EP2441637A1 - Foot rest - Google Patents

Abstract

The armchair (3) has seat (5) with protection guard (10) extending transversely on the seat from open position to closed position. A footrest (6) is connected with automatic positioning mechanism (17), so that the underneath of seat is adjusted between running position and entry and exit position.

Description

The invention relates to an armchair of a chairlift having at least one seat having a seat, with a protective bar which extends across the seat and is pivotable from an open position to a closed position, and at least one footrest.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a chairlift, in which chairs with at least one seat having a seat are moved from one station to another station and in which a guard is pivoted in a station between an open position and a closed position.

Armchairs for chairlifts have at least one seat, often two, three or four but also up to eight or more, for example, ten, side by side seats, each seat being associated with a footrest on which the passengers may fasten their feet, if necessary with them Skis or a snowboard, can set up and support (eg AT 411 523 B . AT 411 046 B ). The footrests are rigidly attached to the guard of the armchair via support rods, which extend from the guard in front of the seats down and. The footrests themselves consist of laterally projecting away from the support rod rods or tubes, which are attached to the lower end of the support rods, and are brought by pivoting the guard in the entry or exit position.

A problem when pivoting the guard is that the support bar on which the footrest is arranged, a leg of a passenger can pinch when the passenger is not in its proper seating position. This problem is critical if the passenger wants to correct the seating position, since then there is a risk that he slipped off the seat. It may also be that he has to stay in an uncomfortable sitting position if he can not correct it.

Solutions where a passenger closes the guard itself after it is in a proper seating position are detrimental because there is a risk of the guard being closed too late. In addition, the passenger in the area of a station must be able to concentrate entirely on the correct entry and exit. Proper boarding and disembarkation is an important aspect of safety within a chairlift station and throughout the journey from one station to another, as the manufacturer's safety measures are most effective in ensuring the proper behavior of passengers.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a chair and a method of the type mentioned above, with which the above problems can be avoided as much as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a chair of a chairlift, which has the features of claim 1.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 22.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

Since the footrest according to the invention is adjusted by an automatic positioning mechanism and below the seat between a driving position and an entry or exit position, there is no longer any danger that a leg of a passenger is trapped, but the passenger still does not dispense with a footrest and Also, he does not have to worry about closing the safety bar and positioning the footrest, so he can focus on getting in and out. In addition, the closing and opening of the safety bar and the positioning and removal of the footrest can be separated in time when entering and exiting. This means that when boarding first, the guard closed and later the footrest can be positioned and when getting off the footrest can still be moved with the guard closed.

In the invention, it is particularly preferred if the footrest is movable with a vertically upward movement component before reaching the driving position. Preferably, the footrest, starting from the entry or exit position with a vertically downward movement component, which merges to the travel position in a vertically upward movement component, movable. As the footrest approaches the riding position from the underside of a ski, snowboard, or the like, when positioned in the riding position, it is prevented that the footrest can press on the top of a sports equipment.

In a preferred embodiment, a positioning mechanism are arranged on the chair and a trigger in the region of a chair lift station. In the context of the invention, the positioning mechanism may in particular be associated with a guide roller which is raised or lowered when the chair in the region of a station passes through an area with a guide device associated with the guide roller. The guide device can be, for example, a guide rail as a trigger and drive for the positioning device.

In the context of the invention, the triggering of the positioning device can also be done wirelessly. For example, a sensor may be provided as a trigger.

In a further preferred embodiment, the positioning mechanism may be connected to a mechanism for opening and closing the guard and / or for pivoting the seat. Thus, the manufacturer can easily ensure that several security measures are implemented simultaneously.

In the context of the invention, the positioning mechanism may comprise at least one motor, in particular an electric motor. In this case, the trigger in the area of a station can also be an electrical signal generator for the engine. If an electric motor is used, it can be powered by a preferably rechargeable battery which is charged outside the operating time of the chairlift and / or when passing through the chair by a station.

If the battery is to be recharged while passing through a station, the battery may be connected directly to a pantograph located on the sprag or hanger of each chair. When entering a cable car station of the pantograph device comes into contact with a provided in the cable car contact device, so that the battery can be charged. The current collector can have both roller contacts and sliding contacts, which interact with a correspondingly configured contact device in the station. This contact device is preferably designed as a busbar, which is arranged along the conveying cable or traction cable of the cable car system. The energy transfer can also be made contactless in the form of an inductive coupling. Here, an electric alternating field is built up by a corresponding device along the Zugsseils that is received by a corresponding device of the chair and used to charge the battery.

In a purely mechanical positioning mechanism, this can exert on the footrest, for example by a rope, a tensile force and / or for example by a linkage a compressive force. In a motor-operated positioning mechanism, ropes or linkages for exerting tensile force on the footrest need not necessarily be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, a spring accumulator when moving the footrest from the driving position to the entry and exit position can be stretched and the footrest can be moved later from the spring storage of the entry or exit position in the driving position. As a spring memory, for example, a mechanical spring or a pressure medium cylinder can be used, which is stretched when retracting the chair in the station, while the footrest is moved from the driving position to the entry or exit position. The stored energy can then be used to move the footrest from the entry or exit position to the position. On its own, this can alternatively be done in reverse by tensioning the spring accumulator out of the station when the armchair is extended and using the stored energy to move the footrest from the driving position to the entry or exit position. For tensioning the spring accumulator, the mechanism can be coupled, for example, to a guide rail in or in front of the station, as is known per se, for example, from the automatic opening and closing of the protective stirrup or protective hoods of elevators. To trigger the spring accumulator, it is then only necessary to release a lock of the spring accumulator, which can be done for example mechanically or wirelessly or electrically.

In the case of the invention, provision may in particular be made for the footrest to be arranged in the travel position in the region below the front edge of the seat surface and in the entry or exit position in the region of the rear edge of the seat surface. In the context of the invention, the footrest can be arranged in the entry and exit position in the area below the seat and / or behind the backrest.

In driving position, i. while passengers put their feet, possibly with attached skis or a snowboard, on the footrest and support, the footrest can be held by at least one tie rod in position. In embodiments of the chair according to the invention, in which the positioning mechanism remains stable enough in position, no additional struts need to be provided.

For example, the footrest may be a crossbar that extends either at least partially across the width of a seat or substantially the entire width of the chair. In the context of the invention, differently shaped footrests, for example, plate-shaped footrests, may also be used.

• Fig. 1 eine Sesselliftanlage mit zwei Stationen,
• Fig. 1a bis 1c den Bewegungsablauf bei der Positionierung einer erfindungsgemäßen Fußstütze während der Ausfahrt aus einer Station,
• Fig. 1d und 1e den Bewegungsablauf beim Zurückziehen einer erfindungsgemäßen Fußstütze während der Einfahrt in eine Station,
• Fig. 2 bis 7 den Bewegungsablauf bei der Positionierung einer erfindungsgemäßen Fußstütze im Detail,
• Fig. 8 und 9 eine Detailansicht von Streben der erfindungsgemäßen Fußstütze,
• Fig. 10 eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Fußstütze in der Position entsprechend Fig. 7,
• Fig. 11 eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Fußstütze in der Fahrtposition,
• Fig. 12 die Ausführungsform von Fig. 11 in einer Zwischenstellung
• Fig. 13 die Ausführungsform von Fig. 11 in der Ein- bzw. Ausstiegsposition .

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

• Fig. 1 a chair lift with two stations,
• Fig. 1a to 1c the sequence of movements in the positioning of a footrest according to the invention during the exit from a station,
• Fig. 1d and 1e the sequence of movement when retracting a footrest according to the invention during the entry into a station,
• Fig. 2 to 7 the sequence of movements in the positioning of a footrest according to the invention in detail,
• 8 and 9 a detailed view of struts of the footrest according to the invention,
• Fig. 10 a further embodiment of a footrest according to the invention in the position accordingly Fig. 7 .
• Fig. 11 a further embodiment of a footrest according to the invention in the driving position,
• Fig. 12 the embodiment of Fig. 11 in an intermediate position
• Fig. 13 the embodiment of Fig. 11 in the entry or exit position.

In Fig. 1 a chairlift system with a first station 1 and a second station 2 is shown, between which chairs 3 are moved on a hoisting rope 4. The chairs can be fixed clamped or detachably connected to the hoisting rope 4.

When a passenger sits in the first station 1 on a seat 5 of a chair 3, a footrest 6 is in its entry position on the back of the chair 3 ( Fig. 1a as well as area 1 a in Fig. 1 ). During or shortly after the exit from the first station 1, the footrest 6 is then pivoted under the seat 5 ( Fig. 1b as well as area 1 b in Fig. 1 ) until they are in Fig. 1 c shown driving position in which a passenger supports his feet or sports equipment on her occupies. The footrest 6 then remains in this driving position until the chair 3 reaches the entrance area of the second station 2. In the entrance area of the second station 2, the footrest 6 is then pivoted back under the seat 5 (FIG. Fig. 1d as well as area 1d in Fig. 1 ) until it occupies the exit position, in which the footrest 6 is again arranged on the back of the chair 3. In this exit position ( Fig. 1 e as well as area 1 e in Fig. 1 ), which corresponds to the entry position, the passenger in the second station 2 can get out of the chair 3 and get a new passenger in the chair 3.

In the Fig. 2 to 7 is a chair 3 with a footrest 6 according to the invention shown obliquely from behind. The chair 3 has four seats 5 each having a seat surface and a backrest 7, wherein the seat surface has a rear edge 8 associated with the backrest 7 and a front edge 9 lying opposite the rear edge 8. In addition, the chair 3 has a protective bar 10 which extends transversely across the seats 5 and is pivotable from an open position to a closed position.

Except for the footrest 6, the remaining parts may be carried out as usual in the prior art. It is therefore only mentioned in general and by way of example that the guard 10 is arranged on a frame 11, which is connected via a hinge to a mounting bracket 12, at the upper end of a clamping device for attaching the armchair 3 is attached to the hoisting rope 4. The invention can be used for all types of armchairs.

In the in the Fig. 2 to 7 illustrated embodiment, the footrest 6 is a crossbar which extends substantially over the entire width of the chair 3. On the crossbar two side parts 6a, 6b are arranged, which are connected via joints 13 with parallel, pivotable rods 14, which is arranged via joints 15 on the chair 3. On the side parts 6a, 6b of the footrest 6 are struts 16, which additionally put the footrest 6 in their driving position, arranged articulated. The struts 16 may also be arranged on the pivotable rods 14 in the context of the invention. However, it is preferred that the struts 16 are arranged as close as possible to the footrest 6, since there the loads from the passengers supported on the footrest 6 can best be absorbed.

The footrest 6 and the side parts 6a, 6b form a U-shaped half-frame. In the context of the invention, the pivotable rods 14 may also be parts of a U-shaped frame with the two parallel rods and a crossbar. At this U-shaped, pivotable frame 14, the footrest 6 can be arranged as shown. Alternatively, it is possible that more than one footrest is arranged on the U-shaped, pivotable frame 14, for example in the form of a T-shaped linkage. Pro seat 5 can then be provided, for example, a footrest, with the emanating from a crossbar of the U-shaped, pivotal frame 14 rod extends in the driving position and seen in the direction of travel centrally below the seat 5. The arranged thereon footrest in the form of the T-shaped crossbar extends a maximum of the length of the front edge 9 of the seat 5. It can also be provided for every two seats a footrest, with the crossbar of the U-shaped, pivotable frame 14th outgoing rod in driving position and seen in the direction of travel between two seats 5 extends. The footrest disposed thereon then extends, for example, from the center of the one adjacent seat 5 to the middle of the other adjacent seat 5.

In Fig. 2 is the entry or exit position of the footrest 6 analogous to the Fig. 1a and 1e shown. In this position, in which the protective bar 10 is arranged in an open position above the seat 5, the footrest 6 and the pivotable rods 14 are located on the back of the backrest 7, wherein serving as a footrest 6 crossbar in the region of the trailing edge 8 of Seat is arranged. The planes defined by the pivotable rods 14 and by the side parts 6a, 6b and the transverse bars run substantially parallel to the surface of the backrest 7. The struts 16 are in their initial position in which they are substantially parallel (angle of about 10 "a) to the side parts 6a, 6b of the footrest 6.

When the chair 3 moves out of the station 1, the footrest 6 is moved by a positioning mechanism 17 as in Figs Fig. 3 to 7 shown, automatically pivoted. The positioning mechanism 17 comprises in the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 2 to 7 Electric motors, which are arranged in the region of the articulated joints 13, 15, 19 between the armchair 3 and the pivotable rods 14, between the pivotable rods 14 and the side parts 6a, 6b and between the side parts 6a, 6b and the tension strut 16. The pivoting of the footrest 6 takes place partly at the back but essentially below the seat 5.

Fig. 4 shows one to the in the Fig. 1 b and 1d positions shown analog position. In the area of this position, the footrest 6 is in its lowest position and subsequently moves obliquely forwards and upwards, so that it approaches the skis or snowboards of the passengers from behind and below. The movement of the footrest 6 thus has a vertically upwardly directed and a horizontally forwardly directed component of movement, before they reach the in Fig. 7 achieved driving position shown.

In Fig. 6 a position is shown in which the footrest 6 is already arranged almost in the driving position. Serving as a footrest 6 crossbar is now located below the front edge 9 of the seat. In this position, the struts 16 have been pivoted from their initial position via a hinge 19 such that the free end 20 of the tension strut 16 of the front edge 9 of the seat approximates. The pivoting of the struts is effected by the electric motors 19.

In Fig. 7 is the final driving position of the footrest 6 analogous to Fig. 1c shown. In this position, serving as a footrest 6 crossbar is disposed below the front edge 9 of the seat. The struts 16 are arranged at an angle of approximately 90 ° to the side parts 6a, 6b. In this driving position, the struts 16 are in their deployed position, in which their free ends 20 are as in FIG Fig. 8 Set shown in the area of the front edge 9 of the seat to hold the footrest 6. In the in Fig. 7 the seat 3 remains during the entire journey from the first station 1 to the inlet area of the second station 2.

8 and 9 show a arranged in the region of the front edge 9 of the seat and along its longitudinal axis movable pin 21. In driving position of the footrest 6, the pin 21 defines the free end 20 of the tie rod 16 ( Fig. 8 ), whereas in the in Fig. 9 shown retracted position and the free end 20 of the tension strut 16 releases so that the footrest 6 can be moved into the entry or exit position. Other forms of locking the struts 16 on a stable part of the chair but of course also possible.

If the free end 20 of the tension strut 16 to be solved because the footrest 6 is to be pivoted back in the entry area of the second station 2 from the driving position to the exit position, the pin 21 is pushed into the seat 5, so that the locking of the free end 20 of the tension strut 16 is released. The displacement of the pin 21 can be done in the context of the invention on the same trigger as the positioning of the footrest. 6

The pivoting of the footrest 6 from the driving position to the exit position is carried out automatically by the positioning mechanism 17 and analogous to the previous embodiments in the reverse manner.

In Fig. 10 a further embodiment of a footrest according to the invention in driving position is shown. In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 17 comprises, in addition to an electric motor arranged on the chair 3, additional cables 18 which are arranged on the pivotable rods 14, on the side parts 6a, 6b and on the struts 16. By the rope 18, a tensile force can be exerted on the said components, whereby the positioning of the footrest 6 is supported by the driving position in the entry or exit position.

In the Fig. 11 to 13 a further embodiment of the invention is shown in which the positioning mechanism 22 has a toggle lever with two lever arms 23, 24, which are interconnected via a hinge 25. One of the two lever arms 23 is articulated via a hinge 26 with a frame-fixed member 27 and the other lever arm 24 via a hinge 28 with a side part 6a, 6b. On each side of the chair 3, a pair of the two lever arms 23, 24 is arranged.

That the joint 26 associated end of the lever arm 23 is connected to a drive shaft, not shown, which can be driven by an armature 3 arranged on the electric motor. Also in other as described above drive mechanism for the lever arms 23 may be provided.

In Fig. 11 the footrest 6 is shown in the driving position, in which a passenger can support his feet with optionally sports equipment arranged thereon. The two levers 23 and 24 are in a so-called locking position, in which the joint 25 can not be moved further up, the lever 23 thus can not be rotated counterclockwise. Preference is given to the levers 23 and 24 attacks arranged, which define this locking position.

Such footrest 6 from the driving position according to Fig. 11 in the entry or exit position according to Fig. 13 are moved, the lever 23 is rotated clockwise, as in Fig. 12 you can see. By further rotation of the lever 23, the footrest 6 on the second levers 24 into the Fig. 13 shown pivoted position.

For renewed pivoting of the footrest 6 in the in Fig. 11 shown driving position, the lever 23, starting from the in Fig. 13 pivoted position shown counterclockwise until it over the in Fig. 12 shown intermediate position again in Fig. 11 shown position has reached, in which the stops not shown in abutment with each other thus prevent further pivoting, even if passengers pose on the footrest 6.

As an alternative to the abovementioned attacks, of course, other means may be provided which further pivot the levers 23, 24 over the in Fig. 11 Prevent the position shown.

The movement of the protective bow 10 can take place in the invention at the same time or offset in time from the movement of the footrest 6. In particular, the movement of the footrest 6 from the entry or exit position into the driving position, while the movement of the footrest 6 from the driving position to the entry or exit position before the movement of the footrest 6 first carried out at a staggered movement first Opening the protective bracket 10 can be done.

Claims (15)

Chair of a chairlift having at least one seating seat (5), with a safety bar (10) extending transversely across the seat (5) and pivotable from an open position to a closed position, and with at least one footrest (6 ), characterized in that the footrest (6) with an automatic positioning mechanism (17, 22) and below the seat (5) between a driving position and an entry or exit position is adjustable. Armchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest (6) before reaching the driving position with a vertically upward movement component is movable, in particular, that the footrest (6), starting from the entry or exit position with a vertical to directed downward movement component, which merges to the driving position in the vertically upward movement component, is movable. Armchair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the positioning mechanism (17, 22) on the chair (3) and in the region of a chair lift station a triggering device are arranged. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the positioning mechanism (17, 22) is connected to a mechanism for opening and closing the safety bar (10) and / or with a mechanism for pivoting the seat. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the footrest (6) via pivotal rods (14) is connected to the chair (3). Armchair according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivotable rods (14) are connected to a frame. Armchair according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one part (6a, 6b) of the footrest (6) or the pivotable rods (14) at least one tension strut (16) for the footrest (6) is arranged, the free end (20) in the driving position in the region of the front edge (9) of the seat can be fixed. Armchair according to claim 7, characterized in that the free end (20) of the tension strut (16) in driving position on an abutment, for example on a displaceable along its longitudinal axis pin (21) is fixable. Armchair according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the positioning mechanism (17) with the pivotable rods (14), with at least a part (6a, 6b) of the footrest (6) and with the tension strut (16) is connected. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the positioning mechanism (17, 22) comprises at least one motor, in particular an electric motor. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the positioning mechanism (17) comprises at least one cable (18) and / or a linkage. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a spring accumulator, which is stretched when moving the footrest (6) from the driving position to the entry or exit position. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by a spring accumulator, which is stretched when moving the footrest (6) from the entry or exit position to the driving position. Armchair according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pivoting mechanism (22) comprises a toggle lever, of which a lever (23) on the chair (3) or one fixed to the (3) armchair part and the other lever ( 24) is mounted on the footrest (6) or a part connected to the footrest (6). Armchair according to claim 14, characterized in that the toggle lever (23, 24) has a blocking position, in which at least one lever (23, 24) is not pivotable in at least one direction.

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