Abstract: A building front rope lift for rescuing persons in particular subject to fire hazards in tall buildings comprises a lift cage to which a first roller is secured and which is suspended from one end of at least one load rope led around at least one guide roller secured to a tall building. The other end of the load rope extends from said guide roller downwardly inclined to a winch drum to which it is connected. A traction rope carries at one end a second roller which is arranged to roll on the load rope and is diverted by the first roller into the direction of the downwardly inclined load rope and connected by its other end to a further winch drum.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive for operating an elevator and disposed inside the elevator shaft on one side of the load-lifting member of the elevator comprises a hydraulic ram cylinder having two straight cylinder portions connected by a portion forming an arcuate bend. One straight cylinder portion extends up the path of ascent of the load-lifting member of the elevator, whereas the other straight cylinder portion slidably contains a hydraulic ram piston attached to one end of a universally flexible thrust-transmitting strand. The other end of the flexible strand is attached to a cylindrical body arranged to slide up and down said one straight cylinder portion and is provided with a carrier arm projecting to the outside through an axial slot in said one straight cylinder portion for supporting the load-lifting member of the elevator.