Abstract: A hydraulic elevator system does not include a machine room but does include an access panel that allows at least a control valve and controller to be accessible from outside of the hoistway while the control valve and controller remain in the hoistway. An exemplary elevator system includes a hoistway. An elevator car is supported within the hoistway. The hydraulic cylinder is associated with the elevator car for selectively moving the elevator car. A reservoir is within the hoistway. The reservoir is configured to contain fluid for selectively causing extension of the cylinder. A control valve within the hoistway controls communication of the fluid between the reservoir and the cylinder. A controller within the hoistway controls movement of the elevator car. An access panel is on one side of the hoistway for selectively closing and opening into the hoistway near the control value and the controller. The opening provides access to at least the control valve and the controller from outside of the hoistway.

Abstract: A pitless elevator system removes a car buffer and machine, and other components where so equipped from under the elevator car such that the elevator car can be operated to a clearance between it and a floor of a hoistway of about three inches. The machine may be mounted on board the car or may be located elsewhere and the car buffer located in normal side clearance space. The system further provides a retractable toe guard to allow the car to bottom at the indicated distance from the floor. The system facilitates retrofit applications of elevators without the prior art drawback of digging a pit.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes a hoistway. An elevator car is supported within the hoistway. The hydraulic cylinder is associated with the elevator car for selectively moving the elevator car. A reservoir is within the hoistway. The reservoir is configured to contain fluid for selectively causing extension of the cylinder. A control valve within the hoistway controls communication of the fluid between the reservoir and the cylinder. A controller within the hoistway controls movement of the elevator car. An access panel is on one side of the hoistway for selectively closing and opening into the hoistway near the control value and the controller. The opening provides access to at least the control valve and the controller from outside of the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (26). Counterweights (24, 34) are associated with the respective elevator cars (22, 32) by load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, different roping ratios are used for the load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, the lengths of the load bearing members (40, 50) are selected to allow contact between the counterweights (24, 34) within the hoistway (26) and prevent contact between the elevator cars (22, 32). The difference in car and counterweight separation distances is greater than a stroke of a counterweight buffer plus an expected dynamic jump of the elevator cars. A disclosed example includes passages (80) through a portion of at least one of the elevator cars (22) for accommodating the load bearing member (50) of another elevator car (32) located beneath the elevator car (22) with the passages (80).

Abstract: People mover (2) comprising an endless tread belt (6) formed from several tread elements (4) connected to one another, which is driven by a drive unit about a first and second reversal point (22), and a side skirt (24) moved along with tread belt (6), the side skirt (24) comprising flange elements (28) joined to the tread element (4) and bridge elements (30) connected movably relative to flange elements (28). A sensor (38) is arranged adjacent to the side skirt (24), the sensor (38) having a limited detection range perpendicular to the circulation direction of side skirt (24), and a plurality of marking elements are arranged in a line on side skirt (24) along the circulating direction having a limited width perpendicular to the circulating direction.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (26). Counterweights (24, 34) are associated with the respective elevator cars (22, 32) by load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, different roping ratios are used for the load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, the lengths of the load bearing members (40, 50) are selected to allow contact between the counterweights (24, 34) within the hoistway (26) and prevent contact between the elevator cars (22, 32). The difference in car and counterweight separation distances is greater than a stroke of a counterweight buffer plus an expected dynamic jump of the elevator cars. A disclosed example includes passages (80) through a portion of at least one of the elevator cars (22) for accommodating the load bearing member (50) of another elevator car (32) located beneath the elevator car (22) with the passages (80).

Abstract: A plurality of hoistways (11, 12) in a building serving a plurality of floors utilizes destination call entry panels (22, 22A) having buttons (23) with which passengers can enter destination call requests. A display (26, 26a) adjacent the request buttons provides an indication of the car that is assigned to answer the passenger's request by a controller (27), which indication is also presented on illuminatable signs (16-19, 40, 41), utilizing either colors, letters or other easily identifiable and rememberable indications. As the car assigned to the call approaches the landing upon which the call was made, an illuminatable sign, adjacent the hoistway of the assigned car, will present the same color or indicia as was presented to the passenger upon entering the passenger's desired destination; the controller does not announce approaching cars that are not assigned a call at that landing.

Abstract: The condition of the hoistway doors and the elevator door are continuously monitored. The opening of a hoistway door unaccompanied by opening of the car door being an indication of hoistway access; the car then is moveable only at inspection (slow) speed by utilizing controls on the car top; restoration to normal is achieved only by returning the inspection switch on the car top to normal operation while a hoistway door is open, and subsequently closing the hoistway doors and/or by activating a reset located outside the hoistway. Inspection speed limit switches are installed near the top and bottom of the hoistway positioned so that if operated while the elevator is traveling at inspection speed, the car will stop at a position which leaves a person ample room from the hoistway overhead or the pit floor. If a person enters the pit, normal operation is restored only by closing the hoistway door and subsequently engaging an external reset switch (outside the hoistway).

Abstract: A portable device worn by an elevator mechanic when in the pit of the hoistway or on top of a car will activate sensors disposed on the car so as to cause an emergency stop and warn the mechanic of the elevator's presence. The portable device may be disposed with some form of alarm beneath an emblem, or otherwise, on the uniform of a mechanic.

Abstract: A pitless elevator system removes a car buffer and machine, and other components where so equipped from under the elevator car such that the elevator car can be operated to a clearance between it and a floor of a hoistway of about three inches. The machine may be mounted on board the car or may be located elsewhere and the car buffer located in normal side clearance space. The system further provides a retractable toe guard to allow the car to bottom at the indicated distance from the floor. The system facilitates retrofit applications of elevators without the prior art drawback of digging a pit.

Abstract: A balustrade handrail entry housing is provided for a balustrade having a base, a handrail, and a balustrade panel. The balustrade entry housing includes a frame, a shell, a channel formed within the frame for receiving the balustrade panel, apparatus for clamping the balustrade panel in the channel, and a face plate having apparatus for mounting a safety device for sensing obstructions entering the handrail entry housing around the handrail. The frame is independent of the balustrade base and the balustrade panel, and therefore may be positionally adjusted relative to both. The shell, which is independent of the frame, mounts on and is supported by the frame. The shell may be positionally adjusted relative to the balustrade base and balustrade panel.

Abstract: The skirt and deck panels of an escalator or moving walkway are edge-lapped, and are detachably secured together by a plurality of screws and quarter turn locking nuts. The deck panels are provided with a series of round, spaced-apart screw holes, and the skirt panels are provided with a plurality of elongated slots which allow flexible alignment with the screw holes. Position stops are mounted on the ends of the screws to ensure that the locking nuts will repeatedly swing to their locking positions when the panels are secured together. The panels can thus easily be disassembled and reassembled in the field by service personnel.

Abstract: The balustrade and decks of an escalator or moving walkway are mounted on a conveyor truss via a plurality of anchor brackets which are welded to the truss at spaced apart locations thereon. Template brackets are secured to each anchor bracket to define the location of the outer deck, the inner top shirt panel, the balustrade clamps, and the return path handrail guides. Skirt jack bolt mounts are mounted on the anchor brackets below the return path of the handrail and are operable to provide for proper positioning of the inner side skirt panels relative to the steps. The handrail can be easily released from its return guides and removed from the interior of the decking by removing the inner top skirt panel. The assembly can be easily erected in the field and readily serviced.

Abstract: A moving handrail on an escalator or the like is driven by pairs of rollers which form a nip through which the handrail moves. The rollers are eccentrically mounted so as to automatically tighten the nip in response to resistance to movement of the handrail. The roller or rollers which contact the underside of the handrail are rotatably driven by power sprockets, while the roller or rollers contacting the outer or exposed surface of the handrail are idler rollers which are not rotated by the power sprockets so as to lessen scuffing of the exposed surface of the handrail by the rollers.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there will be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of the outer of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: The escalator has steps with vertical planar cleated risers which mesh with cleated trailing edges of the adjacent step. The step chains are selectively kinked and unkinked to provide for a constant spacing of adjacent step axles throughout the path of travel of the escalator. The steps thus display a constant horizontal velocity. The escalator can be adapted to follow a fixed center constant radius in plan helical path of travel.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there with be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of the outer of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there will be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of at least one of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.