Abstract: A counterweight slack detection switch including a body, a first belt guide mounted to the body and configured to engage a first side of a tension member, a second belt guide mounted to the body and configured to engage the first side of the tension member, a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally mounted to the body, a deflectable member biasing the lever arm relative to the body, a third belt guide mounted to the second end of the lever arm and configured to bias the tension member from a tension position to a slack position, and a switch mounted to the body and configured to contact the tension member when the tension member is in at least one of the tension position and the slack position.

Abstract: An elevator sheave assembly with independently rotating sheaves includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of sheave subassemblies independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Each of the plurality of sheave subassemblies includes a sheave having a running surface configured for frictional tractive engagement with a tension member, and at least one bearing rotatably connecting the sheave to the shaft. The elevator sheave assembly further includes a bearing spacer arranged between adjacent sheave subassemblies of the plurality of sheave subassemblies on the shaft to isolate rotation of the adjacent sheave subassemblies relative to one another. Each of the plurality of sheave subassemblies is independently rotatable such that the tension member associated with each of the plurality of sheave subassemblies operates on its own independently rotating sheave.

Abstract: An automatic rope tension equalizer system includes first, second, and third plungers, first, second, and third cam assemblies, and a hitch plate with first, second, and third cavities. The first, second, and third plungers are at least partially situated in the first, second, and third cavities, respectively. Each cam assembly has a cam and a rod extending therefrom. The cam of the first cam assembly engages the first plunger, the cam of the second cam assembly engages the second plunger, and the cam of the third cam assembly engages the third plunger. A network connects each cavity to each other cavity, and fluid in the network automatically equalizes pressure on the first, second, and third plungers, thereby affecting positioning of the first, second, and third plungers and, through each cam, tension on each rod.

Abstract: Elevator braking systems. The elevator braking system comprises a wedge having a curved wedge bearing race and a clamping jaw having a curved jaw bearing race. The elevator braking system includes a roller bearing assembly. The assembly has two cages and a spacer maintains a space between the two cages. A plurality of rollers is rotatably coupled to the two cages. Each of the plurality of rollers is barrel shaped. A first side of the roller bearing assembly is configured to be coupled to the wedge via the curved wedge bearing race. A second side of the roller bearing assembly is configured to be coupled to the clamping jaw via the curved jaw bearing race.

Abstract: A counterweight slack detection switch including a body, a first belt guide mounted to the body and configured to engage a first side of a tension member, a second belt guide mounted to the body and configured to engage the first side of the tension member, a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally mounted to the body, a deflectable member biasing the lever arm relative to the body, a third belt guide mounted to the second end of the lever arm and configured to bias the tension member from a tension position to a slack position, and a switch mounted to the body and configured to contact the tension member when the tension member is in at least one of the tension position and the slack position.

Abstract: An elevator sheave assembly with independently rotating sheaves includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of sheave subassemblies independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Each of the plurality of sheave subassemblies includes a sheave having a running surface configured for frictional tractive engagement with a tension member, and at least one bearing rotatably connecting the sheave to the shaft. The elevator sheave assembly further includes a bearing spacer arranged between adjacent sheave subassemblies of the plurality of sheave subassemblies on the shaft to isolate rotation of the adjacent sheave subassemblies relative to one another. Each of the plurality of sheave subassemblies is independently rotatable such that the tension member associated with each of the plurality of sheave subassemblies operates on its own independently rotating sheave.

Abstract: An automatic rope tension equalizer system includes first, second, and third plungers, first, second, and third cam assemblies, and a hitch plate with first, second, and third cavities. The first, second, and third plungers are at least partially situated in the first, second, and third cavities, respectively. Each cam assembly has a cam and a rod extending therefrom. The cam of the first cam assembly engages the first plunger, the cam of the second cam assembly engages the second plunger, and the cam of the third cam assembly engages the third plunger. A network connects each cavity to each other cavity, and fluid in the network automatically equalizes pressure on the first, second, and third plungers, thereby affecting positioning of the first, second, and third plungers and, through each cam, tension on each rod.

Abstract: An elevator braking system comprises a wedge having a brake pad attachment section. The brake pad attachment section has a recessed brake pad receiving portion and a recessed side plate receiving portion. The system includes a brake pad having a notch. The brake pad is configured to be received within the recessed brake pad receiving portion. The system comprises a side plate having a fastener receiving portion and an overhanging portion that is perpendicular to the fastener receiving portion. The overhanging portion mates with the notch when the side plate is secured to the recessed side plate receiving portion.

Abstract: Elevator braking systems. The elevator braking system comprises a wedge having a curved wedge bearing race and a clamping jaw having a curved jaw bearing race. The elevator braking system includes a roller bearing assembly. The assembly has two cages and a spacer maintains a space between the two cages. A plurality of rollers is rotatably coupled to the two cages. Each of the plurality of rollers is barrel shaped. A first side of the roller bearing assembly is configured to be coupled to the wedge via the curved wedge bearing race. A second side of the roller bearing assembly is configured to be coupled to the clamping jaw via the curved jaw bearing race.

Abstract: An elevator braking system comprises a wedge having a brake pad attachment section. The brake pad attachment section has a recessed brake pad receiving portion and a recessed side plate receiving portion. The system includes a brake pad having a notch. The brake pad is configured to be received within the recessed brake pad receiving portion. The system comprises a side plate having a fastener receiving portion and an overhanging portion that is perpendicular to the fastener receiving portion. The overhanging portion mates with the notch when the side plate is secured to the recessed side plate receiving portion.