EP1063139A1 - Safety device for the terminal station of a conveyor installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Cable (2) teleski pull (1) has arrival station (6) including cable guidance system (34) supporting number of skier (4) pull cables (3); return pulley (17); arrival pylon (19) and body (20); and pulley (17) support (21). Safety system has patterns (25), signaling proximity to arrival station (6); guiding post (24), moving passengers away from plant, and; face of post (26) covered by supple material for receiving passenger cable pulls (3) at moment of release by passenger (4).

Description

The invention relates to the field of overhead cable conveying installations. tractor, ski lifts for winter sports resorts, and more especially the ski lifts.

It relates to a safety device intended to facilitate the release of passengers at the facility's arrival station, as well as an arrival station comprising such a device.

Various types of ski lift arrival stations are known.

In some installations, the installation cable passes, at the arrival station, on a station entry pulley or balance, horizontal axis, carried by a pylon beyond which skiers are invited to drop their poles or apparatus in an arrival area.

The cable is then returned by a pulley called return pulley, with a vertical axis, located beyond the finish area.

These installations have many drawbacks.

On the one hand, the arrangement of the return pulley beyond the arrival area requires additional space to be installed there a support for the pulley, as well as various safety elements aimed at prevent skiers from accessing the pulley, for obvious reasons security.

The arrangement of the return pulley is even more critical if this space additional encroaches, or is located on a ski slope, which represents a danger for skiers while reducing the ski area.

On the other hand, the passage of the cable above the arrival area, between the pulley station entrance and return pulley, presents a danger of collision between a pole which has just been released, and a skier parking in the arrival area.

We also know of installations in which the station input pulley return pulley shape, which eliminates the need to provide space additional beyond the finish area.

However, such installations also have many drawbacks.

Indeed, it may happen that on the arrival of the ski lift, a distracted skier has not noticed the need to drop his pole, or that his equipment badly positioned prevents it.

The pole taken by the return pulley can then project it by centrifugal effect, hence sometimes serious accidents.

To avoid this type of accident, the ski lift maintenance technicians use of traffic signs, placed a few meters before the last pylon, supporting the return pulley.

Skiers then get into the habit of letting go of their pole or apparatus before the last pylon, which forces them to evacuate the ski lift on one side only, so as not to not be on the path of a pole descending towards the station departure.

This results in the accumulation of skiers on the same side of the ski lift, which leads to a slower pace of the latter.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an installation allowing the release of poles or tackles under the return pulley, so that skiers can safely evacuate the ski lift from both sides.

The invention combines the advantages of compactness and safety, evacuation skiers on both sides, which also increase the speed of the ski lift.

The invention is applicable to drag lifts with telescopic poles and / or disengageable, as well as apparatus ski lifts with rope reels.

To this end, the invention provides a security device for a station of a conveyor installation with an overhead tractor cable, such as a ski lift, this comprising means for guiding an overhead cable supporting a plurality of apparatus intended for towing passengers such as skiers to the station, a return pulley and an arrival pylon comprising a pylon body and means for supporting the pulley and cable guide means.

• des moyens de signalisation de la proximité de la station d'arrivée ;
• des moyens de déviation des passagers hors de la trajectoire de l'installation pour les inciter à lâcher leur agrès sous la poulie retour ; et
• des moyens de réception des agrès lors de leur lâcher.

According to one characteristic, said device comprises:

• means for signaling the proximity of the arrival station;
• means for diverting passengers out of the path of the installation to encourage them to drop their tackle under the return pulley; and
• means for receiving the apparatus when they are released.

• des premiers moyens de détection d'un passager n'ayant pas dévié de la trajectoire de l'installation à la station d'arrivée, lesdits premiers moyens de détection étant aptes à commander l'arrêt de l'installation ;
• des seconds moyens de détection d'un passager n'ayant pas lâché son agrès à la station d'arrivée, lesdits deuxièmes moyens de détection étant aptes à commander l'arrêt de l'installation ; et
• un panneau formant moyens de signalisation, moyens de déviation et moyens de réception.

The device comprises, according to various embodiments, the following elements taken alone or in combination:

• first means of detecting a passenger who has not deviated from the path of the installation at the arrival station, said first detection means being able to control the stopping of the installation;
• second means for detecting a passenger who has not released his apparatus at the arrival station, said second detection means being able to control the stopping of the installation; and
• a panel forming signaling means, deflection means and reception means.

• le panneau comprend lesdits premiers moyens de détection d'un passager n'ayant pas dévié de sa trajectoire de l'installation à la station d'arrivée ; et/ou
• le panneau comprend un support articulé, entre une position dite libre dans laquelle il n'agit pas sur le fonctionnement de l'installation, et une position dite d'arrêt dans laquelle il commande l'arrêt de l'installation ; et/ou
• le panneau est monté amovible à la station d'arrivée ; et/ou
• les seconds moyens de détection comprennent une tige articulée montée pivotante sur les moyens de guidage, entre une position dite libre dans laquelle elle n'agit pas sur le fonctionnement de l'installation, et une position dite d'arrêt dans laquelle elle commande l'arrêt de l'installation.

According to some achievements:

• the panel comprises said first means for detecting a passenger who has not deviated from his path from the installation to the arrival station; and or
• the panel comprises an articulated support, between a so-called free position in which it does not act on the operation of the installation, and a so-called stop position in which it controls the stopping of the installation; and or
• the panel is removably mounted at the arrival station; and or
• the second detection means comprise an articulated rod pivotally mounted on the guide means, between a so-called free position in which it does not act on the operation of the installation, and a so-called stop position in which it controls the installation stopped.

The invention also provides an arrival station for a ski lift, comprising a device as described above.

In this station, the pylon body is preferably placed at a distance from the return pulley, to free a space beneath it favoring on the one hand the drop tackles under the pulley, and secondly the installation of the device security.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the following description of embodiments, with reference to annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation view of an arrival station according to the invention, on which the safety device, the return pulley and the pylon supporting it, as well as a skier at different stages of his towing upon arrival at the station.

Figure 2 is a top view of the arrival station of Figure 1, on which are represented two curved arrows indicating the two directions that a skier can take at the finish station, as well as a skier who does not have dropped his tackle in time.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the security device, on which are shown the return pulley, the cable, on which is fixed an apparatus engaged on the pulley, as well as the articulated panel against which abuts a part of the apparatus.

In the figures is represented a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, defining three directions, respectively longitudinal L, transverse T and elevation E, perpendicular two by two.

The longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the conveying direction defined by the installation's traction cable before being taken up by the pulley return.

The terms "longitudinal", "upstream", "downstream", "go", and "return" are defined in relation to this direction.

The transverse direction is substantially parallel to a level curve of the slope on which the installation is arranged.

The terms "transverse", "lateral", "left", and "right" are defined by relation to this direction.

The longitudinal and transverse directions form a plane substantially parallel to the slope.

The direction of elevation is substantially perpendicular to the slope. Terms "Vertical", "up", "down" are defined with respect to this direction.

In Figure 1 is shown a conveying installation 1, which comprises a cable 2 overhead carrier, driven and guided by a plurality of carrier pulleys, not shown.

Equipment 3 is pinched on cable 2 to tow passengers 4 such than skiers, skaters or cyclists along a track 5.

For example, this runway 5 has a slope, the passengers 4 being towed upstream to an arrival station 6 of the installation.

For convenience, it is considered in the following description that the conveyor system 1 is a ski lift, that the passengers 4 are skiers, the latter being currently the biggest users of such installation.

Each apparatus 3 comprises a rigid hanger 7 of which an extreme part upper 8 has a clamp 9 for fixing it to the cable 2, while at a lower end portion 10 of the hanger 7 is fixed a housing 11 said reel.

The apparatus also includes a rope 12 of variable length, wound in the case 11, to provide the skier 4 with the length of rope 12 necessary function of the slope inclination.

At a free end 13 of the rope 12 is attached to it at least one harness 14 on which are intended to support the buttocks of the skier 4 for its towing to the arrival station 6.

The invention also applies to ski lifts whose apparatus 3 are poles telescopic, for example with disengageable pliers.

However, it preferably applies to ski lifts whose apparatus 3 are of reel type 11 with rope 12, which can tow skiers 4 the along slopes with large variations in altitude.

The invention is intended to apply to ski lifts whose apparatus 3 comprise a single harness 14 for towing a single skier 4 (these tackles are said monosellettes), or two fifths 14, or a bow, to tow simultaneously two skiers 4 to the arrival station.

For convenience, the description is made with reference to a ski lift 1 whose the ascent of apparatus 3 takes place on the right, while their descent takes place at left (Figure 2), although the invention also applies to drag lifts 1 which have a reverse configuration.

It is also agreed that the track 5 has a so-called positive inclination when the altitude of the runway increases along the cable upstream, a inclination called zero when this altitude does not increase, and negative when it decreases.

In the figures, runway 5 near the arrival station 6 of the ski lift 1, and from downstream to upstream, a bearing 15 whose inclination is substantially zero, as well as a tilt 16 whose inclination is negative, to both prevent the skier 4 approaching the finish station 6, and release the tension of the rope 12 to facilitate the release of the apparatus 3 at the exit of the ski lift 1.

At the arrival station 6, the cable 2 is taken up by a return pulley 17 for forward the free apparatus 3, after being released by the skiers 4, towards a departure station, not shown.

The return pulley 17 is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis 18 and is supported by an incoming pylon 19 comprising a pylon body 20 substantially vertical and fixed to the ground, as well as an arm 21 substantially horizontal, fixed near a high end 22 of the pylon body 20.

The pylon 19 therefore has substantially the shape of a gibbet, the axis 18 of the pulley 17 being fixed near a free end 23 of the arm 21, so that the pulley 17 is offset from the body of pylon 20.

Preferably, the pylon body 20 is disposed on the side where the apparatus 3 descend, at a distance sufficient to allow for example the passage of a skier 4 between the body of the pylon 20 and the runway 5.

The arm 21 is then extended transversely from the pylon body 20 up to pulley 17.

This configuration allows clearing at arrival station 6, for example under the pulley 17 (Figure 2), sufficient space to have a panel 24 said snowshoeing, intended to promote the rapid evacuation of skiers 4 on one side or the other from the ski lift 1, in complete safety.

In one embodiment, the racket 24 is in the form of a substantially flat plate, substantially rectangular in shape, the corners of which are preferably rounded so as not to have protruding edges likely to injure skiers.

In other embodiments, the racket 24 can take forms various: round, triangular, square, with concave or convex curvature according to a or two axes, provided that this shape does not interfere with the function of the racket 24.

The racket 24 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metallic material as for common traffic signs, a synthetic material such as ceramic, composite material, polymer, or the like.

The racket 24 is arranged on the track 5 across it, preferably substantially vertical to the pulley 17, one of its edges being extended substantially transversely, in contact with the ground.

The racket 24 is therefore arranged so as to represent an obstacle to the skier 4, who is forced to go around it on the right and to deviate from the track 5 away from cable 2.

To attract the attention of skier 4, indicate the proximity of the arrival station 6, and for example indicate the direction to take, the racket 24 includes, in one embodiment, signaling patterns 25 on a useful face 26, visible skiers 4.

In one embodiment, these patterns 25 are in the form of arrow-shaped reflective strips, for example made in a material such as tape preferably having a surface reflective, or made with a coating or a paint, reflective preference.

The racket 24 can be mounted fixed or removable depending on the configuration of the arrival station 6 and the requirements of the ski lift maintenance technicians 1.

Preferably, it is removably mounted, so as to allow its removal in the event of heavy snowfall.

It is then possible to remove or smooth the snow at the location of the racket 24 to redo track 5, then reposition racket 24 once this operation finished.

According to one embodiment, not shown, there is provided a plurality of rackets 24 successive from downstream to upstream, for example these rackets 24 are of increasing dimensions or heights.

In one embodiment, the racket 24 is further mounted on a support 27 articulated which includes a base 28 placed on the ground, for example in shape flat plate.

The support 27 also includes an upright 29, articulated around the base 28 by means of a hinge 30. The upright 29 is fixed to the racket 24, on a hidden side 31, opposite useful face 26.

The upright 29 can be of any shape, for example rectangular, substantially complementary to the racket 24.

When the racket 24 is in a so-called rest position, the base 28 forms with the upright 29 an angle R known as of rest, so that the racket 24 is substantially in a transverse elevation plane.

Preferably, the racket 24 is, in its rest position, slightly tilted forward, from bottom to top.

The support 27 being articulated, the racket 24 can take a so-called position collapsed, in which the base 27 forms with the upright 29 an angle A said collapsed, less than the rest angle R.

For example, the racket 24 assumes its collapsed position when struck by a skier 4 on its useful face 26. In this position, the base 28 is shown in Figure 3 in broken lines.

The support 27 further comprises a detection system 32, such as a pair of contactors, a switch, a brittle strip, or the like, connected to a control system for operating and stopping the ski lift 1.

When the racket 24 is in its rest position, the detection system 32 is in a so-called inactive state, in which it does not act on the operation of the ski lift 1, and in which the latter normally tows skiers 4.

When the racket 24 is in its collapsed position, the detection system 32 is then in a so-called active state in which it commands the ski lift 1 to stop. For example, if the detection system 32 comprises two contactors, these come into contact in the collapsed position.

In its rest position, the racket 24 is designed to receive a portion of the apparatus 3 released by the skier 4, for example the harness 14 when it goes up towards the reel 11.

Furthermore, stopping the ski lift 1 can also be controlled by a device stop 33 said gate, disposed near the pulley 17 and the cable 2, by example on the return side, and fixed for example on guide pulleys 34 of the cable 2, supported by the pylon 19, or fixed to the arm 21 of the pylon 19. (figure 3).

In one embodiment, the gate 33 comprises a rod 34 which can take a rest position in which it does not act on the operation of the ski lift 1, for example in this rest position, the rod 34 is substantially vertical.

The rod 34 keeps this rest position when no apparatus 3 comes into contact with it, the hanger 7 of the apparatus 3 being in a position substantially vertical, after the release of the apparatus 3 by a skier 4.

The rod 34 can also take a so-called active position, in which it is forced by apparatus 3 to form an angle with the vertical.

This happens when a skier 4 has not dropped his apparatus 3 at the arrival station 6, the hanger 7 then being inclined relative to the vertical. In this position, the rod commands the ski lift 1 to stop.

We now describe the normal route of a skier 4 upon arrival at the resort inlet 6, as shown in FIG. 1.

Away from the arrival station 6, the slope of the runway 5 is positive. The skier 4 is then towed to the arrival station 6. Approaching level 15, the skier 4 can see the snowshoe 24, which warns him of the proximity of the arrival station 6.

When the skier 4 traverses the level 15, the tension of the rope 12 is released, to cancel when the skier 4 crosses overhang 16. The arrangement of the snowshoeing 24 across track 5 near a front end 36 of the superelevation 16, as well as its signaling reasons 25, oblige skier 4 to move away from track 5 to the right, so as not to strike the racket 24.

The skier 4 is then encouraged to let go of his apparatus 3, while the speed he has acquired along superelevation 16 allows it to continue its course, either towards the right to deviate from station 6, or to the left to bypass the racket 24 (figure 2).

In an embodiment 5, the overhang 16 has, in addition to its inclination longitudinal, an additional lateral tilt from top to bottom from left to right, so that the skier 4 moves even more easily from track 5.

When the skier 4 releases his apparatus 3, the rope 12 is sucked up by the reel 11, while the harness 14 strikes the useful face 26 of the racket 24, which makes it obstacle, the tackle 3 then being taken up by the return pulley 17 to be routed downstream, towards the departure station.

The presence of snowshoe 24 therefore guarantees the safety of skiers 4 stationed upstream of the arrival station 6, preventing the harness 14 from being thrown beyond the racket 24 by the centrifugal effect generated by the pulley 17.

Two incidents can cause the ski lift 1 to stop for the safety of skiers 4.

First, a skier 4, whether or not having released his apparatus 3 under the pulley 17, does not deviate from runway 5 during its route from superelevation 16, and collides racket 24.

Under the weight of the skier 4, the racket 24 then takes its collapsed position, which causes, as described above, the stopping of the ski lift 1 by means for example a connection with electric cables, or with infrared or high frequency signals, or the like.

This will allow the intervention of a security team, if necessary. release the skier 4, restart the ski lift 1, and the snowshoe 24 in rest position.

In one embodiment, the racket 24 comprises on its useful face 26 a non-slip coating, for example grainy, to slow the travel of the skier 4.

The racket 24 may also include means provided for cushioning the fall of the skier 4 when it strikes the racket 24.

For example, the support 27 comprises between the base 28 and the upright 29, a part made of a flexible material such as foam, or a system airbag, or hydraulic system with jack (s), or the like.

In one embodiment, the racket 24 comprises on at least one part from its useful face 26, a mattress made of a flexible material capable of absorbing shock, such as foam, rubber, or the like.

Thus, in the event of an impact with the skier 4, the energy of the impact is absorbed by the mattress, to prevent the skier 4 from being injured.

In this embodiment, the signaling patterns 25 are of course arranged on the mattress, on one of its faces visible to skiers 4.

Second, if a skier 4 manages to bypass the racket 24 without the strike, and without having released his apparatus 3, the latter is taken up by the return pulley 17 to be routed to the departure station.

The skier 4 not having released his apparatus 3, the hanger 7 is still inclined relative to the vertical and strikes the rod 35 of the gate 33. The latter then takes its active position and commands the ski lift 1 to stop using a system electric cable, or infrared or high frequency signals, or the like.

The safety team can then intervene to release the skier 4 and restore the ski lift 1 works.

The invention therefore allows the release of apparatus 3 under the return pulley 17 while allowing skiers 4 to evacuate the ski lift 1 on both sides of it completely safe, which also makes it possible to speed up the speed of the ski lift 1.

Claims (10)

Safety device for an arrival station (6) of an installation (1) of cable conveyor (2) overhead tractor such as a ski lift, the latter comprising means for guiding (34) the cable (2) supporting a plurality of tackles (3) intended to tow passengers (4) such as skiers (4) to the station (6), a return pulley (17) as well as an arrival pylon (19) comprising a pylon body (20) as well as support means (21) of the pulley (17) and guide means (34) of the cable (2), characterized in that it comprises: signaling means (25) of the proximity of the arrival station (6); means for diverting (24) the passengers (4) outside the path of the installation (1) to encourage them to let go of their tackle (3) under the return pulley (17);
and means (26) for receiving the tackles (3) when they are released, or for a passenger (4). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises first means of detection (27, 28, 29, 30, 32) of a passenger (4) not having deviated from the path of the installation (1) at the arrival station (6), said first detection means (27, 28, 29, 30, 32) being able to control stopping the installation (1). Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that that it comprises second means (33, 35) for detecting a passenger (4) not having dropped their apparatus (3) at the arrival station (6), said second detection means (33, 35) being able to control the stopping of the installation (1). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it includes a panel (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) with the signaling means (25), deflection means (24), and means of reception (26). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the panel (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) includes said first detection means (27, 28, 29, 30, 32). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the panel (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) comprises an articulated support (27), between a so-called free position in which it does not act on the operation of the installation (1), and a so-called stop position in which it controls the stopping of the installation (1). Device according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the panel (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) is removably mounted at the station of arrival (6). Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second detection means (33,35) comprise an articulated rod (35) pivotally mounted on the guide means (34), between a so-called free position in which said rod (35) does not act on the operation of the installation (1), and a so-called stop position in which said rod (35) controls the stop of installation (1). Arrival station for a ski lift, characterized in that it includes a device according to one of claims 1 to 8. Station according to claim 9, characterized in that the pylon body (20) is arranged at a distance from the return pulley (17), to release, preferably under it, a space favoring on the one hand the release of the apparatus (3), and on the other apart from the installation of said security device.

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