US1322895A - gaylord - Google Patents

Description

R. H. GAYLORD. ELEVATOR SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPHCATION F\LED APR. 10. 19M.

M, a 22 55a 02 053 W W W m W W/Ww m 4 7 R H. GAYLORD.

ELEV/UH SmNAL SYSEM.

APPHCATIUN FILED APR IO, 15H].

izltmlfvil Nov. 25), 191$).

4 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

fig. a.

9 pay wig 5 R. H. GAYLORU.

ELEVATOR SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR-.10, I917.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

R. H. GAYLORD.

ELEVATOR SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLlCATlON men APR. 10, 1917.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

@H E inc T& U D D I??? .Q \Q

UNITED sT T s rAT nr on'nion; I

nonnn'r H. GAYLORD, or PASADENA, cALIromviA, ASSIGNOR TO B. H. eAYLorm COMPANY, or os ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION or c Lrronnrm.

nLnvATonsIGn r systems. f

Application filed April 10, 1917. Serialfio. 160,928.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT H. GAYLORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Elevator Signal System, of,

' means, which one of the plurality of cars is which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to elevator signal systems of the type in which signal means are provided-at each landing, to give notification at the landing of the approach of any one ofra plurality of elevator cars, in such manner that a person at the landing will be informed as to which one of such cars is approaching and in which direction it is moving; Insome cases the operation of such signals is subject to control by the motion of the cars and also by the operation of push buttons at the landings so that a signal will only be-g'ive'n at a landing from which a call has been sent requiring a stop by the car which is momentarily controlling the signal. In other cases, particularly in department store elevators, the signal means are under the control of the cars in such manner that a signal is given at each landthe landings.

ing passed, no call means being provided at The present invention -is applicable in connectionwith elevator signal systems of either the type in which the landing signals are under control of both the cars and landing push buttons, or of the type in which the landing signals are under control of the as the installation of the landing signals, not.

only on account of the large number of landing signal devices required, such number being the product of the number of floors by the number of elevator shafts, but also and mainly on account of the material and labor involved in the wiring, it being necessary to provide separate connections to each landing signal from the overhead car-operated switch. An important object of the present invention in this connection, is to provide a Specification of Letters Patent. 1 Patggntled Ngv iz5; 191 9; I

single visual signal means at each landing I for each direction of movementof the car,

which is adapted to be'operatcd selectively of differently by the dilferent cars so as to selectively indicate by said single signal approaching the landing. This result, I accomplish by providing a signal means, which is adapted to be operated to indicate different cars and by providing car-operated means, whereby the current transmitted to the respective signal means is varied or con trolled, according to the car which is momentarily in control of the signal service.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elevator signal system, of the type above referred to, with means whereby the signal iven at any landing will indicate definitely and without confusion which one of a plurality of cars the Waiting passenger is totake and if a number of cars are approaching the landing so as to be at the sametime within the signaling zone, the first one to reach said zone or to get in position for signaling will assume control of the signal at the landing and the other cars will be locked out of control until said first car has relinquished control, either by passing out of the signaling zone or by operation of a transferswitch.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby under the conditions just stated the passage of any car out of the signaling zone will result automatically in a transfer of the signal circuits to operative relation with the other cars, so that any other car which is at that time within the signaling zone and which was locked out of such operative relation will, under the conditions stated, immediately receive the signal and control the landing signal to notify the waiting passenger that this second car will take him on. This is an important advantage, for the reason that, in some cases with the present system of flash signals at the landings, two or more cars may approach the landing about the same time and the first operator to reach the landing may neglect to either stop or to transfer the signal with the result that in the operation of the usual overhead control means, the controlling circuits for the other car or cars at that time within the signalin zone, become automatically disabled and the pasvide interlocking means under the control I, of'each car operator, whereby said operator I as ' locking may transfer a call for any landing to any other car, provided said other car is within the signal zone for the said landing, and to notify the waiting passenger that another car will serve him.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevationof an elevator signal system provided w th landing push button control and embodying my invention.

' Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a set of the electromagnetic devices controlling the signal circuits by operation of the car-operated switch.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 in- Fig. 2.

Fig. 3* is a detail section of a portion of the armature shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing meansfor controlling current to the landing-signal lamp. 1 i r Fig. 5 "is a transverse sectionof the caroperated switch. a Fig. '6 is a side elevation thereof with parts broken away, the casing being shown in section. I

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one of the landing signals, including up and down signal means.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section thereof.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 in Fig. 8.

'Fig. 10 is a section on line 1010 in Fig; 11 is a section on line 11-11 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of a modified form of landing signal. a Fig. 13 is a vertical section of a modified form of the electromagnetic devices for controlling the signal circuits,

Fig. 14 is a section onjline 14- 14 in I,

ig. 15 is a diagram of the landing signal at afloor and the wiring therefor in case more than one of such signals is required at a landing.

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the application of my invention to a department store elevator signal system.

Fig. 17 is a section of a form of interelectromagnetic device adapted for operation in the system shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a section similar to Fig. 3, showing a form of interlock adapted for use with a department store signal system.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown my signal system as applied in connection that it is applicable in connection with any number of cars and its advantages are especially apparent with a large number of cars, say four or more. In said figure two elevator cars are operated in the usual manner and are connected to car-operated switches 2 and 2", so that each switch is operated in correspondence with the corresponding elevator car. I

Each car-operated switch may be of the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, comprising arms 3 mounted on a shaft 4 extending longitudinally of the switch, said shaft being vjournaled in suitable bearings 7 on a frame 8 and provided with the usual means whereby it is operated in correspondence with the movement of one of the cars. Said shaft 4 is provided with a screw thread indicated at 11 and arms 3 are provided with a nut 12 engaging said screw thread so that said arms are propelled in one direction or the other longitudinally of the switch according to the direction of rotation of the shaft,

ficient to cause the arms 3 to tilt one way or the other according to the direction of rotation of shaft 4, this tiltin movement holder 15, in which are mounted two brushes 16 and 17. Additional brush holders 18 and 19 may be provided on said bars 14 sup rtach ing respectively brushes 21 and 22. swltch 2 and 2 further comprises fixed contact means comprising a longitudinal strip 23 of metal, a series of metal segments 24 said nutbeing provided with. a frictional j arranged in a row above said strip 23 and a series of metal segments 25 ar-.

ranged in a row below the strip 23. Spec: I

ing or insulated segments 26 may. be pro vided between the respective segments 24 and between the respective segments 25. i

Y The brushes 16 and 17 are so mounted that when the arm 3 is in a position corresponding to upward movement of the car, said brush 16 will travel over the upper row of segments 24 and the brush 17 will travel on the strip 23 and whenthe arm 3 is tilted downwardly by the downward motion of the car, the brush 16 will travel on the strip 23 andv the brush 17 will travel over the seg- -ments 25. The brushes 21 and 22 are probeing limited by engagement 0 an arm 3 i on nut 12, with one or other wall of a groove 20, on frame 8. Saidarms 3 carry bars 14 from which extends vertically a brush '15 indicated in the drawings by'the characters each floor; namely, one for up and one for down signaling, and there being as many of said devices in each set as there are cars. Due to special conditions in the operation of the car-operated switches, however, the electromagnetic devices, contacts, etc., corresponding to downward 'movement of the car at the top floor are arranged in the same series asthe devices corresponding to upward travel at the intermediate floors, and the devices corresponding to upward movement at the bottom floor are in the same series as the devices corresponding to downward movement at the intermediate floors. The arrangement of the devices is U 1, D 2, etc, U indicating upward and ,Dl downward movement, and the numerals representing the respective floors. Each of these electromagnetic devices may comprise a magnet or coil and an armature 31, which is adapted to beoperated thereby, said armature being restored to normal position v.(in the form shown in the drawing), by the action of a spring 32. Said armature carries insulated studs 33 adapted to engage contact springs 35 and Q36, so as to force them into contact with other contact springs 37 and 38, controlling certain signal circuits as hereinafter def scribed. Each armature is further provided with a shoulder or 'portion- {i0 adapted ,to

engage interlocking means, as hereinafter [set forth.

[.-.-"The "interlocking meansfor'each set of the above described "consists mounted electromagnetic devices preferably of a Crock shaft 42 by a spring 48, in position tonormally engage the end portions or shoulders 40 of the armatures 3.1 and to prevent movement of the armatures toward the magnets 30, said shaft having a longitudinal groove 44 -which, when the shaft 42 is turned by operation of an armature 45 of an unlocking magnet 50 is brought opposite the as to portion 40 of the armatures 30, so

Arma

permit operation of the latter.

. tum-45 is'preferably of steel so as to tend 50' to hold to the core of the magnet-when it has been drawn close thereto. 48 isadapted to resilientlyresist displacement of shaft 42 either way from normal position, said spring being for example a tension spring connected to a support and to a. projection 49 onshaft 42. I

The unlocking magnets 50 are connected to the respective push buttons at the land ings, there being an up push button '60 at each landing except the top landing and a down push button 61 at each landing except the bottom landing. The circuits connected to the contacts 35 and 37 control pilot lamps indicated at 62 and 62 in the respective cars. Circuits controlled in'bearings 43 and normally-held,

The spring by the contacts 36 and 38 operate the landing signals.

Each of the landing signals (as shown in Figs. 7 to 11) may comprise a casing 69 formed, in the case of each of the floors, except the top and bottom floors, with u per and lowerwindow 0 nings 70- and 41 for display respectively 0 y. up and down signals. he up and dowir signal means mounted within said casings are of identicalconstruction, each comprising for example an indicating member 73 mounted on a vertical pivot or shaft 74 and connected by gearing 75-76 or otherwise-to an armature or core 78, which is operated by. a coil or solenoid 'connected in the signal circuit. A spring 81 may be provided to re-- store the armature and indicating means to normal position. The said indicating means may comprise a cylindrical carrier mounted on the shaft 74; provided with seats the lamps 85 are operated continually the openings 70 and .71 are not illuminated un-. til the signal member 73 is operated to landing numbers into view, the flash so produced attracting the attention of the wait ing passenger. If, however, it is desired to avoid the useof current in said lamps except when the indication is being made. this may be effected by including aswitch 'bring one of the cards or slips bearing the or circuit closer in the circuit of said lamp,

as indicated at 72 in Fig. 4, this circuit closer being normally held open by engagement of member 78 with one member thereof, and being closed automatically, by spring action of said member when the latter is moved from normal position.

Each-of-the landing signals is'connected for operation-by the car-operated switches of all of'the elevator cars, and the extent of its movement is different for the different cars, the several car-operated switches having respectively, circuit connections adapted to send currents 'of difierent strength through the operating coils of said signals, and the extent to which the armature or core 78 is operated being dependent on the intensity of the current in its operating coil.

Retarding or damping means may be provided for the indicating member 73 in its rotation, consisting for example of a horse shoe magnet 88 fastened to the casing underneath said member, which is preferably of some light metal such as aluminum, and iron lugs 89 may be provided on the bottom face of said member, so as to tend to bring and hold it inposition so that one of the cardsor slips 84 is directly behind. the opening 70 or 71. Suitable directions may be provided on the front of casing 69 for cooperating with the numerals displayed in openings 70, to indicate to a waiting passenger what car will serve him.

The circuit connections are as follows: From a wire 90 of a supply circuit, a wire 112 leads to transfer switch 113 in each car and from said switch a wire 114 leads to the long contact strip 23 of the corresponding car-operated switch. It will be understood that the connections to the car, for the switch 113 and for the lamps 62 are made through the usual flexible cables. From each of the up segments of said switch (and the down segment for the top floor) a wire 1 15 leads to the electromagnet or coil 30 for the corresponding electromagnetic device 28 and from said electro-magnet a wire 116 leads to a comanon return wire 117 connected to wire 96 leading to line wire 91. Wire 112 may also be connected by wire 100 to lamp 62 or 62 in the car, from which a wire 99 leads to all the contacts 35 of the controlling devices. The corresponding contacts 37 are connected by wire 97 to the wire 96. The landing signal lamps 85 may also be 'energized from said supply circuit by wire 110 leading from wire 112, and by wire 111 leading to wire 96, the said lamps being connected in parallel in branch circuits between said wires 110 and 111. The button circuits ma also be energized rom the same supply ine, a wire 122 leading from wire 112 to all the push buttons and 61 for both up and down signaling and wires 123 and 124 leading from the up and down .buttons 60 and 61 respectively to the unlocking electro-magnets 50 for the respective up and down sets of interlocking devices. From said electro-magnets a wire 125 leads to the return wire 96.

As shown in Fig. 1, the floor or landing signal circuits may be energized by a separate source of current, consisting for example of a storage battery 86, wires 105, 106 being connected to taps 107, 108 of different potential in said battery and leading respectively to controlling devices under the control of different car-operated switches, wire 105 being connected to all the contacts 36 of devices 28 and 29 controlled by number 1 car, say, and wire 106 being connected to i all the contacts 35 of the devices 28 and 29 controlled by number 2 car. The cooperaush tacts 37 for elevator Not 2 are also connected bywire 104 to wire 103. A resistance, such as lamp 102 may be included in each of these landing signal circuits, to prevent short circuiting under certain conditions. The wire 103 to each landing signal is connected by the wire 104 to all the contacts 38 in the set of controlling devices corresponding to that landing and to that direction of movement.

The operation of this system is as follows: I

Assume that a person wishing to signal an elevator pushes one of the push buttons, for example the down push button 61 at the third floor landing. A circuit is thereby completed through supply wire 90, wires 112 and 122, said push button 61, the'corresponding wire 124 electromagnet 50 of a down controlling device 29 and wires 125 and 96 to the other supply wire 91 The electromagnet thus energized moves armature 45 and shaft 42 so as to bring groove 44 opposite the end portions 40 of armat'ures 31 of all the electromagnets 30 in the corresponding set or row and the armature of said electromagnet 50 being of steel will hold shaft 42 in this position by residual magnetism after the ush button circuit has been opened so that the subsequent energize,- tion of anyone of said electromagnets 30 will permit the operation of the corresponding armature 31.

i -As shown in Fig. 1 the brushes 17 and 22 of the car-operated switch corresponding to the elevator car. No. 1 are riding on the lower contact 25 corresponding to'the magnet 30 in a set which has been previously unlocked as above described. It will be understood that at this time the car 1 is in its downward'movement and has reached a position somewhat above the third vfloor land- .ing. Any desired amount of advance in the signaling operation controlled by the operation of the car-operated switch, say one floor, may be obtained by adjusting the relative positions of brushes 17 and 22. \Vhen the brushes are in the position shown a circuit is completed through wires 90 and 112, switch 113, wire 114, contact 23, brushes 21 and 16, bars 14, brushes 17 and 22, a contact 25, wire 115, electromagnet 30, and thence back through wires 116 and 117 to wire 96. The electromagnet 30 is thereby energized and operates its armature 31 so as to cause the portion 40 thereof to strike the rear wall of groove 44 in shaft 42 and turn said shaft, overcoming the residual magnetic holding effect, of armature 45, so as to bring the ungrooved portion thereof oppositecnd portion 40 of the other armature. 31, thereby locking out the other armatures 31 from etfective operation and preventing interference between different cars in this operation of shaft 42 by armature 31 of any other electromagnet 30. The operation oi armature 31 also causes the insulated plate 33 to force spring contact 35 against contact 37 and spring contact 36 against contact 38. Two separate signal circuits are thus completed, a car signal circuit and a landing signal circuit. The current for operating the car signal flows from live Wire 90 through wires 112 and 100 to the pilot or signal-lamp 62 of car No. 1, wire 99, contacts 35 and 37, and thence back to the live wire 1 through wires 97 and 96. The pilot lamp 62 in No. 1 is thus lighted, indicating to the operator that he is to stopat the next floor.

The landing signal current flows from the battery 86 through tap 107, Wire 105 to contacts 36 and 38, thence by wires 104131116. 103 to the coil 80 of the corresponding landing signal and thence back to the battery through wires 109. The coil 80 of the down landingsignal at the third floor is thereby energized, attracting its armature 78 v and causing said armature and the signaling or indicating member 73 connected thereto to rotate about their axes. The degree of energization of said coil and therefore the are through which said indicating member is turned is different for the difierent cars,

scribed, the person Waiting at the landing is thus informed that he is to take car No. 1 down.

As soon as brush 17 leaves contact 25 1 corresponding to the third floor, the coil 30 is deenergized and its armature 31 is returned to normal position by action of spring 32 and a portion of armature 31 forcibly strikes and rides over the forward wall of groove 44, permitting shaft 12 to be returned to normal position as shown in Fig. 3, thus causing the contact to be broken between contact springs 35, 37 and 36, 38.

The car pilot lamp 62- is thereby extin-y guished, and the coil 80 is. deenergized, which permits spring 81 to return armature 78 andindicating member 73 to normal position. Spring 48 returns shaft 42 .to the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby preventing the effective operation of armature 31 to close contacts 35, 37, 36,38, until such a time as push button 61 shall be operated to draw armature 45 again in contact with core of magnet 50.

It will be seen that when any car has received the signal to stop at a certain landing. which implies that the proper signal controlling means therefor.

that time within the signaling zone, the

armature of the corresponding controlling device may operate to give a signal. But if there at that time no other car within the signaling zone, the locking device returns to normal locking position and the signals cannot be operated until said device is unlocked 1by operation of the corresponding push but- OIl. o

If the operator in one of the cars desires to pass a floor at which a passenger has signaled, without stopping, he may transfer the signal to another car by opening the switch '113 in his car, which will transfer both the car signal and the landing signal to the first car which comes Within the signaling zone for that floor.

Various modifications may be made in the construction of the signal devices and the As shown in Fig. 12, the landing signals may comprise a pointer 126 moving over a dial 127 and actu ated by a solenoid 128 vwhose core 128 is connected to the shaft 129 of said pointer.

A modified form of the controlling means for the landing signal and car light circuits is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, comprising solenoids- 130 arranged in sets (there being one set for each landing signal and as many solenoids in each set as there are'cars to be served) and cores 131- for the respective sosame against contacts 136 and 137. The con tacts 134 and 136 control a car lamp circuit and contacts 135 and 137 control a landing signal" circuit.

The interlocking means for the electromagnetic devices above described consist preferably of a plate or strip 142 pivoted at 143 and extending longitudinally over pins 140 on extensions 132 of cones 131 of'a single set or row, it being understood that the electro-magnetic devices for the up signal for all the. cars and for any one landing are arranged in one set or row and the electromagnetic devices for the down signal for all the cars for the same landing, are arranged in another set or row. Said interlocking device further comprises an arm or plate 144, which extends downwardly from the plate 142, and is provided with a projection 146. which in this form of the invention extends normally over the top of each of the armature or core extensions 132, so as to prevent operation thereof, the upper face of this projection 146 being beveled and the said armature or core extension 132 having a beveled shoulder 148 for engaging such beveled face to press the projection 146 aside under certain conditions hereinafter set forth. The locking arm or plate 144 is held in normal position by a spring 149, which causes the said arm or plate 144 to be held in position with the projection 146 extending above the armature or core extension 132 and against the insulating plate 133, and means are provided for withdrawing this interlocking device from such normal position. Said means comprise, for example, an electro-magnet 139 operating directly on said arm or plate 144, which is preferably of steel so that when attracted by said magnet it will be held to the core until forcibly released. When said magnet is energized, it draws the arm or plate 144 to position to withdraw the to engage the plate 142, and causing the projection 146 to be moved inwardly, so asto pass under the shoulder 148 of the core 131 which has been so raised and to extend over the extensions 132 of all of the other electromagnetic devices in the same row, thereby locking out such other electro-magnetic devices as long as this armature or core remains in raised position. The operation of the controlling and interlocking means just described is similar to that of the corresponding devices shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In systems including a large number of cars it may be desirable to provide more than one landing signal device at each landing, in which case, asindicated in-Fig. 15, the main landing signal wires 103 for each landing are connected by wires 103' to the corresponding electro-magnetic devices 80 for all. the landing signals at that landing, and common return wire 109 is connected by wires 109, to all such electro-magnetic devices.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the landing signaling opera' tion is under the control of the elevator cars alone, there being no push button at the landings and no signal means for the cars. This system is adapted for use in so called department store systems, where all the cars stop at each floor. and it may embody the same form of car operated switclmand landing signal devices, and a similar, but

. prises a solenoi somewhat modified form of interlocking means for the signals from the different cars,

the said devices for the corresponding con tact' segments of the different car-operated switches are arranged in rows or sets as above described'. Lower contact segments 154 are connected by wires 157 to similarly arranged interlocking devices 158.- Each of said interlocking devices 156 and 158 comcore 160 adapted to be attracted and raised by the coil upon energization thereof, said core having an extension 161 provided with aninsulated plate 162, which is adapted to engage contact spring 163, and force it into contact with contact spring 164 when core' 160 is lifted. An interlocking member 165 having a substantially horizontal .arm 166 and a substantially vertical arm 167, is pivoted at 168 and extends across all the solecoil or magnet 159, and a.

noids or coils 159 of any one set or row. Arm

furt ier provided with a pin 173, adapted to strike arm 166 when the core is raised.

The contact springs 163. for anyone set or row of coils 159 are connected by a com;

rovided with a projection 169, the,

mon wire 175 to the solenoid coil. 176 of the corresponding landing signal device 177. Said coils 17 6 are connected to wire 178, from which wires 179 and 179' lead to taps 180 and 180 in the secondary windings of transformers 181 and. 181', said wires being adapted to receive currents of different strength raise its core 160 so as to cause the insulated plate 162 to force contact spring 163 into contact with contact spring-164, thereby operating the COIIGSPOlKllIlQ' landing signal device 177 in the manner described above.

At the same time pip 1T3 strikes arm 166 of member 165 and causes the projection 169 signal is thus returned to'normal or nonsignaling position. Suitable means 185 are provided to limit the return movement of member 165, which is returned to non-locking position, through action of spring 172 onthe receding of extension member 173 when said coil 159 is deenergized.

With this system the cars stop at all landings without signal from the waitin passenger. If a car already has assume control of the signal at a landing, the landing vsignal will not be affected by the approach of the interlockin the indication of more than one car.

another car coming within the slgnal zone, the same being automatically locked out by means but the control of the signal by t e second car will be withheld until the first car has left this landing and then the landing signal will become operative under control of the second car,

thereby indicating to the waitin passengers,

the car that will serve them. ft is self evident that the waiting passengers. will have presented to them signals but for one car traveling in each direction at any one time thereby eliminating the confusion arising in In this case, as in the push button system,.more than one signal may be presented at each landing, as described in connection with Fig. 15; that is to say, I contemplate under certain conditions multiple signals may be used in case of a number of cars in a bank, carry- I :i:ng out the idea as shown in Fig. 15.

As shown in Fig. 18, an equivalent interlockingefi'ect-may be produced by a slight variation in the form of the means shown in Figs. '2 and 3, the interlock shaft 12 and its operating means being similar to what is shown in those figures, except that the restoring spring 18' is in this case so placed as to draw the shaft to position with the groove 41 therein opposite the lower portions of the armatures 31, so that all of the controllingdevices are normally in oper ative condition. Operation of any one of the arn'iatures 31 by itselectromagnet 30 will turn the shaft 42 by engagement of said armature with the rear wall of the groove 44, so as to bring the ungrooved part of the shaft opposite the other armature or arma tures and interlock the other controlling devices against movement.

With either of the forms of the invention above described, the interlocking means preventsinterference or confusion of signals,

by reason of a plurality of cars approaching any one landing about the same time and controlling means for the signal circuits from any car which is thus locked out from the control are held or maintained in reserve until the first car to take hold of the landing signal has passed the landing, so that if the operator in said first car neglects or intentionally omits the stop at the landing, the connection shall be maintained by the interlocking means in such condition that as soon as said first car has passed the signaling zone causing the circuit through the caroperated switch" to be opened, the interlock ing means being then released, will restore the other landing signal circuits to coopen ative relation with the other cars so that the signal will be automatically transferred by the operation pf the interlocking means, to the next succeeding car irrespective of the opening of the transfer button by the operator.

It will be understood that any suitable circuit closing means may be used at the landings for control of the circuits, and that the term push button is herein used as ing to different cars, visual signal devices ,includin any manually operated circuit at the respective landings, each signal device being adaptedtobe variantly operated to display different signals corresponding to d fferent cars, and a signal operating circuit for the signal device at each landing, for each direction of movement of a car approaching said landing, the respective operating circuits being controlled by said caroperated switches to operate the signal device at any landing as the car is approachmg such landing, said operating circuits m eluding energizing means which are differe'ntiated for different cars, so that the operation of such signal device is varied according to the car which is in control thereof.

2. In an elevator signal system, a plurality of signal devices at different landings, each. comprising an electrically controlled member adapted to display different signals corresponding to different cars, and means comprising a single controlling circuit for each landing signal means for each direction of movement of a car approaching said landing controlled by the motion of different cars for sending differentiated currents in said. controlling circuit to operate each of said signals variantly.

3. In an elevator signal systenna visual signal device at a landing adapted to display different signals corresponding to different cars, a single signal circuit leading to the signal device at said landing foreach direction of movement of a car approaching said landing and car-operated means for con trolling said signal circuit tooperate said signal device variantly to display different: signals under control of different cars. 7

4. In an elevator signal system, a signal device at a landing adapted-todisplay different signals when 'ener ized by currents of different vstrength, an means operated by different cars to transmit currents of different strength to said signal means for variant operation thereof by different cars.

5. In an elevator signal system, a visual signal device'at a landing, adapted to dis play different signals corresponding to different cars, and provided with electrical operating means to move said signal means to different extent by the operation of currents of different strength, a source of current having different ta 5 of different potential difference, a plura it of car-operated switches, and a circuit incfhding said electrical operating means and having branches connected respectively to said taps of different potential difference and controlled respectively by said car-operated switches.

6. In an elevator signal system, a plurality of landing signal devices adapted to give visual indications corresponding to different cars and a single circuit controlling each landing signal for each dlrection of movement of a car approaching said landing,

means operated by a plurality of cars and including electric circuits for controlling said single circuit to operate said signal devices variantly under the control of different cars.

7. In an elevator signal system, a landing signal means movable to diflerent positions to display signals corresponding to different cars, means responsive to currents of different strength to move said signal means to such different positions, and a plurality of car-operated switches adapted for operation by different cars, and circuit connections controlled by the respective car-operated switches for transmittin currents of different strength through t e operating means for said signal means.

8. An elevator signal system, comprising car-operated switches, circuits -controlled thereby and including electromagnetic controllin ed witfi operating electrical connections, and circuit means controlled by the electromagnetic controlling means corresponding to different cars for supplying currents of different strength to the operating connections for any landing signal.

9. In an elevator signal system, a single means, landing signals each provid-.

indicator for a plurality of cars traveling in the same direction, a single circuit for the operation of said indicator, said indicator being provided with marks for indicating different cars and car operated means for controlling said circuit for variant operation of said indicator by diflerent cars.

10. In an elevator signal system, a landing signal means movable to different positions to display signals corresponding to different cars, means responsive to currents of different strength to move said signal means to such different positions and car operated means corresponding to different cars for sending currents of different strength through said circuit for variant operation of said signal means by different cars.

11. In an elevator si al system, lan signal means, a plura ity of car-operate devices and'circuits controlled thereb for v operation of said signal means by all 0 said cars, and interlocking means, operated b the controlling circuit for any car'to loci out the other car-operated devices from control of the said signal means.

12. In an elevator signal system, a visual signal means at a landing, a plurality of car-o erated devices and circuits controlled there y for variantly controlli said Sig- 95 nal means by the operation of di erent caroperated devices, means controlled by the operation of any of the said car-operated devices for looking out the other car-operated devices from control of the land' signal, and means for holding the sign circuits for said other car-operated devices in condition to be put into operative relation with the landing signal means when the interlocking means is released. 10B

13. In an elevator signal system, a visual signal device at a landing, a plurality of car-operated switches and electric circuits controlled thereby and including electrical means for operation of said visual signal means variantly under control of the different car-operated switches, said circuits also including interlocking means for locking out the other signal controlling circuits upon operation of any one of said circuits, by operation of a car-operated switch.

14. In an elevator signal system, visual signal devices at the landings, a pluralit of car-operated switches, circuits controll thereby and including electromagnetic devices, circuits controlled by said electromagnetic devices and including said visual means at the landings, means controlled by the operation of an electromagnetic device by any car-operated switch, for locking out the 126 electromagnetic devices for the other caroperated switches while the first of said switches to be operated is still in operating condition.

15. An elevator signal system compris- I" mally locking said controlling I0.

' -closers and means control ed thereby, for moving said locking means to permit oper-.

ing a plurality of landing signals at different landings, car-operated sw1tches, circuits controlled respectively by said switches,

each of said circuits including, an electromagnetic controlling device for each landing signal, circuit connections for the re spective landing signals controlled bythe respective controlling devices, means nordevices' from operation, circuits includin anding circuit ation of any of said electromagnetic controlling devices.

.16. In an elevator signal system according to claim '15, push-buttons at the landings,.and circuits for said push-buttons 1ncluding means for controlling the operation 'ing a plurality of landing signals, a plu-' of said controlling devices.

ing to claim 16, means ornormall'y lock'in the controlling devicesfrom operat on,-an

" adapted to be unlocked by operation oi the ush-button circuits.

18. An elevator signal system,

I rality of car-operated switches corresponding to different cars, a plurality of sets of controlling devices, the number of sets corresponding to the number of landing 'slgnails and the number of'controlling devices in eachset corresponding to the number of cars, cirruit connections from. each car-operated switch to a controlling device in each set, and operating circuits r thelanding signals including contacts controlled by all of the controllinggjdevices in the corresponding set. a I

19. In an elevator signal system according to claim l8, means controlled by the several controllin devices of each set to impress diflerent eectromotive forces on the corresponding landing signal circuit, to produce a' different operation of the landing signal by the operation of controlling devices corresponding to different cars.

20. In an elevator signal system according to claim 18, push-buttons corresponding to the landing signals, and circuitscontrolled by said push-buttons and including means for controlling-the operativeness of all the controlling devices for the corresponding set.

I 21. An elevator signal system according to claim '20, in which the said controlling devices for the landing signal circuits are normally locked, and in which the operation of the push-button circuits unlocks the controlling devices of the corresponding set, and the operation of any of the controlling devices of such set interlocks all the other controlling devices of such set from operation.

22. In an elevator signal system, landing signals, a car signal, operating circuits for *ito claim Cof said controlling devices, and push-but- '17. In an elevator si al system accord said signals, and electromagnetic controlling devices each provided with contacts controlled thereby and included in the car signal circuit and with contacts controlled thereby and includedeina landing signal circuit.

23. In an elevator signal system according a car-operated switch and circuit means controlled thereby for operation;

tons corresponding to the landing signals and circuits controlled thereby and includ mg means for control of the operation of said controlling devices.

24:. An elevator signal system comprising of car-operated'switches, a set of controlling devices for each landing signal, each set inr ..clud1ng controlling devices connected for .85.

control-by the different car-operated switches,

l a plurality of'landing signals, a plurality circuits controlled by the respectivecontrolling devices for operation of the respective I landing signals, push-buttons correspondin ;;g tothe landing signals, and circuits controlled i by Said push-buttons and including means for unlocking the controlling devices of the corresponding set.

25. In an elevator signal system, a plural- 2 -1ty of signal controlling-devices, car oper ated switches and landing circuit closers and circuit means controlled thereby for opcrating said signal controlling devices,- circuit means controlled by said signal controllingdevices for-sending selective signals, operated signal controlling device fromoperation when any one of said controlling deand interlocking means for locking any unvices is operated.

26. In an elevatorsignal system, the combination with car signal and landing signal circuits, of a plurality of car-controlled devices for controlling said circuits, and provided w th interlocking means operated by direction and adapted for operation by currents of different strength to give indications corresponding to cliflerent cars. a single opcrating circuit therefor, signal controlling means and circuits controlled thereby for sending currents for said; signal controllingmeans to pre landing signal for all cars traveling in one of different strength 7 1 through said signal, and interlocking means vent operation of said signal by more than one of said controlling means at a time.

29. In an elevator signal system, a plurality of cars, a plurality of devices corresponding to difi'erent floors for transmitting selective signals, landing signal circuits connected to all of said transmitting devices and controlled thereby and comprising a circuit for each landing, a single signal receiving means in each of said circuits adapted to selectively receive signals from all of said transmitting devices, and to give visual signals corresponding to different cars.

30. In an elevator signal system according to claim 29, interlocking means for preventing control of a landing signal circuit by more than one of said transmitting devices at a time.

31. In an elevator signal system according to claim 30, push-button circuits including push-buttons at the landings and including means for control of said interlocking means to unlock the signal transmitting devices for a landing corresponding to an operated push-button.

32. In an elevator signal system, a plurality of signal transmitting devices controlled by the operation of different cars, a signal circuit for each floor inoludin a, single signal receiving means adapted qi give visual signals, each of said signal circuits being adapted to receive selective signals from all of said transmitting devices and to deliver said selective signals to a certain one of said signal receiving means.

33. In an elevator signal system according to claim 32, interlocking means for preventing control of a landing signal circuit by more than one of said transmitting devices at a time.

34. In an elevator signal system according to claim 33, push-button circuits including push-buttons at the landings and including means for'control of said interlocking means to unlock the signal transmitting devices for a landing corresponding to an operated push-button.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Los Angeles, California, this 2nd day of April, 1917.

ROBERT H. GAYLORD.

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