ELEVATOR AND METHOD FOR REPAIRING ELEVATOR

Abstract

 An elevator of the present invention includes: a main rope looped around a traction sheave and inserted through a floor of a machine room to be suspended in a hoistway, the main rope having one-end side and another-end side fixed to an upper part of the hoistway so as to be reversed through loop portions; a pair of suspension sheaves supported respectively by the loop portions; a car and a counterweight, each including a supporting frame; a connection device for connecting one of the pair of suspension sheaves and the car and a connection device for connecting another of the pair of suspension sheaves and the counterweight; and a pair of guide rails provided to the car and a pair of guide rails provided to the counterweight, for guiding raising and lowering of the car and the counterweight, respectively. Each of the connection devices includes a restricting body for supporting a corresponding one of the supporting frames, the restricting body being provided to bridge between a corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails and including a pair of abutment portions respectively provided at both ends of the restricting body, the pair of abutment portions being respectively brought into abutment against the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails at positions different from each other in a height direction, a corresponding one of the pair of suspension sheaves being connected to the restricting body so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a 2:1 roping elevator and a method of remodeling a 1:1 roping elevator into a 2:1 roping elevator.

Background Art

[0002] A general 1:1 roping elevator includes a tractionmachine including a sheave, which is provided in a machine room, a deflector sheave provided in the machine room, main ropes looped around the sheave and the deflector sheave, each having both sides to be suspended in a hoistway via through holes formed through a floor of the machine room, and a car and a counterweight connected to the respective ends of the main ropes (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

[0003] Further, although not described in Patent Literature 1, guide rails extended in a height direction, for guiding the raising and lowering of the car and the counterweight, are provided. As a result, the movement of the car and the counterweight in a horizontal direction is substantially restricted.

[0004] In general, a plurality of the main ropes are arranged in an axial direction of the sheave. The main ropes are connected to the car and the counterweight so that the center of a direction of arrangement of the plurality of main ropes is located at the centers of the car and the counterweight as viewed from the height direction, in other words, positions at which the car and the counterweight are suspended are located at the centers of the car and the counterweight, respectively. Moreover, in this state, each of the car and the counterweight is maintained in a desired attitude.

[0005] In addition, a general 2:1 roping elevator includes a traction machine including a sheave, which is provided in a machine room, a deflector sheave provided in the machine room, main ropes looped around the sheave and the deflector sheave to be suspended in a hoistway via through holes formed through a floor of the machine room, and having one-end side and the other-end side fixed to an upper part of the hoistway so as to be reversed through loop portions, a pair of pulleys which have the respective loop portions looped therearound from below and are raised and lowered in directions opposite to each other in accordance with running of the main ropes, and a car and a counterweight respectively connected to the pair of pulleys (for example, see Patent Literature 2).

[0006] In this case, the car and the counterweight are respectively connected to the pulleys so that centers of the pulleys are located at centers of the car and the counterweight, in other words, positions at which the car and the counterweight are suspended are located at the centers of the car and the counterweight, respectively, as viewed from a height direction. In this state, each of the car and the counterweight is maintained in a desired attitude.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0007] 

[PTL 1] JP 2002-173280 A

[PTL 2] JP 05-193867 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0008] In a case where the suspension positions as viewed from the height direction remain unchanged from those in the existing elevator when the general 1:1 roping elevator (existing elevator) is to be remodeled into the general 2:1 roping elevator by using the existing guide rails, it is necessary to suspend the car and the counterweight by using the main ropes in the following manner. Specifically, it is necessary to shift the position of the main ropes suspended from the machine room from the original position of the existing main ropes by the amount equal to a radius of each of the pulleys and then fix the ends of the main ropes through the loop portions.

[0009] Therefore, rope passage holes for the passage of the main ropes which are used for a new elevator are required to be additionally formed through the floor of the machine room. Specifically, a chipping operation is required to be performed on concrete which forms the floor of the machine room. Thus, an operation of the elevator is required to be stopped while the new rope passage hole is being formed through the floor of the machine room. Therefore, inconvenience is caused to users.

[0010] Moreover, if the main ropes to be used for the new elevator are suspended through the rope passage holes, through which the main ropes of the existing elevator have previously passed, so as to be looped around the pulleys to construct the 2:1 roping elevator, the positions at which the car and the counterweight are suspended as viewed from the height direction are shifted from the positions in the existing elevator by the amount equal to the radius of each of the pulleys. Specifically, in this case, each of the car and the counterweight is inclined from the predetermined attitude.

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and therefore has an object to provide an elevator and a method of remodeling an elevator, which are suitable for remodeling an existing 1:1 roping elevator into a 2:1 roping elevator without forming a new rope passage hole through a floor of a machine room and inclining a car and a counterweight from predetermined attitudes.

Solution to Problem

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an elevator, including: a machine room provided in an upper part of a hoistway; a tractionmachine including a traction sheave; a main rope looped around the traction sheave to be suspended from the machine room in the hoistway, the main rope having one-end side and another-end side fixed to the upper part of the hoistway so as to be reversed through loop portions; a pair of suspension sheaves supported respectively by the loop portions so as to be raised and lowered in directions opposite to each other in accordance with running of the main rope; a car and a counterweight, each including a supporting frame; a connection device for connecting one of the pair of suspension sheaves and the car and a connection device for connecting another of the pair of suspension sheaves and the counterweight; and a pair of guide rails provided to the car and a pair of guide rails provided to the counterweight, for guiding the raising and lowering of the car and the counterweight, respectively, in which each of the connection devices includes a restricting body for supporting a corresponding one of the supporting frames, the restricting body being provided to bridge between a corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails and including a pair of abutment portions respectively provided at both ends of the restricting body, the pair of abutment portions being respectively brought into abutment against the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails at positions different from each other in a height direction, a corresponding one of the pair of suspension sheaves being connected to the restricting body so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0013] According to one embodiment of the elevator of the present invention, each of the restricting bodies, to which the corresponding one of the pair of suspension sheaves is connected, is provided to bridge between the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails. The pair of abutment portions provided at both the ends of the each of the restricting bodies are respectively held in abutment, at the different height positions, against the opposed wall surfaces of the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails. Therefore, even when positions at which the car and the counterweight are suspended as viewed from the height direction are shifted from positions at which the car and the counterweight are maintained in predetermined attitudes to exert a moment for turning the car and the counterweight around the suspension positions on the car and the counterweight, the turning of the car and the counterweight is restricted by the respective restricting bodies.

[0014] As a result, even if the positions at which the counterweight and the car are suspended are shifted from those in the existing elevator, there arises no problem. Therefore, when the existing 1:1 roping elevator is to be remodeled into the elevator according to one embodiment of the present invention, an operation of connecting the main ropes and the car or the counterweight can be performed simply by connecting the car and the counterweight through an intermediation of the suspension sheave and the connecting device to the new main ropes passing through a portion through which the main rope of the existing elevator has been inserted.

[0015] Specifically, the need of a chipping operation for the floor of the machine room is eliminated. Therefore, operation time and efforts required to remodel the elevator can be remarkably saved. At the same time, inconvenience caused to users, which is associated with the stop of the elevator, can be significantly reduced.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] 

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an inside of a machine room of the elevator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the vicinity of a car illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction A.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the vicinity of a counterweight illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction B.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the car of the elevator and the periphery thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of connection between a connection device and a suspension sheave on a car side in the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of connection between a connection device and the suspension sheave on a counterweight side in the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion C illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion D illustrated in FIG. 3, from which the illustration of a car frame is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view as viewed from a direction E of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory schematic view of a method of remodeling an elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention, for illustrating an existing elevator.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory top view of the method of remodeling an elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention, for illustrating an inside of a machine room of the existing elevator.

FIG. 13 is a front view as viewed from a direction F of FIG. 11.

Description of Embodiment

[0017] Now, a best mode for carrying out the present invention is described referring to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of an inside of a machine room of the elevator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the vicinity of a car illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction A. FIG. 4 is a front view of the vicinity of a counterweight illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction B. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the car of the elevator and the periphery thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In FIGS. 1 to 4, an elevator 1 is a 2:1 roping elevator, and includes a machine room 3 provided in an upper part of a hoistway 2 formed in a building, a traction machine 4 which is fixed onto machine beds 7 provided in the machine room 3 and includes a traction sheave 5 and an electric motor 6 for generating a torque for rotating the traction sheave 5, a deflector sheave 8 provided in the machine room 3, main ropes 9 which are each looped around the traction sheave 5 and the deflector sheave 8 and have one-end side and the other-end side located in the upper part of the hoistway 2 so as to be inserted into rope passage holes 3b and 3c formed through a floor 3A of the machine room 3 to be suspended in the hoistway 2 and reversed through loop portions 9a, and rope shackles 70 as rope supporting devices respectively for supporting the one end and the other end of the main ropes 9 to a fixing portion provided in the upper part of the hoistway 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0020] The elevator 1 also includes a pair of suspension sheaves 10a and 10b which have the respective loop portions 9a looped therearound from below and are raised and lowered in directions opposite to each other in accordance with the running of the main ropes 9, a car 15 and a counterweight 20, a connection device 30A for connecting the one suspension sheave 10a and the car 15, a connection device 30B for connecting the other suspension sheave 10b and the counterweight 20, and a pair of guide rails 25, each which is provided to each of the car 15 and the counterweight 20, for guiding the raising and lowering of each of the car 15 and the counterweight 20.

[0021] A surface side of the floor 3A of the machine room 3 is made of cinder concrete 3a.

[0022] Further, the pair of rope passage holes 3b and 3c formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 are formed at positions respectively corresponding to the traction sheave 5 and the deflector sheave 8 as described later.

[0023] The car 15 includes a cage 16 and a car frame 17 as a supporting frame for supporting the cage 16.

[0024] The car frame 17 includes a pair of stiles 17a and a pair of crossheads 17b for connecting upper ends of the pair of stiles 17a, and a pair of planks 17c for connecting lower ends of the pair of stiles 17a.

[0025] The pair of crossheads 17b are provided so as to interpose an upper-end side of the pair of stiles 17a therebetween on one-end side and the other-end side of the pair of crossheads 17b, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5.

[0026] Further the pair of planks 17c are provided so as to interpose a lower-end side of the pair of stiles 17a therebetween on one-end side and the other-end side of the pair of planks 17c.

[0027] Note that, for convenience of the description, the illustration of a part of the stiles 17a of the car frame 17 is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0028] The cage 16 is placed on the planks 17c of the car frame 17 to be supported by the car frame 17.

[0029] At this time, the stiles 17a are extended in a height direction at a distance from outer wall surfaces of the cage 16 on both sides in a width direction.

[0030] The counterweight 20 includes a weight main body 21 and a counterweight frame 22 as a supporting frame for supporting the weight main body 21, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0031] The counterweight frame 22 includes a pair of stiles 22a, a pair of crossheads 22b for connecting upper ends of the pair of stiles 22a, and a pair of planks 22c for connecting lower ends of the pair of stiles 22a.

[0032] The pair of crossheads 22b are provided so as to interpose an upper-end side of the pair of stiles 22a therebetween on one-end side and the other-end side of the pair of crossheads 22b.

[0033] Further, the pair of planks 22c are provided so as to interpose a lower-end sides of the pair of stiles 22a therebetween on one-end side and the other-end side of the pair of planks 22c.

[0034] Note that, for convenience of the description, the illustration of a part of the stiles 22a of the counterweight frame 22 is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0035] The weight main body 21 is placed on the planks 22c of the counterweight frame 22 to be supported by the counterweight frame 22.

[0036] At this time, the stiles 22a are extended in a height direction at a distance from outer wall surfaces of the weight main body 21 on both sides in a width direction.

[0037] The machine beds 7 provided on the floor 3A of the machine room 3 are each made of H steel as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0038] Further, each of the guide rails 25 has a T-shaped cross section in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof.

[0039] Next, a configuration of the connection device 30A is described.

[0040] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of connection between the connection device and the suspension sheave on the car side in the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the connection device 30A, which connects the one suspension sheave 10a and the car 15, includes a restricting body 31A including abutment rollers 38 provided at both ends as a pair of abutment portions which are respectively brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the car 15 at positions different from each other in the height direction, the restricting body 31A being provided to bridge between the pair of guide rails 25, and first supporting units 40 mounted to the restricting body 31A, for supporting the car 15 while absorbing vibrations of the car 15.

[0042] The restricting body 31A includes a restricting arm 32 and the above-mentioned pair of abutment rollers 38 respectively connected to both ends of the restricting arm 32.

[0043] The restricting arm 32 includes an approximately L-shaped main body arm 35 having a first arm 33 and a second arm 34 which are orthogonal to each other, a first roller mounting arm 36 extended from one end of the main body arm 35, and a second roller mounting arm 37 extended from the other end of the main body arm 35.

[0044] The first arm 33 includes a suspension-sheave supporting portion 33A having a predetermined length, a first bridge portion 33B connected to one end of the suspension-sheave supporting portion 33A, and a second bridge portion 33C connected to the other end of the suspension-sheave supporting portion 33A.

[0045] Note that, the first bridge portion 33B, the suspension-sheave supporting portion 33A, and the second bridge portion 33C are connected so as to be approximately aligned in a longitudinal direction.

[0046] The suspension-sheave supporting portion 33A includes a pair of branch arm portions 33a which are arranged in parallel to each other at a distance from each other and have one ends and the other ends respectively connected to each other.

[0047] An outer shape of a cross section in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of each of the branch arm portions 33a, the first bridge portion 33B, and the second bridge portion 33C is formed into a frame body having an outer shape having an approximately predetermined width and predetermined height.

[0048] Further, the second arm 34 is connected to a distal end of the second bridge portion 33C so as to be extended perpendicularly from the second bridge portion 33C.

[0049] Further, the first roller mounting arm 36 is extended from a distal end of the first bridge portion 33B in a direction opposite to the second arm 34 at a predetermined angle with respect to the first bridge portion 33B. The second roller mounting arm 37 is extended from a distal end of the second arm 34 in a direction opposite to the first arm 33.

[0050] Each of the first roller mounting arm 36 and the second roller mounting arm 37 is also formed to have a frame body with a rectangular cross section. However, a pair of mounting pieces 36a, which are arranged relative to each other so as to be separated away from each other in the same direction as the direction in which the pair of branch arms portions 33a are separated away from each other, are mounted to a distal end portion of the first roller mounting arm36. Inaddition, a pair of mounting pieces 37a, which are arranged relative to each other so as to be separated away from each other in the same direction as the direction in which the pair of branch arms portions 33a are separated away from each other, are mounted to a distal end portion of the second roller mounting arm 37.

[0051] Further eachof the abutment rollers 38 includes a roller main body 38a having a cylindrical shape and flange portions 38b extended in a radial direction by a predetermined length from the entire regions of outer circumferential edge portions at both ends of the roller main body 38a in an axial direction.

[0052] Further, one of the abutment rollers 38 is mounted between the pair of mounting pieces 36a of the first roller mounting arm 36 so as to be rotatable about a shaft which coincides with the direction in which the mounting pieces 36a are separated away from each other, whereas the other one of the abutment rollers 38 is mounted between the pair of mounting pieces 37a of the second roller mounting arm 37 so as to be rotatable about a shaft which coincides with the direction in which the mounting pieces 37a are separated away from each other.

[0053] In this case, a part of the outer circumferential edge portions of each of the abutment rollers 38 projects from a corresponding one of the first roller mounting arm 36 and the second roller mounting arm 37.

[0054] Further, each of the supporting units 40 includes a rubber piece 41 as a first elastic member and a pair of retainer plates 42 for interposing both sides of the rubber piece 41 in a thickness direction therebetween.

[0055] Note that, one of the retainer plates 42 includes a flange portion extended outward from the rubber piece 41 as viewed from the thickness direction of the rubber piece 41.

[0056] Further, the flange portion is fixed to one end surface of each of the branch arm portions 33a in the height direction so that the supporting units 40 are fixed to the branch arm portions 33a. In this case, the supporting units 40 are located approximately in a middle portion of the first arms 33 in the longitudinal direction.

[0057] Further, one end of a reinforcing member 39 is fixed to the second arm 34 and the other end thereof is fixed to the second bridge portion 33C so as to bridge between a middle portion of the second arm 34 and a base end side of the second bridge portion 33C.

[0058] Next, a configuration of the connection device 30B is described.

[0059] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of connection between the connection device and the suspension sheave on the counterweight side in the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion C illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0060] In FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the connection device 30B which connects the other suspension sheave 10B and the counterweight 20 to each other includes a restricting body 31B, the first supporting units 40, and a mounting-position adjusting device 60.

[0061] The restricting body 31B has a similar shape to that of the restricting body 31A except for the omission of the first bridge portion 33B and the direct connection of the first roller mounting arm 36 to one end of the suspension-sheave supporting portions 33A.

[0062] Note that, the components of the restricting body 31B which correspond to the components of the restricting body 31A are denoted by the same reference symbols, and the description thereof is herein omitted.

[0063] The mounting-position adjusting device 60 includes a U-shaped shaft support fitting 61 as a suspension-sheave bearing member, jack bolts 62, and fixing bolts 63.

[0064] The shaft support fitting 61 includes a bottom portion 61A and supporting pieces 61B which extend from both ends of the bottom portion 61A in the longitudinal direction so as to face each other.

[0065] An elongated hole 61a is formed through each of the supporting pieces 61B to extend from the vicinity of the bottom portion 61A toward a distal end so as to have a predetermined length.

[0066] Further, a shaft insertion hole 61b is formed through each of the supporting pieces 61B on the distal end side.

[0067] Further, although not shown, a pair of screw holes are formed through the bottom portion 61A so as to be separated away from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0068] The shaft support fitting 61 is provided so that the pair of branch arm portions 33a is interposed between the pair of supporting pieces 61B and the bottom portion 61A faces the other surfaces (lower surfaces) of the pair of branch arm portions 33a in the height direction.

[0069] Further, the jack bolts 62 are threadably fitted into the screw holes formed through the bottom portion 61A. Further, the fixing bolts 63 are inserted into the elongated holes 61a so as to be threadably fitted into side surfaces of the branch arm portions 33a. In this manner, the supporting pieces 61B are fastened to the branch arm portions 33a with the fixing bolts 33. As a result, the shaft support fitting 61 is fixed to the branch arm portions 33a.

[0070] The fixing bolts 63 are loosened to adjust the amount of screwing of the jack bolts 62. In this manner, under a condition that distal ends of the jack bolts 62 are held in abutment against the bottom portions of the branch arm portions 33a, a position at which the shaft support fitting 61 is mounted to the branch arm portions 33a can be easily adjusted. As a result, a height position of the shaft insertion holes 61b with respect to the branch arm portions 33a can be easily adjusted.

[0071] Next, a configuration of the rope shackles 70 as the rope supporting devices is described.

[0072] In FIGS. 4 and 8, each of the rope shackles 70 includes a shackle rod 71 having one end fixed to an end of each of the main ropes 9 and the other end inserted through a rope anchoring beam 80 as a fixing portion fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2, a second supporting unit 72 provided between a distal end of the shackle rod 71 inserted through the rope anchoring beam 80 and the rope anchoring beam 80, and a nut 76 as connection means for connecting and fixing the shackle rod 71 to the rope anchoring beam 80 through the second supporting unit 72.

[0073] The second supporting unit 72 includes a rubber piece 73 as a second elastic member and a pair of retainer plates 74 for interposing both sides of the rubber piece 73 in the thickness direction therebetween.

[0074] Further, an insertion hole (not shown) is formed in the second supporting unit 72 so as to pass through the rubber piece 73 and the retainer plates 74.

[0075] Next, a structure in which the elevator 1 is installed is described.

[0076] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion D illustrated in FIG. 3, from which the illustration of the car frame is omitted. FIG. 10 is a sectional view as viewed from a direction E of FIG. 9.

[0077] In FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a pair of the machine beds 7 are provided on the floor 3A of the machine room 3 in parallel to each other at a distance from each other.

[0078] The traction machine 4 is provided to bridge between the pair of machine beds 7, and is fixed to the machine beds 7.

[0079] At this time, the traction sheave 5 is provided between the pair of machine beds 7 so that an axial direction thereof is parallel to a direction in which the pair of machine beds 7 are separated away from each other, as viewed from the height direction.

[0080] The deflector sheave 8 is also provided adjacent to the traction sheave 5 between the pair of machine beds 7 so that an axial direction thereof is parallel to the axial direction of the traction sheave 5 and the respective outer circumferential surfaces face each other.

[0081] The above-mentioned rope passage hole 3b is formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 so as to include an end portion of the traction sheave 5, which is located opposite to the deflector sheave 8 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the traction sheave 5 as viewed from the height direction.

[0082] Further, the above-mentioned rope passage hole 3c is formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 so as to include an end portion of the deflector sheave 8, which is located opposite to the traction sheave 5 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the deflector sheave 8 as viewed from the height direction.

[0083] The main ropes 9 are each looped around the traction sheave 5 and the deflector sheave 8 from above, and inserted through the rope passage holes 3b and 3c so as to be suspended in the hoistway 2. Further, the one end and the other end of each of the main ropes 9 are fixed to the rope anchoring beam 80 fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2 by using the rope shackles 70, as described below.

[0084] Note that, the rope anchoring beam 80 is supported by and fixed to a pair of beam supporting members 77 provided to the upper part of the hoistway 2.

[0085] In FIG. 8, each of the beam supporting members 77 has an L-like sectional shape. The beam supporting members 77 are fixed to wall surfaces of the upper part of the hoistway 2, which are opposed to each other. At this time, the pair of beam supporting members 77 is provided so that distal ends of one pieces arranged horizontally are opposed to each other and the other pieces are fixed to the wall surface of the hoistway 2 with anchor bolts 78.

[0086] The rope anchoring beam 80 is made of H steel, and one end and the other end thereof in the longitudinal direction are located on the one pieces of the pair of beam supporting members 77 so that the rope anchoring beam 80 bridges between the one pieces of the pair of beam supporting members 77. At this time, the rope anchoring beam 80 includes steel pieces arranged so as to be opposed to each other in the height direction. One of the steel pieces is provided so as to be held in contact with the ceiling of the hoistway 2.

[0087] Note that, the rope anchoring beam 80 is provided so as to pass through a predetermined position above the car 15 and the counterweight 20.

[0088] Each of the main ropes 9 is connected to one end of a corresponding one of the shackle rods 71. The other-end side of each of the shackle rods 71 is inserted into the rope anchoring beam 80 from below. In addition, each of the second supporting units 72 is fitted onto the other-end side of the shackle rod 71 inserted through the rope anchoring beam 80 so as to be fixed to the rope anchoring beam 80. Then, the nuts 76 are threadably fitted over the shackle rods 71 so that the second supporting units 72 and the rope anchoring beam 80 are fastened and fixed with the nuts 76.

[0089] Further, the other end of each of the main ropes 9 is similarly connected to the rope anchoring beam 80 fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2.

[0090] As described above, the one end of each of the main ropes 9 is connected to the upper part of the hoistway 2. As a result, the loop portion 9a is formed at a lower end of a portion of the main ropes 9 suspended between the one end of the main ropes 9 and the one rope passage hole 3b so as to reverse a direction in which the main ropes 9 extend.

[0091] Further, the other loop portion 9a is formed at a lower end of a portion of the main ropes 9 suspended between the other end of the main ropes 9 and the other rope passage hole 3c so as to reverse the direction in which the main ropes 9 extend.

[0092] Further, the pair of the suspension sheaves 10a and 10b are respectively placed on the pair of loop portions 9a from above. In other words, the pair of loop portions 9a are provided so as to be looped around the pair of suspension sheaves 10a and 10b from below so that the pair of suspension sheaves 10a and 10b are supported by the main ropes 9.

[0093] Further, the one suspension sheave 10a and the car 15 are connected through an intermediation of the connection device 30A as described below.

[0094] The suspension sheave 10a is arranged between the pair of crossheads 17b constituting the car frame 17 so that an axial direction thereof coincides with a direction in which the pair of crossheads 17b are separated away from each other, as viewed from the height direction.

[0095] At this time, a main portion of the suspension sheave 10a projects downward from the crossheads 17b.

[0096] The restricting body 31A is provided so that the second arm 34 extends upward from the first arm 33 and the pair of abutment rollers 38 are respectively held in abutment against end surfaces of the pair of guide rails arranged on both sides of the car 15, which are opposed to each other.

[0097] At this time, each of the abutment rollers 38 is provided so as that the distal end side of a corresponding one of the guide rails 25 is interposed between outer circumferential sides of the pair of flange portions 38b and an outer circumferential surface of the roller main body 38a is held in contact with the end surface of the corresponding guide rail 25 extending in the height direction, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0098] Further, one of the abutment rollers 38 is held in abutment against the corresponding guide rail 25 through a roller passage hole 17d formed through one of the stiles 17a, and a distal end of the second roller mounting arm 37 thereof is located above the crossheads 17b. The other abutment roller 38 is held in abutment against the corresponding guide rail 25 not through the other stile 17a.

[0099] Further, the restricting arm 32 is connected to the suspension sheave 10a by inserting a shaft of the suspension sheave 10a through the pair of branch arm portions 33a, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. At this time, the restricting arm 32 is arranged so that a longitudinal direction of one piece of the main body arm 35 coincides with a direction in which the pair of guide rails 25 are separated away from each other. As a result, the suspension sheave 10a is supported by the branch arms 33a so as to be rotatable about the rotary shaft thereof.

[0100] Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the other suspension sheave 10b and the counterweight 20 are connected through an intermediation of the connection device 30B in the following manner.

[0101] The suspension sheave 10b is provided between the pair of crossheads 22b constituting the counterweight frame 22 so that an axial direction thereof coincides with the direction in which the pair of crossheads 22b are separated away from each other, as viewed from the height direction.

[0102] At this time, a main portion of the suspension sheave 10b projects downward from the crossheads 22b.

[0103] The restricting body 31B constituting the connection device 30B is provided so that the second arm 34 extends upward from the first arm 33 and the pair of abutment rollers 38 are held in abutment against end surfaces of the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the counterweight 20, which are opposed to each other.

[0104] At this time, one of the abutment rollers 38 is held in abutment against the end surface of a corresponding one of the guide rails 25 through a roller passage hole (not shown) formed through one of the stiles 22a. The second roller mounting arm 37 is located above the crossheads 22b. The other abutment roller 38 is held in abutment against a corresponding one of the guide rails 25 not through the other stile 22a.

[0105] The restricting body 31B to which the shaft support fitting 61 is connected is arranged so that the bottom portion 61A of the shaft support fitting 61 is oriented downward and a longitudinal direction of one piece (first arm 33) of the main body arm 35 coincides with the direction in which the pair of guide rails 25 are separated away from each other. As a result, the elongated holes 61a formed through the supporting pieces 61B of the shaft support fitting 61 extend in the height direction. Therefore, the position at which the shaft support fitting 61 is mounted can be adjusted in the height direction.

[0106] Then, a rotary shaft of the suspension sheave 10b is inserted into the shaft insertion holes 61b formed through the supporting pieces 61B in advance. As a result, both ends of the rotary shaft of the suspension sheave 10b are fixed to the pair of supportingpieces 61B so that the suspension sheave 10b is rotatable about the rotary shaft.

[0107] Further, for the shaft support fitting 61, by adjusting the amount of screwing of the jack bolts 62 under the condition that the distal ends of the jack bolts 62 are held in abutment against the bottom portions of the branch arm portions 33a, the positions on the branch arm portions 33a (first arm 33) at which the supporting pieces 61B are mounted can be adjusted in the height direction. Moreover, the fixing bolts 63 are inserted into the elongated holes 61a so as to be fastened on side surfaces of the branch arm portions 33a. As a result, the suspension sheave 10b is fixed to the branch arm portions 33a at a desired height position.

[0108] Further, the centers of the suspension sheaves 10a and 10b are shifted from the centers of the car 15 and the counterweight 20 as viewed from above. Specifically, as viewed from above, the positions at which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are suspended are shifted from the centers of the car 15 and the counterweight 20.

[0109] Therefore, the stiles 17a of the car frame 17 and the stiles 22a of the counterweight frame 22 generate a moment for turning the car 15 and the counterweight 20 about the positions from which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are suspended in a direction in which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are inclined from predetermined attitudes of the car 15 and the counterweight 20 which extend in the height direction.

[0110] However, both ends (pair of abutment rollers 38) of the restricting body 31A connected to the suspension sheave 10a are held in abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the car 15 at the positions different in the height direction. Therefore, the turning of the car 15 from the predetermined attitude is restricted by the restricting body 31A. Thus, the car 15 is guided by the guide rails 25 so as to be raised and lowered in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the suspension sheave 10a while maintaining the predetermined attitude.

[0111] Similarly, both ends (pair of abutment rollers 38) of the restricting body 31B connected to the counterweight 20 are held in abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the counterweight 20 at the positions different in the height direction. Therefore, the turning of the counterweight 20 from the predetermined attitude is restricted by the restricting body 31B. Thus, the counterweight 20 is guided by the guide rails 25 so as to be raised and lowered in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the suspension sheave 10b while maintaining the predetermined attitude.

[0112] When an existing 1:1 roping elevator described below is to be remodeled to construct the 2:1 roping elevator 1 having the configuration described above, a new rope passage hole is not formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3, and the guide rails 25, the car 15, the counterweight 20, the machine beds 7, and the like of an existing elevator 100 can be directly used.

[0113] Before the description of a method of remodeling a 1:1 roping elevator into a 2:1 roping elevator, a configuration of the 1:1 roping elevator is described.

[0114] FIG. 11 is an explanatory schematic view of a method of remodeling an elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention, for illustrating an existing elevator. FIG. 12 is an explanatory top view of the method of remodeling an elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention, for illustrating an inside of a machine room of the existing elevator. FIG. 13 is a front view as viewed from a direction F of FIG. 11.

[0115] Note that, in FIGS. 11 to 13, the same parts as or corresponding parts to those of the elevator 1 described above are denoted by the same reference symbols, and the description thereof is herein omitted.

[0116] In FIGS. 11 to 13, the existing elevator 100 is a 1:1 roping elevator, and includes the machine room 3 provided in the upper part of the hoistway 2, a traction machine 104 which is fixed to the machine beds 7 provided in the machine room 3 and includes a traction sheave 105 and an electric motor 106 for generating the torque for rotating the traction sheave 105, a deflector sheave 108 provided in the machine room 3, and main ropes 109 which are each looped around the traction sheave 105 and the deflector sheave 108 and inserted into the rope passage holes 3b and 3c formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 so that one-end side and the other-end side thereof are suspended in the hoistway 2.

[0117] The existing elevator 100 also includes the car 15 and the counterweight 20 which are respectively connected to the one-end side and the other-end side of each of the main ropes 109, the pairs of guide rails 25 provided so that the car 15 is located between one pair of guide rails 25 and the counterweight 20 is located between the other pair of guide rails 25, for respectively guiding the raising and lowering of the car 15 and the counterweight 20, and as illustrated in FIG. 13, rope shackles 110A as rope supporting devices, each for connecting one end of a corresponding one of the main ropes 109 to the car 15, and rope shackles 110B as rope supporting devices, each for connecting the other end of the corresponding one of the main ropes 109 to the counterweight 20.

[0118] The rope passage hole 3b is formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 so as to include an end portion of the traction sheave 105, which is located opposite to the deflector sheave 108 in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the traction sheave 105, as viewed from the height direction.

[0119] Further, the rope passage hole 3c is formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 so as to include an end portion of the deflector sheave 108, which is located opposite to the traction sheave 105 in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the deflector sheave 108, as viewed from the height direction.

[0120] Each of the rope shackles 110A connects one end of a corresponding one of the main ropes 109 and the crossheads 17b.

[0121] Each of the rope shackles 110B connects the other end of the corresponding one of the main ropes 109 and the crossheads 22b.

[0122] In the existing elevator 100 configured as described above, the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are raised and lowered in the directions opposite to each other in conjunction with the rotation of the traction sheave 105.

[0123] Next, the method of remodeling the existing elevator 100 into the elevator 1 by using the guide rails 25, the car 15, the counterweight 20, and the machine beds 7 is described.

[0124] The car 15 and the counterweight 20 are temporarily fixed (temporarily supported) at predetermined positions inside the hoistway 2 by some kind of method. This kind of operation is conventionally performed, for example, to replace main ropes of a general existing elevator or the like, and is therefore known. Thus, the description thereof is herein omitted.

[0125] Next, the existing traction machine 104, the existing deflector sheave 108, and the existing main ropes 109 are removed.

[0126] Further, the new deflector sheave 8 is provided so as to correspond to the position at which the existing deflector sheave 108 has been provided. The new traction machine 4 is fixed to the machine beds 7, in which the existing machine beds 7 are directly used, so as to correspond to the position at which the existing traction machine 104 has been provided.

[0127] At this time, the existing machine beds 7 are not particularly moved.

[0128] Moreover, as described above, the traction machine 4 and the deflector sheave 8 are installed so that the end portion of the traction sheave 5 located opposite to the deflector sheave 8 is included in the rope passage hole 3b and the end portion of the deflector sheave 8 located opposite to the traction sheave 5 is included in the rope passage hole 3c in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the traction sheave 5 and the deflector sheave 8, as viewed from the height direction.

[0129] Further, the pair of beam supporting members 77 is fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2, and the rope anchoring beam 80 is provided to bridge between the pair of beam supporting members 77.

[0130] Next, the new main ropes 9 are each looped around the new traction sheave 5 and deflector sheave 8. The one-end side and the other-end side of each of the new main ropes 9 are suspended in the hoistway 2 through the passage holes 3b and 3c, through which the existing main ropes 109 have previously been inserted. Then, the one-end side and the other-end side of each of the new main ropes 9 are fixed to the rope anchoring beam 80 provided to the upper part of the hoistway 2 by using the rope shackles 70 so the new main ropes 9 are reversed through the loop portions 9a.

[0131] Further, the pair of suspension sheaves 10a and 10b are provided so that the loop portions 9a are respectively looped therearound from below to be supported by the main ropes 9.

[0132] Next, the one suspension sheave 10a and the car 15 are connected to each other by using the connection device 30A (first connection step).

[0133] Further, the other suspension sheave 10b and the counterweight 20 are connected to each other by using the connection device 30B (second connection step).

[0134] Specifically, the first connection step includes a step of connecting the suspension sheave 10a to the restricting body 31A so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis and providing the restricting body 31A between the pair of guide rails 25 so that the pair of abutment rollers 38 are respectively brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 at different height positions. The second connection step includes a step of connecting the suspension sheave 10b to the restricting body 31B so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis and providing the restricting body 31B between the pair of guide rails 25 so that the pair of abutment rollers 38 are respectively brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 at different height positions.

[0135] More specifically, in the first connection step, the first supporting units 40 are mounted to the first arm 33 of the restricting body 31A. The first arm 33 is horizontally arranged between the pair of guide rails 25 so that the first supporting units 40 are oriented upward. At the same time, the pair of abutment rollers 38 respectively are brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the car 15 with the restricting body 31A being oriented so that the second arm 34 extends upward from the first arm 33.

[0136] Then, after the suspension sheave 10a is moved to the position at which the crossheads 17b for the car 15 are placed on the first supporting units 40, the temporary fixation of the car 15 is released.

[0137] Further, in the second connection step, the first supporting units 40 are mounted to the first arm 33 of the restricting body 31B constituting the connectiondevice 30B. The pair of abutment rollers 38 are respectively brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the counterweight 20 with the restricting body 31B being oriented so that the second arm 34 extends upward from the first arm 33 and the first supporting units 40 are provided on an upper portion of the first arm 33.

[0138] Then, after the suspension sheave 10b is moved to the position at which the crossheads 22b for the counterweight 20 are placed on the first supporting units 40, the temporary fixation of the counterweight 20 is released.

[0139] As described above, the remodeling of the elevator is completed.

[0140] The elevator of the present invention is the 2:1 roping elevator which includes the connection device 30A for connecting the one suspension sheave 10a and the car 15 and the connection device 30B for connecting the other suspension sheave 10b and the counterweight 20. The connection device 30A includes the restricting body 31A which is arranged to bridge between the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the car 15, has the pair of abutment rollers 38 at both ends, which are brought into abutment against the opposed end surfaces of the pair of guide rails 25 at the different positions in the height direction, has the suspension sheave 10a connected so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis, and supports the supporting frame (car frame 17). The connection device 30B includes the restricting body 31B which is arranged to bridge between the pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the counterweight 20, has the pair of abutment rollers 38 at both ends, which are brought into abutment against the opposed end surfaces of the pair of guide rails 25 at the different positions in the height direction, has the suspension sheave 10b connected so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis, and supports the supporting frame (counterweight frame 22).

[0141] Therefore, even if the positions at which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are suspended as viewed from the height direction are shifted from the centers of the car 15 and the counterweight 20 and therefore the moment for turning the car 15 and the counterweight 20 about their respective suspension positions from the predetermined attitudes acts, the turning of the car 15 and the counterweight 20 is restricted by the restricting bodies 31A and 31B.

[0142] Specifically, according to the elevator 1 having the configuration described above, when the existing 1:1 roping elevator 100 is to be remodeled into the 2:1 roping elevator, the positions at which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are suspended may be shifted from the suspension positions in the existing elevator. Therefore, base materials of the existing elevator 100 such as the guide rails 25 and the machine beds 7 can be directly used.

[0143] Specifically, when the 2:1 roping elevator 1 is to be constructed by using the new main ropes 9 inserted through the rope passage holes 3b and 3c formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 , through which the main ropes 109 have previously been inserted, the positions at which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are suspended are shifted. However, the rotation of the car 15 and the counterweight 20 is restricted by the restricting bodies 31A and 31B. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new rope passage hole through the floor 3A of the machine room 3 or to move the machine beds 7 so as to shift the positions at which the car 15 and the counterweight 20 are suspended.

[0144] As a result, a chipping operation is not required to be performed on the floor 3A of the machine room 3. Thus, operation time and efforts required for the remodeling of the elevator can be remarkably saved. At the same time, a time period in which the elevator is stopped for the remodeling is shortened. As a result, inconvenience to the users can be significantly alleviated.

[0145] Further, if a hole is to be formed through the floor 3A of the machine room 3, there sometimes arises a problem in strength when the hole is formed in reinforcing steel embedded under the floor 3A. Therefore, the strength of the floor 3A, which may be changed by the formation of the hole, is required to be noted as well. However, in the case of the remodeling to the elevator 1, the above-mentioned problem is eliminated.

[0146] Moreover, the car frame 17 and the counterweight frame 22 as the supporting frames are supported by the restricting bodies 31A and 31B through an intermediation of the first elastic members. Therefore, the vibrations of the suspension sheaves 10a and 10b can be prevented from being transmitted to vibrate the car 15 and the counterweight 20.

[0147] The connection device 30B provided on the counterweight 20 side includes the shaft support fitting 61 as a suspension-sheave supporting member for supporting the suspension sheave 10B, the shaft support fitting 61 being provided to the restricting body 31B so that the position thereof in the height direction is adjustable. Therefore, even when the main ropes 9 are stretched in length, the stretch of the main ropes 9 is absorbed by shifting the position of the shaft support fitting 61 in the height direction so that a state similar to an initial state can be maintained.

[0148] Note that, the movement of the shaft support fitting 61 in the height direction only needs to be a half of the amount of stretch of the main ropes 9. The stretch of the main ropes 9, which corresponds to twice a length of the range in which the shaft support fitting 61 is movable, can be absorbed by the movement of the shaft support fitting 61 so as to maintain the initial state.

[0149] Moreover, the shaft support fitting 61 is provided to the restricting body 31B so that the position thereof in the height direction is adjustable. Therefore, when, for example, a distance between a portion of the rope anchoring beam 80 for supporting the shackle rods 71 by the insertion of the shackle rods 17 therethrough and the ceiling of the hoistway 2 is short, there is a limit in adjustment of the stretch of the main ropes 9 by moving the positions at which the shackle rods 71 are mounted toward the ceiling. It is desired to provide the rope anchoring beam 80 as close as possible to the ceiling of the hoistway 2. Even when the rope anchoring beam 80 is provided as close as possible to the ceiling of the hoistway 2, the main ropes 9 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the shaft support fitting 61 in the height direction. Therefore, a space in the upper part of the hoistway 2 can be reduced to omit an unnecessary space.

[0150] Each of the restricting bodies 31A and 31B includes the approximately L-shaped main body arm 35 having the one-end side and the other-end side to which the abutment rollers 38 are provided, and is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the one piece (first arm 33) of the main body arm 35 coincides with the direction in which the pair of guide rails 25 are separated away from each other.

[0151] The main part of each of the restricting bodies 31A and 31B has a simple configuration, that is, the L-like shape. Therefore, the manufacturing thereof is easy. Moreover, by simply placing the car 15 on the car frame 17 and the counterweight 20 on the counterweight frame 22, the car 15 and the counterweight 20 can be respectively supported by the restricting bodies 31A and 31B. Thus, manufacturing cost of the restricting bodies 31A and 31B and cost required for the operation of connecting the car 15 to the restricting body 31A and the counterweight 20 to the restricting body 31B can be reduced.

[0152] The one-end side and the other end-side of each of the main ropes 9 are connected to the rope anchoring beam 80 fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2 through the rubber pieces 73 as the second elastic members. Therefore, the vibrations of the suspension sheaves 10a and 10b can be prevented from being transmitted to vibrate the car 15 and the counterweight 20.

[0153] Moreover, the method of remodeling the elevator includes the first connection step of connecting the one suspension sheave 10a and the car 15 by using the connection device 30A and the second connection step of connecting the other suspension sheave 10b and the counterweight 20 by using the other connection device 30B. In the first connection step, the restricting body 31A is provided so that the suspension sheave 10a is connected to the restricting body 31A so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis and the pair of abutment rollers 38 respectively are brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 at the different height positions. In the second connection step, the restricting body 31B is provided so that the suspension sheave 10b is connected to the restricting body 31B so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis and the pair of abutment rollers 38 are respectively brought into abutment against the pair of guide rails 25 at the different height positions.

[0154] Therefore, as described above, for remodeling the existing 1:1 roping elevator 100 to the 2:1 elevator 1, the formation of a rope insertion hole in the floor 3A of the machine room 3 is not required. Moreover, the guide rails 25, the machine beds 7, and the like can be directly used.

[0155] As a result, the chipping operation is not required to be performed on the floor 3A of the machine room 3. Thus, the operation time and efforts required for the remodeling of the elevator can be remarkably saved. At the same time, the time period in which the elevator is stopped for the remodeling is shortened. As a result, inconvenience to the users can be significantly alleviated.

[0156] Note that, in the embodiment described above, the connection device 30B provided on the counterweight 20 side has been described as having the shaft support fitting 61 as the suspension-sheave bearing member. However, the connection device 30A provided on the car 15 side may include the shaft support fitting 61 instead. Further, both the connection device 30A provided on the car 15 side and the connection device 30B provided on the counterweight 20 side may have the shaft support fittings 61.

[0157] Further, although the car frame 17 and the counterweight frame 22 have been described as being supported on the restricting bodies 31 through an intermediation of the first supporting units 40 including the first elastic members, the first elastic members are not necessarily required to be provided.

Reference Signs List

[0158] 1 elevator, 2 hoistway, 3 machine room, 5 (new) traction sheave, 6 (new) electric motor, 9 main rope, 9a loop portion, 10a, 10b suspension sheave, 15 car, 17 car frame (supporting frame), 20 counterweight, 22 counterweight frame (supporting frame), 25 guide rail, 30A, 30B connection device, 31 restricting body, 35 main body arm, 38 abutment roller (abutment portion), 41 rubber piece (first elastic member), 61 suspension-sheave bearing member, 73 rubber piece (second elastic member), 80 rope anchoring beam (fixing portion), 100 existing elevator, 104 existing traction machine, 105 traction sheave.

Claims

1. An elevator, comprising:

a machine room provided in an upper part of a hoistway;

a traction machine including a traction sheave;

a main rope looped around the traction sheave to be suspended from the machine room in the hoistway, the main rope having one-end side and another-end side fixed to the upper part of the hoistway so as to be reversed through loop portions;

a pair of suspension sheaves supported respectively by the loop portions so as to be raised and lowered in directions opposite to each other in accordance with running of the main rope;

a car and a counterweight, each including a supporting frame;

a connection device for connecting one of the pair of suspension sheaves and the car and a connection device for connecting another of the pair of suspension sheaves and the counterweight; and

a pair of guide rails provided to the car and a pair of guide rails provided to the counterweight, for guiding the raising and lowering of the car and the counterweight, respectively,

wherein each of the connection devices comprises a restricting body for supporting a corresponding one of the supporting frames,

the restricting body being provided to bridge between a corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails and including a pair of abutment portions respectively provided at both ends of the restricting body,

the pair of abutment portions being respectively brought into abutment against opposed wall surfaces of the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails at positions different from each other in a height direction,

a corresponding one of the pair of suspension sheaves being connected to the restricting body so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis.

2. An elevator according to claim 1, wherein each of the supporting frames is supported by a corresponding one of the restricting bodies through intermediation of a first elastic member.

3. An elevator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the connection device provided on the car side and the connection device provided on the counterweight side comprises a suspension-sheave bearing member for supporting a corresponding one of the pair of suspension sheaves, the suspension-sheave bearing member being provided to a corresponding one of the restricting bodies so that a position thereof in a height direction is adjustable.

4. An elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the restricting bodies comprises an approximately L-shaped main body arm having one-end side and another-end side to which a corresponding one of the pairs of abutment portions are respectively connected, and is arranged so that a longitudinal direction of one piece of the approximately L-shaped main body arm coincides with a direction in which the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails are separated away from each other.

5. An elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one-end side and the another-end side of the main rope are each connected to a fixing portion through intermediation of a second elastic member.

6. A method of remodeling an existing 1:1 roping elevator into a 2:1 roping elevator by using connection devices,
the existing 1:1 roping elevator comprising:

a machine room provided in an upper part of a hoistway;

an existing traction machine including an existing traction sheave;

an existing main rope looped around the existing traction sheave to be suspended from the machine room in the hoistway;

a car and a counterweight respectively connected to one-end side and another-end side of the existing main rope; and

a pair of guide rails provided to the car and a pair of guide rails provided to the counterweight, for guiding raising and lowering of the car and the counterweight, respectively,

the connection devices each comprising a restricting body having a pair of abutment portions respectively provided at both ends of the restricting body, the restricting body being arranged so that the pair of abutment portions are respectively held in abutment, at height positions different from each other, against opposed wall surfaces of the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails opposed to each other,
the method comprising:

a step of removing the existing traction machine and the existing main rope;

a step of installing a new traction machine including a new traction sheave;

a step of looping a new main rope around the new traction sheave to pass through a portion of the machine room, through which the existing main rope has previously passed, to be suspended in the hoistway to fix one-end side and another-end side of the new main rope to the upper part of the hoistway so that the new main rope is reversed through loop portions;

a step of placing a pair of suspension sheaves so that the loop portions are respectively looped therearound from below;

a first connection step of connecting one of the pair of suspension sheaves and the car by using one of the connection devices; and

a second connection step of connecting another of the pair of suspension sheaves and the counterweight by using another of the connection devices,

wherein each of the first connection step and the second connection step comprises a step of arranging a corresponding one of the restricting bodies so that a corresponding one of the pair of suspension sheaves is connected to the corresponding one of the restricting bodies so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis and a corresponding one of the pairs of abutment portions are respectively held in abutment against the corresponding one of the pairs of guide rails at the different height positions.

Drawing