CN113727903A

CN113727903A - Cableway support with climbing equipment

Info

Publication number: CN113727903A
Application number: CN202080026477.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: O·施密特; J·萨特; G·依格; M·斯科内伯格
Original assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
Current assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
Priority date: 2019-04-02
Filing date: 2020-03-31
Publication date: 2021-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-31
Also published as: JP7250164B2; AU2020254951A1; EP3947096A1; JP2022527811A; EP3947096B1; US20230057771A1; AT522165B1; KR20210148282A; CN113727903B; CA3135820A1; MA55509A; PL3947096T3; WO2020201254A1; AT522165A4; ES2930296T3

Abstract

In order to make it easier to access the entry unit (4) of the cableway support (1) of the cableway (2), according to the invention, a climbing device (15) for climbing persons from the cableway cars (7) of the cableway (2) onto the entry unit (4) or vice versa is provided at the cableway support (1), wherein the climbing device (15) is arranged at the cableway support (1) by means of a fastening unit (21) for movement relative to the entry unit (4), wherein the climbing device (15) can be transferred relative to the entry unit (4) from a Rest Position (RP) in which the climbing device (15) is received at the entry unit (4) into a readiness position (BP) which is provided for carrying out climbing.

Description

Cableway support with climbing equipment

The invention relates to a support for a cableway with a boarding unit for the boarding of persons. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cableway with a plurality of cableway carriers for guiding a conveying cable of the cableway and with at least one cableway car arranged at the conveying cable, and to a method for climbing from a cableway car onto an entry unit or vice versa.

Cableways are used in various embodiments, mostly for people and/or goods transport, for example as a city vehicle or for people transport in ski fields. Vertical cableways (rack cableways) are known, in which the rail vehicles are usually fixed to the wire cables and are thus pulled along by the wire cables. The movement takes place on the ground, with the vertical ropeways being mostly used on mountain sections. In contrast, in the case of aerial cableways, cableway cars (e.g. nacelles, gondolas or chairs) are carried by one or more (steel) cables without fixed guidance and move suspended in the air. Thus, the cableway car does not come into contact with the ground. Aerial cableways are generally used in difficult-to-navigate terrains, mostly in difficult-to-navigate zones, mostly in mountain sections (for example in ski grounds), in order to transport people from valleys to mountains. Typically, a cableway has two stations between which cableway cars move.

A distinction is made here between a circulating cableway (Umlaufbahnen) and an aerial cableway (Pendelbahnen, suspended pendulum cableway). In the case of aerial cableways, one or two cableway cars pulled by a pulling cable oscillate back and forth on a conveying cable located on the travel path between two stations. In contrast, the circulating cableway has circulating, constantly circulating conveying cables between the stations, on which a plurality of cableway cars (e.g. nacelles, gondolas or chairs) are suspended. The cableway car is thereby moved from station to station on one side and back again on the other side. Thus, the movement of the cableway car is always substantially continuous in one direction, similar to a continuous conveyor.

In order to be able to span larger distances, one or more cableway supports for guiding (carrying/pulling) the cables are usually arranged between the two stations. The cableway support can be embodied in the form of a steel truss construction, but also in the form of a steel tube construction or a sheet metal box construction. On the runway support, a plurality of rollers (for example in the form of so-called "roller sets", rollenbatteries) are arranged in most cases in order to carry and guide the cables. In order to be able to perform maintenance and repair on the cable support, in particular on the rollers, a check-in unit is usually provided on the cable support. Such a check-in unit may be implemented, for example, in the form of a (maintenance) platform and/or a step, and may be checked-in (climbing) by maintenance personnel. Furthermore, safety devices, such as railings, can be provided, so that the safety of the service personnel is improved.

Depending on the application and the terrain, the height of the cableway shelf can be from several meters to over a hundred and fifty meters. Up to now, access to the entry unit of the cableway support from the ground has only been possible by means of a ladder. However, such access is very laborious and time-consuming due to the often difficult to access terrain, in particular due to the sometimes high height of the cableway supports

It is therefore an object of the invention to make it easier to access the entry unit of a cableway support of a cableway.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that a climbing device for climbing persons from a cableway car of a cableway onto a boarding unit or vice versa is provided on the cableway support, wherein the climbing device is arranged at the cableway support by means of a fastening unit so as to be movable relative to the boarding unit, wherein the climbing device can be transferred relative to the boarding unit from a rest position, in which the climbing device is loaded (stored) at the boarding unit, into a ready position, which is provided for carrying out climbing. This enables direct access to the entry unit from the cableway car, which is much less labour-intensive and time-consuming for maintenance personnel than climbing from the ground by means of a ladder.

Preferably, a locking unit is provided at the cableway support for locking the climbing device in the rest position. This may reduce the risk of the climbing device loosening in an undesired manner, for example during operation of the cableway.

The locking unit can be operated more flexibly by means of a mechanically, hydraulically or electrically operable locking unit.

Advantageously, an operating unit for operating the locking unit is provided at the cableway support in order to release the locking of the climbing apparatus in the rest position in order to transfer the climbing apparatus from the rest position into the ready position, wherein the operating unit preferably has at least one first lever element for operating the locking unit from the cableway car, wherein the operating unit particularly preferably also has a second lever element for operating the locking unit from the boarding unit. According to a further advantageous design, the operating unit can also comprise an operating device in the form of a cable pull or a flexible shaft. This enables a flexible, simple operation of the locking unit.

Advantageously, the climbing device has a braking device for braking the movement of the climbing device from the rest position into the readiness position caused by gravity, wherein the braking device is preferably implemented mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically. This may improve safety and reduce the risk of injury to personnel.

Preferably, the cableway support has at least one sensor element which is provided to identify the position of the climbing device, in particular to identify whether the climbing device is in a rest position, wherein the sensor element generates a sensor value which can be transmitted to the device control unit of the cableway. The sensor element can also be provided to recognize the locking state of the locking unit, in particular to recognize whether the climbing device is locked in the idle position by means of the locking unit. This further increases the safety, since the position and/or the locking state of the climbing device can be reliably recognized.

The climbing device preferably has at least one tread element and/or gripping element for a person to step on and/or to grasp. Thereby making it easier for people to cross and improving safety.

It is also advantageous if the length of the climbing device is variable, so that the length of the climbing device is adapted to the variable distance between the boarding unit and the cableway car, wherein the climbing device is particularly preferably designed as a ladder, preferably a telescopic ladder, wherein at least one tread element and/or retaining element is a rung (lattice) of the ladder.

Preferably, a railing is provided at the entry unit and in the rest position the climbing device forms part of the railing, whereby the safety can be improved.

The object is also achieved in that the climbing device is arranged on at least one cable support of the cable, wherein preferably one climbing device is arranged on each of a plurality of cable supports.

Advantageously, the cableway has an equipment control unit for controlling the cableway, wherein the equipment control unit is provided to process the sensor values of the sensor elements in order to shut down the cableway or to generate a warning signal and to emit a warning signal by means of the signaling device if the position of the climbing equipment recognized by the sensor elements deviates from the rest position and/or if the sensor elements recognize an unlocked state of the climbing equipment in the locking unit. By means of the communication of the sensors of the climbing device with the device control unit, the cableway can be closed or at least one warning signal can be issued depending on the position and/or the locking state of the climbing device.

This object is also achieved by the method described at the outset, in which the cableway car is moved into the climbing position; transferring the climbing device of the cableway rack from the idle position into the preparation position from the cableway carriage or from the boarding unit; the personnel climb from the cableway carriage to the login unit through the climbing equipment or climb in reverse; after climbing, the climbing device is preferably transferred from the ready position BP back into the idle position from the entry unit or from the cableway car.

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to fig. 1 to 5b, which show an advantageous design configuration of the invention by way of example, schematically and without limitation, fig. 1 to 5 b. Shown in the attached drawings:

figure 1 shows a cableway support with a climbing device according to a first design of the invention,

figures 2a +2b respectively show a detailed view of the climbing device in the idle position,

figure 3 shows a detailed view of the climbing device in the ready position,

figure 4 shows a cableway support with a climbing device according to a second design of the invention,

figures 5a + b show a locking device for the climbing apparatus, respectively.

Fig. 1 shows a cableway support 1 of a cableway 2 with a roller set 3 and a boarding unit 4. The construction of the runway 2 is known in principle and therefore only the parts that are important for the invention are described here. The roller group 3 has a plurality of rollers 5 arranged one behind the other, at which the conveying cables 6 of the runway 2 are guided. The roller set 3 is fastened at the cableway support 1 so as to support the load of the conveying cable 6, in particular the cableway car 7 arranged thereon, by means of the cableway support 1 at the ground. A plurality of cableway cars 7 are usually suspended at the conveyor cable 6 at a distance from each other. The fastening of the cableway car 7 at the conveyor cable 6 can be carried out, for example and as shown, by means of a releasable clamping mechanism 8, so that the cableway car can be detached from the conveyor cable 6 at the station. For example, the disengagement may be performed to reduce the speed of passage through the station, thereby allowing personnel to get on and off more easily. However, the disconnection can also take place, for example, after the end of the operation of the cableway, in order to park the cableway car outside the operating time, for example, in a suitable garage. Of course, a non-releasable connection of the cableway car 7 at the conveyor cable 6 is also possible. In the example shown, the cableway car 7 is embodied as a service pod. The service pod has a ladder 9 by means of which a person can climb from the service pod onto a platform 10 at the upper end of the service pod, for example, in order to carry out certain service activities.

The access unit 4 of the cableway support 1 is embodied here as a step, which has a longitudinal girder 11 and a plurality of steps 12. The entry unit 4 can be fastened at the roller sets 3 and/or at the runway support 1 itself. In the example shown, a railing 13 is also provided at the step 12, in order to increase the safety of the persons when using the entry unit 4. Of course, this is only exemplary, and the entry unit 4 may also be constructed in any other way, for example, only one platform with or without a railing 13. If the runway support 1 is embodied as a truss structure, the boarding unit 4 can also be part of the runway support 1, for example, directly.

A maintenance ladder 14 is schematically indicated at the runway support 1, by means of which personnel, in particular maintenance personnel, can climb from the ground to the entry unit 4. Of course, such a maintenance ladder 14 may have additional safety elements, such as a hood for preventing personnel from falling down. Access to the entry unit 4 has hitherto been possible substantially only with such a service ladder 14. It can be seen directly that access by means of the maintenance ladder 14 is very laborious and time-consuming, particularly in the case of very tall cableway supports 1, which is naturally disadvantageous. Furthermore, there is an additional difficulty in that the cableway support is often arranged in difficult-to-access terrain, for example steep, rocky terrain, whereby access to the cableway support 1 at the ground has been made difficult. Furthermore, in the case of using the maintenance ladder 14, there is also a limitation in terms of a backpack (luggage), such as a tool.

In order to make it easy for a person to enter the entry unit 4, provision is therefore made according to the invention for: a climbing device 15 is arranged at the cableway support 1 for climbing persons from the cableway car 7 of the cableway 2 onto the entry unit 4. The climbing device 15 is arranged here pivotably at the entry unit 4 by means of the fastening unit 21 and can be transferred (moved) relative to the entry unit 4 from a rest position RP, in which the climbing device 15 is received at the entry unit 4, into a readiness position BP, which is provided for performing climbing. In fig. 1, a climbing device 15 is shown in a first embodiment, whose structure and function will be explained further below with reference to fig. 2a, 2b and 3.

In fig. 1, the climbing device 15 is located in a readiness position BP, in which it is possible to climb from the cableway car 7, for example from the platform 10 of the service pod, onto the entry unit 4. The climbing device 15 is pivotably fastened to the lowermost step 12 of the entry unit 14 and can be transferred, in particular pivoted, from a rest position RP (not shown) into the illustrated ready position BP for the use of persons exiting from the cableway car 7. For this purpose, the cableway car 7 is moved into a climbing position sufficiently close to the entry unit and stopped. The person can thus climb up onto the platform 10 via the ladder 9 of the cableway car 7 and turn up (fold) the climbing device 15 from the rest position RP into the ready position BP from the platform 10, in order to reach the entry unit 4, here on a step. Naturally, the climbing can also be carried out in reverse (reverse) by a person (located on the entry unit 4) transferring the climbing apparatus 15 from the idle position RP into the ready position BP from the entry unit 4, in order to reach the cableway car 7 from the entry unit 4.

The climbing device 15 preferably has at least one tread element and/or gripping element 16 adapted to be grasped or stepped on by a person, in order to facilitate climbing. Advantageously, the climbing device 15 may be implemented as a ladder, for example, as shown in the figures, wherein the ladder comprises a plurality of rungs as tread elements and/or gripping elements 16. According to a further advantageous design, the length of the climbing device 15 is variable, so that the boarding device 15 can be adapted to variable distances between the boarding unit 4 and the cableway car 7. Climbing is thereby also made easier for persons of different heights, and the positioning of the cableway car 7 in the climbing position can be carried out less accurately. When the climbing device 15 is embodied as a ladder, the variable length may be realized, for example, by a telescopic ladder, the structure and function of which are known.

Figures 2a and 2b show in detail the climbing apparatus 15 shown in figure 1 from different angles in the rest position RP. For a better overview, only a part of the entry unit 4, for example the lowermost step 12, and a part of the balustrade 13, respectively, are shown. As shown, the climbing device 15 is connected to the fastening unit 21 in an articulated manner, while the fastening unit 21 is connected to the entry unit 4 in a fixed manner, for example in a threaded (fixed) manner. In the example shown, the fastening unit 21 has a left and a right bracket 17, between which the climbing device 15 is swingably fastened.

Preferably, a locking unit 18 is provided at the runway support 1, in particular at the boarding unit 4 or the fastening unit 21, in order to releasably lock the climbing device 15 in the rest position RP. The locking unit 18 is preferably operable mechanically, hydraulically or electrically. This can increase safety, since it is ensured that the climbing device 15 cannot be moved in an undesired manner from the rest position RP partially in the direction of the readiness position BP or completely into the readiness position BP. Preferably, the runway support 1 further has an operating unit 19 for operating the locking unit 18, so that the locking of the climbing apparatus 15 at the boarding unit 4 or the fastening unit 21 is released, so that the climbing apparatus 15 can be transferred from the rest position RP into the readiness position BP, as symbolized by the arrow in fig. 2a and 2 b.

In the example shown, the locking unit 18 and the operating unit 19 are arranged at the carriage 20, however, they may of course also be arranged at the entry unit 4, for example at the railing 13. The bracket 20 is connected here to the bracket 17 by a crossbar (fig. 2a), thereby forming a substantially integral fastening unit 21 for swingably fastening the climbing device 15 at the entry unit 4, the climbing device having both the locking unit 18 and the operating unit 19. The fastening unit 21 embodied in one piece can increase the structural rigidity and can facilitate the assembly of the climbing device 15 at the entry unit 4, since the entire climbing device 15, including the fastening unit 21 and the locking unit 18 and the operating unit 19 arranged there, is constructed as one module. Furthermore, the bracket 20 can also be fastened at the entry unit 4, here at the balustrade 13, so that the structural rigidity is further improved. This is particularly advantageous for reducing vibrations while climbing, thereby increasing the sense of safety of the personnel.

In fig. 3, the climbing device 15 is shown in a ready position BP, in which climbing from the cableway car 7 can take place (see fig. 1). The climbing device 15 is embodied here as a ladder, which is connected to the brackets 17 of the fastening device 21 in an articulated manner by means of lateral holding elements 22. As a result, for example, a conventional, commercially available ladder can be used as the climbing device 15, wherein the ladder is preferably made of a lightweight, sufficiently strong, weather-resistant material, such as aluminum. Of course, the climbing device 15 can also be connected hingedly to the fastening unit 21 directly, i.e. without the holder 22. However, the advantage of using a ladder and keeper 22 is: the ladder can be easily replaced, for example in case of damage and/or ladders with different lengths can be used.

Advantageously, the operating unit 19 comprises at least one first lever element 24a for operating the locking unit 18 from the cableway car 7. However, it is particularly preferred that the operating unit 19 also has a second lever element 24b, so that the locking unit 18 can also be operated from the entry unit 4 (fig. 2 b). In the example shown, the

lever elements

24a, 24b are embodied in one piece with the operating unit 19, wherein the first lever element 24a extends in the direction of the readiness position BP (here substantially vertically downwards) and the second lever element 24b extends in the direction of the rest position RP (here substantially vertically upwards). The operating unit 19 is here rotatably fastened at the bracket 20 and can be transferred between a locked position and an unlocked position. Advantageously, a pretensioning element 26, for example a suitable spring, is additionally provided to pretension the operating unit 19 into a locking position in which the climbing apparatus 15 is locked at the entry unit 4. In order to release the locking, the operating unit 19 can be transferred against the pretensioning force of the pretensioning element 26 into an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position the climbing apparatus 15 can be swung from the rest position into the ready position.

In the example shown, the locking unit 18 is embodied as an opening 25 in the operating unit 19, which cooperates with a pin 27 (fig. 2b) of the climbing device 15, so as to lock the climbing device 15 in the rest position of the entry unit 4. In the example shown, the pin 27 is arranged at the outer side of the left-hand holder 22 of the ladder and engages with the opening 25 in the rest position RP. If the climbing device 15 is embodied in one piece (without the holder 22), the pin 27 is preferably arranged directly on the side of the climbing device 15. If the operating unit 19 is operated by one of the two

lever elements

24a, 24b, i.e. is swung from the locking position into the unlocking position against the pretensioning force of the pretensioning element 26, the opening 25 releases the pin 27 and the climbing apparatus 15 can be transferred, in particular swung, from the rest position RP into the supply position BP.

Of course, the operating unit 19 may be embodied in any other way so as to lock and hold the climbing device 15 in the rest position RP and to release the climbing device 15 when operated.

When the climbing device 15 is no longer needed, for example after the maintenance work of the roller set 3 is completed, the climbing device 15 is preferably transferred back into the rest position RP, so as not to affect the operation of the runway 2. This can in turn be done from the cableway car 7 by manually turning the climbing device 15 back from the ready position BP into the rest position RP. However, the climbing device 15 can also be transferred back from the boarding unit 4 into the rest position RP, for example when a person remains on the boarding unit 4, for example in order to check or monitor certain functions of the roller set 3 during operation of the runway 2. In order to make it easy to fold the climbing device 15 upwards (turned up) from the entry unit 4, a handle element 23 may be provided at the climbing device 15. In the example shown, the grip element 23 is constructed as part of the right-hand holder 22, but other variants are of course also conceivable, for example a separate grip element 23.

If a railing 13 is provided at the entry unit 4, the climbing device 15 advantageously forms part of the railing 13 of the entry unit 4 in the rest position RP.

As soon as the locking of the locking unit 18 is released by means of the operating element 19, the climbing device 15 can be transferred from the rest position RP into the readiness position BP, preferably by means of gravity. However, it is advantageous if the climbing device 15 has a braking device (not shown) to brake the movement of the climbing device 15 from the rest position RP into the readiness position BP caused by gravity. This may improve safety, since the climbing device 15 does not move downwards uncontrolled and may not injure a person. Furthermore, a brake car arrangement may be advantageous for preventing damage to the climbing device 15. For example, impermissibly high loads of the articulated connection (here between the holder 22 and the bracket 17) and/or damage or deformation of the climbing device 15, for example the illustrated (aluminum) ladder, can thereby be prevented. The braking device is preferably implemented mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically, for example as a gas spring. However, the braking device can be realized, for example, by a targeted increase in the friction in the joint.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide at least one limiting element 28, which limits the movement of the climbing device 15 beyond the rest position RP. In the example shown, the limiting elements 28 are arranged on the left and right, respectively, which essentially serve as end stops for the climbing device 15. The limiting (limiting) element 28 is fastened here at the bracket 20 (left) and the bracket 17 (right) of the integrated fastening device 21. Naturally, other arrangements are also conceivable, for example fastening at the entry element 4, for example at the balustrade 13. If the limiting elements 28 (as shown in the figure) each have a resilient damping element, for example a rubber element, the impact of the climbing device 15 at the limiting element/elements 28 can be damped in the rest position RP. Impact of the pin 27 in the opening 25 on the operating unit 19 like an impact can thereby be avoided, whereby damage can be prevented. Furthermore, a damping element can be used to pretension the pin 27 in the rest position RP towards the boundary of the bore 25. It is thereby possible to prevent the climbing device 15 from moving in the existing gap between the pin 27 and the opening 25, which movement could lead to vibrations and rattling noises, for example caused by wind.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the climbing device 15 has at least one sensor element 29, which is provided for identifying the position of the climbing device 15, in particular for identifying whether the climbing device 15 is in the rest position RP. The sensor elements 29 generate sensor values which can be transmitted to a device control unit (not shown) of the runway 2. It is particularly preferred that the sensor element 29 is provided to recognize whether the climbing device 15 is locked in the idle position RP by means of the locking unit 18 at the entry unit 4. In the example shown, the sensor element 29 is embodied as a so-called end position switch (end switch), which is operated by the climbing apparatus 15 when the climbing apparatus 15 is in the rest position RP and produces a corresponding sensor value. If it is recognized by the sensor 29 that the climbing device 15 is in a position deviating from the rest position RP, the device control unit of the runway 2 can process the sensor value and shut down the runway or output a warning signal. If a suitable sensor 29 is provided for identifying (recognizing) the locked state of the locking unit 18, the equipment control unit may close the runway when the sensor recognizes the unlocked state of the climbing equipment 15 in the locking unit 18.

Fig. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the cableway carriage 1 with the pulley block 3 and the conveyor cable 6, at which the cableway car 7 is arranged in a suspended manner. Similar to fig. 1, the cableway support 1 has an entry unit 4. In fig. 4, the part of the roller group 3 on the left side of the cableway carriage 1 is cut away, so that the entry unit 4 is more easily visible. The entry unit 4 has a longitudinal beam 11 and several steps 12. The steps are each arranged on a transverse beam 30, the transverse beam 30 here being in the form of a tube, the transverse beam 30 being fixedly connected to the longitudinal beam 11. The climbing device 15 is likewise designed here as a ladder and is arranged pivotably at the entry unit 4 by means of a fastening unit 21.

The fastening unit 21 has two lifting eyes here, which are arranged at the cross beam 30 of the lowermost step 12, so that the cross beam 30 or the pipe extends through the lifting eyes. The cross beam 30 thus essentially serves as a rotation axis for the oscillation of the climbing device 15. Of course, it is in principle also sufficient that the fastening unit 21 has only one lug, but two or more lugs are advantageous, so that a higher stability is produced in the connection of the climbing device 15. In particular, lateral tilting (tipping) or shaking of the climbing device 15 during climbing is thereby reduced, thereby increasing the sense of safety. The at least one lifting lug may, for example, be embodied as rigid, for example made of a suitable metal material, or also of a flexible material with suitable strength, such as plastic or textile.

In the rest position RP, the climbing device 15 is located below the entry unit 4 and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal beams 11, as can be seen in fig. 4. The locking unit 18 is arranged here at the entry unit 4 and has a locking element 18a, which is rotatably mounted at the entry unit 4, for example at the longitudinal beam 11. The axis of rotation in the locking element 18a extends substantially parallel to the cross beam 30 or the tube at which the step 12 is arranged. Locking element 18a engages with climbing device 15 in idle position RP, thereby locking climbing device 15. In the example shown, the locking element 18a has an opening which, in the rest position RP, engages with the rung (step) of the ladder, thereby fixing the ladder in the rest position.

The operating unit 19 for operating the locking unit 18 here comprises a first lever element 24a, so that the locking unit 18 can be operated from the cableway car 7 when the cableway car 7 is in a suitable climbing position (not shown). The first lever element 24a can be connected to the locking unit 18, for example by means of a cable pull or a flexible shaft having a corresponding length, in order to release the locking, for example to swing the locking element 18a in the example shown. After the locking is released, the climbing device 15 can be transferred from the rest position RP into the ready position BP, in which it is pivoted in particular about the axis of rotation of the lowermost crossbar 30.

If the locking unit 18 is electrically operable, the operating unit 19 can also be, for example, an electrical switch which is connected to the locking unit 18 via an electrical line (this also applies, of course, to other embodiments of the invention). Wireless operation of the electrically operable locking unit 18, for example, is also conceivable. In this case, the operating unit 19 can be, for example, a radio switch, which can be arranged, for example, in a stationary manner at a suitable location of the runway support 1, for example, at the entry unit 4. However, it is also conceivable to provide a plurality of radio switches so as to operate the locking unit 18 from different positions. Of course, it is also possible to use portable radio switches, for example, in order to enable the climbing device 15 to be operated or unlocked from the cableway car 7.

As shown in dashed lines in fig. 3, in the ready position BP the climbing device 15 or the ladder extends substantially vertically downwards from the entry unit 4. The transfer preferably takes place exclusively under the influence of gravity, wherein, in particular in this design, it may be advantageous to provide a braking device (not shown) for braking the movement of the climbing apparatus 15 from the rest position RP into the readiness position BP. As already mentioned with reference to the first exemplary embodiment, the braking device can be designed, for example, as a gas spring. However, it is also conceivable, for example, to provide a mechanical spring which opposes (counteracts) the movement of the climbing device 15, which mechanical spring substantially corresponds to a free-fall. For example, a torsion spring may be provided at the lowermost cross beam 30, which serves as a swing axis for the climbing device 15. Of course, this is for understanding only, and other suitable braking means may be provided by those skilled in the art.

Of course, a second lever element 24b is also optionally provided in order to operate the locking unit 18 from the entry unit 4. For example, the second lever element 24b may be arranged directly at the locking element 18a, as shown in fig. 4, and extend up at the side (of the two steps 12) or between the two steps 12. Furthermore, one or more stop elements (not shown) can also be provided at the climbing device 15 or the entry unit 4, in order to limit the movement of the climbing device 15 beyond the readiness position BP (here from the vertical direction to the left). The swinging of the climbing device 15 in the readiness position BP can thereby be reduced, whereby climbing can be facilitated and safety can be increased. For example, one or more stop elements in the form of rubber buffers can be provided on the climbing device 1 or here on the ladder (at the upper end of the readiness position BP) which in the readiness position BP are in contact with the lower end of the longitudinal beam 11 or with the middle lowermost transverse beam 30. Of course, stop elements may alternatively or additionally also be provided at the longitudinal girders 11 or at the lowermost transverse girder 30, so that the movement of the ladder is limited.

In order to limit (reduce) the vibrations of climbing device 15 in ready position BP still further, a special stop device (not shown) may also be provided, which fixes check-in unit 15 in ready position BP. The movements of the climbing device 15, for example to the left and to the right from the vertical in fig. 4, can thus be minimized, whereby the safety during climbing can be further increased. For example, the movement limiting device can be implemented analogously to the locking unit 18. The advantages of the second embodiment of the climbing device 15 (fig. 4) with respect to the first embodiment (fig. 1-3b) are: for example, due to the arrangement of the climbing device 15 along the longitudinal beam 11 in the rest position RP, a longer climbing device 15 can be used, whereby climbing out of/climbing into the cableway car 7 can be facilitated.

The climbing device 15 and the locking unit 18 shown in figure 3 are shown in detail in figure 5 a. The climbing device 15 is designed in the form of a ladder and has a fastening unit 21 at one end for swingable fastening at the entry unit 4. The fastening unit 21 has a plate 21a which is firmly (fixedly) connected to the ladder and is connected to the ladder, for example by screwing (screws, bolts), welding, riveting or the like. At the upper surface of the plate 21a facing away from the ladder, two lifting lugs 21b are arranged, which are provided for pivotable fastening at the cross-member 30, configured as a tube, of the lowermost step 12, as has already been explained with reference to fig. 4. The shackle (loop) 21b may be secured, for example, by threading both ends of the shackle 21b through suitable openings in the plate 21a and screwing it at the lower, ladder-facing surface of the plate 21 a. Hereby it is possible to provide a simple possibility of assembling the climbing device 15 by first arranging the lifting lug 21b at the cross beam 30, and then passing the end of the lifting lug through the opening in the plate 21a and screwing it thereto. Of course, this particular embodiment of the fastening unit 21 is to be understood as exemplary only, and other fastening possibilities are conceivable, for example a fastening unit 21 in the form of a bracket, similar to that shown in the first embodiment. The fastening unit 21 may, for example, also have only two bolts or screws on the side of the climbing device 15, by means of which the climbing device is hingedly connected with the entry unit 4.

As a part of the operation unit 19, a first lever element 24a is provided at a lower surface (opposite to the lug 21 b) of the plate 21 a. The first lever element 24a cooperates with the locking unit 18 by means of an operating device 31, such as a cable pull or a flexible shaft, to operate the locking unit 18 to release the locking of the climbing apparatus 15. The locking unit 18 is arranged at the entry unit 4 (see fig. 3) and has a locking element 18a which can be swung relative to the entry unit 4 to release the locking of the climbing device 15. The locking element 18a can be fastened directly articulated at the entry unit 4 or at a part thereof (e.g. the cross beam 30), or, as shown, directly articulated at a suitable carrier element 32, which carrier element 32 in turn is fixedly connected with the entry unit 4. The locking element 18a has an opening 33, in the rest position RP the opening 33 engages with the climbing apparatus 15, thereby locking the climbing apparatus 15 at the entry unit 4. In the case of a ladder, for example, the ladder rung (first step) 16 may be engaged with the opening 33.

To release the locking, the locking unit 18 can be operated from the cableway car 7 by means of the first lever element 24 a. Thereby, the locking element 18a is swung (pivoted) from the locking position VP into the unlocking position LP by means of the operating device 31, so that the climbing device 15 is released and transferred from the rest position RP into the ready position BP. The axis of rotation of the locking element 18a extends here in the transverse direction, substantially parallel to the transverse beam 30. The transfer is preferably carried out automatically by gravity, wherein the movement can be braked by possible braking means if necessary.

The locking unit 18 preferably comprises at least one suitable pretensioning element 26 (not shown) for pretensioning the locking element 18a into the locking position VP. Preferably, a suitable mechanical spring is used as the pretensioning element 26. For example, a torsion spring may be provided on the rotational axis of the locking element 18 a. In the example shown, it is additionally advantageous if the first lever element 24a also has a suitable pretensioning element 26 for enabling the first lever element 24a, including the operating device 31, to return into the starting position. However, the return of the first lever element 24a and the actuating device 31 can also be achieved by means of a spring only at the pretensioning element 26, in particular at the locking element 18a, if the pretensioning force is sufficiently large. In the case of an electrically operable locking unit 18, a switch may be provided, for example, instead of the lever element 24a, or the switch may be operated by means of the lever element 24 a. The switch can then be connected to the locking unit 18, for example by an electrical lead.

The transfer of the climbing device 15 from the readiness position BP (fig. 4) into the idle position RP is preferably carried out manually, wherein, if necessary, suitable auxiliary tools, for example, cable pulls (cable drives), one or more pressure plates (tabs), handles or the like, can be provided. In order to enable the climbing device 15 to be easily transferred back and locked in the rest position RP, the locking element 18a has, in the example shown, a wedge-shaped portion, which forms an inclined face 34. When the climbing device 15 is moved from the readiness position BP back into the rest position RP, the climbing device 15, in this case the last rung 16 of the ladder, comes into contact with the inclined face 34 of the locking element 18a (which is in the locking position VP). Due to the known wedge effect, the step 16 swings the locking element 18a partially in the direction of the unlocking position LP until the step 16 comes into engagement with the opening 33. By means of the tensioning element 26 (for example a torsion spring on the axis of rotation of the locking element 18 a), the locking element 18a is moved back into the locking position VP, thereby locking the climbing device 15.

As already indicated with reference to the first embodiment, one or more limiting elements 28 (not shown) can also be provided here at the climbing device 15 and/or the entry unit 4 in order to limit the movement of the climbing device 15 beyond the readiness position BP. Furthermore, a given clearance between the steps 16 and the opening 33 may thereby be minimized, reducing any rattling noise, if any, due to movement of the climbing device 15 within the opening 33. Of course, in the second embodiment, a sensor element 29 can also be provided to identify the position of the climbing device 15. This function is similar to that in the case of the first embodiment and is therefore not discussed further here.

Fig. 5b shows an alternative design of the locking unit 18. The locking unit has a carrier element 32, which is fastened at the entry unit 4 (not shown). Two locking units 18a are provided on the carrier element 32, which are designed substantially similarly to fig. 5 a. In contrast to the design according to fig. 5a, in fig. 5b the two locking elements 18a can each be pivoted about a rotational axis which runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal beams 11 of the entry unit 4, rather than in the transverse direction as in the previous fig. 5 a. The locking elements 18a each have an opening 33, the openings 33 being engageable with the climbing device 15 so as to lock the climbing device 15 at the entry unit 4 in the rest position RP. The opening 33, however, interacts here with the longitudinal beam 15a of the climbing device 15 designed as a ladder, and not with the rungs (bars) 16 of the ladder, as before. However, the function with regard to the operation by means of the operating element 19 (not shown) does not differ from the variant according to fig. 5a, and is therefore not discussed in more detail. The stability of the climbing device 15 in the rest position RP can be improved by double locking.

According to a further embodiment (not shown), the climbing device 15 is preferably in the form of a ladder, which in the rest position RP is arranged outside the balustrade 13, i.e. on the side of the balustrade 13 facing away from the step 12. The fastening unit 21 is, for example, a bracket, which is fastened pivotably at the entry unit 4, wherein the pivot axis extends in the transverse direction, for example parallel to the cross member 30. Here, the climbing device 15 is movable relative to the fastening unit 21, for example in suitable recesses in the fastening unit 21. The climbing device 15 can thereby be displaced back and forth within the groove of the fastening unit 21 between two positions in which the two axial ends of the climbing device 15 rest against the fastening unit 21. Advantageously, an additional guide unit is also provided here at the railing 1, so that the climbing device 15 is held firmly at the railing 13 in the rest position.

For the transfer into the ready position BP, the climbing device 15 can first be moved, in particular displaced, starting from the rest position RP relative to the balustrade 13 and approximately parallel to the balustrade 13. Here, too, the climbing device 15 is displaced relative to the fastening unit 21, for example in a groove. This displacement takes place until the first axial end of the climbing device 15, which in the rest position RP faces away from the fastening unit 21, has reached the fastening unit 21, preferably abutting against it. Thereafter, the fastening unit 21 swings, thereby reaching the standby position BP.

Finally, it should be pointed out again that the described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative only and not restrictive. In addition to the embodiments shown, further variants are of course conceivable, which are determined by the person skilled in the art. For example, the person skilled in the art can adapt the invention to the specific conditions of the runway, such as to different forms of boarding units.

Claims

1. Cableway support (1) of a cableway (2) with an entry unit (4) for a person to enter, characterized in that a climbing device (15) is provided at the cableway support (1) for climbing a person from a cableway car (7) of the cableway (2) onto the entry unit (4) or vice versa, wherein the climbing device (15) is arranged at the cableway support (1) by means of a fastening unit (21) so as to be movable relative to the entry unit (4), wherein the climbing device (15) can be transferred relative to the entry unit (4) from a Rest Position (RP) in which the climbing device (15) is received at the entry unit (4) into a ready position (BP) which is provided for carrying out climbing.

2. The cableway support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a locking unit (18) is provided at the cableway support (1) for locking the climbing apparatus (15) in the Rest Position (RP).

3. Cableway bracket (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said locking unit (18) can be operated mechanically, hydraulically or electrically.

4. The cableway support (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that an operating unit (19) is provided at the cableway support (1) for operating the locking unit (18) in order to release the locking of the climbing apparatus (15) in the Rest Position (RP) in order to transfer the climbing apparatus (15) from the Rest Position (RP) into a ready position (BP).

5. Cableway bracket (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that the operating unit (19) has at least one first lever element (24a) for operating the locking unit (18) from the cableway car (7), wherein the operating unit (19) preferably has a second lever element (24b) for operating the locking unit (18) from the boarding unit (4).

6. Cableway bracket (1) according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the operating unit (19) has an operating means (31) in the form of a cable pull or a flexible shaft.

7. The cableway support (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the climbing device (15) has a braking device for braking a movement of the climbing device (15) caused by gravity from the Rest Position (RP) into the ready position (BP), wherein the braking device is preferably implemented mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically.

8. The cableway support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cableway support (1) has at least one sensor element (29) which is provided for identifying the position of the climbing device (15), in particular for identifying whether the climbing device (15) is located in the Rest Position (RP), wherein the sensor element (29) generates a sensor value which can be transmitted to a device control unit of the cableway (2).

9. The cableway support (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor element (29) is also provided to recognize a locking state of the locking unit (18), in particular to recognize whether the climbing apparatus (15) is locked in the Rest Position (RP) by means of the locking unit (18).

10. Cableway support (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the climbing device (15) has at least one tread element and/or gripping element (16) for a person to step on and/or to grasp.

11. The cableway support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the length of the climbing device (15) is variable, so that the length of the climbing device (15) is adapted to the varying distance between the boarding unit (4) and the cableway car (7).

12. The cableway support (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the climbing device (15) is designed as a ladder, preferably as a telescopic ladder, wherein the at least one tread element and/or gripping element (16) is a rung of the ladder.

13. Cableway bracket (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a railing (13) is provided at the entry unit (4) and in that the climbing device (15) in the Rest Position (RP) forms part of the railing (13).

14. A cableway (2) with a plurality of cableway supports (1) for guiding the conveying cables of the cableway (2) and at least one cableway car (7) arranged at the conveying cables, characterized in that a climbing device (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is provided at the cableway supports (1).

15. Cableway (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that the cableway (2) has an equipment control unit for controlling the cableway (2), wherein the equipment control unit is provided to process the sensor values of the sensor elements (29) in order to shut down the cableway (2) or to generate a warning signal and to emit the warning signal by means of a signaling device when the sensor elements (29) recognize a deviation of the position of the climbing device (15) from the Rest Position (RP) and/or when the sensor elements (29) recognize an unlocked state of the climbing device (15) in the locking unit (18).

16. Method for performing climbing or vice versa from a cableway car (7) of a cableway (2) according to claim 14 or 15 onto a boarding unit (4) of a cableway bracket (1) of the cableway (2), characterized in that the cableway car (7) is moved into a climbing position; transferring the climbing device (15) of the cableway carriage (1) from the Rest Position (RP) into the preparation position (BP) from the cableway car (7) or from the boarding unit (4); the persons climb from the cableway car (7) to the boarding unit (4) by means of the climbing device (15), or vice versa; after climbing, the climbing device (15) is transferred from the preparation position (BP) back into the Rest Position (RP), preferably from the check-in unit (4) or from the cableway car (7).