PASSENGER TRANSPORT VEHICLE, CABLE TRANSPORT INSTALLATION

Abstract

PERSONNEL TRANSPORT VEHICLE, CABLE TRANSPORT INSTALLATION A cable transport vehicle (2) for transporting persons comprises a connector for attachment to an overhead cable (3). A chassis is attached to the connector and defines a permanent opening (A) to the outside. An anchor point (8) is provided and is intended to hook a person equipped with a safety harness with a safety connector (9). The anchor point (8) defines a locking state and a free state. In the locking state, the safety connector (9) cannot leave the anchor point (8). In the free state, the safety connector (9) can leave the anchor point (8). A locking device has a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the locking device maintains the anchor point in the locking state.In the unlocked state, the locking device allows the anchor point to switch between the blocking state and the free state.

Description

Title of the invention: PERSONAL TRANSPORT VEHICLE, CABLE TRANSPORT INSTALLATION 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, which makes it possible to transport people between several stations. In order to achieve ever more efficient transport and in the best safety conditions, it is conventional to use cabins attached to the hauling cable by disengageable 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 provided by providing that the boarding and disembarking doors cannot be opened during the journey. It is possible to have heated cabins in order to increase comfort during the journey for the greater satisfaction of a greater proportion 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 possibility of observing the ground passing beneath one's body. In substantially 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 fairing have the effect of providing more sensations to their users because the fairing is almost non-existent. Passengers then have more marked sensations 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 tends to be solved by means of a cable transport vehicle for the transport of people including: - a connector intended to be attached to at least one aerial cable; - a frame fixed to the connector, the frame defining at least one permanent opening to the exterior; - at least one anchor point intended to attach a person wearing a safety harness with 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 anchoring 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 anchoring point. The open position of the shutter allows the safety connector to move freely along the rail.

[0009] In a particular configuration, the rail is attached to a ceiling of the chassis.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] Preferably, the locking device is provided with a lever mounted movable between an unlocking position and a locking 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The invention also relates to a transport assembly which makes it possible to transport users safely while providing them with greater sensations of speed and emptiness.

[0015] This result is tended to be achieved by means of a transport assembly comprising a cable transport vehicle according to any one 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] This result is tended to be achieved by means of a cable transport installation intended for the transport of persons and comprising: - at least two stations each equipped with a pulley; - at least one aerial cable provided with at least one towing cable and at least one carrying cable, the at least one towing 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 set according to one of the preceding configurations.

[0019] Advantageously, the cable transport installation according to the preceding configuration comprises other vehicles chosen from seats and cabins.

[0020] 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.

[0021] This result is tended to be achieved by means of an operating method of the cable transport installation which includes the following steps: - provide a cable transport installation according to one of the preceding configurations; - provide a vehicle equipped with an anchor point and at least one through opening; - place the vehicle in a boarding area of a station, the vehicle having an anchor point in a free state; - have at least one user wearing a safety harness enter the vehicle and attach the safety connector to the anchor point; - change the state of the anchor point to have an anchor point in the blocking state; - move the vehicle so that the vehicle leaves the station. Summary description of the drawings

[0022] 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:

[0023] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a view of a cable transport installation;

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a perspective view of a chassis of an ins cable transport installation;

[0025] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a side view of a chassis of an installation of cable transport;

[0026] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a front view of a chassis of an installation of cable transport, the doors being in an open position;

[0027] [Fig.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;

[0028] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a side view of a rail intended to be fixed to a ceiling of a frame, the shutter being in a closed position;

[0029] [Fig.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;

[0030] [Fig.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

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate different embodiments of a cable transport installation 1 and of a vehicle 2 of a cable transport installation 1. Figures 5 to 8 illustrate different states of a rail intended for attaching users of the chassis 2.

[0032] 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 towing cable. A carrier cable and a towing cable means at least one carrier cable and at least one towing cable.

[0033] The cable transport installation 1 may comprise a single aerial cable 3 which is a carrier and hauling cable. The cable transport installation 1 may comprise two or more aerial cables 3. The two aerial cables 3 may be two carrier and hauling cables. The cable transport installation 1 may comprise hauling cables and carrier cables which are distinct. The cable transport installation 1 may comprise more carrier cables than hauling cables, for example two carrier cables and one hauling cable.

[0034] The cable transport installation may comprise pylons 4 which are provided with rollers 4a intended to support the aerial cable 3.

[0035] 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

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 50x50cm2 or greater than 80x80cm2. 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.

[0038] Such openings cause 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.

[0039] In order to ensure the safety of a person installed, it is important to provide an anchoring 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 anchoring point 8. The rope harness is provided with a safety connector 9 which cooperates with the anchoring 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.

[0040] Preferably, the safety connector 9 is a ring. By ring, we mean a closed structure that defines at least one through hole. We also mean a C-shaped or other shaped body that extends away from the closed structure by defining a narrow slot as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. The width is sufficiently narrow to allow the anchor point 8 to pass 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 narrow slot.

[0041] In order to improve user safety, the rope harness has a safety connector 9 which 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 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 zone 8a of the anchor point 8. In the free state, the safety connector 9 can move outside the predefined zone 8a and it can leave the anchor point 8.

[0042] In the blocking state, the confinement of the safety connector 9 in a particular area can be achieved by different means. For example, to block the safety connector 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 which blocks the entry hole of the anchoring point 8. It is also possible to use a magnetic device which blocks the safety connector(s) in the predefined area 8a provided that the safety connectors are magnetizable.

[0043] 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.

[0044] Figures 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 illustrate an anchor point 8 in the closed position. Figures 5 and 7 illustrate an anchor point 8 in the open position.

[0045] The anchor point 8 is made in 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 anchor 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.

[0046] The anchor point 8 is fixedly mounted to the vehicle 2, preferably to the ceiling 2b.

[0047] Once the safety connector 9 is fixed to the anchor point 8 and the anchor point 9 in the closed position, the user is attached to the vehicle 2 which prevents an accidental fall from the vehicle 2. The use of an anchor point 8 in the closed position makes it possible to avoid incorrect action on an openable safety connector 9 which 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 which 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.

[0048] Preferably, the anchor point 8 is configured so that it cannot be opened by the user attached to the anchor point 8.

[0049] Particularly advantageously, the anchoring 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 a part of the anchoring point 8.

[0053] The movable part of the anchoring point 8 may be a shutter 11 which is mounted movable 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 anchoring point 8. The open position of the shutter 11 allows the safety connector to move freely along the rail 10.

[0054] 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 10. 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 8 if the latter is cramped.

[0055] It is particularly advantageous that the rail 10 is fixed to the ceiling 2b because this allows a rapid 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 particularly advantageous 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 attached to the rail 10.

[0056] Depending on the embodiments, the rail 10 may be a projecting element or a slot. Figures 2 to 8 illustrate a rail 10 in the form of a rod attached to the vehicle 2. The rod may have any cross-section. In an alternative embodiment, the rail 10 may be a slot which extends, for example, into the wall of the ceiling 2b. The safety connector 9 is inserted into the slot and remains secured to the slot. Other configurations are possible.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 people into the vehicle 2 and the unloading of people from the vehicle 2. In the transport position, the door 12 covers the access zone 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.

[0059] 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 anchoring point 8 from the closed position to the open position. In the transport position, the door 12 prohibits a change of state of the anchoring point 8 from the closed position to the open position.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle 2 is substantially in the form of a vehicle or a frame of a cabin of a cable car installation. The vehicle 2 may be devoid of the windows which are used to protect the user against wind and bad 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 incapable of preventing the entry of a user into the vehicle or the exit of a user from the vehicle; the door is not able to act as a cabin door.

[0061] The cabins being provided with doors and the doors being 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 exit of the vehicle from 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 6 which manages the movement of the vehicle(s) in the station 5 and possibly the driving of the towing cable.

[0062] 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.

[0063] The use of door 12 as a locking device configured to prohibit the opening of the anchor ring 8 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 at a high speed, the door 12 is in the transport position and the user is connected to the vehicle 2.

[0064] It is also advantageous that the opening of the door 12 allows the opening of the anchoring ring 8 and imposes an additional step to have the opening of the anchoring ring 8. In a particular embodiment, the anchoring ring 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. Figures 5 and 7 illustrate a lever 13 in the open position.

[0065] 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 on the path of movement of the door 12.

[0066] 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 handle 13 prevents both 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 handle 13 is arranged so that in the unlocked position the handle 13 prevents the door 12 or at least one of the doors 12 from reaching the closed position.

[0067] In an advantageous embodiment, the connector is a disengageable connector having an engaged position where the connector is hooked to at least one towing cable and a disengaged 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 disengageable 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 is in a position which prohibits the hooking of the disengageable 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 disengageable connector with the at least one towing cable.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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 towing cable is used to tow one or more cabins 15 as well as one or more vehicles 2. The cabin(s) can be replaced by one or more seats or a mixture of cabins and seats.

[0071] 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. The operator and / or the control circuit 6 of the installation check that the doors are closed and that no user is outside the boarding area.

[0072] The installation of users in a vehicle corresponds to a different problem. Since the vehicle 2 is open to the outside with openings that are not able to prevent an exit from the cabin, it is necessary to ensure that the users will not be able to leave the vehicle 2 before the vehicle 2 leaves the station.

[0073] It is therefore particularly advantageous for users to be able to 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.

[0074] 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 zone authorized 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.

[0075] Preferably, the floor 2a of the vehicle is an openwork part, for example example a grid or a fence. Alternatively, the floor 2a of the vehicle is a transparent window.

[0076] The vehicle 2 may be provided with gripping means 15 which allow the user to hold on in order to have better stability when moving the vehicle 2.

[0077] 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 and the shutter, we define the limit of the zone where the safety connector 9 can move during the movement of the vehicle 2.

[0078] 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. 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] The anchoring point 8 is fixed to the vehicle 2 by fixing means, for example nuts 8b.

[0081] A method of operating the cable transport installation may comprise the following steps: - provide a cable transport facility as described above; - provide a vehicle 2 equipped with an anchor point 9 and at least one through opening 9; - placing the vehicle 2 in a boarding area of a station 5, the vehicle 2 having an anchoring point in a free state; - bring at least one user wearing a safety harness into the vehicle 2 and attach the safety connector 9 to the anchor point 8; - change the state of anchor point 8 to have anchor point 8 in state blocking; - move vehicle 2 so that vehicle 2 leaves station 5.

Claims

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 anchoring point (8) intended to hang a person equipped with a safety harness having a safety connector (9); characterized in that: - the anchoring point (8) defines a blocking state and a free state, in which in the blocking state, the safety connector (9) cannot leave the anchoring point (8) and in the free state, the safety connector (9) is able to leave the anchoring 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 (2d) forming part of the anchor point (8) and in which a shutter (11) is mounted movable 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 movably 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 movably 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 unlocked position of the lever (13) corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking device.

7. A 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 attachment 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 attachment point (8) and each permanent opening (A) of at least one permanent opening (A) of at least 1 meter.

10. Cable transport installation (1) intended for the transport of persons and comprising: - at least two stations (5) each provided with a pulley; - at least one aerial cable (3) provided 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.

Images