He invented a clamping mechanism, when the ropes used to hold up an elevator went slacked, his clamps would grip the elevator's guide rails, keeping it from crashing down.

他发明了一种夹紧机构，当用来支撑电梯的绳索松弛时， 他的夹子会夹住电梯的导轨， 防止电梯坠落。

However, if the cable broke — releasing its tension — springs behind the levers would force them outwards into grooves in the elevator rails, those rails were then forced against the shaft walls, quickly arresting any cars fall.

然而，如果缆绳断裂——释放拉力——杠杆后面的弹簧就会迫使杠杆向外进入电梯轨道的凹槽，然后这些轨道就会被压在井壁上，迅速阻止任何坠落的电梯轿厢。