An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car frame. A drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame. The drive mechanism includes at least one rotatable drive member that is configured to engage a vertical surface near the one side of the elevator car frame, selectively cause movement of the elevator car frame as the rotatable drive member rotates along the vertical surface, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car frame when the drive member does not rotate relative to the vertical surface. A biasing mechanism urges the rotatable drive member in a direction to engage the vertical surface. At least one stabilizer is situated near the one side of the elevator car frame and is configured to prevent the elevator car frame from tipping away from the vertical surface.

Elevator systems having a first guide rail and a second guide rail, an overtravel feature on at least one of the first or second guide rails, the overtravel feature located a first distance from a top surface of the respective guide rail, an elevator car moveable along the first and second guide rails, the elevator car including a car guidance element, and a control unit configured to perform an overtravel distance test. The control unit is configured to measure a second distance being a distance of travel of the elevator car between a landing position and a location of the overtravel feature, combine the first distance and the second distance to calculate a measured overtravel distance, and compare the measured overtravel distance with a predetermined overtravel setpoint.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car frame. A drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame. The drive mechanism includes at least one rotatable drive member that is configured to engage a vertical surface near the one side of the elevator car frame, selectively cause movement of the elevator car frame as the rotatable drive member rotates along the vertical surface, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car frame when the drive member does not rotate relative to the vertical surface. A biasing mechanism urges the rotatable drive member in a direction to engage the vertical surface. At least one stabilizer is situated near the one side of the elevator car frame and is configured to prevent the elevator car frame from tipping away from the vertical surface.

An elevator system includes one or more elevator cars configured to travel along a hoistway. One or more rails extend along the hoistway and are operably connected to the one or more elevator cars to guide the one or more elevator cars along the hoistway. Each rail of the one or more rails includes a plurality of rail segments arranged end to end. Each rail segment is affixed to a hoistway wall to transfer vertical loads from the rail segment to the hoistway wall. Each rail segment is secured to the hoistway wall via a plurality of rail support brackets. The vertical loads are transferred from the rail segment to the hoistway wall via at least one rail support bracket of the plurality of rail support brackets.

A guide rail for an elevator system may include at least one rail element that is fastened by at least one fastening means to at least one shaft wall of the elevator system. The at least one rail element may be mounted in a movable manner in relation to at least one shaft wall. The at least one rail element can be moved in relation to the at least one shaft wall such that a space behind the at least one rail element and the shaft wall is accessible for inspection purposes. In some cases, the fastening means includes a hinge by which the rail element can swivel relative to the shaft wall.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the transport of a device along a construction, which comprises a rail which can be fixed to a construction and a transport carrier, which is equipped with a carriage slidably constrained to the rail and is intended to carry a device to be transported. The transport carrier comprises an oscillating frame, which is rotatably constrained to the carriage by means of a hinge and is intended to carry the device fixed thereto. Moreover, the apparatus comprises an orientation system mechanically connected to the transport carrier and configured to move, when the transport carrier is brought to the service position at the terminal portion of the construction, the oscillating frame to rotate between a non-operative position and an operative position in order to correctly position the device at the terminal portion of the construction.

An elevator is disclosed. The elevator comprises a first upright U-channel guide rail parallel to and opposing a second upright U-channel guide rail. The elevator also comprises a slider with a first side and an opposing second side, wherein a first wheel is attached to the first side and a second wheel is attached to the second side. Some embodiments may comprise additional wheels. The first wheel rolls up and down within the first guide rail, and the second wheel rolls up and down within the second guide rail. A platform extends from the slider. The elevator also comprises a hoist mechanism and a closed loop lifting cable attached to the slider. The hoist mechanism is configured to move the lifting cable and thereby, in cooperation with pulleys, to lift and lower the platform. Preferred embodiments also include a centrifugal brake system and walls and a ceiling on the platform.

A guide rail fixing device that can increase frictional force against a guide rail without increasing the number of brackets installed on an inner wall of a hoistway. The guide rail fixing device includes: a rail bracket in contact with a bottom face of a base of a guide rail placed in the lowest portion out of multiple guide rails arranged in line in an elevator hoistway; a rail clip to clamp the base of the guide rail in cooperation with the rail bracket; and a friction plate which is in contact both with the bottom face of the base of the guide rail placed in the lowest portion and in contact with an upper end of the rail bracket, to clamp, in cooperation with a rail clip, the base of the guide rail placed in the lowest portion.

A rack for a stairway guide suitable for providing good grip in curves comprises a bendable strip body, said bendable strip body comprising a first main side and a second main side, the first main side being provided with a series of equidistant engagement elements, each element being chosen from i) a hole, and ii) a protrusion. Both longitudinal sides are provided with a series of indentations. Being bendable, a stairway guide can be manufactured easily by bending the rack in the desired shape defined by the stairway guide.

A guide rail (1, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) for an elevator car (82) or counterweight, wherein the guide rail (1, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) comprises a pattern (6, 46, 56, 66, 76) formed directly on the guide rail (1, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) and extending along the length of the guide rail (1, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), suitable for being detected by a sensor (84).