AN IMPROVED CARRYING FACILITY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in general relates to an improved carrying facility along a
conveyor means and in particular, to an improved Ropeway system for carrying
passengers and material along a Ropeway having improved construction facilities
including gripping facility and to a method of manufacturing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is traditionally known to persons skilled in the art, that carrying facilities for the
purpose of carrying passengers and material along a cable, are commonly known as
"Ropeways". One of the essential components of a Ropeway installation is a group of
Carriers / Cabins, each of which consist of (i) a Rope Gripping device, (ii) a Hanger,
and (iii ) a Cabin or Bucket container.
According to the method of attachment, Gripping Devices are broadly classified as: -
=> Fixed Type Grips
i
=> Resting Type Grips
=> Detachable Type Grips
Detachable Type Grips are generally used in continuously circulating Ropeways,
where detachment from the moving rope at terminal stations is required to facilitate
comfortable boarding / deboarding of passengers and/ or loading / unloading of
goods, at lower speed. They presently exists in two types of design namely (a)
Spring or Torsion Bar actuated Grips and (b) Gravity actuated Grips.
Most of the builders use Spring Actuated Grips. In this type, the clamping pressure is
generated by a set of coil Spring, cup (Belleville) Springs, Torsion Bars, or by
Gravity. The Grips have two Jaws, one fixed to the body and the other Moving Jaws.
Various types of Spring Actuated Grips include (i) Rope Grips with Spindle Actuation

and Spring pack, (ii) Rope Grips with cam - action Operating Lever and Spring Pack,
(iii) Spring operated Rope Grip with Free-pivoting Jaw, (iv) Rope Grips with exposed
Coil Springs, (v) Rope Grips with Toggle Joint and Cup Springs, (vi) Rope Grips with
Rubber Springs and Clamping Groove, (vii) Rope Grips with Torsion Bar Springs.
Gravity Actuated Grips, in which the grip force is generated by the weight of the
carrier acting upon the toggle type joint, were also used in a few installations in USA
and Nepal for carrying Passenger. But due to some specific disadvantages /
difficulties, it did not gain popularity.
An ideal gripping device should:
=> Ensure safe locking & unlocking in the Terminals.
=> Develop a sufficient clamping pressure.
=> Have sufficient cushion over slip resistance required on the steepest slope
under most unfavorable operating condition. The gripping should be
smart, effective and positive.
=> Have easy and unrestricted passage over Station / Line Rollers.
=> Cause no damage to rope.
None of the above two types of Device could meet the ideal requirement like having
a stand by rope clamping feature in the event of failure of clamping force from spring
operation or gravity actuation.
Accordingly, there was a long felt need to develop an improved carrying facility along
a conveyor means such as a Ropeway, having a gripping facility which nullifies/
substantially reduces the hitherto encountered problems as described hereinbefore,
involves simplified construction and hence reasonably low cost of production,
requires minimum and simple maintenance and simultaneously ensures near cent
percent technical soundness and safety irrespective of the ambient condition,
thereby avoiding catastrophic consequences, causing loss of life and property.

Furthermore, there was also a long felt need to design an improved carrying facility
in a Ropeway system, which provides an enhanced gripping force, even under most
unfavorable conditions.
The present invention meets the aforesaid long felt needs.
All through out the specification including the claims, the words "carrying facility",
"Ropeways", "cable", "spring", "torsion bar", "gravity", "passengers", "life",
"cabin/bucket", "carriages" are to be interpreted in the broadest sense of the
respective terms and includes all similar items in the field known by other terms, as
may be clear to persons skilled in the art. Restriction/limitation, if any, referred to in
the specification, is solely by way of example and understanding the present
invention.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying
facility along a conveyor which ensures/guarantees near cent percent technical
soundness and safety to passengers and material, irrespective of the ambient
environment, thereby avoiding catastrophic consequences and preventing loss of life
and property.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying facility
along a conveyor means, which involves simplified construction and low cost of
production, which, consequently, renders its availability at reasonable price.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying
facility on a Ropeway means, which is adapted to simple and minimum maintenance.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying facility
along a conveyor means, whereby smoothness is introduced during negotiation and
noise level during negotiation, is substantially reduced.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying
facility along a conveyor means whereby smoothness of negotiation under depressor
rollers and substantial reduction of vibration during negotiation are ensured.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing
an improved carrying facility along "a conveyor means which ensures/guarantees
near cent percent technical soundness and safety to passengers and material,
irrespective of the ambient condition, thereby avoiding catastrophic consequences
and preventing loss of life and property.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved Ropeway
system along a Ropeway which ensures/guarantees near cent percent technical
soundness and safety to passengers and material, irrespective of the ambient
condition, thereby avoiding catastrophic consequences and preventing loss of life and
property.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved Ropeway
system along a Ropeway which provides guaranteed rope gripping, even under most
unfavorable conditions, during Ropeway operation.
How the foregoing objects are achieved and the other aspects of the present
invention, will be clear from the following description which is purely by way of
understanding and not by way of any sort of limitation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved carrying facility along a
conveyor means having at least a hanger means , operatively connected to at least a
means for accommodating passengers and/or material and to at least a gripping
means, adapted to detachably grip said means for accommodating passengers
and/or material along said conveyor means, via said hanger means, wherein said
gripping means includes, at least a means for transmitting gravity force caused by
said passengers and/ or material to said gripping means via said hanger means, said
means for transmitting gravity force being operatively connected to at least a spring
facility adapted to conjugately transfer with said means , the actuated conjugate
force to said gripping means, whereby said gripping means is adapted to firmly grip
said means for accommodating passengers and/ or material on said conveyor
means, via said hanger means in a near cent percent technically sound and safe
manner, irrespective of ambient condition.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the improved and safer carrying facility
of the present invention:
-said means for transmitting gravity force includes a gravity bridge, operatively
connected to a toggle joint, to a hanger shaft and to a specially designed swivel.

-said gravity bridge and swivel are adapted to transmit said gravity force to a draw
bar, located close to said toggle joint , said draw bar being adapted to transmit said
gravity force to said toggle joint.
-said spring facility includes two or more rows of helical compression springs,
operatively connected to said toggle joint through said draw bar to cause
transmission of actuated force thereof, to said toggle joint.
-there exists a sleeve fitted on said draw bar, on which said swivel rests for passing
on force to said toggle joint.
-said toggle joint and said draw bar are operatively connected to a moving jaw , said
jaw being adapted to move with said toggle joint and said draw bar to cause locking
with the gripping force/ unlocking of the grips.
-said moving jaw is adapted to provide clamp pressure in response to force actuated
by gravity and spring mechanism.
-said moving jaw is operatively connected to a fixed jaw fixedly attached to means
for accommodating passengers and/or material, said fixed jaw being adapted to
provide clamp pressure equal and opposite to that provided by said moving jaw.
-said draw bar has fitted thereon a main roller, adapted to actuate said jaws in the
event of being pushed up or pressed down for unlocking/locking operation.
-there exists side roller assembly adapted to hold said gripping means for positioning
the grip assembly in the event of said main roller being lifted up or let or pressed
down for opening and closing of jaws, the outer surface of said roller assembly
having a coating of polyurethane layer, whereby, smoothness during negotiation is
caused to be introduced and noise level during negotiation is caused to be
substantially reduced.
-there exists tongue and tongue pin for easy negotiation under depressor rollers,
profile of said tongue being modified to cause smoothness of negotiation under
depressor rollers and to cause substantial reduction of vibration during negotiation.

The present invention also provides a monocable Ropeway system along a Ropeway
having at least a hanger , operatively connected to at least a cabin/bucket for
accommodating passengers and/or material and to at least a gripping means,
adapted to detachably grip said cabin/bucket along said Ropeway, via said hanger ,
wherein said gripping means includes, means for transmitting gravity force caused
by said passengers and/ or material to said gripping means via said hanger , said
means for transmitting gravity force being operatively connected to at least a spring
facility adapted to conjugately transfer with said means , the actuated conjugate
force to said gripping means, whereby said gripping means is adapted to firmly grip
said cabin/bucket on said Ropeway, via said hanger in a near cent percent
technically sound and safe manner, irrespective of ambient condition.
The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing an improved carrying
facility along a conveyor means including operatively connecting at least a hanger
means , to at least a means for accommodating passengers and/or material and to
at least a gripping means for detachably gripping said means for accommodating
passengers and/or material along said conveyor means, via said hanger means,
wherein said method further includes operatively connecting a means for
transmitting gravity force caused by said passengers and/ or material to at least a
spring facility adapted to conjugately transfer with said means , the actuated
conjugate force to said gripping means, whereby said gripping means firmly grips
said means for accommodating passengers and or material on said conveyor means,
via said hanger means in a near cent percent technically sound and safe manner,
irrespective of ambient condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The nature and scope of the present invention will be better understood from the
accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration of some preferred
embodiments and not by way of any sort of limitation. In the accompanying
drawings,
Figure 1 illustrates a lay out of preferred embodiment of the improved carrying
facility in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in
figure 1 taken along the section A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following describes some preferred embodiments of the present invention, which
are purely for the sake of understanding the performance of the invention, and not
by way of any sort of limitation.
As stated under the heading "Background of the Invention" the prior art carrying
facilities along conveyor means, had some serious disadvantages. The present
invention nullifies/substantially, reduces such disadvantages. In particular, the
present invention provides an improved carrying facility along a conveyor means
having a specially equipped gripping means for gripping the cabins/buckets, meant
for carrying passengers and/or material, along the conveyor means via the hanger.
The construction of the carrying facility in general and that of the gripping means in
particular, are simple and requires minimum and simple maintenance. This
consequently, renders its availability at reasonable price. The gripping means holds
the cabins/buckets along the conveyor means firmly and is not affected by the
ambient condition. Thus, near cent percent technical soundness and safety to
passengers and material is ensured, irrespective of the ambient environment,
thereby avoiding catastrophic consequences and preventing loss of life and property.
In the above context it is hereby clarified, that simply by way of example and for
understanding the present invention and not by way of any limitation, the improved
carrying facility along a conveyor means, in accordance with the present invention, have
been referred to as a Ropeway system along a monocable Ropeway . It should be
understood to persons skilled in the art that, the present invention is equally applicable to
all other carrying facilities for passengers and material along suitable conveyor means
and will be equally effective, in achieving the objects of the present invention.
The gripping facility in accordance with the present invention, incorporates gravity as
well spring actuation for guaranteed rope gripping, even under most unfavorable
conditions, during Ropeway operation. The unfailable gravity from the
passenger/load and cabin weights provides the basic gripping force. In addition, the
spring actuation augments the gripping forces applied on the rope, to form the
combined grip action.

The working interrelations of the various features, for achieving the desired
objectives, will be clear from the accompanying figures 1 and 2.
The various features, which have been illustrated in the accompanying figures, have
been represented by reference numerals as follows:

Cabin suspension or hanger is connected to the hanger shaft (2), illustrated in the
accompanying figure 1 and the weight of the cabin is transmitted to the gravity
bridge (23) through it. It is preferably, made of alloy steel. As shown in the
accompanying figure 2, the gravity bridge (23) transmits the gravitational force

arising out of the weight of the cabins and its imposed load, to the toggle joint
through hanger shaft (2) shown in the accompanying figure 1 and a specially
designed swivel (7). Preferably, it is made of structural steel fabricated and
machined. Bridge rollers (1) are provided, as shown in the accompanying figure 1
for smooth, friction less movement of Gravity Bridge with the actuation of the grip
jaws.
The swivel (7) is fitted with the gravity bridge and together, they transmit the
gravity force to draw bars (17) located close to the toggle joint. Preferably, it is
made of alloy steel. It is so flexible that positional shift of gravity box is
automatically adjusted, and gravity load applied on the drawbar. This factor plays an
important role in the transmission of gravity. The swivel (7) rests on a sleeve (14)
fitted on the draw bar (17), for passing on force to the toggle joint. A hinge block
(13) is provided for hinge connection of the draw bar (17) with the grip body.
The Gripping device also comprises helical compression springs (8, 9) preferably
made of spring steel materials. Preferably, there are two rows of springs of
different sizes in one assembly, one large (8) and the other small (9). Forces from
the pair of springs to the toggle joints are transmitted through the draw bars (17).
As stated before the gravity force is also applied on the draw bars (17), located close
to toggle joint, for its transfer to the joint. Draw bars are preferably, made of special
alloy steel.
So, spring force and gravity force are coherently transferred to the toggle joint
through the draw bar. As stated before, for that purpose a sleeve (14) is fitted on
the draw bar (17). Thereafter, through a leverage the force, is passed on to a
moving jaw(18).The moving jaw(18) moves with the movement of the toggle joint
and the draw bar and actuates the locking / unlocking of the grips. This jaw provides
clamp pressure on the rope, through the force generated by spring and gravity Load.
They are preferably made of steel with flame hardened surface, for providing
frictional resistance, without sustaining much wear. The moving jaw (18) is
operatively connected to a fixed jaw (20) by means of a jaw pin(19), preferably
made of alloy steel. The fixed jaw (20) remains fixed with the carriage body and
provides clamp pressure, equal to that exerted by moving jaw (18), but in opposite
direction. Preferably, the fixed jaw(20) is made of structural steel welded and
machined.

A main Roller (15) is fitted on the draw bar (17), near the toggle joint and actuates
the jaws when pushed up or pressed down on being gravity actuated for unlocking /
locking operation. This roller runs on the shunt rail and supports the car inside the
terminal. This is preferably made of alloy steel and fitted with ball-bearings. A guide
roller (22) holds down the grip when the main roller (15) is pushed up to open the
grip jaw against the gravity force. It is preferably made of alloy steel.
The improved carrying facility in accordance with the present invention also provides
a side roller assembly (10) for holding the carriage when the main roller (15) is lifted
up or let or pressed down for opening and closing of the jaws. These are preferably
made of alloyed steel. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a polyurethane layer is provided on the outer surface of the roller
assembly. This has facilitated, introduction of smoothness during negotiation, and
substantial noise level reduction, during negotiation.
As shown in the accompanying figure 1, the improved carrying facility in accordance
with the present invention also includes a tongue (3) and tongue pin(6) to facilitate
easy negotiation under the depressor rollers. These are preferably made of mild
steel. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
profile thereof has been modified in length and shape, making its negotiation under
depressor rollers smoother, and causing substantial reduction in the vibration during
negotiation.
A bridge(4) and bridge pin(5) are provided in between two grips. These, specially
facilitate passage of the grip, while negotiating depressor rollers, mounted on special
frames.
The salient but not non-limiting advantages of the present invention may be
summarised as below:
1. The present invention ensures/guarantees near cent percent technical soundness
and safety to passengers and material, irrespective of the ambient environment,
thereby avoiding catastrophic consequences and preventing loss of life and property,
in the event of failure of spring force actuation due to failure of spring.

2. It involves simplified construction and low cost of production, which,
consequently, renders its availability at reasonable price.
3. It is adapted to simple and minimum maintenance.
4. Smoothness is introduced during negotiation and noise level during negotiation, is
substantially reduced.
5. It ensures smoothness of negotiation under depressor rollers and substantial
reduction of vibration during negotiation.
6. It removes the draw backs in prior art substantially.
7. It ensures that failure of spring does not cause immediate failure of the grip and
in case of such an eventuality , gravity force provides sufficient pressure to continue
operation and bring the damaged unit, to the nearest station for necessary repair.
8. It ensures smooth functioning of the Ropeway, even under unfavorable weather
conditions
The technical advancements and economic significance as stated hereinbefore and
defined hereinafter in the appended claims, were hitherto not known and conceivable
to persons skilled in the art, from knowledge of existing technology in this field.
The present invention has been described with reference to some drawings and
preferred embodiments, purely for the sake of understanding and not by way of any
limitation and the present invention includes all legitimate developments within the
scope of what has been described hereinbefore and claimed in the appended claims.

WE CLAIM
1. An improved carrying facility along a conveyor means having at least a hanger
means , operatively connected to at least a means for accommodating passengers
and/or material and to at least a gripping means, adapted to detachably grip said
means for accommodating passengers and/or material along said conveyor means,
via said hanger means, wherein said gripping means includes, at least a means for
transmitting gravity force caused by said passengers and/ or material to said
gripping means via said hanger means, said means for transmitting gravity force
being operatively connected to at least a spring facility adapted to conjugately
transfer with said means , the actuated conjugate force to said gripping means,
whereby said gripping means is adapted to firmly grip said means for
accommodating passengers and/ or material on said conveyor means, via said
hanger means in a near cent percent technically sound and safe manner, irrespective
of ambient condition.
2. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for
transmitting gravity force includes a gravity bridge, operatively connected to a toggle
joint, to a hanger shaft and to a specially designed swivel.
3. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gravity bridge
and swivel are adapted to transmit said gravity force to a draw bar, located close to
said toggle joint /said draw bar being adapted to transmit said gravity force to said
toggle joint.
4. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein said spring
facility includes two or more rows of helical compression springs, operatively
connected to said toggle joint through said draw bar to cause transmission of
actuated force thereof, to said toggle joint.
5. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 1 to 4 wherein there exists a
sleeve fitted on said draw bar, on which said swivel rests for passing on force to
said toggle joint.

6. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 5, wherein said toggle joint and
said draw bar are operatively connected to a moving jaw , said jaw being adapted to
move with said toggle joint and said draw bar to cause locking with the gripping
force/unlocking of the grips.
7. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 6 wherein said moving jaw is
adapted to provide clamp pressure in response to force actuated by gravity and
spring mechanism.
8. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 7, wherein said moving jaw is
operatively connected to a fixed jaw fixedly attached to means for accommodating
passengers and/or material, said fixed jaw being adapted to provide clamp pressure
equal and opposite to that provided by said moving jaw.
9. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said draw bar has
fitted thereon a main roller, adapted to actuate said jaws in the event of being
pushed up or pressed down for unlocking/locking operation.

10. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 9 wherein there exists side
roller assembly adapted to hold said gripping means for positioning the grip
assembly in the event of said main roller being lifted up or let or pressed down for
opening and closing of jaws, the outer surface of said roller assembly having a
coating of polyurethane layer, whereby, smoothness during negotiation is caused to
be introduced and noise level during negotiation is caused to be substantially
reduced.
11. The improved carrying facility as claimed in claim 10, wherein there exists
tongue and tongue pin for easy negotiation under depressor rollers, profile of said
tongue being modified to cause smoothness of negotiation under depressor rollers
and to cause substantial reduction of vibration during negotiation.
12. A monocable Ropeway system along a Ropeway having at least a hanger ,
operatively connected to at least a cabin/bucket for accommodating passengers

and/or material and to at least a gripping means, adapted to detachably grip said
cabin/bucket along said Ropeway, via said hanger , wherein said gripping means
includes, means for transmitting gravity force caused by said passengers and/ or
material to said gripping means via said hanger , said means for transmitting gravity
force being operatively connected to at least a spring facility adapted to conjugately
transfer with said means , the actuated conjugate force to said gripping means,
whereby said gripping means is adapted to firmly grip said cabin/bucket on said
Ropeway, via said hanger in a near cent percent technically sound and safe manner,
irrespective of ambient condition.
13. A method of manufacturing an improved carrying facility along a conveyor means
including operatively connecting at least a hanger means , to at least a means for
accommodating passengers and/or material and to at least a gripping means for
detachably gripping said means for accommodating passengers and/or material
along said conveyor means, via said hanger means, wherein said method further
includes operatively connecting a means for transmitting gravity force caused by
said passengers and/ or material to at least a spring facility adapted to conjugately
transfer with said means , the actuated conjugate force to said gripping means,
whereby said gripping means firmly grips said means for accommodating passengers
and or material on said conveyor means, via said hanger means in a near cent
percent technically sound and safe manner, irrespective of ambient condition.

An improved carrying facility along a conveyor means having at least a hanger means , operatively connected to at least a means for accommodating passengers and/or material and to at least a gripping means, adapted to detachably grip said means for accommodating passengers and/or material along said conveyor means,
via said hanger means, wherein said gripping means includes, at least a means for
transmitting gravity force(23) operatively connected to at spring facility(8,9) adapted
to conjugately transfer with said means, the actuated conjugate force to said gripping means.