Patent Application
20050279980
The present invention relates to a cable winch arrangement for a vehicle, particularly for a piste preparation vehicle, said cable winch arrangement comprising a cable winch and a cable, and comprising a coupling device, disposed on the cable, for coupling to and decoupling from an external anchorage point. The invention additionally relates to a vehicle comprising such a cable winch arrangement.
Such cable winch arrangements are already known from the prior art and are used, in particular, for the preparation of steep slopes on pistes. In the case of these arrangements, a cable drum anchored on the piste vehicle is used to accommodate the steel winch cable, and for winding-up and unwinding the latter. In the preparation of very steep terrain, the cable is first secured to an anchorage point provided for this purpose in an upper end region of the piste, enabling the piste vehicle to move uphill using the cable winch. Consequently, on the one hand the piste vehicle is secured in its position in respect of unwanted downward slippage and, on the other hand, the winch enables substantially greater quantities of snow to be dealt with, which, in turn, is reflected in greater time efficiency. In the case of the prior art, attaching of the cable to the anchorage point is performed manually, i.e., the driver has to get out of his vehicle and, using the coupling device, attach the leading edge of the cable to the anchorage point provided. Since the cable together with the coupling element is of a substantial weight, there are high physical demands on the driver. Moreover, upon getting out of the vehicle, the driver is sometimes confronted with hazardous conditions such as, for example, steepness of the terrain, piste conditions (large quantities of snow or icy piste surface), which render manual attachment more difficult.
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to propose a cable winch arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.
This is achieved, according to the invention, in that the arrangement has a means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling of the coupling device.
The means according to the invention permits automated connection of the cable coupling device to the external anchorage point without the driver having to get out of his vehicle. Manual attachment or coupling to the anchorage point thus becomes unnecessary. The driver's work is thereby substantially facilitated, and coupling and decoupling are performed in a rapid, uncomplicated manner. “Remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling” is understood to include, in particular, all those measures which enable the coupling device to be coupled to and decoupled from the anchorage point from the vehicle, preferably from the driver's cab, without the need to attach and detach the cable by hand.
A preferred embodiment of the invention makes provision whereby the cable winch arrangement has a winch arm through which or on which the cable can be guided, the winch arm preferably being movable through the means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling. This means enables the winch arm to be remotely actuated and to be controlled without restriction of movement. In addition to the advantage of greater mobility, this also results in a saving of time. In this case the winch arm itself can be operated hydraulically and, furthermore, permits rotation and pivoting through 360° and lateral tilting.
Provision is made, particularly advantageously, whereby the winch arm has at least one arm, preferably at least one telescopically movable boom, which can be moved relative to the winch arm and by means of which the coupling device can at least be brought closer to the external anchorage point. In this case, the movable arm, or the telescopically movable boom, can also be pivotally disposed on the winch arm. The vehicle can then be positioned at a distance from the anchorage point since, due to the contour and condition of the terrain, it is not always possible to drive very close to said anchorage point. In connection with this, provision may advantageously be made whereby the coupling device has at least one magnet by means of which the coupling device can be coupled to the external anchorage point.
In principle, however, there are several possibilities for realization of the coupling device. Provision may advantageously be made whereby the at least one magnet is an electromagnet which can be activated through the means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling. In this case, provision may advantageously be made whereby the coupling device comprises a sensor device, preferably a contact sensor, through which the electromagnet can be activated. The electromagnet is then supplied with electric power through the means according to the invention, and thereby causes the magnet to adhere to a location provided for this purpose on the anchorage point. A further advantageous variant of the invention makes provision whereby the coupling device has a fastening element, preferably a hook-shaped device, which can be coupled to the external anchorage point. In this case, a hook, for example, can easily be attached—as known per se—to a ring-type device. Provision may advantageously be made whereby the coupling device comprises a, preferably hydraulic, locking means, through which it can be fixed to the external anchorage point. Provision is advantageously made whereby the locking means can be activated through the means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling. This locking means may be realized with a hydraulically operated locking bolt, which cooperates with a corresponding device on the external anchorage point. The locking means may obviously be electrically operated. An advantageous embodiment of the invention makes provision whereby the coupling element comprises a, preferably substantially spherical, body which is provided to be accommodated in a retaining device disposed or realized on the external anchorage point. Provision may be made, in this case, whereby the external anchorage point has a pocket-type retaining device in which the substantially spherical body can be inserted. According to a development of the invention, provision may be made whereby the pocket-type retaining device comprises a metal plate which is raised at two corners. The spherical body can then be accommodated in the resulting cavity.
A further embodiment of the invention makes provision whereby the means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling can be activated from within the vehicle. In this case, the driver of the vehicle can remain in the driver's cab and control the coupling operation with a clear view. Obviously, provision may also be made whereby the means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling comprises a wireless transmission means. For example, a radio remote control or infrared remote control may be used for this. It is thereby possible for the driver to take up a position at a favourable location at which he can control the attachment operation in a purposive manner.
According to a further variant of the invention, an inverse solution may also be provided. In concrete terms, this means that the external anchorage point may have a remote-controlled, detachable retaining device. This can be realized by a magnet, preferably an electromagnet, provided for coupling to and/or decoupling from the coupling device. Provision can also be made in this case whereby the external anchorage point has a sensor device, preferably a contact sensor, through which the electromagnet can be activated. The external anchorage point may also advantageously have an electric locking means through which the coupling device can be coupled and/or decoupled, electric power being supplied via the anchorage point. This has advantages in respect of construction engineering, since the electric power supply can be taken, for example, is from the terminal boxes of snow generators. In this case, provision may advantageously be made whereby the electric locking device can be activated through the means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling. The external anchorage point may in this case have a wireless transmission means through which the electromagnet and/or the electric locking means can be activated. This wireless transmission means may be realized by, for example, a conventional radio link or an infrared transmitting/receiving unit.
The vehicle according to the invention is characterized by a cable winch arrangement, according to the attached claims, as described above.
Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained more fully in the following on the basis of the description of the figures with reference to the drawings, wherein:
It is self-evident that the cable winch arrangement according to the invention is neither restricted to the exemplary embodiments represented in the figures nor to be limited by these exemplary embodiments. There are numerous variants for the coupling of the retaining device 9 to the external anchorage point 5, which may comprise both positive and non-positive (in particular, frictional) connection measures.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 968/2004 | Jun 2004 | AT | national |
