Elevator car

Abstract

A lift car (1) comprises a pivotably designed balustrade (4) which is mounted on a roof (2) of the lift car (1) and which can be pivoted between a folded-down position and an erected position. To secure the erected position, the balustrade (4) has a locking mechanism (7) by means of which the balustrade (4) can be locked via a latching connection during a pivoting movement to produce the erected position. The balustrade (4) comprises a two-part post (18) with a lower post part (22) and an upper post part (23) which is pivotably fastened to the lower post part and on which the locking mechanism (7) is arranged. A latching element (8) of the locking mechanism (7) is mounted vertically on the lower post part (22) so as to be displaceable to a limited degree. The locking mechanism (7) further has an actuating element (24) in the form of a foot pedal or handle for unlocking the locking position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an elevator cabin according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Elevator systems for transporting people and goods contain elevator cars that can move up and down vertically in an elevator shaft. The cars can be moved by means of a drive unit via suspension elements, such as cables or belts.

[0003] In certain situations, it may be necessary for a person to access the roof of the elevator car to perform work (e.g., maintenance, inspection). For this, it is essential that people can work safely on the elevator car roof. If, for example, the gap between the car and an adjacent shaft wall is too wide, balustrades must be installed on the car roof to prevent falls. Such balustrades on elevator car roofs have been known and commonly used for quite some time.

[0004] Furthermore, most countries have regulations that stipulate when a balustrade is required and how it should generally be designed. Such regulations are specified, for example, in the European standard EN81-21.

[0005] For example, regulations may require that a balustrade be installed on the roof of the elevator car, projecting sufficiently far upwards from the car roof to prevent a person from falling over the edge of the roof. Depending on the gap width, such a balustrade should project at least 70 cm or at least 110 cm above the roof, according to EN 81-21.

[0006] In elevator installations, it may be desirable to keep the elevator shaft as short as possible. The desire for low shaft headroom can conflict with the required minimum balustrade height. In machine-room-less elevators, where the drive unit is located in the shaft, the drive unit may overlap the elevator car when viewed from above, making conventional balustrades unsuitable in these cases. For these applications, pivoting balustrades have been proposed that can be rotated between a folded-down position and an upright position around a pivot axis. Such pivoting balustrades, also known in the industry as "folding balustrades," are known, for example, from EP 1 925 581 A1.

[0007] EP 1 925 581 A1 shows a pivoting balustrade in which the axis forming the pivot point for the pivoting movement is mounted with limited slidability in a vertical slot. To erect the balustrade, it must be pivoted and simultaneously lifted slightly. To secure the erected position, an upward-facing recess is provided on a roof-side mounting element, into which a pin attached to the balustrade can be inserted by lowering it. A disadvantage of this balustrade is that handling is relatively difficult, and raising and lowering the balustrade requires a certain degree of manual dexterity.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known design and, in particular, to create an elevator car with an improved, pivotable balustrade. When the balustrade is in a folded-down position, it should be easy to raise and reliably secured in the raised position.

[0009] This problem is solved by an elevator car with the features of claim 1. The elevator car comprises a pivotably designed balustrade mounted on the roof of the elevator car. The pivotably designed balustrade is configured such that it can be pivoted, at least partially, about a preferably fixed axis of rotation between a folded-down position, in which the balustrade can be oriented substantially horizontally at least in sections, and an upright position, in which the balustrade is oriented substantially vertically.

[0010] The balustrade's locking mechanism secures its position, allowing it to be locked in place via a snap-fit ​​connection during the pivoting motion to set up the balustrade. This ensures easy handling, making the balustrade simple to erect and secure. The locking mechanism is designed so that the balustrade is automatically fixed in its erected position thanks to the snap-fit ​​connection during the pivoting motion.

[0011] In a first embodiment, the balustrade can consist of a lower part, fixed in relation to the elevator car, and an upper part, movable about the axis of rotation. Such a two-part balustrade is particularly advantageous with regard to personal safety. Compared to balustrades where the axes of rotation are located in the area of ​​the floor of the car roof or the upper surface of the car, so that in the folded-down position, persons on the roof would not be protected against falls, the present balustrade provides a certain degree of protection even in the folded-down position. This is because the lower part of the balustrade, which still projects upwards, acts as a barrier and can prevent a falling person from falling into the shaft.

[0012] Particularly preferred is the movable part of the balustrade, when folded down, oriented essentially horizontally. A stop can be arranged on the stationary part of the balustrade, against which the movable part rests in the folded-down position. The stop can, for example, be an angle bracket attached to a post of the stationary part or a horizontal angled element.

[0013] The aforementioned balustrade, with its lower, fixed section and upper, movable section, can be positioned on at least one side of the roof above the elevator car. Depending on the shaft design, additional balustrades can be provided on the other sides of the car roof. For example, it would be possible to install a conventional fixed balustrade, with a lower height, on the opposite side of the roof, in addition to the aforementioned two-part balustrade. This second balustrade could, for instance, be the same height as the lower fixed section of the first balustrade.

[0014] The lower, fixed part of the balustrade can include a central, horizontal rail, and the upper, movable part can include a handrail. A baseboard can also be provided in the area of ​​the roof's upper surface.

[0015] The locking mechanism features a detent element that can be engaged with a means to secure the raised position. To unlock it from engagement or from a locked position, the detent element can be moved so that the means is released, allowing the balustrade to be returned to the folded-down position. The detent element can therefore be movable between the aforementioned locked position and an unlocked position. For example, the locking mechanism can be a detent element that is vertically displaceable under preload within a post section associated with the fixed part of the balustrade, or it can be mounted in another way.

[0016] The locking mechanism can include at least one spring to generate a preload for the detent element in the locked position. Thus, the detent element is preloaded into the locked position by the spring. Thanks to this preload, reliable locking can be ensured.

[0017] Preferably, the balustrade comprises a two-part post with a lower post section that is fixed in position relative to the elevator car and an upper post section that is pivotally attached to the lower post section. Typically, the balustrade has two such posts. The two posts form the lateral boundaries of the balustrade and serve to attach the handrail and other rails, such as the central post, which is located approximately halfway up the balustrade. The locking mechanism described above can be arranged on one of the two-part posts (or even on both posts). The locking element can be mounted on the lower post section with limited vertical movement. The engagement mechanism for the locking element can be located on the upper post section.

[0018] The lower post section can have at least one vertical slot-shaped guide for guiding the locking element. The locking element can, for example, have at least one tongue-shaped guide section that can be passed through or received in the guide slot.

[0019] The upper post section can comprise a preferably flat, planar profile wall, the leading edge of which, facing the locking element, forms the engagement means for the locking element in the locked position. Of course, other configurations of engagement means are also conceivable. For example, the engagement means can be formed by a locking hook or a locking cam.

[0020] The locking element includes a ramp along which the engagement device can travel during setup or pivoting to achieve the erected position of the balustrade. The locking element may have a locking lug located at the front end of the ramp, facing the engagement device.

[0021] The actuating element can have a horizontal hand or foot gripping surface, at least in the locked position. This allows for ergonomically favorable operation of the locking mechanism to release the locked position.

[0022] The actuating element can be horizontally oriented, at least in the locking position. A sufficiently large force can be applied to the horizontally oriented actuating element for manual or foot operation to trigger the unlocking process.

[0023] For simple manual or foot operation of the actuating element, it is advantageous if the actuating element has a lever section that is freestanding for a length of at least 10 cm and is essentially horizontal, at least in the locking position.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element can be designed as a lever that is pivotably mounted on a post section. The lever-designed actuating element interacts with the locking element in such a way that pivoting the actuating element moves the locking element into the unlocked position.

[0025] For simple and cost-effective manufacturing, it can be advantageous if the locking element and / or the actuating element are designed as bent parts made of sheet metal.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention could be directed to an elevator with an elevator shaft and an elevator car that can move up and down therein, as described above.

[0027] Further individual features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a highly simplified and schematic side view of an elevator with an elevator car according to the invention, on which a pivotably designed balustrade is arranged, Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the balustrade made of Fig. 1 in an erected position, Fig. 3 the balustrade in a folded-down position, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a roof of an elevator car with a pivoting balustrade in an erected position according to a further embodiment, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a post of the balustrade equipped with a locking mechanism to secure the erected position according to Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 a detailed perspective view of the locking mechanism (Detail A of Fig. 5 ), and Fig. 7 the locking mechanism of Fig. 6 , however from a rear perspective.

[0028] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an elevator system, designated as 1, for a multi-story building. The elevator 1 comprises an elevator shaft 11 in which an elevator car 1 can move vertically up and down to individual floors for transporting persons or goods. The movement of the elevator car 1 is effected by support elements designated 13, which support the car 1 in a 2:1 suspension. The support elements 13 can be one or more suspension ropes or belts.

[0029] The load-bearing elements 13, which are movable by means of a drive 14, support the cabin 1 and a counterweight 16. Pulleys 15 are designated as deflection pulleys for forming an underslung connection, via which the cabin 1 is connected to the load-bearing elements 13. The drive 14, which by way of example has a traction sheave rotatable by means of an electric motor, is attached to a shaft ceiling 17 in this case to form a machine-roomless elevator. Of course, the drive 14 could also be attached to a shaft wall 12. Alternatively to the Fig. 1 While the basic design of the elevator shown is based on the design shown, other elevator types and suspension configurations would also be conceivable. Except for a special balustrade 4, which is described and shown in detail below, alternatives to the one shown are possible. Fig. 1 The elevator variant shown could also include elevators 1 with different suspension configurations and other elevator types.

[0030] Cabin 1 includes a cabin roof 2, which closes off the cabin 1 at the top. Since there is too large a gap between the shaft wall 12 and a side wall 3 of cabin 1, it is necessary to provide the aforementioned balustrade 4 on the cabin roof 2 for fall protection. The balustrade 4 can be extended from a Fig. 1 The balustrade 4 is to be moved from its upright position to a folded-down position. The corresponding closing movement is indicated by an arrow s. For this purpose, the balustrade 4 is designed in two parts: a lower fixed part 5 and an upper movable part 6. The upper part 6 is shown in the folded-down position with dashed lines. Fig. 1 recognizable.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 Only one balustrade 4 is arranged or shown on the roof 2 of cabin 1. Depending on the cabin and the design of the shaft, cabin 1 could, of course, also have several balustrades, each assigned to one side of cabin 1. These additional balustrades could be designed in the same way as balustrade 4 or they could be of conventional rigid construction. For example, it would be conceivable to provide a lower balustrade on the opposite side, i.e., the side facing the shaft wall designated 12', due to the smaller gap between cabin 1 and shaft wall 12'. This lower balustrade could function without any moving parts.

[0032] The Figuren 2 and 3 Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a balustrade 4 according to the invention. The lower part 5 of the balustrade 4 is firmly connected to the cabin 3. In the Fig. 2 In the position shown, the upper part 6 of the balustrade is reliably vertically aligned and secured thanks to a locking mechanism 7. The locking mechanism 7 has a detent element 8 and an engagement element 9 that interacts with it, preventing the upper part 6 of the balustrade from pivoting inwards in the s-direction. Any pivoting of the upper part 6 outwards or to the opposite side is prevented by a vertical stop 33, which is attached to the lower post section 22.

[0033] The upper part can be pivoted about a pivot axis designated R, which runs horizontally and parallel to the roof edge 35 of the roof 2. The pivoting movement s from the upright position can only be accomplished after the locking mechanism 7 has been released. For this purpose, a detent element 8 of the locking mechanism 7 must be moved downwards in the direction of arrow e to release the locking mechanism 7.

[0034] The balustrade 4 has two vertical posts 18, at least in the erected position, to which horizontal rails, such as the handrail designated 19, are attached as required. The posts 18 are each designed in two parts, comprising a lower post section 22 and an upper post section 23, which is pivotally attached to the lower post section about the axis of rotation R.

[0035] The upper post section 23 has a stepped locking receptacle at its lower end. This locking receptacle forms an engagement means 9 for the engagement of the locking element 8. In this embodiment, the locking element 24 is a locking cam associated with the lower post section 22. The locking element 8 is pressed upwards into the corresponding locking receptacle of the engagement means 9 by means of a spring 34.

[0036] An actuating element 24 is arranged on the locking element 8, which can be grasped by maintenance personnel or another person on the cabin roof 2. By pulling the locking element 8 downwards in the e-direction using the actuating element 24, the locking mechanism 7 is released. After unlocking, the upper part 6 of the balustrade 4 can simply be pivoted downwards in the s-direction.

[0037] In Fig. 3 The balustrade is shown in the folded-down position. In the folded-down position, the balustrade 4 is horizontally aligned in sections. The upper post section 23, which runs horizontally in the folded-down position, is supported by a stop 32 located on the lower post section 22.

[0038] To create the erected position, the upper part 6 of the balustrade 4 must be pivoted upwards in the a-direction. When the balustrade is erected in the a-direction, the locking connection automatically secures the balustrade 4 in the erected position ( Fig. 2 ).

[0039] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a pivotable balustrade 4 mounted on a roof 2, supporting an elevator car 1, according to a second embodiment. The balustrade 4 has two posts 18, 18'. A central rail 20 is attached to the lower post sections and is positioned approximately halfway up the balustrade. The handrail 19, which is associated with the upper post sections 23, 23' that pivot about the axis of rotation R, is interrupted in an upper section. The profile sections for the upper handrail sections 36 and 37 are connected via vertical profile sections to a continuous horizontal profile, which forms a lower handrail section 38 in the area of ​​the interruption.

[0040] As from Fig. 4 As further shown, post 18 has an extension. The extension is formed by a profile element 39, which connects to the upper post section 23. A buffer 40, for example made of rubber or another resilient or damping material, is arranged at the free end of the extension 39. The extension 39 with the buffer 40 limits any potential upward movement of the cabin and, in the raised position of the balustrade 4, defines a safety zone for persons on the cabin roof.

[0041] The locking mechanism 7 for securing the erected position of the balustrade 4 is in Fig. 4 A horizontal actuating element 24 is discernible, with which the locking element 8 can be moved vertically downwards to unlock it. Further design details for the configuration of the locking mechanism 7 of the second embodiment are described in the Fig. 5 bis 7 removable.

[0042] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows the post 18 equipped with the locking mechanism 7. The actuating element 24 for actuating the locking mechanism 7 is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis R2 on the lower post section 22. The lever-like actuating element 24 is positioned low enough to be operated manually or, if necessary, by maintenance personnel using their foot. The length L by which the lever-like actuating element 24 projects is ideally at least 10 cm. The distance H2 below which the actuating element 24 is positioned with respect to the pivot axis R for pivoting the balustrade is therefore preferably at least 10 cm.

[0043] Especially when foot operation is planned, the distance (H1) of the actuating element 24 to the attic or the top of the cabin should be kept small. The actuating element 24 then forms an advantageous foot pedal. In this case, the height H1 should be 30 cm or less.

[0044] The stop 32 for limiting the downward pivoting movement for the horizontal folded-down position is shown in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 5 created by an angled section 24. This angled section 24 is integrally connected to the lower post part 22, which is made from a sheet of metal.

[0045] From the enlarged detail view according to Fig. 6 It can be seen that for the sliding mounting of the locking element 8 in the lower post section 22, two tongue-like guide sections 26 are provided, which are received in vertical slots 25. The two guide slots 25 enable precise guidance of the locking element 8. The actuating element 24 is in direct contact with the lower guide sections 26 of the locking element 8. If the actuating element 24 is pivoted downwards in the e' direction, a translational movement of the locking element 8 downwards results.

[0046] This movement of the locking element 8 is indicated by the arrow e.

[0047] Spring 34 pre-tensions the locking element 8 into the raised position. Thanks to spring 34, a restoring force acting in the direction of arrow f is generated, resulting in automatic locking when the balustrade is raised. The return of the actuating element 24 in the P direction also occurs under the influence of the spring.

[0048] Out of Fig. 7 It is clearly visible how the upper post section 23 is fixed in position when the locking element 8 is in the locked position. The upper post section 23 is formed from an L-shaped angle profile, wherein the profile wall of the angle profile, designated 27, is sandwiched between the locking element 8 and a wall of the lower post section 22, which forms a stop 33, in the area of ​​the lower profile edge. A recess 41 is provided in the locking element for this sandwich-like reception of the profile wall 27, which forms an engagement element. This recess is adapted to the profile thickness of the profile wall 27. The wall of the at least partially L-shaped profile facing the locking element 8, which forms the lower post section 22, constitutes the vertical stop 33.

[0049] Out of Fig. 7It can then be seen that the spring 34, which in this example is formed by a helical compression spring, is arranged diagonally in the locking element. In this way, the spring 34 reliably holds the locking element 8 in the lower post part 22.

Claims

1. Elevator cab (1) comprising a pivotable balustrade (4) that is attached to a roof (2) of the elevator cab (1) and can be pivoted, at least in portions, between a folded-down position and an erected position, characterized in that the balustrade (4) comprises a locking mechanism (7) for securing the erected position, by means of which locking mechanism the balustrade (4) can be locked by a latching connection in the event of a pivot movement for establishing the erected position, the locking mechanism (7) comprises a latching element (8) that can be brought into engagement with an engagement means (9) in order to secure the erected position, wherein the latching element (8) comprises a sloped shoulder (29), along which the engagement means (9, 28) can travel during the pivot movement for establishing the erected position of the balustrade.

2. Elevator cab (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the balustrade (4) consists of a lower stationary part (5) and an upper part (6) that is movable about an axis of rotation (R).

3. Elevator cab (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable part (6) of the balustrade (4) is oriented substantially horizontally in the folded-down position.

4. Elevator cab according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking mechanism (7) comprises at least one spring (34) for generating a preload for the latching element (8) in the locking position.

5. Elevator cab according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the balustrade (4) comprises a two-part post (18) comprising a lower post part (22) and an upper post part (23) that is pivotably fastened to the lower post part, the locking mechanism (7) being arranged on the post (18), the latching element (8) being mounted vertically on the lower post part (22) so as to be displaceable to a limited extend, and the engagement means (9) being assigned to the upper post part (23).

6. Elevator cab according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one vertical guide (25) for guiding the latching element (8) is provided in the lower post part (22).

7. Elevator cab according to either claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the upper post part (23) comprises a profile wall (27), the front edge (28) of which, facing the latching element (8), forms the engagement means (9) for the engagement with the latching element (8) in the locking position.

8. Elevator cab according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism (7) comprises an actuation element (24), in the form of a foot pedal or a handle, for unlocking the locking position.

9. Elevator (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, for the pivot movement of the balustrade (4), the actuation element (24) is arranged at a spacing (H1) of at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, and particularly preferably at least 30 cm, below an axis of rotation (R).

10. Elevator cab according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the actuation element (24) is formed as a lever that is mounted on a post part (22) so as to be pivotable to a limited extent.

11. Elevator cab according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the actuation element (24) comprises a horizontal hand contact surface or foot contact surface (30), at least in the locking position.

12. Elevator cab according to any of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the actuation element (24) comprises a lever portion which is horizontal, at least in the locking position, and of which a length (L) of at least 10 cm is self-supporting.

13. Elevator cab according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the latching element (8) and / or the actuation element (24) are formed as bent parts made of sheet metal.

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