Mechanical lift vehicle and installation comprising this vehicle

Abstract

The vehicle comprises ( 1 ) a suspension ( 4 ) presenting an upper end ( 6 ) from which is transversely extended a portion ( 8 ) of hanging to an aerial carrying and hauling cable ( 10 ), and a controller ( 12 ), to control a predetermined technical function. Moreover, the vehicle ( 1 ) comprises an offset arm ( 14 ), extending in a transverse plane, from one side of the upper end ( 6 ) opposite to that from which the hanging portion ( 8 ) is extended, the offset arm ( 14 ) presenting a proximal end arranged at the height of the upper end ( 6 ) and a distal end supporting the controller ( 12 ), an abutment member ( 16 ), and connecting means, connecting the proximal end of the offset arm ( 14 ) and the suspension ( 4 ), the connecting means enabling displacement of the offset arm ( 14 ) in the transverse plane.

1 . A mechanical lift vehicle comprising
 a suspension including an upper end from which is transversely extended a hanging portion which is intended to suspend the mechanical lift vehicle from an aerial carrying and hauling cable, and a controller which is intended to control a predetermined technical function of the mechanical lift vehicle;   an offset arm, extending in a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mechanical lift vehicle, from one side of the upper end opposite to that from which the hanging portion is extended, the offset arm having a proximal end arranged at a height of the upper end of the suspension and a distal end supporting the controller;   an abutment member against which the offset arm is intended to bear; and   a connecting device which connects the proximal end of the offset arm and the suspension, the connecting device enabling displacement of the offset arm in the transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mechanical lift vehicle,   wherein the offset arm is movable with respect to the suspension between a pre-engagement position, where the offset arm, bearing on the abutment member, is intended to come into contact with a guide ramp of a mechanical lift installation, and an engagement position wherein the offset arm, at a distance from the abutment member, is intended to slide along the guide ramp so that the controller allows carrying out the predetermined technical function.   
     
     
         2 . The mechanical lift vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is formed of two electrical conductors, substantially cylindrical, aligned along the arm and each intended to cooperate with a row of electrically conductive brushes of the mechanical lift installation, the electrical conductors being spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance to avoid that both electrical conductors come into contact with the same row of electrically conductive brushes. 
     
     
         3 . The mechanical lift vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the offset arm and the abutment member are arranged relative to one another so that the offset arm is recalled in the pre-engagement position against the abutment member only under the effect of the gravity. 
     
     
         4 . The mechanical lift vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises a pivot connection, with an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mechanical lift vehicle, enabling a rotation of the offset arm with respect to the suspension in the transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mechanical lift vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The mechanical lift vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises a flexible longitudinal element whose distal end is fastened to the proximal end of the offset arm and whose proximal end is stationary with respect to the suspension, the flexion of the flexible longitudinal element enabling displacement of the offset arm in the transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mechanical lift vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanical lift vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises a connection arm, fixed against the suspension, the connection arm presenting a distal end is connected to the proximal end of the offset arm, and an oblique portion extending to its distal end, on which the abutment member is fixed, the oblique portion being configured so that an intermediate portion of the offset arm, comprised between its proximal end and its distal end, is supported by the abutment member in a pre-engagement position. 
     
     
         7 . A mechanical lift installation, comprising two end stations connected by an aerial carrying and hauling cable, a mechanical lift vehicle according to  claim 1 , and a guide ramp arranged substantially parallel to the aerial carrying and hauling cable, on the offset arm path of the mechanical lift vehicle, so that the passage of the mechanical lift vehicle at the guide ramp causes displacement of the offset arm by the sliding of the latter along the guide ramp, and consequently the carrying out of the predetermined technical function. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanical lift installation according to  claim 7 , wherein the guide ramp is arranged in or in the immediate proximity of an embarking area and/or in or in the immediate proximity of a disembarking area of one of the end stations. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanical lift installation according to  claim 7 , comprising a mechanical lift vehicle, wherein the mechanical lift installation comprises two rows of conductive brushes substantially parallel together and to the aerial carrying and hauling cable, both conductive brushes rows being arranged above and/or below the guide ramp to come into contact with one of the electrical conductors when the offset arm slides along the guide ramp.