CA2033207A1

CA2033207A1 - Ski lift

Info

Publication number: CA2033207A1
Application number: CA 2033207
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jakob Aebi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-30
Filing date: 1990-05-29
Publication date: 1990-12-01
Also published as: WO1990014977A1; AU5642790A; CH678840A5; EP0426797A1; JPH04500056A

Abstract

A ski lift has an anchor-shaped tow-bar (1) with L-shaped halves.
In the rest position, the long arms (5, 6) of the tow-bar halves hang parallel to each other with a gap (10) between them, while the short arms (7, 8) of the tow-bar point in opposite directions. At their free ends, the long arms (5, 6) can swivel apart about a transverse axis (9) in an intermediate piece (11) to make an acute angle with each other. When the long arms are deployed, one short arm (7) is lower than the other short arm (8). This ski lift tow-bar can therefore tow not only two skiers of the same size but also one smaller and one larger skier side by side.

Description

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Ski lift _ .. . .. . . . .
The present invention relates to a ski lift of the generic type defined in the introductory clause of claim 1. ' Ski lifts with tow-bars are well-known. On these, each tow-bar is attached to a span cable or traction cable connected to the wire rope or traction cable of the s~i lift. There is usually a tension spring between the cable and the wire rope. Both in the valley station and in the mountain station of the ski lift, the wire rope runs in -an endless loop around the edge of a wheel revolving around an almost vertical axis. In the valley station, an attendant usually grabs a tow-bar, pulls it down against the force of the tension spring and tuck~ it under the skier's bottom. Each tow-bar is intended for two people and at peak times it i~ often mandatory for each tow-bar to be ridden by two skiers in tan;~m.

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-- - . , WO 90/14977 PCT/C~ 7 These well-known tow-bars suffer from the disadvantage that they can be used without problems only if the two skiers are roughly the same height. It is, for instance, hardly possible for a father and his child to ride the same tow-bar.

The object of the present invention is to indicate a tow-bar which can inter alia be used simultaneously by two skiers of different heights.

_ . .

According to the invention, the stated object is achieved in the ski-lift of the generic type mentioned in the introduction as is defined in the defining clause of claim 1.

Possible construction models of the present invention are explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows in perspective an initial possible embodiment of the present towing device for a drag lift in which this device also includes inter alia a tow-bar intended for the transport of persons, Fig. ~ shows the tow-bar according to Fig. 1 in operational position, Fig. 3 shows in horizontal projection a further possible embodiment of the tow-bar of the present towing device, .: . : . , :, . . .
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WO ~0/14977 PCT/CH90/00139 Fig. 4 shows in side view the tow-bar according to Fig.
3, from which it can be seen that the two halves of the bar form an angle, and Fig. S shows a cross-section V-v through the tow-bar according to Fig. 3.

The present ski drag lift comprises a towing device which is connected to a tow rope 4. The tow rope 4 runs over wheels (not shown) located in the area of the terminal stations of the ski lift. As a rule, one of these wheels .~
can be driven. The towing device has a tow-bar 1 as well as an appliance 20 which connects the tow-bar 1 to the tow rope 4. The tow-bar 1 is practically T-shaped and thus has an upright with a crossbar attached to one of the ends of this upright.

The c~nnecting appliance 20 comprises a traction or span cable 2 as well as a winding-on attachment 3 for the traction cable 2. Inside the casing of the winding-on attachment 3 there is a drum (not shown) which is acted upon by a spring. The casing of the winding-on attachment 3 is fixed at one end to a connecting rod 13, and attached at the other end to the tow rope 4 by a clamping shoe 14. The other end of the traction cable 2 is connected to the drum in the region of the hub of the drum of the winding-on attachment. The traction cable 2 5 ;~

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. ': ' . '' ,, " ' : ' ' . '' ' ' ' . ' ' ' ' . ' . ' '. ~ ' 20332~7 WO 90/14977 PCT/CH90/~0139 automatically winds onto the drum as soon as the load is removed from the tow-bar or anchor 1.

The tow-bar 1 has two more or less L-shaped components 21 and 22. These components 21 and 22 are o~ practically identical construction and are laterally reversed in relation to each other. Each of the L-shaped pieces of the tow-bar, i.e. each of the two halves 21 and 22, contains two arms 5 and 7, and 6 and 8 respectively, which are joined together at one end and are set practically at right angles to each other. The first arm 5 and 6 of the tow-bar halves 21 and 22 respectively is longer than the second arm 7 and 8 of the same. The longer arms 5 and 6 together form the upright of the anchor-shaped tow-bar 1. The shorter arms 7 and 8, which lie practically behind each other or are aligned against each other form the cross-bar of the anchor-shaped tow-bar 1. When no-one is riding the lift, the two longer arms 5 and 6 hang practically parallel to each other.

The tow-~ar 1 also comprises a longitudinal intermediate piece 11 with a hollow or tubular front section 23. That end of the traction cable 2 through which the tow-bar 1 is connected to the connecting appliance 20 is attached to this hollow section 23. The opposite, rear-facing end of the intermediate piece 11 has a lug 24 penetrated ~y a shaft or transverse axis 9. There is a corresponding lug .. .. .. . . .. - : - ..... : -,. . : ~. - - :
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2Q332~7 25 on the free ends of the long arms 5 and 6 of the tow-bar halves 21 and 22, and the lugs 25 of the long arms 5 and 6 can swivel on those sections of the shaft 9 projecting from the lug 24 of the intermediate piece. In the idle position, i.e. when the traction cable 2 is wound up in the attachment 3, the two tow-bar halves 21 and 22 hang down freely from the attachment 3. In the construction model of the tow-bar shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the long arms S and 6 run in a practically straight line.

The short arms 7 and 8 of the tow-bar halves 21 and 22 respectively run mainly horizontally, with the two free ends of the short L-arms 7 and 8 pointing in opposite directions. Each of the short arms 7 and 8 comprises 3 sections 16, 17 and 18. The first section of the arm 16 is attached at one end to the corresponding longer arm S
or i6, practically forming a right angle between this section 16 and the long arm S or 6 respectively. This section 16 of the short arm is attached to the second section 17 of the short arm 7 or 8, which is at an acute angle to the long 'arm S or 6 respectively. This second angle can vary from 89 to 75 degrees. A final section 18 of the short arm 7 or 8 is attached to the end part of the central section 17 furthest from the long arm S or 6, .
while the angle ,between this final section 18 and the long arm 5 or 6 is smaller than that on the central 8ection 16. This third,angIe can vary from 75 to 60 .... , , -, .. . :

degrees. The central section 17 of the short arm 7 or 8 is longer than the outer sections 16 and 18 of the same, while the outer sections 16 and 18 can be only half the length of the central section 17.

Since the lug 24 of the intermediate piece 11 is situated between the lug 25 on the longer arms 5 and 6, the bars 5 and 6 are kept apart. The distance between the two tow-bar halves 21 and 22 can be adjusted as required by - selecting a lug 24 in the---intermediate piece of an appropriate bre~dth or thickness. The gap 10 between the two long tow-bar arms 5 and 6 must be of sufficient minimum width to allow room for the skiers to hold on during the uphill ride without trapping their fingers.

As already mentioned, the bars 21 and 22 can swivel about the transverse axis 9 on' the intermediate piece 11, so that the long arms 5 and 6 of the bar parts 21 and 22 can form an angle other than 0, as can be seen from Fig. 2.
In this way, one of the short arms 7 hangs closer to the ground and in this position is suitable for a short skier, while the other short tow-bar arm 8 is further from the ground and therefore suitable for a taller skier. When the load is removed, the two L-shaped tow-bar parts 21 and 22 return to their initial position. With smooth-running bearings, the tow-bar halves 21 and 22 on the shaft 9 might return to the initial position . . ~, .., . - '. ' ''. ' .-. . ~ ' '' ' . ~

` 2033207 wo 90/14977 PCT/CN90/00139 automatically, or the return movement can be assisted by a spring (not shown).

The tow-bar halves 21 and 22 must not be capable of swivelling too far apart, as this would cause the short arm 7 or 8 of the other, unused tow-bar half to scrape along the ground. This is achieved by using a restricting device 19 assigned to the two-bar halves 21 and 22. Such a device could consist, for instance, of a chain linking the two tow-bar halves 21 and 22. --~
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A further possible construction model of the tow-bar is represented in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. Fig. 3 shows this tow-bar in horizontal projection and Fig. 4 shows the same in side view. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section V-V through the tow-bar according to Fig. 3. This bar 30 is, like the tow-bar 1 according to Fig. 1 and 2, attached to the other components of the drag-lift by means of the traction cable 2. The tow-bar 30 also comprises two halves 31 and 32 which are essentially L-shaped. Each part of the tow-bar, or the respective tow-bar half 31 or 32, comprises a first arm 35 or 36 respectively which is longer than the second arm 37 or 38 of the respective tow-bar half 31 or 32.
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The bar 30 has a spar 42 that is practically tubular. At one end of the spar 42, the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 are : .: .... . .
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2 ~ .0 7 mounted in such a way that they can swivel and the other end o~ the same is attached to the traction cable 2. The spar 42 ensures for example that the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 remain at a suitable distance from the winding-on attachment 3, thus making it onsiderably easier and safer for the ski-lift user to grab the tow-bar, especially where the ski-lift is self-service.

Furthermore, in many cases there is unavoidably a considerable distance between the traction cable 4 and the floor of the departure station. By making the spar 42 of a suitable length, the height of the cross-bar halves 31 and 32 in relation to the floor can be adjusted to an optimum distance for the users of the particular tow-bar.

A connecting piece 43 is fixed to that end of the spar 42 which can be attached to the traction cable 2. It is advantageous for the connecting piece 43 to contain a tubular section into which the appropriate end of the spar 42 can be inserted and fixed. The traction cable 2 is attached to the other end of the connecting piece 43.
An advantageous way of doing this is to fit the end of the traction cable into a cartridge-shaped socket on the front of the connecting piece 43. Another possibility is to construct the front of the connecting piece 43 as a lug through which the traction cable 2 is threaded. The loop thus ~ormed is closed by a clamp, connecting the end : . , . . ~ . .
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of the traction cable 2 which is threaded through the lug to the remaining part of the traction cable.

The connection between the spar 42 and the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 is achieved by means of an intermediate piece 41 specially adapted for this purpose. This intermediate piece comprises a block 44 made of a tough yet still somewhat flexible material, advantageously a synthetic material. That part of the block 44 to which the spar 42 ~~--is~~attached has an oval hole 39 into which the corresponding end of the spar 42 is inserted and ~ixed.

At the opposite end of the block 44 there are depressions or grooves 45 and 46 next to each other (Fig. 5) running parallel in a longitudinal direction to the length of the spar 42. There is a hole S0 drilled in block 44, running transversely, carrying the axis or shaft 49. This hole 50 consi~ts of three sections 52, 54 and 55, whereby the centre section 52 is in a partition S3 situated between the notches 45 and 46 in block 44. The remaining two sections of the bore hole 54 and 55 are in the side walls of the block 44 and are blind holes. The ends of the shaft 49 lie in these blind holes 54 and 55. The bore hole 50 is positioned in such a way that the shaft 49 mounted in this hole 50 runs through the depressions or grooves 45 and 46. The ends 47 and 48 of the long arms 35 and 36 of the tow-bar each have a bore hole 40, also ~ .
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20332~7 penetrated by the shaft 49. The width of the partition 53 in the block 44 ensures the basic distance between the two halves of the tow-bar 31 and 32. The cross-section of the tow-bar arms 35 and 36 is, at least in the region of these ends 47 and 48 of the same, essentially square.

The depressions or grooves 45 and 46 have a square or oval cross-section. The width of these sections is approximately equal to the width of the free ends 47 and 48 of the long-arms-35--and 36 respectively. The depth of the depressions or grooves 45 and 46 in the block 44 is noticeably greater than the height of the free end 47 and 48 of the long arm 35 and 36. Consequently, there is play S1 between the upper andjor lower surface of each end of the arm 47 and 48 and the corresponding inner surface of the depression or groove 45 and 46, thus enabling the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 to swivel in the depressions or grooves 45 and 46 of the block 44 within a given range about the shaft 49. The difference by which the depth of the depressions or grooves 45 and 46 exceeds that of the ends 47 and 48 of the long arms 35 and 36 determines the swivelling range of each half tow-bar and consequently the maximum angle that can be formed by the long arms 35 and 36 with each other. These precautions prevent either of the tow-bar halves 31 or 32 from scraping on the snow surface when only one person is riding on the tow-bar 30 concerned.

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11 20332~7 Wo 90/14977 PCT/C~90/00139 On the construction model of the tow-bar 30 represented in Fig. 3 to 5, the long arms 35 and 36 of the same are constructed with a double curve. The respective ends 47 and 48 of the long arms 35 and 36, which are swivel-mounted in the intermediate piece 41, are joined to a first curved section of the arm 58 and 59 (Fig. 3). This curved section 58 and 59 is oriented so as to lie in a plane which also contains the respective short tow-bar arm 37 and 38, and extends outwards~~~from~the gap 60 between the two tow-bar halves. A straight section of the arm 61 and 62 can continue the outer end of the curved section sa and 59. At the end of this straight section 61 and 62 or directly on the first curve 58 and 59, there is a second curved section 63 and 64. It is advantageous for this second curve 63 and 64 to lie in the same plane as the first curve 58 and 59. The second curve 63 and 64 continues with the second straight section at the end 65 and 66 of either long arm. The second end sections 65 and 66 of the long arms 35 and 36 are practically parallel to each other and are also parallel or at least practically parallel to the first mentioned end sections 47 and 48 of the long arms 35 and 36. One of the cross-bars 37 or 38 is fixed to the free end of these two end sections 65 and , .
~ 66 of the long arm 35 and 36.

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wo 90/14977 12 PCT9C~ o~39 By virtue of the double curved construction of the tow-bar halves 35 and 36 described, an enlarged space 67 is obtained between those parts 65 and 66 o~ the tow-bar halves 31 and 32, where the skier using that half of the tow-bar usually puts his hand. This reduces to a minimum the danger of the ski-lift user's hand or fingers being trapped between the tow-bar halves 31 and 32, for instance when two heavy skiers use the same tow-bar 30 and the long arms 35 and 36 of the tow-bar halves 31 and 32-are-curved inwards towards the space 67.

As can be seen from Fig. 3 and 4, the inside end of each cross-bar 37 and 38 is equipped with a plate 71 and 72 respectively. These plates 71 and 72 project from the inside of each tow-bar half 31 and 32 so that the plates 71 and 72 are situated in the space 67 of the tow-bar 31.
The plates 71 and 72 may be relatively thick, with a thickness of between 1 and 5 cm. When the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 are level while the tow-bar 30 is being used by two heavy people riding this bar 30, the resilience of the long arms 35 and 36 may allow the opposite front surfaces of the plates 71 and 72 to touch each other.
This can also occur if the tow-bar 30 is subjected to a sudden heavy load causing the two-bar halves 31 and 32 to bend far to the side. As the front surfaces of ~he plates 71 and 72 are touching each other, the gap 10 or 67 between the tow-bar halves cannot close and it is thus ' .
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13 2~33207 quite impossible to trap the hand or fingers of the ski-lift user between the two halves of the tow-bar 31 and 32.

When starting off or when riding over bumps in the snow, the tow-bar may be subjected to sudden tensile strains.
If persons of a different height are riding tandem, the long arms 35 and 36 form an angle ~o each other. If the tow-bar 30 is subjected to jerky tensile strain, the halves 31 and 32 tend-to reduce the angle between ~them.
This can ha~e a negative effect on the safety of the ski-lift operation. This danger can be reduced by means of the plates 71 and 72, which benefit from being of a certain shape. It has already been explained that the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 can swivel about the shaft 49.
The upper and lower edges 73 and-74 of the plates 71 and 72 should now be so positioned that they lie on a line or ray S which cuts through the axis of the shaft 49.

If two persons of different height are riding the tow-bar 30 when it is subjected to a jerky tensile strain, it is highly likely that first the long arms 35 and 36 will bend towards each other, so that the plates 71 and 72, bein~ at different levels, will swing sideways into a position where one is above the other. In the second phase of the jerky tensile strain, the angle between the long arms 35 and 36 will become more acute, as explained ., , : .:. - .: - .: . .

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14 2~332~7 above. This is, however, only possible up to the moment in which the lower edge 74 of the higher hanging plate 71 or 72 meets the upper edge 73 of the lower hanging plate.
After that, the angle between the two halves of the tow-bar cannot be reduced any further. After the strain has gone from the tow-bar 30 the angle between the tow-bar halves 31 and 32 can return to its original size.

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Claims

Patent claims

1. A ski drag lift with at least one practically T-shaped tow-bar (1;30), whereby this tow-bar is attached by its upright to the other components of the ski lift, while the cross-beam of the tow-bar serves to support the load to be transported, and whereby the tow-bar consists of two approximately L-shaped pieces (21,22;31,32) whose long arms (5,6;35,36) form the upright of the T-bar and hang apart practically parallel to each other when the tow-bar is idle, and whereby the tow-bar halves (21,22;31,32) are swivel-mounted on a transverse axis (9;49) in the region of the connection of the tow-bar halves to the other parts of the ski drag lift, characterized by the fact that the distance between the long arms of the tow-bar halves, over one arm or at least part of the length of the arms, is at least equivalent to the thickness of the hand of a ski-lift user.

2. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transverse axis (9,49) is mounted in an intermediate piece (11,41).

3. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance piece (24;53) is positioned in the region of the transverse axis (9;49), such distance piece being situated between the ends of the long arms of the tow-bar halves (5,6;35,36) that can swivel about the transverse axis, and wherein the distance piece can form one of the components of the intermediate piece.

4. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 2, wherein a traction cable (2) is attached to the intermediate piece (11) which links the tow-bar (1) to the other components of the ski drag lift.

5. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tow-bar (3) has a spar (42) which can be practically tubular, wherein the intermediate piece (41) is fixed to one of the ends of the spar and wherein a traction cable (2) is fixed advantageously by means of an attachment device (43) to the other end of the spar, which connects the tow-bar (1) to the other components of the ski drag lift.

6. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 2, wherein the long arms (35 and 36 respectively) of the tow-bar (30) present a double curve (58, 59 and 63, 64) so that the distance between the end sections (47,48) of the long arms (35,36) mounted in the intermediate pice (41) is less than the distance between the end sections (65,66) of the long arms (35,36) furthest from the intermediate piece.

7. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inside of the end sections of each cross arm (37 and 38) is assigned a plate (71 and 72 respectively), wherein these plates project on the inside of each tow-bar half (31 and 32 respectively) and wherein the plates can be relatively thick.

8. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 1, wherein a device is assigned to the tow-bar halves in order to determine the maximum size of the angle that can be formed by the long arms of the tow-bar halves.

9. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intermediate piece (41) has a block (44), wherein the spar (42) is attached to one side of the block (44), wherein depressions or grooves (45, 46) are made next to each other in the block (44), wherein moreover a transverse bore hole (50) is made in the block (44) in which the shaft (49) is mounted, wherein each end section (47 and 48 respectively) of the long arms of the tow-bar (35,36) is swivel mounted in one of the depressions or grooves (45, 46) and wherein the height of these end sections is less than the depth of the depression or groove, so that the end section can swivel in its groove within a given range.

10. The ski drag lift as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is a partition (53) between the depressions or grooves (45, 46) in the block (44) of the intermediate piece (41), which partition determines the fundamental distance (60) between the end sections of the long arms mounted in the intermediate piece.