Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one roughened surface (46) on a polyurethane jacket (44). In one example, mechanical roughening is used to roughen the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, the temperatures used for molding a jacket (44) are controlled to induce melt fracture and roughen the surface (46) during the forming process. Other examples include chemically roughening the jacket surface and using localized heating to roughen the surface. The roughened jacket surface improves friction characteristics of a load bearing member assembly.

Abstract: A boat plug has external threads that mate with a boat hole housing, and an end keyed to operate the plug. In preferred embodiments the key has a first end portion that mates with the plug, and a second end portion that mates with a driver. The first end portion, and the corresponding recess in the plug, can advantageously have depths of no more than 1 cm, and more preferably no more than 5 mm. In other aspects of preferred embodiments, the first end portion comprises a recess having irregularities, and independently the second end portion comprises a nut.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of cords (22) within a jacket (24). The jacket has a plurality of grooves (32, 34, 36, 38 40) spaced along the length of the belt assembly. Each groove has a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54, 56) aligned at an oblique angle (A, B) relative to a longitudinal axis (48) of the belt (20). In one example, the grooves are separated such that there is no longitudinal overlap between adjacent grooves. In another example, transitions (60, 64) between the obliquely aligned portions are at different longitudinal positions on the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different longitudinal positions and the non-overlapping groove placement.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one traction enhancing surface (46) on a jacket (44). In one example, a mechanical removal process is used to strip away at least some of an amide-rich layer from the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, a chemical removal process is used. Another disclosed example includes disrupting the surface.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one traction enhancing surface (46) on a jacket (44). In one example, a mechanical removal process is used to strip away at least some of an amide-rich layer from the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, a chemical removal process is used. Another disclosed example includes disrupting the surface.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The jacket has a plurality of grooves spaced along the length of the belt assembly. In one example, the grooves are separated by varying spacings along the length of the belt. In another example, at least a portion of each groove is aligned at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different spacings and the non-perpendicular alignment.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one roughened surface (46) on a polyurethane jacket (44). In one example, mechanical roughening is used to roughen the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, the temperatures used for molding a jacket (44) are controlled to induce melt fracture and roughen the surface (46) during the forming process. Other examples include chemically roughening the jacket surface and using localized heating to roughen the surface. The roughened jacket surface improves friction characteristics of a load bearing member assembly.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one traction enhancing surface (46) on a jacket (44). In one example, a mechanical removal process is used to strip away at least some of an amide-rich layer from the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, a chemical removal process is used. Another disclosed example includes disrupting the surface.

Abstract: An elevator sheave (20) includes a belt guiding surface (26) having a surface profile along at least a portion of the belt guiding surface. The surface profile preferably is defined by an nth order polynomial equation where n is a number greater than 2. In one example, the reference point (40) is a central point along the width of the belt guiding surface (26). In one example, a central portion (42) of the surface profile preferably is aligned to be generally parallel with the central axis (34) of the sheave body. Some examples have curvilinear side portions (44, 46) between the central portion (42) and the edges (28, 30) of the sheave. Other examples also include second side portions (48, 50) that have linear profiles.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of cords (22) within a jacket (24). The jacket has a plurality of grooves (32, 34, 36, 38 40) spaced along the length of the belt assembly. Each groove has a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54, 56) aligned at an oblique angle (A, B) relative to a longitudinal axis (48) of the belt (20). In one example, the grooves are separated such that there is no longitudinal overlap between adjacent grooves. In another example, transitions (60, 64) between the obliquely aligned portions are at different longitudinal positions on the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different longitudinal positions and the non-overlapping groove placement.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The jacket has a plurality of grooves spaced along the length of the belt assembly. In one example, the grooves are separated by varying spacings along the length of the belt. In another example, at least a portion of each groove is aligned at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different spacings and the non-perpendicular alignment. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.

Abstract: A system and process for treating solid and liquid wastes, where the solid waste is separated from the liquid waste in a chamber, the liquid waste is passed out of the chamber, the solid waste is converted to ash, a fluid such as liquid waste is introduced into the chamber and combined with the ash, and the ash and fluid are exhausted out of the chamber together. Preferably, the system includes the use of hot air to agitate the solids during their conversion to ash. Desirably, the system also includes a filter and means to swirl the liquid waste as it exits the chamber, so that the liquid waste evenly distributes the solid waste within the filter as the liquid waste is exhausted.