Patent Document

PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/349,961 filed May 31, 2010 (our ref. ABAR-1-1001). The foregoing application is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to elevators, and more specifically, to a safety brake for incline elevators. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Elevators are conventionally provided with a safety brake. A safety brake is designed to bring an elevator cab or gondola to a halt in case of an emergency. The safety brake is a redundant device. In most elevators, the motor that drives the elevator has its own braking system that is used in normal operation, with the safety brake only engaging during a fault condition. 
         [0004]    Previous systems for providing a safety brake include mainly passive means for detecting only the most serious faults, such as a break in the hoist cable. Other conditions, such as a power failure or an overspeed condition not resulting from a hoist cable break, are not necessarily addressed within the safety brake mechanism. Further, prior safety brake designs can be primitive, serving the basic need of life safety but having other negative effects. For example, one such design for an incline elevator involves a hook that swings back and catches a portion of the elevator framework, resulting in a sudden arrest of downward travel of the elevator cab that is uncomfortable for passengers, and additionally resulting in possible damage to the elevator framework itself 
         [0005]    For maximum safety, it is desirable to provide a safety break design which engages upon detection of any one of a number of different faults. Optimally, the system would detect both mechanical and electrical faults. For passenger comfort and minimization of mechanical damage to the elevator following a deployment of the safety brake, a smoother deceleration to a stop is also desirable. Further, new building and construction codes coming into vogue require levels of redundancy for elevator safety brakes not previously implemented. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, this application discloses a system for a safety brake for incline elevators. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The invention relates generally to elevators, and more specifically, to a safety brake for incline elevators. In some embodiments, an incline elevator includes a gondola mounted to a load carrying unit, the chassis of the load carrying unit being mounted to trucks which ride along a U-shaped track with flanges to either side of the U-shaped track. In some embodiments, a truck includes top and bottom roller wheels which engage the flange of the track. In a further embodiment, beneath each truck is swivelably mounted an eccentric safety device, the eccentric safety device having guide rollers at each end, the eccentric safety device being spring loaded to push the guide rollers against opposing sides of the inside of the channel of the U-shaped track. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, an eccentric safety device swivelably mounted below a truck of a load carrying unit of an incline elevator includes a bottom eccentric brake and a top eccentric brake, the eccentric brakes being swivelably mounted onto a center pin disposed through the center of the eccentric safety device, the center pin also being disposed through a safety mounting tube in the truck, such that the eccentric safety device is swivelably mounted underneath the truck, swiveling from side to side about the center pin so that its guide rollers engage the interior wall of the channel of the U-shaped track. In some embodiments, the eccentric brakes swivel about the center pin such that they can also engage the interior wall of the channel of the U-shaped track. However, in this embodiment, the pear-shaped construction of the eccentric brakes, with a fat end oriented towards the downhill side of the eccentric brakes and the skinny end oriented towards the uphill side of the eccentric brakes, ensures that when the eccentric brakes swing out about the center pin such that the brakes extend further outside the periphery of the frame of the eccentric safety device, the eccentric brakes when engaging the interior wall of the U-shaped channel “jam” the eccentric safety device and the load carrying unit to which the eccentric safety device is mounted, bringing the load carrying unit to a stop on the track. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the eccentric brakes are tensionally biased by a brake spring to extend. In a certain embodiment, the eccentric brakes can be retracted so as to no longer engage the interior side wall of the U-shaped channel of the track, the retraction of the eccentric brakes acting against the tension of the brake spring. In some embodiments, for the eccentric brakes to be retracted, both mechanical and electrical linkages must be engaged. In a certain embodiment, the eccentric brakes are coupled to an eccentric bell crank by a brake cable, the eccentric bell crank being swivelably mounted on an axle of the truck of the load carrying unit of the incline elevator. In some embodiments, the eccentric bell crank is rotated when it engages a docking target mounted on a track of an incline elevator at a station of an incline elevator, retracting the eccentric brakes. In such embodiments, the eccentric bell crank can be held in the rotated position such that the eccentric brakes stay retracted by engagement with an electrically-powered solenoid that engages the eccentric bell crank and keeps the eccentric brakes retracted, even when the load carrying unit moves away from a station and the docking target no longer engages the eccentric bell crank. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a solenoid is mounted to a hoist cable bell crank, the hoist cable bell crank being swivelably mounted to an axle of the truck of the load carrying unit. In certain embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank is spring loaded and tensionally biased such that the solenoid mounted to the hoist cable bell crank is rotated away from the eccentric bell crank, preventing the solenoid from engaging the eccentric bell crank. In some embodiments, for the hoist cable bell crank to be rotated against the spring of the hoist cable bell crank, tension must be present in the hoist cable. That is, if the hoist cable breaks and there is no tension in the hoist cable, the hoist cable bell crank will be rotated by spring tension such that the solenoid may not engage the eccentric bell crank. In this embodiment, the loss of contact between the solenoid and the eccentric bell crank will cause the spring tension in the brake spring to rotate the eccentric brakes out, engaging with the interior wall of the channel of the U-shaped track and bringing the load carrying unit to a halt. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, power is provided to a solenoid from electrical wiring running from the power source of the incline elevator. In a certain embodiment, the power is provided to the solenoid by a pair of electrically-powered speed sensors which are in series with the solenoid. In this embodiment, if there is no power in the incline elevator system, the speed sensors will not be powered and can not provide power to the solenoid; consequently, if there is a power loss to the incline elevator, the solenoid will disengage from the eccentric bell crank, and the eccentric brakes will extend, stopping the load carrying unit. In some embodiments, if the electrically-powered speed sensors detect an overspeed condition, the electrically-powered speed sensors will cut power to the solenoid and the solenoid will disengage from the eccentric bell crank, and the eccentric brakes will extend, stopping the load carrying unit. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, in some embodiments, an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator provides safety braking for a load carrying unit that has moved from its docking target by eccentric brakes when there is a power failure, an overspeed condition, or a break in the hoist cable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1   a,    1   b,  and  1   c  are views of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   a  is a side view of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are views of the track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective exploded view of the track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2   b  is a front cross-sectional view of the track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , and  3   d  are views of a load carrying unit for deployment on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3   a  is an exploded perspective view of a load carrying unit for deployment on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a load carrying unit for deployment on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   c  is a detailed exploded view of a load carrying unit of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   d  is a front cross-sectional view of a load carrying unit deployed on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are views of a truck and eccentric safety device of a load carrying unit for deployment on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4   a  is an exploded detail perspective view of a truck and eccentric safety device of a load carrying unit for an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4   b  is a top cross-sectional view of a truck and eccentric safety device of a load carrying unit deployed on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  5   d ,  5   e , and  5   f  are views of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5   b  is an exploded perspective view of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5   c  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5   d  is a side view of a portion of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5   e  is a rear view of a portion of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5   f  is a top cross-sectional view of an eccentric safety device deployed on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are views of an eccentric bell crank for an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of an eccentric bell crank for an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6   b  is a side view of an eccentric bell crank for an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are views of a hoist bell crank of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of a hoist cable bell crank of an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view of a safety link joining two hoist cable bell cranks, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  are views of a speed sensor coupled with an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of a speed sensor coupled with an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8   b  is a perspective view of a speed sensor coupled with an eccentric safety device integrated with a truck of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0044]      FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b , and  9   c  are schematic views of a system for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    The invention relates generally to elevators, and more specifically, to a safety brake for incline elevators. 
         [0046]    Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1   a - 9   c  to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The present invention may have additional embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of the details described for any particular described embodiment, or may have any detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with any other detail described for another embodiment. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 1   a,    1   b,  and  1   c  are a side view, a perspective view, and an exploded perspective view of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, an incline elevator  100  includes a gondola  102 , a counterweight  104 , incline mounts  110 , an incline  112 , an uphill station  114 , and a downhill station  116 . In this embodiment, an incline elevator  100  further includes a track  200 , the track  200  having a channel  202 , flanges  204 , a pulley  206 , and an engine  208 . In this embodiment, an incline elevator  100  further includes a load carrying unit  300  and a hoist cable  210 . 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, a gondola  102  of an incline elevator  100  rests upon and is fixably mounted atop a load carrying unit  300 . In a further embodiment, a load carrying unit  300  of an incline elevator travels upon a track  200  of an incline elevator. In some embodiments, a gondola  102  of an incline elevator can be a closed compartment, having a door through which passengers can enter and exit the gondola. In other embodiments, a gondola  102  of an incline elevator can be an open compartment without a roof. In some embodiments, a gondola  102  carries passengers. In other embodiments, a gondola  102  carries cargo. In yet a further embodiment, a gondola  102  is integrated with the load carrying unit  300  of an incline elevator  100 . In a further embodiment, an incline elevator does not have a gondola  102 , instead moving its load via a load carrying unit  300 . It should be recognized by one skilled in the art that a gondola  102  of an incline elevator can serve multiple purposes and be designed to carry any type of load, and that a load carrying unit  300  can carry the load in an alternative embodiment without a gondola  102 . Accordingly, a gondola  102  of an incline elevator  100  is not shown in all drawings of the instant disclosure. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, an incline elevator  100  includes a track  200 . In some embodiments, a track  200  of an incline elevator  100  is mounted on and along an incline  112 . In some embodiments, the incline  112  is outdoors. In different embodiments, the incline  112  is indoors. In a particular embodiment, the grade of the incline  112  is approximately 30 degrees from level. In other embodiments, the grade of the incline  112  varies from 0 degrees to 90 degrees from level. Accordingly, in some embodiments, an incline elevator  100  can run along a track  200  deployed on an incline  112  that is actually a flat surface that is not inclined. In different embodiments, an incline elevator  100  can run along a track  200  deployed perpendicularly to a flat surface, providing a vertical direction of travel of the load. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the incline  112  is a hill outdoors. In other embodiments, an incline  112  can be a part of a building that is constructed to provide an incline. In yet a different embodiment, an incline  112  can be transportable, as on the back of a flatbed truck. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, the load carrying unit  300  rests on and moves along the top of the track  200 . In a different embodiment, the load carrying unit  300  is suspended from the bottom of the track  200 , moving along the bottom of the track  200 . In a different embodiment, the load carrying unit  300  is suspended a track  200  that is formed from a wire or cable. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, a track  200  of an incline elevator  100  is mounted to the incline  112  using incline mounts  110 . In some embodiments an incline mount  110  may be sunk into the ground or otherwise deployed through the surface of the incline  112 . In other embodiments an incline mount may be fixably mounted to the surface of the incline  112 . In a certain embodiment, the incline mounts  110  vary as needed to provide a uniform grade of incline above a surface with a non-uniform grade of incline. In some embodiments, the incline mounts  112  are solid material. In different embodiments, an incline mount  112  can be formed with one or more legs permitting a counterweight  104  to pass alongside or in between the one or more legs. 
         [0053]    In different embodiments, an incline mount may be hydraulically supported and fixably mounted to the surface of the incline  112 , thus facilitating differing grades of incline  112  for different height needs during various deployments of an incline elevator  100 . In different embodiments, an incline elevator  100  incorporates a track  200  that has curves as the incline elevator  100  ascends the incline  112 . It should be recognized by one skilled in the art that an incline elevator  100  can be designed in any orientation, dimension, length, distance, grade, and on any surface whether fixed, or varied, and in a permanent or portable fashion, using differing tracks  200 . The instant invention does not limit the scope of its application to any particular implementation of an incline elevator  100 . Accordingly, an incline  112  and incline mounts  110  of an incline elevator  100  are not shown in all drawings of the instant disclosure. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, a track  200  of an incline elevator includes an engine  208 . In some embodiments, the engine  208  pulls or pushes a hoist cable  210 . In some embodiments, a hoist cable  210  circulates along the top and the bottom of the track  200 . In a further embodiment, opposing ends of a hoist cable  210  are coupled to opposing ends of a load carrying unit  300 . In a further embodiment, a hoist cable is wound around a pulley  206  of the track  200 , the pulley  206  being located at the opposite end of the track  200  as the engine  208 . In a particular embodiment, the pulling or pushing motion of the engine  208  of the hoist cable  210  imparts movement to a load carrying unit  300  and a gondola  102  of an incline elevator  100 . An engine, pulley, and hoist cable system of imparting movement to an elevator system is well understood in the art. Accordingly, an engine, pulley, and hoist cable are not shown in all drawings of the instant disclosure. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, an incline elevator  100  includes a counterweight  104 . In a further embodiment, a hoist cable  210  is coupled to a counterweight  104 . A counterweight as a part of an elevator system is well understood in the art. Accordingly, a counterweight  104  of an incline elevator  100  is not shown in all drawings of the instant disclosure. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, an incline elevator  100  includes an uphill station  114  and a downhill station  116 . In certain embodiments, a station of an incline elevator  100  includes a docking target, the docking target being fixably mounted to a track  200 , the docking target being designed to engage or disengage a safety brake of an incline elevator. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, an incline elevator  100  includes a plurality of stations. It should be understood by one skilled in the art that an incline elevator can be constructed with as many stations as desired, and that a station is not required to be located at the top of the track  200 , bottom of the track  200 , or any other specific location. One or more stations can be located at any place along a track  200  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are an exploded perspective view and a front cross-sectional view of a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a track  200  resembles a monorail construction, in which the load rides upon the track  200 . In a certain embodiment, a track  200  includes a channel  202  into which at least a portion of a load carrying unit  300  extends, for holding the load carrying unit on top of the track  200  and limiting lateral travel of the load carrying unit  300  (i.e. limiting motion of the load carrying unit  300  in a perpendicular direction to the uphill and downhill directions of the load). 
         [0059]    In some embodiments, a track  200  includes flanges  204  to either side of the track  200 . In a certain embodiment, top and bottom roller wheels  404  and  406  included in trucks  400  of a load carrying unit  300  glide along flanges  204  of a track  200 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3   a  is an exploded perspective view of a load carrying unit  300  for deployment on a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a load carrying unit  300  deployed on a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3   c  is an exploded view of a load carrying unit of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3   d  is a front cross-sectional view of a load carrying unit deployed on a track of an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a load carrying unit  300  moves along a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 . In some embodiments, a load carrying unit includes a chassis  302 , one or more chassis mounts  304 , a safety link  306 , a speed sensor  308 , a gondola leveling device  310 , and one or more trucks  400 . 
         [0061]    In some embodiments, the one or more chassis mounts  304  are used to attachably couple one or more trucks  400  to a chassis  302 . In a further embodiment, a safety link  306  is fixably attached to trucks  400  at opposing ends of a safety link  306 . In some embodiments, a gondola leveling device  310  is used where a gondola  102  is mounted atop a chassis  302  of a load carrying unit  300  to level the gondola  310  where a track  200  is not perfectly level with respect to the incline  112 . In some embodiments, a speed sensor  308  is mounted on a load carrying unit  300  such that the rotating sensors of the speed sensor  308  are disposed adjacent to one or more top rollers  404  of a truck  400 . In some embodiments, the one or more trucks  400  of a load carrying unit  300  are disposed such that the one or more trucks  400  straddle the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 . In a certain embodiment, at least a portion of the one or more trucks  400 , including one or bottom rollers  406 , are disposed below the flange  404  of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 . In a certain embodiment, at least a portion of the one or more trucks  400 , including an eccentric safety device  500 , is disposed within the channel  202  of the track  200  of an incline elevator  100 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 4   a  is an exploded detail perspective view of a truck  400  and eccentric safety device  500  of a load carrying unit  300  for an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4   b  is a top cross-sectional view of a truck  400  and eccentric safety device  500  of a load carrying unit  300  deployed on a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a truck  400  of a load carrying unit  300  of an incline elevator  100  includes a safety mounting tube  402 , one or more top rollers  404 , one or more bottom rollers  406 , a safety pivot  408 , a safety lever  410 , a safety reset and docking lever  412 , a coil spring  412 , a coil spring attachment mount  414 , and an eccentric safety device  500 . In some embodiments, an eccentric safety device  500  includes a center pin  502 , a washer  504 , a nut  506 , a coil spring pivot  508 , one or more guide rollers  510 , a bottom eccentric brake  512 , a top eccentric brake  514 , a brake cable block  516 , a brake cable  518 , a brake spring  520 , an eccentric brake top frame  522 , and an eccentric brake bottom frame  524 . 
         [0063]    In a certain embodiment, an eccentric safety device  500  is couplably attached to a truck  400 . In this embodiment, a center pin  502  of an eccentric safety device  500  is disposed through the safety mounting tube  402  of the truck  400 . In this embodiment, a nut  506  and washer  504  disposed above the safety mounting tube  402  about the center pin  502  couple the eccentric safety device  500  to the truck  400 . In this embodiment, the eccentric safety device  500  is disposed underneath the truck  400  and between the bottom rollers  406  of the truck  400 . Importantly, in this embodiment, the eccentric safety device  500  is rotatable about an axis lengthwise through the center pin  502 , the rotation of the eccentric safety device  500  being relative to the truck  400 . 
         [0064]    In some embodiments, an eccentric safety device  500  of a load carrying unit  300  is disposed within the channel  202  of a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 . In a certain embodiment, an eccentric safety device  500  is rotatable about an axis lengthwise through the center pin  502 , the rotation of the eccentric safety device  500  being limited by the interior of the track  200  formed by the channel  202 . In a preferred embodiment, guide rollers  510  on opposing sides of the eccentric safety device  500  are held against the interior of the track  200  by use of a coil spring  414 . In this embodiment, the coil spring  414  is coupled at one end of the coil spring  414  to the coil spring pivot  508  of the eccentric safety device  500 . In this embodiment, the coil spring  414  is coupled at the opposing end of the coil spring  414  to the coil spring attachment mount  416  of the truck  400 . In this embodiment, the coil spring  414  tensionally biases the eccentric safety device  500 , such that the eccentric safety device  500  rotates about an axis lengthwise through the center pin  502 , the rotation being limited by the guide rollers  510  of the eccentric safety device  500  which are pressed up against the interior surface of the channel  202  of the track  200 . In this embodiment, the spring tension of the coil spring  414  between the eccentric safety device  500  and the one or more trucks  400  of the load carrying unit  300  tensionally biases the load carrying unit  300  such that the load carrying unit  300  remains centered on the track  200 . In this embodiment, the rotation of the eccentric safety device  500  relative to the trucks  400  enable the load carrying unit  300  to be used with tracks  200  having differing widths of channel  202 , or having varied widths of the channel  202  within the same track  200 , or keeping the load carrying unit  300  centered on the track  200  even when the track  200  is a curved track. 
         [0065]    In some embodiments, a bottom eccentric brake  512  and a top eccentric brake  514  are couplably mounted on a center pin  502  of an eccentric safety device  500 . In this embodiment, the center pin  502  is disposed through a hole in the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514 . In such an embodiment, a brake spring  520  tensionally biases the eccentric brakes (the “eccentric brakes” comprising the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514 ) such that they are rotatable about an axis lengthwise through the center pin  502 . In this embodiment, the eccentric brakes can swing out and make contact with the interior surface of the channel  202  of the track  200 .  FIG. 4   b  depicts that in this embodiment, in dashed lines the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514  have swung out to make contact with the interior of the channel  202  of the track  200 . In this embodiment, the brake spring  520  tensionally biases the eccentric brakes outwardly from the eccentric safety device, such that they make contact with the interior surface of the channel  202  of the track  200 . 
         [0066]    In this embodiment, the contact between the eccentric brakes and the channel  202  creates sufficient friction to stop any movement of the load carrying unit  300  to which the eccentric safety device  500  and its truck  400  are mounted. Importantly, in this embodiment, it is movement in a downhill direction that is arrested by the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, even when the eccentric brakes are tensionally biased outward to make contact with the interior of the channel  202 , the shape of the eccentric brakes in conjunction with the tension of the brake spring  520  are such that the load carrying unit  300  can be towed in an uphill direction along the track  200 . In this embodiment, the contact between the eccentric brakes and the interior of the channel  202  only arrests travel in a downhill direction. 
         [0067]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, an eccentric safety device  500  includes a center pin  502 , one or more guide rollers  510 , an top eccentric brake  512 , a bottom eccentric brake  514 , a brake cable block  516 , a brake cable  518 , a brake spring  520 , an eccentric brake top frame  522 , and an eccentric brake bottom frame  524 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 5   b  is an exploded perspective view of an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a certain embodiment, a bottom eccentric brake  512  and a top eccentric brake  514  are couplably mounted on a center pin  502  of an eccentric safety device  500 . In this embodiment, the center pin  502  is disposed through a hole in the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514 . In such an embodiment, a brake spring  520  tensionally biases the eccentric brakes (the “eccentric brakes” comprising the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514 ) such that they are rotatable about an axis lengthwise through the center pin  502 . In this embodiment, with no tension applied to the brake cable  518 , the brake spring  520  tensionally biases the eccentric brakes to swing outward and extend further outside the periphery of the eccentric brake bottom frame  522 , as depicted by the dashed lines in  FIG. 5   f  which show the eccentric brakes in an extended position. In this embodiment, a force pulling upward on the brake cable  518  will counteract the tensional bias of the brake spring  520  and cause the eccentric brakes to swing back into retracted position, as depicted by the solid lines of the eccentric brakes in  FIG. 5   f . 
         [0069]      FIG. 5   c  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a certain embodiment, stacked up the eccentric brake bottom frame  524  and its center pin  502  are a bottom eccentric brake  512 , a brake spring  520 , and a top eccentric brake  514 . In this embodiment, the ends of the wire forming the brake spring  520  are bent in opposing directions. In this embodiment, when the eccentric safety device  500  is assembled, the ends of the brake spring  520  hook the eccentric brakes and tensionally bias the eccentric brakes to rotate about the center pin  502  outwardly, in an extended position that brings the brakes further outside the periphery of the eccentric brake bottom frame  524 . In this embodiment, a force applied upwards on the brake cable  518 , that is, a force applied in a direction away from the eccentric brake bottom frame  524 , will add tensional bias to the brake spring  520 , causing the eccentric brakes to swing inward into a retracted position. Releasing force applied to the brake cable  518  will permit the spring tension of the brake spring  520  to swing the eccentric brakes outward into the extended position. 
         [0070]      FIG. 5   d  is a side view of a portion of an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the brake cable  518  is threaded through a brake cable block  516 . In this embodiment, a brake cable  518  has two strands, one strand coupled to each eccentric brake. In this embodiment, when an upward force is applied to the brake cable  518 , the eccentric brakes swing towards the periphery of the eccentric brake bottom frame  524 , into a retracted position. When force is released from the brake cable  518 , tension in the brake spring  520  causes the eccentric brakes to swing out, rotating about the center pin  502 , into an extended position such that the eccentric brakes extend outside the periphery of the eccentric brake bottom frame  524 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 5   e  is a rear view of a portion of an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the brake cable  518  is threaded through a brake cable block  516 . In this embodiment, a brake cable  518  has two strands, one strand coupled to each eccentric brake. In this embodiment, when an upward force is applied to the brake cable  518 , the eccentric brakes swing towards the periphery of the eccentric brake bottom frame  524 , into a retracted position. When force is released from the brake cable  518 , tension in the brake spring  520  causes the eccentric brakes to swing out, rotating about the center pin  502 , into an extended position such that the eccentric brakes extend outside the periphery of the eccentric brake bottom frame  524 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 5   f  is a top cross-sectional view of an eccentric safety device  500  deployed on a track  200  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, when cable tension in the brake cable  518  is released, the eccentric brakes swing out, rotating about the center pin  502 . In this embodiment, looking down at the eccentric brakes disposed within the channel  202 , when the brake cable is released, the bottom eccentric brake  512  swings to the right, rotating counterclockwise about the center pin  502 , and the top eccentric brake  514  swings to the left, rotating clockwise about the center pin  502 . In this embodiment, the movement imparted to the eccentric brakes is driven by tensional bias in the brake spring  520 . In this embodiment, when the eccentric brakes swing out, they come into contact with the inner walls of the channel  202  of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 , the eccentric brakes in their extended position being depicted by dashed lines. 
         [0073]    In this embodiment, when an upward force is applied to the brake cable  518 , the eccentric brakes swing in, rotating about the center pin  502 . In this embodiment, looking down at the eccentric brakes disposed within the channel  202 , when the brake cable is pulled, the bottom eccentric brake  512  swings to the left, rotating clockwise about the center pin  502 , and the top eccentric brake  514  swings to the right, rotating counterclockwise about the center pin  502 . In this embodiment, the movement imparted to the eccentric brakes is driven by the pulling force on the brake cable  518 , and adds tension to the brake spring  520 . In this embodiment, when the eccentric brakes swing in, they break contact with the inner walls of the channel  202  of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 , the eccentric brakes in their retracted position being depicted by solid lines. 
         [0074]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of an eccentric bell crank  600  for an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, an eccentric bell crank  600  includes a docking lever  602 , a solenoid lever  604 , and an eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606 . In a certain embodiment, an eccentric bell crank  600  is coupled with a brake cable  518  at the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606 . In a certain embodiment, an eccentric bell crank  600  rotates about axis AA. In this embodiment, axis AA is the center lengthwise axis of an axle  418  of a truck  400 . An eccentric bell crank  600  is mounted to a truck  400  along an axle  418  of the truck  400  by being threaded onto the outside of one axle  418  of the truck  400 . That is, the axle  418  of the truck  400  passes through the eccentric bell crank  600  along axis AA. 
         [0075]    In this embodiment, when the eccentric bell crank  600  rotates about axis AA, motion is imparted to the brake cable  518  which is connected to the eccentric bell crank  600  at the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606 . In this embodiment, when the eccentric bell crank  600  is rotated about axis AA, the motion imparted to the brake cable  518  also imparts motion to the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, when the eccentric bell crank  600  rotates counter-clockwise as viewed in this drawing, such that the brake cable  518  is pulled upwards relative to the eccentric brakes, the bottom eccentric brake  512  swings to the left and the top eccentric brake  514  swings to the right, against the spring tension imparted to the eccentric brakes by the brake spring  520  (not visible in  FIG. 6   a ), and retracting the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, when the eccentric bell crank  600  rotates clockwise as viewed in this drawing, the brake cable  518  moves in a downward direction towards the eccentric brakes, permitting the spring tension in the brake spring  520  to extend the eccentric brakes, with the bottom eccentric brake  512  swinging to the right and the top eccentric brake  514  swinging to the left. 
         [0076]    In some embodiments, a solenoid  608  engages and imparts motion to an eccentric bell crank  600 . In a further embodiment, an eccentric bell crank  600  is rotated when contact is made with either the docking lever  602  of the eccentric bell crank  600 , or with the solenoid lever  604 . In this embodiment, contact with either the docking lever  602  or the solenoid lever  604  rotates the eccentric bell crank  600  counter-clockwise about axis AA, moving eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  away from the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, contact with either the docking lever  602  or the solenoid lever  604  imparts motion to the eccentric brakes, pulling the brake cable  518  and retracting the eccentric brakes. Importantly, in this embodiment, engaging the eccentric bell crank  600  with either the docking lever  602  or the solenoid lever  604  retracts the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, if neither the docking lever  602  nor the solenoid lever  604  are engaged, the spring tension in the brake spring  520  will extend the eccentric brakes and pull on the brake cable  518 , pulling the eccentric bell crank  600  at the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  towards the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, permitting the spring tension of the brake spring  520  to impart motion to the eccentric brakes will swing out the eccentric brakes, extending the eccentric brakes until they come in contact with the interior wall of the channel  202  of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 . 
         [0077]    In some embodiments, the eccentric brakes are disposed towards the downhill direction of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 . In such an embodiment, the load carrying unit  300  is brought to a stop by the engagement of the eccentric brakes with the interior wall of the channel  200  of the track  200 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 6   b  is a side view of an eccentric bell crank  600  for an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a solenoid lever  604  of an eccentric bell crank  600  is disposed adjacent to a solenoid  608 . When energized, the solenoid  608  comes into contact with the solenoid lever  604  of the eccentric bell crank  600  and imparts movement to the eccentric bell crank  600 , rotating the eccentric bell crank  600  counter-clockwise about axis AA. In this embodiment, when the solenoid  608  is energized, rotating the eccentric bell crank  600  counter-clockwise about axis AA, the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  is moved away from the eccentric brakes. The brake cable  518  (not shown in  FIG. 6   b ) coupled to the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  actuates the extension and retraction of the eccentric brakes. When the solenoid  608  is energized, the brake cable  518  is pulled, and the eccentric brakes are refracted. 
         [0079]    In some embodiments, a docking strip  212  of a track  200  of an incline elevator  100  comes into contact with the docking lever  602  of the eccentric bell crank  600 . In some embodiments, when the load carrying unit  300  of the incline elevator  100  has traveled to one of the stations, including the uphill station  114  or the downhill station  116 , a docking strip  212  disposed along the track  200  at the station engages the docking lever  602  from underneath the docking lever  602 . This engagement imparts motion to the eccentric bell crank  600 , rotating it counter-clockwise about axis AA. In this embodiment, when the load carrying unit  300  is at one of the stations so that the docking strip  212  engages the docking lever  602  rotating the eccentric bell crank  600  counter-clockwise about axis AA, the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  is moved away from the eccentric brakes. The brake cable  518  (not shown in  FIG. 6   b ) coupled to the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  actuates the extension and retraction of the eccentric brakes. Thus, in this embodiment, when the load carrying unit  300  is at a station, the brake cable  518  is pulled, and the eccentric brakes are retracted. 
         [0080]    If the solenoid  608  is not energized and the docking lever  602  is not in contact with a docking strip  212  of the track  200 , the spring tension in the brake spring  520  will extend the eccentric brakes and pull on the brake cable  518 , pulling the eccentric bell crank  600  at the eccentric bell crank brake cable mount  606  towards the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, permitting the spring tension of the brake spring  520  to impart motion to the eccentric brakes will swing out the eccentric brakes, extending the eccentric brakes until they come in contact with the interior wall of the channel  202  of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 . Thus, in this embodiment, if the solenoid  608  is not energized and the docking lever  602  is not in contact with a docking strip  212  of the track  200 , the eccentric brakes will extend. A predicate condition for the eccentric brakes to be retracted is that the solenoid  608  must either be energized, or the load carrying unit  300  must be docked. 
         [0081]      FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of a hoist cable bell crank  700  of an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank  700  includes a hoist cable bell crank mount  702 , a safety link mount  704 , and a solenoid mount  706 . In some embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank  700  rotates about axis AA. In this embodiment, axis AA is the center lengthwise axis of an axle  418  of a truck  400 . A hoist cable bell crank  700  is mounted to a truck  400  along an axle  418  of the truck  400  by being threaded onto the outside of one axle  418  of the truck  400 . That is, the axle  418  of the truck  400  passes through the hoist cable bell crank  700  along axis AA. In this embodiment, a hoist cable bell crank  700  is disposed adjacent to the eccentric bell crank  600 . Importantly, in this embodiment, an eccentric bell crank  600  and a hoist cable bell crank  700  rotate independently of one another about axis AA. 
         [0082]    In some embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank  700  is spring loaded. In such embodiments, the hoist cable bell crank  700  is tensionally biased to rotate towards the eccentric brakes. That is, viewing  FIG. 7   a , a hoist cable bell crank  700  is tensionally biased by a tension spring to rotate counter-clockwise about axis AA. In this embodiment, when a hoist cable  210  is attached to the hoist cable bell crank mount  702 , and the hoist cable is pulled, the tension of the hoist cable being pulled rotates the hoist cable bell crank  700  clockwise about axis AA. 
         [0083]    In some embodiments, a solenoid  608  is mounted to the hoist cable bell crank  700  using a solenoid mount  706 . In such embodiments, the solenoid  608  is rotatable about the axle  418  of the truck  400  depicted by axis AA in  FIG. 7   a . Thus, when the hoist cable  210  is under tension, the solenoid  608  is rotated into a position where it can engage the solenoid lever  604  of the eccentric bell crank  600 . When the hoist cable  210  is not under tension, as in the emergency situation of a hoist cable break, the spring tension of the hoist cable bell crank  700  will rotate the solenoid  608  out of position towards the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, if there is a break in the hoist cable  210 , irrespective of whether the solenoid  608  is energized, the eccentric bell crank can not be engaged. In this embodiment, if there is a break in the hoist cable  210  and the load carrying unit  300  is not docked, the eccentric bell crank  600  can be rotated by the tension from the brake spring  520 . Consequently, in this embodiment, if the load carrying unit  300  is not docked and the hoist cable  210  breaks, the eccentric brakes will extend, stopping any motion of the load carrying unit. 
         [0084]      FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view of a safety link  306  joining two hoist cable bell cranks  700 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, an eccentric safety device  500 , including an eccentric bell crank  600  and a hoist cable bell crank  700 , is coupled to an axle  418  of one or more trucks  400 . In the depicted embodiment, an eccentric safety device  500  is deployed on each of two trucks  400  of a load carrying unit  300 . In this embodiment, there is a single hoist cable  210  carrying the load carrying unit  300 , the hoist cable  210  being coupled with the uphill truck  400  of the load carrying unit  300  at the hoist cable bell crank mount  702 . The downhill truck  400  of the load carrying unit  300  does not have a connection to the hoist cable  210 . In this embodiment, a safety link  306  couples the two eccentric safety devices  500 , one on each truck  400 . The safety link  306  is coupled at opposing ends of the safety link  306  to a safety link mount  704  on the hoist cable bell crank  700  on each of the uphill truck  400  and downhill truck  400 , the uphill and downhill trucks  400  supporting the load carrying unit  300 . In this embodiment, if there is a break in the hoist cable  210 , the hoist cable bell cranks  700  on both of the trucks are under spring tension and move the solenoids  608  out of position, causing the eccentric brakes of both eccentric safety devices  500  to extend. In this embodiment, when the hoist cable  210  is under tension, the hoist cable  210  pulls the hoist cable bell crank  700  of the uphill truck at the hoist cable bell crank mount  702 . In this embodiment, when the hoist cable  210  is under tension, the safety link  306  is also under tension, which rotates the hoist cable bell crank  700  of the downhill truck at the safety link mount  704 . In this embodiment, the movement of the hoist cable bell crank  700  of the uphill and downhill eccentric safety devices  500  is in harmony, and the movement of the eccentric brakes of the uphill and downhill eccentric safety devices  500  is the same and simultaneous. 
         [0085]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of a speed sensor  308  coupled with an eccentric safety device  500  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8   b  is a perspective view of a speed sensor  308  coupled with an eccentric safety device  500  integrated with a truck  400  of an incline elevator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a speed sensor  308  is in series with electrical power to a solenoid  608 , the electrical power being delivered by electrical wiring  802 . In a certain embodiment, a speed sensor  308  makes physical contact with a top roller  404  of a truck  400 . In this embodiment, a speed sensor  308  measures the speed of the load carrying unit  300  at its top roller  404 . In this embodiment, a speed sensor  308  provides electrical power to the solenoid  608  only when the speed sensor  308  detects speed below a pre-determined safe speed. In such an embodiment, in which the solenoid  608  must be energized for the eccentric brakes to be retracted, if the speed sensor  308  detects an overspeed condition, electrical power to the solenoid  608  is not supplied, causing the eccentric brakes to extend. In some embodiments, there is more than one speed sensor  308  for redundancy. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that placing the one or more speed sensors  308  in series with the one or more solenoids  608  will provide multiple layers of safety, in that if the electrical power to the entire system fails, the one or more solenoids  608  will de-energize causing the eccentric brakes to extend; and, if the one or more speed sensors  308  detect an overspeed condition, the one or more speed sensors  308  will still be receiving electrical power but will cut off the electricity to the solenoids  608 , causing the eccentric brakes to extend. In some embodiments, a speed sensor  308  is an ESS Electronic Speed Switch available at www.torq.com. 
         [0086]      FIG. 9   a  is a schematic view of a system  900  for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a system  900  for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator includes electric wiring  802 , one or more speed sensors  308 , a hoist cable  210 , and one or more hoist cable bell cranks  700 , the one or more hoist cable bell cranks  700  having a hoist cable bell crank spring  708 , a hoist cable bell crank mount  702 , a hoist cable bell crank safety link mount  704 , and a solenoid  608 . A system  900  for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator also includes one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 , the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600  having a docking lever  602 , and a solenoid lever  604 . A system  900  for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator also includes one or more brake cables  518 , one or more bottom eccentric brakes  512 , and one or more top eccentric brakes  514 . 
         [0087]    In some embodiments, each of the one or more solenoids  608  are mounted on a hoist cable bell crank  700 . In some embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank  700  is tensionally biased by a hoist cable bell crank spring  708 . In some embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank  700  includes a hoist cable bell crank mount  702  to which a hoist cable  210  is attached. In such an embodiment, when the hoist cable  210  is under tension, the tension from the hoist cable  210  counteracts the spring tension from the hoist cable bell crank spring  708 . In such an embodiment, a solenoid  608  is mounted on a hoist cable bell crank  700 . Thus, in this embodiment, when a hoist cable  210  pulls a hoist cable bell crank  700 , the solenoid  608  is rotated into position to engage an eccentric bell crank  600  if the solenoid  608  is energized. Thus, in this embodiment, for a solenoid  608  to be in position to engage an eccentric bell crank  600  when the solenoid  608  is energized, there must be hoist cable tension. In some embodiments, a hoist cable bell crank  700  is mounted on one or more trucks  400  of a load carrying unit  300  of an incline elevator. In such embodiments, a safety link  306  (not pictured in  FIG. 9   a ) joins the hoist cable bell cranks  700  at the hoist cable bell crank safety link mounts  704 . In this embodiment, when the hoist cable  210  provides tension to rotate an uphill hoist cable bell crank  700 , a downhill hoist cable bell crank  700  is also rotated by the safety link  306 . 
         [0088]    In some embodiments, electrical power is provided from the power source of the incline elevator  100 . It will be recognized by those with skill in the art that the power source of the incline elevator  100  can be virtually any power source. In some embodiments, from the power source of the incline elevator  100 , electrical wiring  802  provides power for an eccentric safety device of an incline elevator. In some embodiments, in series with electrical wiring  802  are one or more speed sensors  308  and one or more solenoids  608 . In such embodiments, power to the one of more solenoids  608  is only available if the power source of the incline elevator  100  is operable. In a further embodiment, the one or more speed sensors  308  only provide power to the one or more solenoids  608  if the one or more speed sensors  308  are in an underspeed condition. In this embodiment, the one or more solenoids  308  are only energized if there has not been an electrical fault in the incline elevator  100 , and if there is not an overspeed condition detected by the speed sensors  308 . 
         [0089]    Importantly, in some embodiments, an eccentric bell crank  600  can only be moved by a solenoid  608  when the solenoid  608  is in position due to the tension in the hoist cable  210  on the hoist cable bell crank  700 . Additionally, in such embodiments, if a solenoid  608  is in position, an eccentric bell crank  600  can only be moved by a solenoid  608  when the solenoid  608  is energized, which is only possible when there is no electrical fault in the incline elevator  100 , and when the speed sensors  308  are in an underspeed condition. Thus, an eccentric bell crank  600  can be moved by the solenoid  608  when there is no electrical fault in the incline elevator  100 , when there is no overspeed condition detected by the speed sensors  308 , and when there is no lack of tension in the hoist cable  210 . 
         [0090]    In some embodiments, an eccentric bell crank  600  is coupled to a bottom eccentric brake  512  and to a top eccentric brake  514  by a brake cable  518 . In some embodiments, an eccentric bell crank  600  includes a docking lever  602  and a solenoid lever  604 . In some embodiments, when a solenoid  608  is in position and energized, the solenoid makes contact with the docking lever  602  and rotates the eccentric bell crank  600 . In this embodiment, the rotation of the eccentric bell crank  600  imparts motion to the eccentric brakes via the brake cable  518 , retracting the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, when a solenoid  608  is in position and energized, the eccentric brakes are retracted. In this embodiment, if a solenoid  608  is not in position (irrespective of whether it is energized) or not energized (irrespective of whether it is in position), the eccentric brakes are extended due to spring tension from the brake spring  520 . 
         [0091]    In some embodiments, an eccentric bell crank  600  includes a docking lever  602 . In this embodiment, a docking lever  602  can be engaged by docking targets in the track  200 . In this embodiment, a docking target in contact with the docking lever  602  rotates the eccentric bell crank  600 . In this embodiment, when the contact between the docking target in the track  200  and the docking lever  602  rotates the eccentric bell crank  600 , the eccentric brakes are retracted by the brake cable  518 . In this embodiment, when the load carrying unit  300  of the incline elevator  100  is docked, the eccentric brakes are refracted. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the load carrying unit  300  of the incline elevator  100  is docked, the eccentric brakes are retracted irrespective of the position or energy state of the solenoid  608 . 
         [0092]    Importantly, in this embodiment, if the load carrying unit  300  is not docked, and if there is any electrical fault, overspeed, or break in the hoist cable  210 , the solenoid  608  will not be energized and the eccentric brakes will extend due to the spring tension in the brake spring  520 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 9   b  is a schematic view of a system  900  for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. While  FIG. 9   a  depicts the eccentric brakes of the system retracted, permitting an incline elevator  100  to move the load carrying unit  300  up and down the track  200 , in  FIG. 9   b  what is depicted is a break in hoist cable  210 . In some embodiments, if there is a break in hoist cable  210 , the eccentric safety device  500  is rigged to deploy. In some embodiments, when there is a break in the hoist cable  210 , tension in the hoist cable bell crank spring  708  will rotate the one or more hoist cable bell cranks  700  unchecked by any tension in the broken hoist cable  210  in this embodiment. In such embodiments, when the one or more hoist cable bell crank springs  700  rotate due to the spring tension in the hoist cable bell crank spring  708 , the one or more solenoids  608  move out of position such that it can no longer engage the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 . In this embodiment, irrespective of the power state of the incline elevator  100  or the overspeed or underspeed condition detected by the one or more speed sensors  308 , the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600  will be driven by the spring tension in the brake spring  520  (brake spring  520  not shown in  FIG. 9   b ). In this embodiment, the spring tension in the brake spring  520  will extend the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514 . In this embodiment, the spring tension of the brake spring  520  will also pull the brake cable  518  and swing the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600  away from the one or more solenoids  608 , where the one or more solenoids  608  have been also pulled out of position by tension in the hoist cable bell crank spring  708 , the tension being unchecked by tension in the hoist cable  210 . In this embodiment, the extension of the eccentric brakes will bring the brakes in contact with the inside of the channel  202  of the track  200  of the incline elevator  100 . In this embodiment, the extension of the eccentric brakes will bring the load carrying unit  300  to a stop. 
         [0094]    In some embodiments, the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake  514  are made of alternating layers of rubber and steel to bring the load carrying unit  300  to a more smooth halt, making the emergency stop less uncomfortable for passengers. In some embodiments, the pear-shaped design of the eccentric brakes, having a fat end at the downhill side and a skinny end at the uphill side, enables the load carrying unit  300  with its one or more eccentric safety devices  500  to be towed uphill even after deployment of the eccentric brakes. It will be clear to one with skill in the art that when towing the load carrying unit  300 , the eccentric brakes will drag against the inside of the channel  202  of the track  200 , but that only spring tension in the brake spring  520  will resist the motion. Uphill forces on the hoist cable  210  will permit the load carrying unit  300  to be towed uphill. When the eccentric brakes are extended, however, the fat end of the eccentric brakes will “jam” in the channel  202  of the track  200 , causing the load carrying unit  300  to stop. 
         [0095]    In some embodiments, to return the unit to service, the load carrying unit  300  is towed to an uphill station such as uphill station  114 . In such embodiments, when the load carrying unit  300  is towed to the uphill station  114 , docking targets in the track  200  engage the docking lever  602  of the eccentric bell crank  600 , which retracts the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, when power is re-applied to the incline elevator  100  and the hoist cable  210  has tension, the one or more solenoids  608  engage the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 , keeping the eccentric brakes retracted even when the load carrying unit  300  moves away from the uphill station  114 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 9   c  is a schematic view of a system  900  for providing an eccentric safety device for an incline elevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. While  FIG. 9   a  depicts the eccentric brakes of the system retracted, permitting an incline elevator  100  to move the load carrying unit  300  up and down the track  200 , in  FIG. 9   c  what is depicted is an electrical fault in the incline elevator  100  or an overspeed condition detected by the one or more speed sensors  308 . In some embodiments, the speed sensors  308  are electrical devices, the power for which is provided by the electrical system of the incline elevator  100 . In such embodiments, when the speed sensors  308  are energized, power can be provided to the one or more solenoids  608 . In such embodiments, when the speed sensors  308  are energized, the power to the one or more solenoids  608  is only provided to the one or more solenoids  608  when the speed sensors  308  detect an underspeed condition. In this embodiment, if the speed sensors  308  detect an overspeed condition, the speed sensors  308  will cut power to the one or more solenoids  608 . If power to the one or more solenoids  608  is cut, the one or more solenoids  608  will break contact with the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 . In this embodiment, when the one or more solenoids  608  are not engaging the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 , then there is no check on the spring tension of the brake spring  520 . In this embodiment, if the one or more solenoids  608  are not engaging the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 , the tension in the brake spring  520  will cause the bottom eccentric brake  512  and the top eccentric brake to extend, and the tension in the brake spring  520  will pull on the brake cable  518 , causing the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600  to rotate away from the solenoid  608 . 
         [0097]    In some embodiments, to return the unit to service, the load carrying unit  300  is towed to an uphill station such as uphill station  114 . In such embodiments, when the load carrying unit  300  is towed to the uphill station  114 , docking targets in the track  200  engage the docking lever  602  of the eccentric bell crank  600 , which retracts the eccentric brakes. In this embodiment, when power is re-applied to the incline elevator  100  and the hoist cable  210  has tension, the one or more solenoids  608  engage the one or more eccentric bell cranks  600 , keeping the eccentric brakes retracted even when the load carrying unit  300  moves away from the uphill station  114 . 
         [0098]    While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Technology Category: 7