Elevator car

Abstract

An elevator car (1) comprising: a platform (2) and a plurality of panels (4, 4a) as walls of the car (1), the edges (5, 6, 7) of which being folded; said panels being arranged flanked two-by-two, the flanked side edges (6, 7) of two adjacent panels being fixed to each other by one or more first bushings (8); at least one bracket (9) extending along the side (3) for supporting the panels at a distance from the platform (2); the lower edge (5, 5a) of panels being mounted on the bracket (9) by means of mechanical anchoring elements (10); a main panel (4a) having its lower edge (5a) shaped to laterally protrude from the side edges (6, 7) defining two flaps (5c) for the mechanical anchoring elements (10); the lower edge (5a) of the main panel being fixed to the bracket (9) also by means of second bushings (18).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION ELEVATOR CAR

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to an elevator car.

[0004] Background art

[0005] As is known, the walls of an elevator car consist of a plurality of panels side by side and mounted together and on the base platform. In this context, several mounting solutions are known. For example, a first solution includes the lateral fixing between panel and panel together with a direct fixing of the lower side of the panel to the platform by means of screws. A second solution includes mounting a bracket extending outwards on the platform. A lower side of the panel is mounted on such a bracket.

[0006] Both solutions have a main drawback: mounting the panel in the lower part requires the presence of more than one installation technician, at least one of whom acts from outside the car. This makes the mounting operations difficult due to accessibility limits, as well as with several risks for the installation technician. All these operations lead to a long installation time.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] In this context, the Applicant has recently developed a solution addressing these issues. The solution is described in document WO2024 / 074899.

[0009] Although this solution greatly facilitates the operations described above by allowing the operator to act from inside the car for some of them, it is not appropriate in case of narrow shafts, making the installation challenging. Additionally, the complexities of certain shaft locations can render installation impractical. It is likely that traditional panel installation practices will present similar challenges in a potential cabin maintenance and refurbishment operation.

[0010] In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to propose an elevator car, which obviate the above-cited drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to propose an elevator car, which is safer and faster to mount for the installation technician relative to the known solutions, even in case of narrow shafts.

[0011] The stated technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by an elevator car, comprising: a platform having a peripheral edge comprising a plurality of sides; a plurality of panels arranged at one or more sides of the platform for defining walls of the car, each panel comprising:

[0012] -a first lower edge facing the platform;

[0013] -a second side edge and a third side edge originating, respectively, from opposite ends of the first edge with an extension away therefrom and from the platform each according to its own direction, said edges being folded, said panels being arranged with the second and third edges flanked two- by-two, the flanked edges of two adjacent panels being fixed to each other by one or more first bushings; at least one bracket for each side, said at least one bracket extending along the side for supporting the panels at a distance from the platform; said panels having the first edge mounted on the second portion of the respective bracket by means of one or more mechanical anchoring elements; a main panel among said panels, said main panel having its first edge shaped so as to laterally protrude from the side edges, thus defining two flaps, a through hole being obtained on each flap for the mechanical anchoring elements; the first edge of the main panel being fixed to the bracket also by means of one or more second bushings.

[0014] In particular, the flaps are extensions of the first edge.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the second bushings are pre-fixed on the bracket, the first edge of the main panel having corresponding keyholes for accommodating the pre-fixed second bushings. According to one embodiment, the bracket further comprises at an end a profiled element protruding towards the inside of the platform, said profiled element comprising a vertical tab facing the panel and fixed to it by means of a fastener.

[0016] Preferably, the profiled element is located next to the corner between two sides of the platform.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the bracket comprises a first portion mounted laterally to the side of the platform, and a second portion originating from one end of the first portion with an extension away therefrom towards the inside of the platform, the first edge resting on the second portion.

[0018] Preferably, the second portion has an extension on a plane parallel to the platform.

[0019] Preferably, the first portion has an extension on a plane orthogonal to the second portion.

[0020] Preferably, the first portion has an extension on a plane orthogonal to the platform.

[0021] Preferably, the bracket has an L-shaped profile.

[0022] Brief description of drawings

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of an elevator car, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0024] - figures 1 and 3 illustrates two sequential installation steps of an elevator car (respectively, installation of the main panel on the platform and installation of the other panels on the platform), in perspective view;

[0025] - figure 2 illustrates a zoom view of the detail A of figure 1 ;

[0026] - figure 4 illustrates a zoom view of the detail B of figure 3;

[0027] - figure 5 illustrates the elevator car of figure 3 in another perspective view from inside the car;

[0028] - figure 6 illustrates a zoom view of the detail C of figure 5. With reference to the figures, reference numeral 1 indicates an elevator car.

[0029] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0030] The car 1 comprises a platform 2 having a peripheral edge 2a. The peripheral edge 2a comprises a plurality of sides 3. Preferably, each side 3 extends according to its own longitudinal direction. In the preferred embodiment, the platform 2 has a quadrilateral shape, in particular rectangular or square. The platform 2 has a planar extension, which in mounted conditions of the car 1 corresponds to a horizontal plane.

[0031] The car 1 comprises a plurality of panels 4 arranged at one or more sides 3 of the platform 2 for defining lateral walls of the car 1 . In the preferred embodiment, the panels 4 are mounted on all sides 3 except for one. In particular, the side 3 not affected by the panels 4 is the front one, i.e., the one intended to support a door and a movement mechanism thereof.

[0032] In particular, each panel 4 comprises a first edge 5 facing the platform 2. The first edge 5 is therefore identifiable as a lower edge.

[0033] Each panel 4 comprises a second edge 6 and a third edge 7 originating, respectively, from opposite ends of the first edge 5. They extend away therefrom and from the platform 2 each according to its own direction. Such edges 6, 7 are therefore side edges.

[0034] In particular, the second edge 6 extends away from the first edge 5 and from the platform 2 according to a first direction.

[0035] In particular, the third edge 7 extends away from the first edge 5 and from the platform 2 according to a second direction.

[0036] Preferably, the first direction is inclined with respect to the first edge 5. This means that the second edge 6 is not an extension of the first edge 5 (in length).

[0037] Preferably, the second direction is inclined with respect to the first edge 5. This means that the third edge 7 is not an extension of the first edge 5 (in length).

[0038] In other words, the second edge 6 and the third edge 7 extend away from the first edge 5 and from the platform 2 each according to its own inclined direction.

[0039] Preferably, the second edge 6 is orthogonal to the first edge 5. Preferably, the third edge 7 is orthogonal to the first edge 5. Preferably, the second edge 6 and the third edge 7 extend away according to two directions parallel to each other.

[0040] Suitably, each panel 4 comprises at least a fourth edge (not illustrated) located on the opposite side relative to the first edge 5.

[0041] The edges 5, 6, 7 are folded. In particular, the edges 5, 6, 7 are folded to form a shelf. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the edges 5, 6, 7 are folded outwards, that is towards the outside of the platform 2.

[0042] The panels 4 are arranged with the side edges 6, 7 flanked two-by-two. Preferably, the panels 4 are flanked according to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side 3.

[0043] The flanked side edges 6, 7 of two adjacent panels 4 are fixed to each other by means of one or more first bushings 8. Preferably, the first bushings 8 are of the mushroom type.

[0044] Preferably, the first bushings 8 are distributed along the flanked edges 6, 7.

[0045] Consequently, the flanked side edges 6, 7 have a plurality of corresponding holes for accommodating the first bushings 8. These holes are advantageously shaped as keyholes. In other words, they have a circular part for the insertion of the bushing and a narrow part for the resting position of the bushing, as known.

[0046] The car 1 comprises at least one bracket 9 which is mounted to the side 3 of the platform 2 and extends along the side 3 for supporting the panels 4 at a distance from the platform 2. The first edge 5 of the panels 4 rests on the bracket 9.

[0047] According to the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 9 comprises a first portion 9a mounted laterally to the side of the platform 2, and a second portion 9b originating from one end of the first portion 9a with an extension away therefrom towards the inside of the platform 2. The second portion 9b is suspended like a shelf above the platform 2.

[0048] Preferably, the second portion 9b has an extension on a plane parallel to the platform 2.

[0049] Preferably, the first portion 9a has an extension on a plane orthogonal to the second portion 9b. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the bracket 9 has an overturned L-shaped profile.

[0050] Preferably, the first portion 9a has an extension on a plane orthogonal to the platform 2.

[0051] The panels 4 have the first edge 5 fixed to the bracket 9 by means of one or more mechanical anchoring elements 10. Preferably, the mechanical anchoring element 10 is a screw.

[0052] The car 1 comprises at least one main panel 4a among the panels 4. The main panel 4a differs from the others for two main differences, which are described below.

[0053] The main panel 4a has its first edge 5a shaped so as to laterally protrude from the side edges 6, 7, thus defining two flaps 5c. A through hole 10a is obtained on each flap 5c for the mechanical anchoring elements 10. Preferably, the flaps 5c are extension of the first edge 5a.

[0054] The first edge 5a of the main panel 4a is fixed to the bracket 9 also by means of one or more second bushings 18. In particular, the bracket 9 has pre-fixed second bushings 18 and the first edge 5 of the main panel 4a has one or more keyholes for accommodating the pre-fixed second bushings 18.

[0055] The panel 4a is addressed to as “main panel” since it is the first one to be installed (typically the central one) and acts as a support for the following panels. Such a panel 4a is mounted on the platform 2 first. For this reason, it has no lateral support and must be integrally fixed to the bracket 9 also by means of the second bushings 18. The subsequent panels 4 of the side 3 are mounted by fixing one of the side edges 6, 7 to the adjacent panel 4 already mounted, therefore a fixing to the bracket 9 by means of the mechanical anchoring elements 10 is sufficient.

[0056] It is also possible to have more than one panel 4a, but this would represent an increase in complexity and in the number of mounting operations necessary, without bringing a real advantage.

[0057] In particular, at both opposite ends of the first edge 5a of the main panel 4a there is a flap 5c with a mechanical anchoring element 10 and one second bushing 18. The flap 5c and the second bushing 18 are separated from the side edge 6, 7. Considering the space defined between the two side edges 6, 7 of the main panel 4a, the flap 5c is external, while the second bushing 18 is internal.

[0058] Preferably, the first edge 5a of the main panel 4a is mounted on the second portion 9b of the bracket 9.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the bracket 9 comprises at an end a profiled element 19 protruding towards the inside of the platform 2. The profiled element 19 comprises a vertical tab 19a facing the panel 4. The vertical tab 19a is fixed to the panel 4 by means of a fastener 20. Preferably, the fastener 20 is a hexagonal socket flanged head screw.

[0060] Preferably, the profiled element 19 is L-shaped.

[0061] The profiled element 19 is therefore located near to the corner between two sides 3.

[0062] A method of installing the panels 4, 4a on the platform 2 of the elevator car 1 is described below.

[0063] The main panel 4a is placed on the bracket 9, with the pre-assembled bushings 18 on it inside of the circular part of the keyholes. Then the panel 4a slides so that the bushings 18 pass from the circular part to the narrow part. After reaching this final position, the through holes 10a on the flaps 5c face the corresponding recesses on the bracket 9. Therefore, insertion of the mechanical anchoring element 10 takes place.

[0064] Advantageously, the tightening process can be performed from inner side of the car, easily with any kind of proper installation tool. After fixation of the main panel 4a, the other side panels 4 are mounted in place and fixed to the main panel 4a via the first bushings 8 on the side edges 6, 7. In particular, the first bushings 8 are pre-fixed to the side edges 6, 7 of the main panel 4a. The side panel 4 is flanked to the main panel 4a so that the first bushings 8 are inserted into the circular part of the keyholes and then the side panel 4 slides down to its final position.

[0065] As a final step, the side panels 4 are fixed to the bracket 9 thanks to the additional profiled element 19, at the corners of the side 3.

[0066] The installation phases here described are valid both for single and double entrance versions of the car. The differences for the two solutions are about some changes in panel sequences, however the design structure is the same. For double entrance the installation must start with first side panel of the side walls instead of rear wall centre panel for the single entrance.

[0067] The features of the elevator car are clear from the above description, as are the advantages.

[0068] In particular, the extension of the first edge of the main panel with two protruding flaps in combination with the structure proposed allows an installation technician to fix the panels therebetween and to the platform while always staying inside the car, facilitating the task also in case of narrow shafts or critical conditions. The present invention also reduces the number of installation technicians required, speeds up operations and increases the safety of the installation technician himself.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An elevator car (1 ) comprising: a platform (2) having a peripheral edge (2a) comprising a plurality of sides (3); a plurality of panels (4, 4a) arranged at one or more sides (3) of the platform (2) for defining walls of the car (1 ), each panel (4, 4a) comprising: -a first lower edge (5, 5a) facing the platform (2);-a second side edge (6) and a third side edge (7) originating, respectively, from opposite ends of the first edge (5) with an extension away therefrom and from the platform (2) each according to its own direction, said edges (5, 6, 7) being folded, said panels (4) being arranged with the second and third edges (6, 7) flanked two-by-two, the flanked edges (6, 7) of two adjacent panels (4) being fixed to each other by one or more first bushings (8); at least one bracket (9) for each side (3), said at least one bracket (9) extending along the side (3) for supporting the panels (4, 4a) at a distance from the platform (2); said panels (4, 4a) having the first edge (5, 5a) mounted on the second portion (9b) of the respective bracket (9) by means of one or more mechanical anchoring elements (10); a main panel (4a) among said panels (4, 4a), said main panel (4a) having its first edge (5a) shaped so as to laterally protrude from the side edges (6, 7), thus defining two flaps (5c), a through hole (10a) being obtained on each flap (5c) for the mechanical anchoring elements (10); the first edge (5a) of the main panel (4a) being fixed to the bracket (9) also by means of one or more second bushings (18).

2. The elevator car (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the flaps (5c) are extensions of the first edge (5a).

3. The elevator car (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second bushings (18) are pre-fixed on the bracket (9), the first edge (5a) of the main panel (4a) having corresponding keyholes for accommodating the pre-fixed second bushings (18).

4. The elevator car (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (9) further comprises at an end a profiled element (19) protruding towards the inside of the platform 2, said profiled element (19) comprising a vertical tab (19a) facing the panel (4) and fixed to it by means of a fastener (20).

5. The elevator car (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the profiled element (19) is located next to the corner between two sides (3) of the platform (2).

6. The elevator car (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (9) comprises a first portion (9a) mounted laterally to the side (3) of the platform (2), and a second portion (9b) originating from one end of the first portion (9a) with an extension away therefrom towards the inside of the platform (2), the first edge (5, 5a) resting on the second portion (9b).

7. The elevator car (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the second portion (6b) has an extension on a plane parallel to the platform (2).

8. The elevator car (1 ) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first portion (6a) has an extension on a plane orthogonal to the second portion (6b).

9. The elevator car (1 ) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first portion (6a) has an extension on a plane orthogonal to the platform (2).

10. The elevator car (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket (9) has an L-shaped profile.

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