Patents by Inventor Antti Mertala

Antti Mertala has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10899583
    Abstract: A rope storage unit for storing an elevator rope during transportation and/or installation of the elevator rope includes a rope reel, formed by a rope wound in a spiral form and having a central axis; and a support frame provided with an inner space inside which the rope reel is positioned supported by the support frame such that it can in use be rotated in the inner space for unwinding the rope. The rope is a rod having a straight form when in rest state and elastically bendable away from the straight form, the rope being under substantial bending tension in the spiral form, and wherein the support frame comprises three or more rotatable support rollers delimiting the inner space and surrounding radially the rope reel. A method for installing an elevator rope implements the rope storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Kiuru, Antti Mertala, Jani Renvall
  • Publication number: 20190177129
    Abstract: A rope storage unit for storing an elevator rope during transportation and/or installation of the elevator rope includes a rope reel, formed by a rope wound in a spiral form and having a central axis; and a support frame provided with an inner space inside which the rope reel is positioned supported by the support frame such that it can in use be rotated in the inner space for unwinding the rope. The rope is a rod having a straight form when in rest state and elastically bendable away from the straight form, the rope being under substantial bending tension in the spiral form, and wherein the support frame comprises three or more rotatable support rollers delimiting the inner space and surrounding radially the rope reel. A method for installing an elevator rope implements the rope storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Antti KIURU, Antti MERTALA, Jani RENVALL
  • Patent number: 10252890
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for installing an elevator in the construction phase of a building. The elevator comprises an elevator car adapted to move reciprocally in an elevator hoistway in the construction phase and a compensating weight, which is connected via a suspension beam to support the elevator car by means of at least one suspension member and also by means of diverting pulleys. The elevator has a temporary hoisting machine provided with a traction sheave, the hoisting machine being kept in its position for the whole duration of the construction phase of the building, and a traction member, such as a belt, rope or chain, which is adapted to transmit the rotational movement of the traction sheave into movement of the elevator car and of the compensating weight. During the construction time, the supporting and the moving of the elevator car are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jouni Ratia, Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 10099897
    Abstract: An elevator has a safety controller to which several safety switch arrangements are connected. The safety controller is configured to cause the stop of the elevator motor and the activation of the motor brakes. A comparator is provided in the safety controller for the determination of the status of the safety chain. The comparator is connected with a memory for storing at least one resistor reference value, which comparator is configured to output a safety chain status signal in dependence of comparison of a measured resistance value with the resistor reference value. Each of said safety switch arrangements includes at least one first resistor and a safety switch which are connected in series. The value of the first resistor is different in at least some safety switch arrangements, preferably in all safety switch arrangements. Each safety switch arrangement includes at least a second resistor connected in parallel with the safety switch, which second resistor has a higher value than the first resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Mertala, Ari Kattainen, Claudio Donghi, Jouko Kinnari, Samu Salmelin
  • Publication number: 20180186607
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for installing an elevator in the construction phase of a building. The elevator comprises an elevator car adapted to move reciprocally in an elevator hoistway in the construction phase and a compensating weight, which is connected via a suspension beam to support the elevator car by means of at least one suspension member and also by means of diverting pulleys. The elevator has a temporary hoisting machine provided with a traction sheave, the hoisting machine being kept in its position for the whole duration of the construction phase of the building, and a traction member, such as a belt, rope or chain, which is adapted to transmit the rotational movement of the traction sheave into movement of the elevator car and of the compensating weight. During the construction time, the supporting and the moving of the elevator car are separated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jouni Ratia, Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9890019
    Abstract: A material transport and installation arrangement comprising a first working platform system in an elevator shaft for reaching a first installation height; and a first material hoisting system for moving elevator components vertically in the elevator shaft is disclosed. The arrangement is characterized in that it comprises a second working platform system in the elevator shaft for reaching a second installation height, the second working platform system comprising a second platform hoist, second platform roping and a vertically moveable second working platform, the second working platform being below the first working platform; and a second material hoisting system for moving elevator components vertically in the elevator shaft, the second material hoisting system comprising a second material hoist, second material roping and a second material holder. Further, a method for parallel transport and installation of elevator components is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Petri Kere, Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9751728
    Abstract: A method includes plumbing an elevator shaft, installing a lowermost first section of guide rail elements manually to walls of the shaft, arranging an upwards and downwards in the shaft with a first hoist movable lifting frame, arranging an upwards and downwards in the shaft with a second hoist movable installation platform provided with a guide apparatus, an installation apparatus and an alignment tool, drilling holes and fastening support brackets to the walls of the shaft with the installation apparatus, lifting guide rail elements with a third hoist from the lifting frame and guiding said guide rail elements into position with the guide apparatus, joining consecutive guide rail elements with the installation apparatus, and aligning opposite guide rail elements with the alignment tool and locking the support brackets with the installation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9714156
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a positioning unit and an alignment unit. The positioning unit extends across the elevator shaft in a second direction and comprises at each end a first attachment mechanism movable in the second direction for supporting the positioning unit on opposite wall structures in the elevator shaft. The alignment unit extends across the elevator shaft in the second direction and is supported with support parts on each end portion of the positioning unit. Each end portion of the alignment unit is individually movable in relation to the positioning unit in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The alignment unit includes further at each end a second attachment mechanism movable in the second direction for supporting the alignment unit on opposite guide rails in the shaft. The second attachment mechanism includes a gripper for gripping on the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peetu Valkama, Harri Mäkinen, Mikael Haag, Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9592997
    Abstract: A guide rail installation arrangement and a method for installing guide rails are disclosed. The guide rail installation arrangement for installing guide rails in an elevator shaft includes at least one vertically moveable working platform within the elevator shaft for reaching the installation height and a material hoist for moving guide rail sections for installing the guide rail sections. The guide rail installation arrangement further includes a transport frame for transporting guide rail sections vertically within the elevator shaft and a frame hoist that is attachable to the transport frame for vertically moving the transport frame and for optionally moving the guide rail sections for loading the guide rail sections into the transport frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9517920
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an elevator provided with a guide shoe arrangement, which elevator comprises at least an elevator car, which is configured to travel in the elevator hoistway guided by guide rails, and which elevator comprises at least one guide shoe element, which comprises at least a body part moving along with the elevator car and also a plurality of guide rolls supported on the body part, each of which guide rolls is configured to travel while supported on one guide surface of a guide rail when the elevator car moves. At least one of the aforementioned guide rolls is supported in a manner allowing rotation on a support part that is separate from the other aforementioned guide rolls, which support part is fixed with an openable snap-on fixing means to the aforementioned body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Antti Mertala, Heidi Sederholm
  • Publication number: 20160347580
    Abstract: The arrangement for installing or uninstalling elevator ropes comprises at least one rope reel and a rope reel unit comprising a frame and at least one rotating rope feed member. The at least one rotating rope feed member is driven by an electric drive unit comprising an electric motor and a gear, the electric motor being driven by a frequency converter by which the torque of the electric motor is adjustable continuously. The feeding of at least one rope from the at least one rope reel is controlled directly or indirectly by the at least one rope feed member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Antti MERTALA
  • Publication number: 20160332852
    Abstract: A material transport arrangement for transporting transportable material in an elevator shaft and a material transport method are disclosed. The arrangement includes a pair of elevator car guide rails and a hoisting system mounted in the elevator shaft above the height to which transportable material is to be transported, for providing a pulling force to move the transportable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventor: Antti Mertala
  • Publication number: 20160332845
    Abstract: A material transport and installation arrangement comprising a first working platform system in an elevator shaft for reaching a first installation height; and a first material hoisting system for moving elevator components vertically in the elevator shaft is disclosed. The arrangement is characterized in that it comprises a second working platform system in the elevator shaft for reaching a second installation height, the second working platform system comprising a second platform hoist, second platform roping and a vertically moveable second working platform, the second working platform being below the first working platform; and a second material hoisting system for moving elevator components vertically in the elevator shaft, the second material hoisting system comprising a second material hoist, second material roping and a second material holder. Further, a method for parallel transport and installation of elevator components is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Petri KERE, Antti MERTALA
  • Publication number: 20160311659
    Abstract: A method includes plumbing an elevator shaft, installing a lowermost first section of guide rail elements manually to walls of the shaft, arranging an upwards and downwards in the shaft with a first hoist movable lifting frame, arranging an upwards and downwards in the shaft with a second hoist movable installation platform provided with a guide apparatus, an installation apparatus and an alignment tool, drilling holes and fastening support brackets to the walls of the shaft with the installation apparatus, lifting guide rail elements with a third hoist from the lifting frame and guiding said guide rail elements into position with the guide apparatus, joining consecutive guide rail elements with the installation apparatus, and aligning opposite guide rail elements with the alignment tool and locking the support brackets with the installation apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antti MERTALA
  • Patent number: 9340395
    Abstract: In a method for reeving an elevator, a hoisting element of a hoisting device is fixed to a first lifting point, and the hoisting element of the hoisting device is fixed to a second lifting point of the hoisting rope. The hoisting rope is lifted in the elevator hoistway with the hoisting device until the first lifting point and the second lifting point are at the top part of the elevator hoistway. The first end of the hoisting rope is guided to a first fixing point, and the second end of the hoisting rope is guided to a second fixing point. The first end is fixed to a first fixing point and the second end is fixed to the second fixing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Mertala, Marko Lehtonen
  • Publication number: 20160068369
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a positioning unit and an alignment unit. The positioning unit extends across the elevator shaft in a second direction and comprises at each end a first attachment mechanism movable in the second direction for supporting the positioning unit on opposite wall structures in the elevator shaft. The alignment unit extends across the elevator shaft in the second direction and is supported with support parts on each end portion of the positioning unit. Each end portion of the alignment unit is individually movable in relation to the positioning unit in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The alignment unit includes further at each end a second attachment mechanism movable in the second direction for supporting the alignment unit on opposite guide rails in the shaft. The second attachment mechanism includes a gripper for gripping on the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peetu VALKAMA, Harri MÄKINEN, Mikael HAAG, Antti MERTALA
  • Publication number: 20160060078
    Abstract: A guide rail installation arrangement and a method for installing guide rails are disclosed. The guide rail installation arrangement for installing guide rails in an elevator shaft includes at least one vertically moveable working platform within the elevator shaft for reaching the installation height and a material hoist for moving guide rail sections for installing the guide rail sections. The guide rail installation arrangement further includes a transport frame for transporting guide rail sections vertically within the elevator shaft and a frame hoist that is attachable to the transport frame for vertically moving the transport frame and for optionally moving the guide rail sections for loading the guide rail sections into the transport frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antti MERTALA
  • Publication number: 20160009526
    Abstract: An elevator has a safety controller to which several safety switch arrangements are connected. The safety controller is configured to cause the stop of the elevator motor and the activation of the motor brakes. A comparator is provided in the safety controller for the determination of the status of the safety chain. The comparator is connected with a memory for storing at least one resistor reference value, which comparator is configured to output a safety chain status signal in dependence of comparison of a measured resistance value with the resistor reference value. Each of said safety switch arrangements includes at least one first resistor and a safety switch which are connected in series. The value of the first resistor is different in at least some safety switch arrangements, preferably in all safety switch arrangements. Each safety switch arrangement includes at least a second resistor connected in parallel with the safety switch, which second resistor has a higher value than the first resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti MERTALA, Ari KATTAINEN, Claudio DONGHI, Jouko KINNARI, Samu SALMELIN
  • Publication number: 20140020987
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an elevator provided with a guide shoe arrangement, which elevator comprises at least an elevator car, which is configured to travel in the elevator hoistway guided by guide rails, and which elevator comprises at least one guide shoe element, which comprises at least a body part moving along with the elevator car and also a plurality of guide rolls supported on the body part, each of which guide rolls is configured to travel while supported on one guide surface of a guide rail when the elevator car moves. At least one of the aforementioned guide rolls is supported in a manner allowing rotation on a support part that is separate from the other aforementioned guide rolls, which support part is fixed with an openable snap-on fixing means to the aforementioned body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti MERTALA, Heidi SEDERHOLM
  • Publication number: 20120124807
    Abstract: Method for reeving an elevator, wherein the ends of at least one hoisting rope of an elevator are guided to their fixing points and fixed thereto, the hoisting means of a hoisting device is fixed to a first lifting point, which is at the first end of the rope or at a distance from the first end, and is also fixed to a second lifting point of the hoisting rope, which is at the second end of the aforementioned rope or at a distance from the second end, the rope is lifted in the elevator hoistway by lifting the rope with the hoisting device from the first lifting point and the second lifting point until the first lifting point and the second lifting point are in the top part of the elevator hoistway, and the first and second ends of the rope are guided to their fixing points, and fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Mertala, Marko Lehtonen