As I See It

This is my explanation of the  What is This?  image

So I am saying that this is a basement winding-drum machine equipped with car and drum counterweights. I am guessing it is a passenger car because of the type of hoistway doors and the hardware attached to them. In the "old days" winding-drum machines were used for passenger service. ASME A17.1 still does allow winding-drum machines but only for freight service. (See ASME A17.1-2000 2.24.1 for travel, rated speed, and counterweight restrictions.)

Please notice that the car counterweight is always placed above the drum counterweight - the reason being: if the car counterweight ropes part you have a problem but perhaps not a disaster. The machine brake will probably keep the car from moving uncontrollably in either direction. If the drum counterweight is above the car counterweight and the drum counterweight ropes part you have a disaster because the car is now pulled into the overhead due to the total weight of the car counterweight now being greater than the weight of the car.

Incidentally, if you look closely at the bottom edge of the original  What is This?  image you might notice what I think is an automatic safety clamp used on the car suspension ropes - possibly a "LUCAS SAFETY CLAMP". These devices were installed on the car-crosshead end of the suspension ropes in lieu of resocketing the ropes on a predetermined schedule. In the case of a basement 1:1 roping arrangement it was usually every 24 months - overhead winding-drum machines required resocketing every 12 months! Some authorities having jurisdiction would factor in the number of trips daily - less trips would permit a longer time between resocketing.

I have included a scanned image of this device for your enjoyment.

Lucas Safety Clamp
This image and the explanation above and below are "borrowed" from the wonderful book
ELEVATORS by Frederick A. Annett which can be purchased at elevatorbooks.com.

"This device consists of a case  C  and a wedge  W  drop forged in two identical halves so that existing rope attachments need not be disturbed for installation. Case  C  is mounted on the car crosshead above the hoist-rope sockets and bolt connections, by yoke bolts and extension rods  R . Compression springs  S  support case  C  over the free-floating wedge  W , which bolts directly to the rope inside case  C  but is not in contact with it, allowing the rope its original free movement.

"Until the rope fails at its car-crosshead socket there is no contact between the case and the wedge. When a rope fails at its socket, wedge  W  moves up against case  C  as the weight of the car is taken by the clamp. The maximum drop of 1.25 in. is so slight as not to disturb passengers in the car.

"Holes  H  permit the inspector to see the condition of the rope at the socket easily. When the clamp is installed a red line on the wedge is matched with the lower hole in the case. When the line leaves its set position it gives warning of pending failure of the rope, which can then be resocketed before failure occurs."

~

I might also add that I recall a similar device that was equipped with an electrical switch that would indicate when the wedge  W  moved into the case  C  - indicating a pending failure. The contacts in this switch would be wired into the circuitry to either prevent operation of the elevator after the next stop or stop it immediately when the contacts are in the open position. I have never seen this device - I only read about it but I don't remember where!

Three Sheaves
Representing the three  What is This?  sheaves above.
I think these three sheaves are installed in a similar type of installation.
Image provided by: Nôtue Kleer