Mechanical overspeed safety device

An overspeed device is provided for an elevator system having an elevator car for travel within a hoistway along a guiderail. The elevator includes a governor rope running from an upper sheave at the top of the hoistway to a governor sheave at the bottom of the hoistway. The overspeed device comprises a centrifugal actuator and a gripping apparatus. In the event of an overspeed condition, the actuator actuates the gripping apparatus which in turn grips the governor rope exiting the governor sheave upwardly toward the upper sheave. The rope, now moving relative to the elevator car, operates a safety attached to the elevator car, thereby safely stopping the car.