Alexander M Philobos

US Patent:

46432760, Feb 17, 1987

Filed:

May 2, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/729603

Inventors:

Alexander M. Philobos - Edison NJ

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B66B 502

US Classification:

187107

Abstract:

A traction elevator system having an elevator car and a counterweight. Counterweight derailment, such as due to an earthquake, is detected via a vertically oriented wire strung tautly in the hoistway, a metallic ring on the counterweight which encircles the wire, control connected to the wire for detecting contact between the ring and wire, and a switch on the counterweight which enables the control to detect contact between the ring and wire only after predetermined abnormal horizontal movement of the counterweight.