Abstract: In an embodiment, a door detection system may include a transmitter, a receiver, a reflector, and one or more processors. The transmitter positioned on an elevator car door transmits a signal towards a reflector on a hoistway door and the reflector reflects the signal towards the receiver when the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator door. The one or more processors determine whether the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator car door based on the reflected signal received by the receiver. If the hoistway door is not properly positioned, the elevator car is prevented from moving. If the hoistway door is properly positioned, the elevator car is free to move.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a door detection system may include a transmitter, a receiver, a reflector, and one or more processors. The transmitter positioned on an elevator car door transmits a signal towards a reflector on a hoistway door and the reflector reflects the signal towards the receiver when the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator door. The one or more processors determine whether the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator car door based on the reflected signal received by the receiver. If the hoistway door is not properly positioned, the elevator car is prevented from moving. If the hoistway door is properly positioned, the elevator car is free to move.

Abstract: An elevator car braking apparatus includes a gear drive assembly for compressing one or more springs which are coupled by a cam follower to one or a pair of brake shoes. When the springs are released from a compressed state, the brake shoes engage and grip hoisting ropes, part of the hoisting apparatus or the car guide rails, within a predetermined time from the start of a brake application cycle. During a brake application cycle, the springs move the cam follower along cam surfaces shaped and disposed to cause the cam follower to move at least one of the brake shoes toward the other brake shoe. The gear assembly includes clutch means for disengaging from and engaging with a gear or axle of the gear assembly during decompression and compression of the springs, respectively. A resilient material in the braking apparatus initially accelerates movement of the cam follower when the springs begin to decompress, and may protect gears of the gear assembly from damage at the end of a brake release cycle.

Abstract: An elevator car braking apparatus includes a gear drive assembly for compressing one or more springs which are coupled by a cam follower to one or a pair of brake shoes. When the springs are released from a compressed state, the brake shoes engage and grip hoisting ropes, part of the hoisting apparatus or the car guide rails, within a predetermined time from the start of a brake application cycle. During a brake application cycle, the springs move the cam follower along cam surfaces shaped and disposed to cause the cam follower to move at least one of the brake shoes toward the other brake shoe. The gear assembly includes clutch means for disengaging from and engaging with a gear or axle of the gear assembly during decompression and compression of the springs, respectively. A resilient material in the braking apparatus initially accelerates movement of the cam follower when the springs begin to decompress, and may protect gears of the gear assembly from damage at the end of a brake release cycle.

Abstract: An automatic elevator system having car movement controls, door controls, a door operating mechanism for automatically opening and closing at least the car door and first switch contacts operable when the car and hoistway doors are closed to permit the car to move from a floor in combination with further switch contacts which are operable in accordance with the positions of the doors and which prevent the car from moving from a floor when the first switch contacts are operated before the further switch contacts to prevent movement of the car from a floor when the first switch contacts have been operated or shunted by unauthorized persons or by a short circuit and other means to protect against failures of other circuits operated by the first switch means and further switch means.

Abstract: An elevator car braking system in which a pair of brake shoes engage and grip the hoisting ropes, part of the hoisting apparatus or the car guide rails when compressed springs, which are normally held in a compressed state by an electrically operable locking assembly, are released. The springs are compressible by a fluid operable piston and cylinder assembly. The springs move a cam follower, linked to one of the shoes, along cam surfaces shaped and disposed to cause the cam follower to move one brake shoe toward the other brake shoe. The locking assembly is responsive to car speed and/or movement of the car from a floor with its doors open. Switches operable by the cam follower control the car electrical controls so that movement of the car is prevented when the springs are not compressed and when there is excessive shoe wear.

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.

Abstract: A balancing scale or electromagnetically compensated weighing apparatus has an independently actuatable and temperature-sensitive magnetic device for balancing a load member; the magnetic device forms a magnetic circuit, and includes a temperature-sensitive corrective device affecting the circuit in at least two locations, so as to substantially temperature-compensate the magnetic circuit over a predetermined temperature range.