Abstract:
An exemplary load bearing member for use in an elevator system is made by a process that includes heating at least one tension member. The heated tension member is placed adjacent one side of a first jacket layer. The first jacket layer is at least partially melted in the vicinity of the heated tension member such that the tension member at least partially penetrates the first jacket layer. Subsequently, a second jacket layer is added adjacent to the one side of the first jacket layer such that the elongated tension member is between the first and second jacket layers. The second jacket layer is at least partially melted in the vicinity of the heated tension member such that the tension member at least partially penetrates the second jacket layer. The first and second jacket layers are secured together such that the resulting load bearing member has a planar traction.
Abstract:
An elevator belt (20) or rope (25) includes a plurality of tension members (22, 26, 46) encased within a polyurethane jacket (24, 28). Each tension member includes a plurality of strands (42), which are each made up of a plurality of wires (40). During the manufacturing process, broken wire (44, 54) ends are recaptured so that they do not protrude outward from the strands (42) or cords (46). A variety of recapture techniques are disclosed.
Abstract:
An elevator load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of cords (22) within a jacket (24). The jacket has a plurality of grooves (32, 34, 36, 38 40) spaced along the length of the belt assembly. Each groove has a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54, 56) aligned at an oblique angle (A, B) relative to a longitudinal axis (48) of the belt (20). In one example, the grooves are separated such that there is no longitudinal overlap between adjacent grooves. In another example, transitions (60, 64) between the obliquely aligned portions are at different longitudinal positions on the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different longitudinal positions and the non-overlapping groove placement.
Abstract:
A method of making a load bearing member (30) for an elevator system (20) includes placing at least one tension member (32) adjacent one side (60) of a first layer (36) of a polymer material. A second layer (38), comprising a urethane in a disclosed example, is added adjacent to at least the one side (60) of the first layer (36) such that the tension member (32) is between the first layer (36) and the second layer (38). Such a technique allows for eliminating the bridges typically used to support the tension members in molding devices. Eliminating such bridges eliminates the resulting grooves associated with previous arrangements. Providing a grooveless exterior on the jacket (34) of the load bearing member (30) eliminates a significant source of potential vibration and noise in an elevator system.
Abstract:
An elevator load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of cords (22) within a jacket (24). The jacket has a plurality of grooves (32, 34, 36, 38 40) spaced along the length of the belt assembly. Each groove has a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54, 56) aligned at an oblique angle (A, B) relative to a longitudinal axis (48) of the belt (20). In one example, the grooves are separated such that there is no longitudinal overlap between adjacent grooves. In another example, transitions (60, 64) between the obliquely aligned portions are at different longitudinal positions on the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different longitudinal positions and the non-overlapping groove placement.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to highly attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apertured film web is disclosed. The web comprises a plurality of first regions having a first molecular orientation and a plurality of second regions having a second molecular orientation, the first and second regions being in an alternating and contiguous generally linear relationship in a first direction, the second molecular orientation being generally orthogonal to the first direction, and wherein the second region comprises openings defining apertures therein.
Abstract:
A load-bearing member operable to be driven by a drive sheave in an elevator system is provided. The load-bearing member has a body defined by a thickness, a width that is greater than the thickness, and a length. The body comprises a single solid material that is uniform in the cross-section, and is sufficiently flexible to permit the member to wrap at least partially around the drive sheave of an elevator system. An elevator system is also provided that includes the aforesaid load-bearing members, a car, a counterweight and a drive sheave. The load-bearing members connect the car and counterweight to the drive sheave, and are wrapped at least partially around the drive sheave.
Abstract:
A method for making apertures in a web comprising providing a precursor web material; providing a pair of counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers, wherein a first roller comprises circumferentially-extending ridges and grooves, and a second roller comprises teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the second roller at the base, the base of the tooth having a cross-sectional length dimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension; and moving the web material through a nip of the counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers; wherein apertures are formed in the precursor web material as the teeth on one of the rollers intermesh with grooves on the other of the rollers.
Abstract:
Environmentally degradable finely attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer are disclosed. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing thermoplastic polymer microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix of the finely attenuated fiber. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.