Abstract: An elevator car (102) including at least one barrier (110) extending from an external surface (106, 108) of the elevator car (102). The elevator car (102) further includes a switch (208) connectable in series with a safety chain circuit. The at least one barrier (110) is configured to be displaced from a first position (202) to a second position (204) upon contact with an object (120), such that the displacement to the second position (204) opens the switch (208) to initiate an emergency stop procedure of the elevator car (102).

Abstract: Elevator access systems having an access control module operably connected to an elevator system and an access device located within the access control module and removable therefrom, wherein when the access device is within the access control module a normal mode of operation of the elevator system is activated and when the access device is removed from the access control module, the elevator system enters a safety mode of operation.

Abstract: Electrical systems of elevators and methods thereof, with an elevator alarm system configured to provide an alarm within an elevator car of the elevator system, wherein the elevator alarm system is configured to be supplied with power from a primary power source. A secondary power source includes a first storage device and a second storage device and a controller is configured to control a power flow from the secondary power source to the elevator alarm system when the primary power source fails and test a capacity of the first storage device by discharging a power of the first storage device and storing said discharged power within the second storage device.

Abstract: An elevator car is provided and includes a car frame which translates along a guide rail during ascents or descents, a safety disposed along the car frame to selectively engage with the guide rail to selectively permit vertical elevator car movement, an electronic safety actuator (ESA) and a control system. The ESA actuates the safety and includes an ESA body secured to the car frame with horizontal maneuverability and defining a groove through which the guide rail translates during the vertical elevator car movement, a magnetic guide operably disposed within the groove to exert magnetic force on the guide rail and a sensor disposed within the groove to sense horizontal distance between the guide rail and corresponding portions of the ESA body. The control system controls the magnetic guide to exert a magnetic force in accordance with reading of the sensor to maneuver the ESA body horizontally.

Abstract: An elevator position reference system and a method of monitoring building settlement using such a system. The elevator position reference system includes a hoistway extending in a vertical direction. The system also includes a first position measurement tape extending vertically along a portion of the hoistway and an upper tensioning device, connected to an upper end of the first position measurement tape so as to apply a tensioning force in the upwards vertical direction. A lower end of the first position measurement tape is fixed within the hoistway. The system also includes a second position measurement tape extend vertically along at least some of said portion of the hoistway and a lower tensioning device, connected to a lower end of the second position measurement tape so as to apply a tensioning force in the downwards vertical direction.

Abstract: An elevator position reference system (1) includes a hoistway (4) extending in a vertical direction and a position measurement tape (8) arranged in the hoistway (4) to extend in the vertical direction. An upper tensioning device (10) is connected to an upper end (20) of the position measurement tape (8) so as to apply a tensioning force (30) to the position measurement tape (8) in the upwards vertical direction. A lower tensioning device (12) is connected to a lower end (22) of the position measurement tape (8) so as to apply a tensioning force (32) to the position measurement tape (8) in the downwards vertical direction.

Abstract: Elevator systems are provided. The elevator systems include an elevator car movable along an elevator shaft having a pit floor and a shaft top, the elevator car having a car door lock arranged to enable opening of doors by a landing door lock mechanism when the elevator car is located at a landing and an elevator safety system. The elevator safety system includes a car door lock securing device arranged to prevent manual opening of the elevator car doors when in a first state and permits opening of the elevator car doors when in a second state and a car apron affixed to the car door sill and operable from a stowed state to a deployed state, wherein when the car apron transitions from the stowed state to the deployed state, the car door lock securing device is transitioned from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: An elevator car comprising a passenger cab and a robot cab, the robot cab is configured to accommodate at least one autonomous robot; wherein the robot cab includes: a robot cab controller configured to receive elevator call requests from the at least one autonomous robot and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the robot cab to the passenger cab.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic circuit includes an electrical conductor configured to multiplex, a first switch interposing the electrical conductor, and a first module crossing the first switch. The first module includes a first receptor antenna associated with the conductor on one side of the first switch, a first emitter antenna associated with the conductor on an opposite side of the first switch, and a first interfacing microprocessor. The first interfacing microprocessor is configured to receive no signal from the first receptor antenna when the first switch is open thus generating a first open signal and a first address signal indicative of the first module and outputting the first open signal and the first address signal to the conductor via the first emitter antenna.

Abstract: Elevator access systems are provided. The elevator access systems include a bushing having a keyway, a plunger disposed within the bushing and movable relative thereto, a lever operably connected to the plunger, and a removable plug located within the keyway of the bushing, wherein the removable plug urges the plunger and the lever into a first position, and upon removal of the removable plug, the plunger and the lever move to a second position, wherein in the second position the plunger is accessible to operate the lever.

Abstract: Elevator access systems and methods including a key extension having a first portion arranged to engage with a key and a second portion and an access mechanism. The access mechanism includes an extension engagement element arranged to receive and fixedly engage with the second portion of the key extension and an opening element operably connected to the extension engagement element such that operation of the extension engagement element causes operation of the opening element.

Abstract: Elevator overrun systems having a first body arranged to be fixedly mounted to a portion of an elevator system or elevator shaft, a second body positioned within the first body and moveable from a deployed state to a retracted state relative to the first body, and a limit switch located at a distal end of the second body, the limit switch configured to interact with a component of an elevator system to prevent movement of an elevator car.

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 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: An elevator car (60) defining an interior space (61) comprises at least one opening (66) providing a passage between the interior space (61) and the exterior of the elevator car (60), and at least one sensor (82) configured for detecting any object (75) extending through the at least one opening (66).

Abstract: Electrical systems of elevators and methods thereof, with an elevator alarm system configured to provide an alarm within an elevator car of the elevator system, wherein the elevator alarm system is configured to be supplied with power from a primary power source. A secondary power source includes a first storage device and a second storage device and a controller is configured to control a power flow from the secondary power source to the elevator alarm system when the primary power source fails and test a capacity of the first storage device by discharging a power of the first storage device and storing said discharged power within the second storage device.

Abstract: Elevator systems are provided. The elevator systems include an elevator car movable along an elevator shaft having a pit floor and a shaft top, the elevator car having a car door lock arranged to enable opening of doors by a landing door lock mechanism when the elevator car is located at a landing and an elevator safety system. The elevator safety system includes a car door lock securing device arranged to prevent manual opening of the elevator car doors when in a first state and permits opening of the elevator car doors when in a second state and a car apron affixed to the car door sill and operable from a stowed state to a deployed state, wherein when the car apron transitions from the stowed state to the deployed state, the car door lock securing device is transitioned from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: An elevator car is provided and includes a car frame which translates along a guide rail during ascents or descents, a safety disposed along the car frame to selectively engage with the guide rail to selectively permit vertical elevator car movement, an electronic safety actuator (ESA) and a control system. The ESA actuates the safety and includes an ESA body secured to the car frame with horizontal maneuverability and defining a groove through which the guide rail translates during the vertical elevator car movement, a magnetic guide operably disposed within the groove to exert magnetic force on the guide rail and a sensor disposed within the groove to sense horizontal distance between the guide rail and corresponding portions of the ESA body. The control system controls the magnetic guide to exert a magnetic force in accordance with reading of the sensor to maneuver the ESA body horizontally.

Abstract: Elevator access systems are provided. The elevator access systems include a bushing having a keyway, a plunger disposed within the bushing and movable relative thereto, a lever operably connected to the plunger, and a removable plug located within the keyway of the bushing, wherein the removable plug urges the plunger and the lever into a first position, and upon removal of the removable plug, the plunger and the lever move to a second position, wherein in the second position the plunger is accessible to operate the lever.

Abstract: Elevator access systems and methods including a key extension having a first portion arranged to engage with a key and a second portion and an access mechanism. The access mechanism includes an extension engagement element arranged to receive and fixedly engage with the second portion of the key extension and an opening element operably connected to the extension engagement element such that operation of the extension engagement element causes operation of the opening element.