Cable drum type residential elevator system

A cable drum type elevator system for residential or low-rise use which includes:

• a vertically extending rail structure for supporting the elevator relative to a residence;
• an elevator cab mounted to the rail structure and moveable thereon between upper and lower positions;
• and
• a cable drum-type lifting mechanism secured to the rails and to the elevator cab by a cable system for controllably moving the elevator cab between the upper and lower positions;
• wherein the improvement comprises said vertically extending rail structure is constructed to carry the elevator cab and lifting mechanism and the rail structure mounted to a ground position and connected to the residence structure for positional orientation only;
• wherein the vertical rail structure extends along a side of the elevator cab and the elevator cab is positioned in a cantilever fashion from the support members;
• wherein the support structure includes a pair of parallel rails, each rail being an elongated member extending from the ground to above the upper position;
• which further includes a foot support assembly secured to the lower end of the rail structure and to the ground;
• wherein the support structure includes a pair of rails and a foot support assembly as provided in association with each rail;
• wherein said foot support assembly extends beneath the elevator cab;
• wherein said lifting mechanism is secured to the vertical rail structure at an upper position whereby the elevator cab is positioned below the lifting mechanism;
• wherein the vertical rail structure comprises said support including a pair of vertically oriented rails, each extending between the upper and lower positions, connected to the lifting mechanism and to the elevator cab and each constructed to carry the load of the lifting mechanism and the elevator cab and each member of the pair mounted to a ground position and connected to the residence structure for positional orientation only;
• the lifting mechanism being mounted to the support, and there being provided dampening and isolation members positioned between the rails and the lifting mechanism so as to minimize vibrations from the lift mechanism from entering the rails, house or cab;
• wherein there is further provided an L-shaped bracket for use in securing the lifting mechanism to the support rails, which L-shaped bracket includes a short leg secured to the mechanism and a long leg being held within the dampening member which includes a pair of channel shaped dampening clips, each of which include a rubber-like vibration dampening element;
• and
• wherein said lifting mechanism including a rotatable drum on which the cable is wound, an electric motor having a motor shaft for rotating the drum so as to wind and unwind the cable, a flywheel associated with the motor shaft, and a clutch-like brake assembly positioned between the motor and flywheel, and engaging said shaft, and including an outer cylindrical housing, and radially extensible elements constructed to engage the outer cylindrical housing upon rotation at a predetermined speed, said elements constructed to reduce rotation beyond a predetermined rotational speed whereby said motor shaft and drum are prevented from rotating beyond a predetermined speed and thus the elevator cab cannot move at more than a predetermined speed.