Elevator door coupler system and method for installing the same in elevator system

Abstract

To provide an improved elevator door coupler system.SOLUTION: An elevator door coupler system (1) includes a door hanger (12) to be connected to an elevator car door (2) and at least one roller (14a, 14b) attached to the door hanger (12). The door hanger (12) includes first elongated openings (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b) for fixedly mounting a coupling assembly (16) disposed to engage a landing door to cause movement of the landing door in concert with movement of the elevator car door (2). The position of the coupling assembly (16) relative to the door hanger (12) is adjustable by mounting the coupling assembly (16) at different positions within the first elongated openings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator door coupler system and a method for installing an elevator door coupler system in an elevator system. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide elevator door coupling systems that not only allow elevator car doors to be driven between open and closed positions, but also couple with a corresponding set of landing doors so that the landing doors open and close as the elevator car doors are opened and closed.

[0003] It is known to install landing doors during the initial installation of an elevator system, and therefore to install landing doors that correspond to the installed elevator, and in particular to the elevator door coupler system.

[0004] However, when an elevator is installed in an existing system (e.g., replacing an existing elevator with a more modern system), the landing doors of that system will be one of many different types of landing doors with different landing door roller arrangements. To accommodate these different arrangements, elevator system suppliers are known to manufacture multiple different elevator door coupler systems and then select the most appropriate elevator door coupler system from the manufactured options to install in a given elevator system. However, manufacturing these many different types of elevator door coupler systems is time-consuming and costly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved elevator door coupler system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a door hanger for connecting to the elevator car door; at least one roller attached to a door hanger, An elevator door coupler system is provided in which the door hanger includes a first elongated opening for fixedly mounting a coupling assembly disposed to engage the landing door to cause movement of the landing door in concert with movement of the elevator car door, and the position of the coupling assembly relative to the door hanger is adjustable by mounting the coupling assembly at different positions within the first elongated opening.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of installing an elevator door coupler system in an elevator system, comprising: attaching at least one roller to a door hanger, the door hanger being adapted for connection to an elevator car door; attaching the coupling assembly to the door hanger, the attaching including selecting a suitable location for the coupling assembly relative to the door hanger by selecting a suitable attachment location within the first elongated opening of the door hanger, and fixedly attaching the coupling assembly to the door hanger at the selected location; A method is provided, comprising:

[0008] Providing a first elongated opening in the door hanger provides an elevator door coupler that can be mounted in multiple positions, i.e., across a range of (continuous) positions. This provides flexibility in the mounting location of the coupling assembly, allowing the elevator door coupler system to be adapted to accommodate different landing door systems (i.e., several, many, or even all landing door systems present in or available to the elevator system). Providing the first elongated opening specifically in the door hanger (i.e., the portion arranged to move an elevator car door on at least one roller), rather than in a portion of the coupling assembly, is advantageous because it conveniently utilizes existing space in the area of ​​the door hanger without requiring a significant increase in the area, height, or width of the door hanger. It also avoids the need to significantly enlarge components of the coupling assembly to accommodate one or more mounting elongated openings and the risk of reducing the strength of these critical components by removing additional material from them. Providing at least one elongated opening in the door hanger also allows the coupling assembly to be more easily installed in a desired location (i.e., a precise location relative to a given landing door system in a particular elevator installation). Applicant recognizes that a single hanger design may be able to accommodate the different dimensions of many (or even all) landing doors that may be present in a building containing a given elevator installation. Providing such a door hanger avoids the need to manufacture different door hangers, or even entire elevator door coupler systems, specific to one or a few landing door designs.

[0009] Such adaptation of the coupling assembly mounting position may be performed at a factory during initial construction of the elevator door coupler system, or during installation of the elevator door coupler system within the elevator system, or may be performed partially during initial construction and partially during later installation. For example, during construction, the coupling assembly may be installed through a first elongated opening (or whichever opening, as further described below, is determined to be most appropriate). Then, during installation of the elevator system, an installer can set the exact position within (i.e., along the elongated direction of) the elongated opening to secure the coupling assembly. Thus, in some examples, the method includes aligning the coupling assembly to the appropriate mounting position by moving a securing means of the coupling assembly within the first elongated opening.

[0010] The door hanger, in use, is connected to an elevator car door of an elevator system and has rollers attached thereto. It will be understood that, in use, the hanger is movable on at least one roller, and movement of the hanger on the at least one roller causes movement of the elevator car door. It will be understood that, when attached to the door hanger, the coupling assembly is arranged to move with the door hanger, thereby causing movement of the landing door with movement of the door hanger (which, in use, moves the elevator car door).

[0011] The first elongated opening is for fixedly attaching the coupling assembly to the door hanger. By fixedly attached, it is understood that the attachment position of the coupling assembly is fixed once attached (i.e., in use). Thus, the attachment point does not move relative to the door hanger in use (although, of course, other parts of the coupling assembly may still move relative to the door hanger). Thus, the attachment position of the coupling assembly to the door hanger is adjustable (i.e., selectable), but fixed (i.e., not variable) after attachment, so that the coupling assembly (i.e., its fixing means) cannot (or at least should not) move once fixedly attached to the selected attachment position (i.e., in use).

[0012] The first opening is elongated (i.e., elongated along a first direction). By this, it will be understood that the first opening has a length along its length (or elongated) direction that is greater than its length perpendicular to this direction (i.e., its overall width). The first elongated opening may have a width perpendicular to its length that is substantially equal to the width of the fastening means (e.g., screw or nut) used to secure the coupling assembly to the door hanger. Thus, the first elongated opening has a length along its elongated direction that is greater than its width, optionally several times (or more), i.e., the fastening means can be attached (for a given opening) at different positions along the elongated direction of the first elongated opening, but only at one position (e.g., height) perpendicular to this direction.

[0013] It will be appreciated that the at least one roller, in use, allows the door hanger to move along a direction of movement (e.g., lateral or horizontal) such that the elevator car door is allowed to move parallel to the direction of movement (e.g., lateral or horizontal) of the door hanger.

[0014] In some examples, the first elongated opening is elongated along a direction (substantially) parallel to the direction of travel. Thus, the position of the coupling assembly along the direction of travel (i.e., its lateral position) is adjustable. The position of the coupling assembly may be adjustable along the horizontal direction (i.e., relative to the elevator car).

[0015] In some examples, the first elongated opening has a length of at least 5 cm (i.e., at least 5 cm along the elongated direction), optionally at least 10 cm, and even optionally at least 15 cm, which allows for a relatively wide range of adjustment (e.g., along the lateral direction) and improves the adaptability of the elevator door coupler system.

[0016] In some examples, the door hanger further comprises a second elongated opening spaced apart from the first elongated opening along a direction perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., direction of movement). The second elongated opening may also be elongated along the first (e.g., movement) direction, i.e., the second elongated opening may extend parallel to the first elongated opening. This allows the coupling assembly to be mounted at two different heights relative to the door hanger (i.e., at two different distances along a second (e.g., vertical) direction perpendicular to the first direction / movement direction). Thus, the position of the coupling assembly may be adjustable not only along the height direction (direction perpendicular to the first direction) by selecting an elongated opening for mounting (e.g., from the first and second elongated openings, and optionally from one or more additional openings), but also along the first direction by selecting a mounting location along the length of the elongated opening. The second elongated opening at a different height also allows the coupling assembly to be mounted more securely and stably by mounting the coupling assembly to (e.g., through) both the first and second elongated openings. It will be appreciated that whether or not the coupling assembly can be mounted through both openings may also depend on the structure of one or more components of the coupling assembly, for example, whether it is provided with multiple mounting openings.

[0017] In some examples, the first elongated opening and the second elongated opening span different distances along the first direction, i.e., they span non-identical lengths along the first (e.g., movement) direction. However, they may span overlapping portions along the first direction. This difference in distance along the first (movement) direction allows for both different heights and different lateral positions, providing greater flexibility in mounting location. Furthermore, the positioning of the elongated openings may be selected to take into account that different lateral positions (along the first direction) are suitable for different mounting heights. The first elongated opening and the second elongated opening may be the same length (i.e., they are, but not exactly vertically above and below) or may be different lengths.

[0018] In some examples, the door hanger includes at least three elongated openings (e.g., first, second, and third), and optionally at least six, each located at a different height perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., their elongated direction), allowing the coupling assembly to be mounted at several different heights.

[0019] In some examples, the method further includes selecting an appropriate one (or more) of the first and second (optionally three or more) elongated openings for mounting the coupling assembly based on a desired mounting height of the coupling assembly perpendicular to the first direction. The method may further include selecting a (lateral) mounting location within the selected elongated opening for mounting the coupling assembly. The first step, selecting the mounting height by selecting the opening(s) for mounting, may be performed at a factory during construction, and the second step, selecting and fixing the lateral location within the elongated opening, may be performed in the elevator system at installation.

[0020] In some examples, the first elongated opening and the second elongated opening span the same distance along the first (e.g., movement) direction (i.e., they are vertically one above the other, or in other words, they are the same length along the first direction and aligned with respect to this direction). In some examples, the coupling assembly is positioned to be fixedly attached to the door hanger through both the first elongated opening and the second elongated opening simultaneously. By fixedly attached through both the first and second elongated openings simultaneously, it is meant that the coupling assembly is secured to the door hanger through both of these openings when the coupling assembly is secured in place and ready for use. It will be appreciated that this does not require the attachment operations themselves to be performed simultaneously. Attaching in two locations in this manner improves the stability of the attachment of the coupling assembly. Accordingly, in some examples, the method further includes fixedly attaching the coupling assembly to the door hanger at a selected location by connecting the coupling assembly to the door hanger at (i.e., through) two elongated openings, e.g., the first elongated opening and the second elongated opening.

[0021] In some examples, the first elongated opening and the second elongated opening provide a first mounting opening pair, i.e., used together to mount a coupling assembly in use. The first elongated opening and the second elongated opening may be separated by a first separation distance along a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0022] The elevator door coupler system may further include a second pair of mounting openings including a third elongated opening and a fourth elongated opening. The fourth elongated opening may be spaced apart from the third elongated opening along a direction perpendicular to the first (e.g., travel) direction. The third elongated opening and the fourth elongated opening may span the same distance along the first direction.

[0023] The third and / or fourth elongated openings may be spaced apart from the first and / or second elongated openings (respectively) along a direction perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., all four openings are at different heights). Thus, the door hanger may include a first pair of elongated openings that are vertically one above the other at a first lateral position and at each of the first and second heights, and a second pair of elongated openings that are vertically one above the other at a second, different lateral position and at each of third and fourth heights that are different from the first and second heights.

[0024] The third elongated opening and the fourth elongated opening can be separated by a second separation distance along a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second separation distance can be equal to the first separation distance. Thus, pairs of spaced apart elongated openings can be provided separated by the same separation distance, such that each opening pair can accommodate mounting of a coupling assembly, i.e., a fixed separation between two mounting locations.

[0025] An elevator door coupler system may include more than two such mounting opening pairs, for example, at least three, optionally at least five, and even optionally six. All of the mounting opening pairs may be located at different heights (e.g., their centers are equidistant between the openings at different heights) and / or may be located at different lateral positions and / or across different lateral extents (i.e., their horizontal centers are at different locations).

[0026] In some examples, the door hanger further comprises a roller mounting hole, and at least one roller (i.e., a roller) is attached to the door hanger through the roller mounting hole (i.e., via a fastening means extending through the roller mounting hole). In some examples, the elevator door coupler system comprises a first roller and a second roller (i.e., at least two rollers). The door hanger may further comprise a second roller mounting hole, and the second roller is attached to the door hanger through the second roller mounting hole.

[0027] In some examples, the elevator door coupler system further comprises at least one (optionally two) elevator car door mounting hole for connecting the door hanger to the elevator car door. The elevator car door mounting hole(s) may be aligned below the roller mounting hole(s), i.e., aligned on an axis perpendicular to the first direction.

[0028] In some examples, the elevator door coupler system further includes a restraining assembly for preventing the elevator car doors from opening when the coupling assembly is not engaged with the landing doors during use. This effect can be achieved by the restraining assembly in any suitable manner (e.g., any known method). For example, the restraining assembly may be held in an upper position when the elevator car doors are closed. Friction or pressure from the landing door roller contacting a portion of the restraining assembly can hold the restraining assembly in this upper position while the doors are opening, provided the landing doors are properly positioned relative to the elevator door coupler system. Conversely, if the landing door roller does not contact the restraining assembly (e.g., is pressed against the restraining assembly by a portion of the coupler assembly), the restraining assembly will descend from the upper position to a lower position as the doors begin to open, allowing it to engage with a locking member; for example, a protrusion on the restraining assembly may enter a slot in the latch mechanism. The restraining assembly may include a restraining stop (e.g., a restraining screw). This may be arranged to determine the lower position of the restraining assembly, for example to limit the distance that the restraining assembly (or part thereof) will drop.

[0029] In some examples, the door hanger further includes a restrainer assembly mounting opening for fixedly mounting a restrainer assembly to the door hanger, the restrainer assembly mounting opening being elongated such that the position of the restrainer assembly relative to the door hanger is adjustable by mounting the restrainer assembly at different positions within the restrainer assembly mounting opening. The restrainer assembly mounting opening may be elongated along a first direction (i.e., parallel to the first elongated opening) and optionally along a direction of movement (i.e., horizontally or laterally). The door hanger may include a first restrainer assembly mounting opening and a second restrainer assembly mounting opening (each of which may have the above-described characteristics). Both may span the same distance along the first direction, i.e., be the same length, and may be aligned relative to the first direction. Thus, a restrainer assembly may be mounted through both of the restrainer assembly mounting openings.

[0030] In some examples, the method further includes attaching the restraint assembly to the door hanger, including selecting a suitable location for the restraint assembly by selecting a suitable mounting location within the restraint assembly mounting opening, and fixedly attaching the restraint assembly to the door hanger at the selected location, optionally by mounting it through both the first and second restraint assembly mounting openings.

[0031] In some examples, the restraining assembly further includes a restraining guard disposed on an upper portion of the restraining assembly. The upper portion of the restraining assembly is understood to be the highest end along a direction perpendicular to the first direction / movement direction (e.g., vertical direction). The restraining guard can provide a protrusion that engages with a slot in the latch mechanism, as described above.

[0032] In some examples, the restraint assembly (e.g., the mounting plate of the restraint assembly) includes at least two (optionally at least three) mounting holes (optionally pairs of mounting holes) spaced apart along a first spacing / lateral spacing direction. This direction may be the same first / lateral direction mentioned above (i.e., when the restraint assembly is mounted, the mounting holes are spaced apart along the first direction, parallel to the direction in which the first elongated opening extends). Thus, in some examples, the (e.g., lateral) position of the restraint assembly relative to the door hanger is adjustable by mounting the restraint assembly using selected ones of the at least two mounting holes. Of course, at least two holes can be used simultaneously for mounting, and thus multiple (e.g., pairs of) openings can be selected for mounting.

[0033] The restrainer assembly may include a (first) connection mechanism having a first end attached to a mounting hole in the restrainer assembly mounting plate and a second end attached to a restrainer assembly mounting opening in the door hanger. The restrainer assembly may further include a (second) connection mechanism having a first end attached to a mounting hole in the restrainer assembly mounting plate and a second end attached to a restrainer assembly mounting opening in the door hanger. The connection mechanism (or each connection mechanism) may be a pivoting arm that allows the restrainer assembly to move upward and downward with associated lateral movement, as is well known in the art. Thus, the respective mounting holes do not need to be aligned directly over the corresponding restrainer assembly mounting opening in the door hanger for attachment of the restrainer assembly (i.e., because they are offset by the connection mechanism).

[0034] In some examples, the restraining assembly (e.g., the mounting plate of the restraining assembly) further comprises at least two (optionally at least three) restraining-stop mounting holes (optionally pairs of mounting holes) for mounting the restraining stop, the restraining-stop mounting holes being spaced apart along a first spacing / lateral spacing direction. Thus, in some examples, the (e.g., lateral) position of the restraining stop relative to the restraining assembly (i.e., and thus the door hanger) is adjustable by mounting the restraining stop to the restraining assembly using a selected one of the at least two restraining-stop mounting holes. Thus, these restraining-stop mounting holes may enable mounting of the restraining stop in an appropriate position (e.g., an appropriate position relative to the connection mechanism(s)) based on the lateral position at which the restraining assembly is mounted to the door hanger. Each restraining stop mounting hole may correspond to a mounting hole used to mount the restraining assembly (e.g., the connecting mechanism(s)), so that when a mounting hole (or pair of mounting holes) for mounting the restraining assembly is selected, the corresponding restraining stop mounting hole is selected so that the restraining stop is positioned in the appropriate position. The connecting mechanism (or one of the connecting mechanisms) may be positioned, in a known manner, to contact the restraining stop during movement to move the restraining assembly downward, thereby preventing further downward movement.

[0035] In some examples, the elevator door coupler system further comprises a coupling assembly fixedly attached, for example, to the door hanger.

[0036] In some examples, the coupling assembly includes a first vane arranged to engage, in use, a (first) landing door roller of a (building) landing door. In some examples, the first vane is arranged to engage a (first) landing door roller of a (building) landing door along the spacing direction(s). The first vane includes at least two first mounting holes (i.e., sets of first mounting holes) spaced apart along a spacing direction to allow it to be mounted in different positions (i.e., relative to another part of the coupling assembly or relative to the door hanger). The spacing direction may be a first direction, e.g., a movement direction. Thus, the at least two first mounting holes may be spaced apart along the first direction, optionally only along this direction, i.e., at the same height but at different lateral positions.

[0037] In some examples, the coupling assembly further includes a second vane arranged to engage, in use, a (second) landing door roller of the (building) landing door. In some examples, the second vane includes at least two first mounting holes (i.e., a set of second mounting holes) spaced apart along the spacing direction to allow the second vane to be mounted at different positions along the spacing direction(s). Thus, the respective first and second at least two mounting holes may allow the first vane and the second vane to be mounted at different distances along the spacing direction (e.g., the first vane and the second vane are mounted with different lateral separations).

[0038] The first set of mounting holes and / or the second set of mounting holes may include at least three mounting holes. The first set of mounting holes and / or the second set of mounting holes may include a subset of first mounting holes at a first height (i.e., a distance along a (second) direction perpendicular to the first direction) and a second set of mounting holes at a second, different height. This allows the first / second vanes to be attached at two different attachment points, which may improve attachment stability. Two of the holes in the first and / or second sets may partially overlap.

[0039] In some examples, the method further includes attaching the first vane and / or the second vane to the door hanger (i.e., directly or indirectly via one or more intermediate components). Attaching the first vane and / or the second vane may include selecting an appropriate (e.g., lateral) position of the first vane and / or the second vane relative to the door hanger by selecting an appropriate one of the first at least two holes and / or the second at least two holes (respectively) for attaching the first vane and / or the second vane, and fixedly attaching the first vane and / or the second vane to the door hanger at the selected position(s). Thus, the method may include selecting an appropriate separation distance (along the separation / first direction) between the first vane and the second vane and attaching them accordingly.

[0040] In some examples, the coupling assembly further comprises a connection mechanism connected between the first vane and the second vane, the connection mechanism being arranged to actuate the first vane and / or the second vane, in use, to vary a separation distance between the first vane and the second vane, for example along the separation / first direction. The connection mechanism may be arranged to increase (i.e., be acted upon by the door drive system to increase) the separation distance between the first vane and the second vane, in use, thereby bringing the vanes into engagement with the respective landing door rollers.

[0041] In some examples, the first vane and / or the second vane may be attached to the connection mechanism, for example, via the first set of holes and / or the second set of holes. The connection mechanism may be arranged to pivot about a fixed attachment point in response to a force applied by the door drive system. The fixed attachment point(s) may be the point(s) at which the coupling assembly is secured to the door hanger through the first (and optionally second) elongated opening(s).

[0042] In some examples, the coupling assembly further includes a coupling plate, the connection mechanism attached to the coupling plate, and the coupling plate attached to the door hanger. This advantageously results in easier assembly, as the vane and / or connection mechanism can be attached to the coupling plate, which is then attached to the door hanger. Thus, components can be attached to the coupling plate in a desired configuration, which can then be attached to a desired location based on the positions allowed by one or more elongated openings in the door hanger. The coupling plate can also provide additional functionality, such as housing a latch used in the door opening and closing mechanism.

[0043] In some examples, the coupling assembly includes a coupling arm, a first end of which is coupled to the drive belt during use. A second end of the coupling arm may be indirectly coupled to a further component of the coupling assembly, such as a vane, optionally via a connection mechanism. Thus, the second end may be coupled to the connection mechanism. This coupling arm allows other parts of the coupling assembly (e.g., the connection mechanism and the vane to which they are connected) to be spaced a variable distance from the drive belt of the door drive system, i.e., moved farther than was possible in prior art systems. Because the coupling arm can be positioned at various angles, the distance of the other components from the belt can vary both vertically and laterally.

[0044] It will be appreciated that the coupling arm may be indirectly coupled to the drive belt. In some examples, the coupling assembly further comprises a belt anchor for attachment to the drive belt of the door drive mechanism. The belt anchor may be clamped around the drive belt. The coupling arm may be (directly) coupled to the belt anchor. The above-mentioned restraining guard may be positioned to cover the belt anchor, i.e., to surround the belt anchor on one or more sides.

[0045] It will be appreciated that the present disclosure further includes an elevator car door and an elevator door coupler system as described hereinabove, and extends to an elevator car where the elevator door coupler system is connected to the elevator car door. The method may also include connecting a door hanger to the elevator car door.

[0046] The disclosure further extends to a building including an elevator installation, the elevator installation including the elevator car as described above, the building further including at least two landings, each landing including a respective set of landing doors, each set of landing doors including a respective set of landing door rollers, the coupling assemblies (optionally first and second vanes) being arranged to engage the landing door rollers, in use.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the method may include any of the features described above in connection with the door coupler system (e.g., the method may include the steps of forming or providing such features, or assembling them together with the above-mentioned components). Likewise, a door coupler system according to the present disclosure may include any of the features described with reference to the method.

[0048] Certain preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator system in which various exemplary elevator door coupler systems of the present disclosure may be used. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating certain components of an elevator car including an elevator door coupler system according to a first example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the components of FIG. 2 other than the elevator car door panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the elevator door coupler system of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a front view of a hanger of the elevator door coupler system of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view of the elevator door coupler system of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of an elevator door coupler system according to a second example of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view of an elevator door coupler system according to a second example of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the opposite perspective to FIG. 2 showing certain components of the elevator door coupler system. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the opposite perspective to FIG. 2 showing certain components of the elevator door coupler system. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view showing certain components of the door hanger and restraint assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] 1 is a perspective view of elevator system 101 including elevator car 103, counterweight 105, tension member 107, guide rails 109, machine 111, position reference system 113, and controller 115. Elevator car 103 and counterweight 105 are connected to one another by tension member 107. Tension member 107 may include or be configured as, for example, rope, steel cable, and / or coated steel belt. Counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of elevator car 103 and facilitate simultaneous and opposite movement of elevator car 103 along guide rails 109 within elevator hoistway 117 relative to counterweight 105.

[0051] Tension member 107 engages machine 111, which is part of the overhead structure of elevator system 101. Although shown and described with a roping system including tension member 107, elevator systems that use other methods and mechanisms for moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft can use embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] Machine 111 is configured to control movement between elevator car 103 and counterweight 105. As shown, controller 115 is located in a controller room 121 in elevator hoistway 117 and is configured to control the operation of elevator system 101, and specifically elevator car 103. As elevator car 103 moves up or down within elevator hoistway 117 along guide rails 109, it may stop at one or more landings 125, as controlled by controller 115. While controller 115 is shown in controller room 121, one skilled in the art will appreciate that controller 115 may be installed and / or configured at other locations or positions within elevator system 101. In one example, the controller may be located remotely or in the cloud.

[0053] Each landing 125 includes a set of landing doors. The landing doors do not have their own motors for driving the landing doors open and closed. Instead, the elevator car 103 is provided with a door motor that drives the elevator car doors to open and close, and an elevator door coupler system that engages with the landing doors so that the landing doors open and close together with the elevator car doors when the elevator car 103 is at the corresponding landing.

[0054] An exemplary elevator door coupler system 1 according to the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing certain components of an elevator car 103, including elevator car doors 2, door drive system 4, and elevator door coupler system 1.

[0056] Door drive system 4 includes motor 6 and drive belt 8. When elevator car door operation is desired, motor 6 is rotationally driven. This causes rotation of motor 6's ridged outer surface 10, which frictionally engages drive belt 8, thus driving belt 8 to move (the direction of movement depends on the direction the motor is driven). As explained further below, movement of drive belt 8 drives movement of elevator car doors 2 along direction of movement 9 and, if properly engaged via elevator door coupler system 1, also drives a set of landing doors. Elevator car 103 may include a single elevator car door 2 driven directly by door drive system 4, or may include a second door (i.e., both of which open symmetrically away from each other). The second elevator car door may have its own separate door drive system, or may be appropriately connected to the first door drive system or first elevator car door so that both car doors open and close together. For clarity, only a single door is shown and described herein, although it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0057] Elevator door coupler system 1 is shown in front views in Figures 3 and 7 and in an exploded view in Figure 4. As shown, elevator door coupler system 1 includes a door hanger 12 and two rollers 14a, 14b. Rollers 14a, 14b are attached to door hanger 12, allowing door hanger 12 to move back and forth by rolling on rollers 14a, 14b.

[0058] The elevator door puller system 1 further includes a coupling assembly 16 and a restraining assembly 18 .

[0059] The coupling assembly 16 includes a first vane 20a and a second vane 20b (which may also be referred to as a cam). The coupling assembly 16 also includes a connection mechanism, which in this example includes a first pivot arm 22a and a second pivot arm 22b. Each pivot arm 22a, 22b is connected to both the first vane 20a and the second vane 20b.

[0060] Both pivot arms 22a, 22b are connected to a coupling plate 24, which may also be referred to as a mounting plate. The coupling plate 24 is attached to the door hanger 12, as further described below.

[0061] Coupling assembly 16 may also be connected to drive belt 8 so that drive belt 8 drives the movement of elevator car doors 2 and the movement of the landing doors to which coupling assembly 16 couples. Specifically, coupling assembly 16 includes a belt anchor 26 that is attached directly to belt 8. Coupling assembly 16 is further connected at a first end 27 to a connection mechanism, specifically to first pivot arm 22a, and at a second (opposite) end 29 to belt anchor 26. Coupling arm 28 is a rigid connection arm. Coupling arm 28 allows for greater flexibility in the remaining placement of coupling assembly 16 by eliminating the need for the connection mechanism to be directly connected to a belt anchor or belt.

[0062] The operation of the elevator door coupler system 1 during the opening and closing of a set of elevator hall doors will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0063] Opening the door is initiated by activating motor 6, which drives motor 6 to rotate belt 8. To open the door in this example, belt 8 rotates clockwise with reference to the view of FIG. 3, driving belt anchor 26 to the left.

[0064] Movement of the belt anchor 26 to the left exerts a force on the rigid coupling arm 28, which is transferred to the first pivot arm 22a. This causes the first pivot arm 22a to rotate counterclockwise, thus moving the first vane 20a downward and the second vane 20b upward, simultaneously moving them away from each other. This movement also causes the second pivot arm 22b to rotate counterclockwise about its attachment point (because the second pivot arm 22b is also connected to both vanes 20a, 20b).

[0065] Assuming the elevator car is parked at the appropriate height relative to a set of landing doors, movement of vanes 20a, 20b away from each other will cause the vanes to engage landing door rollers 36a, 36b, shown in FIG.

[0066] Vanes 20a, 20b are then rotated until they are flush with one another and the lower edge of first pivot arm 22a is horizontally aligned, and belt anchor 26 is moved further to the left, thereby releasing catch 31. Once released, catch 31 rotates and engages a protrusion (not shown) on first pivot arm 22a, holding vanes 20a, 20b in their relative configuration.

[0067] As belt anchor 26 moves further to the left, first pivot arm 22a, and therefore vanes 20a, 20b, are carried to the left. This causes landing door rollers 36a, 36b to move to the left, opening the landing doors. Because elevator car door 2 is connected to door hanger 12, which is connected to coupling assembly 16, this movement also opens elevator car door 2.

[0068] To close the door, this process is essentially reversed, driving the belt anchor 26 to the right. The catch 31 maintains the vanes 20a, 20b in their aligned position, ensuring that the movement of the belt anchor 26 translates into lateral movement of the door until the door is fully closed. At this point, the projection 33 engages the upper end of the catch 31, rotating the catch 31 from its engaged position and releasing the pivot arm 22a, which then rotates clockwise, bringing the vanes 20a, 20b closer together and releasing the landing door rollers 36a, 36b. Although not shown, a biasing spring may be provided connected between the first and second pivot arms 22a, 22b, biasing them to rotate clockwise, so that they return to the position shown in FIG. 3 when the catch 31 is released.

[0069] The elevator door pull system 1 further includes a restraining assembly 18. The restraining assembly 18 includes a restraining mounting plate 30, by which the restraining assembly 18 is attached to the door hanger 12. The restraining assembly 18 also includes a restraining blade 32 extending forward (i.e., out of the plane of the page) from the restraining mounting plate 30, as shown in the diagram of FIG. 3, and a restraining guard 34 positioned on top of the restraining assembly 18 (specifically, the restraining mounting plate 30) and positioned to cover the belt anchor 26, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0070] The operation of the restrainer assembly 18 will now be briefly explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11, which are top perspective views of the restrainer assembly looking in the opposite direction from the perspective of Figure 2.

[0071] The upper edge of the elevator car door panel 2 includes a latch 45. The latch 45 includes a ramped portion 47 and a slot 49. The restraining guard 34 includes a protrusion 35 (which may also be called a hook).

[0072] 10 shows the position of restraint assembly 18 when the elevator car doors are closed. In this position, projection 35 rests on ramp portion 47, holding restraint assembly 18 in an upper position (i.e., upward relative to elevator car door panel 2).

[0073] When the elevator door coupler system 1 is properly engaged with the landing door, the landing rollers 36a, 36b are forced outward by the vanes 20a, 20b as described above. This forces one of these rollers 36a (i.e., the left roller in the views of FIGS. 2 and 3 ) into contact with the restraining blade 32 of the restraining assembly 18. This pressure, combined with friction from contact with the landing door roller 36a, holds the restraining assembly 18 in an upward position, preventing the projection 35 from falling into the slot 49 when the door is opened (as the restraining assembly 18 moves to the right from the perspective of FIG. 10 ). It will be appreciated that this can be achieved by controlling the way the restraining assembly 18 is positioned to move, i.e., such that it must move inward toward the coupler assembly to reduce its height.

[0074] In contrast, if the landing door roller 36a does not contact the restraining blade 32, the restraining assembly 18 will move (to the right in FIG. 10) as door opening is initiated, causing it to drop off the ramp portion 47. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 35 will fit within the slot 49, thereby preventing further movement of the restraining assembly 18, and therefore the entire elevator door coupler system 1, in the door-opening direction.

[0075] Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 4, one can see how the components of elevator door coupler system 1 are assembled.

[0076] The two rollers 14a, 14b are attached to the door hanger 12 via respective roller screws or bolts 38a, 38b, and corresponding roller nuts 40a, 40b are secured to them on opposite sides of the door hanger 12. Towards each outer edge, the roller screws 38a, 38b pass through corresponding roller mounting holes 50a, 50b, shown in FIG. 5, at the top of the door hanger 12. Directly below these roller mounting holes 50a, 50b are located a first pair of exterior openings that provide elevator door mounting openings 52a, 52b for attaching the door hanger 12 to the elevator car doors 2 (i.e., via screws passing through these holes), as shown in FIG. 2. Located in the center of the hanger 12 is a pair of interior openings 52c, 52d, which also provide an additional pair of openings for attaching the elevator car doors 2 to the door hanger 12.

[0077] Door hanger 12 also includes an additional opening 53 located at the center height of the left portion of door hanger 12. This additional opening 53 is intended to accommodate a fastener that provides a fixed point of connection between the high-speed hanger and the low-speed hanger when elevator car doors 2 are telescoping.

[0078] The coupling assembly 16 (specifically the coupling plate 24) is attached to the door hanger 12 by two coupling screws 42a, 42b. The restraining assembly 18 (specifically the mounting plate 30) is attached to the door hanger 12 by two restraining screws 44a, 44b. These screws can be placed in various locations to mount the coupling assembly 16 in different positions, as will be further described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0079] Door hanger 12 has multiple elongated openings that allow coupling assemblies 16 and restraint assemblies 18 to be attached to door hanger 12 in various positions, allowing elevator door coupler system 1 to be adapted to accommodate a variety of landing doors with different landing door roller positions.

[0080] The door hanger includes a pair of first restraint assembly mounting openings 54a, 54b, each an elongated opening (i.e., a slot) extending horizontally along the direction of travel 9. The restraint screws 44a, 44b can, of course, pass through the openings at any lateral position, meaning the mounting point for the restraint assembly 18 can be any point along their lateral extent. Because the openings in the restraint mounting plate 30 are vertically one above the other (i.e., aligned with the direction of travel), the lateral location for mounting is the same for both openings 54a, 54b. By using these elongated restraint assembly mounting openings 54a, 54b, the position of the restraint assembly 18 can be adjusted left or right (per the diagram in FIG. 7 ), allowing the restraint assembly 18 to be positioned to accommodate a wide range of landing doors.

[0081] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the restrainer assembly mounting plate 30 includes three pairs of mounting holes 71 a, 71 b, 73 a, 73 b, 75 a, and 75 b, respectively, at different lateral locations across the restrainer assembly mounting plate 30. All holes in all three pairs are at the same height. This allows for more precise adjustment of the position of the restrainer assembly by selecting which pair of holes 71 a, 71 b, 73 a, 73 b, 75 a, and 75 b to use to mount the restrainer assembly 18. In this example, a connection mechanism 81 a (partially shown in FIG. 4 and shown in FIG. 12) connects at a first end 83 a through one of the mounting holes 71 a, 73 a, and 75 a and at a second end 83 b through the restrainer assembly mounting opening 54 a. Similarly, a second connection mechanism 81b is connected at a first end through one of the lower mounting holes 71b, 73b, 75b (a hole corresponding to the hole used to mount the upper connection mechanism) and at a second end through the lower restraint assembly mounting opening 54b. These connection mechanisms 81a, 81b operate in a known manner to provide pivot arm movement that allows the restraint assembly 18 to pivot downwardly and laterally inward (toward the coupling assembly 16) and move upwardly and laterally outward (away from the coupling assembly 16).

[0082] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view similar to FIGS. 10 and 11, again from behind the door hanger, but this time from a lower angle.

[0083] As shown in Figure 12, a restraining stop 77 (shown in Figures 7 and 12) is provided that contacts the upper connecting mechanism 81a during movement of the upper connecting mechanism 81a, thereby limiting the range of motion of the restraining assembly 18. Three mounting holes 79a, 79b, 79c are provided for mounting the restraining stop 77 through the restraining assembly mounting plate 30 at different lateral positions.

[0084] The three restraint stop mounting holes 79a, 79b, 79c allow the restraint stop to be mounted in different lateral positions relative to the restraint assembly mounting plate 30. This allows the restraint stop 77 to be mounted in the appropriate lateral position relative to the connecting mechanisms 81a, 81b. Thus, depending on which pair of mounting holes 71a, 71b, 73a, 73b, 75a, 75b is used to mount the connecting mechanism pair to the mounting plate 30, the corresponding restraint stop mounting hole 79a, 79b, 79c is used to mount the restraint stop 77.

[0085] The door hanger 12 includes a set of openings 56 for mounting the coupling assembly 16. In this example, the set of openings 56 includes six pairs of elongated openings: a first pair of elongated openings 60a, 60b, a second pair of elongated openings 62a, 62b, a third pair of elongated openings 64a, 64b, a fourth pair of elongated openings 66a, 66b, a fifth pair of elongated openings 68a, 68b, and a sixth pair of elongated openings 70a, 70b.

[0086] As shown in Figure 5, the openings in each pair are vertically aligned with one another and have the same length. Therefore, both openings in a pair allow for the same lateral range of possible positions. Furthermore, the openings in each pair are separated by the same height difference 61, which corresponds to the separation between the two mounting holes in the coupling plate 24.

[0087] This set of pairs of openings 56 thus allows for mounting of the coupling assembly 16 at six different heights corresponding to the relative heights of the six pairs of openings. It will be understood that it is not important which reference point is used to define the height of each pair of openings. For example, the height of an opening pair may be defined as the height of the upper elongated opening, the height of the lower elongated opening, or the height of the midpoint between the openings. Thus, by selecting a pair of openings from the set of pairs, a height for mounting the coupling assembly is selected. This step can be completed during manufacturing, with the coupling screws 42 a, 42 b being inserted through the two selected openings.

[0088] Each pair of openings 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b, then, allows a range of lateral mounting positions anywhere along the elongated length of the opening. This lateral positioning can be selected during installation by sufficiently tightening the coupling screws 42a, 42b when the coupling assembly is in the desired position. Thus, there is a great deal of flexibility in the mounting location of the coupling assembly 16.

[0089] 6, a hook portion 72 extends from the opposite side of the door hanger 12 from the coupling assembly 16 (i.e., rearward from the door hanger 12 toward the elevator car door 2). The function of this hook portion 72 is to hold the door hanger 12 and the elevator car door 2 panels in place to prevent them from falling into the hoistway if they are subjected to a severe impact.

[0090] To allow further flexibility for the elevator door coupler system 1, the vanes 20a, 20b are also provided with several mounting holes through which the vanes 20a, 20b are attached to the pivot arms 22a, 22b, respectively, so that the vanes 20a, 20b can be mounted with different (horizontal) separation distances between them.

[0091] These mounting holes are shown in Figure 7. The first vane 20a includes a first set of three mounting holes 80a, 82a, 84a that are all in line (i.e., at the same height) and all at different lateral positions, and a second set of three mounting holes 86a, 88a, 90a that are located at different (lower) heights and again all at different lateral positions. Each hole in the first set is vertically aligned over a corresponding hole in the second set of holes.

[0092] Similarly, the second vane 20b includes a first set of three mounting holes 80b, 82b, 84b that are all in line (i.e., at the same height) and all at different lateral positions, and a second set of three mounting holes 86b, 88b, 90b that are located at different (lower) heights and again all at different lateral positions, each hole in the first set vertically aligned over a corresponding hole in the second set.

[0093] To illustrate the flexibility offered by the elevator door coupler system 1 described herein, three possible configurations of the elevator door coupler system 1 are shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9. In each of these examples, all of the components are the same (i.e., the door hanger 12 and vanes 20a, 20b are the same), but there are differences in the mounting locations of the various components. Figure 7 shows the components in the same mounting locations as the examples of Figures 2-6, and therefore the same reference numbers are used in those figures. For the other two examples, Figures 8 and 9, respectively, different reference numbers are used for clarity. In Figure 8, corresponding reference numbers are used as in the first example of Figures 2-7, with the values ​​increased by 200. In Figure 9, corresponding reference numbers are used as in the first example of Figures 2-7, with the values ​​increased by 300.

[0094] In the example of FIG. 7, the coupling assembly 16 is attached to the door hanger through the fifth pair of elongated openings 68a, 68b, as shown in FIG. 5. The restraint is attached to the leftmost position of the first pair of restraint assembly mounting openings 54a, 54b, but not to the leftmost position. The vanes 20a, 20b are attached to the pivot arms 22a, 22b through their central mounting holes 82a, 82b, 88a, 88b. These central mounting holes 82a, 82b, 88a, 88b have the form of two overlapping circular holes, and in this example, it can be seen that the vanes 20a, 20b are attached through the inner portions of the holes. This overlapping arrangement allows the holes to be closer together, and therefore the two available adjacent lateral positions, to be closer together.

[0095] In the example of Figure 8, the restrainer assembly 218 is mounted to the far right of the first pair of restrainer assembly mounting openings 54a, 54b, although not in the rightmost position. The coupling assembly 216 is mounted in the third pair of elongated openings, labeled 64a, 64b in the view of Figure 5, and is therefore mounted higher than in the example of Figure 7. The vanes 220a, 220b are attached to the pivot arms 222a, 222b via central mounting holes, but in this case via the outer portions of these central holes. Thus, the vanes 220a, 220b are slightly closer together than in the example of Figure 7.

[0096] 9, the restraint assembly 18 is now mounted in its leftmost position, i.e., at the leftmost end of the restraint assembly mounting openings 54a, 54b. The coupling assembly 316 is mounted in the highest position possible in the first pair of slots 60a, 60b. Because the coupling assembly 316 is mounted so high, the coupling arm is omitted in this example, and instead the belt anchor 326 is connected directly to the first pivot arm 322a.

[0097] In this example, vanes 320a, 320b are attached to first and second pivot arms 322a, 322b via their innermost openings (corresponding to innermost openings 84a, 84b, 90a, 90b shown in FIG. 7). As a result, vanes 320a, 320b are spaced significantly further apart than in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8. Because the innermost mounting holes are used in this illustration, central openings 382a, 382b, 388a, 388b of vanes 320a, 320b are more clearly visible. As noted above, they can clearly be seen to have the form of two overlapping circular holes.

[0098] While the present disclosure has been illustrated by describing one or more specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to these embodiments, and many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. a door hanger (12; 212; 312) for connection to the elevator car door (2); At least one roller (14a, 14b) attached to said door hanger (12; 212; 312); An elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) comprising: The door hanger (12; 212; 312) includes a first elongated opening (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b) for fixedly mounting a coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) arranged to engage the landing door to cause movement of the landing door in concert with movement of the elevator car door (2), and the coupling assembly the elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) allowing the position of the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) relative to the door hanger (12; 212; 312) to be adjustable by mounting the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) at different positions within the first elongated opening (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b).

2. 2. The elevator door coupler system of claim 1, wherein the at least one roller allows movement of the door hanger along a direction of travel (9) to allow movement of the elevator car door (2) parallel to the direction of travel (9) during use, and the first elongated openings (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b) are elongated along a direction parallel to the direction of travel.

3. 3. The elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first elongated opening (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b) has a length of at least 5 cm.

4. 10. The elevator door coupler system of claim 1, wherein the first elongated opening (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b) is elongated in a first direction, and the door hanger (12; 212; 312) further comprises a second elongated opening (54a, 54b, 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b) spaced apart from the first elongated opening along a direction perpendicular to the first direction (9).

5. 5. The elevator door coupler system of claim 4, wherein the first elongated openings and the second elongated openings span different distances along the first direction.

6. 5. The elevator door coupler system of claim 4, wherein the first elongated openings and the second elongated openings span the same distance along the first direction, and the coupling assembly is positioned to be fixedly attached to the door hanger through both the first elongated opening and the second elongated opening simultaneously.

7. and a restraining assembly (18; 218; 318) for preventing the opening of the elevator car door (2) when the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) is not engaged with the landing door during use, the door hanger (12; 212; 312) further including restraining assembly mounting openings (54a, 54b) for fixedly mounting the restraining assembly (18; 218; 318) to the door hanger (12; 212; 312).

10. An elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) according to any preceding claim, wherein the restrainer assembly mounting openings (54a, 54b) are elongated such that the position of the restrainer assembly (18; 218; 318) relative to the door hanger (12; 212; 312) is adjustable by mounting the restrainer assembly (18; 218; 318) at different positions within the restrainer assembly mounting openings (54a, 54b).

8. 8. The elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) of claim 7, wherein the restraining assembly (18; 218; 318) has at least two mounting holes spaced apart along the first direction, such that the position of the restraining assembly (18; 218; 318) relative to the door hanger (12; 212; 312) is adjustable by mounting the restraining assembly (18; 218; 318) using a selected one of the at least two mounting holes.

9. 10. An elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a coupling assembly (16; 216; 316).

10. 10. The elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) of claim 9, wherein the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) comprises a first vane (20a; 220a; 320a) and a second vane (20b; 220a; 320a) arranged to engage, in use, a respective landing door roller of a landing door.

11. 11. The elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) of claim 10, wherein the first vane (20a; 220a; 320a) comprises a first set of at least two mounting holes (80a, 82a, 84a) spaced apart along a spacing direction, and the second vane (20b; 220a; 320a) comprises a second set of at least two mounting holes spaced apart along the spacing direction to enable the first vane (20a; 220a; 320a) and the second vane (20b; 220b; 320b) to be mounted at different distances along the spacing direction.

12. 12. The elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) further comprises a connection mechanism (22a, 22b; 222a, 222b; 322a, 322b) between the first vane (20a; 220a; 320a) and the second vane (20b; 220a; 320a), the connection mechanism being arranged to actuate the first vane (20a; 220a; 320a) and / or the second vane (20b; 220a; 320a) in use to vary a separation distance between the first vane (20a; 220a; 320a) and the second vane (20b; 220a; 320a).

13. 13. The elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) of claim 12, wherein the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) further comprises a coupling plate (24; 224; 324), the connection mechanism (22a, 22b; 222a, 222b; 322a, 322b) attached to the coupling plate (24; 224; 324), and the coupling plate (24; 224; 324) attached to the door hanger (16; 216; 316).

14. 14. An elevator door coupler system (1; 201; 301) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) comprises a coupling arm (28; 228), a first end of which is coupled, in use, to a drive belt (8).

15. 1. A method of installing an elevator door coupler system in an elevator system, comprising: Attaching at least one roller (12; 212; 312) to a door hanger (12; 212; 312), said door hanger (12; 212; 312) being suitable for connection to an elevator car door (2); Attaching a coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) to the door hanger (12; 212; 312), said attaching comprising: selecting a suitable position for the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) relative to the door hanger (12; 212; 312) by selecting a suitable attachment position within the first elongated opening of the door hanger (12; 212; 312); and fixedly attaching the coupling assembly (16; 216; 316) to the door hanger (12; 212; 312) at the selected position; The method comprising:

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