Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator apparatus with no machine room, including a drive unit (8) which actuates a drive and suspension element (5) in order to move a car between two car guides (3a, 3b) and a counterweight (2) between two counterweight guides (4a, 4b) in the elevator shaft, in which the plane formed by the two car guides (3a, 3b) is perpendicular to the plane formed by the counterweight guides (4a, 4b). A free space P? in which the elevator handling, control and safety elements can be housed occupies approximately 40 to 60% of the upper part of the shaft corresponding to the upper vertical projection of the volume corresponding to the path of the counterweight. The remaining space contains the entire drive unit and the means for attaching said unit, including means for attaching the ends of the cables.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension and traction element (1, 1?, 1?) incorporating two parts. A first part (2) is formed by at least one coated rope (3) or at least one coated belt (20) covered with thermoplastic material, forming a traction and contact sector on the traction sheave (10) and on the deflector sheaves (13, 14), and having connecting parts (4, 4?) on which the respective ends of the coated ropes (3) or coated belts (20) are fixed and clustered. It also has at least one second part (5) forming a support sector which does not contact with the traction sheave (10) or with the deflector sheaves (13, 14).