Abstract: An elevator car (1) defines an interior space (2) for accommodating passengers and/or cargo. The elevator car (1) includes a support frame (8) positioned above the interior space (2), a working platform (12) moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space (2), and an operational position, suspended within the interior space (2), and at least one suspension arrangement (14) arranged to suspend the working platform (12) from the support frame (8). The working platform (12) includes a platform opening (15) and a platform emergency escape door (13). The platform emergency escape door (13) is movable between a closed position in which the platform door (13) covers the platform opening (15) and an open position in which the platform emergency escape door (13) at least partially does not cover the platform opening (15).

Abstract: An elevator car (1) defines an interior space (2) for accommodating passengers and/or cargo. The elevator car (1) includes a support frame (8) positioned above the interior space (2), a working platform (12) moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space (2), and an operational position, suspended within the interior space (2), and at least one suspension arrangement (14) arranged to suspend the working platform (12) from the support frame (8). The working platform (12) includes a platform opening (15) and a platform emergency escape door (13). The platform emergency escape door (13) is movable between a closed position in which the platform door (13) covers the platform opening (15) and an open position in which the platform emergency escape door (13) at least partially does not cover the platform opening (15).

Abstract: An elevator car (1) defining an interior space (2) for accommodating passengers and/or cargo. The elevator car (1) includes a working platform (12) moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space (2), and an operational position, suspended within the interior space (2), a hoisting device (18) located at the working platform (12) and a tension member (16a, 16b) connected to the hoisting device (18) and connected to the working platform (12) such that a suspending portion (17a, 17b) of the tension member (16a, 16b) suspends the working platform (12). The hoisting device (18) is configured, when actuated, to alter the length of the suspending portion (17a, 17b), so as to hoist the working platform (12) between the stowed position and the operational position.

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: 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: 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: Elevator systems including an elevator car having a car door sill and car apron assembly movable along an elevator shaft having a pit floor, are provided. The car apron assembly includes a collapsible guard with at least one guard element that is moveable from a deployed state to a compressed state. In the compressed state the at least one guard element is positioned within the car door sill. A guard frame is fixedly connected to the at least one guard element by one or more reinforcement elements, a translating member is arranged at each end of the guard frame, and a guide member fixedly connected to the elevator car. The collapsible guard is urged from the deployed state toward the compressed state as the guard element contacts the pit floor, and when transitioning from the deployed state to the compressed state, the translating member translates along the guide member.

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 (1) defining an interior space (2) for accommodating passengers and/or cargo. The elevator car (1) includes a working platform (12) moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space (2), and an operational position, suspended within the interior space (2), a hoisting device (18) located at the working platform (12) and a tension member (16a, 16b) connected to the hoisting device (18) and connected to the working platform (12) such that a suspending portion (17a, 17b) of the tension member (16a, 16b) suspends the working platform (12). The hoisting device (18) is configured, when actuated, to alter the length of the suspending portion (17a, 17b), so as to hoist the working platform (12) between the stowed position and the operational position.

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: 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: An elevator system (100) includes an elevator car (102) that is configured to travel along a guide rail (104), and a braking assembly (116) coupled to the elevator car (102). The braking assembly (116) is configured to selectively operate in a disengagement mode that allows the elevator car (102) to travel along the guide rail (104), and an engagement mode that inhibits the elevator car (102) from traveling along the guide rail (104). The electronic braking assembly controller (128) is in signal communication with the braking assembly (116) and is configured to generate an electronic braking signal that activates the engagement mode of the braking assembly (116). When the engagement mode is activated, the elevator car (102) decelerates without exceeding a predetermined g-force (g) threshold regardless as to whether a load applied to the elevator car (102) changes such that the elevator car (102) is stopped at a floor landing (106).

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.

Abstract: Elevator systems including an elevator car having a car door sill and car apron assembly movable along an elevator shaft having a pit floor, are provided. The car apron assembly includes a collapsible guard with at least one guard element that is moveable from a deployed state to a compressed state. In the compressed state the at least one guard element is positioned within the car door sill. A guard frame is fixedly connected to the at least one guard element by one or more reinforcement elements, a translating member is arranged at each end of the guard frame, and a guide member fixedly connected to the elevator car. The collapsible guard is urged from the deployed state toward the compressed state as the guard element contacts the pit floor, and when transitioning from the deployed state to the compressed state, the translating member translates along the guide member.

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: 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: 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 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.