Patents Examined by Michael A Riegelman
  • Patent number: 11618651
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator assembly includes a header beam and a first elevator cab supported by the header beam. A plurality of vertically oriented rods extend beneath the first elevator cab. A horizontally oriented mid-beam is coupled to a first one of the rods near a first end of the mid-beam and coupled to a second one of the rods near a second end of the mid-beam. A second elevator cab is situated beneath the first elevator cab and beneath the mid-beam. At least one linear actuator is supported at least partially on the mid-beam. The linear actuator selectively causes vertical movement of the second elevator cab relative to the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Enrico Manes, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11619295
    Abstract: A bypass apparatus for lubricant in an unregulated pressurized gearbox including: a block including a lubricant inlet in fluid communication with a pressure relief valve, wherein the pressure relief valve diverts lubricant into the gearbox or into an oil filter, wherein lubricant is returned to the gearbox when the lubricant is cold and/or pressure at the pressure relief valve is high to reduce damage to the gearbox caused by high pressure during a cold start, and when the lubricant temperature increases and the pressure is reduced the pressure relief valve closes and lubricant enters the oil filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Scott David Poster
  • Patent number: 11618649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator apparatus, comprising: a shaft, an elevator car vertically movable in the shaft, one or more ropes connected with the car, and a controller for controlling movement of the car. In order to detect sway in one or more elevator ropes connected with the car, the apparatus comprises at least one sensor unit arranged in the elevator shaft to detect sway and to produce a control signal indicating to the controller the detected sway. The controller compares the detected sway to a predetermined limit and prevents movement of the elevator car when sway reaches the predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Puranen, Mari Zakrzewski
  • Patent number: 11618660
    Abstract: Extendable mast systems and methods for a material handling vehicle include a base mast having a first web connecting a first web first flange and a first web second flange; a base mast bearing; a base mast bumper; a vertically extendable mast having a second web connecting a second web first flange and a second web second flange; and a vertically extendable mast bearing. The base mast bearing is spaced apart from the second web first flange defining a base mast bearing space between the base mast bearing and the second web first flange. The vertically extendable mast bearing is spaced apart from the first web first flange defining a vertically extendable mast bearing space between the vertically extendable mast bearing and the first web first flange. And the base mast bumper maintains the base mast bearing space between the base mast bearing and the second web first flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Howe
  • Patent number: 11608249
    Abstract: An improved elevator pad assembly includes a plurality of closely spaced, flexible loops secured to the backside of a protective elevator pad, preferably within the upper margin near the top edge of the pad. In one embodiment, the loops are formed as part of a narrow mounting strip affixed to the back cover of the pad. Each loop lies hidden from view below the upper edge of the pad, and remains hidden from view even when fastened to a wall stud or other mounting hardware affixed to the elevator cab walls or ceiling. The flexible loops eliminate the need for grommets and make it easy to mount the pad assembly on elevator cab mounting hardware, allowing the elevator pad to be neatly positioned against the wall without bunching or sagging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Leslie L. Malloy
  • Patent number: 11603290
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a base, a plurality of interlock bumpers supported on the base, and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a released position. The plurality of interlock bumpers are supported on the base with a gap between the plurality of interlock bumpers. Each of the interlock bumpers includes a contact surface configured to contact at least one vane supported on an elevator car door. Each of the interlock bumpers remains rotationally fixed relative to the base. The latch includes a latch bumper that is situated relative to the gap such that the at least one vane contacts the latch bumper and urges the latch into the released position when the at least one vane is at least partially in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Yunyi Wang, Suresh Dharmaraj
  • Patent number: 11603291
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic buffer energy storage device for an over-discharged hoist skip in a vertical shaft. The hydraulic buffer energy storage device for an over-discharged hoist skip in a vertical shaft comprises a vertical shaft, where a hoist skip is hung on an inner side of the vertical shaft, and a hydraulic buffer mechanism is arranged on the inner side of the vertical shaft; the hoist skip is positioned above the hydraulic buffer mechanism; the hydraulic buffer mechanism is communicated with an accumulator group, a pressure relief part and an oil replenishing part through an oil pipeline; the accumulator group is communicated with an energy storage part through an oil pipeline; the energy storage part, the pressure relief part and the oil replenishing part are respectively communicated with an oil tank through oil pipelines, the hydraulic buffer mechanism is connected with a displacement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Foshan University
    Inventors: Ying Tian, Yang She, Xingbo Wang
  • Patent number: 11598410
    Abstract: A drive device includes a first catch tank above a first gear and including a first bent portion bent between the first gear and a second gear, and a second catch tank below the first catch tank and including a second bent portion that is bent downward. A space above the second bent portion communicates with a space above the first bent portion. A third catch tank is above the second gear, and includes a third bent portion that is bent toward between the first gear and the second gear. A space above the third bent portion communicates with the space above the first bent portion. A fourth catch tank is in front of the second gear and above the third gear, and includes a fourth bent portion that is bent downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Ishikawa, Keisuke Nakata
  • Patent number: 11591184
    Abstract: An elevator assembly (1) comprises an elevator car (2), a counterweight (4), and a safety device (8) located on a roof (9) of the elevator car (2). A locking handle (10) is positioned within the elevator shaft (6), and connected to a first end (12a) of a tension member (12). A blocking stop (14) is connected to a second end (12b) of the tension member (12). The blocking stop (14) is moveable between an inactive state, in which the tension member (12) holds the blocking stop (14) in a position in which it does not limit downwards movement of the counterweight (4), and an active state, in which tension in the tension member (12) is reduced to allow the blocking stop (14) to move to a position in which it limits downwards movement of the counterweight (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Francisco Cervera, Eneko Arribas Cano, Jesus Donaire Serrano
  • Patent number: 11591187
    Abstract: A linear propulsion system and method of assembling and testing the same is disclosed. The linear propulsion system may comprise a track, a vehicle, a mover mounted to the vehicle, and a dual inverter system. The track may comprise a first plurality of stator sections interleaved with a second plurality of stator sections. The dual inverter system may include first and second multi-phase inverters that share input hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Fernando Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11585431
    Abstract: A transmission includes a first oil reservoir and a second oil reservoir. The first oil reservoir, in an installed position, lies underneath the second oil reservoir. The first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir are connected via a connection line. The connection line is configured to open or close depending on an oil level in the first oil reservoir. A related motor vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Fleischmann, Matthias Retsch
  • Patent number: 11584616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to maintenance of a passenger transport system. An apparatus for maintaining a passenger transport system according to the present invention includes a wireless beacon and a personal mobile terminal. The wireless beacon is mounted substantially at a registration entrance for entering the passenger transport system to perform a maintenance operation and configured to broadcast a wireless signal to the surrounding area. The personal mobile terminal is carried by the maintenance operator and configured to sense the wireless signal when the maintenance operator approaches the wireless beacon. At least one of the wireless beacon and the personal mobile terminal is configured to automatically generate and send, based on successful sensing of the wireless signal by the personal mobile terminal, maintenance register information indicating that the corresponding maintenance operator has checked into a maintenance operation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ke Yang, Wenbo Huang
  • Patent number: 11584620
    Abstract: The lightweight elevator interior includes wall panels and a ceiling structure. In the preferred embodiment there is a layered effect created by a first applied layer of trim, partially covered by a second layer of wall panels. The thickness of the wall panels results in a front layer of laminate, and a rear layer of metal trim. The result fully hides the cab interior while maintaining the low profile of the lightweight elevator interior. The trim is preferably constructed from a reflective material, such as stainless steel. Because the trim bridges/crosses the corners of the cab interior, it is laser stitch cut, the trim shipped flat, and then bent to fit on-site. The wall panels are preferably constructed from a lightweight structural plastic panel. On one side is a decorative laminate, on the other side is a double-sided adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Lance
  • Patent number: 11585426
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes: a gear; a case receiving the gear; and a baffle plate positioned between the gear and the case; the baffle plate including a guide portion arranged to guide an oil scooped up by the gear, into between the baffle plate and the case, and the guide portion being disposed above an oil level within the case, the guide portion being adjacent to an axial side surface of the gear, the guide portion being positioned in the baffle plate on an upstream side in a rotation direction of the gear, and the guide portion including a first bent portion which is positioned on a tip end side, and which is bent in a direction from the case toward the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tahei Toyoshima, Shingo Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Handa, Masaki Shibuya, Tomohiro Nagata, Masakazu Tamura, Atsuyuki Ide, Yasuyuki Horie, Hideyuki Mamiya, Akira Kakimi
  • Patent number: 11572980
    Abstract: A sectional lubricant distributor for distributing lubricant to at least one lubrication point, including a distributor body having an inlet opening for lubricant which is fluidically connected to at least one outlet passage, which opens into an outlet opening of the distributor body, a rotary valve is rotatably mounted in the distributor body and is adjustable between an open position of the rotary valve, in which the outlet passage is open in order to allow lubricant to pass through to the outlet opening, and a closed position of the rotary valve, in which the outlet passage is closed, an electromotive drive which is coupled to a control gear, including a control gearwheel having a control toothing section engageable with a toothing of the rotary valve to move the rotary valve between the open position and the closed position. Further, a method for distributing lubricant to at least one lubrication point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: GROENEVELD-BEKA GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Köppel, Alexander Löckert
  • Patent number: 11566699
    Abstract: An oil supply system for a vehicle transmission includes a pump drivable by two drive sources, and a hydraulic control unit including multiple control valves for distributing oil to consumers of the oil supply system. The drive power of the two drive sources are combined by a planetary gear set having an element connected to a pump drive shaft of the pump. A method for supplying the consumers of the oil supply system includes determining an overall oil flow requirement in the oil supply system and an oil flow requirement of consumers in an oil supply circuit of the transmission. The method further includes calculating a drive parameter for at least one of the two drive sources based at least in part on the oil flow requirements. Additionally, the method includes outputting the drive parameter as a specified value for controlling the at least one of the two drive sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Mario Hasel
  • Patent number: 11560289
    Abstract: An elevator inspection and maintenance system, the system including a mechatronic body movable via remote or automatic operation, an inspection and maintenance head installed on the mechatronic body, where the inspection and maintenance head is fitted with a sensor or a manipulation tool to perform an inspection or a maintenance operation on at least one component of an elevator system remotely or automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Mahesh N. Shah
  • Patent number: 11560291
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator arrangement comprising an elevator with a control system, and an inspection or maintenance mode, which elevator further comprises an elevator car arranged to run up and down in an elevator shaft along its guide rails, and which elevator car is equipped with a roof and a car operating panel. The arrangement comprises actuating means to open the roof of the elevator car, which actuating means are operatively connected to the car operating panel of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Markku Haapaniemi, Esko Aulanko, Matti Rasanen, Ari Kattainen, Antti Hovi
  • Patent number: 11560290
    Abstract: A carriage (1) for a stairlift is configured for sliding along a support guide (2). The carriage (1) comprises a concave shaped frame (101), defining a seat (S) for housing at least a part of said guide (2); at least one upper roller (102), mounted on an upper portion of said frame (101) to be rotatably engageable resting on an upper surface of a head portion (201) of the guide (2); a rolling member (103), mounted on a lower portion of the frame (101) to be rotatably engageable with a lower surface of a base portion (203) of the guide (2); and first and second lower rollers (104a, 104b), mounted on the frame (101) in the proximity of the rolling member (103) in such a way as to be engaged or can be engaged in rolling movement respectively on a first lateral surface (203a) and a second lateral surface (203b) of the base portion (203) of the guide (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: EXTREMA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Federico Lodi
  • Patent number: 11554935
    Abstract: An elevator car has a balustrade arranged on a roof of the elevator car, wherein the balustrade includes posts, that are attached on a horizontal upper side of the roof, and post-connecting crossmembers. For each post, a docking element is arranged on the upper side of the roof, and the post can be docked on the docking element. The docking element has form-fitting elements in the form of fingers for accommodating the post in a form-fitting manner and the post has slots or apertures, that are complementary to the fingers, the fingers engaging in the slots or the apertures. The docking element is a flattened component made up of two stacked plates and is screwed to the roof. The balustrade is secured by obliquely running supporting profiles extending between the handrail and the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Stefan Hugel