Abstract: An overspeed brake mounted on an elevator cage includes a shaft that carries a pinion engageable with a rack so that linear movement of the cage produces rotation of the shaft. A carrier rotated by the shaft has two pivotably mounted dogs thereon that move outwardly at a predetermined centrifugal force level to cause rotation of a separation ring. A spreader causes axial first separation between the first ring and a second separation ring in response to the rotation, forcing two brake surfaces together and stopping rotation of the shaft, thereby halting linear motion of the cage.

Abstract: A structural member having an elongated body shell, which may be fiberglass, and a pair of caps engaging the ends of the shell. A plurality of bands extend through the shell connecting the caps and pulling them toward each other, thus rigidifying the member and securing the caps. At one end of the member, the bands are secured to the corresponding end cap by a distribution member that engages a pull member. The distribution member can pivot on the pull member to at least partially equalize tension on the bands. A tensioning member engages the pull member so that tension can be applied. At a predetermined tension, a drive piece connected to the tensioning member breaks away. Contact between the interior surface of the shell and the side edges of the bands can cause the shell to resist collapse.

Abstract: A structural member having an enlongated body shell, which may be fiberglass, and a pair of end caps enclosing the ends of the shell. A plurality of bands extend through the shell connecting the caps and pulling them toward each other, thus rigidifying the member and securing the caps. Contact between the interior surfaces of the shell and the side edges of the bands causes the shell to resist collapse. At one end of the member, the bands are secured to the end cap by movable anchor piece. A tensioning member threadedly engages the anchor piece so that tension can be applied to the bands by rotating the tensioning member. At a predetermined tension, a drive piece connected to the tensioning member breaks away and serrations on the head of the tensioning member prevent it from counter-rotating to release the tension.

Abstract: A structural member such as a beam formed by an inner layer of fiberglass that is filament wound about a mandrel, a middle layer of fire retardant material such as gypsum board, and an outer layer of filament wound fiberglass. In addition to its fire retardant function, the middle layer acts as a spacer between the inner and outer layers, thereby rigidifying the beam. Tendons extend throughout the length of the beam internally. They are connected to the top of the beam near its ends and to the bottom of the beam at one or more intermediate points, thus tending to lift the middle of the beam to prevent sagging. The tension on these tendons may be selected to meet any of a variety of load conditions.