US 6,786,306 B2Granted

Elevator mechanism

OwnerJames L. Tinerinventor

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Abstract

An elevator mechanism protects the control, communications, power, and/or lift cable(s) of the elevator system, precluding lateral cable movement within the elevator shaft. A slotted cable guide contains a cable therein, with the cable having a diameter larger than the guide slot to preclude escape of the cable from the guide. The upper end of the cable has a reduced diameter and extends through the guide slot, where it is supported by a lift bar extending from the elevator car and into the slot. A mechanism allows the lift bar to move laterally to preclude binding in the guide if the elevator car shifts laterally slightly. Another mechanism shuts down the system if the cable and/or cable reel jams. The present elevator mechanism is adaptable to virtually any type of elevator and lift mechanism, but is particularly useful with elevators used in tall, open structures.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An elevator mechanism for installing within an elevator shaft, with the elevator shaft having a height and containing an elevator car, said mechanism comprising:

at least one substantially vertically disposed cable guide having a lower end, an upper end opposite said lower end, and extending as a continuous component for substantially the height of the elevator shaft;
an elevator cable disposed within said cable guide, with said elevator cable having a diameter;
said cable guide comprising a generally enclosed structure defining a cable passage interior with an interior diameter larger than said diameter of said elevator cable;
said cable guide further including a longitudinal slot formed therein, with said longitudinal slot having a width narrower than said diameter of said elevator cable for retaining said elevator cable within said cable guide;
a cable lift bar having an elevator car attachment end and an elevator cable attachment end opposite said elevator car attachment end;
a cable lift bar attachment fitting disposed upon said elevator cable and extending therefrom, and securing said elevator cable to said elevator cable attachment end of said cable lift bar;
an elevator car attachment length extending from said elevator cable;
said elevator car attachment length of said elevator cable having a width narrower than said width of said longitudinal slot of said cable guide;
said elevator car attachment length of said elevator cable passing through said slot of said cable guide, for connecting to the elevator car;
and
switch means disposed upon said elevator cable attachment end of said cable lift bar and communicating with said elevator cable, for terminating operation of the elevator when excessive strain occurs upon said elevator cable.

8 more elements

An elevator mechanism for installing within an elevator shaft, with the elevator shaft having a height and containing an elevator car, said mechanism comprising:

at least one substantially vertically disposed cable guide having a lower end, an upper end opposite said lower end, and extending as a continuous component for substantially the height of the elevator shaft;
an elevator cable disposed within said cable guide, with said elevator cable having a diameter;
said cable guide comprising a generally enclosed structure defining a cable passage interior with an interior diameter larger than said diameter of said elevator cable;
said cable guide further including a longitudinal slot formed therein, with said longitudinal slot having a width narrower than said diameter of said elevator cable for retaining said elevator cable within said cable guide;
an elevator cable takeup reel;
and
a linear transducer communicating mechanically with said elevator cable and electrically with said elevator cable take up reel, for controlling said elevator cable takeup reel as the elevator car moves within the elevator shaft.

4 more elements

An elevator shaft having a height and containing an elevator car therein and an elevator mechanism therefor, comprising in combination:

at least one cable guide disposed substantially vertically within said elevator shaft;
said cable guide having a lower end, an upper end opposite said lower end, and extending as a continuous component for substantially said height of said elevator shaft;
an elevator cable disposed within said cable guide, with said elevator cable having a diameter;
said cable guide comprising a generally enclosed structure defining a cable passage interior with an interior diameter larger than said diameter of said elevator cable;
said cable guide further including a longitudinal slot formed therein, with said longitudinal slot having a width narrower than said diameter of said elevator cable for retaining said elevator cable within said cable guide;
a cable lift bar having an elevator car attachment end secured to said elevator car, and an elevator cable attachment end opposite said elevator car attachment end;
a cable lift bar attachment fitting disposed upon said elevator cable and extending therefrom, and securing said elevator cable to said elevator cable attachment end of said cable lift bar;
an elevator car attachment length extending from said elevator cable;
said elevator car attachment length of said elevator cable having a width narrower than said width of said longitudinal slot of said cable guide;
said elevator car attachment length of said elevator cable passing through said slot of said cable guide, for connecting to said elevator car;
and
switch means disposed upon said elevator cable attachment end of said cable lift bar and communicating with said elevator cable, for terminating operation of said elevator car when excessive strain occurs upon said elevator cable.

9 more elements

An elevator shaft having a height and containing an elevator car therein, and an elevator mechanism therefor, comprising in combination:

at least one cable guide disposed substantially vertically within said elevator shaft;
said cable guide having a lower end, an upper end opposite said lower end, and extending as a continuous component for substantially said height of said elevator shaft;
an elevator cable disposed within said cable guide, with said elevator cable having a diameter;
said cable guide comprising a generally enclosed structure defining a cable passage interior with an interior diameter larger than said diameter of said elevator cable;
said cable guide further including a longitudinal slot formed therein, with said longitudinal slot having a width narrower than said diameter of said elevator cable for retaining said elevator cable within said cable guide;
an elevator cable takeup reel;
and
a linear transducer communicating mechanically with said elevator cable and electrically with said elevator cable take up reel, for controlling said elevator cable takeup reel as said elevator car moves within said elevator shaft.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.