Abstract: An elevator system comprising multiple elevator cabs operating independently in an elevator shaft. Each cab comprises a pair of underslung suspension cables, equally spaced apart from the center of the cab; a lift motor at a top surface of the shaft having an axle with a traction sheave at each end of the axle; each set of suspension cables connected at a first end to a hook at the top surface, engaging a pulley connected to a counterweight, engaging a first traction sheave, engaging a cab pulley, slung under the cab, engaging a second cab pulley and terminating at a second end connected to the top surface. Each set of four cab pulleys of each elevator cab is progressively and symmetrically located closer to the center of each cab, so that suspension cables, counterweights, pulleys, hooks, lift motors, axles, and traction sheaves will not horizontally or vertically conflict with each other.

Abstract: An elevator system comprising multiple elevator cabs operating independently in an elevator shaft. Each cab comprises a pair of underslung suspension cables, equally spaced apart from the center of the cab; a lift motor at a top surface of the shaft having an axle with a traction sheave at each end of the axle; each set of suspension cables connected at a first end to a hook at the top surface, engaging a pulley connected to a counterweight, engaging a first traction sheave, engaging a cab pulley, slung under the cab, engaging a second cab pulley and terminating at a second end connected to the top surface. Each set of four cab pulleys of each elevator cab is progressively and symmetrically located closer to the center of each cab, so that suspension cables, counterweights, pulleys, hooks, lift motors, axles, and traction sheaves will not horizontally or vertically conflict with each other.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling multiple elevator cabs in an elevator shaft of a structure, where at least one elevator shaft having a plurality of zones, each zone representing at least one floor of the structure; at least one zone having at least one sensor; at least two elevator cabs moveable within the shaft, each cab moveable independently of other cabs; and a controller that determines movement of each cab into a zone. A first cab preceding any other cab, designated a leading cab; each cab following the leading cab, designated as a trailing cab; each cab moveable in the same direction of travel to service zones until each cab reaches its designated end zone; wherein the controller only instructs a trailing cab to move into a zone with a sensor, after the sensor in the zone detects a cab that was located in such zone has exited that zone thereby preventing collisions.

Abstract: An elevator system permitting horizontal movement of a normally vertically moving elevator cabin, the elevator cabin being automatically attached to or detached from an elevator frame and horizontally moved to or from another elevator shaft or other destination. While an elevator cabin is supported on an elevator frame or other surface, various cables, rods, plugs and other equipment are automatically connected to or disconnected from the elevator cabin to enable vertical or horizontal motion of the elevator cabin. Once disconnected from such devices, the elevator cabin can be propelled horizontally out of the elevator frame and elevator shaft, onto other surfaces, such as floors of a building, and move horizontally to another destination. An elevator cabin may also be horizontally moved into an elevator shaft and onto the surface of an elevator frame, and connected to the frame, thus enabling such cabin to then move vertically within an elevator shaft.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs and counterweights in each elevator shaft. Each cab is connected to one or more spatially separated counterweights at different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cabs, cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may have one counterweight cable and may be connected to one or more counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two opposing vertical guide rails, and each guide rail is mounted at the center of one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by one or more lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can also be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to spatially separated counterweights in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on tracks, to guide each cab through the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention. A system and method for controlling the motions of all cabs comprising determining and selecting an optimal cab and a best hoistway range to service passenger requests.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs and counterweights in each elevator shaft. Each cab is connected to one or more spatially separated counterweights at different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cabs, cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may have one counterweight cable and may be connected to one or more counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two opposing vertical guide rails, and each guide rail is mounted at the center of one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by one or more lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can also be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to spatially separated counterweights in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on tracks, to guide each cab through the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention. A system and method for controlling the motions of all cabs comprising determining and selecting an optimal cab and a best hoistway range to service passenger requests.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs and counterweights in each elevator shaft. Each cab is connected to one or more spatially separated counterweights at different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cabs, cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may have one counterweight cable and may be connected to one or more counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two opposing vertical guide rails, and each guide rail is mounted at the center of one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by one or more lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can also be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.