The present invention relates to an elevator in which ends of a main rope are supported at the top of an elevator shaft, and to a rope-supporting mechanism included in the elevator. [Background Art] [0002]
Known elevators each include an elevator car, a counterweight, a main rope wrapped around pulleys provided to the elevator car and to the counterweight, and a winding machine around which the main rope is wound. The main rope is provided at the ends thereof with thimble rods for adjusting the tension of the main rope. The ends of the main rope are supported, with the thimble rods interposed therebetween, at the top of an elevator shaft in which the elevator car is raised and lowered. [0003]
An exemplary known technique of supporting the ends of main ropes is disclosed by PTL 1. In the technique disclosed by PTL 1, the ends of the ropes are positioned on a machine beam that supports a driving device, with one end of each rope being positioned on the outer side of the

machine beam. Furthermore, the other end of each rope that is positioned on the inner side of the machine beam is provided with an indicating member that indicates the spring length of a spring. Alternatively, a fastening plate that restrains the ends of each rope is provided so that the end of the rope on the inner side and the end of the rope on the outer side are connected to each other. [Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0004]
[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-193867 [Summary of Invention] [Technical Problem]
[0005]
In the technique disclosed by PTL 1, however, since thimble rods are provided on the upper surface of a lower flange portion of the machine beam, which is an H beam, the thimble rods may interfere with an upper flange portion of the machine beam. Moreover, to allow the work of attaching the thimble rods or the work of adjusting the tension of the main ropes to be performed, a space needs to be provided above the thimble rods. Consequently, in the technique disclosed by PTL 1, it is difficult to reduce the size of the beam that supports the main ropes.

[0006]
In view of the above problem, the object of the present invention is to provide an elevator and a rope-supporting mechanism in each of which a supporting beam that supports a main rope has a reduced size. [Solution to Problem]
[0007]
To solve the above problem and to achieve the above object of the present invention, an elevator according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a rope-supporting mechanism that supports axial ends of a main rope at a top of an elevator shaft.
The rope-supporting mechanism includes a pair of rope-supporting beams and a supporting plate. The pair of rope-supporting beams are provided at the top of the elevator shaft and at an interval from each other. The supporting plate is fastened to the pair of rope-supporting beams in such a manner as to connect the pair of rope-supporting beams. The supporting plate supports thimble rods provided at the respective ends of the main rope and between the pair of rope-supporting beams.
[0008]
A rope-supporting mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention supports axial ends of a main rope at a top of an elevator shaft. The rope-

supporting mechanism is the rope-supporting mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[Advantageous Effects of Invention] [0009]
In each of the elevator and the rope-supporting mechanism according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the supporting beam that supports the main rope can have a reduced size. [Brief Description of Drawings] [0010]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is another schematic diagram of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention that is seen in a different direction from the case of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a front view of a winding machine and peripheral elements included in the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the winding machine and peripheral elements included in the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line T-T illustrated in Fig. 3.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line S-S

illustrated in Fig. 5. [Description of Embodiments]
[0011]
An elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, in which like elements are denoted by like reference numerals.
[0012]
1. Configuration of Elevator
First, a configuration of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
Figs. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary configuration of the elevator according to the present embodiment.
[0013]
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, an elevator 1 according to the present embodiment is provided in an elevator shaft 110 built in a building structure 200. The elevator 1 includes an elevator car 120 that carries people or freights, main ropes 130, a counterweight 140, a deflector sheave 150, and a winding machine 100. The elevator shaft 110 built in the building structure 200 includes a machine room 160 at the top thereof. The machine

room 160 houses a winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10.
[0014]
The winding machine 100 and the deflector sheave 150 are supported by the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 provided in the machine room 160. The winding machine 100 includes a sheave 101 around which the main ropes 130 are wrapped, a driving unit 102 that drives the sheave 101 to rotate, and a base portion 103 that supports the sheave 101 and the driving unit 102. Details of the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10, the winding machine 100, and the deflector sheave 150 will be described later. The main ropes 130 are wrapped around the sheave 101 of the winding machine 100 and around the deflector sheave 150.
[0015]
The elevator car 120 is provided in the elevator shaft 110. The elevator car 120 is provided at an upper end thereof with a car-side pulley 121. The car-side pulley 121 has a diameter LI. Likewise, the counterweight 140 is provided at an upper end thereof with a weight-side pulley 141. The car-side pulley 121 and the weight-side pulley 141 are oriented such that the axial directions thereof are orthogonal to the axial direction of the sheave 101 of the winding machine 100 and the deflector sheave 150.
[0016]
The main ropes 130 are each provided at two axial ends

thereof with respective rope-adjusting members 131 that adjust the tension of the main rope 130. The two ends of each main rope 130 are fastened to a rope-supporting mechanism 20 with the rope-adjusting members 131 interposed therebetween. The rope-supporting mechanism 20 is provided in the machine room 160. Details of the rope-adjusting members 131 and the rope-supporting mechanism 20 will be described later.
[0017]
The main ropes 130 each run down vertically in the elevator shaft 110 from one axial end thereof, are wrapped around the car-side pulley 121, and are then wrapped around the sheave 101 of the winding machine 100 and around the deflector sheave 150. Furthermore, after being wrapped around the sheave 101 of the winding machine 100 and around the deflector sheave 150, the main ropes 130 are wrapped around the weight-side pulley 141. After being wrapped around the weight-side pulley 141, the other axial end of each of the main ropes 130 is fastened to the rope-supporting mechanism 20, which is provided in the machine room 160, with a corresponding one of the rope-adjusting members 131 interposed therebetween.
[0018]
Hence, when the winding machine 100 is activated, the elevator car 120 and the counterweight 140 that are

connected to each other with the main ropes 130 are raised or lowered in the elevator shaft 110.
[0019]
2. Configurations of Winding-Machine-Supporting Mechanism and Rope-Supporting Mechanism
Now, configurations of the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 and the rope-supporting mechanism 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6.
Fig. 3 is a front view of the winding machine 100 and peripheral elements. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the winding machine 100 and peripheral elements. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line T-T illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line S-S illustrated in Fig. 5.
[0020]
[Winding-Machine-Supporting Mechanism]
First, the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 will be described. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 includes a spacer 11 placed on a floor 161 of the machine room 160, a first machine beam 12A, and a second machine beam 12B. The spacer 11, the first machine beam 12A, and the second machine beam 12B are each a so-called H beam having an H-shaped vertical section.
[0021]
The spacer 11 is placed on the floor 161 with vibration-isolating members 40 interposed therebetween. The

spacer 11 extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the sheave 101 of the winding machine 100. With the spacer 11, the height of the winding machine 100 in the vertical direction is adjusted. The first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B are fastened to the top of the spacer 11 by a fastening method such as fastening with a bolt or welding.
[0022]
The first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B extend parallel to each other but orthogonally to the direction in which the spacer 11 extends. The first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined length in the direction in which the spacer 11 extends.
[0023]
The base portion 103 of the winding machine 100 is provided at the tops of the first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B with vibration-isolating members 41 interposed therebetween. A supporting member 151 and a pulley beam 152 are provided on the lower surface, in the vertical direction, of the base portion 103 of the winding machine 100. The supporting member 151 and the pulley beam 152 support the deflector sheave 150 such that the deflector sheave 150 is rotatable. The deflector sheave 150 is provided between the first machine beam 12A and the second
- 10 -

machine beam 12B. The main ropes 130 wrapped around the sheave 101 and around the deflector sheave 150 run between the first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B.
[0024]
The rope-supporting mechanism 20 that supports the main ropes 130 with the aid of the rope-adjusting members 131 is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the winding machine 100, which is supported by the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10, and near the second machine beam 12B.
[Rope-Adjusting Members]
Now, the rope-adjusting members 131 will be described.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the rope-adjusting members 131 are provided at the two respective axial ends of each of the main ropes 130. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the rope-adjusting members 131 each include a thimble rod 132, a spring member 133, a nut 134, a first spring washer 135, and a second spring washer 136.
[0025]
The thimble rod 132 has a bar-like shape and is fastened to an end of each main rope 130. The thimble rod 132 is threaded on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The thimble rod 132 passes through, from the lower side in the vertical direction, a through hole 21b and an auxiliary-side through hole 22d provided in the rope-supporting
- 11 -

mechanism 20 to be described later. An upper part, in the vertical direction, of the thimble rod 132 that is exposed from the rope-supporting mechanism 20 is provided with the spring member 133, the nut 134, the first spring washer 135, and the second spring washer 136.
[0026]
The first spring washer 135 is in contact with the upper end, in the vertical direction, of the spring member 133. The second spring washer 136 is in contact with the lower end, in the vertical direction, of the spring member 133. The second spring washer 136 is placed on the upper surface of a major surface portion 22a of an auxiliary plate 22 included in the rope-supporting mechanism 20 to be described later.
[0027]
The nut 134 is screwed on the thimble rod 132 at a position nearer to the head of the thimble rod 132, i.e., on the upper-end side in the vertical direction, than the first spring washer 135. By adjusting the position of the nut 134 on the thimble rod 132, the length of expansion/contraction of the spring member 133 provided between the first spring washer 135 and the second spring washer 136 can be determined. Thus, the tension of the main rope 130 is adjusted. The load applied to the thimble rod 132 is transmitted to the rope-supporting mechanism 20, to be
- 12 -

described later, through the spring member 133.
[0028]
[Rope-Supporting Mechanism] Now, the rope-supporting mechanism 20 will be described. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the rope-supporting mechanism 20 includes the second machine beam 12B, a rope-supporting beam 13, two supporting plates 21, and two auxiliary plates 22. In the present embodiment, the second machine beam 12B included in the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 also serves as a rope-supporting beam of the rope-supporting mechanism 20. Hence, the number of supporting beams provided at the top of the elevator shaft 110 can be reduced.
[0029]
The rope-supporting beam 13 is an H beam, as with the first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B. Now, configurations of the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 will be described.
[0030]
As illustrated in Fig. 6, the second machine beam 12B includes an upper flange portion 14, a lower flange portion 15, and a connecting portion 16 that connects the upper flange portion 14 and the lower flange portion 15 to each other. The lower flange portion 15 includes a first flange part 15a and a second flange part 15b that are continuous with the connecting portion 16 and extend substantially
- 13 -

perpendicularly from the connecting portion 16. The first flange part 15a and the second flange part 15b project in opposite directions from the lower end of the connecting portion 16.
[0031]
The rope-supporting beam 13 includes an upper flange portion 17, a lower flange portion 18, and a connecting portion 19 that connects the upper flange portion 17 and the lower flange portion 18 to each other. The lower flange portion 18 includes a first flange part 18a and a second flange part 18b that are continuous with the connecting portion 19 and extend substantially perpendicularly from the connecting portion 19. The first flange part 18a and the second flange part 18b project in opposite directions from the lower end of the connecting portion 19.
[0032]
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the rope-supporting beam 13 is fastened to the top of the spacer 11, as with the first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B. The rope-supporting beam 13 extends in a direction that is
substantially parallel to the direction in which the first machine beam 12A and the second machine beam 12B extend. Furthermore, the rope-supporting beam 13 is provided across the second machine beam 12B from the first machine beam 12A and at a predetermined interval from the second machine beam
- 14 -

12B. The interval between the rope-supporting beam 13 and the second machine beam 12B is determined in accordance with the diameter L1 (see Fig. 2) of the car-side pulley 121.
[0033]
The second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 are bridged with the two supporting plates 21 and the two auxiliary plates 22. One axial end of each main rope 130 is fastened to one of the two supporting plates 21 with the aid of a corresponding one of the rope-adjusting members 131, and the other axial end of the main rope 130 is fastened to the other supporting plate 21 with the aid of another corresponding one of the rope-adjusting members 131.
[0034]
As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, each supporting plate 21 has a substantially flat shape. The supporting plate 21 is positioned in such a manner as to connect the lower flange portion 15 of the second machine beam 12B and the lower flange portion 18 of the rope-supporting beam 13 to each other. An upper surface 21a, in the vertical direction, of the supporting plate 21 is in contact with the lower surfaces, in the vertical direction, of the lower flange portion 15 of the second machine beam 12B and the lower flange portion 18 of the rope-supporting beam 13.
[0035]
The supporting plate 21 is fastened to the lower flange
- 15 -

portions 15 and 18 with fastening members 25 each including a fastening bolt 25A and a fastening nut 25B. Thus, the load applied to the supporting plate 21 is dispersed between the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13. Consequently, the sizes of the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 can be reduced.
[0036]
One end of the supporting plate 21 that is nearer to the second machine beam 12B is fastened to both the first flange part 15a and the second flange part 15b of the lower flange portion 15 with the fastening members 25. The other end of the supporting plate 21 that is nearer to the rope-supporting beam 13 is fastened to both the first flange part 18a and the second flange part 18b of the lower flange portion 18 with the fastening members 25. That is, the supporting plate 21 is fastened to both of the flange parts 15a and 15b of the lower flange portion 15 that project from two respective sides of the connecting portion 16 and to both of the flange parts 18a and 18b of the lower flange portion 18 that project from two respective sides of the connecting portion 19.
[0037]
Hence, the load applied to the lower flange portions 15 and 18 through the supporting plate 21 is dispersed between the two first flange parts 15a and 18a and between the two
- 16 -

second flange parts 15b and 18b. Such a configuration prevents the load from being applied only to one of the two flange parts 15a and 15b or 18a and 18b of the lower flange portion 15 or 18, whereby the deformation of the flange parts that receive any load can be suppressed. Moreover, the load applied to each of the lower flange portions 15 and 18 can be transmitted substantially evenly to a corresponding one of the connecting portions 16 and 19.
[0038]
Since the load is applied substantially evenly to each of the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13, the sizes of the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 can be reduced.
[0039]
The supporting plate 21 has a plurality of through holes 21b. The plurality of through holes 21b each extend through the supporting plate 21 in the vertical direction. The plurality of through holes 21b provided in the supporting plate 21 are arranged in a staggered pattern. The positions of the plurality of through holes 21b are determined in accordance with the diameter L1 of the car-side pulley 121 and/or the diameter of the weight-side pulley 141.
[0040]
The plurality of through holes 21b are provided
- 17 -

avoiding positions where the supporting plate 21 is in contact with the second machine beam 12B or the rope-supporting beam 13. That is, the plurality of through holes 21b are provided in a region of the supporting plate 21 that is between the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13. The through holes 21b each receive the thimble rod 132 of a corresponding one of the rope-adjusting members 131 that passes therethrough.
[0041]
As described above, the thimble rods 132 at the ends of the main ropes 130 are attached to the region of the supporting plate 21 that is between the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13. That is, the thimble rods 132 are provided neither between the upper flange portion 14 and the lower flange portion 15 of the second machine beam 12B nor between the upper flange portion 17 and the lower flange portion 18 of the rope-supporting beam 13. Therefore, the vertical lengths of the connecting portions 16 and 19 of the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 can be designed regardless of the design of the thimble rods 132. Hence, the sizes of the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 can be reduced.
[0042]
Since the sizes of the second machine beam 12B and the
- 18 -

rope-supporting beam 13 can be reduced, the space in the machine room 160 in which the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 are provided can also be reduced. Moreover, even if the space in the machine room 160 at the top of the elevator shaft 110 is small, the rope-supporting mechanism 20 can be provided in the machine room 160 and can support the ends of the main rope 130.
[0043]
There are no supporting beams but an open space on the upper side, in the vertical direction, of the rope-adjusting members 131 attached to the supporting plate 21. That is, a certain size of space is provided on the upper side, in the vertical direction, of the rope-adjusting members 131. Therefore, the work of attaching the rope-adjusting members 131 and the work of adjusting the tension of the main ropes 130 by using the rope-adjusting members 131 can be performed easily.
[0044]
The auxiliary plate 22 is provided on the upper surface 21a, in the vertical direction, of the supporting plate 21. The auxiliary plate 22 has a substantially flat shape. The auxiliary plate 22 includes the rectangular major surface portion 22a and two auxiliary supporting parts 22b and 22c.
[0045]
The major surface portion 22a is positioned on the
- 19 -

upper surface 21a of the supporting plate 21 and between the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13. The major surface portion 22a has a plurality of auxiliary-side through holes 22d.
[0046]
The auxiliary-side through holes 22d each extend through the major surface portion 22a in the vertical direction. When the major surface portion 22a is placed on the upper surface 21a of the supporting plate 21, the auxiliary-side through holes 22d are located at positions that face the through holes 21b, respectively, provided in the supporting plate 21. Thus, the auxiliary-side through holes 22d communicate with the respective through holes 21b of the supporting plate 21. The thimble rods 132 of the rope-adjusting members 131 extend through the respective auxiliary-side through holes 22d. The second spring washer 136 of each of the rope-adjusting members 131 is placed on the major surface portion 22a, and the load transmitted from the thimble rod 132 is applied to the major surface portion 22a.
[0047]
The first auxiliary supporting part 22b is provided at a position of the major surface portion 22a that corresponds to an end of the second machine beam 12B. The second auxiliary supporting part 22c is provided at a position of
- 20 -

the major surface portion 22a that corresponds to an end of the rope-supporting beam 13.
[0048]
The first auxiliary supporting part 22b projects from an end of the major surface portion 22a that faces the second machine beam 12B toward the second machine beam 12B. The second auxiliary supporting part 22c projects from another end of the major surface portion 22a that faces the rope-supporting beam 13 toward the rope-supporting beam 13.
[0049]
When the auxiliary plate 22 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the supporting plate 21, the first auxiliary supporting part 22b is positioned, in the vertical direction, above the second flange part 15b of the lower flange portion 15 of the second machine beam 12B. Normally, a gap 29 is provided between the first auxiliary supporting part 22b and the second flange part 15b. The second auxiliary supporting part 22c is positioned, in the vertical direction, above the first flange part 18a of the lower flange portion 18 of the rope-supporting beam 13. Normally, a gap 29 is provided between the second auxiliary supporting part 22c and the first flange part 18a, as with the case of the first auxiliary supporting part 22b.
[0050]
Normally, the load transmitted from the thimble rod 132
- 21 -

to the auxiliary plate 22 is transmitted to the supporting plate 21 through the major surface portion 22a. Such a configuration normally prevents the load from being applied only to the second flange parts 15b and 18a of the lower flange portions 15 and 18 from the first auxiliary
supporting part 22b and the second auxiliary supporting part 22c. Therefore, the deformation of the lower flange portions 15 and 18 can be prevented.
[0051]
The first auxiliary supporting part 22b and the second auxiliary supporting part 22c each have cuts 22f at two respective corners thereof. With the cuts 22f, the first auxiliary supporting part 22b and the second auxiliary supporting part 22c can be prevented from interfering with the fastening nuts 25B of the fastening members 25 that fasten the supporting plate 21.
[0052]
The auxiliary plate 22 is fastened to the supporting plate 21 with plate-fastening members 27 each including a fastening bolt 27A and a fastening nut 27B.
[0053]
If any fastening bolts 25A that fasten the supporting plate 21 to the second machine beam 12B and to the rope-supporting beam 13 are damaged, the first auxiliary supporting part 22b and the second auxiliary supporting part
- 22 -

22c drop onto the second flange parts 15b and 18a of the lower flange portions 15 and 18, respectively. Hence, the auxiliary plate 22 is supported by the lower flange portion 15 of the second machine beam 12B and the lower flange portion 18 of the rope-supporting beam 13. Thus, the load transmitted from the thimble rods 132 can be received by the auxiliary plate 22, the second machine beam 12B, and the rope-supporting beam 13. Consequently, even if any of the fastening bolts 25A are damaged, the elevator car 120 is prevented from falling. Thus, the safety of the elevator 1 can be enhanced.
[0054]
3. Method of Attaching Main Ropes
Now, an exemplary method of attaching the main ropes 130 to the rope-supporting mechanism 20 configured as above will be described.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the second machine beam 12B and the rope-supporting beam 13 are set in the machine room 160 in advance. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, the thimble rods 132 are attached in advance to the ends of the main ropes 130.
[0055]
First, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the supporting plate 21 is positioned below the lower flange portion 15 of the second machine beam 12B and the lower flange portion 18
- 23 -

of the rope-supporting beam 13. Subsequently, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the upper surface 21a of the supporting plate 21 is brought into contact with the lower surfaces of the lower flange portions 15 and 18. Then, the supporting plate 21 is fastened to the lower surfaces of the lower flange portions 15 and 18 with the fastening bolts 25A and the fastening nuts 25B.
[0056]
Subsequently, the major surface portion 22a of the auxiliary plate 22 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the supporting plate 21. In this step, gaps 29 are provided between the first auxiliary supporting part 22b and the second flange part 15b and between the second auxiliary supporting part 22c and the first flange part 18a. Then, the auxiliary plate 22 is fastened to the supporting plate 21 with the fastening bolts 27A and the fastening nuts 27B. Thus, the through holes 21b provided in the supporting plate 21 communicate with the respective auxiliary-side through holes 22d provided in the auxiliary plate 22.
[0057]
Subsequently, the thimble rods 132 attached to the main ropes 130 are inserted into the respective through holes 21b and the respective auxiliary-side through holes 22d from below in the vertical direction. Thus, the thimble rods 132 pass through the through holes 21b and the auxiliary-side
- 24 -

through holes 22d, with the upper ends thereof projecting upward from the auxiliary plate 22.
[0058]
Subsequently, the spring members 133, the nuts 134, the first spring washers 135, and the second spring washers 136 are attached to the upper ends of the thimble rods 132 projecting from the auxiliary plate 22. In this step, no members such as upper flange portions of supporting beams are present above the thimble rods 132 extending through the supporting plate 21 and the auxiliary plate 22, and a satisfactory space is provided instead. Hence, the work of attaching the spring members 133, the nuts 134, the first spring washers 135, and the second spring washers 136 to the thimble rods 132 can be performed easily.
[0059]
When the spring members 133, the nuts 134, the first spring washers 135, and the second spring washers 136 are attached to the thimble rods 132, the step of attaching the main ropes 130 is complete.
[0060]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Various
modifications can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the essence of the present invention that is defined by the appended claims.
- 25 -

[0061]
For example, while the above embodiment concerns an exemplary case where the second machine beam 12B of the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 is used as one of the two rope-supporting beams to which the supporting plate 21 is to be attached, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, one more rope-supporting beam may be added. Alternatively, the winding-machine-supporting mechanism 10 may include two machine beams 12A and 12B as rope-supporting beams.
[0062]
While the above embodiment concerns an exemplary case where the winding machine 100 is installed in the machine room 160 provided at the top of the elevator shaft 110, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the winding machine 100 may be provided at the bottom of the elevator shaft 110, with two follower pulleys around which the main ropes are wrapped being provided at the top of the elevator shaft 110. In that case, two rope-supporting beams are provided at the top of the elevator shaft.
[0063]
The method of fastening the supporting plate to the beams is not limited to a method of fastening with fastening nuts and fastening bolts and may be any other method such as
- 26 -

welding or fixing with locking hooks.
[0064]
The term such as "parallel" or "orthogonal" used herein does not necessarily mean exactly "parallel" or "orthogonal" and may encompass any states including "parallel" or "orthogonal" and "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" as long as the associated functions are exerted. [Reference Signs List]
[0065]
1: elevator
10: winding-machine-supporting mechanism
11: spacer
12A: first machine beam
12B: second machine beam (rope-supporting beam)
13: rope-supporting beam
14, 17: upper flange portion
15, 18: lower flange portion 15a, 18a: first flange part 15b, 18b: second flange part
16, 19: connecting portion 20: rope-supporting mechanism 21: supporting plate
21a: upper surface 21b: through hole 22: auxiliary plate
- 27 -

22a: major surface portion
22b: first auxiliary supporting part
22c: second auxiliary supporting part
22d: auxiliary-side through hole
22f: cut
25: fastening member
25A: fastening bolt
25B: fastening nut
27: plate-fastening member
27A: fastening bolt
27B: fastening nut
29: gap
100: winding machine
110: elevator shaft
120: elevator car
121: car-side pulley
130: main rope
131: rope-adjusting member
132: thimble rod
133: spring member
134: nut
135: first spring washer
136: second spring washer
140: counterweight
141: weight-side pulley
- 28 -

150: deflector sheave 160: machine room 161: floor

[Claim 1]
An elevator comprising a rope-supporting mechanism that supports axial ends of a main rope at a top of an elevator shaft,
wherein the rope-supporting mechanism includes
a pair of rope-supporting beams provided at the top of the elevator shaft and at an interval from each other; and
a supporting plate fastened to the pair of rope-supporting beams in such a manner as to connect the pair of rope-supporting beams, and
wherein the supporting plate supports thimble rods provided at the respective ends of the main rope and between the pair of rope-supporting beams. [Claim 2]
The elevator according to Claim 1,
wherein the supporting plate is fastened to lower surfaces, on a lower side in a vertical direction, of the rope-supporting beams. [Claim 3]
The elevator according to Claim 2,
wherein the rope-supporting beams are each an H beam including an upper flange portion, a lower flange portion provided opposite the upper flange portion, and a connecting

portion that connects the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion to each other, and
wherein the supporting plate is fastened to a lower surface of the lower flange portion. [Claim 4]
The elevator according to Claim 3,
wherein the lower flange portion includes two flange parts that are continuous with the connecting portion and project substantially perpendicularly from the connecting portion in opposite directions, respectively; and
wherein the supporting plate is fastened to both of the two flange parts included in the lower flange portion. [Claim 5]
The elevator according to Claim 1, further comprising:
an auxiliary plate provided on an upper surface, on an upper side in the vertical direction, of the supporting plate,
wherein the auxiliary plate includes
a major surface portion positioned on the upper surface and between the pair of rope-supporting beams; and
auxiliary supporting parts projecting from the major surface portion toward the respective rope-supporting beams and each positioned on an upper side, in the vertical direction, of a corresponding one of the rope-supporting beams with a gap provided in between.

[Claim 6]
The elevator according to Claim 1, further comprising:
a winding machine provided at the top of the elevator shaft and around which the main rope is wound,
wherein at least one of the pair of rope-supporting beams serves as a machine beam that supports the winding machine. [Claim 7]
A rope-supporting mechanism that supports axial ends of a main rope at a top of an elevator shaft, the mechanism comprising:
a pair of rope-supporting beams provided at the top of the elevator shaft and at an interval from each other; and
a supporting plate fastened to the pair of rope-supporting beams in such a manner as to connect the pair of rope-supporting beams,
wherein the supporting plate supports thimble rods provided at the respective ends of the main rope and between the pair of rope-supporting beams.