Patent Application
20230057771
The present teaching relates to a cableway support of a cableway with an access unit for people to gain access. The present teaching also relates to a cableway with a number of cableway supports for guiding a conveyor cable of the cableway and with at least one cable car arranged on the conveyor cable, as well as a method for carrying out a climb-over from a cable car to the access unit or vice versa.
Cableways are available in a wide variety of designs, mostly for transporting people and/or goods, for example as urban means of transport or for transporting people in ski areas. Funiculars are known in which mostly rail-bound vehicles are fastened to a wire cable in order to be pulled by the wire cable. The movement takes place on the ground, with funiculars mostly used on mountain routes. In the case of aerial cableways, on the other hand, cable cars such as gondolas, cabins or chairs are carried by one or more (wire) cables without fixed guides and moved while hanging in the air. The cable cars therefore have no contact with the ground. Aerial cableways are usually used in rough terrain, mostly for mountain routes, for example in ski areas, to transport people from the valley to a mountain. As a rule, cableways have two stations between which the cable cars are moved.
A distinction must be made between circulating cableways and aerial cableways. In the case of aerial cableways, one or two cable cars pulled by a traction cable commute back and forth on a conveyor cable on a route between two stations. The circulating cable car, on the other hand, has an endless conveyor cable which is constantly circulating between the stations and on which a large number of cable cars such as gondolas, cabins or chairs are suspended. The cable cars are moved from one station to the other on one side and back again on the opposite side. The movement of the cable cars is therefore always substantially continuous in one direction, analogous to a continuous conveyor.
In order to be able to bridge greater distances, one or more cableway supports for guiding the (carrying/traction) cable(s) are usually arranged between the two stations. Cableway supports can be designed as a steel framework construction, but also as a steel tube or sheet metal box construction. A plurality of rollers, for example in the form of a so-called roller set, are usually arranged on a cableway support in order to carry and guide the cable. In order to be able to carry out maintenance and repairs on the cableway supports, in particular on the rollers, access units are often provided on the cableway supports. Such access units can be designed, for example, in the form of (maintenance) platforms and/or steps and can be accessed by maintenance personnel. In addition, safety devices, for example railings, can also be provided in order to increase the safety for the maintenance personnel.
Depending on the purpose and terrain, cableway supports can have a height that is between a few meters and more than 150 m. Until now, entry to the access units for the cableway supports was only possible via ladders from the ground. However, due to the often impassable terrain and especially because of the sometimes great heights of the cableway supports, such entry is very difficult and time-consuming.
It is therefore an object of the present teaching to enable easier entry to an access unit of a cableway support of a cable car.
The object is achieved according to the present teaching in that a climb-over apparatus is provided on the cableway support for people to climb over from a cable car of the cableway to the access unit or vice versa, wherein the climb-over apparatus is arranged on the cableway support by means of a fastening unit so as to be movable relative to the access unit, wherein the climb-over apparatus can be moved relative to the access unit from a rest position in which the climb-over apparatus is stowed on the access unit into a standby position which is provided for performing the climb-over. This enables entry to the access unit directly from a cable car, which entry is significantly less strenuous and less time-consuming for maintenance personnel than via a ladder from the ground.
A locking unit for locking the climb-over apparatus in the rest position is preferably provided on the cableway support. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of the climb-over apparatus coming loose in an undesirable manner, for example during operation of the cable car.
A mechanically, hydraulically or electrically actuatable locking unit enables flexible options for actuating the locking unit.
Advantageously, an actuating unit for actuating the locking unit is provided on the cableway support in order to release the locking of the climb-over apparatus in the rest position, in order to move the climb-over apparatus from the rest position into the standby position, wherein the actuating unit preferably has at least one first lever element in order to actuate the locking unit from a cable car, wherein the actuating unit particularly preferably also has a second lever element in order to actuate the locking unit from the access unit. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the actuating unit can also have an actuating means in the form of a cable pull or a flexible shaft. This creates flexible options for simple actuation of the locking unit.
It is advantageous if the climb-over apparatus has a braking device in order to brake a movement of the climb-over apparatus from the rest position into the standby position caused by gravity, wherein the braking device is preferably mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic. This can increase safety and can reduce the risk of injury to people.
The cableway support preferably has at least one sensor element which is provided to detect a position of the climb-over apparatus, in particular to detect whether the climb-over apparatus is in the rest position, wherein the sensor element generates a sensor value that can be transmitted to a system control unit of the cableway. The sensor element can also be provided to detect a locked state of the locking unit, in particular whether the climb-over apparatus is locked in the rest position by means of the locking unit. This further increases safety, since it enables reliable detection of the position and/or the locked state of the climb-over apparatus.
The climb-over apparatus preferably has at least one step element and/or holding element for a person to step onto and/or to hold onto. This makes it easier for people to cross over and increases safety.
It is also advantageous if a length of the climb-over apparatus can be changed in order to adapt the length of the climb-over apparatus to a variable distance between the access unit and the cable car, wherein the climb-over apparatus is particularly preferably designed as a ladder, preferably as a telescopic ladder, wherein the at least one step element and/or holding element is a rung of the ladder.
A railing is preferably provided on the access unit and the climb-over apparatus in the rest position forms part of the railing, whereby safety can be increased.
The object is further achieved in that the climb-over apparatus is arranged on at least one cableway support of a cableway, wherein a climb-over apparatus is preferably arranged on each of a plurality of cableway supports.
The cableway advantageously has a system control unit for controlling the cableway, wherein the system control unit is provided to process the sensor value of the sensor element in order to switch off the cableway or to generate a warning signal and to output it via a signaling device when the sensor element detects a position of the climb-over apparatus which deviates from the rest position and/or when the sensor element detects an unlocked state of the climb-over apparatus in the locking unit. By communication of the sensor of the climb-over apparatus with the system control unit it is possible to switch off the cableway depending on the position and/or the locked state of the climb-over apparatus or to at least to emit a warning signal.
The object is also achieved by the method referred to at the beginning, wherein the cable car is moved into a climb-over position, from the cable car or from the access unit the climb-over apparatus of the cableway support is moved from the rest position into the standby position, a person climbs over from the cable car via the climb-over apparatus to the access unit or vice versa, and from the access unit or from the cable car the climb-over apparatus is preferably moved from the standby position BP back into the rest position after the climb-over.
The present teaching is described in greater detail below with reference to
The access unit 4 of the cableway support 1 is designed here as a staircase which has a longitudinal beam 11 and a plurality of steps 12. The access unit 4 can be fastened to the roller set 3 and/or to the cableway support 1 itself. In the example shown, a railing 13 is additionally provided on the steps 12 in order to increase the safety for people when using the access unit 4. Of course, this is only an example, and the access unit 4 could also be constructed in any other way and, for example, could have only one platform with or without a railing 13. If the cableway support 1 is designed as a framework construction, the access unit 4 could for example also be directly a part of the cableway support 1.
A maintenance ladder 14 is indicated schematically on the cableway support 1, and persons, in particular maintenance personnel, can climb up from the ground to the access unit 4 via this ladder. Of course, such a maintenance ladder 14 can also have additional safety elements, for example a type of cage, in order to secure people from falling down. Until now, entry to the access unit 4 has essentially only taken place via such maintenance ladders 14. It can be seen immediately that entry via the maintenance ladder 14 is very strenuous and time-consuming, in particular in the case of very high cableway supports 1, which is of course disadvantageous. In addition, there is the additional difficulty that cableway supports 1 are often arranged in impassable, for example steep, rocky terrain, whereby even reaching the cableway support 1 on the ground is very difficult. In addition, when using a maintenance ladder 14 a person is restricted with regard to baggage such as tools.
In order to make entry to the access unit 4 easier for people, the present teaching therefore provides that a climb-over apparatus 15 is arranged on the cableway support 1 for a person to climb over from a cable car 7 of the cableway 2 onto the access unit 4. The climb-over apparatus 15 is arranged pivotably on the access unit 4 by means of a fastening unit 21 and is movable relative to the access unit 4 from a rest position RP, in which the climb-over apparatus 15 is stowed on the access unit 4, into a standby position BP, which is provided for carrying out the climb-over. In
In
The climb-over apparatus 15 preferably has at least one step element and/or holding element 16 which is suitable for being held or stepped on by a person in order to facilitate the climb-over. In an advantageous manner, the climb-over apparatus 15 can be designed, for example, as a ladder, as shown, wherein the ladder has a plurality of rungs as step elements and/or holding elements 16. According to a further advantageous embodiment, a length of the climb-over apparatus 15 can be changed in order to be able to adapt the climb-over apparatus 15 to a variable distance between the access unit 4 and the cable car 7. This also makes the climb-over easier for people of different sizes and the positioning of the cable car 7 in the climb-over position can be less precise. If the climb-over apparatus 15 is designed as a ladder, the variable length can be implemented, for example, by a telescopic ladder, the structure and function of which are known.
A locking unit 18 is preferably provided on the cableway support 1, in particular on the access unit 4 or the fastening unit 21, in order to releasably lock the climb-over apparatus 15 in the rest position RP. The locking unit 18 can preferably be actuated mechanically, hydraulically or electrically. This can increase safety, since it is ensured that the climb-over apparatus 15 is not moved in an undesired manner from the rest position RP partially in the direction of the standby position BP or completely into the standby position. The cableway support 1 preferably also has an actuating unit 19 for actuating the locking unit 18 in order to release the locking of the climb-over apparatus 15 on the access unit 4 or the fastening unit 21, in order to be able to move the climb-over apparatus 15 from the rest position RP to the standby position BP, as symbolized by the arrow in
In the example shown, the locking unit 18 and actuating unit 19 are arranged on a plate 20, but they could of course also be arranged on the access unit 4, for example on the railing 13. The plate 20 is here connected to the plates 17 via a transverse strut (
In
The actuating unit 19 advantageously has at least one first lever element 24a in order to actuate the locking unit 18 from the cable car 7. Particularly preferably, however, the actuating unit 19 also has a second lever element 24b in order to be able to actuate the locking unit 18 also from the access unit 4 (
In the example shown, the locking unit 18 is designed as an opening 25 in the actuating unit 19 which cooperates with a pin 27 (
Of course, the actuating unit 19 can be designed in any other way in order to lock and hold the climb-over apparatus 15 in the rest position RP and to release the climb-over apparatus 15 when actuated.
When the climb-over apparatus 15 is no longer required, for example after the maintenance work on the roller set 3 has been completed, the climb-over apparatus 15 is preferably moved back into the rest position RP in order not to endanger the operation of the cableway 2. This can in turn take place from the cable car 7 by manual folding of the climb-over apparatus 15 from the standby position BP back into the rest position RP. From the access unit 4 the climb-over apparatus 15 can also be moved back into the rest position RP, for example if a person remains on the access unit 4, for example in order to check or monitor certain functions of the roller set 3 during the operation of the cableway 2. In order to facilitate the folding up of the climb-over apparatus 15 from the access unit 4, a grip element 23 can be provided on the climb-over apparatus 15. In the example shown, the grip element 23 is designed as part of the right bracket 22, but of course other variants would also be conceivable, for example a separate grip element 23.
If a railing 13 is provided on the access unit 4, the climb-over apparatus 15 advantageously forms part of the railing 13 of the access unit 4 in the rest position RP.
The climb-over apparatus 15 can preferably be moved by gravity from the rest position RP into the standby position BP as soon as the locking of the locking unit 18 is released by means of the actuating element 19. However, it can be advantageous if the climb-over apparatus 15 has a braking device (not shown) in order to brake a movement of the climb-over apparatus 15 from the rest position RP into the standby position BP caused by gravity. This can increase safety, since the climb-over apparatus 15 cannot move downwards in an uncontrolled manner and can potentially injure a person. The braking device can also be advantageous in order to avoid damage to the climb-over apparatus 15. For example, an inadmissibly high load on the articulated connection (here between the bracket 22 and plates 17) and/or damage or deformation of the climb-over apparatus 15, for example the (aluminum) ladder shown, can be prevented. The braking device is preferably designed mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically, for example as a gas pressure spring. The braking device could, however, be implemented, for example, by a targeted increase in the friction in the joints.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one limiting element 28 is provided which limits a movement of the climb-over apparatus 15 beyond the rest position RP. In the example shown, a limiting element 28 is arranged on the left and right, and essentially serves as an end stop for the climb-over apparatus 15. The limiting elements 28 are here fastened to the plate 20 (left) and the plate 17 (right) of the one-piece fastening device 21. Of course, another arrangement would also be conceivable, for example on the access unit 4, for example on the railing 13. If the limiting elements 28, as shown, each have an elastic damping element, such as a rubber element, striking of the climb-over apparatus 15 against the limiting element(s) 28 in the rest position RP can be damped. As a result, abrupt striking of the pin 27 in the opening 25 on the actuating unit 19 can be avoided, so that damage can be avoided. In addition, the damping element(s) can be used for preloading in order to preload the pin 27 in the rest position RP against a limitation of the opening 25. In this way the climb-over apparatus 15 can be prevented from moving within an existing clearance between the pin 27 and the opening 25, which could potentially lead to vibrations and rattling noises, for example caused by wind.
Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the access unit 15 has at least one sensor element 29 which is provided to detect a position of the climb-over apparatus 15, in particular to detect whether the climb-over apparatus 15 is located in the rest position RP. The sensor element 29 generates a sensor value which can be transmitted to a system control unit (not shown) of the cableway 2. The sensor element 29 is particularly preferably provided to detect whether the climb-over apparatus 15 in the rest position RP is locked by means of the locking unit 18 on the access unit 4. In the example shown, the sensor element 29 is designed as a so-called limit switch, which is actuated by the climb-over apparatus 15 when the climb-over apparatus 15 is in the rest position RP and generates a corresponding sensor value. The system control unit of the cableway 2 can process the sensor value and can switch off the cableway or output an alarm signal when the sensor 29 detects that the climb-over apparatus 15 is located in a position which deviates from the rest position RP. If a suitable sensor 29 is provided for detecting the locked state of the locking unit 18, the system control unit can switch off the cableway if the sensor detects an unlocked state of the climb-over apparatus 15 in the locking unit 18.
The fastening unit 21 here has two eyelets, which are arranged on the transverse beam 30 of the lowest step 12, so that the transverse beam 30 or the tube extends through the eyelets. As a result, the transverse beam 30 is used essentially as an axis of rotation for pivoting the climb-over apparatus 15. Of course, in principle it would also be sufficient for the fastening unit 21 to have only one eyelet, but two or more eyelets are advantageous in order to produce greater stability of the connection of the climb-over apparatus 15. In particular, a lateral tilting or wobbling of the climb-over apparatus 15 during the climb-over is reduced, resulting in an increased feeling of safety. The at least one eyelet can be designed to be rigid, made for example from a suitable metal material or from a flexible material of suitable strength, such as plastics material or a textile fabric.
In the rest position RP, the climb-over apparatus 15 is located below the access unit 4 and extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal beam 11, as can be seen in
The actuating unit 19 for actuation of the locking unit 18 has a first lever element 24a in order to be able to actuate the locking unit 18 from a cable car 7 when the cable car 7 is in a suitable climb-over position (not shown). The first lever element 24a can for example be connected to the locking unit 18 by means of a cable pull or a flexible shaft of a corresponding length in order to release the lock, for example in order to pivot the locking element 18a in the example shown. After the lock has been released, the climb-over apparatus 15 can be moved from the rest position RP to the standby position BP, in this case in particular pivoted about the axis of rotation of the lowest transverse beam 30.
If the locking unit 18 can be actuated electrically, the actuating unit 19 could, for example, also be an electrical switch which is connected to the locking unit 18 via an electrical line (this of course also applies to other embodiments of the present teaching). Wireless actuation of the electrically actuatable locking unit 18 would also be conceivable, for example. In this case, the actuating unit 19 could be, for example, a radio switch which, for example, can be arranged in a stationary manner at a suitable point on the cableway support 1, such as, for example, on the access unit 4. However, it would also be conceivable that several radio switches are provided in order to actuate the locking unit 18 from different positions. Of course, a portable radio switch could also be used, for example to enable actuation or unlocking of the climb-over apparatus 15 from the cable car 7.
In the standby position BP, the climb-over apparatus 15 or ladder extends essentially vertically downward from the access unit 4, as indicated by dashed lines in
Optionally, a second lever element 24b could of course also be provided in order to actuate the locking unit 18 from the access unit 4. For example, as indicated in
In order to further restrict swinging of the climb-over apparatus 15 in the standby position BP, a separate locking device (not shown) can also be provided which fixes the climb-over apparatus 15 in the standby position BP. As a result, the movement of the climb-over apparatus 15 can be minimized, for example to the left and right from the vertical in
In
On the lower surface of the plate 21a (opposite the eyelets 21b) a first lever element 24a is provided as part of the actuating unit 19. The first lever element 24a interacts with the locking unit 18 via an actuating means 31 such as a cable pull or a flexible shaft in order to actuate the locking unit 18 to release the locking of the climb-over apparatus 15. The locking unit 18 is arranged on the access unit 4 (see
To release the lock, the locking unit 18 can be actuated from the cable car 7 via the first lever element 24a. As a result, the locking element 18a is pivoted by means of the actuating means 31 from a locking position VP into a release position LP, whereby the climb-over apparatus 15 is released and can be moved from the rest position RP into the standby position BP. Here the axis of rotation of the locking element 18a runs in the transverse direction, essentially parallel to the transverse beams 30. The movement preferably takes place automatically by gravity, wherein the movement can possibly be braked by an optional braking device.
The locking unit 18 preferably has at least one suitable preloading element 26 (not shown) in order to preload the locking element 18a into the locking position VP. A suitable mechanical spring is preferably used as the preloading element 26. For example, a torsion spring can be provided in the axis of rotation of the locking element 18a. In addition, in the example shown, it can be advantageous if the first lever element 24a also has a suitable preloading element 26 in order to enable the first lever element 24a, including the actuating means 31, to be returned to the starting position. If the preloading force is sufficiently large, the resetting of the first lever element 24a and of the actuating means 31 can, for example, also take place only by the preloading element 26, in particular the spring on the locking element 18a. In the case of an electrically actuatable locking unit 18, instead of the lever element 24a, for example, a switch could be provided or the switch could be actuatable by means of the lever element 24a. The switch could then be connected to the locking unit 18, for example via an electrical line.
The movement of the climb-over apparatus 15 from the standby position BP (
As already shown with reference to the first embodiment, one or more limiting elements 28 (not shown) can also be provided on the climb-over apparatus 15 and/or the access unit 4 in order to limit a movement of the climb-over apparatus 15 beyond the rest position RP. In addition, in this way a given play between the rung 16 and the opening 33 can be minimized in order to reduce any rattling noises due to the movement of the climb-over apparatus 15 within the opening 33. Of course, a sensor element 29 can also be provided in the second exemplary embodiment in order to detect the position of the climb-over apparatus 15. The function is analogous to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and for this reason it will not be discussed in more detail at this point.
According to a further embodiment (not shown), the climb-over apparatus 15, preferably in the form of a ladder, is arranged laterally on the outside of the railing 13 in the rest position RP, i.e. on the side of the railing 13 that faces away from the steps 12. The fastening unit 21 is, for example, a plate which is fastened pivotably to the access unit 4, wherein the pivot axis runs in the transverse direction, for example parallel to the transverse beams 30. The climb-over apparatus 15 can be moved relative to the fastening unit 21, for example within a suitable recess in the fastening unit 21. Thus the climb-over apparatus 15 can be moved back and forth within the recess in the fastening unit 21 between two positions in which the two axial ends of the climb-over apparatus 15 bear against the fastening unit 21. Advantageously, a guide unit is additionally provided on the railing 1 in order to hold the climb-over apparatus 15 securely on the railing 13 in the rest position.
In order to move into the standby position BP, the climb-over apparatus 15, starting from the rest position RP, can first be moved, in particular displaced, relative to the railing 13 and essentially parallel to the railing 13. In this case the climb-over apparatus 15 is also displaced relative to the fastening unit 21, for example within the recess. The displacement takes place until the first axial end of the climb-over apparatus 15 facing away from the fastening unit 21 in the rest position RP has reached the fastening unit 21 and is preferably in contact therewith. The fastening unit 21 is then pivoted, as a result of which the standby position BP is reached.
Finally, it should be noted again that the described embodiments are only to be understood as examples and are not restrictive. In addition to the embodiments shown, further variants would of course also be conceivable, which are at the discretion of the person skilled in the art. For example, the person skilled in the art can adapt the present teaching to the specific conditions of a cableway, for example to different forms of access units.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 50283/2019 | Apr 2019 | AT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/059051 | 3/31/2020 | WO |
