MOBILE AERIAL RAPID RESCUE SYSTEM

Abstract: A rescue device for use in traversing a cable (11) of an aeri­ al transportation system, the rescue device including a frame (16) carried by a pair of wheels (18) for movement along the cable, the frame including a portion (22) extending below the cable, and a lever arm (34) having opposite ends and being pivotally connect­ ed (36) intermediate its opposite ends to the downwardly extend­ ing poriton of the frame. A suspension device such as a harness (46) is attached to one end (48) of the lever arm and is intended to support the rescuer. A brake pad or shoe (60) is mounted on the opposite end (62) of the lever arm and is positioned below the cable. The weight of the rescuer on the harness functions to cause engagement of the brake pad with the cable. A brake control lever (70) projects from the end of the lever arm supporting the brake pad and is pulled downwardly by the rescuer to control the force of the brake pad against the cable.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to apparatus for use in evacuating aerial transportation systems that use a wire rope or cable as the primary drive and support mechanism. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for permitting rescue personnel to traverse the length of the cable in a rescue operation to evacuate people from chairs or cars supported by the cable. BACKGROUND PRIOR ART Aerial transportation systems of the type including a wire cable as the primary drive or support mechanism are used as ski lifts, oil derrick escape mechanisms, portable escape systems, gondolas, aerial trams, and in mining systems, etc. Such aerial transportation systems for use in carrying people commonly require standby evacuation equipment such that in the event the cable drive is interrupted or the aerial transportation system becomes otherwise inoperable, the persons carried by the chairs, cable cars or gondolas can be lowered to the ground. For example, regulations by the Colorado Tramway Board require evacuation equipment capable of evacuating all persons from a four person ski lift within a period of two hours. In some prior art ski lift evacuation systems, the rescuer stands on the ground and throws a rope over the cable. Evacuees are then supported on a T-bar apparatus or in a sling or harness and lowered to the ground. In other arrangements, such as that disclosed in DE-A-1940332, a rescuer may be supported on a device which can descend the cable. A second rescuer on the ground handles a rope connected to the device and accompanies the first rescuer, as the first rescuer moves along the length of the cable. The rescuer on the ground aids the suspended rescuer and controls the speed of his descent along the cable and also aids in lowering persons from chairs or cars to the ground. In contrast FR-A-2 285 277 describes a rescue device for lowering a person down from an overhead sloping cable comprising a frame which is locked over the cable by a locking finger so that a pulley supported within the frame may travel along the cable. A gear wheel mounted on the spindle of the pulley drives a rotor which is provided with a set of vanes whose wind resistance serves to reduce the speed of travel of the pulley while a seat carried on a rod is suspended from the frame by a rocker arm. By pulling a handle at the other end of the rocker arm, the pressure of a brake shoe against the cable can be reduced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved apparatus for use in supporting a rescuer for movement along a cable. The apparatus embodying the invention permits a rescuer to move along a cable independently or without help from a second rescuer on the ground. The apparatus also provides for smooth and secure movement of the rescuer along the cable while also providing a positive means for braking. The device for supporting the rescuer also can be easily attached to the cable, comprises an apparatus of relatively simple construction and also includes a minimum number of component parts. More specifically, the present invention provides a rescue device for supporting rescue personnel for movement along the length of a cable, the device comprising: at least one wheel adapted to be supported on the cable and to roll along the length thereof; a frame having a web portion and forward and rearward plate portions depending from said web portion in relatively spaced relation and located one on each side of said at least one wheel so as to rotatably support said at least one wheel therebetween, the forward plate portion terminating in a region adjacent the periphery of said at least one wheel and the rearward plate portion extending downwardly below the forward plate portion; a lever arm having opposite ends and being pivotally connected to the rearward plate portion below said at least one wheel in such a way as to be pivotally movable about a pivot axis intermediate the said opposite ends; suspension means connected to one end of the lever arm for supporting the rescue personnel; brake means for selectively engaging the cable to brake the movement of the rescue device therealong, the brake means being supported by the lever arm on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the suspension means and facing upwardly from the lever arm toward said at least one wheel for movement with the lever arm as a result of the weight of the rescue personnel supported in the suspension means from a brake release position to a cable engaging position; and a brake control handle connected to the end of the lever arm opposite said one end and accessible to the rescue personnel supported in the suspension means, the brake control handle being movable by the rescue personnel between a position in which the brake means engages the cable to brake the device and a brake release position, characterised in that the device has a generally open construction relative to the cable with the frame and the said at least one wheel being movable along the cable without the frame interfering with lateral attachments extending from the cable and the device being readily positioned on the cable by moving the device without interference over and then down on the cable and removed from the cable by the reverse procedure. One of the advantages of the rescue device of the invention is that a single rescuer can operate the device without the aid of a second rescuer on the ground. The device is easily operated and can move quickly along the length of the cable from one gondola or chair to the next to thereby facilitate rapid evacuation of persons from the aerial lift system. Another advantage of the invention is that the weight of the person carried by the rescue device functions to provide a positive braking force against the cable, to thereby provide a secure means for braking the device against movement along a cable. Another advantage of the invention is that means are provided for facilitating adjustment of the position of components of the device to permit use by persons of different weight. Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment, from the drawings and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an elevation view of the rescue device of the invention supported on a cable and carrying a rescuer. Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial view of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 2. Before explaining one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Fig. 1 illustrates a rescue device 10 for traversing the length of a cable 11 of the type used in supporting gondolas or chairs 12 of a ski lift and for supporting a rescuer 14 for movement along the length of the cable 11. Chair 12 is suspended from cable 11 by rod 15. In a conventional manner, rod 15 has a pivotal connection to bracket 17 and bracket 17 is spliced or otherwise embedded in cable 11. In this manner, the chair is securely supported from the cable but is free to swing in a vertical plane about the pivotal connection to bracket 17. The rescue device 10 includes a frame 16 which is supported by a pair of wheels 18 adapted to ride on the cable 11 and to support the frame 16 for movement along the length of the cable. The frame 16 includes a generally vertical rearward plate portion 20 defining a generally vertical plane. A lower portion 22 of the plate portion 20 extends downwardly below the cable 11. The frame 16 also includes a forward plate portion 24, the forward and rearward plate portions 24 and 20 being rigidly joined together at their upper edges by a web portion 26 of the frame. The wheels 18 are housed in the frame 16 between the forward and rearward plate portions 24 and 20, the wheels 18 being supported on a pair of axles 28 and being spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cable 11. The wheels 18 are mounted on the axles 28 so as to be freely rotatable. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the wheels each include a peripherally extending groove 30 complementary to the shape of the cable 11. A lever arm 34 is pivotally joined to the lower portion 22 of the plate below the cable and for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels. While the lever arm 34 could be connected to the lower portion 22 of the rearward plate 20 in various ways, in the illustrated arrangement a bolt 36 extends through a central portion the lever arm 34 and through a bore provided in the rearward plate. In the illustrated construction the lower portion 22 of the plate 20 is reinforced by a generally "T" shaped gusset 38 projecting from the forward face 40 of the lower portion 22 of the plate 20. A plurality of vertically spaced apart holes or bores 42 extend through the vertical gusset and through the plate 20 to accommodate the bolt 36. The bolt 36 may be selectively housed in one of the bores 42 and secured in place by nut 37. Means are also provided for suspending the rescuer for movement along the cable 11, this means including a sling or harness assembly 46 for carrying the rescuer, the sling assembly 46 being connected to one end 48 of the lever arm 34. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of holes 50 are provided in the end 48 of the lower arm 34, the holes 50 being spaced apart in the direction away from the pivot axis of the lever arm 34, and the sling assembly 46 can be connected to the lever arm 34 by a link or hook 52, either fixed or releasable, housed in a selective one of the holes 50. As illustrated, the hook 52 may be removed from lever arm 34 by pressing spring loaded portion 53 inwardly, a conventional construction. In a preferred form of the invention, the sling assembly 46 includes a leather harness constructed to form a seat for the rescuer. Brake means are also provided for engaging the cable to selectively control the speed of the rescue device 10 as it moves along the length of the cable 11, or stop it at a desired point. The brake means includes a brake shoe or pad 60 fixedly supported by an upper portion of an end 62 of the lever arm 34 opposite the end 48 of the lever arm 34 supporting the sling. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, an upper edge of the lever arm supports a bracket 66, and the bracket 66 rigidly supports the brake shoe 60, the brake shoe 60 being supported for generally vertical movement toward and away from the cable 11 in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm 34, and such that downward movement of the end 48 of the lever arm 34 will cause upward movement of the brake shoe 60 into engagement with the cable 11. The lever arm 34 also includes a projecting end portion 70 functioning as a handle and adapted to permit the rescuer to control the pressure of the brake shoe or pad 60 on the cable 11. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the handle 70 projects forwardly and downwardly and is positioned such that when the rescuer pulls downwardly on the handle 70, the brake shoe 60 is pulled away from the cable. In operation of the apparatus, the weight of the rescuer on the end of the lever arm 34 will tend to cause clockwise pivotal movement of the lever arm 34, as seen in Fig. 1, and upward movement of the brake shoe 60 into engagement with the cable to thereby brake the movement of the rescue device. If the operator pulls downwardly on the end of the handle 70, the brake shoe 60 is pulled away from the cable and the rescue device will be freely movable along the length of the cable 11, with the downward force on the handle by the operator determining the speed at which the rescue device will move along the cable. In the illustrated arrangement the lower end 22 of the plate 20 is also provided with a pair of holes 76 provided to permit attachment of line 78 used to lower persons from a chair to the ground. Line 78 is connected to plate end 22 by hook 80 similar in construction to hook 52. With the construction of this invention, the rescuer can safely move along the suspension cable at a controlled speed regardless of the angle or inclination of the support cable. In the ski lift application, the rescuer lowers himself to the stalled chair. Once there, he can release lever 70 and his weight holds the brake set as he lowers the chair occupants to the ground. After the chair is cleared of occupants, he can release the brake and move down to the next chair. The chair support is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to show the relationship of the carrier parts to the cable and chair support. Because of the open nature of the carrier, the carrier can ride over and past the chair connection to the cable. The periphery of wheels 18 will clear the bracket 17 or, if there is engagement, roll over it, or any other conventional cable clamp that is used, without disengaging from the cable. Also, the rescuer can swing the chair and its support out of his path as he rolls by. In the preferred embodiment, the open nature is provided by the planar rear plate which terminates in an inverted U-shaped end completed by plates 24 and web 26 with the wheels 18 supported in the open end of U. This open construction will also allow the carrier to readily roll over the cable support pulleys at most chair lift support towers. When used with a gondola installation, the carrier will roll over the cable support pulleys at the support towers. At the gondola, the rescuer will detach the carrier from the cable, evacuate the gondola, and then traverse the gondola, reattach the carrier to the cable and proceed down to the next gondola. At any support tower where the carrier will not roll over the cable pulleys, the carrier is removed from the cable, the rescuer traverses the tower, reattaches the carrier and proceeds down the cable. The open construction of the carrier allows it to be easily attached to and released from the cable. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims:

Claims: A rescue device (10) for supporting rescue personnel (14) for movement along the length of a cable (11), the device (10) comprising: at least one wheel (18) adapted to be supported on the cable (11) and to roll along the length thereof; a frame (16) having a web portion (26) and forward and rearward plate portions (24,20) depending from said web portion (26) in relatively spaced relation and located one on each side of said at least one wheel (18) so as to rotatably support said at least one wheel (18) therebetween, the forward plate portion (24) terminating in a region adjacent the periphery of said at least one wheel (18) and the rearward plate portion (20) extending downwardly below the forward plate portion (24); a lever arm (34) having opposite ends (48,62) and being pivotally connected to the rearward plate portion (20) below said at least one wheel (18) in such a way as to be pivotally movable about a pivot axis (36) intermediate the said opposite ends (48,62); suspension means (46) connected to one end (48) of the lever arm (34) for supporting the rescue personnel (14); brake means (60) for selectively engaging the cable (11) to brake the movement of the rescue device (10) therealong, the brake means (60) being supported by the lever arm (34) on the opposite side of the pivot axis (36) from the suspension means (46) and facing upwardly from the lever arm (34) toward said at least one wheel (18) for movement with the lever arm (34) as a result of the weight of the rescue personnel (14) supported in the suspension means (46) from a brake release position to a cable engaging position; and a brake control handle (70) connected to the end (62) of the lever arm (34) opposite said one end (48) and accessible to the rescue personnel (14) supported in the suspension means (46), the brake control handle (70) being movable by the rescue personnel (14) between a position in which the brake means (60) engages the cable (11) to brake the device (10) and a brake release position, characterised in that the device (10) has a generally open construction relative to the cable (11) with the frame (16) and the said at least one wheel (18) being movable along the cable (11) without the frame (16) interfering with lateral attachments extending from the cable (11) and the device (10) being readily positioned on the cable (11) by moving the device (10) without interference over and then down on the cable (11) and removed from the cable (11) by the reverse procedure. A rescue device (10) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the suspension means (46) includes a harness for supporting a rescuer and means (52) for attaching the harness to the said one end (48) of the lever arm (34). A rescue device (10) in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 and further including means (50) for selectively attaching the suspension means (46) to the lever arm (34) at a selected distance from the pivot axis (36). A rescue device (10) in accordance with any preceding claim wherein means are provided for releasably connecting the lever arm (34) to the rearward plate portion (20) at a selective one of a plurality of positions spaced along the length of the lever arm (34) and further means (42) are provided for releasably connecting the lever arm (34) to the rearward plate portion (20) at a selective one of a plurality of relatively vertically spaced positions on the rearward plate portion (20). A rescue device (10) in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the pivot axis (36) is parallel to the axis of rotation of the said at least one wheel (18). A rescue device (10) in accordance with any preceding claim wherein said brake control handle (70) extends downwardly and in the direction of movement of the device (10) along the cable (11) and includes a projecting end adapted to be gripped by the rescue personnel (14). A rescue device (10) in accordance with any preceding claim including a second wheel (18) rotatably supported between the forward and rearward plate portions (24,20) in the same manner as said at least one wheel (18), the wheels (18) being spaced apart in the direction of the cable (11), and the pivot axis (36) being below and intermediate the wheels (18).

Inventors: CUNNINGHAM, ROBERT T., SMITH, FLINT K.
Applicants: CUNNINGHAM, ROBERT T., SMITH, FLINT K.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B61B7
IPC codes: B61B7, A62B1, B61B12, A62B99