EP2136890B1 - Device for suspending and moving an object or a person - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a carriage (13) movable along a cable (11), and upper, lower and intermediate anchoring points. The cable has a portion that is associated to a curved profile (12) along which the carriage is displaced. The portion is placed between two consecutive anchoring points in a manner to be stretched between the points. The carriage has a frame (24) supporting four upper wheels (18) that permits displacement of the carriage along the profile.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a device for suspension and movement, in particular of an object or a person, this device being in particular intended to be used as a zip line.

PRIOR ART

There are currently various suspension devices for moving an object or person from one point to another by means of a cable or rope. With these devices, the cable is driven in displacement and the object to move is secured to the cable, or the cable is fixed and the object is movable on the cable. The present invention relates to the second variant.

Among the existing devices using this variant, there are devices known as zip lines, "taggle rope" or "zip line", which are formed of two anchor points connected by a cable or a rope along which moves an object or a person. Anchor points can be at different altitudes so that the object or person moves by gravity from the highest point to the lowest point.

In these devices; the trajectory of the person or object is rectilinear since the rope or cable is stretched between the two anchor points. To be more precise, it should be noted that the rope or cable has an arrow and that the term rectilinear should be understood as "contained in a vertical plane".

Since the cable is fixed only at each of its ends, it is not possible to make sections of very great length, for example several kilometers.

There are also other devices for moving people or hanging objects, in which the path can form turns, that is to say, not be contained in a single vertical plane. In these devices, it is generally provided a metal structure such as a rigid rail, which is suspended from the object or person to move, this object or person following the path of the rail. This type of device has two important disadvantages. On the one hand, they involve the establishment of a heavy structure, which has a damaging impact on the environment in which they are placed. On the other hand, the cost of such facilities is relatively high.

Such a device is in particular described in the patent application EP 1 238 880 . In the embodiment described in this document, the system comprises a rail formed of sections interconnected at each end. This rail is suspended from cables held by towers. In this invention, the rail must be rigid because it must withstand significant stresses, especially in turns. It also results in the establishment of a heavy structure is expensive, which can not be placed in any environment such as for example in the mountains.

Other similar devices are described for example in the documents EP 1 026 061 or DE 76581 . These documents, however, do not deal satisfactorily with cornering management.

The present invention proposes to overcome the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art by providing a suspension device for moving objects or people, this device for making sections of any length, presenting rectilinear zones as well as curved zones, which do not however require a heavy, unsightly and expensive structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is achieved by a device for suspending and moving an object or a person, this device comprising at least two non-aligned cables, a profile carried by the cables and a carriage movable along this profile, characterized in that the profile connects said cables to each other, in that the profile placed between two non-aligned cables defines a curved zone, in that the profile comprises at least one rectilinear zone in which the cable is contained in the profile , and in that the cable is located out of the profile in the curved zone and close to this curved zone.

According to this invention, the suspension device can form any trajectory, composed of rectilinear zones and curves, having any length. For this, this device is formed of a plurality of cables or cable portions, each fixed to two anchor points, two consecutive cables being interconnected by profiles that can form curved areas and turns. The sliding carriage moves along the profiles so as to allow a smooth movement of the object or the person. This device can thus be used as a zip line, while allowing any course as far as the topography of the place in which the device is installed allows movement by gravity.

The device of the invention combines the characteristics of the cables, namely their ability to support an object in a vertical plane, to the characteristics of the profiles, namely to allow guidance along any path, depending on the shape of the profile.

According to this invention, the way of associating the profiles and the cables allows a smooth movement, which represents an important characteristic for the comfort of the user. This is also an important feature for the safety and reliability of the device. Indeed, an area in which a jolt occurs is a zone of weakness and is potentially a danger of rupture. The manner of associating the cables and the profiles in the invention makes it possible not to be hindered by problems of different expansion between the profiles and the cables.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 est une vue générale du dispositif de la présente invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe du dispositif de l'invention dans une zone dans laquelle le câble est contenu dans le profil;
• la figure 3 représente le dispositif de l'invention, dans une position dans laquelle le câble est partiellement à l'extérieur du profil;
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 3, dans une position dans laquelle le câble est totalement à l'extérieur du profil;
• la figure 5 illustre un détail du dispositif de l'invention;
• la figure 6 illustre la position du chariot de l'invention lorsque ce chariot est dans une zone courbe;
• la figure 7 est une vue de profil du chariot de l'invention; et
• la figure 8 est une vue de profil similaire à la vue de la figure 4.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood with reference to the appended figures and to the detailed description of a particular embodiment, in which:

• the figure 1 is a general view of the device of the present invention;
• the figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of the invention in an area in which the cable is contained in the profile;
• the figure 3 represents the device of the invention, in a position in which the cable is partially outside the profile;
• the figure 4 is a view similar to the figure 3 in a position in which the cable is totally outside the profile;
• the figure 5 illustrates a detail of the device of the invention;
• the figure 6 illustrates the position of the carriage of the invention when the carriage is in a curved area;
• the figure 7 is a profile view of the carriage of the invention; and
• the figure 8 is a profile view similar to the view of the figure 4 .

MANNER OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

With reference to these figures, the suspension and displacement device 10 according to the present invention is formed especially of cables 11, profiles 12 and a carriage 13 moving along the cables and profiles.

The invention is described below in an exemplary embodiment in which the suspension and displacement device is formed of two cables 11 interconnected by a curved profile 12. In practice, the invention is generally formed of several cables , two consecutive cables being connected by a curved profile. The number of cables is not limited.

In the embodiment shown, the device of the invention comprises at least three anchor points 14, named here upper anchor point, lower anchor point and intermediate anchor point. A portion of cable 11 or a cable is placed between two consecutive anchoring points, so as to be stretched between these points. The intermediate anchor point can be used to hold both the attached cable at the top anchor point and the one attached to the lower anchor point. It is also possible to provide two independent intermediate anchor points, that is to say an anchor point for holding the upstream cable and another relatively close anchor point, for holding the downstream cable.

Since the cables are intended to receive persons or objects suspended therein, it is clear that the cable must be placed in such a way that the person or object does not touch the ground when moving along the cable. of this cable. To ensure a sufficient height, it is expected that the cable is placed on a tower 15. This tower can serve as an anchor point. However, anchoring should be as close to the ground as possible. It is therefore generally provided a pylon ensuring the maintenance of the cable to a sufficient height and an anchor mass fixed to the ground. It is clear that the configuration also depends on the terrain in which the the invention is installed. We can also consider an anchorage without pylon, for example on two rock walls, as far as the configuration of the terrain allows.

The cables being stretched between the anchor points, they form substantially straight sections. In the invention, two consecutive cables are separated by a curved area 16 or turning zone. This curved area is described in detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carrier cable is contained, virtually over its entire length, in the profile 12. This profile is such that, on a rectilinear portion of the cable, it encloses almost completely the cable and has two upper faces 17. These faces allow the support of displacement members such as wheels 18 of the carriage 13. The figure 2 illustrates the profile 12 enclosing the cable 11 in a straight portion of this cable. According to the embodiment illustrated by this figure 2 , a cross section of the upper faces 17 of the profile is substantially flat. According to variants, these faces could have a concave or convex cut in particular. In this case, the displacement member generally has a complementary shape in order to maintain the displacement member in position on the profile.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the profile can be made in two substantially symmetrical parts, which can be made integral. Such a profile could be made by extrusion, aluminum or a plastic for example.

The device of the invention comprises a zone, called a transition zone 19, which can be delimited by the end of the rectilinear zone of the cable and a rectilinear zone of the profile. In this transition zone, the profile 12 remains rectilinear and contained in a vertical plane containing the cable. However, the profile and the cable separate so that the cable is no longer completely contained in the profile. This is illustrated in particular by the Figures 3 to 5 . To achieve this, the upper portion of the profile 12 is cut, so that the cable 11 can exit the profile, which is gradually lowered under the cable. In the beginning of the transition zone, the cable is in the envelope defined by the carriage 13. The further along the profile, the more the distance between the cable 11 and the profile 12 increases, and this, until the cable is completely clear of the profile and the carriage. The profile then forms the curved zone 16 or cornering zone.

In this curved area, the profile is no longer in contact with the cable. It is maintained thanks to a gantry 20 which can rest on the cable. This frame is formed of a frame that supports the profile in the curved area 16 and can be simply attached to the cables or alternatively, placed on pylons. In the example illustrated by the figure 1 , the gantry 20 is attached to the cables. The gantry comprises an arm 21 fixed rigidly to one of the cables. It also has another arm 22 which allows to fix it to an adjacent cable. This second attachment is preferably not rigid, but allows a slight rotation or displacement of the gantry with respect to the second cable, which limits the mechanical stresses between the cables and the gantry and allows independent movement of these elements. This makes it possible in particular to compensate for different expansions between the cable and the profile, as well as an extension of the cable due to its aging. This gantry further comprises suspension elements 23, made for example in the form of metal or synthetic rope slings which carry the profile 12 in the curved zone 16.

The curved profile area is extended by a rectilinear transition zone 19 which gradually rises towards the cable until it is completely contained in the profile.

The carriage 13 comprises means for suspending an object or a person and is used to "hook" the object or person to move. In the case of a person, it can be sitting in a harness or in a seat for example. The carriage is formed in particular of a frame 24 supporting the displacement members 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly comprises four upper wheels 18 and two lower wheels 25. The four upper wheels have the function of allowing the displacement of the trolley along the profile 12. The two lower wheels bear on a lower guide surface of the profile and ensure that the carriage remains in the correct position relative to the profile. They act as guide means. It is clear that it is possible to provide a number of different wheels. Other devices could also be used to allow the carriage to move along the profile, for example a needle bearing or a pad having a low friction with the profile. Similarly, the lower wheels 25 could be replaced by other equivalent means such as in particular a pad.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the carriage 13 comprises, in cooperation with the profile, braking means 26. These braking means can advantageously operate according to the principle of the eddy current brake. For this purpose, the carriage comprises two metal elements such as fins 27 extending outwardly of the frame. Part of the profile, in particular the transition zone 19, comprises a magnet 28, which may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, provided with slots 29 for the passage of the fins of the carriage. When this carriage, and more particularly its fins, arrives near the magnets of the transition zone, with a certain speed, the movement of these fins causes a force that opposes this movement. This results in a decrease in speed, which allows a person to travel through the curved zone 16 at a sufficiently low speed not to undergo excessive centrifugal acceleration. The reduction of the speed can be chosen in particular by adjusting the length of the area with magnets and the distance between the magnets and the fins.

It is possible to invert the elements of the braking means 26, that is to say to place one or more magnets on the frame of the carriage and to place metal fins on the profile or in the vicinity thereof.

Under the action of the centrifugal force, the person or object moving along the curved area of the profile will be inclined outwardly of the curve. In order not to deform the profile 12, it is on the one hand inclined and on the other hand associated with a rigid rail 30 illustrated in particular by the figure 6 . This rigid rail is secured to the profile in the curved area or at least in a portion thereof and is fixed to the frame 20 by the suspension elements 23.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the profile 12 is formed of sections that can be assembled end to end during their implementation. For this purpose, the ends of the sections may comprise a recess 31 in which is fixed a connecting pin (not shown). This stud ensures alignment of the sections and therefore a smooth passage of the carriage from one section to another. The lower part of the profile may also comprise a fixing lug 31 to which may be fixed, for example by screwing, a fixing plate. This ensures that two consecutive sections of the profile remain connected.

In the curved zones comprising a rail 30, since this rail is integral with the profile 12, it is advantageous to provide that the rail comprises eyelets openings in which the profile passes. In this way, the profile is closed at regular intervals, even in the area with the rail, which ensures greater strength of the whole.

According to a variant, the carriage 13 may comprise an energy dissipating element (not shown). This may for example be formed of a non-aerodynamic part placed on the frame 24. This element has the function of limiting the maximum speed that can reach the carriage. It is also possible to provide airbrakes whose control can be actuated either automatically when the speed of the carriage reaches a certain threshold, or by the user. Other types of brake, for example an emergency brake actuated automatically or by the user can be provided. These brakes can be mounted on the fixed part that is to say the profile, the cable or a tower, or on the moving part, in particular the carriage. It is also possible to provide means for managing several trolleys using the same installation simultaneously. For this purpose, braking means may in particular be embedded in the carriage. These braking means can be actuated according to the result of position measurements of the carriages. These measurements can be made for example by means of a GPS, a passage detector disposed on a pylon or along the profile or in any other similar manner. Thanks to these means, it is particularly possible to prevent two carriages are too close to each other, which can create a risk of collision between users.

The invention has been described above in the form of an example comprising two cables 11, that is to say two rectilinear zones interconnected by a curved zone 16. It is clear that it is possible to achieve a course comprising a number of rectilinear zones and much larger curves. The positions of the anchor points can be chosen according to the configuration of the terrain in which they are installed. As a result, it is possible to use almost any terrain.

The equipment of a field with the device of the invention requires only a little infrastructure. Indeed, only anchor zones must be permanently installed. The pylons 15 can be made in the form of a relatively light and removable structure. Cables and gantries are also removable.

According to a variant, it is possible to provide an intermediate support in a rectilinear zone. For this, the profile 12 is cut locally to pass a sling 23 similarly to what is done in a curved area. This opening does not interfere with the passage of the carriage and can be made at any point of the course. This has the advantage of allowing the cable to be supported in places, while avoiding an excessive sag or a very large cable tension. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the slope of the cable is always in the same direction, regardless of where the cart is placed. This avoids in particular to provide an engine on the carriage, so as to raise a slope in case of emergency stop. The obligation to have an engine added to the truck weighed it, which accentuates even more the phenomenon of local inversion of the slope.

Curved or cornering areas can form all kinds of courses, especially circle arcs, S-shaped turns, or even one or more complete turns of circles or spirals.

The present invention therefore makes it possible to produce zip lines having a particularly long cable length and forming a path consisting of rectilinear zones and curved zones without a rigid structure. This also makes it possible to adapt to almost any terrain and equip it without compromising its aesthetic appearance.

Claims (10)

1. A device for the suspension and the displacement of an object or a person, this device comprising at least two unaligned cables (11), a profile (12) borne by the cables and a trolley (13) mobile over the length of this profile, wherein the profile (12) links said cables together, wherein the profile (12) comprises at least one rectilinear zone associated to one of said cables and a curved zone (16) located between the two unaligned cables (11), wherein the cables are located outside of the profile in the curved zone (16) and close to this curved zone, characterized in that, in the rectilinear zone, the cable is contained in the profile.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile comprises at least one upper support surface (17) intended to hold said trolley (13).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the profile (12) further comprises at least one lower guiding surface.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the trolley (13) is always supported on the profile (12), in the zone in which the cable (11) is contained in the profile and in the zone in which the cable is located outside the profile.
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the part of the profile (12) that links two unaligned cables (11) is suspended from a portal frame (20).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the portal frame (20) is supported by the cables (11).
7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the portal frame (20) is rigidly fixed to one of the cables (11) and not rigidly fixed to the other cable (11).
8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a plurality of cables (11), each cable being linked to the next by a profile (12), in a way to form an uninterrupted circuit from the first cable to the last cable.
9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the trolley comprises a frame (24) supplied with at least two displacement elements (18) configured to allow the displacement of the trolley (13) along the profile (12).
10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes braking means (26).

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