A method, device and transport apparatus 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 bar arrangement (400) connected to the hook arrangement. The bar arrangement is movably supported on a guide rail (25). The bar arrangement comprises a holding arrangement (430) movably supported in the bar arrangement. The holding arrangement is linearly movable between a transport position and an installation position. A new guide rail element is connected to the hook arrangement and the holding arrangement and is transported to the installation position. The holding arrangement is moved to the installation position and the new guide rail element is connected to the row of already installed guide rail elements.

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 relative 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 to 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 8.

[0012] The transport equipment for transporting elevator guide rails in a shaft according to the invention is defined in claim 15.

[0013] The guide rail element is transported in the shaft by the transport equipment connected to the first hoist. The transport equipment comprises a hook arrangement and a bar arrangement. The bar arrangement comprises a frame and a holding arrangement movably supported on the frame. The guide rail element to be hoisted can be attached to the transport equipment so that the upper end of the guide rail element to be hoisted is attached to the hook arrangement and the lower end of the guide rail element to be hoisted is supported on the holding arrangement in the bar arrangement. The bar arrangement can be movably supported on the row of already installed guide rail elements.

[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.

[0016] The new guide rail element can then be hoisted with the transport equipment in a controlled manner. The guide rail element is supported on the transport equipment and during hoisting of the guide rail element, the transport equipment is movably supported on the row of already installed guide rail elements. Thus, the swinging of the guide rail element is eliminated during hoisting of the guide rail element.

[0017] The lowering of the transport equipment in the shaft during removal of the new guide rail element is also done in a controlled manner. The bar arrangement can also be movably supported on the row of already installed guide rail elements when moving downwards. The hook arrangement can also be movably supported 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.

[0018] The upper end of the guide rail element can be fixedly attached to the hook arrangement during hoisting of the guide rail element. 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.

[0019] The rod arrangement comprising the movable holding arrangement forms an advantageous solution for transporting the guide rail elements. The guide rail elements to be installed can be transported upwards in the shaft with the transport device, so that the guide rail elements are in the transport position during the transport. The guide rail elements to be lifted are in the transport position at a distance from the row of already installed guide rail elements. When the rod arrangement has reached the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements, the guide rail elements to be lifted can be moved together with the holding arrangement to the installation position. The guide rail elements to be installed are in the installation position above the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements. The lower end of the guide rail elements to be installed can thus be connected to the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements in the installation position.

[0020] The holding arrangement can be moved by an actuator. The holding arrangement can be moved linearly in the horizontal plane of the rod arrangement. The actuator can be formed by a weight. The weight can be arranged movable in the vertical direction in the rod arrangement. The weight movable in the vertical direction in the rod arrangement moves the holding arrangement in the horizontal direction between the transport position and the installation position in the rod arrangement.

[0021] The linear movement of the holding arrangement does not cause any bending torque on the rod arrangement. In the worst case, the bending torque can cause the rod arrangement to detach from the guide rail.

[0022] When installing the guide rail elements after they have been lifted to the installation position in the shaft, an installation platform operated by a second hoist can be used. The guide rail elements 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

[0023] The application will be described in more detail in the preferred embodiments by referring to the attached drawings, in which

[0024] Figure 1 A side view of an elevator is shown,

[0025] Figure 2 A horizontal cross-sectional view of an elevator is shown,

[0026] Figure 3 A device for installing a guide rail is shown,

[0027] Figure 4 A cross-section of a guide rail is shown,

[0028] Figure 5 A device for engaging a guide rail is shown,

[0029] Figure 6 A first embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown,

[0030] Figure 7 A second embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transportation device is shown,

[0031] Figure 8 A support is shown,

[0032] Figure 9 A mounting platform is shown,

[0033] Figure 10 A pole arrangement of a transportation device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 A side view is shown, Figure 2 A horizontal cross-sectional view of an elevator is shown.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 machine 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 machine brake 34 can stop the rotation of the traction sheave 33, thereby stopping the movement of the elevator car 10.

[0037] 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 supports 26. The guide means 27 keeps 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.

[0038] The wall structure 21 of the shaft 20 can be formed of solid walls 21 or open beam structures or any combination of these. Thus, one or more walls can be solid and one or more walls can be formed of open beam structures. The shaft 20 can comprise a front wall 21A, a rear wall 21B and two opposite side walls 21C, 21D. The car 10 can have two guide rails 25. The two car guide rails 25 can be located on the opposite side walls 21C, 21D. 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 21B.

[0039] The guide rails 25 can extend vertically along the height of the elevator shaft 20. Thus, the guide rails 25 can be formed of guide rail elements of a certain length, for example 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 with respect to each other. The guide rails 25 can be attached to the wall 21 of the elevator shaft 20 by support means at support points along the height of the guide rails 25.

[0040] The car 10 can transport people and / or cargo between landings of a building.

[0041] Figure 2 A plumb line PL1, PL2 in the shaft 20 is shown, which can be produced by pipe laying of the shaft 20 at the beginning of the elevator installation. The plumb line PL1, PL2 can be formed of a conventional wire or light source, for example a laser with a light beam directed upwards along the plumb line PL1, PL2. A global measurement reference in the shaft 20 typically requires one plumb line and a gyroscope or two plumb lines.

[0042] 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 the guide rails (DBG) and the third direction Y being a direction in the shaft 20 from the back 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.

[0043] Figure 3 A device for installing guide rails is shown.

[0044] 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.

[0045] A second hoist H2 can be arranged in the shaft 20 for moving the installation platform 500 upwards and downwards in the shaft 20. The second hoist H2 can be suspended from the ceiling of the shaft 20.

[0046] The installation platform 500 can be supported in the shaft 20 on opposite solid walls 21 with rollers. A connection between the installation platform 500 and the guide rails 25 is thus not 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.

[0047] The storage area SA can be arranged in the shaft or on a platform outside the shaft 20. The storage area SA can be arranged at any location lower than the working level of the guide rail arrangement. The storage area SA can first be positioned at a bottom location of the shaft and then be repositioned to a higher location of the shaft as the installation progresses. The guide rail elements 25 can be stored on the storage area SA and lifted 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 arrangement.

[0048] A first, lowermost part of the guide rails 25 can first be manually installed into the shaft 20. The installation platform 500 can be used for manually installing the first part of the guide rails 25 into the shaft 20.

[0049] The guide rails 25 can be lifted upwards in the shaft 20 with the transport device 600 connected to the first hoist H1. The transport device 600 can comprise a hook arrangement 300 connected to the first hoist H1 and a rod arrangement 400 connected to the hook arrangement 300. The hook arrangement 300 can be connected to the first hoist H1 via a first wire 350. The rod arrangement 400 can be connected to the hook arrangement 300 via a second wire 360. On the other hand, the rod arrangement 400 can be connected to the hook arrangement 300 via a chain or a rod provided with articulated joints. The articulated joints can be distributed along the length of the rod.

[0050] The upper end of the guide rail element 25 to be lifted can be attached to the hook arrangement 300 and thus to the first hoist H1.

[0051] The lower end of the guide rail element 25 to be lifted can be attached to the rod arrangement 400. The rod arrangement 400 can be movably supported on the row of guide rail elements 25 that have already been installed.

[0052] Thus, the rail elements 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 elements 25 can be securely 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 elements 25. The lower end of the rail elements 25 can be attached to the bar device 400. The bar device 400 can be moved over the row of already installed rail elements 25. The bar device 400 can be supported over the row of already installed rail elements 25 with guiding means, e.g. rollers or guide shoes.

[0053] The rail elements 25 can be lifted along the row of already installed rail elements 25 to the height of the upper end of the row of already installed rail elements 25 with the bar device 400.

[0054] The lower end of the rail elements 25 can now be detached from the bar device 400. Subsequently, the lower end of the rail elements 25 can be attached with a connection plate or a splice clamp to the uppermost end of the row of already installed rail 25. This stage in the installation can be done from the installation platform 500, which is movable with the second hoist H2.

[0055] Thereafter, the rail elements 25 can be attached with brackets to the wall 21 of the shaft 20. Thereafter, the hook device 300 can be detached from the rail elements 25. This stage in the installation can also be done from the installation platform 500, which is movable with the second hoist H2.

[0056] 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 movably supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25. The hook device 300 and the bar device 400 can be supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25 with guiding means, e.g. rollers or sliding shoes.

[0057] The installation work from the installation platform 500 can be done manually by one or more technicians and hand tools and / or automatically by one or more robots.

[0058] Figure 4 A cross-section of the rail is shown.

[0059] 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.

[0060] The bar 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 bar arrangement 400 can also include rollers that act on the front support surface 25B3 of the rail 25. The bar arrangement 400 can be movably supported on the row of already installed rail elements 25 by the rollers 441, 442. Thus, the bar arrangement 400 can be fixed to the rail 25 during upward and downward movement on the rail 25. The lower end of the rail element 25 is fixed to the bar arrangement 400 and the bar arrangement 400 is fixed to the rail 25 during upward movement of the transport device 600 on the rail 25.

[0061] The rollers 441, 442 that act on the side support surfaces 25B1, 25B2 of the rail 25 can be movably supported in the bar 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 bar arrangement 400 can be disengaged from the rail 25.

[0062] 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 take out new rail elements 25.

[0063] Figure 5 A device for engaging a rail is shown.

[0064] The figure shows a lower end portion of an upper rail element 25 and an upper end portion of a lower rail element 25. The two rail elements 25 will be connected end-to-end to each other.

[0065] The rail elements 25 can correspond to Figure 4 The illustrated rail elements. Thus, the 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 rail elements 25 can be attached by brackets to the walls 21 in the shaft 20 from the bottom portion 25A of the rail elements 25. The support portion 25B of the rail elements 25 can form two opposite side support surfaces 25B1, 25B2 and a front support surface 25B3 for a guide arrangement of the car 10 or a counterweight 41. The guide arrangement 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 rail elements 25.

[0066] Each rail element 25 can be provided with a first engagement clamp 100 attached to a first end of the rail element 25 and a second engagement clamp 200 attached to a second opposite end of the rail element 25. The engagement clamps 100, 200 can be attached to the bottom surface 25A1 of the bottom portion 25A of the rail element 25. The first end of the rail element 25 can be a lower end of the rail element 25 and the second end of the rail element 25 can be an upper end of the rail element 25. The figure shows a first engagement clamp 100 located on the lower end of an upper rail element 25 and a second engagement clamp 200 located on the upper end of a lower rail element 25.

[0067] Each rail element 25 can be provided with a transverse through hole in the bottom portion 25A of the rail element 25 at each end of the rail element 25. On the other hand, the first and second engagement clamps 100, 200 can be provided with corresponding threaded holes. Bolts can pass through the holes in the bottom portion 25A of the rail element 25 into the threaded holes in the first and second engagement clamps 100, 200 in order to attach the first and second engagement clamps 100, 200 to the respective end portions of the rail element 25. Thus, the engagement 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 engagement clamps 100, 200 face the walls 21 in the shaft 20.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] In this embodiment, the number of male engagement elements 110 as well as 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.

[0071] The number of male engagement elements 110 in the first engagement clamp 100 and the number of female engagement elements 210 in the second engagement clamp 200 can be equal.

[0072] The first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can form a plug-in joint between two consecutive rail elements 25.

[0073] 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 blind drilled holes extending from the second inner end of the first engagement clamp 100 into the first engagement clamp 100.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 necessary. If necessary, 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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, and the opposite end face can be provided with a protrusion that fits in the recess.

[0079] The first engagement clamp 100 and the second engagement clamp 200 can be made of cast iron or aluminum.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] Figure 6A first embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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 loosened 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 loosened from the first hoist H1.

[0086] As Figure 4 shown, rollers 441, 442 can 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, 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.

[0087] Figure 7 A second embodiment of a hook arrangement of a transport device is shown.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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 hooks 355 are attached to the lower end of the first wire 350.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] Figure 8 A bracket is shown.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] Figure 9 An installation platform is shown.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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 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.

[0100] The mounting platform 500 can also 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.

[0101] Figure 10 A pole arrangement of the transport device is shown.

[0102] The pole arrangement 400 can comprise a frame 410. The frame 410 can have the general form of a parallelepiped. The frame 410 can be formed by support poles 411 forming a parallelepiped. The frame 410 can be movably supported on the guide rails 25 via guide devices 421, 422. The guide devices 421, 422 can comprise rollers or guide shoes acting on the support surface of the guide rails 25. The pole arrangement 400 can thus be movably supported on the row of already installed guide rail elements 25. The pole arrangement 400 can roll or slide on the row of already installed guide rail elements 25. There can be two guide devices 421, 422 in the pole arrangement 400, which are arranged at a vertical distance from each other. The pole arrangement 400 can have a length in the vertical direction Z, a depth in the first horizontal direction X extending between the guide rails 25 and a width in the second horizontal direction Y extending in the shaft 20 from the rear to the front.

[0103] The pole arrangement 400 can be supported on the hook arrangement 300 by second wires 360A, 360B extending between the pole arrangement 400 and the hook arrangement 300. The lower ends of the second wires 360A, 360B can be attached to the frame 410 of the pole arrangement 400 at the lifting points P1, P2. The lifting points P1, P2 can be located at the center of gravity in the horizontal direction of the pole arrangement 400. The weight of the guide rail element 25 to be installed will be carried by the hook arrangement 300. The pole arrangement 400 is thus not affected by the weight of the guide rail element 25 to be installed. The upper ends of the second wires 360A, 360B can be attached to the hook arrangement 300. Two second wires 360A, 360B can be used.

[0104] The pole arrangement 400 can further comprise a holding device 430 movably supported in the pole arrangement 400. The holding device 430 can be linearly movable in the pole arrangement 400. The holding device 430 can receive a lower end of a rail element 25 to be lifted. The lower end of the rail element 25 to be lifted can be supported in the holding device 430. The lower end of the rail element 25 to be installed can be positioned in a nest arranged in the holding device 430. The upper end of the rail element 25 to be lifted is attached to the hook arrangement 300, wherein the lower end of the rail element 25 to be lifted remains in the nest in the holding device 430. The holding device 430 can be movably supported on guide poles 441, 442 attached to the frame 410 of the pole arrangement 400. The guide poles 441, 442 can extend essentially in the horizontal direction X. Thus, the holding device 430 can be moved in the horizontal direction X along the guide poles 441, 442. The holding device 430 can be movable between a transport position and an installation position. The holding device 430 shown in the figures is in the transport position. In the transport position, the holding device 430 can be positioned at a horizontal distance X1 from a row of already installed rail elements 25. Thus, the rail element 25 to be lifted connected to the holding device 430 will also be positioned at a horizontal distance from the row of already installed rail elements 25.

[0105] The pole arrangement 400 can comprise two guide poles 441, 442. The holding device 430 can be positioned between the two guide poles 441, 442. The holding device 430 can be movably supported on the guide poles 441, 442 with guiding means. The guiding means can be formed by recesses in opposite outer edges of the holding device 430. Each recess can receive a respective guide pole 441, 442. Thus, the holding device 430 can slide on the guide poles 441, 442 when moved in the horizontal direction. The holding device 430 can be held in the transport position by friction between the guiding means in the holding device 430 and the guide poles 441, 442.

[0106] The pole arrangement 400 can further comprise an actuator in the form of a weight 470 movably supported in the pole arrangement 400. The weight 470 can be linearly movable in the pole arrangement 400. The weight 470 can be movably supported on guide poles 481, 482 attached to the frame 410 of the pole arrangement 400. The guide poles 481, 482 can extend essentially in the vertical direction Z. Thus, the weight 470 can be moved in the vertical direction Z along the guide poles 471, 472. The guide poles 481, 482 can extend through openings in the weight 470. Thus, the weight 470 can slide along the guide poles 471, 472 when moved in the vertical direction. The weight 470 can be movable between an upper position and a lower position.

[0107] The holding device 430 can be operably connected to the weight 470 via wires 461, 462 passing through rollers 451, 452, 453, 454. There can be two wires 461, 462 and four rollers 451, 452, 453, 454.

[0108] There can be two rollers 451, 452, 453, 454 connected with each guide rod 441, 442. The first rollers 451, 453 can be positioned in connection with the outer ends of each guide rod 441, 442. The second rollers 452, 454 can be positioned in connection with the longitudinally intermediate portions of each guide rod 441, 442, generally vertically above the weight 470. The first rollers 451, 453 located at the outer ends of each guide rod 441, 442 can be rotatably supported on the respective guide rod 441, 442 or on the frame 410 of the rod device 400. The second rollers 453, 454 located at the intermediate portions of the guide rods 441, 442 are rotatably supported on the guide rods 441, 442 or on the frame 410 of the rod device 400.

[0109] The first wire 461 can extend from the holding device 440 in the substantially horizontal direction X to the first roller 451, then over the first roller 451 and back in the substantially horizontal direction X to the second roller 452, then over the second roller 452 and finally in the substantially vertical direction to the weight 470.

[0110] The second wire 462 can extend from the holding device 440 in the substantially horizontal direction X to the first roller 453, then over the first roller 453 and back in the substantially horizontal direction X to the second roller 454, then over the second roller 454 and finally in the substantially vertical direction to the weight 470.

[0111] The triggering device 475 can be connected to the weight 470 in the lever assembly 400. When the guide rail element 25 to be installed is lifted to the installation position in the shaft 20, the triggering device 475 can hold the weight 470 locked to the frame 410 of the lever assembly 400, wherein the transport device 600 includes a hook device 300 and a lever assembly 400. The weight 470 can be locked to the frame 410 of the lever assembly 400 at its upper position. Therefore, when the triggering device 475 locks the weight 470 to the lever assembly 400, the guide rail element 25 to be installed will be positioned at a distance from the row of guide rail elements 25 already installed on the lever assembly 400. When the guide rail element 25 to be installed is lifted, the holding device 430 is in the transport position. When the lever assembly 400 reaches the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements 25, the triggering device 475 can unlock the weight 470 from the lever assembly 400. The triggering device 475 can be formed by, for example, a hinged triggering member that slides on the guide rail 25. When the upper end of the row of mounted guide rail elements 25 is reached, the hinged triggering member can rotate because there is no guide rail 25 to rest on.

[0112] Opening the trigger device 475 releases the weight 470, causing it to begin moving vertically downwards along guide rods 481 and 482 from an upper position to a lower position. The weight 470 moves linearly downwards due to gravity. As the weight 470 moves vertically downwards along guide rods 481 and 482, the holding device 430 moves horizontally to the left in the figure. The holding device 430 moves linearly from the transport position to the installation position, where the lower end of the guide rail element 25 to be installed is vertically positioned above the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements 25. Thereafter, the lever device 400 can move downwards so that the lower end of the guide rail element 25 to be installed connects to the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements 25.

[0113] The frame 410 of the lever assembly 400 forms a single unit. The holding device 430, the weight 470, the guiding devices 421, 422, and the triggering device 475 are all supported on the frame 410 of the lever assembly 400. The frame 410 of the lever assembly 400 can be rigid.

[0114] The opposite ends of the rail elements 25 can be attached to each other by means of a joining clamp 100, 200. The joining clamp 100, 200 can be attached to the respective end of the rail elements 25. The joining clamp 100, 200 facilitates automatic and quick connection of the opposite ends of the rail elements 25. The joining clamp 200, which is connected to the upper end of the row of already installed rail elements 25, can be provided with a male joining element 210. The male joining element 210 can be formed by a pin. The joining clamp 100, which is connected to the lower end of the rail element 100 to be installed, can be provided with a female joining element 110. The female joining element 110 can be formed by a hole. When the rail element 25 to be installed is connected to the row of already installed rail elements 25, the pin 210 protrudes into the hole 110. Another possibility is to use a connecting plate 50 to attach the opposite ends of the rail elements 25. The connecting plate 50 can be attached to the upper end of each rail element 25. The lower rail element 25 can be attached to the connecting plate 50, thereby to the uppermost rail element 25 in the row of already installed rail elements 25.

[0115] The pole arrangement 400 can be made small and light. Thus, in the loading position of the transport device 600, the pole arrangement 400 can be detached from the row of already installed rail elements 25. Thus, the pole arrangement 400 and the hook arrangement 300 can be guided from the shaft 20 to the landing, so that new rail elements 25 can be loaded onto the transport device 600 at the landing. The transport device 600 carrying the new rail elements 25 can then be guided back to the shaft 20. The pole arrangement 400 can be guided and connected to the row of already installed rail elements 25, after which the new rail elements 25 can be lifted to the installation position with the transport device 600 and the first hoist H1.

[0116] The figure shows an embodiment in which the holding arrangement 430 in the pole arrangement 400 moves with the weight 470. The weight 470 forms an actuator for moving the holding arrangement 430. The actuator 470 is activated by a trigger device 475. This is an advantageous embodiment, but the holding arrangement 430 can also be moved in other ways by other actuators. The holding arrangement 430 can be moved, for example, by one or more spiral springs and / or by one or more gas springs and / or by an electric actuator. The one or more spiral springs and / or the one or more gas springs and / or the electric actuator can be actuated by a trigger device in a similar way as the weight 470. If an electric actuator is to be used to move the holding arrangement 430, a battery can be provided in the pole arrangement 430.

[0117] The drawings show an embodiment where only the first hoist H1 with the transport device 600 is used. During the installation, the suspension points of the first hoist H1 must be changed. 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 be naturally suspended on the ceiling of the shaft 20. Thus, each first hoist H1 will be equipped with its own transport device 600. This means that several rows of rail elements 25 can be installed simultaneously into the shaft 20.

[0118] The shaft 20 in the drawings is only for one car 10, but the application can naturally be used in a shaft comprising several cars 10. Such an elevator shaft 10 can be divided into sub-shafts with steel bars for each car 10. Horizontal steel bars can be placed at predetermined intervals along the height of the shaft 20. Then, one part of the rail 25 will be attached to the steel bars in the shaft 20. Another part of the rail 25 will be attached to the solid wall 21 in the shaft 20.

[0119] The application can be used in low-rise or high-rise buildings. The benefits of the application 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, most preferably over 250 meters.

[0120] The use of the application is not limited to the elevators disclosed in the drawings. The application can be used in any type of elevator, such as elevators comprising a machine room or a machine room-less elevator, including elevators with a counterweight or without a counterweight. 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, motor, traction sheave and mechanical brake can be installed in the machine room or somewhere in the elevator shaft. In so-called backpack elevators, the car rails can be positioned on the opposite side walls of the shaft or on the rear wall of the shaft.

[0121] It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the application can be implemented in various ways without deviating from the inventive concept. The application 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 vertical shaft, the method comprising: A transport device (600) is moved between a loading position and an installation position in a shaft (20) using a first hoist (H1). The transport device (600) includes a hook device (300) connected to the first hoist (H1) and a rod device (400) connected to the hook device (300). The rod device (400) is movably supported on a guide rail and includes a retaining device (430) movably supported within the rod device (400). The retaining device (430) is capable of linear movement within the rod device (400) between the transport position and the installation position. The transport equipment (600) is moved downwards to the loading position in the shaft (20). A new guide rail element (25) is connected to the transport device (600) such that the upper end of the new guide rail element (25) is connected to the hook device (300), and the lower end of the new guide rail element (25) is connected to the holding device (430), which is in the transport position. The transport device (600) carrying the new guide rail element (25) is moved upward to the installation position in the shaft (20), and the retaining device (430) is moved to the installation position where the lower end of the new guide rail element (25) can be connected to the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements (25).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using an actuator (470) to move the retaining device (430) in the rod assembly (400) between a transport position and an installation position.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising using a weight (470) as an actuator, the weight (470) being movably supported in the rod device (400) and operably connected to the retaining device (430) such that when the weight (470) moves vertically between an upper position and a lower position, the retaining device (430) moves horizontally between a transport position and an installation position.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising using a triggering device (475) to lock the weight (470) to the lever device (400) during lifting of the transport device (600), and releasing the weight (470) when the lever device (400) reaches the installation position, such that the weight (470) moves downward from the upper position to the lower position, wherein, The retaining device (430) is moved from the transport position to the installation position.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising lowering the rod device (400) downward after the retaining device (430) has been moved to the mounting position so that the new guide rail element (25) can be connected to the row of the already installed guide rail.

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

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising connecting consecutive guide rail elements (25) end-to-end with each other via a connecting plate (50), the connecting plate being attached to the opposite ends of the guide rail elements (25) to be connected.

8. An apparatus for transporting elevator guide rails in a vertical shaft, the apparatus comprising: A transport device (600) capable of moving between a loading position and an installation position in a shaft (20) using a first hoist (H1), the transport device (600) including a hook device (300) connected to the first hoist (H1) and a rod device (400) connected to the hook device (300), the rod device (400) being movably supported on a guide rail, the rod device (400) including a retaining device (430) movably supported within the rod device (400), the retaining device (430) being capable of linearly moving between the transport position and the installation position within the rod device (400), wherein... The transport equipment (600) is arranged to move downwards to the loading position in the shaft (20). A new guide rail element (25) is arranged to connect to the transport device (600), such that the upper end of the new guide rail element (25) is connected to the hook device (300), and the lower end of the new guide rail element (25) is connected to the retaining device (430), which is in the transport position. The transport device (600) carrying the new guide rail element (25) is arranged to move upward to the installation position in the shaft (20), and the retaining device (430) is moved to the installation position in which the lower end of the new guide rail element (25) can be connected to the upper end of the row of already installed guide rail elements (25).

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The actuator (470) is arranged to move the retaining device (430) between a transport position and an installation position in the rod assembly (400).

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The actuator (470) is formed by a weight movably supported in the rod assembly (400), the weight (470) being operatively connected to the retaining device (430) such that when the weight (470) moves vertically between an upper position and a lower position, the retaining device (430) moves horizontally between a transport position and an installation position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, A triggering device (475) is arranged to lock the weight (470) to the lever device (400) during the lifting of the transport equipment (600), and when the lever device (400) reaches the installation position, the triggering device (475) releases the weight (470) so that the weight (470) moves from the upper position to the lower position, wherein the holding device (430) moves from the transport position to the installation position.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The rod device (400) is arranged to be lowered after the retaining device (430) has been moved to the installation position, so that the new guide rail element (25) can be connected to the row of the already installed guide rail.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein, The continuous guide rail elements (25) are connected end-to-end to each other via engagement clamps (100, 200) attached to the opposite ends of each guide rail element (25) to be connected.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein, The continuous guide rail elements (25) are connected end to end to each other via a connecting plate (50) attached to the opposite ends of the guide rail elements (25) to be connected.

15. A transport device for transporting elevator guide rail components in a vertical shaft, wherein, The transport equipment includes a hook device (300) and a rod device (400) connected to the hook device (300). The hook device is configured to be detachably connected to a first end of a guide rail element to be lifted. The rod device (400) is movably supported on a guide rail of a shaft. The rod device (400) includes a retaining device (430) configured to be detachably connected to a second end of the guide rail element to be lifted. The retaining device is movably supported in a horizontal direction along a guide rod of the rod device (400). The retaining device (430) is linearly movable between a transport position and an installation position.

16. The transport equipment according to claim 15, wherein, The actuator (470) is arranged to move the retaining device (430) between a transport position and an installation position in the rod assembly (400).

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