US826752A - Signaling system for elevators. - Google Patents

Description

No. 826,752. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

J. B. SMALLEY & 0. A. REINERS. SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY24. 1905.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 24.1905. HEET 2,

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No. 826,752. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906. J. B. SMALLEY G. A. REINERS. SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

, APPLICATION FILED MAY 24.1905.

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J. B. SMALLEY & C. A. RE INERS. SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24.1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. SMALLEY. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND CHARLES A. REINERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO ELEVATOR SUPPLY & REPAIR COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ELEVATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 24, 1906.

Application filed May 24. 1905- Serial No. 262,038.

T rt Hill/(1TH; it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES B. SMALLEY, residing at Chicago, Illinois, and CHARLES A. RnrNEus, residin at New York, N. Y., citi- Zens of the Unite States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Systems for Elevators, of which the fol.- lowing is a clear, full, and exact description.

Our invention has reference to an electric signaling system for elevators; and our object is to improve and simplify such constructions.

Our general system is similar in many re.- spects to that set forth in our previous patent, No. 634,220, dated October 3, 1899; but we have simplified and improved such system in man} respects and have materially improved the construction of the details thereof.

Our invention will be setforth in the claims.

lnthe drawings, which show a preferred form of our present invention, Figure l is a diagram of the wiring arranged as for a building having seven floors. vation of a dd tail, showing a restoring and a setting magnet and a mercury-potnvhich may be used, if desired. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one-half of the commutator, taken substantially on the line a a of Fig. 7. Fig.

,4 is a bottom View of the brush-carrier, brush holders, and brushes shown in Fig. 3that is, it is a view of the same from the opposite direction from which it is seen inFig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section of the same on the line of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail of the yoke connecting two brushes. Fig. I" is a vertical section at the right being shown in the same section as F 1g. 5 and the bYUShCSITIBI at the left being shown in section on the line 0 c of Fig. 4. Fig.

8 is a detail view of the screw-shaft and travcling nut thereon, partially in section. Fig. 9) is a partial detail of the rear side of one side oi. the commutater-frame, showing the slate construction. Fig. 10 is a partial section on the lined d of Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the guideway on the base of the frame.

in carrying out certain portions of our invention. claimed the form of commutator shown in the drawings may not be necessary; but we prefer to provide a frame upon which are arranged suitable contacts having their contact-faces arranged in substantially two Fig. 2 is a side ele vertical lanes separated from each other, as indicate in Fig. 7, and to provide suitable brushes for said contacts with means to move said brushes relatively over said plates so as to make proper electrical connection at the proper times.

In Fig. 1 there have been omittedfrom the diagram most of those contact-plates which form nopart of the electrical features in order to simplify the same. In this diagram 1 is a source of electricitysuch, for example, as an ordinary dynamo. 2 is an elevator-car which is adapted to travel up and down in a shaft, and 3 is an electrically-controlled sig nal carried by the car and which is preferably in the form of an electric lamp. Electricallycontrolled signals located along the elevatorshaft may also be provided for signaling the intending passenger that an elevator-car is approaching him in the direction which he desires to go. These signals are also preferably electric lamps and are indicated at 4 to 15, the top and bottom floors each being provided with a single lamp and each of the intermediate floors with a pair of lamps, such as 5 and 6 for the fifth fioor. These will be usually located outside of the elevator-shaft adjacent to each doorway, as is common at the present time, one of said lamps serving to indicate a downwardly-moving car and the other one an upwardly-moving car. We have also provided suitable hand-o erated mechanism located. at each floor, suc. as ordinary push-buttons, by which the intending through the commutator, the brush-carrier them being located each floor, except they top and bottom floors, the u )per ones, such as 21, being to signal upwardly-moving cars, and the lower ones, such as 22, being to signal downwardl moving cars. Although we have not in the d i'awings shown more than one car or more than one commutator, and also onl the ficor-signals for one shaft, it will be evident that the same may be duplicated for.

other shafts of a bank of elevators and that the same maybe cross-wired, so that one set of KOO 'wired from eac push-buttons will .control the circuits for all the cars of that bank, as is common in this art and as indicated in our prior patent heretofore referred to. It is not thought necessary to illustrate this duplication and cross connection in the drawings, as the same will be evident to any person skilled in this art. The commutator consists of suitable fixed and relatively moving contacts, and in the present embodiment we have shown the rushes as constituting the moving member thereof. The mercury-pots and restoring and setting magnets have in Fig. .1 been shown adjacent the commutator to more clearly indicate their relative relation; but the may be placed wherever convenient,

an in fact, are usually placed upon a separate supportb themselves, being suitably separate commutator of the bank of elevators, as. indicated. for this one commutator in Fig. 1 The commutator is adapted to determine the time when the signal shall be operatedthat is, when the lights may be lighted up, providing that a pushbutton has been pushed to close the other normally open break in the signal-circuit.-

The commutator shown comprises two series of contact-plates; but they need not neces sarily be of the form shown in all cases. One such series isindicate'd at 28 to 32 and the other series at 34 to 38. These two series above indicated are for the car as it moves downwardly, andit will be observed that oted arm is normally out of contact with the mercury, and therefore causes a break in the signal-circuit, and it and the mercuryot constitute a switch. It will be obvious't at we do not limit ourselves to this form of switch; but this mercury-pot and pivoted-lever construction is aconvenient one to use, as we have found by actual practice. The pivoted lever may be caused to drop into the pot by different mechanism; but we have found that a magnet controlled by a floor pushbutton is a convenient and effective means to this end. In the-present instance we havrovided a setting-magnet, such as 46, (see Fig. 2,) for each push-button, so that when a button, such as 22-, is pushed it will close a circuit from battery 47 through this settingmagnet 46, therebyattracting its armature 48 and releasing the lever 45, which will drop into the pot, as indicated in the diagram. 46, 115,116, 117, and 176 represent a series of such setting-magnets, each of which is the same as magnet 46. We have also provided a restoring-magnet, such as 49, for each arm 45 for restoring the same to the normal position shown in Fig. 2 after the car starts to move away from the floor for which the signal has been given. This will be described more in detail hereinafter. 65 to 67 are a series of such restoring-magnets, similar to 49. It will be observed from the above that each of the intermediate floors is served by one of said floor-signals, such as 10, a plate, such as 30, ofone of said series connected therewith, and a plate, such as 36, of the other series which is connected to the source of supply through a switch, (in this instance formed by the mercury-pot and arm 45,) which is controlled by hand-operated mechanism, such as plushbutton 22, located at said floor at whic the signal 10 is also located. In orderto make electrical connection between plates 30 and 36, we have rovided a brush for each series of plates an which are electrically connected. Two of such brushes are indicated at 50 and 51 (see also Figs. 4 and 7,) which.brushes are, electrically connected by means of the brush-holder 156. While these'brushes 50 and 51 are in this embodiment separate brushes, they are electrically connected by means of the brush-holder which holds them and are,-in efiect, a sin le brush having a portion rubbing over eac of the two series of contact-plates, and we do not by the words two brushes mean to limit ourselves to two separate brushes, as are shown in the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings. We prefer to provide three or four pairs of these brushes, as indicated. It will e obvious ,that when any one pair of these brushes, such as 53 and 54, touch plates 36 and 30, respectively, the floor-lamp 10 will be lighted up, as the second normally open break in the circuit (between plates 36 and 30) will then. be closed, and. this break will remain closed so long as any pair of brushes connects those plates. We preferably provide several pairs 53 54, &c., of these brushes and space the pairs a distanceapart less than the width of any single plate of the series, so that the platesfor example, 30 and 36Will be electrically connected while the car is movin for three or four floors, so that the floorligIit will light up three or four floors in advance of the car and remain li hted until the car reaches the floor. This re ative arrangementis shown in the diagram and will be referred to hereinafter when the particular construction of the brush-carrier is discussed hereinafter. It will be observed that the circuit from the dynamo passes through the car-light and then to the long contactstrip 63, and we have rovided a pair of brushes 59 60, the brus 59 rubbing over strip 63 and the brush making contact with the series 34 to 38. We prefer to provide the long stri 63and the brush 59, rather than to attacht e circuit. from the car-lamp directly to brush 60'; but the construction shown may not' be necessary in all cases. The. car-signal is therefore in circuit with a brush-in this instance brush 60on the series of contacts 34 to 38. In the present embodiment this brush 60 is a separate brush from any one of the brushes 53, 50, 55, or 57, and this is the construction we prefer; but it will be observed (see Fig. 7) that when these brushes are in the position shown in that fi ure the brush 6O rests upon thesame p ate as the brush 50, and at that time said two brushes and are, in effect, asingle brush- The construction we have illustrated is, however, much preferable, as by it we avoid the necessity of-using any moving wires connected with the movable brushes. In order to light up the car-light only a floor or so before the car reaches the floor, we have located said brushes 59 and 60 behind the brushes 53, 54 and 50 51, so that the floor-light will be lighted up before the car-1i ht is lighted. We have also provided anot er pair of brushes 61 62, so that the car-light may be lighted up slightly more than one fiooraway from the floor at which the car is tov stop.

We have also provided a series of restoring mechanisms for automatically-restoring the circuits to normal condition after the car hasv passed by, in this instance raising the mercury-pot arm out of the mercury. Such a series of restoring mechanisms is shown by the restoring- magnets 64,65, 49, 66,, and 67, which are all he same as magnet 49 of Fig. 2. It-will be obs rved that, for.example, restorin ofthe same underneath'the end of armature 48', where it will be held until the setting-, magnet 46 is again energized. In order to this instance by being electrically connected to a brush 74, rubbing over contact-strip 75,

. so that when-the car starts to move away from the floor on which the signal has been given brush 73 will en age. contact and energize magnet 49 to reak the signal-circuit at the mercury-pot.

The brushes at the upper right side of Fig. 1 have been shown in the relative positions These brush es are, for giving the signals with reference to a down-moving car, and practically the entire part of the commutator and setting and restoring mechanisms shown at the right of said figure are for a down-moving car. The corresponding parts at the upper lefthahd corner of said figure are for an up-' wardly moving car and are substantially the same, except, of course, being suitably arg-magnet 49 (see Fig. 2) when energized, i I raise thelever 45 and drop the right end.

ranged in the reverse order. It will be obseved that the brushes 76 to 83 are all in such a position thatthey willcontact with the series 96 to 101, the brushes 84 to 87 with the strips 102 and 103, and the brushes 88 and '89 with strip 104. This is the position of said brushes 76 to 89 when the car is moving downwardly, and it will be obvious that with such'brushes resting upon said strips no up signals can be given for that shaft.

When. the scar moves upwardly, the brushes 76' to 89. are shifted into a position'corresponding to-that of the other brushes.that is, so

as to make connection between the plates 91 and 97, forexample, and the brushes 84 to 87 to make connection between plate 97 and the strip 102, and-the. brushes 88 and 89 to contactwith strip 104 and the restQring-conv tacts 105 to 109, so as'to operate the ub signals and the signal inthe car and the'up re-' storing-magnets 1 10 to 114; This shifting of the brushes will be referred to hereinaftena 118 to 1.22 represent a set of setting-magnets I for the up side. The system is therefore provided with means forcontrolling the signalswhen the car is moving up substantially thesame as those'heretofore descrlbed for use when the car is moving down.- -123 is a suitable resistance.

Referrin I drawings, t e commutator may be provided with a framewhich, in the present embodiment, has a base 124, provided with U -shaped end pieces 125 and 126, tied together by suitable cross-rods.127 which mav b e a'djusted by the'nuts, as indicated. frame are mounted suitable supports for the, contact-plates, in the present embodiment consisting of two bases of slate or other suitable insulating material, provided with longitudinal: slots 128, 129, ,and 130. These slots arepreferably formed by making the supports out of separate strips 131 te 134 of s are slate. (See Fig. 9.) These slate strlizp mounted in the frame, as indicated in ig. 10,'

with a similar slate contact-bearing support, as shown in Fig. 7. The contact-plates shown in Fig. 1 are mounted upon these sup- Upon the now to the other figures ofthe 5 .andare slidable therein and removable by loosening the "screws, such as 135 and 136. v; Each side of the commutator is provided ports so that the faces are arranged ,in two I substantially vertical planes separated from each other, this bein much preferable to locating the lines of contacts with their faces in horizontal plane, as dirt and dust will not collect upon the same so easily and there will be practically no, danger of short-circuiting by reason. of anything'droppingupon' them. It also has numerous. other advantages.

' The brushes are arranged as-shown in. Fig.7,

so that they are located between said planes and bear on said plates. In order to move the brushes over the plates, we have, in the present embodiment, provided a horizontal cated the series of plates over the slots in the slate support and provided each of the plates of the series witha removable fastenmg means passing through its slot, whereby the plates may be independently adjusted longitudinally of the slot. Such a construction is seen in Figs'3 and 7, in which the series 28 to 32 is located over the slot 129. We

prefer to provide each plate with a rib, such as indicated at 142 in Fig. 7, which forms a key on the rear of the sa me fitting the slot and which will accurately aline all the plates of that series. The removable fastening means for the plate 30 is, in this embodiment, a threaded shank 143 and nuts ]44, which may obviously constitute a binding-post for the wires by which electrical connection is made. By this construction not only can the series be assembled quickly, but the positions of the lates may be easily and quickly adjustec to meet the requirements of service.

Fixed to the traveling nut 138 are four arms, those to the right of the out 138 in Fig. 7 being indicated at 145 and 146 in Fig. 3. Pivoted to each pair of arms is a bruslicarrier, one, 14.8,being shown. enlarged in Figs. 4 and 5, there being a brusl'i-carricr for each sideof the commutator, as shown in Fig. 7, and each carrier is pivoted to the arms by suitable bolts, as in icatod in Fig. 3, so that the same may rock or swing on an axis substantially parallel to the series of contact-plates 'lhe brush-carrier 148 is, in the present instance, provided with a plurality of brush-holdcrs mounted thereon. and means whereby the same may be adjusted on said carrier lon itudinally of the series of contact-plates. 1n the present instance these brush-holders are adjustable independently of each other. As seen in Fig. 4, the brush-holders 149 and 150 for "the carlight brushes and also brush-holder 15] for the restoring or set-back brushes 73 and 74 are mounted on a rod 152 and insulated therefrom. They are slidable upon this rod and also slidable upon and insulated from rod 153, which latter rod constitutes a means for preventing the locking of said holders. It will be observed also that bruslnholdcrs 154 to 157 are also slidable upon. two rods 158 and 159 for the same purpose, as above stated. The holders are preferably made of brass or other conductor of electricity, and

therefore constitute an electrical connection between the brushes or" any one pair. The brushes themselves are preferably slidable in scenes the holders and may consist of merely round sections of brass rod, as indicated. We profer to provide a resilient pressure upon most of the brushes for a purpose to be hereinafter specified, and in the present instance we have provided for most of the pairs of brushes a slotted yoke 160, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) forced against the brushes by a spring 161. We prefer to have all the brushes on one side of the pivot of brush-carrier 148 springpressed. against the contact-strips, so that the brush 74, whichin this instance is fixed in place, will not be forced against its contact-strip, soas to dig into the same. It will be observed by reference to Figs. 3 and 4 that all the brushes below the pivot-line e e of Fig. 4 are slidable and spring-pressed.

The mechanical operation of the embodiment of the commutator shown in the drawings is as follows: As the elevator moves downwardly with the parts in position shown in Figs. 3'and 7 the brushes on the brushcarrier at the right of Fig. 7 make contact with the different contact-strips, as shown, the brushes on the brush-carrier at the loft resting upon the strips indicated in Fig. 7 and also indicated at the upper left side of Fig. 1, the brushes on brush-carrier I l-t5 making the proper connections between the di'llerent contact-platcs at the proper times. The nut 138 has an extension 162 therefrom, which. has a foot 163 (see-Fig. 11) at the bottom of the same resting in a guidcway formed by rails 164i and 165, which guideway determines the extent to which said nut may be rocked in either direction. Running through the center of the guideway is a rib 166, having springs 167 and 168 thereon for preventing the rocking of the nut and consequent displacement of the brushes if the car, for example, runs a short way past a lloor and then returns to it. It will be obvious that as the car and commutator reaches the end of its travel the springs will cause the nut to be rocked in the o ipositc direction when the car travels in the opposite direction. This rib 166 and. the springs 167 and 165- are, however, only an additional feature which is not necessary, for the friction of the nut 138 will usually be amply suflicicnt to cause the rocking of the nut as the elevator-car reverses its movement; but we prefer to use some such positive shifting means, as indicated. When the (70111Ill'LIlllttOlFblllSl1G5lfitfil'l the end of their travel to the right and the car reverses its movement, the nut will be rocked to the left in Fig. 7, which will shift the brush-carrier 14h! upward, so that the brushes will rest in the position corresponding to those of the brushes on carrier 169, and will consequently make the brushes on the carrier at the left operative to give the pro ier signals for an upwardly-moving car and make the brushes on carrier 1 .8 substantially inoperative, because then the brushes 59 to 61 will all four rest on plate 170 of Fig. 1 and the brushes 50 to 58 rest on and travel over the series 34 to 39 only, and

brushes 73 and 74 will both rest on long contact-strips 75. Brushes 76 to 83 will then travel over and make electrical connection between strips to and 96 to 101, and

brushes 84 to 87 will then travel over and make electrical connection between strip 102 and saidseries 96 to 101, and brushes 88 and 89 will travel over the contacts to.109 and strip 104.

of the brushes ofl' from 'the strips over which they formerly moved, and as the adjacent strips are close together and the brushes are rounded at their ends and resiliently pressed toward the contacts they will .easily slide across to their new position. It is of a distinct advantage that all the brushes shall be at all times in contact with some contact plates or strips, for in that way the accumulation of dirt or grease upon the contactplates is avoided. It will also be observed that the pressure of the brushes against the contact-plates is not dependent upon the;

friction between nut 138 and the screw shaft, because the brush-carriers are pivoted to the arms which support thern,-and consequently no matter how great the friction between the nut and shaft is it will not cause fixed brush 74, for example, to dig into the strip over which it moves, the pressure of this brush 74 upon its strip being entirely dependent upon the strength of the springs which press upon the brushes located below the pivot on which the carrier swings. 'As the brush-carrier is pivoted to the arms extending from the nut, the strength of the springs which press upon the brushes will not react upon the nutthat is, they will not oppose the rocking of the nut-which is an advantage over the construction illustrated in our previous patent, No. 634,220.

It Wlll be observed that'in the construction of commutator shown the slate contact-bear-- ing supports are separated from base 124a distance so that an opening along said base is formed between the base and each contactbearing su port. in Fig. 3 there is quite a space'left between the base and the lower slate strip 134, and in Fig. 7 there is also a spaceleft between the base and the lower slate strip 172. Longitudinal openings are in this'Way formed, so that the mechanic may insert his hand to easily remove the lower brushes, if desired.

In Fig. 3 we have illustrated an arrangement of contact-plates, some of which are separated by dead-plates, such deadplates being illustrated, for example, at 173 and which have not been illustrated in Fig. 1 because they form no part of the electrical features.

174 is a normally closed transfer-button It will be observed that this shifting of the brush-carriers will carry some As seen in Fig. 7 and also i or switch in the car by which the operator may open the restoring-magnet circuit and thus prevent the restoring-magnet from opening the signal-circuit at the mercury-pot. Such a construction is of particular advantage where several elevators are present and is claimed in our previous patent, No. 634,220.

It will be obvious that our construction claimed has man points of, advantage not specifically mentioned above, and We are aware that many variations from the construction illustrated may be made; without departing from the spirit of our invention as claimed. We therefore do not intend to limit ourselves to the embodiment shown in the drawings.

What we claim is 1. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source of electricity, an electrically-controlled signal carried b the elevator-car, electrically-controlled signals located along the elevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator adapted to determine the time when said signals shall be operated and'in part comprising twoseries of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of said floor-signals, a late of one of said series connected therewit and a plate of said other series connected to the source of supply through a switch controlled by'handoperated. mechanism located at said floor;

said commutator also comprising two brushes one for each series of plates and relatively movable .over the same, said brushes being electrically connected whereb electrical connection is madebetween a pihte of each series and said floor-signal is operated, said carsignal being in circuit with a third brush on one of said series and connected to the source of supply in parallel with said floor-light.

2. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source of electricity, an 0100- trically-controllcd signal carried by the elevatorcar, electrically-controlled signals located along the elevator-shaft, oneat each floor, a commutator adapted. to determine the time when said signals shall be operated and in part comprising two series of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of said floor-signals, a late of one of said series connected therewit and a plate of said other series connected to the source of supply through a switch controlled by hand-.

vatorcar, electrically-controlled signals located along the elevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator adapted to determine the time when said signals shall be operated 'and in part comprising two series of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of said floor-signals, a plate of one of said series connected therewith, and a plate of said other series connected to the source of supply through a switch controlled by hand operated mechanism located at said floor; said commutator also comprising three brushes contacting with said two series of plates and relatively movable over the same, two of said brushes being electrically connected, one for each series of plates, whereby electrical connection is made between a plate of each series, the third of said brushes being in circuit with'said signal carried by the car and located behind said other brushes whereby said car-signal is operated after said floor signal.

4. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source of electricity, an electrically-controlled signal carried by the elevator-car, electric lamps located along the elevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator adapted to determine the time when said lamps shall be lighted and in part comprising two series of contact-plates, each of said floors beim served by one of said floorlamps, a plate of one of said series connected therewith and a plate of said other series connected to the source of supply through a switch controlled 'by hand-operated mechan ism located at said floor; said commutator also comprising three brushes contacting with said two series of plates and relatively movable over the same, two of said brushes being electrically connected, one for each series of plates, whereby electrical connection is made between a plate of each series, the third of said brushes being in circuit with said signal carried by the car.

5. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, a source of electricity, an electrically-controlled signal carried by. the elevator-car, electrically-controllcd signals located along the elevator-shaft, one at each floor, a commutator ada ted to determine the time when said signa s shall be operated and in part comprising two series of contactplates; each of said floors being served by one of said floor-signals, a plate of one of saidseries connected therewith, and a plate of said other series connected to the source of supply through a switch controlled by hand-operated mechanism located at said lloor; said commutator also comprising three brushes contacting with said two series of plates and relatively movable over the same, two of said brushes being electrically connected, one for each series of plates, whereby electrical connection is made between a plate of each series, the'third of said brushes being in circuit with said signal carried by the car, said third brush and one of said other brushes being carried by a rigid connection between them.

6. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series of contact-plates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantially vertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for each series located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and means to move said brushes over said plates.

7. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, two series of contactplates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantially vertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for each series located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and means to move said brushes over said lates, an elevator-car, an electrically-controlled signal carried by said car, one of said series controlling the time of operation of said signal when said car moves in one direction and the other series controlling said signal when said car moves in the opposite direction.

8. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series of contact-plates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantially vertical planes separated from each other. one or more brushes for each series located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and a screw-shaft and nut thereon carrying said brushes and adapted to move said brushes over said plates.

9. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series of contact-plates, the. faces of which are arranged in two substantially vertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for each series located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and a horizontal screw-shaft and nut thereon carrying said brushes and adapted to move said brushes over said plates.

10. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of series of contact-plates, the faces of which are arranged in two substantially vertical planes separated from each other, one or more brushes for each series located between said planes and bearing on said plates, and a screw-shaft and nut thereon carrying said brushes and adapted to move said brushes over said plates, there being on each side of said nut and pivoted thereon a holder for the brush of one of said series of plates.

11. In a commutator in combination, a frame having a base, two contact bearingsupports separated from said base whereby an opening along said base is formed between said base and each contact bearing support, contact-strips on each of said supports arranged at an angle to said base, and suitable brushes and means to move the same over said contact-strips.

12. In a commutator in combination, a

frame having a base, two contact bearingsupports separated from said base whereby an opening along said base is formed between said base and each contact bearingsupport, contact-strips on each of said supports arranged in two substantially vertical planes, and suitable brushes between said planes and means to move the same over said contact-strips.

13. In a commutator in combination, a.

frame having a base, a contact-bearing support of insulating material running longitudinally and separated from said base whereby an opening alon said base is formed between said base an said support, said support having its contact-bearing face substan tially vertical, apluralit of contact-strips running longitudinally 0 said support and suitable brushes and means to move the same over said strips. v I

14. In a commutator in combination, a frame rovided with a contact-bearing support 0 insulating material having a longitudinal slot therein, and a series of independent contact-plates on said support, said series being located over said slot, each of the plates of'said series being provided with a removable fastening means passing through its slot, whereby the plates of that series may be independently adjusted longitudinally of said slot, one or more brushes for said series of plates and means to automatically move the same over said series. v

15-. In a commutator, in combination, a frame provided with a contact-bearing support of insulating material having alongitudinal slot therein, and a series of independent contact-plates on said support, said series being located over said slot, each of the plates of said series being provided with a removable fastening means assing through its slot whereby the plates of that series may be independently adjusted longitudinally of said slot, one-or more brushes forsaid series of plates and means to automatically move the same over said series, some of. said plates having a key on the rear of the same adapted to fit its slot. a

16. In a commutator in combination, a frame. provided with a contact-bearing sup port of insulating material having a longitu-.

dinal slot therein, and a series of independent contact-plates on said support, said series being located over said slot, each of the plates of said series being provided with a removable fastening means passing lthrough'its slot and constituting a binding-post, whereby the plates of that series may e independently adjusted longitudinall of said slot, one or series of plates and saiil series. I

' 17. In a commutator in combination, a contact-bearing support comprising inde pendently-removable strips of insulating material separated slightlyfrom each'other 'to form longitudinal slots, and a series of independent contact-plates' located overv each slot and each provided with-means passing through its slot and adapted to adjustably fasten said plate to said support.

18, In a commutator in'combination, a contact-bearing .sulpport comprising independently-removab e strips of insulating material separated slightly from each other to form longitudinal slots, and a series of independent contact-plates located over each slot and each provided with means passing through its slot and adapted to adjustably fasten said-plate to said sup ort, said strips being longitudinally slidable in said frame.

19.. In a signaling'device for elevators in combination, an elevator-car and an electricallyoperated si nal carried thereby, an electrically-operate signal at each floor, two series of contacts, one series for the car-signal and the other for said floor-signals, a .brushcarrier and means for moving said carrier over said series, said carrier having one or more brush-holders for each series, and means whereby said brush-holders may be adjusted on said carrier longitudinally of said series.

20. In a commutator in combination, a' plurality of contact-strips, a brush-carrier,

and Ineans for moving said carrier over said strips, said carrier having arp'lurality of brush; holders, and means whereby each brushholders, and means w ereby each brushholder maybe. independently adjusted on said carrier longitudinally of said strips, said carrier beingpivoted to said means which moves it so as to swing on an axis substan-f' tially parallel to said strips, said carrier havholder maybe independently, adjusted on ing one or more of said brushes on each side 'of said pivot.

22. In a commutator in combination, a

plurality of contact-strips, a brush-carrier,

and means for moving said carrier over said stri s, said carrier having one ormore brush: hol ers, said brush holders having two brushes movable toward andaway from said strips, a yoke resting on said brushes and a spring pressing said yoke against said brushes. i

23. In a commutator in combination, a plurality of contactstrips, a brush-carrier, and means for moving said carrier over said stri s, said carrier having a plurality of'brushho] ers, said carrier being pivoted to said 'means which moves it so as to swing on an axissubstantially parallel to said, strips, said carrier having one or more of said brushes on each side of said nivot and all the brushes on one side of said pivot being resiliently pressed toward said strips.

24. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality of oontactstrips, a brush carrier and means for moving the same over said strips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially parallel with said strips and provided with a brush-holder adjustable longitudinally on said rod.

25. in a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality of contact-strips, a brush-carrier and means for moving the same over said strips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially arallel with said strips and provided with a rush-holder adjustable longitudinally on said rod, and means for preventing the rocking of said holder on said rod. 7

26. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality of contact-strips, 'a brush-carrier and means for moving the same over said strips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially parallel with said strips and provided with a brush-holder adjustable longitudinally on said rod, and means for preventing the rocking of said holder on said rod comprising a second rod on which said holder is also adjustable.

27. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality of contactstrips, a brush-carrier and means for moving the same over said strips, said carrier comprising a rod running substantially parallel with said strips and provided with a brush-holder adiustable longitudinally on said rod, said carrier being pivoted between its point of support and said strips so as to swing on an axis substantially arallel with said stri s.

28. In an e evator-commutator 1n combination, a plurality of contact-strips, a brushcarrier and means for moving the same pver said stri s correspondingly to the movement of the e e'vator-car and comprising a screwshaft and nut, said carrier being ivoted to swing on an axis at one side of sai shaft and substantially parallel to said strips, and one or more brushes on said carrier at each side of said pivot, said brushes being springpressed against said strips.

29. in an elevator-commutator in combination, a plurality of contact-strips, a brushcarrier and means for moving the same over said stri s correspondingly to the movement of the e evator-car and comprising a screwshaft and nut, said carrier being pivoted to swing on an axis substantially parallel to said strips, and one or more brushes on said carrier at each side of said pivot, all of the brushes at one side of said pivot being springpressed toward said strips.

30. In a commutator in combination, a pan" of contact-strips, one of said strips com-' prising a series of insulated plates, a brush for each strip, an electric connection between seavee said brushes, said brushes being movable. lon 'tudinally over said strips correspondi'ngl y to the movement of the elevator-car, and means for also moving one of said brushes transversely oil from its strip, said brush being mounted to move toward and away from its strip, and means resiliently pressing said brush toward said strip.

31. In an elevator-commutator 1n combination, a pair of contact-strips, one of said strips comprising a series of insulated contacts, a brush resting on each strip, an electric connection between said brushes, said brushes being adapted to be moved longitudinally over said stri s correspondingly to the movement of the elievator-car, and means for automatically moving one brush transversely off from its strip onto said other strip so that both brushes rest on the same strip.

32. In an elevator-commutator in combination, a pair of contact-strips, one of said strips comprising a series of insulated contacts and the other a continuous strip, a brush resting on each strip, an electric con nection between said brushes, said brushes being adapted to be moved longitudinally over said stri s correspondingly to the movement of the e evator-car, and means for automatically moving one brush transversely oil from its strip onto said continuous strip so that bothbrushes rest on said continuous strip.

33. In an elevator-commutator in combination, a pair of contact-strips, one of said strips comprising a series of insulated contacts, a brush resting on each strip, an electric connection between said brushes, said brushes being adapted to be moved longitudinally over said st'rips correspondingly to the movement of the elevator-car, and means for automatically moving one brush transversely off from its strip onto said other strip so that both brushes rest on the same strip, said transversely-moved brush beingmovable toward and away from its strip and provided with a spring pressing the same toward its strip.

34; In an elevator-commutator in combination, a frame, a screw-shaft carried by said frame and a nut on said shaft, a contact-bearing support on each side of said shaft, each support carrying a plurality of contact-strips, a brush-carrier on each side of said nut and moved thereby longitudinally over said strips, a plurality of brushes on each carrier, at least one for each strip, each of said carriers being pivoted to said nut on an axis substantiallyparallel with said strips.

35. In a signaling device for elevators in combination, an electrically-operated signal carried bythe car, a switch in said car-signal circuit controlled by hand-operated mechanism, a series of restoring mechanisms for antomatically restoring the circuit for said carsignal to normal condition, a commutator- IXO searee frame, a screw-shaft carried by said frame and a nut on said shaft, a contact-bearing support on each side of said shaft, each support carrying a series of contacts for the carsignal and a series of contacts for the restoring mechanisms, a brush-carrier on each side of said nut and moved thereby longitudinally over said two series, a plurality of brushes on each carrier, at least one for each series, each of said carriers being pivoted to said nut on an axis substantially parallel with said series.

36. in an elevator-signaling apparatus in combination, an electricallycperated signal carried by the car, an electrically-operated signal at each floor, each signal being in part controlled by hand operated mechanism located at a floor, a series of restoring mechanisms adapted to restore the circuits for said signals to normal condition, a frame, a screw-shaft carried by said frame and. a nut on said shaft, a contact-bearing support on each side of said shaft, said. support carrying a series of contacts for the car-signal, a series of contacts for said restoring mechanisms, and a series of contacts for said floor-signals, a brush-carrier on each side of said nut and moved thereby longitudinally over said series of contacts, a plurality of brushes on each carrier, at least one for each series, each of said carriers being pivoted to said nut on an axis substantlally parallel with said strips.

37. in a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality of contact-strips, a screw-shaft and traveling nut thereon, a brush for each strip carried by said nut, said brushes being spring-pressed into contact With said strips, said nut being adapted to be rocked on said shaft, an extension from said nut and a guide engaging said extension and ada ted to determine the extent to Which sai nut may be rocked in either direction.

38. In a commutator for elevators in combination, a plurality of contact-strips, a screw-shaft and traveling nut thereon, a brush for each strip carried by said nut, said brushes being spring-pressed into contact with said strips and carried on a brush-carrier pivotally connected with said nut, said nut being adapted to be rocked on said ally connected With said nut to swing on an axis substantially parallel to said shaft, each of said carriers having a brush for each of said series of contacts adjacent to it, said brushes being independently adjustable on said carrier longitudinally of said screwshaft 40. in an elevator-commutator in combination, a frame comprising a pair of subs tantially vertically-arranged contact supports made out of insulating material, a screw= shaft between the same, a nut thereon, a

plurality of series of contact-pl ates on the in;

ner face of each of said supports and arranged longitudinally of said shaft, a brush-carrier on each side of'said shaft and pivotally con-'- nected with said nut to swing on an axis substantially parallel to said shaft, each of said carriers having a brush for each of said series of contacts adjacent to it, said brushes being independently adjustable on said carrier lon= gitudinally of said screw-shaft, said nut being adapted "to rock on said shaft whereby some of the brushes of one of said brush-carriers are moved transversely oil from the series of contacts upon which they rest;

Dated this 22d day of April, 1985.

JAMES B. Sh/LALLEY. CHARLES A. REINERS Witnesses to Smalley:

- E. Wraps,

D. M. BRENT.

Witnesses to lteiners:

ltnnnson NEWELL, Bnarnron Minvrs.

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