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 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.

A termination assembly (28) for an elevator belt (16) includes a termination body (40) and a fixed wedge (48) secured to the termination body (40) and having a plurality of fixed wedge surfaces (52). A moving wedge (56) is located in the termination body (40) and has a plurality of moving wedge surfaces (60) interactive with the fixed wedge surfaces (52). When an elevator belt (16) is inserted into the termination body (40) between the moving wedge (56) and the termination body (40) and a tension load is applied to the elevator belt (16), the moving wedge surfaces (60) are urged to move relative to the fixed wedge surfaces (52) to apply a contact pressure to the elevator belt (16) thus retaining the elevator belt (16) at the termination body (40).

A belt end connector configured to be attached to a terminal end of an elevator belt. The terminal end includes a plurality of exposed conductive load carrier strands. The belt end connector includes a connector housing, an adapter assembly, a plug including a spring mechanism and an electric outlet. The belt end connector is configured to be removable from the belt.

Methods and devices detect a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in an elevator suspension member arrangement having several suspension members, such as belts, including electrically conductive cords incorporated into an elastomer material. Deterioration is determined by applying alternating electric voltages to the cords included in legs of a circuitry. Phase shifts between the alternating voltages, for example by determining sum voltages and/or differential voltages, provide valuable information about a condition of the belt. A fixation arrangement of the suspension member arrangement is adapted to enable or simplify the proposed measurements. Furthermore, counting a number of performed bending cycles provides further information to be taken into account for determining the current deterioration state of the belts. Overall, deteriorations in a suspension member such as broken cords, shunts between cords, connections between cords and ground potential and/or deterioration due to corrosion of cords may be easily detected.

A termination device for a suspension member of an elevator system includes a housing and a wedge assembly located in the housing. The wedge assembly includes a wedge interactive with the housing to apply a clamping force to the suspension member in response to an axial load acting on the suspension member and a compliant shear element secured to the wedge or the suspension member and configured to reduce shear loads on the suspension member.

A termination device for a suspension member of an elevator system includes a housing and a wedge assembly located in the housing. The wedge assembly includes a wedge interactive with the housing to apply a clamping force to the suspension member in response to an axial load acting on the suspension member and a compliant shear element secured to the wedge or the suspension member and configured to reduce shear loads on the suspension member.

A method of tension adjustment for a load bearing member of an elevator system includes measuring a load on a load bearing member of an elevator system via a load cell operably connected to the load bearing member, the load cell and the load bearing member connected to an elevator car disposed in a hoistway, the measured load equated with a tension of the load bearing member. The measured tension to a preselected range and an adjustment of the tension of the load bearing member is determined. Adjustment instructions are communicated to a handheld electronic device and the communicated adjustment instructions are performed thereby adjusting the tension of the load bearing member to within the preselected range.

A suspension member equalization system is provided. The suspension member equalization system includes cylinder assemblies configured to receive rods extending from suspension member sockets. The cylinder assemblies have slidable pistons. A manifold block is in fluid communication with the cylinder assemblies. An incompressible fluid is in simultaneous communication with the cylinder assemblies and the manifold block. An upper swash plate is received within a cavity formed in a lower portion of each of the cylinder assemblies and in contact with the cylinder assemblies. A lower swash plate is received within an annular recess of each of the upper swash plates in a manner such that the upper swash plate is rotatable relative to the lower swash plate. The pistons within the cylinder assemblies are configured for movement such as to seek an approximately equal pressure, thereby approximating equal tension in each of the suspension members.

A suspension member equalization system is provided. The suspension member equalization system includes cylinder assemblies configured to receive rods extending from suspension member sockets. The cylinder assemblies have slidable pistons. A manifold block is in fluid communication with the cylinder assemblies. An incompressible fluid is in simultaneous communication with the cylinder assemblies and the manifold block. An upper swash plate is received within a cavity formed in a lower portion of each of the cylinder assemblies and in contact with the cylinder assemblies. A lower swash plate is received within an annular recess of each of the upper swash plates in a manner such that the upper swash plate is rotatable relative to the lower swash plate. The pistons within the cylinder assemblies are configured for movement such as to seek an approximately equal pressure, thereby approximating equal tension in each of the suspension members.