Abstract: A elevator cab car operating panel has a convex cover cooperating with one of the cab walls to define an enclosed space in which a lighting source is disposed. A pair of translucent panels cooperate with the cover to allow the light to emanate from the car operating panel to provide the primary source of light for the cab. The cab wall may have a concave shape for cooperating with the convex cover to define the enclosed space.

Abstract: To prevent elevator rope stretch effects when a horizontally transferable elevator cab (18) is rolled onto and off of an elevator car frame (10), an elevator car/floor lock (31) includes a bolt (47) which extends across the interface between the car frame and the building and engages a strike (39). Jack screw (44) and solenoid (60) embodiments are shown. To take the weight off the lock bolts so that they may be retracted to permit moving the car frame vertically in the hoistway, strain gages (64, 65) or load sensors (62, 63) provided in or adjacent the bolts sense the weight supported thereby, and a pretorque program (FIG. 6) provides armature current to the hoisting motor to raise or lower the car frame sufficiently to reduce the load on the bolts to nil.

Abstract: Tension of compensating ropes in an elevator system is electively changed to minimize horizontal vibration of the compensating ropes in tall buildings. The tension of compensating ropes is changed by a tensioning mechanism either when the horizontal movement of the compensating ropes exceeds a preset limit or when the building sway exceeds a predetermined amount. Additionally, the tension of compensating ropes can be changed when the elevator car is parked within certain predetermined top floors. The tension can be applied to a compensating sheave supporting the compensating ropes by a tensioning mechanism such as a hydraulic jack.

Abstract: A display apparatus within elevator cabs or elevator waiting areas that facilitates the simultaneous display of advertising and general news information is described. Broadcast from a remote control center, advertising and general news information updates are transmitted to, and stored in, a display memory and subsequently displayed on a screen according to a remotely modifiable program schedule. The display is updated such that it contains a copy of the latest broadcast schedule, as well as the advertisement and information programming, and automatically displays a days program according to the most current broadcast schedule. The display units are each individually addressable thus allowing groups of displays to be simultaneously updated from a remote centralized location with information such as news updates and the like.

Abstract: An object of the present invention, which is a printed circuit board housing apparatus, is to allow the state of the printed circuit boards inside a rack (fully loaded or in mid-process, or the like) to be determined at a glance from outside the rack, so as to ensure that printed circuit boards are controlled in each rack. To achieve this object, the printed circuit board housing apparatus pertaining to the present invention comprises a display mark on the exterior component of the rack side plates for displaying the state of the printed circuit boards inside the rack, and a shutter for switching the display of the display mark, as well as a drive component for sliding the shutter.

Abstract: An air supply system may supply air into an elevator building and into the elevator. The system includes a number of frames each having a number of openings communicating with an air passage formed in the elevator building. One or more tubes are disposed in the elevator building for communicating with the air passage. An air generator is coupled to the tube for supplying air into the tube and for supplying air into the air passage and the elevator. A heat resistive panel assembly is secured to the wall and spaced from the elevator for forming an air chamber and for protecting the elevator from being burned by the fire.

Abstract: A first slidable auxiliary pinion (58a) on the bottom of a horizontally moveable elevator cab A (FIGS. 2-6) disposed on a car frame (14) or a landing is moved out from under the cab toward another car frame (13) or landing by means of a motorized pinion (56) until it engages a motorized pinion (57) on the adjacent car frame (13) or landing, which then pulls the auxiliary pinion and the entire cab toward the other car frame or landing until a main rack (45) fixed to the bottom of the cab engages a motorized pinion (34) on the other car frame (13) or landing, which pinion then pulls the entire cab onto the other car frame or landing. The auxiliary racks (58a, 58b) may be mounted on a common auxiliary rack member (58), or may be separate. The auxiliary motorized pinions (55, 56, 57) may be bidirectional, or may be; and auxiliary pinions (32C, 33C, 34C) may be; mounted on the same shaft with main pinions (32b, 33b, 34b).

Abstract: Modular elevator control housings having hinged faceplates that can be folded open to quickly expose the housing interior for service or modification. Each housing is generally in the form of a low profile, parallelepiped that is conveniently placed on a wall adjacent to an elevator car access position. The housing protectively encloses elevator operational controls, directional indicators, warning lights, or the like. The preferred housing comprises a chassis covered by a one-piece, folding faceplate interiorly hinged to the chassis that provides a display. The chassis comprises a subframe that secures the housing to the wall and a top and bottom cover. The subframe comprises a base bounded by integral, projecting side flanges that preferably terminate in upper lips. Extruded chassis sidewalls are secured to the subframe sides with fasteners captivated in part within captivating grooves defined in the sidewalls. Mounting grooves seat fasteners to secure the top and bottom covers to the sidewalls.

Abstract: A plurality of express shuttle elevators S1-S4 exchange elevator cabs at a transfer floor 26 with local elevators L1-L10 by means of a carriage 107, the casters of which 93 are guided by tracks 70-83. The transfer floor has linear induction motor (LIM) primary segments 60-67 disposed on the transfer floor; the carriage has a LIM secondary 128 thereon for propulsion. The carriages can be locked 91, 92 to the transfer floor for loading, and cabs can be locked 131 onto the carriages for stability when being moved. A controller (FIGS. 10-13) keeps track of the progress of the cabs from one elevator to another.

Abstract: A method of installing roller guides in an elevator system so as to be centered on their respective T-rails. In the case of an elevator using either and active or semi-active roller guide system, the method uses the position transducers that are part of the roller guide to indicate how to reposition the roller guide after it is loosely bolted and approximately positioned on the elevator car. For an elevator not using an active roller guide or semi-active roller guide, the present invention temporarily attaches position transducers to the roller guide before bolting the roller guide to the elevator car. These position transducers are removed after centering the roller guide on the T-rail.

Abstract: A device for cleaning elevator ropes includes a carpet strip clamped to be in contact with the elevator ropes and includes an additional supply roll of carpet. Once the portion of the carpet strip that comes into contact with the elevator ropes becomes soiled, the carpet strip can be advanced so that a clean portion of the carpet strip is positioned to be in contact with the elevator ropes and the soiled portion of the carpet strip is discarded. The carpet strip is secured by a pair of labyrinth type clamps that can be loosened and tightened without use of additional tools.

Abstract: A modular elevator control housing with an easily accessibly interior is disclosed. The housing comprises a generally rectangular, elongated casing that is conveniently placed on a wall adjacent to an elevator. The housing protectively encloses elevator operational controls. The housing may replace an existing control housing, mounting over the existing elevator outlet and using existing holes. Alternatively, the housing may be originally installed during building construction. The housing comprises a chassis covered by a display. The chassis comprises a subframe that secures the housing to the wall and a top and bottom cover. The subframe comprises a base bounded by integral, projecting side flanges. Chassis sidewalls are secured to the subframe sides. The inner surfaces of the sidewalls define multiple, parallel channels. Two of the channels seat fasteners to secure the top and bottom covers to the sidewalls. One of the channels captivates fasteners that secure the sidewalls to the subframe.

Abstract: An elevator cab X is moved from a hoistway TL to a car frame (11) simultaneously with moving a cab Y from the car frame (11) onto a landing TR. Double deck car frames (11a) may be utilized with cars P, Q going in the opposite direction of cars X, Y as they are transferred between the car frame and corresponding landings.

Abstract: The instrument panel (1) of an elevator is placed in the same opening (2) in the wall of the elevator shaft (17) as the landing door (3) of the elevator. The instrument panel (1) contains elevator control equipment and the electric drive controlling the hoisting motor of the elevator. The instrument panel (1) of the elevator is in connection with the jamb structure (4) of the landing door (3).

Abstract: A travel blocking apparatus is mounted in an elevator shaft to block travel of an elevator car or a counterweight into a temporary working space such as, for example, an elevator shaft pit or head. One or more travel blocking devices selectively pivot into the travel path of the car or the counterweight to block further travel in the desired direction. During each travel of the car away from the protected area, the travel blocking devices are retracted and upon each stop of the car are tilted to the blocking position. These movements of the travel blocking devices are sensed by safety switches to continuously check the functional capability of the travel blocking apparatus. An unlatching and release device positioned above the shaft door must be actuated by a key to open the shaft door, whereby a memory circuit is actuated further interrupting safety circuits. The memory circuit must be reset by a key switch in the machine room in order for the elevator car to resume operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety structure provided on an elevator car for the passengers to escape from the elevator car in case of an emergency that causes the elevator car to stop halfway between two floors. Besides, the safety structure can prevent maintenance technicians or objects from falling down through open entrance door to the base ground of the elevator tunnel when the elevator car is lifted halfway between two floors. The safety structure comprises a plurality of sidepieces secured to the bottom of the car and a series of rungs set between the sidepieces. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of sidepieces comprises a first segment and a second segment retractable into the first segment. In still another embodiment, each of the plurality of sidepieces comprises a chain of segments each linked to with a pivot such that the safety structure is collapsible.

Abstract: An emergency evacuation system uses three primary concepts--Retarded Free Fall, Temporary Structures and Energetics--to provide for rapid, safe rescue. An inflatable descent tube with entry ports is installed along the side of a structure or at the top of an elevator shaft. In emergency situations, a gas generator connected to the tube is activated and inflates the tube with gas. The interior surface of the tube includes energy absorption structures strategically positioned to retard the rate of fall. The structures absorb energy from falling bodies and translate some of the vertical force to horizontal force as the evacuee is temporarily deflected sideways in the tube. Friction strands cover the surfaces of the structures to further reduce velocities of falling evacuees. An inflatable exit ramp is positioned at the bottom of the tube to cushion the fall of the evacuee and lead the evacuee to safety.

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.

Abstract: An elevator cab (10) with a door sill (28) adjacent to the landing sill (40) with a gap (44) therebetween and the door sill and/or landing sill configured to produce a visual effect of enlarging the visual appearance of the gap.

Abstract: An emergency ventilation system for elevator cabs includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. An emergency power circuit has a single pole, double throw relay located in a normal power position when the primary power source is "on" wherein it connects the low voltage power source to the ventilating fans. The single pole, double throw relay has an emergency position wherein it is positioned to connect the emergency battery source to the ventilating fans so as to operate them independently of the primary power source for providing uninterrupted ventilation to the elevator cab.

Abstract: The invention comprises an elevator electrical component having a front plate that has no visible fasteners, the component being removable by a key. The elevator component has a housing attached to a face plate, a number of flexible arms attached to and integral with the housing, the arm(s) causing the housing to interfere with an opening in the elevator or the landing upon insertion or removal of the housing from the opening, the arm being movable in two directions to avoid interference with the opening upon insertion or removal of the housing from the opening, a visually inconspicuous accessway in the face plate for allowing access to the arm, and a key for extending through the accessway and simultaneously moving the arm or arms in both directions to allow the component to be removed from the opening without interference by the arm(s). The component may include a shaped projection that causes the housing to be specially manipulated to remove the housing from the opening even after usage of the key.

Abstract: Pneumatic vacuum lift elevator, in which the vertical shaft is a tube with smooth interior surface, preferably cylindrical, with straight axle, and the transport cab or vehicle moving inside such tube is a piston with vertical movement, with minimum play inside the tube, equipped with air suction devices at the upper end of the tube, capable of causing a sufficient pressure differential to displace such piston in controlled ascending and descending movement; completed with an air entry or intake in the lower end of the tube, and the access doors with which the tube is equipped, and which are hermetically closed on the various stopping levels.

Abstract: An elevator car has transparent side walls and is guided in an open elevator shaft to provide passengers with an unobstructed view of the surroundings outside the car. An information display apparatus is detachably coupled to an outer surface of a side wall of the elevator car to attract the attention of persons outside the car and provide information of a technical, an entertaining, an educational or a promotional. The information display apparatus uses an image forming screen electrically connected to the elevator car and a display panel removably retained in front of the screen to provide such information.

Abstract: A high-rise escaping slow descending tube, premounted to a frame to the building with both inner and outer sides each pivoted to a cover plate and cylindrical base wherein a sliding tube is placed with one end fixed, a cylindrical cover is pivoted to the bottom end of the cylindrical base. The sliding tube at its peripheral is connected with a soft tube portion to multiple axial supporting bands, and alternatively arranged radial clamps and tension fasteners. A web is connected to the supporting band extended from the bottom end of the tube portion; whereby, when cover plate is opened, the cylindrical base flips outward in flush and the sliding tube falls off to provide one to escape through the frame and glide down inside the tube portion at slow speed buffered by clamps and tension fasteners.

Abstract: Elevator guide rails are installed in the hoistway by jacking them up along the hoistway walls from the hoistway pit. A pair of jack assemblies are positioned adjacent to the side walls of the hoistway to which the rails are to be secured. Each jack assembly includes two jacks, one atop the other, and the two assemblies are connected together by an I-beam which extends across the hoistway. The lower jack in each assembly includes a rail gripper which allows the rails to move upwardly in the hoistway, but not downwardly. The upper jack includes a rail gripper which grips the rails as the jack is raised, and releases the rails as the jack is lowered.

Abstract: A rescue mat for use in an in-ground swimming pool includes a horizontally disposed mat extending across at the corners of the deepest end of the swimming pool to the start of the shallow end, attachable at the corners of the mat. The mat being connected to the wall surface of the swimming pool by a plurality of hook connectors are attached to a plurality of wheels in tracks disposed at the corners and start of shallower end of swimming pool so that when rescue mat is activated a person may be lifted safely from the bottom of the pool. Lifting is achieved by surface mounted hoists connected to wheels by a plurality of cables.

Abstract: An elevator system, which includes one or more elevators and an elevator controller for controlling the operation of the elevator. The system further includes at least one distant summons button for summoning said elevator, the button being operationally connected to said elevator controller, either by electrical connection or through wireless transmission. The distant summons button is located away from the immediate area near the elevator, for example, in an apartment or an office.

Abstract: The surface of a hydraulic cylinder is enclosed with a cylindrical casing. A fluid, preferably a thixotropic dielectric hydrophobic fluid which retains a gel structure when static, has a specific gravity greater than water and inhibits bacteriogenic and aqueous corrosion fills the annular space between the cylinder surface and the casing, preventing water that may be rich in bacteria, from reaching the cylinder surface. A fluid conduit between the annular space and a reservoir is provided and the fluid fills the reservoir to a predetermined level such that water, hydraulic fluid or another fluid in the system may be detected by a rise in the predetermined level. The water or hydraulic fluid can be easily removed as it will float on the top of the fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for installing and balancing an elevator car is disclosed. The method for installing and balancing an elevator car situated in a hoistway where cables attach to the car, is characterized by the following steps: providing an adjustable connector attached to the elevator car having two degrees of adjustable motion; positioning the connector to a desired location underneath the car, connecting the cables to the adjustable connector, and balancing the elevator car with an adjustable weight which is also attached to the underside of the elevator car. The apparatus for installing and balancing an elevator car having cables attached to its underside includes: (1) an adjustable connector attached to the elevator car having two degrees of adjustable motion; and, (2) an adjustable weight which attaches to the underside of the elevator car and is used to balance the car.

Abstract: Elevator machinery is fastened by its top part to a mounting beam. The mounting beam is fixed in place to side walls of an elevator shaft. The elevator machinery includes a motor, a disc brake and a transaction sheave. The beam, on which the elevator machinery is mounted, is laid in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the machinery.

Abstract: An elevator fixture includes a base plate module with opposed bent ends for mounting on a wall surface, and a housing open at the rear side to receive the base plate module and detachably couple the housing to the base plate module. The housing is formed from a face plate module and a frame module. The face plate module has one or more apertures through which call buttons or other indicating devices extend. The frame module is formed from a plurality of frame portions which are cut to length from an extrusion to match the dimensions of the face plate module. The frame portions are releasably coupled together by tabs and setscrews to releasably retain the face plate. Thus, the fixture can be assembled by selecting from among a plurality of different base plate, face plate and frame modules. The base plate module can include a positioning indicator and a positioning aperture for locating the fixture relative to an existing wall recess and/or in accordance with regulations.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the availability of an elevator car for response to hall calls includes a plurality of infrared sensors disposed to monitor the presence of an object within an elevator car. The cross-sectional area occupied by an object, or objects, within an elevator car is determined by the number of sensors generating output signals based upon reflections of transmitted radiation from such an object. The system monitors the cross-sectional area availability of the elevator car and categorizes the car as to its availability for responding to a hall call.

Abstract: A linear motor supporting apparatus for a linear motor elevator capable of greatly dampening a load from a stator when a relative displacement of the stator and guide rails occur, includes a linear motor including a rotor and a stator; a tensile force adjusting device, disposed below the stator, for adjusting a tensile force upon the stator; and a stator displacement adjusting device, disposed between the tensile force adjusting device and a supporting frame, for greatly reducing a load upon the stator by moving the stator by as much as a relative displacement between the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: Pneumatic vacuum lift elevator, in which the vertical shaft is a tube with smooth interior surface, preferably cylindrical, with straight axle, and the transport cab or vehicle moving inside such tube is a piston with vertical movement, with minimum play inside the tube, equipped with air suction devices at the upper end of the tube, capable of causing a sufficient pressure differential to displace such piston in controlled ascending and descending movement; completed with an air entry or intake in the lower end of the tube, and the access doors with which the tube is equipped, and which are hermetically closed on the various stopping levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for forming the jambs for elevator landing doors in a door opening (3) in the wall (2) between the elevator shaft and the landing. The jambs (4) consist of a skeletal structure (15,16,17) placed at the sides and at the top of the door opening and supporting the jamb structure, the skeletal structure being fastened to the wall by means of brackets (9) in a manner permitting adjustment in the direction of the plane of the door opening. Attached onto the skeletal structure is a surface structure (27,28) adjustable in the direction of the thickness of the wall. Each skeletal structure module is fixed to a bracket (9) in such a way that the position of the skeletal structure module can be adjusted in the direction of the plane of the door opening separately on the shaft side and on the landing side.

Abstract: An emergency illumination device for elevator cabs and the like that includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. When the primary power source is "on", a charging circuit maintains a constant charge on an emergency battery source while providing battery source power to an emergency alarm device that can be activated by a push button on the control panel of the elevator. When the primary power is off, the emergency battery source is activated by a circuit that will continue to provide power to the alarm device and also will provide general illumination to the interior of the elevator and spot illuminate the push button so that it can be easily located and operated by occupants in need of assistance.

Abstract: An elevator landing, which is used with a curvilinear hoistway door has a lintel, a guide attached to the lintel, the guide having a curvilinear slot having an inner edge and an outer edge for guiding an upper portion of the curvilinear door and, a curvilinear sill having a curvilinear second slot having an inner edge and an outer edge for guiding a lower edge portion of the doors. The first slot and the second slot are in register with each other. The sill slot extends vertically through the sill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting on a suspended elevator cab in a frame moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as acceleration is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the cab in proportion to the sensed acceleration. This may be accomplished by using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the suspended cab in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the suspended cab to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both. A preferred analog-digital approach is disclosed in which the digital part is responsive to accelerometer signals, the analog part is responsive to a force command signal from the digital part and provides a position feedback signal in return.

Abstract: Motor control arrangement for elevator car doors includes a controller which outputs driving signals to the door opening/closing motor which opens or closes the door of the car, a door open button and a door close button provided in the car for opening or closing the door of the car, a first line for transmitting an open signal from the door open button to the controller, and a second line for transmitting a close signal from the door close button to the controller. The first line and the second line communicate with (or are connected to) a third line. Within this third line, a break contact of a detection switch that operates (e.g., opens) when the car door is fully open is provided. A make contact (normally open) of the detection switch is provided between a connection point on the second line and the controller. When the car door starts to close, the make contact opens and the break contact closes so that only an open signal is transmittable to the controller.

Abstract: An indicator panel for an elevator car has a door behind which an emergency calling device is located for users of the elevator. The door is opened and closed by a door handle attached to the outer surface of the door. The handle has a body with a raised printed character formed on a front surface for identifying the emergency calling device. An enlarged lower portion of the front surface is formed by an outwardly extending flange spaced from a rear surface of the body and serving as a door operating aid. A raised information aid is formed on the enlarged lower portion and includes at least one Braille character identifying the emergency calling device. A further door operating aid is a recess formed in the rear surface of the body for retaining a pencil or the like. The body and the printed character can be formed by molding different color materials with the printed character extending from a cavity formed in the rear surface through an aperture in the front surface.

Abstract: An elevator system for conveying persons and/or loads has at least two elevators arranged in separate elevator shafts immediately next to each other. The counterweights of at least two elevators are arranged in one elevator shaft and the elevator in the other elevator shaft has a size which is adapted to the cross-sectional area of the elevator shaft.

Abstract: An emergency ventilation system for elevator cabs includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. An emergency power circuit has a single pole, double throw relay located in a normal power position when the primary power source is "on" wherein it connects the low voltage power source to the ventilating fans. The single pole, double throw relay has an emergency position wherein it is positioned to connect the emergency battery source to the ventilating fans so as to operate them independently of the primary power source for providing uninterrupted ventilation to the elevator cab.