Patent GB-190704423-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Lifts or Hoists.
Filed: 1907-02-22
Granted: 1907-11-28
Abstract: 4423. Waygood & Co., R., and Carey, R. Feb. 22. Gate opening and closing apparatus. - Electricallyoperated lifts or hoists are provided with electrically - controlled mechanism for utilizing fluid pressure to operate the gates of the lift enclosure or cage whereby (1), when the lift stops at any floor, the gate or gates are automatically opened, remain open until the lift is started, and then automatically close; (2) the gates are locked while open against possible failure of fluid pressure ; (3) the operation of any landing button to call the lift first closes the gate or gates and then starts the lift. The fluid pressure is preferably obtained by means of an air-pump worked from the lift. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a solenoid 1 is fixed on the lift cage and its plunger operates a controlling-valve 5 admitting fluid through a pipe 5<a> to or from a cylinder 6. A bar 9 mounted on the cross-head 8 engages a stop 10 on the arm 11 of a weighted lever fulcrumed at 12 and pivoted at 13 to a link 14, which is pivoted to the picket 15 of the gate which is preferably of the ' Bostwich' type. When the fluid is exhausted from the cylinder 6, the weight 17 closes the gate. A catch 18 is provided which engages the cross-head 8 and retains the gate in the open position until the catch is tripped by a lever 22 and rod 25 from the solenoid, which at the same time reverses the action of the valve 5 and exhausts the cylinder ; the usual gate contacts then complete the lift controller circuit and permit it to start. The weight 17 may be replaced by a spring. To prevent the cross-head from fouling the stops 10 at the various landings, it has attached to it a cord 9<a> carrying a weight 9<c> which, after the gate is closed, draws the cross-head a little farther out of contact with the stop 10. In Fig. 3 a modification is shown, in which the piston of the cylinder 6 is caused to rotate a spindle 30 by means of a sprocket-wheel 32 and chain, one end of which is attached to the piston. The spindle 30 carries a second sprocket - wheel 35 adapted to actuate a chain 36, the links of which are formed so as to permit of the chain being coiled in one way only. A similar sprocket-wheel 40 actuates a similar chain 41. Both chains are attached to the picket 37 at one end and have balance weights attached to their other ends. The action is as before, the chains 36 and 41 forming a rigid bar to close the gate against the action of the balance weights. Two solenoids are shown, the second one 46 being energized on the closing of the gates, whereby its plunger 47 operates an arm 48 pivoted at 49 and carrying a bolt, which is adapted to engage a catch-bar carried by the picket 37 and so lock the gate during movement of the cage. Where, as in the present case, gates are employed on both cage and landing, a slipper 53 is provided on the gate 55 so as to engage the landing gate and allow both to be drawn back by the action of the balance weights. Fouling of the different landing gates by the slipper 53 is prevented by a solenoid 46, which is made to break the circuit of the solenoid 1 by providing a contact 56 on the lever 48, and thus to cause the arm 3 to operate the valve 5 and exhaust the fluid pressure so as to enable the cage gate to be drawn back sufficiently to allow the slipper 53 to clear. When the cylinder 6 is carried by the cage, flexible pipe connexions are provided between it and the receiver. A second modification is shown in Fig. 6, in which a rack-and-pinion mechanism is connected with the piston of the pressure cylinder. A further modification is shown in Fig. 8 in which only landing gates are used. Apparatus as described in regard to Fig. 6 is provided at each landing, the valve being operated by means of an inclined contactpiece 66, carried on the lift cage 67 and projected into or withdrawn from the path of the air-valve lever by toggle-levers 68 and rods 69, working in guides 70 and actuated by the plunger of the solenoid through rods and links 80, 81 when the solenoid is energized on the operation of the usual push-button; the contact-piece 66 may also be caused to unlock the gates through the medium of an arm 82 pivoted at 83 to the locking-bolt 84.