Patents by Inventor Richard J. Ericson

Richard J. Ericson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180237269
    Abstract: An elevator system for a building having a plurality of floors includes a hoistway having one or more lanes. The one or more lanes are defined by a plurality of modules. Each of the plurality of modules is associated with at least one of the plurality of floors. The plurality of modules is stacked relative to one another. Each of the plurality of modules is installable within the building prior to construction of the at least one floor associated therewith, at the same time as construction of the at least one floor associated therewith, or after construction of the at least one floor associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Richard J. Ericson
  • Publication number: 20180215586
    Abstract: A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing at least one elevator car (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing the at least one elevator car (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via an intermediate transfer station (50) disposed at an intermediate floor location, wherein the intermediate transfer station (50) includes a service lift (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Richard J. Ericson
  • Publication number: 20180170714
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator system includes a first vertical pathway, a second vertical pathway, and a transfer space situated to allow movement between the vertical pathways. An elevator car is selectively moveable along the respective vertical pathways and through the transfer space. At least one blocker has a passage condition and a blocking condition. The passage condition allows the elevator car to move from one of the vertical pathways into the transfer space when the transfer space is configured to receive the elevator car from the one of the vertical pathways. The blocking condition prevents the elevator car from moving from the one of the vertical pathways into the transfer space when the transfer space is not configured to receive the elevator car from the one of the vertical pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Richard J. Ericson, Richard N. Fargo, Enrico Manes, Bruce P. Swaybill
  • Publication number: 20180127242
    Abstract: A modular transfer station for a passenger conveyance system including a multiple of modular transfer station modules, each of the multiple of modular transfer station modules includes a static structure. A method of assembling a modular transfer station for a passenger conveyance including assembling a first interface lane alignment module to a second a second modular transfer station parking module, wherein each of the multiple of modular transfer station modules includes a generally equivalent static structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Richard J. Ericson, Bruce P. Swaybill, Richard Ivanic, Kevin Neville, Sven Swanson
  • Publication number: 20180127241
    Abstract: A suspension member for suspending and/or driving an elevator car of an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members extending along a length of the suspension member including a plurality of fibers extending along the length of the suspension member bonded into a polymer matrix. A jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The suspension member is configured to be deformed at a suspension member end to allow for installation of the suspension member end into a termination assembly of the elevator system. A method of installing a suspension member of an elevator system into a termination assembly includes deforming a suspension member end and reforming it to a selected shape, inserting the suspension member end into the termination assembly and curing and/or hardening it, and applying a load thereto or to the socket or the wedge to secure the suspension member end in the termination assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Mark R. Gurvich, Richard J. Ericson, Douglas E. Logan, John P. Wesson, David Wayne Mckee, Wenping Zhao
  • Publication number: 20170369282
    Abstract: A termination assembly (28) for an elevator belt (16) includes a termination body (40) and a fixed wedge (48) secured to the termination body (40) and having a plurality of fixed wedge surfaces (52). A moving wedge (56) is located in the termination body (40) and has a plurality of moving wedge surfaces (60) interactive with the fixed wedge surfaces (52). When an elevator belt (16) is inserted into the termination body (40) between the moving wedge (56) and the termination body (40) and a tension load is applied to the elevator belt (16), the moving wedge surfaces (60) are urged to move relative to the fixed wedge surfaces (52) to apply a contact pressure to the elevator belt (16) thus retaining the elevator belt (16) at the termination body (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Richard J. Ericson
  • Publication number: 20170355570
    Abstract: A protective device for a transportation system, wherein the protective device is disposed at each platform landing in a shaft and configured to direct falling objects away from moving components of the transportation system within the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Bruce P. Swaybill, Arthur Hsu, Randall Roberts, Richard J. Ericson
  • Publication number: 20170355558
    Abstract: A sensor system for a passenger conveyance system includes a multiple of 3D sensors mounted to a movable structure within a vertical shaft and/or a horizontal shaft and a processing module in communication with the multiple of 3D sensors, the processing module operable to identify an obstruction within the horizontal or vertical shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Yehia F Khalil, Richard N Fargo, Randall Roberts, Randall S Dube, Gary L Nuschler, Peter DePaola, JR., Arthur Hsu, Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Bruce P Swaybill, Alan Matthew Finn, Richard J Ericson
  • Publication number: 20170073193
    Abstract: A secondary portion of a linear electromagnetic propulsion system is configured to propel an elevator car disposed in a hoistway that is defined by a stationary structure. The secondary portion includes a first permanent magnet assembly extending longitudinally along the hoistway. A plurality of support structures of the secondary portion are engaged to and extend between the elevator car and the first permanent magnet assembly. The support structures are further spaced from one-another along the hoistway. A housing extends between and substantially envelopes the plurality of support structures for structural support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Richard J. Ericson
  • Publication number: 20170057784
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a lane and at least one rail extending along the lane. The at least one rail includes a first end portion and a second end portion. A transfer station is arranged at one of the first end portion and the second end portion, and an alignment system is arranged at the transfer station. The alignment system includes at least one guide member configured and disposed to establish a desired alignment between an elevator car and the at least one rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Bruce P. Swaybill, Zbigniew Piech, Richard J. Ericson, Richard E. Kulak
  • Publication number: 20170057786
    Abstract: A guidance mechanism for an elevator car is constructed and arranged to move along a lane defined at least in-part between two opposing first and second lane structures of a stationary structure. The guidance mechanism includes a first support structure supported by the first lane structure. The first support structure includes a first retainer face disposed between the elevator car and the first lane structure that substantially faces the first lane structure, and is spaced from the first lane structure. A first retention device of the mechanism is disposed, at least in part, between the first retainer face and the first lane structure. The first retention device is supported by the elevator car and is constructed and arranged to contact the first retainer face for limiting lateral movement of the elevator car away from the first lane structure and toward the second lane structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Richard N. Fargo, Enrico Manes, Zbigniew Piech, Bruce P. Swaybill, Richard J. Ericson, Xiaodong Luo, Adam Marian Myszkowski
  • Publication number: 20170036889
    Abstract: An elevator system that may be ropeless is in a structure and includes a guide rail and a guide rail extension that may generally guide a car between a hoistway and a transfer station of the system. The rail extension may generally project telescopically downward from the first rail and toward the transfer station. The telescopic relationship between the guide rail extension and the guide rail may generally compensate for vertical structure compression that may occur over a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Richard J. Ericson
  • Patent number: 9561934
    Abstract: An exemplary door frame assembly that is useful in an elevator system includes a plurality of door frame members including a header, a sill and a plurality of jambs. The door frame members are configured to be secured into a desired position along a hoistway. At least one guide rail bracket is supported by at least one of the door frame members. The guide rail bracket is moveable relative to the door frame member between a handling position in which the guide rail bracket is generally parallel to at least one of the header or the sill and a deployed position in which the guide rail bracket is generally perpendicular to the at least one of the header or sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin, Harold Terry
  • Patent number: 9561936
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator door frame includes a sill member and a header member. A plurality of jamb members are generally perpendicular to the sill member and the header member. A plurality of guide rail brackets are supported on at least one of the sill member, the header member or one of the jamb members. The guide rail brackets are configured to receive a portion of a guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Robin Mihekun Miller, Leandre Adifon, Mark Steven Thompson, Harold Terry, Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Publication number: 20160304320
    Abstract: A hoisting system is provided that includes a first hoisted object, a second hoisted object, a tension member, a first sheave, a second sheave, a drive machine, and a traction system. The tension member connects the first and second hoisted objects. The first and second sheaves contact the tension member. The drive machine is operable to rotationally drive one of the first and second sheaves. The traction system is operable to increase a total wrap angle of the hoisting system, and thus is operable to increase an available traction of the hoisting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Bruce P. Swaybill
  • Patent number: 9272880
    Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement for components of an elevator system comprises a machine support that is configured to support a load associated with an elevator machine. A support for control electronics that operate the elevator machine is connected to the machine support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Harold Terry, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 8905197
    Abstract: A device (22) for damping vibrations between a first component (16) and a second component (14) includes a receiving member (24) configured to be connected to the first component (16), a first permanent magnet (26) arranged inside the receiving member (24), a second permanent magnet (28) arranged inside the receiving member (24) in series with the first magnet (26), and an engaging member (30) slidably connected to the receiving member (24) and including a first end configured to engage the second component (14) and a second end inside the receiving member (24) adjacent the first magnet (26). The second magnet (28) includes a pole which repels a facing pole of the first magnet (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Robin Mihekun Miller, Richard J. Ericson
  • Patent number: 8820483
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system comprises a machine support (30) including a first portion (32) situated in a generally horizontal position at least partially within a hoistway (24). A second portion (34) is oriented generally perpendicular to the first portion. The second portion has one end supported by a support surface (52) adjacent the hoistway such that a portion of a load of the machine support is transferred to the support surface. One end of the first portion (32) is supported by the second portion (34) and another end of the first portion is supported by a structural member at least partially in the hoistway such that a remainder of the load of the machine support is transferred to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Harold Terry, Leandre Adifon, Stephen R. Nichols, Robin Mihekun Miller, Daryl J. Marvin, John Ferrisi
  • Patent number: 8793939
    Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement for an elevator machine comprises a first portion (32) and a second portion (34). The first portion and the second portion are moveable relative to each other between a shipping position and a deployed position in which the first portion and the second portion are generally perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Landry, Harold Terry, Richard J. Ericson, Leandre Adifon, Stephen R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20110296772
    Abstract: An exemplary door frame assembly that is useful in an elevator system includes a plurality of door frame members including a header, a sill and a plurality of jambs. The door frame members are configured to be secured into a desired position along a hoistway. At least one guide rail bracket is supported by at least one of the door frame members. The guide rail bracket is moveable relative to the door frame member between a handling position in which the guide rail bracket is generally parallel to at least one of the header or the sill and a deployed position in which the guide rail bracket is generally perpendicular to the at least one of the header or sill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin, Harold Terry