Having Specific Means Contacting Or On Load Support For Stopping Or Slowing Thereof Patents (Class 187/351)
  • Patent number: 11691847
    Abstract: A travel blocking apparatus for blocking the movement of a car movably disposed in a hoistway. The travel blocking apparatus includes a flapper mechanism attached to the car and configured, when deployed, to extend an arm outside of an outer side periphery of the car and a prop device disposed in the hoistway and configured to contact the arm when said arm is extended so as to stop the car from moving downwardly in the hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TK Elevator Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Duke, Alan Parker, Malcom Ray Nooner
  • Patent number: 10457522
    Abstract: A limit switch system for an elevator. The limit switch system includes a limit device configured to determine a position of the elevator car at a location of the hoistway upon selection of an inspection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James O'Neal Creel, Jr., John F. Kleine, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150122590
    Abstract: A brake assembly for an elevator includes a brake, a brake operating device and a first brake wire connected to the brake operating device and to the brake, the brake operating device being configured to release the brake by moving the brake operating device and the first brake wire to a first direction. A second brake wire is connected to the brake operating device and to the brake, and the brake operating device is configured to engage the brake by moving the brake operating device and the second brake wire to a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti SAARELAINEN, Seppo VALLIOVUO, Perttu LUUKKONEN
  • Publication number: 20140360818
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes an elevator car. At least one guiderail is situated for guiding movement of the elevator car. A machine mount is supported by the guiderail near a top of the guiderail. A car stop is supported on the elevator car. The car stop is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the car stop allows the elevator car to travel to a maximum vertical position. In the second position the car stop is situated to contact the machine mount to prevent the elevator car from reaching the maximum vertical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Loi Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140284144
    Abstract: An example elevator brake includes a first braking member that is biased by a first spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The first braking member includes a first armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the first braking member from the braking surface against the biasing force of the first spring member. A second braking member is biased by a second spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The second braking member includes a second armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the second braking member against the biasing force of the second spring member. A first electromagnetic actuator actuates the first armature and a second electromagnetic actuator actuates the second armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Helmut Lothar Schroeder-Brumloop, Pascal Rebillard, Gerard Sirigu, Olivier Stanislas Dukacz, Ralph S. Stripling, Juan Antonio Illan, Jose Sevilleja-Perez, Juan Martin
  • Patent number: 8807289
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes a car within a shaft, a buffer mounted in a pit of the shaft and a barrier located in the pit surrounding or within an area wherein a vertical clearance between the pit floor and the car or equipment mounted thereon is less than a regulatory threshold value when the car fully compresses the buffer. The barrier acts to physically deter personnel within the pit from inadvertent presence in the area of reduced vertical clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Hanspeter Bloch
  • Patent number: 8668055
    Abstract: An elevator load receiving apparatus or a compensating weight connected thereto by a suspension device is released from a safety device in a stopping position after downward travel, the load receiving apparatus and the compensating weight being moved by a drive unit including a reversible electric motor and a traction sheave engaging the suspension device. Many safety devices, after stopping must be moved counter to the travelling direction of the load receiving apparatus before stopping in order to release (moved upwards in the case of stopping after downward travel). The safety device is easily released by activating the drive unit for a time (tmax1) or a certain distance (smax) with a predetermined torque (Mmax) counter to the direction of release and subsequently activated as abruptly as possible with the predetermined torque in the direction of release. This method can be used to release the compensating weight from its stopped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Erich Spirgi
  • Patent number: 8528702
    Abstract: A lift cage includes a platform having a plurality of platform sections. The cage includes a front-sided and a rear-sided platform section arranged on a central platform section. The platform sections have connection points which are arranged on parallel, vertical planes, whereon the platform sections can be connected together by connection elements. In order to provide additional stabilization for the cage platform, stable platform edge profiles are connected to the uppersides of all platform sections. Subsystems of the lift cage can be premounted in the platform sections. A method for installing a lift wherein a cage platform is prepared in at least two separate platform sections, and the platform sections of the cage platform, which are delivered separately, are connected together by connection elements during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Julien Maury
  • Publication number: 20130220738
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator having a car and guide rails along which the car is guided along a hoistway between landings of the elevator, the car comprising: a frame, upper and lower guide elements, which are mounted to said frame at a vertical distance from each other, and exactly one elevator cabin with a cabin floor, in which elevator the cabin is—in travel direction of the car—movably connected to the frame between an uppermost and a lowermost position. By this means a high travel comfort can be obtained with economic space usage at the top and bottom of the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventor: KONE Corporation
  • Patent number: 8517150
    Abstract: An elevator car with brake equipment, which is arranged in the region of the elevator car, for holding and braking the same, which brake equipment includes: a brake unit which can co-operate with a brake rail, an actuating device which can produce an actuator force FA, and a connecting linkage which connects the actuating device with the brake unit in force-active manner for transmission of the actuator force FA, wherein the brake unit in unloaded setting is in its open setting and the connecting linkage is a pull cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Steffen Grundmann, Gert Silberhorn, Hans Kocher, Michael Stubi, Georg Halasy-Wimmer, Johann Jungbecker, Stefan Johannes Schmitt, Bernward Bayer, Andreas Emmerich, Andreas Pohlmann, Karl-Hermann Tegge
  • Patent number: 8463462
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may he useful for testing braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A system is disclosed that allows for built in testing. For example, a method if provided comprising sending, from a brake controller, a test command set to at least one of an electromechanical actuator (EMAC) and a brake servo valve (BSV) in response to a landing gear retraction, receiving, at the brake controller, feedback from the at least one of the EMAC and the BSV in response to the test command set, and comparing, at the brake controller, the feedback with a predetermined signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20120211311
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes an elevator car situated for movement along at least one guide rail. A braking device is supported for movement with the elevator car. The braking device includes a plurality of magnet members and a plurality of cooperating members. The cooperating members are selectively movable between first and second positions relative to the magnet members. In the first position the elevator car is allowed to move along the guide rail. In the second position the magnet members and the cooperating members cooperate to cause an electromagnetic interaction between the braking device and the guide rail to resist movement of the elevator car along the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Harold Terry
  • Publication number: 20120037462
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a multi-deck vehicle having at least two cars for transporting persons and/or goods, wherein the elevator system is arranged so as to be movable along a track and is coupled to a drive using at least one support device. The at least two cars of the multi-deck vehicle are coupled to each other, the track includes at least one guide rail, and each of the cars of the multi-deck vehicle has at least one guide element that is guided on or in one of the at least one guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas Urben, Marcel Nicole, Marco Schupfer, Matthias Sager, Urs Schaffhauser
  • Patent number: 8020671
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes a guide rail and brake equipment for guiding, holding and braking the elevator installation. The brake equipment has a brake lining which co-operates with a brake surface, advantageously with the brake surface of the guide rail, for the purpose of the braking and holding. The brake surface has at least one longitudinal wedge groove or wedge elevation which is oriented in the braking direction and on which the brake lining acts in case of need. An amplification of the braking force is achieved by the longitudinal wedge groove or wedge elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hans Kocher, Josef A. Muff
  • Patent number: 7975807
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Samuel H. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20110120809
    Abstract: A collision brake for two elevator bodies, which move independently of one another, includes a first locking mechanism, which is disposed between the two elevator bodies and is fastened on a first of the two elevator bodies, and which has a brake body arrangement having at least one first brake body, which is movably mounted in the first locking mechanism toward a guide structure. The first locking mechanism has a positive guide, which converts a relative movement of the brake body arrangement in an ascension direction by the second of the two elevator bodies into a relative movement of the brake body arrangement on the guide structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Hans Kocher, Michael Stubi
  • Patent number: 7886879
    Abstract: A method for creating a temporary safety space within an elevator hoistway by preventing upward or downward movement of a car or counterweight along guide rails. The method includes the steps of providing engagement members on the guide rails and extending support struts from the car or counterweight to either side of a guide blade of the guide rail, whereby upward or downward movement of the car or counterweight along the guide rail is prevented when the extended support struts bear against the engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kocher, Eamon Mc Govern
  • Patent number: 7849972
    Abstract: In an emergency brake device for an elevator, a pair of pivot levers are pivotably provided to a car. Each pivot member is provided with each of a plurality of wedges that can be brought into and out of contact with a car guide rail as the pivot member pivots. A connecting member is connected between the pivot levers. The car is mounted with an electromagnetic actuator for displacing the connecting member in a reciprocating manner so as to pivot the pivot levers in a direction for bringing each wedge into and out of contact with the car guide rail. The electrical actuator is actuated when inputted with an actuating signal from an output portion mounted in a control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsunehiro Higashinaka
  • Patent number: 7766128
    Abstract: An actuator used in a safety stop device for an elevator has: a movable portion displaceable between an actuation position where the safety stop device for the elevator is actuated and a normal position where the actuation of the safety stop device is released; and an electromagnetic coil for displacing the movable portion when a current flows through the electromagnetic coil. A device for inspecting operation of the actuator has a feeder circuit for supplying an amount of electricity required for a semi-operation which is less than that required for a full operation for displacing the movable portion from the normal position and the actuation position to the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshie Takeuchi, Kenji Shimohata, Tae Hyun Kim, Hiroshi Kigawa, Tatsuo Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20100187047
    Abstract: The elevator car is arranged movably along guideways and in the special operating mode is decelerated to a standstill and kept at a standstill by a braking device, by a braking force brought about by the braking device together with a brakeway. A required deceleration to bring the elevator car to a standstill within a next-possible exit zone in the special operating mode is calculated, furthermore a stopping of the elevator car is detected if a sudden change in the braking force or the acceleration is established and the braking force of the braking device is set to a holding force when the stopping is established. The special operating mode results in the elevator car coming to a stop directly in the region of an exit zone in a special operating mode and passengers in the car being able to leave the elevator car independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Nicolas Gremaud, Steffen Grundmann
  • Publication number: 20100163346
    Abstract: The safety device for an elevator system comprises a retractable element mounted on a support. The retractable element has a stopping position in which a catch portion of the retractable element projects from the support to engage a triggering member of a safety brake associated with an elevator car as the elevator car traveling in a selected direction approaches a selected vertical position, and a retracted position. An actuator selectively controls the position of the retractable element. A position sensor is responsive to the position of the retractable element to make sure that it is in its stopping position when needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Coquerelle, Frèdèric Beauchaud, Nicolas Fonteneau, Dominique Goulet, Olivier Dukacz, Gérard Sirigu, Pascal Rebillard
  • Patent number: 7669697
    Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a brake control device has a first brake control portion, a second brake control portion, and a third brake control portion. The first brake control portion operates a hoisting machine brake to stop a ascending/descending body as an emergency measure when an abnormality is detected. The second brake control portion reduces a braking force of the hoisting machine brake when a deceleration of the ascending/descending body becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value during an emergency braking operation of the hoisting machine brake. The third brake control portion monitors a slip speed of a main rope with respect to a drive sheave during emergency braking operation of the hoisting machine brake, and reduces a braking force of the hoisting machine brake when the slip speed of the main rope becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takaharu Ueda, Masunori Shibata, Ken-Ichi Okamoto, Satoru Takahashi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7644808
    Abstract: In an elevator door apparatus, an elevator door is capable of reciprocating between a door closure position for closing an elevator entrance and a door open position for opening the elevator entrance. The elevator door is driven by a door drive device. The door drive device is controlled by a door control device. The door control device adjusts the door open position based on control information for controlling an operation of an elevator, obtains a door opening/closing pattern for the elevator door to be opened and closed between the adjusted door open position and the door closure position, and controls the door drive device so that the elevator door is reciprocated in accordance with the obtained door opening/closing pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7607516
    Abstract: An elevator governor includes a selectively powered switch (60) that is activated when an elevator car moves at a speed that exceeds a selected limit. The speed limit is lower than normally expected car speeds during normal elevator operation. The switch (60) is activated by a moving member (66) that moves into a switch-activation position responsive to movement of a rotating member (36) that corresponds to movement of an elevator car. The arrangement allows for a primary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a first selected limit and a secondary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a second, lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Andres Monzon Simon, Fernando Del Rio Sanz
  • Patent number: 7419033
    Abstract: An emergency brake device for an elevator includes a brake shoe portion provided inside a sheave 1 or deflector sheave of an elevator and having a brake shoe 5a at a lower end of the brake shoe portion, the brake shoe generating a braking force due to friction upon abutting an inner wall of an outer peripheral frame of the sheave or deflector sheave at a time of braking, the brake shoe portion having built therein spring mechanisms 51, 52 provided between the brake shoe and king pins 5f1, 5f2, which are offset in a rotation direction of the sheave or deflector sheave with respect to a centerline passing through a rotation shaft of the sheave or deflector sheave and are fixed on a bearing 1b side of the rotation shaft, the spring mechanisms each absorbing a force generated between the brake shoe and the king pin due to the braking force and being connected to the king pin at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishiki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ito
  • Patent number: 7413060
    Abstract: An elevator fall-prevention apparatus includes a holding member, which is shaped approximately like a rectangular tube, secured to a base part of an elevator guide rail. The holding member supports a locking support member that is rotatable about a spindle from a standby position into a blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Tanaka Takashi, Otoyo Hirohumi
  • Publication number: 20080135345
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes a guide rail and brake equipment for guiding, holding and braking the elevator installation. The brake equipment has a brake lining which co-operates with a brake surface, advantageously with the brake surface of the guide rail, for the purpose of the braking and holding. The brake surface has at least one longitudinal wedge groove or wedge elevation which is oriented in the braking direction and on which the brake lining acts in case of need. An amplification of the braking force is achieved by the longitudinal wedge groove or wedge elevation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Hans Kocher, Josef A. Muff
  • Patent number: 7258202
    Abstract: The invention provides an elevator having a car movable along guide rails mounted in a shaft. The elevator comprises an inspection control station mounted on top of the car and accessible via a movable control station cover, blocking means for selectively preventing movement of the car into a safety space within the shaft and actuation means for actuating the blocking means. The actuation means is configured for concurrent movement with the control station cover. Accordingly, a temporary safety space is automatically created within the shaft as the maintenance technician opens the control station cover to move the car using the inspection control station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Eric Rossignol
  • Patent number: 7134529
    Abstract: A safety device includes a trigger mechanism for triggering a braking wedges attached to first and second double levers to stop an elevator car. A retaining spring detents with a pin on the first double lever and a tension spring engages either the first double lever or the second double lever. The retaining spring maintains the double levers unactuated during normal operation of the elevator and the spring element actuates the double levers after an actuation of the trigger mechanism by a speed limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Julien Maury
  • Patent number: 7117979
    Abstract: A method for preventing an inadmissibly high speed of a load receiving unit of an elevator, including the steps of supplying information about an actual position and an actual speed of the load receiving unit in an area of an entire travel way of the load receiving unit to a speed monitoring device by at least one measuring system, continuously comparing the actual speed with a speed limit value by the speed monitoring device, and activating braking measures if the speed of the load receiving unit exceeds a speed limit value. At least three different braking measures are successively triggered by the speed monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Philipp Angst, Romeo Deplazes
  • 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: 7097003
    Abstract: A vertically sliding freight elevator landing door with a safety brake that deploys when a chain suspending the door breaks. The safety brake is adapted for use on both panels that slide up to open or that slide down to open. The brake, which is simple in construction and installation, comprises, principally, a caliber block fixed to the door and a roller cam assembled in the block. A spring biases the roller cam towards a wedge lock position while a cable normally holds the roller cam in an inactive position. The cable and, therefore, the roller cam are released when the associated door suspension chain breaks. The roller cam, operating between a tilted internal surface in the caliper block and a door guide rail quickly frictionally brakes the door on the guard rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Peelle Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven P. Reynolds, Richard W. Lajeunesse, Zygmunt Dziwak, David E. Kairis
  • Patent number: 7080717
    Abstract: In an elevator emergency braking apparatus, a braking device main body has a main body braking surface facing a main rope and positioned at a first side of a main rope array, and a tapered surface facing the main body braking surface on an opposite side of the main rope array. An intermediate braking piece is disposed between mutually-adjacent main ropes inside the braking device main body. The intermediate braking piece is displaceable in a direction to be placed separably in contact with the main body braking surface. A wedge member is disposed between the tapered surface and the main rope array. The wedge member is separated from the main ropes during normal operation, and wedged between the tapered surface and the main ropes during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ito
  • Patent number: 7077243
    Abstract: A buffer creates at least one zone of protection in an elevator installation including an elevator car and a counterweight movable along respective paths in an elevator shaft. The buffer has a movable portion movable into the path of the elevator car and/or into the path of the counterweight in such a manner that the elevator car or the counterweight can be brought into mechanical contact with the movable portion and each of the elevator car and the counterweight is supported at a predetermined height above a floor of the elevator shaft so that a zone of protection is available below or above the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Marcel Huber, Johannes Kocher
  • Patent number: 7059451
    Abstract: A system for mechanically lowering a load from an elevated position to a lower position in a relatively slow and controlled manner using only gravity and frictional forces. The system includes a vertically aligned glide rod, a glide collar that moves longitudinally over the glide rod, two vertically mounted friction rods mounted on opposite sides of the glide rod, a friction collar that moves longitudinally along each friction rod, and a support platform coupled to each friction collar and to the glide collar. The glide rod includes spiral vane along its entire length upon which the glide collar rides when a load is placed on the support platform, allowing the support platform to descend at a safe speed via gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventors: William H. Richey, John Bolding
  • Patent number: 6796548
    Abstract: A braking device includes a brake wheel, a pair of rotation shafts, a pair of brake arms which is rotatably supported through the rotation shafts, a pair of brake pads arranged at one end of the brake arms and contacting and separating from the brake wheel, and a brake part connected to another end of the brake arms for providing and releasing a braking force of the brake pads. When the centers of the rotation shafts are fulcrums, the centers of contact of the brake pads with the brake wheel are points of action, and the connections between the brake arms and the brake part are power points, the fulcrums, the points of action, and the power points are located in a semicircular area of the brake wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meidensha
    Inventors: Koji Nagata, Yukimasa Hisamitsu
  • Publication number: 20040178023
    Abstract: A safety device includes a trigger mechanism for triggering a braking wedges attached to first and second double levers to stop an elevator car. A retaining spring detents with a pin on the first double lever and a tension spring engages either the first double lever or the second double lever. The retaining spring maintains the double levers unactuated during normal operation of the elevator and the spring element actuates the double levers after an actuation of the trigger mechanism by a speed limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Julien Maury
  • Patent number: 6766883
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for an elevator includes rotary elements disposed in such a manner as to be in contact with a circumferential surface of an input shaft adapted to be rotationally driven by an electric motor device so as to rotate as the input shaft rotates, a cylindrical element disposed in such a manner as to be in contact with the rotary elements on an inner circumferential surface thereof so as to rotate as the rotary elements rotate, and a sheave provided on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical element and configured so as to be wound therearound with ropes for lifting up and/or down a moving cage of the elevator. A brake device is disposed in a radial direction of the sheave for braking a brake disc constructed so as to extend in the radial directions and secured to the sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6578672
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for an elevator includes rotary elements disposed in such a manner as to be in contact with a circumferential surface of an input shaft adapted to be rotationally driven by an electric motor device so as to rotate as the input shaft rotates, a cylindrical element disposed in such a manner as to be in contact with the rotary elements on an inner circumferential surface thereof so as to rotate as the rotary elements rotate, and a sheave provided on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical element and configured so as to be wound therearound with ropes for lifting up and/or down a moving cage of the elevator. A brake device is disposed in a radial direction of the sheave for braking a brake disc constructed so as to extend in the radial directions and secured to the sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20030062224
    Abstract: An improvement for lift equipment having a lift cage and a counterweight movable in a lift shaft with travel buffers at at least one end permits override of safety brake operation when buffer travel occurs. The invention comprises a blocking device which blocks operation of the safety brake, and may include a blocking lever connected to a trip lever mechanism of the safety brake and a blocking element which controls the movement of the blocking lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Julien Maury, Stefan Hugel
  • Patent number: 6516570
    Abstract: An elevator hoistway for a multi-storied building which, to create a vertical travel path for an elevator installation, extends through at least one story floor and has at least one hoistway frame which bounds a hoistway penetration aperture in the story floor is to be post-constructionally created in an existing multi-storied building with little building effort and inexpensive means in that the hoistway penetration aperture can be covered by means of a load-bearing floor structure. In this way, and especially in one-family houses, the volume of the elevator hoistway can be used for non-elevator-specific purposes, e.g. as residential space, until the point in time when an elevator is subsequently installed. The hoistway frame itself serves as an interface between the building and elevator fastenings which may be provided for the transmission of forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Christoph Liebetrau, Utz Richter
  • Patent number: 6457569
    Abstract: A rotary actuated overspeed safety device is provided for elevators. The overspeed safety device comprises a pair of pivotally mounted counterweights linked by a pivotally attached coupling rod and a wheel that rollably engages a guide rail. The counterweights are pivotally mounted to the wheel in a parallel plane configuration. Centrifugal force causes the pivotally mounted counterweights to pivot outward toward an actuator as the wheel spins. The overspeed safety device is triggered when the pair of pivotally mounted counterweights engages an actuator. The actuator is a housing that is engagably connected to an elevator safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: James M. Draper, Richard E. Kulak
  • Publication number: 20020125079
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for braking a traction sheave elevator. To stop the elevator in the event of an emergency, the braking of the elevator is complemented by using a braking device not comprised in the drive machine. The invention also concerns a traction sheave elevator provided with a braking device not comprised in the drive machine and designed to improve the efficiency of emergency stopping. The maximum force decelerating the elevator and generated by the braking device equals about half the weight of the nominal load of the elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Seppo Mattlar, Petteri Valjus, Johannes De Jong
  • Patent number: 6318507
    Abstract: An emergency stop apparatus for an elevator having a simple structure as well as effectiveness, which may facilitate to reduce manufacturing and maintaining cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Ho Jin
  • Patent number: 6315089
    Abstract: A safety lock device including a clover mechanism mounted on a rotating shaft to be used with an unbalanced free-fall dog that precludes rotation of the rotating shaft upon rapid acceleration or excessive speed of the rotation of the shaft. The free-fall dog is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum upon which the free-fall dog may teeter in an unbalanced seesaw motion. At opposite ends of the fulcrum are a locking finger and an arm. The free-fall dog is unbalanced such that the arm contacts the clover mechanism as it rotates while the locking finger does not contact the clover mechanism at slow rotating speed. At a slow rotative speed, the arm is only slightly deflected. With great acceleration, the arm is deflected farther from the clover mechanism thereby causing the locking finger on the opposite side of the fulcrum to be pivoted into the clover mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Morgan Marshall Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Fink, Harry E. Schilling
  • Patent number: 6293376
    Abstract: Eddy current braking apparatus includes a linear array of spaced apart permanent magnets arranged for defining a slot therebetween. A diamagnetic or non-magnetic fin is disposed and sized for movement through the slot. A pivotal linkage enables the magnets to move with respect to the fin from a spaced apart first position to a second position in which the fin passes through the slot. A control mechanism selectively moves the magnets between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Magnetar Technologies LTD
    Inventor: Edward M. Pribonic
  • Patent number: 6193026
    Abstract: An elevator brake includes a fluid enclosure that provides a force to counter a braking force. In a particular embodiment, the fluid enclosure functions as a fluid pressure amplifier between a controllable actuator and a braking surface. The fluid enclosure increases the force of the actuator such that smaller, more controllable actuators may be used to control the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Jose Sevilleja, Armando Servia
  • Patent number: 6131703
    Abstract: A safety device for a platform cable hoist within a latticework tower including a plurality of skid members which are flexed inwardly when there is tension from a lift cable. Brake members are secured to the skid members and, in the event the cable fails, the skid members deflect outwardly so that the brake members, which have hook portions at their upper ends, engage transverse braces of the tower. Between the hook portions and the skid members, the brake members are formed with an energy absorbing portion which absorbs kinetic energy from the falling platform to slow and stop its descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Frank V. Gates
  • Patent number: 6053287
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a car along a travel path along guide rails includes a linear drive having a fixed first platform attached to the car and connected by springs with a movable second platform. Holding-units are attached to both platforms for engaging the guide rails and operating-units are connected between the platforms for relative movement. The holding-units and the operating-units include piezoelectric actuators that are selectively energized to move the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Invento AG
    Inventors: Karl Weinberger, Gert Silberhorn, Jean Marie Rennetaud