Abstract: A safety brake actuation mechanism for a hoisted structure includes a housing operatively coupled to the hoisted structure. Also included is a first brake member coupled to the housing, the first brake member moveable between a braking position and a non-braking position. Further included is a retaining assembly moveable between a first position and a second position and engageable with the first brake member, the retaining assembly retaining the first brake member in the non-braking position in the first position and permitting the first brake member to move to the braking position in the second position. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the retaining assembly and biasing the retaining assembly to the first position in a powered state of the electric actuator, the retaining assembly movable to the second position in a non-powered state of the electric actuator.

Abstract: An elevator car braking apparatus includes a gear drive assembly for compressing one or more springs which are coupled by a cam follower to one or a pair of brake shoes. When the springs are released from a compressed state, the brake shoes engage and grip hoisting ropes, part of the hoisting apparatus or the car guide rails, within a predetermined time from the start of a brake application cycle. During a brake application cycle, the springs move the cam follower along cam surfaces shaped and disposed to cause the cam follower to move at least one of the brake shoes toward the other brake shoe. The gear assembly includes clutch means for disengaging from and engaging with a gear or axle of the gear assembly during decompression and compression of the springs, respectively. A resilient material in the braking apparatus initially accelerates movement of the cam follower when the springs begin to decompress, and may protect gears of the gear assembly from damage at the end of a brake release cycle.

Abstract: A lift system is coupled between a work platform and a mast on a mast lift. The lift system includes at least one lifting rope connected between the work platform and the mast via an idler roller and a hoist drum connected to the work platform. The idler roller is displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based on an amount of tension on the lifting rope. A spring is connected to the idler roller and urges the idler roller toward the engaged position. A carriage latch assembly includes a carriage latch hook coupled with the idler roller and a pin secured to the mast. When the idler roller is disposed in the engaged position, the carriage latch hook is engageable with the pin.

Abstract: An elevator assembly (20) includes braking devices (30) for controlling movement of an elevator car (22). A braking device (30) includes an electrical actuator (62) for controlling relative movement between a carriage (42) and a base (40) that is mountable on the elevator car (22). Relative movement between the carriage (42) and the base (40) results in at least one braking member (46) following a surface (60) on the base (40) for movement between a released position and a braking position.

Abstract: A progressive safety device for an elevator includes a brake unit and an actuating unit. The brake unit has a first brake shoe with first spring assemblies and a triangular rotatable support with second and third brake shoes. The actuating unit has an electromagnetic actuator with a locking bolt, a guide bolt with a coaxial compression spring and an actuating arm. On actuation, the compression spring moves the actuating arm against a guide rail whereby grooves on the actuating arm create a frictional engagement with the guide rail turning the actuating arm about a swivel bearing and through a follower turning the support. With the turning motion and the engagement of one of the second and third brake shoes with the guide rail, the first brake shoe is guided against the guide rail and generates the necessary braking force on the guide rail.

Abstract: An emergency brake apparatus for an elevator system is installed on an elevator cage or a balance weight of the elevator system and includes a grip member with slant surfaces and a pressing surface sandwiching a guide rail, a pressing member disposed movably between the slant surfaces of the grip member and the guide rail, and an electric solenoid connected to the pressing member and actuated by an electric signal. The electric solenoid positions the pressing member away from the guide rail in a non-braking operation while pushing the pressing member between the slant surfaces and the guide rail in a braking operation.

Abstract: A tripping device for engaging an elevator lift cage safety brake has actuating levers arranged at a rotary axle for engaging safety brake wedges of the safety braking device. Each actuating lever has a longitudinal slot matched to the diameter of the rotary axle, wherein the actuating lever is freely movable in the direction of the rotary axle and in the direction of the length of the actuating lever. A torsion spring fixes the actuating lever about the rotary axle. One spring end presses the actuating lever downwardly, wherein the movement of the actuating lever is limited by a lower abutment. The other spring end is detachably connected to a support. An upper abutment limits the movement of the actuating lever upwardly. The lower abutment and the upper abutment are each held at a respective end of a T-shaped shackle, wherein the shackle is fixedly connected to the rotary axle.

Abstract: A mechanical gravity brake that prevents hoisted loads within a shaft from free-falling when a loss of hoisting force occurs. A loss of hoist lifting force may occur in a number of situations, for example if a hoist cable were to break, the brakes were to fail on a winch, or the hoist mechanism itself were to fail. Under normal hoisting conditions, the gravity brake of the invention is subject to an upward lifting force from the hoist and a downward pulling force from a suspended load. If the lifting force should suddenly cease, the loss of differential forces on the gravity brake in free-fall is translated to extend a set of brakes against the walls of the shaft to stop the free fall descent of the gravity brake and attached load.

Abstract: An elevating work platform structure for use in constructing an elevator channel before and after the elevator car has been placed into the elevator channel includes a horizontal beam, two side posts connected to two ends of the horizontal beam, two upper platforms integrally connected to two upper side ends of the two side posts respectively, two lower platforms integrally connected to two lower side ends of the two side posts respectively, and two safety brake arrangements provided at a lower front portion of each of the side posts for providing an instant emergency brake if the suspension cable holding up said elevating work platform structure breaks.