The following is a method and apparatus for a secure locking system, more particularly a method and device for locking an elevator or transport system.
Mechanical hoisting systems such as elevators and dumbwaiters require a reliable mechanism to limit access to the system and prevent unwanted injuries. All such hoisting systems have at least two points of entry and may have more depending upon the number of floors served and whether the lift is designed to be accessible from more than one point of entry on any floor. At every station is an entry door equipped with a form of locking mechanism, or interlock, that prevents the door from opening unless the lift is in place at that door. Interlocks are typically used to insure proper locking, allowing the elevator door to only open when the elevator is present and preventing opening when it is unsafe to do so. The interlock typically is mounted to a door frame and is compatible with a locking fixture, or keeper, mounted to the door. The interlock and keeper engage to create a secure locking connection that is typically controlled by an electromechanical device that is activated when an electrical current is applied.
There is described herein a hoisting system having at least one hoistway door movable between an open position and a closed position, a locking apparatus having an elongated housing with an interior channel and at least one keeper-receiving opening communicating with one side of the channel, a slider member movable through the channel into a position at least partially closing the keeper-receiving opening, a drive member for selectively advancing the slider member at least partially across the keeper-receiving opening and for selectively retracting the slider member away from the keeper-receiving opening, and a keeper mounted on a swinging door for slidable advancement transversely across the path of advancement of the slider member whereupon advancement of the slider member partially closing the opening will engage the keeper member to retain the hoistway door in a closed position. The above and other features will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of different embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
In a first form, the housing 11 is made of formed sheet metal comprising a three-sided elongated casing 13 and a two-sided right angle cover plate 15 with one panel 9 extending over the open side of the casing. The primary casing 13 defines an open-ended rectangular interior channel 17 which has a square cross-section 18 with ledges 19, 19′ forming returns or guideways 20, 20′. The ledges 19, 19′ serve as guides for the free edges 8, 8′ of the slider 21 in advancing between two limits of travel. The slider member 21 is U-shaped and is designed to fit and slide within the channel 17. The slider member 21 is attached to a lower end of a plunger 33 and the upper and lower limits of travel of the slider 21 are controlled by retraction or extension of the plunger 33, to be discussed in greater detail. The slider member 21 has a designated range of travel and downward travel of the slider member is also restricted by a head 25 of a slider stop screw 26 extending from a rear interior portion 28 of the housing 11. Upward travel of the slider member 21 is prevented by the presence of a solenoid, to be discussed. End caps 22 and 24 are present on opposite ends of the housing 11. These caps may be of plastic construction, metal or formed as part of the stamped and formed housing 11. The housing 11 also includes a contact block 30 having dual contact members 32, 34 that are inserted and secured to the block 30. The contact block 30 is secured along the interior portion 28 of the slider member 21 with plate 38. On the lower end of the housing are two rectangular cutouts 12 and 14 that act as keeper-receiving openings and each communicating with one side of the channel 17. When the slider 21 is at its lowest extension, a sidewall 7 or 7′ partially covers or closes a portion of the top of one of the keeper-receiving openings 12 or 14 as shown in
A first end 27 of the slider is connected to a solenoid 29 by means of a manual release dowel 31 secured to the interior portion 36 of the slider channel and extending into the inside of the channel. The solenoid 29 may be a latching solenoid, which is known in the prior art, having a plunger 33 that may be retracted inside the solenoid. The solenoid 29 includes a lock washer 36 and nut 36′ as well. The dowel 31 is inserted through an opening 38 in the plunger 33 extending downwardly from the solenoid 29 and connected to the slider as described above. The plunger may include an exterior spring member 35 or an internal solenoid spring (not shown) as in
The system also includes a cam system having a cam 37, a cam rod 39 extending through the housing 11 on both sides and two compression springs 41, 41′ that keep the cam 37 centered on the rod 39. The cam and cam rod are bidirectional allowing movement in both directions and ensuring that there is sufficient travel in the cam rod 39 to allow the cam to move completely past an isolation or microswitch 43 in either direction. The cam 37 is aligned with the switch member 43 which is mounted on an interface board or printed circuit board 45 that is used to mechanically support and electrically connect the various components. When the cam 37 is aligned with the switch member 43, the circuit is open and provides an electrical connection to terminals 1 and 2 of the interface board only, creating a door closed circuit. Once the cam 37 is moved off-center, as shown in
The interface board 45 has a two-way door closed switch and is equipped with a full wave bridge rectifier 49 allowing the locking system to operate on either 24V AC or 24V DC. The board 45 further includes a wire connector 51 and receptacle 53, the isolation switch 43 mounted to the underside 52 of the interface board and activated by the cam 37 on the cam rod 39, and at least one LED indicator light 55, although in a second form as shown in
The wiring system is schematically shown in
In operation of the first form, which is the 6 wire circuit shown in
When the door is opened, the cam rod 39 advances to neutral as shown in
The door lock contacts 32 and 34 are bi-directional and incorporated into the slider 21 allowing the lock to be used on a right or left hand door. The interlock receives input power 24v AC or DC from the lift controlling system that is installed with it and the wiring carries 24v AC or DC, from a power supply, a full wave rectifier 49. If the door is closed and the switch 43 is activated closed, the signal from the power supply flows through both circuits and the elevator car is able to move. If the circuits are open, due to an elevator door being in an open position and no contact between the keeper 40 and the slider 21, there is no current flow from both the switch 43 and the door locked circuits 32 & 34. The elevator car will be unable to move.
In another form, as shown in
It is therefore to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments shown and described have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms and reasonable equivalents thereof.
This application is a continuation-in-part of Design patent application Ser. No. 29/377,082 filed 15 Oct. 2010, for Safety Lock by John W. Ray II and assigned to the assignee of this invention and incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29377082 | Oct 2010 | US |
Child | 13088746 | US |