Abstract: An elevator group control apparatus to control an elevator system in which an upper car and a lower car serve in a single shaft and go up and down independently. If a new destination call is registered, a car travel range calculator provisionally assigns a car to the new destination call and calculates the travel range of the provisionally assigned car and the travel range of the other car in the same shaft. Based on the calculated travel ranges, an assignment candidate selector selects or rejects the car as a candidate for assignment to the new destination call. Later, several evaluation index values are calculated for each of the selected candidate cars. By comprehensively evaluating these calculated evaluation index values, a determination is made as to which car is to be assigned to the new destination call.

Abstract: An elevator system has a lower elevator car, an upper elevator car and a counterweight. A first drive drives the lower elevator car and a second drive drives the upper elevator car. Two parallelly extending guide rails lying in the region of a vertical center plane guide the elevator cars. A support device for the elevator cars and the counterweight comprises two separate support strands. The lower elevator car is fixed at two substantially diagonally opposite points of a horizontal plane each at a respective end of one of the support strands. The upper elevator car is similarly fixed at two substantially diagonally opposite points of a horizontal plane each at an end of one of the support strands, wherein the two diagonals intersect.

Abstract: A “forward facing” lift truck (1) for transporting a vertical stack (2) of tires (3) located in front of the lift truck. The lift truck includes grasping means (4) mounted on the frame or “mast” (11) of the lift truck and adapted for picking up and dividing the stack vertically into two vertical, so-called “upper” (2H) and “lower” (2B) sections, so as to open up a space (E) between the two “upper” and “lower” sections of the stack. This space is created at a height above the floor such that the field of vision (CV) of the lift truck driver (or operator) passes through this space at an angle such that the operator can see the floor in front of the lift truck, at a predetermined “safe” distance (D) and beyond, and also has a distant view.

Abstract: An elevator installation for zonal operation in a building, a method for zonal operation of such an elevator installation and method for modernization of an existing elevator installation, in which the building is divided into several zones. The elevator installation includes several elevators for the transport of persons/goods in cages. A zone is associated each elevator. At least one changeover storey for the changing over of persons/goods between cages of different zones is arranged between the zones. At least one elevator has at least two cages which are arranged one above the other and which are movable independently of one another at a pair of guide rails.

Abstract: The elevator system of this present invention for multistory buildings includes at least one elevator shaft, each of which having a plurality of elevator units and at least one interlocking means, and an elevator control system. The elevator unit includes an elevator car and its guide means, a counterweight and its guide means, a drive means, and an elevator control system. The interlocking means includes a coupling mechanism and a bi-directional one-way clutch mechanism, and connecting means such as gears. The elevator system is operated by a plurality of computers including the schedule computer, shaft computers, and car computers. The acceleration (and deceleration) rate of the following elevator car is determined from the distance between the car and its leading car, the speeds of the two cars, and the acceleration rate of the leading car.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system with at least one shaft, in which at least two cars can be made to travel along a common traveling path, and also with a shaft information system for determining the positions and speeds of the cars, which is connected to an electrical safety device.

Abstract: A safety system for an elevator installation for the transport of persons/goods in a building and a method for operating an elevator installation with a safety system. Several cages are moved one above the other in a shaft. Each cage is moved by a drive. At least one drive control controls the drives by way of drive control signals. Cage position detecting sensors detect positions of each cage and transmit cage position data to at least one safety control. Access to the shaft takes place by way of opened shaft doors. A lock locks the shaft doors. Lock setting detecting sensors detect settings of the locks of the shaft doors and transmit lock setting data by way of the data bus to the safety control. The safety control ascertains, from the cage position data and the lock setting data, shaft region data with details with respect to shaft regions in which each cage is safely movable.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, multiple cars are raised and lowered within a hoistway. The cars within the hoistway are adjacent to each other when located at the same height. If at least one of the cars is defined as a first car and a car adjacent to the first car is defined as a second car, the first car includes, in a face facing the second car a recess when projected onto a horizontal plane. At least a part of a car guide shoe is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: A plurality of hoistways (11, 12) in a building serving a plurality of floors utilizes destination call entry panels (22, 22A) having buttons (23) with which passengers can enter destination call requests. A display (26, 26a) adjacent the request buttons provides an indication of the car that is assigned to answer the passenger's request by a controller (27), which indication is also presented on illuminatable signs (16-19, 40, 41), utilizing either colors, letters or other easily identifiable and rememberable indications. As the car assigned to the call approaches the landing upon which the call was made, an illuminatable sign, adjacent the hoistway of the assigned car, will present the same color or indicia as was presented to the passenger upon entering the passenger's desired destination; the controller does not announce approaching cars that are not assigned a call at that landing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator and a method for adjusting the inter-car distance in an elevator which comprises two or more elevator cars coupled to each other so as to be movable together in an elevator shaft, and in which these elevator cars are at least partly suspended by means of a common set of hoisting ropes (2). The vertical inter-car distance between the elevator cars (6 and 7) is adjusted by moving at least one of the elevator cars (6 or 7) in relation to at least one other elevator car (6 or 7) by pulling the elevator car to be moved upwards and lowering the elevator car to be moved downwards by means of at least one adjusting rope (13).

Abstract: In an elevator, with an elevator car, a counterweight, a drive unit arranged below the counterweight and provided with a drive pulley, and an elevator support device, which is guided over the drive pulley and at least one deflecting pulley and which supports and moves the elevator car and the counterweight in opposite directions, at least one run of the support device, which leads to the drive pulley, is led through a cut-out in the counterweight.

Abstract: A double deck elevator comprising an upper cage and a lower cage vertically movable together in a hositway, wherein a space between the upper cage and the lower cage is covered by covers. The covers guide airflow flowing around the space to reduce air turbulence noise, and consequently the quietness and comfortableness in the cages is improved.

Abstract: A multi-stage elevator car has equipment for fine positioning of the cars wherein the car thresholds are positionable at the level of the floor thresholds. The fine positioning adjusting equipment operates on the principle of a double lever and moves a car frame along a path (?z).

Abstract: A multi-stage elevator car has equipment for fine positioning of the cars wherein the car thresholds are positionable at the level of the floor thresholds. Adjusting equipment operating on the principle of a differential block and pulley is provided for fine positioning of the cars, the equipment including an endless cable guided over deflecting rollers arranged at the main frame of the multi-stage car and over deflecting rollers arranged at the cars, wherein the cars execute vertical movements of opposite sense.

Abstract: An elevator control device which realizes, in a multi-car system, operation control superior in transportation efficiency. A first shunting device outputs a first shunting command for moving a car which has responded to a call request to a shunting floor. A blocked state detection device detects a blocked state in which a succeeding car cannot run due to a preceding car being in a standby state at a shunting floor, and outputs blocked-state-generation information. A second shunting device outputs a second shunting command for moving the preceding car in the standby state to a new shunting floor based on the blocked-state-generation information. Further a collective operation control device collectively controls the operation of each car based on information for each car, the first shunting command from the first shunting device, and the second shunting command from the second shunting device.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided with multiple sky lobbies to reduce the space required for elevator shafts and the space required for the entire elevator system, as well as the required elevator speed and motor capacity. Sky lobbies Ls1–Lsx are arranged above building lobby LG at ground level, with a prescribed number of floors between them. Shuttle elevator (1) stops only at building lobby LG and sky lobbies Ls1–Lsx, and passes through the various floors between lobbies by making them an express region. Local elevators service the floors in each bank between adjacent sky lobbies. Local elevators (2a), (2c), (2e), (2g) for the odd-numbered banks are arranged along the same elevator shaft, and local elevators (2b), (2d), (2f) for the even-numbered banks are arranged along another same elevator shaft.

Abstract: An elevator installation with at least one shaft having a plurality of shaft doors is provided. At least two cars disposed one above the other travel up and down in the shaft. Each car has at least one car door. A safety device is provided for blocking the travel of the cars when the shaft doors or car doors are open. The safety device has at least two independent safety circuits, each having at least one shaft door and/or car door associated with it. Travel of at least one car can be blocked by means of the safety circuits.

Abstract: This patent relates to a machine for transporting people and cargo with three-dimensional and infinite movement along properly positioned rails. The main application is for transporting people between two points with different coordinates, for example between one floor of one building and another floor of another building, kilometres away. It is composed essentially of: a set of wheels (1 and 2) that roll on the rails (8 and 9); a cabinet (7) where the people and cargo are transported; a chassis that connects the wheels to a “T” beam (10); this “T” beam (10) connects the chassis to the cabinet (7); electrical engines that move the wheels. The set of parts allows the cabinet to have a non-straight, three-dimensional and infinite movement, the cabinet always being in the vertical position.

Abstract: A material handling system for use in storing and moving goods within multi-level storage warehouses, ocean going vessels and the like wherein storage areas are provided on at least one of the levels and wherein goods are automatically transferred to and from the storage areas and between the various levels by self-propelled load transfer vehicles. The load transfer vehicles move across the surface of the various levels and deliver are also movable within open vertical trunks between the levels to thereby move goods to any desired area.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus comprises two (2) or more sets of elevators with one (1) piece of an elevating passage. Each of the elevators has an elevator car and a hoist, which is connected to the elevator car through a rope. Each the hoist has a sheave, a motor and a brake. The hoist of one of the elevators is projected above the elevator car of the other elevator. Also, open/close doors of the one elevator and those of the other elevator are disposed, so that they shift in front and behind. Door cases of the juxtaposing elevators are disposed to overlap with each other in front and behind.

Abstract: A double deck elevator comprising an upper cage and a lower cage vertically movable together in a hositway, wherein a space between the upper cage and the lower cage is covered by covers. The covers guide airflow flowing around the space to reduce air turbulence noise, and consequently the quietness and comfortableness in the cages is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an elevator installation with at least one shaft and a number of cars, it being possible to make at least two cars travel separately up and down along a common traveling path and a passenger being able to enter a destination call by means of an input unit disposed outside the shaft and the destination call being allocated to a car in dependence on an allocation assessment. To develop the method in such a way that the transporting capacity can be increased, with the cars which can be made to travel along a common traveling path hindering one another as little as possible, it is proposed according to the invention that, in the case of allocation of the destination call to one of the cars which can be made to travel along the common traveling path, the portion of the traveling path required for serving the destination call is assigned to this car and blocked for the time of the assignment for the other cars.

Abstract: Elevator cars move in two vertical hoistways each having at least one crossing-point to a third vertical parking hoistway arranged between the two hoistways to allow transfer of the elevator cars between adjacent ones of the hoistways. A control system and a drive move empty elevator cars through the crossing-points for parking and for responding to calls for service.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system in tall buildings, the system having at least one first elevator shaft, which houses an elevator arranged to stop at floors called transfer levels, and at least one second elevator shaft, which houses elevators whose elevator cars are disposed one above the other in the elevator shaft, which elevator cars are designed to stop during their travel at any floor to which or from which a call has been issued. The second elevator shaft is divided vertically into local shafts situated one above the other, the number of which is at least one for each zone between transfer levels.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided for the transport of loads and/or persons in an elevator shaft. At least two elevator cars can be moved in the elevator shaft and are connected to a counterweight. A drive is associated with each car. At least one common track section and, in addition, separate track sections arranged next to one another are associated with at least two cars. The common track section and the separate track sections are arranged in sections along the elevator shaft. The cars can be moved not only in the same direction but also in directions opposite to one another.

Abstract: An elevator installation for conveying persons/goods, a method for operating the elevator installation and to a method for modernizing an elevator installation. The elevator installation includes at least two cages arranged one above the other in a vertical travel direction, and a drive per cage for moving the cages. The cage and the drive are connected by way of a conveying member. A counterweight for weight compensation of each cage. At least one cage guide rail is provided for guiding the cages, and at least a pair of counterweight guide rails are provided for guiding the counterweights. The drives are arranged near different first walls in the shaft.

Abstract: A stairlift includes a rail cross-section and mounting rollers which, in combination, allow a stairlift assembly to be achieved which occupies little space and has a reduced visual impact. The rollers engage rolling surfaces arranged about the outer periphery of a tubular rail. The surfaces are preferably defined by structural components of the rail and are preferably non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the stair surfaces upon which the stairlift is mounted.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus comprises two (2) or more sets of elevators with one (1) piece of an elevating passage. Each of the elevators has an elevator car and a hoist, which is connected to the elevator car through a rope. Each the hoist has a sheave, a motor and a brake. The hoist of one of the elevators is projected above the elevator car of the other elevator. Also, open/close doors of the one elevator and those of the other elevator are disposed, so that they shift in front and behind. Door cases of the juxtaposing elevators are disposed to overlap with each other in front and behind.

Abstract: Elevator cars move in two vertical hoistways each having at least one crossing-point to a third vertical parking hoistway arranged between the two hoistways to allow transfer of the elevator cars between adjacent ones of the hoistways. A control system and a drive move empty elevator cars through the crossing-points for parking and for responding to calls for service.

Abstract: A double deck elevator comprising an upper cage and a lower cage vertically movable together in a hoistway, wherein a space between the upper cage and the lower cage is covered by covers. The covers guide airflow flowing around the space to reduce air turbulence noise, and consequently the ride in the cages becomes quieter and more comfortable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system for the transport of loads and/or persons in an elevator shaft with at least two elevator cars which can be moved in the elevator shaft and are connected to a counterweight via carrying means, wherein a drive is associated with each car. In order to develop the elevator system further in such a manner that it can be produced inexpensively and has an improved transport capacity it is suggested in accordance with the invention that at least one common track section and, in addition, separate track sections arranged next to one another be associated with at least two cars in sections along the elevator shaft, wherein the cars can be moved not only in the same direction but also in directions opposite to one another.

Abstract: A cargo delivery vehicle has storage for multiple tiers, or levels, of cargo. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of interior pallet elevators, at least one on either side of a center structural wall running parallel to the side walls. Specialized pallets are provided for use with the pallet elevators. The pallet elevators are powered by redundant hydraulic cylinders which drive four cross-shaft-linked chains to lift and lower the pallet support shelves. Compact rear access doors slide vertically to allow easy access for loading or unloading. Substantially continuous side access doors provide total exterior access to the lowermost tier of cargo by delivery vehicle personnel standing on the ground. Cargo stored at the upper tier may be positioned by an elevating means at the level of the lower tier for either rear loading or side retrieval purposes.

Abstract: An upper cart 12 and a lower cart 2 have running motors 4, 14, respectively, for controlling these carts in a manner overlapping each other on a vertical line. A mast 18 is formed into a truss structure, and an elevating platform 20 has a slide fork a load on which is supported on a shelf support of a rack. The present invention provides a light stacker crane operating at a high speed.

Abstract: A rotating passenger conveying system includes a central rotating column which drives a number of cabs to rotate about an axis. The cabs are also movable along the axis between a first and second floor. The central column rotates continuously, and the cabs are cyclically moved between the two floors. Passengers can enter a cab at one of the floors, and cab will then rotate to a movement zone. In the movement zone the cab will move to the other floor. The movement and flow of passengers in this system is continuous, and thus, the throughput of passengers in the rotating passenger conveying system is closer to an escalator system than to an elevator.

Abstract: An upper cart 12 and a lower cart 2 have running motors 4, 14, respectively, for controlling these carts in a manner overlapping each other on a vertical line. A mast 18 is formed into a truss structure, and an elevating platform 20 has a slide fork a load on which is supported on a shelf support of a rack. The present invention provides a light stacker crane operating at a high speed.

Abstract: A cargo delivery vehicle is described having storage for multiple tiers, or levels, of cargo. The delivery vehicle includes two or more interior elevating platforms, at least one on either side of a center structural wall running parallel to the side walls. Substantially continuous side access doors provide total exterior access to the lowermost tier of cargo. Cargo stored at the upper tier may be positioned by an elevating means at the level of the lower tier for either rear loading or side retrieval purposes. The center structural wall supports a transverse roof truss system that carries suspended outboard loads inward to the center wall. This non-traditional framing system greatly reduces the structural requirements of the sidewalls and floor, thereby permitting largely open framing for multiple side access ports as well as a minimized floor thickness to permit easier access from the pavement.

Abstract: A double deck elevator comprising an upper cage and a lower cage vertically movable together in a hositway, wherein a space between the upper cage and the lower cage is covered by covers. The covers guide airflow flowing around the space to reduce air turbulence noise, and consequently the quietness and comfortableness in the cages is improved.

Abstract: A lift arrangement for conveying a load between two levels in a lift shaft, said lift arrangement comprising two platform means each mounted for movement within said lift shaft between one level and the other, each platform means being changeable between a load-carrying configuration in which it extends across a substantial extent of the lift shaft, and a bypass configuration in which it allows the other floor means to pass it when in a load carrying configuration.

Abstract: In an elevator system, first and second car carrying bases move up and down along first and second segments of a hoistway, respectively. First and second support members are located on the first and second car carrying bases, respectively. A car is moved up and down within the hoistway while being selectively supported by the first or second car carrying base. The first and second car carrying bases are arranged so as not to overlap each other when projected on a horizontal plane. Each car support member can shuttle between a support position and a nonsupport position, the support position being a position at which the car support member supports the car by projecting into a moving path of the car and the nonsupport position being a position at which the car support member is retracted from and is outside of the moving path of the car.

Abstract: Passenger or freight cabs 9 can roll on bridge rails 24, 25; 54, 55; 64, 65, between a pair of platforms such as an elevator car frame 19, a horizontal transport bogie 41, or a stationary platform 68. The bridge rails may move from a first position to a second position where they are parallel to, coaligned with and overlapping rails on one of the platforms so as to permit transferring a cab, either by individually rotating through corresponding axes passing through each rail, or by rotating a pair of such rails together about an axis passing between them.

Abstract: A cargo delivery vehicle is described having storage for multiple tiers, or levels, of cargo. The delivery vehicle includes two or more interior elevating platforms, at least one on either side of a center structural wall running parallel to the side walls. Substantially continuous side access doors provide total exterior access to the lowermost tier of cargo. Cargo stored at the upper tier may be positioned by an elevating means at the level of the lower tier for either rear loading or side retrieval purposes. The center structural wall supports a transverse roof truss system that carries suspended outboard loads inward to the center wall. This non-traditional framing system greatly reduces the structural requirements of the side walls and floor, thereby permitting largely open framing for multiple side access ports as well as a minimized floor thickness to permit easier access from the pavement.

Abstract: A rope climbing elevator (10) includes prime movers (40,42) and drive sheaves (32,34) secured to the car (10) and engaging stationary ropes (12-26).

Abstract: An elevator system provides service between a ground level and each of three upper levels through a single elevator shuttle hoistway system. Three elevator cabs 34-36, B, D, F are moved in a triple deck elevator car frame 35, or a four deck elevator car frame 75 in a low hoistway 26, 76; two cabs are moved in a double deck elevator car frame 30 or four deck car frame 76 in a mid hoistway 27, 52; and one cab is moved in a single deck car frame 31 or triple deck car frame 77 in a high hoistway 28, 53. Other embodiments have other car frame arrangements.

Abstract: A double deck elevator (1) includes a linking mechanism (14) disposed between the cars (2, 3).

Abstract: With this safety equipment in a multimobile elevator group, collisions between cars (C1 . . . CN) operating in the same shaft (1) can be prevented. For this purpose, each car (C1 . . . CN) is equipped with a safety module (10). In order not to cause any collision in the case of a stop command of a car (C1 . . . CN), the safety module (10) must know the positions and speeds of the other cars (C1 . . . CN) at all times. A decision module (12) integrated into the safety module (10) processes the travel data received by way of the communications system (11) and decides whether a car (C1 . . . CN) may or may not stop. Furthermore, the decision module (12) determines the braking behavior of a car (C1 . . . CN) (normal stop, emergency stop or triggering of the car-catching device).

Abstract: Elevator cabs are transferred between elevators, which may be shuttles, in various levels of a building, such as transport floors, in response to car calls registered in the cabs and hall calls registered on the transport floors. The cabs may be transferred from carriages or bogeys onto elevator car frames in a lateral direction, which is perpendicular to the motion of the cab on a carriage or bogey, or in a longitudinal direction which is the same as the direction of motion of a cab on a carriage or bogey. The horizontal/vertical control and transfer may be effected in response to the arrival at transport floors of elevators having cabs therein, or in response to the arrival at an elevator of a bogey carrying a cab which must be transported between a transport floor on one level of a building and a transport floor on another level of a building, in order to serve the need of a car call registered therein or a hall call.

Abstract: A method of operating a double deck elevator system when the trailing elevator deck (26,28) is empty, whereby the leading deck answers all registered hall calls except upon the occurrence of certain conditions.

Abstract: An elevator system has a plurality of elevator cars traveling upwardly in one hoistway and downwardly in an adjacent hoistway, the cars being propelled in a series of overlapping segments, each segment including a pair of couplers roped to counterweights and driven by elevator traction machines. A variant uses a closed loop rope with a pair of couplers to transfer elevator cars from a counterweighted coupler of one segment to a counterweighted coupler of an adjacent segment. An upper passenger landing moves cars on overhead trolleys and a lower passenger landing moves cars on dollies to take them from a hoistway through unloading and loading stations and back to another hoistway. The elevator car roller guides are releasable to permit lateral movement of cars to and from landings. A latched spring buffer and/or a LEM decelerate and accelerate unbalanced counterweights.

Abstract: A first slidable auxiliary pinion (58a) on the bottom of a horizontally moveable elevator cab A (FIGS. 2-6) disposed on a car frame (14) or a landing is moved out from under the cab toward another car frame (13) or landing by means of a motorized pinion (56) until it engages a motorized pinion (57) on the adjacent car frame (13) or landing, which then pulls the auxiliary pinion and the entire cab toward the other car frame or landing until a main rack (45) fixed to the bottom of the cab engages a motorized pinion (34) on the other car frame (13) or landing, which pinion then pulls the entire cab onto the other car frame or landing. The auxiliary racks (58a, 58b) may be mounted on a common auxiliary rack member (58), or may be separate. The auxiliary motorized pinions (55, 56, 57) may be bidirectional, or may be; and auxiliary pinions (32C, 33C, 34C) may be; mounted on the same shaft with main pinions (32b, 33b, 34b).

Abstract: A plurality of express shuttle elevators S1-S4 exchange elevator cabs at a transfer floor 26 with local elevators L1-L10 by means of a carriage 107, the casters of which 93 are guided by tracks 70-83. The transfer floor has linear induction motor (LIM) primary segments 60-67 disposed on the transfer floor; the carriage has a LIM secondary 128 thereon for propulsion. The carriages can be locked 91, 92 to the transfer floor for loading, and cabs can be locked 131 onto the carriages for stability when being moved. A controller (FIGS. 10-13) keeps track of the progress of the cabs from one elevator to another.