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 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 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.

In a penstock internal maintenance system, the penstock includes an inclined portion between upper and lower ends, the upper end arranged in an edifice including a water collecting chamber and a gate bearing structure allowing a gate to close the penstock, the gate bearing structure adjacent the water collecting chamber forming a vertical pit. The system includes a set of units assembled in an assembled configuration and separated in a dismounted configuration, the units including an anchor unit, a launching unit and a penstock inspection platform unit, the units in the dismounted configuration being enter the penstock through the gate bearing structure adjacent the water collecting chamber, the units are assembled when located in the penstock, the anchor unit slidingly received and retained in the gate bearing structure, the anchor unit having two lateral edges being guided and retained in two vertical lateral grooves of the gate bearing structure.

An elevator guiding device and an elevator system including the elevator guiding device. The elevator guiding device is configured to be installed on an elevator car and includes a biased member and a guiding and contacting member. The guiding and contacting member is connected to the biased member and is arranged to contact an elevator guiding rail when the elevator car is running in an unbalanced loaded state along the elevator guiding rail and cause the biased member to be biased, for guiding a running trajectory of the elevator car. The elevator guiding device further includes a connection member connected to the biased member and having an elastic member and a stop member, the elastic member is arranged to provide a pre-tightening force between the biased member and the connection member and provide a resistance force when the biased member is biased.

A building shuttle box delivery system includes a plurality of delivery ducts connected in a delivery network. The system further includes a plurality of delivery vehicles configured to travel along the delivery ducts and are accessible via a plurality of access ports distributed along the delivery network. The system may further include hold devices, movement rails, positional pads, directional pads, crawler wheel assemblies and fall brakes disposed on the delivery ducts and delivery vehicles to facilitate travel throughout the delivery network.

An elevator system (2) comprising a hoistway (4), an elevator car (6) and a counterweight (8) arranged to move within the hoistway (4). The system (2) further includes a first counterweight guide rail and a second counterweight guide rail arranged to guide the counterweight within the hoistway (4) and a guide rail bracket (32) which connects the first and second counterweight guide rails together. An elevator machine (10) is arranged to drive a tension member (14), which couples the elevator car (6) and counterweight together (8), to move the elevator car (6) within the hoistway (4). The system (2) further includes a friction reducing element (36) arranged on the guide rail bracket (32) such that if the tension member (14) moves towards the guide rail bracket (32) during operation of the elevator system (2), the tension member (14) contacts the friction reducing element (36).

A method for determining a degraded guide rail condition in an elevator system, a computer program product, and an elevator system are disclosed. The method includes obtaining first data including information about movement of an elevator component relative to a guide rail, and obtaining second data including information about movement of an elevator component. The method further includes comparing the first data and the second data to each other, and detecting, based on the comparison, a deviation fulfilling a deviation criterion. Still further, the method includes creating a signal indicating the degraded, such as misaligned, guide rail condition, such as of the first or the second guide rail.

In an active guide roller and an elevator device according to the present invention, one of an actuator movable portion and an actuator fixed portion includes: a yoke, and a pair of magnets, which are configured to generate a magnetic field intersecting a pivot plane of the guide lever, and another one of the actuator movable portion and the actuator fixed portion includes: a bobbin; and a coil. Contact between the coil and the magnet is avoidable by allowing the bobbin and the magnet to be brought into contact with each other or allowing the bobbin and the yoke to be brought into contact with each other when the actuator movable portion is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the pivot plane.

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.