US1180156A - Elevator. - Google Patents

Description

J. V. KRANEBIEL.

ELEVATOR.

APPucATloN FILED m18. 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- In!" 1 69g,

31a/vento@ THE COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH C01. WASHINGTON. D. c,

J. V. KRANEBIEL.

ELEVATOR.

AEPLlcATxoN FILED um. 1914.

L l 91175@ atented Apr. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-sun 2@ TME COLUMNA PLANOGRAPH 4ca., WASHINGTON, D. c.

CIK

i ibn.

ELEVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 19116..

Application led January 8, 1914. Serial No. 810,916.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Jol-IN V. KRANEBIEL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Williamsville, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevators, of which the following is a speci* fication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvement in elevators and more particularly to elevator door operating mechanism and mechanism for preventing accidents due to the opening of the door or the leaving of the door open when the elevator is in a position other than t a landing with the door opposite a shaft oor.

An object of the invention is to provide means for automatically opening and closing an elevator car door and means for preventing the car from being moved while the door is open and for preventing the opening of the door while the car is in motion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible door of simple construction and to provide other new and useful features in the construction and arrangement of elevator doors and operating and controlling mechanism therefor, all as hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an elevator car, mechanism thereof, and adja cent structure, showing mechanism embodying the invention, in operative position thereon; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through a portion of the same substantially on the line X-X of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of a controller showing operating and locking mechanism therefor; Fig. 4 is a detail showing a front elevation of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail showing a portion of a controller head in elevation and illustrating the operative relation of the same to a door; Fig. 6 is a detail showing a portion of the door actuating mechanism in end elevation; Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating driving means for the winding mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail view showing in side elevation the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is an elevation of a portion of the controller.

1n the drawings, A represents a suitable car or cage and. B a floor or landing through which the elevator shaft extends. C indicates the usual landing or shaft door which is mounted to slide across the door opening to close the same and D is the cage door comprising a series of parallel vertical rods 1 connected by a series of links 2 at their upper and lower ends and intermediate their ends. The rods pass through the links, forming the pivots for connecting the links which are thus joined together in the form of continuous chains. By reason of these links or chain connections, a door is formed which is very flexible and the same may be used where a space is too small for a sliding door as it will bend readily in a lateral direction and may be guided around a corner.

A series of links similar to those which pivotally connect the upper ends of the rods, are provided and pivotally connected to form a chain 3 which is a continuation of the chain formed by the links connecting the upper ends of the rods. This chain 3 is extended to any desired length to engage a pair of sprocket wheels 4 and 5 mounted within a suitable chamber or casing 6 in the upper part of the elevator cage. Near to the side of the elevator cage adjacent to the upper edge of the chain and extending across the upper end of the door, are two guide bars 7 which form a track for pairs of rollers 8 pivotally mounted upon the upper end of an arm 9 secured to and extending upwardly from the chain. A number of these arms or brackets with their rollers are provided throughout the length of the chain and across the upper end of tht door for the chain and form hangers for the door which is thus supported and guided by the track and rolls along the same. By actuating the sprockets fl and as will be hereinafter more fully described, the door will be automatically opened and closed, the chain and the door being run along the track by the engagement of the sprockets therewith.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the shaft door C is provided with a locking bolt 10 which is actuated by means of a bell crank lever 11 having a roller or other projection 12 on its free end to engage between suitable spaced outwardly extending ears 13 on the cage door D. When the elevator car is stopped at a landing with its lloor in the plane of the floor of the landing, the ears 13 on the cage door will be opposite llO the projection 12 on the locking mechanism of the shaft door and embracing the same so i lock the shaft door, and further movement v of the cage door will then move the shaft door to open position. In order that the ears 13 may interlock with the projection of the lock of the shaft door, it is necessary t0 stop the car vwith its floor Substantially on a level with the vlanding and ythus accidents due to the stopping of the car out of alinement with'the shaft door are prevented.

Any suitable motor may be provided for actuating the sprockets 4 and 5, but as illustrating a preferred form which may be used, a vertical shaft 14 is 'shown as mounted in a suitable bearing adjacent to one corner of the car and extended from the floor thereof upward through the chamber 6. A coiled spring is sleeved upon this shaft with its upper end secured to the shaft and its lower end secured to a disk 16. This disk is secured to a stub shaft 17 extending .through the floor of the car and provided on its lower end with a pair of ratchet wheels 18 secured thereto, the shaft 14 turning independently of the disk 16 upon the upper end of the stub shaft which projects into and turns freely in a bore in the said shaft 14. Mounted upon the shaft 17 adjacent to these ratchets to turn freely upon the shaft, is a pair of opposed beveled gears 19 and 20 enga-ged and actuated by a beveled pinion 21 upon the end vof a stub shaft 22 mounted in a'suitable bearing on the frame of the car and extending outwardly therefrom where it is provided upon its outer end with a suitable sheave 23. A suitable'bearing bracket 24 carries small sheaves 25 and 2,6 above and below the sheave 23 and out of vertical alinement therewith. A suitable cable 27is stretched from top to bottom of the elevator shaft and passes over Athe several sheaves'in such a manner as to be held in frictional engagement with the .sheave 23 and actuate the same as the car moves up and down in the shaft. The pinion 21 isthus first turned in one direction upon the movement of the car upward and is ythen turned in the opposite direction when the car descends, and to turn the shafts 17 and winding disk -16 in the same direction all the time regardless of the-direction in which the pinion 21 is turned; a pawl 28 is mounted on each of the beveled gears 19 land 2O to engage the ratchet wheels 18. These pawls are so arranged that when one of them acts to connect its beveled gear to the shaft 17, the other will be riding over the teeth of the ratchet wheel and its beveled gear will turn freely upon the shaft. The spring 15 is thus continually wound by the movement of the cage to exert a force for turning the shaft 14, and the shaft is normally held against being turned by the spring by means of a toothed disk or ratchet 29 secured to the shaft and engaged by a suitable pawl 30. l lThe sprocket wheel 5 is mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 14 to turn freely thereon and a gear 31 is mounted in a like manner upon the shaft at a distance below the sprocket wheel. A. clutch member 32 is mounted upon the shaft between the sprocket and gear to slide freely longitudinally upon the shaft but is operatively connected thereto to turn therewith. This clutch member has projections to engage notches in the hub of the sprocket and gear when said member is shifted longitudinally upon the shaft by means of a lever 33. An extended'end of the lever is arranged to engage an upwardly extending formed end on the dog 30, said end being formed with inclines so that when the lever 33 is moved in either direction it will engage an incline and tilt the dog out of engagement with the ratchet 29 to release the shaft.

lVhen the clutch member 32 is moved upward into engagement with the sprocket 5 to connect said sprocket with the shaft 14, the dog 30 will be simultanewsly released and the spring 15 will at once act to turn the sprocket 5 and by reason of its engagement with the chain 3 move the door. When the clutch is in this position as shown, `the dog Ais in engagement with the ratchet vand the shaft held against turning, but when the clutch member is moved downward into engagement with the hub of the gear 31, the dog is simultaneously released and the spring acts to turn the gear. From the gear 31 motion is transmitted by means of idlers 34 to a gear 35 secured upon the extended hub -of the sprocket 4, said gears and idlers being arranged so that the sprocket will be turned in a reverse direction to that in which the shaft 14 is turned by the spring. Therefore when the clutch member is moved to connect the gear 31 to the shaft 14 motion will be transmitted from said shaft to turn the sprocket wheel 4 in a direction opposite to that in which the sprocket 5 is turned `when itis connected to the shaft 14 by said clutch member. The door D may therefore be automatically opened or closed by a proper movement of the lever 33.

To retard the action of the spring 15 so that slamming of the door may be prevented and its movement controlled, an arm 3G is rigidly secured to the lever 33 to turn therewith and is extended downward into engagement with the formed end of a brake lever 37 which is pivoted intermediate its vends upon the bottom of the chamber 6 with its free end extending beneath the ratchet disk 29, as clearly shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing. The formed end of the brake 'lever 37 is provided with a notch to receive the lower end of the arm 36, said notch providing inclines to be engaged by the arm upon movement of said arm in either direction, and thus tilt the brake lever 37 into engagement with the disk upon movement of the lever 33 to shift the clutch member 32 and open or close the door.

For convenience of illustration, the elevator cage is shown as provided with a common form of electrical controller comprising a fixed casing 38 secured to the wall of the elevator cage in any suitable manner, but it will be understood that any suitable controller for controlling the movements of the car, embodying electrical, mechanical, or other means may be employed, it only being necessary to make obvious mechanical changes in the construction of the controlling mechanism embodying this invention to adapt the same to any of the well known forms of controllers.

The particular controller shown, has a shaft 39 in its axis adapted to be turned to actuate the controller, and this shaft is turned by means of a crank arm 40 extending outward from the shaft through a slot 41 in the casing 38. The controller is preferably inclosed within a rotatable drum 42 of greater diameter than the diameter of the casing 38. This drum is secured to the shaft 39 to turn therewith and has a radial sl ot in its forward side through which a controller handle 43 projects, said handle being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the upper end of the crank 40. The inner end of the controller handle engages an annulaislot 44 in a flange of the base of the controller casing, and intersecting this slot 44 is a slot 45 so positioned that when the controller crank 40 is in this neutral position with the power turned off and the elevator cage at rest, said controller handle may be tilted upon its pivot, its inner end moving within the intersecting slot 45.

Pivotally attached to the inner end of the controller handle is a rod 4G which is guided within a suitable bearing in the drum 42 and extends radially outward therethrough. The outer end of this rod 46 is bent laterally, as at 47, to engage between the branches of a forked end 48 on a rod 49 which extends upward into the chamber 6 and is pivotally attached at its upper end to the free end of the lever 33 for actuating the clutch member 32. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the controller is in neutral position with the power turned olf, the bent end 47 of .the rod 46 will lie between the branches of the fork 48, but on movement of the controller in either direction to turn on the power and start the car, said rod 46`will be moved out of engagement with the rod 49 and in like manner any turning movement of the controller handle will be prevented by the engagement of its inner end with the annular slot or groove 44. But when the controller is in this neutral position with the power turned off, the controller handle may be tilted, its inner end moving within the transverse slot and as the bent end of the rod 47 is engaged within the forked end of the rod 49, such tilting movement of the controller handle will actuate the lever 33 and move the clutch member into engagement with either the sprocket 5 or the gear 31, depending upon which direction the handle is moved. The tilting movement of the controller handle thus causes the cage door to be opened or closed, and this same handle also serves to actuate the controller. The tilting movement of the controller' handle also serves to actuate the brake lever 37 and retard the opening or closing movement of the door. With this arrangement the car door may be opened only when the car is standing still, due to the fact that the controller handle can be actuated to release the motor or spring 15, only when the controller is in neutral position.

In the construction shown the controller shaft 39 extends through an opening in the wall of the elevator' cage and is provided with a circular head 50 having a transverse axial groove 51. rIhe vertical rods l of the cage door are connected, intermediate their ends, by a chain 52 similar to the chains at the upper and lower ends of said door. then the cage door is open the chain 52 engages in the groove 51 of the head 50 and prevents the controller from being operated, consequently the elevator cage cannot be moved until the door thereof is completely closed. This arrangement precludes any danger of an elevator operator starting the elevator before the door of the cage is coinpletely closed.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have devised a novel elevator construction wherein a plurality of safety factors contribute to a successful operation of the elevator, obviating danger to lives or property due to inadvertence or carelessness of inexperienced operators. lt is thought that the operation and utility of the invention will be apparent without further description, and while in the drawing there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such changes, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

ll' hat I claim is l. The combination with a well door and an elevator cage having a door, of a lock for the well door, means on the cage door to operate the lock and connect the doors to cause the same to move together, motor actuated means carried by said cage for moving said cage door, a controller to control the movements of the cage, and means carried -by the controller for controlling the motor arranged to permit the operation of the motor when the controller is kin position to stop the cage With the cage door opposite the Well door. 2. In an elevator cage, a door, spring actuated means carried by said cage for mov- 'ing said door, a means for controlling the operation of said door in a desired direction, and means actuated by a movement of said cage for normally maintaining said spring actuated means under tension.

3.k In an elevator cage, a door, means for moving said door, motor actuated means carried by said' cage for imparting movement to the rst mentioned means, a clutch for controlling the direction of movement of said door, a controller for the cage, and means controlled by the controller to lock the clutch in neutral position.

4c. The combination with an elevator cage, of a door carried thereby, motor actuated means for'imparting movement to said door in a desired direction, a controller for controlling the movement of the cage, means to prevent the operation of the controller When the door is opened, and means controlled by the controller for controlling the motor to prevent the operation of the motor and the opening of the door when the cage is in motion.

5. The combination with an elevator cage, of a door carried thereby, motor actuated means carried by said cage for opening and closing said door, means for controlling the operation of the last mentioned means whereby said door may be ymoved in a desired direction, and a brake for controlling the rapidity of the movement of said door.

6. In an elevator, the combination With a cage having a door, and a controller, of motor actuated means carried by said cage for moving said door, means operated in conjunction With said controller for controlling the direction of movement of said door, and arranged to be locked by said controller When the controller is in other than neutral position and to serve as means for operating the controller.

7 In an elevator, the combination with a cage having a door, and a controller, motor actuated means carried by said cage for moving the door, a controller for controlling the movement of the cage, means for controlling the operation of the controller controlled by the door, and means operable independently of the controller to control the transmission of motion from'the motor to open or close the door and arranged to be locked against operation by the controller to prevent a movement of the doorduring a movement of the cage. f

8. In an elevator, the combination With a cage having a door, and a controller forming part of the operating mechanism of the elevator, of motor actuated means carried by said cage, means operatable by said motor actuated means for moving said door, controlling means operatable with said controller for controlling the movements of said door, and means in connection with said controller and controlled by said door for preventing the operation of said controller While the door is in other than closed position.

9. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a controller forming part of the operating mechanism thereof, of a door hung in said cage, motor actuated means carried by said cage for opening and closing said door, a controller for controlling the operation of the cage, means on the door to engage the controller and prevent its operation when the door is open, means controlling the operation of the motor actuated means and the direction of transmission of motion thereof to open or close the door, and a member carried by the controllex` for operating the means controlling the operation of the motor, said member being adapted to be locked against op ration by the controller when said controller is in other than neutral position.

10. In an elevator, the combination with a cage, a door forming part thereof, and a controller forming part of the ope 'ating mechanism of Said cage, of motor actuated means operatably connected to said door for opening and closing the same, means in connection With said controller and including a clutch for controlling the direction of movement of said door, and means simultaneously actuated in connection with the last mentioned means for preventing a movement of said cage during a movement of said door.

11. The combination With an elevator cage adapted to travel in a shaft and a member extending from the bottom of said shaft to the top thereof, of a door forming part of said cage, spring actuated means normally maintained under tension by engagement with said member for opening and closing said door, and means Within said cage for controlling the direction of the movement of said door.

12. The combination With an elevator cage adapted to travel in a shaft, and a member extending from the bottom of said shaft to the top thereof, of a door forming part of Said cage, spring actuated means normally maintained under tension by engagement With said member for opening and closing said door, means within said cage for controlling the direction and rapidity of the movement of the door, and means in said cage for preventing a movement thereof While the door is open.

13. In an elevator, the combination with a cage adapted to move up and down in a shaft, a member extending from the bottom of said shaft to the top, a cage movable in said shaft, a door forming part of said cage, a controller forming part of the operating mechanism of said cage, spring actuated means normally maintained under tension by engagement with said member for moving said door in a desired direction, and means for locking said spring actuated means while said controller is in operation.

14. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a door forming part of said cage, of power means carried by said cage for opening and closing saidl door during a ceasation in the movement of the cage, and means within said cage for locking said power means against actuation during a movement of said cage.

l5. In an elevator, a cage, a door forming part thereof, a controller forming part of the operating mechanism of said cage, power means within said cage for opening and closing said door during a cessation in the movement of said cage, means for controlling said power means and simultaneously controlling the direction of movement of said door, and means for preventing a movement of the cage while said door is open, said controlling means for said power means being controlled by said controller to prevent its operation and the opening of the door while the car is in motion.

16. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a door forming part of said cage, of power means carried by the cage for opening and closing the door during a cessation in the movement of the cage, means within the cage for locking said power means against operation during a movement of the cage, a controller for controlling the movement of the cage, and means locked by the door when the door is in open position for preventing the operation of the controller.

17. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a door carried by the cage, of a motor carried by the cage, means for transmitting motion from the motor to open and close the door, means for controlling the operation of the transmission means to control the opening and closing of the door, and means under the control of the operator for retarding the movement of the door.

18. In an elevator, the combination with a cage, a door for the cage and a controller forming part of the operating mechanism lor the cage, of means for storing power carried by the cage and operated by a movement of the cage to store power, means for transmitting motion from said power storing means to the door to open and close the same, means for operating the power transmitting means to cause motion to be transmitted in the desired direction to open or close the door, said means being locked against operation by the controller for the cage during the movement of the cage.

19. In an elevator, the combination with a cage, a door for the cage and a controller forming part of the operating mechanism of said cage, of a motor carried by the cage, gearing for transmitting motion from the motor to open and close the door, means for controlling the direction in which motion should be transmitted from the motor to the door, means on the door for locking the cage controller when the door is open and a member for operating the controller and the ,means for controlling the motion transmitting means.

In testimony whereof I aliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN V. KRANEBIEL.

Witnesses:

Lnwis E. FLANDERS, G. E MCGRANN.

@epics of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing 'the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, JD.. G.

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