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 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 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 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 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 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 elevator system (20) includes idler sheaves (32, 34, 36). A coating on a load bearing member contacting surface (40) of an idler sheave reduces friction between a load bearing member (26) and the contacting surface (40). A disclosed example includes an at least partially metallic coating comprising a fluoropolymer. One disclosed example includes an electroless nickel-polytetrafluoroethylene coating.

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.