Patent ID: 7475756

Claim:
A mechanism for engaging a safety gear for an elevator car or counterweight of an elevator in which the elevator includes an overspeed governor supervising the speed of the elevator car which is connected by means of a hoist rope with the counterweight, and in which motion of the elevator car or counterweight is transferred to the overspeed governor by means of a governor rope, the overspeed governor triggering the stopping of the elevator by engagement of the safety gear in an overspeed condition, the mechanism comprising: a release mechanism including a retaining spring connected to a release lever for applying a retaining force of a particular magnitude thereto for retaining the release mechanism in an unreleased position until a release force of a magnitude sufficient to overcome the particular magnitude force is applied to the release lever and a removable locking element connected to the release lever for applying a retaining force of a magnitude greater than the particular magnitude for retaining the release mechanism in an unreleased position, and a rope brake acting on the governor rope to provide a force to activate the the release mechanism in an overspeed condition whereby the retaining spring prevents release of the safety gear during normal operation until the overspeed condition is reached and the locking element when connected to the release lever retains the release mechanism in an unreleased condition during conditions when a greater release force magnitude is desired.