Includes Linking Support Cable (e.g., Rope, Chain) In Drive-means Patents (Class 187/251)
  • Publication number: 20100038182
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator apparatus with no machine room, including a drive unit (8) which actuates a drive and suspension element (5) in order to move a car between two car guides (3a, 3b) and a counterweight (2) between two counterweight guides (4a, 4b) in the elevator shaft, in which the plane formed by the two car guides (3a, 3b) is perpendicular to the plane formed by the counterweight guides (4a, 4b). A free space P? in which the elevator handling, control and safety elements can be housed occupies approximately 40 to 60% of the upper part of the shaft corresponding to the upper vertical projection of the volume corresponding to the path of the counterweight. The remaining space contains the entire drive unit and the means for attaching said unit, including means for attaching the ends of the cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ORONA, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Inaki Aranburu Agirre, Miguel Encabo Elizondo, Miguel Angel Madoz Michaus, Esteban Santiago Los Arcos
  • Patent number: 7661514
    Abstract: An elevator belt for an elevator installation includes a belt body in which a tensile carrier arrangement with several tensile carriers for transmission of a tension force in a longitudinal direction of the elevator belt is arranged. A profile body which spaces these tensile carriers from one another is arranged between adjacent tensile carriers of the tensile carrier arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Ernst Ach
  • Publication number: 20100018810
    Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a car and a counterweight are raised/lowered by hoisting machines. Each of those hoisting machines includes a drive sheave and a hoisting machine body, the hoisting machine body including an electric motor for rotating the drive sheave and a hoisting machine brake for braking rotation of the drive sheave. At least one of the car and the counterweight includes a raised/lowered body-mounted brake device for stopping the car as an emergency measure on a condition different from a condition set for a safety gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yumura, Takaharu Ueda
  • Publication number: 20100018809
    Abstract: An elevator arrangement, comprising at least one elevator shaft, a working platform, elevator car or equivalent arranged to move in the elevator shaft, a power source for moving the said working platform or equivalent e.g. by means of ropes, chains, belts or equivalent, characterized in that the vertical range of movement of the said working platform or equivalent in the elevator shaft has been temporarily delimited in such manner that its movement can only take place in a section of the elevator shaft, by means of a structure (1), preferably a beam, which is mounted in the elevator shaft in the path of the said working platform, elevator car or equivalent, said structure (1) being fitted in the elevator shaft below the said working platform, elevator car or equivalent at a distance from the bottom of the elevator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Zhizhong Yan
  • Publication number: 20100000823
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling a vertically extending member includes a device (22) having a stop member (34) and a speed control member (36) for controlling movement of the vertically extending member such as an elevator load bearing member (32) during a roping procedure. In a disclosed example, the stop member (34) is biased into a stop position where the vertically extending member (32) is locked between a brake pad (60) and a guiding member (54) so that the vertically extending member (32) cannot move relative to the device (22). An example input member for moving the stop member (34) out of the stop position comprises a foot pedal (70) that can be manipulated to control a position of the stop member (34). Absent manual manipulation of the input member, the stop member (34) prevents movement of the vertically extending member (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Valery Sheynkman, Richard S. Blackelock, Troy R. Chicoine, Douglas B. LaBrecque, Craig A. Buckley, William J. Derwin
  • Publication number: 20090314585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension and traction element (1, 1?, 1?) incorporating two parts. A first part (2) is formed by at least one coated rope (3) or at least one coated belt (20) covered with thermoplastic material, forming a traction and contact sector on the traction sheave (10) and on the deflector sheaves (13, 14), and having connecting parts (4, 4?) on which the respective ends of the coated ropes (3) or coated belts (20) are fixed and clustered. It also has at least one second part (5) forming a support sector which does not contact with the traction sheave (10) or with the deflector sheaves (13, 14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ORONA S. COOP.
    Inventors: Inaki Aranburu Agirre, Miguel Encabo Elizondo, Miguel Angel Madoz Michaus
  • Patent number: 7610994
    Abstract: A compensating cable adapted to attach to an elevator car is provided, wherein the compensating cable includes two portions connected by an arcuate portion. The arcuate portion of the compensating cable defines a loop having an extended diameter such that the compensating cable is capable of attaching to a centerline of the elevator car. Thus, the weight force exerted by the compensating cable on the elevator car may be localized about the centerline such that the elevator car is substantially balanced about the centerline while in operation. In some instances, the compensating cable includes a selected structure and materials suitable for forming an arcuate portion having a suitable loop diameter for attaching the compensating cable to the centerline of the elevator car. An associated system and method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Draka Elevator Products
    Inventor: Dillard Hairston Green
  • Publication number: 20090218174
    Abstract: The lift pedestal is used to raise and lower a television or video monitor between a retracted storage position and an extended viewing position. The lift pedestal can be used as a stand alone support device or incorporated into cabinetry or a furniture enclosure. The lift pedestal includes a stationary back plate and an extensible support plate to which the television or video monitor is mounted. A pair of cabinetry drawer slides allow vertical translational movement of the support plate relative to the back plate between the retracted storage position and the extended viewing position. The drawer slides are mounted between angled sides of the back plate and support plate. The lift pedestal is actuated by a gas prop mounted to a third drawer slide. A cable and pulley operate in conjunction with the gas prop to increase the effective travel of the gas prop piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Stewart E. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20090166131
    Abstract: A pit platform (10) within a pit (11) located in a floor, having a deck (12) that can be raised and lowered by a lifting means (14) between a raised position in which the deck is substantially level with the floor and a second position in which the deck is beneath the level of the floor. The deck is supported by a plurality of cables (18) controlled by the lifting means to effect substantially vertical movement of the deck within the pit. A method of moving the deck between the raised and second positions is also described. The pit platform has particular application to a workshop, enabling workers standing on the platform to position themselves at a comfortable height below a vehicle that is being worked upon. In the raised position the platform provides a safety cover for the pit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Hew Cosmo McDonald
  • Patent number: 7533762
    Abstract: A lift has a lift cage movable in a lift shaft and is connected with a counterweight by means of at least one support means. The lift cage or counterweight moves by means of at least one drive means separate from the support means. One end of the drive means engages the upper end of the counterweight, is guided by way of a drive pulley and by way of a deflecting roller, and engages at its other end with the lower end of the counterweight. A drive unit drives the drive pulley. The drive means consists of a drive part and a tension part of different characteristics, wherein the drive and tension parts are connected by means of a drive means connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Kuttel, Danilo Peric
  • Publication number: 20090120724
    Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (26). Counterweights (24, 34) are associated with the respective elevator cars (22, 32) by load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, different roping ratios are used for the load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, the lengths of the load bearing members (40, 50) are selected to allow contact between the counterweights (24, 34) within the hoistway (26) and prevent contact between the elevator cars (22, 32). The difference in car and counterweight separation distances is greater than a stroke of a counterweight buffer plus an expected dynamic jump of the elevator cars. A disclosed example includes passages (80) through a portion of at least one of the elevator cars (22) for accommodating the load bearing member (50) of another elevator car (32) located beneath the elevator car (22) with the passages (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Harold Terry, Frank M. Sansevero, Boris Traktovenko, John Milton-Benoit, David Sirag, Arthur Hsu, John Ferrisi
  • Patent number: 7484596
    Abstract: An elevator without counterweight, in which elevator the elevator car is guided by guide rails and suspended by means of diverting pulleys on hoisting ropes so that the elevator has rope portions of the hoisting ropes going upwards and downwards from the elevator car and a number of diverting pulleys in the upper and lower parts of the elevator shaft. The elevator has a drive machine placed in the elevator shaft and provided with a traction sheave. The elevator has a compensating device acting on the hoisting ropes for equalizing and/or compensating the rope tension and/or rope elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Patent number: 7469774
    Abstract: A belt end connection for fastening a support belt end in an elevator installation and a method for protecting and checking a belt end connection in an elevator installation includes a twisting prevention device that prevents twisting of the belt end connection about the longitudinal axis thereof. A wedge retains the support belt end in a wedge pocket and is secured by a loss prevention device against slipping out of the wedge pocket. The twisting prevention device and/or the loss prevention enable efficient protection of the support belt and/or of the belt end connection against damage and make possible efficient checking and control of the belt end connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Ernst Ach
  • Patent number: 7461721
    Abstract: An elevator hoisting rope set (3) suspends a counterweight (2) and an elevator car (1). The elevator has one or more rope pulleys provided with rope grooves, one of said rope pulleys being a traction sheave (7) that moves the hoisting ropes (3). At least the traction sheave (7) has against the hoisting rope (3) a coating adhesively attached to it and increasing the coefficient of friction. At least the traction sheave (7) and the hoisting ropes (3) together form a material pair in which the hoisting ropes (3) bite into the traction sheave (7), maintaining a grip sufficient for the operation of the elevator even in an exceptional situation where the coating (102) increasing the coefficient of friction on the surface of the traction sheave (7) is lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Publication number: 20080277206
    Abstract: A load bearing member (22) useful in an elevator system (10) includes at least one elongated tension member (36), a conversion coating (46) on the elongated tension member (36), and a polymer jacket (34) at least partially surrounding the coated elongated tension member (36). In one example, the conversion coating (46) includes at least one of an oxide, a phosphate, or a chromate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: William A. Veronesi, Mark R. Jaworowski, Hugh J. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20080190706
    Abstract: A portable elevator climbing system removably attachable to a cantilevered overhang on an adjacent structure, whereby an elevator car travels up and down a plurality of roller chains. The roller chains are engaged with sprockets and guide rollers attached to an axle driven by a motor. The orientation and alignment of the sprockets, guide rollers and roller chains provide for a stable elevator car and for a system free of backlash in both directions. The elevator climbing system includes a dampening assembly to control the rate of decent in the event of transmission, motor or other failure. The elevator climbing system may be controlled so that the start and stop of the motor is coordinated with the release and application of a braking assembly. The efficiency of the elevator climbing system may be varied by adjusting the offset between the sprockets and the guide rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Samuel H. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20080149430
    Abstract: A synthetic fiber rope can be used to the limit of failure by setting a sensitivity of detection of the state of wear of the rope. Strands of the rope have indicator fibers or indicator yarn that have a high probability of losing electrical conductivity and thereby indicate a worn cable. The indicator yarn consists of indicator fibers and of synthetic fibers, the indicator yarn fibers being inferior in relation to stress than the synthetic fibers of the strands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Claudio De Angelis
  • Patent number: 7383924
    Abstract: Rubber vibration isolators are held between a base frame supporting a driving device and an upper deflecting sheave, and a support connected to car guide rails and a counterweight guide rail. The rubber vibration isolators are held between a horizontal member and vertical members of a support frame supporting lower deflecting sheaves. Transmission of vibrations generated by the driving device, the upper deflecting sheave, and the lower deflecting sheaves to the side walls of an elevator shaft can be intercepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Izumi, Kan Kawasaki, Ikuo Asami, Takashi Ishii, Takanori Urata, Shun Fujimura, Masayuki Higashi, Masahiro Kuramitsu
  • Publication number: 20080105496
    Abstract: A belt device for driving an elevator is provided, the rest retaining capability of which is improved in order to retain the stopped state of an elevator cage if oil or water adheres to between a belt and a pulley. In the belt device for driving an elevator in which a belt 4 is stretched over a plurality of pulleys 1, 2, and 3, and the belt 4 is rotated by the rotations of the pulleys 1, 2, and 3, wherein the coefficient of friction of a contact surface with at least a driving pulley in the belt 4 is set to 0.6 to 3.0, and the contact surface is constructed of a rubber having a hardness (IRHD) of 65 to 95, and a wear resistance of 5 to 300 mm3 in Taber wear (ISO547-1-1999, under conditions: a wear ring of H18; a load of 1 kg; and 1000 rpm).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yuasa, Yasunori Ishikiriyama, Atsuhito Wake
  • Patent number: 7296662
    Abstract: A passenger flow arrangement for use in moving passengers between two floors in elevator-like cabs allow the passenger to continue to face in a forward direction and exit the vehicle after having entered in the forward direction. In one aspect of this invention, a cab door on one side of the cab opens at a first of the floors, and a door on an opposed side of the cab opens at a second of the floors. In other arrangements, there are cab doors at each side of the cab, and one of the cab doors opens as an entrance door while the other opens as an exit door. Appropriate signals such as signs or door opening timing prompt the passengers to face and move in the appropriate directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Richard N. Fargo
  • Patent number: 7232011
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: René Strebel, René Hoffmann, Urs Schaffhauser
  • Patent number: 7225901
    Abstract: An elevator, preferably an elevator without machine room, in which the hoisting machine (10) engages the hoisting ropes (3) by means of a traction sheave (11), the elevator car (1) being at least partially supported by the hoisting ropes serving as a means of moving the elevator car (1). The elevator car is suspended on the hoisting ropes (3) by means of at least one diverting pulley (13,14) from whose rim the hoisting ropes go upwards from both sides and at least one diverting pulley (7,5) from whose rim the hoisting ropes go downwards from both sides of the diverting pulley. The traction sheave (11) engages the rope portion between these diverting pulleys (13,5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 7222697
    Abstract: An elevator is described, comprising a first series connected pulley set installed in a fixing frame, a carriage located below the first series connected pulley set, a second series connected pulley set installed on the top of the carriage, a rotary wheel installed in the carriage and a steel rope. The steel rope connects the first series connected pulley set, the second series connected pulley set and the rotary wheel, so that the gravity load of one pulley set can belowered to decrease the pulling force of the steel rope to enhance the safety of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 7207421
    Abstract: An elevator in which the elevator car is suspended by means of hoisting ropes consisting of a single rope or several parallel ropes, said elevator having a traction sheave which moves the elevator car by means of the hoisting ropes. The elevator has rope portions of the hoisting ropes going upwards and downwards from the elevator car, and the rope portions going upwards from the elevator car are under a first rope tension (T1) which is greater than a second rope tension (T2), which is the rope tension of the rope portions going downwards from the elevator car, and that the elevator comprises a compensating system for keeping the ratio (T1/T2) between the first and the second rope tensions substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Patent number: 7207420
    Abstract: An elevator installation has a support device engaging a driven drive pulley for driving an elevator car. The support device loops around the drive pulley at least partly and has a safety section which is so arranged that the safety section interacts with the drive pulley when the elevator car or a counterweight after overrunning an upper position approaches an upper shaft end. The safety section is formed in such a manner that a slipping through results due to the interaction between the drive pulley and the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Ernst Ach
  • Patent number: 7156209
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes an elevator car located in a hoistway and having a floor, and a rear wall extending upward from the floor. A counterweight is located in the hoistway adjacent to the rear wall of the elevator car. An underslung sheave assembly is located generally below the floor and preferably forms a V-shaped configuration that operatively engages the elevator car. A drive machine is mounted in the upper portion of the hoistway, and a drive sheave operatively engages the drive machine and is located above the counterweight, with the drive sheave having a front edge. A deflector sheave is also mounted in the upper part of the hoistway generally below the drive sheave and has a rear edge that vertically overlaps with the front edge of the drive sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Koeppe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7137483
    Abstract: An elevator in which the sheave diameter is reduced and the attendant lowering of the rope life and strength is suppressed to secure safety and reliability. To this end, a rope is used in which a plurality of element wires constituting the wire rope are each covered with resin material and the whole wire rope is covered with resin material, thereby reducing the wear due to slippage between the element wires and the wear due to contact with the sheave, which wear occurs when the rope is entrained around the sheave. When the elevator sheave diameter is reduced, a worried lowering of the rope life can be suppressed or the rope life can be improved. Thus, it is possible to achieve reduction of size and weight of equipment including motors and hoists, installation space saving for elevators, improved safety and reliability of the system by virtue of the increased rope life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Kato, Takashi Teramoto, Hiromi Inaba, Hiroshi Nagase, Ichiro Nakamura, Yuuji Yoshitomi
  • Patent number: 7117978
    Abstract: A dampening device for a compensating cable operably engaged with an elevator car is provided, wherein the compensating cable includes two linear portions connected by an arcuate portion. A first guide including at least one roller member is disposed within the arcuate portion and is configured to dampen oscillation of the compensating cable. At least one sensor device is disposed within the arcuate portion and is capable of operably engaging at least one of the compensating cable and the at least one roller member to sense an entanglement condition of the compensating cable. In some instances, at least one sensor device is disposed outside the arcuate portion, in addition to or instead of the at least one sensor within the arcuate portion, and capable of operably engaging the compensating cable to sense a suspension rope stretch condition. An associated system and method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Draka Elevator Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Didier Kaczmarek, Billy Roy Parker, Geoffrey Todd Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7083026
    Abstract: An engine frame and counter-roller support assembly provides for adjustable positioning of the support with respect to the engine frame, thus allowing differing cable-line spacing to be accommodated. The support includes a pair of carrier elements. The counter-roller is supported on an axle in the bore holes of the carrier elements. The carrier elements are identical and each are in the form of a plate with a headliner and reinforcement ribs. The headliner has a contact surface with a number of two-stage bore-holes which serve for the fastening of the counter-roller support to the engine frame. The bore-holes are arranged such that the counter-roller support can be fastened in different positions, according to the required cable-line spacing between cab cables and counterweight cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Andrzej Cholinski, Heinrich KĂĽttel
  • Patent number: 7077241
    Abstract: In an elevator installation with an elevator car and a counterweight suspended and driven by several flat-belt-type suspension devices arranged in parallel, the suspension devices are arranged in parallel vertical planes that run diagonal to main horizontal axes of the counterweight and/or of the elevator car. Mounted on the counterweight and on the elevator car are suspension-sheave systems of which at least one comprises several suspension-sheave units which each have one suspension sheave and are arranged adjacent to each other, the suspension-sheave units being fastened to the counterweight and/or to the elevator car in such manner that the axles of the suspension sheaves are essentially horizontal and each are swivelable about one associated vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Christoph Liebetrau, Alban Meier
  • Patent number: 7040456
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a roller arrangement and a belt for supporting an elevator car. The roller arrangement has two rollers with approximately parallel axes of rotation and structured circumferential surfaces engaging a complementary structured surface of the belt. The structured surfaces have alternating ribs and grooves. The belt is twisted about its longitudinal axis between the two rollers to keep the structured surfaces in contact and forms an under-looping for support of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Ernst Ach, Erich BĂĽtler
  • Patent number: 7019421
    Abstract: A linear motor system including compartmentalized stator sections provides an interchangeable and serviceable alternative to other linear motors. The stator sections may be individually-energized so that power is only sent to stator sections adjacent to the thrust plate or rotor of the linear motor. A sufficiently long thrust plate is used to cover any gaps in the linear stator, and additional compensation stator sections are used to provide additional motor force to the thrust plate adjacent to these gap sections. If utilized onboard a ship, additional compensation stator sections may be incorporated into the face of deck hatches. The linear motor system can also be used to counteract gravitational effects in a large hanging door system implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Electro-Mechanical Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Hall, Thomas A. Lemak, Regis J. Hillenbrand
  • Patent number: 6860367
    Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator hoistway defined in a surrounding structure, such as a building. An elevator car and counterweight are located in the hoistway. A drive motor and associated drive sheave are disposed at a bottom portion of the hoistway. The drive motor is coupled to the elevator car and the counterweight via at least one flat rope for moving the elevator car upwardly and downwardly along the hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Richard J. Ericson
  • Patent number: 6779634
    Abstract: An elevating system is provided that includes a platform that may travel up and down a tower through the use of a pair of cables, pulleys mounted at the top of the tower and a low profile motor mounted near the bottom of the tower to selectively raise and lower the platform by winding and unwinding of the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Wayne M. Slagle
  • Patent number: 6776263
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an elevator system for the vertical transport of payloads in an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: ESW-Extel Systems Wedel Gesellschaft fuer Austruestung mbH
    Inventors: Stephan Gottlieb, Joachim Schmidt, Adolf Schreger
  • Patent number: 6742627
    Abstract: A traction arrangement for propelling an elevator cab within an elevator system includes a traction device. The traction device applies a load normal to a driving sheave that biases the elevator rope or belt against the sheave. The tension device preferably includes a plurality of rolling members that move about their axes responsive to relative movement between the driving sheave and the rope or belt. A traction belt rides upon the rolling members and the traction belt engages the rope or belt to bias it against the driving sheave with a preferably distributed force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Slawomir Drabot, Michael Flynn, Simon Shang
  • Patent number: 6739433
    Abstract: A tension member for an elevator system has an aspect ratio of greater than one, where aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of tension member width w to thickness t (w/t). The increase in aspect ratio results in a reduction in the maximum rope pressure and an increased flexibility as compared to conventional elevator ropes. As a result, smaller sheaves may be used with this type of tension member. In a particular embodiment, the tension member includes a plurality of individual load carrying cords encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual cords and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20040050627
    Abstract: The invention provides an elevator apparatus comprising a cage 1 disposed inside a path of upward or downward movement vertically movably, a counterweight 2 vertically movable with the upward or downward movement of the cage 1, and a lift drive mechanism for driving the cage 1 upward or downward. The drive mechanism comprises a sheave 42 disposed inside the path, ropes 3 extending along a route around the sheave 42, and a drive device 5 in engagement with the ropes 3. The drive device 5 comprises a belt transmission provided alongside the ropes 3 and revolvingly movable along the rope extension route, a mechanism for pressing a belt surface of the belt transmission into contact with the ropes 3, and a drive motor for driving the belt transmission. The cage can be driven upward or downward without using any traction sheave, while the cage can be reduced in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Asano, Yosuke Goda, Kenichi Yamamoto, Mamoru Harada
  • Publication number: 20040026178
    Abstract: An inner layer rope has a plurality of inner layer strands, in which a plurality of steel wires are twisted together, with an elevator rope for suspending a car of an elevator apparatus. An inner layer cladding made of a resin covers a periphery of the inner layer rope. An outer layer is formed on a peripheral portion of the inner layer cladding. The outer layer has a plurality of outer layer strands in which a plurality of steel wires are twisted together. An outer layer cladding made of a high-friction resin material covers the periphery of the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Takenobu Honda
  • Publication number: 20040020726
    Abstract: An emergency moving device of an elevator includes a reduction gear fixed on top of the car, several first gears coupled to a shaft of the reduction gear, a first connector releasably coupled to the car, a second connector affixed to the car and releasably coupled to the first connector, a fall-prevention device releasably coupling the first connector to the second connector, and chains respectively connected to the first connector and engaging the first gears; the first connector is coupled to steel ropes of the elevator used for vertically displacing the car member; when the car is stopped between floors by a power failure, the passengers press an emergency button to make the fall-prevention device uncouple the first connector from the second connector so that the car is allowed to move down relative to the first connector until it arrives at a next floor with the reduction gear reducing speed of the car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Yung-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 6668679
    Abstract: A tensioning cable actuator has a housing with a nut held in the housing. The nut has threads which engage a lead screw that has corresponding threads. A pulley cradle is fixed to the lead screw. The pulley cradle is disposed within the housing to translate axially with the lead screw upon rotation of the nut. A pulley is disposed in the pulley cradle. A Bowden cable wire wraps around the pulley and is anchored to the housing so that the wire moves into or out of the Bowden cable sleeve twice far as the lead screw moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Robert McMillen
  • Publication number: 20030183458
    Abstract: A counterweight and an elevator car are suspended on a set of hoisting ropes. The elevator comprises one or more rope pulleys provided with rope grooves, one of said pulleys being a traction sheave driven by a drive machine and moving the set of hoisting ropes. At least one of the rope pulleys has against the hoisting rope a coating adhesively bonded to the rope pulley and containing the rope grooves, said coating having an elasticity that is greater in the edge portions of the rope groove than at the bottom of the rope groove. In a preferred solution, the traction sheave is a rope pulley like this.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 6626266
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a cage hoisted by a rope; a counter weight hoisted by the rope; a traction machine in the elevator shaft and higher than a cage stopping position at the uppermost floor, having a driving sheave around which the rope is passed, and a motor for driving the driving sheave to move the cage and the counter weight in the elevator shaft in accordance with the driving of the driving sheave; and a deflector wheel with upper and lower ends lower and higher, respectively, than ends of the traction machine, spaced from the traction machine, in plan, and wound partially with the rope, the rope extending upward in the elevator shaft from the counter weight, passing around the deflector wheel and driving sheave, and extending downward to the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Syuki Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6619433
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway having a vertically adjacent structural platform, i.e., a roof slab or pit slab, that includes a recess, and a machine that fits within the recess. The vertically adjacent structural platform defines either the ceiling or floor of the hoistway. As a result of having the machine tucked into the recess in the hoistway, the machine is removed from the hoistway and the hoistway need not be expanded, either horizontally or vertically, to accommodate the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Olivier Robert, Leandre Adifon
  • Publication number: 20030146055
    Abstract: The invention provides a ramp system for transporting objects from a lower site to an upper site and vice versa while keeping the object in a generally horizontal, or upright, orientation when the object is moved up a variable incline. Two rails are provided between the upper and lower site, and a carriage is provided with wheels to allow it to move along the rails. A plurality of cables extend from the carriage to the upper site and to the lower site, the cables passing through pulleys affixed to the carriage, in an arrangement which causes the front portion of the carriage to be cantilevered over the rails, thus keeping a horizontal orientation notwithstanding the incline of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented in a marine environment between a floating dock and a fixed pier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Hill
  • Patent number: 6520295
    Abstract: A piston-type passenger conveying system includes at least three cabs to move between two floors. A control moves the cabs such that a cab is always waiting at each of said floors, and another cab is always moving to a floor. In this way, the system achieves the passenger flow benefits of an escalator with the inherent benefits of an elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Frank Sansevero, Gordon D. Row, Gregg Draudt, Jared Judson, Daniel E. Rush, Richard N. Fargo
  • Publication number: 20030024770
    Abstract: A roping or belt assembly in an elevator system includes at least one load bearing member that is covered using a urethane coating. The urethane coating does not contain any waxes. The absence of the waxes, which are otherwise typically included in urethane coatings, ensures better friction characteristics in elevator system operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hugh James O'donnell, John Peter Wesson, Christoph Denger, David E. McKee
  • Patent number: 6488124
    Abstract: In an elevator, a driving unit is installed at the top of an elevator shaft above a counterweight. Traction sheaves engage with ropes and are rotated by the driving device. These traction sheaves are positioned close to wall surfaces of the elevator shaft, that are adjacent to its wall surface facing the counterweight. The traction sheaves are also positioned outside the horizontally projected plane of a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kunio Yasuda, Yoshiaki Fujita, Kosei Kamimura, Ikuo Asami, Yasuyuki Wagatsuma, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Tadashi Munakata, Shin Murakami, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Takeshi Miyata, Mitsuo Hayase
  • Patent number: 6488123
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and installing multiple flat tension members in an elevator system where the direction of manufacture is determined for each of the flat tension members. Each member is marked to indicate the direction of manufacture. The belts are then installed in an elevator system by aligning the belts in accordance with the marks such that each belt is aligned in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John T. Pitts, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Hubert E. Göser
  • Patent number: 6481535
    Abstract: An algorithm dispatches a series of cabs in a passenger conveying system of the type wherein there are at least four cabs moving between two floors. One cab is positioned at each floor at all times, and a cab is moving to each floor at all times. A control monitors the actual position of the cab, and compares the actual position to a desired position. If the desired and actual positions differ, then the control modifies a cycle time for at least some of the cabs to move the cabs closer to the desired position. In one embodiment, the four cabs are provided in two sets of paired cabs. The paired cabs move in direct opposition to each other. Preferably, the correction in the monitored/desired position of the cabs is made by changing the time period for which the doors are held open when the cabs are at a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Frank Sansevero