Elevator cab suspension assembly for a double deck elevator

An elevator system, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first elevator cab;
• a second elevator cab;
• a plurality of sheaves associated with the first and second elevator cabs, respectively;
• a suspension assembly that suspends the first and second elevator cabs within the frame, the suspension assembly having two ends in a fixed position relative to the frame, the suspension assembly comprising a positive drive load bearing member along a first portion of a length of the suspension assembly and at least one other second load bearing member that is different than the positive drive load bearing member along a second portion of the length;
• a machine including a drive sprocket that moves the positive drive load bearing member to cause movement of the first and second elevator cabs relative to the frame;
• wherein the at least one second load bearing member comprises a rigid bar along some of the second portion of the length,
• wherein
• the at least one second load bearing member comprises a flexible member along a remainder of the second portion of the length;
• the flexible member is situated to wrap at least partially around the sheaves;
• wherein
• the rigid bar comprises a first bar section situated on one side of at least one of the elevator cabs and a second bar section situated on an opposite side of at least one of the elevator cabs;
• the flexible member comprises a section including one flexible member end coupled to one end of the first bar section and another flexible member end coupled to one end of the second bar section;
• and
• wherein
• the flexible member comprises another section including one flexible member end coupled to an end of the positive drive load bearing member and another flexible member end that remains in the fixed position relative to the frame.

An elevator system, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first elevator cab;
• a second elevator cab;
• a plurality of sheaves associated with the first and second elevator cabs, respectively;
• a suspension assembly that suspends the first and second elevator cabs within the frame, the suspension assembly having two ends in a fixed position relative to the frame, the suspension assembly comprising a positive drive load bearing member along a first portion of a length of the suspension assembly and at least one other second load bearing member that is different than the positive drive load bearing member along a second portion of the length;
• a machine including a drive sprocket that moves the positive drive load bearing member to cause movement of the first and second elevator cabs relative to the frame;
• wherein
• the at least one second load bearing member comprises a flat belt or a round rope;
• and
• a first section of the flat belt or round rope has an end coupled to a first end of the positive drive loadbearing member.