US2230073A - Elevator signaling system - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1941. R. P. BROWN 1 2,230,073

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed July 29, 1937 i0 i 7 Posmonfm dg I wm STOP g-; W 1, I v .2

j@ 4 INVENTOR: Ric/2d rd Pfir-owm,

I p m By amid Mae/r W L5. ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiE ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM Application July 29, 1937, Serial No. 156,270

9 Claims.

My invention relates to signaling systems for elevators, more particularly to the provision of an automatically operable system for indicating or Signaling to passengers within an elevator,

both the position of the elevator with respect to the several floors it serves, and the schedule of stops to be made by the elevator.

My invention, though not limited thereto, is particularly applicable to high-speed passenger 10 elevator systems of the type wherein the operator, as the elevator is loaded, presses push-buttons corresponding to the floors representing the destination of the individual passengers. These push-buttons or manually operable switches are connected in the control system to stop the elevator at the selected floors, or they may serve to control signals to the opeartor, so that he may at the proper time bring the elevator to standstill at such selected floors or landings.

In elevators of this type, the elevator car, hereinafter referred to broadly as the elevator, is generally totally inclosed, and signaling lights above the door may in succession be lighted in response to, and to indicate, arrival of the elevator at each of the floors it serves. In the past, instead of the aforesaid lights, numbers have been painted on the walls of the elevator shaft or hatchway. In neither case did the passengers know both the position of the elevator with respect to the floors it served, and the number of the floor at which the elevator Was next to stop. As a result, certain of the passengers, during the time the elevator was decelerating to standstill, pushed their way through the other passengers to the door of the elevator only to find they had not yet arrived at their destination.

It is an object of my invention to provide a visual signaling means to inform the passengers not only the position of the elevator within the 40 shaft, but also to show at all times all stops, particularly the next stop, to be made by the elevator.

In carrying out my invention, in one form 5 thereof I provide within the elevator two rows of signaling lights each light of which is operable to render visible a number corresponding to one of the floors served by the elevator. The lights of one of said rows are in succession ener- 5D gized in response to movement of the elevator within the shaft and in accord with its position with respect to the floors it serves, while the lights of the other row are energized under the control of the push-buttons or switches which predetermine the schedule of stops to be made 55 by the elevator.

The aforesaid rows of lights are preferably located above the door of the elevator and enable the passengers to arrange themselves so that loading and unloading may be accomplished without loss of time. There is further avoided needless crowding and shifting of passengers who have not yet arrived at their desired floors.

In accord With a further aspect of my invention, means are provided additionally to energize those lights of said second row, which corl0 respond with push-buttons or manually operable switches located at each of the respective floors, after one or more of said switches have been operated to signal the elevator to stop at the floor where a prospective passenger has op- 15 erated one of said switches.

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a conven- 20 tional elevator system;

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates one form of control system embodying my invention;

Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows one of the pushbutton switches of Fig. 2, together with a more 25 detailed diagrammatic showing of part of the control circuit;

Fig. 4, in simplified form, illustrates a signaling circuit including the manually operable switches located at each of the respective floors 3 served by the elevator; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of one numeral appearing in front of a signal light.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown my invention in one form as applied to an elevator l0 suspended in an elevator shaft or hatchway II by supporting cables I2 wound on a driving sheave I3 and driven by a motor 14. Within the elevator there is provided a conventional control board l5 including a switch I6 for start- 0 ing the elevator and a plurality of manually operable switches or push-buttons IT, in number corresponding with the number of floors served by the elevator, for predetermining the schedule of stops of the elevator.

The details of the control It for the motor l4, including the various control circuits completed through elevator control cable I9, and the brake (not shown) form no part of the present invention. The control system may be of any of several Well-known types generically described by those skilled in the art as signal-control systems, i. e., systems wherein the operator predetermines the schedule of stops by depressing selected push-buttons as the passengers enter the elevator, the control I8 thereof automatically stopping the elevator at the selected floors, leaving the principal duty of the operator to move the switch IE to start the elevator. The elevator door la is preferably automatically opened and closed under the control of the operator, though both opening and closing may be under his control.

An alternative type of system to which my invention is also applicable is described in United States Letters Patent #1,909,090 to Bouton et al., dated May 16, 1933. In accord with the disclosure of this patent, the push-buttons, instead of automatically controlling the stopping of the elevator, control signals which inform the operator to move his switch Hi to a position to stop the elevator. In this manner, the elevator carries. out the predetermined schedule of stops.

Continuing with the description of my invention, there are provided within the elevator, preferably above the door, (but diagrammatically shown at the side thereof) two rows of signal lights 20 and 2 I, each light of which, when energized, serves to illuminate a numeral correr sponding to one of the floors served by the elevator. For example, when elevator I is but one of a large bank and is intended to serve ten or fifteen floors of a building, whether they be the lowermost or uppermost ten floors, it will be understood the numerals illuminated by the respective lights, correspond to the floors served by the elevator. As further illustrative, numeral 20 is shown in Fig. for signal light 2|a.

Assuming the elevator has been started from M the ground floor, as soon as it approaches the first of the floors it serves, the left-hand light of row 20 may be energized to indicate arrival of the elevator at said floor. As the elevator continues to move, the other lights are in succession illuminated, at all times to indicate to the passengers the position of the elevator with respect to the several floors.

Before the elevator leaves the ground floor, as just described, the operator has pressed the push-buttons I! which correspond with the floors at which the several passengers may wish the elevator to stop. Concurrently with operation of said push-buttons, or as the elevator approaches said floors, a plurality of the lights in row 2| will be simultaneously energized or illuminated to inform, at all times, the passengers that the elevator will stop in succession at the floors whose numbers are illuminated in that row. In this manner, the passengers may always know both the position of the elevator Within the shaft and the schedule of stops to be made by it.

Though any suitable means may be provided to energize the lights of row 20, I have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a threaded rod 22 supporting in threaded relation therewith a carriage 23. As the motor |4 drives the elevator Ii] from one floor to another, the carriage 23 reproduces, by means of suitable gear reduction, on a smaller scale the movements thereof. By arranging contact segments 24, 25, 26 (in number corresponding to the floors served) in positions to be engaged by bridging member 23a of carriage 23, as the elevator approaches successive floors, the signal lights of row 2|] may in succession be energized.

As shown in Fig. 2, the bridging member 23a has just been moved to complete between segments 24 and 21 an energizing circuit for signal light 20a which may be traced from a supply line 28, by conductor 29, signal light 26a, contact segment 24, bridging member 2311, and by segment 21 to the other supply line 30. The signal light 20a thereupon illuminates a numeral appearing on a cover glass, or otherwise indicates to the passengers the arrival of the car at that particular floor, for example, the 20th floor in the building. Similarly, as the car approaches the 21st and 22nd floors, energizing circuits are in succession completed for the signal lights 2% and 220. However, if the schedule of stops, as determined by the operator, only includes the 20th and 23d floors, push-button switches Fla and l'lc will be depressed, simultaneously energizing signal lights Ma and 2|c of the second row 2|. In this manner, the passengers may know the car is not to stop at the 22nd floor but only at the 20th and 23d floors.

While only three floors have been diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 2, it is, of course, understood the respective circuits may be duplicated and lights provided for as many floors as may be desired. In lieu of electric lights or lamps, it is within the scope of my invention to provide other forms of visual indicators or signaling means such, for example, as masks which may be automatically moved to expose illuminated numerals, or dials and associated pointers.

Though the push-button switches Ila-410 may be of the momentary-contact type, they preferably remain in the positions to which they are operated until after the car has passed the corresponding floor positions. For example, and referring to Fig. 3, as soon as push-button Ila has been pressed, an energizing circuit is completed for signal light 2|a and for a relay 34 which may in control |B serve to initiate at proper time stopping of the elevator. This circuit may be traced from supply line 28, through coil 32, signal light 2|a, normally closed contacts 33, and by operating coil of relay 34 to the other supply line 30. The coil 32 magnetically maintains the push-button ll'a in its depressed or operated position against the bias of a return spring 35.

As the elevator ll) approaches the floor corresponding to signal light 2| a, a projection or roller 36 carried by or movable with the elevator, engages a cam 31 to interrupt the circuit by opening of contacts 33; the spring 35 thereupon operates the push-button |1a to its original position. The interruption of the circuit just described of course extinguishes the signal light 2Ia.

Instead of the series circuit shown, the other contacts of switch ||a may be used for parallel connection of lights 2|a and relay 34; or they may be included where necessary in the control In accord with my invention as thus far described, no provision has been made to include in the schedule of stops, as shown by the row of signals 2|, those stops produced by operation of signal switches or push-buttons 40, 4| and 42 located at the respective floors. As is frequently the case, after the elevator is in motion, a prospective passenger may press one of the pushbuttons 40-42 to stop the first elevator approaching his floor in the desired direction.

Referring to Fig. 4, if the push-button 40 is momentarily operated, an energizing circuit is completed for a relay 43, which may be traced from supply line 28, by contacts 33 operable by cam 37 (Fig. 3), conductor 44, operating coil 45 of relay 43, conductors 46 and41, contacts of the push-button switch 40, and by conductors 48 and Him the supply line 30. The relay 43 thereupon operates to close its contacts 50, 5| and-52, the latter serving as a part of the control system I8 to initiate stopping of the first elevator approaching the push-button 40 in the correct direction. The contacts 5| complete a holding circuit for the relay 43 which is interrupted by the opening of contacts 33 in response to the arrival of the elevator at the selected floor, as described in connection with Fig. 3.

Upon closure of contacts 50 of relay 43, an energizing circuit is partially completed for a signal light 54 located above the push-button switch 40. This energizing circuit is completed by a switching means 55, shown of the threaded rod and carriage type, and controlled or operable by movement of one or more of the elevators to bridge contact segments 56 and 550 as the first elevator approaches that floor in the proper di rection. The signal light 54 is then energized through a circuit which may be traced from supply line 23, segments 56 and 56a, contacts 50 of relay 43, signal light 54, and by conductor a to the other supply line 39. Concurrently with energization of signal light 54, a relay 51 is energized to close its contacts and thereby complete an energizing circuit for signal light Ha of the second row 2|. This circuit may be traced from supply line 28 by conductor 58, contacts of relay 51, signal light 21a, and by conductor 59 to the other supply line 30. As already stated, the relays 43 and 5'! are returned to their original positions as soon as the elevator arrives at a position to effect opening of the contacts 33.

Similarly, circuits may be completed for sig nal lights 41a and 420., respectively, above pushbuttons 4| and 42, Fig. 1.

Also shown in Fig. 4 is the manually operable switch or push-button Ila located within the elevator. It is clear from the diagram, and as previously explained, when this push-button is operated an energizing circuit is completed through its contacts for the signal light 2|a which is independent of the other energizing circuits of Fig. 4.

The switching device 55, per se forming no part of the present invention, may comprise a plurality of commutating devices connected and arranged in a well-known manner, to initiate the stopping of the first of several elevators to approach within a predetermined distance of, generally two or three floors away from, the floor at which there has been operated one of the switches, as one of push-button switches 40, 4| or 42, and at about the same time to complete the circuit between segments 55 and 56a, so that the proper signal light, as for example, light 21a, is energized within the elevator which is to be stopped; and so that corresponding signal lights in the remaining elevators serving the floor at which the operated switch, as switch 40, is located, are not energized.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not limit myself thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A system of signaling the position and the schedule of stops of an elevator comprising a series of visual indicators within said elevator corresponding in number to the floors served by said elevator and observable by passengers within the elevator, means 'for rendering distinctive each of said indicators as the elevator approaches a floor corresponding thereto, a second series of visual indicators also located for observation by passengers within the elevator, means within said elevator operable to actuate those indicators of said second series corresponding with stops to be made by said elevator for discharge of pasof a plurality of manually operable switches, corresponding to the number of floors served by the elevator, disposed within said elevator, a series of signal lights within said elevator individually arranged to illuminate numerals corresponding to the floor-numbers served by said elevator, a manually operab le switch, disposed at each of said floors served by said elevator, and

control means for said signal lights responsive to operation of said switches at said floors or within said elevator for individually illuminating the numerals corresponding with the stops to be made prior to arrival of the elevator at the corresponding floors.

3. A signal system for indicating and identifying to passengers within an elevator the stops to be made for discharge of said passengers and for pick-up of prospective passengers comprising signal devices within the elevator corresponding with and identifying the floors served by the elevator, control devices within the elevator operable selectively to actuate those of said signal devices corresponding with the floors at which the elevator is to stop for discharge of passengers, and control devices at said served floors operable by prospective passengers to efiect actuation of other of said signal devices corresponding with the floors at which the elevator is to stop for pick-up of passengers.

4. A signal system for indicating and identifying to passengers within an elevator the stops to be made for discharge of passengers and for pick-up of prospective passengers comprising a plurality of signal devices within the elevator corresponding with and identifying the floors served by the elevator, a plurality of control devices within, the elevator operable to actuate those of said signal devices corresponding with the floors at which the elevator is to stop for discharge of passengers, and means for actuating those of said signal devices corresponding with other floors at which the elevator is to stop for pick-up of passengers comprising a plurality of control devices operable by prospective passengers at said floors.

5. A signal system for indicating and identifying to passengers within an elevator the stops to be made for discharge of passengers and for pick-up of prospective passengers comprising a plurality of signal devices within the elevator corresponding with and identifying the floors served by the elevator, a plurality of control devices within the elevator operable to actuate those of said signal devices corresponding with the floors at which the elevator is to stop for discharge of passengers, and means for actuating those of saidsignal devices corresponding with other floors at which the elevator is to stop for pick-up of passengers comprising a plurality of control devices operable by prospective passengers at said floors and means operable by the elevator as it approaches each of said floors at which one of said second named control devices has been operated by a prospective passenger to effect actuation of the corresponding signal device.

6. A signaling system for a multi-car elevator system comprising a plurality of signal devices within each of the cars corresponding with and identifying to passengers therein the floors served by it, a manually controlled member at each of the floors served by said cars, and means controlled by the cars to effect, for actuation of any one of said members, response of the corresponding signal device within one of said cars to identify to the passengers a stop to be made for pick up of prospective passengers and to preclude response of the corresponding signal device in each of the other cars.

7. A signaling system for a multi-car elevator system comprising a plurality of electric signal devices within each of the cars corresponding with and identifying to passengers therein the floors served by it, a manually controlled switch at each of the floors served by said cars, and switching means controlled by the cars to effeet, for actuation of any one of said switches, response of the corresponding signal device in the first of the cars to arrive at a predetermined point in its approach to the floor at which the actuated one of said switches is located to identify that floor to passengers of said first car and to preclude response of the corresponding signal device in each of the other cars.

8. A signaling system for a multi-car elevator system comprising a plurality of signal devices within each of the cars corresponding with and identifying to passengers therein the floors served by it, means within each of the cars for actuating those of said signal devices within the car corresponding with stops to be mad-e for discharge of its passengers, a control device at each of the floors served by said cars for operation by prospective passengers, and means controlled by the cars to effect, for actuation of any one of said control devices, response of the corresponding signal device within one of said cars for addition to its indicated stops and for identification to passengers of said one of said cars the floor corresponding with the actuated control device and to preclude response of the corresponding signal device in each of the other cars.

9. A signaling system for a multi-car elevator system comprising a plurality of signal devices within each of the cars corresponding with and identifying to passengers therein the floors served by it, switches within each car for controlling said signal devices to indicate stops required for discharge of its passengers, switches at each of said floors operable by prospective passengers, and switching means controlled by said cars and coacting with said floor switches for control of the floor-identifying signal devices in the cars to effect, for actuation of any one of said floor switches, control of the corresponding signal device in only the first of said cars to arrive at a predetermined point in its approach to the floor at which the actuated one of said switches is located to avoid addition to the stops indicated by the signal devices within each of the other cars.

RICHARD P. BROWN.

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