Abstract: An unlocking system including an elevator system with a lock having an unlocking mechanism and a keyway, the lock configured to secure a door of the elevator system and a detection device configured proximal to the keyway, the detection device configured to detect the presence of an authorization device configured to operate with the detection device that is located in proximity to the unlocking mechanism. If the detection device detects a key without an authorization device, the unlocking mechanism is configured to be disabled and may not be unlocked. If the detection device detects a key having an authorization device, the unlocking mechanism is enabled and the lock may be unlocked.

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.

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: An elevator car for an elevator system includes a floor and one or more elevator car side walls. At least one elevator car side wall is configured to be linearly translatable at least partially across the floor from an operational position to a maintenance position to allow for inspection and/or maintenance of elevator system components from inside of the elevator car when the elevator car side wall is at the maintenance position. A method of operating an elevator system includes driving an elevator car along a hoistway, stopping the elevator car at a first selected location along the hoistway and linearly translating a side wall of the elevator car at least partially across a floor of the elevator car from an operational position to a maintenance position, defining a maintenance area between the side wall and the hoistway. Maintenance operations on elevator system components are performed from the maintenance area.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car suspended in the hoistway via one or more suspension members. A counterweight is suspended in the hoistway via the one or more suspension members to balance operation of the elevator car. A machine is positioned at the hoistway to drive the one or more suspension members along the hoistway, driving motion of the elevator car and/or counterweight along the hoistway. A suspension member termination is supported at the machine, to secure an end of the one or more suspension members. A drive system for an elevator includes one or more elevator suspension members and a machine interactive with the one or more elevator suspension members to drive motion of an elevator car. A suspension member termination is supported at the machine to secure an end of the one or more suspension members at the machine.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly for an elevator system includes a counterweight and a guide shoe affixed to the counterweight, the guide shoe extending continuously and unbroken along a vertical length of the counterweight. A counterweight guide system for an elevator system includes a plurality of first counterweight guide brackets secured in a hoistway at a first side of a counterweight and interactive with a first guide shoe affixed to the counterweight. A plurality of second counterweight guide brackets are secured in the hoistway at a second side of the counterweight opposite the first side and interactive with a second guide shoe affixed to the counterweight. Two or more first counterweight guide brackets are engaged with the first guide shoe during travel of the counterweight along the hoistway.

Abstract: Customizable elevator car handrails are provided that include a first mounting frame attachable to a panel of an elevator car and a first rail module removably attached to the first mounting frame. The first rail module having includes a housing having a first contact surface, a second contact surface opposing the first contact surface, an exterior function surface extending between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, an interior function surface extending between the first and second contact surfaces, and a module internal space defined by the housing, and module components disposed in the module internal space of the housing and configured to provide a module functionality.

Abstract: A travelling cable end hitch and rail arrangement for an elevator system includes a rail assembly fixed to an elevator car of the elevator system, a movable device positioned at and movable along the rail assembly, and an end hitch portion of a travelling cable of the elevator system secured to the movable device and movable with the movable device along the rail assembly. A method of accessing a travelling cable end hitch of an elevator system includes accessing a travelling cable from inside of an elevator car, pulling the travelling cable upward from inside of the elevator car, moving an end hitch portion of the travelling cable along a rail assembly secured to a bottom of the elevator car via pulling the travelling cable upward, and inspecting the end hitch portion from inside the elevator car when the end hitch portion reaches a first end of the rail assembly.

Abstract: A guide rail support of an elevator includes a guide rail bracket having a first side, a second side, a first mounting portion, and a second mounting portion. The first mounting portion is attachable to an elevator shaft and the guide rail bracket has inclined apertures in the second mounting portion. An adjustment bracket is configured to contact the second side at the second mounting portion, the adjustment bracket having inclined apertures configured to align with the inclined apertures of the guide rail bracket to define stem apertures. First and second rotating members are installed through the stem apertures. Each rotating member has (i) a rotating head that movably engages with a guide rail, (ii) an integrally formed stem configured to pass through a respective stem aperture, and (iii) a middle defining a length that is greater than a thickness of the guide rail bracket and the adjustment bracket.

Abstract: An elevator car panel configured to open and methods of opening the same. The elevator car panel includes a handrail configured on a first side of the elevator car panel and a locking mechanism configured on a second side of the elevator car panel, the second side opposite the first side. The handrail is operably connected to the locking mechanism such that movement of the handrail from a first position to a second position operates the locking mechanism to transition from a locked position to an unlocked position and, when in the unlocked position, the elevator car panel is openable.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car suspended in the hoistway via a suspension member and drivable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes an elevator car panel and a battery pocket positioned in the elevator car panel. A battery is removably positioned in the battery pocket. The battery and the battery pocket are configured such that inspection, maintenance and/or repair of the battery is performed without entry into the hoistway of the elevator system. A method of servicing an elevator system includes driving an elevator car along a hoistway and stopping the elevator car near a selected elevator landing floor. A battery is at least partially removed from a battery pocket at the elevator car via a technician located at the selected elevator landing floor for inspection, maintenance, replacement and/or repair.

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: A counterweight assembly for an elevator system includes a counterweight and a guide shoe affixed to the counterweight, the guide shoe extending continuously and unbroken along a vertical length of the counterweight. A counterweight guide system for an elevator system includes a plurality of first counterweight guide brackets secured in a hoistway at a first side of a counterweight and interactive with a first guide shoe affixed to the counterweight. A plurality of second counterweight guide brackets are secured in the hoistway at a second side of the counterweight opposite the first side and interactive with a second guide shoe affixed to the counterweight. Two or more first counterweight guide brackets are engaged with the first guide shoe during travel of the counterweight along the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises a hoistway (4), an elevator car (2) arranged to move vertically within the hoistway and a drive machine (10) arranged in the hoistway outside the travel path of the car (2) or vertical projection thereof. The car (2) is coupled to the machine (10) by a rope (18) which is guided by a pair of idler sheaves (26, 28) so as to pass under the car (2). The idler sheaves (26, 28) have a diameter of less than 120 mm. The disclosed arrangement allows both overhead space and pit depth to be minimised.

Abstract: An elevator is provided including an elevator car and a machine rail. An elevator machine is mounted to the machine rail such that the elevator machine is movable relative to the machine rail. At least one belt operatively engages both the elevator car and the elevator machine. Movement of the elevator machine relative to the machine rail causes the elevator to move.

Abstract: An exemplary vibration isolation assembly for use with elevators includes a first rigid member having an outer wall at least partially surrounding a central opening. A second rigid member is at least partially received within the central opening of the first rigid member. A resilient layer between the first and second members substantially isolates the first member from vibrations of the second member.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a foldable handrail mounted on top of the car. Safety switches are associated with the foldable handrail including a first safety switch and a second safety switch. The first safety switch is closed only when the handrail is folded in a fully retracted position. The second safety switch is closed when the handrail is unfolded in a fully deployed position. A safety chain is associated with the first and second safety switches for supplying power to an elevator drive system in a normal operation or an inspection operation depending on the state of the first and second safety switches.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.