Abstract: A socket device (10) for securing an end of a load bearing member (22) includes first socket members (26a and 26b) and second socket members (28a and 28b) that are distinct, separate pieces of material. The second socket members (28a and 28b) are spaced apart from each other at a desired angle and rigidly secured on one side to one of the first socket members (26a) and on another side to the other first socket member (26b) to form the socket (24). A disclosed example includes cooperating tabs (38) and recesses or openings (34) for securing the socket members together in a rigidly fixed alignment.

Abstract: A socket device (10) for securing an end of a load bearing member (22) includes first socket members (26a and 26b) and second socket members (28a and 28b) that are distinct, separate pieces of material. The second socket members (28a and 28b) are spaced apart from each other at a desired angle and rigidly secured on one side to one of the first socket members (26a) and on another side to the other first socket member (26b) to form the socket (24). A disclosed example includes cooperating tabs (38) and recesses or openings (34) for securing the socket members together in a rigidly fixed alignment.

Abstract: A device for securing an end on a load bearing member in an elevator system includes a socket portion and a wedge portion. The socket and wedge preferably are made from an extruded piece of metal or a formed piece of sheet metal material. A brace member secures the wedge within the socket portion to maintain the wedge, and the corresponding portion of the load bearing member in place within the socket portion. The preferred arrangement includes friction enhancing surfaces on the corresponding portions of the socket and the wedge to facilitate maintaining the load bearing member in place.

Abstract: A steering angle of an elevator sheave on a shaft is adjusted at installation and subsequently during maintenance by one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, a bolt with a jam nut is adjusted to position the shaft precisely. In another embodiment, a tee bracket is anchored to a hoistway wall, and a jack bolt with shims is used to adjust the vertical placement of the long beams that support the elevator car frame and therefore the shaft.

Abstract: A steering angle of an elevator sheave on a shaft is adjusted at installation and subsequently during maintenance by one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, a bolt with a jam nut is adjusted to position the shaft precisely. In another embodiment, a tee bracket is anchored to a hoistway wall, and a jack bolt with shims is used to adjust the vertical placement of the long beams that support the elevator car frame and therefore the shaft.

Abstract: A steering angle of an elevator sheave on a shaft is adjusted at installation and subsequently during maintenance by one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, a bolt with a jam nut is adjusted to position the shaft precisely. In another embodiment, a tee bracket is anchored to a hoistway wall, and a jack bolt with shims is used to adjust the vertical placement of the long beams that support the elevator car frame and therefore the shaft.

Abstract: A device for securing an end on a load bearing member in an elevator system includes a socket portion and a wedge portion. The socket and wedge preferably are made from an extruded piece of metal or a formed piece of sheet metal material. A brace member secures the wedge within the socket portion to maintain the wedge, and the corresponding portion of the load bearing member in place within the socket portion. The preferred arrangement includes friction enhancing surfaces on the corresponding portions of the socket and the wedge to facilitate maintaining the load bearing member in place.

Abstract: A steering angle of an elevator sheave on a shaft is adjusted at installation and subsequently during maintenance by one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, a bolt with a jam nut is adjusted to position the shaft precisely. In another embodiment, a tee bracket is anchored to a hoistway wall, and a jack bolt with shims is used to adjust the vertical placement of the long beams that support the elevator car frame and therefore the shaft.

Abstract: A rail clip that is generally symmetrical about a central axis. The clip has an L-shaped base section having a horizontal leg that is securable to a support member upon which the rail rest and a vertical leg that extends upwardly from the base adjacent to the rail. An arm extends outwardly over the rail from the vertical leg of the base section and an elongated beam is mounted in the distal end of the arm that extends outwardly to either side of the arm so that beams run longitudinally along the rail. A contact pad is carried on both ends of the beam which normally rest in holding contact against the rail. As the rail is displaced upwardly in reference to the arm, second contact points are established to progressively stiffen the clip.

Abstract: An elevator system 10 includes an elevator car 12 with a plurality of roller guide assemblies 20 attached hereto. The roller guide assemblies 20 guide the elevator car 12 vertically within a hoistway along a plurality of guide rails 16. Each roller guide assembly 20 includes at least one resin stop assembly 50 to minimize vibration and lateral movement of the elevator car 12. The resin stop assembly 50 includes a resin spring 52 adjacent to a rigid container 54, both coupled between a roller wheel arm 26 and the roller guide base 40. The resin stop assembly 50 improves the ride quality of the elevator car 12 by selectively limiting lateral acceleration and velocity of the elevator car 12.

Abstract: A double deck elevator car comprises a double deck elevator cab 40 having two compartments 41, 42 suspended midway along its vertical length by isolation pads 46 to support frames 47, 48 disposed on stiles 17, 18. Non-contact, stroke limiting cab steadiers 49 are used at the upper end of the double deck cab 40.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing sway of elevator ropes (7). The apparatus comprises a swing arm (2) positioned within a hoistway (6) of an elevator. The swing arm is movable between a first position and a second position wherein the swing arm is in proximity with the ropes in the first position and the ropes contact the swing arm thereby reducing sway and wherein the swing arm is positioned outside of the path of an elevator car (8) in a second position. An embodiment includes a sheath (21) having tapered ends (22, 23) mounted to the end of the swing arm to facilitate the movement of the swing arm through the plurality of ropes.

Abstract: An active magnetic guide apparatus for magnetically stabilizing an elevator car with respect to a guide rail is disclosed. The apparatus includes a magnetic guide assembly for magnetically stabilizing the elevator car with respect to the guide rail and a plurality of mechanical guide assemblies, for mechanically stabilizing the elevator car with respect to the guide rail.

Abstract: An elevator car vertically guided along a hoistway rail has horizontal motions controlled by means of an actuator wherein horizontal acceleration of the elevator car and relative horizontal displacement between the car and the rail is sensed for controlling such horizontal motions by means of the actuator. Guiding means can be provided in the form of roller clusters at the corners of the car for engaging hoistway rails on opposite sides of the car wherein, for each roller cluster, plural actuators are included with accompanying springs wherein the roller cluster actuators are responsive to the controller for actuating the elevator car horizontally with respect to the hoistway rail. The roller cluster actuators can be electromagnets. Each wheel of the roller cluster can have stop means assocaiated therewith that is operable to limit the extent of movement of the guide wheel in a direction away from the guide rail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting horizontally on a platform moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as acceleration is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the platform in proportion to the sensed acceleration. This may be accomplished by using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the platform in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the platform to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both. A preferred analog-digital approach is disclosed in which the digital part is responsive to accelerometer signals, the analog part is responsive to a force command signal from the digital part and provides a position feedback signal in return.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counteracting a disturbing force acting on an elevator platform in a hoistway comprises sensing the acceleration and position of the platform and applying a force between the platform and the hoistway in proportion to the magnitude of the acceleration signal, in proportion to the integral of the acceleration signal and in proportion to the position signal. The second position signal may be obtained from an electromagnet actuator wherein the sensed current may be divided by a sensed flux density signal multiplied by a transformation signal to obtain position. A force feedback signal may be obtained by squaring the flux density.

Abstract: A semi-active secondary suspension comprises a relatively large actuator for handling low-frequency forces such as those caused by uneven passenger distribution, etc., by means, for example, of a position control loop. A pair of such suspensions on opposite sides of the car or rail can be made to act in concert, for example, by actuating only one at a time. An inner loop can be added to the position control for each secondary suspension to restore its actuator to a selected preload position when not being used as an actuator. The semi-active secondary suspension is made fully active by adding a relatively small actuator for handling higher frequency dynamic forces. A roller guide embodiment has rollers pivotally mounted on links which are spring-biased toward the rail blades. The relatively large actuators are connected to the link springs to slowly increase or decrease the preload force on the spring acting on the links to counter low frequency disturbances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting on a platform moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as rotational acceleration or translational accelerations indicative thereof is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the platform in proportion to the sensed acceleration. The rotations of the platform may be about a vertical axis, one or more horizontal axes or equivalents thereof. Counteraction may but need not be accomplished using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the platform in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the platform to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both.

Abstract: An elevator cab assembly is provided with a rail guidance system which provides a substantially vibration-free ride despite uneven passenger loading. The guidance system includes side-to-side and front-to-back rail guide rollers which are adjustably mounted on the cab frame. The rail guide rollers are pivotally mounted on links which are spring-biased toward the guide rail blades. Stops are provided on the links to limit the extent of permissible pivotal movement of the rollers away from the guide rail blades. Actuators are connected to the link springs to selectively increase the spring pressure acting on the links when the pivot stops are engaged as a result of uneven passenger loading in the cab. The actuators ensure that the roller links do not ride against the stops, thereby ensuring a continuous spring biased engagement between the guide rollers and the guide rail blades, and a substantially vibration-free ride.