US2619196A - Elevator for invalids - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 25, 1952 G, p, SCOTT 2,619,196

ELEVATOR FCRINVALIDS Filed Sept. 16, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Ii n ,67 Bnnentor I |:lll l Geo/ye f 500 2 ll I W V W attorneg s Patented Nov. 25, 1952 ELEVATOR FOR INVALIDS George P. Scott, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to- Electra Lift Chair. Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of MisSQuri ppli a i n ptem e 16, 9 8 S r a NQ- 4 467 1 This nv nt on re t to an el va r f a yhis invalids. lder y and n apa a ons up and down strairs and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character that is of simple and inexpensive construction and which readily installed on conventional Stairways. Qther objects of the invention are to provide a track and a car movable thereon by means of a cable; to, provide a safe and positive brake mecha ism r t p mo m he riage in case of failure of; the cable or lessening ofthe tension thereon; to provide for electrical operation of the carriage in a manner which eliminates trolley wires and other exposed electrical connections; to provide a structure whereby movement of the carriage is under control of the occupant, seated thereon; and to provide a carriage in the form of a seat to facilitate mounting by the individual or incapacitated person.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention I- have provided improved structure,

the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a stairway equipped with an elevator constructed in accordance with the present invention, a portion of the track and side of the carriage being broken away to better illustrate the construction.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the carriage with a part or the front wall broken away to illustrate the motor winding drum and speed reduction gearing.

Fig. 3 is a positive view of the track and carriage particularly illustrating the limit switches and their actuating cams.

Fig. 4 is a positive view showing adjustment of the. carriage relatively to the angle of inclination of the track so as to position the seat substantially horizontal.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary positive view, particularly illustrating the brake mechanism.

(i is a similar View showing the brake mechanism seat responsive to failure of the control cable.

Fig, 7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical cir- Quits.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

ldesignates a stairway comprising a series of steps composed of conventional treads and risers 2' and 3 and whereon a person may climb from a lower floor to an upper landing 4. In the illustrated instance the steps are. closed at the ends by a stringer 5.. Supported on the nosings 6 of the respective treads adjacent the stringer 5 is a track 1 comprising spaced rails 8 and 9. The

12 Claims. (CL 187-514) railspreferably comprise channel-shaped members having vertically arranged webs H and upper and lower flanges l2 and I3 facing inwardly as shown in Fig. 3. The rails are of sufiicient length to extend from the lower floor to a point above the seat level and are interconnected at intervals along their length by cross ties I!) attached to the lower flanges #2 of the respective rails. The upper ends of the rails are connected by a housing it which encloses a spring actuated reei l5 adapted to wind and unwind an electrical conductor cable It that supplies current. to the actuating motor as later described. The rail 8 preferably has the web thereof secured to the string-er 5 by fastening devices such as screws [1 (Fig. 1) whereby the track is maintained in stable position and at one side of the stairs so that the opposite side may be used in conventional manner.

' Movably mounted on the track and adapted to move the length thereof is a carriage it which includes a platform-like seat l9 that is carried on substantially horizontal rails 2t. The seat supporting rails 20 have relatively short downwardly projecting legs 2| and 22 at their rear ends and substantially longer vertical legs 23 and 2-4 at their forward ends. The shorter legs 2 and 22 carry a transverse axle 25 that extends between the track rails and which is provided on the ends thereof with rollers 25 and Z1. adapted to roll on the lower flanges of the rails and rein t ere n by the p e fla es as best shown in Fig. 5 Connected with the vertical legs 23 and 24 are leg extensions 28 and 29 which are preferably formed of angles and have their flanges fitting Within the angle formed by the flanges of the upper legs, the flanges, of the legs being provided with slots 30 and 3| to pass fastenng devices uc as s ws 32 and 33 wh reby th t qns. ma be. a j ste to m n a n. th s *9 in bstant a l horizon a DOsitiQn hen the rails are appliedfto stairs oi difierent in,- clination. T

The sides of the carriage are closed by sub.- stantially trianguiar-shaped plates, 3.4 and 3;5fand th r nt is l sed b a p e, ich xt n s m. he sea to the bot oi the g 2 a i 2-4. The plates thus, cooperate with the legs and frame or: the seat to provide a rigid structure and to form an enclosure for mounting the motor duct on se rin 38 and windin dra n" 39 as later esc b d e owe end oi the lee exension a e co ne ted by a g 1! whic ha rollers 4i and 42 mounted on the ends thereof to operate between the flanges of the rails in the same manner as the rollers 26 and 21. Fixed to and extending between the front and rear legs is a base plate 43 having a downset portion 44 to which the motor 31 is secured by suitable fastening devices, such as bolts 45. The base plate also includes an upper portion 46 on which the speed reduction gear unit 38 is similarly attached by bolts 48 (Fig. 1), the armature shaft of the motor being connected with the driving shaft of the reduction gearing by a flexible coupling 49. The outer end of the drum shaft is preferably supported by a bearing block 39' that is attached to the base plate 43.

The power delivery shaft 50 of the reduction gearing projects laterally and mounts the winding drum 39 as shown in Fig. 2. Fixed to the upper end of the track, for example, to a cross member of the housing I4 is the end of a cable that is of suflicient length to extend along to the lower end of the track and connect with the winding drum 39, the connection preferably being made by extending the end of the cable through a side flange 52 of the winding drum and securing it onto the outer side thereof by a clamping washer 53 attached by a fastening device 54 as best shown in Fig. 2.

An operating current is supplied to the motor 31 through the flexible cable |6 that is connected with the reel I5. The reel 15 is simply to take up the conductor as the carriage moves up the stairs and may be of any conventional construction. The cable contains conductors 55 and 55' which connect with a controller switch 56 that in turn is connected with the terminals 51,

58 and 59 of the reversible motor through oonductors 60, 6| and 62.

In order to limit movement of the carriage at the upper and lower limits of the track, the rail I0 is provided with cams 63 and 64 that projeot into the path of rollers 65 and 66 carried on crank arms 61 and 68 of switches 68 and 10. The switches 69 and 18 may be mounted on the inner side plate of the carriage as shown in Fig. 3 so that the rollers 65 and 66 are in position to engage the respective earns 63 and 64. The switches 69 and are respectively connected in circuit with the conductors 60 and 62 so as to open circuit to the motor when the carriage reaches the upper and lower ends of the track as later described.

With the structure thus far described, it is obvious that failure of the lifting cable or reel drive might be a hazard and to avoid a possibility that would result in too rapid a descent of the carriage, the carriage is provided with a brake mechanism which comprises a transverse shaft 12 journalled in suitable bearings 13 and 14 that are mounted on the front legs 2| and 22 as shown in Fig. 5. Fixed to the ends of the shaft 12 are eccentric wheels or cams and 16 havin roughened or knurled peripheries 11 adapted to frictionally engage the upper flanges of the track rails when the shaft is moved in a clockwise direction to effect gripping of the rails and stop descent of the carriage. The brake wheels or cams are ordinarily retained out of engagement with the flanges of the track rails by an arm 18 that is carried on a sleeve 19 that is fixed to the shaft 12 by suitable fastening devices such as set-screws 80. The arm 18 carries a grooved wheel 82 that bears upon the cable 5| responsive to action of a spring 83. The spring 83 has one end suitably attached to the front of the carriage housing and the rear end is connected with the flexible cable 84 that extends around the front axle and connects with the arm 1| as indicated at 85 (Figs. 1 and 5). It is thus obvious that when the cable is intact and in taut condition the wheel 82 will hold the brake cams out of engagement with the rail flanges against action of the spring, however, in case of failure or breakage of the cable, the spring 83 will become effective to cause rotation of the transverse shaft 12 and movement of the peripheries of the braking cams 15 and 16 into clamping contact with the flanges of the track rails, thereby preventing accidental descent of the carriage.

The front of the carriage may be provided with a foot rest 86 for supporting the feet of the passenger when the passenger is mounted on the seat.

In installing an elevator mechanism constructed as described, the track 1, including the channel- shaped rails 8 and 9, is positioned at one side of the stairway preferably so that the rails bear upon the nose 6 of the respective treads 2 as shown in Fig. 1, after which the rail 8 is secured to the adjacent stair stringer by the fastening devices IT. The carriage, after being mounted on the track, is adjusted so that the leg extensions 28 and 29 are in position to support the seat 19 substantially horizontally as shown in Fig. 1. After adjustment the screws 32 and 33 are tightened. The switch cams 63 and 54 are then applied in proper position on the web H of the track rail 9 so as to limit upward and downward movement of the carriage at the ends of the track.

Assuming that the carriage is at the lower end of the track, the cable 5| is substantially unwound from the winding drum 39 and the electrical cable I6 is withdrawn from the spring reel. A person desiring to be elevated to the upper level 4 mounts the seat l9 and moves the controller switch 56 to a position for rotating the motor in the direction to effect lift of the carriage. When the motor 31 is energized, the winding drum 5| will be operated to wind up the cable thereon and draw the carriage upwardly of the track. When the carriage reaches the upper end of the track, the roller 65 of the switch 69 engages the cam 63 so as to open circuit to the motor and stop movement of the carriage. The carriage will remain in position at the upper end of the track because the low ratio of the speed reduction gear automatically locks and prevents unwinding of the cable.

When it is desired to descend the stairs, the control lever is operated in the opposite direction to reversely energize the motor to rotate the winding drum in an opposite direction to pay out the cable and allow descent of the carriage. When the carriage reaches the lower end of the track the roller 66 engages the cam 64 to open the switch 10, whereupon downward movement of the carriage is stopped.

When the cable is intact, the brake elements 5 and '56 are retained out of braking position, however, in case the cable 5| should break the spring 83 is immediately effective to draw the brake elements into engagement with the rails of the track to prevent descent of the carriage.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided an elevator for invalids and other in-- capacitated persons which is readily mounted on a stairway and which is of simple and inexpensive construction, safe in operation and which is conveniently and safely operated.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An elevator comprising a self contained unit mechanism on the carriage and connecting the motor with the winding drum, means for supplying current to the motor, and a controller on the carriage for controlling the current supply.

2. An elevator comprising a self contained unit including a track adapted for support on the treads of a stairway, a carriage movable along a track, a Winding drum on the carriage, a cable having one end anchored to the upper end of the track and adapted to wind on said drum to lift the carriage and to unwind from the drum for lowering the carriage on the track, a reversible motor on the carriage, a speed reduction mechanism on the carriage and connecting the motor with the winding drum, means for supplying current to the motor, a controller on the car riage for controlling the current supply, and brake means on the carriage contacted with the cable and adapted to engage the track upon failure of the cable.

3. An apparatus of the character described including a track adapted for support on a stairway, a carriage movable along a track, a winding drum on the carriage, a, cable having one end anchored to the upper end of the track and adapted to wind on said drum to lift the carrlage and to unwind from the drum for lowering the carriage on the track, a reversible motor on the carriage, a speed reduction mechanism connecting the motor with the winding drum, means for supplying current to the motor, a controller on the carriage for controlling the current supply, limit switches on the carriage, and means on the respective ends of the track for operating the limit switches to limit the extent of movement of the carriage on the track.

4. An apparatus of the character described including a track adapted for support on a stairway, a carriage movable along a track, a winding drum on the carriage, a cable having one end anchored to the upper end of the track and adapted to wind on said drum to lift the carriage and to unwind the drum for lowering the carriage on the track, a reversible motor on the carriage, a speed reduction mechanism connecting the motor with the winding drum, means for supplying current to the motor, a controller on the carriage for controlling the current supply, brake means on the carriage connected with the cable and adapted to engage the track upon failure of the cable, limit switches on the carriage, and means on the respective ends of the track for operating the limit switches to limit the extent of movement of the carriage on the track.

5. An apparatus of the character described including an inclined track, a carriage, means supporting the carriage for movement on the track, a winding drum on the carriage, a reversible motor on the carriage, speed reduction mechanism connecting the motor with the winding drum, a cable connected with the upper end of the track and adapted to be wound on the winding drum, a brake shaft extending transversely of the carriage, braking means on th ends of the brake shaft engageable with the track, a

crank arm connected with the. brake shaft and having means engaging the cable to support the raking means out of ntact with t e a ls, and a spring connected with said arm and the frame to set the b ake m a n dental to slack in said cable.

6. An appa t o the ha a er scribed includin n in l n d ck a carr age op rab e on t track, a wind n drum on he ca r a e. a ab e xe w th re p c to t e t ack nd ad ted o nd the W n i dr s. a br k shaft ex in r n e Qf he ca r e braki hee s eq eall o nted o th n s of; he brake af -and e eaeeabls w th he track, a cra k ar s n eted with h ra shaitl a he on d am nd enga n th able. to support the braking wheels out of contact with the rails and a spring for retaining said wheel n he c a k. a m in on ac witht cabl and ada te o rq ts the rake sh cide t l to lu e o h cabl et the r kin whee s. against the track to stop descent of the carriers,

An ar t of the charac r de crib d e d a t means adapted r support o a stairway, a c a means, m ab e a on a track, a winding drum having fixed support on one Q s id m ns a able h n ens e d an chored to the other of said means and adapted to i d on sai rum lift. t e c r ia d to unwind the drum for lowering the carriage on the track, a reversible motor connected with the winding drum, a flexible insulated cable for supplying current to the motor means carried by the track for winding up and paying out of the insulated cable upon up and down movement of the carriage means including means for connecting the cable with a source of current, a controller on the carriage means and connected with the insulated cable and motor for controlling the current supply to the motor, and brake means on the carriage means normally engaging the first named cable and adapted to engage the track upon failure of the cable.

8. An elevator comprising a self-contained unit including a track adapted for support on the treads of a stairway, a carriage movable along the track, a reversible motor on the carriage, a speed reduction mechanism on the carriage and connected with the motor, a driving connection between the speed reduction mechanism and the track, a controller on the carriage, an electrical supply circuit connected with the controller and motor, and limit switches on said unit and connected with said circuit for automatically stopping the carriage at the respective ends of the track, each of said limit switches having an operating part and a trip part with one of said parts of the respective switches being on the carriage and the other parts being respectively at the upper and the lower end of the track and in position to be engaged by the parts on the carriage when the carriage reaches the respective ends of the track.

9. An elevator comprising a self-contained unit including a track adapted for support on the treads of a stairway, a carriage movable along the track, a winding drum on the carriage, a cable connecting the carriage with the upper end of the track and adapted to wind onsaid drum to lift the carriage and to unwind from the drum for lowering the carriage on the track, a reversible motor on the carriage, a speed reduction mechanism on the carriage and connecting the motor with the winding drum, a controller on the carriage, an electrical supply circuit con- 7 nected with the controller and motor, and limit switches on said unit and connected with said circuit for automatically stopping the carriage at the respective ends of the track, each of said limit switches having an operating part and a trip part with one of said parts of the respective switches being on the carriage and the other parts being respectively at the upper and the lower end of the track and in position to be engaged by the parts on the carriage when the carriage reaches the respective ends of the track.

10. Elevator mechanism embodying therein an inclined runway including laterally spaced rails, a carriage having members for guided travel longitudinally of said rails, drum means journalled on said carriage, means on the carriage for driving the drum means in either direction, cable means operatively attached at one end to the'upper end of the inclined runway, and at its other end operatively disposed upon said drum means for a winding upon or an unwinding therefrom to take up or to pay out said cable means.

11. Elevator mechanism embodying therein an inclined runway including laterally spaced rails, a carriage having members for guided travel longitudinally of said rails, drum means journalled on said carriage, a reversible motor on the carriage for driving the drum means in either direction, cable means operatively attached at one end to the upper end of the inclined runway, 30

and at its other end operatively disposed upon said drum means for a winding upon or an unwinding therefrom to take up or to pay out said cable means, means for starting the motor and for causing it to run in either direction.

12. Elevator mechanism embodying therein an inclined runway including laterally spaced rails, a carriage having members for guided travel longitudinally of said rails, drum means journalled on said carriage, a reversible motor on the carriage for driving the drum means in either direction, cable means operatively attached at one end to the upper end of the inclined runway, and at its other end operatively disposed upon said drum means for a winding upon or an unwinding therefrom to take up or to pay out said cable means, means for starting the motor and for causing it to run in either direction, and means operative as the carriage reaches the end of its travel in either direction on the runway for automatically stopping the motor.

GEORGE P. SCOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,043,834 Hinkel Nov. 12, 1912 1,178,505 Fak Apr. 11, 1916 2,472,943 Firestone June 14, 1949

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