US1623349A - Electric-lift machine and the like - Google Patents

Description

April 5 1927.

J. B. M. KNUTSEN ELECTRIC LIFT MACHINE AND THE LIKE Original Filed Dec. 18. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 L t P21 267? zln-JerZr-lm maria Kwufi er/r/ haw April 5 .1927. 1,623,349

J. B. M. KNUTSEN ELECTRIC LIFT MACHINE AND THE LIKE Original FiledDec.l8. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z;1/ venfor:

@ 03? jerfram Mffflw M 5 liT/M April 5.1921. 1,623,349 J. B. M. KNUTSEN awcwnrc LIFT momma AND THE LIKE Original Filed Dec. 18. 1924 s Shets-Sheet :s

April 5.1921. v 1,623,349

.1. B. M. KNUTSEN ELECTRIC LIFT MACHINE AND THE LIKE "Original Filed 960.18, 1924 '5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Z1, Men far;

I v v I I Z1 ze r-fram /yarfiw A uffren April 5 1927.

J. a. M. KNUTSEN suscmw LIFT MACHINE AND THE LIKE Original Filed Dec. 18. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mn erz nzm %rfaw A nafian Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

7 1,623,349 PATENT OFFICE JOHN BERTRAM MORTON KNU'ISEN, OF ELIZABETH BAY, NEAR SYDLTEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

ELECTRIC-LIFT MACHINE AND THE LIKE.

Application filed December 18, 1924, Serial No. 756,352, and in Australia January 15, 1924. Renewed February 24, 1927.

automatic control means therefor.

In electrically operated and electrically controlled lifts of ordinary type, skill and accuracy are required on the part of a lift attendant to stop the lift car at exactly a required floor level, due particularly to the tendency of the car to over-run the stopping point, even. after the lift motor has been switched off and the brakes have been ap nlied to the lift machine. At varying spcedsof travel and with varying car loads this advantage is augmented, with the result that the lift attendant has frequently to reverse the lift motor several times during one trip to return the lift car to the correct stopping points, and also to make contacts of short duration on the car switch to cause the lift car to travel but relatively short distances. These levelling operations cause jerky movements of the lift car, which is objectionable to the car passengers and is also harmful to the lift machine and motor, while being wasteful both of time and of electrical energy expended.

The present invention provides an automatic. car levelling apparatus for an electrically operated lift which will ensure exact and accurate stopping of the lift car at floor levels or landings, regardless of the load and of the speed of the lift car, without necessitating reversing of the lift motor orforming contacts of short duration on the car switch.

The invention also provides car levelling apparatus for electrically operated lifts wherein the actual stopping of the lift car takes place at low speed so that the operation is exceedingly smooth and pleasant to passengers.

The objects of the invention are accomplished by providing auxiliary reduction and reverse v ear on the lift machine, and automatic selective mechanism for controlling said aux'.iarv gearing according to the position of the lift-car to cause it to travel in the required direction at low speed to the required stopping, point. The selective control mechanism is switched into and out of use automatically by the operation of the car switch by the lift attendant, and when -iary reduction and reverse gearing.

it is in use it is controlled by cam switches that are located in the lift well and are operated by a cam on the lift car.

The selective control mechanism is connected to the lift motor relays which it maintains closed when the car switch has been switched off to keep the lift motor running in the same direction. until such time as the lift car has reached and is exactly level with the required stopping point.

The selective control mechanism includes relay control switches which are preferably located on the lift control board and connected to electroanagnetically operated clutches and brakes provided upon the auxil- These clutches and brakes, when operated by the relay control switches, throw the auxiliary reduction gearing into use and according to the position of the lift car relative to the required stopping point, said clutches and brakes also enable the lift machine to be driven either directly, or to be reversed as may be required to move the lift car to the selected stopping point.

The auxiliary reduction and reverse gearinc provided upon the lift machine is prefcrably of the epicyclic type, and it comprises two gear cases, one of which accommodates speed reduction pinions in mesh with gear wheels that are fitted upon a central driving spindle. The other of said gear cases houses the electro-magnetically operated clutches which enable both direct and reverse reduction drives to be obtained as required. The electro-ma rnetically operated brakes are arranged exteriorly :of the gear cases, and they are operated synchronously with the clutches by the relay control switches. I

Referring now to the accompanying drawmgsz- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of an electric lift machine illustrating an automatically operated and controlled car levelline apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on line 2.J of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing, showing the speed reduction gear case and the electro-magnetically controlled clutches.

F igure 4; is a wiring diagram showing the car switch, the cam switches in the lift well,

all)

the lift motor relays and the relay control switches for selectively controlling the electro-magnetically operated clutches and brakes of the auxiliary reduction and reversing gearing.

Figure is a view in elevation illustrating a modification wherein the auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing are housed in the winding drum of the lift machine.

Figure 6 is a view partly in section of the modification shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, of the drawings, 2 is the electric motor or power unit of an electric lift machine and 2) indicates the winding mechanism which may be of the worm-reduction gear type commonly adopted in lift machines. Arranged between the motor 2 and the winding mechanism 3 is auxiliary reduction and rererse gearing at comprising two gear cases 5 and 6 which are rotatably supported by standards 7 rigidly secured to a base 3 of substantial construction that also supports the said winding mechanism and the lift motor. The gear case 5 is constructed in two sections 5" and 5 which are rigidly secured together. Revolvably mounted in section 5 of said gear case and extending outwardly therefrom is a shaft 9 which is coupled at its outer end to the spindle 10 of the lift motor 2-see Figure 1.

A double helical pinion 11 is carried by the inner end of the shaft 9 and it meshes with two epicyclic gear wheels 12 oppositely arranged within the gear case section 5. These gear wheels are keyed upon short spindles 13 journaled at their opposite ends in ball bearings 11 and 15 that are fitted in the checks of the gear case sections 5 and 5" respectively.

Fitted at the ends of the short spindles 13 and accommodated within the gear case section 5" are pinions 16 in mesh with a gear wheel 17 that is formed on, or is secured to, the end of a tubular shaft 13. This tubular shaft is revolrably accommodated within a sleeve 19 mounted upon the standards 7 and it provides a support for an enlarged boss 20, formed cent ally upon the cheek of the gear case section 5 The outer end of said tubular shaft 18 is tapered at 21, and rigidly fitted thereon is a cast metal clutch wheel .22 which has clutch plates 23 on the interior surface of its flange. This clutch wheel is maintained rigidly upon the tubular shaft 18 by a nut 2% on the said tapered end 21.

Revolrably supported within the said tubular shaft is an extension spindle 25, which is constructed having a flange 26 formed on its inner end for rigid atiixture in approved manner to the web portion 27 of the gear case section A ball bearing 28 is fitted in the flanged end 26 of said spindle and revolvably supports the inner end of the shaft 9, which is coupled to the spindle 10 of the electric motor 2. Said extension spindle is constructed having a tapered outer end 29, whereon is fitted a second cast metal clutch wheel 30, having, clutch plates 31 titted to the interior surface of its flange. This clutch wheel is retained rigidly upon the tapered end of said extension spindle 25 by a nut 3.

Arranged in longitudinal alignment with the extension spindle is a third. shaft 33, which is coupled at its outer end to the spindle 34 of the lift winding mechanism 3seo l igure 1. The inner end of said shaft 33 is also tapered as at 35 and keyed upon said tapered end is an annular electro-magnet 36 having an armature 37 of disc shape, that is connected by rods 38 to a clutch disc 39 furnished with clutch plates it). These lastmentioned clutch plates are normally maintained in driving engagement with the clutch plates 31 on the clutch wheel 30 by the tension of coiled springs 1-1 embracing, the rods 38 and bearing against the electromagnet 36 and the said armature.

Secured to the electr0-magnet 36 is a sleeve 12, which passes around the clutch wheel 30 and is secured to a second electromagnet 43 disposed adjacent to the clutch wheel 22. This eletcro-magnet 43 has its armature eta connected by rods 45 to a clutch disc 46 having clutch plates 4LT that are normally maintained in driving engagement with the clutch plates 23 on the clutch wheel 22 by the tension of coiled springs 18 embracing said rods 45.

The windings of the electro-magnets 3G and 43 are each separately connected to slip rings 19, to which current is supplied by contact brushes (not shown) that are con nected to the selective control system hereinafter described. These slip rings 49 are fitted upon a panel 50 of insulating material. which is supported from the electromaginet 3G by means of a ring 51.

Surrounding the section o of the gear *ase and also encircling the clutch wheel 22 are electro-magnetically operated brakes 52 and 53 each having brake shoes at that are pivoted at 55 to the standards 7. The shoes 54: of said brakes are normally maintained in engagement with the exterior siu'faces of the gear case section 5 and the clutch wheel 22 by means of coiled Springs 56 which are attached to eye bolts 57 fitted in lugs 58 car ried by said brake shoes.

The brakes 52 and 53 are operated by solenoids 59 and (30, which are attached to the brake shoes above the coiled springs and each independently connected to the selective control system as hereinafter described.

Figure 4 illustrates the selective control system included in the invention, and in this View 61 indicates the lift car and 62 the ill) llii

car switch. The down contact 63 of said car switch is connected in usual manner by a cable 64 to the electro-magnet 65 of the down lift motor relay 66, while the up contact 67 of said car switch is connected by the cable 68 to the electro-magnet 69 of the up lift motor relay 70.

Each of the lift motor relays 66 and 70 is connected in the usual manner by cables (not shown) to the electric lift motor 2, and also by wires 71 to the power lead designated by 72.

The lift motor relays 66 and 70 are also electrically connected by wires 73 and. 74, respectively, to relay control switches 75 'and 76. The contacts 77, 78, 79 and 80 of said relay switches are independently connected by wires 81, 82, 83 and 8 1, respectively, to the clutch electro-magnet 43, solenoid 60, magnet 36 and solenoid 59.

Provided on the car switch62 are 6011111615 "85 connected to the power lead 86 and there connected by a wire 94 to'the electro-magnet 95 of a relay 96, while the contact 92 of'said selector switch is connected by a wire 97 to the electro-magnet 98 of a relay 99.

The relays 96 and 99 each have three switch arms 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105,

' respectively, having contacts 106, 107, 108, i

109, 110 and 111. The contacts 106 and 111 of said relays are connected by a wire 112 to the cam switch circuit 113 having cam switches 114 arranged in the lift well, while the contacts 108 and 109 of said relays are connected by a wire 115 to a cam switch circuit 116 having cam switches 117, that are also arranged in the lift well.

The contact 107 of the relay 96 is connected by a wire 118 to the cable 68 that is wired to the up contact 67 of the'car switch, while the contact 1100f the relay 99 is connected by a wire 119 to the cable '61 that is wired to the down contact '63 of the car switch.

The switch arms and 103 of said relays 96 and 99 are connected by a wire 120 to the electro-magn'et 121 of the relay control switch 75, while the switch arms 102 and of said relays are connected by a wire 122 to the electro-magnet- 123 of the relay control switch 76. Both of said electro-magnets 121 and 1.23 of the relay control switches 75 and 76 are connected by a wire 12 1 to the neutral or middle wire 125 of a three wire distribution system.

The switch arms 101 and 104 of the relays 96 and 99 are respectively connected by wires 126 and 127 to the electro-magnets 95'and 98, and they are also both connected by a wire 128 to a common cam switch circuit 129.

The switch arms 100 and 105, and 102 and 103 have auxiliary contacts 130, 131, 132 and 133, respectively, which are connected by wires 134; and 135 to the neutral wire 125. These auxiliary contacts are arranged to automatically break circuit with the neutral wire 125, when either of the switch arms 100 or 105, and 102 or 103 is closed, thus providing electrical interlocking means, which will prevent both of said pairs of switch arms from operating at the same time.

In operatioi'i, when the lift car 61 is ascending, the car switch 62 will be moved to -the right to make'contact with the up contact 67. The current flowing through the cable 68 energizes the electro-magnet 69 of the up motor relay 70, and causes the lift motor 2 to be switched into use. The motor drives the shafts 9 and 10 and as both sets'of clutch plates 23, 4:7 and 31, 10 are being maintained in driving engagement with each other by the coiled springs 4:8 and 11, the gear cases 5 and 6 are both rotated and the auxiliary reduction and re versing gearing is not in use, so that a direct and unreduced speed drive is transmitted by the shaft 34 to the winding mechanism 3 of the lift machine. Simultane ously, with the operation of the relay 70, the selector switch 93 is operated tocause contact to be made between the contacts 91-.

Upon the lift car arriving near to the desirec stopping point, the car switch 62 is moved to the stop position but before it breaks contact wit-h the up contact 67, it engages the contacts 85 and thus enables current from the power lead 86 to flow through the wirev 89 to the contacts 91 of the selector switch 93, and thence through wire 94 to the elcctro-magnet 95 of the relay 96. The energization of said electro magnet causes the three switch arms 100, 101 and 102 of said relay 96 to be closed against the contacts 106, 107 and 108. The closing of the switch arm 101 allowscurrent to then flow through the wire 118 to the electromagnet 69 of the up motor relay 70, thus maintaining said relay closed. The lift motor 2 is thus not switched off and stopped by the car switch 62, but is maintained run ning in the same direction as originally by the current flowing through the switch arm 101 of the relay 96.

The closing of the switch arms 100 and 102 against the contacts 106 and 108 causes the cam switch circuits 113 and 116 to be closed, so that the operation of the lift machine is now controlled solely by the cam switches 11 1 and 117 in the lift well.

Should the lift car be at a level that is below the required stopping point when the carfswitch is moved to ,st-op position, the

car will operate the cam switch 117 to thus close the switch circuit 116. Current.- will then flow along the wire 115 and through the contact 108 and the switch arm 102 to the wire 122, and thence to the electro-magnet 123 of the relay control switch 76 and then through the wire 12% to the neutral wire 125. Said relay control switch 76 is thus operated to cause contact to be made with the contact 79. Current is thus caused to flow from the lead wire 72 through the motor relay 70 and thence by the wire 71 through the relay control switch 76 along the wire 83 to the clutch electro-magnet 36 of the reduction and reverse gearing t.

The energization of the clutch BIQCLI'O magnet 36 causes the armature 37 to beattracted against the action of the coiled springs 11, causing the clutch disc 39 to be moved inwardly and the clutch plates 40 on said disc to be disengaged from the clutch plates 31 on the clutch wheel 30.

During the energization of the clutch electro-magnet 36, current also flows from the wire 72 through wire 73 to the relay control switch 75 and through the contact 78 along the wire 82 to the brake solenoid 60, causing the brake 53 to be opened from the clutch wheel 22 against the action of the coiled spring 56. It will thus be observed that the clutch wheel and the electromagnet 36 are now disconnected and the brake 53 is released from the clutch wheel 22, while the electro-magnet 413 is still connected through the clutch plates 23 and 47 with the clutch wheel 22, and the brake 52 is still applied to the surface of the gear case section 5.

The lift motor 2, now being maintained running in the same direction as originally by the switch arm 101, drives the shaft 9, which acting through the pinion 11, 1'0- tates the epicyclic gear wheels 12. Said gear wheels now drive the short spindles 13, which in turn rotate the tubular shaft 18, acting through the pinions 16 and the gear wheel 17. By reason of the gear ratios of the said gear wheel 17 and the pinions 16, the tubular shaft 18 is driven at considerably lower speed than the shaft 9.

The tubular shaft 18 drives the clutch wheel 22, which acts through the clutch plates 23 and 17, and in turn rotates the electro-magnet 13. Said electro-n'iagnct 43 then drives the electro-i'nagnct 36 through the sleeve causing the shaft 33 to be rotated and thus transmit motion to the winding mechanism 3 through the coupled shaft 31.

It will thus be seen that the motor 2 is connected through the auxiliary reduction gearing 1 to the winding mechanism 3, whereby the speed of the travelling lift car is very considerably reduced. The lift car thus moves upwardly under the reduced speed, until it has reached the correct stopping point, when the cam switch 117 is released to interrupt the switch circuit 116 and allow the electro-magnet 123 of the relay control switch 76 to be de-energized. The contact at 79 is thus broken, so that the clutch electro-magnet 36 is de-energized to allow the armature 37 to move outwardly under the influence of the coiled springs 41 and again bring the clutch plates into engagement with the clutch plates 31 on the clutch wheel 30. Simultaneously with the de-energization of the clutch electro-magnet- 36, the electro-magnet 69 of the motor relay 70 is also de-energized causing the motor 2 to be stopped and both of the brakes 52 and 53 to be applied.

Should the lift car have over-run the required stopping point, the cam switch 114 will be operated causing the cam switch circuit 113 to be closed to allow current to flow along the wire 112 through the contact 106 and the switch arm 100, and thence by the wire 120 to the electromagnet 121 of the relay control switch 75. Said relay control switch 75 is thus operated to cause contact to be made with the contact 77, and allow current to flow through the wire 81 to the clutch electro-magnet 43. The energization of said clutch electro-magnet 4-3 causes the armature 1 1 to be attracted causing the clutch plates 47 on the clutch, disc 46 to be moved out of engagement with the clutch plates 23 on the clutch wheel 22. During the energization of the electro-magnet 13, current also flows through the contact- 77 of the relay control switch 75 and along the wire 82 to the solenoid of the brake 53, causing said brake to be released from the gear case section 5 It will be thus seen that the electro-magnet 13 has been energized to release the clutch wheel 22, and the electro-magnet 36 is de-energized, while the brake 53 is released from the gear case section 5, and the brake 52 is applied to the clutch wheel 22.

The lift motor 2, being maintained running in the same direction as originally by means of the switch arm 101 as previously described, drives the shaft 9 causing the pinion 11 and the epicyclic gear wheels 12 to be rotated. The short spindles 13 are thus driven to cause the pinions 16 to rotate around the gear wheel 17 which is now maintained stationary by the action of the brake 52 on the clutch wheel 22. The gear case is thereby driven causing rotation of the extension spindle 25, which in turn drives the clutch wheel 30. Said clutch wheel 30 acting through the clutch plates 31 and 40 now drives the electro-magnet 36 and causes the shaft 33 to be rotated. The lift motor, by being connected to the winding mechanism 3 in the manner described, causes said winding mechanism to be driven atreduced speed in reverse direction, whereby the lift car is returned to the correct stopping point without necessitating reversal of the motor. lVhen the lift car reaches the required stopping level, the motor 2 is automatically stopped, the clutch electro-niagnct 36 is deenergized and both the brakes and 53 are automatically applied in the manner before described by the cam switch 114 in the lift well.

lVhen the lift car is travelling down, the car switch 62 will be moved to the left to make contact with the down contact 63 and allow current to flow through the cable 64 to the electro-magnet 65 of the down or reverse motor relay 66 to cause the direction of the motor 2 to be reversed. Simultane ously with the operation of the motor relay 66, the selector switch 93 is operated to cause contact to be made between the contacts 92. On arrival near to the required stopping level, the car switch 62 is moved by the lift attendant to the stop position, as previously described, to allow current to flow through the wire 90 to the contacts 92 of the selector switch 93, and thence through the wire 97 to the electro-magnet 98 of the relay 99. The energization of said relay electro-magnet 98 causes the three switch arms 103, 104 and 1.05 to be closed against the contacts 109, 110 and 111. The closing of the switch arm 104 against the contact 110 allows current to flow through the wire 119 to the electromagnet 65 of the down motor relay 66, thus maintaining said relay closed and keeping the lift motor rotating in reverse direction. The closing of the said switch arms 1.03 and 105 against the contacts 109 and 111 causes the cam switch circuits 113 and 116 to be closed in readiness whereby the operation of the lift machine is now controlled solely by the cam switches 114 and 117 in the lift-well. The lift car will now operate either the cam switch 114 or the cam switch 117, according to whether it is above or below the required stopping level, to cause the operation of the brakes and clutches as previously described.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a modification of the invention wherein the drum 136 of the winding mechanism is coupled directly to the motor 2, and the auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing and the electro-magnetically operated clutches are housed in said drum. In this form of ap paratus, the shaft 9 has a reduced portion 137 upon which the pinion 11 is fitted, and said pinion meshes with the two epicychc and oppositely arranged gear wheels 12 that are fitted on the short spindles 13 mounted in the ball- bearings 14 and 15 provided in the sides of the gear case 5. Fitted at the ends of the short spindles 13 are the pin ions 1.6, which mesh with the gear wheel 17 formed on the tubular shaft 18. The

winding drum 136 is loosely mounted upon a sleeve 138 arranged around the tubular spindle 18, and it has clutch plates 139 and 140 fitted on its interior surface. Rigidly fitted to the end of the tubular shaft 18 is a clutch electro-magnet 141 having its armature 142 mounted on rods 143 attached to said electromagnet. Fitted upon said rods 143 adjacent to the armature 142 is a clutch disc 144, which has clutch plates, 145 that are normally maintained in driving engagement with clutch plates 139 on the winding drum 136 by coiled springs 146 encircling said rods 143.

A second clutch electro-magnet 147 is rigidly secured to the gear case 5, and, its armature 148 has rods 149 upon which is mounted a clutch disc 150 having clutch plates 151 that are normally maintained in engagement with the clutch plates 140 on the winding drum 136 by coiled springs 152 surrounding the said rods 149. Slip rings 153 and 154 fitted on insulating panels 155 and 156 are arranged on the end of the electro-magnet 141 and also on an extension on the gear case 5 to enable current from the relay control switches and 76 to be conveniently supplied to said electro- magnets 141 and 147. The brakes 52 and 53, although not shown in Figures 5 and 6, are arranged to act upon the exterior surfaces of the electro-magnet 141 and the gear case 5 and they are, operated and controlled by the relay control switches 75 and 76 in the manner hereinbefore explained.

When the relay control switches 75 and 76 are operated in the manner described, the brake '53 will be applied and the brake 52 will be released, while the electrosnagnet 147 will be energized, causing the clutch plates 151 to be disengaged from the clutch plates 140 on the winding drum 136. The lift motor 2 is maintained running by the relays 96 and 99 and now drives the pinion 11, which rotates the tubular spindle 18 acting through the gear wheels 12, the short spindles 13 and the gears 16 and 17. The said tubular spindle, in turn, drives the electro-magnet 141, which acting through the clutch plates 145 and 139, drives the winding drum 136 at considerably slower speed than the motor shaft 9. The lift car will thus be caused to travel at slow speed until it arrives at the required stopping level lVhen the reduction gearing is reversed by the relay control switches 75 and 76, the brake 52 is applied to the electro-magnet 141 and the brake 53 is released, while the electro-magnet 141 will be energized to cause the clutch plates 145 on the clutch disc 144 to disengage from the clutch plates 139 on the winding drum 136. The lift motor then rotates the pinion 11, which in turn drives the spindles 13 and causes the casing5 to rotate with the pinions 16 running around the now stationary wheel 17 on the said tubular shaft. The rotation of the casing 5 causes the attached electro-magnet 14:7 to be rotated, which, in turn, drives the winding drum 136 in reverse direction through the clutch plates 151 and 140, whereby the lift car travels at slow speed and in reverse direction to the required stopping level.

The improved lift car levelling apparatus has been found to be highly efficient in use, and as the actual stopping of the lift car takes place at low speed, the operation is exceedingly smooth and pleasant to the passengers. Moreover, the lift motor does not require to be reversed during a trip or to be stopped unnecessarily with the result that the motor and lift machine are not subjected to any unnecessary wear, while a considerable saving of time and power is also effected.

What I do claim is 1. In an electrically operated lift, the combination with a lift car and winding mechanism of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches controlling said reduction and reverse gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches and automatically switched into and out of use by the car switch, and cam switches in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the lift car relative to a required stopping level.

2. In an electrically operated lift, the combination, with a lift car, its switch, and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, and automatic selective control means for controlling the reduction and reverse gearing according to the position of the car relative to a required stopping level; said gearing comprising epicyclic speed-reduction gear, a direct drive clutch, a reverse drive clutch, and electro-magnets for controlling said clutches.

3. In an electrically operated lift, the combination, with a lift car, its switch, and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches controlling the reduction and reverse gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches and automatically switched into and out of use by the car switch, and cam switches in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the car relative to a required stopping level; said gearing comprising epicyclic speed-reduction gear,

a direct drive clutch, a reverse drive clutch, electromagnets for operating said clutches, and connections between said magnets and the relay control switches.

at. In an electrically operated lift, the combination, with a lift car, its switch, and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches controlling the reduction'and reverse gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches and automatically switched into and out of use by the car switch, and cam switches in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the car relative to a required stopping level; said gearing comprising epicyclic speed-reduction gear, a direct drive clutch wheel, a reverse drive clutch wheel, clutch plates on said clutch wheels, an elcctro-magnet for each clutch wheel, an armature for each magnet, clutch discs connected to said armatures, clutch plates on said clutch discs to engage the first-named plates, and electrical connections between said magnets and the relay control switches.

5. In an electrically operated lift, the combination, with a lift car, its switch, and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches controlling the reduction and reverse gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches and automatically switched into and out of use by the car switch, and cam switches in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the car relative to a required stopping level; said gearing comprising two gear cases, epicyclic speedreduction gear housed in one gear case, a tubular spindle connected to the speed-reduction gear, a central spindle connected to said gear case, a direct drive clutch wheel mounted on said tubular spindle, a reverse drive clutch wheel mounted on said central spindle, clutch plates on both of said clutch wheels, an electro-magnet for each of said clutch wheels, a sleeve connected to both magnets, armatures on said magnets, clutch discs connected to said armatures, clutch plates on said clutch discs engaging the clutch plates on the clutch wheels, and electrical control connections between said electro-magnets and the relay control switches.

6. In an electrically operated lift, the combination with a lift car and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing interposed between the lift motor aud the winding mechanism; said gearing comprising epicyclic speed reduction gear, a direct drive clutch wheel, a reverse drive clutch wheel, clutch plates on said clutch wheels, an electro-magnet for each clutch wheel, an armature for each magnet, a clutch disc for each armature, connecting rods between each clutch disc and associated armature, clutch plates on said clutch discs, and coil springs on said connecting rods for maintaining the clutch plates on the clutch discs in driving engagement with the clutch plates on the clutch wheels; relay control switches, a car switch, relays connected to the relay control switches and automatically switched into and out of use by the car switch, electrical connections between the magnets of the reduction gearing and the relay control switches, and cam switches in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the posi tion of the lift car relative to a required stopping level.

7. An electrically operated lift, according to claim 6, wherein the electro-magnets are of annular shape and are connected by a sleeve.

8. In an electrically operated lift, the com bination with a lift car and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches selectively controlling said gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches and automatically switched into and out of use by the car switch, motor relays connected to said car switch and to the first-named relays, a selector switch operated by said motor relays, and cam switches in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the lift car relative to a required stopping level.

9. In an electrically operated lift, the combination with a lift car and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches for selectively controlling said gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches, lift motor relays, connections between the first-named relays and said motor relays for maintaining the lift motor running when the car switch is switched oil, a selector switch operated by said motor relays, connections between said selector switch and the car switch, connections between said selector switch and said first-named relays, cam switch circuits con nected to said first-named relays, and cam switches in said circuits arranged in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the lift car relative to the required stopping level.

10. In an electrically operated lift, the combination with a lift car and winding mechanism, of auxiliary reduction and reverse gearing directly and positively associated with said mechanism and interposed between the same and the lift motor, relay control switches for selectively controlling said gearing, relays connected to said relay control switches, and provided each with three switch arms, lift motor relays, connections between the motor relays and one of said switch arms, a selector switch operated by said motor relays, connections between said selector switch and the firstnamed relays, cam switch circuits connected to the other two switch arms, and can' switches in said circuits arranged in the lift well for operating said relay control switches according to the position of the lift car.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signa ture. I

J. B. M. KNUTSEN.

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