GB499612A - Improvements in or relating to cable traction systems - Google Patents

Abstract

499,612. Rope railways. PEROT, G. Jan. 22, 1938, No. 2207. Convention date, Feb. 11, 1937. [Class 104 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXXI, XV, XXXII, and XXXIV] A traction system for hauling vehicles up a steep incline comprises a number of cables 1 extending side-by-side along the ground from an anchorage 2 at the top to adjustable tensioning means 4 at the bottom of the incline, all the cables passing round the same drum or set of drums mounted on the vehicle to be drawn along the cables. Crevices may be crossed by means of suspension cables 7 stretched between standards 5, 6 with V-shaped entrant guides 8, 9, the vehicle being provided with uprights 11, 12 carrying rollers 13, 14 to ride thereon. Ponds &c. may be similarly traversed or the vehicle may be provided with floats or a watertight shell. For deviations from a straight course, grooved guide rollers, Figs. 12 and 13 (not shown), may be set in the ground at distances apart greater than the length of the vehicle, being displaceable one at a time, against the action of return springs, by shoes on the vehicle as it passes. The vehicle may be provided with wheels replaceable by skis for use on snow. The vehicle shown in Fig. 3, is mounted on skis 15, which may be of the cross section shown in Fig. 6 or of simple hollowed form with thickened edges, Fig. 7 (not shown). On the skis are pivoted uprights 16 supporting a front seat 20 and stepped floors 21 for skiers the width of the vehicle being equal to the length of their skis ; the propelling mechanism is carried by a frame 17 also pivoted at its base 18 and secured by struts 19. A modification is described in which the pivoted uprights are secured at an angle regulated according to the slope by means of connecting bars and screw strainers. The cables 1 pass through the vehicle under end rollers 25, 25<1>, mounted on resilient rocking arms 26 supported by rollers 27 riding on the ground, and are wrapped round driving drums 29, 30, Figs. 4 and 5, the grip being regulated by tensioning, pulleys, Fig. 8 (not shown). The drums 29, 30, may be driven through a toothed gear 31 by an electric or other motor 33 which may be provided with a clutch 34, reversing gearing, &c., or pedal or hand driving gear may be employed. Safety brakes may be provided controlled by a lever 35 stressed by a spring 37 and normally held out of action by a roller 38 riding on the cables. Sprags which dig into the ground when released are also provided at each end of the vehicle. The sprag provided at the lower end comprises a pivoted plate 51, Fig. 10, stressed by springs and normally held out of action as shown by a key connection 54 which may be controlled by the lever 35, Fig. 5. When released the free end of the plate digs into the snow or ground. At the upper end of the vehicle the pivotal arrangement is inverted, the sprag acting as a drag.