Slack condition monitoring system for an elevator suspension member

A slack monitoring system configured for detecting a slack condition in at least one suspension member of a plurality of suspension members of an elevator system, the elevator system having an elevator cab or a counterweight, the plurality of suspension members coupled thereto within a hoistway, the plurality of suspension members move the elevator cab or the counterweight between a plurality of positions within the hoistway, the slack monitoring system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a shackle assembly coupled to each of the plurality of suspension members, the shackle assembly including:
• a first planar member having a first surface and an opposite second surface;
• a second planar member having a third surface and an opposite fourth surface, the second planar member being spaced apart from the first planar member to define a gap;
• at least one biasing member positioned within the gap;
• an elongated member corresponding to a number of suspension members of the plurality of suspension members and positioned within the gap extending through the second planar member and the gap such that a distal end of the elongated member is positioned to extend beyond the fourth surface to a corresponding suspension member of the plurality of suspension members;
• a first conductive member extending from the second surface of the first planar member;
• and
• a second conductive member extending from the third surface of the second planar member,
• wherein an electrical circuit is defined by the first conductive member, the second conductive member and the at least one processor such that when a current tension of the at least one suspension member of the plurality of suspension members is less than a predetermined tension threshold, the biasing member biases the first planar member or the second planar member to enlarge the gap thereby separating the first conductive member and the second conductive member to a distance that prohibits an electrical communication between the first conductive member and the second conductive member.

A slack monitoring system configured for detecting a slack condition in at least one suspension member of a plurality of suspension members of an elevator system, the elevator system having an elevator cab or a counterweight and a shackle assembly, the plurality of suspension members being coupled to the elevator cab or the counterweight and to the shackle assembly within a hoistway, the plurality of suspension members move the elevator cab or the counterweight between a plurality of positions within the hoistway, the shackle assembly having a first planar member having a first surface and an opposite second surface, a second planar member having a third surface and an opposite fourth surface, the second planar member being spaced apart from the first planar member to define a gap, an elongated member extending through the second planar member and the gap such that a distal end of the second planar member is positioned to extend beyond the fourth surface and is configured to couple to the at least one suspension member of the plurality of suspension members, and at least one biasing member positioned within the gap, the at least one biasing member coaxially aligned with the elongated member such that the portions of the elongated member are axially received within the at least one biasing member to circumferentially surround the elongated member within the gap, the slack monitoring system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• an electrical circuit in electrical communication with the at least one processor, the electrical circuit defined by the at least one processor, a first conductive member, a second conductive member, and at least two conductive flexible members that are electrically coupled to the at least one processor and one of the at least two conductive flexible members are electrically coupled to one of the first conductive member or the second conductive member and the other one of the at least two conductive flexible members are electrically coupled to the other one of the first conductive member or the second conductive member,
• wherein:
• in a first position, an electrical signal is configured to pass from the at least one processor and through the electrical circuit and in a second position, the electrical signal is prohibited from passing through the electrical circuit,
• when a predetermined tension is effected onto the shackle assembly caused by a tension of the at least one suspension member of the plurality of suspension members, the electrical circuit is in the first position, and in response to the slack condition when the tension being less than the predetermined tension, the biasing member biases the first planar member or the second planar member to enlarge the gap thereby separating the first conductive member and the second conductive member to a distance that causes the electrical circuit to be in the second position.