US3292737A

US3292737A - Electro-mechanical interlock

Info

Publication number: US3292737A
Application number: US416334A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hibberd R Crispen; Charles N Fendrich
Original assignee: Inclinator Co of America
Current assignee: Inclinator Co of America
Priority date: 1964-12-07
Filing date: 1964-12-07
Publication date: 1966-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-20

Description

Dec. 20, 1966 Filed Deo. '7, 1964 H. R. CRISPEN ET AL ELECTRO-MECHANICAL INTERLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 arent Patented Dec. 2G, 1968 3,292,737 ELECTRO-MECHANICAL INTERLCK Hibherd R. Crispen and Charles N. Fendrich, Harrisburg, Pa., assignors to Inclnator Company of America,

Harrisburg, Pa., a company of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 416,334 12 Claims. (Cl. IS7-31) The present invention relates to yan electro-mechanical interlock mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electro-mechanical interlock `mechanism for hoistway doors of elevators. Y

In elevator installations, it is customary to prevent the operation of the elevator car unless the hoistway doors at all floors are closed. Thus, the elevator car cannot be moved away from a given door until the hoistway door at that iloor is closed. This is generally accomplished by an interlock mechanism in which an electrical switch is held in an open position to prevent completion of the operating circuit of the elevator car until the hoistway door is completely closed and mechanically locked. However, because ofthe inordinate expense `and impracticality of operating both the door lock and the elevator switch at exactly the same instant, there is always the possibility that a door will be left open a short distance by accident and the elevator car will still operate with this dangerous condition in existence.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved interlock mechanism for doors in which opening of the door a short distance will interrupt the circuit operating another mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved interlock mechanism for elevator doors in which opening of the door a short distance will interrupt the circuit operating the elevator car.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an interlock mechanism for elevator doors in which opening the door a small amount will interrupt the circuit operating the elevator car but the door will be prevented from opening more than a predetermined distance from the jamb.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved interlock mechanism for elevator doors in which a door left part-way open wil-l interrupt the circuit operating the elevator car while open, but a return mechanism will completely close the door thereby recompleting the circuit.

till another object of the present invention is to provide an improved interlock mechanism for elevator doors in 'which the circuit operating the elevator car is interrupted if the latch mechanism of the hoistway door is not locked internav ly.

In accordance with the present invention, the above objectives are accomplished by providing a three-position latch mechanism for a hoistway door. In a rst position, representing the completely closed position of the door, the circuit operating the elevator car is closed and the hoistway door is held in its completely closed position by a spring mechanism. In the second position, the door is a predetermined distance from lthe jarnb, but is mechanically blocked from opening any further, the circuit operating the elevator car is open and the latch mechanism is under spring tension tending pul-l the door completely closed. In its third position, the door is open, the circuit operating the elevator car is open and the latch mechanism has passed through a center position and is held in its completely open position.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a plan View, partially in section, of the interlock mechanism;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the interlock mechanism;

FIGURES 3a, b and c, partially in section, show the three basic positions of the latch mechanism; and

FIGURES 4a, b and c show the three basic positions of the electrical switching circuit.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a base plate vertically vmounted on the door jamb 12, of an elevator hoistway opening. Mounted on the hoistway door 14 is lock bar 16. Lock bar 16 has formed therein, adjacent its upper edge land on its free end, a rectangular slot 18. Mounted near the lower end of plate 10 is terminal block 2! having

terminals

22, 24 and 26 mounted thereon. Also `mounted on plate It) above terminal block 20 is snap action switch 28, having contact button 30 spring biased in its extended position. Attached to plate 10 through switch 23 is mounting plate 32. Attached to the rearward side of plate 32 is snap action switch 34. Switch 34 has contact button 36 normally biased in its extended position. Also pivotally attached to switch 34 on pivot 38 is operating arm 4i), which is adapted to press against and operate contact button 36. Mounted on the free end of operating arm 44? is roller 42. Roller element 42 is adapted to cooperate with and act as a follower for generally circular com member 44. Clam member 44 is pivotally mounted on plate lti through pivot element 46. It is to be noted that when roller element 42 is riding -on the circular portion 48 of cam member 44, contact button 36 is depressed, while, when roller element 42 is adjacent straight section 50 of cam member 44, contact button 36 is released and in its extended position. Mounted adjacent the peripheral edge of c-am member 44 and protruding therefrom are

cylindrical lock pins

52 and 54, respectively. Lock pin 52 fits within slot 18 when cam 44 is in the rst and second positions shown in FIGURES 3a and 3b, but is free of slot 13 when cam member 44 is in the position shown in FIG- URE 3c. Attached to the free end of lock pin 54 is one end of helical spring 56. The other end ot spring 56 is attached to mounting block 58, which, in turn, is attached to plate 10. It is to be noted that spring 56 is under tension and holds cam member 44 in the position shown in FIGURE 3a when the door is completely closed. When the door is opened a predetermined distance, latch pin 54 moves to a point just short of the center position, as shown in FIGURE 3b, in which position spring 56 is further stretched and therefore tends to return cam 44 to the position shown in FIGURE 3a. However, if cam member 44 is turn-ed still further to cause pin 54 to pass through the center position, spring 56 will tend to continue to rotate cam 44 to the position shown in FIGURE 3c and hold it in that position. Stop 60 on the peripheral edge of cam 44 limits the movement of cam 44 in a clockwise direction, while stop 62 limits the movement of cam 44 in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, cam 44 moves through a preselected arc, from one extreme position, counterclockwise through a center position and thence to a second extreme position. In accordance with the present invention, this movement is contined to an arc representing approximately Also formed in the upper portion of the peripheral edge of cam 44 to arcuate slot 64. Slot 64 cooperates with movable cylindrical pin 66. When cylindrical pin 66 is in its lowermost position and cam 44 is in the position shown in FIGURE 3a, pin 66 abuts shoulder 63 of slot 64 and when cam 44 has passed through an arc sufficient to have pin 54 just short of its center position, pin 66 abuts shoulder 70 of slot 64. Thus, it is clear that, when pin 66 is in its lowermost position, pin 66 permits a limited arcuate movement of cam 44 to a position whereby pin 54 is just short of its center position and cam 44 is being urged back to its original position of FIGURE 3a by spring 56. Also ymounted on block 58 is snap -action switch 72. Switch 72 has contact button 74, normally biased in its extended position, which is operated by operating arm 76 pivotally connected to switch 72 through pivot 78. Operating arm 76 is in contact with collar 80 mounted in a xed position on pin 66. When pin 66 is in its lowermost position, operating arm 76 depresses contact button 74, and when pin 66 is raised, contact button 74 is released to its extended position. Connected to the upper end -of pin 66, by means of manual pin lifting element 82, is solenoid core 84. Solenoid core S4 is surrounded by coil 86 which, when energized, is adapted to draw core S4 upwardly a distance sufficient for pin 66 to clear the outer periphery of cam 44 and to remove the pressure of collar 80 from -operating arm 76, thereby releasing the contact button 74. Coil 86 and core 84 make up a 24-volt solenoid S3 which is mounted on plate 16 adjacent its upper end.

To facilitate the description of the operation of the'VY interlock mechanism of the present invention, FIGURES 3a, b and c have been included to show the three basic positions of the latch mechanism. FIGURES 4a, b and c have also been included to show the positions of the switches of the electrical system, when the latch mechanism is in the position shown in `drawings 3a, i7 and c, respectively. Accordingly, in the following detailed description of the operation of the electro-mechanical interlock mechanism of the present invention, drawings 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b and 4c will be referred to in conjunction with FIGURES l and 2.

Referring rst to FIGURES 3a and 4a, it is to be observed that FIGURE 3a shows the latch mechanism in exactly the same position as it is shown in FIGURE l. The door in FIGURE 3a is completely closed. It is to be observe-d that, with the latch mechanism in the position shown, spring 56 wil-l hold cam 44 in the furthermost clockwise position permitted by stop 60. Ths position of cam 44 causes the pin 52 to press against the bottom and left side of slot 18 of lock bar 16, thereby holding door 14 in its closed position. Pin 66 is in its lowermost position riding in arcuate slot 64, since, as will be pointed out hereinafter, solenoid 88 is not energized. Finally, roller 42, attached to switch 34 through operating arm 40, is in contact with the peripheral edge 48 of cam 44. As shown in FIGURE 4a, switch 34 is norm-ally biased in its open position, and when roller 42 is riding the peripheral edge 48 of cam 44 the button 36 of switch 34 is depressed, thereby holding switch 34 in its closed position. When pin 66 is in its lowermost position, button 74 Iof switch 72 is depressed by collar 80 through operating larm 76. Switch 72 is normally biased in its open position and therefore the depression of button 74 closes switch 72. With door 14 completely closed, button 30 of switch 28 will be depressed. Switch 28 is normally biased against contacts 90 and, therefore, when button 30 is depressed, switch 28 will be depressed against contracts 92, thereby bridging these contacts. Electrica-l line 94 is a live lead from a 24-volt sou-rce of electrical current and, as shown, is connected to terminal 22 of the electro-mechanical interlock system, of each floor served by the elevator, through electrical line 96. Mounted in line 96 is rail switch 9S, which is normally biased in its open position. For simplicity of illustration, switch 98 is shown as a snap action switch but it may take other forms. Rail switch 98 is tripped and closed when the elevator car reaches the oor in question. Electrical line 100 also originates at the source of energy but comes from the right hand terminal, for example, terminal 26 of FIGURE 4a, of the previous interlock mechanism if there is such an interlock interposed between the source of energy and the interlock mechanism shown. In like fashion, electrical line 102, from terminal 26 of the interlock mechanism shown, passes to a tenminal, such as, terminal 24 of the next succeeding interlock mechanism or to a floating cord if no succeeding interlock mechanism exists. In any event, 24 volts of electrical energy are impressed across

lines

94 and 100. By observing FIGURE 4a, with the

switches

34, 72 and 28 in the positions shown, it is to be seen that, when the door is completely closed, coil 86 is de-energized due to the fact that switch 28 is bridging contacts 92 and contacts 90 are open. However, electrical energy is being supplied to the next succeeding interlock mechanism through line 94 and line 100 through contact 22, switch 28, switch 72, contact 26 and electrical line 102. It should also be noted that this condition persists so long as the door is closed, irrespective of whether the elevator is at the iloor in question and rail switch 98 is closed or rail switch 98 is open as shown.

The next basic position of the latch system is shown in FIGURE 3b. In FIGURE 3b door 14 has been opened just far enough (about 1A of an inch) to release button 30 -of switch 28. Pin 66 has passed along arcuate slot 64 until it is just about to touch shoulder 70 of slot 64. Roller 42 is still riding on circular periphery 48'of cam 44 and is just about to leave this circular surface to ride along straight surface 50 on the periphery of cam 44. In the position shown, pin 66 abutting against shoulder 70 prevents cam 44 from turning any further. Also, since pin 66 still rides in slot 64, collar y80 will still hold switch 72 closed. Pin 52 is still in slot l1S of lock bar 16. Thus, the door cannot be opened any further because of the blocking action of pin 66 and pin 52. In addition, the door 14, when in this position, must be held open by the person attempting to open the door, due to the fact that spring 56 is extended further than it was in FIGURE 3a and cam 44 is being urged in a clockwise direction, thereby pulling lock bar 16 inwardly through pin 52 and door 14 to the closed position. Referring now to FIGURE 4b, the electrical switch system is in the condition recited below. First of all, since roller 42 is still on -circula-r periphery 48 of cam 44, switch 34 is still depressed thereby maintaining switch 34 in its closed position. However, the opening of the door and the release of button 30 has caused switch 28 to be released and bridge contacts 90. If we now assume that the elevator car has not reached the floor in question and switch 98 is still open, the circuit through coil S6 is still not made and pin 66 remains in its lowermost position; but, except for the fact that rail switch 9S is still held open, the circuit would be complete through coil 86. Switch 72 is also still depressed and therefore closed, since pin 66 is still in its lowermost position, but no current can flow in control circiut 102 to the next succeeding interlock because contacts 92 of switch 28 'are open. Stated differently, the circuit through coil 86 will remain open so long as the door is closed or the elevator car is not at the floor in question, and, so long as the elevator car is not at the floor in question the door cannot be opened further and, in fact, spring 56 will pull it completely shut.

Now assume that the elevator car is at the oor in question and switch 98 is closed, as shown in FIGURE 4b. The circuit through coil 86 is now complete and Coil 86 is energized pulling core. 84 into coil 86 and, by the same action; lifting -pin 66 out of slot 64. The lifting of pin 66 frees cam 44- to rotate further in a counterclockwise direction. By the same token, lock bar I6 is free to move outwardly away from the interlock mechanism and the door 14 is free to open. Opening door 14 a slight bit further will rotate cam 44 counterclockwise and cause roller 42 to leave circular periphery 48 of cam 44 and enter upon straight surface 5t) of the periphery of cam 44.

FIGURE 3c shows the latch mechanism with the door 14 open still `further or, in essence, in its completely open position. In this completely open position a number of changes take place. As previously indicated, roller 42 is now riding surface 50 of cam 44, rather than surface 48. In addition, pin 66 has been lifted from slot 64 and is riding circular periphery 4S of cam 44. Pin 54 has passed to the right of the center line through the point of pivot of cam 44 and the spring 56 will then continue to pull cam 44 in a counterclockwise direction until stop 62 strikes mounting block S8 and stops this rotation. Finally, pin 52 has `moved out of slot 18 of lock bar 16, thereby completely releasing lock bar 16 and door 14. The door may then be opened completely and will not be reclosed by the latch mechanism. As shown in FIGURE 4c, when the door is completely open, roller 42 is riding straight surface 50 of cam 44 and has therefore permitted operating arm 40 to move upwardly and to the right and release button 36 of switch 34. Since switch 34 is normally biased in its open position, the biasing spring will open switch 34 as shown. Since pin 66 has been raised, this pin, in turn, has raised collar 80 and permitted operating arm 76 to raise and release button 74 of switch '72. Since switch 72 is normally biased in its open position, the release of button 74 will open switch '72.. Since the door is open, it is not pressing against vbutton 30 of switch 28 and, therefore. this button is released. Since switch 28 is normally biased against contacts 90, the release of button 30 will cause switch 28 to remain in the position where it bridges contacts 90. Also, since the elevator is at the floor in question, switch 9S, which is normally biased in an open position, will be held closed by the elevator car. Thus both the circuit through the coil of the interlock on the floor in question is open because of open switch 34 and the circuit to the next succeeding interlock mechanism is open, since switch 72 is also in its open position, and switch 28 has also opened contacts 92. This condition persists so long as the door is open. Further, accidental pushing of butt-on 30, thereby closing contacts 92, will not alter the situation.

FIGURES 3c and 4c also show the condition just prior to closing door 14 and reversing the previously described sequence of steps. Specically, when door 14 is closed, lock bar 16 contacts pin 54, as shown in FIGURE 3c, and further closing will cause lock bar 16 to push against pin 54 and rotate cam 44 in a clockwise direction overcoming the tension of spring S6. The rotation of cam 44 in a clockwise direction causes pin 54 to pass the center line through pivot of cam 44. At the same time, pin 52 again begins to enter slot 18 of lock bar 16. When pin 54 passes the center line of cam 44, the spring 56 again takes over and urges cam 44 in a clockwise direction as far as possible, that is, until stop 60 contacts mounting block 5S. This continued clockwise rotation of cam 44 causes pin 52, which is now in slot 83, to pull lock `bar 16 and door 14 to the completely closed position, as previously shown and described in FIGURES 3a and 4a. The

switches

34, 72 and 2S will return to the positions shown in FIGURE 4a and when the elevator car leaves the oor in question, switch 9S will open.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be utilized with equal facility on a door which is hinged from the side of an opening, as was assumed in the present description, `or on a sliding door; and, while an interlock for a left hand door is shown, right hand models can obviously be made. In addition, other variations and modifications will be obvious to one skilled in the art. For example, the circuit supplying energy to the elevator car can be made to include contacts 92 of switch 28 so that the car will not move `when a hoistway door is open, as in FIGURES 3c and 4c, or is ajar, as in FIGURES 3b and 4b; `or it can include switch 72 so that the car will not move when the door has been opened beyond the point illustrated by FIGURE 3b. Therefore, the present invention is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for elevator hoistway doors comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular base plate attached to the door jamb of the hoistway opening in a vertical manner;

(b) a generally disc-shapcd cam member rotatably mounted on said base plate near the center thereof;

(c) support block means rigidly attached to said base plate above said cam and in the immediate vicinity thereof;

(d) two stops radially protruding from the edge of said cam and adapted to cooperatively engage said block, a first of said stops engaging said block at a rst rotational position of said cam and the second of said stops engaging said block at a second rotational position of said cam about of rotation from said rst position;

(e) a rst cylindrical pin means mounted on said cam and having its axis perpendicular to the face of said cam and its circumferential edge coinciding with the circumferential edge of said cam and positioned on said cam such that it will be on `one side of a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation of said cam when said cam is in its said first rotational position and on the other side of said plane when said cam is in its second rotational position;

(f) second cylindrical pin means mounted on said cam and having its axis perpendicular to the face of said cam and its circumferential edge coinciding with lthe circumferential edge of said cam and positioned on said cam such that its axis coincides with said vertical plane when said cam is in its rotational position and more than about 30 of rotation from said vertical plane and on the same side of said vertical plane as said first pin, when said cam is in its second position of rotation;

(g) helical spring means havin-g one end attached to said rst pin and its other end connected to said block on the side of said vertical plane to which said first pin rotates when said cam is in its second rotational position;

(h) said cam having a sector-shaped slot formed in its edge beginning at a point adjacent said tirst stop and extending slightly more than about 30 of rotation toward said second stop;

(i) third pin means having its central axis in alignment with said vertical plane and slideably passing through said block for limited vertical movement into contact with the upper edge of said cam in a manner such that said third pin will limit the rotation of said cam to about 30 of rotation, when it is in its downward position and in said sector-shaped slot, and will Contact the outermost peripheral edge of said cam when it is in its uppermost position and said cam is approaching said second rotational position;

(j) a solenoid mounted on said base plate adjacent its upper end and having a movable cylindrical core whose central axis is in alignment with the axis of said third pin;

(k) manually operable lift means holding said core and said third pin rigidly together and adapted to move said third -pin between its lowermost and its uppermost position;

(l) rst switch means, normally biased in its open position, mounted on said support block;

(m) collar means rigidly mounted about said third pin means above said support block;

(n) arm means pivotally mounted on said first switch and having its free end in Contact with the lower edge of said collar, said arm being held outwardly by the biasing force of said switch when said third pin is in its most uppermost position and being forced inwardly to overcome the biasing force of said switch and close said switch when said third pin is in its lowermost position;

(o) said cam also having a flat chord formed -on its edge between said rst stop and said first pin;

(p) second switch means, normally biased in its open position, mounted below said cam;

(q) follower means pivotally mounted on said second switch and having its free end in Contact with the edge of said cam, said follower being held outwardly by the biasing force of said switch when said cam is in its second position of rotation and said follower is in contact with the straight chord section of said cam and being forced inwardly to overcome the biasing force of said switch and close said switch when said cam is in its second rotational position and said follower is in contact with the circular section of said cam;

(r) third switch means mounted on said base -plate below said cam and normally biased toward a rst set iof contacts to close said first contacts and normally biased away from a second set of contacts to hold said second contacts yopen until said biasing `force is overcome;

(s) push button means connected to the biasing means of said third switch and extending beyond the edge of said base plate a distance such that completely closing said hoistway door will overcome the biasing force of said third switch and close said second contacts and opening said door lwill release the biasing force and close said first contacts;

(t) lock bar means mounted on said door and having a rectangular slot formed in its upper edge such that said slot will receive and hold said second pin when said door is completely closed and said cam is in its first rotational position and will free said second pin just prior to the poin-t at which said cam is in its second rotational position;

(u) a source of electrical energy;

(v) fourth switch means which is closed by the elevator car when said car reaches the iioor at which the interlock mechanism is located;

(w) a first electrical circuit serially connecting said source of energy to said fourth switch, `said coil of said solenoid, said second switch, and said first contacts of third switch; and

(X) a second electrical circuit serially :connecting said source of energy to said second contacts of said third swtich, said first switch and an interlock mechanism located on another floor.

doors, comprising:

(a) latch means having one portion thereof mounted on a door and a second portion mounted on a wall forming the opening for said door;

(b) said first and second portions of said latch means being releasably coupled together until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means for coupling and said door for opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a vtirst condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a `distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

(d) switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said limiter means to and disconnect said limiter means from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) spring means operatively connected to that portion of said latch means with which said limiter means is associated and adapted to apply tension to said latch means and pull said door to a completely closed position when said door is opened a distance less than said predetermined distance and said limiter means 3. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising: Y

(a) latch means having one portion thereof mounted on a door and a second portion mounted on a wall Y forming the opening for said door;

(b) said first and second portions of said latch means being releasably coupled together until said door is opened -a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetremined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means for decoupling and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a first condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

(e) spring means operatively connected to thatrportion of said latch means with which said limiter means is associated and adapted to apply tension to said latch means and pull said door to a completely closed position when said door is opened a distance less than said predetermined distance and said limiter means is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling, and to apply tension to said latch means to hold said latch means in its decoupled position when said limiter means is in a position to permit said latch means to decouple.

4. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling and said door for opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a first condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

(d) first switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said limiter means to and disconnect said limiter means from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by said limiter means and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to a remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to permit said latch means to decouple.

5. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

(a) latch means having one portion thereof mounted 9 on a door and a second portion mounted on a wall forming the opening for said door;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a rst condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is Vin a second condition of energization;

(d) first switch means respnosive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said limiter means to and disconnect said limiter means from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by said door and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means when said door is open, and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said limiter means when said `door is closed; and

(f) third switch means adjacent to and operated by said limiter means and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to a remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a positiot1 to permit said latch means to decouple.

6. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism tor doors, comprising:

(b) said rst and second portions of said latch means being releaseably coupled together until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limited means operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limited means is in a rst condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

(d) rst switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said limiter means to and disconnect said limiter means from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by that portion of said latch means with which said limiter means is associated and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means when said door is closed and while said door is open less than said predetermined distance and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said limiter means when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance.

7. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

t b) said tirst and second portions of said latch means 8. An electro-mechanical doors, comprising:

(a) latch means having one portion thereof mounted 1 ti being releaseably coupled together until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively as- (d) first switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said limiterV means to and disconnect said limiter means from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by said door and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means when said door is open, and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said limiter means when said door is closed; and

(f) third switch means adjacent to and operated by said limiter means and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to a remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to permit said latch means to decouple;

(g) fourth switch means adjacent to and operated by that portion of said latch means with said limiter means is associated and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means until said door is opened said predetermined distance and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said limiter means when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance.

interlock mechanism for on a door and a second portion mounted on a wall forming the opening for said door;

(b) said tirst and second portions of said latch means being releaseably coupled together until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said pretedetermined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a first condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance When said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by said door and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means when said door is open, and disconnect said source of energy from said limiter means when said door is closed;

(f) spring means operatively connected to that portion of said latch means with which said limiter means is 9. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

(b) said iirst and second portions of said latch means being releasably coupled together until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with ons of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a first condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decopule and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

(d) iirst switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said limiter means to and disconnect said limiter means from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(f) spring means operatively connected to that portion of said latch means with which said limiter means is associated and adapted to apply tension to said latch means and pull said door to a completely closed position when said door is opened a distance less than said predetermined distance and said limiter means is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and to apply ltension to said latch means to hold said latch means in its decoupled position when said limiter means is in a position to permit said latch means to decouple.

10. An eletctro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

(a) latch means having one portion there-of mounted on a door and a second portion mounted on a wall forming the opening for said door;

(b) said latch means; including a rotatable cam, forming one of said portions, releasably coupled to a lock bar element, forming the other of said portions, until said door is opened a predetermined vsmall distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance;

(c) electrically-operated limiter means operatively associated with said cam of said latch means and ladapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said limiter means is in a rst condition of energization and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance 'when said limiter means is in a second condition of energization;

`(e) second switch 11.16.21.115 .adjacent to and operated by said door and adapted to alternatelyl connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means when said door is open, and disconnect said s-ource of electrical energy from said limiter means when said door is closed; and

(f) third switch means adjacent to and operated by limiter means and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to a remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said remotely located mechanism when said limiter means is in a position to permit said latch means to decouple;

(g) fourth switch means adjacent to and operated by that portion of said latch means with which said limiter means is associated and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said limiter means until said door is opened said predetermined distance and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said limiter means when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance.

11. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

(b) said rst and second portions of said latch means being releasably coupled together until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance;

(c) a movable core electromagnet operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to 'prevent said latch means from decoupling, and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said movable core electromagnet is in a first condition of energization, and to permit said latch means to decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said movable core electromagnet is in a second c-ondition of energization;

(d) first switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said electromagnet to and disconnect said electromagnet yfrom a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by said door and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said electromagnet when said door is open, and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said electromagnet when said door is closed; and

(f) third switch means adjacent to and operated by said electromagnet and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to a remotely located mechanism when said electromagnet is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said remotely located mechanism when said electromagnet is in a position t-o permit said latch means to decouple;

(g) fourth switch means adjacent to and operated by that portion of said latch means with which said electromagnet is associated and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said electromagnet until said door is opened said predetermined distance and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said electromagnet when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance.

12. An electro-mechanical interlock mechanism for doors, comprising:

(a) latch means having one portion thereof mounted on a door and a second portion mounted on a Wall forming the opening for said d-oor;

(b) said -latch means; including, a rotatable cam, forming one of said portions, releasably coupled to a lock bar element, forming the other of said portions, until said door is opened a predetermined small distance and decoupled when said door is opened a distance ygreater than said predetermined distance;

(c) a movable core electromagnet operatively associated with one of said portions of said latch means and adapted to prevent said latch means from decoupling, and said door from opening a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said movable core electromagnet is in a first condition of energization, and to permit said latch means Ato decouple and said door to open a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said movable core electromagnet is in a second condition of energization;

(d) rst switch means responsive to a changing condition and adapted to alternately connect said electromagnet to and disconnect said electromagnet from a source of electrical energy in response to changes in said condition;

(e) second switch means adjacent to and operated by said door and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said electroma-gnet when said door is open, and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said electromagent when said door is closed; and

(f) third switch means adjacent to and operated by said electromagnet and adapted to alternately connect said source -of electrical energy to a remotely located mechanism when said electromagnet is in a position to prevent said latch means from decoupling and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said remotely located mechanism when said electromagnet is in a position to permit said latch means to decouple;

(g) fourth switch means adjacent to and operated by said cam and adapted to alternately connect said source of electrical energy to said electromagnet until ysaid door is opened said predetermined distance and disconnect said source of electrical energy from said electromagnet when said door is opened a distance greater than said predetermined distance.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 836,572 ll/l906 Gill et al 187-31 963,567 7/1910 Humphrey 187-31 1,090,170 3/1914 Schenek 187-31 1,479,027 l/ 1924 Claney 187-31 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. AN ELECTRO-MECHANICAL INTERLOCK MECHANISM FOR ELEVATOR HOISTWAY DOORS COMPRISING: (A) A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BASE PLATE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR JAMB OF THE HOISTWAY OPENING IN A VERTICAL MANNER; (B) A GENERALLY DISC-SHAPED CAM MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE PLATE NEAR THE CENTER THEREOF; (C) SUPPORT BLOCK MEANS RIGIDLY ATTACHED TO SAID BASE PLATE ABOVE SAID CAM AND IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY THEREOF; (D) TWO STOPS RADIALLY PROTRUCDING FROM SAID EDGE OF SAID CAM AND ADAPTED TO COOPERATIVELY ENGAGE SAID BLOCK, A FIRST OF SAID STOPS ENGAGING SAID BLOCK AT A FIRST ROTATIONAL POSITION OF SAID CAM AND THE SECOND OF SAID STOPS ENGAGING SAID BLOCK AT A SECOND ROTATIONAL POSITION OF SAID CAM ABOUT 80* OF ROTATION FROM SAID FIRST POSITION; (E) A FIRST CYLINDRICAL PIN MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CAM AND HAVING ITS AXIS PERPENDICULAR TO THE FACE OF SAID CAM AND ITS CIRCUMFERENTIAL EDGE COINCIDING WITH THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL EDGE OF SAID CAM AND POSITIONED ON SAID CAM SUCH THAT IT WILL BE ON ONE SIDE OF A VERTICAL PLANE PASSING THROUGH THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID CAM WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS SAID FIRST ROTATION OF SAID SITION AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PLANE WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS SECOND ROTATIONAL POSITION; (F) SECOND CYLINDRICAL PIN MEANS MOUNUTED ON SAID CAM AND HAVING ITS AXIS PERPENDICULAR TO THE FACE OF SAID CAM AND ITS CIRCUMFERENTIAL EDGE COINCIDING WITH THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL EDGE OF SAID CAM AND POSITIONED ON SAID CAM SUCH THAT ITS AXIS COINCIDES WITH SAID VERTICAL PLANE WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS ROTATIONAL POSITION AND MORE THAN ABOUT 30* OF ROTATION FROM SAID VERTICAL PLANE AND ON THE SAME SIDE OF SAID VERTICAL PLANE AS SAID FIRST PIN, WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS SECOND POSITION OF ROTATION; (G) HELICAL SPRING MEANS HAVING ONE END ATTACHED TO SAID FIRST PIN AND ITS OTHER END CONNECTED TO SAID BLOCK ON THE SIDE OF SAID VERTICAL PLANE TO WHICH SAID FIRST PIN ROTATES WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS SECOND ROTATIONAL POSITION; (H) SAID CAM HAVING A SECTORS-SHAPED SLOT FORMED IN ITS EDGE BEGINNING AT A POINT ADJACENT SAID FIRST STOP AND EXTENDING SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ABOUT 30* OF ROTATION TOWARD SAID SECOND STOP; (I) THIRD PIN MEANS HAVING ITS CENTRAL AXIS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID VERTICAL PLANE AND SLIDABLE PASSING THROUGH SAID BLOCK FOR LIMITED VERTICAL MOVEMENT INTO CONTACT WITH THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID CAM IN A MANNER SUCH THAT SAID THIRD PIN WILL LIMIT THE ROTATION OF SAID CAM TO ABOUT 30* OF ROTATION, WHEN IT IS IN ITS DOWNWARD POSITION AND IN SAID SECTOR-SHAPED SLOT, AND WILL CONTACT THE OUTERMOST PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID CAM WHEN IT IS IN ITS UPPERMOST POSITION AND SAID CAM IS APPROACHING SAID SECOND ROTATIONAL POSITION; (J) A SOLENOID MOUNTED ON SAID BASE PLATE ADJACENT ITS UPPER END AND HAVING A MOVABLE CYLINDRICAL BORE WHOSE CENTRAL AXIS IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE AXIS OF SAID THIRD PIN; (K) MANUALLY OPERABLE LIFT MEANS HOLDING SAID CORE AND SAID THIRD PIN RIGIDLY TOGETHER AND ADAPTED TO MOVE SAID THIRD PIN BETWEEN ITS LOWERMOST AND ITS UPPERMOST POSITION; (L) FIRST SWITCH MEANS, NORMALLY BIASED IN ITS OPEN POSITION, MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT BLOCK; (M) COLLAR MEANS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ABOUT SAID THIRD PIN MEANS ABOVE SAID SUPPORT BLOCK; (N) ARM MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST SWITCH AND HAVING ITS FREE END IN CONTACT WITH THE LOWERMOST EDGE OF SAID COLLAR, SAID ARM BEING HELD OUTWARDLY BY THE BIASING FORCE OF SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID THIRD PIN IS IN ITS MOST UPPERMOST POSITION AND BEING FORCED INWARDLY TO OVERCOME THE BIASING FORCE OF SAID SWITCH AND CLOSE SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID THIRD PIN IS IN ITS LOWERMOST POSITION; (O) SAID CAM ALSO HAVING A FLAT CHORD FORMED ON ITS EDGE BETWEEN SAID FIRST STOP AND SAID FIRST PIN; (P) SECOND SWITCH MEANS, NORMALLY BIASED IN ITS OPEN POSITION, MOUNTED BELOW SAID CAM; (Q) FOLLOWER MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND SWITCH AND HAVING ITS FREE END IN CONTACT WITH THE EDGE OF SAID CAM, SAID FOLLOWER BEING HELD OUTWARDLY BY THE BIASING FORCE OF SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS SECOND POSITION OF ROTATION AND SAID FOLLOWER IS IN CONTACT WITH THE STRAIGHT CHORD SECTION OF SAID CAM AND BEING FORCED INWARDLY TO OVERCOME THE BIASING FORCE OF SAID SWITCH AND CLOSE SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID CAM IS IN ITS SECOND ROTATIONAL POSITION AND SAID FOLLOWER IS IN CONTACT WITH THE CIRCULAR SECTION OF SAID CAM; (R) THIRD SWITCH MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE PLATE BELOW SAID CAM AND NORMALLY BIASED TOWARD A FIRST SETOF CONTACTS TO CLOSE SAID FIRST CONTACTS AND NORMALLY BIASED AWAY FROM A SECOND SET OF CONTACTS TO HOLD SAID SECOND CONTACTS OPEN UNTIL SAID BIASING FORCE IS OVERCOME; (S) PUSH BUTTON MEANS CONNECTED TO THE BIASING MEANS OF SAID THIRD SWITCH AND EXTENDING BEYOND THE EDGE OF SAID BASE PLATE A DISTANCE SUCH THAT COMPLETELY CLOSING SAID HOISTWAY DOOR WILL OVERCOME THE BIASING FORCE OF SAID THIRD SWITCH AND CLOSE SAID SECOND CONTACTS AND OPENING SAID DOOR WILL RELEASE THE BIASING FORCE AND CLOSE SAID FIRST CONTACTS; (T) LOCK BAR MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID DOOR AND HAVING A RECTANGULAR SLOT FORMED IN ITS UPPER EDGE SUCH THAT SAID SLOT WILL RECEIVE AND HOLD SAID SECOND PIN WHEN SAID DOOR IS COMPLETELY CLOSED AND SAID CAM IS IN ITS FIRST ROTATIONAL POSITION AND WILL FREE SAID SECOND PIN JUST PRIOR TO THE POINT AT WHICH SAID CAM IS IN ITS SECOND ROTATIONAL POSITION; (U) A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY; (V) FOURTH SWITCH MEANS WHICH IS CLOSED BY THE ELEVATOR CAR WHEN SAID CAR REACHES THE DOOR AT WHICH THE INTERLOCK MECHANISM IS LOCATED; (W) A FIRST ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT SERIALLY CONNECTING SAID SOURCE OF ENERGY TO SAID FOURTH SWITCH, SAID COIL OF SAID SOLENOID, SAID SECOND SWITCH, AND SAID FIRST CONTACTS OF THIRD SWITCH; AND (X) A SECOND ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT SERIALLY CONNECTING SAID SOURCE OF ENERGY TO SAID SECOND CONTACTS OF SAID THIRD SWITCH, SAID FIRST SWITCH AND AN INTERLOCK MECHANISM LOCATED ON ANOTHER FLOOR.