Many of us have ridden it, but those who haven't will know it: a paternoster is an open elevator - usually a chain of two-person cars - that continuously ascends and descends, with passengers getting on and off as the elevator moves. After a slow decline in popularity since its debut over a century ago, it is now increasingly popular again in a new role.
Initial popularity
The first paternoster was built by the British company J&E Hall, called the Cyclic Elevator, and quickly became popular, especially in busy public buildings, because more Advantages compared to conventional lifts:
- usually less waiting for an empty compartment, than the arrival of the lift;
- after entering the booth, you have already you can get to the desired floor without stopping;
- the up and down Transport slower but continuous;
- no button press, passengers do not need to use the paterosteri control them.
Because of these advantages, paternosters are a better alternative to traditional for lifts more people could be transported.
Facts and beliefs
It is a relatively well-known fact that the name of the elevator comes from the initial words of the Latin version of the Lord's Prayer (Pater noster). A special bead on the rosary, used mainly by Catholic believers, indicates that the Lord's Prayer follows at this point in the series. And the booths of the Paternoster go around the endless chain structure of the elevator in the same way as the beads on the rosary indicate the prayers.
However. it's just a rumour that it's dangerous to stay in it after the top or bottom level. The cabin does not turn over even after the paternoster has changed direction, so curious passengers will only encounter some darkness at the top and bottom of the structure.
It is also a mistake that the paternoster is not very secure and cut off the limbs of less skilful passengers during a mistimed boarding or alighting. The lifts are equipped with a sophisticated sensor system that stops the movement in such cases.
In a different role: industrial paternoster
In the European Union today it is forbidden to build a new paternoster, because this kind of the lift is almost unsuitable for small children or people with reduced mobility.
Since the introduction of the regulation, the number of paternosters has been steadily decreasing, making traditional passenger lifts a real curiosity.
Not so industrial paternosters!
They are increasingly common in warehouses, filing rooms or assembly workshops automatic storage or retrieval systems with multiple trays or drawers, which operate on the paternoster principle and have an advantage over conventional storage systems because of their space-saving, speed and accuracy, quietness and wide range of specifications.
Their spread is also accelerated by the fact that in retrospect, significant without building conversion also easy to install and equipment that can be installed.
However, these you can no longer get in, so we recommend, contact a working paternoster nearby and try a full circle!
