Importance

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Abstract

An aerial tramway (21) having an endless loop haul rope (41,42,43,44) supported for movement between end terminals (27,36) and preferably for movement over at least one intermediate support tower (75) with the haul rope oriented in a substantially vertical plane. The haul rope (41,42,43,44) has an upper rope portion (57) moving in one direction and a lower rope portion (56) moving in an opposite direction, and at least one carrier unit (46) is coupled for movement by a grip assembly (55) to the upper or lower rope portion. The carrier unit (46) further includes a sheave assembly (66) positioned to be in rolling engagement with the rope portion that is not gripped. In the preferred form, the grip assembly (55) grips the upper rope portion (57) while the sheave assembly (66) rollingly engages the lower rope portion (56). The improved tramway (21) and method includes positioning the upper and lower rope portions (56,57) at a vertical distance from each other which prevents engagement of the sheave assembly (66) with the lower rope portion (56) proximate the terminals (27,36) and proximate and over any intermediate towers (75). The sheave assembly (66) is periodically disengaged from the lower rope portion (56) and the re-engaged after the carrier unit (46) is beyond the towers (75) or advances away from the end terminals (27,36). A passenger carrier unit (46) and haul rope tensioning tower assembly (101) suitable for use in the tramway system (21) also is disclosed.

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First Claim