EP0055710A1 - Remontee mecanique avec siege tournant - Google Patents

Remontee mecanique avec siege tournant

Info

Publication number
EP0055710A1
EP0055710A1 EP19810900864 EP81900864A EP0055710A1 EP 0055710 A1 EP0055710 A1 EP 0055710A1 EP 19810900864 EP19810900864 EP 19810900864 EP 81900864 A EP81900864 A EP 81900864A EP 0055710 A1 EP0055710 A1 EP 0055710A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
passenger
ski lift
lift
swivel
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19810900864
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Donald C. Schneider
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0055710A1 publication Critical patent/EP0055710A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B61B11/00—Ski lift, sleigh lift or like trackless systems with guided towing cables only
    • B61B11/004—Means connecting load and cable

Definitions

  • the common ski lift has a plurality of cable towers spaced at intervals along the direction of travel of the ski lift.
  • the towers support pulleys or wheels which support and guide a traveling, overhead cable.
  • the cable is driven remotely and a plurality of passenger units are suspended from the cable on standards with clamps which secure the units to the cable.
  • the direction of travel of the cable is reversed at turntables located at each end of the lift.
  • the passenger units are a single chair or bench and the passengers are exposed to the elements such as wind, snow and the like and the rigid suspension of the chair prevents the passengers from turning their back to the direction of the travel or direction of the wind or to change their view.
  • the forward facing direction of the passengers is dictated by the necessity for this orientation at the embarking and disembarking stations.
  • This invention includes, in a ski lift of the aforedescribed type, provisions for the rotation of the passenger unit at the command of the passenger, thereby permitting the passenger to orient the seat at any direction relative to the direction of travel.
  • the invention also includes forward direction restoration means to return the passenger unit to the forward direction together with means to activate the forward direction restoration automatically adjacent the disembarking station.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified view of a ski lift with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic of the swivel actuation system
  • Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate a single standard chair lift equipped with the invention
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a double standard chair lift equipped with the invention
  • Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention on a single standard chair
  • Fig. 8 and 9 illustrate the swivel mechanism of the invention.
  • the ski lift can be substantially conventional in construction with upper and lower level turntables 21 and 23 and a plurality of lift towers 25 extending therebetween at spaced intervals.
  • Each lift column has a support column 43 and has a cross arm 29 to support the lift cable 40 on a plurality of wheels 42 which are mounted on wheel arms 44.
  • the passenger units are lift chairs 10 having a back 12 and seat 14 and carried by standards 18 which are secured to cable 40 by clamps 36.
  • the lift extends from the embarking station 31 to one or more disembarking station 33 and may pass over intermediate hazard areas such as out cropping 37. It will be desirable, or even essential, to insure that the lift chairs face in the direction of travel at these stations or hazard areas.
  • the invention as applied to the ski lift comprises swivel means 35 associated with one or more, preferably all, of the lift chairs.
  • the swivel means which is described in greater detail hereinafter, includes passenger control means to rotate the passenger unit. Preferably, this rotation is away from adjacent obstructions, e.g., away from the support column 43, as shown by arrowhead lines 41. Preferably, the degree of the rotation is controllable at the will of the passenger.
  • the swivel means includes energy storage means actuated by rotation of the lift chair away from the direction of travel whereby the forward facing direction can be automatically actuated by trip means 39 located at preselected strategic positions along the ski lift.
  • a trip means 39 can be located on the lift column immediately preceding hazard area 37 to restore the forward facing direction as shown by arrowhead line 45. After the hazard area is cleared the swivel means can again be restored to the passenger control by another trip means 39 located on the lift column 25. following the hazard area.
  • Trip means 39 are also located on a lift column preceding disembarking station 33. Trip means can also be similarly positioned on the return side of the ski lift to free the swivel mechanism for passenger operation on the return and automatically restoring the forward facing direction near hazard area 37 and as the lift chairs approach the embarking station, e.g., on the lift column adjacent .the lower turntable 21.
  • the swivel means comprises hydraulically actuated cam means.
  • the schematic of a suitable hydraulic system is shown in Fig. 2.
  • This system has a hydraulic fluid reservoir 62, a pump 65 with a handle 66 for passenger manual operation.
  • the pump discharges to a hydraulic actuator 116 through line 72 and manifold 74.
  • Check valves 59 and 57 permit the pressured circulation of the fluid.
  • a valve 61 is provided in the bypass line; this valve can be provided with a special key fitting to permit the lift operator to disable the swivel means, removing it from service.
  • valve 63 can be provided in a second bypass line and this valve can have an exposed handle with an instructional placard to permit passenger operation to relieve the hydraulic pressure and restore the forward facing direction.
  • Valves 61 and 63 can be conventional plug valves.
  • the automatic forward direction restoration means comprises a valve 80 in a bypass line formed of lines 76 and 78, the latter communicating with line 73 through manifold 74 to return fluid to reservoir 62.
  • Valve 80 is preferably a two-position valve which has an actuation lever 82 connected to its valve member by a ratchet mechanism 79.
  • the hydraulic system can also include an orifice member 49 in the actuator supply to provide a sufficient flow resistance that will slow the rotation of the lift chairs when valve 61, 63 or 80 is opened.
  • the chair 10 is of generally conventional construction having a back 12, seat 14 and arms 16 supported from a single, central standard 18.
  • the standard 18 is generally tubular and is connected with its lower end in a tubular tee 20 having opposite lateral members 22 and 24 for support of the chair 10.
  • the upper end of the passenger unit is likewise of conventional construction. As illustrated, the upper end 26 of the standard 18 bears a laterally and inclined offset leg 28 and an upright leg 30 which bears a tubular sleeve 32 in which is fitted the horizontal bar 34. A cable clamping mechanism 36 which is permanently secured to cable 40 depends from sleeve 32.
  • the invention as applied to the aforedescribed chair lift system includes swivel means for permitting the rotation of the passenger unit, chair 10.
  • the swivel means is contained within, and isolated from the atmosphere by, a flexible covering material such as rubber boot 48 which has an upper sleeve 50 which seals about the lower portion of tubular member 26 and a lower sleeve 52 that loosely fits around the tubular member 54.
  • the latter depends on the frusto-conical connecting member 56 which is secured to the upper end of standard 18.
  • the enlarged tubular section 54 provides for the telescopic reception of the lower end of tubular member 26, permitting the vertical extension and contraction of these members along a helical cam formed as a track in the wall of member 54 whereby the contraction and extension of the telescopic members results in rotation of the passenger unit 10.
  • the rubber boot member 48 accommodates for the contraction and extension of this assembly.
  • the passenger control means includes motor means to operate the swivel mechanism and rotate the passenger unit.
  • the motor means is provided for remote actuation by the passengers in the passenger unit by the hydraulic hand pump 65 and a reservoir 62.
  • the pump includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement driven by lever 64 for the development of hydraulic pressure in the cylinder which is transmitted through line 72 to a hydraulic manifold 74 where it is applied to a hydraulic actuator (not shown) contained within the larger diameter tubular member 54.
  • a suitable and commercially available power unit which includes the pump check valves and reservoir as well as valve 61 is Model 93101 of Walker Manufacturing—Tenneco Co., 1201 Michigan, Racine, Wisconsin 53402.
  • one end of the hydraulic actuator 116 is secured to the lower passenger unit, i.e., to tubular member 54 while the opposite end is secured to the upper tubular member 26 whereby contraction and extension of the hydraulic assembly can be controlled by 'the hydraulic pump.
  • the lift mechanism is provided with forward direction restoration means to return the passenger unit 10 to face the direction of travel.
  • means to activate the direction restoration means are provided adjacent the disembarking station and/or hazardous area to insure that the passengers will be facing the direction of travel when they reach the station or area.
  • the forward direction restoration means included in the invention comprises the helical cam and hydraulic cylinder arrangement, which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the hydraulic pressure developed by the hydraulic pump 65 elevates the chair along a helical cam and thereby stores energy which is available to restore the forward facing direction by simply releasing the hydraulic pressure to rotate the passenger unit.
  • the direction restoration means includes means bypassing the check valve in the hydraulic supply line, including hydraulic lines 76 and 78 which extend to a two-position control valve 80 having an actuator lever 82.
  • the actuator lever 82 is in its upright, vertical position shown in the solid lines of Figs. 3 and 4.
  • lever 82 is deflected and moves the two-position valve member in a stepping manner through ratchet mechanism 79.
  • the actuator lever 82 extends upwardly to a juxtaposition to the cross arm 29 of the control tower.
  • the cross arm 29 is fitted trip means 39 which includes a clamp or bracket 84 which has, dependent therefrom, laterally extending shaft 86 which projects into the path of travel of the actuator lever 82.
  • This arrangement is operative to deflect the actuator lever 82 into the inclined position shown in the broken lines of Fig. 3 as the passenger unit passes bracket 84 and extension shaft 86, thus changing valve 80 from closed to open position and releasing the hydraulic pressure of the actuator piston from high pressure line 76 to the hydraulic fluid return line 78.
  • the latter communicates through manifold 74 to a return line to reservoir 62.
  • Valve 80 remains open until closed when passing another trip means 39.
  • Fig. 5 substantially the same embodiment of the invention can be seen to be incorporated in a double standard passenger unit 11.
  • the passenger unit 11 has a chair back 13 and seat 15 which are dependent from a pair of parallel vertical standards 17 and 19 which extend upwardly for engagement with a short vertical tubular member 55.
  • Tubular member 55 as member 54 of Figs. 3 and 4, telescopically receives the lower end ⁇ f smaller diameter tubular standard 27 in a telescopic fit which is contracted and expanded by an internally carried cylinder and piston actuator.
  • the upper tubular member has an inclined laterally offset portion 59 and a short vertical tubular portion 69 extending to the sleeve 32 which receives the cable clamping assembly including horizontal bar 34 and clamp 36 which is fixedly secured to the cable 40.
  • the cable 40 passes over the wheel 42 which is dependent in a journal on cross arms 44 and 46 of the support tower.
  • the telescopic interconnection of tubular members 55 and 27, including the helical groove of member 55 and cooperative key means carried by member 27, are encased with the rubber boot member 48 having the upper sleeve 50 and lower sleeve 52 which engage. about the received tubular members and shield the telescopic assembly from the environment.
  • the mechanism is also provided with the remotely actuated hydraulic pump including reservoir 62, lever 64 and hand grip 66 with a hydraulic pressure supply line 72 that passes into the upright standard 17, tubular cross bar 51 and upwardly through tubular member 55 from where it exits and passes into fluid communicating connection with hydraulic manifold 74.
  • the passenger unit as thus described is similarly fitted with the forward direction restoration means which includes the hydraulic pressure control valve 80 and the actuator lever 82 that extends vertically into contact with shaft 86 extending from bracket 84 that is carried on cross arm 46 near the disembarking station.
  • the hydraulic control valve 80 is connected to the hydraulic system through the hydraulic hoses 76 and 78 in the manner previously described.
  • the ratchet mechanism 79 provides for the stepping rotation of the two position valve member as the chair passes each trip means 39.
  • the passenger unit 10 includes the chair back 12, seat 14 and arm 16 which extends from a central tubular standard 18 similar in construction to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
  • tubular member 18 is connected to cross arms 22 and 24 by the tee 20.
  • the hydraulic pump unit including reservoir 62 for the swivel means.
  • the pump and reservoir 62 are positioned between lateral flanges 90 and 92 which are mounted on horizontal plate 94.
  • the actuator mechanism includes a hydraulic pump lever 64 and a hand grip 66 dependent thereon which is mounted for pivotal movement about pin 68 carried by bracket 96. The actuation of lever 64 moves a piston within the hydraulic pump cylinder and the resultant pressure is applied to a hydraulic actuator contained within the upper end of tubular member 18.
  • the swivel mechanism is entirely encased and isolated from the environment by rubber boot 48 having an upper sleeve 50 and lower sleeve 52 which operate as before described.
  • the swivel mechanism also includes manifold 74 which distributes the hydraulic fluid in the manner previously described and has forward direction restoration means, valve 80 coupled by ratchet mechanism 79 to lever 82 with hoses 76 and 78 which extend between valve 80 and manifold 74.
  • the remainder of the chair lift unit is as previously described for the units shown in Figs. 3 through 5. Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the swivel mechanism is illustrated with the rubber boot 48 removed for purposes of illustration.
  • the lower end 100 of upper tubular member 26 projects into and terminates within the upper portion 102 of the larger diameter, outer tubular member 54.
  • member 54 is connected to tubular standard 18 by the frusto- ⁇ onical connector 56.
  • the upper portion 102 of tubular member 54 bears a cam in the form of a helical slot or groove 104 that forms a track for the sliding reception of hanger bolt 106.
  • Bolt 106 extends through bores in the lower end of tubular member 26 and through a clevis member 10.8.
  • Member 108 receives, preferably by threaded engagement, the upper end of rod 110 in its boss 112.
  • Rod 110 extends downwardly to the cylinder and piston actuator generally shown at 116.
  • Rod 110 is the piston rod of the assembly and is attached to a piston within the hydraulic cylinder.
  • the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder bears a cylindrical mounting lug 118 that has a central bore to receive bolt 120 that extends through apertures in the sidewall of tubular member 54 whereby the cylinder is fixedly secured to tubular member 54.
  • the helical track 104 can, as shown in Fig. 9, have a short, axial leg 122 whereby the hanger bolt 106 can be fixedly captured and retained against rotation when in its fully extended or relaxed position.
  • the hydraulic fluid manifold 74 extends into fluid communication with the upper port of the cylinder of actuator 116 through passage 114 and 115.
  • the hydraulic actuator system includes the high pressure hydraulic supply line 72 and a hydraulic fluid return line 73 which communicate to ports in the hydraulic cylinder of the hand pump 65; see Fig. 2.
  • the pressure of hydraulic fluid developed in the pump is applied through line 72 and a port of manifold 74 to the upper surface of the piston within the actuator assembly, whereby the piston is withdrawn and the assembly is contracted, raising the outer tube 54 and causing this tube to rotate as the helical slot 104 slides about the outer ends of the hanger bolt 106.
  • the fluid manifold 74 is provided with an internal wall 75 which isolates the high and low pressure siides of the manifold. Although not shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the manifold can house the orifice 49 previously described and shown in Fig. 2.
  • the angular orientation of the cam means, helical groove 104, in the outer tubular member 54, illustrated in Fig. 8, is such that the actuation of the hydraulic hand pump 62 will effect rotation of the chair unit in the direction of the solid arrow headed lines 41 shown in Fig. 1, in a direction to rotate the passengers away from the tower column 43 so that the passengers, skis or limbs do not become entangled with this tower during rotation of the passenger unit and/or its passage past the tower column 130.
  • this rotation elevates the passenger unit in the assembly, thereby storing potential energy for automatic restoration of the forward facing direction.
  • the passenger unit can be rotatable through a complete, 360 degree, turn.
  • the lift chair can be rotated through an angle of at least 180°, thereby providing the passenger with complete control of their position so they can orient their backs to the weather, wind, blowing snow, and the like.
  • the control valve 80 is operative, under the guidance of the actuator lever 82, to open and release the high pressure hydraulic fluid from the actuator for return to the reservoir 62. This permits the actuator hydraulic assembly to relax and assume its extended position, lowering the passenger unit along the path of the helical groove 104 and causing opposite, rotational movement in the direction indicated by the arrowhead lines 45 of Fig. 1.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Une unite de transport de passagers pour une remontee mecanique, telle qu'un siege (10) et autre, est amelioree en incorporant un mecanisme tournant (35) dans le dispositif (18) qui supporte le siege de remontee (10) a partir du cable aerien de transport (40). Le mecanisme tournant (35) comprend un dispositif d'actionnement tournant (116) qui peut etre un systeme hydraulique pour tourner a partir d'une position avant frontale et tourner le dossier au vent, a la neige ou pour changer de vue. La remontee mecanique comprend aussi un mecanisme (39) pour ramener automatiquement en position l'unite (10) dans le sens de marche dans une station de debarquement (33) ou a tout autre endroit choisi le long de la remontee mecanique.
EP19810900864 1980-07-11 1980-07-11 Remontee mecanique avec siege tournant Withdrawn EP0055710A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1980/000865 WO1982000273A1 (fr) 1980-07-11 1980-07-11 Remontee mecanique avec siege tournant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0055710A1 true EP0055710A1 (fr) 1982-07-14

Family

ID=22154435

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19810900864 Withdrawn EP0055710A1 (fr) 1980-07-11 1980-07-11 Remontee mecanique avec siege tournant

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0055710A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7071381A (fr)
WO (1) WO1982000273A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2655393B1 (fr) * 1989-12-05 1992-04-10 Roux Marcel Dispositif d'assemblage d'equerre entre des elements tubulaires.
CN104309610B (zh) * 2014-11-21 2017-06-13 董建生 一种倾斜轮式拐弯装置

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE551780C (de) * 1932-06-04 Pohlig Akt Ges J Aussichtswagen fuer Personenseilschwebebahnen
DE879113C (de) * 1943-04-30 1953-06-11 Karl Dipl-Ing Ringer Skilift
DE851817C (de) * 1944-07-14 1952-10-09 Von Roll Ag Personentransportgefaehrt einer Seilschwebebahn
US2471347A (en) * 1945-12-21 1949-05-24 Western Electric Co Conveyer
US2469069A (en) * 1947-07-23 1949-05-03 Don C Grazier Trolley suspended playground device
AT170678B (de) * 1950-01-19 1952-03-10 Rudolf Ing Koschatzky Absenkvorrichtung für die Tragorgane (Sessel, Gondeln, Kabinen od. dgl.) von Ein- oder Zweiseilbahnen für Personenförderung
US3456980A (en) * 1967-08-10 1969-07-22 Harry J Battistoni Outdoor shelter construction
US3981248A (en) * 1975-02-28 1976-09-21 Hall Ski-Lift Company, Inc. Timing gate for ski-lifts
US4050385A (en) * 1975-09-29 1977-09-27 Walt Disney Productions High capacity passenger transport apparatus
US4246848A (en) * 1979-04-26 1981-01-27 Schneider Donald C Ski lift with swivel chair

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8200273A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7071381A (en) 1982-02-16
WO1982000273A1 (fr) 1982-02-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4246848A (en) Ski lift with swivel chair
US4096820A (en) Hydraulically powered marine propulsion tilting system with automatic let-down assembly
US5363925A (en) Mobile drilling machine
US3353503A (en) Aerial tramway system
US3983835A (en) Gas pressurized hydraulic marine propulsion tilting system with automatic let-down assembly
US3876012A (en) Anti-overturning implement vehicle
US4036436A (en) Self-propelled linear irrigation system
US5118126A (en) Powered motorcycle lift/stand
US2954092A (en) Mobile boom-supported platform
US5169277A (en) Lift arm lock down apparatus and method
US3127952A (en) Mobile work platform
US3817007A (en) Aerial lift mechanism
US4158968A (en) Hand control system for a tractor
US5720132A (en) Fence gate opener with fluid gravity closure assembly
EP0055710A1 (fr) Remontee mecanique avec siege tournant
US3534832A (en) Aerial platform structure
US3866713A (en) Aerial platform apparatus
US5226776A (en) Foldable link rod for carrying an operative platform
US4172556A (en) Self-propelled linear irrigation system
CA1082077A (fr) Regulateur pour systeme hydraulique de plates-formes mobiles
US4248260A (en) Control device for center pivot irrigation units
FR2734608A1 (fr) Dispositif hydraulique differentiel pour alimentation et verrouillage de verins de commande a double effet
US3771720A (en) Winch driven water spray irrigation device
US2986006A (en) Hydraulic directional control
EP0050274A2 (fr) Dispositif de levage de véhicule utilisé, en particulier dans des garages

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT CH DE FR GB LU NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19820915