Abstract: A sheave for guiding and supporting stranded wire rope. The sheave includes a plurality of circumferential grooves, with treaded elastomeric inserts being disposed in the grooves. The walls which define the treads are disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the circumferential axis of the insert, selected such that they will be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a strand, as each strand of the wire rope contacts and extends across a tread. The treads are thus fully compliant with the incremental changes in strand length due to the differential in rope tension on the two sides of the sheave.

Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator car, a counterweight, metallic ropes or cables interconnecting the elevator car and counterweight, and a traction drive which includes a drive sheave. The drive sheave includes metallic cable groove members secured to its periphery which support and guide the cables in an axially compliant arrangement which increases the traction efficiency and reduces cable and groove wear.