Abstract: The chairs or the cabins of an overhead cable transport installation are driven on a transfer rail in a station by means of friction sheaves staggered along the travel circuit and interconnected by a belt drive arrangement. The rotational movement of the friction sheaves is derived from a cable support sheave by means of a movement take up module, having a girder like box secured adjacent to the girder which supports the friction sheaves.

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 apparatus for loading skiers on a ski lift consisting of a plurality of rollers the rollers being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ski lift at least during the portion of its length past the loading point. The rollers rotate, thereby accelerating a skier who is standing on the rollers to a speed the same or substantially the same as the speed of the ski lift. The skier is thereby able to sit down comfortably on the chair while standing on the rollers. A second apparatus may be disposed at an unloading point whereby the skier is moved away from the ski lift and is decelerated in order to safely transfer to the mow.

Abstract: A bypass for a car of a circuit cable railway system, which is positioned at a turn-about station of the system between the incoming and outgoing lines of at least one revolving conveying cable. The bypass includes coupling points, disposed on incoming and outgoing tracks of the station, at which the car is decoupled from the conveying cable when entering the station and coupled to the conveying train cable when exiting the station. A conveying apparatus drives the car, which has been decoupled from the conveying cable, at a feeding velocity around the station on a station track, and accelerates movement of the car on the station track to enable the car to recouple with the conveying cable at the coupling point when exiting the station. The station track has an incoming portion at the location where the car enters the station and an outgoing portion at a location where the car exits the station.

Abstract: A rope guide system and for an aerial ropeway includes a haulage rope that travels along a path between two stations, and comprises two driving wheels 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 disposed at one of the stations and laterally offset with respect to each other, which convey the haulage rope. Two inner deflector wheels 6.sub.1, 6.sub.2 direct the rope to cross over itself at a predetermined location to form inner and outer rope loops, and cooperate to direct the inner rope loop toward and away from the two driving wheels. A first reversing wheel 5.sub.1 is disposed at the other station, and the inner rope loop passes around it. Either two additional reversing wheels 5.sub.2, 5.sub.3 or a second, larger reversing wheel 5.sub.2, about which the outer loop passes, is/are disposed at the other station. Two outer deflector wheels direct the outer rope loop toward and away from either the two additional reversing wheels or the second reversing wheel.

Abstract: Sensors distributed along a ropeway communicate with a base station and preferably a base station computer. One type of sensor detects and signals cable misalignments from a normal line of cable traction. Preferably each cable tower has at least one such sensor. Another type of sensor is mounted on a sheave assembly and detects vibrations characteristic of disintegration within the assembly. It produces a sheave problem signal whenever such occurs. Preferably there is one vibration sensor mounted on each sheave assembly. Another type of sensor is preferably mounted on each ropeway carrier for detecting and signaling excessive swings. The sensor signals are communicated to a cable operator so that remedial action can be taken. Each carrier sensor has an RF transmitter for broadcasting its signals to RF receivers mounted on cable towers. Interface units local to sensor groups relay their signals to a base station computer that provides corresponding indicators to the cable operator.

Abstract: A single-cable aerial cableway including guide rails forming a lead-in guide, secured to a stationary cable support structure. The lead-in guide cooperates with a wheel secured to the grip so as to stabilize and position the grip and the load before they pass along the structure. The position of the lead-in guide is automatically adjusted when the position in height of the cable changes so that the weel always enter the lead-in guide.

Abstract: A transport installation making use of passive vehicles hauled along a track by traction cables. The track is divided into successive track sections extending between successive stations and each equipped with a traction cable for moving the vehicle along this track section and for stopping it in the stations. The taking-over of the vehicle by the successive traction cable is operated in the station while the vehicle is stopped. The track section of greatest length is equipped with a greater number of independent traction cables to increase the transport capacity.

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: Chairlift or gondola lift with a carriage supporting a gondola or a chair, the carriage including a detachable grip for coupling on a continuously moving cable. In the terminal, the carriage is uncoupled from the cable and it runs on a transfer rail. This transfer rail is equipped with friction drive sheaves for engaging a friction plate rigidly secured to the carriage. The sheaves are driven at a different speed with respect to the direct neighboring sheave so as to decelerate or to accelerate the carriage. The friction plate has a high friction coupling zone and a low friction coupling zone which permits a slip engagement with the friction sheave. The high friction coupling zone of the plate is shorter than the distance betwen two successive sheaves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a train positioner for moving one or more railroad cars of a unit train are disclosed. The positioner is engaged with the train while the positioner is stopped at an initial location. The positioner is moved and the train is accelerated to a constant speed. The energy expended by the positioner in accelerating the train to the constant speed is determined and apparent mass of the train is calculated from this energy. From the apparent mass of the train, a maximum force to which the positioner should be subjected, and a deceleration rate, a deceleration point adequate to stop the train by a predetermined, final location is calculated. The positioner is decelerated beginning at the deceleration point and at the deceleration rate until the train is stopped by a final location. In a preferred embodiment, the deceleration rate is also calculated from the apparent mass of the train and the maximum force to which the positioner should be subjected.

Abstract: The hauling-carrier cable of a gondola lift or chair lift is subdivided in two endless cable loops operating together. These cable loops are linked by a technical relay including two bull wheels or a bull wheel with two grooves, one for each cable loop. Transfer rails located in the technical relay permit the passage of the cabins from one cable loop to the other. The cabins, uncoupled from the cable, run on the transfer rail at the same velocity as the cable. The two bull wheels are mechanically coupled to transfer the driving power from one cable loop to the other.

Abstract: A safety device for a trolley riding an inclined track. The safety device includes a safety line running parallel to a tow cable operating the trolley. The trolley includes a lever with a distal end continuously engaging the safety line. When the lever is swung, the distal end takes up slack in the safety line and trips a switch at an end of the safety line to stop operation of the tow cable. The safety device further includes a tension mechanism for maintaining a predetermined amount of tension in the line and for automatically returning the line to such tension after the lever has been pulled. The safety device further includes an isolator connected between the safety line and the switch to isolate the switch from vibrations or disturbances in the line during operation of the trolley to minimize a premature tripping of the switch.

Abstract: An overhead cableway is disclosed, in particular a chair lift, with a cable revolving between stations and with transport devices having a traveling gear and connected with the cable via removable clamps. Travel segments are provided at every station which include driven friction wheels, which act on the transport devices via friction surfaces provided on their traveling gear, and forming at least one deceleration and one acceleration section each, and with guide elements associated with the travel segments, which cooperate with the traveling gear. In accordance with the invention, the friction wheels (6,10) define traveling surfaces (20) and the transport devices (50) are supported by their downwardly oriented friction surfaces (88) directly on the friction wheels, and the guide elements (48) are seated rotatably and fixed in place.

Abstract: A rhythm device section is controlled by a controller, which controls the travelling time of the carriage in terms of the delay or advance and repositions the carriage correctly with respect to a periodic signal synchronized with the cable. The controller in addition detects successive identical deviations and in this case triggers dephasing of the periodic signal so as to rephase it with the passing of the carriages.

Abstract: A terminal of a detachable cable-car with two or more carrier-hauling ropes including bull-wheels located underneath the floor. After the cars have been uncoupled the carrier-hauling ropes run on downward diversion means which direct the ropes towards the bull-wheels. The cars detached from the ropes pass between the diversion wheels to the rear of the terminal.

Abstract: A cable railway installation comprising cable return disks (2) arranged at he bottom and top stations, at least one of which disks (2) is driven, and comprising a carrying and hauling cable (3) arranged around the cable return disks (2) and guided over guide or deflecting rolls (12) for moving transportation means, such as seats (5). The cable return disk (2) forms the rotor of the drive motor, especially a reluctance motor.

Abstract: A skyline-suspended carriage system for transporting a heavy load slopewisely of a hill, comprising: (a) first and second vertically-offset and horizontally spaced mobile anchor points; (b) hoists, mounted to the first and second anchor points; (c) a single skyline, partially wound around the hoists; (d) an elongated carriage having carriage suspending idle pulleys riding on the skyline and an intermediate driving pulley engaging the bottom of the skyline which is wrapped around the top sector of the driving pulley to obtain slipless engagement; and a load-grabbing and retaining dragline, wound on a hoist in the carriage. One idle pulley and the driving pulley are close together at the downhill end of the carriage while the other idle pulley is substantially spaced from the driving pulley being located at the uphill end of the carriage. This arrangement stabilizes the carriage on the skyline.

Abstract: An aerial tramway having a pair of side-by-side, substantially parallel, movable haul ropes and at least one load carrying unit attached between the haul ropes for advancement therewith. A plurality of detachment assemblies are positioned periodically along the course of the haul rope to detach the load carrier from at least one of the haul ropes and thereby relieve torque induced in the load carrier due to differences in haul rope speeds. The load carrying units preferably have grip assemblies which wedge against the haul ropes, and detachment wheels lift the load carrier unit and grip assemblies up off the haul ropes to effect detachment. A method of conveying load carrying units by side-by-side haul ropes which prevents torque build-up in the units also is disclosed.

Abstract: A cable conveyance has devices for decoupling the passenger carriers from e cable at an upstream side of a station, a device for recoupling the carriers to the cable at a downstream side of the station and a path of the carriers through the station after the carriers have been decoupled from the cable. This path is formed by a roll in which the carriers are guided and includes decelerating and accelerating stretches in which respective driven rollers engage the carriers. At a control stretch the speed of the carriers can be adjusted relative to a normal speed in response to a sensor of the intercarrier interval to maintain a predetermined carrier spacing on recoupling of the carriers to the cable.

Abstract: A drive unit for a ski tow rope. The unit has a main frame with an engine having an output shaft mounted in the main frame. A drive pulley is driven by the output shaft and has a circumferential channel to receive the rope. Guide pulleys direct the rope into the main frame, around the drive pulley and out of the frame. The guide pulleys are made up of a pulley at the leading edge of the frame to receive the rope, a pulley at the trailing edge of the frame and a pair of holding pulleys adjacent the drive pulley and positioned to ensure that the rope contacts the maximum possible amount of the circumference of the drive pulley. The holding pulleys are able to pivot.

Abstract: Plastic material is molded in the form of a sheave (20) about a wire steel brush (10), and interspersed between the bristles (14) thereof. A conductive path is provided to a cable (26) against which the sheave is urged via the bristles, which extend radially to the outer surface (22,24) of the sheave, and the hub (12) of the wire wheel brush.

Abstract: A safety line 20 of an aerial ropeway transport installation 10 comprises in one of the stations a safety generating unit 22, which emits a square wave AC signal on the line.In the opposite station the line 20 is earthed by means of a diode 24. The safety generating unit 22 includes a measuring device of the positive and negative voltages at the line terminals to distinguish between a line break and a line short-circuit.A localizer indicates the location of the fault.

Abstract: A detachable gondola lift or chair-lift is disclosed which includes several sections which can operate independently from one another. Two sections are connected in an intermediate station by connecting tracks to transfer cars from one section to the other. Each section is equipped with a chain to drive the cars on the transfer rails. Each section is also fitted with flowrate regulators. When the two sections are joined, an adjustment device adjusts the chain of one of the sections in relation to the chain of the other section to achieve a regular transfer of the cars from one section to the other without intermediate storage.

Abstract: A detachable chair or gondola lift is disclosed wherein an alternator is driven by a rope bull-wheel. The alternator supplies a synchronous motor for driving friction wheels or other mechanisms for driving the cars in an end station of the chair or gondola lift. The electrical connection between the alternator and the synchronous motor ensures synchronous rotation of the motor. The alternator can be connected to the bull-wheel by a multiplier gear, the bull-wheel being either a tension bull-wheel or a driving bull-wheel. In the case of a tension bull-wheel, the alternator is mounted on the bull-wheel support carriage to avoid a flexible mechanical transmission. The alternator can be coupled to the high speed shaft of a driving bull-wheel reducer gear, for example, by a trapizoidal belt transmission. At low speed, the excitation of the alternator is increased to preserve the synchronism of the movements.

Abstract: A simplified and reliable apparatus for positioning rail cars at a loading or unloading station is disclosed. A rail car movement carriage traverses carriage guide rails anchored to cross-ties between the rail car rails. The carriage includes an onboard hydraulic system in which a single power cylinder activates crossed pivotally connected rail car axle engaging arms in a precision mode. The carriage also mounts a transverse support arm on one end of which is carried a limit switch and limit switch actuator which responds to contact with the flanges of rail car wheels during reverse travel of the carriage to count wheels and thereby establish a proper starting point for the forward movement of the carriage and activation of the car axle engaging arms. The other end of the carriage mounted cross arm is attached to a foldable feed tray which receives and stabilizes an electrical cable supplying power to a motor and valve of the hydraulic system on the carriage.

Abstract: Gondola lift or chairlift with carriages supporting a gondola or a chair and having a grip for coupling on a continuously moving cable. In the terminals the carriages uncoupled from the cable run without stopping on a transfer rail. The carriages are regularly spaced and the transfer rail comprises a rail section equipped with a rhythm device which controls the release of the carriages at regular time intervals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gondola lift having two parallel suspension haulage cables between which the gondolas hang. The two cable loops extend between two stations and each cable is driven by a direct current electrical motor, the two motors being identical and having separate excitation circuits. The armature windings are connected to the same power supply source by two armature circuits including identical resistors which provide an armature voltage drop and a reduction in speed for restoring identical power outputs of the two motors when one of the cables is in advance. The mechanical connections between the cables and the motors include gear boxes, the high speed shafts therefrom being coupled by a control clutch.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable towing device for downhill or water skiers which includes a drive unit. This drive unit comprises a motor and a drive pulley connected to the motor by a rotor which is rotated by the motor. The motor has an actuator which is movable from an idle position wherein the motor idles to an increased power position wherein the power output of the motor is increased. A first anchor is used to anchor the drive unit in the ground in a stationary position. There is also second anchor which is engageable in the ground at a distance from the drive unit and which has a support pulley connected thereto. An endless cable extends between and is entrained about the drive pulley and the support pulley and has an upper portion and a lower portion. A switch comprising a linkage is rotatably connected to the actuator at one end and to the cable at the other end by a regulator roller.

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 rail-transportation system had a longitudinally elongated rail assembly along which extends a longitudinally moving traction element connected to a plurality of longitudinally spaced cars riding on the assembly. The rail assembly consists of upper and lower longitudinally extending rails interconnected by struts and normally formed thereby into a rigid framework or box-beam construction. The car has a car body to one transverse side of the rails, an upper wheel to the other transverse side of the rails and riding on the upper rail, and a lower wheel to the one side of the rails and bearing on the lower rail in a transverse direction opposite that of the upper wheel. The car may have inner and outer frames connected together by a parallelogrammatic linkage connected to a guide rail between the upper and lower rails to maintain a load-carrying platform of the car horizontal even when the various rails are all inclined to the horizontal.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is an aerial cableway having a towing cable which is continually driven by a drive motor located in one station. In another station, the cable passes over a return sheave which is mechanically coupled to an electric speed stabilization device which drives or brakes the rotation of the return sheave so as to maintain a speed set value corresponding to the motor drive speed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the interconnection of two mobile carriages which are connected by a rigid beam and guided along parallel guide rails. The apparatus permits the simultaneous and identical movement, with respect to both direction and distance, of the carriages along the respective guide rails. The apparatus comprises two generally symmetrically disposed cables, each of which is attached at one end to an end of one rail and at its other end to a diagonally opposed end of a parallel rail. Intermediate the attachment points, the cables connect the carriages by resting on and being supported by return pulleys which are integral with the carriages. Each cable thereby describes a generally Z-shaped configuration. The Z-shaped configurations are symmetrically disposed in order to cause, during the displacement of one carriage, the tensioning of one of the cables, and thereby cause the other carriage to be identically and simultaneously displaced.

Abstract: The safety device detects the derailment of a cable and/or the loss of one or more sheaves of a rocker supporting the cable. It includes a pivotable cross-piece which extends over the side-plates of the rocker and is prolonged laterally to form a component for catching the derailed cable. An appendix can form a temporary support for the cable when a sheave 10, 12 is lost. The pivoting of a crosspiece cuts the safety-line conductor to signal a problem condition.The device can be applied to a gondola lift.

Abstract: Sheaves mount a carriage on a skyline for yarding logs. A load line having a hooked end hanging from the carriage extends through another sheave on the carriage to a winch on a yarder at one end of the skyline. Brakes actuated by hydraulic cylinders are operable to lock the carriage to the skyline and the load line to the carriage. The skyline brake normally is released and the load line brake normally is set so that hauling in or paying out of the load line by the yarder winch effects movement of the carriage along the skyline. A hooker on the ground actuates setting of the skyline brake and releasing of the load line brake by pressing a button on a radio transmitter which signals mechanism on the carriage to supply hydraulic liquid under pressure from an accumulator to the brake cylinders, and also to a hydraulic motor which drives the load line sheave to lower the load line from the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting force between a tow cart and an in-floor conveyor that includes a pin that pivots out of engagement with the conveyor when the cart meets an obstruction. The motion of the pin when disengaging from the conveyor places another pin in position to engage another drawing position of the conveyor. The pins are movable along their longitudinal axes to follow the profile of the conveyor when moving into and out of engagement with it.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-collision device for passive vehicles. The anti-collision device is governed by the means for driving the vehicles associated with the track to monitor continuously that the distance separating two successive vehicles is greater than the emergency braking distance of the following vehicle. The device is applicable to a transport installation with a line track.Refer to FIG. 1.

Abstract: An apparatus for towing a skier on skis to a ski-jump takeoff at an accelerating speed comparable to that given by a starting tower comprising an endless rope tow driven by a motor and transmission which supplies a pre-set constantly increasing acceleration to the endless rope tow.

Abstract: This amusement device includes a suspended flexible track attached to a support at one end, and a motor driven device slidingly mounted to the track in guided relation. A control system is provided which includes a pair of elongate clutch elements wrapped around the motor shaft in opposite directions, the elements being operatively connected to the support at one end and to a control bar at the other end which is manipulated to provide speed and direction control. The track system includes dual, lengthwise extending track elements connected to the support to permit rotational movement of the track and the motor driven unit in a plane transverse to the direction of travel. A flywheel is mounted to the motor shaft by means of a resilient connection to provide the device with controlled gyroscopic action.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high capacity passenger transport apparatus which may be employed as a ski lift including a high speed main cable ascending up a ski run and driven at high speeds. A pair of first and second shuttle tracks lead from the downhill run of such cable at the bottom station and separate to pass through respective first and second loading areas and then merge back together at the uphill run of the high speed cable. Chair trucks are carried on the main cable and include releasable grippers gripping such cables and are intercepted at the end of their downhill travel by escort cars which decelerate such trucks and escort them past a selector switch to direct alternate ones thereof onto the respective first and second shuttle tracks and then to a stopped position at the loading area so skiers can be loaded thereonto.

Abstract: A speed control system for a chairlift which reproduces automatically at the arrival of a seat in the disembarking station the speed which this seat had in the embarking station. The speed information is applied to a shift-register or a magnetic recorder which restores this information to control the speed at the arrival.

Abstract: A positive cable derailment sensing apparatus and method for use with pulley means having a cable carried thereby to detect derailment of the cable from the pulley means is disclosed. The sensing apparatus includes a flexible tendon secured to a low inertia component of the pulley means, usually a pivotally mounted yoke carrying a pair of pulleys, and secured to spring biasing means to bias the low inertia component for movement upon derailment of the cable from the pulleys. The flexible tendon normally extends from the pulleys to a remote position which is protected or shielded from adverse environmental conditions. Sensing means is located at the remote protected location and formed to sense movement of the flexible tendon and stop the advancement of the cable over the pulley means upon derailment. A switch construction particularly well suited for sensing the derailment of either side of the looped cable of the type found on chairlifts or the like is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of ski lifts are individually monitored and the information displayed at a central location for each of the ski lifts, and further displayed at a common location for all of the ski lifts. Each of the ski lifts is shut down in response to various unsafe conditions automatically with simultaneous production of a corresponding safety signal introduced in the common ski lift power control circuit, each of which safety signal is assigned a frequency or current so that it may be separated at a central location from other signals carried in the circuit for processing display. The safety devices will open switches to reduce the current carrying capacity of the closed power circuit and thereby disconnect the power to the ski lift drive while maintaining a substantially lower current carrying capacity in the circuit for passing the safety signals along the circuit to the central location.

Abstract: A cable connection with slack cable-brake release for an aerial cableway, wherein a traction cable and possibly a counter cable are secured to the travelling mechanism or carriage of the aerial cableway and a brake mechanism of the aerial cableway is automatically released by a brake release mechanism influenced by the cable traction upon decrease of the cable traction to a predetermined minimum value. The tensioned or traction cable is guided over a damping mechanism arranged at the travelling mechanism for overcoming the oscillations of the cable and after wrapping about a cable drum is attached to the travelling mechanism. The traction cable in an oscillation-free range is deflected by a force measuring device which for a predetermined value of the cable-contact force which is proportional to the cable traction brings about the response of the brake release mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle conveyor suitable for a car wash is described wherein tire-engaging rollers are attached to a continuous chain positioned underneath the path of the vehicle. The rollers are normally carried by the chain in a nonengaging position below the vehicle track. Then, when movement of the vehicle is desired, a coin-actuated control or a manual control is actuated to move a cam into operative position to cam one of the rollers upwardly through a slot onto the top surface of the vehicle track where it engages the vehicle's tire. The roller subsequently drops through a slot proximate the end of the conveyor course.