Abstract: An overspeed brake system for use in an elevator powerhead is provided. A brake rotor is attachable to a cable drum to rotate with a cable drum. A brake member selectively engages the brake rotor upon transition of an actuation lever from a first position to a second position. A biasing member acts on the actuation lever to bias the actuation lever from the first position towards the second position. A latch arrangement has a first orientation maintaining the actuation lever in the first position and a second orientation releasing the actuation lever for transitioning from the first position to the second position. The latch arrangement transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation when a speed sensing arrangement senses that the rotational speed of the cable drum is at least a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A frameless elevator cab includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls. Ones of the sidewalls are connected to and/or attached to each other with fastener members adapted and configured to provide multi-dimensional stability therebetween. In assembled frameless elevator cabs of the invention, the frameless elevator cab defines inner and outer cab perimeters and substantially no hardware which connects/attaches ones of the sidewalls to other ones of the sidewalls which are visible from inside the inner cab perimeter and/or outside the outer cab perimeter.

Abstract: A force transmission device comprises a winding drum, a force converter, and a clutch/brake. The force converter communicates with both the winding drum and the clutch/brake. The force converter is adapted to convert a torsional force in the winding drum, into axial force/movement. The axial force/movement applies a clutch-type driving force. The clutch/brake can also apply a radially-directed braking force, whereby the force converter provides mechanical load compensation.

Abstract: Novel residential elevators, and novel methods of installing and using residential elevators. A residential elevator of the invention typically includes guide rail structure, a car, lift apparatus, and cables connecting the lift apparatus to the car. The guide rail structure is mounted to the building. The car is mounted to the guide rail structure. The car has a range of upward and downward movement, along a path of travel between an upper limit and a lower limit. The lift apparatus lifts and lowers the car, and is mounted to the guide rail structure, at a location such that the lift apparatus is above the top of the car when the car is at the upper limit. Preferably, the cables extend directly from the car or car frame to the lift apparatus without passing over or around any sheave or around any other direction-changing structure.