Abstract: An exemplary vertically moveable elevator system component includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of vertically oriented side portions between the top and bottom portions. At least one of the side portions includes a roller guide support sheet. A first roller guide roller is supported by the sheet such that the first roller is at least partially disposed on a first side of the sheet and an axis of the first roller is generally parallel with the sheet. Second and third rollers are supported by the sheet such that the second and third rollers are on a second, oppositely facing side of the sheet. An axis of each of the second and third rollers is generally perpendicular to the axis of the first roller. The axis of each of the second and third roller remains in a fixed position relative to the sheet.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly (30) includes a jacket (34) having different portions comprising different polymer compositions. In a disclosed example, a plurality of tension members (32) are at least partially surrounded by a first portion (36) comprising a first polymer composition. A second portion (38) establishes at least one exterior surface (40) of the jacket (34) and comprises a second polymer composition. In one example, a surface-modifying agent is added to alter the composition of at least a portion of the jacket (34). In another example, co-extrusion techniques using different polymer compositions establish different portions of the jacket (34).

Abstract: An exemplary vertically moveable elevator system component includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of vertically oriented side portions between the top and bottom portions. At least one of the side portions includes a roller guide support sheet. A first roller guide roller is supported by the sheet such that the first roller is at least partially disposed on a first side of the sheet and an axis of the first roller is generally parallel with the sheet. Second and third rollers are supported by the sheet such that the second and third rollers are on a second, oppositely facing side of the sheet. An axis of each of the second and third rollers is generally perpendicular to the axis of the first roller. The axis of each of the second and third roller remains in a fixed position relative to the sheet.

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: A brake element is provided including a friction material. The friction material includes a polymer-based ceramic matrix composite material having a plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers is arranged at an angle to a braking direction.

Abstract: An illustrative method of making a load bearing member for use in an elevator system includes mechanically roughening at least one surface on an exterior of a jacket of the load bearing member to establish a friction characteristic that facilitates engagement between an elevator system sheave and the roughened surface.

Abstract: An illustrative method of making a load bearing member for use in an elevator system includes mechanically roughening at least one surface on an exterior of a jacket of the load bearing member to establish a friction characteristic that facilitates engagement between an elevator system sheave and the roughened surface.

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: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.

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: An elevator load bearing assembly (30) includes a jacket (34) having different portions comprising different polymer compositions. In a disclosed example, a plurality of tension members (32) are at least partially surrounded by a first portion (36) comprising a first polymer composition. A second portion (38) establishes at least one exterior surface (40) of the jacket (34) and comprises a second polymer composition. In one example, a surface-modifying agent is added to alter the composition of at least a portion of the jacket (34). In another example, co-extrusion techniques using different polymer compositions establish different portions of the jacket (34).

Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.

Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and installing multiple flat tension members in an elevator system where the direction of manufacture is determined for each of the flat tension members. Each member is marked to indicate the direction of manufacture. The belts are then installed in an elevator system by aligning the belts in accordance with the marks such that each belt is aligned in the same direction.

Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, the optimum crown height is within a range of approximately 0.033 to about 0.003 times the width of the elevator rope. The optimum radius is in the range of about 16.67 to about 50.00 times the width of the elevator rope. Both the crown height (h) and the crown radius (rc) may be expressed as a function of belt width (Wb). The groove width (wg) is in the range of approximately 1.5 and 2.25 times the width of the belt (Wb). A circumferential surface roughness of about 1.0 to 3.0 is applied. A hard, thin surface coating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.

Abstract: A segmented elevator sheave assembly has independently variable shoulder and crowning elements for use with flexible flat ropes in an elevator system. This enables selection of high-traction surface finish and crowning for the sheave groove that contacts a belt, and of low-traction, smooth sheave groove shoulders having a low friction coefficient that may inadvertently contact the belt side surfaces. This configuration is more forgiving to angular misalignment of the sheave and reduces the likelihood of premature degradation of a flat flexible rope due side-surface scuffing along sheave groove shoulders.

Abstract: An elevator guide system for flat rope tracking prevents the flat rope from hitting the shoulders on a rotating sheave to prevent premature degradation emitting objectionable sounds. The rope guide system includes one or more guide bodies having channels generally aligned with sheave grooves to which each block is adjacently positioned using a frame-mount. The guide bodies align the flat belt on entry into and exit from a sheave. The guide bodies may have a planar back surface, or a circular back surface, with the channel sidewalls disposed thereon and extending outwardly at right angles therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides an escalator having a handrail arranged on a drive wheel and comprising a handrail drive means and a handrail/drive-wheel traction self-adjusting means. The handrail drive means responds to a handrail drive force, for providing a handrail drive tension force, and further responds to a handrail/drive-wheel traction self-adjusting force, further for providing a handrail/drive-wheel traction force between the drive wheel and the handrail. The handrail/drive-wheel traction self-adjusting means, responds to the handrail drive tension force, for providing the handrail/drive-wheel traction self-adjusting force to adjust the handrail/drive-wheel traction between the drive wheel and the handrail.

Abstract: A handrail entry safety device including a collar and a base is provided for a balustrade having an enclosure and a handrail. The base includes an upper section and a lower section, the latter having a seat for receiving the collar. The upper section is hingedly attached to the lower section above where the handrail enters the safety device, thereby enabling the lower section and the collar to pivot together.