Wedge brake elevator safety system
OwnerGeorge F. Beckerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vertical lift system having a safety brake assembly (10) employing a pair of brakes attached to cables running vertically on each side of a guiderail (1). Each brake has a series of wedges (13, 14, and 15), including a braking wedge (14) that presses against the guiderail to brake downward motion of an elevator or lift basket upon an interruption in cable tension. A cable tension adjustment mechanism (3, 4 and 6) to equalize tension in the cables is also incorporated into the safety brake assembly. An electrical sensor (18) is also provided to disrupt power to the lift system upon slackening of a cable.
Claims8
A vertical lift device with brake assembly comprising:
- a guiderail having at least two opposite sides;
- a cable drum for holding a predetermined length of cable mounted over said guiderail, having a minimum of two cables suspended therefrom;
- at least one cable positioned on opposite sides of the guiderail;
- and
- a cable brake attached to an end of each cable to clamp the guiderail in the event of cable failure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.