US3728972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tension means for aerial tramways
Assignee: Goforth Brothers Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-19
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for tensioning an aerial tramway endless cable having three or more runs or reaches such that adjacent or opposing runs diverge from a corresponding supporting pulley whose supporting carriage is biased outwardly so as to move inwardly and outwardly in accordance with variations in the load on the cable. Tracking means is provided for maintaining the diverging opposing runs in proper engagement with corresponding cable supporting roller means adjacent the pulley to ensure that the cable will not creep off of the roller means as the divergence angle of the opposing runs of the cable tends to vary coincident with the movements of the carriage.
Inventors
- 👤 S Goforth
- 👤 J Goforth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:10
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B12/00; B61B12/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging a bight of said cable and from which opposing runs of said cable extend in diverging relationship, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting the space between said opposing runs such that the angle of divergence of said opposing runs tends to vary with inward and outward movement of said carriage means and said pulley, a pair of first supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said pulley and supporting respective runs of said cable thereon, a pair of second supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes spaced a substantial distance from said first roller means and also supporting said respective runs of said cable thereon, and tracking means for maintaining a substantially constant divergence Angle between at least those portions of said opposing runs engaging the respective first and second roller means to ensure that the cable will not creep off of said roller means as said pulley moves along said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging a bight of said cable and from which opposing runs of said cable extend in diverging relationship, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting the space between said opposing runs such that the angle of divergence of said opposing runs tends to vary with inward and outward movement of said carriage means and said pulley, a pair of first supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said pulley and supporting respective runs of said cable thereon, a pair of second supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes spaced a substantial distance from said first roller means and also supporting said respective runs of said cable thereon, and tracking means for maintaining a substantially constant divergence Angle between at least those portions of said opposing runs engaging the respective first and second roller means to ensure that the cable will not creep off of said roller means as said pulley moves along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first supporting roller means is carried by and movable along said path with said carriage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tracking means includes a pair of tracking members also carried by and movable with said carriage means, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective first roller means, and each of said first roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tracking means comprises a pair of first tracking members engaging proximal surfaces of said runs adjacent said tension pulley but located further away from said tension pulley than said first pair of roller means, and a pair of second tracking members also engaging proximal surfaces of said runs, but occupying fixed positions adjacent said second roller means and spaced between said first tracking members and said second roller means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said tracking members comprises a pulley mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pair of first supporting roller means comprises a pair of peripherally grooved rollers supported by said carriage means for rotation about respective substantially horizontal axes extending substantially perpendicular to the respective opposing runs of said cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second pair of roller means each comprises a series of peripherally grooved supporting rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including limiting means for limiting the range of movement of said carriage means and including a pair of spaced apart limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, and a stationary member disposed between said limiting abutments and engagable thereby in alternation in the event of inward and outward movement of said carriage means beyond predetermined safe limits for restraining said carriage means against further movement in a corresponding direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, including means for driving said cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means upon engagement of either of said limiting abutments with said stationary means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging said cable, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said tension pulley on a substantially vertical axis and for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting adjacent opposing runs of said cable, a pair of supporting roller means carried by and movable with said carriage means for rotation on respective substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said tension pulley and supporting respective ones of said runs of said cable thereon, a pair of tracking members also carried by said carriage means and movable therewith, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective supporting roller means, each of said supporting roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member, and said tracking members serving to maintain the cable runs in alignment with the respective supporting roller means to ensure that the cable runs will not creep off of said roller means as said tension pulley moves along said path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging said cable, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said tension pulley on a substantially vertical axis and for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting adjacent opposing runs of said cable, a pair of supporting roller means carried by and movable with said carriage means for rotation on respective substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said tension pulley and supporting respective ones of said runs of said cable thereon, a pair of tracking members also carried by said carriage means and movable therewith, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective supporting roller means, each of said supporting roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member, and said tracking members serving to maintain the cable runs in alignment with the respective supporting roller means to ensure that the cable runs will not creep off of said roller means as said tension pulley moves along said path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tenSion pulley engaging a bight of said cable, an outwardly biased movable carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in a horizontal path and in a plane substantially bisecting the space between opposing runs of said cable extending away from said tension pulley, a pair of spaced limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, stationary means normally spaced between said pair of limiting abutments and being engageable thereby in alternation to limit respective inward and outward movements of said carriage means, means for driving said endless cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means whenever either of said limiting abutments engages said stationary means positioned therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tenSion pulley engaging a bight of said cable, an outwardly biased movable carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in a horizontal path and in a plane substantially bisecting the space between opposing runs of said cable extending away from said tension pulley, a pair of spaced limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, stationary means normally spaced between said pair of limiting abutments and being engageable thereby in alternation to limit respective inward and outward movements of said carriage means, means for driving said endless cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means whenever either of said limiting abutments engages said stationary means positioned therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1109371A
Cited
US3071083A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |