# US 9,517,918 B2 · Car mounted overspeed governor actuation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,918 B2 - Document ID: US9517918B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/402,710 - Filed: 2012-05-31 - Published: 2015-05-21 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-31 - Assignees: Otis Elevator Company - Applicants: Randall S. Dube; Jeffrey Sepelak; Justin Billard - Inventors: Randall S. Dube; Jeffrey Sepelak; Justin Billard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517918B2 ## CPC - B66B 5/044: {Mechanical overspeed governors} - B66B 5/18: and applying frictional retarding forces - F16D 3/10: Couplings with means for varying the angular relationship of two coaxial shafts during motion - F16D 3/12: specially adapted for accumulation of energy to absorb shocks or vibration (by making use of fluid elements F16D3/80) - F16D 3/52: comprising a continuous strip, spring, or the like engaging the coupling parts at a number of places - B66B: ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS ({apparatus for raising or lowering persons on theatrical stages or the like A63J5/12} ; funicular railbound systems with rigid ground-supported tracks and cable traction, e.g. cliff railways, B61B9/00; arrangements of ammunition handlers in vessels B63G3/00; hoists, lifts, or conveyors for loading or unloading in general B65G; braking or detent devices controlling normal movements of winding drums or barrels B66D; ship-lifting devices E02C; garages for many vehicles with mechanical means for lifting vehicles E04H6/12; hoists for feeding ammunition or projectiles to launching apparatus or to loading mechanisms F41A9/00) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A device for reducing an actuation force spike in an elevator car safety system. The device includes an elevator car mounted overspeed governor, a safety gear, a safety lever, and a force reducing mechanism. The force reducing mechanism is connected in a series relationship with the safety lever between the overspeed governor and the safety gear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for reducing an actuation force spike in an elevator car safety system, the device comprising: an elevator car mounted overspeed governor; a safety gear; a safety lever; and a force reducing mechanism connected with the safety lever to reduce an impact force transmitted from the overspeed governor to the safety lever and on to the safety gear; wherein the force reducing mechanism comprises at least one of a torsion spring and a linear spring at least partially contained within the overspeed governor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the force reducing mechanism connects the overspeed governor to the safety lever. ### Claim 3 A device for reducing an actuation force spike in an elevator car safety system, the device comprising: an elevator car mounted overspeed governor; a safety gear; a safety lever; and a force reducing mechanism connected with the safety lever to reduce an impact force transmitted from the overspeed governor to the safety lever and on to the safety gear; wherein the force reducing mechanism comprises: a lifting bar rigidly connected to the overspeed governor; and an energy absorbing component that connects the lifting bar to the safety lever. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the lifting bar and the safety lever rotate about a common axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the energy absorbing component is at least one of a helical spring, an elastomeric spring, and a damping element. ### Claim 6 A device for reducing an actuation force spike in an elevator car safety system, the device comprising: an elevator car mounted overspeed governor; a safety gear; a safety lever; and a force reducing mechanism connected with the safety lever to reduce an impact force transmitted from the overspeed governor to the safety lever and on to the safety gear; wherein the force reducing mechanism connects the safety lever to the safety gear. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the force reducing mechanism is at least one of a helical spring, an elastomeric spring, and a damping element. ### Claim 8 A device for reducing an actuation force spike in an elevator car safety system, the device comprising: an elevator car mounted overspeed governor; a safety gear; a safety lever; and a force reducing mechanism connected with the safety lever to reduce an impact force transmitted from the overspeed governor to the safety lever and on to the safety gear; wherein the force reducing mechanism connects a first portion of the safety lever to a second portion of the safety lever; the first portion of the safety lever rigidly connected to the overspeed governor, and the second portion rigidly connected to the safety gear. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the force reducing mechanism is integral with safety lever, the force reducing mechanism comprising a portion of the safety lever narrowed relative to the first portion of the safety lever and the second portion of the safety lever. ### Claim 10 An elevator car mounted overspeed governor assembly for actuating safety gear, the assembly comprising: a tripping sheave; a trip ring; a centrifugal mechanism connected to the tripping sheave, the centrifugal mechanism to couple the trip ring to the tripping sheave at a certain overspeed velocity; a safety lever for connecting to safety gear; and a force reducing mechanism connected with the safety lever to reduce an impact force transmitted from the overspeed governor to the safety lever and on to the safety gear; wherein the force reducing mechanism connects the trip ring to the safety lever. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein the force reducing mechanism comprises a torsion spring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein the force reducing mechanism comprises a linear spring at least partially contained within the trip ring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein the force reducing mechanism comprises: a lifting bar rigidly connected to the trip ring; and an energy absorbing component that connects the lifting bar to the safety lever. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13, wherein the lifting bar, the trip ring, and the safety lever rotate about a common axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13, wherein the energy absorbing component is at least one of a helical spring, an elastomeric spring, and a damping element. ### Claim 16 An elevator car mounted overspeed governor assembly for actuating safety gear, the assembly comprising: a tripping sheave; a trip ring; a centrifugal mechanism connected to the tripping sheave, the centrifugal mechanism to couple the trip ring to the tripping sheave at a certain overspeed velocity; a safety lever for connecting to safety gear; and a force reducing mechanism connected with the safety lever to reduce an impact force transmitted from the overspeed governor to the safety lever and on to the safety gear; wherein the force reducing mechanism connects a first portion of the safety lever to a second portion of the safety lever; the first portion of the safety lever rigidly connected to the trip ring, and the second portion for rigidly connecting to the safety gear. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, wherein the force reducing mechanism is integral with safety lever, the force reducing mechanism comprising a portion of the safety lever narrowed relative to the first portion of the safety lever and the second portion of the safety lever.