Patents Examined by Michael Riegelman
  • Patent number: 11267676
    Abstract: An elevator system has a counterweight moveable in an elevator shaft for a weight equalization of an elevator car which can move in an opposite direction to the counterweight. A protective screen is arranged in a shaft pit of the elevator shaft and has a vertical portion oriented substantially parallel to a movement path of the counterweight. The protective screen prevents a person located in the shaft pit from entering the movement path of the counterweight. The protective screen has a horizontally arranged angulation, wherein an angled portion of the protective screen that adjoins the angulation extends into the projection of the counterweight in the movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Johannes Häderer, Michael Thürig, Stephan Hess
  • Patent number: 11261060
    Abstract: A mechanically-based arrangement for locking a stairlift chair relative to a stairlift carriage in the event of a failure within the drive that is provided to maintain the chair level as the stairlift is in operation. The arrangement uses inter-engaging components that are engaged and dis-engaged in timed relationship to rotation of the levelling motor. At all times at least one set of inter-engaging components are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Stannah Stairlifts Limited
    Inventor: Max Daniel Woodhams
  • Patent number: 11261058
    Abstract: The arrangement comprises at least one travelling cable, a guide rail extending from a pit floor at least to a middle of an elevator shaft, an intermediate fixing point positioned in connection with the guide rail, the at least one travelling cable being fixedly attached in said intermediate fixing point, a travelling cable keeper being movably supported on the guide rail so that the travelling cable keeper is movable upwards and downwards along the guide rail, the at least one travelling cable being movably supported in support points on the travelling cable keeper, a path of the at least one travelling cable through the support points in the travelling cable keeper being curved, the at least one travelling cable being movable through the support points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Zhizhong Yan, Antti I. Maki, Jaakko Kalliomaki, Takeshi Ogata
  • Patent number: 11261057
    Abstract: An elevator guide having a base attached to an elevator component, a guide riding along a portion of a rail and a spring biasing the guide in contact with the rail. The guide includes one or more of the following: (i) a guide support member operably associated with the guide for movably supporting the guide so that the guide can move toward and away from a corresponding surface of the rail member wherein the guide support member has a plurality of spring engagement sections configured to vary a system effective spring rate; (ii) a roller including a non-metallic rim molded about a bearing; (iii) two independently adjustable stops and, (iv) an opening adjustment member mounted about a notch in the base to vary the distance between the base and the rail. The opening adjustment member has a width and/or depth greater than a width and/or depth of the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ELEVATOR SAFETY COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew James Laughton, Jeffrey Lachica Geroso
  • Patent number: 11261055
    Abstract: Elevator systems and methods of operation include a tension member support positioned within an elevator shaft, a tension member suspended from the tension member support within the elevator shaft, and a slack detection system. The slack detection system includes at least one biasing element housed within the tension member support and operably coupled to the tension member, the at least one biasing element arranged to receive a load from the tension member and a switch arranged to be moved from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the at least one biasing element, wherein when in the second position the switch triggers an emergency stop of an elevator car within the elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Antoine Adrian Blanchard, Emmanuel Convard, Arnaud Cazé
  • Patent number: 11255423
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual-clutch automatic transmission cooling and lubrication hydraulic control system and a vehicle. The dual-clutch automatic transmission cooling and lubrication hydraulic control system comprises a clutch lubrication control valve whose outlet end is connected with a clutch lubricating oil circuit, a gear lubrication control valve whose outlet end is connected with a gear and bearing lubricating oil circuit, the inlet end of the gear lubrication control valve being connected with the inlet end of the clutch lubrication control valve in parallel at the first common end, further comprises a mechanical pump and an electronic pump whose inlet ends are connected to an oil tank respectively. The outlet end of the mechanical pump and the outlet end of the electronic pump are connected in the second common end in parallel, and a cooler disposed between the first common end and the second common end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Huaxue Liu, Lin Zhou, Guangqing Tang, Jiancheng Gao, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11254544
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liner for a traction sheave including a top surface and a bottom surface mutually spaced on a height-wise axis (H), a front surface and a back surface mutually spaced on lengthwise axis (L), and a plurality of side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface mutually spaced in a widthwise axis (W), wherein in a first cross sectional profile of the plurality of side surfaces forms convergent-divergent profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
  • Patent number: 11255233
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering a lubrication liquid to a machine in a terminating liquid lubrication system. A machine and a cartridge containing a lubrication liquid are connected to each other so that the lubrication liquid is supplied to the machine. Some embodiments may include a monitoring system, a backup source of lubrication liquid, and/or a second cartridge that automatically provides lubrication liquid to the machine when the cartridge is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: THE SLOAN BROTHERS CO.
    Inventors: Christopher Sloan, Michael Bechtold
  • Patent number: 11247871
    Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. Each tension member includes a plurality of basalt fibers to enhance temperature resistance of the tension member. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. Each tension member includes a plurality of basalt fibers to enhance temperature resistance of the tension member. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Brad Guilani
  • Patent number: 11247870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt-shaped rope of an elevator having opposite lateral sides facing in thickness direction of the rope, at least one of the lateral sides being shaped to have elongated wedge-shaped ribs that are disposed adjacent each other in width direction of the rope and extend parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rope, each said wedge-shaped rib having a first flank face and a second flank face that are at an acute angle relative to each other, and the surface material of said flank faces has shore A hardness more than 85 and less than 100. The invention also relates to an elevator arrangement as well as to an elevator, implementing the aforementioned belt-shaped rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Petteri Valjus, Juha Helenius, Raimo Pelto-Huikko, Petri Kere
  • Patent number: 11242222
    Abstract: A support member of a braking device includes a body configured to couple to the braking device. The body has a first portion including a first inclined body surface and a second inclined body surface. The first portion is receivable within an opening having a first inclined opening surface and second inclined opening surface. The first inclined body surface is complementary to the first inclined opening surface and the first portion of the body is movable within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Tanjil Mustafa
  • Patent number: 11235950
    Abstract: An elevator safety gear actuation device for actuating an elevator safety gear comprises a first member and a second member. The first and second members are arranged opposite to each other defining a gap configured for accommodating a guide member extending in a longitudinal direction. At least one of the engagement members comprises an engagement element which is movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The first engagement element comprises at least one permanent magnet which is configured for being magnetically attracted and attaching to the guide member extending through the gap when the engagement element is arranged in the engaged position. The second member comprises at least one additional permanent magnet which is configured for being magnetically attracted to the guide member extending through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruben Sanchez Munoz, Javier Munoz Sotoca
  • Patent number: 11235951
    Abstract: Elevators and elevator car wall panel systems are provided herein. The systems include an elevator car frame, at least two wall panels pivotally connected to the frame, a connecting element operably connecting the at least two wall panels, and an actuation element operably connected to the connecting element, wherein the actuation element is operable to transition the at least two wall panels from a closed state to an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmanuel Convard, Christele Gressien
  • Patent number: 11230456
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a braking apparatus includes a pair of brake shoes, a cam follower connected to at least one of the shoes, a compressible spring connected to the cam follower, and an actuation assembly including a motor, a ball screw and an electromagnetic clutch. The braking apparatus is operative to transition from a brake applied position where the brake shoes are closed and a brake release position where the brake shoes are separated. When the braking apparatus is in the brake release position, a brake application may be commenced to close the shoes by power no longer being supplied to the electromagnetic clutch. Additionally, when the braking apparatus is undergoing a brake release cycle to separate the brake shoes, the brake application cycle may also be commenced prior to completion of the brake release cycle when power is no longer supplied to the electromagnetic clutch and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: G.A.L. Manufacturing Company, LLC
    Inventors: James Varon, John Curzon, Thomas Wei
  • Patent number: 11231103
    Abstract: A lubricant supply for a powertrain in an electrically driven motor vehicle has a hydraulic oil pump, which can be driven by a drive actuator, a lubricant supply point and a lubricant reservoir. The hydraulic oil pump can generate a first lubricant volume flow from the lubricant reservoir to the lubricant supply point and a second lubricant flow volume from the lubricant supply point or an additional lubricant supply point in the lubricant reservoir. The drive actuator is an electric motor. The lubricant supply point is arranged in a traction motor with a rotor shaft and a motor housing. The additional lubricant supply location is disposed in a traction transmission. The lubricant supply points can be supplied with lubricant by way of the first lubricant volume flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Staake, Richard Baeumler, Nikola Brk
  • Patent number: 11230458
    Abstract: The invention relates to rope gripping member for a rope gripping device, the rope gripping member comprising an elongated rope gripping face for being pressed against an elongated side face of an end section of a rope, the elongated rope gripping face having a longitudinal direction and a front edge and a rear edge; wherein tensile stiffness of the rope gripping member in longitudinal direction of the gripping face increases non-linearly with accelerating rate from the front edge towards the rear edge of the gripping face. The invention also relates to a rope gripping device, a rope terminal arrangement and a hoisting apparatus implementing the rope gripping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Juha Helenius, Jani Renvall
  • Patent number: 11225403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular pit structure for an inground lifting system. The pit structure includes: a first end part; a second end part; at least one intermediate part, wherein the at least one intermediate part has a length, a width and a height; and a frame configured to be placed in an assembled pit structure. After assembling of a pit, the length of the intermediate part extends in a substantially horizontal direction between the first and second end parts and an interlock between adjacent parts of the pit structure extends in a substantially vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Stertil B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Bernhard Stapensea
  • Patent number: 11225398
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to a guide rail alignment method comprising attaching and aligning a first pair of elevator car guide rail sections in an elevator shaft and mounting a vertically moveable base between the guide rail sections. After the first pair of elevator car guide rail sections has been aligned, a target member comprising a target point is removably attached to a guide rail section, and a positioning light source able to produce a beam of collimated light is attached to the vertically moveable base, so that a beam of collimated light emitted in a predetermined direction by the positioning light source meets the target point of the target member. The position of the light source is then used to align a guide rail section of a second pair of guide rail sections. The current disclosure further relates to an elevator guide rail alignment arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Hakan Barneman
  • Patent number: 11209079
    Abstract: The present invention includes 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: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Scott David Poster
  • Patent number: 11208296
    Abstract: A method for constructing at least two elevators in a building under construction adapts the usable lifting heights of the elevators to an increasing height of the building, wherein each of the elevators is arranged in an elevator shaft of the building associated with the elevator and includes a drive platform having an elevator drive machine that supports and drives an elevator car and a counterweight by a traction sheave and at least one flexible suspension device. In order to adapt the usable lifting heights, lifting operations are performed in which in alternation one of the drive platforms is raised to a higher level in the associated elevator shaft and is locked there. A single lifting platform is temporarily fastened above the particular drive platform to be lifted to apply a lifting force required to raise the drive platform, which force is transferred to supporting elements of the elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Lukas Christen, Pascal Bläsi, Stefan Weber, Gabriele Bizzozero