GB2131760A

GB2131760A - Elevator arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2131760A
Application number: GB08231371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Robert Foster; Loren Oliver Wallington Butt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-03
Filing date: 1982-11-03
Publication date: 1984-06-27

Abstract

Elevator apparatus in two parts of a building or in adjacent buildings, has two generally vertical track portions 10, 11 interconnected by at least one generally horizontal track portion. One or more cars 16 run along said portions so that, for instance, a passenger can travel from a position in one of the vertical portions to a position in the other via the horizontal portion. The cars are connected to guide bars 13, via gimbals 14, and are pulled along by hoist cables 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Elevator arrangements This invention relates to an elevator arrangement. Elevators or "lifts" are of course very well known as a means for conveying people and articles up and down buildings. Also known for this purpose are so-called "Paternoster" lifts which are a succession of open-fronted cubicles mounted on an endless chain which rotates between wheels at the top and bottom of the building, the cubicles passing each floor whereon they can be boarded or left by passengers.

The present invention arises from the fact that as time goes by buildings of ever larger size are contemplated and corporations of ever larger size inhabit them or inhabit adjacent buildings. The problem of getting from one place to another within a building or within a company in adjacent buildings can be acute.

It is therefore proposed according to the present invention to provide elevator apparatus in two parts of a building or in two adjacent buildings which apparatus has two generally vertical track portions interconnected by at least one generally horizontal track portion and one or more cars to run along said portions so that for instance a passenger can travel from a position in one of the vertical portions to a position in the other via the horizontal portion.

It is generally contemplated that the horizontal portion will be at the bottom of the vertical portions, in most cases below ground level and the invention is expected to have particular application to situations where the apparatus connects and provides an automatic transport system between two separate buildings joined underground by such horizontal portion. It is not restricted to such use, however, it may for instance interconnect two wings of the same building or indeed two ends of a building with the underground passage being beneath intermediate parts of the building. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the generally horizontal part to be at the top of the vertical parts or indeed for there to be a top and a bottom generally horizontal part.

The advantages offered by the invention are that if for instance adjacent buildings are occupied by the same organisation it will be possible for personnnel at one floor of one building to transfer to any floor of the other building without having to cross the street and while using only one means of transport. This will create safety, efficiency and comfort. The invention may also allow greater scope in building design, by allowing rapid transport between points which might otherwise, by the usual routes of corridors and stairways, be in effect a very iong way apart.

Various means are contemplated for guiding and moving the cars. Primarily, however, a cable driving mechanism is considered as appropriate, and this may comprise a hoist cable extending in both directions from each care and attached to a support thereon via a rotatable collar. In this way, as the direction of the car alters, for instance from vertical to horizontal, the direction of application of force via the cable adjusts itself correspondingly. While the cars may for instance be guided by bearings, at two or more corners, it is also contemplated that they should be connected by guide members to guide rods via rotatable connections. The members can follow the guide rods in different orientations without causing the car to change its own orientation. Preferably, there is some damping means in the rotational connection to prevent the car swinging around on changes of direction.Two cable and motor drive mechanisms would presumably be required, one at the top of each of the vertical shafts, and transfer of tension between the two could be achieved by a control computer. Of course, alternative drive arrangements can be considered, for instance linear motors or a rack and pinion drive.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an overall schematic view of a system according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a more detailed view of the connection between a lift car and the associated guide showing the way in which the car is moved.

As shown in Fig. 1 two vertical parts 10 and 11 of a track system are interconnected at the bottom by an underground link 12. The respective vertical parts are in buildings marked A and B. Obviously parts A and B could be different parts of the same building. Cars 1 6 are shown in three possible positions, but naturally there can be as many positions as desired, typically one for each floor in each building and at least one in the underground link. Schematically illustrated in this Figure are parallel guide bars 13, gimbals 14 holding the cars to follow the guide bars and hoist cables 1 5 which pull the cars up, down and horizontally.

Referring to Fig. 2, this shows a detail wherein a lift car 20 has attached to the side shown a stub shaft 21 extending rotatably into a gimbal 22 slidable on a guide 23. A brake to prevent oscillation of the car may be included in the rotational connection between the gimbal and shaft. Rotatable on a collar surrounding the shaft is a cable connector 24 from which the hoist cable 25 extends. By this means the direction in which force is applied to the car can be adjusted as the car alters its direction of movement. It will be appreciated that due to the guides and gimbals which are to be provided on each side of the car the path which the car follows is secured. The oscillation can be arranged so as to occur only as the car passes from the vertical to horizontal motion.

1. Elevator apparatus in two parts of a building or in adjacent buidings, which apparatus has two generally vertical track portions interconnected by at least one generally horizontal track portion and one or more cars to run along said portions so that, for instance, a passenger can travel from a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Elevator arrangements This invention relates to an elevator arrangement. Elevators or "lifts" are of course very well known as a means for conveying people and articles up and down buildings. Also known for this purpose are so-called "Paternoster" lifts which are a succession of open-fronted cubicles mounted on an endless chain which rotates between wheels at the top and bottom of the building, the cubicles passing each floor whereon they can be boarded or left by passengers. The present invention arises from the fact that as time goes by buildings of ever larger size are contemplated and corporations of ever larger size inhabit them or inhabit adjacent buildings. The problem of getting from one place to another within a building or within a company in adjacent buildings can be acute. It is therefore proposed according to the present invention to provide elevator apparatus in two parts of a building or in two adjacent buildings which apparatus has two generally vertical track portions interconnected by at least one generally horizontal track portion and one or more cars to run along said portions so that for instance a passenger can travel from a position in one of the vertical portions to a position in the other via the horizontal portion. It is generally contemplated that the horizontal portion will be at the bottom of the vertical portions, in most cases below ground level and the invention is expected to have particular application to situations where the apparatus connects and provides an automatic transport system between two separate buildings joined underground by such horizontal portion. It is not restricted to such use, however, it may for instance interconnect two wings of the same building or indeed two ends of a building with the underground passage being beneath intermediate parts of the building. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the generally horizontal part to be at the top of the vertical parts or indeed for there to be a top and a bottom generally horizontal part. The advantages offered by the invention are that if for instance adjacent buildings are occupied by the same organisation it will be possible for personnnel at one floor of one building to transfer to any floor of the other building without having to cross the street and while using only one means of transport. This will create safety, efficiency and comfort. The invention may also allow greater scope in building design, by allowing rapid transport between points which might otherwise, by the usual routes of corridors and stairways, be in effect a very iong way apart. Various means are contemplated for guiding and moving the cars. Primarily, however, a cable driving mechanism is considered as appropriate, and this may comprise a hoist cable extending in both directions from each care and attached to a support thereon via a rotatable collar. In this way, as the direction of the car alters, for instance from vertical to horizontal, the direction of application of force via the cable adjusts itself correspondingly. While the cars may for instance be guided by bearings, at two or more corners, it is also contemplated that they should be connected by guide members to guide rods via rotatable connections. The members can follow the guide rods in different orientations without causing the car to change its own orientation. Preferably, there is some damping means in the rotational connection to prevent the car swinging around on changes of direction.Two cable and motor drive mechanisms would presumably be required, one at the top of each of the vertical shafts, and transfer of tension between the two could be achieved by a control computer. Of course, alternative drive arrangements can be considered, for instance linear motors or a rack and pinion drive. The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an overall schematic view of a system according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a more detailed view of the connection between a lift car and the associated guide showing the way in which the car is moved. As shown in Fig. 1 two vertical parts 10 and 11 of a track system are interconnected at the bottom by an underground link 12. The respective vertical parts are in buildings marked A and B. Obviously parts A and B could be different parts of the same building. Cars 1 6 are shown in three possible positions, but naturally there can be as many positions as desired, typically one for each floor in each building and at least one in the underground link. Schematically illustrated in this Figure are parallel guide bars 13, gimbals 14 holding the cars to follow the guide bars and hoist cables 1 5 which pull the cars up, down and horizontally. Referring to Fig. 2, this shows a detail wherein a lift car 20 has attached to the side shown a stub shaft 21 extending rotatably into a gimbal 22 slidable on a guide 23. A brake to prevent oscillation of the car may be included in the rotational connection between the gimbal and shaft. Rotatable on a collar surrounding the shaft is a cable connector 24 from which the hoist cable 25 extends. By this means the direction in which force is applied to the car can be adjusted as the car alters its direction of movement. It will be appreciated that due to the guides and gimbals which are to be provided on each side of the car the path which the car follows is secured. The oscillation can be arranged so as to occur only as the car passes from the vertical to horizontal motion. CLAIMS

1. Elevator apparatus in two parts of a building or in adjacent buidings, which apparatus has two generally vertical track portions interconnected by at least one generally horizontal track portion and one or more cars to run along said portions so that, for instance, a passenger can travel from a position in one of the vertical portions to a position in the other via the horizontal portion.

2. Elevator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal portion connects lower ends of the vertical portions.

3. Elevator apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, including a cable driving mechanism for the cars, having a hoist cable extending in both directions from each car.

4. Elevator apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, including guide bars for the cars to which the cars are connected by rotatable connections.

5. Elevator apparatus according to claim 4, including damping means on the rotatable connections.

6. Elevator apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.