Method, device and transport equipment for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft

Abstract

The transport device (600) comprises a hook arrangement (300) connected to a first hoist (H1) and a pole arrangement (400) connected to the hook arrangement. The pole arrangement comprises a first pole part (410) and a second pole part (420) detachably attached to each other. In a loading position in the shaft (20), the first pole part is detached from the second pole part. A guide rail element (25) is connected to the hook arrangement and the first pole part outside the shaft. Then, the transport device carrying the guide rail element is guided to a position where the first pole part is connected to the second pole part. Then, the guide rail element is moved upwards to an installation position in the shaft.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method, arrangement and transport equipment for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft. BACKGROUND

[0002] An elevator can comprise a car, a shaft, a hoisting machine, a rope and a counterweight. A separate or integrated car frame can surround the car.

[0003] The hoisting machine can be located in the shaft. The hoisting machine can comprise a drive, an electric motor, a traction sheave and a mechanical brake. The hoisting machine can move the car up and down in the shaft. The mechanical brake can stop the rotation of the traction sheave, and thus the movement of the elevator car.

[0004] The car frame can be connected to the counterweight with a rope via the traction sheave. The car frame can also be supported with guide means on guide rails extending in the vertical direction in the shaft. The guide rails can be connected with fastening brackets to the wall structure in the shaft. The guide means keep the car in position in a horizontal plane when the car moves up and down in the shaft. The counterweight can be supported in a corresponding manner on guide rails attached to the wall structure of the shaft.

[0005] The car can transport people and / or goods between landings of a building. The wall structure of the shaft can be formed of solid walls or open beam structures or any combination of these.

[0006] The guide rails can be formed of guide rail elements of a certain length. The guide rail elements can be connected end to end one after another in the elevator shaft in the installation phase. One possibility of attaching the guide rail elements to each other is to use a connecting plate extending between the end portions of two consecutive guide rail elements. The connecting plate can be attached to the consecutive guide rail elements. The end portions of the guide rails can comprise shape locking means in order to position the guide rails correctly in relation to each other. Another possibility of attaching the guide rail elements to each other is to use engagement clamps attached to opposite ends of the guide rail elements. The engagement clamps can comprise male and female attachment means for attaching to the engagement clamps and thereby also the guide rails to each other.

[0007] The guide rails can be attached to the wall of the elevator shaft with brackets along the height of the guide rails.

[0008] In the process of installing the guide rails, the transportation of the guide rails in the shaft is a labor-intensive task involving risks. These problems are more serious in modern high-rise buildings. SUMMARY

[0009] The object of the invention is an improved method, arrangement and transport equipment for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft.

[0010] The method for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft according to the invention is defined in claim 1.

[0011] The device for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft according to the invention is defined in claim 7.

[0012] The transport equipment for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft according to the invention is defined in claim 13.

[0013] The guide rail element is transported in the shaft by the transport equipment moved by the first hoist. The transport equipment comprises a hook device and a pole device. The pole device comprises a first pole part and a second pole part, which are detachably attached to each other via a pole arm. The hook device can be attached to the upper end of the guide rail element, and the lower end of the guide rail element can be supported on the pole device. The pole device can be movably supported on the row of already installed guide rails.

[0014] The invention discloses a simple and cost-effective solution for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft.

[0015] The invention can speed up the transportation of elevator guide rails in a shaft during the installation of the elevator guide rails.

[0016] The invention can also improve safety, as no technician needs to operate in the shaft during the loading of the guide rail element onto the transport equipment. The improvement in safety is due to the two-part pole device, which is detachably attached to each other. When the pole device is lowered and reaches the loading position in the shaft, the first pole part of the pole device will separate from the second pole part of the pole device. Thereafter, the first pole part can be guided to the outside of the shaft, for example through the landing door leading to the landing. The first pole part of the pole device is connected to the hook device via a second wire, which means that the hook device will also follow the first pole part to the outside of the shaft, for example through the landing door leading to the landing. Thereafter, the technician can attach the hook device to the upper end of the guide rail element and attach the first pole part of the pole device to the lower end of the guide rail element. The hook device can be connected to the first hoist. This can be done in a safe environment on the landing.

[0017] Thereafter, the technician can guide the guide rail element from the landing door opening into the shaft. The guide rail element is lifted by the first hoist in the shaft. The technician can further guide the guide rail element into the correct position in the shaft so that the first pole part of the pole device is connected to the support arm of the pole device, where the first pole part and the second part of the pole device are connected.

[0018] The guide rail element can then be lifted in a controlled manner with the transport equipment connected to the first hoist. The guide rail element is supported on the transport equipment, and during the lifting of the guide rail element, the transport equipment is movably supported on the row of already installed guide rails. Thus, the swinging of the guide rail element is eliminated during the lifting of the guide rail element.

[0019] During taking of a new guide rail element, the lowering of the transport device in the shaft is also done in a controlled manner. The bar arrangement can also movably support on the row of already installed guide rail elements when moving downwards. The hook arrangement can also movably support on the row of already installed guide rail elements when moving downwards, but this is not necessary. The bar arrangement is connected to the hook arrangement, thus preventing excessive swinging of the hook arrangement when moving downwards.

[0020] During lifting of the guide rail element, the upper end of the guide rail element can be fixedly attached to the hook arrangement. The attachment can be arranged via an engagement clamp attached to the upper end of the guide rail element or via a connection plate attached to the upper end of the guide rail element.

[0021] When installing the guide rail element after it has been lifted to the installation position in the shaft, an installation platform operated by a second hoist can be used. The guide rail element can be connected to the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements and attached to the wall in the shaft from the installation platform. This can be done manually by a technician or automatically by a robot on the installation platform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The application will be described in more detail in the preferred embodiments by referring to the attached drawings, in which

[0023] Figure 1 a side view of an elevator is shown,

[0024] Figure 2 a horizontal cross-sectional view of an elevator is shown,

[0025] Figure 3 a device for installing guide rails is shown,

[0026] Figure 4 a cross-section of a guide rail is shown,

[0027] Figure 5 a device for engaging guide rails is shown,

[0028] Figure 6 a first embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown,

[0029] Figure 7 a second embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown,

[0030] Figure 8 a bracket is shown,

[0031] Figure 9 an installation platform is shown,

[0032] Figure 10 a bar arrangement of a transport device is shown,

[0033] Figures 11-14 The working of the rod arrangement is shown,

[0034] Figure 15 The rod arrangement and the guide rail element in the initial phase of the lifting phase are shown,

[0035] Figure 16 The rod arrangement and the guide rail element in the connecting phase of the lifting phase are shown,

[0036] Figure 17 The rod arrangement and the guide rail element during the lifting phase are shown,

[0037] Figure 18 The rod arrangement during the lowering phase is shown,

[0038] Figure 19 The rod arrangement during the lowering phase in the disengaging phase is shown,

[0039] Figure 20 The rod arrangement after the disengaging phase during the lowering phase is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 The side view is shown, Figure 2 The horizontal cross-sectional view of the elevator is shown.

[0041] The elevator can comprise a car 10, an elevator shaft 20, a hoisting machine 30, a rope 42 and a counterweight 41. A separate or integrated car frame 11 can surround the car 10.

[0042] The hoisting machine 30 can be positioned in the shaft 20. The hoisting machine can comprise a drive 31, an electric motor 32, a traction sheave 33 and a mechanical brake 34. The hoisting machine 30 can move the car 10 in a vertical direction Z upwards and downwards in the vertically extending elevator shaft 20. The mechanical brake 34 can stop the rotation of the traction sheave 33, thereby stopping the movement of the elevator car 10.

[0043] The car frame 11 can be connected to the counterweight 41 by the rope 42 via the traction sheave 33. The car frame 11 can also be supported by guide means 27 on guide rails 25 extending in the vertical direction in the shaft 20. The guide means 27 can comprise rollers rolling on the guide rails 25 or sliding shoes sliding on the guide rails 25 when the car 10 moves up and down in the elevator shaft 20. The guide rails 25 can be attached to the side wall structure 21 in the elevator shaft 20 with fastening brackets 26. The guide means 27 keep the car 10 in position in a horizontal plane when the car 10 moves up and down in the elevator shaft 20. The counterweight 41 can be supported in a corresponding manner on guide rails attached to the wall structure 21 of the shaft 20.

[0044] The wall structure 21 of the shaft 20 can be formed by solid walls 21 or open beam structures or any combination of these structures. Thus, one or more walls can be solid and one or more walls can be formed by open beam structures. The shaft 20 can comprise a front wall 21 A, a rear wall 21 B and two opposite side walls 21 C, 21 D. The car 10 can have two guide rails 25. The two car guide rails 25 can be located on the opposite side walls 21 C, 21 D. There can also be two guide rails 25 for the counterweight 41. The two counterweight guide rails 25 can be positioned on the rear wall 21 B.

[0045] The guide rails 25 can extend vertically along the height of the elevator shaft 20. Thus, the guide rails 25 can be formed by guide rail elements of a certain length, e.g. 5 meters. The guide rail elements 25 can be installed end to end one after the other. The guide rail elements 25 can be attached to each other by a connecting plate extending between the end portions of two consecutive guide rail elements 25. The connecting plate can be attached to the consecutive guide rail elements 25. The ends of the guide rails 25 can comprise locking means for positioning the guide rails 25 correctly relative to each other. The guide rails 25 can be attached to the walls 21 of the elevator shaft 20 by support means at support points along the height of the guide rails 25.

[0046] The car 10 can transport people and / or goods between landings of a building.

[0047] Figure 2 A plumb line PL1, PL2 in the shaft 20 is shown, which can be produced by a plumb measurement of the shaft 20 at the beginning of the elevator installation. The plumb line PL1, PL2 can be formed by a conventional line or a light source, e.g. a laser with a light beam directed upwards along the plumb line PL1, PL2. A global measurement reference in the shaft 20 usually requires one plumb line and a gyroscope or two plumb lines.

[0048] Figure 1 A first direction Z is shown, which is a vertical direction in the elevator shaft 20. Figure 2 A second direction X and a third direction Y are shown, the second direction X being a direction between guide rails (DBG) and the third direction Y being a direction in the shaft 20 from the rear wall to the front wall (BTF). The second direction X is perpendicular to the third direction Y. The second direction X and the third direction Y are perpendicular to the first direction Z.

[0049] Figure 3 A device for installing guide rails is shown.

[0050] A first hoist H1 can be arranged in the shaft 20 for moving the transport equipment 600 upwards and downwards in the shaft 20. The first hoist H1 can be suspended from the ceiling of the shaft 20.

[0051] A second hoist H2 can be arranged in the shaft 20 for moving the installation platform 500 up and down in the shaft 20. The second hoist H2 can be suspended from the ceiling of the shaft 20.

[0052] The installation platform 500 can be supported in the shaft 20 on opposite solid walls 21 with rollers. No connection between the installation platform 500 and the guide rails 25 is thus needed. The installation platform 500 can be used for transporting one or more technicians and / or one or more robots and / or tools in the shaft 20. The horizontal cross section of the installation platform 500 can be provided with passages for the guide rails 25. The installation platform 500 can be used for scanning the shaft 20 before the elevator installation and / or for installing the guide rails to the walls 21 of the shaft 20 and / or for aligning the guide rails 25 after the elevator installation.

[0053] The storage area SA can be arranged on a landing outside the shaft 20, for example on the first landing. The storage area SA can naturally be arranged at any location lower than the working level of the guide rail installation. The storage area SA can first be positioned on the first landing and then be repositioned to a higher landing as the installation progresses. The guide rail elements 25 can be stored on the storage area SA and hoisted with the transport device 600. The guide rail elements 25 can be manually loaded onto the transport device 600. The storage area SA can form a loading location for the device.

[0054] The first, lowermost part of the guide rails 25 can first be installed manually into the shaft 20. The installation platform 500 can be used for manually installing the first part of the guide rails 25 to the shaft 20.

[0055] The guide rails 25 can be hoisted up in the shaft 20 with the transport device 600 connected to the first hoist H1. The transport device 600 can comprise a hook device 300 connected to the first hoist H1 and a rod device 400 connected to the hook device 300. The hook device 300 can be connected to the first hoist H1 via a first wire 350. The rod device 400 can be connected to the hook device 300 via a second wire 360. On the other hand, the rod device 400 can be connected to the hook device 300 via a rigid rod. However, the rigid rod would make loading the guide rail elements 25 to the transport device 600 more difficult. The rod device 400 can comprise a first rod part 410 and a second rod part 420. The first rod part 410 and the second rod part 420 can be detachably attached to each other. The detachable connection between the first rod part 410 and the second rod part 420 can be arranged with a rod arm 430.

[0056] The upper end of the guide rail element 25 to be hoisted can be attached to the hook device 300 and thus to the first hoist H1.

[0057] The lower end of the rail element 25 to be lifted can be attached to the first bar section 410. The second bar section 420 can be movably supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25.

[0058] Thus, the rail element 25 can be lifted along the row of already installed rail elements 25 with the first hoist H1 and the transport device 600. The upper end of the rail element 25 can be firmly attached to the hook device 300. Thus, the lifting force is transmitted from the first hoist H1 to the hook device 300 and further to the rail element 25. The lower end of the rail element 25 can be attached to the first bar section 410. The second bar section 420 can slide on the row of already installed rail elements 25. During the upward movement, the second bar section 420 can be supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25 with a guide device, for example, rollers or guide shoes.

[0059] The rail element 25 can be lifted along the row of already installed rail elements 25 to the height at which the second bar section 420 reaches the upper end of the row of already installed rail elements 25.

[0060] The lower end of the rail element 25 can now be detached from the bar device 400. Subsequently, the lower end of the rail element 25 can be attached with a connection plate or a joint clamp to the uppermost end of the row of already installed rail 25. This stage in the installation can be completed from the installation platform 500 moved with the second hoist H2.

[0061] Thereafter, the rail element 25 can be attached with a bracket to the wall 21 of the shaft 20. Thereafter, the hook device 300 can be detached from the rail element 25. This stage in the installation can also be completed from the installation platform 500 moved with the second hoist H2.

[0062] The transport device 600, i.e. the bar device 400 and the hook device 300, can thereafter be connected to the row of already installed rail elements 25. Thereafter, the transport device 600 can be moved downwards along the row of already installed rail elements 25 with the first hoist H1. When moving downwards, the hook device 300 and the bar device 400 can be supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25. The hook device 300 and the bar device 400 can be movably supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25 with rollers or guide shoes.

[0063] The installation work from the installation platform 500 can be completed manually by one or more technicians and hand tools and / or automatically by one or more robots.

[0064] Figure 4 A cross-section of a rail is shown.

[0065] The cross-section of the rail element 25 can have the form of the letter T with a flat bottom portion 25A and a flat support portion 25B. The support portion 25B can protrude outwardly from the middle of the bottom portion 25A. The bottom portion 25A can comprise a flat bottom surface 25A1. The flat bottom surface 25A1 is located on opposite sides of the bottom portion 25A relative to the support portion 25B. The rail element 25 can be attached by brackets from the bottom portion 25A of the rail element 25 to the wall 21 in the shaft 20. The support portion 25B of the rail element 25 can form two opposite side support surfaces 25B1, 25B2 and a front support surface 25B3 for the support shoes or counterweights 41 of the car 10. The support shoes can be provided with sliding surfaces or rollers that act on the support surfaces 25B1, 25B2, 25B3 of the support portion 25B of the rail element 25.

[0066] The first and / or second rod portions 410, 420 of the rod arrangement 400 can be provided with rollers 441, 442 or sliding shoes that roll or slide on the inner thinner portion 25B4 of the support portion 25B of the rail 25. The rollers 441, 442 or sliding shoes can be positioned in the transition between the lower thinner portion 25B4 and the outer thicker portion 25B5 of the support portion 25B of the rail 25. The first and / or second rod portions 410, 420 can also comprise rollers that act on the front support surface 25B3 of the rail 25. The rod arrangement 400 can be movably supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25 by the rollers 441, 442 in the second rod portion 420. Thus, the rod arrangement 400 can be fixed to the rail 25 during upward and downward movement on the rail 25. The rollers 441, 442 in the first rod portion 410 can keep the lower end of the rail element 25 fixed to the first rod portion 410 during upward movement of the transport device 600 on the rail 25.

[0067] The rollers 441, 442 that act on the side support surfaces 25B1, 25B2 of the rail 25 can be movably supported in the rod arrangement 400. The rollers 441, 442 can be moved between a first position in which the rollers 441, 442 are in contact with the rail 25 and a second position in which the rollers 441, 442 are out of contact with the rail 25 as shown. When the rollers 441, 442 are in the second position, the rod arrangement 400 can be disengaged from the rail 25.

[0068] Similar rollers 441, 442 can also be used in connection with the first embodiment of the hook arrangement 300. The hook arrangement 300 can be movably supported on the rail 25 by the rollers. Thus, the hook arrangement 300 can be moved downwardly on the row of already installed rail elements 25 when the transport device 600 is moved downwardly in order to fetch new rail elements 25.

[0069] Figure 5A device for joining guide rails is shown.

[0070] The figure shows a lower end portion of an upper guide rail element 25 and an upper end portion of a lower guide rail element 25. The two guide rail elements 25 are connected end to end to each other.

[0071] The guide rail elements can correspond to Figure 4 The shown guide rail elements. Thus, the guide rail elements 25 can comprise a flat bottom portion 25A and a flat support portion 25B protruding outwardly from a middle of the bottom portion 25A. The bottom portion 25A can comprise a flat bottom surface 25A1. The guide rail elements 25 can be attached by brackets to the walls 21 in the shaft 20 from the bottom portion 25A of the guide rail elements 25. The support portion 25B of the guide rail elements 25 can form two opposite side support surfaces 25B1, 25B2 and a front support surface 25B3 for a guide device of the car 10 or a counterweight 41. The guide device can be formed by support shoes. The support shoes can be provided with sliding surfaces or rollers acting on the support surfaces 25B1, 25B2, 25B3 of the support portion 25B of the guide rail elements 25.

[0072] Each guide rail element 25 can be provided with a first joining clamp 100 attached to a first end of the guide rail element 25 and a second joining clamp 200 attached to a second opposite end of the guide rail element 25. The joining clamps 100, 200 can be attached to the bottom surface 25A1 of the bottom portion 25A of the guide rail elements 25. The first end of the guide rail element 25 can be a lower end of the guide rail element 25 and the second end of the guide rail element 25 can be an upper end of the guide rail element 25. The figure shows the first joining clamp 100 located on the lower end of the upper guide rail element 25 and the second joining clamp 200 located on the upper end of the lower guide rail element 25.

[0073] Each guide rail element 25 can be provided with a transverse through hole in the bottom portion 25A of the guide rail element 25 at each end of the guide rail element 25. On the other hand, the first and second joining clamps 100, 200 can be provided with corresponding threaded holes. Bolts can pass through the holes in the bottom portion 25A of the guide rail element 25 into the threaded holes in the first and second joining clamps 100, 200 in order to attach the first and second joining clamps 100, 200 to the respective end portions of the guide rail element 25. Thus, the joining clamps 100, 200 are positioned on the bottom surface 25A1 of the bottom portion 25A. The bottom surface 25A1 is an opposite surface of the bottom portion 25A with respect to a surface of the bottom portion 25A from which the support portion 25B extends outwardly. Thus, the joining clamps 100, 200 face the walls 21 in the shaft 20.

[0074] The first outer end of the first engagement clamp 100 can be substantially flush with the lower end of the rail element 25. The first engagement clamp 100 can comprise male engagement elements 110 extending outwards in a longitudinal direction from the first end of the first engagement clamp 100. The longitudinal direction can coincide with the longitudinal direction of the rail element 25. The male engagement elements 110 can be adapted to enter corresponding female engagement elements 210 in the second engagement clamp 200. The male engagement elements 110 can have equal axial lengths B1. On the other hand, the axial lengths B1 of the male engagement elements 110 can be staggered. The benefit of using male engagement elements 110 with staggered axial lengths B1 is that it is possible to guide the first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 in one direction relative to each other to the correct position at once. The first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can be pre-set in the correct position on the rail element 25 before being installed in the shaft 20. When using male engagement elements 110 with equal axial lengths B1, pre-setting is beneficial.

[0075] The male engagement elements 110 can be formed by pins. The cross section of the pins can be circular. The female engagement elements 210 can be formed by holes. The cross section of the holes corresponds to the cross section of the pins.

[0076] In this embodiment, the number of male engagement elements 110 and the number of female engagement elements 210 is three, but there can be any number of male engagement elements 110 in the first engagement clamp 100 and a corresponding number of female engagement elements 210 in the second engagement clamp 200. Thus, there can be at least one male engagement element 110 in the first engagement clamp 100 and at least one female engagement element 210 in the second engagement clamp 200. The three male engagement elements 110 and the three female engagement elements 210 can be positioned on the corners of a triangle.

[0077] The number of male engagement elements 110 in the first engagement clamp 100 and the number of female engagement elements 220 in the second engagement clamp 200 can be equal.

[0078] The first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can form a plug-in joint between two consecutive rail elements 25.

[0079] The first engagement clamp 100 can be manufactured so that through holes are drilled in the longitudinal direction of the first engagement clamp 100. The male engagement elements 110 are then inserted into the holes and attached in the holes with a pressure joint. Thus, there will be a blind borehole extending from the second inner end of the first engagement clamp 100 into the first engagement clamp 100.

[0080] The first outer end of the second engagement clamp 200 can be substantially flush with the upper end of the rail element 25. The second engagement clamp 200 can comprise a hole 210 into the second engagement clamp 200 from the first end of the second engagement clamp 200 in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction can coincide with the longitudinal direction of the rail element 25. The hole 210 can be a through hole through the second engagement clamp 200.

[0081] When the pin 110 of the first engagement clamp 100 is fully pushed into the hole 210 of the second engagement clamp 200, the two consecutive rail elements 25 will be in the correct position relative to each other. Then, the first end face of the first engagement clamp 100 and the first end face of the second engagement clamp 200 are positioned against each other. The opposite surfaces of the two consecutive rail elements 25 are also positioned against each other in this position.

[0082] The weight of one or more of the upper rail elements 25 will keep the first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 together. The rail elements 25 are also naturally attached to the wall 21 of the shaft 20 by the brackets, whereby movement of the rail elements 25 in any direction is eliminated. Therefore, no separate locking between the first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can be needed. If desired, a separate locking between the first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can naturally be provided. The locking can be implemented as a snap locking between the first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200.

[0083] Another possibility is to provide the outer end of the, for example, middle pin 110 with a thread. The middle pin 110 can be made sufficiently long so that, when the first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 are engaged together, the outer end of the pin will protrude from the opposite end of the second engagement clamp 200. A nut can then be screwed on the thread in the middle pin 110 in order to lock the two engagement clamps 100, 200 together.

[0084] The opposite end faces of the two consecutive rail elements 25 can also be provided with a shape locking. One end face can be provided with a recess, while the opposite end face can be provided with a protrusion that fits in the recess.

[0085] The first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can be made of cast iron or aluminum.

[0086] The pin 110 in the first engagement clamp 100 can be made of cold-drawn steel strip. On the other hand, the pin 110 can also be made of plastic.

[0087] The outer end of the pin 110 in the first engagement clamp 100 can be chamfered in order to facilitate the alignment of the pin 110 into the hole 210 in the second engagement clamp 200.

[0088] Figure 6A first embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown.

[0089] The hook arrangement 300 can comprise a body part 310 and two locking members 320, 330 pivotably attached to the body part 310. Each locking member 320, 330 can comprise two parallel rocker arms at a distance from each other. The rocker arms can be pivotably supported on the body part 310 via a first shaft 311. A second shaft 312 can pass between the outer ends of the rocker arms. The second shaft 312 can protrude upwards from the upper rocker arm. The rocker arms can be spring loaded. The locking members 320, 330 are shown in the figures in an open position. When there is tension in the first wire 350 passed to the first hoist H1, the locking members 320, 330 turn to a locking position. Thus, the outer ends of the locking members 320, 330 provided with the second shaft 312 will turn towards each other so that the outer ends of the second shaft 312 protrude into the respective holes 211, 212 in the second engagement clamp 200 attached to the end of the rail element 25.

[0090] When the tension in the first wire 350 passed to the first hoist H1 is released, the locking members 320, 330 will turn to the open position shown in the figures. The hook 300 will fall down so that the outer ends of the second shaft 312 of the locking members 320, 330 fall from the respective holes 211, 212 in the second engagement clamp 200. Then, a spring arrangement will push the locking members 320, 330 into the open position shown in the figures.

[0091] When the locking members 320, 330 are in the open position, the hook arrangement 300 can slide down along the rail 25 when the first wire 350 extending from the first hoist H1 to the hook 300 is released from the first hoist H1. The weight of the hook arrangement 300 will ensure that the hook arrangement 300 slides down along the rail 25 when the first support wire 350 is not released from the first hoist H1.

[0092] As Figure 4 shown, the rollers 441, 442 can be used in combination with the first embodiment of the hook arrangement 300. The hook arrangement 300 can be movably supported on the rail 25 by the rollers. Thus, when the transport device 600 is moved down in order to take out a new rail element 25, the hook arrangement 300 can slide down on the row of rail elements 25 that have been installed.

[0093] Figure 7 A second embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown.

[0094] The hook device 300A can comprise a first body portion 360 and a second body portion 370. The first body portion 360 can be formed by two L-shaped brackets connected with a U-shaped bracket 361. The two L-shaped brackets can be positioned on opposite sides of the support portion 25B of the rail element 25 so that the L-shaped brackets are inclined on the front surface of the bottom portion 25A of the rail 25. The second body portion 370 can be formed by a substantially rectangular bracket positioned against the bottom surface of the bottom portion 25A of the rail element 25. The first body portion 360 and the second body portion 370 can be connected to each other with a bolt and a wing nut 354. The bolt can pass through holes in the first body portion 360 and the second body portion 370 so that the bolt is positioned on opposite sides of the rail 25. Thus, the rail element 25 is fixed between the two body portions 360, 370 of the hook device 300A.

[0095] A connection plate 50 can be attached to the upper end of the rail 25. The connection plate 50 can have a rectangular shape provided with holes 51 for fastening bolts 55. The connection plate 50 can be positioned against the bottom of the bottom portion 25A in the rail element 25. The connection plate 50 can be attached to the bottom surface of the bottom portion 25A of the rail element 25 with the bolts 55. The upper edge of the second body portion 370 of the hook device 300A will rest on the lower end surface of the connection plate 50. The connection plate 50 prevents the hook device 300A from sliding upwards along the rail element 25 when the rail element 25 is lifted by the first wire 350 of the first hoist H1. The hook 355 is attached to the lower end of the first wire 350.

[0096] The hook device 300A can be detached from the rail element 25 by loosening the wing nut 354 from the bolt. This can be done from the installation platform 500 when the rail element 25 has been lifted to the correct position and the rail element 25 has been attached to the wall 21 of the shaft 20.

[0097] The engagement clamps 100, 200 used in connection with the first embodiment of the hook device 300 do not need to be used in connection with the second embodiment of the hook device 300A. The end of the rail element 25 is attached with a connection plate 50. The connection plate 50 also forms a support surface for the hook device 300A.

[0098] Figure 8 A bracket is shown.

[0099] The bracket 26 can be formed of two separate parts 26A, 26B that are movably connected to each other. The first part 26A of the bracket 26 can be attached to the guide rail 25 and the second part 26B of the bracket 26 can be attached to the wall 21 in the shaft 20. The first part 26A and the second part 26B can have the shape of the letter L with a vertical part and a horizontal part. The first part 26A of the bracket 26 can be attached from the vertical part to the guide rail 25 by a clamp 26C and a bolt 26D. The second part 26B of the bracket 26 can be attached from the vertical part to the wall 21 in the shaft 20. The horizontal parts of the first part 26A and the second part 26B of the bracket 26 can be attached to each other by a bolt that passes through an opening of the horizontal parts of the first part 26A and the second part 26B of the bracket 26. The size of the opening can be determined such that the position of the first part 26A and the second part 26B of the bracket 26 can be fine-tuned in order to be able to align the guide rail 25.

[0100] The second part 26B of the bracket 26 can be attached to the wall in the shaft 20 with an anchor bolt 26F. The vertical part in the second part 26B of the bracket 26 can comprise an oblong opening 26E that is open at the lower end of the vertical part in the second part 26B. A hole for the anchor bolt 26F can be drilled in the wall 21 of the shaft 20 in a predetermined position. The anchor bolt 26F can be screwed into the hole. The bolt 26F can be screwed only partly into the thread such that the head of the bolt 26F is at a distance from the fastening surface. The second part 26B of the bracket 26 can then be attached to the wall 21 of the shaft 20 before or during the installation of the guide rail 25.

[0101] The fastening of the bolt 26F will attach the second part 26B of the bracket 26 to the wall 21 in the shaft 20. The bolt 26F can be manually tightened from the installation platform 500 by a technician or with a robot.

[0102] Figure 9 An installation platform is shown.

[0103] The installation platform 500 can comprise a bottom plane 510 and a top plane 520 located vertically distance above the bottom plane 510. The bottom plane 510 can form a working surface for one or more technicians and / or for one or more robots and / or for tools. Vertical support poles 530 can extend between the bottom plane 510 and the top plane 520. Two support rollers 540 can be provided in each plane 510, 520 in the installation platform 500 at opposite ends. The support rollers 540 can support the installation platform 500 on opposite walls 21 in the shaft 20. The support rollers 540 can keep the installation platform 500 substantially within a horizontal plane when the installation platform 500 is moved up and down in the shaft 20. The installation platform 500 can also be provided with locking means for locking the installation platform 500 to the walls 21 in the shaft 20. The locking means can be implemented by hydraulic cylinders acting on two opposite walls 21 in the shaft 20.

[0104] Bypass passages 550, 551 for the guide rail elements 25 to be lifted during installation of the guide rails 25 can further be formed in the installation platform 500. The bypass passages 550, 551 can be formed by recesses protruding inward from the perimeter of the installation platform 500. The bypass passages 550, 551 can also provide space for the plumb lines PL1, PL2 to bypass the installation platform 500.

[0105] The installation platform 500 can be provided with measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13 for measuring the position of the installation platform 500 relative to the shaft 20. Once the installation platform 500 is locked in the shaft 20, the measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13 can determine the position of the installation platform 500 in the shaft 20 based on the plumb lines PL1, PL2. The measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13 can be based on sensors that measure the position of the plumb lines PL1, PL2 formed by steel wires without contact. Another possibility is to use a light source, for example a laser at the bottom of the elevator shaft, to produce an upwardly directed light beam that can be measured with the measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13 on the installation platform 500. The measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13 can be light-sensitive sensors or digital imaging devices that measure the hit point of the light beam produced by the light source. The light source can be a robotic total station, whereby the measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13 would be reflectors that reflect the light beam back to the robotic total station. The robotic total station would then measure the position of the measuring means MD10, MD11, MD12, MD13.

[0106] The mounting platform 500 can further be provided with distance measuring devices MD15, MD16 for measuring the vertical position, i.e. the height position of the mounting platform 500 in the shaft 20. The distance measuring can be based on laser measuring.

[0107] Figure 10 A pole arrangement of a transport device is shown.

[0108] The pole arrangement 400 comprises a first pole portion 410 and a second pole portion 420. The second pole portion 420 slides on the already installed rail 25. The first pole portion 410 receives a lower end of a rail element 25 to be lifted. The first pole portion 410 is connected to the second pole portion 420 via two pole arms 430. The first pole portion 410 can form an upper pole portion 410 and the second pole portion 420 can form a lower pole portion 420.

[0109] The pole arrangement 400 is shown during lifting of a rail element 25. The second pole portion 420 slides on the rail 25 that has been installed to the wall 21 of the shaft 20. A lower end of the rail element 25 to be lifted is supported on the first pole portion 410. A first shaft 431 is rotatably supported on the second pole portion 420. A second shaft 433 can be fixedly attached to the first pole portion 410. A first end 430A of each pole arm 430 can be attached to the first shaft 431. A second end 430B of each pole arm 430 can comprise a hook-like recess 432. The hook-like recess 432 can be located on the second shaft 433. The two pole arms 430 can further be supported to each other by a support arm 434 extending laterally between the two pole arms 430. Each end of the support arm 434 can be attached to a respective pole arm 430. The two pole arms 430 can be parallel. The two pole arms 430 can be identical. The pole arms 430 are shown in an inclined position forming a first operating position. The pole arms 430 can be locked in this first operating position such that the rail element 25 to be lifted is kept at a distance from the rail 25 that has been installed to the wall 21 of the shaft 20. The first pole portion 410 can be at a first distance Al from the row of already installed rail elements 25. This first distance Al leaves a space on the outside of the row of already installed rail elements 25 for the rail element 25 provided with the first engagement clamp 100 to pass by when lifting the rail element 25.

[0110] The first and second rod portions 410, 420 are thus detachably attached to each other. When the rod arrangement 400 is moved upwards, the second rod portion 420 is attached to the first rod portion 410 via the rod arms 430 located on the second shaft 433. When the rod arrangement 400 is moved downwards and the second rod portion 420 is stopped by the stopper on the guide rail 25, the first rod portion 410 is detached from the second rod portion 420. The first rod portion 410 is moved downwards, whereby the second shaft 433 is also moved downwards from the hook-shaped recess 432 of the rod arm 430. The rod arm 430 remains locked in the first operating position. Thus, the first rod portion 410 becomes detached from the second rod portion 420.

[0111] The opposite ends of the guide rail elements 25 can be attached to each other by means of the joining clamps 100, 200. The joining clamps 100, 200 can be attached to the respective end portions of the guide rail elements 25. Another possibility is to attach the opposite ends of the guide rail elements 25 using the connecting plate 50. The connecting plate 50 can be attached to the upper end of each guide rail element 25. The lower guide rail element 25 can be attached to the connecting plate 50, thereby to the uppermost guide rail element 25 in the row of guide rail elements 25 that has already been installed.

[0112] Figures 11-14 The working principle of the rod arrangement is illustrated.

[0113] The second rod portion 420 and the rod arms 430 of the rod arrangement 400 are illustrated in the drawings. For the sake of clarity, the first rod portion 410 of the rod arrangement 400 is not illustrated.

[0114] The lower end of each rod arm 430 can be pivotally supported by a pivot joint J1 in the second rod portion 420. The upper end of each rod arm 430 can be provided with a recess 432 that receives the second shaft 433 of the first rod portion 410.

[0115] The rod arms 430 can be pivotally supported via a first shaft 431 in the second rod portion 420. The first shaft 431 can also pass through a locking portion 421 located below the rod arms 430 in the second rod portion 420. The rod arms 430 and the locking portion 421 can be fixedly attached to the first shaft 431. On the other hand, the first shaft 431 is rotatably supported in the second rod portion 420.

[0116] Roller 422 is rotatably supported on the first end of the first support arm 423. The outer periphery of roller 422 can protrude from the second rod portion 420, allowing roller 422 to roll on guide rail 25. The second opposite end of the first support arm 423 can be attached to the first end of the second support arm 424 via a second pivot joint J2. The second support arm 424 can be pivotally supported by a third pivot joint J3 in the second rod portion 420. The second opposite end of the second support arm 424 can rest against a locking surface 421A provided on the locking portion 421. The second support arm 424 can be spring-loaded. The spring can be positioned in the third pivot joint J3.

[0117] A guide pin 423A may be disposed in the second rod portion 420. The guide pin 423A may extend through a guide opening in the first support arm 423. The guide opening in the first support arm 423 may be formed by an elongated hole in the first support arm 423. Therefore, the longitudinal movement of the first support arm 423 is guided by the guide pin 423A.

[0118] Figure 11 The diagram shows the guide rail element 25 being lifted upwards, i.e., the lever assembly 400 moves upwards and maintains the guide rail element 25 at a certain distance from the row of already installed guide rail elements 25. The lever arm 430 is locked in an inclined position. The lever arm 430 forms an angle α with the vertical direction. The roller 422 rolls against the guide rail 25, thereby pushing the first support arm 423 to the right side of the figure. The second end of the second support arm 424 rests against the locking surface 421A in the locking portion 421. Therefore, rotation of the locking portion 421 in the counterclockwise direction is prohibited. A stop may also be provided in the second lever portion 420 to prevent further clockwise rotation of the locking portion 421 from the position shown in the figure.

[0119] Figure 12 The diagram shows the lever assembly 400 having reached the upper end of the row of installed guide rail elements 25. Roller 422 passes the upper end of the row of installed guide rail elements 25, thus moving freely to the left in the diagram. The spring load in the second support arm 424 causes it to rotate counterclockwise about the third pivot joint J3, thereby pushing roller 422 to the left by the first support arm 423. This counterclockwise rotation of the second support arm 424 about the third pivot joint J3 causes the second end (lower end) of the second support arm 424 to move to the right in the diagram. Therefore, the second end of the second support arm 424 moves away from the locking surface 421A on the locking portion 421. The locking portion 421 is thus released to rotate counterclockwise, allowing lever arm 430 to move to a straight position when an upward force is applied to it.

[0120] Figure 13The situation is shown in which the rod arrangement 400 is moved downwards over the row of already installed rail elements 25. The rollers 422 roll over the rail 25 and push the first support arm 423 to the right in the figure. The second support arm 424 is thus turned in a clockwise direction against the spring force to a substantially vertical position in the figure. The second end of the second support arm 424 rests against the outer surface of the locking member 421. The rod arm 430 is still in a straight position, i.e. the first rod part 410 is located in a straight line above the second rod part 420. The first rod part 410 and the second rod part 420 thus slide over the row of already installed rail elements 25.

[0121] Figure 14 The situation is shown in which the rod arrangement 400 reaches the bottom of the row of already installed rail elements 25. The second rod part 420 stops and the weight of the first rod part 410 turns the rod arm 430 to the inclined position. The locking member 421 is thus turned in a clockwise direction, whereby the second end of the second support arm 424 again lies on the locking surface 421 A of the locking member 421. A stop limits the turning of the locking member 421 to the position shown in the figure. The stop can be attached to the row of already installed rail elements 25 at a desired level on the row of already installed rail elements 25. The stop stops the movement of the second rod part 420.

[0122] Figure 15 The rod arrangement and the rail element are shown in the initial phase of the lifting phase.

[0123] A new rail element 25 has been attached beforehand to the transport device 600 on the landing. The hook arrangement 300 has been attached to the upper end of the rail element 25 and the first rod part 410 of the rod arrangement 400 has been supported at the lower end of the rail element 25. Thereafter, the rail element 25 is guided from the landing into the shaft and the initial lifting of the rail element 25 in the shaft has begun. The lifting can be done with the first hoist H1. The guiding of the rail element 25 from the landing through the landing door opening into the shaft can be done by a technician using a rod from the landing. The rod can be provided with a gripping device.

[0124] The rail element 25 is then lifted upwards in the shaft to a position in which the first rod part 410 can be connected to the second rod part 420. The connection is made via the rod arm 430.

[0125] The first rod part 410 is supported on the hook arrangement 300 via the second wire 360. The bracket 26 can be attached to the rail element 25 either in an early stage of the installation or on the landing already before the rail element 25 is transported to the landing.

[0126] Figure 16 The rod arrangement and the rail element are shown in the connection phase of the lifting phase.

[0127] The first pole part 410 is now positioned just below the pole arm 430 of the pole arrangement 400. A technician can assist the pole in guiding the first pole part 410 from the landing into the correct position. The second shaft 433 of the first pole part 410 will be guided into the recess 432 in the pole arm 430.

[0128] Figure 17 The pole arrangement and the guide rail element during the lifting phase are shown.

[0129] The first pole part 410 is now connected to the second pole part 420 via the pole arm 430. The second shaft 433 in the first pole part 410 has been slid into the recess 432 in the pole arm 430. During lifting of the guide rail element 25, the second pole part 420 will be slid over the row of already installed guide rails 25. The first pole part 410 will be positioned at a distance from the already installed guide rails 25. The pole arm 430 is locked in this tilted position within the second pole part 420. The guide rail element 25 can now be lifted upwards in the shaft to the installation position. The guide rail element 25 can then be installed on the wall in the shaft at the installation position from the installation platform 500.

[0130] Figure 18 The pole arrangement is shown in the lowering phase.

[0131] The guide rail element 25 has been installed to the wall in the shaft, and the transport device 600 can now be lowered downwards in the shaft. Both the first pole part 410 and the second pole part 420 can be supported on the row of already installed guide rail elements 25 with roller arrangements. The pole arrangement 400 is suspended on the hook arrangement 300 via the second wire 360. The hook arrangement 300 can also be supported on the row of already installed guide rail elements 25 with roller arrangements. The transport device 600, including the hook arrangement 300 and the pole arrangement 400, can thus be lowered on the row of already installed guide rail elements 25 with the first hoist HI.

[0132] When the current guide rail element has been lifted upwards to the top of the row of already installed guide rail elements 25, the pole arm 430 has been moved to a position for moving downwards. The pole arm 430 is in a substantially vertical position.

[0133] Figure 19 The pole arrangement is shown in the lowering phase.

[0134] The transport device 600 has reached the loading height in the shaft. The loading height is the landing on which the new rail element 25 is to be loaded onto the transport device 600. The second rod portion 420 can hit a stopper attached to the row of already installed rail elements 25. The stopper stops the movement of the second rod portion 420. When the first hoist H1 lowers the hook device 300 and thereby also the first rod portion 410, the force of gravity will still move the first rod portion 410 downwards. The rod arm 430 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction to the tilted position shown in the figure. The first rod portion 410 is guided outwards from the already installed rail 25 by the rod arm 430. The second shaft 433 in the first rod portion 410 can now move freely downwards along the outwards opening recess 432 in the rod arm 430.

[0135] Figure 20 The rod device is shown after the disengagement phase in the lowering phase.

[0136] The rod arm 430 has now been rotated in a counter clockwise direction to a rotated stop outwards position. The rod arm 430 can rest against a stopper inside the second rod portion 420, preventing the rod arm 430 from rotating further outwards. The first rod portion 410 will now disengage from the rod arm 430 and fall down as the first hoist H1 lowers the hook device 300 and thereby also the first rod portion 410.

[0137] The second shaft 433 in the first rod portion 410 has disengaged from the recess 432 in the rod arm 430. The second shaft 433 has slid downwards from the downwards open recess 432 in the rod arm 430.

[0138] The first rod portion 410 can now be guided to the landing by a technician working on the landing. The technician can use a support arm with a gripping device in order to guide the first rod portion 410 from the shaft through the landing door opening into the landing.

[0139] The rail elements 25 can be aligned after they have been installed to the respective wall 21 in the shaft 20. The alignment of the rail elements 25 can be made in any known way.

[0140] The figure shows one embodiment where only the first hoist H1 with the transport device 600 is used. The suspension point of the first hoist H1 must be changed during the installation. Each row of rail elements 25 to be installed will need their own suspension point for the first hoist H1. Several first hoists H1 can naturally be suspended from the ceiling of the shaft 20. Each first hoist H1 will thus be equipped with its own transport device 600. This means that several rows of rail elements 25 can be installed into the shaft 20 at the same time.

[0141] The device is provided with one first bar section 410 in the figures. However, several first bar sections 410 can also be used. The use of several first bar sections 410 can further speed up the process. Additional first bar sections 410 can be pre-attached to the lower end of the guide rail elements 25 on the landing.

[0142] The figures show an embodiment in which the first bar section 410 and the second bar section 420 are detachably connected to each other via the bar arms 430. This is an advantageous embodiment, but other means for achieving a detachable connection between the first bar section and the second bar section can also be used.

[0143] The figures show an embodiment in which the first end 430A of each bar arm 430 is rotatably supported on the second bar section 420 via a first shaft 431 and the second, opposite end 430B of each bar arm 430 is supported on the first bar section 420 via a second shaft 433. The second end 430B of each bar arm 430 comprises a recess 432 on the second shaft 433. The first shaft 431 can be rotatably supported on the second bar section 420 and the first end 430A of each bar arm 430 can be fixedly attached to the first shaft 431. On the other hand, the first shaft 431 can be fixedly attached to the second bar section 420, wherein the first end 430A of each bar arm 430 will be rotatably supported on the first shaft 431.

[0144] The bar arms 430 can also be naturally reversed. The first end 430A of each bar arm 430 can be rotatably supported on the first bar section 410 via a first shaft 431 and the second, opposite end 430B of each bar arm 430 can be supported on the second bar section 420 via a second shaft 433. The second end 430B of each bar arm 430 can still comprise a recess 432 on the second shaft 433.

[0145] The shaft 20 in the figures is for only one car 10, but the invention can naturally be used in a shaft comprising several cars 10. Such an elevator shaft 10 can be divided into sub-shafts for each car 10 with steel bars. Horizontal steel bars can be provided at predetermined intervals along the height of the shaft 20. Then, one part of the guide rails 25 will be attached to the steel bars in the shaft 20. Another part of the guide rails 25 will be attached to the solid wall 21 in the shaft 20.

[0146] The invention can be used in low-rise or high-rise buildings. The benefits of the invention are naturally greater in high-rise buildings. A high-rise building can have a hoisting height of over 75 meters, preferably over 100 meters, more preferably over 150 meters and most preferably over 250 meters.

[0147] The use of the invention is not limited to the elevator disclosed in the accompanying drawings. The invention can be used in any type of elevator, such as an elevator comprising a machine room or a machine room-less elevator, an elevator comprising a counterweight or a counterweight-less elevator. The counterweight can be located on either side wall or on both side walls or on the rear wall of the elevator shaft. The drive, the motor, the traction sheave and the mechanical brake can be installed in the machine room or somewhere in the elevator shaft. In a so-called backpack elevator, the car guide rails can be positioned on opposite side walls of the shaft or on the rear wall of the shaft.

[0148] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but can vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft, the method comprising: moving a transport device (600) in a shaft (20) between a loading position and an installation position with a first hoist (H1), the transport device (600) comprising a hook arrangement (300) connected to the first hoist (H1) and a bar arrangement (400) connected to the hook arrangement (300), the bar arrangement (400) comprising a first bar portion (410) and a second bar portion (420), the second bar portion (420) moving over a row of guide rail elements (25) that have been installed, the first bar portion (410) and the second bar portion (420) being detachably attached to each other, moving the transport device (600) down to the loading position in the shaft (20), the first bar portion (410) being detached from the second bar portion (420) at the loading position, connecting a guide rail element (25) to the transport device (600) outside the shaft (20) such that an upper end of the guide rail element (25) is connected to the hook arrangement (300) and a lower end of the guide rail element (25) is connected to the first bar portion (410), guiding the transport device (600) carrying the guide rail element (25) to a position in the shaft (20) where the first bar portion (410) is connected to the second bar portion (420), moving the transport device (600) carrying the guide rail element (25) up to the installation position in the shaft (20).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detachably attaching the first bar portion (410) and the second bar portion (420) to each other via bar arms (430).

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising rotatably supporting a first end (430A) of each bar arm (430) on the second bar portion (420) or the first bar portion (410) via a first shaft (431).

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising supporting a second end (430B) of each bar arm (430) opposite the first end on the first bar portion (410) or the second bar portion (420) via a second shaft (433), the second end (430B) of each bar arm (430) comprising a recess (432) that receives the second shaft (433).

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising connecting consecutive guide rail elements (25) to each other end to end via engagement clamps (100, 200) attached to opposite ends of each guide rail element (25) to be connected.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising connecting consecutive guide rail elements (25) to each other end to end via a connecting plate (50) attached to opposite ends of guide rail elements (25) to be connected.

7. An apparatus for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft, the apparatus comprising: Transportation device (600) movable between a loading position and an installation position in a shaft (20) by means of a first hoist (H1), said transportation device (600) comprising a hook arrangement (300) connected to said first hoist (H1) and a bar arrangement (400) connected to said hook arrangement (300), said bar arrangement (400) comprising a first bar portion (410) and a second bar portion (420), said second bar portion (420) being movable over a row of already installed rail elements (25), said first bar portion (410) and said second bar portion (420) being detachably attached to each other, wherein said transportation device (600) is arranged to be moved downwards into a loading position in the shaft (20), said first bar portion (410) being detached from said second bar portion (420) at said loading position, a rail element (25) is arranged to be connected to the transportation device (600) outside the shaft (20) such that an upper end of the rail element (25) is connected to the hook arrangement (300) and a lower end of the rail element (25) is connected to the first bar portion (410), the transportation device (600) carrying the rail element (25) is arranged to be guided into the shaft (20) to a position where the first bar portion (410) is connected to the second bar portion (420), the transportation device (600) carrying the rail element (25) is arranged to be moved upwards into an installation position in the shaft (20).

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, said first bar portion (410) and said second bar portion (420) are detachably attached to each other via bar arms (430).

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, a first end (430A) of each bar arm (430) is rotatably supported on said second bar portion (420) or said first bar portion (410) via a first shaft (431).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, a second end (430B) of each bar arm (430) opposite the first end is supported on said first bar portion (410) or said second bar portion (420) via a second shaft (433), the second end (430B) of each bar arm (430) comprising a recess (432) receiving the second shaft (433).

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, successive rail elements (25) are connected end to end to each other via engagement clamps (100, 200) attached to opposite ends of each rail element (25) to be connected.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 7-10, wherein, successive rail elements (25) are connected end to end to each other via a connection plate (50) attached to opposite ends of the rail elements (25) to be connected.

13. A transport device for transporting elevator rail elements in a shaft, wherein said transportation device comprises a hook arrangement (300) and a bar arrangement (400) connected to said hook arrangement (300), said bar arrangement (400) comprising a first bar portion (410) and a second bar portion (420), said first bar portion (410) and said second bar portion (420) being detachably attached to each other, wherein the first bar portion (410) and the second bar portion (420) are detachably attached to each other via bar arms (430), wherein a first end (430A) of each bar arm (430) is rotatably supported on the second bar portion (420) via a first shaft (431); wherein a second end (430B) of each bar arm (430) opposite the first end is supported on the first bar portion (410) via a second shaft (433), the second end (430B) of each bar arm (430) comprising a recess (432) receiving the second shaft (433), when the bar arrangement is moved upwards, the second bar portion is attached to the first bar portion via the recess receiving the second shaft; when the bar arrangement is moved downwards and the second bar portion is stopped by a stopper on the guide rail element, the bar arms rotate around the first shaft to disengage the second shaft from the recess, thereby disengaging the first bar portion from the second bar portion.

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