Elevator – industrial lift truck – or stationary lift for vehicle – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-05-08
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3652)
Elevator, industrial lift truck, or stationary lift for vehicle
Miscellaneous
C187S395000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227335
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a new and improved construction for elevator car operating panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Elevator car floor designation buttons and ancillary operating controls are typically mounted individually in a large metal panel located on an inner wall of the car and commonly referred to as a swing return cover. Each designation button assembly may contain its own individual circuit board, if car control is electronic, or may comprise simply a switch and indicator light if car control activation is electrical or electro-mechanical in nature. Each button, whether electronic or electrical, is individually wired to the other buttons, as well as to terminal blocks, and/or other device and hardware on the return cover. The manual wiring interconnections required are time and labor intensive, and offer many opportunities for error. In addition, great care must be taken with the wiring process to ensure solid and reliable connections and fitting.
The button and control layout, and the associated wiring for each car, is customized for the car. In the event the operating parameters for the car changes, for example by the desired inclusion of additional floor stops, a new panel must be designed and wired. Typically the old panel cannot be modified.
It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide a car operating panel which allows flexibility and modularity for interconnection of individual switch buttons assemblies and other operating controls.
A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a car operating panel which can accommodate a variety of button orientations and layouts.
It is a still further purpose of the present invention to provide an elevator car operating panel which is of economical design and layout and minimizes assembly time and expense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with foregoing and other objects and purposes, an elevator car operating panel in accordance with the present invention comprises an inner panel which provides structural support and mounting provisions for the various operating button assemblies and other necessary components of the operating panel. The button assemblies, circuit boards and the like can be mounted on the inner panel in a variety of configurations, the specific arrangement and orientation of the components being appropriate for the specific car requirements. An insert is placed over the inner panel with apertures configured in the appropriate and specific configuration of the intended application. The insert provides a finished appearance for the operating panel. An outer frame surrounds the inner panel, with the insert being supported between the inner panel and outer frame.
In addition to providing a mounting surface for the operating controls, the rear side of the inner panel supports a main circuit board. The main circuit board may include switches and associated components at each location at which an operating button can be located, and is so mounted on the inner panel that there is the required interconnection between the switches on the main board and the operating buttons mounted to the inner panel. Thus, only a single master board is needed to accommodate a variety of button configurations. In addition to floor buttons, controls for other functions, such as security calling, emergency switching, fire personnel control and the like may be similarly mounted on the inner panel to interface with the corresponding switchgear and other interface components on the master board. Thus, full flexibility in layout and design is accomplished with a minimum of different components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1086527 (1914-02-01), Hamilton et al.
patent: 1261985 (1918-04-01), Wheeler
patent: 2998500 (1961-08-01), Di Carlo
patent: 4019607 (1977-04-01), Mandel et al.
patent: 4022296 (1977-05-01), Mandel et al.
patent: 4963876 (1990-10-01), Sanders et al.
patent: 5063484 (1991-11-01), Takana
patent: 5422783 (1995-06-01), Darbee
patent: 5490581 (1996-02-01), Warner et al.
patent: 5507366 (1996-04-01), Huang
patent: 5515052 (1996-05-01), Darbee
patent: 5568367 (1996-10-01), Park
patent: 5889240 (1999-03-01), Purosto et al.
patent: 6029778 (2000-02-01), Lacarte Estallo
patent: 4312844 (1994-10-01), None
patent: 108407 (1984-05-01), None
patent: 841673 (1998-05-01), None
patent: 2659636 (1991-09-01), None
patent: 3-195677 (1991-08-01), None
patent: 3-182481 (1991-08-01), None
patent: 3-293279 (1991-12-01), None
patent: 4-272084 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 6-72669 (1994-03-01), None
patent: WO 94/01844 A1 (1994-01-01), None
Koeppe, Jr. Robert J.
Lamb Miles P.
Invento AG
Lillis Eileen D.
Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell LLP
Tran Thuy V.
LandOfFree
Elevator car operating panel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Elevator car operating panel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Elevator car operating panel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2546748