Miscellaneous Patents (Class 187/414)
  • Patent number: 11780705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an elevator installed in connection with a building, particularly a high rise elevator, in which method the expected rope sway is monitored using building acceleration data obtained by means of a sensor to calculate a building sway, and whereby based on the building sway and the position of an elevator car a rope sway is estimated, which rope sway is compared with a threshold value to determine the amount of rope sway and to deduct operation measures for the elevator based on the amount of the rope sway, characterized by the succession of following steps determining elevator car position determining change of rope sway based on the car position and the building acceleration data if it is concluded that rope sway is not increasing, then calculating the number of rope sway cycles n(zca,) within a building sway period Tbuilding and calculating a new (decreasing) rope sway amplitude x based on said number of rope sway cycles n(zca,) and a damping factor I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jaakko Kalliomaki, Jarkko Saloranta, Mikko Puranen, Sakari Mantyla, Joonas Sorvari
  • Patent number: 11708245
    Abstract: A self-climbing installation platform includes two decks including an upper deck and a lower deck. Each deck includes a guide element configured to support the deck movably on guide rails. Each deck includes a locking element configured to lock and unlock the deck to the guide rails and/or to guide rail fixing elements. The installation platform includes a lifting element configured to move the two decks along the guide rails in relation to each other, and at least one power source configured to provide power to the lifting element. The installation platform is configured to climb stepwise along the guide rails based on alternatingly locking and unlocking the lower deck and the upper deck to the guide rails and/or to the guide rail fixing elements with separate, respective locking elements and raising an unlocked deck with the lifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Otto Lanz, Janne Laine, Matti Rasanen, Anssi Venho, Markku Haapaniemi, Janne Mikkonen, Aki Haikonen, Jari Osterman, Jori Hagg, Jorma Mustalahti, Petri Kere
  • Patent number: 11548762
    Abstract: An elevator car includes a roof deck; a plurality of walls; a floor; one or more doors; and a transport space bordered by the roof deck, the plurality of walls, the floor, and at least one openable and closable door for allowing access to said transport space. The roof deck is vertically movable from a first normal use position upwards to a second cargo use position for increasing the height of the transport space, and from the second position downwards back to the first position for reducing the height of the transport space. An elevator and a method implementing the elevator car are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markku Haapaniemi, Matti Räsänen, Anssi Venho, Sakari Korvenranta
  • Patent number: 11325812
    Abstract: A damping device for a main rope suspending a car of an elevator includes a coupled, a first pulley and a drive. The coupler is attached to the main rope above the car, and is configured to be pulled, in response to vibrations of the main rope, with a damping rope so as to suppress vibrations of the main rope. The first pulley is supported at a same height as a height of the coupler. The drive is configured to suppress vibration of the main rope by pulling a first damping rope coupled to the coupler and passing over the first pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FUJITEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Junichi Nakagawa, Yusuke Ono
  • Patent number: 11274018
    Abstract: Elevator interior lighting provided by a temporary LED light fixture and power supply installed on or adjacent an elevator canopy. The temporary LED power supply comprises an LED driver and an emergency LED power supply. The LED driver connects to LEDs of the temporary LED light fixture and supplies sufficient power to provide code-compliant temporary lighting in the cab. The emergency LED power supply module connects to one or more emergency LEDs and supplies sufficient power to provide code-compliant emergency lighting in the cab upon loss of primary electrical power. To minimize costs when converting to permanent lighting, additional LED light fixtures can be added and connected to the same temporary LED power supply, and the emergency LED power module may be relocated into a down light power supply to power two or more down lights in the event of a loss of primary electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAN-D-TEC INC.
    Inventors: Terry Roy Mandy, Dalton John Mandy
  • Patent number: 11078048
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator sheave cleaner includes a base configured to be situated on a first side of load bearing members that wrap at least partially around a sheave. A plurality of fingers extend from the base and are configured to be received between adjacent load bearing members. A plurality of cleaning pads are respectively supported by the fingers and spaced from the base. The cleaning pads are configured to contact and clean a surface of the sheave when the cleaning pads are on a second, opposite side of the load bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ethan Kent Grainger, James O'Neal Creel, Jr., Ronnie D. Forrest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11034549
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator sill assembly includes a sill plate and at least one support arm secured to the sill plate. A mounting bracket is configured to be mounted to an elevator car. The support arm is supported on the mounting bracket to allow the support arm to pivot relative to the mounting bracket. At least one actuator arm has a portion configured to be contacted by a door of the elevator car to cause movement of the actuator arm relative to the mounting bracket as the door moves into an open position. The movement of the actuator arm causes the support arm to pivot relative to the mounting bracket to thereby cause the sill plate to pivot from a stored position to an actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Guohong Hu
  • Patent number: 10906782
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in the hoistway and configured to travel along the hoistway. The elevator car includes an elevator car door. A door operator assembly is fixed in the hoistway at a landing floor and includes a sensor to sense presence of the elevator car at the landing floor; and a door operator mechanism to open both the elevator car door and a landing floor door when the sensor senses presence of the elevator car at the landing floor. A light source may be fixed at the hoistway and a light transmitter is positioned at the elevator car to gather light from the light source and output the light into an interior of the elevator car. A ventilation system may be fixed at the hoistway and is interactive with the elevator car to condition an interior of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 10836608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction time elevator arrangement comprising a hoistway; a protection deck mounted within the hoistway for protecting the portion of the hoistway below it from falling objects; the protection deck comprising a roof member extending diagonally across the hoistway and covering the hoistway such that it blocks objects and/or water from falling into the hoistway below it; and a cross member extending in horizontal direction across the hoistway below the roof member. The cross member is pivotally connected with the roof member, the protection deck being collapsible into a transport state by pivoting the cross member and the roof member towards each other. The invention relates to a method implementing the construction time elevator arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Sampo Koljonen
  • Patent number: 10662025
    Abstract: An operating panel for an elevator includes a panel plate having an opening, a key switch arrangement and, optionally, a human machine interface attached to the panel plate. The switch arrangement includes a cover arrangement, a hinge and a key switch. The key switch is attached to the cover arrangement and is activated or deactivated by a key for transmitting activation signals to the elevator control upon activation. The cover arrangement is attached to the panel plate via the hinge and is displaced between a first configuration in which the key switch is arranged behind the cover arrangement and a second pivoted configuration in which the key switch is accessible from the front side of the panel plate. Thus, the key switch is protectively stored in the first configuration, providing splash water protection and an attractive visual appearance, and is pivoted to the second configuration when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Hugo Felder, Quan Fu Zhuo
  • Patent number: 10463981
    Abstract: An attraction system includes an elevator assembly having an elevator path that intersects a ride path of the attraction system, an elevator car having a support and configured to travel along the elevator path, a ride vehicle having a cabin coupled to a bogie, and a cabin projection of the cabin. The ride vehicle is configured to travel along the ride path via the bogie, in which the bogie is configured to travel into the elevator car via the ride path, and the support is configured to capture the cabin projection on at least two sides when the ride vehicle is in a loaded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Keith Brister, Clarisse Marie Vamos, Michael Joseph Tresaugue
  • Patent number: 10392227
    Abstract: An elevator car for an elevator system includes one or more elevator car walls and an access door openable from inside the elevator car to provide access to one or more elevator system components located outside of the elevator car. The access door is openable such that inspection, maintenance and/or repair is performed on the one or more elevator system components from inside of the elevator car. An elevator system includes a hoistway and one or more elevator system components fixed in the hoistway. An elevator car is suspended in the hoistway and is drivable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes an access door openable from inside the elevator car to provide access to the one or more elevator system components in the hoistway, such that inspection, maintenance and/or repair is performed on the one or more elevator system components from inside of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmanuel Convard, Frederic Beauchaud
  • Patent number: 9415974
    Abstract: Method for moving a heavy load, in which method the heavy load is lifted or lowered with an elevator including an elevator car and a hoisting machine, which hoisting machine is arranged to move the elevator car from one level to another in the normal operation of the elevator, in which method the heavy load is moved to be supported by the elevator car and the elevator car is moved until the load is at the desired height, and the load is removed from the support of the elevator car. In the method a hoist that does not belong to the hoisting machine is temporarily connected to the elevator car for the purpose of moving the load, and the elevator car, which supports the load, is moved by the hoist until the load is at the desired height, and the load is removed from the support of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jussi Perälä, Jouni Ratia
  • Patent number: 9227817
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator toe guard assembly includes a first panel. A second panel is slidable relative to the first panel in a first direction between an extended position and a retracted position. The first panel moves in a second, different direction from an extended position toward a folded position responsive to the second panel moving toward the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Aurelien Fauconnet, Etienne Delachatre
  • Patent number: 9027715
    Abstract: A fire service elevator with an elevator cage includes a cage roof, wherein the elevator cage is at least partly supported and driven by at least one support means. The elevator cage has on the cage roof a region vulnerable to spray water, and this region vulnerable to spray water is covered by an element having a surface structure of such a kind that extinguishing water falling on the element in the event of fire is substantially prevented from spraying in the direction of the at least one support means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Bloch, Georg Stenvers
  • Patent number: 9010495
    Abstract: An elevator sheave (20) includes a belt guiding surface (26) having a surface profile along at least a portion of the belt guiding surface. The surface profile preferably is defined by an nth order polynomial equation where n is a number greater than 2. In one example, the reference point (40) is a central point along the width of the belt guiding surface (26). In one example, a central portion (42) of the surface profile preferably is aligned to be generally parallel with the central axis (34) of the sheave body. Some examples have curvilinear side portions (44,46) between the central portion (42) and the edges (28,30) of the sheave. Other examples also include second side portions (48,50) that have linear profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Dilip Prasad, Brice N. Cassenti, Pedro S. Baranda, William Veronesi, William C. Perron, Ary O. Mello, Jr., Paul A. Stucky, John T. Pitts, John P. Wesson, Mark S. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150102772
    Abstract: A system for extraction of a pool cleaning robot from a pool, the system may include a pool cleaning robot interface that is arranged to be coupled to a pool cleaning robot during an exit process during which the pool cleaning robot is extracted from the pool; and a pool cleaning robot manipulator that is coupled to the pool cleaning robot interface, wherein the pool cleaning robot manipulator is arranged to move the pool cleaning robot interface between a first and second portion; wherein when the pool cleaning robot interface is at the first position and is coupled to the pool cleaning robot, the pool cleaning robot is within the pool; wherein when the pool cleaning robot interface is at the second position and is coupled to the pool cleaning robot, the pool cleaning robot is positioned outside the pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Shay Witelson, Boaz Ben Dov
  • Publication number: 20150096844
    Abstract: An elevator positioning system includes an optical tape, optical tape clips, and a sensor. The optical tape clips are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A crossbar of the optical tape clips is located between a sensor and optical tape such that the sensor detects an interruption in the optical tape and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway. Another elevator positioning system includes a sensor and a reflector clip assembly. The reflector clip assemblies are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A reflector target of the reflector clip assemblies faces the sensor such that the sensor detects the reflector target and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation
    Inventor: Sang W. Lee
  • Patent number: 8997405
    Abstract: The invention relates to a post (129) for a shaft scaffold (102) of an elevator system (103), said post comprising at least two supports (236) on its exterior sides which extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft scaffold (102), to which at least one traverse strut (201) can be connected. The aim of the invention is to produce and design the device, the post and/or the associated connecting elements of the post for a shaft scaffold of an elevator system in such a cost-effective manner that an easy and rapid assembly of a shaft scaffold can be ensured. According to the invention, said aim is achieved by providing, apart from the two supports (236), at least one additional support (236) for the connection of at least one guide element (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thoma Aufzuge GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Geyer
  • Patent number: 8985281
    Abstract: An elevator installation with an elevator cab in an elevator shaft and a measurement tape for determining the position of the elevator cab within the elevator shaft, which measurement tape is arranged vertically in the elevator shaft and has a code along the measurement tape, and at least one marking element which is attached in the elevator shaft and has a reference marking, and a sensor apparatus which is attached to the elevator cab and includes an illumination source and a sensor, which form a detection field for detecting the measurement tape and with an evaluation apparatus. The reference marking is arranged such that it can be captured by the detection field and the sensor apparatus is also provided for detecting the reference marking and the evaluation apparatus aligns the position determined by the measurement tape with the reference marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cedes AG
    Inventors: Beat De Coi, Steven Freedman, Jan Giger, Tobias Leutenegger
  • Publication number: 20150060214
    Abstract: An anti-rotation system for an elevator system that includes an elevator shaft, elevator suspension cables, and a mechanical room includes a hitch plate disposed on a floor of the mechanical room and at a top of the elevator shaft, a plurality of cable shackles, each cable shackle including a cable locking mechanism on a first end thereof configured to lock one of the elevator suspension cables and a threaded rod on a second end thereof configured to extend through the hitch plate from the elevator shaft to the mechanical room, and a plurality of anti-rotation devices, each anti-rotation device being fixed to the threaded rod of one of the plurality of cable shackles in the mechanical room, and each anti-rotation device being connected to at least one other anti-rotation device, whereby rotation of cable shackles is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Jesse D. Marshall
  • Patent number: 8955649
    Abstract: An elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a guide rail installed in an elevator hoist way in a vertical direction, an elevator car that ascends and descends along the guide rail, an elevator guide device, and a cleaning jig for an elevator guide device. The elevator guide device is fixed to the elevator car, and guides the running elevator car along the guide rail without bringing the elevator car into contact with the guide rail while a predetermined clearance is maintained with the guide rail using magnetic force generated by a magnet guide unit. The cleaning jig for an elevator guide device is installed on the guide rail to come into contact with a magnetic pole of the magnetic guide unit to remove a foreign matter attached to a surface thereof when the elevator car passes the cleaning jig for an elevator guide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Yokobayashi
  • Patent number: 8943695
    Abstract: Method for installing the hoisting roping of an elevator, wherein the first elevator unit to be moved is disposed at a suitable point in the elevator hoistway, and the second elevator unit to be moved is disposed at a suitable point in the elevator hoistway, which first elevator unit is an elevator car and which second elevator unit is a counterweight, or vice versa. The first and/or second section of the hoisting roping is connected to its elevator unit via a diverting pulley system such that when the diverting pulley system is still separate from the elevator unit, the section in question of the hoisting roping is arranged to travel under the diverting pulley system of its elevator unit, and the diverting pulley system is lowered, when reeved, downwards into the proximity of its elevator unit, after which the diverting pulley system in question is fixed to its elevator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Niko Forsström, Osmo Björni, Jarmo Ahoniemi
  • Publication number: 20140332326
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for fixing a hoisting machine of an elevator in an elevator comprising at least an elevator car configured to move reciprocally in an elevator hoistway and at least one or more counterweights or compensating weights, which are for their part connected to support the elevator car by the aid of at least one support member, such as by the aid of a rope or a belt, and also by the aid of diverting pulleys, and a hoisting machine provided with at least one traction sheave or corresponding, and also at least one or more traction members, such as a belt, a rope or a chain, which are configured to transmit the rotational movement of the traction sheave into movement of the elevator car guided by the guide rails and of the one or more counterweights or compensating weights guided by the counterweight guide rails or compensating weight guide rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Janne MIKKONEN, Matti RÄSÄNEN, Esa SUORSA, Markku HÄIVÄLÄ, Markku HAAPANIEMI, Esko AULANKO
  • Patent number: 8881872
    Abstract: In a method in the use of a construction-time elevator, at least two lifts are performed. In each of the lifts, the supporting platform is lifted higher in the elevator hoistway with the hoisting device supported by the support structure so as to extend the operating range of the elevator car to reach higher in the elevator hoistway. A second support structure and a second hoisting device, which are above the support structure, are used between the lifts of the supporting platform, for moving the working platform in the elevator hoistway under construction between the second support structure and the support structure, and for lifting the support structure upwards in the elevator hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Jussi Perälä, Matti Eskelinen, Zhizhong Yan
  • Patent number: 8807289
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes a car within a shaft, a buffer mounted in a pit of the shaft and a barrier located in the pit surrounding or within an area wherein a vertical clearance between the pit floor and the car or equipment mounted thereon is less than a regulatory threshold value when the car fully compresses the buffer. The barrier acts to physically deter personnel within the pit from inadvertent presence in the area of reduced vertical clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Hanspeter Bloch
  • Patent number: 8800724
    Abstract: A modular, self-supporting elevator hoistway system and method includes stackable cages to replace structural building hoistways. Vertical corner columns, extending upward from an adjustable footing anchored in the elevator pit, form planar sides surrounding the hoistway. Fireproof sheeting between the columns isolates the hoistway interior from the rest of the building. Adjustable sill supports extending from adjustable horizontal cross members allow precise alignment with building floor doorways. Vertical elevator guide rails coupled to cross members cooperate with guide shoes on elevator cars to deter horizontal oscillations and smooth vertical motion of the car. A hoist beam atop the uppermost cage may support of an elevator car during maintenance. Cages may be assembled separately and installed in modular segments as the height of the building progresses, and may be erected before construction of building floors, allowing floors to be built to match hoistway sills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Wayne Foster
  • Patent number: 8800725
    Abstract: Elevator liner apparatuses are pre-fabricated corresponding to an amount of multiple floors of a building being constructed. Each elevator liner apparatus includes a liner frame sized to accommodate an elevator cab and elevator rails within the liner frame. Rail mounting brackets are mounted to interior walls of the liner frame. The rail mounting brackets have elevator rail sections affixed thereto and have mounting bracket studs mounting the rail mounting brackets to the liner frame and extending beyond exterior walls of the liner frame. Anchor spikes are mounted to the liner frame and extend beyond the exterior of the liner frame such that plywood forms configured to form concrete elevator shaft walls are coupleable to the anchor spikes. Concrete is pourable between the plywood forms and the exterior of the liner frame. The concrete when dried affixes the mounting bracket studs and the anchor spikes in the dried concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Dominick J. Alois
  • Patent number: 8746415
    Abstract: A control unit for an elevator installation comprises a cover and a base. The control unit further comprises a lock which can lock the cover to the base or release it from the base. The lock comprises a locking bar with a magnet, wherein this locking bar is movable back and forth between a closed position and an open position by movement of a magnetic lock on a surface of the cover. The locking bar with the magnet is stabilized in the closed position by a first magnetic element and the cover is locked. The locking bar with the magnet is stabilized in the open position by a second magnetic element and the cover is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Marco Aluisetti
  • Patent number: 8746414
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing the hoisting ropes of an elevator. By the method of the invention, the hoisting ropes (4) are replaced by first joining the old and new hoisting ropes (4a, 4b) together by their one ends by splicing the ends together around a common core strand (17), whereupon the new set (4b) of hoisting ropes is pulled into place by means of the old set (4a) of hoisting ropes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Matti Hynni, Anssi Karppinen, Arto Tuhkio
  • Patent number: 8720032
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for installing the hoisting roping of an elevator, in which method the hoisting roping of the elevator is lifted upwards into the elevator hoistway by means of a hoisting device. The hoisting roping is lifted upwards into the elevator hoistway in steps such that at least one rope of the roping is lifted by pulling it to the height and the aforementioned at least one rope is fixed to the elevator hoistway or to another fixed structure of the building, at least one of the ropes of the roping that is at the height and was lifted in phase is detached, at least one rope detached in phase is lifted by pulling it to the next height and the aforementioned at least one rope is fixed to the elevator hoistway or to another fixed structure of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Gert Van der Meijden, Jos Van den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 8718352
    Abstract: A computer-aided method, system and computer program product are provided for optical testing of a rope. Such method includes: providing an image data set for at least one portion of the rope; providing target values of a pictorial longitudinal extension of the representation of wires relative to a pictorial longitudinal extension of the rope in the image data set; determining a pictorial longitudinal extension of the wires in the image data set, including adapting an estimated longitudinal extension to the image data set; determining at least one quality value using a quality norm as a function of the determined pictorial longitudinal extension of the wires and the target values of the pictorial longitudinal extension of the wires; discriminating pictorial positions within the image data set of the rope, where at least one quality value exceeds or falls below a predetermined, assigned quality threshold value; and providing the discriminated pictorial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Winspect GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Winter, Dirk Moll, Ralf Eisinger, Konstantin Kuehner, Egon Guttengeber, Andreas Proehl, Markus Eichinger
  • Publication number: 20140069747
    Abstract: A sway of an elevator rope is determined during an operation of an elevator system. A disturbance of the elevator system is determined based on a state model of the elevator system and at least one measurement of a state of the elevator system. The sway of the elevator rope is determined based on the disturbance and a system model of the elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Mouhacine Benosman
  • Patent number: 8640829
    Abstract: The hydraulic elevator system has several configurations, each incorporating the hydraulic motor and pump at the lower end of the hydraulic ram and cylinder assembly. A first embodiment utilizes a wet pump and motor assembly at the lower end of the cylinder, with the volume between the cylinder and casing providing a hydraulic reservoir. A second embodiment provides a dry pump and motor installed at the lower end of the cylinder below the surrounding casing and hydraulic reservoir. A third embodiment attaches the pump and motor to the lower end of the hydraulic ram, with the pump and motor traveling up and down with the ram during operation. Further systems facilitating the installation and removal of the hydraulic cylinder and attached components for maintenance are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: William P. Block, Jr., William P. Block, Sr., John M. Phillips, II
  • Publication number: 20140027211
    Abstract: Elevator coated ropes or belts are disclosed. The coated rope or belt may include at least one cord and a jacket retaining the at least one cord. The cord may include a plurality of filaments. The filaments are free of second-order helical structure. In a first embodiment, the filaments includes at least one inner filament and a plurality of outer filaments surrounding the at least one inner filament. The outer filaments are bunched together by forming a first-order helical structure through the length of the cord. In a second general embodiment, the filaments are free of both first- and second-order helical structures. The filaments are bunched together by a restraining loop or adhesive at one or more locations along the length of the cord. Methods of making the tension cord are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John P. Wesson, Huan Zhang, Gopal R. Krishnan, Timothy D. Devalve
  • Patent number: 8636115
    Abstract: An elevator arrangement includes an elevator hoistway, an elevator car, and a movable supporting platform for supporting the elevator components in the elevator hoistway. The supporting platform includes a supporting frame. The supporting frame includes a plurality of beams that are rigidly fixed to each other. The plurality of beams are arranged such that towards each of all four lateral directions of the supporting platform points at least one beam end of the supporting frame, at which beam end is a movable support element belonging to a plurality of movable support elements movable between a position extended from the platform towards the side and a position retracted towards the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Zhizhong Yan
  • Publication number: 20140000987
    Abstract: A method and elevator arrangement wherein a roof structure is lifted higher in a hoistway so as to make more room below the roof structure, the roof structure being a movable roof structure, and in that the movable roof structure is lifted in the hoistway taking support for the lift from a second movable support structure mounted in the hoistway above the roof structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark PEACOCK, Jussi PERÄLÄ
  • Patent number: 8616340
    Abstract: Method in the use of a construction-time elevator, in which method the supporting platform that supports the elevator car of the elevator is lifted higher in the elevator hoistway with a hoisting device supported on a support structure. In the method the supporting platform is suspended from the support structure via at least one hoisting device and rope comprised in the hoisting device and the supporting platform is lifted upwards in the elevator hoistway with a lifting ratio of 1:x, where x is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Matti Eskelinen, Zhizhong Yan
  • Patent number: 8602175
    Abstract: A method and an appliance for collecting rope are provided, in which the rope is arranged to be collected in a collection container. The rope to be collected is pushed into the collection container through a tubular guide element in such a way that the collection container is made to rotate around its axis of rotation by means of the pushing force of the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Niko Korkeakangas, Håkan Bärneman
  • Patent number: 8602174
    Abstract: A method for installing the ropes of an elevator in an elevator system comprising the ropes, a diverting pulley and a frame structure for rotatably supporting the diverting pulley in place, the method including the steps of mounting the ropes on the diverting pulley and mounting the diverting pulley together with the ropes in the frame structure or, alternatively, passing the ropes via a guiding device of the frame structure and mounting the diverting pulley and a supporting element in the frame structure. Also, an elevator comprising at least one diverting pulley mounted in place by means of a frame structure and a set of ropes having a number of ropes, the passage of which has been arranged using at least one diverting pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Patent number: 8579457
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway comprises a balustrade base, an illumination profile disposed in the base and a transparent cover through which illumination is provided. An illumination strip is located within the illumination profile, and has a plurality of LED lamps. A reflecting surface is provided on the illumination profile, and is aligned such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the LED lamps impinging upon the surface is reflected in the direction of the cover, facilitating an even level of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Alexander Pfeiler, Cornelia Lawall, Josef Wiesinger, Lorenz Rebernik, Michael Berger, Michael Matheisl, Günter Steindl
  • Patent number: 8556041
    Abstract: An elevator includes a set of hoisting ropes supporting a counterweight and an elevator car moving on respective tracks, each hoisting rope having a substantially round cross-section, and a hoisting machine engaging the set of hoisting ropes via a traction sheave. The traction sheave has a plurality of rope grooves. Each of the plurality of rope grooves generally conforms to a substantially circular shape. Each of the plurality of rope grooves has an opening for receiving a hoisting rope from among the set of hoisting ropes. A coating is adhesively bonded to each of the plurality of rope grooves. Each hoisting rope has a diameter below 8 mm. Each hoisting rope is composed of steel wires having a strength exceeding 2000 N/mm2. A contact angle between the set of hoisting ropes and the traction sheave is greater than about 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Publication number: 20130233655
    Abstract: A method of constructing an elevator, the elevator including a hoistway, an elevator car, a first movable support structure in the hoistway above the elevator car, for supporting the elevator car with a roping, and a roof structure, separate from the movable support structure, in the hoistway above the support structure, where the elevator car is used for transporting passengers and/or goods, and thereafter the first movable support structure is lifted higher in the hoistway, and thereafter the elevator car is used again for transporting passengers and/or goods. The method includes lifting the roof structure higher in the hoistway so as to make more room below the roof structure, the roof structure being a movable roof structure, and in that the movable roof structure is lifted in the hoistway taking support for the lift from a second movable support structure mounted in the hoistway above the roof structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark PEACOCK, Yan ZHIZHONG, Johannes DE JONG
  • Patent number: 8505691
    Abstract: A shipping and handling system for a fork lift truck that has a cab and rails extending vertically above the cab. A first bracket is secured to the back of the rails and a second bracket is secured to the back of the cab. One bracket is provided with wheel while the other is provided with legs so that the truck is able to rest on the brackets when it is tipped over upon its back. A special adaptor is provided that allows a second fork lift truck to hitch onto the unwheeled bracket and lift the bracket off the support surface whereupon the first truck can be easily maneuvered from place to place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Belle Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Smeeton, Peter G. Csigi
  • Patent number: 8485319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for installing an elevator with-out machine room during the construction of a building, said elevator comprising at least a hoisting machine (4) provided with a traction sheave (30) and an elevator car (3) suspended by a set of hoisting ropes (28) and fitted to move along guide rails (2), and in which method at least a temporary machine room (6) movable in the elevator shaft (1) is utilized. At the final stage of installation, the machine room (6) of the elevator provided with a temporary machine room (6) is dismounted and the elevator is converted into an elevator without machine room by placing the hoisting machine (4) that was used in the temporary machine room (6), together with the hoisting ropes (28) on the traction sheave (30), into its final position in the elevator shaft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Mikael Kaihola, Gert Van Der Meijden, Jos Van Den Heuvel
  • Publication number: 20130048438
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes a first and second mass moveable within a hoistway. A plurality of elongated members couple the first mass to the second mass and move over a sheave near one end of the hoistway as the first and second masses move within the hoistway. A portion of the elongated members has a first end at the first mass and a second end at the sheave. A length of the portion between the first and second ends decreases as the first mass moves toward the end of the hoistway that includes the sheave. A damper remains in a fixed position relative to the first or second end. The damper includes an impact member that is spaced from the portion of the elongated members during acceptable operating conditions. The impact member contacts the elongated members responsive to lateral movement of the elongated members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard J. Mangini, Randall Keith Roberts
  • Patent number: 8373345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control (7) of the lighting of an elevator car (3) as well as to a method for controlling the lighting of an elevator car. The lighting of an elevator car according to the invention is controlled at least partly on the basis of information about a change in the speed of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Tatu Mattila, Timo Syrman, Seppo Ketoviita
  • Publication number: 20130020150
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an arrangement for damping lateral sways of a rope-like means fixed to an elevator car in an elevator hoistway, the bottom end of which rope-like means comprises an upward opening bottom loop. A detachable damping means producing a mass effect is disposed to be supported by the top surface of the bottom loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Tuomo ROPPONEN, Mikko PURANEN, Jarkko SALORANTA
  • Publication number: 20120325592
    Abstract: An elevator includes a compensating device having the purpose of providing compensation for changing weight of a support on the cage side or on the counterweight side. Depending on the respective position of an elevator cage and a counterweight in the elevator shaft there are more meters of the support on the cage side or on the counterweight side. In the case of a small support length on the cage side, a large compensating device length on the cage side results and conversely. The compensating device suspended at the elevator cage and at the counterweight forms a loop in a shaft pit and can be set in oscillation. Provided as a remedy are, for example, rods which guide and stabilize the compensating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Hanspeter Bloch, Alessandro D'Apice
  • Patent number: 8312970
    Abstract: A method for installing, securing, or installing and securing at least one rope pulley of an elevator may include: arranging a set of ropes of the elevator and the at least one rope pulley, in a rigged or unrigged state, near an elevator car of the elevator or in a shaft of the elevator; and detachably mounting the at least one rope pulley to the elevator car, a frame structure of the elevator car, or a guide rail of the elevator car using a quick coupling. The elevator may include the ropes, the at least one rope pulley, the elevator car, and elevator car guide rails. The ropes may pass around the at least one rope pulley. The at least one rope pulley may be adapted to detachably mount to the elevator car, the frame structure, or one of the elevator car guide rails using a quick coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko