EP2057055B1

EP2057055B1 - Chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device

Info

Publication number: EP2057055B1
Application number: EP07802605A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nikolaus Erharter; Alexander Pechlaner; Rudolf Beha
Original assignee: High Technology Investments BV
Current assignee: High Technology Industries SpA
Priority date: 2006-08-16
Filing date: 2007-08-14
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-14
Also published as: EP2057055A1; ITBZ20060036A1; WO2008020021A1; ATE513719T1

Abstract

A chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device, having a bracket (6) pivoting about a horizontal axis of the chair (5); a horizontal cross member parallel to the axis and fitted to the bracket by means of at least one arm (7) of the bracket to move from a barred position in front of the seat of the chair (5), into a position in which the cross member allows the passenger to mount and dismount from the seat; a ratchet means (12) fitted to an articulated joint (11) on the arm (7) of the bracket; a detent means (14) which locks onto the ratchet means (12) when the bracket (6) is in the barred position; and a control device (1) having a connecting member (17) for connection to the detent means (14), and which is activated by an actuating member at the stations. According to the invention, the connecting member (17) has at least one portion cooperating with a damping means.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device according to the preamble of Claim 1.

BACKGROUND ART

The Applicant's European Patent EP 0 808 757 describes a safety device, in which the front of the chair seat is barred by locking rotation of a cross member of a bracket, hinged by its arms to the chair frame, when the bracket is in the lowered position. This is done by means of a ratchet mechanism, in which a pawl must be released by a Bowden cable from a ratchet disk. When lowered again, the bracket rotates practically automatically under its own weight into the barred position, and the pawl immediately engages the ratchet disk, so a distracted passenger does not even have time to settle, and arrange any accompanying equipment, such as skis, in a safe, comfortable position.
DOCUMENTS US 3, 747, 974 US 4, 784, 065 AND US 3, 556, 014 DISCLOSE LIFT-CHAIRS PROVIDED WITH DAMPING MEANS FOR THE MOVEMEMT OF THEIR PROTECTION HOODS.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to avoid an uncomfortable and unsafe position of a passenger seating on a chair-lift chair and to provide a control device which allows the passenger of a chair-lift enough time to settle comfortably and safely on the chair seat before the lock control device initiates locking of the lowered crossbar, and before the cross member of the bracket moves into the locked safety position in front of the passenger, to reduce the risks of falling from the chair.
This object is attained by a chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device according to the characterizing portion of Claim 1.
By damping movement cf the ratchet mechanism into the lock position, the passenger seated on the chair is allowed enough time to settle, and arrange any accompanying equipment, in a conformable position.
In a preferred embodiment, movement of the ratchet mechanism is damped by acting on the connecting member between the control device and the detent means.
In one variation, the cylinder is filled with a viscous fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, and the piston extends in fluidtight manner through the ends of the cylinder.
In another embodiment, the an additional damping action is performed on the catch or detent means of the ratchet disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further characteristics and details of the chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device will be made clear in the accompanying Claims and in the following description of a preferred embodiment, as shown in the attached drawing, which shows a schematic side view of a chair-lift chair suspended from a single chair-lift supporting and drive cable.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 in the attached drawing indicates as a whole a crossbar lock-release control device in accordance with the invention.
Control device 1 is fitted to a suspension 2 fixed by a clamp 3 to a cable 4 of a chair-lift (not shown), and is fitted on its bottom end with a chair 5 having a seat 9.
A bracket 6, comprising two arms 7 (only one shown) and a footrest 8, is fitted in rotary manner to articulated joints 11 (only one shown), the pin of which is fitted with a ratchet disk 12 with a cog 13 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 14 carried by a two-arm lever 15, and adapted to be released in the release direction 16 of bracket 6, or the cross member, by means of a connecting member, e.g. a Bowden cable 17 fixed at its top end to a lever 18 articulated to suspension 2 at 19. On the opposite end to articulated joint 19, lever 18 has a roller 20, which cooperates in known manner (not shown) with a guide at the chair-lift departure and 17 arrival stations to lower or raise the Bowden cable and so release and/or engage ratchet disk 12. An additional bar 10 is conveniently provided to lock the crossbar of arms 7 far enough away from the seat 9 to leave enough legroom for large-build passengers.
According to the invention, a portion, or at least one end, of the connecting member or Bowden cable 17 is defined by a rod 21 supporting a piston (not shown) housed inside a cylinder 22 articulated at 23 to a clamp 24 fixed to suspension 2. Cylinder 22 may be filled with a fluid, such as gas or liquid, or may be powered electrically in known manner by sliding contacts at the stations.
Further changes and variants may be made to the chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device in accordance with the invention without, however, departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying Claims.
For example, the detent means cooperating with the ratchet disk may be appropriately damped.

Claims

A chair-lift chair safety device with a crossbar lock-release control device; comprising a bracket (6) having a footrest (8) and pivoting about a horizontal axis of the chair (5); a horizontal cross member parallel to said axis and fitted to the bracket (6) by means of at least one arm (7) of the bracket (6) to move from a barred position in front of the seat (9) of the chair (5), into a position in which the cross member allows the passenger to mount and dismount from the seat (9): a lock means (12) on an articulated joint (11) of the arm (7); a locking means (14) adapted to lock onto the lock means (12) when the bracket (6) is in the barred position; and a control device (1) comprising a connecting member (17) for connection to the locking means (14), and which is activatable by an actuating member at the chair-lift stations to act on the control device to release the locking means (14) from the lock means (12); characterized in that the connecting member (17), the locking means (14), the lock means (12) and/or at least one arm (7) cooperate with a damping means including a cylinder (22).
A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the lock means is a ratchet means (12) fitted to an articulated joint (11) on the arm (7) of the bracket (6); and the locking means is a detent means (14) which is adapted to lock onto the ratchet means (12) when the bracket (6) is in the barred position.
A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that , the cylinder (22) is filled with a viscous fluid, such as liquid or gas, and the piston extends in fluidtight manner through the ends of the cylinder (22).
A device as claimed in the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the connecting member is a Bowden cable (17) wherein the connecting member (17) comprises a portion which is fitted with a piston housed in the cylinder (22).
A device as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 or 4, characterized in that the cylinder is an electrically-powered cylinder (22).
A device as claimed in the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising an additional bar (10) to lock the crossbar of the arms (7) far enough away from the seat (9) to provide enough legroom for large-build passengers.
A device as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the detent means (14) is carried by a two-arm lever (15), at least one arm of which is loaded by a damping means.
A device as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the cylinder (22) is connected in articulated manner to a clamp (24) fixed to the suspension (2) of the chair (5).