Person transport vehicle, cable transport system
The cable transport vehicle with exterior openings and a secure anchor point system addresses the need for thrilling high-speed travel by ensuring safety through a blocking state that prevents accidental egress, enhancing passenger experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2025152391
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-30
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing cable transport vehicles do not provide the thrill of high-speed travel with pronounced sensations of speed and emptiness while ensuring safety, particularly for untrained passengers.
A cable transport vehicle with a frame defining permanent exterior openings and an anchor point system that includes a blocking and free state, along with a locking device, ensures user safety by preventing accidental egress through these openings.
The vehicle design provides thrilling sensations of speed and emptiness while maintaining significant safety for passengers, using a safety harness and anchor point system to prevent accidental falls.
Smart Images

Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle for transporting people, to a transport assembly and to a people transport installation comprising such an assembly. Prior art
[0002] Conventionally, a cable transport installation comprises two stations connected by a carrier cable to which vehicles are attached. The cable moves, allowing people to be transported between several stations. In order to achieve ever more efficient transport and in the best safety conditions, it is traditional to use cabins attached to the hauling cable by detachable clamps, which allows for boarding and disembarking at reduced speed and travel at a much higher speed. To provide optimal comfort, the cabins are protected from external conditions and safety is ensured by ensuring that the boarding and disembarking doors cannot be opened during the journey. It is possible to have heated cabins to increase comfort during the journey for the greater satisfaction of a greater number of passengers.The cabins define a closed volume with almost no openings in order to keep users in a restricted and controlled volume.
[0003] On the other hand, a segment of the population is looking for thrills. They use zip lines and slide along a cable at high speeds. The sensation of speed is accentuated by the wind hitting the face and the ability to watch the ground pass beneath their bodies. In essentially the same conditions, cabins do not provide such sensations, particularly because of their fairing.
[0004] It has been found that maintenance vehicles that are without fairings provide more sensations to their users because the fairing is almost non-existent. Passengers then have a more pronounced sensation of speed and emptiness. However, maintenance vehicles are reserved for highly qualified personnel who are specifically trained to always be safe on the maintenance vehicle and during the associated intervention. Subject of the invention
[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective means of taking advantage of a cable transport installation to deliver more marked sensations of speed and emptiness while maintaining significant safety.
[0006] This problem is being solved by means of a cable transport vehicle for the transport of people comprising: a connector for attaching to at least one overhead cable; a frame attached to the connector, the frame defining at least one permanent opening to the exterior; at least one anchor point for attaching a person wearing a safety harness having a safety connector.
[0007] The vehicle is remarkable in that: the anchor point defines a blocking state and a free state, wherein in the blocking state the safety connector cannot leave the anchor point and in the free state the safety connector is able to leave the anchor point; a locking device having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state the locking device maintains the anchor point in the blocking state and wherein in the unlocked state the locking device allows the anchor point to switch between the blocking state and the free state.
[0008] Advantageously, the frame is provided with at least one rail extending from an access opening, the rail forming part of the anchor point. A shutter is mounted to move between an open position and a closed position. The shutter in the closed position limits the movement of the safety connector, the closed position of the shutter corresponding to the blocking state of the anchor point.
[0009] The open position of the shutter allows the safety connector to move freely along the rail.
[0010] In a particular configuration, the rail is hung from a ceiling of the frame.
[0011] Preferably, the cable transport vehicle comprises at least one door mounted to move between an entry-exit position and a transport position, in the entry-exit position the door allows people to board the chassis and people to disembark from the chassis. In the transport position, the door prevents the locking device from being changed outside the locked state.
[0012] According to one embodiment, the chassis is provided with at least one door mounted to move between an entry-exit position and a transport position, in the entry-exit position the door allows people to board the chassis and people to disembark from the chassis. The locking device in the unlocked state prevents the door from moving from the entry-exit position to the transport position.
[0013] Preferably, the locking device is provided with a lever mounted movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the lever prevents the door from reaching the transport position, the locked position of the lever corresponding to the locked position of the locking device and the unlocked position of the lever corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking device.
[0014] Advantageously, the connector is a disengageable connector having an engaged position where a clamp is attached to at least one towing cable and a disengaged position where the clamp is disconnected from the at least one towing cable. The at least one anchoring point is functionally connected to a warning device configured to authorize or prohibit the attachment of the disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable. When the anchoring point is in the free state, the warning device prohibits the attachment of the disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable. When the anchoring point is in the blocking state, the warning device authorizes the attachment of the disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable.
[0015] The invention also relates to a transport assembly which allows users to be transported safely while providing them with greater sensations of speed and emptiness.
[0016] This result is tended to be achieved by means of a transport assembly comprising a cable transport vehicle according to any of the preceding configurations and a safety harness provided with a lanyard having a first length. The lanyard is installed in a central position of the chassis and the first length is less than the distance between the attachment point and each permanent opening of the at least one permanent opening.
[0017] In a particular embodiment, the first length is less than the distance between the attachment point and each permanent opening of the at least one permanent opening by at least 1 meter.
[0018] The invention also relates to a cable transport installation which is capable of transporting users safely while providing them with greater sensations of speed and emptiness.
[0019] This result is aimed at being achieved by means of a cable transport installation intended for the transport of people and comprising: at least two stations each equipped with a pulley; at least one aerial cable equipped with at least one traction cable and at least one carrying cable, the at least one traction cable cooperating with the pulleys; a motor rotating at least one of the pulleys to move the at least one carrying cable; at least one assembly according to one of the preceding configurations.
[0020] Advantageously, the cable transport installation according to the preceding configuration comprising other vehicles chosen from seats and cabins.
[0021] The invention also relates to a method of operating a cable transport installation which makes it possible to ensure the safety of a user in an openwork vehicle.
[0022] This result is achieved by means of a method of operating the cable transport installation which comprises the following steps: providing a cable transport facility according to one of the preceding configurations; providing a vehicle provided with an anchor point and at least one through opening; arranging the vehicle in a boarding area of a station, the vehicle having an anchor point in a free state; having at least one user wearing a safety harness enter the vehicle and hooking the safety connector to the anchor point; changing the state of the anchor point to have an anchor point in the blocking state; moving the vehicle so that the vehicle leaves the station. Summary description of the drawings
[0023] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention given as non-limiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which: There figure 1 schematically illustrates a view of a cable transport installation; The figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a chassis of a cable transport installation; The figure 3 schematically illustrates a side view of a chassis of a cable transport installation; The figure 4 schematically illustrates a front view of a chassis of a cable transport installation, the doors being in an open position; The Figure 5 schematically illustrates a side view of a rail intended to be fixed to a ceiling of a frame, the shutter being in an open position; The figure 6schematically illustrates a side view of a rail intended to be fixed to a ceiling of a frame, the shutter being in a closed position; The figure 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a rail intended to be fixed to a ceiling of a frame, the shutter being in an open position; The figure 8 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a rail intended to be fixed to a ceiling of a frame, the shutter being in a closed position. Description of the embodiments
[0024] THE figures 1 to 4 illustrate different embodiments of a cable transport installation 1 and a vehicle 2 of a cable transport installation 1. The figures 5 to 8 illustrate different states of a rail intended for attaching chassis users.
[0025] The cable transport installation 1 comprises an aerial cable 3. An aerial cable 3 means at least one aerial cable 3. The at least one aerial cable 3 comprises a carrier cable and a hauling cable. A carrier cable and a hauling cable means at least one carrier cable and at least one hauling cable.
[0026] The cableway installation 1 may comprise a single overhead cable 3 which is a carrier and hauling cable. The cableway installation 1 may comprise two or more overhead cables 3. The two overhead cables 3 may be two carrier and hauling cables. The cableway installation 1 may comprise hauling cables and carrier cables which are distinct. The cableway installation 1 may comprise more carrier cables than hauling cables, for example two carrier cables and one hauling cable.
[0027] The cable transport installation may comprise pylons 4 which are equipped with rollers 4a intended to support the aerial cable 3.
[0028] The cable transport installation 1 comprises two stations 5 which are each equipped with a pulley. At least one of the pulleys is associated with a drive device 6 which is configured to rotate the pulley and drive the hauling cable. The drive device 6 has at least one motor. The cable transport installation 1 has a control circuit 7
[0029] The cable transport installation 1 comprises at least one vehicle 2 which is attached to the overhead cable 3 by a connector. The connector provides attachment to the hauling cable as well as support for the vehicle 2 by the carrier cable. The connector may be a conventional connector, for example a detachable connector having the ability to attach and detach from the overhead cable 3 or a fixed connector which is always attached to the overhead cable 3.
[0030] The vehicle 2 is intended to support or suspend one or more users. The vehicle 2 may comprise a chassis provided with a floor 2a and / or a ceiling 2b. The chassis may comprise one or more uprights 2c. The vehicle 2 defines an anchoring point 8. In order to provide users with heightened sensations, in particular a greater sensation of speed and a greater apprehension of heights, the vehicle 2 defines one or more openwork zones which are permanent openings A between the interior of the vehicle 2 and the exterior of the vehicle 2. The permanent openings A are openings capable of allowing the passage of an individual between the interior and the exterior, for example a section greater than 50×50cm 2< or greater than 80×80cm 2< . It is advantageous for an opening to extend from the floor 2a to the ceiling 2b.Vehicle 2 being very open, the user is able to have a better view of the panorama offered during the journeys and with a better appreciation of the distance which separates him from the ground.
[0031] Such openings induce safety problems because a person is able to leave the vehicle 2 which is detrimental when the vehicle 2 is moving and / or when it is outside a station.
[0032] In order to ensure the safety of a person installed, it is important to provide an anchor point 8 which will allow the user to be attached to the vehicle 2. The user wears a safety harness which is attached to the anchor point 8. The rope harness is provided with a safety connector 9 which cooperates with the anchor point 8 to attach the user to the vehicle 2 during the movement of the vehicle 2. figures 3 to 8 illustrate safety connectors 9 having different shapes.
[0033] Preferably, the safety connector 9 is a ring. By ring is meant a closed structure that defines at least one through hole. Also meant is a C-shaped or other shaped body that extends away from the closed structure by defining a narrow slot as illustrated in figure 4 The width is sufficiently small to prevent the anchor point 8 from passing outside an area provided for this purpose. The safety connector 9 may be a ring of circular or oval shape. It is also possible that the safety connector 9 is generally of circular or ovoid shape and defines a slot of small width.
[0034] In order to improve user safety, the roping harness has a safety connector 9 that is non-openable. It is also important that the user cannot disconnect from the anchor point 8. It is therefore particularly advantageous to provide that the anchor point 8 defines a blocking state and a free state. In the blocking state, the safety connector 9 cannot leave the anchor point 8 and more preferably cannot leave a predefined area 8a of the anchor point 8. In the free state, the safety connector 9 can move outside the predefined area 8a and it can leave the anchor point 8.
[0035] In the blocking state, the confinement of the safety connector 9 in a particular area can be achieved by various means. For example, to block the safety connector 9 in the predefined area 8a, it is possible to close the anchoring point 8 to define a closed or quasi-closed ring. It is also possible to install a movable or removable shutter that blocks the entry hole of the anchoring point 8. It is also possible to use a magnetic device that blocks the safety connector(s) 9 in the predefined area 8a provided that the safety connectors 9 are magnetizable.
[0036] Preferably, the anchoring point 8 is an openable anchoring point. The anchoring point 8 has a movable portion to define an open position and a closed position. The open position allows the insertion and extraction of the safety connector 9. The closed position prohibits the extraction of the safety connector 9.
[0037] THE figures 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 and 8 illustrate an anchor point 8 in the closed position. The Figures 5 and 7 illustrate an anchor point 8 in the open position.
[0038] The anchoring point 8 is made of two or more parts, at least one part of which is movable relative to the others to define the open position and the closed position. Particularly advantageously, in the open position, the anchoring point 8 defines a hook. For securing a safety connector 9 to the vehicle 2, one end of the hook passes through one of the through holes of the safety connector 9.
[0039] The anchor point 8 is fixedly mounted to the vehicle 2, preferably to the ceiling 2b.
[0040] Once the safety connector 9 is attached to the anchor point 8 and the anchor point 8 is in the closed position, the user is attached to the vehicle 2, which prevents an accidental fall from the vehicle 2. Using an anchor point 8 in the closed position prevents incorrect action on an openable safety connector 9 that could result in a user being able to move freely in and out of the vehicle 2. It is advantageous to have a safety connector 9 that is non-openable or non-openable by the user. The safety connector 9 may be a connector intended for “adventure parks” and which is secured to a lifeline with the possibility of detaching only at the ends of the lifeline.
[0041] Preferably, the anchor point 8 is configured so as not to be openable by the user attached to the anchor point 8.
[0042] Particularly advantageously, the anchor point 8 is in the closed position when the vehicle 2 is attached to the towing cable. Attachment to the towing cable means that the vehicle 2 is arranged between the stations 5, i.e. that the vehicle 2 may be at a significant height above the ground, or that the vehicle 2 is able to leave the station 5 or is moving through the station 5 at a significant speed. In all these cases, it is important that the user is securely attached to the vehicle 2. The rope harness has a lanyard that ends with the safety connector 9. The length of the lanyard is chosen so that the user is not able to leave the vehicle 2. More preferably, the length of the lanyard is chosen so that the user is not able to pass one of his limbs through one of the permanent openings A.
[0043] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the anchoring point 8 is arranged in a central portion of the vehicle 2. The installation in the central portion makes it possible to have a length of tether which offers maximum access to the interior volume of the vehicle 2. For example, the length of the tether is less than or equal to 1 meter.
[0044] Preferably, the anchoring point 8 is arranged in the upper half of the vehicle 2, in the vertical direction of the vehicle 2 in use.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 2 to 4 , the vehicle 2 is provided with at least one rail 10 extending from an access opening 2d of the vehicle 2. The access opening 2d is the opening through which the user(s) are invited to enter and exit the vehicle 2. The rail 10 forms part of the anchor point 8.
[0046] The movable part of the anchor point 8 may be a shutter 11 which is mounted to move between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the shutter 11 limits the movement of the safety connector 9. The locking position of the shutter 11 corresponds to the closed position of the at least one anchor point 8. The open position of the shutter 11 allows the safety connector 9 to move freely along the rail 10.
[0047] Preferably, the rail 10 is fixed to the ceiling 2b of the vehicle 2. By entering the vehicle 2 through the access opening 2d, the user or a third party can connect the safety connector 9 to the rail 10 which forms a part of the anchoring point 8. The use of a rail 10 which extends to the access opening 2d allows a security operator to check that the user(s) have connected to the rail 10 as soon as they enter the vehicle 2. This embodiment is more efficient than an alternative configuration where the rail 10 is only present in the central part of the vehicle 2. This configuration requires the operator to check that each of the users is fixed when the anchoring point 8 is in the blocking state, which may require entering the vehicle 2 if the latter is cramped.
[0048] It is of particular interest that the rail 10 is fixed to the ceiling 2b because this allows a quick check of the number of safety connectors 9 which are connected to the rail 10 to check that each user is connected to the vehicle 2. It is of particular interest that the rail 10 provides only one end capable of carrying out the attachment and detachment with a safety connector 9. Thus, only this end needs to be checked by the operator to ensure that each user is hooked to the rail 10.
[0049] Depending on the embodiments, the rail 10 may be a protruding element or a slot. figures 2 to 8illustrate a rail 10 in the form of a rod attached to the vehicle 2. The rod can have any cross-section. In an alternative embodiment, the rail 10 can be a slot which extends, for example, into the ceiling wall 2b. The safety connector 9 is inserted into the slot and remains secured to the slot. Other configurations are possible.
[0050] Particularly advantageously, the vehicle 2 is provided with a locking device which has a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the locking device prohibits a change of state of the anchoring point 8 from the closed position to the open position. In the unlocking position, the locking device allows a change of state of the anchoring point 8 from the closed position to the open position. Preferably, the anchoring point 8 in the open position prohibits a movement of the locking device from the unlocking position to the locking position.
[0051] Preferably, the vehicle 2 is provided with at least one door 12 mounted to move between an entry-exit position and a transport position. In the entry-exit position, the door 12 moves away from the access zone 2d to facilitate the loading of persons into the vehicle 2 and the unloading of persons from the vehicle 2. In the transport position, the door 12 covers the access zone 2d to make movement through the access zone 2d more complicated. When the door 12 is perforated, it may be incapable of preventing entry into the vehicle or exit from the vehicle 2. By door 12 is meant one or more doors.
[0052] It is advantageous to use the door 12 as a locking device. In the entry-exit position, the door 12 allows a change of state of the anchor point 8 from the closed position to the open position. In the transport position, the door 12 prohibits a change of state of the anchor point 8 from the closed position to the open position.
[0053] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle 2 is substantially in the form of a vehicle or a frame of a cabin of a gondola installation. The vehicle 2 may be without the windows which are used to protect the user against wind and weather. The cabin is conventionally provided with one or more doors. The vehicle 2 is provided with one or more doors which may define one or more through holes. When the door is provided with a through hole, it is unable to prevent a user from entering the vehicle or from leaving the vehicle. The door is not able to act as a cabin door.
[0054] Since the cabins are provided with doors and the doors are associated with detection devices, it is advantageous to provide that the vehicle 2 is provided with the same doors configured to operate with the detection devices of the cable transport installation. The detection devices are configured to detect whether the doors are in an open state or in a closed state. Depending on the detected state, the detection device can authorize or prohibit the vehicle from leaving the station, for example the detection device can authorize or prohibit the coupling of the connector with the towing cable. The detection device can also emit a first signal to the control circuit 7 which manages the movement of the vehicle(s) in the station 5 and possibly the driving of the towing cable.
[0055] It is possible to provide a cable transport installation 1 equipped with cabins and to replace one or more cabins with one or more vehicles 2. The cabins and the vehicles preferably have identical dimensions. This makes it possible to use a vehicle 2 instead of a cabin in a cable car type installation without having to modify the rest of the installation.
[0056] The use of the door 12 as a locking device configured to prohibit the opening of the anchor point 8 in the form of a ring as long as the door 12 is in the transport position is particularly advantageous for ensuring safety. When the vehicle 2 is attached to the towing cable, it is advantageous to prohibit the opening of the doors 12. Consequently, as long as the vehicle 2 is able to move with a significant speed, the door 12 is in the transport position and the user is connected to the vehicle 2.
[0057] It is also advantageous that the opening of the door 12 allows the opening of the anchoring point 8 and imposes an additional step to have the opening of the anchoring point 8. In a particular embodiment, the anchoring point 8 is provided with a lever 13 mounted to move between an open position and a closed position. figures 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 and 8 illustrate a lever 13 in the closed position.
[0058] THE Figures 5 and 7 illustrate a lever 13 in the open position.
[0059] In the open position, the lever 13 prevents the door 12 from reaching the transport position. In the open position, the lever 13 forms an obstacle in the path of movement of the door 12.
[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 2 is provided with two doors 12 which move towards each other when leaving the open position to reach the closed position or which move away when leaving the closed position to reach the open position. It is advantageous that in the open position, the lever 13 forming a handle prevents the two doors 12 from reaching the closed position. A similar operation can be obtained with a vehicle 2 provided with a single door 12 or with more than two doors 12. The lever 13 is arranged so that in the unlocked position the lever 13 prevents the door 12 or at least one of the doors 12 from reaching the closed position.
[0061] In an advantageous embodiment, the connector is a detachable connector having an engaged position where the connector is hooked to at least one towing cable and a detached position where the connector is disconnected from the at least one towing cable. The anchoring point 8 is functionally connected to a warning device 14 configured to authorize or prohibit the hooking of the detachable connector with the at least one towing cable. When the anchoring point 8 is in the open position, the door(s) 12 cannot be in the transport position. The warning device 14 is in a position which prohibits the hooking of the detachable connector with the at least one towing cable. When the door(s) 12 are in the transport position, this implies that the anchoring point 8 is in the closed position and the warning device 14 is in a position which authorizes the hooking of the detachable connector with the at least one towing cable.
[0062] Alternatively, the warning device 14 is connected to the door 12 or to one of the doors 12 so that the door 12 outside the closed position corresponds to a warning device 14 representative of a prohibition of attachment to the towing cable.
[0063] The warning device 14 is, for example, a rod mounted to move in translation or in pivoting relative to the vehicle 2. The warning device 14 is mounted to move between a position allowing attachment to the towing cable and a position preventing attachment to the towing cable.
[0064] These embodiments are particularly advantageous when the vehicle 2 is used in a cable transport installation intended for the transport of cabins 15 and whose cabins 15 use the same configuration of horn 14 depending on the position of the door(s). More particularly, the vehicle 2 is used in a cable transport installation 1 which also carries out the transport of cabins 15. In other words, the hauling cable is used to haul one or more cabins 15 as well as one or more vehicles 2. The cabin(s) 15 may be replaced by one or more seats or a mixture between cabins 15 and seats.
[0065] In a known operation, one or more users position themselves in a boarding area of a station 5 so as to be opposite an access area of a cabin 15 when the door(s) of the cabin 15 are open. The users enter the cabin 15 and the doors close before the cabin 15 leaves the station 5. Once the doors are closed, the users are installed in a closed vehicle which prevents a user from leaving the vehicle 2. The operator and / or the control circuit 7 of the installation check that the doors are closed and that no user is outside the boarding area.
[0066] Installing users in a vehicle is a different issue. Since vehicle 2 is open to the outside with openings that are unable to prevent an exit from the chassis, it is necessary to ensure that users cannot leave vehicle 2 before vehicle 2 leaves station 5.
[0067] It is therefore particularly advantageous that users can be quickly attached to the vehicle 2, preferably as soon as they enter the volume defined by the vehicle 2. In a second step, the anchoring point 8 is preferably closed by means of a shutter 11 which limits the movement of the safety connectors 9 and / or which closes the anchoring point 8.
[0068] The operator in charge of safety is able to quickly check that each of the users hooks his safety connector 9 to the anchor point 8 or is able to hook the safety connectors 9 to the anchor point 8 and then close the anchor point 8 or limit the authorized area for the movement of the safety connectors 9 while being assured that no user has disconnected from the anchor point 8. The safety operator does not need to enter the vehicle 2 which saves time and increases safety.
[0069] Preferably, the floor 2a of the vehicle is an openwork part, for example a grid or a mesh. Alternatively, the floor 2a of the vehicle 2 is a transparent window.
[0070] The vehicle 2 may be provided with gripping means 16 which allow the user to hold on in order to have better stability when moving the vehicle 2.
[0071] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 4 to 8, the shutter 11 is a part mounted movably relative to the rail 10 to have a first position allowing the connection of a safety connector 9 and a second position preventing the disconnection of the safety connector 9. The shutter 11 is mounted movably by pivoting. In the open position, the shutter 11 is installed at a distance from the rail 10 in order to allow movement of the safety connector(s) 9 between the rail 10 and the shutter 11. In the closed position, the shutter 11 is in contact with the rail 10 or almost in contact with the rail 10. The rail 10 and shutter assembly has a section greater than the section of the through hole defined by the safety connector 9 which is no longer able to leave the rail 10. By choosing the position of the opposite between the rail 10 and the shutter 11, the limit of the zone where the safety connector 9 can move during the movement of the vehicle 2 is defined.
[0072] Preferably, the shutter 11 is in contact or almost in contact with the rail 10 from the end of the rail 10 to the end of the authorized movement zone for the safety connector 9. This configuration makes it possible to quickly detect whether a safety connector 9 is outside the authorized movement zone when the shutter 11 moves into the closed position.
[0073] In an advantageous embodiment, the shutter 11 has a plate 11a fixedly mounted relative to the vehicle 2. The plate 11a is movable relative to the vehicle 2 by means of several pivotally mounted arms 11b. The shutter 11 has pivot shafts 11c.
[0074] The anchor point 8 is fixed to the vehicle 2 by fixing means, for example nuts 8b.
[0075] A method of operating the cable transport installation 1 may comprise the following steps: providing a cable transport facility 1 as described above; providing a vehicle 2 provided with an anchor point 8 and at least one through opening 9; arranging the vehicle 2 in a boarding area of a station 5, the vehicle 2 having an anchor point 8 in a free state; having at least one user wearing a safety harness enter the vehicle 2 and hooking the safety connector 9 to the anchor point 8; changing the state of the anchor point 8 to have an anchor point 8 in the blocking state; moving the vehicle 2 so that the vehicle 2 leaves the station 5.
Claims
1. Cable transport vehicle for transporting people comprising: - a connector intended to be attached to at least one aerial cable (3); - a chassis attached to the connector, the chassis defining at least one permanent opening (A) to the outside; - at least one anchor point (8) intended to attach a person equipped with a safety harness having a safety connector (9); characterized in that: - the anchor point (8) defines a blocking state and a free state, wherein in the blocking state, the safety connector (9) cannot leave the anchor point (8) and in the free state, the safety connector (9) is able to leave the anchor point (8); - a locking device having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state, the locking device maintains the anchor point (8) in the blocking state and wherein in the unlocked state, the locking device allows the anchor point (8) to switch between the blocking state and the free state.
2. A cable transport vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the chassis is provided with at least one rail (10) extending from an access opening (2d), the rail (10) forming part of the anchor point (8) and in which a shutter (11) is mounted to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein the shutter (11) in the closed position limits the movement of the safety connector (9), the closed position of the shutter (11) corresponding to the blocking state of the anchor point (8) and in which the open position of the shutter (11) allows the free movement of the safety connector (9) along the rail (10).
3. Cable transport vehicle according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the rail (10) is attached to a ceiling (2b) of the chassis.
4. Cable transport vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one door (12) mounted to move between an entry-exit position and a transport position, in the entry-exit position the door (12) allows people to board the chassis and people to disembark from the chassis, and in which in the transport position, the door (12) prevents the locking device from being changed outside the locked state.
5. Cable transport vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis is provided with at least one door (12) mounted to move between an entry-exit position and a transport position, in the entry-exit position the door (12) allows people to board the chassis and people to disembark from the chassis, wherein the locking device in the unlocked state prevents the door (12) from moving from the entry-exit position to the transport position.
6. Cable transport vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking device is provided with a lever (13) mounted movable between an unlocking position and a locked position, wherein in the locked position the lever (13) prevents the door (12) from reaching the transport position, the locked position of the lever (13) corresponding to the locked position of the locking device and the unlocking position of the lever (13) corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking device.
7. Cable transport vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is a disengageable connector having an engaged position where a clamp is attached to at least one towing cable and a disengaged position where the clamp is disconnected from the at least one towing cable, wherein the at least one anchoring point (8) is functionally connected to a warning device (14) configured to authorize or prohibit the attachment of the disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable, wherein when the anchoring point (8) is in the free state, the warning device (14) prohibits the attachment of the disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable and wherein when the anchoring point (8) is in the blocking state, the warning device (14) authorizes the attachment of the disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable.
8. A transport assembly comprising a cable transport vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims and a safety harness provided with a lanyard having a first length, wherein the lanyard is installed in a central position of the chassis and the first length is less than the distance between the anchor point (8) and each permanent opening (A) of the at least one permanent opening (A).
9. Transport assembly according to the preceding claim, the first length is less than the distance between the anchoring point (8) and each permanent opening (A) of the at least one permanent opening (A) by at least 1 meter.
10. Cable transport installation (1) intended for the transport of persons and comprising: - at least two stations (5) each equipped with a pulley; - at least one aerial cable (3) equipped with at least one hauling cable and at least one carrying cable, the at least one hauling cable cooperating with the pulleys; - a motor driving at least one of the pulleys in rotation to move the at least one carrying cable; - at least one assembly according to one of claims 8 and 9.
11. Cable transport installation according to the preceding claim comprising other vehicles chosen from seats and cabins.
Citation Information
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