Abstract: A roller arrangement (20) for a stairlift carriage is described, the arrangement including a central roller set (22), and outer roller sets (24) and (26). Rollers (42), (43, 44) and (45) in the outer roller sets are mounted in yokes (48) which are mounted for independent pivotal movement, relative to one another, in two orthogonal axes. The axes of each set preferably lie in common planes.

Abstract: An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube, the carriage being coupled at a first end to an exhaust extraction hose, the second end of the exhaust extraction hose being coupled to a vehicle exhaust for directing exhaust from the vehicle out the track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. The engagement assembly has an engaged configuration and a non-engaged configuration with respect to the drive cable. A drive motor is coupled to the engagement assembly, and 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 while the exhaust extraction hose is attached to the exhaust of a vehicle to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sheave arrangement having a driving drum and a tension wheel. The driving drum includes a circumferential groove that has two side walls disposed at an angle, alpha. A line preferably is placed between the drum and tension wheel such that a substantially non-distorting three contact point driving force is achieved. Utilization of this sheave arrangement in a slack pulling carriage and a method of driving a line with the sheave arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A travelling device for hauling timber has a loading ramp (4) for the wood and a loading crane (5). Two cable drums (12, 13) with cables (18, 19) are attached to one frame (1), and one cable (19) can be attached in front of and the other cable (18) behind the device at a stationary point (20), and each cable drum (12, 13) can be driven for purposes of winding up the cable assigned to it. Using the cables (18, 19) the device can also be moved on steep or swampy terrain in which it is no longer possible to continue to move by means of conventional drives.

Abstract: A self-propelling transport having utility as an elevator system in a high rise building, the transport having a vehicle unit that rides on a track unit that includes a stationary drive chain that is engaged by a sprocket wheel assembly on the vehicle unit, the vehicle unit having a suspended passenger cab and a propulsion unit that engages the chain to retain the vehicle unit against the track during movement with the drive chain being magnetically retained on the track unit by electromagnets that are demagnetized where the drive chain is engaged by the sprocket wheel assembly.

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 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: The hoisting apparatus comprises a device for pressing a roller or a train of rollers against a cable section engaging a driving pulley in order to improve the adherence of the cable to the pulley groove which is caused by the load; this device comprises a linkage fulcrumed at one or more points to the main support of the driving pulley, one end of the linkage carrying the roller or train of rollers while the other end is utilized for anchoring the load to the support.

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: A rope tow for use on a ski slope. Rollers are rotatably mounted one above the other on a fixed frame; the bearing surfaces are in frictional engagement. One of the bearing surfaces has a plurality of ridges. A knotted endless rope is passed through the engaged surfaces. The ridges clamp the rope as it passes therethrough to prevent slippage.