Fastening device for elevator guide rails

Abstract

To provide a fastening device for elevator guide rails that can reduce the alignment time of the elevator guide rails and make an alignment process easier and more automated.SOLUTION: The fastening device has two bracket components (210, 220). The bracket components include vertical legs (211, 221) and horizontal legs (212, 222) attached at two fastening points (P1, P2), respectively. Each fastening point includes long openings (O21, O22) provided on respective horizontal legs and a first fastening member (310) that vertically penetrates the two long openings. The first fastening member extends into a nest (213) which is supported while facing the horizontal leg. A second fastening member (320) extends horizontally in the nest and is operably connected to the first fastening member in the nest via a transmission (330). When the second fastening member rotates, a pressure bond is created between the two horizontal legs at the fastening point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening device for an elevator guide rail.

Background Art

[0002] An elevator has a car, a shaft, a hoist, ropes and a counterweight. A detachable or integral car frame may surround the car.

[0003] The hoist can be arranged in the shaft. The hoist may have a drive device, an electric motor, a traction sheave and a mechanical brake. The hoist can move the car up and down in the shaft. The hoist can stop the rotation of the traction sheave and thus the movement of the elevator car.

[0004] The car frame may be connected to the counterweight via ropes and a traction sheave. The car frame may further be supported by guide rails extending vertically in the shaft using guiding means. The guide rails can be attached to a side wall structure in the shaft using fastening brackets. The guiding means maintains the posture of the car in the horizontal plane when the car moves up and down in the shaft. In a similar manner, the counterweight may be supported by guide rails attached to the wall structure of the shaft.

[0005] The car can carry people and / or goods between the landings of a building. The wall structure of the shaft may be formed by a solid wall or an exposed beam structure, or a combination thereof.

[0006] The guide rail can be formed by guide rail elements of a predetermined length. The guide rail elements can be successively connected end-to-end within the elevator shaft during the installation stage. Each end of the guide rail element may be attached to each other using a connecting plate or a forming fixing means. The guide rail can be attached to the wall of the elevator shaft using fastening brackets.

[0007] A fastening bracket according to the prior art may have three bracket parts. Two of the bracket parts are in an L-shape having a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, and the third bracket part is in a straight shape. The horizontal legs of the L-shaped bracket parts can be attached to each other at two first fastening points. Each first fastening point may include an opening provided in each horizontal leg and a first fastening member passing through these openings. Since one of the openings extends in a first horizontal direction, the horizontal legs of each L-shaped bracket part can be adjusted relative to each other in the first longitudinal direction. The third bracket part can be attached to the vertical leg of the second bracket part at two second fastening points. Each second fastening point may include an opening provided in the vertical leg of the second bracket part and the third bracket part, and a second fastening member passing through these openings. Since one of the openings extends in a second horizontal direction, the second bracket part and the third bracket part can be adjusted relative to each other in the second longitudinal direction. Therefore, the guide rail can be aligned by adjusting the bracket parts in two orthogonal horizontal directions. The vertical leg of the first bracket part can be attached to the wall within the shaft. The guide rail can be attached to the third bracket part.

[0008] In such a fastening bracket according to the prior art, the first fastening point is provided in the vertical direction and is arranged on the back side of the vertical leg of the second bracket part. Therefore, there is a problem in accessing the first fastening point.

[0009] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an alignment device and method for guide rails in an elevator shaft. The device disclosed in this prior art document can be used for aligning the guide rails in the present application.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] The present invention aims to improve the fastening device for elevator guide rails.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The fastening device for elevator guide rails according to the present invention is defined in claim 1.

[0013] This fastening device occupies a certain width direction and a certain vertical depth direction, and has two bracket parts each including a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, and two fastening points for attaching the horizontal legs of the two bracket parts to each other. Each fastening point includes a first elongated opening extending in the width direction of the first horizontal leg, a second elongated opening extending in the depth direction of the second horizontal leg, and a first fastening member vertically penetrating the two elongated openings.

[0014] This fastening device further has a structure that forms a nest supported by the first horizontal leg, such that the first fastening member extends vertically inside the nest and the second fastening member extends horizontally inside the nest, The first fastening member and the second fastening member are operably connected to each other via a transmission in the nest. Thus, when the second fastening member rotates about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member, it is converted by the transmission into a vertical linear motion of the first fastening element, creating a pressure coupling between the two horizontal legs of the two bracket parts at the fastening point.

[0015] The fastening device according to the present invention can be used in connection with manual alignment and automated alignment of guide rails. In the fastening device according to the present invention, the guide rail can be aligned simply by loosening only the second fastening member at each fastening point. By loosening the second fastening member at each fastening point, the two bracket parts can be adjusted relative to each other. As a result, the guide rail is adjusted in two horizontal directions that are perpendicular to each other, and is further rotated slightly relative to each other, thereby adjusting the twist of the guide rail.

[0016] The head of the second fastening member is fixed on the vertical front wall of the nest at the fastening points on both sides of the guide rail. Therefore, free horizontal access can be obtained from, for example, an installation table that moves up and down inside the shaft to the head of the second fastening member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to this novel fastening device, the manual alignment time of the guide rail is considerably shortened. Manual alignment can be performed by manually tightening and loosening the second fastening member and further manually aligning the guide rail. As another possibility, the second fastening member can be tightened and loosened manually, but the alignment of the guide rail can also be automatically performed using an automatic alignment tool.

[0018] According to the novel fastening device, the alignment of the guide rail can be fully automated. Using an industrial robot on the installation table, the second fastening element at the fastening point can be tightened and loosened. Furthermore, using an automatic alignment tool, the guide rail can also be aligned when the second fastening member is loosened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings according to preferred embodiments.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an elevator, and FIG. 2 shows a horizontal sectional view of the elevator.

[0021] The elevator has a car 10, an elevator shaft 20, a hoisting machine 30, a rope 42, and a counterweight 41. A detachable or integral car frame 11 may surround the car 10.

[0022] The hoisting machine 30 may be disposed within the shaft 20. The hoisting machine may have a drive device 31, an electric motor 32, a traction sheave 33, and a mechanical brake 34. The hoisting machine 30 can vertically move the car 10 in the vertical direction Z within the vertically extending elevator shaft 20. The mechanical brake 34 can stop the rotation of the traction sheave 33 and thus the movement of the elevator car 10.

[0023] The car frame 11 may be connected to the counterweight 41 via a traction sheave by a rope 42. The car frame 11 may further be supported by guide means 27 on guide rails 25 extending vertically inside the shaft 20 using the guide means 27. The guide means 27 may include rollers rotating 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 inside the elevator shaft 20 using fastening brackets 26. The guide means 27 maintains the posture of the car 10 in the horizontal plane when the car 10 moves up and down in the shaft 20. In a similar manner, the counterweight 41 may also be supported by guide rails attached to the wall structure 21 of the shaft 20.

[0024] The wall structure 21 of the shaft 20 may be formed by a solid wall 21, an exposed beam structure, or a combination thereof. Thus, one or more sides of the wall may be a solid wall, or one or more sides of the wall may be formed by an exposed beam structure. The shaft 20 may include a front wall 21A, a rear wall 21B, and two opposing side walls 21C, 21D. Two guide rails 25 may be provided for the car 10 in the shaft 20. The two guide rails 25 may be arranged on the opposing walls 21C, 21D. Further, two guide rails 25 may be provided for the counterweight 41 in the shaft 20. The two guide rails 25 for the counterweight may be arranged on the rear wall 21B.

[0025] The guide rails 25 may extend vertically along the height of the elevator shaft 20. Thus, the guide rails 25 may be formed of guide rail elements of a predetermined length, for example, 5 m. The guide rail elements 25 can be successively installed on each end. The ends of each guide rail element 25 can be connected using a connecting plate. The guide rails 25 can be attached to the wall 21 of the elevator shaft 20 using fastening brackets.

[0026] The car 10 can carry humans and / or goods between the landings of a building.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the vertical lines PL1 and PL2 within the shaft 20. The vertical lines may be formed by plumb line surveying of the shaft at the initial stage of elevator installation. The vertical lines PL1 and PL2 may be formed using conventional wires or a light source such as a laser including light rays directed upward along the vertical lines PL1 and PL2. Usually, one vertical line and a gyroscope, or two vertical lines, are required as the overall measurement reference for the shaft 20.

[0028] Figure 1 shows the vertical direction Z, i.e., the direction in which the car 10 moves within the elevator shaft 20. Figure 2 shows the first horizontal direction X, which is the direction between the side walls of the shaft 20, and the second horizontal direction Y, which is the direction from the rear wall to the front wall of the shaft 20. The first horizontal direction X is orthogonal to the second horizontal direction Y. Both the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y are orthogonal to the vertical direction Z.

[0029] Figure 3 shows a side view of a fastening device for an elevator guide rail according to the prior art.

[0030] The directions X, Y, and Z are shown in the figure, which is a state where the car guide rails arranged on the opposing side walls of the shaft 20 are supported using a fastening device.

[0031] The fastening device may have three bracket parts 110, 120, and 130. Two of the bracket parts 110 and 120 adopt an L-shaped configuration including vertical legs 111, 121 and horizontal legs 112, 122. The vertical leg 111 of the first bracket part 110 can be attached to the wall 21 of the shaft 20 using a first fastening member 151 that passes through a first hole O11 in the vertical leg 111 of the first bracket part 110. The horizontal leg 122 of the second bracket part 120 can be arranged on the horizontal leg 112 of the first bracket part 110.

[0032] The horizontal leg 112 of the first bracket part 110 and the horizontal leg 122 of the second bracket part 120 can be attached to each other at two first fastening points. Each of the first fastening points may include openings O12, O13 in the respective horizontal legs 112, 122, and may further include a third fastening member 153 passing through the openings O12, O13. The horizontal leg 112 of the first bracket part 110 may include a second elongated opening O12 extending in the first horizontal direction X. The horizontal leg 122 of the second bracket part 120 may include a third hole O13. The horizontal leg 122 of the second bracket part 120 can move in the first horizontal direction X with respect to the horizontal leg 112 of the first bracket part 110 when the third fastening member 153 is released.

[0033] The third bracket part 130 and the vertical leg 121 of the second bracket part 120 can be attached to each other at two second fastening points. Each of the second fastening points may include openings O14, O15 in the vertical leg 121 of the second bracket part 120 and the third bracket part 130, and may further include a second fastening member 152 passing through the openings O14, O15. The vertical leg 121 of the second bracket part 120 may include a fourth elongated opening O14 extending in the second horizontal direction Y. The third bracket part 130 may include a fifth hole O15. The third bracket part 130 can move in the second horizontal direction Y with respect to the vertical leg 121 of the second bracket part 120 when the second fastening member 152 is released.

[0034] The guide rail 25 may be attached to the third bracket part 130 using a fourth fastening member 154 passing through a sixth hole O16 in the third bracket part 130. The guide rail 25 may be attached to the third bracket part 130 using a fastener 140. Accordingly, the guide rail 25 can move in the second horizontal direction Y with respect to the second bracket part 20.

[0035] Therefore, when the third fastening member 153 is released, the first bracket part 110 and the second bracket part 120 can be relatively adjusted in the first horizontal direction X, that is, the direction between the guide rails of the shaft 20. Thus, the guide rail 25 can be adjusted in the direction between the guide rails. Further, when the second fastening member 152 is released, the guide rail 25 can be adjusted in the second horizontal direction Y, that is, the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the shaft 20. The twist of the guide rail 25 can be adjusted by relatively rotating the horizontal legs 112, 122.

[0036] The third fastening member 153 operates in the vertical direction Z and is disposed behind the vertical leg 121 of the second bracket part 120. Thereby, the relative adjustment of the bracket parts 110, 120 in the second direction Y becomes difficult and time-consuming. Further, due to the arrangement of the third fastening member 153, it is difficult, if not almost impossible, to automate the adjustment of the guide rail 25.

[0037] The first, second, third, and fourth fastening members 151, 152, 153, 154 may be formed of bolts with nuts. Therefore, when the nuts are tightened against the bracket parts 110, 120, 130 disposed between the bolt heads and the nuts, the space between the bolt heads and the nuts is pressure-coupled.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the elevator guide rail fastening device according to the present invention.

[0039] The directions X, Y, and Z are shown in the figure, which is a state in which the car guide rail disposed on the opposite side wall of the shaft 20 is supported using the fastening device.

[0040] The fastening device may have two bracket parts 210 and 220. The bracket parts 210 and 220 may each include vertical legs 211 and 221 and horizontal legs 212 and 222. The vertical leg 211 of the first bracket part 210 can be attached to the wall 21 of the shaft 20. Such attachment may be realized using bolts (not shown). The guide rail 25 can be attached to the vertical leg 221 of the second bracket part 220. The guide rail 25 may be attached to the vertical leg 221 of the second bracket part 220 using the fastening member 410 and the fixture 420. The bracket parts 210 and 220 may have a width direction W and a perpendicular depth direction D. The vertical leg 211 of the first bracket part 210 faces the wall within the shaft 20, and the vertical leg 211 of the first bracket part 210 may be attached to this wall. The vertical leg 221 of the second bracket part 220 may extend outward from the wall within the shaft 20 to which the vertical leg 211 of the first bracket part 210 is attached.

[0041] The horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket part 220 can be arranged on the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket part 210.

[0042] The horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket part 210 and the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket part 220 can be attached to each other via at least two fastening points P1, P2. The fastening points P1, P2 may each include elongated openings O21, O22 in the respective horizontal legs 212, 222 of the two bracket parts 210, 220. The two elongated openings O21, O22 vertically penetrate the respective horizontal legs 212, 222 of the two bracket parts 210, 220. The first elongated opening O21 may be provided in the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket part 210, and the second elongated opening O22 may be provided in the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket part 220. The first elongated opening O21 may extend in the width direction W within the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket part 210. The second elongated opening O22 may extend in the depth direction D within the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket part 220. The first elongated opening O21 and the second elongated opening O22 may extend in directions orthogonal to each other.

[0043] The nest 213 may be disposed with respect to the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210. The nest 213 may be supported on the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210. The nest 213 may include a front wall 213A extending vertically outward from the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210 and an outer wall 213B extending horizontally from the front wall 213A. The first end of the front wall 213A may be attached to the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210. The second opposite end of the front wall 213A may be attached to the first end of the outer wall 213B. The outer wall 213B may extend rearward in the direction of the vertical leg 211 of the first bracket component 210 from the second end of the front wall 213A. The front wall 213A and the outer wall 213B of the nest 213 may be formed by bending the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210. The front wall 213A extends downward from the outer end of the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210, and the outer wall 213B extends rearward from the outer end of the front wall 213A. The nest 213 has a horizontal U-shaped configuration. The front wall 213A closes the front portion of the nest 213. However, the side and rear portions of the nest 213 may be open. The front wall 213A of the nest 213 may face outward from the wall of the shaft 20 to which the vertical leg 211 of the first bracket component 210 is attached.

[0044] The first fastening member 310 may extend vertically through the elongated openings O21, O22 in the horizontal legs 212, 222 of the bracket parts 210, 220 and may further reach into the nest 213. The first fastening member 310 may take the shape of a bolt. The first fastening member 310 may include a head 311 and a shaft portion 312 having an outer end portion 313. The head 311 may be fixed facing the upper surface of the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket part 220. The shaft portion 312 extends from the head 311 to the outer wall 213B of the nest 213. The horizontal cross-section of the shaft portion 312 may be circular. The outer end portion 313 of the shaft portion 312 may extend within a fourth elongated slit O24 provided in the outer wall 213B of the nest 213. The horizontal cross-section of the outer end portion 313 of the shaft portion 312 may be rectangular. The fourth elongated slit O24 may be formed by a fourth elongated opening O24 in the outer wall 213B of the nest 213. As another possibility, the fourth elongated opening O24 can also be formed by two side walls extending upward from the horizontal bottom wall 213B. The two side walls are arranged in parallel and extend in the width direction W. Therefore, the fourth elongated opening O24 will be formed between the two side walls. Thus, the outer wall 213B of the nest 213 will be solid.

[0045] The outer end portion 313 of the first fastening member 310 is supported within the fourth elongated slit O24 in the outer wall 213B of the nest 213. Thereby, the outer wall 213B of the nest 213 becomes movable relative to the outer end portion 313 of the first fastening member 310 along the fourth elongated slit O24. On the other hand, the outer end portion 313 of the first fastening member 310 is supported so as to prevent movement in a direction orthogonal to the fourth elongated slit O24.

[0046] The shaft portion 312 of the first fastening member 310 may include a wedge-shaped opening O30 that horizontally penetrates the shaft portion 312 of the first fastening member 310. The wedge-shaped opening O30 may have an elongated shape including a first edge located near the outer wall 213B of the nest 213 and a second edge located within the elongated openings O21 and O22 in the horizontal leg portions 212 and 222 of the two bracket parts 210 and 220. The wedge-shaped opening O30 may extend along the longitudinal central axis of the first fastening member 310.

[0047] The second fastening member 320 may horizontally extend into the nest 213 through a third elongated opening O23 in the front wall 213A of the nest 213. The third elongated opening O23 may extend in the width direction W. The second fastening member 320 may be rotatably and movably supported on the vertical front wall 213A of the nest 213. Such support can be realized, for example, by using washers arranged on both sides of the vertical front wall 213A of the nest 213. The washers may be fixed to the second fastening member 320. The second fastening member 320 may adopt the shape of a bolt. The second fastening member 320 may include a head portion 321 and a shaft portion 322. The shaft portion 322 may form an external thread at least at its outer end portion. Accordingly, the second fastening member 320 can rotate about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member 320. The nest 213 can horizontally move with respect to the second fastening member 320 in the width direction W along the third elongated opening O23.

[0048] Inside the nest 213, a transmission 330 may be operably connected to the second fastening member 320 and the first fastening member 310. The transmission 330 can convert the rotational movement of the second fastening member 320 into a linear vertical movement of the first fastening member 310. The transmission 330 may be formed by a fastening element 330. When the second fastening member 320 rotates about the longitudinal central axis, the fastening element 330 and the first fastening member 310 generate a pressure coupling between the horizontal leg portions 212 and 222 of the two bracket parts 210 and 220 at the fastening points P1 and P2.

[0049] When the second fastening member 320 rotates in the first direction about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member 320, it draws the fastening element 330 toward the front wall 213A of the nest 213. Further, when the second fastening member 320 rotates in the second direction, which is the reverse direction about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member 320, it pushes the fastening element 330 away from the front wall 213A of the nest 213.

[0050] Although shown alone in FIG. 4, the fastening element 330 can be formed as a wedge body including a first edge 331 and a second opposite edge 332. The first edge 331 may be horizontal, and the second edge 332 may be inclined. The first edge 331 of the fastening element 330 is seated in contact with the lower surface of the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket part 210. The second edge 332 of the fastening element 330 is seated in contact with the lower edge of the wedge-shaped opening O30 of the first bracket part 210. The inclination angle α1 of the second edge 332 of the wedge body 330 may be in the range of 5 degrees to 20 degrees, preferably in the range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees. An inclination angle α1 of 10 degrees means that when the wedge body moves horizontally by 10 mm, the first fastening element 310 moves vertically by 1.76 mm (10 × tan 10° = 1.76 mm). An inclination angle α1 of 5 degrees means that when the wedge body moves horizontally by 10 mm, the first fastening element 310 moves vertically by 0.87 mm (10 × tan 5° = 0.87 mm). By acting as a transmission, the force applied to the wedge body by the second fastening member 320 is enhanced by the wedge body acting on the first fastening member 310. The rotational movement of the second fastening member 320 is converted into a linear movement of the wedge body.

[0051] The fastening element 330 may have a connecting element 333 that connects the fastening element 330 to the second fastening member 320. The connecting element 333 may include a hole with an internal thread that houses the external thread of the shaft portion 322 of the second fastening member 320. When the second fastening member 320 rotates in the first direction about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member 320, the fastening element 330 is moved in the depth direction D toward the front wall 213A of the nest 213. Also, when the second fastening member 320 rotates in the second direction, which is the reverse direction about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member 320, the fastening element 330 is moved in the depth direction D away from the front wall 213A of the nest 213. The connecting element 333 may be integrally formed with the fastening element 330. Alternatively, the connecting element 333 may be formed separately and connected to the fastening element 330.

[0052] When the fastening element 330 moves in the first direction X, that is, to the left in FIG. 4, it pulls the first fastening member 310 and further the horizontal leg portion 222 of the second bracket part 220 downward, and presses the upper edge portion 331 of the wedge body 330 and further the horizontal leg portion 212 of the first bracket part 210 upward. Therefore, the fastening element 330 acts as a nut with respect to the first fastening member 310. The horizontal leg portions 221, 222 of the bracket parts 210, 220 are pressed between the head portion 311 of the first fastening member 310 and the upper edge portion 331 of the fastening element 330 at the fastening points P1, P2.

[0053] As a modification, the first fastening element 310 can be formed so as to penetrate a long opening in the fastening element 330. In such an embodiment, the fastening element 330 may be formed of two plate materials. In this case, the respective ends of the two sheets are attached to each other, and the long opening is provided in the central portion of the fastening element 330. Further, the first fastening element 310 may be provided with a flange near the outer end portion 313 of the first fastening element 310. The first upper edge portion of the fastening element 330 may be placed in contact with the lower surface of the first horizontal leg portion 211, and the second lower edge portion of the fastening element 330 may be placed on the flange.

[0054] The bracket parts 210 and 220 can be used to support the car guide rail or the counterweight guide rail. Therefore, when the first fastening member 330 is released, the first bracket part 210 and the second bracket part 220 can be adjusted relative to each other in the first horizontal direction X, that is, the direction between the guide rails within the shaft 20. Thus, the guide rail 25 will be adjusted in the direction between the guide rails. The guide rail 25 can further be adjusted in the second horizontal direction Y, that is, the direction from the rear part to the front part within the shaft 20, when the first fastening member 330 is released. Furthermore, the twist of the guide rail 25 can be adjusted by relatively rotating the horizontal legs 212 and 222.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the elevator guide rail fastening device according to the present invention.

[0056] In this figure, the width direction W and the depth direction D of the two bracket parts 210 and 220 are shown. The width direction W extends in the second horizontal direction Y, that is, the direction between the rear wall and the front wall within the shaft 20. And the depth direction D extends in the first horizontal direction X, that is, the direction between the side walls within the shaft 20. This is a configuration example when the bracket parts 210 and 220 are used to position and support the guide rail 25 on each opposing side wall of the shaft 20. For example, when the bracket parts 210 and 220 are used to support the counterweight 41, the aspect will be different. The guide rail of the counterweight 41 could be arranged on the rear wall of the shaft 20, or on one or both side walls of the shaft 20.

[0057] When the bracket parts 210 and 220 are used to support the guide rail of the counterweight 41 positioned on the rear wall of the shaft 20, the width direction W extends in the first horizontal direction X, that is, the direction between the side walls of the shaft 20, and the depth direction D extends in the second horizontal direction Y, that is, the direction between the rear wall and the front wall of the shaft 20.

[0058] In the figure, it is also shown that the bracket parts 210 and 220 have a width W1 in the width direction W. Both bracket parts 210 and 220 have the same width W1. The width of the nest 213 may also be the same width W1 as the bracket parts 210 and 220.

[0059] The guide rail 25 has a T-shaped configuration and includes a bottom leg part 25A and a support leg part 25B. The support leg part 25B includes two opposing guide surfaces 25B1 and 25B2 on the opposing vertical surfaces of the support leg part 25B, and further includes one guide surface 25B3 on the vertical front surface of the support leg part 25B. The guide rail 25 is attached to the vertical leg 221 of the second bracket part 220 from the bottom leg part 25A using a horizontal fastening member 410 and a fastener 420. The second fastening member 320 passes horizontally through the interior of the nest 213 through the front wall 213A of the nest 213. The outer wall 213B of the nest 213 is provided with a fourth elongated slit O24 in the shape of an elongated opening. The fourth elongated slit O24 extends in the second horizontal direction Y. The outer end portion 313 of the first fastening member 310 is supported within the fourth elongated slit O24.

[0060] FIG. 5 also shows the horizontal leg 212 and the vertical leg 211 of the first bracket part 210.

[0061] Regarding the fastening device for an elevator guide rail according to the present invention, FIG. 6 shows a first and FIG. 7 shows a second non-equal angle perspective view.

[0062] The fastening device has two bracket parts 210 and 220. The bracket parts 210 and 220 each include vertical legs 211 and 221 and horizontal legs 212 and 222. The vertical leg 211 of the first bracket part 210 can be attached to the wall of the shaft. Such attachment can be achieved using bolts (not shown). The guide rail can be attached to the vertical leg 221 of the second bracket part 220 using a fastening member 410 and a fastener 420.

[0063] The first fastening member 310 passes through the long, rectangular openings O21 and O22 that intersect at right angles in the horizontal legs 212 and 222 of the bracket parts 210 and 220 in the vertical direction Z, and further enters the fourth long, rectangular opening O24 in the outer wall 213B of the nest 213.

[0064] The second fastening member 320 passes through the third long, rectangular opening O23 in the front wall 213A of the nest 213 and passes through the inside of the nest 213 in the horizontal direction X.

[0065] Since the horizontal legs 212 and 222 of the bracket parts 210 and 220 are provided with long, rectangular openings O21 and O22 that are orthogonal to each other, the horizontal legs 212 and 222 of the two bracket parts 210 and 220 can be adjusted laterally relative to each other in the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y. Furthermore, long, rectangular openings O23 and O24 are required in the nest 213 so that the above-described horizontal movement is possible. The nest 213 is attached to the horizontal leg 212 of the bracket part 210 and moves together with the first bracket part 210. The long, rectangular openings O21 and O23 and O24 in the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket part 210 and the nest 213 are arranged in parallel and extend in the width direction W. Therefore, when the first fastening member 310 is released, the first bracket part 210 and the nest 213 can move in the width direction W with respect to the first fastening member 310 and the second fastening member 320.

[0066] For this reason, the adjustment of the horizontal legs 212 and 222 of the two bracket parts 210 and 220 can be performed from the front side of the bracket parts 210 and 220. Since the second fastening member 320 extends in the horizontal direction, it is possible to directly access the head 321 of the second fastening member 320 horizontally from the installation base that moves up and down inside the shaft 20. Therefore, the first fastening member 310 can be tightened and loosened simply by operating the second fastening member 320. There is no need to be able to directly access the first fastening member 310. The horizontal legs 212 and 222 of the two bracket parts 210 and 220 can be adjusted from the installation base, and the accurate arrangement of the guide rail 25 is achieved.

[0067] The guide rail is disposed at the central portion in the width direction W of the vertical leg portion 221 of the second bracket part 220. The second fastening members 320 are respectively disposed on both sides of the guide rail at the outer portion of the front wall 213A of the nest 213. Accordingly, the second fastening members 320 can be freely accessed laterally from the installation base that moves within the shaft.

[0068] The fastening device for the guide rail 25 to the wall 21 within the shaft 20 according to the present invention can be used for both manual alignment and automated alignment of the guide rail 25 within the shaft 20. The automated alignment may be partially manual and partially automatic, or may be fully automatic. According to the present invention, the manual alignment time of the guide rail can be greatly shortened. According to the present invention, the alignment process can be more easily automated. A conventional automatic alignment tool may be used in combination with a robot that operates the second fastening member from the installation base.

[0069] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 are advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] As a first modification, the structure shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 can be changed such that the horizontal leg portion 222 of the second bracket part 220 is disposed below the horizontal leg portion 212 of the first bracket part 210. Further, the horizontal leg portion 212 of the first bracket part 210 may be straight. The nest 213 will be disposed below the horizontal leg portion 222 of the second bracket part 220. The nest 213 will be supported by the horizontal leg portion 222 of the second bracket part 220. The vertical front wall 213A of the nest 213 will extend downward from the tip of the horizontal leg portion 222 of the second bracket part 220 near the vertical leg portion 221 of the second bracket part 220. The first elongated opening O21 in the horizontal leg portion 212 of the first bracket part 210 will extend in the depth direction D. The second elongated opening O22 in the horizontal leg portion 222 of the second bracket part 220 will extend in the width direction W.

[0071] As a second modification example, the structure shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 can be modified such that the first bracket component 210 and the second bracket component 220 are inverted. The vertical leg 211 of the first bracket component 210 will face upward, and the vertical leg 221 of the second bracket component 220 will face downward. The horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210 will be disposed on the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket component 220. The first fastening member 310 passes through the elongated openings O21, O22 in the horizontal legs 212, 222 and extends vertically upward to reach the nest 213 disposed above the first leg 212 of the first bracket component 210.

[0072] In the second modification example, further, the horizontal leg 212 of the first bracket component 210 may be modified to be disposed below the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket component 220. In this case, the nest 213 will be formed by connecting with the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket component 220. At this time, the nest 213 will be supported on the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket component 220. In this case, the front wall 213A of the nest 213 will extend upward from the tip of the horizontal leg 222 of the second bracket component 220 near the vertical leg 211 of the first bracket component 210.

[0073] In FIGS. 4 to 7, the vertical legs 211, 221 of the two bracket components 210, 220 extend in opposite directions respectively. The vertical leg 211 of the first bracket component 210 extends downward within the shaft 20, and the vertical leg 221 of the second bracket component 220 extends upward within the shaft 20. This is an advantageous embodiment that facilitates access to the fastening means for fastening the vertical legs 211, 221 to the wall of the shaft 20 and the fastening means for fastening the guide rail 25 to the vertical legs 211, 221 located on the opposite side. However, the vertical legs 211, 221 of the two bracket components 210, 220 may extend in the same direction, that is, either upward or downward within the shaft 20.

[0074] The bracket parts 210 and 220 may be made of a plate material such as metal. A straight metal plate having an appropriate width and length may be used as a starting material. Thus, the metal plate can be bent into a desired shape including the vertical leg 211 and the horizontal leg 221. In an embodiment where the nest 213 is formed at the outer end of the horizontal leg 211 of the bracket part 210 or the horizontal leg 221 of the bracket part 220, the nest 213 can also be produced by bending the same metal plate as described above. In other embodiments, the nest 213 is formed separately, and the vertical front wall 213A of the nest 213 may be attached to the horizontal legs 211 and 221 of the bracket parts 210 and 220, for example, by welding.

[0075] The fastening element 330 may be made of a plate material such as metal.

[0076] Using the present invention, the car guide rail and the counterweight guide rail can be fastened to the wall 21 in the shaft 20.

[0077] The use of the present invention is not limited to the elevator disclosed in the drawings. The present invention can be used in any type of elevator, such as an elevator with or without a machine room, an elevator with or without a counterweight. The counterweight can be arranged on one or both side walls or the rear wall of the elevator shaft. The driving device, motor, traction sheave, and mechanical brake can be arranged anywhere in the machine room or the elevator shaft. The car guide rail may be arranged on each opposing side wall of the shaft or on the rear wall of the shaft in a so-called rucksack type elevator.

[0078] With the progress of technology, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the concept of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples and can be modified within the scope of the claims.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0079] 20 Shaft 21 Wall 25 Guide Rail 210, 220 Bracket Parts 211, 221 Vertical Legs 212, 222 Horizontal Legs 213 Nest 310, 320 Fastening Members 330 Transmission O21, O22, O23 Long Openings O24 Long Slit O30 Wedge Opening P1, P2 Fastening Points

Claims

1. Two bracket parts each occupying a certain width direction and a certain perpendicular depth direction, each including a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, and two fastening points for attaching the horizontal legs of the two bracket parts to each other, each of the fastening points including a first elongated opening extending in the width direction of the first horizontal leg, a second elongated opening extending in the depth direction of the second horizontal leg, and a first fastening member vertically penetrating the two elongated openings, and a fastening device for an elevator guide rail, a structure forming a nest is supported by the first horizontal leg, the first fastening member vertically extends inside the nest, the second fastening member horizontally extends inside the nest, the first fastening member and the second fastening member are operably connected to each other via a transmission inside the nest, whereby when the second fastening member rotates about the longitudinal central axis of the second fastening member, it is converted by the transmission into a vertical linear motion of the first fastening element, generating a pressure coupling between the two horizontal legs of the two bracket parts at the fastening point. A fastening device for an elevator guide rail, characterized in that.

2. In the fastening device according to Claim 1, the structure forming the nest includes a front wall extending vertically outward from the first horizontal leg and an outer wall horizontally extending from the front wall, the second fastening member is inserted into a third elongated opening extending in the width direction in the front wall of the nest and horizontally enters the nest, and the second fastening member is movably supported by the front wall of the nest. A fastening device, characterized in that.

3. In the fastening device according to Claim 2, the outer end portion of the first fastening member is movably supported by the outer wall of the nest. A fastening device, characterized in that.

4. In the fastening device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the transmission is formed by a fastening element operably connected to the first fastening member and the second fastening member inside the nest. A fastening device, characterized in that.

5. In the fastening device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, the outer wall of the nest includes a fourth elongated slit extending in the width direction, and the outer end portion of the first fastening member is supported by the fourth elongated slit. A fastening device, characterized in that.

6. In the fastening device according to Claim 5, the fourth elongated slit in the outer wall of the nest is formed by a fourth elongated opening. A fastening device, characterized in that.

7. In the fastening device according to claim 4, the fastening element is formed by a wedge body disposed between the first horizontal leg portion and the outer end portion of the first fastening member. Thus, when the wedge body is moved in the depth direction by using the second fastening element, the horizontal leg portions of the two bracket parts are both pressed, and a pressure coupling is formed between the first fastening member and the wedge body. A fastening device characterized by this.

8. In the fastening device according to claim 7, the wedge body includes a first edge portion that is stationary in contact with the first horizontal leg portion, and a second inclined opposite edge portion that is stationary in contact with the outer end portion of the first fastening member. A fastening device characterized by this.

9. In the fastening device according to claim 7 or 8, the first fastening member includes a head portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a long wedge-shaped opening that houses the wedge body. The long wedge-shaped opening includes a first edge separated from the outer wall of the nest, and a second opposite edge within the long opening of each horizontal leg portion of the two bracket parts. The second edge portion of the wedge body is stationary in contact with the first edge of the wedge-shaped opening. A fastening device characterized by this.

10. In the fastening device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the second fastening member is supported on the front wall of the nest by using washers fixed to the shaft portion of the second fastening member on both sides of the front wall of the nest. At least the outer end portion of the shaft portion of the second fastening member is formed with an external thread. A fastening device characterized by this.

11. In the fastening device according to claim 10, the fastening element includes a connecting element that connects the fastening element to the second fastening member. The connecting element includes a hole portion having an internal thread that houses the external thread of the shaft portion of the second fastening member. Thus, when the second fastening member rotates, the fastening element moves in the depth direction. A fastening device characterized by this.

12. In the fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, each bracket part is manufactured by bending a single blank plate material. A fastening device characterized by this.

13. In the fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, each vertical leg portion of the two bracket parts extends in opposite directions. A fastening device characterized by this.

14. In the fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the horizontal leg portion of the first bracket part is disposed below the horizontal leg portion of the second bracket part. A fastening device characterized by this.

15. The fastening device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the nest is formed as a part integrated with one of the horizontal leg portions of the two bracket parts.

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