US3792759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elevator system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-22
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-12-22
Abstract
Abstract An elevator system including first and second detectors arranged to modify the elevator control to take a predetermined course of action in the event of an earthquake. The first detector is highly sensitive to acceleration forces applied to the building, and it operates at a predetermined force level, selected to indicate the mere possibility of an earthquake. The first level detector, when actuated, stops the cars at a landing, and opens their doors. The elevator system is automatically put back into service if the second detector is not actuated, a predetermined period of time after the acceleration forces drop below a predetermined level. Operation of the second detector, which may be either responsive to a still higher level of accelerating forces, and/or to some other condition such as a specific type of mechanical damage, shuts the elevator system down and requires authorized personnel to put the system back into operation.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:05
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B5/00; B66B5/02; B66B5/021; B66B5/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An elevator system comprising: a structure having a plurality of landings, an elevator car mounted for movement relative to the structure, first control means for starting, moving and stopping said elevator car to serve the landings, and second control means for modifying the operation of said first control means in response to predetermined conditions, said second control means including: a. first detector and signal means for modifying said first control means to stop said elevator car in response to predetermined acceleration forces applied to said structure, b. second detector and signal means for modifying said first control means to stop said elevator car in response to a predetermined condition which indicates further operation of said elevator car may be hazardous, and c. timer means actuatable in response to said first detector and signal means which, in the absence of an operation by said second detector and signal means, automatically enables restarting of the elevator car a predetermined period of time after the detected acceleration forces have dropped below a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An elevator system comprising: a structure having a plurality of landings, an elevator car mounted for movement relative to the structure, first control means for starting, moving and stopping said elevator car to serve the landings, and second control means for modifying the operation of said first control means in response to predetermined conditions, said second control means including: a. first detector and signal means for modifying said first control means to stop said elevator car in response to predetermined acceleration forces applied to said structure, b. second detector and signal means for modifying said first control means to stop said elevator car in response to a predetermined condition which indicates further operation of said elevator car may be hazardous, and c. timer means actuatable in response to said first detector and signal means which, in the absence of an operation by said second detector and signal means, automatically enables restarting of the elevator car a predetermined period of time after the detected acceleration forces have dropped below a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the elevator car includes doors operable by the first control means, and wherein the first detector and signal means modifies the first control means to stop the elevator car at a landing and to prevent the elevator doors from closing when the elevator car stops at a landing and opens its doors due to said first detector and signal means, at least until the operation of the timer means enables restarting of the elevator car.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the first detector and signal means modifies the first control means to stop the elevator car at the closest landing that it can make a safe stop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the second detector is responsive to predetermined acceleration forces applied to said structure, which predetermined acceleration forces are greater than the predeterMined acceleration forces which actuate the first detector and signal means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The elevator system of claim 4 wherein the predetermined acceleration forces to which the first and second detector and signal means are responsive to are about 0.02g and 0.4g, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the second detector and signal means is responsive to mechanical damage suffered by the elevator system, and wherein the second detector and signal means modifies the first control means to stop the elevator car without regard to whether its stopped position is in registry with a landing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The elevator system of claim 1 including a counterweight mounted for movement in guide means, and means interconnecting the elevator car and said counterweight, wherein the second detector is responsive to dislocation of the counterweight relative to the guide means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the second detector and signal means includes relay means actuatable from a first to a second condition when the predetermined condition it is responsive to is detected, and including manually operable reset means disposed remotely from the elevator car for resetting the relay means to its first condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The elevator system of claim 8 including manually operable override means located within the elevator car which modifies the first control means to enable operation of the elevator car at reduced speed notwithstanding the relay means of the second detector and signal means being in its second condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The elevator system of claim 1 including emergency power supply means for operating said second detector and signal means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3726364A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |