Cableway with fall protection

Abstract

In order to increase the safety of passengers boarding the cabins (5) of a circulating cableway without having to reduce the transport capacity, according to the invention at least one barrier device (14) is provided on the cableway vehicle (3), which is arranged such that when the cableway vehicle (3) moves along a platform (2) of a cableway station (1) it faces an adjacent cableway vehicle (3) and which is designed to at least partially bridge a gap (Z) between the cabin (5) of the cableway vehicle (3) and a cabin (5) of the adjacent cableway vehicle (3) in order to form a barrier for persons against entering the gap (Z).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable car vehicle for a circulating cable car, wherein the cable car vehicle has a suspension with an actuatable cable clamp for releasably coupling the cable car vehicle to a haulage cable of the circulating cable car and a cabin for accommodating a number of persons. Furthermore, the invention relates to a circulating cable car with a plurality of cable car vehicles that are movable by means of a haulage cable and with at least one cable car station in which a platform for boarding is provided, wherein the cable car vehicles can be decoupled from the haulage cable within the cable car station and moved at reduced speed along the platform. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a circulating cable car.

[0002] Circulating cable cars come in a wide variety of designs, mostly for transporting people and / or goods, for example as a means of urban transport or for transporting people in ski resorts. As is well known, they consist of a large number of cable car vehicles that are suspended in the air by means of a haulage cable. The cable car vehicles therefore have no contact with the ground. The cable car vehicles are usually detachably attached to the haulage cable and are both carried and moved by the haulage cable. However, there are also designs, such as so-called three-cable circulating cable cars (3S cable cars), in which the cable car vehicles are carried by separate supporting cables and roll along the supporting cables using suitable running gear. Here, too, the drive is provided by a circulating haulage cable. The cable car vehicles usually have transport bodies for people or objects, e.g. cabins.Such circulating cable cars are usually used in difficult terrain, mostly for mountain routes, for example in ski resorts, to transport people from the valley to a mountain.

[0003] As a rule, a circulating cable car has at least two cable car stations in the form of end stations, between which the cable car vehicles move in a closed, circulating track. The track is essentially defined by the haulage cable. This moves the cable car vehicles from one end station to the other on one side and back again on the opposite side. The movement of the cable car vehicles is therefore always essentially continuous in one direction, similar to a continuous conveyor. In addition, one or more intermediate stations can be provided between the end stations, which the cable car vehicles pass through without the cable car vehicles being turned around. In a intermediate station, there is therefore no change in the direction of travel, but at most a certain change in direction.

[0004] The hoist rope is driven in a known manner via a drive device, for example an electric motor, which is located in at least one cable car station and can be controlled via a suitable control system. The drive device typically drives a conveyor pulley, around which the hoist rope is deflected.

[0005] In modern circulating cable cars, the cable car vehicles are detachably coupled to the haul rope, for example via suitable openable and closable cable clamps. This allows the cable car vehicles to be decoupled from the haul rope when entering a cable car station and their speed reduced. The cable car vehicles can then move through the cable car station at the reduced speed while the haul rope remains unchanged. This gives passengers more time to board and disembark, increasing comfort and safety. When leaving the cable car station, the cable car vehicles can accelerate back up to the speed of the haul rope and be coupled to the haul rope. The structure and function of a circulating cable car are well known, which is why further details will not be given here.

[0006] With conventional circulating cable cars, particularly in cable car stations with straight platforms, the problem often arises that passengers try to board between the cars instead of into the cars. The passengers then fall through the gap between the cars into the vehicle pit below, which can lead to serious injuries. This occurs especially when the vehicle spacing is set so that the distance between the cars roughly corresponds to the passage width of an open car door. With larger vehicle spacings, which are used, for example, for reduced transport capacity, this problem does not occur or only occurs very rarely because the distance between the cable car vehicles is significantly greater than the passage width of the open doors.However, a permanent reduction in transport capacity is of course undesirable, especially during peak times, because it would result in long waiting times for boarding passengers.

[0007] From WO 2022 / 008398 A1, for example, a cable car vehicle is known which has an access barrier which can be actuated within a cable car station by a remote-controlled actuating device and, in order to increase reliability within the cable car station, has a mechanical positive control for opening or closing the access barrier.

[0008] US 2018 / 079431 A1 discloses a circulating cable car with at least one cable car cabin for transporting passengers. The cable car cabin has a suspension device with an operable cable clamp for releasably coupling the cable car cabin to a haul rope. Furthermore, FR 2 272 873 A1, for example, discloses a passenger transport device with multiple carriages that move at reduced speed past a platform for boarding and disembarking, with a retractable railing in the form of telescopic rods attached to the doors, which are extended when the doors are open. DE 10 2019 211 973 A1 also discloses a safety device for an elevator car that moves in a horizontal direction.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to increase the safety for boarding passengers in a circulating cable car without reducing the transport capacity.

[0010] The object is achieved in that at least one barrier device is provided on the cable car vehicle, which barrier device is arranged such that it faces an adjacent cable car vehicle when the cable car vehicle moves along a platform of a cable car station and which barrier device is designed to at least partially bridge a gap between the cabin of the cable car vehicle and the cabin of the adjacent cable car vehicle in order to form a barrier for people against penetrating the gap, wherein at least two barrier devices are provided, wherein a barrier device is arranged at the front of the cable car vehicle in the direction of movement of the cable car vehicle and a barrier device is arranged at the rear of the cable car vehicle in the direction of movement of the cable car vehicle, and wherein the barrier device arranged at the front in the direction of movement and the barrier device arranged at the rear in the direction of movement are arranged in a,are arranged at different positions in the transverse direction, transverse to the direction of movement. Within the scope of the invention, the exterior of the cabin is understood to mean both a fixed part of the cabin, for example, an outer surface of the cabin, and a movable part of the cabin, for example, a door.

[0011] The at least two barrier devices are advantageous because they jointly cover the gap, so that each barrier device only needs to be a shorter length. Because the barrier devices are arranged at different positions in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the direction of movement, there is no risk of collision between the barrier devices facing each other if the cable car vehicles approach too closely. Instead, the barrier devices overlap each other.

[0012] Preferably, at least one barrier device is arranged on a stationary outer surface of the cabin and / or at least one barrier device is arranged on a component of the cable car vehicle that is movable relative to the cabin. This allows for a flexible arrangement on the cable car vehicle, so that the position can be selected depending on the specific design of the cable car vehicle.

[0013] Preferably, a door for people to enter and exit is provided on at least one side of the car, and at least one barrier device is arranged on a movable door leaf of the door. The door can also have two door leaves that open in opposite directions, and a barrier device can be provided on each door leaf. As a result, the barrier devices move with the door leaves when opening and closing, meaning that a shorter length of the barrier devices in the direction of movement is required to achieve a comparable level of protection as with a stationary arrangement on the outer surface of the car. In addition, the arrangement on the door leaf is advantageous in order not to severely impair aerodynamics during free travel between stations.

[0014] A holding device for winter sports equipment, in particular skis, can also be provided on the cable car vehicle, wherein at least one barrier device can be arranged on the holding device. Particularly advantageously, the holding device is arranged on a movable door leaf. The holding device can also be detachable from the cable car vehicle. This allows, for example, the holding device including the barrier device to be used only during winter operation, and during summer operation, when no holding device is required, the holding device including the barrier device can be removed from the cable car vehicle.

[0015] Advantageously, a mounting device for the detachable mounting of at least one barrier device is provided on the cable car vehicle, wherein the mounting device is preferably designed for tool-free assembly and disassembly of the barrier device. This means that the barrier device can, for example, be easily removable so that the barrier device can be removed if necessary depending on operation, for example during summer operation of the cable car with reduced transport capacity. In a simple embodiment, the mounting device can be designed as a plug-in connection. For this purpose, a suitable mounting receptacle, for example a recess or a shaped tube with a square or round cross-section, can be provided on the cable car vehicle, for example on the cabin, on the door leaf, or on the holding device. A complementary mounting section for insertion into the mounting receptacle can be provided on the barrier device.This creates a positive connection at least transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaped tube.

[0016] A pivoting device can also be provided on the cable car vehicle, which is designed to pivot at least one barrier device or a part of at least one barrier device relative to the cabin. This allows the barrier device to be pivoted, for example, between an operational position and a stowed position, thereby enabling flexible adaptation to the operation of the circulating cable car. The operational position is understood to be an unfolded state in which the barrier device serves to form the boundary. The stowed position is understood to be a state in which the barrier device is in an inoperative state and is preferably stowed on the cable car vehicle in the most space-saving manner possible.

[0017] A pivoting device can be advantageous, for example, for moving the barrier device from the deployment position to the stowed position in cable car operations with reduced transport capacity (where fewer cable car vehicles are used and the distance between vehicles inside and outside the cable car station is therefore too great for the barrier device to be used effectively). As a result, complete removal of the barrier device is not necessary during reduced operations, and operation can essentially be carried out in the conventional manner, as with cable car vehicles without a barrier device. In the embodiment of the mounting device mentioned above as an example, the shaped tube can be designed as a cylindrical tube, for example, and the mounting section of the barrier device can be designed accordingly cylindrical. The mounting device therefore also forms the pivoting device.The barrier device is thus not only radially positively received, but is also rotatably received in the cylindrical tube of the mounting device or pivoting device by means of the mounting section.

[0018] Of course, the entire barrier device does not necessarily have to be pivotable; only parts of the barrier device could also be pivotable. For this purpose, the barrier device could, for example, have a base body permanently connected to the cable car vehicle and at least one cantilevered section that is articulated to the base body. This allows only the cantilevered section to be moved between the deployment position and the storage position as needed.

[0019] The mounting device and / or the pivoting device can also have a locking device for fixing a position of the barrier device relative to the cabin. This allows the barrier device to be fixed, for example, in the use position described above or in the stowed position. In the embodiment mentioned above as an example, a latching element, e.g. a pin or a ball, which may be spring-loaded in the transverse direction, could be provided on the mounting device and / or the pivoting device. A complementary latching opening could be provided on the mounting section of the barrier device, into which latching opening the latching element positively engages when the mounting section is inserted into the shaped tube. The locking device could also be lockable, for example. This would mean that dismantling and / or pivoting of the barrier device would only be permitted by authorized persons, for example cable car personnel.This can reduce the risk of unauthorized manipulation of the barrier device by passengers.

[0020] Preferably, at least one barrier device comprises at least one bracket. The bracket may also have a free end facing away from the cabin in the direction of movement. This creates a simple and cost-effective embodiment. A bracket may, for example, comprise a bent tube. The bracket may also have one or more free ends.

[0021] It can be advantageous if at least one barrier device comprises a fence element, wherein a boundary surface running in the direction of movement is provided on the fence element. This improves protection because a relatively large area can be formed. The boundary surface of the fence element can, for example, form a closed surface and be made of plastic, for example. To allow air to pass through in the transverse direction, the boundary surface can also have openings. For example, the fence element can have an external frame that delimits the fence element and a mesh made of wire, rope, etc. provided within the frame.

[0022] Preferably, at least one barrier device extends in a vertical direction over at least 10% of a cabin height, preferably over at least 20%, particularly preferably over at least 30%. It is also particularly advantageous if at least part of at least one barrier device is provided in the lower half of the cabin, preferably in the lower third of the cabin. Furthermore, it is advantageous if a length of at least one barrier device in the direction of movement is at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm. This enables sufficient protection for most applications. Arrangement in the lower third is particularly advantageous in order to protect children or animals from falling into the gap.

[0023] In a circulating cable car with a plurality of cable car vehicles, it is advantageous if at least one of the cable car vehicles has at least one barrier device, wherein the at least one barrier device of the at least one cable car vehicle faces an adjacent cable car vehicle when moving along the platform. For improved protection against falling into the gap, it is advantageous if the platform of the cable car station has a straight course, at least in the area of ​​an entry area.

[0024] Preferably, however, at least two consecutive cable car vehicles each have at least one barrier device, wherein the barrier devices of the at least two consecutive cable car vehicles are arranged on the cable car vehicles such that they face each other as the cable car vehicles move along the platform. This allows the barrier devices to be designed to be shorter in the direction of movement, since they jointly form the boundary for the gap.

[0025] The circulating cable car is advantageously operated in such a way that the at least one cable car vehicle, on which the at least one barrier device is provided, and an adjacent cable car vehicle are moved within the cable car station in a state decoupled from the haulage cable at a defined vehicle spacing one behind the other in a direction of movement along the platform, wherein the vehicle spacing is set such that a barrier distance between the barrier device and the cabin of the adjacent cable car vehicle (or between the mutually facing barrier devices of the adjacent cable car vehicles) in the direction of movement is a maximum of 50 cm, preferably a maximum of 30 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 10 cm. This can enable particularly good protection against falling into the intermediate space. Particularly preferably, the vehicle spacing and the structural design of the barrier devices are of course coordinated with one another.

[0026] The present invention is described below with reference to the Figuren 1 bis 4 which show exemplary, schematic and non-limiting advantageous embodiments of the invention. Fig.1 a platform of a cable car station of a circulating cable car with three unused cable car vehicles in a view from above, Fig.2 three cable car vehicles in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which are moved one behind the other along a platform of a cable car station in a view from above, Fig.3 two cable car vehicles in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in a parking area of ​​a cable car station in a view from above, Fig.4 two cable car vehicles in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which are moved one behind the other along a platform of a cable car station in a side view.

[0027] Fig.1 shows a platform 2 of a cable car station 1 of a circulating cable car. Three cable car vehicles 3 are shown as examples, which can be moved in a known manner one behind the other in a direction of movement B along the platform 2. The illustration in Fig.1 is greatly simplified. The cable car vehicles 3 each have a suspension 4, at the lower end of which a cabin 5 is arranged to accommodate persons. In an upper section of the suspension 4, there is also a (in Fig.1 A cable clamp 15 (not shown) is provided, with which the cable car vehicle 3 can be detachably coupled to a haulage cable 6 of the circulating cable car. This allows the cable car vehicles 3 to be decoupled from the haulage cable 6 upon entering the cable car station 1 and to be moved at a reduced speed along the platform 2 within the cable car station 1. Before leaving the cable car station, the cable car vehicles 2 can be accelerated again and coupled to the haulage cable 6. To guide the cable car vehicles 3 in the decoupled state, a suitable guide rail 7 is generally provided. The cable car vehicles 3 can roll along the guide rail 7 by means of suitable guide rollers 8. The guide rollers 8 are arranged on the suspension device 4, usually rotatably mounted on the cable clamp 15. The use of a guide rail 7 with guide rollers 8 is generally known, which is why the guide rail 7 and the guide rollers 8 in Fig.1 are merely indicated schematically in a simplified manner. If necessary, a laterally arranged stabilizing rail (not shown) can also be provided in the cable car station 1, and a stabilizing roller (not shown) can be provided on each of the cable car vehicles 3, which rolls in the stabilizing rail. This can reduce lateral pendulum movement of the cable car vehicles 3 within the cable car station 1. To drive the cable car vehicles 3 in the decoupled state, a suitable auxiliary drive (not shown) is usually provided. The auxiliary drive often has a plurality of drive wheels arranged one behind the other along the guide rail 7, which interact with a friction lining 17 provided on the cable car vehicle 3. The friction lining 17 is usually also provided on the cable clamp (see Fig.2 ).

[0028] While the haulage cable 6 continues to move at the same speed, the cable car vehicles 3 can thus be moved through the cable car station 1 at a significantly lower speed. This increases the comfort and safety for boarding passengers because more time is available for boarding and the relative speed between the passengers and the cable car vehicles 3 is lower. This is particularly advantageous when using the circulating cable car in a winter sports area, because passengers may need more time due to their winter sports equipment, and mobility is restricted due to the winter sports equipment (ski boots, skis, ski poles, etc.). On platform 2 of the cable car station 1, a boarding area E is indicated, in which passengers can board the passing cable car vehicles 3 perpendicular to the direction of movement B, as indicated by the arrows in Fig.1 On one side of the cabins 5 facing platform 2, there is usually a Fig.1 door T not shown (see Fig.2-4 ).

[0029] The drive of the haulage cable 6 is usually via a cable pulley 9, on which the haulage cable 6 is deflected. The cable pulley 9 can be driven by a suitable drive unit 10, for example an electric machine. The drive unit 10 is connected to a control unit 11, which can have suitable hardware and / or software. The control unit 11 can in turn be connected to a user interface 12, via which the functions of the circulating cable car, in particular the drive of the haulage cable and the auxiliary drive for the cable car vehicles 3, can be controlled by the cable car personnel. The control unit 11 and / or the user interface 12 can be arranged, for example, in a control room 13 of the cable car station 1 or another cable car station.

[0030] As mentioned at the beginning, there was often the problem with previous circulating cable cars that passengers did not board a cable car vehicle 3 through the doors T, but accidentally entered a gap Z between two consecutive cable car vehicles 3. The gap Z is in Fig.1 As a result, the passengers fell through the gap Z into a vehicle pit below, which in some cases resulted in serious injuries. According to the invention, at least one barrier device 14 is therefore provided on an outer side of at least one cabin 5, which barrier device is arranged such that it faces an adjacent cable car vehicle 3 when the cable car vehicle 3 moves along the platform 2.

[0031] The barrier device 14 is designed to at least partially bridge the gap Z between the cable car vehicles 3 in order to form a barrier for people against intrusion into the gap Z. In the example shown, two barrier devices 14 are provided on each of the three cable car vehicles 3, wherein one barrier device 14 is arranged at the front of the cabin 5 in the direction of movement B and one barrier device 14 is arranged at the rear of the cabin 5 in the direction of movement B. The barrier devices 14 are arranged here merely by way of example on the outer surface of the cabins 5. In principle, however, it would be sufficient if only one barrier device 14 were provided on a cable car vehicle 3.

[0032] In Fig.2 is a more detailed representation of the three cable car vehicles 3 from Fig.1 shown. The cable clamps 15 with actuating rollers 16 for opening the cable clamps 15 as well as the friction linings 17 for the auxiliary drive are also shown. Furthermore, the guide rail 7 is shown, along which the cable car vehicles 3 are guided by means of (in Fig.2 not visible) guide rollers 8 are moved parallel to platform 2. On one side of the cabins 5 facing platform 2, a door T is provided for people to board and disembark. In the example shown, the doors T each have two door leaves 18 that can be opened in opposite directions. The doors T open automatically, preferably in the direction of movement B at the beginning of the boarding area E, and they close automatically, preferably at the end of the boarding area E, before the cable car vehicles 3 exit the cable car station 1.

[0033] On one side of cable car station 1 opposite the boarding area E, there is also a (in Fig.1 +2 not shown) alighting area may be provided for disembarking passengers. The alighting area can be designed essentially in the same way as the boarding area. The doors T are then preferably opened after the cable car vehicles 3 have entered the cable car station 1 at the beginning of the alighting area. If the cable car station 1 is a terminal station, as shown, the cable car vehicles 3 are diverted by, for example, 180° between the alighting area and the boarding area E. The doors T can remain open throughout the entire journey through the cable car station 1. If necessary, the doors T can also be closed again at the end of the alighting area (e.g. before the diversion) and only opened again at the beginning of the boarding area E (e.g. after the diversion). At the end of the boarding area E, before exiting the cable car station 1, the doors T are in any case closed again.The door can usually be operated in a known manner via a mechanical forced guide (not shown), for example, a guide rail. Alternatively or additionally, another actuation mechanism would also be conceivable, for example, via a suitable actuator on the cable car vehicle 3. However, the method of door operation is not critical to the present invention.

[0034] In the example shown, the circulating cable car is designed for use in a ski resort. Therefore, holding devices 19 for winter sports equipment, in particular skis, are provided on the door leaves 18 of the doors T. The holding devices 19 can, for example, each have several holders 19a, in each of which a ski or a pair of skis can be arranged. If the circulating cable car is designed, for example, for urban passenger transport, then an alternative holding device can of course also be provided, for example in the form of a luggage rack, or a holding device could be dispensed with entirely. As in Fig.2 As can be seen, a footboard 20 can also be provided on each cable car vehicle 3 to bridge a gap between the cable car vehicle 3 and the platform 2. This facilitates boarding and increases safety. A footboard 20 is particularly advantageous for barrier-free operation.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, two barrier devices 14 are provided on each of the cable car vehicles 3 (front + rear). The barrier devices 14 are arranged here on the holding devices 19. This is, of course, only an example, since the barrier devices 14 could also be provided at another suitable location on the cabin 5, for example, on a stationary part of the cabin 5 (such as the outer surface of the cabin 5 - see Fig.1 ) or directly to a door leaf 18 (e.g., if no holding device 19 is provided). The barrier devices 14 are here firmly connected to the holding devices 19, for example, screwed, welded, or similarly. The barrier devices 14 are thus not movable relative to the holding device 19 and are not removable.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment (not shown), the barrier devices 14 could also be detachably attached to a component of the cabin 5, e.g., the outer surface, a door leaf 18, or a holding device 19, and / or pivotable relative to the respective component. For this purpose, suitable mounting devices for detachably mounting the barrier devices 14 can be provided on the cabin 5. Particularly advantageously, the mounting devices are designed for tool-free assembly and disassembly of the barrier devices 14, as described above. Additionally or alternatively, a pivoting device can also be provided on the cable car vehicles 3 in order to pivot the barrier devices 14 or part of the barrier devices 1 relative to the cabin 5 (or the component to which the barrier devices 14 are attached).The mounting device and / or the pivoting device may also have a locking device for fixing a position of the barrier devices 14 relative to the cabin 5.

[0037] A barrier length L of the barrier devices 14 in the direction of movement B can be, for example, at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm. The barrier length L is in Fig.2 exemplified by the barrier device 14 of the left cable car vehicle 3. The barrier length L is to be understood as the length of the area of ​​the barrier device 14 that protrudes freely from the cabin 5, here the holding device 19. The barrier length L of the barrier devices 14 is preferably set so that during normal operation of the circulating cable car the smallest possible barrier distance BA is achieved between the barrier devices 14 facing each other in the direction of movement B of two cable car vehicles 3 moving one behind the other. The barrier distance BA is in Fig.2 shown as an example between the barrier devices 14 of the middle cable car vehicle 3 and the barrier devices 14 of the right cable car vehicle 3.

[0038] The achievable barrier distance BA depends not only on the structural design of the barrier devices 14, in particular the barrier length L, but also on other influencing parameters, such as the specific structural design of the circulating cable car and the operational processes of the circulating cable car. The influencing parameters include, for example, a distance at which the cable car vehicles 3 are spaced from one another on the haulage cable 6, a ratio between the conveying speed of the haulage cable 6 and the conveying speed of the auxiliary drive, or a ratio between the distance traveled by the haulage cable 6 within the cable car station and the distance traveled by the cable car vehicles 3 along the guide rail 7.

[0039] It is therefore advantageous if, during operation of the circulating cable car, the relevant influencing parameters are selected such that a vehicle spacing FA between two cable car vehicles 3 moving one behind the other along the platform 2 in the direction of movement B is set such that the barrier spacing BA is a maximum of 50 cm, preferably a maximum of 30 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 10 cm. If a barrier device 14 is provided on only one of the adjacent cable car vehicles 3, the barrier spacing BA is measured between the barrier device 14 of one cable car vehicle 3 and the facing part of the cabin 5 of the adjacent cable car vehicle 3.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the barrier device 14 provided at the front of the cabin 5 in the direction of movement B and the barrier device 14 provided at the rear of the cabin 5 in the direction of movement B can be arranged at different positions in a transverse direction Q running transversely to the direction of movement B. This is shown in Fig.2 on the right cable car vehicle by the transverse distance QA. It can be seen that the barrier device 14 on the left door leaf 18 is closer to the cabin 5 than the barrier device 14 on the right door leaf 18. As a result, the barrier devices 14 of adjacent cable car vehicles 3 facing each other cannot collide if the barrier distance BA falls below zero. Instead, the barrier devices 14 overlap in the direction of movement B, as shown in Fig.2 in the area between the left cable car vehicle 3 and the middle cable car vehicle 3. This can prevent damage to the barrier devices 14 and / or the cable car vehicles 3.

[0041] In Fig.3 Two cable car vehicles 3 are shown, which are essentially designed in the same way as the cable car vehicles in Fig.2 . The two cable car vehicles 3 are shown here in a parking position in which the cable car vehicles 3 can be parked outside of the operating hours of the circulating cable car, for example, in a garage. The doors T are closed here. In the parking position shown, the cabins 5 of the adjacent cable car vehicles 3 lie directly adjacent to one another in the direction of movement B, with suitable bumper strips 21 being provided if necessary to protect against damage. This arrangement saves space, so that the required area in the garage can be minimized.

[0042] It is evident that it is advantageous for this purpose if the barrier devices 14 are arranged on the movable door leaves 18, in particular on the holding devices 19, because the barrier devices 14 move along with the door leaves 18 and therefore, when the doors T are closed, do not protrude beyond the cabin 5 in the direction of movement B, or only protrude slightly (depending on the design). It is advantageous if the barrier length L (in the direction of movement B) corresponds at most to a distance between the component on which it is arranged (here the holding device 19) and the outer contour of the cabin 5 when the door T is closed. The arrangement of the barrier device 14 on the door leaves 18 or on the holding device 19 is also advantageous for travel between two cable car stations 1, because the aerodynamics are less affected than with a direct (and consequently immobile) arrangement on the outer surface of the cabin 5.

[0043] However, particularly for parking purposes, it could also be advantageous if mounting devices for detachably mounting the barrier devices 14, or a part thereof, relative to the cabin 5 are provided on the cabins 5. The mounting devices could then, for example, also be arranged on the fixed part of the cabin 5 (e.g., the outer surface). Before parking, the barrier devices 14 could then be dismantled from the cable car vehicle 3 and reassembled for operation. In order to be able to assemble and disassemble the barrier devices 14 quickly and easily, the mounting devices are preferably designed for tool-free assembly / disassembly, e.g., as described above.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, pivoting devices for pivoting the barrier devices 14 could also be provided. This would allow the barrier devices 14 to be pivoted for parking from the deployment position (in which the barrier is formed) to the stowed position (in which the barrier devices 14 are stowed in a space-saving manner on the cable car vehicle 3). In order to be able to fix the barrier devices 14 in a specific position (e.g., deployment position or stowed position) relative to the cabin 5, a suitable locking device can also be provided, for example, in the mounting devices and / or in the pivoting devices.

[0045] In Fig.4 Two cable car vehicles 3 are shown in the area of ​​a platform 2 in a side view with a view of the doors T. The upper section of the suspensions 4, on which the cable clamps 15 are arranged, has been cut off for the sake of simplicity. As can be seen, the doors T each have two door leaves 18 that can be opened in opposite directions, with a holding device 19 for winter sports equipment, in particular skis, arranged on each door leaf 18. The doors T are in the open state, so that access to the interior of the cabins 5 is permitted. In the interior, opposite benches 22 are indicated in the direction of movement B.

[0046] In the example shown, the mutually facing barrier devices 14 in the space Z between the cable car vehicles 3 each have a bracket 23, with a free end of the bracket facing away from the respective cabin 5 in the direction of movement B. As indicated by the dashed lines, the barrier devices 14 could also have further struts located vertically below the bracket 23 in order to provide better protection against intrusion into the space Z, particularly in the lower third of the cabin 5. An exemplary pivoting device is provided on the left barrier device 14 of the right cable car vehicle 3. The pivoting device is designed here such that only a part of the barrier device 14 can be pivoted. For this purpose, the bracket 23 has a fixed base body 23a (relative to the holding device 19) and a projecting bracket section 23b.A free end is provided on the projecting bracket section 23b, which faces the adjacent cable car vehicle 3 in the direction of movement B. The bracket has a swivel joint with a rotation axis DA, such that the projecting bracket section 23b can be pivoted about the rotation axis DA relative to the base body 23a. The swivel joint is arranged here such that the rotation axis DA runs in a transverse direction Q, which is transverse to the direction of movement B and transverse to the vertical direction H. The projecting bracket section 23b can therefore essentially be pivoted in a plane formed by the vertical direction H and the direction of movement B. In the example shown, the projecting bracket section 23b can be pivoted between a deployment position EP and a stowage position VP, e.g. by 180° about the rotation axis DA, as indicated by the double arrow and the dashed bracket section in . Fig.4 is indicated.

[0047] As shown on the left door leaf 18 of the left cable car vehicle 3, the barrier devices 14 could also have a bracket 23 with several superimposed free ends, wherein the facing barrier devices 14 of the (not shown) following cable car vehicle 3 is preferably designed in the same way, so that the ends 23a face each other. This allows for better protection in a central region of the cabin 5 (in the vertical direction H). Other bracket shapes are of course also conceivable, e.g. with a closed end, similar to a U-lock on a bicycle. An exemplary mounting device 25 for the detachable mounting of the barrier devices 14 is also shown on the left barrier devices 14 of the left cable car vehicle 3.

[0048] The mounting device 25 is arranged here on the holding device 19 and is designed as a plug-in connection. The mounting device 25 has a mounting receptacle 26, which is formed here by a tubular recess in the holding device 19. A mounting section 23c corresponding to the mounting receptacle 26 is provided on the barrier device 14, here the bracket 23. The mounting receptacle can, for example, have a square cross-section, and the mounting section 23c can have a corresponding square cross-section. This creates a positive connection, so that only a translational degree of freedom in the vertical direction H is possible. However, the mounting receptacle 26 can, for example, also have a circular cross-section, and the mounting section 23c can be correspondingly cylindrical. This enables rotation about the vertical axis, compared to a square shape, so that the mounting device 25 simultaneously forms a pivoting device.

[0049] A locking device (not shown) can also be provided on the mounting device 25 shown in order to fix a position of the barrier device 14. The locking device can, for example, have a spring-loaded latching element, which can, for example, be arranged within the receptacle 26 of the mounting device 25. A corresponding latching opening can be provided on the barrier device 14, here on the mounting section 23c of the bracket 23, into which latching element latches during installation. This can, for example, also additionally block the degree of freedom in the vertical direction H, so that, for example, removal of the barrier device 14 by unauthorized persons is not possible. A locking device can, of course, also be provided on a pivoting device in order to fix a position of the barrier device 14 in the rotational direction, e.g. the deployment position and / or the stowed position.Of course, the skilled person can choose from a variety of suitable design embodiments for the locking device. In general, a locking device within the scope of the invention can be designed with frictional engagement and / or positive engagement.

[0050] A barrier device 14 could also have a fence element 24, which forms a boundary surface in the direction of movement B, as is schematically indicated on the right-hand cable car vehicle 3. The boundary surface can be formed, for example, by an air-permeable mesh or grid. The fence element 24 is fastened here to the door leaf 18, but could alternatively also be arranged directly on the outer surface of the cabin 5. Of course, a suitable mounting device (not shown) for releasably fastening the fence element 24 could again be provided. Alternatively or additionally, a suitable pivoting device (not shown) for pivoting the fence element 24 could also be provided. A pivoting device is particularly advantageous if the fence element 24 is not provided on the door leaf 18, but directly on the non-movable part of the cabin 5, such as the cabin exterior. The pivoting device could, for example,be designed such that a pivot joint is provided with a rotation axis running in the vertical direction H. The fence element 24 could then be pivoted about the rotation axis in a plane spanned essentially by the direction of movement B and the transverse direction Q.

[0051] In general, it is advantageous if the barrier devices 14 extend in the vertical direction H over at least 10% of a cabin height KH, preferably over at least 20%, particularly preferably over at least 30%. In order to protect smaller persons, children, and possibly animals from falling into the intermediate space Z, it is advantageous if at least part of the barrier device 14 is provided in the lower half of the cabin K, preferably in the lower third of the cabin 5.

Claims

1. A cableway vehicle (3) for a continuous cableway, the cableway vehicle (3) having a suspension (4) having an actuatable cable clamp (15) for detachably coupling the cableway vehicle (3) to a conveying cable (6) of the continuous cableway and a cabin (5) for accommodating a number of persons, wherein at least one barrier device (14) is provided on the cableway vehicle (3), which barrier device is arranged such a way that, it faces an adjacent cableway vehicle (3), when the cableway vehicle (3) moves along a platform (2) of a cableway station (1), and which barrier device is configured to at least partially bridge an intermediate space (Z) between the cabin (5) of the cableway vehicle (3) and a cabin (5) of the adjacent cableway vehicle (3) to to form a barrier for persons against entering into the intermediate space (Z), wherein at least two barrier devices (14) are provided, one barrier device (14) being arranged at the front of the cableway vehicle (3) in the direction of movement (B) of the cableway vehicle (3) and one barrier device (14) being provided at the rear of the cableway vehicle (3) in the direction of movement (B) of the cableway vehicle, characterized in that the barrier device (14) provided at the front in the direction of movement (B) and the barrier device (14) provided at the rear in the direction of movement (B) are arranged at different positions in a transverse direction (Q) extending transversely to the direction of movement (B).

2. The cableway vehicle (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one barrier device (14) is arranged on a stationary outer surface of the cabin (5) and / or in that at least one barrier device (14) is arranged on a component of the cableway vehicle (3) that is movable with respect to the cabin (5).

3. The cableway vehicle (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that a door (T) for persons to enter and exit is provided on at least one side of the cabin (5) and in that at least one barrier device (14) is arranged on a movable door leaf (18) of the door (T).

4. The cableway vehicle (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that the door (T) has two oppositely opening door leaves (18) and in that a barrier device (14) is provided on each door leaf (18).

5. The cableway vehicle (3) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a holding device (19) for winter sports equipment, in particular skis, is provided on the cableway vehicle (3) and in that at least one barrier device (14) is arranged on the holding device (19), wherein the holding device (19) is preferably arranged on a movable door leaf (18) of the door (T).

6. The cableway vehicle (3) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a mounting device (25) for detachably mounting of at least one barrier device (14) is provided on the cableway vehicle (3), wherein the mounting device (25) is preferably configured for a tool-free mounting and dismounting of the barrier device (14), and / or in that a pivoting device is provided on the cableway vehicle (3) that is configured to pivot at least one barrier device (14) or a part (23a) of at least one barrier device (14) relative to the cabin (5).

7. The cableway vehicle (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting device (25) and / or the pivoting device has a locking device for fixing a position of the barrier device (14).

8. The cableway vehicle (3) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one barrier device (14) has at least one bracket (23), the bracket (23) preferably having at least one free end that faces away from the cabin (5) in the direction of movement (B), and / or in that at least one barrier device (14) has a fence element (24), a boundary surface extending in the direction of movement (B) being provided on the fence element (24).

9. The cableway vehicle (3) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one barrier device (14) extends in a vertical direction (H) over at least 10% of a cabin height (KH), preferably over at least 20%, particularly preferably over at least 30%, and / or in that at least a part of at least one barrier device (14) is provided in the lower half of the cabin (5), preferably in the lower third of the cabin (5), and / or in that a length (L) of at least one barrier device (14) in the direction of movement (B) is at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm.

10. A continuous cableway comprising a plurality of cableway vehicles (3), being movable by a conveying cable (6), and at least one cableway station (1), in which a platform (2) is provided for passengers to board, wherein the cableway vehicles (3) are decoupable from the the conveying cable (6) in the cableway station (1) and movable at reduced speed along the platform (2), characterized in that at least one cableway vehicle (3) is configured according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one barrier device (14) of the at least one cableway vehicle (3) faces an adjacent cableway vehicle (3) when moving along the platform (2) of the cableway station (1), and / or in that at least two successive cableway vehicles (3) are configured according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the barrier devices (14) of the at least two successive cableway vehicles (3) are arranged on the cableway vehicles (3) in such a way that they face one another when the cableway vehicles (3) move along the platform (2).

11. The continuous cableway according to claim 10, characterized in that the platform (2) of the cableway station (1) has a straight course at least in the region of an entry region (E).

12. A method for operating a continuous cableway according to any of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the at least one cableway vehicle (3), on which the at least one barrier device (14) is provided, and an adjacent cableway vehicle (3) are moved one behind the other along the platform (2) in a direction of movement (B) within the cableway station (1) in a state of being decoupled from the conveyor cable (6) at a fixed vehicle spacing (FA) and in that the vehicle spacing (FA) is determined such that a barrier spacing (BA) between the barrier device (14) and the adjacent cableway vehicle (3) in the direction of movement (B) is a maximum of 50 cm, preferably a maximum of 30 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 10 cm.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that a barrier device (14) is provided on at least one adjacent cableway vehicle (3) and in that the vehicle spacing (FA) is determined such that the barrier spacing (BA) between the mutually facing barrier devices (14) in the direction of movement (B) is a maximum of 50 cm, preferably a maximum of 30 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 10 cm.

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