Abstract: An elevator car comprising a passenger cab and a robot cab, the robot cab is configured to accommodate at least one autonomous robot; wherein the robot cab includes: a robot cab controller configured to receive elevator call requests from the at least one autonomous robot and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the robot cab to the passenger cab.

Abstract: Elevator toe guard assemblies are provided. The elevator toe guard assemblies include an elevator car frame, a buffer located within an elevator shaft, and a toe guard mounted to the elevator car frame. The toe guard has a first state being a fully extended state, a second state wherein the toe guard does not contact a pit floor during operation of an elevator car, and a third state wherein at least a portion of the toe guard is moved relative to the elevator car frame during an impact between the buffer and the pit floor.

Abstract: Elevator car frames are provided. The elevator car frames include a first upright, a second upright, a first support element connected to the first upright, a second support element connected to the second upright, and a retractable crosshead having a first portion and a second portion extending between the first and second support elements, wherein the retractable crosshead is operable between a first state wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected and a second state wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated.

Abstract: An elevator car (42; 103) for carrying a load in a vertical direction. The elevator car includes at least one elevator car door (38) carrying a door coupling (20) and a camera mount (40) comprising a mounting location (46) for a camera (44). The camera mount (40) is located at the top of the elevator car (42) with the mounting location (46) positioned for a camera (44) to monitor the door coupling (20). The camera mount is deformable at least in the vertical direction, when acted on by a downwards force, such as to protect the door coupling (20) from being impacted by the camera mount (40).

Abstract: Elevator systems having a first guide rail and a second guide rail, an overtravel feature on at least one of the first or second guide rails, the overtravel feature located a first distance from a top surface of the respective guide rail, an elevator car moveable along the first and second guide rails, the elevator car including a car guidance element, and a control unit configured to perform an overtravel distance test. The control unit is configured to measure a second distance being a distance of travel of the elevator car between a landing position and a location of the overtravel feature, combine the first distance and the second distance to calculate a measured overtravel distance, and compare the measured overtravel distance with a predetermined overtravel setpoint.

Abstract: An elevator counterweight assembly (11) includes a counterweight structure (38), at least one safety brake (12a, 12b) mounted on the counterweight structure (38), and a safety actuation mechanism (16) including a connection (17) for a suspension member (18). The safety actuation mechanism (16) is configured to move, relative to the counterweight structure (38), between a normal position, and a safety position. In the safety position the safety actuation mechanism (16) is arranged to actuate the at least one safety brake (12a, 12b) and thereby brake the counterweight structure (38). The counterweight assembly (11) also includes a mechanical actuator (22), configured, when actuated, to apply a force to the safety actuation mechanism (16) and thereby move the safety actuation mechanism (16) from the normal position to the safety position, e.g. for the purposes of a handover test.

Abstract: A hoistway access system for an elevator includes an access switch positioned at a selected landing floor 34 of an elevator and operably connected to a controller 46. A remote controlled lock 48 is located at landing doors of a landing floor providing access to a hoistway pit 36, and is operably connected to the controller. A safety actuation system is operably connected to an elevator car and operably connected to the controller. The controller is configured to command a drive system to drive the elevator car to an upper location when the access switch is activated, to define a selected safety volume in the hoistway defined by the hoistway pit and the elevator car, command engagement of the safety actuation system to stop and hold the elevator car, and command the lock to unlock when the safety actuation system is engaged, thereby allowing access to the hoistway via the landing doors.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway; and an elevator car (12) disposed in and drivable along the hoistway, the elevator car including: an elevator car door (38); an elevator door motor (40) operably connected to the elevator car door to selectably open and close the elevator car door; and a door motor brake (52) disposed at the elevator car door and selectably engageable with the elevator door motor to prevent operation of the elevator door motor thus preventing undesired opening and/or closure of the elevator car door.

Abstract: An elevator car (1) comprises a working platform (4) moveable between a stowed position, at an upper part (3) of the elevator car (1), and an operational position, suspended from the upper part (3) of the elevator car (1) to be inside the elevator car (1). At least one stop (6a, 6b) is located at the upper part (3) of the elevator car (1). The at least one stop (6a, 6b) is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the at least one stop (6a, 6b) extends away from the upper part (3) of the elevator car (1) to provide an upper safety space (53) above the elevator car (1).

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway, the hoistway having a plurality of landing floors each landing floor having a landing floor door. One or more guide rails are located in the hoistway to guide one or more elevator system components along the hoistway. An absorber is located at a hoistway pit and is supportive of a guide rail of the one or more guide rails. The absorber is configured to absorb loads imparted to the guide rail due to vertical translation and/or compression of the hoistway. A method of supporting a guide rail of an elevator system includes locating an absorber in an elevator hoistway in operable communication with a guide rail of an elevator system. Vertically-acting loads are transmitted from the guide rail to the absorber via the absorber piston thereby increasing a fluid pressure in the housing chamber.

Abstract: An elevator car comprises one or more side walls (4a) defining an interior space for accommodating passengers and/or cargo, and a support frame positioned above the interior space. A working platform (12) is suspendably connected to the support frame and moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space, and an operational position, suspended within the interior space. The working platform (12) comprises at least one stabilizing member (14) and the at least one stabilizing member (14) comprises a first engagement portion (22). At least one side wall (4a) comprises a second engagement portion (6) such as a handrail. When the working platform (12) is in the operational position, the first engagement portion (22) is configured to engage with the second engagement portion (6) so as to stabilize the working platform (12) in the operational position.

Abstract: Elevator control system including an elevator car, an elevator controller, and an occupancy detection system configured to detect an occupancy level within the elevator car, the occupancy detection system comprising at least one camera. The elevator controller and the occupancy detection system are configured control the elevator car to prevent additional passengers from entering the elevator car when the occupancy detection system detects an occupancy level above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Foldable ladders and related methods for use within a pit of an elevator system include a first upright, a second upright, and a plurality of rungs pivotally mounted to each of the first upright and the second upright. A locking mechanism has a first segment pivotally attached to the first upright and a second segment pivotally attached to the second upright, and the two segments are pivotally connected. A locking device is located on an upright and operably connected to a segment. The locking device includes a first catch and a second catch, a pin moveable to engage with the first catch in a first position and moveable to engage in a second position. A biasing mechanism applies a force to the pin to engage the pin with a catch. An operating device is operable to apply opposing force against the biasing mechanism to disengage the pin from the catch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a working platform for an elevator car comprising a passenger space for accommodating passengers and at least one handrail within the passenger space. The working platform comprises a plurality of platform elements configured for being supported in a working position within the elevator car by the at least one handrail of the elevator car for providing the working platform.

Abstract: An elevator car (60) defining an interior space (61) comprises at least one opening (66) providing a passage between the interior space (61) and the exterior of the elevator car (60), and at least one sensor (82) configured for detecting any object (75) extending through the at least one opening (66).

Abstract: A multi-use interface for use in an elevator includes an input device to receive input and a selection device associated with the input device, the selection device to select between an operation mode and a service mode, wherein the operation mode allows the input device to receive a standard elevator function input, the multi-use interface generating a standard elevator function output in response to the standard elevator function input, and the service mode allows the input device to receive a service function input, the multi-use interface generating a service function output in response to the service function input.

Abstract: Counterweights for elevator systems are described. The counterweights include a frame and a counterweight safety system attached to the frame. The safety system includes a safety brake mounted to an upright of the frame and configured to enable engagement with a guide rail to apply a braking force. A sheave is mounted to the frame and configured to operably connect to tension members. The sheave is configured to move between a first position when under tension and a second position when the tension is lost. A connecting link operably connects the sheave to the safety brake. The connecting link has first and second link members operably connected between the sheave and the safety brake.

Abstract: A car mounted governor (12) for an elevator system includes an overspeed pulley (38) configured to be secured to an elevator car of an elevator system. The overspeed pulley is configured to detect an overspeed condition of the elevator car via a rate at which a governor cable (42) passes around the overspeed pulley. The car mounted governor further includes a free pulley (40) configured to be secured to the elevator car with the governor cable routed over the free pulley. A tensioning device (64) is located at the free pulley and is operably connected thereto to maintain a select tension on the governor cable.

Abstract: An elevator car door system is provided, the system including an elevator car door panel (502, 600, 704) having a first retention member (510, 604, 720) and a suspension (504, 602, 706) having a second retention member (512, 606, 718) configured to releasably engage with the first retention member (510, 604, 720) to retain the elevator car door panel (502, 600, 704) in a first position. The elevator car door panel (502, 600, 704) is movable relative to the suspension (504, 602, 706) to a second position, wherein the second position is configured to enable the elevator car door panel (502, 600, 704) to be removed from the suspension (504, 602, 706).

Abstract: An elevator electrical safety actuation system and method are provided. The system includes an actuation device configured to operate a brake device. The actuation device includes a locking mechanism (542), a first portion (534) configured to be engaged and retained by the locking mechanism (542) in a first portion-first state and moveable to a second state wherein the first portion is not retained by the locking mechanism (542), a second portion (536) in contact with the first portion (534) when the second portion (536) is in a second portion-first state and the first portion (534) is in the first portion-first state, the second portion (536) moveable to a second portion-second state, wherein the second portion (536) is operably connected to the brake device, and a resetting mechanism (546) configured to force the first portion (534) from the first portion-second state to the first portion-first state.