Abstract: A load bearing member for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

Abstract: A load bearing member for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

Abstract: A load bearing member (30) for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members (32) arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers (34) arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material (36) in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer (40, 42) and a jacket material (50) at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

Abstract: An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt and a plurality of fibers interlaced with the plurality of tension elements forming a composite belt structure. A coating at least partially encapsulates the composite belt structure to improve two or more operational characteristics of the belt. A method of forming a belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes forming a plurality of tension elements and arraying the plurality of tension elements longitudinally along a belt. A plurality of fibers are interlaced with the plurality of tension elements to form a composite belt structure. A coating is applied to at least partially encapsulate the composite belt structure to improve at least two operational characteristics of the belt.

Abstract: A belted elevator system (10) includes a hoistway (14) and an elevator car (12) suspended in the hoistway (14) via a suspension member (16) and drivable along the hoistway (14). The suspension member (16) is routed over a plurality of sheaves (18). A sheave (18) of the plurality of sheaves includes a shaft (36) defining a central axis of the sheave (18), the sheave (18) rotatable about the central axis. A sheave outer member (38) is operably connected to the shaft (36) and rotatable about the central axis. The sheave outer member (38) includes a sheave outer surface (44) interactive with the suspension member (16). The sheave outer member (38) is formed from a molded plastic material.

Abstract: A servicing device for a belt of an elevator system is provided including a housing and a guide member coupled to the housing. The guide member and the housing are disposed on opposite sides of the belt. At least one reservoir is disposed within the housing. The at least one reservoir contains one or more restoring materials. An applicator is configured to apply the one or more restoring materials to an adjacent surface of the belt. Application of the one or more restoring materials is configured to modify the geometry of the belt such that the modified geometry is substantially identical to the original geometry of the belt.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of making an elongated load bearing member includes providing a plurality of tension elements. A plurality of weave fibers are woven together with the tension elements to thereby establish a weave. A traction surface is established on at least one side of the load bearing member. The traction surface is defined by the weave fibers. Coating the weave fibers with a compressible coating provides an exterior surface texture defined at least in part by the weave fibers.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system and a method for making the same is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members that extend along a length of the belt and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket maintains a desired spacing and alignment of the tension members relative to each other. The jacket includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The jacket defines at least one exterior, traction surface of the belt. The first fibers are at least partially disposed between the tension members and the traction surface of the belt. The second fibers are fill fibers. The first fibers have at least one property that distinguishes them from the second fibers.

Abstract: A load bearing member (30) for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members (32) arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers (34) arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material (36) in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer (40, 42) and a jacket material (50) at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car, one or more sheaves, and one or more belts operably connected to the car and interactive with the one or more sheaves for suspending and/or driving the elevator car. The one or more belts include a plurality of wires arranged into one or more cords, and a jacket substantially retaining the one or more cords. A cord ratio, between a smallest sheave diameter (D) of the one or more sheaves of the elevator system that are interactive with the belt and a largest cord diameter (dc) of the one or more cords, (D/dc) is less than about 55. A wire ratio, between the smallest sheave diameter (D) and the largest wire diameter (dw) of the plurality of wires, (D/dw) is between about 160 and about 315.

Abstract: An illustrative method of making an elevator load bearing member having at least one elongated tension member at least partially covered by a jacket includes mixing a flame retardant with a polymer material. The flame retardant is selected from a group consisting of (i) a halogen-free melamine based intumescent comprising melamine cyanurate, melamine-phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate or melamine polyphosphate in an amount up to about 20% by weight of the thermoplastic polymer or (ii) a filled polymer having a nanoscale filler chemically bonded to a matrix phase. Applying the mixed flame retardant and polymer material to the tension member forms a jacket of a desired shape.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt and a plurality of fibers interlaced with the plurality of tension elements forming a composite belt structure. A coating at least partially encapsulates the composite belt structure to improve two or more operational characteristics of the belt. A method of forming a belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes forming a plurality of tension elements and arraying the plurality of tension elements longitudinally along a belt. A plurality of fibers are interlaced with the plurality of tension elements to form a composite belt structure. A coating is applied to at least partially encapsulate the composite belt structure to improve at least two operational characteristics of the belt.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of cords. Each cord includes a plurality of wires and at least one yarn thread disposed at an outer periphery of the plurality of wires. An elastomeric jacket substantially retains the plurality of cords. The at least one yarn thread is configured to promote adhesion of the elastomeric jacket to the plurality of cords and reduce fretting of the plurality of wires. A method of forming a belt includes arranging a plurality of wires into a cord, arranging one or more yarn threads at an outer periphery of the plurality of wires, arranging a plurality of cords into a selected arrangement and applying an elastomeric jacket to the cords to retain the cords. The one or more yarn threads are configured to promote adhesion of the elastomeric jacket to the cords and reduce fretting of the wires.

Abstract: An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

Abstract: A belted elevator system (10) includes a hoistway (14) and an elevator car (12) suspended in the hoistway (14) via a suspension member (16) and drivable along the hoistway (14). The suspension member (16) is routed over a plurality of sheaves (18). A sheave (18) of the plurality of sheaves includes a shaft (36) defining a central axis of the sheave (18), the sheave (18) rotatable about the central axis. A sheave outer member (38) is operably connected to the shaft (36) and rotatable about the central axis. The sheave outer member (38) includes a sheave outer surface (44) interactive with the suspension member (16). The sheave outer member (38) is formed from a molded plastic material.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system and a method for making the same is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members that extend along a length of the belt and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket maintains a desired spacing and alignment of the tension members relative to each other. The jacket includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The jacket defines at least one exterior, traction surface of the belt. The first fibers are at least partially disposed between the tension members and the traction surface of the belt. The second fibers are fill fibers. The first fibers have at least one property that distinguishes them from the second fibers.

Abstract: Elevator coated ropes or belts are disclosed. The coated rope or belt may include at least one cord and a jacket retaining the at least one cord. The cord may include a plurality of filaments. The filaments are free of second-order helical structure. In a first embodiment, the filaments includes at least one inner filament and a plurality of outer filaments surrounding the at least one inner filament. The outer filaments are bunched together by forming a first-order helical structure through the length of the cord. In a second general embodiment, the filaments are free of both first- and second-order helical structures. The filaments are bunched together by a restraining loop or adhesive at one or more locations along the length of the cord. Methods of making the tension cord are also disclosed.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of making an elongated load bearing member includes providing a plurality of tension elements. A plurality of weave fibers are woven together with the tension elements to thereby establish a weave. A traction surface is established on at least one side of the load bearing member. The traction surface is defined by the weave fibers. Coating the weave fibers with a compressible coating provides an exterior surface texture defined at least in part by the weave fibers.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system and a method for making the same is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members that extend along a length of the belt and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket maintains a desired spacing and alignment of the tension members relative to each other. The jacket includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The jacket defines at least one exterior, traction surface of the belt. The first fibers are at least partially disposed between the tension members and the traction surface of the belt. The second fibers are fill fibers. The first fibers have at least one property that distinguishes them from the second fibers.