Elevator Tension Member Assembly Techniques

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.

1 . A method of making a tension member for use in an elevator system, complising: 
 (A) arranging a plurality of wires ( 40 ) into at least one strand ( 42 );    (B) arranging a plurality of the strands ( 42 ) into at least one cord ( 46 );    (C) determining if there is at least one broken wire end protruding from at least one of the strands ( 42 ) or at least one of the cords ( 46 ) while performing steps (A) and (B); and    (D) manipulating the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) to prevent the wire end from protruding.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (D) includes inserting the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) into the corresponding strand ( 42 ) or cord ( 46 ).  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (D) includes securing the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) against an outer surface of the corresponding strand ( 42 ) or cord ( 44 ).  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step (D) includes brazing the wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) to a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step (D) includes welding the wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) to a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step (D) includes adhesively securing the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) to a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (D) includes twisting the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) around a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (D) includes cutting off a protruding portion of the wire.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , including applying a jacket ( 24 ) over the at least one cord and performing steps (C) and (D) in association with the step of applying the jacket ( 24 ).  
   
   
       10 . An elevator tension member assembly having a plurality of cords covered by a jacket, the tension member made by the method, comprising: 
 (A) arranging a plurality of wires ( 40 ) into at least one strand ( 42 );    (B) arranging a plurality of the strands ( 42 ) into at least one cord ( 46 );    (C) applying a jacket ( 24 ) over the at least one cord ( 46 );    (D) determining if there is at least one broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) protruding from at least one of the strands ( 42 ) or at least one of the cords ( 46 ) while performing at least steps (A) and (B); and    (E) manipulating the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) to prevent the wire end from protruding.    
   
   
       11 . The tension member assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the method step (E) includes inserting the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) into the corresponding strand ( 42 ) or cord ( 46 ).  
   
   
       12 . The tension member assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the method step (E) includes securing the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) against an outer surface of the corresponding strand ( 42 ) or cord ( 46 ).  
   
   
       13 . The tension member assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the securing includes brazing the wire end to a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       14 . The tension member assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the securing includes welding the wire end to a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       15 . The tension member assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the securing includes adhesively securing the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) to a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       16 . The tension member assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the method step (E) includes cutting off a protruding portion of the broken wire.  
   
   
       17 . The tension member assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the method step (E) includes twisting the broken wire end ( 44 ,  54 ) around a portion of at least one adjacent unbroken wire.  
   
   
       18 . The tension member assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the method includes performing steps (D) and (E) in association with performing step (C).