US1333240A - Elevator signaling system - Google Patents

Description

F. A. BOEDTCHER.

ELEVATOR SlGNALlNG SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. [3, I915.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.-

IN V EN TOR 4 SHEETSSHEET I.

A tlomeys 2.; .B'07zzA.Boe6-7"ck67: g BY I 26 WITNESSES F. A. BOEDTCHER.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM.

AEPLICATION FILED ue.13. m5.

1,333,240. Patented Mar. 9,1920

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- zzy- .2

F 5 J f 4- WITNESSES; INVENTOR g 1 737722 Aufiaedfckegr.

F. A. BOEDTCHER.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.13. I915. 1,333,240. Patented Mar. 9,1920.

4 SHEETSSHET 3.

IN V EN TOR 17107274 A .fioeavcher.

WITNESSES F. A. BOEDTCHER.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.13. 19x5.

1 ,333,24-.(). Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@i Zz J6 H z Z Z 5/ E 1H7 01' Y? o "Z" a 2 i L ww, w 4i Q l 0 w Z9 IIIIIMWTF WITNESSES: INVENTOR an, lmrezjl-fioedfi'fien BY At megs UNITED STA PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ A. BOEDTCHER, OF BERGENFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Applicationfiled August 13, 1915.

To (.z/l w/wm it may concern Be it known that I, FRANZ A. BOEDTCHEK, a citizen of the United States, residing in Bergenfield, county of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Elevator Signaling System, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an elevator signaling system, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a system oft-his class which will be economical to install and maintain, and highly efiicient and unfailing in its operation. The system is thus aimed to obviate all unessential circuits and cuts down the wiring to a minimum.

A salient feature of the invention resides in the combination of electrical devices, certain of which are so constructed and organizedas to be susceptible of performing various functions whereby highly superior results are accomplished through the employment of less parts than has heretofore been possible or practical.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a system of the class described, means for lighting the threshold of a floor door upon the stopping of the car at that floor, and maintaining said threshold illuminated until the car leaves the floor, whereby a passenger, entering or leaving the elevator car, may see where he is stepping, this being accomplished independently of the car operator and automatically upon the stopping and stztrting of the car.

With the automatic threshold illuminating circuits may be associated floor discriminating annunciators in the elevator car which will apprise the car operator and the passenger as to the floor at which the car is at rest, and these devices are preferably such as to be operable only when the car is standing still.

Another feature of the invention is embodied in the combination of mechanism which will allow of the signal remaining in the elevator car when the car is stopped to receive a passenger, and said signal will not be canceled until the car has so stopped and once more started on its travel away from the floor. This feature is an important one from a practical standpoint, in that the resetting circuits are open dur ing the time the car is standing still and are only closed momentarily, thereby obviating unnecessary wear and tear on the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

Serial No. 45,269.

circuits and an unnecessary waste of curmentioned the fact that the system may be so organized that the elevator 'ar starter at the first floor of the building is enabled, through certain improved mechanism, to preclude any given car from receiving signals during either direction of its travel, whereby said car may be made an express; the incorporation in a single car of an improved delayed signaling system, preferably to be used in the daytime. and an improved immediate signaling system whereby the operator of the car may see immediately from what floor the signal is given, thereby obviating unnecessary travel of an improved car; the method of giving signals from the various floors whereby the signal is set by a passenger and remains locked in such position until automatically restored bythe car; the provision ofimproved commutating mechanism so organized as to place the signals automatically in condition for resetting after they have been set, but inoperable to reset the signals until the car has stopped and started again; the provision of a system wherein but two tap lines lead from the push-button mechanism, and, besides these' tap lines, only a single wire from each push-button, thus greatlycutting down the shaftwiring; the improved manner of dispensing with practically all overhead magnet control and placing such minimum magnet control as is necessary within easy access to the floors to which it corresponds: and many other novel and improved features and advantages, which will be apparent from the following specification read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated different practical embodiments of the present invention, but the construe-1 tions shown therein are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, showing a plurality of cars and the preferred system for signaling said (are from given floors.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical view illustrating a modified system,

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing, diagrammatically,

one method for automatically controlling the signal resetting devices, the threshold illuminating means, and the floor designating annunciators.

Figs 3 and 4 are a front elevation and a side elevation, respectively, of push-button 'mechanisrn adapted to be positioned at the various floors of a building. In the former figure, the casing of said mechanism is omitferring particularly to Fig. 1, the Roman numerals 1,11, and 1H designate the first, second and third floors, respectively, of a a three-story building in which the system is here shown as installed, and in. which building two elevator cars A and B are adapted to operate. It will, of course, be understood that the present invention is not limited to a three-story building, as the system may operate-through any number of floors and for any number of cars.

On each floor of the building is a passengers push-button mechanism, there being an up push-button mechanism C on the first floor, a down 'p'ush-button mechanism C on the top floor and up and down pushbutton mechanisms mediate floor, which mechanisms are connected through suitable wiring hereinafter described, whereby "the operations .of the push-buttons on the various floors serve to control signaling means of; the elevator cars. so that the-car operator mayknow at what floor a buttonhas been pressed and in what direction the passenger pressing such button is desirous of going.

The push-button mechanism, shown diagrammatically in Fig. '1, is novel and distinct in character and is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. All of the push-buttons are of the same construction, both for the up direction and the down, and a detailed description of one push-button'mechanism, G, will,-therefore, sufiicc for all.

Push-button mechanism C is mounted upon a base of insulation material 1, and embodies a pair of magnets 2 and 3 supported upon a bracket 1 through the medium of their cores 5, as clearly shown. At the opposite ends of the cores 5 from where the magnets are supported is fixed a bracket member 6, see Fig. 4, provided with downbase 1.

C C on eaph inter-' positioned in each wardly extending arms 7, to which is pivot ally secured an armature 8 by virtue of the trunnions 9 which pass through the arms of bracket 6. Situated to one side of magnets 2 and 3, and secured rigidly to the base 1, is a, spring arm 11, which extends upwardly and reaches over the magnets and is adapted, under certain conditions, to be engaged by a contact 12 mounted on an arm 13 formed in tegral with armature 8 of the magnets.

The position of arm 13 and contact 12 is an important feature in the operation of the push-button mechanism, and is governed, to a large extent, by a latch 15 which is pivoted, as at 16, to a bracket 17 mounted on the Latch 15 is provided at its lower end with a weight 18 whereby it is normally held in engagement with a spring-retracted push-button 19 passing through the housing 20 of the push-button mechanism, as shown in Fig. +1. At the upper free end of latch 15, however, is a shoulder 21 so positioned that it may, under certain conditions, engage with the free edge of the pivoted armature-8 of the magnets.

The operations of the push-button are as follows: WVhen the push-button 19 is in retracted position, as shown in ,Fig. l, the weighted portion 18 of the latch will serve to tilt the latch into engagement with the push-button, and the weight of armature 8 will, in like manner, serve to tilt arm 13 and its Contact 12 away from engagement with spring arm 11. However, when push-bu'ttpn 19 is pressed inwardly, as in the operation of giving a signal, latch 15- is swung dn its pivotjto an upright position or in such relativefposition to armature 8 as to -allow the armature to engage with the shoulder 21 on the latch. This operation will cause the armature to be pivotally moved to bring contact 12 into engagement with spring 11 and, when the finger of the o erator is removed from the button 19, latch 15 will lock the parts in such position by virtue of shoulder 21, as shown in Fig. 1. When the parts are so positioned, a circuit is completed from the binding post 11 of the arm 11, through arm 11, contact 12, arm 13 and armature 8 to latch 15, thence through latch 15 and supporting bracket 17 to a binding post 22 mounted thereon. This is the normal setting circuit, as will hereinafter be described, to allbw of an intending passenger signaling to a car operator.

Aside from the circuit through the pushbutton mechanism already described, there is still another circuit which, when properly completed, will serve to return the parts to their normal positions.

One end of the coils of the winding of magnet 2 p is grounded on the supporting bracket 4, and the free end of the winding of magnet 3 is secured to a binding post 10 Assuming that the parts are in the set position described, so that contact will be made between spring arm 11 and contact 12, it will be apparent that, if current is fed through a wire to the binding post 10, it will, after passing through magnets 3 and '2, pass to bracket at, thence through cores 5 of the magnets, bracket 6, armature 8, arm 13 and contact 12, to the spring arm 11, thence out through a wire secured to binding post H on spring arm 11.

The passing of this current through the windings of magnets 2 and 3 will energize said magnets and attract armature 8, thereby drawing it away from the latch member 15 and out of engagement with the shoulder 21 on said member, thereby releasing the latch member and allowing the same to gravitate into its normally inactive position. As soon as the current referred to ceases,

however, armature 8 will immediately be released andnvlll also gravitate into its normal position, carrying contact 12 out of,

engagement with arm 11 and breaking the setting circuit. The parts will then be in their normally inoperative positions, as will be readily understood.

Having described the push-button mechanisms and the manner of their operation, attention will now be given to the parts of the system which they control. In cars A and B are shown two annunciator devices D E and D a, respectively. The annunciators D D of the two cars may be of any desired type, but are herein shown as single lamps to be employed in the delayed method of signaling; that is to say, in that type of signaling wherein the signal is not given in the car immediately .upon the pressing of the passengers button, but only when the car comes within the zone of the floor from which the button has been pressed. On the other hand, the signaling devices E E embody a plurality of annunciators, herein shown as lamps, one being shown for each floor for each direction. lamp 0, when illuminated in the car, advises the operator of the fact that there is a passenger on the first floor who wishes to go up. In like manner, lamp 0 will burn when a passenger on the third fioor wishes to go down; lamp 0 will burn when a passenger on the second floor desires to go down, and

lamp will burn when a passenger on the.

second floor desires to go up.

In this latter method of signaling, which will, in the hereinafter description, be called the immediate method, all of the lamps of signals E l in both cars are connected, through a. common tap line F, to one pole of each of the buttonsof all the floors, and from each of the lamps extends a wire to the other pole of the respective push-buttons with which the lamps correspond. In the common wire or tap line F is included a suitable source of electrical energy F,

In other words,.

whereby, when any of the buttons is pushed, the circuit is completed through the corre sponding lamps in both of the cars simultaneously and immediately upon the pressing of the button, and said lamps will remain energized until the circuit thus established is broken. I

- To be more specific, the single tap line F referred to is connected to the push-button mechanism C through a branch 7, and to push-button mechanisms C, C and C through branches f, f and 7, respectively. Tap line F at its opposite end has two branches (1 and I), one of which, (4, leads to car A, and the other, 6, to car B.

A switclru connects branch a of the common wire to all of the lamps of car A, and a similar switch connects branch I) of the common wire to all of the lamps of car B, in this type of signaling. From lamps c in the cars A and B lead branch wires of a wire which is secured'to spring arm 11 of push-buttonmechanism C; from lamps c are branch wires which connect with a wire 9 leading to push-button mechanism C; from lamps c extend branch wires which connect with a wire leading to push-button mechanism C and from lamps c extend branch Wires which connect with a wire leading to push-button mechanism C Thus if push-button mechanism C is operated to close the circuit between branch wires f and g, a circuit will be completed through the main F to the lamps c in both of the cars and thence through the wire 9 back to the push-button. The lamps 0 will thus become illuminated in both cars simultaneously and will apprise the operators that a party is waiting at the second floor to go down. In like manner, any other of the lamps may be illuminated.

After one or more of the lamps of annunciators E E have been illuminated as described, they will remain in such set position until the circuit which causes them to remain illuminated is broken, and, in ac cordance with the present invention, such' breaking of the circuit is made conditional which the button has been pressed and the starting of the car away from said floor after taking on the passenger. This method of resetting or canceling the signals is entirely automatic and is governed by comma tator mechanism automatically operated by the movements of the car. As both cars are generally moving in opposite directions, and the movement of one is entirely independent of the movement of the other, each car has its own separate and distinct commutator mechanism, and it is through these mechanisms that the circuits are restored. The commutators of all of the cars are the same in structure and, accordingly, a description of one will suffice for all.

The function of the commutator-s is to place the resetting magnets of each pushbutton successively in condition to be energized for the purpose of resetting the pushbutton into its normally inoperative position after it has been previously operated to give the signal. lation of the signals will not be made unless the car stops and subsequently starts away from the floor from which the signal has been given.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, is shown an im proved form of commutator which I prefer to employ. Referring particularly to said figures, G denotes a supporting frame in which is journaled a shaft 23, which is driven, in synchronism with the movements of 'the elevator car, through a sprocket or gear 24 connected with one of the moving parts of the elevator operating mechanism. \Vhen car A, e. 9., ascends, shaft 23 of the commutator which corresponds to said car is rotated in one direction and, in like manner, when the car descends, said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. On shaft 23 and insulated therefrom by means of an insulating bushing 25 are two metallic sleeves 26, 27, and on each of these sleeves are positioned metallic commutator arms or fingers equal in number to the number of floors in the building. As .the system is shown in the drawings as it would be installed in a threestory building, each sleeve is provided with three commutator arms. On sleeve 27 are mounted arms I, I and I corresponding to the first, second, and'third floors, respectively, of the building. On'sleeve 26 are mounted similar arms J, J and J, the function of which arms will hereinafter be more specifically described. These latter arms relate to the delayed system of signaling and will, therefore, be discussed in that connec tion.

Across'the top of frame G and extending longitudinally along either lateral edge thereof are two stationary pivot rods 28 29.

On each of rods 28 and 29 are'mounted for pivotal movement bnacket members 30 31.. On bracket member 30 and insulated therefrom by means of a block of insulation 32,

36, are two spring fingers k k which are similarin, construction to fingers 2' i just descr bed. Finger is connected through a branch to a wire 37 which is, in turn, in communicationwlth the wire correspond-- Nevertheless, such cancel.

ing to the up push-button mechanism C for the second floor. Similarly, finger is is connected, through a branch, to a wire 38 which is electrically connected through wire 9 to the up push-button mechanism (J of the first floor.

The spring fingers referred to are mounted on their respective brackets and eX- tend toward one another above the shaft 23, so that, when said shaft is rotated by the movements of the elevator-car, the contact arms I, I and I will pass into juxtaposition with said contact spring fingers in succession. The spring fingers are, however, normally maintained in such position that, as the arms pass by the fingers, there is an air gap between them and no contact is made unless the car operator stops to receive a passenger. 'Ihe fingers are normally held slightly away from the contact arms by means of springs 39 and 40, which normally serve to swing the bracket 30 and 31, respectively, upwardly on their respective pivoting rods, so that, as the arms rotate past said fingers they are free from contact therewith since an air gap is left between the arms and the fingers, as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted, from the foregoing, that the spring fingers i {3 correspond to the down passengers buttons, whereas spring fingers 7c .5 correspond to the up passengers buttons. The function of these fingers is to restore or cancel the signals "for their respective. floors when their corresponding contact arms, which are mounted on shaft 23, come into engagement therewith, and. by so doing, complete a circuit through the resetting magnets of the proper push-buttons and restore the parts to their normal positions. Accordingly, allof the contact arms I, I I, are in electrical communication with sleeve 27 which is, in turn, electrically connected, through a brush 41, with a common wire or tap line 43, branches of which lead to the restoring magnets of, each of the push-buttons, as will be seen in Fig. 1. and in which tap line is included a suitable source of electrical energy 44. When the contact arm I engages with the finger 7r. a circuit is completed through the magnet of push-button mechanism (7, and. if the button of that mechanism has been actuated by a passenger to set a signal in the car, such push-button mechanism will be restored to its normally inactive condition.

It is preferable that a c 1', going in one direction, will not reset the signals given for an opposite direction, and, accordingly. means are provided whereby the contact fingers relative to one direction may be placed in inoperative position when the car is going in the opposite direction from that to which the fingers correspond. This is accomplished by connecting the bracket members 30 and 31 by a rigid rod 45 so that, when one set of fingers is in proper position, the other set will be in inoperative position, and vice versa. Upon rod or link 45 is mounted a stirrup 46 provided at its lower end with a slot in which operates the free end of an arm 47, which is in frictional engagement for pivotal move ment on shaft 23, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. \Vith this organization of parts, when the elevator is going up, rod -l5 will be automatically longitudinally shifted, through frictional connection with shaft 23, in one direction to place one set of contact fingers into operative position and simultaneously move the other set into inoperative position. By inoperative position, it is meant that the contact fingers are in such position that they will almost, but not, engage with the contact arms when the same are brought into juxtaposition therewith. The movements of the parts described are limited by adjustable screws 48, as shown in Fig. 6, and through the manipulation of these screws, a proper adjustment of the parts may be obtained.

lVith the parts organized as specified, it will be apparent that, as an elevator car passes a certain floor, c. 9., the second floor. going in an upward direction, the contact arm 1 will be brought into juxtaposition with contact finger 711 the bracket on which said finger is mounted having been previously shifted, by the direction of movement of the car. into operative position, as

shown in Fig. 6. If the parts were so organized that contact would be made be tween finger 7.2 and arm 1 the push-button mechanism C forthe second floor, if said mechanism had been previously actuated. would be automatically restored to its normally inactive position by virtue of the fact that a circuit would be completed through the resetting magnet. According to the present invention, however, it is desired that the signal will not be canceled unless the car stops to receive a passenger and subsequently starts again from the floor from which the signal has been given. This result is brought about by providing mechanism which is actuated automatically byany movable part of the elevator operating mechanism for momentarily causing the bracket on which the contact fingers are mounted to be tilted to such extent as to cause the fingers to engage with such contactarm as is in the proper position to complete the circuit. The tilting of the bracket is shown in the drawings as being accomplished by a common electro-magnet 49 which operates upon apair of complementary armatures 50 51, rigidly secured to the brackets 30, 31, respectively. When magnet 49 is energized in a manner hereinafter specified, the armature corresponding to the contact fingers which are in their operative positions is attracted by the magnet, thereby depressing said fingers against the tension of either of the springs 39 or 40, and bringing said fingers into engagement with the juxtaposed contact arm of shaft 23. One form of mechanism for controllin the magnet 49 is shown in Fig. 2 of the rawing and consists, generally, ofa pump piston reciprocated through a pitman and crank connection with a wheel or gear 53, which is actuated by ,any moving part of the elevator mechanism, being preferably situated on the overhead, the moving part being here shown as a sheave 54. Piston 52 serves, when operated, to pump air or liquid through the passage 55 to a chamber in which a piston 56 is located, said air passing through a valved opening 57. When the elevator is running, piston 52 is reciprocated and pumps air or liquid into the chamber beneath the piston 56, with the result that the piston is raised, carrying therewith a bar 58 mounted on the stem thereof." Between the cylinders in which pistons 52 and 56 are mounted is a by-pass 59. When the elevator is running, the pump piston is constantly operating to raise the piston 56,

but, when said piston has been raised beyond the bypass 59, further upward movement of said piston will be precluded, since the pump will simply cause the air or fluid to .circulate through passage 55,v the cylinder of piston 56, and through the bypass 59, without serving to further elevate the piston 56. The valve 57 between passage 55 and the cylinder of piston 56 is of a leaky nature, as shown in Fig. 9, but, as long as the pump is o crating, the leakage of valve 57 is so over alanced that piston 56 is raised. However, as soon as the pum stops operating, the air or liquid intermediate the piston and the valve leaks back around the valve by virtue of the weight of thepiston and the parts which it carries, and the iston thus slowly assumes its lowered position. As soon as the elevator starts again, however, it is raised again,

It will be understood that the piston 56, although it moves relatively slow, its operation is sufficiently fast as to not maintain said piston in an elevated position more than a few seconds. That is to say, as the car slows up and stops, the time which elapses between the stopping of the car and the opening of the elevator ate, will be suflicient to allow the fall'of t e piston 56, so that, by the time the elevator gate has been opened to allow a passen r to enter or leave the car, the piston 56 ias assumed its lowermost osition.

The parts ust described are utilized to close a circuit leading to the controlling magnet 4.9 of the commutator mechanism. This magnet is included in a circuit 59 one pole of which is a leaf-spring 60, and the .i

other pole of which is a l -piece 61 of conductive material, which is pivoted, as at (32, and held in the normal position shown in Fig. 2 by a spring (33, through which the current is fed from the circuit proper to the T-piece. The central arm of the T-piece extends laterally into the path of bar 58 carried by the stem of piston 56, hereinbcfore described. The T-piece 61 and bar 58 perate in such manner that, when the bar is raised from its depressed position, it serves to tilt the (piece on its pivot, so that one of its arms comes into engagement with the leaf-spring (30, thereby completing the circuit through the magnet M. This contact, however, is momentary, as the bar 58, being constantly raised through the action of the pump. soon passes out of engagement with the T-picce 1 and allo s it to assume its normal position under the action of spring (33. Bar 58 is insulated from T- piece (31, in this embodiment of the invention.

With the parts arranged as specified, the operation of magnet 45) in controlling the commutator to cancel the signals will be apparent, and the. methodof setting and canceling the signals in the system thus tar described will now be briefly set forth.

Assuming that car A is descending and push-button mechanism C has been operated on the second floor bv a passenger who desires to go down, when the passengers button was pressed, a circuit was established from the button through branch f, main F, branch (1, and switch a to signal lamp (1' in carA, and simultaneously through branch I) of tap line F, through the (oi-responding signal c of car 1%, thence through the respective branch lines from these two signals to wire 9 which is in communication with spri'i'i'g arm 11 of the push-button. The current flows through the push-button mechanism in the manner hereinbefore described in connection with Figs. 3 and l of the drawings It' a car A. passes the second floor without stopping, it will remain t'or car ll to answer the signal, which will 'not have been canceled by car A. if, on the other hand, car A stops at said second floor, the following will take place: The commutator G which corresponds to car A and is of the type shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and S of the drawings and hereinbefore described, will be automatically operated by some moving part of the car operating mechanism, so that, when car A has reached the second floor, arm ll will be in juxtaposition with contact finger it Moreover, while the car is moving, the pump 52, shown in Fig. 2, has been operating to hold the bar 58, which controls the armature magnet circuit 59, in its raised position. However, as soon as the car stops, the bar .38 falls to the position shown in Figs. 2, i. 6., to a point below the arm of the T-piece 61.

This falling operation of the bar 58 has swung T-piece 61 through an idle movement and, after passing the same, has allowed it to assume its normal position. The lamp 0 still burns in both cars. However, after the passenger has been taken onto the car, and the operator starts the car, the pump 52 immediately comes into operation and bar 58 is raised, this raisingoperation tripping T piece 61 and momentarily closing the circuit through magnet l9 on the commutator, with the result that armature 50, which corresponds to finger will be momentarily attracted by the maget to bring said finger into engagement with the contact arm T".

It will be understood that the commutator arm T moves so slowly as to not be rotated out of the Zone of the contact arm 17-, before the rapid operatingpump has completed the circuit through magnet al as described.

it momentary current will thus be caused to tiow from the source of electrical energy 44-, through tap line l3, to brush 41, thence through sleeve 2?, arm 1 to contact finger I, whence it passes through the. wire 35 to the connection g/ leading to the button. Arriving at the button, it passes through the spring arm 11, and, in the manner here inbetore described, through magnets 2 and 3, finally passing back through tap line 43 to the source of energy H. This passage of current energizes the magnet and restores the parts to their normal posit-ions, thereby cancelin the lamps c in both cars. lln like manner, any other magnet may be energized and deenergized, and either car may operate to deenergize such lamp or lamps after the signal has been previously given in both cars.

llt will, of course, be understood that a commutator like G is used for each car, G being that. of car A, and being that of car B. li Ioreover, these commutators are connected by wiring preferably in multiple, as shown in Fig. 1, so that either of the cars may cancel the signals, irrespective of the other, and that one car may cancel the signals for all.

In a branch a ct main F is preferably included a cut-out switch (1., and in branch 7) is included a similar cut-out I), which are positioned preferably at the first floor of the building and within easy access of the starter. With this arrangement, if two cars are at the third floor at the same time, and it would be inexpedient for both to descend together, stopping at practically the same floors, the starter may, at his discretion, operate either of the cut-outs referred to, to preclude the chosen car from receiving any signals whatsoever, whereby it will become an express, while, on the other hand, the other car or cars will receive the signals. as normally.

The foregoing description clearly sets llb the delayed signaling being used preferably during the daytime, when the cars run throughout the entire extent of their travel on ever trip, while the immediate system is preferalile at night, when there is very little trafiic and it would be inexpedient to go to the top floor of a building to receive a passenger who has signaled from the second floor. This is manifest, when it is recalled that. in the delayed system, the signal doesnotshow in the car until the car is in the zone of the floor from which the button has been pressed, while, in the other system, the signal is given in the car di rectly upon the pressing of the button and apprises the operator of the floor on which the button has been pressed. The combination of the two systems is, therefore. very expedient, economical, and etlicient, and is conducive to the greatest efficiency and economy in the operations of the car. Moreover, the parts, when organized as shown. allow of the wiring for both systems being but very little more than that necessary for either one or the other, and, accordingly.

the advantages of both may be obtained with but very little extra expense of installation over that required for either separately.

In the delayed system shown, single annunciators D D are shown in the respective cars A and B, in Fig. 1, and these annunciators are provided with cut-in switches (Z d from the branches a b of tap line F. It Will be apparent that either one system or the other may be placed into operative condition by simply manipulating switches (Z' d when the delayed lighting is desired, and switches a b when the immediate lighting is to be. availed'of.

From the lamps D D extend branch wires to a common wire 64, which leads to commutator mechanism mounted on the frame G and very similar to that hereinbefore described as the resetting commutating devices for the immediate signaling system.

' lVire 64 leads to a. brush 65, which is in engagement with the sleeve 26 on which is mounted the arms J, J and J hereinbefore referred to. These arms cooperate with spring fingers 7, corresponding to the up push-button of the first floor; Z corresponding to the up push-button C of the second floor; j corresponding to the down push button '0 for the second floor, and 9' corresponding to the down push button C for the third floor. The commutator element referred to is'designated in Fig. 1 as G" for car A, and G* for car B. Each of said spring fingers is connected by suitable wiring directly to the push-button mechanism, and the commutating mechanism relative to the parts described has the function of selectively placing the signal lamps or annunciators D D successively in communication with the various push-buttons. The parts are so arranged, liowever, that, through the medium of shifting mechanism embodying a stirrup 66 and arm 67 frictionally controlled from shaft 23, either set of spring fingers corresponding to the up or down movements of the car may be automatically brought into position where they will contact with arms J, J and J in succession, without the intervention of any magnet control, such as the magnet 49 referred to in connection with the resetting portion of the commutator.

' Thus. as the car moves upwardly, the spring fingers Z Z are automatically thrown into a position to be en aged successively by the commutator arms if, J J and, when so engaged, will complete such setting circuits to the lamps D D as have been previously closed by passengers buttons at the floors and the signal will tl.us be'given, irrespective of the stopping or starting of the car. It will thus be seen that the portion of commutator G" simply serves in the setting of the signals, its function being to close the circuit through the single annunciator in the car when the car arrives at the floor on which the button has been pressed.

Commutator parts similar to G" are provided for car B and are designated in Fig. 1 generally as G. From what has been said, it will benoted that commuator portions Gr G" correspond to car A, and Gr G correspond to car B.

Having set the. push-button mechanisms so that the annunciators D D will, be operated upon the arrival of the respective cars at the corresponding floor atwhich the button was pressed, said signal will be given in each successive car as it passes said floor, until some car stops, takes on the passenger, and subsequently starts away from thefioor. This is accomplished in the manner hereinbefore described, through the medium of the commutator portions G for car A and G for car B. 1

From the foregoing description, it will be manifest that, in one commutator instrument of the type shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, is embodied the selective floor commutating devices for setting the annunciator in the delayed system of signaling and, at the'same time. further mechanism is provided for resetting the annunciator in this system, as well as for resetting the annuncia crs in the immediate system. In other words, one resetting mechanism serves for both systems. Moreover, the. entire commutating mechanism is controllable through unitary means, so that perfect synchronism between the parts is assured at all times. The commutator instrument shown is that which I preter to employ, though it may be varied in details without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is to say, I do not restrict myself to the identical method of electrical control for causing the spring fingers k and i 2' to be momentarily brought into engagement with the commutator l l I, as this might be done in other ways, either electrically or mechanically, and the instrument may be further varied in details of this character as may seem desirable from time to time.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings l have illustrated a slightly modified form of the system, simplified to the extent of showing such system as applied to but one car. lln this system, both the commutators IJ and L are of a type similar to the commutators G" and G in that they are not dependent upon any magnet control similar to that of the magnet 49. Commutator L is of a type to automatically cancel a signal when the car arrives at the corresponding floor but to maintain such signal in operative condition until the car arrives at such floor. The commutator L is of the type wherein the circuit is not complete until the car arrives at the floor, such signal being operative as soon as the car is at such floor. In this present system, both the delayed and the immediate signaling devices are employed.

In the employment of the immediate signaling devices, a circuit will be established immediately upon the pressing of a passengers button through the magnet ofsaid button, and, by virtue of the constant contact between the conducting portions 68, 69, and 71 of the commutator portion L and the brushes 78, 79, 80 and 81 of said commutator portion, said current will continue to flow until the rotation of the commutator portions (38 and 71, inclusive, which are driven in synchronism with the car, are turned to such extent as to bring insulated portions 72' thereof into engagement with the brushes and thus break the circuit, thereby restoring the push-button mechanism to its normal position. This system is not, therefore, dependent, in the canceling of the signals, upon the stopping or starting of the car, but said signals are automatically canceled when the car reaches and leaves the floor, independently of whether it stops or not.

In the delayed method of signaling for car C. the commutator portion 11' operates in conjunction with the commutator portion L. Commutator portion 1L embodies the commutator arms 100, 101 and 102. With arms arm 100 cooperates a brush 103, corresponding to the down push-button of the third floor; with arm 101 cooperates brushes 104: and 105, corresponding, respectively, to the down and up push-buttons of the second floor, and, with arm 102, cooperates a brush 106, corresponding to the up push-button of the first floor. These parts are adapted to cooperate in such manner that, when a car approaches the floor from which a signal has been given, the arm for that floor comes into engagement with the brush for that floor and corresponding to the direction in which the. car is moving. The signal lamp 107 is thus illuminated in the car and informs the car operator that a passenger is waiting for his car upon the floor which he is approaching. As he passes the floor, the signal is canceled by the commutator port-ion, as will be readily understood.

A specific description of the circuits or wiring is not deemed necessary for this system, as said features are so obvious and simple as to be manifest to those skilled in t ie art.

lln the system of Fig. 1 the same is operated from a set of push buttons, similar to those shown for controlling the system of Fig. 1 and the operation of the push buttons in Fig. 1 will therefore be clearly understood. It will be noted, however, that, in the immediate system, there is no circuit made through the weighted latch 15 but the operation of pressing the button 19 brings the armature 13 into engagement with the spring arm 11, thereby completing a circuit through the magnets 2 and 8. This maintains the armature in circuit closing position until the circuit is broken by the commutator lL. lln the delayed system, the pressing of the button places the armature in a position to be operated upon by the magnet so that when the commutator L completes the circuit at one point, the magnets 2 and 3 are energized and trip the weighted latch 15, thereby allowing it to return to initial position. When the circuit is subsequently broken by the commutator the armature 13 is released and falls back to its normal position.

lln connection with the systems described, 1 am enabled, by the mechanism employed, to use, in conjunction'with said system or systems, means whereby the threshold of the car may be illuminated while the car is at rest at a floor. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, wherein 110 designates a lamp positioned at the'threshold of an elevator car and included in the circuit 111, which terminates in contacts 112 and 113 located in the path of travel of the bar 58. A portion of bar 58 is of conductive material, and the contacts are so positioned that, when the bar is in the position which it assumes when the car is at a standstill,

said bar will bridge the contacts 112 and 113, thereby completing the circuit through the lamp 110. With this Organization of parts, whenever the car stops, the circuit 111 will be closed and the lamp 110 lighted, thereby illuminating the threshold. However, as soon as the car starts again, bar 58 is lifted and the circuit is broken, thereby extinguishing the lamp.

A further feature of the invention is em- 1 bodied in means whereby the operator of a car may know at what floor his car is standing. This means is also shown in Fig. 2, and embodies a commutator 114, an arm 115 of which is moved in accordance with the movement of the car, and engages in succession the contacts '116, 117 and 118, corresponding, respectively, to the third, second and first floors of a buildin tacts and the commutator are 111 any suitable circuit, preferably that controlled by the pump 52, and, for the purpose of illustration, I have'shown them included in the circuit 111, which operates the threshold light. Fromeach of the contacts of the commutator extend branches which form multiple connections of a common wire 119, whereby, as the car automatically places the moving element 115 of the commutator into engagement with the contacts 116, 117 and 118 in succession, lamps 120, 121 and 122, included in these multiple branches, and correspond ing to the third, second and first floors, respectively, of a. building, are successively illuminated during the travel of the car. The car operator may thus tell, at a glance, at what floor he is standing.

The form of elevator signaling systems hereinbefore described may be used, as set forth, either with or without means for signaling a passenger on a floor of the approaching of a car going in the direction in which he desires to go, but, in the interest of clearness, I have illustrated one method whereby this may be accomplished, and from this showing it will be understood that the novel method shown, and hereinbefore described, is extremely economical to install and maintain, and requires very few additional parts over those in the systems when: said floor indicating devices are not employed. The arrangement of the parts is such that the floor indicating devices may be readily incorporated into the system, certain elements of said system being adapted, in the carrying out of their regular functions, to simultaneously operate the fioor indicating mechanism.

One form of floor indicating device which I may employ is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein lamp 8 is on the first floor and corresponds to the up direction of the car, 8' on the second floor corresponding to the up direction of the car. 8 on the second floor corresponding to the These condown direction of the car, and s on the third floor corresponding to the down direction of the car. These lamps are included in the circuits of their respective push but tons and are necessarily energized through the actuation of such buttons and when the car comes to the floor at which such buttons are situated.

I It will thus be apparent that, with very little additional cost, the floor indicating devices maybe incorporated in the system, and the novel method of controlling these devices makes their installation extremely economical, and, furthermore, insures unfailing operation,

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention embodies many improvements in elevator signaling systems and that these improvements are so organized and combined as to produce highly efficient and novel results. Shaft wiring and other objectionable features are cut down to a minmum, and many desirable advantages obtained which had heretofore been impractical or impossible. The present invention provides an economical, highly eflicient and unfailing system of elevator signal control and one which is extremely economical to install and maintain.

In the foregoing description, I have set forth the preferred practical embodiment of the invention and have shown the preferred practical embodiments of the separate mech anism which make up the system. It will be understood, however, that the description and showing of these specific constructions are for the purpose of illustration, only, and do not define the limits of the invention. Their structures may be changed or modified at the discretion of any skilled mechanic in adapting the invention to its various en= vironments, and I do not, therefore, desire to be understood as limiting myself to these specific structures. One example of'change may suffice to make the meaning clear in this respect. I have shown a pump, in Fig. 2, as operable to control the various circuits associated therewith. I do not consider this.

are necessary to close the circuits and operate the switches, is deemed by me to be in cluded in this application. Moreover, the invention embodies numerous novel features, some of which might be employed without necessarily employing all.

For the foregoing reasons. the invention is to be considered as broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an elevator signaling system, the

all

combination of an elevator car, an immediate signal and a delayed signal therein, a push button at a floor, means operable by said push button to exhibit the immediate signal upon the actuation of the button and condition the delayed signal for operation when the car nears the floor on which the push button is situated, and means, conditional for operation upon the stopping of the car at a floor, for resetting the signal previously given from said floor.

2. In an elevator signaling system, the combination of an elevator *ar, an immediate signal and a delayed signal therein, a push button at a floor, means operable by said push button to exhibit theimmediate signal upon the actuation of the button and condition the delayed signal for operation when the car nears the floor on which the push button is situated, and means, conditional upon the stopping of the car at a floor from which either signal is given, for returning either to its normal non-exhibiting condition.

3. In an elevator signaling system, the

combination of an elevator car, a set of 1mmediate signals, corresponding to the floors of the building in which the car is installed, positioned within the car, a delayed signal, common to all the floors, also positioned within the car, a push button at each floor, means operable by each push button to exhibit the corresponding immediate signal upon the actuation of said button and cond ition the delayed signal for operation when the car nears the floor on which said button is situated.

4. in an elevator signaling system, the combination of an elevator car, a set of immediate signals. corresponding to the floors of the building in which the car is installed, positioned within the car, a delayed signal, common to all the fioors, also positioned within the car; a push button at each floor, means operable by each push button to exhibit the corresponding immediate signal upon the actuation of said button and condition the delayed signal for operation when the car nears the floor on which said button is situated and means, common to all the signals, for subsequently returning them to nonexhibiting condition.

5. ln an elevator signaling system, the combination of an elevator car, a plurality of signals therein, a passengers button at a floor, signal controlling means governed by the button for causing one o't said signals to be set immediately upon the actuation of said button and irrespective of the position of the car, means also governed by said signal controlling means, to cause another of said signals to be set when the car is in the zone'of the floor at which the button is located, and unitary means automatically opinseam erable by the movements of the car for subsequently restoring all of the signals to their normal condition.

6. In an elevator signaling system, a delayed system of signaling embodying a single signahcommon to all floors, in the elevator car, and an innnediate system of signaling embodying a plurality of signals, corresponding to the respective floors, in the elevator car, in combination with unitary means for controlling the-setting of both systems, and means for restoring the systems to their normal condition after a signal has been given.

7. In an elevator signaling system, a delayed system of signaling, and an immediate system of signaling, in combination with unitary means, operable by an intending passenger, for controlling both systems, and unitary means, automatically operable by the elevator car with which the systems are associated, for controlling the restoration of the systems to their normal condition after a signal has been given and limiting the restoration to such floors at which the elevator car may stop.

8. in an elevator signaling system, the combination of an elevator car, immediate signals corresponding to the several floors, and a single delayed signal, common to all the floors, therein, a push but-ton at a floor, means operable by said push button to exhibit the corresponding immediate signal upon the actuation of the button and condition the single delayed signal for operation when the car nears the door on which the push button is situated, and means op erable by the movements of the car, for subsequently restoring either the immediate or delayed signals to their nonexhibiting condition.

9. In an elevator signaling system, a delayed system of signaling embodying a single indicator common to all the floors and an immediate system of signaling, embodying a plurality of indicators corresponding to the several doors, in combination with unitary means for controlling the setting of the signals of both systems, and means for restoring the systems to normal condition after a signal has been given.

10. In an elevator signaling system, a delayed system of signaling embodying a single indicator common to all the floors, and an immediate system of signaling, embodying a plurality of indicators corresponding to the several doors, in combination with unitary means for controlling the setting of the signals 0t both systems, and means for rendering one of said systems irresponsive to the controlling means.

11. in an elevator signaling system, an elevator car, a' signal, means for setting the signal, and means, dependent for its operations upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for restoring the signal to its normal condition.

12. In an elevator signaling system, an elevator car, a signal, means for setting the signal, and means, operable by the car operating mechanism and dependent for its operation upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for restoring the signal to its normal condition.

13. In an elevator signaling system, a car, a signal in said car, and a passengers button at a floor for setting said signal, in combination with means for placing the signal in condition to be reset when the car arrives at the floor where the button is situated, and means for resetting the signal when the car stops at said floor and subsequently starts away therefrom.

14. In an elevator signaling system, a delayed signaling system, an immediate signaling system, unitary means adapted to control the setting of the signals of either of said systems, and means for placing said controlling means in communication with either system to the exclusion of the other.

15. In a device of the class described, a car, a lamp positioned on the threshold of said car, an electric circuit for energizing the lamp, and means, operable by movement of the car, to maintain said circuit inoperative, said means becoming ineffective and allowing the illumination of the lamp when the car comes to rest, whereby the threshold of the car is illuminated while the car is at rest.

16. In a device of the class described, a car, annunciators in the car equal in number and corresponding to the floors of the building in which the system is installed, and means, movable in synchronism with the car, for operating the annunciators in succession and in accordance with the position of the can whereby the car operator is informed as to the position of the car.

17. In a' device of the class described, a car, annunciators in the car equal in number and corresponding to the floors of the building in which the system is installed, and means, dependent upon the stopping of the car, for actuating the annunciator corresponding to the floor at which the car is stopped, whereby the car operator is informed as to the position of his car.

18. In an elevator signaling system, a car, push-button mechanism embodying a magnet at a floor, a signal in the car responsive to the push-button mechanism at the floor, means for passing an electric current through the push-button mechanism, to the exclusion of the magnet, for the purpose of setting the signal in the car, mechanical means for automatically locking the pushbutton mechanism in said signal-settingposition, and means automatically operable by the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for energizing the magnet of the pushbutton mechanism ,for the purpose of conditioning the arts for restoration to their normal non-signaling condition, when. said circuit through the magnet is broken.

19. In an elevator signaling system, a car, push-button mechanism embodying a magnet at a floor,a signal in the car responsive to the push-button mechanism at the floor, means for passing an electric current through the push-button mechanism, to the exclusion of the magnet, for the purpose of setting the signal in the car, means for automatically locking the push-button mechanism in said signal-giving position, and means, dependent for its operation upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for energizing the magnet of the pushbutton mechanism for the purpose of conditioning the parts for restoration to their normal non-signaling condition, when said circuit through the magnet is broken.

20. In an elevator signaling system, a car, push-button mechanism located at a floor, said push-button mechanism embodying a normally open switch, means for closing and locking the switch, and a magnet for releasing said switch, in combination with a signal in the car responsive to the push-but- 95 ton mechanism whereby the closing of the switch sets the signal in the car, and means dependent for its operation upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for passing an electric current through the mag- 100 net of the push-button mechanism for subsequently releasing the switch locking means and conditioning the parts for restoration to their normal condition, when the circuit through the magnet is broken.

21. In an elevator signaling system, a car, push-button mechanism located at a floor, said push-button mechanism embodying a normally open switch, means for closing and locking theswitch, and a magnet for re- 1 leasing said switch, locking means in combination with a signal in the car responsive to the push-button mechanism whereby the closing of the switch setsthe signal in the car, and means, automatically operable 115 by the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for passing an electric current through the magnet of the push-button mechanism for subsequently releasing the switch locking means and conditioning the 120 parts for restoration to their normal condition, when the current through the magnet is broken.

In an elevator signaling system, a car,

I push-button mechanism located at a floor, said 12 push-button mechanism embodying a normally open switch, means for'iclosing and locking the switch, and a magnet for releasing said switch, locking means in combination with a signal in the car responsive to the push-button mechanism whereby the closing of the switch sets the signal in the car, and means, operable by accelerated movement of the car, for passing an electric current through the magnet of the pushbutton mechanism for subsequently releasing the switch locking means and conditioning the parts for restoration to their normal condition, when the current through the magnet is broken.

23. In an elevator signaling system, a car, an annunciator in said car corresponding to each fioor of the building in which the ele vato-r is installed, a source of electric energy, commutator means operated through the movements of the car for selectively plac-' ing the annunciator in circuit with the source of electric energy, and switch mechanism in said circuit, said switch mechanism being operable, upon the stopping of the car, to complete the circuit through the annunciator selected by the commutator means.

24. In an elevator signaling system, a car, a plurality of buttons located at the floors of a building in which the system is installed, a corresponding number of signals in the car, electrical connections between the corresponding buttons and the signals wherebythe operation of one or more push buttons serves to immediately set their corresponding signals, and selective mechanism governed by the stopping and subsequent starting of the =car for subsequently restoring the signals to their normal condition.

25. In an elevator signaling system, a car, a plurality of signals in the car, a plurality of push buttons located at the floors of a' building in which the system is installed, ilectrical connections between the buttons and the signals'whereby the operation of the former serves to set the latter, and selective mechanism, movable in accordance with the movements of the car, for subsequently restoring the signals to their normal condition, said selective mechanism being dependent for its operation of restoring the signals upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car.

:26. In an elevator signaling system, a car, a plurality of signals in the car, a plurality oi push buttons located at the floors of a building in which the system is installed, electrical connections between the buttons and the signals whereby the operation of the former serves to set the latter, and selective mechanism, movable in accordance with the movements of the car, for subsequently restoring the signals to their normal condition, said selective mechanism being dependent for its operation of restoring the signals upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, whereby a signal corresponding tQ-a floor is automatically canceled when the car stops at said floor and subsequently starts therefrom.

27. In an elevator signaling system, a car, a plurality of signals in the car, a plurality of buttons located at the floors of the building in which the system is installed, electrical connections between the buttons and the signals, whereby the operation of the former serves to immediately set the latter, and selective mechanism, movable in accordance with the movements of the car and governed by the stopping and subsequent starting of the car for restoring the signals to their normal condition.

28. In an elevator signaling system, a car, signals in the car corresponding to the up and down directions from the floors of the building, means positioned at the respective floors of the building for setting said signals, and means for selectively restoring the signals upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, in combination with means whereby the parts corresponding to the up direction are rendered inoperative when the car is going in the opposite direction, and vice versa, whereby only such signals in the car are set and subsequently canceled which correspond to the direction in which the car is moving.

29. In an elevator signaling system, a car, an annunciator in the car, means for placing said annunciator in operation, and means, dependent upon the stopping and subsequent starting of the car, for restoring the parts to their normal condition.

30. In an elevator signaling system, an elevator car, a signal in the car, means for tting the signal, an electric circuit controlling said signal, and means governed by the stopping and subsequent starting of the car for momentarily energizing said circuit for the purposeof restoring the signal from the set condition to its normally inoperative condition.

31. In an elevator signaling system, a car, push button mechanism embodying a magnet at a floor, a. signal in the car corresponding to that particular floor and an additional signal in the car common to allthe floors, means for passing an electric current through the push button mechanism to the exclusion of the magnet for the purpose of immediately setting one of the signals in the car and for conditioning the other signal to be operated when the car nearest the floor at which the push x-button is located, means for automatically locking the push button mechanism in signal-setting position, and means automatically operable by the car, for momentarily energizing the magnet of the push button mechanism for the purpose of restoring the parts to their normal non-signaling condition.

In an elevator signaling system, a car, push-button mechanism embodying a magnet at a floor, a signal in the car responsive to the push-button mechanism at the floor,

means for passing an electric current through the push-button mechanisnn-to the exclusion of the magnet, for the purpose of setting the lsignal in the car, means for automatically locking the push-button mechanism in said signal-giving position, and means, de-

' pendent for its operation upon the stopping i normally open switch, means for closing and locking the switch, and a magnet for releasing said switch, in combination with a signal in the car responsive to the push-button mechanism whereby the closing of the switch sets the signal in the car, and means operable through accelerated movement of the car following the stopping thereof, for momentarily passing an electric current through the magnet of the push-button mechanism for subsequently releasing the switch and restoring the parts to their normal con dition.

Ell. In adevice of the class described, a car, an annunciator in the car, push button mechanism for operation by the intended passenger at each floor, a main electrical tap line, embodying a source of current supply, including all the push buttons and the annunciator, an electric wire lead from each push button, commutator means controlled by the movement of the car, for selectively connecting the tap line to the push button leads in succession, in combination with an nunciators positioned on the several floors of the. building and within view of the intended passengers, said annunciators being included in the respective push button leads, whereby, when the car approaches the floor at which a button has been pressed, both the car and floor annunciators are simultaneously operated.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANZ A. BOEDTCHER.

Images