Abstract: A control for an elevator system having a single hoistway and a single cab movable by a reversible motor vertically within the hoistway for servicing a plurality of floors. The control includes a call station located at each floor and having a hall call pushbutton, an arrival light and an in-use light, and a plurality of pushbuttons are located in the cab, with one being associated with each floor. A microprocessor is coupled to each of the hall call pushbuttons, in-use lights, arrival lights and cab pushbuttons and is programmed to respond to call signals for actuating a first switching circuit for energizing the motor for movement in a cab raising direction or a second switching circuit for energizing the motor for movement in a cab lowering direction in response to signals from the hall call pushbuttons or cab pushbuttons.

Abstract: A stairway wheelchair lift includes a stationary motor drive unit, a rail assembly extending along the stairway and a mobile platform movable along the rail. A flexible drive member, such as a chain or cable, within the rail assembly, is driven by the motor drive unit and is connected to the mobile platform to move the platform in either direction along the rail. The mobile platform is adapted to support and transport a wheelchair-bound passenger during use, and to fold upwardly out of the way of the stairway when the lift is not in use. An automatically actuated brake mechanism stops further movement of the mobile platform when the speed of the platform relative to the rail exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a plurality of safety sensing switches prevent operation of the lift in the presence of obstructions along the stairway or other unsafe conditions.

Abstract: A stairway chairlift for transporting passengers in ascending and descending directions along a stairway includes a rail mounted adjacent one stairway wall and further includes a motorized chair unit movable along the rail. A seat, for carrying the passenger, is mounted to the top of the chair unit, and a swivel mechanism permits the seat to be rotated around a vertical axis to facilitate movement of the passenger onto and off of the seat. To minimize interference with ordinary use of the stairway, the seat is pivotally mounted to a horizontal plate which moves inwardly or outwardly in response to rotation of the seat so as to maintain a substantially constant clearance between the seat and the stairway wall. To further reduce interference with ordinary use of the stairway, the seat can be folded upwardly, as can be a foot rest mounted adjacent the lower end of the chair unit.

Abstract: A stairway wheelchair lift includes a stationary motor drive unit, a mobile platform movable along a stairway and a user interface for receiving user-generated input commands. The mobile platform communicates with the motor drive unit through a continuously maintained broadbeam infrared communications link, while the motor drive unit communicates with the mobile platform through an intermittently established short range infrared link. The user interface communicates with the motor drive through a hard wired four conductor communicates link. The use of infrared communications links, together with the four conductor hard wired link, reduces overall system wiring, enhances ease of installation and improves overall system flexibility and economy. Microprocessor based micro-controllers, within the motor drive unit, the mobile platform and the user interface, permit system operation to be tailored in accordance with the operating constraints and requirements imposed by a particular stairway configuration.

Abstract: A swimming pool lift installation for the handicapped employs a platform for carrying a wheelchair that is lowered and elevated with the platform so that a handicapped person can sit on his chair and be lowered into the pool for swimming away from the chair and can leave the pool by swimming back into the wheelchair. The chair is releasably secured to the platform so that there is no danger of it being rendered unstable by its buoyancy in the water and so that it can be wheeled on and off the platform. A water hydraulic system operates the lift to avoid contamination of the pool.