Patent ID: 8069959

Claim:
An elevator system comprising: a car ( 28 ) having a plurality of opposed electromagnets ( 26 ); and two spaced car follower portions 40 each having an electromagnet 24 facing a corresponding one of said electromagnets on said car, and said car follower portions each being provided with guide structure ( 42 ) for moving along a guide rail ( 25 ) in an elevator hoistway, said electromagnets on said car and said car follower portions interacting to provide a repulsive force tending to force said elevator car to be centered between said car follower portions wherein said car follower portions are interconnected ( 32 ) to move together as a single car follower wherein said car is free to move relative to said car follower in a horizontal plane but constrained to move with said car follower in a vertical direction wherein said car follower is movable relative to a guide member ( 38 ) which moves with said car, said car follower including crossing members ( 32 ) extending through a slot ( 44 ) in said guide member, said guide member ensuring that said car is constrained to move with said car follower in said vertical direction.