by Yoyo Head on December 5th, 2005

Yoyo Head

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What safety measures are in place to prevent elevator cars from falling down their shafts?

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  • by jalex137 on December 7th, 2005

    jalex137

    It was the demonstration of such a device that made Elisha Otis's name synonymous with elevators. The company he founded on this invention is still the largest manufacturer of elevators. His first device was a spring loaded brake mechanism on the car which was held back by the tension of the lifting cable. If the cable lost its tension, the brake instantly gripped the shaft and stopped the car's motion.

    Other mechanisms since then limit the speed at which the car can move up and down the shaft. There also are frequently bumpers at the bottom of the shaft which can stop a falling car relativley safely.

    The Otis Elevator story:
    http://www.otis.com/cp/subcategorydetails/0,2241,CLI1_RES1_SCM14900_SCP14907,00.html

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