Abstract: A linear motor drive assembly having a first primary and a second primary, with a plurality of highly conductive sheets therebetween is provided. The primaries are fixed to a center support extending lengthwise between the two primaries. In a first embodiment, a pair of highly conductive sheets is arranged between the two primaries, edge to edge, in the same plane. A gap, wide enough to permit the center support to pass through freely, separates the sheets. In a second embodiment, a secondary comprising two halves is also positioned between the two primaries. The two halves are arranged edge to edge, in the same plane, separated by a gap wide enough to permit the center support to pass through freely. Sheets of highly conductive material are fixed to the faces of the secondary halves.

Abstract: A layer of highly conductive material is provided which forms a complete electrical path about the secondary of a linear motor, perpendicular to the face of the secondary. The layer comprises a section of highly conductive material attached to each face of the secondary communicating with a primary. In one embodiment, the layer completely encircles the secondary. In other embodiments, electrically conductive means join the sections of the layer, thereby creating the complete electrical path about the secondary.

Abstract: The guide rail for a moving handrail on an escalator or moving walkway is mounted on a glass balustrade by a mount assembly which includes a vibration-isolating gasket between the balustrade and the guide rail. The gasket is preferably formed from a closed cell foam material which isolates vibrations so that vibrations of the guide rail and handrail engendered by operation of the handrail do not cause the glass balustrade to vibrate. Controlling vibration of the glass balustrade quiets the escalator since the glass, if allowed to vibrate, will act as a loudspeaker which magnifies and broadcasts escalator handrail noise.

Abstract: An elevator is provided having a car, with a ceiling defined by a width and a depth, a counterweight, a plurality of ropes, a pair of first sheaves, a pair of second sheaves, and a pair of third sheaves. The car and the counterweight are connected by a plurality of ropes extending from the car to the first sheave, and then to the second sheave, then to the third sheave, and finally to the counterweight. The sheaves are positioned inside the hoistway, outside of the projected horizontal area of the ceiling of the car and therefore not directly above the ceiling in the hoistway.

Abstract: Movement of an elevator cab drive sheave is controlled by a disc brake assembly which is operably connected to the output shaft and sheave of the elevator drive machine. The disc brake assembly can act as an upward or downward safety brake, and can also serve as the operating brake for normal operation of the elevator. The brake assembly can be retrofitted onto an existing elevator system, and its operation is not affected by any gear degradation in the machine drive gears.

Abstract: An overspeed device is provided for an elevator system having an elevator car for travel within a hoistway along a guiderail. The elevator includes a governor rope running from an upper sheave at the top of the hoistway to a governor sheave at the bottom of the hoistway. The overspeed device comprises a centrifugal actuator and a gripping apparatus. In the event of an overspeed condition, the actuator actuates the gripping apparatus which in turn grips the governor rope exiting the governor sheave upwardly toward the upper sheave. The rope, now moving relative to the elevator car, operates a safety attached to the elevator car, thereby safely stopping the car.

Abstract: A retainer assembly is provided having a clasp section and at least one collar. The clasp section has an axially extending aperture and cutout section. The cutout section, which exposes the aperture, allows the member of a stiffening assembly to pass through to and be received by the aperture. Once received by the aperture, the member is fixed within the aperture of the clasp section by the collar.

Abstract: A multiple linear motor arrangement is provided having a secondary, a first primary, a plurality of second primaries, and a frame, in which the body of the first primary of the motor arrangement on one side of the secondary is offset from the bodies of the second primaries on the other side of the secondary. Magnetic flux emanating from the first and second primaries, therefore, does not appreciably overlap.

Abstract: An elevator roped in a triple-wrap configuration has a deflector located near a "pay-on" position to urge the rope to move from one side of a sheave groove to the other side of the groove to minimize the probability that adjacent wraps of the rope contact each other. The deflector may be a fixed comb or a rotatable wheel.

Abstract: An improved keyswitch circuit for an escalator or moving walkway senses the normal (center or lateral) position of the keyswitch and, if the keyswitch does not return to its normal position after a selected event such as a selected normal starting interval, then the safety circuit is opened and the escalator or moving walk is stopped; the escalator or moving walkway can be restarted only after first returning the keyswitch to its normal position.