BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a basic set up of the invention with one fixed cable end and one movable cable end.
FIG. 2 shows a carrying cable with two movable ends.
FIG. 3 shows a cable way, where the one end of carrying cable can move in vertical direction and the other end in horizontal direction.
FIG. 4 shows a cable way, where one end of the carrying cable is attached movable on a circular track.
FIG. 5 shows a cable way, where one end of the carrying cable is attached movable on a horizontal circular track.
FIG. 6 shows a cable way, where the end of the carrying cable is moving on a horizontal circular section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described by the following preferred embodiments. The basic principle of the invention is that the ends of carrying cables of cable ways are movably attached on a circular track section or an arc shaped track, which allows for a relocation of the entire carrying cable in order to make use of gravity or additional space and dimension versus a fixed cable track.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention as an amusement ride. The carrying cable 1 is suspended between the end suspension structure 8 and the movable track cart 2, which can roll along the bow type track 4 that is supported by bracings 3. The load 5 being a passenger transport vehicle, which is speed-controlled by an air resistant brake 12, including a rotor moves, along the carrying cable 1 with descending gradient 8 by force of gravity. If the movable track cart 2 is lifted by a winch 10 and a hoisting cable 11 that is diverted over the pulley 9 it will move along the track 4 upwards and the gradient 8 of the carrying cable 1 will change and eventually reverse. The passenger transport unit 5 will then move in the opposite direction. By use of flaps which cause an air resistance the passenger transport vehicle 5 can be turned around. As an amusement device this set up has the advantage of changing the moving direction during operation to increase the ride sensation and to offer various viewing perspectives. Additionally the speed may be influenced by change of the gradient 8 of the carrying cables 1.
If the passenger transport vehicle is powered by a pulling rope or rotating conveyor type cable, higher traveling speeds, accelerations and decelerations in combination with various heights and gradients can be accomplished.
FIG. 2 shows a variance of FIG. 1, also designed as an amusement ride. The carrying cable 1 is suspended between two movable track tracks 2, which both can move along a track 4 that is supported by bracings 3. This version of the invention allows a very extreme change of gradient 8 of the carrying cable 1, as well as the set down of the load 5 or passengers to ground level on both ends of the carrying cable 1. The winch control units of this set up are synchronized, which means the movements of the track carts 2 depend on each other and always move in opposite direction. If the left track cart 2 is hoisted upwards by the hoisting cable 11 that runs over a pulley 9 the winch 10 winds up while the other hoisting cable 14 which holds the right track cart 2 in place is unwound. This ensures that both track carts 2 remain at the same distance from each other at any time, which results in a constant cable tension.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention as a passenger transport system. The building 18 has a track 4 attached to it by bracings 3, mounted onto a vertical beam 6. The buildings 16 and 17 each have one end of the beam 6 attached to them, which carries the horizontal track 4 supported by bracings 3. The carrying cable 1 is suspended between the track carts 2 and carries a passenger cabin 5. An entry/exit station 15 is located at each end of the tracks 4. By moving the track carts 2 along the track 4, each cable end can reach two stations 15. Particularly in cities this transport system is very efficient compared to fixed bridges between buildings, due to its flexibility. Alternatively this system may also be used for the distribution of goods.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention, where the ends of each carrying cable 1 are moved along a closed circular track. This set up requires a minimum of two carrying cables 1. The ends of the carrying cables 1 are attached directly to a rotating beam 6, which is supported by bracings 3. Due to the different length of each beam 6 each carrying cable 1 is suspended at an angle. The beams 6 are mounted onto an axis 13 in their centre and one of those axes is rotated by a motor 10, which is located on the support structure 7. This set up is suitable in particular as an amusement ride, because multiple, multi-armed or disc type beams may be used to move more than two carrying cables. If one beam 6 is rotated by the motor 10, all carrying cables 1 rotate around the axis line 21 on which both axes are embedded and change their gradient and position. The interactive passenger vehicles 5 will move in alternate gradient directions, controlled by rotor brakes 12. Passenger vehicles 5 which are moved by motors may move into any direction along the carrying cable 1 while rotating around the axis 21. This type of cable movement is currently not known in cable ways art and offers a completely new motion sequence for passengers.
FIG. 5 shows an extended version of the track 19 in the horizontal dimension in combination with the vertical track 4. The track 19 is enclosed as a circle, which is assembled to beams 6 by bracings 3. The beams 6 also form a circle and are mounted onto support masts 7. Several tracks 4 are mounted onto a vertical beam 6 by bracings 3, located in the centre of the circular track 19. The beam 6 is turnably assembled onto an axis 20 with its base 22 resting on the ground. Every vertical track 4 is equipped with a movable track cart 2. The carrying cables 1 are suspended between a vertically movable track cart 2 and a horizontally movable track cart 2 that moves long the circular track 19. When the track cart 2 moves along the horizontal circular track 19 the carrying cables rotate around the track's centre. Simultaneously the track carts 2 which move along the vertical track 4 can change the gradient of the carrying cables 1 freely in order to move the loads 5. The efficient use of space makes this set up suitable for amusement rides with passenger vehicles as well as a load transport system.
FIG. 6 shows another example of the invention as a load transport system. The horizontal track 19 is attached to a beam 6 by bracings 3. The beam 6 is supported by masts 7 to pass over uneven ground 23 e.g. with hills, or other obstacles. The vertical track 4 is also attached to a beam 6 by bracings 3 and is mounted turnably onto an axis 20 which rests in a ground mounting 22. The carrying cable 1 is suspended between the vertically movable track cart 2 and the horizontally movable track cart 2, which runs along the track 19. If a load is supposed to be loaded onto the load carrying device 5 this device can be moved horizontally to the desired position and the vertical track 4 will rotate. The gradient of the carrying cable 1 changes when the track cart 2 moves along the vertical track 4 so that a load can be moved by gravity to a desired position like an unloading point. By lowering the track cart 2 completely to the ground unloading can be done automatically, for example by tilting a bucket.
The invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments which are shown by way of example, but rather to encompass the use of track carts with all variances that allow the repositioning of carrying cables.
Patent Application
20080011183
