AN ELEVATOR AND A METHOD
Field of the invention
The object of the invention is an elevator and a method for forming a safety
space. The elevator is particularly meant for transporting passengers and/or
goods.
Background of the invention
Elevator cars typically move vertically up and down in a hoistway. The
hoistway is usually a closed space inaccessible to others but maintenance
persons. Such situation may arise where a maintenance person needs to get
access to elevator components positioned in the hoistway. This type of
situation may arise for example when maintenance work, inspection work or
installation work needs to be done to the elevator components positioned in
the hoistway. The maintenance person can enter the hoistway for example via
a door between landing and the hoistway when the car is not blocking the way
behind the door opening. Sometimes, to carry out the work it is necessary to
stand between the elevator car and the end of the hoistway in the pit floor or
on the roof of the elevator car. This poses a threat of being hurt if the car
unintentionally moves too far towards the end of the hoistway. These situations
can be dangerous, especially if the car can be driven during normal elevator
use very close to the end of the hoistway. In prior art, these situations are
made safer by activatable safety arrangements, which can stop the car from
traveling too close to the end of the hoistway. Such solutions are known, for
example, where the car brake can be set to be automatically triggered when
the car reaches a predetermined position in the hoistway. In this way, a safety
space can be temporarily formed in the end of the hoistway. The elevator car is
thus prevented from proceeding into this temporary safety space. Solutions of
this type have the problem that the car may be already driven past said
predetermined position, when a person activates the system and enters the
hoistway. Thus, a person entering the hoistway might be in danger even
though he has activated the system for restricting car from moving to its

extreme position. Also, it may be unclear for the maintenance person whether
it's safe to enter the hoistway or not. Especially in systems where the
activation is carried out remotely it may be unclear whether the safety system
is reliably activated or not. This problem could be overcome by setting said
predetermined position so close to the end of the hoistway that the person
entering the hoistway can visually verify that the car is above said
predetermined position and that the safety system is correctly activated.
However, this necessitates relying on visual observation, which may be difficult
of even forgotten. Thus, this alternative is not totally free of risk. Also, if said
predetermined position is set close to the hoistway end, the safety space may
become too low, because after passing said predetermined position of
triggering the brake the car still continues a certain unpredictable braking
distance until the car brake is fully stopped. Accordingly, also setting said
predetermined position close to the end of the hoistway has drawbacks.
Known solutions for providing a temporary safety space are disclosed for
example in publications US2008099284A1, EP1118574A2 and US5727657A.
It is common in elevators to form a safety space in upper and lower end of the
elevator in the same way. In these cases, the devices meant to work at upper
end of the hoistway work otherwise similarly as the devices at the lower end,
but they are arranged to work oppositely in the vertical sense. Also in the
above described elevators having a predetermined position for triggering the
car brake (i.e. elevators with pretriggering safety devices) a safety space can
be formed in the upper and lower end of the hoistway in the same way.
Brief description of the invention
The object of the invention is to introduce an elevator and a method, where
safety is improved. The object of the invention is, inter alia, to solve previously
described drawbacks of known solutions and problems discussed later in the
description of the invention. Embodiments are presented, inter alia, where a
safety space can be reliably formed at the end of an elevator hoistway also
when the car is positioned close to said end. Also, embodiments are presented

where after creation of the safety space at the end of an elevator hoistway
when the car is close to said end, substantial subsequent movement of the
elevator car towards said end can be efficiently limited irrespective of the
specific location of the car.
It is brought forward a new elevator. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the elevator comprises a hoistway, an elevator car movable in the
hoistway and provided with a car brake, and a first coupling means movably
mounted on the car, and a second coupling means mounted separate from the
car at proximity of an end of the hoistway, the first and second coupling means
being counterparts for each other and provided for being coupled in force-
transmitting manner to each other, the car brake being triggerable by
movement of the first coupling means. One of the first and second coupling
means has coupling points at different vertical levels, and the other of said first
and second coupling means can couple to said one of the first and second
coupling means at each of said coupling points. In this way, coupling can be
carried out in plural positions of the car. Thus, dependency of the car position
is decreased. Reliability in forming a safety space at the end of an elevator
hoistway can be increased in cases when the car is positioned close to said
end. Said end may be the upper end or the lower end of the elevator hoistway.
In a preferred embodiment said one of the first and second coupling means
comprises coupling members at (said) different vertical levels for forming said
coupling points, each of the coupling members being suitable for being
coupled with a coupling member of the other one of said first and second
coupling means. In this way said coupling points can be simply and reliably
realized.
In a preferred embodiment said first and second coupling means are
positioned relative to each other such that said coupling points successively
pass or are successively passed by said other of the first and second coupling
means when car moves towards said end of the hoistway with unidirectional
movement. Thus, the coupling point, where coupling would happen should the

coupling be activated, changes as the unidirectional movement of the car
progresses. In this way, if the car is stopped close to the end of the hoistway, a
coupling point is always close to its counterpart. Accordingly, dependence of
car position can be reduced and reliability of coupling is improved.
In a preferred embodiment a free and laterally open space is located at the
end-side of (below each of said coupling members in case said end is the
lower end, and above in case said end is the upper end) each of said coupling
members at different vertical levels into which space a coupling member of the
other of said first and second coupling means can be laterally moved by
moving coupling member(s) of either one of said coupling means. In this way,
a reliable coupling is achieved. Also, in this way it is provided a reliable way to
make the system activatable.
In a preferred embodiment a free and laterally open space is located vertically
between successive coupling members at different vertical levels into which
space a coupling member of the other of said first and second coupling means
can be laterally moved by moving coupling member(s) of either one of said
coupling means (preferably by moving coupling member(s) of said second
coupling means). In this way, a reliable coupling is achieved. Also, in this way
it is provided a reliable way to make the system activatable.
In a preferred embodiment said coupling points include at least 3 coupling
points at different vertical levels. Thus, there's at least one coupling point
between the uppermost and lowermost coupling points. In this way, the
dependency of the car position can be considerably reduced by making the
distance between the uppermost and lowermost coupling point long, yet still
having the benefit that should the counterpart for said coupling points happen
to be positioned between the uppermost and lowermost coupling point at the
time of activation for coupling the car movement can be rapidly stopped as the
gap between successive coupling points can be shorter than the distance
between the uppermost and lowermost coupling point long.

In a preferred embodiment said coupling points include at least 5, preferably at
least 8, more preferably at least 10 coupling points at different vertical levels.
In this way, the coupling can be made possible with a long distance between
the uppermost and lowermost coupling point such that any movement of the
elevator car towards said end subsequent an activation for coupling can be
efficiently limited to be very short. In this way, should the car start moving after
the activation for coupling, the car movement is rapidly stopped.
In a preferred embodiment said coupling points are distributed over a vertical
length less than 3 meters. Accordingly, it is preferably that said coupling points
include coupling points which are less than 3 meters apart. In this way, the
coupling means having said coupling points at different vertical levels are not
excessively large. Thus, the coupling means having said coupling points may
be the first coupling means mounted on the car without adding any excessively
large components on the car. Also, in this way the car brake triggering is
avoided in considerable height of the hoistway. Thus, the car can moved
normally in considerable height of the hoistway.
In a preferred embodiment said coupling points are distributed over a vertical
length of more than 1 meters, more preferably at least 1.5 meters. Accordingly,
it is preferably that said coupling points include coupling points which are more
than 1 meter, preferably more than 1.5 meters apart, such as a lowermost
coupling member and an uppermost coupling member having preferably more
than 1 meter, preferably at least 1.5 meters distance between them. In this
way, it is provided a range of vertical position of the car where coupling is
possible. Making this range long a substantial independency of the car position
can be provided. Most preferably, said coupling points are distributed over a
vertical length of more than 1.5 meters, and less than 3 meters. Then, the
positive and negative effects of the arrangement are well balanced.
In a preferred embodiment said coupling points include coupling points which
are less than 50 cm apart, more preferably less than 30 cm apart. When the
density of the coupling points is this high, should the coupling point and

corresponding counterpart not be optimally spaced even though coupling is
activated and the car is within the zone of coupling, it can be ensured that
brake triggering movement happens after the car has moved only a short
distance. Also, the car speed cannot rise dangerously high before the brake
triggering takes place.
In a preferred embodiment said coupling points comprise a lowermost coupling
point and an uppermost coupling point and a coupling point or plurality of
coupling points between the lowermost and the uppermost coupling point, all at
different vertical levels. For enabling this, in a preferred embodiment said
coupling members comprise a lowermost coupling member and an uppermost
coupling member and a coupling member or plurality of coupling members
between the lowermost and an uppermost coupling member, all at different
vertical levels. In this way, density of the coupling points can be made higher
and multiple positions for the car, where coupling is possible, can be achieved.
In a preferred embodiment said plurality of coupling members for forming of
said coupling points are rigidly connected to each other.
In a preferred embodiment said coupling means having said coupling points at
different levels comprises a vertically elongated structure comprising said
coupling members for forming said coupling points. Preferably, said vertically
elongated structure is a vertically elongated rigid object. Thus, it can be simply
manufactured and mounted.
In a preferred embodiment said vertically elongated structure comprises a
vertically elongated plate having a plurality of edges forming said coupling
members at different levels. The edges may face towards said end of the
hoistway. Thus, a laterally free space can be easily formed at the end-side of
them so as to provide a space for receiving a coupling member of another
coupling means. The elongated plate may have a plurality of vertically spaced
cutouts forming said edges. In this way, plural coupling members can be cost
efficiently formed. Preferably, said plate is placed parallel with the car wall.
Thus, space efficiency of the arrangement can be facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment said plate is comprised in the first coupling means
and thereby mounted movably on the car. Thus, the car brake is triggerable by
movement of the plate. The arrangement can then simply be formed space
efficient and well-functioning.
In a preferred embodiment coupling of said coupling means to each other is
caused by moving a coupling member of the first coupling means and a
coupling member of the second coupling means into contact by relative
movement of them. This can be caused by movement of one or both of them.
Said relative movement may be cause in different ways depending on the
situation. For example movement of the car can cause the coupling to be
realized after the coupling members are earlier moved to collision course with
each other.
In a preferred embodiment movement of the car to a predetermined direction is
arranged to cause said car-brake-triggering movement of the first coupling
means. Preferably car-brake-triggering movement of the first coupling means
is movement of a coupling member thereof, when it is coupled with the second
coupling means, in particular with a coupling member thereof.
In a preferred embodiment the second coupling means is mounted on a
stationary structure. This kind of structure may be for example a guide rail. The
second coupling means may thus take the support force from the stationary
structure for limiting or blocking the vertical movement of the first coupling
means when they are in coupled condition. Thus, the car-brake-triggering
movement of the first coupling means can be simply and reliably achieved.
In a preferred embodiment the elevator can be set, to and away from an
activated condition, in which activated condition coupling between said first
and second coupling means is possible, especially in which activated condition
coupling between said first and second coupling means takes place if the car is
in such a position or is later moved to such a position where said first and
second coupling means are level with each other. In this way the safety space
can be simply formed to be temporary. Preferably the elevator can be set, to

and away from an activated condition by moving coupling member(s) of the
first and second coupling means on or away from collision course.
In a preferred embodiment one of the first and second coupling means has
coupling member(s) laterally movable to and away from a position wherein
it/they is/are on collision course with coupling member(s) of the other of the
first and second coupling means. Preferably, the second coupling means is in
this way movable.
In a preferred embodiment said laterally movable coupling member(s) is/are
laterally movable by pivoting.
In a preferred embodiment said movable coupling member(s) is/are laterally
movable by pivoting around an axis parallel to the above mentioned plate
and/or car wall. In this way, the space efficiency of the arrangement is
improved.
In a preferred embodiment the second coupling means blocks or at least limits
vertical movement of the first coupling means, especially coupling members
thereof, when they are coupled to each other. Thus, the car-brake-triggering
movement of the first coupling means can be simply and reliably achieved.
In a preferred embodiment the elevator comprises means for remotely setting
the elevator at least to an activated condition. In particular, preferably
embodiment the elevator comprises means for remotely causing said
movement of the coupling member(s) to or from the collision course.
Preferably, said means for remotely setting are operable by a person.
In a preferred embodiment, all the coupling members of the second coupling
means are positioned vertically between halfway of the hoistway and the end
of the hoistway.
In a preferred embodiment the second coupling means is positioned at
proximity of an end of the of the hoistway, and when the coupling means are
coupled movement of the first coupling means away from the end is configured

to release the coupling, and movement of the first coupling means, especially
coupling member(s) thereof, towards the end is configured to be blocked or at
least resisted by the second coupling means, especially by coupling members
thereof. Thus movement of the car to safe direction during coupling does not
cause said brake triggering movement of the first coupling means, and
movement of the car downwards causes said brake triggering movement of the
first coupling means. Thus, unnecessary brake triggering can be avoided.
It is also brought forward a new method for forming a safety space between
elevator car and an end of the elevator hoistway. In a preferred embodiment of
the invention, the elevator is as defined anywhere above, and in the method
before a person enters the hoistway the elevator is temporarily set to activated
condition, in which activated condition coupling between said first and second
coupling means takes place if the car is in such a position or is later moved to
such a position where said first and second coupling means are level with each
other.
In a preferred embodiment after person exits the hoistway, the elevator is set
away from said activated condition to inactivated condition, in which inactivated
condition coupling between said first and second coupling means is not
possible.
In a preferred embodiment the elevator is set to activated condition by moving
the coupling members of the first and second coupling means on collision
course with each other.
In a preferred embodiment the elevator is set to activated condition by moving
the coupling member(s) of the second coupling means laterally to be on
collision course with coupling members of the first coupling means.
The elevator as describe anywhere above is preferably installed inside a
building, the car traveling vertically. Preferably, the car has an interior space
suitable for receiving a passenger or passengers. The car is preferably
arranged to serve two or more landings. The car preferably responds to

landing calls and/or car calls so as to serve persons on the landing(s) and/or
inside the elevator car.
Brief description of the drawings
In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of
example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which
Figure 1 illustrates schematically an elevator according to an embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a preferred structure for the embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a preferred structure for the first and second coupling
means of the embodiment of Figure 1, and their co-operation.
Figure 4 illustrates a preferred structure for the second coupling means of
Figures 1-3.
Detailed description
Figure 1 illustrates an elevator according to a preferred embodiment. The
elevator comprises an elevator car 1 arranged to travel vertically in an elevator
hoistway S. The hoistway S comprises a pit floor and a ceiling, between which
the elevator car travels serving landings L. The car 1 can travel within a
hoistway, its traveling zone being ultimately limited by ends of the hoistway.
The elevator car 1 is provided with a car brake 2 suitable for braking the
movement of the car 1, and a first coupling means 3 vertically movably
mounted on the car 1, and a second coupling means 4 mounted separate from
the car 1 at proximity of an end of the hoistway. In this case, the second
coupling means 4 are mounted on a stationary structure of the hoistway S and
positioned inside the hoistway S. The first and second coupling means (3,4)
are counterparts for each other and they are provided for being coupled in
force-transmitting manner to each other. For this purpose, the first coupling
means 3 comprises movable coupling members 13, i.e. coupling members 13
mounted movably on the car 1, which coupling members 13 are suitable for
being coupled with coupling member(s) 14 comprised in the second coupling
means. The first coupling means 3 has plurality of coupling points at different

vertical levels, and said second coupling means 4 can couple to the first
coupling means 3 at each of said coupling points. Thus, the elevator car 1
need not be in one specific location for the coupling to be possible, but there
are plural vertical positions for the elevator car 1 where coupling between the
first and second coupling means is possible. The car brake 2 is functionally
connected to the first coupling means 3 such that it is triggerable by movement
of the first coupling means 3 vertically, especially by movement of movable
coupling member(s) 13 of the first coupling means 3. Thereby, when the first
and second coupling means 3, 4 are coupled to each other, movement of the
car will cause the second coupling means 4, especially the coupling members
14 thereof, to block downwards directed vertical movement of the first coupling
means 3, especially vertical movement of coupling member(s) 13 thereof.
Thus, movement of the car 1 downwards causes said brake triggering
movement of the first coupling means 3 (in this case movement of the coupling
member(s) 13 upwards relative to car 1). The connection c between the brake
2 and the first coupling means 3 may be mechanical, e.g. as it is illustrated in
Figures 2 and 3, but also other connection types, such as an
electromechanical connection, are possible. The brake 2 is preferably a brake
that can grip elevator guide rails G, such as guide rails for guiding elevator car
1.
Said coupling points at different vertical levels are realized in the preferred
embodiment by coupling members 13 for forming said coupling points, which
are at different vertical levels, each of the coupling members 13 being suitable
for being coupled with a coupling member 14 of the second coupling means 4.
Said first and second coupling means (3,4) are positioned relative to each
other such that said coupling points, in particular the coupling members 13 for
forming the coupling points, can successively pass the second coupling means
4, in particular the coupling member(s) 14 thereof, when the car 1 moves
towards said end of the hoistway with unidirectional movement. To enable the
passing, the second coupling means 4, including the coupling member(s) 14

thereof, are positioned in this preferred embodiment at proximity of the end of
the hoistway. In this preferred embodiment, said end of the hoistway is the
lower end of the hoistway. Said passing makes it possible that the car can
travel full length of said traveling zone towards said end when the elevator is in
a normal state where coupling between said coupling means 3,4 is not
intended/caused. When the elevator is in a state where said coupling is
intended, said coupling is caused when the coupling means 3 and 4 level with
each other. Consequently, said passing is not possible and the elevator car
cannot travel the full length of its traveling zone towards said end.
The elevator can be set to and away from an activated condition where
coupling is possible. In particular, the elevator can be set to and away from an
activated condition, in which activated condition coupling between said first
and second coupling means takes place if the car is in such a position or is
later moved to such a position where said first and second coupling means are
level with each other. In the preferred embodiment the elevator can be set to
this activated condition by moving coupling member(s) 13,14 of the first and
second coupling means 3,4 to a collision course as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
Correspondingly, the elevator can be set back to deactivated condition where
coupling is not possible, by moving coupling member(s) 13,14 of the first and
second coupling means 3,4 away from a collision course. To enable said
moving of the coupling members 13,14 to collision course, one of the first and
second coupling means (3,4) has coupling member(s) laterally movable to and
away from a position wherein it/they is/are on collision course with coupling
member(s) of the other of the first and second coupling means (3,4), in such
condition their vertical projections can overlap and collision follows in case the
elevator car moves so that they collide. In the illustrated embodiments, the
coupling member 14 of the second coupling means is said laterally movable
coupling member. Alternatively, the coupling members 13 of the first coupling
means could be movable in said manner. Coupling of said coupling means
(3,4) to each other is caused by moving a coupling member 13 of the first
coupling means 3 and a coupling member 14 of the second coupling means 4

into contact by relative movement of them. As there are plural coupling points
at different vertical levels, particularly plurality of coupling members 13 at
different vertical levels comprised in one of the coupling means 3,4, coupling
can take place even when some of the coupling members 13 have already
passed the coupling member 14. In this type of situation there are still some
coupling members at opposite side (in Figures above) of the coupling member
14 of the second coupling means 4, which can cause brake triggering
movement to the first coupling means 4. The vertical distance between
coupling points can be dimensioned short, which causes that the car can be
moved at most a short distance towards the end of the traveling zone after
moving the elevator to activated condition. Thus, the car can be stopped from
moving much closer to the pit floor. This is important especially when the car is
close to pit floor at the time of moving the elevator to activated condition with
an intention to access the hoistway below the car 1. Accordingly, the
arrangement makes it possible to secure a safety space between the pit floor
and the car safely and reliably even when the car is close to the pit floor at the
moment of activation. However, the arrangement makes it possible that the car
can move above the second coupling means 4 freely even when the elevator is
in said activated condition.
Said coupling points include several coupling points at different vertical levels.
Said coupling points preferably include at least 5, preferably at least 8, more
preferably at least 10 coupling points at different vertical levels. In the preferred
embodiment of Figure 1 there are 10 coupling points formed by 10 coupling
members 13. Said coupling points are distributed over a vertical length which
is preferably less than 3 meters and more than 1 meters, more preferably at
least 1.5 meters, most preferably at least 2 meters. In the embodiments shown
this length is around 2 meters. As one aim is to achieve rapid stopping of the
car after coupling, said coupling points include coupling points which are less
than 50 cm apart, more preferably less than 30 cm apart. These same
dimensions are of course preferable with the coupling members 13 as well.
Said coupling members 13 at different vertical levels comprise a lowermost

coupling member and an uppermost coupling member and a coupling member
13 or plurality of coupling members 13 between the lowermost and an
uppermost coupling member, all at different vertical levels. Said coupling
members 13 at different vertical levels comprise a lowermost coupling member
and an uppermost coupling member having preferably at least 1 meter
distance between them.
The elevator as shown in Figure 1 comprises the means 11, 12 for remotely
setting the elevator at least to an activated condition. By operating said means
11, 12 said movement of the coupling member(s) to or from the collision
course can be caused. In the preferred embodiment, said means are operable
by a person intending to enter the hoistway S. Said means 11,12 are
accessible from the landing L closest said end of the traveling path. They
comprise an interface 12 connected to coupling means 4 for moving the
coupling members or the coupling means 3,4 to collision course when
operated. The interface 12 may be in the form of a lever rotatable by a
triangular key, which interface is common in elevators to be used by
maintenance persons for opening elevator doors. As an alternative to said
interface, the means 11,12 for remotely setting the elevator at least to an
activated condition could comprise a door position sensing means, such as
sensor, operatively connected to coupling means 4 for moving the coupling
members 13,14 or the coupling means 3,4 to collision course if a door leading
to the hoistway is opened. Presence of said means 11,12 is preferable for the
sake of safety, but not necessary, because said lateral movement of the
laterally movable coupling member 14 could be caused also manually after
entering the hoistway.
Force for moving said lateral movement of the laterally movable coupling
member 14 such that coupling members 13, and 14 of the first and second
coupling means are on collision course may be produced in many alternative
ways. For example, the movable coupling member 14 may be arranged to be
moved with manual force or by releasing the coupling member to be moved by

gravity force or by releasing the coupling member to be moved by a force of a
spring means, such as a spring or equivalent for producing a force for moving
the coupling members 14. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure
1, the connection 11 may be in the form of a cable connecting the interface 12
and the coupling means 4. When the lowest landing door is opened with a
triangular emergency opening key, the connection 11, e.g. in the form of a
cable, transmits force to the coupling means 4 and triggers said lateral
movement of the coupling members 14, e.g. by releasing a holding means 18
(such as a latch, not showed) comprised in the coupling means 4. Said holding
means 18, when in unreleased (i.e. holding) condition, hold the coupling
member 14 in inactivated state against force of gravity and/or against force of
an auxiliary spring means. In said triggering, this holding is ceased, and the
coupling member 14 moves (in this case dropped down) laterally to collision
course with coupling members 13.
The coupling member 14 can transmit vertical reaction force to the coupling
member 13 when they collide. Said laterally movable coupling member 14 is in
the preferred embodiment pivotal. Thus, it is laterally movable to collision
course with coupling members 13 by pivoting around an axis. To enable said
vertical reaction force, the range of pivoting movement is preferably limited
such that the coupling member 14 cannot pivot over and away from the
position where said collision course with coupling members 13 is realized. The
second coupling means may for this purpose comprise a limiting means 15 for
pivoting of the coupling member 14. It is not necessary that said lateral
movement is realized by pivoting of coupling member 14. Alternatively, the
laterally movable coupling member could be movable with linear movement,
such as linear horizontal movement.
In the preferred embodiment, the coupling members 13,14 of said first and
second coupling means (3,4) are in the form of stop members having a stop
surface, the stop surface of the members 13 of the first coupling means 3
facing said end of the hoistway and the member(s) 14 of the second coupling

arrangement facing the opposite direction, in this way the arrangement is
simple to form such that there are the second coupling means can effectively
block or at least limits vertical movement of the first coupling means when they
are coupled to each other. A laterally open free space is located vertically
between successive coupling members 13 at different vertical levels into which
space a coupling member 14 of the other of said first and second coupling
means (3,4) can be laterally moved by moving coupling member(s) 14 of one
of said coupling means laterally. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in
Figures 1 to 4, the coupling members 14 of the second coupling means 4 are
in this way movable. This is preferable, because in this way the moving is easy
to trigger from position separate from the car, such as from the landing L. Also,
in this way the additional movable structures need not be placed in unity of the
car 1.
Figure 2 illustrates preferred details for the embodiment of Figure 1. The car
brake 2 is functionally connected to the first coupling means 3 such that it is
triggerable by movement of the first coupling means 3, especially by
movement of movable coupling member(s) 13 of the first coupling means 3.
The first coupling means 13 are mechanically connected to the brake 2 with a
lever arrangement 21. The lever arrangement 21 is arranged to transmit
movement of any one of the coupling members 13 to movement of a wedging
part 22 placed between a tapered wedging surface of the brake body and a
surface of the elevator guide rail G. Vertical movement of the coupling
member(s) 13 moves the wedging part deeper into a convergent gap between
the guide rail G and the brake body. Further movement of the elevator car 1
will increase the wedging effect and the car movement is finally stopped. The
structure of the brake can be corresponding as that of a safety gear, which is a
commonly known elevator component. In fact, it is preferable that said brake 2
additionally functions as a safety gear. Accordingly, it is preferable that said
brake 2 can also be triggered with an overspeed governing device 5 as
illustrated in Figure 1, i.e. based on car speed. This is however not necessary.
The brake 2 as illustrated in Figure 2 is able to stop movement of the elevator

car 1 in one direction. The brake 2 could alternatively be in the form of a two-
directional safety gear well known in the field of elevator technology, whereby it
could brake and stop the car in two directions. In this way, a safety space
could be formed in both of the two ends of the hoistway in corresponding
manner. In this case, a second coupling means 4 would be positioned at
proximity of each of the two ends of the hoistway. Instead of the preferred
arrangement of Figure 2 alternatively another type of arrangement for
connecting the coupling means 3 to brake 2 such that movement of coupling
means 3 causes brake triggering. For example, the brake 2 could be a
hydraulically or electrically operable brake instead of lever arrangement. In that
case, the arrangement would comprise an actuator, such as a spring-powered
actuator or a hydraulic actuator or a solenoid actuator. The brake 2 could also
differ in type, as it is not necessary that it is a wedging type of brake. For
example, the brake could alternatively be in the form of a disc brake.
Figure 2 illustrates preferred details for the embodiment of Figure 1, especially
for the structure of the first coupling means 3 and preferred functional interplay
between the first and second coupling means 3,4. In this embodiment, the first
coupling means 3 having coupling points at different levels comprises a
vertically elongated rigid object comprising said coupling members 13 at
different vertical levels for forming said coupling points. The rigid object is in
the form of a vertically elongated plate having plurality of edges for forming of
said coupling members at different levels facing towards said end of the
hoistway. In particular, the plate has a plurality of vertically spaced cutouts
forming said edges. In particular the cutouts are holes at intervals as above
each other. The coupling members are formed by the plate section between
successive cutouts. The plate is placed parallel with the car wall and mounted
vertically movably on the car 1. In this way, the lateral space consumed by the
first coupling means 3 is minimized. The structure is also very simple and
cheap to manufacture. In this way, a great number of coupling points / coupling
members can be formed in space efficient manner. The coupling member 14 of
the second coupling means is movable laterally to and away from the cutouts.

The coupling member is movable by pivoting around an axis parallel to said
plate and/or car wall.
Figure 4 illustrates the second coupling means 4 with preferable details. The
second coupling means 4 are arranged to be mounted on a stationary
structure, which is in this case an elevator guide rail G. The coupling member
14 thereof may be arranged to be movable a limited length (see the vertical
arrow) in vertical direction towards said end of the hoistway such that after
collision of the coupling members 13,14 the coupling members 14 can move
towards said end pushed by the coupling members 13. This length is
preferably at most 1 meter, more preferably less than 50 cm. The second
coupling means 4 are arranged to resist this vertical movement. In this way the
brake triggering movement is early initiated and yet the parts where brake
triggering movement is caused is less likely to be able to return back to normal
condition soon after collision. Also, in this way the coupling members or other
structures are not broken after collision due to continuance of the movement
for a certain braking length. In order to achieve one or more of these properties
in the preferred embodiment the second coupling means 4 comprise a
mounting base 16 to be fixed on a structure G, and a body 17 carrying the
coupling member 14 of the second coupling means 4. The body 17 is mounted
movably on the mounting base 16 but with a limited vertical moving range.
There may be means (not shown) for resisting and/or limiting the movement of
the body 17 relative to the mounting base 16. These means may comprise a
spring means for resisting vertical movement of the body 17, such as a
compression spring between the body 17 and the mounting base 16 but this is
not necessary. Alternatively, the body 17 and the mounting base 16 may be
fixed to each other with a friction connection. The relative movement of the
body 17 and the mounting base 16 is preferably guided by guiding means,
such as their vertically elongated surfaces opposing each other. For this
purpose the mounting base 16 and the body 17 have tubular cross-shapes
telescopically movable relative to each other.

The second coupling means 4 also include preferably, but not necessarily, the
ability to yield when the elevator car is moved away from the end at proximity
of which this second coupling means 4 is positioned. In particular, the second
coupling means 4 is positioned at proximity of and end (in Figures a lower end)
of the of the hoistway S, and when the coupling means (3,4) are coupled,
movement of the first coupling means 3 away from the end (in Figures
upwards) is configured to release the coupling between said coupling means
3,4, and movement of the first coupling means 3, especially coupling
member(s) thereof, toward the end (in Figures downwards) is configured to be
blocked or at least resisted by the second coupling means 4, especially by
coupling members 14 thereof. In the solution as illustrated in Figures 1-4, this
yielding is achieved as the coupling member 14 of the second coupling means
4 is arranged to pivot to one direction only from the state of collision course,
and pivoting of the member 14 in this pivoting direction can be caused by
moving the coupling member 13 away from the close end of the hoistway S (in
Figures upwards). Accordingly, the car 1 can be driven towards safe direction
even while the safety space is formed.
In the method a safety space s is formed between elevator car and an end of
the elevator hoistway S, the elevator being as described above. In the method
before a person enters the hoistway S the elevator is temporarily set to
activated condition. In the activated condition coupling between said first and
second coupling means takes place if the car 1 is in such a position or is later
moved to such a position where said first and second coupling means 3,4 are
level with each other. Accordingly, if the car 1 is at the time of activation
positioned such that said first and second coupling means 3,4 are level with
each other coupling is performed and if not then the coupling will be performed
if the car 1 later reaches such a position that said first and second coupling
means are level with each other. Due to the specific construction of the
coupling means 3,4, as earlier described, a safety space s can be reliably in
formed with the method wherever the car 1 is positioned. The elevator can be
set to activated condition by moving the coupling members of the first and

second coupling means 13,14 on collision course with each other. After
activation, the person enters the hoistway S. After this the person exits the
hoistway. After this, the elevator is set away from said activated condition to
inactivated condition, in which inactivated condition coupling between said first
and second coupling means is not possible. In this way the elevator is set back
to normal operation condition. For ensuring the independence of the car
position, it is preferable that in the activated condition, the coupling member(s)
14 of the second coupling means are on collision course with all the coupling
members 13 at different vertical levels of the first coupling means.
In the preferred embodiment as shown in Figures said second coupling means
4, including the coupling member(s) 14 thereof, are mounted at proximity of the
lower end of the hoistway S. The mounting position of the second coupling
means 4 affects the height of the safety space formed with the arrangement.
This mounting position is at proximity of the lower end of the hoistway S
preferably at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the hoistway, but
preferably below the halfway of the hoistway height. The second coupling
means 4 is mounted on a stationary structure, such as a stationary structure of
the hoistway S. Elevator guide rail(s) form a preferred mounting base for the
second coupling means 4, because thus the vertical position of the coupling
means can be easily adjusted optimal. The Figures show the lower end of the
hoistway being the end in which the safety space s is formed. However, a
safety space can be alternatively arranged to be formed in the upper end of
the hoistway in a corresponding manner. In that case, the devices could work
oppositely in the vertical sense. Of course, a safety space can be alternatively
arranged to be formed in the upper end of the hoistway in this manner. In this
case, the brake 2 would be preferable to construct two-directional such that it
can be triggered to brake in two directions. Thus, there's no need to have a
several brakes. In this case, also the movably mounted coupling means would
be mounted movably on both vertical directions.

The elevator is preferably of the type having low pit. Especially, the vertical
distance d between the pit floor and the sill of the lowest landing is preferably
less than 1 meter, but may be even less than 0.5 meters.
As illustrated in context of the preferred embodiment, it is preferable that the
first coupling means has the coupling points at different vertical levels.
However, alternatively it is also possible that the second coupling means has
said coupling points at different vertical levels. In that case, said first and
second coupling means (3,4) are positioned relative to each other such that
said coupling points are successively passed by said other of the first and
second coupling means (3,4) when car 1 moves towards said end of the
hoistway with unidirectional movement.
It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying figures
are only intended to illustrate the present invention. It will be apparent to a
person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in
various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the
examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

CLAIMS
1. An elevator having a hoistway (S), and an elevator car (1) movable
in the hoistway (S) and provided with a car brake (2), and a first
coupling means (3) movably mounted on the car (1), and a second
coupling means (4) mounted separate from the car (1) at proximity of an
end of the hoistway (S), the first and second coupling means (3,4) being
counterparts for each other and provided for being coupled in force-
transmitting manner to each other, the car brake (2) being triggerable by
movement of the first coupling means (3), characterized in that one (3)
of the first and second coupling means (3,4) has coupling points at
different vertical levels, and in that the other (4) of said first and second
coupling means (3,4) can couple to said one (3) of the first and second
coupling means (3,4) at each of said coupling points.
2. An elevator according to preceding claim, characterized in that said
one (3) of the first and second coupling means (3,4) comprises coupling
members (13) at different vertical levels for forming said coupling points,
each of the coupling members (13) being suitable for being coupled with
a coupling member (14) of the other (4) one of said first and second
coupling means (3,4).
3. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said first and second coupling means (3,4) are
positioned relative to each other such that said coupling points
successively pass or are successively passed by said other (4) of the
first and second coupling means (3,4) when the car (1) moves towards
said end of the hoistway (S) with unidirectional movement.
4. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a free and laterally open space is located at the

end-side of each of said coupling members (13) at different vertical
levels into which space a coupling member (14) of the other (4) of said
first and second coupling means (3,4) can be laterally moved.
5. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a free and laterally open space is located
vertically between successive coupling members (13) at different
vertical levels into which space a coupling member (14) of the other (4)
of said first and second coupling means (3,4) can be laterally moved.
6. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said coupling points include at least 3, preferably
at least 5, preferably at least 8, more preferably at least 10 coupling
points at different vertical levels.
7. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said coupling points are distributed over a vertical
length of more than 1 meters, more preferably at least 1.5 meters.
8. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said coupling points at different vertical levels
comprise a lowermost coupling point and an uppermost coupling point
and a coupling point or plurality of coupling points between the
lowermost and an uppermost coupling point, all at different vertical
levels.
9. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said coupling means (3) having coupling points at
different levels comprises a vertically elongated structure (p) comprising
said coupling members (13) for forming said coupling points, said
vertically elongated structure (p) comprising a vertically elongated plate
(p) having plurality of edges for forming of said coupling members (13)
at different levels.

10. An elevator according to preceding claim, characterized in that said
plate (p) is placed parallel with the wall of the car (1).
11.An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that coupling of said coupling means (3,4) to each
other is caused by moving a coupling member (13) of the first coupling
means (3) and a coupling member (14) of the second coupling means
(4) into contact by relative movement between them.
12. An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that movement of the car (1) to a predetermined
direction is arranged to cause said car-brake-triggering movement of the
first coupling means (3), in particular car-brake-triggering movement of
a coupling member (13) thereof, when it is coupled with the second
coupling means (4), in particular with a coupling member (14) thereof.
13.An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the second coupling means (4) is mounted on a
stationary structure, such as a guide rail (G).
14.An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the elevator can be set to and away from an
activated condition, in which activated condition coupling between said
first and second coupling means (3,4) takes place if the car (1) is in
such a position or is later moved to such a position where said first and
second coupling means (3,4) are level with each other.
15.An elevator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that one of the first and second coupling means (3,4)
has coupling member(s) laterally movable to and away from a position

wherein it/they is/are on collision course with coupling member(s) of the
other of the first and second coupling means (3,4).
16.An elevator according to any one of the. preceding claims,
characterized in that said laterally movable coupling member(s) (14)
is/are laterally movable by pivoting around an axis parallel to said plate
(p) and/or car wall.
17. A method for forming a safety space between elevator car (1) and
an end of the elevator hoistway (S), the elevator being as defined in any
one of the previous claims, in which method before a person enters the
hoistway (S) the elevator is temporarily set to activated condition, in
which activated condition coupling between said first and second
coupling means (3,4) takes place if the car (1) is in such a position or is
later moved to such a position where said first and second coupling
means are level with each other.

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an elevator having a hoistway (S),
an elevator car (1) movable in the hoistway (S) and
provided with a car brake (2), and a first coupling means
(3) movably mounted on the car (1), and a second
coupling means (4) mounted separate from the car (1) at
proximity of an end of the hoistway (S), the first and
second coupling means (3,4) being counterparts for each
other and provided for being coupled in force-transmitting
manner to each other, the car brake (2) being triggerable
by movement of the first coupling means (3). One (3) of
the first and second coupling means (3,4) has coupling
points at different vertical levels, and in the other (4) of
said first and second coupling means (3,4) can couple to
said one (3) of the first and second coupling means (3,4)
at each of said coupling points. The invention also relates
to a method for forming a safety space (s) in the elevator.