Abstract: A locking mechanism for the doors of an elevator car which is disabled when the car is within a short distance from a landing but which otherwise permits the doors to be opened by an amount insufficient for a passenger to exit from the car and then locks the doors with respect to further opening movement. In the preferred form, a door carries a notched plate, and a latch bolt on a part of the car which is stationary relative to the door is controlled by an arm engageable with spaced cams in the hoistway so that the bolt will enter the notch of the plate when the car is away from a landing and the doors are partially opened.

Abstract: A locking mechanism, for the doors of an elevator car, which is disabled when the car is within a short distance from a landing but which otherwise permits the doors to be opened by an amount insufficient for a passenger to exit from the car and then locks the doors with respect to further opening movement. In the preferred form, a door carries a notched plate, and a latch bolt on a part of the car which is stationary relative to the door is controlled by an arm engageable with spaced cams in the hoistway so that the bolt will enter the notch of the plate when the car is away from a landing and the doors are partially opened.