Abstract: A safety gate (24) is slidable vertically from an upper position at an elevator cab landing (22) where it obstructs movement of the elevator cab (20) into a hoistway, and a lower position that permits cab travel between a car frame (29) and the landing. An actuator (42) normally urges the gate upwardly; the actuator is moved by a cam assembly (36) on an approaching elevator car frame so as to slide the gate (24) downward, out of the way of cab motion.

Abstract: Double deck elevator cars (10-12) are moveable in corresponding adjacent overlapping hoistways (7-9). Passengers entering the bottom deck (39) from a ground landing are transferred into the bottom deck (47) of a second elevator as passengers in the upper deck (46) of the second elevator are transferred to the upper deck (38) of the first elevator. Passengers in the lower deck (31) of a third elevator (10) are transferred to a lower landing (33) as passengers in an upper landing (32) enter an upper deck (30) of the third elevator. Passengers are thereafter transferred in the same fashion between the second elevator and the third elevator at a second transfer level (49).

Abstract: Horizontally moveable elevator cabs (22, 23) are transferred from the upper deck of a first car frame (26) to the upper deck of a second car frame (27) and from the lower deck of the second car frame to the lower deck of the first car frame. Three elevator hoistways, each with a double deck car frame are controlled by computer routines. A rack and pinion horizontal motive means, for moving the cab from car frame to car frame is also briefly disclosed.

Abstract: A particular elevator (1-9) is commandeered to transfer an emergency cab F to (or near) a floor where an alarm has been sounded. The commandeered car is brought to the floor FF where the emergency cab is parked. The fire cab is exchanged for the normal cab C on the commandeered car, and is then carried to (or near) the alarm floor for responding to the alarm. Passengers in the normal cab may exit through landing doorways (23). Emergency personnel have access to the alarm area through emergency hoistway doors (27). A rack and pinion horizontal motive means for moving the cabs is illustrated (FIG. 12 ).

Abstract: Horizontally moveable elevator cabs A-E are transferrable between the car frames (72) of two elevators HI, LO in adjacent hoistways which extend between at least three levels (GND, MID, SKY) of a building, and between the car frames and landings L, R at said levels. The vertical movement of cars in the hoistways is synchronized, and transfer of elevator cabs between landings and car frames is simultaneous.

Abstract: A socket plug assembly (44) on an elevator cab (10) may engage with complimentary socket plug assemblies (46) on either of two car frames (11, 13) when it is horizontally moved therebetween. A socket plug assembly (44a) on a horizontally moveable elevator cab may have a horizontal interface with a complimentary socket plug assembly (45b) mounted on an elevator car frame or landing, and one of them is moved vertically to cause engagement with the other. Socket plug assemblies (169) tethered to a cab (10) by means of an umbilical cord (168) is engageable with socket plug assemblies (170, 171) on booms (172, 173) on the elevator car frames (21, 22) or landings. An uninterruptible power supply (50) maintains power when the cab is unplugged; a transceiver (51) on the cab maintains communications with a transceiver (62) in the building when the cab is unplugged.

Abstract: The position of the elevator cab in an elevator system is detected by sensing the location of the cab relative to a flexible graduated tape whose ends are fixed in the elevator hoistway. The tape is provided with detectable components which are spaced a predetermined distance apart on the tape. Sensors are fixed on the elevator cab assembly adjacent to the tape so that the sensors can detect each of the tape components as the elevator cab moves up and down in the hoistway. Guides are mounted on the cab assembly to engage the tape so as to ensure that the tape and sensors are properly positioned relative to each other so that the tape components will be detected by the sensors. The guides are mounted on leaf or blade springs so as to be able to move relative to the cab assembly in response to tape deflections and correct the tape deflections to guide the tape past the sensors without creating a significant amount of noise.

Abstract: A single load cell 10 both (A) measures the load on a elevator hitch providing an analog elevator load signal on line 11 to an analog-to-digital converter 20 via line 18, for providing a digital elevator load signal and (B) is used for providing a dynamic tare of elevator load weighing system for calibrating the analog-to-digital converter 20 by adjusting an analog reference voltage (V.sub.ref) until the digital elevator load signal is equal to the dynamic tare.

Abstract: A permanent magnet 54 mounted on rods 41 passes vertically over a conductive plate 56 in an elevator hoistway 36, a reactive force causes movement of the permanent magnet 54 vertically away from the conductive plate 56 so that a wedge 24 secured to the rods 41 moves within a tapered wedge guide 44 until it contacts an elevator guide rail 14 on which an elevator car 2 is riding, thereby braking the elevator car 2.

Abstract: An elevator system (FIG. 1) employing a microprocessor-based group controller (FIG. 2 ) communicating with the cars (3, 4) using car position and velocity information provided by a "smart" primary position transducer (SPPT) system to control the motion of the cars and assign them to handle passenger demands. The SPPT includes an input shaft coupled to a primary encoder disk. Coupled to the shaft through gearing are one or more encoder disks (FIG. 7 ) performing the function of turns counting, as well as additional functions. Each disk contains multiple tracks, and each of these tracks is sensed by a sensor, or, alternatively, the SPPT may use two independent sensors per track. It is important to have two essentially independent means of performing the key sensing functions. The read heads of the SPPT are divided into primary and secondary sets with each set used to feed an independent processor.

Abstract: An operational controller is located in the elevator car, and a mobile transceiver, also located in the car, is connected to the operational controller, which includes a microprocessor that controls the transceiver. A stationary transceiver is located in the lobby, and the two transceivers are connected over two pairs of wires in the traveling cable. These transceivers communicate by dual tone combinations, each combination identifying a hall button, a hall lantern, and a position indicator in the lobby.