Automatic crossbar on ski chair-lift for facilitating passenger dismount

A new and improved automatic crossbar for use on passenger chairs of aerial chair-lifts for facilitating dismounting of passengers onto a landing platform comprising of:

• (a) at least one elongated bar,
• (b) said elongated bar being substantially vertical in its first closed position,
• (c) said elongated bar having a top and a bottom,
• (d) a crossbar
• (e) said crossbar being attached proximal to the bottom of said elongated bar,
• (f) a pivotal mount attaching said elongated bar to a passenger chair at a position substantially above said crossbar,
• (g) whereby said crossbar is positioned across the front of said passenger chair when said elongated bar and said crossbar are in their first closed position,
• (h) whereby said pivotal mount permits said crossbar and said elongated bar to swing forward away from the front of said passenger chair to a second opened position,
• (i) wherein said elongated bar has an upper portion extending above said pivotal mount,
• (j) a blocking structure disposed in the path of the upper portion of said elongated bar while said passenger chair moves forward to the landing platform,
• (k) whereby said blocking structure causes said upper portion of said elongated bar to rotate back upon impact, thereby levering forward said crossbar below said pivotal mount to a second opened position, whereby said crossbar is configured to swing in a manner to pull passengers forward to a standing position, with the passenger grasping the cross bar.

A method for operating an aerial ski chair-lift, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing at least an aerial ski chair-lift, which includes a suspended chair provided with a crossbar assembly, which includes a crossbar arranged to move between a first opened position away and substantially forward of the chair and a closed position at the chair for retaining at least a passenger on the chair;
• (b) having at least a passenger sitting on the chair for transport and positioning the crossbar in the closed position;
• (c) transporting the passenger to a skier landing platform;
• and
• (d) applying a force to move the crossbar substantially in a forward direction while having the passenger grasp the crossbar to pull and assist the passenger with standing up, by the moving force, at the skier landing platform.