Abstract: An elevator car defining an interior space for accommodating passengers and/or cargo, comprising a support frame positioned above the interior space, a working platform moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space, and an operational position, within the interior space and at least one extendable suspension arrangement arranged to suspend the working platform from the support frame. The extendable suspension arrangement includes a connection plate, a first arm member connected at a first end to the support frame and slidably connected to a first connection point of the connection plate and a second arm member connected at another first end to the working platform and slidably connected to a second connection point of the connection plate.

Abstract: A device for limiting sway in a travelling cable (6) in an elevator system is provided. The device comprises: a channel extending in a first direction for receiving the travelling cable (6) therein, wherein the channel is configured to be mounted in an elevator hoistway (2) such that the first direction corresponds to a direction of motion of an elevator car (4) within the hoistway (2); and an element (20) configured to move in the first direction along an open side of the channel simultaneously with an elevator car (4) and to push the travelling cable (6) into the channel when the element (20) moves along the open side thereof.

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.

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.

Abstract: An elevator car defining an interior space for accommodating passengers and/or cargo, comprising a support frame positioned above the interior space, a working platform moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space, and an operational position, within the interior space and at least one extendable suspension arrangement arranged to suspend the working platform from the support frame. The extendable suspension arrangement includes a connection plate, a first arm member connected at a first end to the support frame and slidably connected to a first connection point of the connection plate and a second arm member connected at another first end to the working platform and slidably connected to a second connection point of the connection plate.

Abstract: An illustrative elevator system includes an elevator car, a machine including a motor that provides a motive force for moving the elevator car along a travel path and a brake that resists movement of the elevator car, and a brake controller. The brake controller is configured to determine when the elevator car is within a selected range of at least one end of the travel path. The brake controller inhibits a delay in application of the brake when the elevator car is within the selected range and permits a delay in application of the brake when the elevator car is outside of the selected range.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system (10) includes identifying one or more components (46, 48, 50, 52) in an elevator hoistway (14) requiring periodic maintenance and/or inspection and programming hoistway component locations of the one or more components into an elevator car control system. The elevator car (12) is driven to a programmed hoistway component location of a selected component of the one or more components utilizing the hoistway component location programmed into the elevator car control system. The selected component is accessed from inside the elevator car (12) to perform maintenance and/or inspection of the selected component.

Abstract: A device for limiting sway in a travelling cable (6) in an elevator system is provided. The device comprises: a channel extending in a first direction for receiving the travelling cable (6) therein, wherein the channel is configured to be mounted in an elevator hoistway (2) such that the first direction corresponds to a direction of motion of an elevator car (4) within the hoistway (2); and an element (20) configured to move in the first direction along an open side of the channel simultaneously with an elevator car (4) and to push the travelling cable (6) into the channel when the element (20) moves along the open side thereof.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided including a hoistway having a plurality of landings. An elevator car is configured to move within the hoistway between the plurality of landings. A plurality of guide rails guide movement of the elevator car and a counterweight within the hoistway. Each guide rail includes a base and a blade. A machine assembly is mounted within the hoistway and includes a traction sheave rotatable about an axis. The traction sheave is configured to drive movement of the elevator car between the plurality of landings. At least one of the plurality of guide rails is arranged in an overlapping configuration with the machine assembly such that a plane defined by the base of the guide rail is parallel to the axis and intersects a portion of the traction sheave.

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.

Abstract: An illustrative elevator system includes an elevator car, a machine including a motor that provides a motive force for moving the elevator car along a travel path and a brake that resists movement of the elevator car, and a brake controller. The brake controller is configured to determine when the elevator car is within a selected range of at least one end of the travel path. The brake controller inhibits a delay in application of the brake when the elevator car is within the selected range and permits a delay in application of the brake when the elevator car is outside of the selected range.

Abstract: An elevator car for an elevator system includes one or more elevator car walls and an access door openable from inside the elevator car to provide access to one or more elevator system components located outside of the elevator car. The access door is openable such that inspection, maintenance and/or repair is performed on the one or more elevator system components from inside of the elevator car. An elevator system includes a hoistway and one or more elevator system components fixed in the hoistway. An elevator car is suspended in the hoistway and is drivable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes an access door openable from inside the elevator car to provide access to the one or more elevator system components in the hoistway, such that inspection, maintenance and/or repair is performed on the one or more elevator system components from inside of the elevator car.

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.

Abstract: An elevator guide rail cleaning system is provided having at least one cleaning member configured to move from a first position to a second position, the cleaning member having a cleaning surface, wherein, in the first position, the cleaning surface is configured to not be in contact with a guide rail, and in the second position, the cleaning surface is in contact with the guide rail.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided including a hoistway having a plurality of landings. An elevator car is configured to move within the hoistway between the plurality of landings. A plurality of guide rails guide movement of the elevator car and a counterweight within the hoistway. Each guide rail includes a base and a blade. A machine assembly is mounted within the hoistway and includes a traction sheave rotatable about an axis. The traction sheave is configured to drive movement of the elevator car between the plurality of landings. At least one of the plurality of guide rails is arranged in an overlapping configuration with the machine assembly such that a plane defined by the base of the guide rail is parallel to the axis and intersects a portion of the traction sheave.

Abstract: An elevator car (12) for an elevator system (10) comprises: at least one side wall (38); at least one movable panel (60) forming at least a portion of the at least one side wall (38). The movable panel (60) is movable between a maintenance position, in which the panel allows access to components (28, 30, 32) of the elevator system (10), and an operational position, in which the movable panel (60) prevents access to said components (28, 30, 32). The at least one movable panel (60) comprises at least one handrail element (64), the handrail element (64) including a locking mechanism (54) which is configured to selectively lock the movable panel (60) in the operational position.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system (10) includes identifying one or more components (46, 48, 50, 52) in an elevator hoistway (14) requiring periodic maintenance and/or inspection and programming hoistway component locations of the one or more components into an elevator car control system. The elevator car (12) is driven to a programmed hoistway component location of a selected component of the one or more components utilizing the hoistway component location programmed into the elevator car control system. The selected component is accessed from inside the elevator car (12) to perform maintenance and/or inspection of the selected component.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car (12) suspended in the hoistway via one or more suspension members (46). A counterweight (22) is suspended in the hoistway via the one or more suspension members (46) to balance operation of the elevator car (12). A traction sheave (24) is located in the hoistway to drive the one or more suspension members (46) along the hoistway via traction with frictional contact between the traction sheave (24) and the one or more suspension members (46), thus driving motion of the elevator car (12) and/or counterweight (22) along the hoistway. One or more diverters (66) are positioned in the hoistway in operable contact with the one or more diverters (66). The one or more diverters (46) are configured and positioned to define a wrap angle (68) of the one or more diverters (66) about the traction sheave (24); the wrap angle (68) being between 180 degrees and 360 degrees.

Abstract: An accessible buffer assembly (200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for a buffer (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) of an elevator car (206, 306, 406, 506, 606) is provided. The assembly (200, 300, 400, 500, 600) includes an elevator car (206, 306, 406, 506, 606) having an access panel (104) and a buffer (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) movably attached to the elevator car (206, 306, 406, 506, 606) and configured to provide a safety feature to the elevator car (206, 306, 406, 506, 606). The buffer (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) 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 that is removed from the first position.

Abstract: A service access assembly for an elevator car includes an elevator car 10 having an interior region 18. Also included is at least one upright structure 26 operatively coupled to the elevator car proximate one of a plurality of side walls 16 of the elevator car, the upright structure extending in a longitudinal direction from the car floor 14 to the car roof 12. Further included is an access opening defined by the upright structure, the access opening accessible to the interior region of the elevator car for service activity by a user located in the interior region. Yet further included is at least one piece of equipment (22, 24) operatively coupled to the upright structure and partially protruding through the access opening.