of the carrying-hauling cable, and of a second transversal part extending perpendicular to the first part. The driving or return pulley is placed between the sections of the first part, and the disembarkation and embarkation platforms are shifted from one another in the second part, so that the disembarkation and embarkation of the skiers are performed on the same side of the station, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Pomagalski
    Inventor: Julien Veyrat
  • Patent number: 8910578
    Abstract: An aerial cable car system including transportation operating equipment for passenger and/or freight transport, wherein electrical consumers are connected for operation thereof to a rechargeable electrical energy store of a transportation operating equipment by a respective power circuit. The transportation operating equipment includes an operating control device connected to measuring devices for dynamically capturing measurement values based on available quantity of energy in the energy store. The operating control device includes a storage module having at least one stored measurement control value and an associated control parameter. The operating control device includes a filter module comparing a captured measurement value to the at least one stored measurement control value and reading out corresponding stored control parameter, based on which power circuits can be selectively coupled or decoupled to the energy store by the operating control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: CWA Constructions SA
    Inventor: Daniel Gubler
  • Patent number: 8887900
    Abstract: A rail conveyor system combining the low friction attributes of railway transportation with the continuous bulk handling advantages of belt conveyors, uses a multiplicity of spaced carriages running on steel wheels on rail tracks to support a continuous carry belt. The system is driven by various means including a rope extending between the carriages. Various other drive means including drive belt technology are also described along with loading and unloading stations and distributed drive stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Newcastle Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Craig Anthony Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20140305331
    Abstract: A cable transportation system bogie extends along a longitudinal axis and has a main frame defining a supporting surface; a platform configured to support at least one car; and an articulated mechanism connected to the main frame and the platform, and configured to transmit pulling force between the main frame and the platform, and to permit movement of the platform with respect to the main frame in any direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Rolic International S.AR.L.
    Inventors: Federico Bavaresco, Franco Coco, Alain Mollet, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 8839943
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for an assembly line having a number of assembly stations is provided. The conveyor apparatus has a guide realized to define a path of travel for an assembly station, an engaging unit for engaging an assembly station to the guide, and a driving unit for driving the engaging unit along the guide such that the assembly station is moved through successive stages of the assembly line. The assembly line is used for assembling a generator for a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kenneth Damgaard Hoell, Jakob Mikkelsen, John Krath Pedersen, Martin Bach Soerensen
  • Patent number: 8770112
    Abstract: A transport installation comprising at least one carrier vehicle moving longitudinally in to-and-fro manner along a single running track being guided by two guiding elements each following one of the lateral branches of the track in a crossing area. The carrier vehicle carries two independent gripping mechanisms respectively associated with the two guiding elements and each able to temporarily secure the carrier vehicle in the lateral direction to the associated guiding elements. Such gripping mechanisms constitute on-board devices for selecting the branch associated with its direction of running on entering a crossing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Pomagalski
    Inventors: Alain Mollet, Eric Blanc
  • Patent number: 8671843
    Abstract: An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. A drive motor drives motion of the carriage along the drive cable when the engagement assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the engagement assembly is configured to be disengaged from the drive cable to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle. Upon release of the extraction hose from the vehicle, the engagement assembly is configured to automatically activate to the engaged configuration to engage the drive cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: John Johnston, Brian Roe
  • Patent number: 8667898
    Abstract: An amusement ride apparatus includes a suspended cable and a carriage that supports a user. The carriage is supported on and movable along the suspended cable. Additionally, the apparatus includes a load/unload mechanism that includes a tethering portion and a retractor. The tethering portion is removably coupleable to at least one of the suspended cable and carriage. The retractor is selectively operable in a first mode to retract the tethering portion when removably coupled to the at least one of the suspended cable and carriage to lower the carriage relative to the platform from a raised position to a lowered position and in a second mode to extend the tethering portion when removably coupled to the at least one of the suspended cable and carriage to raise the carriage relative to the platform from the lowered position to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Stanley J. Checketts, Val Simmons
  • Patent number: 8631745
    Abstract: A method for tensioning a cable uses a tensioning installation comprising a pulley over which the cable passes, a support trolley for the mobile pulley, on a guide rail and one or several linear actuators to move the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pomagalski
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Laurent, Mathieu Lefort, Gregory Lucas
  • Patent number: 8607710
    Abstract: A cable-tow system including a skiing surface. A drive tower, including a drive pulley, and a support tower, including a return pulley, are positioned on a periphery of the skiing surface. The cable-tow system further includes a stationary support cable spanning a first distance between the drive tower and the support tower. A movable drive cable spans a second distance between the drive pulley and the return pulley. The movable drive cable travels in an orbital fashion between the drive pulley and the return pulley. A truck is connected to the movable drive cable and includes at least one race pulley. The at least one race pulley engages the stationary support cable. A tow rope is connected to the truck and includes a handle for towing a skier. Movement of the movable drive cable moves the truck along a length of the stationary support cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Jack Farr
  • Patent number: 8578859
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a mechanical crawl space organization system comprises a drive element which drives a winding element. The system further comprises a cable cooperating with at least one tubular conduit to define a drive path. The cable is mechanically connected to the winding element and a lead cart. The system enables the drive element to move the lead cart along a path defined by the cable guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: John Walter Roy
  • Patent number: 8573133
    Abstract: A public passenger transport installation includes two end stations connected via two tracks for inbound and outbound travels. At each station, both tracks join into a common single connector track section via a switch. Each of the tracks is associated with at least two endless cables, which extend from one of the station to the other one, and more precisely from one of the connector track section to the other. The endless cables associated with one track run in parallel to one another, and are laterally offset with respect to one another by a given distance, which is constant along the track and at the stations. Vehicles provided with releasable clamps can be individually coupled to the cables. Each clamp is movable between at least four indexed lateral positions, each corresponding to one of the cables on the connector track section. Each cable can be individually driven at continuously variable speed between standstill and a cruising speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pomagalski
    Inventor: Alain Mollet
  • Patent number: 8534196
    Abstract: A cable transportation system has a pull cable; at least one transportation unit moving along a given path and connectable selectively to the pull cable by a coupling device; at least one passenger station where the transportation unit is detached from the pull cable; and an auxiliary drive device having a linear electric motor extending along a portion of the given path to move the transportation unit along the passenger station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rolic Invest S.AR.L
    Inventors: Federico Bavaresco, Peter Leimstadtner
  • Patent number: 8528485
    Abstract: A cableway system for conveying skiers from a valley station to a mountain station has a continuous, and continuously moving, conveying cable, which is guided in the terminal stations via deflecting pulleys, of which at least one is a driven head wheel. The system includes chairs with seats for several skiers. The chairs are uncoupled from the conveying cable at the entrance into the stations, and guided through the stations, along guide rails, at a speed which is reduced in relation to the speed of the conveying cable, wherein the skiers sit on these chairs, or disembark therefrom, and the chairs are once more coupled to the conveying cable at the exit of the station. Skier-access barriers, are located in the valley station through which the skiers pass into the region of the movement paths of the chairs. A marking is provided in the region of the movement path of the chairs that indicates to the skiers the necessary positions for sitting on the chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Moritzhuber
  • Patent number: 8522689
    Abstract: A cableway system has a conveying cable that is guided via a head wheel pulleys in the two terminal stations of the system. Vehicles, such as gondolas or chairs, are coupled to the conveying cable between stations, and they are guided through the stations by way of travelling-gear mechanisms. In the stations, the vehicles are moved by way of tire wheels or control tires, and the tire wheels are driven by at least one supporting roller for the conveying cable. The supporting roller is located in the relevant station. The at least one of these supporting rollers for the conveying cable via which the drive power of the control tires is derived from the conveying cable is adjustable in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Beck
  • Publication number: 20130118371
    Abstract: A rail conveyor system combining the low friction attributes of railway transportation with the continuous bulk handling advantages of belt conveyors, uses a multiplicity of spaced carriages (4) running on steel wheels (5) on rail tracks (2, 3) to support a continuous carry belt (7). The system is driven by various means including a rope (9) extending between the carriages. Various other drive means including drive belt technology are also described along with loading and unloading stations and distributed drive stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NEWCASTLE INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Craig Anthony Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8418625
    Abstract: A system for conveying persons has at least one track along which a plurality of vehicles or groups of vehicles are moved by continuous conveying cables. At least two mutually successive conveying cables are arranged in line with one another and each has a drive so that they may be driven independently of one another. The vehicles are coupled to the cables with clamping devices. The clamping devices arranged on the vehicles spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the system. When there is a transfer of a vehicle from a first to the successive conveying cable, a control device uncouples at least the first clamping device, from the first conveying cable and thereupon couples it to the successive conveying cable. Then, a further clamping device is uncoupled from the first conveying cable and coupled to the successive conveying cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Czaloun
  • Patent number: 8408141
    Abstract: A cable transportation system having a pull cable defined by a number of strands and drawn along a path; at least one transportation unit movable along the path and connected to the pull cable by a coupling device; a metal structure located along the path to support and guide the transportation unit; and at least one guide roller for guiding the pull cable and supported by the metal structure by leaf springs which reduce vibration caused by the strands of the pull cable contacting the guide roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rolic Invest S.AR.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Durante, Federico Bavaresco, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 8402898
    Abstract: A safety system and method for objects moved by a driving cabling system. Offers a redundant back-up system that activates when the main cable system fails. The safety system has various embodiments and may be utilized with camera movement systems configured to move the camera throughout two or three-dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cablecam, LLC
    Inventor: Jim (James) Rodnunsky
  • Patent number: 8393276
    Abstract: A cable transportation system has a pull cable; at least one transportation unit moving along a given path and connectable selectively to the pull cable by a coupling device; at least one passenger station where the transportation unit is detached from the pull cable; and an auxiliary drive device having a linear electric motor extending along a portion of the given path to move the transportation unit along the passenger station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rolic Invest S.ar.L.
    Inventors: Federico Bavaresco, Peter Leimstädtner
  • Patent number: 8302537
    Abstract: A cable transportation system includes a first cable suspended over a ground surface, a vehicle supported above the ground surface by the first cable, wherein the vehicle has one or more grooved wheels for riding along the first cable, a frame supported from above by the one or more grooved wheels, and at least one vehicle guide that extends below the grooved wheels, and a junction bracket that has a ramped section, a mid portion section connected to the ramp section, and a rail portion provided on both the ramped section and the mid portion section, wherein the junction bracket is connected to the first cable so that at least an end portion of the ramped section is parallel to and directly above the first cable and the grooved wheels transition from the first cable onto the rail portion when the vehicle engages the junction bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eco Adventure Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gordon Thomas Quattlebaum
  • Patent number: 8234982
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski lift chair specifically designed for use by snowboarders. The chair comprises a plurality of seats facing perpendicular to the line of travel direction and can be either in-line back to back, in-line front-to-back or a combination of the two. The chair can be mixed on a ski lift with chairs designed for skiers or used alone with only snowboarder chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Katharine West Parker
  • Publication number: 20120186483
    Abstract: A cable-tow system including a skiing surface. A drive tower, including a drive pulley, and a support tower, including a return pulley, are positioned on a periphery of the skiing surface. The cable-tow system further includes a stationary support cable spanning a first distance between the drive tower and the support tower. A movable drive cable spans a second distance between the drive pulley and the return pulley. The movable drive cable travels in an orbital fashion between the drive pulley and the return pulley. A truck is connected to the movable drive cable and includes at least one race pulley. The at least one race pulley engages the stationary support cable. A tow rope is connected to the truck and includes a handle for towing a skier. Movement of the movable drive cable moves the truck along a length of the stationary support cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jack Farr
  • Patent number: 8216077
    Abstract: An observation wheel type ride includes a support structure, a wheel which is rotatable mounted in the support structure and/or includes a transportation device movably supported on the wheel, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotary drive and a drive cable, wherein a section of the drive cable is detachably fixed to a circumference of the wheel and/or to the transportation device for transmitting the rotary movement of the rotary drive to the wheel and/or to the transportation device. A deflection assembly deflects in a lateral direction with respect to the wheel that section of the drive cable, which is led over the rotary drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ronald Bussink Amusement Design GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Alexander Bussink, Stephan Lins, Johannes Fraundorfer
  • Publication number: 20120125222
    Abstract: A system for conveying persons has a track along which a plurality of vehicles may be moved by way of continuous conveying cables. The cables include at least two mutually successive conveying cables each having a drive for driving them independently of one another. The vehicles may be coupled to the cables by clamping devices and the cables overlap one another in mutually associated end regions. The coupling of the vehicles may be transferred from a first conveying cable to a successive conveying cable in the overlap region. In those regions in which a first conveying cable is adjoined by a further conveying cable, that is, in the overlap region, at least one servo device is provided which allows the cable run of the further conveying cable to which the vehicle is to be coupled to be moved into the clamping device of the vehicle, while the clamping device is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: INNOVA PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: FLORIAN HEINZLE, PETER WILHELM
  • Patent number: 8166886
    Abstract: A wear monitoring system is provided for monitoring the wear and/or abrasion of at least one system component of a cable operated transportation system, where the system component is subjected to wear and/or abrasion and is mounted in rotating and/or circulating manner. A parameter measuring device is provided for measuring an actual value and/or a time-dependent actual value function of at least one electrical and/or mechanical parameter of the at least one system component and/or the drive unit. An evaluating device is provided for determining a parameter deviation of the actual value from a desired value in dependence on time or a time interval and/or of the actual value function from a time-dependent desired value function of the at least one parameter. The parameter deviation corresponds to the state of abrasion and/or the state of wear of the at least one system component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH + Co KG
    Inventor: Richard Thum
  • Publication number: 20120024187
    Abstract: A cableway system has a conveying cable and chairs, which can be coupled to the conveying cable and are coupled to the conveying cable along the path of the cableway system, are uncoupled from the conveying cable at the entrance into the stations, are guided through the stations, along guide rails, by way of control tires, and are coupled to the conveying cable again at the exit from the stations, furthermore the chairs are designed with at least one safety bar and a device for adjusting the safety bar, and for locking the same, and a device for checking the locking are arranged at the exit from the stations. A first device for adjusting and locking the safety bar and an associated device for checking the locking and a second device for adjusting and locking the safety bar and an associated device for checking the locking are provided at the exit from the stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: INNOVA PATENT GMBH
    Inventor: MARKUS BECK
  • Patent number: 8042474
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Philippe Perakis
  • Publication number: 20110226152
    Abstract: A public passenger transport installation includes two end stations connected via two tracks for inbound and outbound travels. At each station, both tracks join into a common single connector track section via a switch. Each of the tracks is associated with at least two endless cables, which extend from one of the station to the other one, and more precisely from one of the connector track section to the other. The endless cables associated with one track run in parallel to one another, and are laterally offset with respect to one another by a given distance, which is constant along the track and at the stations. Vehicles provided with releasable clamps can be individually coupled to the cables. Each clamp is movable between at least four indexed lateral positions, each corresponding to one of the cables on the connector track section. Each cable can be individually driven at continuously variable speed between standstill and a cruising speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: POMAGALSKI
    Inventor: Alain Mollet
  • Patent number: 8015926
    Abstract: Tracks are arranged on the floor of the entry region of a station of the chair lift, the tracks running below and in accordance with the path of movement of the seats of the chair and having a substantially equal width with the corresponding seats. The seat part and/or the backrest of a seat differ/differs with regard to the graphical design from the seat part and/or backrest of an adjacent seat. It is therefore made clear to the passengers, in particular children, how the seat division on the chair has been conceived by the manufacturer and where to stand in the entry region in order to be correctly seated on an approaching seat. If the graphical design of the tracks is identical to the graphical design of the corresponding seat, the effect of the chair according to the invention is reinforced by the unambiguous visual association between the track and seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Sutter
  • Publication number: 20100294162
    Abstract: A cable transportation system (1) having a pull cable (2) defined by a number of strands (7) and drawn along a path (P); at least one transportation unit (3) movable along the path (P) and connected to the pull cable (2) by a coupling device (4); a metal structure (5) located along the path (P) to support and guide the transportation unit (3); and at least one guide roller (6) for guiding the pull cable (2) and supported by the metal structure (5) by means of leaf springs (26, 27, 40) which damp vibration caused by the strands (7) of the pull cable (2) contacting the guide roller (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ROLIC INVEST S.AR.L
    Inventors: Andrea Durante, Federico Bavaresco, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 7832339
    Abstract: Automatic cable transport facility along a closed loop line, including vehicles that can be disengaged at a set rate in stations after moving along a disengaged circuit where they are driven at low speed along disembarkation and embarkation platforms. Each station includes an automatic control mechanism able to extract the vehicles from the slow progression in the disengaged circuit, and transfer them to a disembarkation/embarkation point which is assigned to them in order of arrival, the previous vehicle having previously been reintegrated into the slow progression line in the place of the vehicle extracted in accordance with a preset program. A compensation point includes a permanently available spare empty vehicle which can be used to fill an empty space left by a vehicle that has been delayed and stopped at the disembarkation/embarkation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ropetrans AG
    Inventor: Jerome Richard
  • Publication number: 20100263569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a traction carriage for an underground mining plow, comprising a traction carriage body which can be inserted into a cavity in a plow body and which on the rear side of a guide recess 17 has a front part 11 whose ends pointing in the direction of travel form stop surfaces 12 for interacting with counterstop surfaces in the cavity of the plow body. According to the invention, a damping device 20 having a damping action in both directions of travel is integrated into the front part 11 of the traction carriage 10. In order to provide a low-maintenance damping device which allows a more favorable transmission of force between the stop surface on the traction carriage and the counterstop surface on the plow body, the coupling piece 14 can be moved relative to the stop surfaces 12 counter to the restoring force of a damping system of the damping device 20 that is arranged between the stop surfaces 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: BUCYRUS EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Adam Klabisch, Norbert Hesse, Gerhard Siepenkort, Klaus Duhnke, Diedrich Bettermann
  • Patent number: 7806055
    Abstract: A transport installation comprising a continuous running rope supporting vehicles arranged at intervals along the rope with a preset running rate, comprises: a vehicle grouping section, arranged between a slowing-down section and an intermediate section, equipped with means for forming groups of a preset number of vehicles, a vehicle separating section, arranged between the intermediate section and a speeding-up section, to collectively stock each group coming from the intermediate section. The invention also relates to a method for controlling such an installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Pomagalski SA
    Inventor: Daniel Michel