Unitized segmented sheave assembly

1. A unitized segmented sheave assembly, comprising:

sheaves arrayed in a side-to-side formation and respectively comprising bearings and an exterior running surface;

spacers interleaved between neighboring sheaves,

respective inner races of the bearings of each sheave and respective interior portions of each spacer cooperatively forming an interior annular surface; and

a sleeve disposable in abutment with the interior annular surface,

wherein each of the sheaves comprises an elastic element interposed between the corresponding bearings.

2. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each exterior running surface of each sheave is bracketed by a set of radial flanges.

3. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic element of each of the sheaves comprises a wave spring interposed between interior sides of the corresponding bearings.

4. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 1 , wherein outer races of the bearings of each sheave are integral with the exterior running surface.

5. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of the spacers is interposed between exterior sides of corresponding neighboring bearings and forms a gap between the corresponding neighboring sheaves.

6. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises at least one of a tubular cage and a tubular element defining weight reduction holes.

7. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeve defines a bore into which a shaft is insertable.

8. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 7 , further comprising a radial spacer interposable between the shaft and the sleeve.

9. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the radial spacer comprises an elastomer.

10. A unitized segmented sheave assembly for use in an elevator system, the unitized segmented sheave assembly comprising:

a plurality of sheaves arrayed in a side-to-side formation which is consistent with a configuration of the elevator system,

each one of the plurality of sheaves comprising a set of bearings, a wave spring axially interposed between interior sides of the set bearings, an exterior running surface and radial flanges bracketing the exterior running surface;

a plurality of spacers interposed between exterior sides of corresponding neighboring bearings and thereby interleaved between corresponding neighboring ones of the plurality of sheaves to form gaps therein,

respective inner races of the set of bearings of each one of the plurality of sheaves and respective interior portions of each one of the plurality of spacers cooperatively forming an interior annular surface; and

a sleeve disposable in abutment with the interior annular surface.

11. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 10 , wherein outer races of the bearings of each sheave are integral with the exterior running surface.

12. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the sleeve comprises at least one of a tubular cage and a tubular element defining weight reduction holes.

13. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the sleeve defines a bore into which a shaft is insertable.

14. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising a radial spacer interposable between the shaft and the sleeve.

15. The unitized segmented sheave assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the radial spacer comprises an elastomer.

16. A method of assembling a unitized segmented sheave, the method comprising:

securing a first end screw to a sleeve;

sliding sheaves, each of which comprises a set of bearings, a wave spring axially interposed between interior sides of the corresponding set of bearings;

sliding spacers onto the sleeve in an interleaved side-to-side formation with each of the sheaves such that each spacer is interposed between exterior sides of bearings of corresponding neighboring sheaves;

securing a second end screw to the sleeve to lock the sheaves and spacers into place with the spacers forming gaps between neighboring sheaves; and

sliding a shaft into the sleeve.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein each sheave further comprises:

a running surface; and

radial flanges bracketing the running surface.

18. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising applying a surface treatment to the sleeve.

19. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising interposing a radial spacer between the shaft and the sleeve.