UNITED STATES ELEVATORS
DOOR TRACKS
United States Elevators have very easily identifiable door tracks. Most look similar to the examples shown. There are usually four grooves on the hoistway door track as well as four grooves on the car door track. Sometimes there are more grooves, but the largest groove will almost always be at the edge furthest from the gap between the car and the floor (the last groove). Obviously, some United States Elevators have the US logo on the door track, so there should be no confusion in those cases.
HOISTWAY/CAR DOORS
(SQUARE BUTTON)
Older United States Elevators with square buttons usually have "groovy" hoistway door edges. The grooves on the hoistway doors will match the grooves on the door track. In addition, most US square button elevators with these groovy hoistway doors will also have groovy car door frames.
(LEFT) US with grooves on both the hoistway door and the car door frame.
(RIGHT) US with grooves only on the hoistway door.
(LEFT) US with grooves on both the hoistway door and the car door frame.
(RIGHT) US with grooves only on the hoistway door.
The majority of United States Elevator doors have these easily identifiable "lips" that can be seen when the doors are closed. When you come up to an elevator and see these lips, you can almost always be positive that it will be a United States Elevator. US hoistway doors usually have a wood grain similar to the photo on the right, although not always.
HOISTWAY/CAR DOORS
(CIRCLE BUTTON)
The United States circle button model is slightly different. The door edges are not groovy and are made up of black metal strips.
Circle button US hoistway doors also have the "lips" as described above. Leather was also a common feature with car and hoistway doors.
Below are examples of US circle button elevators with leather doors.
Circle button US hoistway doors also have the "lips" as described above. Leather was also a common feature with car and hoistway doors.
Below are examples of US circle button elevators with leather doors.
CAB CHARACTERISTICS/OTHER
The majority of United States Elevator cabs tend to have this little "overhang" above the doors.
Original United States door brailles look like the example shown below.
Original United States door brailles look like the example shown below.
DOOR EQUIPMENT/HOISTWAY COLOR
Older United States Elevators will always have older GAL door equipment. GAL interlocks and gate switches are easily identifiable. Note that newer GAL door interlocks are silver while the older GAL interlocks are grey. Older GAL door operator arms will also use the same grey as the interlocks. This will only help if the door equipment wasn't replaced. Luckily, most US elevators that are modernized still have their original door equipment, which is very helpful.
United States used this turquoise color in their hoistways. The turquoise can be found behind the hoistway doors, underneath the door tracks, and in the hoistway above the doors. Note that not every US elevator has this color in the shaft, but the majority of them do.
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Hope this helped!
Hope this helped!