Closure system

Claim 1

An elevator system, comprising: a structure having a hoistway, and a landing having an opening to the hoistway, an elevator car mounted for movement in the hoistway of said structure to serve said landing, said elevator car having an opening therein which is in registry with the opening to the hoistway when said elevator car is at said landing, a car door mounted for movement to open and close the opening of said elevator car, a hoistway door mounted for movement with said car door to open and close the opening of the hoistway, first object detector means including transmitter means providing at least one beam of radiant energy, and detector means responsive to such energy, a sill at the landing adjacent the opening to the landing, said sill having a non-specular surface, said transmitter means being mounted on the car door for movement therewith and positioned to direct a beam of radiant energy at said non-specular surface of the sill, said detector means being mounted on said car door for movement therewith and aimed to intersect the beam of radiant energy at said sill, said detector means being responsive to an interruption of the reflected radiant energy from said sill for controlling the operation of the car and hoistway doors, and second object detector means including a source of electrical potential, translating means, and ribbon switch means, said ribbon switch means being mounted on an edge of at least one of said doors, which is the leading edge upon closure thereof, said translating means being energized by said source of electrical potential via said ribbon switch means until an object actuates the ribbon switch means, which deenergizes said translating means, said translating means being connected to control the operation of said car and hoistway doors when it is in its deenergized condition.