Apron device, elevator car and method for protecting from falling into elevator shaft

Abstract

An apron device, an elevator car and method of protecting falling into an elevator shaft. The apron device (13) has a telescopic ladder type configuration provided with relative to each other slidable ladder components (15). The apron device has a normal retracted mode (NM), and it can be launched to an extended mode (EM) for the duration of a rescue operation.

Description

[0001] Apron device , elevator car and method for protecting from falling into elevator shaft

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to an apron device of an elevator .

[0004] The invention further relates to an elevator car provided with an apron device , and to a method for preventing falling into an elevator shaft .

[0005] The field of the invention is defined more speci fically in the preambles of the independent claims .

[0006] An elevator comprises an elevator car which is moved vertically in an elevator shaft and is stopped at landings . The elevator car comprises a door opening which needs to be provided with an apron device for preventing passengers fall ing into the shaft in special situations when the elevator car is not stopped properly at the desired landing and when a gap is formed between a bottom of the elevator car and the landing . Safety regulations require the use o f apron devices . Therefore , several di f ferent apron devices are designed for the purpose . However, the known solutions have shown to contain some disadvantages .

[0007] Brief description of the invention

[0008] An obj ect of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apron device , and an elevator car provided with such apron device . A further obj ect is to provide a new and improved method for preventing falling into an elevator shaft .

[0009] The apron device according to the invention is characteri zed by the characteri zing features of the first independent apparatus claim .

[0010] The elevator car according to the invention is characteri zed by the characteri z ing features o f the second independent apparatus claim . The method according to the invention is characteri zed by the characteri zing features of the independent method claim .

[0011] An idea of the disclosed solution is that the apron device of an elevator has an extendable and collapsible conf iguration comprising several protective elements movable vertical ly in relation to each other . The apron device has a normal mode with retracted vertical length implemented in a normal elevator operation, and a selectively launchable extended mode implemented in a rescue operation . Further, the apron device has collaps ible ladder configuration wherein each of the mentioned protective elements are ladder components or ladder sections which comprise at least two vertical extension tubes at a hori zontal distance from each other and a rung connecting lower end portions of the extension tubes . The extension tubes of successive protective elements , or ladder sections , are arranged telescopically partly inside each other and are vertically slidable relative to each other .

[0012] In other words , the extension tubes are tubular elements comprising outer dimens ions and inner dimens ions which are dimensioned so that each lower extension tube can slide inside an upper extension tube . When the apron device is retracted the telescopic extension tubes have nested configuration .

[0013] It can be considered that the apron device comprises an upside down turned telescopic ladder structure tapering in downward direction .

[0014] An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the structure of the apron device is provided with proper rigidity so that safety regulations are met . A further advantage i s that the disclosed apron device can provide the elevator car with a relatively long skirt at a side of a door opening, and this suf ficiently downwards extending skirt can prevent inj uries ef fectively . Further , the disclosed solution can be implemented in operationally and structurally di f ferent elevators .

[0015] The ladder type apron structure may also be relatively simple , inexpensive and durable .

[0016] The structure of the disclosed apron device can be made light in weight , whereby it is simple to launch to the extended mode and to return into the normal retracted mode .

[0017] Operation principle of the disclosed apron is of type normally inactive since the apron device is in its nonextended pos ition during the normal operation and moves to its active state only when the apron device is launched .

[0018] According to an embodiment , the apron device is mounted below a bottom part of an elevator car . The apron device may be mounted for example below a door sill of an elevator car door .

[0019] According to an embodiment , shapes of the extension tubes may be round, rectangular, or oval , for example .

[0020] According to an embodiment , number of the vertically successive protective elements , or ladder sections , is at least three . Typically the number of the vertically successive protective elements is 3 - 5 .

[0021] According to an embodiment , the collapsible ladder structure provides the apron device with a fence kind of structure which is not intended for climbing . The structure simply provides a barrier against lateral forces and thereby prevent falling into the elevator shaft .

[0022] According to an embodiment , the rungs are dimensioned against hori zontally directed forces for providing lateral protection but need not to be dimensioned against hori zontal forces since the rungs are not implemented for climbing up or down the ladder structure . In other words , the ladder structure is not for climbing .

[0023] According to an embodiment , outer dimensions of the extension tubes are greater at an upper part of the apron device i . e . , closest to the elevator car and are smaller at a lower end of the apron device . This way the protective elements may be more rigid at the upper part of the apron device which is beneficial since greater forces are directed therein because of height of the apron device and a lever arm thereby formed .

[0024] Further, length of the rung is the greater the lower the rung is located in the ladder structure of the apron device .

[0025] According to an embodiment , the extension tubes and the rungs therebetween are made of metallic material . In other words , the protective elements are provided with a metallic body which provides needed rigidity and bending sti f fness for the apron device . The collapsible structure formed of the extension tubes and the rungs between them is a sel f-supporting structure which can as such tolerate required lateral forces and prevent entering into the elevator shaft .

[0026] According to an embodiment , the extension tubes and the rungs therebetween are made of aluminum alloy or steel .

[0027] According to an alternative embodiment , the extension tubes and the rungs therebetween are made of composite material . For example , fiber reinforced composite materials may be implemented since they may have good bending resistance properties .

[0028] According to an embodiment , the apron device comprises a locking device for keeping the apron device in the normal mode with the retracted vertical length . The apron device is configured to extend into the extended mode under gravitational force and in response to opening of the locking device . In other words , the launch of the apron device in a rescue operation is executable by opening the locking device . The apron device is easy to launch in emergency rescue situations .

[0029] According to an embodiment , the locking device comprises a triangle key locking element turnable by means of a triangle key from a landing of the elevator for launching the apron device to the extended mode . In other words , the locking device is provided with triangle key means which are located at a front side of the elevator car and are thereby available from the landing . The triangle key lock can be operated from the landing by means of a matching triangle key .

[0030] According to an embodiment , the locking device comprises a locking lever for keeping the protective elements of the apron device locked in their retracted mode and for releasing the protective elements to move downwards when the locking device is unlocked .

[0031] According to an embodiment , returning of the apron device into the normal retracted position is easy, due to the light weight of the structure . Thus , the apron device can be li fted up manually with hands and can be locked into the closed position .

[0032] Alternatively, the returning of the apron device may be automatic and then the elevator car can be driven to the lowermost landing wherein the apron device meets a bottom of a pit of an elevator shaft , or any other fixed structure , and thereby retracts and automatically locks itsel f in the retracted normal position .

[0033] According to an embodiment , the locking device is provided with an additional opening mechanism or arrangement accessible through a floor hatch of a floor of the elevator car . Then service personnel can open the floor hatch and launch the apron device to the extended mode from the inside of the elevator car . This way the service personnel can rescue themselves from the elevator car to the landing and also then falling into the elevator shaft is prevented by means of the apron device .

[0034] According to an embodiment , the apron device comprises a safety device configured to monitor status of the apron device . The safety device prevents moving of the elevator car in response to detection that the apron device is launched to the extended mode . In other words , when the apron device is extended for the duration of the rescue operation, the safety device opens an electrical connection in a control system of the elevator or transmits a control signal for a control unit of the control system and thereby prevents normal operation of the elevator car .

[0035] According to an embodiment , the safety device comprises at least one safety switch arranged in connection with the apron device . The safety switch may be arranged to open an electrical safety circuit when the apron device i s launched .

[0036] According to an embodiment , the telescopic collapsible ladder configuration of the apron device comprises at least one intermediate extension tube between the mentioned at least extension tubes . In other words , structural rigidity of the collapsible ladder structure can be further improved by means of the one or more intermediate extension tubes arranged between two outermost extension tubes . The intermediate extension tubes are also connected to the rungs . The intermediate extension tubes can be implemented especially in elevators wherein width of the elevator car doors and an opening to the elevator shaft are great . Then the additional support and rigidity is beneficial .

[0037] According to an embodiment , there may be one intermediate extension tube at a middle position between the two outermost extension tubes .

[0038] According to an embodiment , the apron device is provided with an additional vertical apron plate arranged parallel with the collapsible ladder configuration and being immovably mounted . The apron plate comprises a chamfer at a lower edge portion of the apron plate . In other words , there is a separate parallel plate structure for providing a kind of a fixed short apron for providing additional safety . The chamfer o f the apron plate comprises an angled part that is angled away from the landing i . e . , into the elevator shaft . Height of the apron plate is typical ly 100 - 200 mm . The apron plate may also be called as a chamfer because of its angled part at the lower edge portion . In the event of unexpected movement of the elevator car during a rescue operation, the apron plate , or chamfer, may prevent a foot from becoming trapped between the elevator car and the landing .

[0039] According to an embodiment , the apron device is provided with at least one fill ing material covering at least partly openings of the ladder structure in the extended mode . The filling material further improves the safety of the apron device . The fi lling material serves as a blocking surface and prevents entering to the elevator shaft through the open spaces between the rungs . The fill ing material can also prevent falling any smaller obj ects , such as tools , into the elevator shaft . The filling also prevents climbing the ladder structure whereby the rungs and the overall structure of the ladder construction need not to be dimensioned to tolerate forces of the climbing .

[0040] According to an embodiment , the fill ing material is made of foldable material , such as canvas , film, or net .

[0041] According to an embodiment , the apron device is provided with several separate fill ing material elements arranged between successive rungs .

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment , the apron device is without any filling material between the rungs . However, in this case maximum distance between the neighboring rungs is limited so that it is impossible to enter through it inside the elevator shaft . The maximum distance may be limited to 200 mm, for example . When there is no fill ing material , the structure can be simple and inexpensive . And further, there i s no need to inspect and service any filling material and its mountings , whereby maintenance costs can be reduced .

[0043] The apron device may be sometimes called also as a platform guard, toe guard, or car skirt .

[0044] According to an embodiment , the apron device extends vertically at least 750 mm when being fully extended . According to an embodiment , the elevator car is intended especially for a low pit elevator wherein there is only a low space below the elevator car when it is driven to the lowermost landing .

[0045] According to an embodiment , depth of the mentioned pit is 400 mm or less .

[0046] According to an embodiment , the solution relates also to an elevator car of a traction elevator . The elevator car is suspended from a suspension rope , is supported to walls of an elevator shaft and is movable vertically between several landings . The elevator car comprises : at least one door opening; a bottom; at least one apron device which is located at the at least one door opening and is configured to prevent falling into the elevator shaft when there i s a gap between the bottom and the landing . The apron device is in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed in this document .

[0047] According to an embodiment , the solution relates also to a method of protecting from falling into an elevator shaft . The method comprises : providing an elevator car with an apron device below an elevator car wherein the apron device has an extendable configuration comprising several protective elements movable vertically in relation to each other ; holding the apron device during a normal elevator operation in a normal mode with retracted vertical length ; and launching the apron device in a rescue operation to an extended mode having full vertical length . The method further comprises : using collaps ible ladder configuration in the apron device whereby each of the mentioned protective elements comprise vertical extension tubes and rungs between the extension tubes ; and allowing the vertically successive and telescopically arranged extens ion tubes to slide relative to each other when moving the apron device between the normal mode and the extended mode . According to an embodiment , the method further comprises li fting the apron device from the extended mode to the normal mode manually from a landing of the elevator .

[0048] According to an embodiment , the method further comprises launching the apron device from a normal mode to the extended mode manually from a landing of the elevator .

[0049] According to an embodiment , the method further comprises keeping the apron device in the normal mode by means of a locking device accessible form a landing of the elevator and opening the locking device during a rescue operation manually from the landing by using a triangle key .

[0050] According to an embodiment , the method comprises launching the apron device from the side of the landing . Then the launch can be done when being on the landing, or it can be done from inside the elevator car .

[0051] In case a service person i s trapped inside the elevator car, then the apron device can be launched therefrom by opening the locking device facing towards the landing . When the service person has opened the elevator car doors and landing doors and thereafter launched the apron device to its extended mode , then the service person can come out of the elevator car to the landing . Thus , the solution provides also a sel f-rescue feature .

[0052] The triangle key opening means on the side facing towards the landing can be easi ly reached from the inside of the elevator car and then there is no need to provide the elevator car with floor hatches for providing access to the locking device . This simpli fies the structure .

[0053] According to an embodiment , the method further comprises preventing driving of the elevator car by means of a safety device when the apron device is in the extended mode .

[0054] The above disclosed embodiments may be combined in order to form suitable solutions having those of the above features that are needed . Additional solution

[0055] An additional middle folding apron solution is disclosed which is not in accordance with claims of this document .

[0056] The apron device has a sliced configuration comprising several hori zontal slats connected to each other by means of j oints allowing relative turning movement between the s lats . There are at least four slats . The apron device has a normal retracted mode wherein an uppermost slat and a lowermost slat are vertically one on the other and form a short apron length . Two other slats between the uppermost and the lowermost s lat are then folded into hori zontal positions below an elevator car . A locking device holds the two intermediate slats below the elevator car until the locking device is opened . When the apron device is launched to the extended rescue mode , then all the four slats are moved to vertical positions and length of the apron device is increased respectively . There may be vertically orientated support bars for providing lateral support for the slats when in the extended mode . The support bars may have extendable telescopic structure . Further, when the apron device is in the extended mode , at least the intermediate slats can be hold together by means of strong magnetic elements so that the slats do not move in relation to the j oints between the slats . This way the structure may have increased lateral rigidity and can ef fectively prevent falling persons into the elevator shaft . The lowermost slat may be provided with a chamfer at its lower part . An angled part at the chamfer is angled away from the landing . The apron device can be pushed manually back to the retracted mode and can be locked therein by means of the locking device . Further, the apron device may comprises guide surfaces for guiding the intermediate slats from their vertical positions to transverse positions under a bottom of the elevator car . The uppermost slat may be a rigid one piece plate-like element having vertical orientation and movement path . Brief description of the figures

[0057] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings , in which

[0058] Figure 1 is a schematic and highly simpli f ied side view of a traction elevator,

[0059] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an apron device provided with a col lapsible ladder structure and seen in a fully extended mode ,

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic side view o f the apron device of Figure 2 when being partly upli fted and Figure 4 shows the apron device in a normal mode when being fully retracted,

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a lower part of an elevator car and launching means of an apron device accessible on a front side of the elevator car,

[0062] Figure 6 is a schematic side view of an apron device comprising five telescopically slidable ladder components ,

[0063] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic side views of some possible profiles of extension tubes of a telescopic ladder system of an apron device ,

[0064] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a detail showing a possible connection between two successive extension tubes of a ladder type apron device ,

[0065] Figure 10 is a schematic s ide view of an apron device seen in a direction of rungs of a collapsible ladder structure ,

[0066] Figure 11 is a schematic s ide view of an apron device provided with fillings in openings of a ladder type apron device , and

[0067] Figure 12 is a schematic side view of an apron device seen in a direction of rungs and showing a chamfer plate arranged parallel with the apron device .

[0068] For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simpli fied manner . In the figures , like reference numerals identi fy like elements . Detailed description of some embodiments

[0069] Figure 1 discloses a traction elevator 1 mounted to an elevator shaft 2 of a building . The elevator 1 comprises an elevator car 3 for receiving load to be transported . The car 3 and a counterweight assembly 4 are suspended from a suspension rope 5 passing via a hoisting machinery 6 . The hoisting machinery 6 comprises a traction sheave 7 driven by means of an electric motor M . Between the suspension rope 5 and the traction sheave 7 occurs friction which is utili zed for transmitting li fting power to the elevator system . The hoisting machinery 6 may comprise one or more additional pulleys 8 for guiding and controlling the suspension rope 5 . The hoisting machinery 6 may be located at an upper machine room 9 , or alternatively the system may be a so called machine room les s elevator . A compensation chain or rope 10 may be connected between the counterweight assembly 4 and a bottom of the elevator car 3 .

[0070] The elevator car 3 can be driven to desired landings L or f loors under control of one or more control units CU . Below a first or lowermost landing there may be a pit 11 of an elevator shaft 2 . Further, the elevator 1 may be of a low-pit type or a no-pit type .

[0071] The elevator car 3 is provided with an apron device 13 below its bottom . The apron device 13 is located at an entrance side of the elevator car 3 where is a door opening 12 . The apron device 13 may be mounted below a door sill 14 . When the pit 11 is low, the apron device 13 needs to be collapsible so that it has shortened length during a normal operation and extended length only usable during rescue operations . When in the shortened length, the apron device 13 does not hit a bottom of the pit 11 when the elevator car is driven to a lowest landing LI .

[0072] Figures 2 - 4 disclose an apron device 13 which has an extendable configuration comprising several protective elements 15 movable vertically in relation to each other . In Figure 4 the apron device 13 is in a normal mode NM with retracted vertical length implemented in a normal elevator operation, and in Figure 2 the apron device 13 is launched to its extended mode EM implemented in a rescue operation . The apron device 13 has collaps ible ladder configuration 16 wherein each of the mentioned protective elements 15 comprise at least two vertical extension tubes 16 at a horizontal distance from each other and a rung 17 connecting lower end portions of the extension tubes 16 . The extension tubes 16 of vertically successive protective elements 15 are arranged telescopically partly inside each other and can slide vertically relative to each other . In Figure 2 locking of the apron device 13 is released and gravity G has pulled the ladder structure into its extended mode EM . Figure 3 shows that the ladder structure can be pushed back to the normal mode NM by directing returning force RF to its lowermost end .

[0073] The protective elements 15 can also be called as ladder components , or telescopic ladder sections .

[0074] In Figure 3 there is indicated with a broken line that one or more intermediate extension tubes 16a may be provided between the extension tubes 16 .

[0075] Figure 5 discloses an apron device 13 mounted to a bottom part 18 of an elevator car 3 . The elevator car 3 has a door opening 19 and a landing door opening 20 is also indicated by means of vertical lines . The apron device 13 may cover in a width direction at least width of the door opening 19 but is typically wider covering also the landing door opening 20 , or in some cases total width of the elevator car 3 .

[0076] The elevator car 3 comprises a locking device 21 provided with a triangle key locking element 22 turnable by means of a triangle key from a landing of the elevator for launching the apron device 13 to the extended mode EM . The triangle key locking element 22 is visible on a front side of the elevator car 3 and may be located in connection with the bottom part 18 of the elevator car 3 , for example . The apron device 13 may also comprise a safety device SD monitoring status of the apron device 13 . The safety device SD can communicate with a control unit CU of the elevator and can prevent driving of the elevator car 3 when the safety device SD detects that the apron device 13 is launched to the extended mode .

[0077] Figure 6 discloses a ladder type apron device 13 in its retracted mode . Number of protective elements 15 may be selected in accordance with height of the protective elements 15 and desired heigh of the apron device in a ful l length position . In this case there is one fixed protective element 15a mounted to the elevator car 3 and five vertically slidable protective elements 15b below the fixed protective element 15a .

[0078] Figures 7 and 8 disclose some pos sible pro files of extension tubes 16 of a ladder type apron device . The extension tubes 16 have , for example , rectangular or round tubular cross-sections and they are dimensioned so that a telescopic sliding configuration is provided .

[0079] Figure 9 di scloses a connection between two vertically successive extension tubes 16 . There may be stopping elements 23 for preventing the extension tubes 16 to be removed from each other when being fully extended . The stopping elements 23 may comprise stopping surfaces , stopping claws , or separate stopping screws , for example .

[0080] Figure 10 discloses that a locking device 21 may comprise a locking lever 24 configured to hold an apron device 13 when being retracted in a normal mode . A triangle key locking element 22 may be located on a front side surface 3a of an elevator car 3 and can operated by means of a triangle key 25 . The triangle key locking element 22 may be at a distance from the actual locking device 21 whereby the movement between them can be transmitted by means of locking mechanisms . The apron device 13 is shown in an extended mode EM and it can be noted that there may be fill ing material 26 arranged to cover openings in the protective elements 15 of a ladder type structure of the apron device 13 . The filling material 26 is foldable , or it is arranged to otherwise allow the ladder construction to be moved into its shortest position .

[0081] In connection with the apron device 13 may also be a vertical apron plate 27 which is parallel with the ladder type apron system . The apron plate 27 may mounted immovably to the elevator car 3 and it is located in front of the ladder type apron . The apron plate 27 comprises a chamfer 28 at its lower edge portion . At the chamfer 28 there is an angled part 29 facing towards the ladder type apron system .

[0082] Figure 11 discloses a ladder type apron device 13 provided with filling material 26 . The fil ling material 26 may comprise filling elements 30 mounted to openings limited by extension tubes 16 and rungs 17 . The filling elements 30 may be mounted to the rungs 17 .

[0083] Figure 12 discloses an alternative solution for providing a ladder type apron device 13 with fill ing material 26 . In the disclosed solution the fil ling material 26 is arranged on a reel 31 and can be extended therefrom when the apron device is launched to an extended mode EM shown . The apron device 13 can be returned to its normal mode by li fting it manually upwards and then the filling material 26 is wound back to the reel 31 . Further, there may, or may not , be an apron plate 27 .

[0084] It should be noted that the type and operating principle of the elevator 1 may be di f ferent from the one shown in Figure 1 only as an example .

[0085] Implementation of the disclosed solution is not limited to the exemplary elevator disclosed in the Figures . The arrangement and method can be used when providing any type of elevator with an apron device e . g . , an elevator comprising a machine room or lacking a machine room, an elevator comprising a counterweight or lacking a counterweight . Thus , the disclosed solution can be implemented in a versatile manner and especially in buildings with low pit .

[0086] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention . In its details , the invention may vary within the scope of the claims .

Claims

Claims1. An apron device (13) of an elevator (1) for preventing falling into an elevator shaft (2) ; wherein the apron device (13) has an extendable configuration comprising several protective elements (15) movable vertically in relation to each other; and the apron device (13) has a normal mode (NM) with retracted vertical length implemented in a normal elevator operation, and a selectively launchable extended mode (EM) implemented in a rescue operation; char ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) has collapsible ladder configuration wherein each of the mentioned protective elements (15) comprise at least two vertical extension tubes (16) at a horizontal distance from each other and a rung (17) connecting lower end portions of the extension tubes (16) ; and wherein the extension tubes (16) of successive protective elements (15) are arranged telescopically partly inside each other and are vertically slidable relative to each other.

2. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, cha r ac t e r i z e d in that the extension tubes (16) and the rungs (17) therebetween are made of metallic material.

3. The apron device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, char ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) comprises a locking device (21) for keeping the apron device (13) in the normal mode (NM) with the retracted vertical length; and the apron device (13) is configured to extend into the extended mode (EM) under gravitational force and in response to opening of the locking device (21) .

4. The apron device as claimed in claim 3, cha r ac t e r i z e d in that the locking device (21) comprises a triangle key locking element (22) turnable by means of a triangle key (25) from a landing (L) of the elevator (1) for launching the apron device (13) to the extended mode (EM) .

5. The apron device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 4, char ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) comprises a safety device (SD) configured to monitor status of the apron device (13) and the safety device (SD) is configured to prevent drive of the elevator car (3) in response to detection that the apron device (13) is launched to the extended mode (EM) .

6. The apron device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 5, char ac t e r i z e d in that the telescopic collapsible ladder configuration of the apron device (13) comprises at least one intermediate extension tube (16a) between the mentioned at least two extension tubes (16) .

7. The apron device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, char ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) is provided with an additional vertical apron plate (27) arranged parallel with the collapsible ladder configuration and being immovably mounted; and the apron plate (27) comprises a chamfer (28) at a lower edge portion of the apron plate (27) .

8. The apron device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 7, char ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) is provided with at least one filling material (26) covering at least partly openings of the ladder structure in the extended mode (EM) .

9. The apron device as claimed in claim 8, cha r ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) is provided with several separate filling material elements (30) arranged between successive rungs (17) .

10. An elevator car (3) of a traction elevator (1) , wherein the elevator car (3) is suspended from a suspension rope (5) , is supported to walls of an elevator shaft (2) and is movable vertically between several landings (L) ; and the elevator car (3) comprises: at least one door opening (19) ; a bottom (18) ; at least one apron device (13) which is located at the at least one door opening (19) and is configured to prevent falling into the elevator shaft (2) when there is a gap between the bottom (18) and the landing (L) ; char ac t e r i z e d in that the apron device (13) is in accordance with any one of the previous claims 1 - 9.

11. A method of protecting from falling into an elevator shaft (2) ; the method comprising: providing an elevator car (3) with an apron device (13) below an elevator car (3) wherein the apron device (13) has an extendable configuration comprising several protective elements (15) movable vertically in relation to each other; holding the apron device (13) during a normal elevator operation in a normal mode (NM) with retracted vertical length; and launching the apron device (13) in a rescue operation to an extended mode (EM) having full vertical length;char ac t e r i z e d by using collapsible ladder configuration in the apron device (13) whereby each of the mentioned protective elements (15) comprise vertical extension tubes (16) and rungs (17) between the extension tubes (16) ; and allowing the vertically successive and telescopically arranged extension tubes (16) to slide relative to each other when moving the apron device (13) between the normal mode (NM) and the extended mode (EM) .

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, char ac t e r i z e d by lifting the apron device (13) from the extended mode (EM) to the normal mode (NM) manually from a landing (L) of the elevator ( 1 ) .

13. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, char ac t e r i z e d by launching the apron device (13) from a normal mode (NM) to the extended mode (EM) manually from a landing (L) side of the elevator (1) .

14. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 11 - 13, char ac t e r i z e d by keeping the apron device (13) in the normal mode (NM) by means of a locking device (21) accessible from a landing (L) of the elevator (1) and opening the locking device (21) during a rescue operation manually from the landing (L) side by using a triangle key (22) .

15. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 11 - 14, char ac t e r i z e d by preventing driving of the elevator car (3) by means of a safety device (SD) when the apron device (13) is in the extended mode (EM) .

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