Elevator control adaptor for handicapped users
OwnerLester E. Johnsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus (10) for adapting the primary control button (23) in an elevator control panel (4) for use by handicapped people who are not able to normally reach the buttons (1-3). Apparatus (10) includes an auxiliary control panel (12) which mounts a plurality of auxiliary buttons (1a-3a). A first link arm (28) connects each of the auxiliary buttons (1a-3a) to one end of a pivot rod 22. A second link arm (30) connects the other end of the pivot rod 22 to a false primary button (1f-3f) located immediately in front of the primary buttons (1-3). The primary buttons can be actuated either by pushing inwardly on the false primary buttons (1f-3f) or by pushing inwardly on the auxiliary buttons (1-3) and causing rotation of the pivot rods (22).
Claims16
A method of making both the floor buttons and the car control buttons of a pre-installed self-service elevator system usable by persons unable to easily reach them, which comprises:
- (a) establishing generally adjacent to each set of pre-installed floor and car control buttons an array of auxiliary buttons equal in number to the buttons in the adjacent set, wherein the auxiliary buttons in each array are located at a height which is easily reached by the persons who are unable to easily reach the floor and car control buttons;
- (b) operatively connecting each of the auxiliary buttons in each array to a corresponding one of the buttons in the adjacent set by mechanically linking the auxiliary buttons to the corresponding buttons in the adjacent set such that an inward actuating movement on one of the auxiliary buttons translates through the mechanical linkage to an inwardly actuating movement to its corresponding button in the adjacent set;
- and
- (c) allowing all of the pre-installed floor and car control buttons to be individually operable in a normal manner by other persons who can easily reach these buttons.
Apparatus for adapting a pre-installed elevator control panel for use by operators who are unable to easily reach the elevator control panel, wherein the elevator control panel includes at least one selectively actuable primary control button, which comprises:
- (a) an auxiliary control panel mounted generally adjacent the elevator control panel;
- (b) at least one selectively actuable auxiliary control button mounted in the auxiliary control panel, wherein the auxiliary button is mounted at an elevation which is different from that of the primary button and which is more easily reached by the operators;
- and
- (c) mechanical linkage means intermediate said primary and auxiliary buttons for converting actuation of the auxiliary button into actuation of the primary button, whereby the primary button is actuated from a remote location defined by the auxiliary button.
An apparatus for actuating a push button type switch, werein the push button switch includes a switch means actuated by an inward movement of a push button having an activating force-receiving face, which comprises:
- (a) an auxiliary push button mounted in a location remote from the location of the push button;
- (b) means for mounting the auxiliary push button in a support structure for an inward actuating movement identical to the inward actuating movement of the push button;
- and
- (c) pivotable linkage means intermediate said push button and auxiliary push button for mechanically transmitting the inward actuating movement of the auxiliary push button to the face of the push button to actuate the same.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.