An Improved Electric Lift.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric Lift.
I, ISAAC PERAL, Civil Engineer, of Cadiz, Spain, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention to be as follows:-
The subject of my invention is a lift actuated by an electro motor instead of by
the hydraulic machinery hitherto generally employed for this purpose; and
possessing further the especial feature that persons making use of it may be
transported to whatever floor of the building they may desire, on inserting a coin
into an aperture or slot provided for the purpose.
The cage of the lift proper is of the same shape and dimensions as ordinarily
employed in hydraulic lifts.
The bottom of the lift consists of a double flooring within which is placed the
electro motor. The revolving axle thereof rotates an endless screw engaging with
two horizontal cog-wheels which gear with two pinions. Each pinion forms a part
of a vertical endless screw which engages with a fixed perpendicular rack situated
on each side of the lift and running from top to bottom of the elevator well.
It will be readily understood that if the motor turns in a certain direction the
lift will rise, and will of course descend if the motor turns in the opposite direction.
The weight of the lift is counterbalanced in the ordinary way, namely, by two
cables attached to the lift and passing over pulleys at the top of the building and
attached to the opposite ends to counterweights sufficient to equalize the total
weight of the lift. In consequence thereof the electro motor has only to perform
the work of raising the passengers.
Of special importance is the combination of mechanical appliances which I have
devised for raising or lowering the lift and consisting of the screws and of the
manner in which they are geared, as it forms the best method conceivable of
checking the descent of the lift if it should, owing to accident, fall with a
dangerous velocity, and this would be effected even in the very unlikely case of
the counter-weight ropes giving way; for in this simple combination of appliances,
it will be observed that the threads of the vertical endless screws always repose in
Further-
an almost horizontal position upon the horizontal teeth of the racks.
more, if the wheels have a tendency to turn (an indispensable condition if the lift
is to descend) they cannot do so, since they are prevented from revolving by the
endless screw on the motor axle which is geared with the two cog-wheels, and
these latter are incapable of turning the axle screw even when exposed to a much
greater strain than would be exercised by the total weight of the lift.
It may in fact be said that this mechanism forms not only one but two brakes
of such efficiency that the safety of the lift and of the passengers is always ensured,
and in the case of most dangerous accident that can occur the lift remains fixed at
the spot where the mishap took place.
I will now proceed to describe the electric and mechanical arrangements by
means of which the lift is set in motion automatically and without other inter-
ference than is necessary for starting it and reaching the floors required.
Commencing with the latter it should be borne in mind that in order to stop the
lift it is furnished with three or four rods which when pressed by hand project
beyond it and come in contact at the different landings with projections such as
are attached to the rod governing the supply of water in the ordinary form of
hydraulic lifts.
This arrangement is in my electric lift very considerably simplified since there is
only one rod for all the landings, and instead of the long hydraulic distribution
rod there will be at each stage a simple mechanism which we will proceed to

page_text: describe hereinafter under the name of stopping gear. A bolt having a knob at
its outer end slides in a sheath which covers the bolt completely with the exception
of a small orifice through which may be read the number of the landing it is
desired to reach (or where it is desired to stop). On its upper face the knob is
inscribed with the names of all the landings. A mechanism consisting of two
principal parts one which is fixed at the side of the stairs or landing and the other
capable of moving laterally on the said fixed part when it is compelled to do so by
the said bolt in its vertical ascent gliding over an inclined plane. An opposing
spring keeps the moveable piece in position when the bolt does not act upon it.
An apparatus is provided for receiving the coins which is called a receiver. It
comprises a push rod carrying a disc of larger diameter capable of moving inside
a hollow cylinder on pressing the opposing spring visible inside, at the end is a
jointed bar the normal position of which is vertical, and is retained in position by
a shoulder and spring; the bar is terminated at its extremity by a projection and
a friction roller. When the push rod moves vertically, the friction roller which is
always inside a groove forming a guide, compels the bar to take up inclined
positions. Springs are employed enabling the friction roller to move in certain
directions but not in the opposite directions. A lever pivoted near its centre, its
normal position being horizontal, is kept in this position by a shoulder and spring.
A fixed piece of rigid conducting material is placed a short distance from the end
of the pivoted lever and an electric terminal is connected with each of these parts.
A coin placed in an aperture falls through a guide way and rests on the ends of the
fixed piece and the pivoted lever and the coin establishes electrical connection
between the terminals. The coin is insulated from the guide way, and other
required parts are insulated from the lift, but the coin enables current to pass to
the motor to work the lift. The coin is released when the projection on the jointed
bar comes in contact with the pivoted lever which carries the coin, and this jointed
bar is set in motion by the push rod, and thus deposits the coin in a suitable box.
A compound switch, or commuting device, is arranged for starting the motor in
the required direction for raising or lowering the lift car. It consists mainly of a
framework carrying three terminals (centrally placed) each of which forms the
central portion of a double fork, the mouth of each fork being outwardly arranged.
Corresponding to the forks are mounted six tongues pointing inwardly, three being
on one side and three on the other, each tongue being placed opposite a fork and
adapted to make good contact therewith. Suitable terminals and connections are
combined with each terminal, so that when the tongues on one side (called No. 1)
are engaged with their corresponding forks the lift will ascend, while if those on
the opposite side (called No. 2) engage with their tongues the lift will descend, but
if centrally arranged the tongues are not in contact with the forks on either side,
and no movement takes place. Springs within cylindrical cases act to preserve
this central position. The framework with its parts is suitably attached to the
lift. Secured to the parts which carry the tongues, and moving with them are two
iron plates one on each side-and four plates can be brought in contact there-
with two contact plates to each iron plate. A ring or knob is connected to the
No. 1 side (for example) so that by pulling or pushing it sliding contact is made
to cause the lift to ascend, descend, or stop.
At the top of the elevator well there is arranged a drum on which is wound two
insulated electrical conductors, two ends of which are connected to the terminals of
a source of electric current energy, and the other two are attached to parts of the
circuit which include the motor and the commuting device.. The drum, with its
conductors, is arranged to automatically wind up or down to correspond with the
position of the lift by means of counterweights or other suitable device.
The lift automatically descends from any floor to the bottom, after the passenger
or passengers have left the lift. A flat spring is attached to the door at each
landing, and turns with the door, while the lift carries an articulated linkwork; one
end of which carries a small roller bearing upon the flat spring, and the other end
of the linkwork is in contact with the upper edge of the commutator No. 2.

page_text: A spring keeps the linkwork in a normal position, and an insulated brush electrically
connected to the main circuit is also carried by the linkwork. The movement of
the door causes the flat spring to come in contact with the small roller. This moves
the articulated linkwork back in such a way as to bring the commutator No. 2 into
action, and the lift descends; but electrical contact at the brush is broken through
the movement of the linkwork aforesaid. While the door is open, however, the
circuit is interrupted, and the lift does not commence to descend until all the
persons have left the lift, when the door is closed by the spring action of the link-
work which is returned thereby to its normal position, the brush again making
contact and closing the circuit in such a manner that the motor revolves in the
direction for the descent of the lift.
It has already been described how the insertion of the coin in the receiver forms
a part of the circuit, and the means for starting and stopping the lift, and the
stopping gear therefor. But it has not been explained that during the ascent and
descent, the coin has remained in position and formed a part of the circuit, and on
the return of the lift to the bottom of the well, the lower end of the push rod
comes in contact with a fixed stop which causes the projection and friction roller of
the coin receiver to act upon the pivoted lever (which supports the coin) in such a
manner as to displace the coin and deposit it into a suitable box while the lever is
reset to receive another coin. This action is caused to break the circuit at other
points at the same time with the effect of releasing the commutator No. 2 (through
its spring action), while commutator No. 1 is left ready for its tongues to be inserted
in their forks when a fresh ascent is required.
It is to be noted that the operation is identical, no matter to what landing it is
desired to raise the lift; the only difference being in advancing the knob of the
stopping gear bolt more or less to suit the relative positions of the stops at the
respective landings. These are so arranged that if the knob is placed in position
for the highest landing, it will pass the intermediate stops without contact, while
the stops of the said intermediate landings will only come in contact with the
commuting devices when the knob is set in the corresponding position therefor.
It will be seen from the above description that a coin must be used each time the
lift rises, and that it cannot ascend a second time to a higher landing without a
previous descent to the bottom and the insertion of another coin. I have adopted
this system believing it to be the best suited for making my invention commercially
profitable, but I may modify this to some extent if it is found desirable to do so.
Dated this 7th day of December 1891.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric Lift.
I, ISAAC PERAL, Civil Engineer, of San Fernando, Cadiz, Spain, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to electric apparatus for lifting passengers and goods to
different storeys of buildings, and it has for its principal object, to construct an
elevator in such a manner, that it can be conveniently started and stopped at
different levels by the insertion of a coin.
This invention comprises special means for raising and lowering the lift cage by
means of a motor supported by the said cage, also mechanism for setting the motor
in action by the insertion of a coin, and means for stopping the lift cage at the
desired level or storey.
In the following description reference will be made to the accompanying
drawings, of which

page_text: Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation showing the lift cage and driving mechanism in its
highest position; the right half of the lift is shown in elevation and the left half
in section.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken between the upper and the lower floor of the
lift cage, that is to say, immediately above the driving mechanism placed between
the said floors.
Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the mechanism for controlling the height, to
which the lift will ascend, Fig. 3 being a vertical and Fig. 4 a horizontal section.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the coin receiver, or mechanism for closing the
working circuit by the insertion of a coin, Fig. 5 being a vertical section and Fig. 6
a horizontal section along line A-B-C-D of Fig. 5.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of the switch or apparatus for starting and
stopping the motor in the required manner, Fig. 7 being a front elevation (after
removal of the cover,) Fig. 8 a vertical section and Fig. 9 a horizontal section.
Figs. 10 to 13 are diagrams of a locking mechanism forming part of the said
switch, and representing different positions or stages of operation.
Fig. 14 is a diagram of the electric working circuit.
Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views of a mechanism for controlling the starting and
stopping of the lift cage at the different floors by the opening and closing of one of
the doors which give access to the lift.
Fig. 17 is a diagram of the electric working circuit in a modified form of the
invention.
Figs. 18 and 18B show a modification of the coin receiver.
Fig. 19 is a vertical section of the lift and part of the staircase showing the lift
cage in an intermediate position, (between two floors of the building).
Fig. 20 is a horizontal section through the lift and staircase shown in Fig. 19.
The cage of the lift has two floors, namely the upper floor serving the usual
purpose of supporting the passengers, and the lower floor which supports the electro
motor and some of the driving mechanism actuated by the same.
The
The electro motor is mounted in the centre and sets in motion a screw A, which
gears into a pair of toothed wheels B, B situated right and left of the motor.
wheels B gear into a pair of pinions C, each of which is fixed on the axis of one of
the vertical main screws D, and the latter gear into a pair of vertical racks E,
which are fixed to the right and left half of the elevator frame or guide and extend
the entire height of the same.
Now, as the two end bearings of each main screw D, as well as the motor and
intermediate gear, are fixed to the elevator cage, it is evident, that the electro-
motor will cause the elevator cage to ascend or to descend, according to the
direction in which the armature of the motor revolves.
The weight of the empty cage-is balanced in the ordinary manner, that is to say,
by means of one or more chains Cc fixed at one end to the cage and carrying at
the other end a balance weight (not shown), the said chain being guided over
pulleys Pc, Pd fixed to the roof of the building.
The screws D, D serve as a brake and safety appliance, to prevent the rapid
descent of the cage, in case of an accident, such as the rupture of a chain, and the
use of the screw or worm A further increases the safety, because they prevent the
wheels B, B from turning accidentally, and cannot be set in motion by the said
wheels.
The apparatus for controlling the height to which the lift will ascend is
represented by Figs. 3 and 4.
It consists of two principal parts, the first of which is mounted on the lift cage,
while the other part is fixed to the staircase or stationary framework at one of the
landings.
The first or travelling part chiefly comprises a horizontal bolt F guided in a
sleeve H fixed to the interior of the lift cage at a convenient height, as indicated
in Fig. 19. The bolt F is provided at its inner end with a handle (Fig. 3) the
outer end projects over the vertical side or wall of the lift cage more or less, and

page_text: the horizontal length of projection corresponds to the floor at which the lift cage
is required to stop. This is made apparent by providing the sleeve H with a slot,
and the bolt F with a number of divisions marked 1st floor, 2nd floor etc., in such
a manner, that for instance the name 1st floor can be seen through the slot, when
the bolt F is in such a position as to act on the stopping gear on the first floor.
Each floor or landing of the building has a separate stopping gear, one of which
is shown by the drawings.
The stopping device chiefly consists of a vertical base plate m fixed to the stair-
case and a moveable frame n mounted on the said plate and guided right and left
in a pair of bearings which allow the said frame to move horizontally in a direction
perpendicular to the bolt F. One of the said bearings (that on the right hand
side) contains a spring r adapted to press the frame n towards the opposite side
(the left) and the frame n has near the spring box, an inclined plane p-q (Fig. 4)
placed so, that the belt F when ascending with the cage, will come into contact
with it and press the frame against the spring (that is towards the right hand side).
By this motion of the frame, the opposite end of it, (the left) will act on a lever
or a pair of levers no" which form part of the switch mentioned above and arrest
the cage, in the manner which will be described hereafter.
The parts m n belonging to the different floors are not in the same vertical line,
those on the top floor being nearer to the axis of the lift, than those lower down,
and those on the first floor are furthest from the said axis. Consequently if the
bolt Fis adjusted for the top floor, it will not touch the stopping gear on the lower
floors, but will only act on that of the top floor and thus stop the lift at the desired
level.
The coin receiver, shown by Figs. 5 and 6, is attached to the lift cage, and
therefore ascends and descends with the same.
It comprises a vertical spindle a b carrying a disc c guided in a vertical cylinder d
which also contains a helical spring. The upper end 6 of the said spindle is con-
nected with a link bf, which in its normal state is kept in a vertical position by
means of an upward extension or lug g formed on the spindle a b and a spring h,
which is fixed to the said spindle and presses on the link from the back. At its
upper extremity the link is provided with a short horizontal arm or finger e with a
friction roller s.
The roller s is guided in a groove t, u, y, z, formed in a vertical plate or guide
piece in such a manner, that the first part of the groove is situated in the axis of
the spindle, and forms with the other parts approximately a rhombical figure situated
on one side of the said axis, as represented by Fig. 5, the acute augles of the figure
being situated at the top and at the bottom.
When the link ascends with the friction rollers the latter is forced to enter the
second part of the groove u-y which forms with the first an obtuse angle. Conse-
quently, the link will be forced into an oblique position, as represented by dotted
lines. When the first roller has reached the top of the rhombical figure and
descends again, it is prevented from re-entering the second side of the rhombus by
a flat spring n' which closes the mouth of the same and guides the roller downward
along the third side of the rhombus.
Another spring p' closes the mouth of the fourth side, so as to prevent the roller
from entering the same during its upward course, but allowing the roller to pass
from the fourth into the first side of the rhombical figure during its downward
course.
A balance lever a¹, b' is mounted on an axle c¹ placed so, that the extremity a¹
will be situated vertically over the finger e when the link bf is vertical. The
balance lever a¹. is kept in its normal horizontal position by a stationary arm d¹
and a helical spring f. The extremity b¹ of the lever a b' is pointed upward and
placed at a suitable distance from a stationary support g' fixed to the base plate
which supports the bearing of the axle c', and also the terminals and of the
electric conductors. The extremities of the lever a band of the support g¹

page_text: converge towards each other and are adapted to support in its upright position the
coin which is intended to set the lift in action.
k is the slot opening for receiving the coin which is then guided downward, so as
to rest upon the ridges or edges of the lever a¹ b¹ and support g¹.
The lower part of the guide k is made of ebonite, and the terminals h¹¹are
electrically connected with the pivot o' and support g' but insulated from the base
plate. Consequently, if an electric current enters through h', it will pass through
the coin to the terminal ', if the coin is in the position represented by the
figure.
Therefore, if the terminals h¹¹ form part of the circuit, which operates the
motor, the latter will not act until a coin, thrown into the slot k¹ rests upon the
edges m¹ m².
If the spindle a b ascends, the finger e will come into contact with the extremity a¹
of the balance lever and will lift the same, thereby allowing the coin j¹ to drop
beneath the two edges m¹ m² into the receptacle L. During the further up-motion
of the spindle, the friction roller & will enter the inclined part of the guide slot,
the finger e will get clear of the extremity a', and allow the latter to descend again
into its position of rest. During the down motion of the spindle a b, the finger e
will not touch the lever a b¹.
The switch, shown by Figs. 7, 8 and 9, is also attached to the lift cage.
It comprises three principal parts, namely a stationary base plate, on which are
mounted three metallic double forks a b c together with the terminals (one for
each fork) of three conducting wires; a moveable upper plate M N carrying three
metallic vertical tongues "m" placed opposite the upper forks, a moveable
lower plate PQ carrying three vertical tongues du placed opposite the
lower forks.
These plates are guided vertically at their ends by means of four vertical rods
and two cylindrical spring casings which contain 4 helical springs R, R arranged in
such a manner, as to keep the tongues out of contact with the forks.
The lower one of these two moveable parts, which I will call switch No. 1,
serves to produce the up-motion of the lift, while the upper one which I will call
commutator No. 2, serves to produce the down-motion.
Both are enclosed in a box having at its rear four blades n"
and 9) which are provided in pairs on vertical spindles and pressed
by 4 springs, fixed between the said blades as shown by Fig. 9.
the box is formed by one of the sides of the elevator cage
letters) and the said blades project beyond the said side.
ol pill pl (Figs. 8
apart horizontally
The rear wall of
(indicated by the
The inner ends of the said blades are pressed by the springs against the sides of
two U shaped irons X and Z which form part of the two switches 1 and 2, and
therefore move up and down with the latter (the piece X with the upper switch
and the piece Z with the lower one).
The irons slide in suitable guide pieces and are provided on their sides with
notches A, B, C₁, D¹ (Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13) in order to catch and retain the
inner ends of the blades at the required moment.
These figures show the different positions of the U irons and of the blades in
relation to each other. The switch No. 1 carries a ring E (Fig. 8) by means of
which it may be lifted, and the switch No. 2 will descend, when it is pushed by the
sliding rod shown in Fig. 15, as will be described hereafter.
The working of the switch in conjunction with the motor, receiver and other
mechanism will be described hereafter.
In my system of electric lifts, each of the doors on the staircase communicating
with the lift is adapted to control a special cut-out, represented by Figs. 15
and 16.
To each of the said doors is fixed a flat spring Y which turns with the door, and
the lift cage is provided with a link mechanism comprising a horizontal bolt A" an
lever E connected with the bolt A" by a link F", a link G", and a vertical

page_text: sliding bar B, the lower extremity F' of which is in contact with the upper
flange C of the switch No. 2 shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This link mechanism is
retained in the position shown in Fig. 15 by a spring D" which always tends to
restore the said position, when the link mechanism has temporarily departed
froin it.
The said angle lever E¹ carries a small metallic brush 8 which is insulated from
the same and connected with the cable forming part of the working circuit. This
brush touches a metallic contact piece 7 which forms likewise part of the working
circuit, as long as the link mechanism is in its normal position (represented by the
drawing) but is cut out of circuit, when the link mechanism changes its position.
The spring rests against the extremity of the bolt A" and tends to remove the
brush 8, from the contact 7. By opening the door (a part of which is shown in
Fig. 16) the spring Y is pressed forward into the position shown by dotted lines,
by overcoming the pressure of the spring D" the bolt A" is pressed forward and
thereby the brush 8 removed from the fixed contact 7. At the same time the
sliding bar B will be pressed downward against the switch No. 2 and force the
latter to descend to its lowest position where it will remain, because the blade p"
enters the corresponding notch of the U shaped iron X, Fig. 13.
In this position, the circuit will be established in the manner indicated on the
diagram, Fig. 14, by the letters 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, cll m¹ k¹ a¹ ¿¹¹ [¹¹ 4, the points 3
and 4 representing the terminals, through which the working circuit enters and
leaves the lift cage, while A. represents the motor, and the points 5 and 6 correspond
to the points m and m¹ of Fig. 5. This arrangement of the circuit corresponds to
the backward revolution of the motor, that is to say the motion which causes the
lift to descend.
But as long as the door remains open, the circuit is broken at 7, and the lift will
therefore not begin to descend, until all persons have gone out of the lift because at
that moment they will leave the door of the staircase or landing to itself, and allow
it to close under the influence of the springs Y and D" described above. The link
mechanism will now return to its natural position and bring the brush 8 again in
contact with the plate 7, in consequence of which the motor will begin to act, and
the lift will descend.
The electric current, which enters the lift and works the motor, may be derived
from a generator situated in the building, or from a distant central station; in each
case a drum Da is mounted in the highest part of the staircase or pit, through which
the lift passes, as indicated at the top of Fig. 1. On this drum are wound two
insulated cables Ca connected at one end with the source of supply, and at the other
end with the mechanism of the lift cage, that is to say, with the terminals 3 and 4
indicated in Fig. 14. These cables must be wound on and off the drum automatically
during the ascent and descent of the lift cage, which may be effected by means of
the guide pulleys for the chain which carries the balance weight of the lift cage,
but preferably in the manner indicated by Fig. 1, that is to say by means of two
small balance weights We suspended by ropes C c from the same drum D a on
which are wound the supply cables C a, the said counterweights We being situated
in the interior of the U shaped irons which support the vertical racks, and adapted
to ascend and descend in the same.
Having thus described the general arrangement and details of construction of my
lift, I will now explain, how the different parts operate together.
I suppose, that the lift cage is in the lowest part of the building, and that the
balance lever a' b¹ of the receiver is in its normal horizontal position, shown by
Figs. 5 and 6, while the spindle a b rests on a buffer a (alpha) Fig. 5 fixed to the
building, and is thereby kept in the highest position indicated in Fig. 5 by dotted
lines, (the buffer a is independent of the lift cage and presses the spindle a b upward,
before the lift cage reaches the bottom).
In this position of the apparatus, the link bf is inclined towards the left side of
the figure, and the friction roller s is in the highest part of the groove tyy. The

page_text: blades p" and " (Figs. 1, and 9) are in contact with a stationary plate ẞ, (Figs. 1
and 2) fixed to the building independently of the lift cage, which plate pushes them
out of their normal position, so that they will not touch the pieces X and Z. The
blade n", however, is in its normal position, and locked in its recess A', Fig. 10, in
consequence of which the switch No. 2 cannot be set in motion to close the circuit.
In this position of the lift, the circuit can only be closed by the switch No. 1.
Supposing now, that I wish to ascend with the elevator to the first floor, I push
the bolt F, Fig. 9, until I see through the slot H the name; 1st floor; I then place
the required coin into the receiver and pull the ring E¹ of the switch No. 1
vertically.
The switch No. 1 cannot drop down again into its original position, because the
blade o under the influence of its spring, will enter the notch B₁ of the piece Z,
Fig. 11, and lock the switch, so as to keep its circuit closed, until the said blade is
withdrawn from its notch.
By these operations, I have completely closed the electric circuit 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,
cgad 4 indicated by the diagram Fig. 14, which causes the electro
motor to turn forward, that is to say, so as to produce the ascent of the lift.
As the lift ascends, the blades p¹¹ will pass out of contact with the piece B
and will now press upon the pieces X and Z, but without dropping into the notches
of the same, as the latter are not yet situated opposite the blades p₁ and 1.
The ascent of the elevator cage will also release the spindle a b from its buffer,
and allow it to follow the downward pressure of the spring d, Fig. 5. The spindle a b
will therefore draw down. the link bf, together with the finger e, into the position
shown by Fig. 5 in full lines, but as during this motion the roller s is obliged to
follow the groove y, z, t, the finger e will not touch the balance lever a' b¹.
When the elevator cage arrives at the level of the first floor, the extremity of
the bolt F, Figs. 3 and 4, impinges against the stopping device of the said floor,
that is to say, it presses against the inclined plane py of the piece n, and shifts the
latter towards the right. Consequently, the side 9-10 of the piece n will act on
the blades no and press the same out of the notches of the piece Z, so that the
switch No. 2 is free, to move vertically, when pressed from the top. At the same
time, the switch No. 1, being already free from the blade or locking lever o" which
had kept it in the closed circuit position, will descend under the influence of its
springs, thereby breaking the circuit and stopping the motor. The elevator will
therefore stop at the level of the landing of the staircase, in a position determined
by the bolt which touches the upper flange of the piece m.
When the switch No. 1 drops, the locking lever or blade 11 will enter its
notch D, Fig. 12, so that in case some one should attempt to close the switch No. 1
again by pulling the ring E¹, this could not be done, owing to the resistance of the
blade ri
With such an arrangement, the descent of the lift cage, which necessarily
follows the ascent to any floor, will be effected automatically, as soon as all persons
have left the lift cage, in the following manner;
When the lift cage stops at the desired floor, the persons using the lift will be in
front of one of the doors, which open to the different landings of the staircase, as
illustrated by Figs. 15 and 16.
By opening the said door, the link mechanism and cut-out will be set in action,
so as to break the working circuit. When all persons have gone out and the
door is left to itself, it will close under the influence of the springs, thereby
closing the working circuit at 7 and 8, and causing the lift to descend, as described
above.
During the whole period, from the time when the lift cage had commenced to
ascend, the coin jin the receiver remained in its place and formed part of the
electric circuit, but shortly before the lift cage reaches the end of its downward
course, the lower end of the spindle a b meets the stop plate a mounted at the
bottom of the staircase. Consequently, the spindle a b is pushed upward, and sets

page_text: in motion the balance lever a¹ 61 by means of the finger e projecting from the
link bf. The coin j¹ drops into the box L placed underneath the receiver, and the
electric circuit is now broken at several places, because simultaneously with
the action just described, the locking levers pll have been again set in motion by
the piece and thereby forced out of their normal position; consequently, the
switch No. 2, being free to follow the tension of its springs, has abandoned its
contact with the double forks of the switch, while the switch No. 1 is again free to
ascend.
The balance lever a returns to its horizontal position, after having dropped
the coin, and the condition of the various parts is therefore the same, as it was.
before the lift cage had commenced to ascend. The same operations may therefore
be repeated as many times as desired.
For ascending to one of the higher floors, the operations are the same, except
that the bolt F must be pushed further forward.
It is also evident, that with the arrangement described, the lift cage can only.
stop once, after the insertion of a coin, and that it is not possible to rise to a
higher floor, without first descending to the ground floor and inserting another
coin. But although the various mechanisms or details of construction may
co-operate in the manner described, they may also be employed in a different
manner.
.;
In the
In the above description, I have stated, that the working circuit passes directly-
through the coin receiver, so that the coin forms part of the circuit.
case of large currents, however, the contact surfaces between the coin and its
supports may become hot, and the sparks produced between the same may become...
injurious.
"
To avoid these drawbacks. I adopt the modification represented by Fig. 17,
in which the coin does not form part of the motor circuit, but of an auxiliary:
circuit which operates an electro magnet, so as to interrupt the motor circuit, by
the breaking of the auxiliary circuit.
In this diagram, the numerals 9 and 10 correspond to the edges m¹ m², Fig. 5:"
which support the coin thrown into the receiver. This auxiliary circuit includes a
magnet coil E, a pair of mercury cups z z provided with terminals vv, a moveable:
metallic horse shoe piece adapted to connect the said mercury cups, and. a.
resistance R (besides a battery not indicated in the drawing). The armature
lever A²-B' of the electro-magnet carries at one end the metallic horse-shoe
connecting piece Z', insulated from the lever, while the other end is provided with
an antagonistic spring Z. The points 5 and 6 of this diagram correspond to the
points 5 and 6 of Fig. 14.
If a coin is thrown into the slot, it connects the points 9 and 10, thereby closing
the auxiliary circuit, and exciting the magnet coil E, which now attracts the
armature 6 forming part of the lever a b. Consequently, the metallic connecting
piece dips into the mercury cups Z and thereby closes the main or working circuit.
which passes through the same.
The remainder of Fig. 17 corresponds exactly to Fig. 14.
Figs. 18 and 18B represent modifications of the coin receiver, which have for
their objects to prevent the mechanism from being set in operation by a smaller
coin, than that for which it is constructed, and also to prevent the introduction of a
metallic rod into the coin slot, so as to close the circuit without payment.
The slot which guides the coin down to the mechanism is inclined, and open on
one side, the clear width being slightly less than the diameter of the required coin. .
Consequently, if a small coin is thrown into the slot, it will drop out during its
downward course, and may be caught by a plate p-g which delivers it into a
cup s.
The introduction of a straight iron bar reaching down to the mechanism is pre-
vented by making the upper part of the guide vertical, while the lower part forms
with the same an obtuse angle, as illustrated by Fig. 18.
'

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an electric lift, the combination of an electro-motor mounted on the lift
cage, with a pair of racks fixed vertically to the sides or staircase, a pair of screws
gearing into the said racks, a screw mounted on the motor shaft, and driving
mechanism intermediate the said screws, substantially as described.
2. In an electric lift, the mechanism for stopping the lift cage at the desired
floor or level, comprising a bolt mounted on the lift and adjustable by hand, so as
to project more or less over the centre line of the lift, a system of stopping devices,
secured to the staircase or building at each floor and at various distances from the
centre line of the lift, each stopping device being placed so, as to come into contact
with the bolt, and to be set in motion by the screw, when the bolt has been adjusted
for the respective floors, the said stopping devices being adapted to break the
electric circuit which operates the electro motor, substantially as described.
3. In an electric lift, the combination of a graduated bolt F, with a guide
sleeve H, stationary base plate m, sliding frame n, spring and mechanism for
breaking the electric working circuit by the motion of the sliding frame caused by
the bolt F, substantially as described.
4. In an electric lift, a coin-receiver, adapted to close the working circuit of the
electro-motor by the insertion of a suitable coin, substantially as described.
5. In an electric lift, a coin-receiver secured to the lift cage, said receiver com-
prising in its construction a balance lever, a stationary support the edges of which
are adapted to be bridged over and electrically connected by the coin when thrown
into the slot; and mechanism adapted to be operated by the descent of the lift
cage, in such a manner, as to turn the balance lever and thereby to release the coin
and interrupt the working circuit, when the lift cage reaches its lowest position,
substantially as described.
s
6. In an electric lift, the combination of a slotted coin receptacle, with a balance
lever a, and a stationary support g', having edges adapted to support the coin
when thrown into the slot, a vertical spindle a b, a spring d and spring box adapted
to press the spindle downward, a link bf carrying friction rollers and finger e and
held in position by spring k and plate g, a grooved guide plate adapted to guide the
rollers in the manner described, a pivoted buffer and an electro-motor circuit,
passing through the balance lever, operating coin and stationary support, sub-
stantially as described.
7. In an electric lift, an automatic switch or mechanism for controlling the
electric working circuit, comprising in its construction a row of double forks fixed
to the base plate of the said mechanism, a vertically moveable switch No. 1 having
a row of tongues placed opposite one row of forks, a vertically moveable switch No. 2
having three tongues placed opposite the other row of forks, a system of springs
adapted to keep the moveable switches apart from the fixed switch, an electric
motor circuit connected with the switches in the manner described, a pair of
U shaped guide pieces forming part of the moveable switches, and provided with
lateral notches, locking levers projecting over the rear of the base plate, springs
adapted to press the said locking levers against the U shaped guides, a system of
stopping devices mounted on the different floors of the building and adapted to act
on the levers when the lift cage reaches the predetermined height or floor, a contact
plate fixed to the building near the ground floor, and adapted to act on the locking
levers before the lift cage reaches its lowest points, an automatic cut-out adapted
to bring the commutator No. 2 in. contact with the fixed row of forks by the closing
of one of the doors giving access to the lift, and a coin receiver adapted to close
the electric working circuit by the insertion of a coin, substantially as described.
8. In an electric lift, a device for automatically breaking the electric motor
circuit, when one of the doors giving access to the lift is being opened, the said
devices comprising a pair of metallic contact pieces included in the working circuit

page_text: and mounted in the lift cage, one of the said contact pieces being stationary and
fixed to the lift frame, while the other is moveable to and from the fixed contact
piece, a bolt projecting over the side of the lift cage and mechanically connected.
with the moveable contact piece, and springs attached to the doors giving access to
the lift on the different floors (one spring for each door) each spring being adapted
to come into contact with the said bolt, when the lift arrives on the respective floor,.
and to press the bolt inward, when the door is being opened, substantially as
described.
9. In an electric lift, a coin receiver, comprising in its construction a balance.
lever and a stationary support, adapted to be connected with each other by the
coin thrown into the receiver, an electric circuit including a magnet coil, the said
balance lever, stationary coin support and coin, when the latter is supported by the
balance lever, mechanism adapted to be operated by the descent of the lift cage in
such a manner as to turn the balance lever and release the coin, and a magnetic-
cut-out adapted to break the working circuit of the lift, when the exciting circuit.
of the said magnet coil is interrupted, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day
of Centember 1892.
HIS OLD UPLY U} SHUCnner Lo
J. PERAL,
By Fairfax & Wetter,
433, Strand, London, Agents..
J. PERAL,
By Fairfax & Wetter,
433, Strand, London, Agents.