Patents by Inventor Richard E. Kulak

Richard E. Kulak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11795033
    Abstract: A method of unlocking an elevator car door or an elevator car includes operating a door operator and moving a movable vane operably coupled to the door operator. If the elevator car is positioned within a landing door zone, the movable vane is moved into contact with an interlock roller. An engagement latch is rotated to disengage from an electrical contact in response to moving the movable vane into contact with the interlock roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 11661315
    Abstract: A sill gap monitoring system includes a sensor assembly configured to sense a sill gap between an elevator sill and at least one of a bottom surface of an elevator door and a bottom surface of a gib. The sill gap monitoring system generates an alert when the sill gap is greater than a sill gap limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 11655122
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a first base configured to be supported on a hoistway door component, The first base is situated to be selectively pivoted relative to the hoistway door component. A first bumper is supported on the first base such that pivotal movement of the first base changes a position of the first bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A second base is situated to be selectively moved relative to the hoistway door component. A second bumper is supported on the second base such that selective movement of the second base changes a position of the second bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A latch is situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis relative to the first base between a door locking position and a released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Patent number: 11254542
    Abstract: An elevator car door interlock includes a first link assembly and a latch assembly. The first link assembly includes a first intermediate link and a first link. The first intermediate link is movably connected to a first sensing vane. The first link is pivotally connected to a baseplate. The first link has a first link first arm pivotally connected to the first intermediate link, and a first link second arm having a first link first connection that is pivotally connected to a second sensing vane. The latch assembly includes a lock member, a door latch, and a latch link. The door latch is pivotally connected to the baseplate and is arranged to selectively engage the lock member. The latch link extends between and is pivotally connected to the door latch and the first intermediate link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Patent number: 11247872
    Abstract: An elevator car door interlock includes a first link assembly having a first intermediate link movably connected to a first vane, and a first link having a first link first end pivotally connected to the first intermediate link and a first link second end pivotally connected to the second vane. A latch assembly includes a door latch pivotally connected to the baseplate wherein responsive to operation of a drive mechanism that is drivably connected to the first link second end, while an interlock roller engages at least one of the first vane and the second vane, the first vane moves towards the second vane and the door latch pivots to unlock an elevator car door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Publication number: 20210380373
    Abstract: A method of unlocking an elevator car door or an elevator car includes operating a door operator and moving a movable vane operably coupled to the door operator. If the elevator car is positioned within a landing door zone, the movable vane is moved into contact with an interlock roller. An engagement latch is rotated to disengage from an electrical contact in response to moving the movable vane into contact with the interlock roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 11124389
    Abstract: A method of unlocking an elevator car door or an elevator car is provided including operating a door operator. A link arm of a car door interlock operably coupled to the door operator is rotated. If the elevator car is positioned within a landing door zone, an engagement link coupled to the link arm is configured to pivot relative to the link arm to disengage from an electrical contact. If the elevator car is not positioned within a landing door zone, the engagement link does not pivot relative to the link arm and remains engaged with the electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20210261384
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a first base configured to be supported on a hoistway door component, The first base is situated to be selectively pivoted relative to the hoistway door component. A first bumper is supported on the first base such that pivotal movement of the first base changes a position of the first bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A second base is situated to be selectively moved relative to the hoistway door component. A second bumper is supported on the second base such that selective movement of the second base changes a position of the second bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A latch is situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis relative to the first base between a door locking position and a released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. TRACEY, Richard E. KULAK
  • Patent number: 11046557
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a latch situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a door locking position and a released position. At least one base is configured to be selectively movable relative to the pivot axis. A plurality of door movement bumpers are supported on the at least one base. Selective movement of the at least one base relative to the pivot axis adjusts an alignment position of the door movement bumpers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Patent number: 11040858
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a latch situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a door locking position and a released position. At least one coupling bumper is situated for movement with the latch between the door locking and released positions. The coupling bumper is selectively moved relative to the pivot axis into an alignment position where the coupling bumper is positioned to cooperate with a door coupler. At least one stationary support is situated to contact the coupling bumper when the latch is in the released position where the stationary support bears a load associated with moving an associated door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 11034548
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a first base configured to be supported on a hoistway door component, The first base is situated to be selectively pivoted relative to the hoistway door component. A first bumper is supported on the first base such that pivotal movement of the first base changes a position of the first bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A second base is situated to be selectively moved relative to the hoistway door component. A second bumper is supported on the second base such that selective movement of the second base changes a position of the second bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A latch is situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis relative to the first base between a door locking position and a released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Patent number: 10882720
    Abstract: An elevator car door interlock for unlocking an elevator car door of an elevator car is provided including a lock member (54) including an electrical contact (72). A rotatable link arm (58) has a sensing mechanism (52, 62) configured to detect a position of the elevator car door. An engagement latch (64) is pivotally mounted to the rotatable link arm. The engagement latch is engaged with the electrical contact when the elevator car door is locked. The engagement latch is rotated out of engagement with the electrical contact when the elevator car door is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20200262683
    Abstract: A method of unlocking an elevator car door or an elevator car is provided including operating a door operator. A link arm of a car door interlock operably coupled to the door operator is rotated. If the elevator car is positioned within a landing door zone, an engagement link coupled to the link arm is configured to pivot relative to the link arm to disengage from an electrical contact. If the elevator car is not positioned within a landing door zone, the engagement link does not pivot relative to the link arm and remains engaged with the electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 10710843
    Abstract: A lock assembly for an elevator car door is provided including a car mechanism configured to move from a first position to a second position upon detection of a known condition. A contactor is mounted adjacent a lower portion of the elevator car door and is operably coupled to the car door mechanism. The contact is movable in response to movement of the car door mechanism to lock and unlock a portion of the elevator car door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20200148508
    Abstract: A sill gap monitoring system includes a sensor assembly configured to sense a sill gap between an elevator sill and at least one of a bottom surface of an elevator door and a bottom surface of a gib. The sill gap monitoring system generates an alert when the sill gap is greater than a sill gap limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20200122978
    Abstract: An elevator car door interlock includes a first link assembly having a first intermediate link movably connected to a first vane, and a first link having a first link first end pivotally connected to the first intermediate link and a first link second end pivotally connected to the second vane. A latch assembly includes a door latch pivotally connected to the baseplate wherein responsive to operation of a drive mechanism that is drivably connected to the first link second end, while an interlock roller engages at least one of the first vane and the second vane, the first vane moves towards the second vane and the door latch pivots to unlock an elevator car door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Patent number: 10569994
    Abstract: A sill gap monitoring system includes a sensor assembly configured to sense a sill gap between an elevator sill and at least one of a bottom surface of an elevator door and a bottom surface of a gib. The sill gap monitoring system generates an alert when the sill gap is greater than a sill gap limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20200055705
    Abstract: An elevator car door interlock includes a first link assembly and a latch assembly. The first link assembly includes a first intermediate link and a first link. The first intermediate link is movably connected to a first sensing vane. The first link is pivotally connected to a baseplate. The first link has a first link first arm pivotally connected to the first intermediate link, and a first link second arm having a first link first connection that is pivotally connected to a second sensing vane. The latch assembly includes a lock member, a door latch, and a latch link. The door latch is pivotally connected to the baseplate and is arranged to selectively engage the lock member. The latch link extends between and is pivotally connected to the door latch and the first intermediate link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Tracey, Richard E. Kulak
  • Patent number: 10486940
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a lane and at least one rail extending along the lane. The at least one rail includes a first end portion and a second end portion. A transfer station is arranged at one of the first end portion and the second end portion, and an alignment system is arranged at the transfer station. The alignment system includes at least one guide member configured and disposed to establish a desired alignment between an elevator car and the at least one rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Bruce P. Swaybill, Zbigniew Piech, Richard J. Ericson, Richard E. Kulak
  • Publication number: 20190337766
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a first base configured to be supported on a hoistway door component, The first base is situated to be selectively pivoted relative to the hoistway door component. A first bumper is supported on the first base such that pivotal movement of the first base changes a position of the first bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A second base is situated to be selectively moved relative to the hoistway door component. A second bumper is supported on the second base such that selective movement of the second base changes a position of the second bumper relative to the hoistway door component. A latch is situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis relative to the first base between a door locking position and a released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. TRACEY, Richard E. KULAK