Chairlift with positioning carriage and swivel mechanism with safety interlock

A chairlift providing a seat for transporting a passenger along a rail substantially uniformly inclined at an angle, the chairlift comprising:

• a chair assembly having a base and positioned on said inclined rail;
• and
• a swivel mechanism positioned substantially between said seat and said base for enabling said seat to move along an arcuate path relative to said base between a transport position and an offset access position, said swivel mechanism including a sliding component and a swivel component.

A swivel mechanism for use with a chair lift having a seat positioned on a base and moving along an inclined rail positioned adjacent a vertical structure, said swivel mechanism enabling said seat to move in an arcuate path relative to said base between a transport position and an access position, said seat in said transport position being substantially centered relative to said base and said seat in said access position being substantially offset relative to said base and extending beyond said base, said arcuate path being a combination of a pivotal motion and a linear motion, said swivel mechanism comprising:

• a swivel linkage positioned between said seat and said base, said linkage having an end pivotally affixed to said seat and another end pivotally affixed to said base;
• and
• a sliding shaft extending vertically from said base to said seat, having one end fixedly mounted to said seat, and another end positioned in a guide channel provided on the base and slidable therein.

A chairlift for transporting a passenger along on an inclined rail, the chairlift comprising:

• a chair assembly having a base portion configured to define a first engagement location at which said chair assembly engages said rail;
• and
• a carriage travelling on said rail with said chair assembly, said carriage engaging said rail at a second engagement location, said carriage being configured to allow adjustment of a relative distance between said first and second engagement locations.

A carriage for use with a chair assembly transporting a passenger along a rail, said carriage providing support to said chair assembly from below, said carriage comprising:

• a tracking body engaging said rail and travelling with said chair assembly;
• a support structure extending vertically from the tracking body at one location to another location at said chair assembly, said support structure being configured to enable adjustment of a relative distance between said locations for supporting said chair assembly in a substantially upright position.