Abstract: A motive force generation device for generating a net resultant propulsive force vector. The device includes a mechanical drive that rotates one or more counter-rotating mass pairs about a respective axis; decreases the radius about the axis without causing external torque on the system therefore increasing the energy level of the mass; continues to rotate mass at the higher energy level; then increases the radius about the axis to its original distance. The work required to rotate mass at a higher energy state is greater than the work to rotate mass at the original state, causing an unbalanced system resulting in the net propulsive force. This force is transferred to an object to which the device is attached, effecting movement.

Abstract: A motive force generation device for generating a net resultant propulsive force vector through reactionless drive means. The device includes a reactionless drive that rotates one or more masses about an axis, decreases the radius about the axis without causing external torque on the system therefore increasing the energy level of the mass, continues to rotate mass at the higher energy level, then increases the radius about the axis to its original distance. The work required to rotate mass at a higher energy state is greater than the work to rotate mass at the original state, causing an unbalanced system resulting in the net propulsive force.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a grenade which comprises a means of indicating, to a user, that the grenade's striker assembly has been activated, and thus provides an indication that the grenade has been initiated. Specifically, the subject invention provides such indication of striker activation, and thus grenade initiation, which is evident to the user by touch and feel, without the need for purposeful inspection of the grenade by said user. More specifically, the subject invention modifies the grenade's striker assembly to create a means to obstruct the safety lever from returning to its original position.

Abstract: A motive force generation device for generating a net resultant propulsive force vector through reactionless drive means. The device includes a reactionless drive that rotates one or more masses about an axis, decreases the radius about the axis without causing external torque on the system therefore increasing the energy level of the mass, continues to rotate mass at the higher energy level, then increases the radius about the axis to its original distance. The work required to rotate mass at a higher energy state is greater than the work to rotate mass at the original state, causing an unbalanced system resulting in the net propulsive force.

Abstract: A motive force generation device for generating a net resultant propulsive force vector through reactionless drive means. The device includes a reactionless drive that rotates one or more masses about an axis, decreases the radius about the axis without causing external torque on the system therefore increasing the energy level of the mass, continues to rotate mass at the higher energy level, then increases the radius about the axis to its original distance. The work required to rotate mass at a higher energy state is greater than the work to rotate mass at the original state, causing an unbalanced system resulting in the net propulsive force.

Abstract: A safety fuze for use with a canister, includes a body, a lever that is rotatably secured to one end of the body, a striker assembly that is rotatably secured to another end of the body, and a thumb switch assembly that includes a target and that is rotatably secured to the body. The safety fuze is selectively armed and disarmed. It is settable in one or four states: a safe-locked state; a safe-unlocked state; an armed state; and an initiation state.

Abstract: A side truss assembly for escalators and moving walkways is formed of a corrugated main panel bounded by upper and lower stiffeners. The corrugation fold lines preferably extend perpendicular to the rise angle of the assembly and to the length of the stiffeners. End panels may be joined to the main panel to form a parallelogram construction with vertical end walls.

Abstract: A brake system for an elevator car wherein only authorized elevator personnel shall have access to the brake release. The system includes a self locking device for maintaining the brake system locked and therefore rendering the elevator car inoperative to passengers until authorized personnel unlock the system.

Abstract: A service barrier for elevator equipment and a method for deploying the same, said barrier comprising a floor plate and a plurality of leaves hinged along vertical axes, said floor plate pivotally mounted in front of said elevator equipment and at least one of said plurality of hinged leaves mounted to a side of said elevator equipment, wherein the floor plate is pivotal from a stored position to a substantially horizontal extended position, and said plurality of hinged leaves fold out from a stored position between said stored floor plate and said elevator equipment to an extended position thereby establishing a space in front of said elevator equipment so as to permit maintenance work.

Abstract: A service barrier for elevator equipment and a method for deploying the same, said barrier comprising a floor plate and a plurality of leaves hinged along vertical axes, said floor plate pivotally mounted in front of said elevator equipment and at least one of said plurality of hinged leaves mounted to a side of said elevator equipment, wherein the floor plate is pivotal from a stored position to a substantially horizontal extended position, and said plurality of hinged leaves fold out from a stored position between said stored floor plate and said elevator equipment to an extended position thereby establishing a space in front of said elevator equipment so as to permit maintenance work.

Abstract: An escalator brake torque monitoring apparatus comprises a brake having a brake arm with a mounting point for pivotally affixing the brake to a fixed element of the escalator. A torque sensor is mounted to the brake arm at the mounting point and is affixed to the fixed element. The torque sensor, which may preferably be torque-sensing bolt, generates an output proportional to torque generated by the brake during brake operation. The output of the sensor is compared to at least one reference value corresponding to a minimum acceptable level of torque. In the event the sensed torque is below the minimum, the escalator can be shut down to prevent restart until the failure condition is corrected.

Abstract: An escalator brake torque monitoring apparatus comprises a brake having a brake arm with a mounting point for pivotally affixing the brake to a fixed element of the escalator. A torque sensor is mounted to the brake arm at the mounting point and is affixed to the fixed element. The torque sensor, which may preferably be torque-sensing bolt, generates an output proportional to torque generated by the brake during brake operation. The output of the sensor is compared to at least one reference value corresponding to a minimum acceptable level of torque. In the event the sensed torque is below the minimum, the escalator can be shut down to prevent restart until the failure condition is corrected.

Abstract: An escalator combtooth assembly for an escalator is responsive to combplate obstruction and generates an alarm signal when an obstruction is encountered. One or more combteeth plates are pivotally mounted to the front or leading edge at a combplate assembly. In response to an encountered obstruction one or more of the plates rotate upwardly. Electrical switch contacts associated with the combteeth plates change state when the plate rotates, allowing an alarm signal to be generated. The combteeth plates may include rearwardly-extending arms which pass through accepting slots located at the rear of a ledge on a main complete body upon which the combteeth plates rest. A guide device, such as a bolt, limits the degree of available rotation for the plates, which are biased in an initial position, preferably by an elastomeric member.

Abstract: A traction-type elevator assembly includes an elevator car with a pair of secondary drive sheaves mounted below a floor of the car and connected for corotation by a common axle. The elevator assembly also includes a symmetrical roping configuration wherein a suspension rope has opposite ends anchored at a top of an elevator hoistway and extends on opposite sides of the car engaging the secondary drive sheaves. The rope engages a driving machine sheave, a turning sheave and a pair of diverting sheaves mounted in the hoistway, as well as engages a pair of counterweight sheaves for supporting a counterweight.

Abstract: An escalator handrail load monitoring and detection apparatus monitors and detects variations to a load applied to the handrail during operation. A distortable element is mounted to a handrail guide upon which the handrail rides and responds through distortions to downward-applied forces to the handrail. An electrical switch is activated by the distortion, allowing an output signal to be generated indicating that a particular minimum downward force has been applied to the handrail. The minimum force may be chosen to be above the range of forces normally applied to the handrail during normal passenger use, and thus be responsive to unsafe or improper operating conditions, such as when a passenger sits on the handrail or places packages thereon.

Abstract: A door locking system for retrofit installation on an automatic sliding two-panel door of an elevator car prohibits opening and closing of the door from the interior of the car when between two floors. The door locking system includes a hook retainer mounted on one side of the door opening. A locking pawl is mounted to a panel of the door on the opposite side of the opening for selectably engaging the hook retainer. A cable is coupled to a drive mechanism and to the locking pawl for disengaging the locking pawl from the hook retainer when at a floor stop. A flexible cable housing slidably retains the cable and defines a path length between the drive mechanism and the locking pawl. A path length adjuster mechanism is connected between two sections of the cable housing for manually adjusting the path length. A hold-down is mounted to the door to retain the cable housing in close proximity to the door while permitting movement parallel with the door in response to adjustment of the path length.

Abstract: An escalator combtooth assembly for an escalator complete is responsive to combplate obstruction and generates an alarm signal when an obstruction is encountered. One or more combteeth plates are pivotally mounted to the front or leading edge at a combplate assembly. In response to an encountered obstruction one or more of the plates rotate upwardly. Electrical switch contacts associated with the combteeth plates change state when the plate rotates, allowing an alarm signal to be generated. The combteeth plates may include rearwardly-extending arms which pass through accepting slots located at the rear of a ledge on a main complete body upon which the combteeth plates rest. A guide device, such as a bolt, limits the degree of available rotation for the plates, which are biased in an initial position, preferably by an elastomeric member.

Abstract: A door locking system for retrofit installation on an automatic sliding two-panel door of an elevator car prohibits opening and closing of the door from the interior of the car when between two floors. The door locking system includes a hook retainer mounted on one side of the door opening. A locking pawl is mounted to a panel of the door on the opposite side of the opening for selectably engaging the hook retainer. A cable is coupled to a drive mechanism and to the locking pawl for disengaging the locking pawl from the hook retainer when at a floor stop. A flexible cable housing slidably retains the cable and defines a path length between the drive mechanism and the locking pawl. A path length adjuster mechanism is connected between two sections of the cable housing for manually adjusting the path length. A hold-down is mounted to the door to retain the cable housing in close proximity to the door while permitting movement parallel with the door in response to adjustment of the path length.

Abstract: An illuminated escalator combplate has a main combplate portion and a combteeth element extending forwardly of the main portion. A series of light emitters are mounted to a forward edge of the main portion, and are aligned with a corresponding series of light pipes in the combteeth element which channel the light of the emitters from a rearward wall adjacent the main portion forward edge to an upper surface of the combteeth element where the light can be seen by escalator users and serves as a safety indicator to demarcate the intersection between the fixed combplate and the moving escalator step plates. The light emitter may be in alternately-illuminated, interleaved gangs to increase visability.

Abstract: An escalator combplate load and obstruction sensor is capable of monitoring and indicating both horizontal and vertical force and loads. The combplate is mounted for limited horizontal and vertical travel in response to corresponding horizontal and vertical loads. Both the horizontal and vertical travel are resolved into a displacement at an angle to both the horizontal and vertical, and the displacement is applied to a sensing portion of a loadcell which generates an electrical output proportional to the applied displacement and force. An indicator is coupled to the loadcell to indicate a relationship between the displacement applied to the loadcell and at least one reference value, whereby the horizontal and vertical loads applied to the combplate can be monitored and improper load levels determined.