Having Specific Stationary Guiding Structure For Counterbalance Means Or Load Support Patents (Class 187/406)
  • Patent number: 6830131
    Abstract: A hoisting machine for an elevator, mounted on and fastened to one side of an elevator or counterweight guide rail. The machine comprises at least an elevator motor and a traction sheave driving the elevator ropes, and two operating brakes of the elevator. The hoisting machine is fastened to the guide rail via the operating brakes or by a point in the immediate vicinity of the operating brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Publication number: 20040231930
    Abstract: A multiple function cross-head for an elevator is horizontally disposed at the upper ends of two vertical stiles that form an elevator car frame. The cross-head supports a door header, door hanger assembly, door operator assembly, and a cross-beam. The cross-beam supports a sheave assembly which engages a rope in an elevator system to raise and lower the elevator car in a shaftway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Bass, Aranggi Soemardjan
  • Publication number: 20040226778
    Abstract: The invention relates to hoists constructions with a drive mechanism installed on the hoist and concerns the guide construction. The guiding system of the hoist contains the guide having central part and side elements and having arch or triangular form in cross-section, supporting elements fixed in the central part of the guide along the length of the guide and serving as the support for the driving element of the hoist drive when it moves, supporting surfaces executed on each side element of the guide along its length and serving for location fixation of the driving element of the hoist drive and the movable part of the hoist itself relative to supporting elements, attachment points of the guide to the external support executed on each side element of the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Alexandr Vladimirovich Tarasov, Oleg Ivanovich Efimov
  • Publication number: 20040159501
    Abstract: An assembly arrangement for a lift construction supports the lift drive at the upper end of both a support column and lift cage and counterweight guide rails, allowing the lift drive load to be transferred to the floor of the lift by each of the supporting members. The support of the lift drive upon the rails may be accomplished through setting screws that allow the load applied to the rails to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Hanspeter Bloch, Mario Heggli, Roland Delvento
  • Publication number: 20040154875
    Abstract: The invention comprises a support structure for an elevator system comprising a pit channel module having a first leg and a second leg connected at a corner, a header module having three sides forming a triangle which is disposed in a horizontal plane above the pit channel module, and pairs of car guide rails and counterweight guide rails extending vertically from the pit channel module to the header module. Vertical forces generated within the system are transferred from the rails through the pit channel module and into a foundation so that at least substantially no vertical load forces are imparted on the building structure which the system serves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bass, John W. Koshak
  • Publication number: 20040154870
    Abstract: A mechanical system and method for constructing a self-supporting, elevator support structure and a traction (rope-operated) elevator system comprising such a support structure. A rail-climbing platform is used to progressively erect higher levels of modular rail sections and other components of the system without the need for external props such as a scaffold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Bass, John W. Koshak, Aranggi Soemardjan
  • Publication number: 20040104078
    Abstract: The present invention describes a formed of curved stairlift rail (12) formed by bending two sections (20a), (20b) of a relatively small diameter, standard, round tube to a mating configuration; nestling the tube sections together, one above the other; and then fixing the sections together by, for example, welding along the junctions between the tubes. The invention also describes novel forms of carriage (11) described having fixed central roller assemblies (42, 44); (65), (70), (71); and two outer, leading and trailing, roller assemblies (41, 43); (73a), (73b) which move in a substantially mirror fashion to one another when negotiating inside/outside bends, but which move together, along spaced parallel axes, when the carriage is negotiating transition bends. Spring (50), (90) are provided to bias the outer roller assemblies against the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Andreas Csaba Szentistvany, Alan Neil Russel Stannah
  • Patent number: 6672013
    Abstract: An improved method for mounting elevator rails within a hoistway includes the initial step of securing support brackets to a pair of rails. The brackets, rails, a machine for driving a cab and a dead end hitch are then mounted within the hoistway. A cab may then be moved vertically within the hoistway and additional support brackets are placed at vertically spaced locations. The connection of the brackets and rails provides support to dissipate the loads which are transferred into the rail in such systems wherein the machine or the dead end hitch is fixed to a rail. Once the rails have been adequately supported by additional brackets, the brackets which are secured to the rails are removed from the rail. The brackets provide support, but are no longer fixed to the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Glassey, Leandre Adifon, Thomas Landry, Bruce Swaybill, Richard Fargo, Jim Rivera, Bruce St. Pierre
  • Patent number: 6662408
    Abstract: A device for securing an end on a load bearing member in an elevator system includes a socket, a wedge and at least one insert member. The socket at least partially receives the insert member and wedge to maintain the end of the load bearing member in position. The preferred arrangement includes two insert members that engage the load bearing member on opposite sides of the wedge such that the load bearing member is gripped between the wedge and the insert members. The insert members and the socket preferably include contoured surfaces that facilitate arranging the engaging surfaces on the inserts in a parallel alignment to most evenly distribute pressure on the load bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Jose Sevilleja Perez, Juan Martin Martin
  • Patent number: 6655500
    Abstract: In a traction sheave elevator, the elevator car is suspended on hoisting ropes by a diverting pulley. The diverting pulley used to suspend the elevator car on the hoisting ropes is mounted on one side of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jaakko Orrman, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Publication number: 20030213655
    Abstract: A tower for selectively supporting an elevator thereon includes an elongated structure that slidably supports the elevator therealong. The elongated structure defines a structure axis and includes at least two generally opposed first and second longitudinal structure sidewalls. Generally elongated first and second elevator retaining guides releasably secure to the first and second structure sidewalls, respectively, for guiding and retaining the elevator along the elongated structure. The first and second retaining guides extend generally radially outwardly from the elongated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Andre St-Germain
  • Publication number: 20030116386
    Abstract: A guide rail arrangement for avoiding the costly and time-consuming aligning of the guide rails for a counterweight and an elevator car includes guide rails fastened to a mounting bracket connected with the shaft wall at the door side. The guide rails of two counterweights are held by double claws that are fastened to the mounting bracket by only one screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Ernst Friedrich Ach
  • Publication number: 20030106747
    Abstract: An elevator including a movable unit, such as a passenger cage or a counterweight balancing the passenger cage, configured to ascend and descend in an elevator shaft by operation of a drive unit, and a governor configured to detect the speed of the movable unit to effect an emergency stop of the movable unit, the governor being fixed by means of a support member to a guide rail extending along the elevator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Hirotada Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20030089555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two- or multi-stage mast-hydraulic cylinder construction (4, 5) for a truck mast. The fixed mast assembly has its substantially vertical beams (4, 5) and its cylinder liners (29) provide an integrated structure (4, 5), wherein the cylinder liners (29) are constituted by channels integrated inside the beams (4, 5), said integrated structures having their centre of mass at the centre of the cylinder liner (29) or in the immediate vicinity thereof, that the integrated structure (4, 5) is capable of being manufactured by hot extrusion or cold drawing, and that the integrated structure (4, 5) is provided with one flange (13), one side of which comprises a bearing surface (16) and the opposite side comprises a support surface (17), said surfaces (16, 17) lying in a plane transverse to the operating direction of a truck, and with at least one second flange (19) for locating the centre of mass at the centre of the cylinder liner (29) or in the immediate vicinity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Rocla Oyj
    Inventor: Janne Polvilampi
  • Publication number: 20030075388
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system for the transport of loads and/or persons in an elevator shaft with at least two elevator cars which can be moved in the elevator shaft and are connected to a counterweight via carrying means, wherein a drive is associated with each car. In order to develop the elevator system further in such a manner that it can be produced inexpensively and has an improved transport capacity it is suggested in accordance with the invention that at least one common track section and, in addition, separate track sections arranged next to one another be associated with at least two cars in sections along the elevator shaft, wherein the cars can be moved not only in the same direction but also in directions opposite to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Thyssen Aufzugswerke GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Reuter, Wolfgang Meissner, Helmut Schlecker, Walter Nuebling, Martin Kleine-Doepke
  • Publication number: 20030057027
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes rail and carriage assembly combination that provides improved efficient operation. A rail is provided that has an inside surface that includes a straight back surface and an angled front surface. A carriage assembly is provided that includes upper rollers that are canted. Preferably the upper rollers are canted to match the angle of the angled front surface of the rail when a load is applied to the carriage assembly. As to fore/aft loads, the present invention provides a rail and carriage assembly design that causes the upper rollers of the carriage assembly to contact the front inside surface of the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Stan J. Simpson, Mark James Dodd
  • Publication number: 20030058120
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the state of a rail stretch utilize a receiver that is moved along the rail stretch to receive radio signals transmitted by at least three transmitters mounted in the elevator shaft. Spacing data is determined from the radio signals and is compared by an evaluating unit with reference data of the spacing to generate a result with respect to the state of the rail stretch. The positions of rail fastenings, connecting straps and shaft doors can be detected by additional sensors also moved along the rail stretch and are represented in a correction protocol to permit an efficient adjusting of the rail stretch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Rene Kunz
  • Patent number: 6523318
    Abstract: A carrying track for a building, which includes a building including a plurality of floors, a track extending from a lower floor of the building to a floor above the lower floor, the track structurally forming part of the floors and part of an outside surface of the building, wherein the track includes two vertical halves with a gap formed between, the gap being exposed to the outside surface of the building and extending inwards from the outside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Aviv Carmel Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Aviv Carmel
  • Patent number: 6481538
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a mounting device that facilitates more readily installing guide rails within a hoistway and supporting the elevator cab and counterweight on the same rails. A plurality of mounting devices are used along the length of the hoistway. Each mounting device includes a first mounting bracket that preferably is secured directly to a selected wall within the hoistway. A second mounting bracket is secured to the first mounting bracket. The position of the second mounting bracket relative to the first is selectively adjusted. The second mounting bracket includes support portions for supporting the guide rails within the hoistway. The support portions on the second bracket have a fixed distance between them to facilitate maintaining an accurate distance between the guide rails throughout the hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Barry Blackaby, William Alfred Wurts
  • Patent number: 6471012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a traction sheave elevator. The elevator car has been arranged to move along guide track in an elevator shaft. The counterweight has been arranged to move along guide track in the elevator shaft. Both ends of rope are attached to a fixed overhead structure. The elevator car and the counterweight are supported by the rope. The rope is passed via a number of rope pulleys, one of which is the traction sheave while the others are diverting pulleys. Rope pulleys are connected to the counterweight, to the fixed overhead structure in the upper part of the elevator shaft and to the elevator car. The elevator car is provided with a first pair of car rope pulleys placed at a distance from each other. The traction motor has been arranged to drive one of the rope pulleys, which is the traction sheave. Connected to the elevator car is a second pair of car rope pulleys, in which the car rope pulleys are at a distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Luciano Faletto
  • Publication number: 20020148688
    Abstract: A structural system for elevator assemblies includes a horizontal compression member positioned near the top of the elevator hoistway for reacting to inwardly directed tension loads and moment forces applied to the hoistway wall and connection components resulting from the elevator vertical load. The horizontal compression member includes a rigid member positioned in a compression state between mounting structures for elevator ropes and elevator machine components such that the compression member reacts and counters inwardly directed horizontal forces and resultant moment forces caused by a centralized, downward vertical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Leandre Adifon, Richard N Fargo, Thomas E Landry, James A Rivera, Bruce St Pierre, Bruce P Swaybill
  • Patent number: 6446762
    Abstract: An elevator machine mounting system for use in a machineroom-less elevator system includes a two-piece frame that is anchored to an elevator hoistway. The first frame piece is permanently anchored to the hoistway wall. The frame is anchored at the top of the hoistway and at the floor slab of the top landing. The first frame piece includes top counterweight rail brackets and a portion of the rail bracket for the car and counterweight at the top landing level. The first frame piece also includes a counterweight dead-end hitch and a controller/drive mounting. The second frame piece is fitted to the first frame piece after the elevator machine is mounted to the second frame piece. The second frame piece is adjustable postwise with respect to the first frame and then bolted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Bruce St. Pierre, Bruce P. Swaybill
  • Publication number: 20020108815
    Abstract: A hoisting machine (1) for an elevator (54), mounted on and fastened to one side of an elevator or counterweight guide rail (6). The machine comprises at least an elevator motor (2) and a traction sheave (4) driving the elevator ropes (5), and two operating brakes (103) of the elevator. The hoisting machine (1) is fastened to the guide rail (6) via the operating brakes (103) or by a point in the immediate vicinity of the operating brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 6431322
    Abstract: A plunger guide for a telescopic jack in a hydraulic elevator includes a crenelated guide rail with a top surface, two opposing side surfaces which are perpendicular to the top surface, and first and second flanged projections respectively projecting from the first and second side surfaces. The plunger guide also includes a support having a bracket and a lateral segment which connects the bracket to the plunger to be guided. The bracket includes a first set of bearings arranged for gliding on the top surface of the guide rail, a second set of bearings for gliding on both side surfaces of the guide rail, and a third set of bearings for gliding on a bottom surface of each of the first and second flanged projections which faces away from the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Eileen W. Rossman, Karl B. Orndorff
  • Patent number: 6425463
    Abstract: A lifting device for transporting items of personal property between floors of a building is provided which includes an a vertically adjustable outer frame, a pair of vertically adjustable spaced apart guide rails attached to the outer frame, a lift container having guide members positioned thereon to guide the lift container along said guide rails and to allow the lift container to move vertically along said guide rails, and a drive mechanism including a motorized drive pulley, a plurality of idler pulleys and drive belt. The drive belt is connected at one end to a top wall of said lifting container and is connected at an opposite end to the bottom wall of said lifting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Frederick Kenneth Broyan
  • Publication number: 20020066622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure and an apparatus for the installation of an elevator. According to the invention, at least one suspension element is fixed to the upper part of the elevator shaft, to which element is fitted a suspension device used to support shaft equipment during installation. The suspension device is mounted on the suspension element using a mounting tool from the top floor landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Kakan Pettersson, Gert Van Der Meijden, Istvan Toth
  • Patent number: 6397574
    Abstract: A synthetic rope has multiple layers of load-bearing aramide fiber strands laid together with a coating on the synthetic fiber strands in the outermost layer of strands. The coating includes an impregnating substance with additives of UV stabilizers, short fibers, and oxidation and reduction blockers to provide reliable protection against environmental influences damaging to the rope, as well as an unchanged adequate resistance of the synthetic fiber rope to abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio Ag
    Inventor: Claudio De Angelis
  • Publication number: 20020040831
    Abstract: An elevator including a movable unit configured to ascend and descend in an elevator shaft, a guide rail installed on the elevator shaft via a plurality of rail support members and configured to guide the movable unit, a cable configured to hang the movable unit, and a driving unit mounted on the guide rail and configured to move the movable unit up and down by driving the cable. At least two securing members fixes one of the rail support members is fixed to a wall of the shaft by securing members separated from each other by an interval in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shigeo Nakagaki, Yasuyuki Wagatsuma
  • Publication number: 20020023805
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a mounting device that facilitates more readily installing guide rails within a hoistway and supporting the elevator cab and counterweight on the same rails. A plurality of mounting devices are used along the length of the hoistway. Each mounting device includes a first mounting bracket that preferably is secured directly to a selected wall within the hoistway. A second mounting bracket is secured to the first mounting bracket. The position of the second mounting bracket relative to the first is selectively adjusted. The second mounting bracket includes support portions for supporting the guide rails within the hoistway. The support portions on the second bracket have a fixed distance between them to facilitate maintaining an accurate distance between the guide rails throughout the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Barry Blackaby, William Alfred Wurts
  • Publication number: 20020005320
    Abstract: An elevator including a movable unit configured to ascend and descend in an elevator shaft, a guide rail installed on the elevator shaft via a plurality of rail support members and configured to guide the movable unit, a cable configured to hang the movable unit, and a driving unit mounted on the guide rail and configured to move the movable unit up and down by driving the cable. At least two securing members fixes one of the rail support members is fixed to a wall of the shaft by securing members separated from each other by an interval in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: SHIGEO NAKAGAKI, YASUYUKI WAGATSUMA
  • Patent number: 6302239
    Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a hoisting machine having a drum is disposed on a bottom portion of a hoistway. The hoisting machine is within a car projection region obtained by a projection of the car along the hoistway and a portion of the drum is disposed outside the car projection region. A return pulley around which a hoisting rope is wound is disposed between the car projection region and the hoistway wall with a rotary shaft perpendicular to the hoistway wall. At least a portion of the return pulley is located at a height between the hoistway wall and the car when the car is at an uppermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takenobu Honda
  • Publication number: 20010003887
    Abstract: An elevator hoistway for a multi-storied building which, to create a vertical travel path for an elevator installation, extends through at least one story floor and has at least one hoistway frame which bounds a hoistway penetration aperture in the story floor is to be post-constructionally created in an existing multi-storied building with little building effort and inexpensive means in that the hoistway penetration aperture can be covered by means of a load-bearing floor structure. In this way, and especially in one-family houses, the volume of the elevator hoistway can be used for non-elevator-specific purposes, e.g. as residential space, until the point in time when an elevator is subsequently installed. The hoistway frame itself serves as an interface between the building and elevator fastenings which may be provided for the transmission of forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Christoph Liebetrau, Utz Richter
  • Patent number: 6234276
    Abstract: An elevator including a cage configured to ascend and descend in an elevator shaft along a cage guide rail, a counterweight configured to ascend and descend in the elevator shaft along a counterweight guide rail, a cable configured to hang and connect the cage and the counterweight, a drive unit configured to drive the cage and the counterweight by providing motive power for the cable, and a cable hitch mounted on the cage guide rail or the counterweight guide rail and configured to secure one end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Wagatsuma, Kazuaki Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 6035974
    Abstract: A modular, prefabricated elevator includes column-like guide modules (10) extending between a foundation module (13) and a head module (2) and attached to a building by fastening modules (11), and an elevator car (5) that is connected by support cables (3) with counterweights (9) running in the guide modules (10). A stationary drive for the car (5) is in the form of one or two drive modules (12) combined with the head module (2) or with the foundation module (13) and integrated into the modular system in this manner. Through appropriate selection of the number of drive modules (12), the mode of suspension and the motor power, a wide range of use is covered with respect to conveying load and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Invento AG
    Inventors: Utz Richter, Christoph Liebetrau
  • Patent number: 6012554
    Abstract: An elevator guide rail includes a central portion and a pair of lateral portions. The central portion has a U-shaped cross section and the lateral portions have an L-shaped cross section. The lateral portions are installed on both sides of central portion. The two flanges of the central portion include shaped edge sections. The lateral portions are received within edge sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hideki Ito, Kazuhiko Motomura
  • Patent number: 6012552
    Abstract: A grocery lift for lifting and lowering grocery loads. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart elongate guide rails with a support chassis interposed between the guide rails. The support chassis is mounted to each of the guide rails to permit riding of the support chassis along the guide rails between the top and bottom ends of the guide rails. An upper pulley is provided and is adapted for mounting to the support structure between the guide rails. A winch is provided adjacent the bottom ends of the guide rails. A flexible elongate member is looped around the upper pulley with one end of the flexible elongate member coupled to the support chassis and another end of the flexible elongate member coupled to the winch to permit winding and unwinding of the flexible elongate member about the winch. A support platform is pivotally coupled to the front surface of the support chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Ron Del Rio
  • Patent number: 6006867
    Abstract: A guide apparatus for guiding and arresting an elevator running on column-like guides automatically prevents a transmission of guide alignment errors to the car and an unintended engagement of the arresting device. A roller carrier for engaging the guide running surfaces is rotationally movably mounted on the car with a center of rotation at the longitudinal axis of the guide so that the roller carrier can follow a twist of the guide about its axis. The roller carrier also mounts an arresting device which is vertically displaceable in a mounting bracket by contact with a buffer on an abutment attached to the elevator car. In the case of an arresting braking of the car, no force is transmitted to the guide apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Utz Richter, Christoph Liebetrau, Albrecht Morlok, Jurgen Mahncke
  • Patent number: 5960911
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a guide roller having a contact surface and a flange that extends outward from the roller. A guide rail for the elevator system includes a cam that is disposed to engage the flange of the roller. During extended periods of non-use, the elevator car is positioned such that the flange engages the cam and the loading on the contact surface of the roller is minimized or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Erminio Guaita, Luigi Angelo Sala
  • Patent number: 5950770
    Abstract: A guide rail system for guiding an elevator car or a counterweight in an elevator shaft includes a pair of .OMEGA.-shaped guide rails (1, 2) having adjacent ends connected by a connecting element. The guide rails (1, 2) have a hollow cylinder-shaped rail body (3) with a pair of flat ends (4, 5). The connecting element includes a tube-shaped connecting member (6) inserted into the rail bodies and a base plate (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) placed under the free ends (4, 5) and attached thereto by fasteners (12). A wedge body (10, 10a, 10b) on the base plate (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) extends into an opening (11, 15) formed in the connecting member (6) to expand the connecting member into locking engagement with the guide rails (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Koeppe, Jr., Vincent Robibero, Joseph M. Racanelli
  • Patent number: 5931264
    Abstract: A rail survey unit (130) measures the relative profile of an elevator guide rail (132) at a series of equally spaced points (a.sub.o -a.sub.n) along the rail (132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Gillingham, Francis J. Griffiths, Timothy M. Remmers
  • Patent number: 5899301
    Abstract: An elevator machinery (1) with a disc type motor is mounted on one of the guide rails (6) of the elevator car or counterweight. The guide rail (6) constitutes a part adding to the mechanical strength of the elevator machinery. The vertical forces applied to the traction sheave (4) by the elevator ropes are passed to the guide rail (6) via the rolling center of a bearing. The elevator machinery is provided with a damping system to absorb vibrations and oscillations. The elevator machinery (1) of the invention is light in weight, needs only a small space when mounted and is inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: KONE Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Harri Hakala
  • Patent number: 5878847
    Abstract: According to the invention, at least one end of the elevator ropes (8) is fixed to a guide rail (4,7) of the elevator. According to an embodiment of the invention, the whole elevator is so suspended by its ropes (8) that all vertical forces are transmitted by the guide rails (4 . . . 7) to the bottom (27) of the shaft (1). The invention provides the advantages that the elevator is easy to install and that the ical forces are transmitted by the guide rails (4 . . . 7) to the bottom (27) of the shaft (1), permitting a lighter construction of shaft walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko, Harri Hakala
  • Patent number: 5848670
    Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a wafer, or other such workpiece, from the surface of pedestal in a semiconductor wafer processing system. More specifically, the apparatus relates to a lift pin that is guided by a guide bushing and a guide pin. Preferably, the lift pin is hollow and is slideably engaged with a guide pin. The guide pin is fixed relative to the pedestal and coaxially aligned with a lift pin bore in the pedestal. An actuator drives the lift pin along the guide pin from a fully retracted lift pin position to a fully extended lift pin position. A guide bushing, located in the pedestal proximate the lift pin, also guides the lift pin as the pin passes through the lift pin bore. The guide bushing forms a lip seal between the lift pin and the pedestal. Furthermore, a bellows surrounding the lift pin and the guide pin, can also be used to preserve the integrity of the chamber environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Salzman
  • Patent number: 5845745
    Abstract: A cable drum type elevator system for residential low-rise use. The elevator includes: a vertically extending support-rail system, an elevator cab mounted thereon for vertical movement, lifting machinery mounted to the support-rail system and cables operated by the lifting machinery and secured to the cab for raising and lowering the cab on the support-rail system. The support-rail system is supported at its lower end and secured to a ground position. A foot assembly is secured to the rail support system and to the ground to cooperate in supporting the support rail system. The foot assembly extends below the elevator cab. The lifting machinery is mounted to the support rail system at its upper end. A dampening system is used in the lifting machinery connection to the support-rail system to minimize system vibration due to the machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: D.A. Matot, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Lane
  • Patent number: 5725074
    Abstract: An appendable elevator system includes an elevator car guide structure having two column-like guide modules (10) on which a self-propelled car (5) runs. The guide modules (10) are constructed as a plurality of extruded lightweight metal tubular sections including planar running surfaces (16, 25, 29, 30) for contact with guide rollers (9) and wheels (7, 8) of the car (5), anchoring grooves (33, 34, 35, 36), guide grooves (31, 32) and a brake arm (37) formed on an exterior thereof. An interior of the guide module (10) receives a counterweight (18) guided by the guide grooves (31, 32) and a buffer (44, 45, 46) and is accessible for assembly and maintenance through a removable maintenance lid (43). The sections of guide modules (10) are connected with one another and with a foundation module (12) and with a shaft head module (13) by groove strips (40), connecting straps (41) and screws (42) which engage the anchoring grooves (33, 34, 35, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Utz Richter, Christoph Liebetrau
  • Patent number: 5715914
    Abstract: An active magnetic guide apparatus for magnetically stabilizing an elevator car with respect to a guide rail is disclosed. The apparatus includes a magnetic guide assembly for magnetically stabilizing the elevator car with respect to the guide rail and a plurality of mechanical guide assemblies, for mechanically stabilizing the elevator car with respect to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Boris G. Traktovenko
  • Patent number: 5690190
    Abstract: An overlay for a elevator guide rail extends over the joints between segments to provide a seamless engagement surface for the guide rail. The overlay separates the engagement surface from the joints between adjacent segments to minimize vibration and improve the comfort of the ride. In one embodiment, an elevator includes a guide rail having a support formed from multiple segments joined end to end and an overlay encompassing a portion of the support. The overlay defines the engagement surface for the guide shoes of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 5673771
    Abstract: An overlay for a elevator guide rail extends over the joints between segments to provide a seamless engagement surface for the guide rail. The overlay separates the engagement surface from the joints between adjacent segments to minimize vibration and improve the comfort of the ride. In one embodiment, an elevator includes a guide rail having a support formed from multiple segments joined end to end and an overlay encompassing a portion of the support. The overlay defines the engagement surface for the guide shoes of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 5609225
    Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the oscillation amplitude of elevator suspension and compensation elements in an elevator system. The elevator system includes a counterweight movable in guide rails with a suspension element connected to a top of the counterweight and a compensation element connected to a bottom of the counterweight. One or more limiting frames may be employed in the elevator system and each limiting frame surrounds each of the counterweight, guide rails, suspension elements, and compensation elements. Each limiting frame may be attached to the guide rails to limit lateral deflections of the suspension and compensation elements. The limiting frame may include two separate portions which are spring biased together on a stop portion located behind the guide rails, such that excessive deflection of the suspension and compensation elements cause the spring biased portions to separate and activate a safety switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Miles P. Lamb, Louis Capuano
  • Patent number: 5579869
    Abstract: This invention is concerned in a secondary conductor for an elevator-driving linear induction motor in which, in connecting secondary conductor members to one another, adjoining portions of secondary conductor members are cut and engaged with one another by lapping them over each other, and the edge portions of them are joined at least on one side with a fastening member or by pressure joining or by welding, whereby the difficulty is eliminated that the secondary conductor members, being bent for instance, are raised to form a step therebetween, so that the secondary conductor members are brought into contact with or struck against the primary windings of the linear induction motor, and the secondary conductor members and the primary windings are damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ishii, Masamoto Mizuno