EP0187552B1 - Overhead-cable transport system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an overhead cable transport installation of the type comprising one or more vehicles which are spaced apart and associated rigidly but disengageably by clamps carried by a carriage associated with a suspension, with two endless cables, carriers and tractors, parallel to each other, placed one beside the other in the horizontal direction, driven by continuous scrolling at the same speed and supported by pylons supported by intermediate pylons.

Installations of this type are already known, in particular comprising a carriage carrying two pairs of disengageable clamps, two clamps for each cable, the four clamps constituting a rigid connection quadrilateral between the two cables, which necessarily move in synchronism. A clamp is also known comprising a clamp body rigidly associated with the chassis of the carriage, a fixed jaw carried by the clamp body, a movable jaw carried by an arm articulated to the clamp body; elastic means for returning the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw such as a spring arranged substantially vertically; and a clutch release roller mounted to pivot freely on the arm about a substantially horizontal and transverse axis, capable of cooperating with a clutch ramp forming part of the declutching and clutch means located in each station. end. Transport installations with overhead cables are also known in which each tractor carrying cable passes at the level of a pylon on a pendulum which may include support rollers or compression rollers. The pylons are then respectively called support pylons or compression pylons. These pylons include a base, a vertical barrel or extending upwards, a horizontal and transverse bracket relative to the cable tray and two series of rollers for supporting or compressing the cables.

The advantage of such installations is the possibility of a significant rotation of the vehicles (hence a large flow of passengers or materials). In addition, the connection between the two cables defines a rigid quadrilateral formed by the clamps of the vehicles, which performs a synchronous drive while avoiding any integration of offset and obliquing of the vehicles.

However, these known installations with two cables have the drawback of a heavy and bulky structure generally resulting from the simple juxtaposition of two structures such as those known and used in the case of a single-cable installation. This is why such installations do not include any of the necessary comfort and safety characteristics. In particular, the rigid quadrilateral formed by the clamps of vehicles is generally in the form of a trapezoid. This form of trapeze is not perfectly symmetrical, the vehicle is not perfectly balanced. In addition, the inevitable bulk in the axial direction is a source of problems in the passage of pylons, more particularly of the cable rollers, or even in the most curved sections of the cable trays. Also, the realization of transport installations with two overhead cables with cabins that can be of large capacity requires that the pylons are designed to allow the passage of the cabin carrier trolley, the maintenance of the cables in a constant relative position and finally to marry the generally curved shape of the cable tray in front of a pylon.

European patent application 0 093 680 provides for a trapezoidal arrangement of the clamps. The clamps form an equal height above the cable in any plane perpendicular to the line. It turns out in practice that such provisions do not allow a passage of the carriage to the right of the pylons in conditions of sufficient safety and comfort.

French patent 2525981 constituting the priority document of the preceding European patent application illustrates diagrammatically in FIG. 4 a carriage with four clamps arranged in parallelogram. However, this document does not provide any solution to the problem of the passage of the carriage to the right of the pylons. On the contrary, the schematic configuration shown in Figure 4 of this patent would cause serious twists and imbalances in the passage of the pylons.

The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks, and for this purpose, it provides an overhead cable transport installation comprising one or more vehicles spaced apart and associated rigidly but disengageably by two pairs of clamps carried by an associated carriage to a suspension, to two endless cables, carriers and tractors, parallel to each other, placed one beside the other in the horizontal direction, driven by continuous scrolling at the same speed and guided by pylons support and / or compression intermediates each comprising two series of support and / or compression rollers for the two cables, each of the pairs of clamps being associated with one of the two cables, the two pairs of clamps defining a rigid quadrilateral, which, in the engaged state, favors the synchronous scrolling of the two cables, characterized in that each clamp comprises a clamp body mounted to pivot relative to the ch chassis of the carriage around a horizontal and transverse axis by means of bearings fixed to the side members of the chassis, and in that each clamp body comprises a hoop part which projects outward in a horizontal and transverse direction to constitute the fixed jaw, and which is associated by its two free end parts to the chassis of the carriage by means of elastically deformable members such as blocks of rubber or elastomer, these members having the function of ensuring a general maintenance of the part in a hoop with the possibility of a small limited clearance on either side of its normal position, in particular of the order of 2 °.

These characteristics lead to minimum structures in terms of weight and bulk while ensuring a good distribution of forces, comfort and safety greatly improved compared to known overhead cable transport installations.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un véhicule tel qu'une cabine et de deux câbles porteurs tracteurs associés d'une installation suivant l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique, en perspective, dans sa partie droite, d'une station d'extrémité, et, dans sa partie gauche de pylônes intermédiaires de l'installation, en l'occurrence de type support, ceux-ci pouvant être plus ou moins éloignés de cette station.
• Les figures 3, 4 et 5 sont trois vues schématiques respectivement en élévation, de dessus et d'extrémité du chariot de support d'un véhicule d'une installation selon l'invention.
• La figure 6 est une vue schématique, en élévation, d'un pylône pour installation de transport à câbles aériens selon l'invention, ce pylone étant du type support.
• La figure 7 est une vue schématique partielle, en perspective, illustrant le pylône représenté sur la figure 6.
• La figure 8 est une vue schématique d'extrémité illustrant le chariot de support d'un véhicule au droit d'un pylône intermédiaire de compression d'une installation selon l'invention.
• La figure 9 est une vue schématique, de côté, du pylône de compression représenté sur la figure 8.
• La figure 10 est une vue partielle, en perspective, illustrant un balancier élémentaire du pylône d'une installation selon l'invention.

The other characteristics of the invention will result from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle such as a cabin and two associated tractor carrying cables of an installation according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view, in its right part, of an end station, and, in its left part of intermediate pylons of the installation, in this case of the support type, these being able to be more or less distant from this station.
• Figures 3, 4 and 5 are three schematic views respectively in elevation, top and end of the support trolley of a vehicle of an installation according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view, in elevation, of a pylon for an overhead cable transport installation according to the invention, this pylon being of the support type.
• FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view, in perspective, illustrating the pylon shown in FIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic end view illustrating the vehicle support carriage in line with an intermediate compression pylon of an installation according to the invention.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the compression pylon shown in FIG. 8.
• Figure 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating an elementary balance of the pylon of an installation according to the invention.

The invention relates to an overhead cable transport installation of the type comprising one or generally several vehicles 1 spaced apart (individually or in groups) along two cables 2a, 2b to which they are rigidly associated, but disengageably by clamps tightening 3.

The collets 3 are carried by a carriage 4 - described in more detail below - to which is articulated around a horizontal and transverse axis 5 the upper end part 6 of a vertical suspension 7, rigidly integral, to its part lower end 8 of the vehicle chassis 1.

The two cables 2a, 2b, - which do not in themselves constitute the invention - are endless, separate from each other, carriers and tractors, parallel to each other, placed one beside the other on the other in the horizontal direction, driven to continuous scrolling at the same speed. They extend between two end stations such as the end station 9 shown in FIG. 2, for loading and unloading vehicles 1, and they are supported in an intermediate manner by one or more pylons 10 which will be described in more detail below.

The vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1 is a cabin for the transportation of passengers. However, the vehicle 1 can also be a bucket or the like for transporting materials. In the example shown and in a manner known per se, the vehicle 1 comprises, in addition to its chassis, a body, movable doors, windows or portholes and all the usual equipment (bumpers, exit hatches, etc.).

Each end station 9 which does not in itself constitute the invention comprises two wheels 11a, 11b, driving drives of the two cables 2a, 2b (in the case of FIG. 2, the axes of the two wheels 11a, 11 are vertical however these axes can be inclined in any way); fixed vehicle support means 1, such as a rail placed substantially horizontally and having a general shape of U bypassing the drive wheels, not shown; upstream means for disengaging the clamps making it possible to dissociate a vehicle 1 from the cables 2a, 2b in order to store it on fixed support means, not shown; downstream means for clutching the clamps making it possible to associate a vehicle 1 stored on the fixed support means for the cables 2a, 2b, not shown; motor means for driving the driving wheels 11 a, 11 b, at the same speed, not shown; means for tensioning the cables 2a, 2b, not shown; means of access to vehicles 1, such as platforms, allowing, for example in the case of a cabin, travelers to enter and leave them when they are on the stationary support means stationary or at low speed, not shown; possible means of opening and closing the doors of vehicles not shown; means for driving the vehicles independently of the cables when they are on the fixed support means and this can make them pass from a first pair of cables 2a, 2b to a second pair of cables 12a, 12b (which can be the same as explained below).

Upstream and downstream refer to the direction of movement of the vehicles 1, along the cables 2a, 2b.

An intermediate pylon 10 is intended to support the two cables 2a, 2b, associated with the vehicles 1 (ascending or descending) and preferably the two pairs of cables of the ascending and descending vehicles 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b, these two cables being able to result from two cables 2a, 12a, on the one hand, and 2b, 12b, on the other hand, endless, and offset transversely. However, the pylon 10 can be designed to support only two cables 2a, 2b, from an ascending or descending cabin. Such a pylon 10 comprises in a manner known per se, a base 13 anchored to the ground; a barrel 14 vertical or directed upwards, rigidly associated with the base 13; a bracket 15 rigidly fixed to the upper end of the barrel 14 having a general horizontal transverse direction relative to the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b; two stirrups 16a, 16b having the general shape of an inverted U, arranged vertically, transversely and coplanarly with the two opposite extreme free parts of the bracket 15; two pairs of pendulums extending in the horizontal or substantially horizontal direction, the two pendulums of each pair being spaced transversely and facing each other and associated with the vertical branches descending from a stirrup 16a, 16b; and finally rollers 17 carried by the pendulums in the grooves through which the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b pass.

These rollers 17 - and therefore the pylons 10 which support them - are of two possible types: support or compression, depending on whether they support the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b, from below (Figures 2, 6, 7) or at on the contrary that they press on these cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b, from above (FIGS. 8, 9), this so that the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b follow the desirable path taking into account the accidents on the ground while being maintained and guided.

Generally, cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b are inclined, one of the end stations being located at a lower level (downstream station for cables 2a, 2b) and the other station being located at a higher level (upstream station for cables 2a, 2b). Consequently, in the text, the words “horizontal”, “vertical” are relative and refer either to the usual physical concept, or in a relative way on the one hand to the trace of the plane of the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b, relative to a vertical plane orthogonal to the latter and parallel to the cables, on the other hand to a straight line perpendicular to the plane of the cables. By convention, the “axial” and “transverse” directions are understood to be respectively parallel to the axes of the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b and perpendicular horizontally to the cables 2a, 2b, 12a, 12b. It is understood that, with some exceptions, the horizontal, vertical, axial or transverse directions also generally include those which are adjacent to them.

The assembly comprising two cables 2a, 2b or 12a, 12b, of the same vehicle 1, this vehicle 1, its suspension 7, its carriage 4, the corresponding bracket 16a or 16b, of an intermediate pylon 10 and its two pendulums have an axial vertical plane of symmetry P equidistant from two cables considered 2a, 2b or 12a, 12b. In addition, an intermediate pylon 10, if it supports two pairs of cables, has an axial vertical plane of symmetry U passing through the base 13 and the barrel 14.

Consequently, the installation is described for each element which composes it taken in isolation, it being understood that the latter is found by symmetry, unless otherwise indicated.

In the following description, reference is made to the part of the intermediate pylon 10 intended for the two cables 2a, 2b. Similarly, in the following description, reference is made to a vehicle 1 associated with cables 2a, 2b. The elements associated with - or on the side of - cable 2a have references followed by the index a and the elements associated with - or located on the side of - cable 2b have the references followed by the index b.

A clamp 3 comprises a clamp body 18 associated with the chassis 19 of the carriage 4; a fixed jaw 20 carried by the clamp body 18, in particular in two parts 20a, 20b separated axially; a movable jaw 21 placed between the two parts 20a, 20b, of the fixed jaw, carried by the outer free end 22 and lower part of an arm 23 forming a lever situated in a transverse plane, having a general shape of L, articulated to the body clamp 18 around an axial axis 24; elastic return means 25 from the movable jaw 21 towards the fixed jaw 20 (corresponding to the engaged state) such as a spring disposed substantially vertically and a disengaging roller 26 of the clamp 3, mounted with free pivoting at the end free 27 inside and upper of the arm 23 around a substantially horizontal and transverse axis 28 and capable of cooperating with the upstream declutching and downstream clutch means taking the form of an inclined ramp 29.

The carriage 4 comprises a pair of clamps 3'a, 3 "a associated with the cable 2a and a pair of clamps 3'b, 3" b, associated with the cable 2b. The chassis 19 of the carriage 4 being rigid and the clamps 3 being associated therewith also rigidly seen from above, that is to say in plan and subject to what is said below with reference to the elastic means of association of the clamp body 18 with the chassis 19, the two pairs of clamps 3'a, 3 "a, 3'b, 3" b define a "rigid" quadrilateral in the form of a parallelogram which, in the engaged state, promotes displacement synchronous of the two cables 2a, 2b. Thus, the clamps of the two pairs of clamps are also spaced from one another in the axial direction, for example by a distance D of the order of 800mm. This arrangement increases the compactness of the carriage 4, therefore also its weight and limits the spacing between the two cables 2a, 2b which can be of the order of 750 mm.

In a variant not shown, the quadrilateral has the shape of a rectangle.

According to the invention, the two end clamps 3'a, 3'b on the one hand, 3 "a, 3" b on the other hand are immediately adjacent to each other in the axial direction, which gives the carriage 4 the minimum space possible in the axial direction. Consequently, two end clamps are spaced from one another in the axial direction by a distance corresponding substantially to the axial size of a clamp 3, for example of the order of 300 mm.

The two central clamps which belong to the two distinct pairs of clamps, namely 3'a and 3'b are separated axially from each other by a distance at least equal to the axial size of the suspension 7.

For example, the spacing between the two transverse axes of the two central clamps 3'a, 3 "b is of the order of 500 mm.

According to the invention, the two pairs of pliers 3'a, 3 "a on the one hand, 3'b, 3" b on the other hand, are separated transversely from the minimum distance possi ble taking into account the size of the clamps. In addition, the clamps 3 project transversely outward from the entire carriage 4 located between the two cables 2a, 2b.

The carriage 4 mainly comprises two axial beams 30a, 30b, and crosspieces, in particular of ends 31. These beams 30a, 30b, can be separated from one another, transversely, by about 450 mm. As for the two end crossmembers which define the maximum size of the carriage 4, they can be spaced from each other by a distance of the order of about 1600 mm.

The arrangement which has just been described is such that the clamps 3'a, 3 "a, 3'b, 3" b, extend practically between the two longitudinal members 30a, 30b, in addition to their projecting part constituted by the fixed jaws 20 and mobile 21. In addition, the elastic means 25 as well as the release rollers 26 are located in the immediate vicinity. from the axial vertical plane of symmetry P. For example, the raceways of the clutch release rollers 26 of the two pairs of pliers 3'a, 3 "a, 3'b, 3" b are spaced from one another, in the engaged state, of the order of approximately 60 mm.

It follows that, according to a characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises a clutch-release ramp 29, unique at each end of each pair of cables 2a, 2b or 12a, 12b, that is to say a single ramp on each side of each end station 9 on which the disengaging rollers 26 of the two pairs of pliers 3'a, 3 "a, 3'b, 3" b come to bear.

According to the invention, a clamp body 18 is associated with the chassis 19 of the carriage 4, in particular the side members 30a, 30b, by elastically deformable members 32 such as blocks of rubber or elastomer. These members 32 have the function of ensuring a general maintenance of the clamp 3 relative to the chassis 19 with however the possibility of a small limited clearance on either side of its normal rest position around its transverse axis of symmetry 33. This movement is for example of the order of 2 °. This arrangement allows the clamps to marry without excessive stress the curved shape of the cable tray 2a, 2b. Naturally, the members 32 are only slightly deformable and under the effect of sufficient force so that the clamp body 18 is normally held without being able to pivot inopportune about the axis 33.

In order for this function to have the best efficiency, a clamp body 18 preferably comprises a part 34 extending axially and in a vertical plane and having a general shape of a concavity arch turned downwards. This part 34 projects outward, horizontally and transversely to constitute the fixed jaw 20. These two lower free end portions 35 are associated with the chassis 19 in particular with the side members 30a, 30b, by the elastically deformable members 32.

In order to allow the movement of the clamps thanks to these elastically deformable members 32, the two parts 20a, 20b, of a fixed jaw are extended axially by needles 36 which cooperate with the cables 2a, 2b, the internal needles of the two clamps each pair of pliers 3'a, 3 "a on the one hand, 3'b, 3" b, on the other hand, are distinct and are not rigidly associated with each other.

In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the end clamps 3'a, 3'b, on the one hand, 3 "a, 3" b, on the other hand, are nested one in the other. Thus, the most central elastically deformable member 32 of an end clamp such that 3'a is located in the transverse direction between the two elastically deformable members 32 of the neighboring clamp 3 "b.

To allow better mounting of the clamp 3, the clamp body 18 is pivotally mounted about its transverse axis 33 in bearings 37a, 37b, fixed to the side members 30a, 30b, on their inner face (Figure 5).

According to the invention, the carriage 4 comprises support means 38, in particular support rollers 39, mounted with free pivoting around horizontal and transverse axes 40, and guide means 41, in particular guide rollers 42, mounted at free pivoting around vertical axes 43, making it possible respectively to support the carriage 4 and to guide it in transverse direction when the clamps 3 are disengaged, in the end stations 9.

Each of the end crosspieces 31 has at each of its free ends a tab 44 located in an axial vertical plane at the end part of which is pivotally mounted around a horizontal and transverse axis 45 a comfort roller 46 intended for drive on a track 47 associated with an intermediate pylon 10.

In Figure 3, are shown the comfort rollers 46 of a carriage 4 placed at the ends of the latter in an axial direction, intended to roll on a rolling track 47 associated with an intermediate pylon 10 of the compression type. In this case, the tab 44 is directed upwards. However, other rollers mounted with free pivoting about a horizontal axis and transverse to the end part of the lug 44 or of another lug, directed towards the bottom of the carriage 4 and for example at its ends, cooperate, as to them, with the tracks of an intermediate pylon of the support type as shown in the left part of FIG. 2.

An intermediate pylon 10 has two raceways 47 for the comfort rollers 46, generally following the cable routing profile 2a, 2b as defined by the rollers 17, while being very slightly more curved than this profile Theoretical routing of cables, so as to be spaced from it vertically upwards or downwards depending on whether it is a support roller pylon (left part in Figure 2) or compression (Figures 8 and 9) except at its ends. The upward or downward spacing is understood not to mean the relative overall position of the tracks 47 relative to the rollers 17, but the relative variation in spacing between them. On the other hand, the track 47 can be placed as a whole above or below the rollers 17 depending on the configuration. Thus, with regard to the compression rollers shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tracks 47 are placed next to the lower part of the rollers 17. It follows from this arrangement that by passing over a pylon, the carriage rolls thanks to its comfort rollers 46 on the tracks 47, respectively above or below the latter, depending on whether the pylon is of the support or compression type, while being driven by the cables 2a, 2b, which are very slightly spaced from the grooves of the rollers 17. This function is all the better fulfilled as the comfort rollers 46 are spaced in the axial direction by the greatest possible distance.

According to the invention, in the engaged state of the clamp (Figure 3), the clamp body 18 is supported on the upper part of the corresponding cable 2a, 2b. The fixed and mobile jaws 20, 21 are applied to the internal and external lateral parts of the cable. As a result, the lower part of the cable 2a, 2b remains substantially free. This arrangement simultaneously ensures good support of the carriage 4 on the cables 2a, 2b, while allowing smooth passage of the rollers 17, of the pylons, especially when they do not have a raceway 47.

A carriage 4 also comprises two friction bands 48 extending axially, placed horizontally coplanar and spaced transversely from each other above the middle part of the side members 30a, 30b to which they are rigidly associated by vertical tabs 49 These friction bands 48 are intended to be functionally operational in each end station 9, either to slow down the carriage 4 separated from the cables 2a, 2b, or, on the contrary, to drive this carriage before it is coupled to the cables 2a, 2b.

The elastic means 25 such as a helical spring are mounted between an upper cup 50 and a lower cup 51. The upper cup 50 is associated with the free end 27 of the arm 23 around an axis of articulation 52 horizontal and axial . The lower cup 51 is fixed to the end part of a stirrup 53 disposed substantially vertically, associated with its upper end part to the clamp body 18 about an axis 54, horizontal and axial substantially situated in the vertical axial plane of symmetry P .

A pylon of an installation according to the invention is described below with reference to the case of a pylon with support rollers, but it is clear that this description can be clearly adapted to the case of a pylon with compression rollers .

The pylon 10 according to the invention comprises two support pendulums 55a, 55b, symmetrical with respect to the plane P, articulated at their middle part with free pivoting around a horizontal and transverse axis 56 to a stirrup 16 placed vertically and transversely rigidly associated with the bracket 15. This stirrup having a general shape of an inverted U comprises a core (not shown) rigidly associated with the bracket 15 or, as a variant, does not include a core, the latter forming an integral part of the bracket 15 and constituting its extreme part free, and two wings 57a, 57b, symmetrical with respect to the plane P, directed vertically and downwards, to the lower free end part of which is the axis 56.

The pendulums 55a, 55b, are associated with free pivoting on the internal faces of the wings 57a, 57b, around the axis 56 by two pins 56a, 56b, leaving free space between the two support pendulums 55a, 55b.

Preferably, the two support pendulums 55a, 55b are rectilinear and constituted by a profiled metal part with a square or rectangular cross section.

It is the same for the wings 57a, 57b and the stem 15.

The pylon 10 comprises, on the other hand, several elementary pendulums 58 comprising the rollers 17, articulated with free pivoting, directly or indirectly on the support pendulums 55a, 55b, around horizontal and transverse axes 59. These elementary pendulums 58 are placed one after the other and close to each other over the necessary length, taking into account the support forces exerted by the cables 2a, 2b and the more or less curved path of the cable tray. A typical and preferred embodiment is that shown in FIG. 7 in which four elementary pendulums 58 are provided.

We will now describe an elementary pendulum such as 58 with particular reference to FIG. 10.

An elementary balance wheel 58 comprises, on the one hand, two longitudinal members 60a, 60b for supporting the rollers respectively 17a, 17b, spaced transversely from one another and symmetrical with respect to the plane P and, on the other hand, an arch stiffening 61 rigidly connecting together the two beams 60a, 60b.

Each spar 60a, 60b, preferably comprises two parts spaced transversely from one another but rigidly integral with one another, namely, for the spar 60a the two parts 60'a and 60 "a and for the spar 60b parts 60'b and 60 "b. Between each pair of parts 60'a, 60 "a, 60'b, 60" b, the support rollers 17a, 17b are mounted for free pivoting.

The two parts 60'a, 60 "a, 60'b, 60" b of a beam 60a, 60b are rigidly associated with one another by a central spacer 62.

An elementary balance wheel 58 has two upstream rollers lTa, 17'b and two downstream rollers 17 "a, 17" b, the upstream rollers 17'a, 17'b, on the one hand, and the downstream rollers 17 "a, 17 "b on the other hand, having coaxial pivot axes respectively 63 '(upstream axis) and 63" (downstream axis). Naturally, each of the axes 63', 63 "is in two parts in order to leave the central space free between the rollers to allow the carriage 4 and the suspension 7 to pass.

Preferably, the two axes 63 ', 63 "are provided at the two free end portions 64', 64" of the side members 60a, 60b.

The stiffening arch 61 preferably connects the two pieces of side members 60a, 60b, located towards the outside, ie 60'a and 60'b. This stiffening hoop is placed vertically and transversely and has a general shape of an inverted U comprising a central web 65 horizontal and transverse and two wings 66a, 66b, lateral verticals and directed downwards, rigidly associated with their lower free end part 67 to longitudinal members 60a, 60b in particular at the external parts 60'a, 60'b.

Preferably, the stiffening arch 61 has, in cross section, a T shape, this to guarantee its non-deformability. Also, the core 65 is preferably connected to the wings 66a, 66b by cut sides 68a, 68b.

An elementary balance wheel 58 preferably comprises a single stiffening arch 61 placed at one of the extreme free parts of the side members 60a, 60b and preferably on the side of the extreme free part 64 ′, for example upstream.

In elevation (that is to say seen from the side), an elementary balance wheel 58 therefore has a general shape of L, the horizontal branch of which is formed by the side members 60a, 60b and the vertical branch of which consists of the arch of stiffening 61.

Preferably, a pylon as just described comprises means 69 for preventing the cables 2a, 2b from escaping from the grooves of the rollers 17 which support them. These means are for example placed on the internal faces of the wings 66a, 66b of a hoop 61 and above the groove of the corresponding rollers 17'a, 17 "b. These means are constituted for example by a plate 69 projecting towards the interior and curved around a vertical axis with convexity facing the plane P.

Also, the intermediate pylon 10 of an installation according to the invention preferably includes means 70 for recovering the cables 2a, 2b, if these escape the grooves of the corresponding support rollers 17'a, 17 "a, 17'b, 17 "b. These recovery means 70 are constituted for example by a section of gutter open upwards, rigidly fixed to the internal face of each internal part 60 "a, 60" b in the vicinity of the upstream rollers 17'a, 17'b. Preferably, these gutters are curved around a horizontal and transverse axis with convexity facing upwards. Their size in the transverse direction is limited substantially to the width of a cable such as 2a, 2b so as not to prevent the passage of the suspension 7 and of the carriage 4.

Consequently, the upstream rollers 17'a, 17'b are associated, on the one hand, with the means 69 for preventing the cables 2a, 2b from escaping from the grooves of the rollers, and on the other hand, the recovery means 70 cables 2a, 2b.

Preferably, two successive elementary pendulums 58 are arranged in the same direction, that is to say with the stiffening hoops 61 disposed upstream. These two successive elementary pendulums 58 are mounted articulated with free pivoting around axes 71 ′, 71 "horizontal and transverse to the two free end portions 72 ′, 72 ″ of two intermediate parts 73a, 73b, symmetrical with respect to the plane P, articulated freely pivoting about a horizontal axis 74 and transverse to the support beam 55a, 55b, directly or indirectly. The axis 74 is located in the middle part of the intermediate parts 73a, 73b.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the pylon comprises four successive elementary pendulums 58 forming an upstream group 75 'of two elementary pendulums 58 and a downstream group 75 "of two other elementary pendulums 58. All of these pendulums are arranged in the same direction. The two elementary pendulums 58 of the upstream group 75 'are pivotally mounted on two intermediate parts 73a, 73b, articulated to the support pendulums 55a, 55b around the axis 74 located at the upstream free end 76' of these pendulums support 55a, 55b.

The rollers of these two elementary rockers 58 of the upstream group 75 'follow each other at regular intervals. They are further followed, with the same interval by rollers of the downstream group 75 "which has the same structure as described above, articulated at the downstream free end portion 76" of the pendulums 55a, 55b. The articulations, in particular of the support pendulums 55a, 55b with the stirrup 16, of the elementary pendulums 58 with the support pendulums 55a, 55b (by means of any intermediate parts 73a, 73b) which are normally free can, if necessary be limited in amplitude and / or with some braking.

The installation which has just been described works in the following way:

Between two end stations 9, the clamps 3 are in the engaged state because subject without restriction to the elastic means 25. The cables 2a, 2b support and tow the carriage 4 therefore the vehicle 1. The construction arrangement described is such that the lateral stability of the assembly is perfect. When the vehicle 1 arrives at the right of an intermediate pylon 10, the comfort rollers 46 roll on the raceways 47, which has the effect of spreading the cables 2a very slightly, of the order of a few millimeters, 2b, rollers 17. This arrangement does not occur in the end stations 9 where the two ramps 29 are provided. In this way, the vehicle 1 is not affected by tremors at the passage of these rollers 17. When the vehicle 1 arrives at an end station 9, the release rollers 26 come to bear against the single ramp 29 which is suitably shaped to approach the cable tray 2a, 2b. It follows that the movable jaws 21 pivot around their axis of articulation, against the elastic means 25, which has the effect of opening the clamps 3 which are then in the disengaged state. Simultaneously, the carriage 4 comes to rest on fixed support means such as a U-shaped track, 77, thanks to the support rollers 39. The carriage 4 is guided by the guide rollers 42. The profile of these fixed support means is such that '' they allow disengaging the clamps 3, disengaged, cables 2a, 2b. For example, the routing of the cables 2a, 2b goes away from the bottom and the fixed support means go towards the top of the routing profile of the cables 2a, 2b. The vehicle 1 is braked in its sliding movement by friction bands 48. At the start, the same operations are carried out in the opposite direction, that is to say that the fixed support means place the clamps 3 opposite the cables 2a, 2b, the ramp 29 releases the release rollers 26 which allow the clamps 3 to be closed and the friction bands 48 have previously enabled the carriage 4 to be brought gradually to the speed of the cables by acceleration rollers.

In addition, the means 69 for preventing the cables 2a, 2b from escaping from the grooves of the rollers and, on the other hand, the means 70 for recovering the cables 2a, 2b, maintain the cables 2a, 2b at the level of the stirrups. 16, in particular when the cables 2a, 2b are spaced from the rollers 17 and / or if an unforeseen event occurs.

Claims (24)

1. Aerial-cable transport system, having one or more vehicles (1) which are spaced and rigidly but disengageably associated by two pairs of clamping pincers carried by a carriage (4) associated with a suspended part (7), having two endless cables (2a, 2b) which carry and draw and are parallel to one another and placed one next to the other in the horizontal direction and are driven to pay out continuously at the same speed and are guided by intermediate support and/or pressure pylons (10) each having two series of rollers (17) for support and/or pressure of the two cables (2a, 2b), each of the pairs of pincers being associated with one of the two cables (2a, 2b), the two pairs of pincers defining a rigid quadrilateral which, in the engaged state, promotes the synchronous paying out of the two cables (2a, 2b), characterized in that each pincer comprises a pincer body (18) mounted pivotal with respect to the frame (19) of the carriage (4) about a horizontal and transverse axis (33) thanks to bearings (37a, 37b) fixed to side frame pieces (30a, 30b) of the frame (19), and in that each pincer body (18) has an arch-shaped piece (34) which projects towards the outside in the horizontal and transverse direction to form the fixed jaw (20) and is associated by means of its two free end parts (35) with the frame (19) of the carriage (4) by way of resiliently deformable elements (32) such as rubber or elastomer blocks, these elements having the function of ensuring a general holding of the arch-shaped piece with the possibility of a small clearance limited on either side of its normal position, in particular of the order of 2°.

2. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rigid quadrilateral defined by the two pairs of pincers is a parallelogram.

3. System according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each carriage (4) has support means (38), in particular support wheels (39) mounted to pivot freely about horizontal and transverse axes (40), and guide means (41), in particular guide wheels (42) mounted to pivot freely about vertical axes (43) respectively enabling the carriage (4) to be supported and to be guided in the transverse direction when the clamping pincers (3) are disengaged, in the end stations (9).

4. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each carriage (4) has a frame (19) formed by two axial side frame pieces (30a, 30b) and by cross members, in particular end cross members (31).

5. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two pairs of pincers (3'a, 3"a, 3'b, 3"b) are transversely separated by the minimum distance taking into account the bulk of the pincers, and in that two central pincers (3'a, 3"b) are axially separated from one another by a distance at least equal to the bulk of the suspended part (7).

6. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which each pincer has : a pincer body (18) associated with the frame (19) of the carriage (4) ; a fixed jaw (20) carried by the body (18) ; a movable jaw (21) carried by the lower end part (22) of an arm (23) located in a transverse plane and articulated with the pincer body about an axial axis (24) ; resilient means (25) for returning the movable jaw (21) towards the fixed jaw (20), such as a spring arranged substantially vertically; and a roller (26) for disengaging the pincer (3) mounted to pivot freely at the inner upper end part (27) of the arm (23) about a substantially horizontal and transverse axis (28), capable of cooperation with an engagement/disengagement ramp (29) forming part of the upstream disengagement means and downstream engagement/disengagement means of an end station (9), characterized in that the disengagement rollers (26) of the two pairs of pincers (3'a, 3"a, 3'b, 3"b) are located in the immediate vicinity of the axial vertical plane of symmetry P, these rollers (26) bearing against a single engagement/disengagement ramp (29) arranged on either side of each of the end stations (9).

7. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fixed jaws (20) of the pincers (3) are extended by needles (36), the internal needles of each pair of pincers (3'a, 3"a, 3'b, 3"b) being disconnected from one another so as to allow individually a small deflection of the pincers (3).

8. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the most central resilient element of an end pincer (3'b, 3"a) is located in the transverse direction between the two resilient elements (32) of the adjacent pincer (3'a, 3"b).

9. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that there are associated with the carriage (4) two pairs of comfort rollers (46) able to pivot freely about horizontal and transverse axes (45), intended to roll on roller tracks (47) associated with each of the intermediate support and/or pressure pylons (10).

10. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an intermediate support and/or pressure pylon (10) has two roller tracks (47) of the comfort rollers (46) generally following the course of the path of the cables (2a, 2b), while being very slightly separated from this course vertically upwards or downwards except at its ends, so that in passing at right angles to a pylon the carriage (4) rolls, thanks to its comfort rollers (46), on the roller tracks (47), the cable being very slightly separated from the rollers (17).

11. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an intermediate support and/or pressure pylon (10) has means (69) for preventing the cables (2a, 2b) from escaping from the grooves of corresponding rollers (17).

12. System according to Claim 11, characterized in that the intermediate pylons (10) have two principal rockers (55a, 55b) which are symmetrical with respect to the central axial vertical plane of symmetry P and articulated to pivot freely about a horizontal axis (56) transverse to a vertical and transverse bow-shaped part (16) rigidly associated with the bracket (15), elementary rockers (58), each of these elementary rockers being articulated to pivot freely, directly or indirectly, with the principal rockers (55a, 55b) and having two support side frame pieces (60a, 60b) of the rollers (17) separated transversely from one another and symmetrical with respect to the plane P, and at least one reinforcing arch (61) rigidly connecting between them the two support side frame pieces (60a, 60b), this reinforcing arch (61) having in elevation generally an inverted U shape comprising a core (65) and two side wings (66a, 66b) rigidly associated at their lower free end part with the support side frame pieces (60a, 60b) and having in cross-section generally a T shape, the means (69) for preventing the cables (2a, 2b) from escaping from the grooves of the corresponding rollers (17) being provided on the inner faces of the wings (66a, 66b) of a reinforcing arch (61).

13. System according to either of Claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the means (69) for preventing the cables (2a, 2b) from escaping from the corresponding rollers (17) are formed by a plate (69) projecting inwards and located immediately above the groove of the adjacent rollers (17'a, 17'b).

14. System according to Claim 13, characterized in that the plate (69) is curved with the convex side turned inwards.

15. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the intermediate support and/or pressure pylons (10) have means (70) for recovering the cables (2a, 2b) if the latter escape from the grooves of the corresponding rollers (17), these means (70) being associated with the support side frame pieces (60a, 60b).

16. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that each support side frame piece (60a, 60b) has two pieces (60'a, 60"a, 60'b, 60"b) transversely separated from one another but rigidly connected to one another, between which the rollers (17) are mounted to pivot freely.

17. System according to Claims 16, characterized in that the two pieces (60'a, 60"a, 60'b, 60"b) of a support side frame piece (60a, 60b) are rigidly associated with one another by a centre spacer (62), two roller pivot axes (63', 63") being provided at the two upstream and downstream free ends.

18. System according to Claims 12 and 17, characterized in that the reinforcing arch (61) is rigidly associated with the two outside pieces (60'a, 60'b) of the two support side frame pieces (60a, 60b).

19. System according to either of Claims 15 and 18, characterized in that the means (70) for recovering the cables (2a, 2b) are formed by a trough section rigidly fixed on the inner faces of the inside pieces (60"a, 60"b) of a support side frame piece (60a, 60b) and located in the vicinity of the corresponding rollers (17'a, 17'b).

20. System according to Claim 19, characterized in that the troughs (70) leave a free space for passage of the suspended part (7) and the carriage (4) and are curved with the convex side turned upwards if the corresponding intermediate pylon (10) is a support pylon and with the convex side turned downwards if the corresponding intermediate pylon (10) is a pressure pylon:

21. System according to any one of Claims 12 to 20, characterized in that each elementary rocker (58) is mounted articulated to pivot freely about a horizontal and transverse axis (59), directly or indirectly, with the support rocker (55a, 55b).

22. System according to any one of Claims 12 to 21, characterized in that each intermediate pylon (10) has at least two successive elementary rockers (58) arranged in the same direction.

23. System according to Claim 22, characterized in that two successive elementary rockers (58) are mounted articulated to pivot freely about axes (59) located at the two free end parts of two intermediate pieces (73a, 73b) articulated to pivot freely about a horizontal and transverse axis (74), directly or indirectly, with the support rockers (55a, 55b), the axis (74) being located in a central part of the intermediate pieces (73a, 73b).

24. System according to either of Claims 22 and 23, characterized in that each intermediate pylon (10) has four successive elementary rockers (58) forming an upstream group (75') of two elementary rockers (58) and a downstream group (75") of two other successive elementary rockers (58), the upstream group (75') being articulated to pivot freely about the axis (74) of the intermediate pieces (73a, 73b), located at the free end part of the support rocker (55a, 55b).

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