Deformable Drive Sheave

Abstract

A drive sheave equipped with a deformable tire is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the drive sheave comprises a tire portion wherein the tire portion comprises an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface. The tire portion also comprises a first surface extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface. In addition, the tire portion comprises a second surface extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface, wherein the second surface is oppositely disposed relative to the first surface. At least one opening in the tire portion extends between the first surface and the second surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a tramway.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a portion of a terminal used in the tramway of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of three drive sheaves in a terminal accelerating a carrier.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a drive sheave equipped with an deformable tire.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of three drive sheaves in a terminal decelerating a carrier.

Claims

1. A drive sheave comprising: a tire portion;said tire portion comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface;said tire portion comprising a first surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface;said tire portion comprising a second surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface, said second surface being oppositely disposed relative to said first surface;at least one opening in said tire portion extending between said first surface and said second surface.

2. The drive sheave member of claim 1, wherein said opening is elongated.

3. The drive sheave of claim 2, wherein the elongated opening extends at an angle from a radius of said drive sheave, said radius extending from the center of said drive sheave.

4. The drive sheave of claim 3, wherein said angle is approximately twenty-three degrees.

5. The drive sheave of claim 1, wherein said tire portion is pliable.

6. A drive member rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, said drive member comprising: a central portion;a tire portion surrounding said central portion;said tire portion comprising an inner circumferential surface adjacent said central portion and an outer circumferential surface located opposite said inner circumferential surface;said tire portion comprising a first surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface;said tire portion comprising a second surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface, said second surface being oppositely disposed relative to said first surface;at least one opening in said tire portion extending between said first surface and said second surface.

7. The drive member of claim 6, wherein said opening is elongated.

8. The drive member of claim 7, wherein the elongated opening extends at an angle from a radius of said central portion, said radius extending from the center of said central portion.

9. The drive member of claim 8, wherein said angle is approximately twenty-three degrees.

10. The drive member of claim 6, wherein said tire portion is pliable.

11. A tramway comprising: a rope extending between a first terminal and a second terminal, said rope being movable at a first velocity;at least one carrier being connectable to said rope;a track located in said first terminal, wherein said track comprises a first drive drive sheave operable at a first velocity and a second drive sheave operable at a second velocity;a disengagement mechanism to release said at least one carrier from said rope, wherein a portion of said at least one carrier is contactable with said first drive sheave when said at least one carrier is released from said rope;said first drive sheave and said second drive sheave comprising: a tire portion;said tire portion comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface;said tire portion comprising a first surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface;said tire portion comprising a second surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface, said second surface being oppositely disposed relative to said first surface;at least one opening in said tire portion extending between said first surface and said second surface.

12. The tramway of claim 11, wherein said opening is elongated.

13. The tramway of claim 12, wherein the elongated opening extends at an angle from a radius of said drive sheave, said radius extending from the center of said drive sheave, and wherein said elongated opening extends from proximate said inner circumferential surface toward said outer circumferential surface in the direction that said tire is rotatable.

14. The tramway of claim 13, wherein said angle increases when said tire exerts a force associated with accelerating said at least one carrier.

15. The tramway of claim 13, wherein said angle decreases when said at least one carrier moves faster than the drive sheave associated with said tire.

16. The tramway of claim 13, wherein said angle is approximately twenty-three degrees.

17. The tramway of claim 11, wherein said tire portion is pliable.

18. The tramway of claim 11, wherein said first drive sheave is operable at a different velocity than said second drive sheave.

19. The tramway of claim 11, wherein said first drive sheave is operable at a second velocity, said second velocity being substantially the same as said first velocity.

20. The tramway of claim 11, wherein said first drive sheave is operable at a second velocity, said second velocity being different than said first velocity.

21. The tramway of claim 11, wherein said portion of said at least one carrier is contactable with said first drive sheave and said second drive sheave when said at least one carrier is released from said rope.

22. The tramway of claim 11 and further comprising a third drive sheave, wherein said portion of said at least one carrier is contactable with two of said drive sheaves when said at least one carrier is released from said rope.