Abstract: A flexible elevator machine frame is provided. The flexible elevator machine frame includes a first end supportive of a motor, a second end supportive of a brake, a central portion and an adapter assembly. The central portion is interposable between the first and second ends and is configured to accommodate a base traction assembly between the motor and the brake. The central portion includes first and second end sides which are associated with the first and second ends, respectively, and which are configured to be fastened together. The adapter assembly is configured to be fastened between the first and second end sides to accommodate the base and an additional traction assembly between the motor and the brake.

Abstract: Elevator systems and methods including an elevator car within an elevator shaft, at least one component subject to inspection, the at least one component having an indicator element thereon, and an inspection system comprising a detector located on the elevator car and arranged to detect the presence of the indicator element in a detection region such that when the indicator element is detected within the detection region, a notification regarding a state of operation of the at least one component is generated.

Abstract: Panel securing assemblies for an elevator car and elevator cars having panel securing assemblies that include a body with a first end and a second end, a fastener attachment structure located at the first end and configured to engage with a wall panel and a frame of an elevator car, and an engagement attachment structure located at the second end and configured to engage with the frame of the elevator car. The body defines a corner surface within the elevator car when installed to the wall panel and frame.

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 accessible buffer assembly for a buffer of an elevator shaft is provided. The assembly includes a mounting frame configured in a pit of an elevator shaft and a buffer movably attached to the mounting frame and configured to provide a safety feature to the elevator car. A handle is operably connected to the buffer and configured to move the buffer. The buffer is movable from a first position to a second position, the first position being a secured, operational position of the buffer to provide the safety feature, and the second position being an inspection position wherein the buffer is removed from the first position.

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: Methods and system for operating an elevator include receiving input regarding a maintenance action at an access control module, the input including a first predetermined maintenance position, the first predetermined maintenance position being a position of the elevator car within an elevator shaft relative to a landing, conveying an elevator car to the first predetermined maintenance position, disabling an access prevention device of a landing door lock, and opening a landing door at the landing to enable access to the elevator car positioned at the first predetermined maintenance position.

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 safety block including a frame configured to attach to an elevator structure, e.g., an elevator car or counterweight, and slidably engage with a guide rail, the frame defining a first engaging surface and a support surface, an intermediate body slidably mounted to the support surface, and an engaging body rotatably attached to the intermediate body and having a second engaging surface. In a first position, the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface are configured to permit the elevator structure to move along the guide rail, and, in a second position, the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface are configured to engage with the guide rail and prevent movement of the elevator structure.

Abstract: A visual communication system (28) for an elevator car (22) of an elevator system (20) includes a voice recognition module (34) configured to recognize a first voice communication (56) originating from a source (30) remotely located from the elevator car (22) and generate a text message (52). The text message is transmitted to a text display (36) located in the elevator car (22) for viewing by an elevator car passenger (24).

Abstract: Access prevention systems for locks of elevator systems, the access prevention systems including a lock housing defining a cavity and having a lock aperture enabling access into the cavity, a locking element attached to the lock housing and accessible through the lock aperture and the cavity, and an access prevention device operable between (i) a first state wherein a portion of the access prevention device obstructs access to the locking element through at least one of the cavity and the lock aperture and (ii) a second state wherein the access prevention device does not obstruct access to the locking element.

Abstract: Foldable guide rail tracks in elevator systems having first and second rail sections each having a base and a blade and a rail connector rotatably connecting the first rail section and the second rail section. The rail connector has a first securing plate fixedly attached to the first rail section, a second securing plate fixedly attached to the second rail section, and a pivot rotatably connecting the first securing plate to the second securing plate. The first rail section is rotatable about the pivot relative to the second rail section from a folded state to an unfolded state, and, when in the unfolded state, the first base and first blade of the first rail section aligns with the second base and second blade of the second rail section to form at least a portion of a guide rail track.

Abstract: An elevator call system including an elevator landing door (101) and a call mechanism having a projection mechanism (105a) configured to project at least one image (116, 118) onto a call zone (108) and an image detector (105b) configured to detect the at least one image (116, 118). When the image detector (105b) detects a change in the at least one image (116, 118), the call mechanism is configured to communicate with an elevator control system to request an elevator car to stop at the elevator landing door (101).

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 counterweight assembly includes a frame and a weight. The frame is constructed and arranged to move between a collapsed state and a deployed state.

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: 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: A monitoring system for an elevator system to ensure a predetermined elevator shaft clearance is provided and includes an elevator car moveably disposed in an elevator shaft and guided along at least one guide rail, the elevator shaft having a top surface and a bottom surface. Also included is a counterweight moveably disposed in the elevator shaft. Further included is a position monitoring device monitoring a position of at least one of the elevator car and the counterweight relative to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface. Yet further included is a braking device actuated to initiate a braking event in response to detection of the position of at least one of the elevator car and the counterweight being within a predetermined distance from one of the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: Elevator car wall panel systems and methods of installation including a wall panel having at least one first panel engagement element at a first end and at least one second panel engagement element at a second end, a frame having at least one frame engagement element configured to engage with the at least one first panel engagement element to removably engage the wall panel to the frame, and a panel securing assembly configured to engage with the at least one second panel engagement element to removably secure the wall panel to the frame.

Abstract: A tool for adjusting landing door locks in an elevator shaft is provided. The tool includes a first part that is adjustable in length and configured to be mounted in an elevator door opening and a second part movably attached to the first part and configured to simulate an elevator door coupling, the second part moveable along the length of the first part.