Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Nichols

Stephen R. Nichols 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).

  • Publication number: 20210101776
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an elevator system (2), the elevator system (2) including a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8) situated on different floors (9), and at least one elevator car (6) configured for moving along the hoistway (4) between the plurality of landings (8). The method includes receiving a control input indicating a passenger transport request, wherein the control input comprises at least one passenger transport request parameter; monitoring passengers (30) within or outside the elevator car (6) and determining at least one passenger parameter associated with the passengers (30); comparing the at least one passenger transport request parameter with the at least one passenger parameter; and controlling further operation of the elevator system (2) based on the result of said comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen R. Nichols, Matteo Rucco, Jose Miguel Pasini, Cecilia Tonelli, Andrea De Antoni, David R. Polak
  • Patent number: 10000366
    Abstract: An exemplary brake device includes a brake element configured to apply a braking force to resist rotation of an associated component. A mounting member is configured to mount the brake device to a stationary surface. The mounting member is at least partially moveable relative to the stationary surface responsive to a torque on the brake device. A sensor provides an indication of a force associated with any movement of the mounting member relative to the stationary surface responsive to the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, Daryl J. Marvin, Stephen R. Nichols, Harold Terry
  • Patent number: 9561936
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator door frame includes a sill member and a header member. A plurality of jamb members are generally perpendicular to the sill member and the header member. A plurality of guide rail brackets are supported on at least one of the sill member, the header member or one of the jamb members. The guide rail brackets are configured to receive a portion of a guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Robin Mihekun Miller, Leandre Adifon, Mark Steven Thompson, Harold Terry, Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 9561934
    Abstract: An exemplary door frame assembly that is useful in an elevator system includes a plurality of door frame members including a header, a sill and a plurality of jambs. The door frame members are configured to be secured into a desired position along a hoistway. At least one guide rail bracket is supported by at least one of the door frame members. The guide rail bracket is moveable relative to the door frame member between a handling position in which the guide rail bracket is generally parallel to at least one of the header or the sill and a deployed position in which the guide rail bracket is generally perpendicular to the at least one of the header or sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin, Harold Terry
  • Patent number: 9457994
    Abstract: An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Stephen R. Nichols, Patricia L. Driesch, Pawel Witczak, Benjamin J. Watson
  • Patent number: 9272880
    Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement for components of an elevator system comprises a machine support that is configured to support a load associated with an elevator machine. A support for control electronics that operate the elevator machine is connected to the machine support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Harold Terry, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 8839911
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator machine frame includes a plurality of support surfaces configured to support at least one of a motor or a brake. A plurality of arms between the support surfaces maintain a desired alignment of support surfaces. At least one of the arms has a first cross section taken transverse to a longitudinal direction along a length of the arm at a first longitudinal location on the arm. That same arm has a second, different cross section at a second, different longitudinal location on the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, Stephen R. Nichols, Bruce W. Horne, Zbigniew Piech, Arthur Blanc
  • Patent number: 8820483
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system comprises a machine support (30) including a first portion (32) situated in a generally horizontal position at least partially within a hoistway (24). A second portion (34) is oriented generally perpendicular to the first portion. The second portion has one end supported by a support surface (52) adjacent the hoistway such that a portion of a load of the machine support is transferred to the support surface. One end of the first portion (32) is supported by the second portion (34) and another end of the first portion is supported by a structural member at least partially in the hoistway such that a remainder of the load of the machine support is transferred to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Harold Terry, Leandre Adifon, Stephen R. Nichols, Robin Mihekun Miller, Daryl J. Marvin, John Ferrisi
  • Patent number: 8793939
    Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement for an elevator machine comprises a first portion (32) and a second portion (34). The first portion and the second portion are moveable relative to each other between a shipping position and a deployed position in which the first portion and the second portion are generally perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Landry, Harold Terry, Richard J. Ericson, Leandre Adifon, Stephen R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20140101916
    Abstract: An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zbigniew PIECH, Stephen R. NICHOLS, Patricia L. DRIESCH, Pawel WITCZAK, Benjamin J. WATSON
  • Patent number: 8631907
    Abstract: An example elevator machine frame assembly (30) includes a plurality of support plates (32) configured to support at least selected portions of an elevator machine including a traction sheave (24). The support plates each comprise a plurality of mounting surfaces (50) that are aligned within a plane that intersects with an axis of rotation (56) of a traction sheave that is supported by the frame assembly. A plurality of support rods (36) are connected to the support plates (32). The support rods maintain a desired spacing between the plates and a desired alignment of the plates relative to each other. In a disclosed example, the support rods include a sound dampening material (44) such as sand in an interior of the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Stephen R. Nichols, Patricia L. Driesch, Pawel Witczak, Benjamin J. Watson
  • Publication number: 20120006969
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator machine frame includes a plurality of support surfaces configured to support at least one of a motor or a brake. A plurality of arms between the support surfaces maintain a desired alignment of support surfaces. At least one of the arms has a first cross section taken transverse to a longitudinal direction along a length of the arm at a first longitudinal location on the arm. That same arm has a second, different cross section at a second, different longitudinal location on the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, Stephen R. Nichols, Bruce W. Horne, Zbigniew Piech, Arthur Blanc
  • Publication number: 20120007465
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor rotatable about a central axis. The rotor includes at least one rotor element having a first element edge. A stator includes a stator face facing the rotor and a plurality of stator slots. Each stator slot has at least one stator slot edge located at the stator face. A first edge portion of the at least one stator slot edge is oriented nonparallel to the first element edge in a first direction and a second edge portion of the at least one stator slot edge is oriented nonparallel to the first element edge in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Stephen R. Nichols, Zbigniew Piech
  • Publication number: 20110303493
    Abstract: An exemplary brake device includes a brake element configured to apply a braking force to resist rotation of an associated component. A mounting member is configured to mount the brake device to a stationary surface. The mounting member is at least partially moveable relative to the stationary surface responsive to a torque on the brake device. A sensor provides an indication of a force associated with any movement of the mounting member relative to the stationary surface responsive to the torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, Daryl J. Marvin, Stephen R. Nichols, Harold Terry
  • Publication number: 20110297488
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator door frame includes a sill member and a header member. A plurality of jamb members are generally perpendicular to the sill member and the header member. A plurality of guide rail brackets are supported on at least one of the sill member, the header member or one of the jamb members. The guide rail brackets are configured to receive a portion of a guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Robin Mihekun Miller, Leandre Adifon, Mark Steven Thompson, Harold Terry, Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Publication number: 20110296772
    Abstract: An exemplary door frame assembly that is useful in an elevator system includes a plurality of door frame members including a header, a sill and a plurality of jambs. The door frame members are configured to be secured into a desired position along a hoistway. At least one guide rail bracket is supported by at least one of the door frame members. The guide rail bracket is moveable relative to the door frame member between a handling position in which the guide rail bracket is generally parallel to at least one of the header or the sill and a deployed position in which the guide rail bracket is generally perpendicular to the at least one of the header or sill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin, Harold Terry
  • Publication number: 20110240407
    Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement for components of an elevator system comprises a machine support that is configured to support a load associated with an elevator machine. A support for control electronics that operate the elevator machine is connected to the machine support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Harold Terry, Stephen R. Nichols, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Publication number: 20110240828
    Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement for an elevator machine comprises a first portion (32) and a second portion (34). The first portion and the second portion are moveable relative to each other between a shipping position and a deployed position in which the first portion and the second portion are generally perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas E. Landry, Harold Terry, Richard J. Ericson, Leandre Adifon, Stephen R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20110226557
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system comprises a machine support (30) including a first portion (32) situated in a generally horizontal position at least partially within a hoistway (24). A second portion (34) is oriented generally perpendicular to the first portion. The second portion has one end supported by a support surface (52) adjacent the hoistway such that a portion of a load of the machine support is transferred to the support surface. One end of the first portion (32) is supported by the second portion (34) and another end of the first portion is supported by a structural member at least partially in the hoistway such that a remainder of the load of the machine support is transferred to the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Harold Terry, Leandre Adifon, Stephen R. Nichols, Robin Mihekun Miller, Daryl J. Marvin, John Ferrisi
  • Patent number: 7519691
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for updating first and second parameters of a recipient computer console from first and second donor computer consoles. The recipient console registers with the first donor console to receive notification when the first donor console has an update to the first parameter. The recipient console registers with the second donor console to receive notification when the second donor console has an update to the second parameter. After registering the recipient console with the first donor console, the recipient console receives the notification from the first donor console and updates the first parameter from the first donor console accordingly. After registering the recipient console with the second donor console, the recipient console receives notification from the second donor console and updates the second parameter from the second donor console accordingly. The parameters can be a help desk phone number, an identity of an authorized user or an authorization of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Nichols, Kurt N. Schroeder