Paternoster lifts

[adam2]

Leicester university propose to scrap one of the UKs very few remaining working paternoster lifts.
Regrettable in my view, such machines use little energy per passenger and shift large numbers quickly.

They have gradually fallen victim to modern safety standards, and increasingly the lack of replacement parts and engineers skilled in maintaining the machinery.

New installations were prohibited from the 1970s, though existing paternosters could remain in service.

They remain popular in parts of mainland Europe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-4236336 ... er-the-top

[woodburner]

They pose a significant hazard, and are near useless to the disabled, or even the slightly disabled. Bloody dangerous really.

[PS_RalphW]

There was one in my chemistry dept. Quite frightening at first, it was fun and practical if you were able bodied and once you got used to it. Going over the top was banned, so of course we all did it - you were carried past the cog and chain which could have taken your arm off, right in front of you face. It was removed a few years later, reputedly after a fatal accident.

[adam2]

Paternosters are indeed unsuitable for the disabled, they were intended as a cheap to run and simple means of shifting large numbers of able bodied in multi storey buildings.
I think that a major hospital still has one, but for staff use only.

A variety of foolish pranks may be played, including going over the top, and descending past the upper floor whilst performing a handstand, to give the impression that going over the top inverts one.

Rather a pity that an energy efficient technology is being abandoned in favour of one that uses more energy.

[woodburner]

But poses a lower risk and consumes fewer limbs.

[adam2]

There is a well organised effort calling for the saving of the paternoster lift.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... ter-901781

[adam2]

Charity appeal.

"At this time of year, please remember the forgotten elevator people of Eastern Europe, a moment of inattention whilst using a Paternoster resulted in them being tipped out onto the floor in the basement machine room. Lacking the strength or courage to leap back into the machine, many have been confined to dark basements for years. Surviving on crusts dropped by clumsy children, and on chocolate bars thrown down the shaft by well wishers, and on drips of condensation.
Please give generously in order that we may rescue more victims, and rehabilitate them to the often long forgotten "daylight world"