And Rotatably Driven Drum Pulling Thereon Patents (Class 187/254)
  • Patent number: 6371248
    Abstract: A drive unit has a traction sheave mounted on an end of a drive shaft supported by a bearing that is mounted on an extension of a bearing plate that is part of the motor casing. The traction sheave has an extension that serves as a brake drum. Mounted between the traction sheave and the casing, the brake drum together with first brake arms, second brake arms, first electromagnets, second electromagnets, first compression springs and second compression springs form the braking device of the drive unit. On a top of the bearing plate is a first arm linkage and at the bottom of the bearing plate is a second arm linkage. The force of the first compression spring is transmitted to the brake drum by the first brake arm, the required friction force on the brake drum being generated by a first brake lining mounted on a first brake shoe. The friction force on the second half of the brake is generated analogously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Andrzej Cholinski
  • Patent number: 6371247
    Abstract: A lift assembly includes first and second elevator structures, each including a first scissors section, a second scissors section pivotally connected to the first scissors section and supporting a lift shaft which extends between the first and second structures, at least one intermediate scissors section pivotally connected to the second scissors section, and an upper scissors section pivotally connected to an uppermost of the intermediate scissors sections and supporting a top bar. First and second side plates upstand adjacent the first and second structures, each having therein an elongated slot, the lift shaft being disposed in the slots. A lower pulley is mounted proximate each of the base bars on a common drive shaft. An upper pulley is mounted proximate an upper end of each of the side plates. A strand extends from each of the lower pulleys to each of the upper pulleys, and thence to the lift shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William H. Nedderman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020040830
    Abstract: When a conventional machine roomless elevator system is formed by providing a traction machine between a passage for a cage and an inner surface of an elevator shaft, it becomes necessary that a cross-sectional area of the elevator shaft be increased in accordance with an increase in the sizes of the traction machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Syuki Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6364061
    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 ropes encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual ropes and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Karl M. Prewo
  • Patent number: 6364063
    Abstract: Elevator rope arrangement in which the elevator car and counterweight, travelling along guide rails in an elevator shaft, are supported by suspension ropes, which are attached to the top part of the elevator car and passed via at least one diverting pulley to the counterweight. Separate hoisting ropes are attached to the lower part of the elevator car and passed to lower part of the counterweight via at least one diverting pulley. The hoisting rope is a substantially thin rope made of synthetic fiber and having a sheath of plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Simo Mäkimattila
  • Patent number: 6361131
    Abstract: A linear actuator for a platform having a frame with an open end and a platform moveable within the frame, said platform driven by a motor powered axle mounted traversely to the platform. The platform is driven by a drive system powered by the motor driven axle and generally having a pair of fixed pitch independent devices, such as chains, each chain mounted at each of its ends to the frame and aligned with the platform's axis of travel, a double drive sprocket adjacent an end of the axle, a pair of double idler pulleys aligned substantially with a chain, a pair of single idler pulleys aligned substantially with the other chain. Each chain is routed through the double drive sprocket and one chain routes through the double idler pulley, while the other chain routes trough the both the double idler pulleys and the pair of single idler pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Edward S. Powell, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020029935
    Abstract: An elevator with an elevator cage guided in a shaft between a shaft head and a shaft pit, having an elevator cage roof and an elevator cage base and a drive, which is connected by at least one hauling cable with the elevator cage, whereby in particular for performing maintenance work the elevator cage roof is designed to be accessible, whereby the drive is arranged at least partly in the shaft head over a first region of the elevator cage roof and the accessibility of the elevator cage roof is restricted to a second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: GUNTER REUTER, HANS FERDINAND FRHR. V. SCHOLLEY, HANS UNTERGASSER, JURGEN SCHULZ, GUNTHER BLICKLE, HARTMUT WEINMANN
  • Publication number: 20020023805
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a mounting device that facilitates more readily installing guide rails within a hoistway and supporting the elevator cab and counterweight on the same rails. A plurality of mounting devices are used along the length of the hoistway. Each mounting device includes a first mounting bracket that preferably is secured directly to a selected wall within the hoistway. A second mounting bracket is secured to the first mounting bracket. The position of the second mounting bracket relative to the first is selectively adjusted. The second mounting bracket includes support portions for supporting the guide rails within the hoistway. The support portions on the second bracket have a fixed distance between them to facilitate maintaining an accurate distance between the guide rails throughout the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Barry Blackaby, William Alfred Wurts
  • Publication number: 20020017434
    Abstract: In a traction sheave elevator, the elevator car is suspended on hoisting ropes by means of a diverting pulley. The diverting pulley used to suspend the elevator car on the hoisting ropes is mounted on one side of the elevator car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Jaakko Orrman, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Publication number: 20020000347
    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 ropes encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual ropes and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Karl M. Prewo
  • Publication number: 20020000346
    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 ropes encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual ropes and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: PEDRO S. BARANDA, ARY O. MELLO, HUGH J. O'DONNELL, KARL M. PREWO
  • Publication number: 20010045326
    Abstract: An elevator system for the vertical transport of payloads in an aircraft is disclosed. The arrangement of the elevator system provides for the vertical transport of payloads in an aircraft which permits low-noise, reliably operating conveying between different levels of the aircraft and reliable stopping in the loading and unloading positions. The arrangement is characterized by low maintenance and low weight, in that the drive system has at least one closed belt for driving and for receiving the load of the elevator cabin, which belt is guided at either end of the mast on deflection rolls and has, between the deflection rolls, at least one freely accessible belt portion oriented parallel to the mast for fastening the elevator cabin and for the movement of the elevator cabin along the mast. The deflection rolls and the belt are provided with teeth which are adapted to one another and the belt is pretensioned in a defined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Stephan Gottlieb, Joachim Schmidt, Adolf Schreger
  • Patent number: 6318504
    Abstract: A synthetic fiber rope having load-bearing aramide fiber strands laid together in parallel in concentric layers of strands and an intersheath with sheath surfaces adapted to the external contours of the adjacent layers of strands. By positively bonding the inner and outer layers of strands a higher torsional rigidity is achieved as well as a rope structure of the stranded rope which is less susceptible to twisting. Furthermore, the elastic intersheath between the layers of stands serves to protect the strands against abrasion and assists in transmitting torque within the rope over a large area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Claudio De Angelis
  • Patent number: 6305499
    Abstract: An elevator system (10) includes an elevator car (18) supported for vertical movement on a belt (16) having an end fixed to the hoistway (26) and the other end wound about a drum (32) of a drum drive (12). When the belt (16) is wound or unwound about the drum (32), the elevator car (18) is raised or lowered, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: David W. Jones, Yuji Kanzaki, Tadaaki Nabetani, Toshimitsu Mori, Shusaku Shibasaki, Yasuhisa Shioda, Hiroaki Tateno
  • Patent number: 6302239
    Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a hoisting machine having a drum is disposed on a bottom portion of a hoistway. The hoisting machine is within a car projection region obtained by a projection of the car along the hoistway and a portion of the drum is disposed outside the car projection region. A return pulley around which a hoisting rope is wound is disposed between the car projection region and the hoistway wall with a rotary shaft perpendicular to the hoistway wall. At least a portion of the return pulley is located at a height between the hoistway wall and the car when the car is at an uppermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takenobu Honda
  • Publication number: 20010022253
    Abstract: An elevator, particularly a friction driven elevator, with a cage guided in an elevator shaft and with a driving motor with associated control cabinet. According to the invention, in case of need and to provide access to the driving motor and/or control cabinet, a closed power unit space is provided which can be temporarily set up in the elevator shaft, whereby the operation of the cage in both portions of the elevator shaft which are situated below or above the temporarily set up power unit space remains unaffected. In the region of the power unit disposed in the shaft, the control cabinet is disposed in the shaft alongside the path on which the cage travels and there is provided at least one plate which, in order to form a negotiable platform and/or a protective roof, can be moved into a horizontal position associated with the control cabinet. Advantageously, in normal operation of the elevator, the plate serves as a cover for the control cabinet and is rotatably articulated on the control cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: GUNTER REUTER, HANS FERDINAND FRHR. V. SCHOLLEY, EBERHARD VOGLER, HANS UNTERGASSER
  • Patent number: 6273216
    Abstract: An emergency release device for an elevator for persons that includes manually operable drive elements, by which the elevator cage can be moved by way of the elevator drive. The device further includes operating elements by which an operative connection with the elevator drive can be produced and the brake at the elevator drive released. A crank device, a flexible shaft and a switchable crown wheel gear transmission are present as drive elements. The switching or coupling in of the crown wheel gear transmission takes place via a handle with a toggle joint mechanism, a cable pull and an engaging fork. A handle for a remotely actuable brake release by way of a cable pull is present at the crank device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hans Kocher, Dietrich Wegener
  • Publication number: 20010009209
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus is provided with an elevator path having a restricted height. Under a roping ratio of 1:1, a thin driving unit having a traction sheave 1 and a driving mechanism 2 is positioned between an inner wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and a space occupied by an elevator car 4 rising and falling in the elevator path 3. One end of a suspension rope 7 is fixed to the elevator car 4 in a position below a ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4. With the arrangement, the car 4 can move close to the ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4 effectively. Further, it is possible to reduce respective heights of the elevator path 3 and a building equipped with the elevator apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Tadashi Munakata, Kosei Kamimura, Yasuyuki Wagatsuma, Hisao Yamamoto, Koji Yajima
  • Publication number: 20010009211
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus is provided with an elevator path having a restricted height. Under a roping ratio of 1:1, a thin driving unit having a traction sheave 1 and a driving mechanism 2 is positioned between an inner wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and a space occupied by an elevator car 4 rising and falling in the elevator path 3. One end of a suspension rope 7 is fixed to the elevator car 4 in a position below a ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4. With the arrangement, the car 4 can move close to the ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4 effectively. Further, it is possible to reduce respective heights of the elevator path 3 and a building equipped with the elevator apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Tadashi Munakata, Kosei Kamimura, Yasuyuki Wagatsuma, Hisao Yamamoto, Koji Yajima
  • Publication number: 20010009210
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus is provided with an elevator path having a restricted height. Under a roping ratio of 1:1, a thin driving unit having a traction sheave 1 and a driving mechanism 2 is positioned between an inner wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and a space occupied by an elevator car 4 rising and falling in the elevator path 3. One end of a suspension rope 7 is fixed to the elevator car 4 in a position below a ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4. With the arrangement, the car 4 can move close to the ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4 effectively. Further, it is possible to reduce respective heights of the elevator path 3 and a building equipped with the elevator apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Tadashi Munakata, Kosei Kamimura, Yasuyuki Wagatsuma, Hisao Yamamoto, Koji Yajima
  • Patent number: 6247557
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus including an elevator path having a restricted height. Under a roping ratio of 1:1, a thin driving unit having a traction sheave and a driving mechanism is positioned between an inner wall of the elevator path and a space occupied by an elevator car rising and falling in the elevator path. One end of a suspension rope is fixed to the elevator car in a position below a ceiling of the elevator car. With the arrangement, the car can move close to the ceiling of the elevator car effectively. Further, it is possible to reduce respective heights of the elevator path and a building equipped with the elevator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Tadashi Munakata, Kosei Kamimura, Yasuyuki Wagatsuma, Hisao Yamamoto, Koji Yajima
  • Patent number: 6241048
    Abstract: A storage platform and lift apparatus comprises a plurality of platforms; four cables; a plurality of elongated brace members; four elongated vertical members, each having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; and a drive axle. A pulley wheel is rotatably coupled to two vertical members, while the other two vertical members support a drive axle which contains the four cables. A plurality of brace members support the vertical members in an upright, stable position. Upper and lower gear assemblies, in combination with the four cables extending outwardly away from the drive axle and coupled to the platforms, provide means to raise and lower the platforms to any desired height for either short- and long-term storage of machinery, equipment, and the alike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph John Heilmann
  • Patent number: 6234740
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle cargo lift having a bed (9) having posts (10) parallel to each other extending from the bed (9), a support frame (2) having two opposed side frames forming a well therebetween to accommodate the bed (9), at least one hollow elongated member (7) located in each side frame, drive devices (8) to move the bed (9) between a raised transport position and a ground engaging loading positions such that the bed (9) retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between the transport position and the loading position with the hollow elongated members (7) being telescopically engaged with respective posts (10) of the bed (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Workman Industries Pty. Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Leonard George Page
  • Patent number: 6230844
    Abstract: An elevator drive for a rope traction elevator, which is intended for installation in an elevator hoistway, includes of a gear with a traction sheave, a motor in an upright position on top of the gear, a brake and suspension elements which are slung over the traction sheave and provide vertical motion for an elevator car with a counterweight. The motor and the gear are inclined at an angle to the vertical. With this slightly tilted arrangement no part of the motor extends beyond the horizontal boundary of the gear. Furthermore, the brake is a part of the gear and non-detachably fastened to it, which makes it possible to mount the motor on the gear, and to dismount it therefrom, without difficulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Carlos Latorre
  • Patent number: 6193018
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a counterweight-drive assembly (26) having a motor (32) and drive pulley (36) mounted internally to engage a drive belt (42) for climbing or descending with respect thereto, resulting in raising or lowering of an elevator car (12) coupled to said counterweight-drive assembly (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder-Brumloop, Jean Marc Ferrary, Armando Servia, Pascal Rebillard, Richard J. Ericson
  • Patent number: 6193016
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Samuel C. Wan, Guillaume Georges Bonatre
  • Patent number: 6148962
    Abstract: Traction sheave elevator consisting of an elevator car moving along elevator guide rails, a counterweight moving along counterweight guide rails, a set of hoisting ropes (3) on which the elevator car and counterweight are suspended, and a drive machine unit (6) driving a traction sheave (7) acting on the hoisting ropes (3) and placed in the elevator shaft. The drive machine unit (6) is of a flat construction. A wall of the elevator shaft is provided with a machine space with its open side facing towards the shaft, the essential parts of the drive machine unit (6) being placed in the space. The hoisting unit (9) of the traction sheave elevator consists of a substantially discoidal drive machine unit (6) and an instrument panel (8) mounted on the frame (20) of the hoisting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kone OY
    Inventors: Harri Hakala, Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 6105728
    Abstract: A handicapped duck blind elevator system for elevating/lowering handicapped individuals to and from a conventional duck blind structure. The inventive device includes a support frame that is mounted adjacent a conventional duck blind, a lift cage frame slidably retained within the support frame, a winch attached to the support frame for elevating/lowering the lift cage frame, and a boat ramp positioned within a conventional duck boat. A first ramp is provided within the lift cage frame for loading/unloading an individual within a wheelchair from the boat ramp into the floor of the lift cage frame. A second ramp is provided within the lift cage frame for unloading/loading an individual within a wheelchair from the conventional duck blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Bert L. Combs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6050366
    Abstract: A combined stairway and lift installation has a stairway which comprises a stack of horizontally movable step members whereby the stairway is retractable to expose a lift which is installed in a cavity which is covered by the stairway when the latter is extended. Uncovering of the lift allows it to be operated to raise its load carrying platform to the level of the top of the stairway. A chain is anchored by either end in the bottom step member. The chain is led from the anchorage up through the step members, alternately clockwise and counter clockwise around guide rollers mounted in each of the movable step members, clockwise around a guide roller and a motor-driven cog wheel in the top step member, and back down through the movable step members to the other anchorage again alternately clockwise and counter clockwise around further guide rollers mounted in each of the movable step members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hydraulic Technical Services (Consultants) Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles Thomas Lyons
  • Patent number: 6035974
    Abstract: A modular, prefabricated elevator includes column-like guide modules (10) extending between a foundation module (13) and a head module (2) and attached to a building by fastening modules (11), and an elevator car (5) that is connected by support cables (3) with counterweights (9) running in the guide modules (10). A stationary drive for the car (5) is in the form of one or two drive modules (12) combined with the head module (2) or with the foundation module (13) and integrated into the modular system in this manner. Through appropriate selection of the number of drive modules (12), the mode of suspension and the motor power, a wide range of use is covered with respect to conveying load and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Invento AG
    Inventors: Utz Richter, Christoph Liebetrau
  • Patent number: 5996742
    Abstract: The stator disc (11) of a disc motor type elevator machinery has a cuplike or ring-shaped annular cavity (20). The stator (9) is attached to one of the walls of the cavity. The traction sheave (4) is attached to the rotor disc (14) on the opposite side relative to the stator core packet (12) of stampings. The diameter of the traction sheave is smaller than that of the stator core packet (12). A sealing (24) is provided between at least one (22) of the cavity (20) walls and the rotor disc (14) to block the access of external particles into the rotor and stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Harri Hakala, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Patent number: 5982060
    Abstract: The stator disc (18) of the motor (2) of a disc motor type elevator machinery is s provided with an annular cavity (19a) in which the stator (9) is placed. The stator (9) is attached to one of the walls of the cavity. The rotor (13) is placed in a rotor disc (12). Between at least one (28a) of the walls of the cavity (19a) and the rotor disc (12) there is a sealing (26a) which seals the cavity so as to render it a closed space. The sealing blocks the entry of external particles into the rotor and stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Harri Hakala, Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 5957242
    Abstract: A machine frame with two side members at its ends comprises support arms, which are pivotably mounted in semi-circular cut-out bearing supports. The bearing supports may be arranged on differently high pedestals, which may result in different inclined positions for the machine frame with respect to a machine room floor. The inclined position may provide for a variable looping angle .beta. at the drive pulley and variable cable spacing between the cage cables and the counterweight cables. Furthermore, the deflecting roller may be mounted in laterally displaceable bearing plates. The deflecting roller may be inserted above or below a pair of side members. The position of the deflecting roller with respect to the side members may also have an effect on the looping angle .beta. and the cable spacing. The combination of these adjustment possibilities enables the substantially universally adaptability of the machine frame to different elevator systems and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Christian Suter, Jules Christen
  • Patent number: 5944144
    Abstract: A traction drive elevator system preferably comprises a pair of vertical tracks, a car, and at least one counterweight for supporting at least a portion of the weight of the car. A traction drive, which preferably includes a frame which is separate from the car, comprises two sets of drives, each including a large traction roller and a pair of smaller diameter counter rollers which are disposed on opposite sides of one of the tracks. The axis of the traction roller is horizontal preferably at a height midway between the axes of the counter rollers, and the counter rollers are moveable in a direction toward the track. Means, preferably an eccentric mounting in combination with a gas spring, urge the counter rollers towards the track, thereby creating friction between the rollers and the track. A motor and gear box, which preferably includes a worm and spur gear combination, selectively rotate the traction rollers for moving the car between landings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Wilfried Hein
  • Patent number: 5931265
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Samuel C. Wan
  • Patent number: 5906251
    Abstract: Traction sheave elevator in which the drive machinery together with the traction sheave is placed in the elevator shaft. The hoisting ropes go upward from the traction sheave. In the cross-section of the elevator shaft, the vertical projections of the elevator car, counterweight and the traction sheave of the drive machinery are separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Harri Hakala, Jorma Mustalahti
  • Patent number: 5899301
    Abstract: An elevator machinery (1) with a disc type motor is mounted on one of the guide rails (6) of the elevator car or counterweight. The guide rail (6) constitutes a part adding to the mechanical strength of the elevator machinery. The vertical forces applied to the traction sheave (4) by the elevator ropes are passed to the guide rail (6) via the rolling center of a bearing. The elevator machinery is provided with a damping system to absorb vibrations and oscillations. The elevator machinery (1) of the invention is light in weight, needs only a small space when mounted and is inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: KONE Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Harri Hakala
  • Patent number: 5881843
    Abstract: A hoist rope for an elevator is formed from synthetic, non-metallic materials. The hoist rope includes a plurality of load-carrying strands with each strand encased within a coating layer. The coating layers provide protection against wear and provide sufficient lubricity to permit relative movement of the strands to equalize loading on the strands. The plurality of strands are surrounded by a jacket. The jacket provides sufficient traction with a traction sheave, transfers traction loads to the strands while permitting movement of the strands, and provides a flame retardant characteristic to the hoist rope. In one embodiment of an passenger conveyor system, the hoist rope is engaged with a traction sheave having a sheave liner the material for the jacket and sheave liner are selected to optimize the coefficient of friction between the hoist rope and traction sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hugh J. O'Donnell, Eric G. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5837948
    Abstract: The elevator machinery (26) comprises a motor (6) and its traction sheave (18). The rotor (17) is disc-shaped and air gap (ag) between it and the stator (14) can turn a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the shaft (13). The stator (14) forms a ringlike sector (28) and is placed in an outer part and the traction sheave (18) is fixed to the rotor, between the stator (14) and the shaft (13). The diameter of the traction sheave is smaller than that of the rotor. The structure of the motor allows the use of traction sheaves (18) of different diameters (2*Rv) with rotors (17) of the same diameter. The motor is very flat. In other words, its length in the axial direction is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Harri Hakala
  • Patent number: 5792294
    Abstract: A sheave liner for an elevator system sheave that supports a hoist rope with an elevator car suspended therefrom is replaced without having to remove the hoist ropes and without having to hang the elevator car by means other than the hoist ropes. The existing liner is cut and removed while the elevator car is suspended from the hoist ropes resting on the sheave. The new liner is rotated into its position and two ends of the liner are joined by either a mechanical bond or by a room temperature adhesive bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John Randazzo, John D. Barrett, Christopher J. Elliott, David W. McKee, Hugh J. O'Donnell, John P. Wesson, Blair J. Cohen
  • Patent number: 5669469
    Abstract: An elevator machine having an outer wall, a rotatable output shaft with a sheave mounted thereon and a brake assembly for braking the output shaft and sheave. The brake assembly has a base integrally formed with the outer wall adjacent the output shaft. A metal base of the brake assembly is cast or embedded within the outer wall. Alternately, the outer wall forms the base of the brake assembly, The integrally formed base has a groove for housing a magnetic coil of a disc brake assembly. The base also has a plurality of bores for housing the brake springs and a plurality of bores for bolting the disc subassembly to the base. The disk brake assembly is fabricated by casting or imbedding a metallic blank of higher magnetic permeability into the casting of the outer wall to form the base thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Anthony Cooney
  • Patent number: 5665944
    Abstract: The elevator machinery (26) comprises a motor (6) and its traction sheave (18). The rotor (17) is disc-shaped and air gap (ag) between it and the stator (14) can turn a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the shaft (13). The stator (14) forms a ringlike sector (28) and is placed in an outer part and the traction sheave (18) is fixed to the rotor, between the stator (14) and the shaft (13). The diameter of the traction sheave is smaller than that of the rotor. The structure of the motor allows the use of traction sheaves (18) of different diameters (2*Rv) with rotors (17) of the same diameter. The motor is very flat. In i.e. other words its length the axial direction is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Harri Hakala
  • Patent number: 5615864
    Abstract: Driving machine for lifts. In this simply and compactly constructed driving machine, damages caused by axle sagging and deformations of teeth, which occur during peak loadings, of a transmission are avoided and for this purpose, in the drive unit of this invention the drive pulley is rotatably journalled on one end of a stationary axle, which in turn is fastened on a bearing block arranged on the base plate of a machine frame with the drive unit including a transmission, an electrical motor, a brake and a rotation transmitter being arranged co-axially overhung or cantilevered at the drive pulley and secured against rotation by two elastic torque stays attached to the machine frame, with adjustable damping elements installed in the torque stays enabling a load-moment-dependent deflection of the drive unit in the sense of rotation and thereby also providing a load measurement at the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Christoph Liebetrau, Utz Richter
  • Patent number: 5611412
    Abstract: A hitch assembly is disclosed for an elevator car suspended by hoist ropes and driven by a drive sheave. The hitch assembly having a hitch plate with openings for thimble rods, wherein geometrical planes bisecting the openings for the thimble rods are substantially coplanar with geometrical planes bisecting hoist rope grooved recesses in the drive sheave. Another feature of the present invention is a vibration isolation assembly for fastening the hitch plate to a mounting plate fixed to the elevator car, wherein the vibration isolation assembly isolates vibrations transmitted to the elevator car from the hoist ropes. Still another feature of the hitch assembly is a rope tension equalization assembly for fastening the hoist ropes to the hitch plate, wherein the rope tension equalization assembly equalizes tensions among the hoist ropes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Young S. Yoo, Joseph C. Walker
  • Patent number: 5599268
    Abstract: A linear drive apparatus for moving a canon in a packaging machine from a first position to a second position is set forth. The apparatus includes first and second spaced apart guide rods and an engagement assembly that is disposed between and slidably engages the first and second guide rods. The engagement assembly is adapted to engage one or more cartons for movement between the first and second positions. The apparatus further includes a drive shall onto which a drive roller is disposed for co-rotation. A first drive belt is connected to the drive roller and disposed about the drive roller in a clockwise direction at a first end thereof while a second end of the first drive belt is connected to a first portion of the engagement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Roland J. E. Andersson, Shigehiro Kinoshita, David L. Persells, Arde Kirka
  • Patent number: 5547044
    Abstract: An elevator hoist apparatus con, rising a base, a speed reduction mechanism mounted on the base and including an input shaft to which driving power source is to be connected and an output shaft to which a sheave is connected, and a cover mounted to the base and covering the speed reduction gear. The speed reduction mechanism my comprise a bearing pedestal mounted to the base and a plurality of parallel axis gears supported by the bearing pedestal. A positioning means is disposed between the base and the speed reduction mechanism for positioning the bearing pedestal of the speed reduction mechanism relative to the base. At least one of the bearing pedestals of the speed reduction mechanism may be at least partially supported by other of the bearing pedestals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5526901
    Abstract: An elevator is provided comprising a first car, a second car, and a counterweight for travel within a hoistway. A plurality of ropes connect the first and second cars to the counterweight for travel within the hoistway. A machine is provided for driving the cars and counterweight within the hoistway. The plurality of ropes are arranged to cause the second car to travel 1/N of the distance, at 1/N of the speed, of the first car when the machine is driving the cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: John K. Salmon
  • Patent number: 5490579
    Abstract: A height adjustable tanker access platform system having a fixed frame member, an access platform operatively mounted on the fixed frame member for vertical movement with respect to the fixed frame member, and a drive mechanism operatively engaged between the fixed frame member and the access platform so as to provide for raising and lowering of the access platform, is disclosed. The drive mechanism comprises a drive means securely mounted on a fixed frame member, a drive pulley operatively connected to the drive motor to permit selective driven rotation of the drive pulley about a first rotational axis, and a main idler pulley rotatably mounted on the access platform for rotation about a second rotational axis. A drive cable is securely attached at an anchored end to the fixed frame member and securely attached at an opposite remote end to a vertically moveable counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Preventative Maintenance Systems
    Inventors: Ralph D. Ratcliffe, Roelof Van Der Sleen
  • Patent number: 5490578
    Abstract: Elevator machinery is fastened by its top part to a mounting beam. The mounting beam is fixed in place to side walls of an elevator shaft. The elevator machinery includes a motor, a disc brake and a transaction sheave. The beam, on which the elevator machinery is mounted, is laid in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Harri Hakala
  • Patent number: 5490577
    Abstract: An elevator having a car suspended by a rope in a 2:1 roping arrangement has a sheave for receiving the ropes and a structure for rotatably supporting the sheave. A flexible member is used to attach the structure to a car, which minimizes the transference of moments from the structure to the car. In addition, a damping material is used in mounting the flexible member to the car and support structure which reduces vibration and noise transmissions. Springs are also placed at the top and bottom of the flexible member to isolate low frequency vibrations in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Young S. Yoo