Elevator load bearing member

A load bearing member for supporting an elevator car in an elevator system comprising:

• the elevator car;
• at least one sheave;
• and the load bearing member, the load bearing member comprising:
• a plurality of tension members for bearing weight associated with the elevator car, said plurality of tension members extending along a length;
• an outer cover at least partially covering said plurality of tension members;
• said outer cover having a first surface and a second surface, said plurality of tension members being situated between said first surface and said second surface, said first surface being configured for traction engagement on the sheave, said first surface and said second surface defining a cross-section transverse to said length;
• wherein said outer cover has a cross-sectional shape such that said plurality of tension members are spaced across said cross-sectional shape about equally from an axis of rotation of the sheave when the load bearing member is disposed on a crown of the sheave;
• and
• wherein said first surface defines at least a first curve and said second surface defines at least a second curve, wherein said first curve and said second curve are concave, and wherein at least one of said plurality of tension members is entirely within said outer cover between said first curve and said second curve.

An elevator, comprising:

• an elevator car having a weight;
• a counterweight for at least partially offsetting said weight;
• at least one sheave for moving said elevator car, said at least one sheave having a crown;
• a plurality of tension members for bearing said weight and said counterweight, said plurality of tension members extending along a length, an arc of said plurality of tension members being disposed along said crown;
• an outer cover at least partially covering said plurality of tension members;
• said outer cover having a first surface and a second surface, said plurality of tension members being situated between said first surface and said second surface, said first surface being configured for traction engagement with said sheave;
• wherein said first surface and said second surface define a cross-section transverse to said length, said cross-section having a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion;
• and
• wherein said middle portion has a first width between said first surface and said second surface, wherein said first width is smaller than a second width between said first surface and said second surface, said second width being at one of said first end portion and said second end portion.