Patent ID: 7316296

Claim:
An elevator apparatus comprising: a first driving machine having a first drive sheave, the first driving machine being disposed in an upper portion of a hoistway; a second driving machine having a second drive sheave, the second driving machine being disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway; a car raised and lowered inside the hoistway by a driving force from the first and second driving machines; a counterweight raised and lowered inside the hoistway by a driving force from the first and second driving machines; suspending means wound around the first and second drive sheaves, the suspending means suspending the car and the counterweight inside the hoistway; a first car return pulley disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, the first car return pulley directing the suspending means from the first drive sheave to the car; a first counterweight return pulley disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, the first counterweight return pulley directing the suspending means from the first drive sheave to the counterweight; a second car return pulley disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, the second car return pulley directing the suspending means from the second drive sheave to the car; a second counterweight return pulley disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, the second counterweight return pulley directing the suspending means from the second drive sheave to the counterweight; a first deflection pulley disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, a portion of the suspending means between the first drive sheave and the first car return pulley being wound around the first deflection pulley; a second deflection pulley disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, a portion of the suspending means between the second drive sheave and the second car return pulley being wound around the second deflection pulley, wherein: the first and second driving machines are disposed horizontally such that axes of rotation of the first and second drive sheaves extend vertically.