Abstract: A wall plate for use in an elevator installation has a glass part divided into segments, the transparency of which is individually controllable with physical magnitude information signals. A control device is connected to the segments for controlling the transparency on the basis of qualitative and quantitative state information and by linking the state information with the controlling magnitude information signals.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for an elevator car and a machine roomless elevator incorporates a machine (26) having a drive sheave (27) extending along an axis parallel to the axes of the deflection sheaves (23, 25) associated with both the counter-weight (24) and the elevator car (22). In this manner, the twisting which has occurred in the prior art is reduced or eliminated. The machine is mounted on a bedplate (18) between the guide rails. The elevator car is preferably cantilever mounted, and mounted on laterally outer surfaces of said guide rails. In this manner, the elevator car can travel vertically upwardly beyond the machine.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes a sensor (30, 36) for detecting the presence of an individual within a hoistway (24). A controller (32) prevents movement of an elevator car (22) whenever an individual is in the hoistway (24). A pit override device (34) provides an override signal to the controller (32) permitting movement of the elevator car (22) if someone is in a pit (26). A car top override device (38) selectively provides an override signal to the controller (32) permitting movement of the car. A disclosed example includes controlling at least one light (40) within the hoistway (24) in conjunction with movement or attempted movement of the elevator car (22).

Abstract: An emergency device for installing in an elevator car of an elevator installation, with an emergency control region, which is to be opened from the interior of the elevator car by an emergency key, wherein a key switch is arranged in the emergency control region so as to transfer the elevator installation to an emergency operation by the same emergency key. Mounted in the elevator car is a key mechanism which has a mechanical profile insert with a key slot and is designed so that through insertion of the emergency key into the key slot and turning the emergency control region is mechanically unlocked. The key switch includes an electromechanical key insert with a key slot and is so designed that through insertion of the emergency key into the key slot and turning the elevator installation can be switched over to the emergency operation.

Abstract: A sway reduction or dampening device operably engaging a wall adjacent an elevator car or floor of an elevator shaft, and receiving an elevator compensating cable is described. The device is made of two molded parts having an outer surface and inner surface with the inner surface for each part being complementary to each other to define a passage for a cable. The parts are made of molded material and include in one part molded rods which pass through corresponding openings in the other part. The two parts are held together through conventional securing elements such as nuts when the rods are threaded bolts. The nuts can be secured on the backside of a bracket to which the device is attached within an elevator shaft with an elevator cable passing therethrough.

Abstract: A brushless wire-rope cleaner having a base plate, two side members arranged on a base plate at a distance from one another, and a cover extending from one side member to the other side member so that the base plate, the side members and the cover form a channel. A cleaning element is slideably arranged in the channel and a tensioning mechanism is arranged to slide the cleaning element through the channel.

Abstract: In an elevator, a drive device, a traction sheave, and a weight-side stop portion are arranged above one of a pair of left and right cage-side guide rails, and a cage-side stop portion and speed governor are arranged above the other cage-side guide rail. A wide workspace is realized in the middle of the floor of the machinery chamber, since the control panel is arranged along the middle of the inside wall surface of the front face of the machinery chamber. Furthermore, provision of an additional supporting beam mounted in the building is unnecessary, since the machine beam can extend fully in the forwards/rearwards direction in the interior of the machinery chamber.

Abstract: An elevator fall-prevention apparatus includes a holding member, which is shaped approximately like a rectangular tube, secured to a base part of an elevator guide rail. The holding member supports a locking support member that is rotatable about a spindle from a standby position into a blocking position.

Abstract: An elevator car operating panel includes a plurality of push buttons corresponding to floors of a building, wherein the push buttons act on a touch screen to register elevator calls. The push buttons are mounted on an outer surface of the touch screen at locations corresponding to sensors behind the touch screen. A method to modernize and/or update a touch screen elevator car operating panel includes mounting at least one push button on a touch screen to act on the touch screen to register elevator calls.

Abstract: The counterweight according to the invention for an elevator with a frame (1) comprising two vertical U-shaped posts (3) parallel and opposed to each other and connected to each other by at least one upper cross-beam (5) and one lower cross-beam (7), wherein the wings of the vertical posts accommodate flat ballast weights forming a mass and piled up on each other in the frame (1), is characterized in that the upper ballast weights (11?a, 11?b), at least those located at a higher height than that of the conventional tilted assembly of the lower one-piece ballast weights (11?), comprise at least two parts interlocked with each other so that they can be successively assembled by interlocking them in a plane and in rows between the two posts (3), said interlocking providing a good lateral stiffness to avoid the lateral escape of said two interlocked ballast weight parts (11?a and 11?b) out of said frame (1) during counterweight displacement.

Abstract: An elevator installation includes a car and with a counterweight in an elevator shaft, the car and the counterweight being guided by two guide rails. The elevator shaft is bounded by shaft walls and shaft doors, which define a cross-section of the elevator installation. The invention the cross-section of the elevator installation is constructed in such a manner that it substantially corresponds with a sum of the cross-sectional area of the car, the cross-sectional area of the counterweight and the safety areas between the car and the wall, the counterweight and the wall, as well as the counterweight and the car. The cross-sectional area of the car is accordingly maximized and a transport area available for transport of persons or goods is correspondingly enlarged.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, multiple cars are raised and lowered within a hoistway. The cars within the hoistway are adjacent to each other when located at the same height. If at least one of the cars is defined as a first car and a car adjacent to the first car is defined as a second car, the first car includes, in a face facing the second car a recess when projected onto a horizontal plane. At least a part of a car guide shoe is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an elevator installation has actuating elements on a front surface. The control apparatus includes an insert in the form of a key-operated switch cylinder which has a recess or a key slot. The insert is mounted in a side surface that is one of a lateral side wall of a housing, an end surface of an elevator car handrail and a side surface of a column. The recess opens transversely to the front surface. A separate auxiliary actuating element is received into the recess in the direction of an axis extending parallel to the front surface. The insert is mechanically actuatable by rotation of the auxiliary actuating element about the axis in order to trigger specific functions in conjunction with the control of the elevator installation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for including the telecommunication connections needed in the use of remote monitoring of automatically operated equipment in contracts between a company maintaining said equipment and a client owning said equipment. According to the method of the invention, the above-mentioned company takes care of the administration of the telecommunication connections, including the acquisition and opening of the aforesaid telecommunication connections as well as the invoicing concerning them.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway having a plurality of hoistway doors. An elevator car and counterweight are provided in the hoistway. A drive motor is drivingly coupled to the elevator car and counterweight, and is located adjacent to either the top or bottom portion of a hoistway door so as to eliminate the need to provide a machine room above the hoistway ceiling.

Abstract: A double deck elevator comprising an upper cage and a lower cage vertically movable together in a hositway, wherein a space between the upper cage and the lower cage is covered by covers. The covers guide airflow flowing around the space to reduce air turbulence noise, and consequently the quietness and comfortableness in the cages is improved.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a cross-head portion and a balustrade mounted to the cross-head portion. The balustrade is moveable from a retracted position for normal operation of the car to a deployed position for inspection operation of the car. The car further includes a second retractable safety device also mounted to the cross-head for preventing or limiting movement of the car. The balustrade includes at least one control for operating the elevator car during the inspection operation, the control being arranged so that the control cannot be operated when the balustrade is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A device moves a door seal for a displaceable door panel of an elevator car in an elevator installation with an elevator shaft having shaft doors. The movable door seal is arranged so that the door panel in a closed state is sealed off. The device includes an entrainer unit connected with the door panel and upon stopping of the elevator car at a floor executes a part movement. The device also includes a coupling mechanism mechanically connecting the entrainer unit with the door seal to bring the door seal out of a sealing position into an open position when the entrainer unit executes the part movement.

Abstract: The invention provides an elevator having a car movable along guide rails mounted in a shaft. The elevator comprises an inspection control station mounted on top of the car and accessible via a movable control station cover, blocking means for selectively preventing movement of the car into a safety space within the shaft and actuation means for actuating the blocking means. The actuation means is configured for concurrent movement with the control station cover. Accordingly, a temporary safety space is automatically created within the shaft as the maintenance technician opens the control station cover to move the car using the inspection control station.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving elevator equipment, particularly an elevator car when stuck in a shaft, comprises a suspension point which is connected to the elevator equipment by an adjustable-height connection. Contrary to the prior art, the suspension point includes a length-adjustable assembly configured for engagement with opposing walls of the shaft or opposing guide rails within the shaft at any chosen location along the shaft. The invention thus provides a localized solution that can be used conveniently at any position within the shaft and is therefore independent of the position, and indeed the presence, of any lifting hooks within the shaft.

Abstract: A guard for use with a forklift including a carriage and at least one fork coupled to the carriage. The guard includes a first member configured to be coupled to the carriage, a second member configured to be coupled to the carriage opposite the first member, and a fork interface member extending between the first member and the second member. The fork interface member is adapted to adjustably secure the at least one fork relative to the carriage when the at least one fork is only partially coupled with the carriage. Fork racks and systems for removing, replacing, and/or storing forks provide additional advantages.

Abstract: Inserts (10 or 10A) for mounting rails (302) for rollers (301) on a cab in a shaft (300) of an elevator are described. Also, insert 10A is particularly useful for mounting flooring in the elevator shaft (300). The insert can be used as a support for a hoist or winch (310).

Abstract: An elevator installation has a support device engaging a driven drive pulley for driving an elevator car. The support device loops around the drive pulley at least partly and has a safety section which is so arranged that the safety section interacts with the drive pulley when the elevator car or a counterweight after overrunning an upper position approaches an upper shaft end. The safety section is formed in such a manner that a slipping through results due to the interaction between the drive pulley and the support device.

Abstract: A lifting platform for motor vehicles has at least one extendable lifting column that is formed by a tubular jacket and a lifting cylinder unit arranged at least partially therein. The upper end of the lifting cylinder unit supports a load receptacle. The tubular jacket and the lifting cylinder unit are air-tightly connected to one another and form a compressed air storage chamber between the inner wall of the tubular jacket and the outer wall of the lifting cylinder unit. The compressed air storage chamber is provided with a compressed air supply connector and, in the upper end area, with a compressed air outlet connector. The lifting device is preferably an underfloor lifting platform with hydraulic cylinders. A check valve is arranged in the filling direction upstream of the compressed air supply connector.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided with multiple sky lobbies to reduce the space required for elevator shafts and the space required for the entire elevator system, as well as the required elevator speed and motor capacity. Sky lobbies Ls1–Lsx are arranged above building lobby LG at ground level, with a prescribed number of floors between them. Shuttle elevator (1) stops only at building lobby LG and sky lobbies Ls1–Lsx, and passes through the various floors between lobbies by making them an express region. Local elevators service the floors in each bank between adjacent sky lobbies. Local elevators (2a), (2c), (2e), (2g) for the odd-numbered banks are arranged along the same elevator shaft, and local elevators (2b), (2d), (2f) for the even-numbered banks are arranged along another same elevator shaft.

Abstract: An elevator is provided to prevent a tail cord from being projected out of a tail-cord duct under the influence of air current flowing in the tail-cord duct. The tail-cord duct is formed along an elevating space in which a passenger car moves up and down. The tail-cord duct is provided, along the elevating space, with an opening that opens it. An arm part fixed to the passenger car is introduced into the tail-cord duct. In the tail-cord duct, a tail cord is suspended from the arm part. In plan view of the tail-cord duct, a portion of the arm part for suspending the tail cord is shifted from the opening in a duct-width direction of the duct.

Abstract: An elevator in which the sheave diameter is reduced and the attendant lowering of the rope life and strength is suppressed to secure safety and reliability. To this end, a rope is used in which a plurality of element wires constituting the wire rope are each covered with resin material and the whole wire rope is covered with resin material, thereby reducing the wear due to slippage between the element wires and the wear due to contact with the sheave, which wear occurs when the rope is entrained around the sheave. When the elevator sheave diameter is reduced, a worried lowering of the rope life can be suppressed or the rope life can be improved. Thus, it is possible to achieve reduction of size and weight of equipment including motors and hoists, installation space saving for elevators, improved safety and reliability of the system by virtue of the increased rope life.

Abstract: A bi-directional safety mechanism used in an elevator safety device and which produces a gradual catch on a guide rail. The bi-directional safety device has a roller and two hinged rectangular frames, each having a friction element. One hinged rectangular frame is disposed above the roller and the other hinged rectangular frame is disposed below the roller with both hinged rectangular frames on the same side of the guide rail. In addition, a set of fixed brakes are disposed on the other side of the guide rail and opposite to the hinged rectangular frames, preventing this system from marking the guide rail during the braking process.

Abstract: An elevator shaft door frame incorporates a control arrangement for an elevator installation including a control unit. The control unit is fixed in a chamber of a frame element of the door frame. The chamber communicates with an outside opening in the door frame, which opens at a floor, and is closed with a cover. The cover can be moved from the closed position by demounting to a service position in which access to the chamber is free. In addition, the door frame has an inside opening to the chamber which is accessible from the elevator shaft.

Abstract: A double deck elevator comprising an upper cage and a lower cage vertically movable together in a hositway, wherein a space between the upper cage and the lower cage is covered by covers. The covers guide airflow flowing around the space to reduce air turbulence noise, and consequently the quietness and comfortableness in the cages is improved.

Abstract: An automated warehouse system row cart includes a lifter that uses cams to raise and lower pallets. Three symmetrical cam lobes are cut into a hollow cylinder. Three matching cam lifters ride these lobes and are attached to an elevator plate. A stepper motor running in one direction is used to raise and lower the elevator plate by virtue of the action between the cam lobes and lifters.

Abstract: A cable elevator includes a car which travels on first parallel guides and a counterweight which travels on second parallel guides, the guides being located in a respective first and second parallel planes. Drive machinery is arranged on an engine mount between the guides, the first guides extending upward past the mount, the second guides ending at the mount. Laterally spaced lower guide elements and laterally spaced upper guide elements are fixed to the car and engage the first guides. A support cable is fixed to the underside of the car so that the car can pass the drive machinery vertically.

Abstract: A system for displaying information in elevator cabs includes a central server for compiling and transmitting information to be displayed and a plurality of individually-addressable displays in elevator cabs for receiving the information. Each display has two or more display areas for displaying different portions of the information.

Abstract: An exit (5) formed in an elevator car (1) is closed by doors (8) of multi-construction including an inner door (6) and an outer door (7). Air is able to flow between a space between the inner door (6) and the outer door (7) and the space in the elevator car (1). The elevator car (1) can be sealed in an airtight state and can be isolated from external noise. Deformation of the decorative inner surface of the inner door (6) by pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the elevator car (1) can be prevented.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway including a hoistway wall and a bottom portion, the hoistway wall including a protrusion projecting from the hoistway wall inside the hoistway, a vertical moving member ascending and descending the hoistway without interfering with the protrusion, and a control panel for controlling the movement of the vertical moving member, the control panel being disposed within the hoistway and in an overlapping relationship with a projected region of the protrusion, projected in the direction of movement of the vertical moving member. The space within the hoistway is efficiently utilized and easy maintenance of the elevator system is provided.

Abstract: A ventilation and illumination system for an elevator is provided. An illuminator is disposed in an air path of a ventilation blower disposed above the ceiling of an elevator cage. An illumination shielding device is disposed below the illuminator and also in the air path. The illumination shielding device includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel rectangular plates, where the lower portions of the plates are inclined toward the elevator cage sidewalls. In this manner, indirect lighting of the elevator cage is provided in an arrangement where air flow reduces accumulation of dust on the illumination shielding device. One or more such combinations of illuminator and illumination shielding device can be used in an elevator cage. Preferably, illuminators and illumination shielding devices are disposed at corners of the elevator cage ceiling, in order to maximize elevator cage capacity. A reflective plate can be mounted to the elevator cage ceiling.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises an air supply fan and an air exhaust fan which changes atmospheric pressure in a car according to an ascending and descending process, and a controller which rotates the air supply fan and the air exhaust fan in a normal direction or a reverse direction according to the ascending and descending process to pressurize or depressurize an inside of the car.

Abstract: A system and method for elevating a construction implement relative to a surface under construction includes erecting a support post having a generally hollow cavity on the surface under construction, such as a dam. A quantity of granular material is then dumped into the hollow cavity of the support post. The support post and, specifically, the construction implement, is then jacked to a desired height relative to the surface. A portion of the granular material is then permitted to disperse through and beneath the support post thereby creating a higher support structure on which the support post may then rest. This process may be repeated as the construction progresses and the surface is gradually raised.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a gap between an elevator car door and the associated car wall during car travel includes a sealing strip of resilient material with wall portions that can be reversibly stretched to bridge and seal the gap.

Abstract: An elevator car is of a construction which facilitates inspection and maintenance function while enhancing passenger safety. The car includes a closeable inspection and maintenance opening in a sidewall. A transparent inspection window or an inspection grille forms a closure for the opening. The closure may be lockable, and can also include a sensor to monitor its state.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for use in conjunction with an elevator construction having an elevator car operably connected to a pair of hydraulic rams comprises a chassis having a floor and a sidewall forming a hydraulic fluid sump region. The hydraulic rams are mounted to the floor in the sump region. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is supported by the chassis, which also supports a pump/motor unit for the rams. Leveling feet mounted to the chassis allow the power unit to accommodate a variety of conditions in the hoistway pit.

Abstract: A main body 17 of controller box 16 is attached to the lower surface of upper frame 15 of car frame 11 such that it can slide freely, and upper frame 15 is configured such that it constitutes a part of a wall of controller box 16.

Abstract: An elevator has a car that moves along at least one guiderail in a hoistway and the car is supported by at least one suspension rope that is driven by a drive unit. The drive unit has a drive motor that rotates rope sheave over which the suspension rope passes. The drive unit is located in an upper section of the hoistway and projects over at least part of the car. To assure safe access to the drive unit when the dimensions of the hoistway are efficiently minimized, the car has a closable opening in the roof through which the drive unit is accessible.

Abstract: A fork-lift truck for selectively displacing a load forward or sideways, comprising a horizontal, substantially U-shaped frame, a lifting mechanism for carrying the load, wherein legs of the frame extend along the lifting mechanism, and wheels on the legs which are connected to the legs via rotating mechanisms for driving and are rotatable on a substantially upward axis between positions corresponding with sideways and forward movements of the fork-lift truck. Flexible power supply and control lines run with slack through the legs to the wheels. There is further provided a bending mechanism at each of the legs for bending the power supply and control lines without frictional contact with the interior of the legs during release of the slack.

Abstract: A safety plank assembly for mounting on a bottom of an elevator car in a traction-type elevator system includes a pair of parallel extending plank beams connected by a cross support member. A rope sheave is rotatably mounted at each of opposed ends of the plank beams to define a diagonal rope path through the assembly for underslung support of the elevator car. Traction weights and balancing weights can be attached to the beams and provision is made for mounting safety equipment.

Abstract: An externally concealable modular high-rise emergency evacuation apparatus that enables people, including the injured, the elder or drabled persons to escape entrapment from or to bypass the levels of a high-rise building that is impassable due to flame, smoke or heavy damage, with very little effort or assistance, comprising a slanted cylindrical booth with a trap door bottom, elongated poles with trusses, expandable reinforced descent tubes with fire-proof skin, stabilizer webbings, an inflatable slide, and active components comprised of sensors, switches, latches and relays that coordinates, prequalifies and controls access then egress through the apparatus, with emphasis on checking the integrity of a complete escape path and approximating free space for each evacuee within said descent tubes, thereby enhancing supported evacuee volume and safety.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering advertising messages to occupants of an elevator cab includes a network mainframe server located remotely from the elevator cab. The apparatus further includes an individual processing unit (IPU) located at the elevator cab and in communication with the network mainframe server over a telephone line configured for transmitting a digital data signal. The IPU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a monitor electrically connected to the CPU. In a particular embodiment, the IPU further includes an infrared camera for detecting the number of occupants in the elevator cab when an advertising message is displayed. The network mainframe server transmits the advertising messages to the CPU of the IPU over the telephone line. The advertising messages are stored on the CPU and displayed to the occupants of the elevator cab on the monitor of the IPU.

Abstract: A wall panel assembly for use as an interior wall of an elevator car includes a wall panel embossed to form a central portion, a decorative panel having an ornamental front surface, and an adhesive material adhering the decorative panel to the wall panel. When the wall panel is installed in an elevator car, the decorative panel ornamental front surface is visible to passengers. The decorative panel can be formed of a flexible laminate material to follow the contour of the central portion. The central portion is surrounded by a rib or curved portion to hide an edge of the decorative panel.

Abstract: The interior of an elevator car is equipped with phosphorescent components which serve as emergency lighting in the case of power failure, and for facilitating activation of the alarm it contains relevant operating elements which have phosphorescent coatings or are made of materials with phosphorescent additives.

Abstract: The interior of an elevator car is equipped with phosphorescent components which serve as emergency lighting in the case of power failure, and for facilitating activation of the alarm it contains relevant operating elements which have phosphorescent coatings or are made of materials with phosphorescent additives.