An elevator system includes an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft, a suspension means extending in the elevator shaft, a drive machine associated with the suspension means and a controllable coupling device arranged on the elevator car. The suspension means has a coupling element that the coupling device can be coupled to and uncoupled from, as a result of which a drive connection between the elevator car and the suspension means can be established and released. The elevator system has a guide system guiding the coupling element during a movement in the elevator shaft. The guide system has a guide that is stationary relative to the elevator shaft and a runner that is connected to the coupling element via a connection and is guided along the guide. The connection between the coupling element and the runner enables a relative movement between the runner and coupling element.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a platform and a plurality of supports configured to selectively engage a nearby structure. The plurality of supports include at least a first support and a second support. The first and second supports alternate between engaging the nearby structure to support the platform while the other one of the supports is disengaged from the nearby structure. At least one of the first and second supports is configured to move relative to the platform while engaging the nearby structure to cause vertical movement of the platform.

An elevator car (2, 2′), includes a first safety brake (8, 8′), including a first electronic safety actuator (512, 612), the first safety brake (8, 8′) positioned on a first side of the elevator car (2, 2′) at a first height (20, 20′); and a second safety brake (10, 10′), including a second electronic safety actuator (512, 612), the second safety brake (10, 10′) positioned on a second side of the elevator car (2, 2′) at a second height (22, 22′); the first height is different to the second height.

An elevator sliding guide shoe for an elevator car and an elevator counterweight includes: a pair of shoe liner brackets, adapted to be detachably mounted on a straight beam of an elevator car or an elevator counterweight; and a shoe liner, disposed between the pair of shoe liner brackets, including a pair of side walls and a bottom wall between the pair of side walls. The pair of side walls is detachably mounted on the pair of shoe liner brackets, respectively, such that the shoe liner is detachable by removing either one shoe liner bracket. The maintenance for the shoe liner can be completed without disassembling the entire elevator sliding guide shoe, especially for a hoistway with narrow space therein. It is very convenient to maintain and repair the split-type elevator sliding guide shoe, and it takes relatively less time in assembling and disassembling thereof.

The system comprises a synchronization shaft rotatably supported on an elevator car frame, the synchronization shaft being operatively connected to at least one safety gear, a lever attached to the synchronization shaft, an electromagnet operatively connected to the lever, spring means operatively connected to the synchronization shaft, and resetting means operatively connected to the synchronization shaft. Deactivation of the electromagnet releases the lever allowing the spring means to rotate the synchronization shaft from a first position to a second position in which the safety gear is activated. Activation of the resetting means rotates the synchronization shaft from the second position to the first position in which the safety gear is deactivated and the spring means is brought back to the excited state at the same time.

An elevator system includes a hoistway, a rail extending along the hoistway and an elevator car located in and movable along the hoistway. A drive assembly is operably connected to the elevator car and includes two or more wheels engaged to opposing surfaces of the rail. The drive assembly is configured to apply an engagement force to the rail to both support the elevator car at the rail and drive the elevator car along the rail.

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 guide having a bracket and a hub moveable relative to the bracket. A face arm and opposing side arms are connected to a cylindrical portion of the hub each having at least one guide member (e.g., wheel) or a gib assembly connected to the cylindrical portion of the hub. A self-centering hub spring is preferably provided. An adjustable hub spring force adjustment member for independently varying the spring force of the hub spring and an adjustable stop for independently adjusting the distance the hub can move away from an elevator rail are provided. The hub preferably includes one or more lubricant receiving members configured to enhance distribution of a lubricant. One or more components of the guide include one or more initial set-up markings that readily allow a user to position one or more components in an optimal set-up position to significantly reduce assembly time. The hub and hub spring are preferably configured to prevent the hub spring from falling out of the hub.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator rope sway damping assembly includes a plurality of sway dampers having a width and a length. An actuator device selectively causes movement of the sway dampers in a direction transverse to the length between a first position where the sway dampers are spaced apart by a first distance and a second, sway-damping position where the sway dampers are spaced apart by a second, shorter distance. The actuator device provides an indication when the sway dampers are in the first position.

An elevator system includes an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft, a suspension means extending in the elevator shaft, a drive machine associated with the suspension means and a controllable coupling device arranged on the elevator car. The suspension means has a coupling element that the coupling device can be coupled to and uncoupled from, as a result of which a drive connection between the elevator car and the suspension means can be established and released. The elevator system has a guide system guiding the coupling element during a movement in the elevator shaft. The guide system has a guide that is stationary relative to the elevator shaft and a runner that is connected to the coupling element via a connection and is guided along the guide. The connection between the coupling element and the runner enables a relative movement between the runner and coupling element.