Abstract: A safety gear system for an elevator has a main static mass, an auxiliary static mass and a dynamically changing mass, wherein the dynamically changing mass changes in accordance with the travel of the main static mass. The safety gear system includes at least one first safety gear which is configured to brake the auxiliary static mass by a constant braking force, and at least one second safety gear which is configured to brake the main static mass and the dynamically changing mass by an adjustable brake force which is adjustable in accordance with the change of the dynamically changing mass.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator counterweight includes a frameless stack of a plurality of weights that are connected to maintain a vertical and horizontal alignment of the weights. A plurality of guides are directly supported on at least some of the weights. The plurality of guides are configured to guide movement of the counterweight along elevator guide rails.

Abstract: Elevator-type systems for a toy vehicle and toy vehicle track sets are disclosed. The elevator-type system may include a carriage configured to receive a toy vehicle, the carriage is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The elevator-type system may additionally include a tension rope having a first end and a second end, the first end is attached to the carriage. The elevator-type system may further include a counterweight attached to the second end. The weight of the counterweight may be greater than the weight of the carriage to bias the carriage toward the first position. The weight of the counterweight may be less than the weight of both the carriage and a toy vehicle received in the carriage to allow the carriage to move toward the second position when the toy vehicle is received in the carriage.

Abstract: A trolley for a lift assembly is disclosed. The trolley includes a drive portion and a lift portion separable from the drive portion. The lift portion includes one or more fittings configured to hold one or more wire ropes for raising and lower a platform hitched to the wire ropes. The drive portion is connectable to a drive assembly to move the drive portion and lift portion along a lift stroke. Pairs of trolleys are interconnected via tension lines or wires connected to the lift portions of the trolleys. The lift portions are configured to move independent of the drive portions through lift provided via the interconnection of the lift portions through the tension lines or wires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable mass elevator apparatus and method of operation, wherein the apparatus comprises an electronic scale, an elevator car, a traction sheave, a control computer, a mass storage area, a mass, a mass conveyor, a floor control panel outside of the elevator. When a passenger desires to operate the elevator, the passenger steps on the electronic scale and chooses a floor on the floor control panel, wherein the floor control panel has buttons for each floor. The electronic scale relays the weight of the passenger to the control computer, and the floor control panel relays the desired floor to the control computer. The control computer instructs a mass conveyer to couple a mass corresponding to the weight of the passenger to the elevator cable to act as a counterweight and equalize the potential energy of the elevator according to the desired floor of the passenger and the weight of the passenger.

Abstract: The invention allows inspection tests for an elevator without additional test weights. An empty elevator car and its counterweight are balanced by filling in weight pieces to the counterweight. 100% load of the elevator car in regard to unbalance is configured by moving unused counterweight pieces inside the elevator car. Inspection tests requiring the 100% load in regard to unbalance are performed. 125% load of the elevator car is simulated with 50% load and 125% speed of the elevator car. Inspection tests requiring the 125% load in regard to unbalance are performed. A final counterweight is configured by moving its weight pieces from the elevator car to the counterweight. Inspection tests requiring the final counterweight are performed.

Abstract: Each filler piece (1) for an elevator counter-weight, the subject matter of the invention, comprises a central metal core (5) and a concrete casing (4), such that a piece (1) is obtained having a target density whose value is comprised between 4 and 5.5 g/cm3 by combining the concrete of the casing (4) and the central metal core (5). The percentages by weight of metal material in the core (5) and concrete in the casing (4) are a function of the target density to be reached in each piece (1), said percentages are determined by a relationship between the density of the concrete of the casing (4), the density of the metal material of the core (5) and the target density of the piece (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for preventing disturbing noise caused by the counterweight of an elevator. At first temporary tightening means (8), e.g. slings provided with tightening elements (9), are fitted and tightened around the counterweight (1). After this the actual tightening means (10), e.g. steel belts, are fitted and tightened around the counterweight (1), after which the slings are removed.

Abstract: The counterweight according to the invention for an elevator with a frame (1) comprising two vertical U-shaped posts (3) parallel and opposed to each other and connected to each other by at least one upper cross-beam (5) and one lower cross-beam (7), wherein the wings of the vertical posts accommodate flat ballast weights forming a mass and piled up on each other in the frame (1), is characterized in that the upper ballast weights (11?a, 11?b), at least those located at a higher height than that of the conventional tilted assembly of the lower one-piece ballast weights (11?), comprise at least two parts interlocked with each other so that they can be successively assembled by interlocking them in a plane and in rows between the two posts (3), said interlocking providing a good lateral stiffness to avoid the lateral escape of said two interlocked ballast weight parts (11?a and 11?b) out of said frame (1) during counterweight displacement.

Abstract: An elevator counterweight comprises a counterweight frame constructed from several vertical beams and at least three horizontal crossbars wherein the vertical beams penetrate the horizontal crossbars and form therewith several grid fields in which weight elements are arranged and fixed. The two outermost grid fields disposed above the lowermost horizontal crossbar are open towards the side and can each receive a counterweight guide shoe and a safety brake device.

Abstract: In a normal operation mode, an upper counterweight (3a) and a lower counterweight (3b) are coupled together by an attachment/detachment device (4), and an operation is performed in this state. In a rescue operation mode, the upper counterweight (3a) and the lower counterweight (3b) are disconnected by the attachment/detachment device (4), and the lower counterweight (3b) is fixed to the counterweight guide rail by means of a fixing device (5). An operation is performed, using only the upper counterweight (3a). A control device is installed at a shaft position in the neighborhood of the top floor. If this control device becomes out of order, the serviceperson can move to a position which is near the control device.

Abstract: An elevator system, elevator retrofit kit, and detachable counterweight for providing a self-generating elevator emergency power source. The system converts kinetic energy of an elevator cab descending due to gravity into electrical energy used to regulate the speed of descent. The elevator system can be structured in numerous ways and includes either a generator or a motor in generator mode, driven by a cable attached to the elevator cab and activated by the descent of the cab. The elevator cab descends due to gravity, either by using a counterweight being sufficiently light relative to the cab to cause the cab to descend, or by using a counterweight system whereby power loss or interruption causes the unlocking of a detachable counterweight from a permanent counterweight.

Abstract: An oscillation damper is mounted on an end face of a free end of a drive shaft which drives an elevator drive pulley and is driven by a drive unit gear. The oscillation damper includes a mass which is connected to the drive shaft by a spring such that when the oscillation damper is excited at the natural frequency of the damper, it oscillates in opposite phase and endeavors to compensate for the exciting force.

Abstract: Water driven robots are provided which can be used for moving different objects at different controlled directions and frequencies to obtain energy and power from the flow of a liquid, such as water. A container (10) contains a siphonic outlet which is capable of converting relatively low continuous flow of water, entering through its inlet (17), to a relatively high intermittent pulsating flow of water, ejected from its outlet (23). Such flow is used for moving the robot as follows: During each cycle, water fills the container so that its weight increases, causing the container to move down and move a pulley (65) or other object (73). When the container's liquid level reaches the inlet of the siphon, it rapidly drains and becomes lighter, thereby resulting in a return of the weight. Thus a continuous inflow of liquid causes the container to oscillate vertically and provides force, energy, and power for operating such robots, for controlling their motion, and for operating work loads connected to the robots.

Abstract: A mining method and apparatus includes drilling two relatively small diameter shafts in proximity to each other, and operating a single hoisting system between the two shafts. The hoisting system includes a hoist that simultaneously moves first and second conveyances in opposite directions respectively in the first and second shafts.