Chair For A Chairlift

Abstract

A chair for chairlifts includes at least one seat part which can pivot about an axis and an elastic element disposed between the seat part and a frame of the chair. An actuating device that is connected to the seat part allows the seat part to pivot downward counter to the force of the elastic element and lock the seat part in the downward position in order to make it easier for chairlift users to get on and off the chair. A cableway system having at least two stations and the chair as well as a method for pivoting at least one seat part of a chair of a chairlift, are also provided.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A chair for chairlifts, the chair comprising:
 a chair frame;   at least one seat part being pivotable about a horizontal axis into an upper starting position and a lower entry or exit position; and   an elastic element disposed between said seat part and said chair frame, said elastic element pushing said seat part upward into said starting position.   
     
     
         31 . The chair according to  claim 30 , wherein said elastic element is a spring. 
     
     
         32 . The chair according to  claim 31 , wherein said spring is a coil spring, an annular spring, a polymer spring, a leaf spring or a disk spring. 
     
     
         33 . The chair according to  claim 30 , which further comprises an actuating device for pivoting said seat part into said lower entry or exit position counter to a force of said elastic element. 
     
     
         34 . The chair according to  claim 30 , wherein said elastic element is pretensioned in said upper starting position of said seat part. 
     
     
         35 . The chair according to  claim 34 , wherein said pretension of said elastic element in said upper starting position is greater than a defined weight force of a passenger. 
     
     
         36 . The chair according to  claim 33 , wherein said seat part is configured to be locked in said lower entry or exit position. 
     
     
         37 . The chair according to  claim 36 , which further comprises a back part, said seat part being pivotable into an uppermost position in which said seat part bears against said back part. 
     
     
         38 . The chair according to  claim 37 , wherein said seat part is pivotable into said uppermost position by said actuating device. 
     
     
         39 . The chair according to  claim 33 , which further comprises a locking element connected to said seat part, and a control element connecting said locking element to said actuating device. 
     
     
         40 . The chair according to  claim 39 , which further comprises a blocking element for locking said locking element connected to said seat part in said lower entry or exit position. 
     
     
         41 . The chair according to  claim 37 , wherein said seat part is configured to be locked in said uppermost position. 
     
     
         42 . The chair according to  claim 40 , wherein said blocking element is movable into a locking position and into a releasing position by said control element. 
     
     
         43 . The chair according to  claim 40 , wherein said control element has a control cam against which said blocking element bears. 
     
     
         44 . The chair according to  claim 43 , wherein said blocking element bears against said control cam under spring force. 
     
     
         45 . The chair according to  claim 39 , wherein said control element is operatively connected to said seat part only in one direction of movement. 
     
     
         46 . The chair according to  claim 39 , which further comprises a bolt connected to said seat part, said bolt engaging in an opening formed in said control element. 
     
     
         47 . The chair according to  claim 42 , wherein said locking element has a bolt connected to said seat part, said bolt engages in an opening formed in said control element, and said bolt bears against and is guided by a control slot of said opening in said releasing position of said blocking element. 
     
     
         48 . The chair according to  claim 32 , wherein said actuating device has a drive. 
     
     
         49 . The chair according to  claim 48 , wherein said drive is a mechanical or electric drive. 
     
     
         50 . The chair according to  claim 49 , wherein said mechanical drive has at least one of a Bowden cable or a linkage. 
     
     
         51 . The chair according to  claim 39 , wherein said actuating device includes a drive and said control element. 
     
     
         52 . A cableway system, comprising:
 at least two stations; and   chairs according to  claim 30  being interconnected by said cable and configured to travel between said stations.   
     
     
         53 . A method for pivoting at least one seat part of a chair of a chairlift, the method comprising the following steps:
 pivoting the seat part about a horizontal axis into an upper starting position and a lower entry or exit position;   pivoting the seat part counter to a force of an elastic element disposed between the seat part and a frame of the chair; and   using the elastic element to push the seat part upward into the starting position.   
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , which further comprises using an actuating device connected to the seat part to pivot the seat part into the entry or exit position counter to the force of the elastic element. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 54 , which further comprises using the actuating device to lock the seat part pivoted into the entry or exit position. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 53 , which further comprises pivoting the seat part into an uppermost position in which the seat part bears against a back part. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 56 , which further comprises using the actuating device to pivot the seat part into the uppermost position. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 54 , which further comprises using a drive connected to the actuating device to move a control element. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 58 , which further comprises using the control element to pivot the seat part into the entry or exit position counter to the force of the elastic element, and using a blocking element to lock the seat part in the entry or exit position. 
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 59 , which further comprises using the control element to pivot the blocking element from a locking position into a releasing position.