3 ms·

It seems like there should be a way to build these in a safe way. For example, angling the ceiling of the compartment as well as where the ceiling of the build

by furyg3 11y ago

It seems like there should be a way to build these in a safe way. For example, angling the ceiling of the compartment as well as where the ceiling of the building meets the compartment should offer quite a lot more safety: http://i.imgur.com/CJbf1oq.png http://i.imgur.com/CJbf1oq.png You could also imagine 'sprung' walls between the compartments that prevent limbs/feet from getting squashed. As for accessibility for disabled persons, I see no reason why a paternoster can't be switched to 'elevator mode'. You can hit a button on the wall that will stop the system when the next compartment reaches your floor, get inside with your wheelchair/baby carriage/grandpa, and push a button inside the compartment before the floor you want to get off at to do the same.

matt4077 11y ago
Indeed! Also, they should probably find a solution for that problem where little children get smashed like a not-so-lucky group of rebels in a trash compactor when the paternoster goes over the top.
- Someone 11y ago
  That problem has been solved (look at the animation on https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster). I guess it had been solved before the first paternoster got installed. If so, it never was a real problem.
  - furyg3 11y ago
    I'm slightly disappointed it doesn't flip over :) That'll teach to to disobey the signs!
    - Someone 11y ago
      You could have deduced that by observing that you never find footprints on the ceilings of the cars, or that the left and right walls of cars do not get switched.
- sp332 11y ago
  From the first paragraph of the article: "We’re not supposed to do the full circuit," he said. "But that’s the best way to feel like you’re on a ferris wheel or a gondola." You can do a full circuit with no problem.
Asbostos 11y ago
You could also have electrical switches. Ordinary lifts already have a risk of this and already protect against it electrically. Next time you're in a lift, try pulling the doors open while it's moving. In my experience, you can fairly easily open them and the car comes to a sudden stop before you have a chance to poke your leg out and get it chopped off.

by furyg3 11y ago

matt4077 11y ago

Indeed! Also, they should probably find a solution for that problem where little children get smashed like a not-so-lucky group of rebels in a trash compactor when the paternoster goes over the top.

Someone 11y ago
That problem has been solved (look at the animation on https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster). I guess it had been solved before the first paternoster got installed. If so, it never was a real problem.
- furyg3 11y ago
  I'm slightly disappointed it doesn't flip over :) That'll teach to to disobey the signs!
  - Someone 11y ago
    You could have deduced that by observing that you never find footprints on the ceilings of the cars, or that the left and right walls of cars do not get switched.
sp332 11y ago
From the first paragraph of the article: "We’re not supposed to do the full circuit," he said. "But that’s the best way to feel like you’re on a ferris wheel or a gondola." You can do a full circuit with no problem.

Asbostos 11y ago

You could also have electrical switches. Ordinary lifts already have a risk of this and already protect against it electrically. Next time you're in a lift, try pulling the doors open while it's moving. In my experience, you can fairly easily open them and the car comes to a sudden stop before you have a chance to poke your leg out and get it chopped off.