Pre-Cast Elevator Pit and Sump Pit

Abstract

An elevator pit includes a concrete body and a water-resistant coating. The concrete body is pre-cast from a single pour of concrete and includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and an exterior surface extending between the lower surface and the upper surface. The lower surface is configured to be seated directly against a ground surface. The upper surface is opposite the lower surface and includes an opening that communicates with a main recess that extends toward the lower surface. The main recess is configured to receive one or more components of an elevator system. The water-resistant coating is applied continuously and in a single session to the lower surface and the exterior surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to an elevator pit, and, for example, to a pre-cast elevator pit and sump pit.BACKGROUND

[0002] An elevator system is a common constituent of a building and is used to provide efficient vertical transportation for passengers and / or goods between floors of the building. The elevator system may include, among other components, an elevator car, an elevator shaft, and an elevator pit. The elevator car is a compartment that travels between the floors to transport the passengers and / or goods therebetween. The elevator shaft is a hollow structure that encloses and vertically guides the elevator car. The elevator pit, which includes a walled portion and a foundation portion, is located below the lowest floor of the building to support the elevator shaft and accommodate various pieces of equipment (e.g., buffers, electrical wiring conduits, and / or the like) beneath the elevator car.

[0003] A conventional construction process for a concrete elevator pit involves on-site casting, which is time-consuming and inefficient. Due to concrete batch testing (e.g., 3-day testing, 7-day testing, and 28-day testing) and other required safety inspections (e.g., in accordance with the American Concrete Institute standards), the conventional construction process includes separate casting steps: first, pouring the foundation portion, and days later, after the foundation portion has cured and has been inspected, pouring the walled portion on top of the foundation portion. Prior to pouring the foundation portion, the manufacturing process further includes installing a waterproofing membrane, installing reinforcement, and installing vertical formwork around the reinforcement—steps which each require further inspection. After pouring the walled portion of the elevator pit, the manufacturing process further includes removing the formwork and applying an additional waterproofing substance to the walled portion of the elevator pit. Altogether, the conventional construction process takes weeks and may be hindered by unfavorable weather conditions, supply chain issues, and / or the like.

[0004] In addition to the above-described time burden associated with the conventional construction process, the conventional construction process may introduce weaknesses in the resulting elevator pit. For example, because waterproofing is performed in separate, discontinuous steps (first, installing a waterproofing membrane beneath the foundation portion, and later, applying a waterproofing substance to the walled portion), the elevator pit is susceptible to water ingress at a transition area between the waterproofing membrane and the waterproofing substance. Furthermore, the elevator pit may have reduced structural integrity due to separate formation of the foundation portion and the walled portion. As an example, because the foundation portion cures before the walled portion is poured, a lack of chemical bonding at the junction of the foundation portion and the walled portion increases the potential for cracking. As another example, differences in concrete mixture properties of the foundation portion and the walled portion, which may occur due to the foundation portion and the walled portion being formed from separate pours, may result in a weaker overall structure. As a further example, because the foundation portion and the walled portion are poured outside and on different days, variations in environmental conditions may cause the foundation portion and the walled portion to cure at different rates, which may introduce stresses in the structure and contribute to cracking.

[0005] The precast elevator pit of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above and / or other problems in the art.SUMMARY

[0006] In some aspects, an elevator pit is provided that includes a concrete body and a water-resistant coating. The concrete body is pre-cast from a single pour of concrete and includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and an exterior surface that extends between the lower surface and the upper surface. The lower surface is configured to be seated directly on a ground surface. The upper surface is opposite the lower surface and includes an opening that communicates with a main recess that extends toward the lower surface. The main recess is configured to receive one or more components of an elevator system. The water-resistant sealant is applied continuously and in a single session to the lower surface and the exterior surface.

[0007] The exterior surface may include an upper exterior section and a step section. The upper exterior section may directly connect with the upper surface. The step section may be between the upper exterior section and the lower surface. The step section may include a first exterior step surface portion and an upper step surface. The first exterior step surface portion may be parallel to the upper exterior section and directly connected to the lower surface. The upper step surface may be parallel to the upper surface and directly connected to the upper exterior section.

[0008] The opening may be a first opening, and the lower surface may include a second opening that communicates with a sump pit recess that is configured to receive a sump pit. The sump pit recess may have a width that is less than a width of the main recess. The sump pit recess may communicate with the main recess. The sump pit recess may include a lower passage section and a ledge section that includes a ledge interior surface and a ledge base surface. The lower passage section may communicate with the second opening. The ledge section may be between the lower passage section and the main recess. The ledge interior surface may directly connect to a base surface of the main recess. The ledge base surface may be parallel to the upper surface. The water-resistant coating may cover an entirety of the lower surface and the exterior surface. The concrete body may be seamless. The concrete body may include reinforcement centrally embedded therein.

[0009] In other aspects, an elevator pit assembly is provided that includes an elevator pit and a sump pit. The elevator pit is pre-cast from a single pour of concrete and includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an exterior surface that extends between the lower surface and the upper surface. The upper surface includes a first opening. The lower surface includes a second opening that communicates with the first opening to define a through hole. The through hole includes a main recess and a sump pit recess. The sump pit is seated within the sump pit recess.

[0010] The concrete may be self-consolidating concrete. The sump pit recess may include a ledge section and a lower passage section. The ledge section may connect to the main recess. The lower passage section may connect to the second opening. The sump pit may include an exterior surface having a flange section and a lower exterior section. The flange section may fixedly contact the ledge section of the sump pit recess. The lower exterior section may contact the lower passage section of the sump pit recess. The exterior surface may include an upper exterior section and a step section that includes a first exterior step surface portion and an upper step surface. The upper exterior section may directly connect with the upper surface. The step section may be between the upper exterior section and the lower surface. The first exterior step surface portion may be parallel to the upper exterior section and directly connected to the lower surface. The upper step surface may be parallel to the upper surface and directly connected to the upper exterior section. The elevator pit assembly may further include a water-resistant coating applied to the lower surface and the exterior surface of the elevator pit, and to a lower surface and an exterior surface of the sump pit. The elevator pit and the sump pit may both include reinforcement embedded therein.

[0011] In other aspects, a method is provided that includes casting, with a single pour of concrete, a concrete body of an elevator pit at a first location, and installing the elevator pit at a second location that is different than the first location. The concrete body includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and exterior surface extending between the lower surface and the upper surface. The upper surface is opposite the lower surface. The upper surface includes an opening that communicates with a main recess that extends toward the lower surface. The main recess is configured to receive one or more components of an elevator system. Installing the elevator pit occurs such that the lower surface directly contacts a ground surface.

[0012] Casting the concrete body may include pouring the concrete into a mold recess such that a top opening of the mold recess defines the lower surface of the concrete body. The method may further include applying, continuously and in a single session, a water-resistant coating to the lower surface and the exterior surface of the concrete body. The method may further include transporting the elevator pit from the first location to the second location. Applying the water-resistant coating may occur prior to transporting the elevator pit. The method may further include rotating the elevator pit from a first orientation, in which the lower surface is vertically higher than the upper surface, to a second orientation, in which the lower surface is vertically lower than the upper surface. Applying the water-resistant coating may occur prior to rotating the elevator pit. The opening may be a first opening, the lower surface may include a second opening that communicates with a sump pit recess. The sump pit recess may communicate with the main recess. The method may further include inserting a sump pit into the first opening, and adhering the sump pit within the sump pit recess.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, partially exploded view of an example elevator shaft assembly including an elevator shaft and an elevator pit assembly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of an example elevator pit of the elevator pit assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the elevator pit of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of an example sump pit of the elevator pit assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sump pit of FIG. 4, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 6-10 are diagrams of an example process relating to manufacturing and installation of the elevator pit assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a top isometric view of the elevator pit assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a bottom isometric view of the elevator pit assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an alternative example elevator pit, in accordance with more or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Before any exemplary configurations of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of other configurations and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] This disclosure relates to a pre-cast elevator pit, which may be used alone or together with a pre-cast sump pit to support an elevator shaft of an elevator assembly.

[0024] In the description that follows, it should be understood that the drawings may not be to scale. Like reference characters may be used to denote like parts.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example elevator shaft assembly 100 at a jobsite 102. The elevator shaft assembly 100 includes an elevator shaft 104 and an elevator pit assembly 106. The elevator shaft 104 is a multi-level structure of a building that is configured to vertically guide an elevator car (not shown) as the elevator car travels between floors of the building. The elevator pit assembly 106 is a below-grade structure of the building that is configured to support the elevator shaft 104, accommodate various pieces of elevator equipment (e.g., buffers, electrical wiring conduits, and / or the like, not shown), and inhibit the intrusion of water into the building and / or the collection of water within the building.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator shaft 104, which may have substantially the same structure as the elevator shaft structure 10 of U.S. application Ser. No. 18 / 795,497 (“the '497 application,” incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), includes a plurality of segments 108 that stack together to form a passage 110 for the elevator car. For example, the plurality of segments 108 may include a top segment 108a, a middle segment 108b, and a bottom segment 108c (corresponding to, as an example, the cap segment 42, the riser segment 38, an upper segment 34, and the lowest segment 26 of the '497 application). To connect the elevator shaft 104 to the elevator pit assembly 106, the bottom segment 108c may include a plurality of receptacles 112 (corresponding to the sleeves 126 of the '497 application) to correspondingly receive a plurality of rebar projections 114 (corresponding to the rebar portions 200 of the '497 application) of the elevator pit assembly 106. While no further reference to the '497 application is made herein, it should be understood, based on the '497 application being incorporated by reference, that components and other aspects elsewhere described therein are part of this disclosure.

[0027] As further shown in FIG. 1, the elevator pit assembly 106 includes an elevator pit 116 and a sump pit 118, which are each pre-cast at an offsite facility (e.g., an offsite facility 602, which may be a casting facility and is shown in FIGS. 6-7) to provide a number of advantages over the prior art. The elevator pit 116, which will be further detailed below in connection with FIGS. 2-3, is a building component that is configured to be installed below-grade to support the elevator shaft 104 and accommodate various pieces of elevator equipment (e.g., buffers, electrical wiring conduits, and / or the like).

[0028] The elevator pit 116 includes a concrete body 120, a rebar core 122, and a water-resistant coating 124. The concrete body 120 is an opened-ended, box-like structure that includes an upper surface 126, a lower surface 128, and an exterior surface 130 that extends between the upper surface 126 and the lower surface 128. The upper surface 126 includes a first opening 132. The lower surface 128, which is larger than the upper surface 126, substantially concentric therewith, and substantially parallel thereto, includes a second opening 134 that is smaller than the first opening 132. The second opening 134 communicates with the first opening 132 to define a through hole 136 therebetween. The through hole 136 includes an upper recess section 138, a lower passage section 140, and a ledge section 142 therebetween. The upper recess section 138, which defines a main recess 144 of the concrete body 120, includes a recess interior surface 146, which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 126, and a recess base surface 148, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 126. The lower passage section 140 includes a passage interior surface 150 that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 126. The ledge section 142 includes a ledge interior surface 152, which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 126, and a ledge base surface 154, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 126. Together, the ledge section 142 and the lower passage section 140 define a sump pit recess 156 that is configured to receive the sump pit 118. The exterior surface 130 includes an upper exterior section 158, which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 126, and a step section 160. The step section 160 includes an upper step surface 162, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 126, and an exterior step surface 164, which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 126.

[0029] While dimensions of the concrete body 120 may vary depending on several factors, including the type of elevator involved, a design of the building, local building codes, and / or the like, the concrete body 120 may, in some cases, have an overall depth (e.g., along a deepest point) in a range between approximately 4 feet to approximately 6 feet and an overall width (e.g., along a widest point) in a range of approximately 8 feet to approximately 16 feet.

[0030] The rebar core 122 is a grid-like structure embedded within the concrete body 120 to increase strength and durability of the elevator pit 116. The rebar core 122 includes a plurality of vertically arranged bars 166 and a plurality of horizontally arranged bars 168. The plurality of vertically arranged bars 166, which are substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 126, are centrally located between the upper exterior section 158 of the exterior surface 130 and the recess interior surface 146. The plurality of horizontally arranged bars 168, which are substantially parallel to the upper surface 126, are centrally located between the lower surface 128 and a plane 170 defined by the recess base surface 148 and the exterior step surface 164.

[0031] In some implementations, the rebar core 122 may include the plurality of rebar projections 114 to facilitate and strengthen connection between the elevator pit 116 and the elevator shaft 104. The plurality of rebar projections 114 may extend from the upper surface 126 and may be sized and shaped to fit correspondingly in the plurality of receptacles 112 in the elevator shaft 104.

[0032] The water-resistant coating 124 is a material covering an entirety of the exterior surface 130 of the concrete body 120 and an entirety of the lower surface 128 of the concrete body 120 to provide a continuous barrier between the elevator pit 116 and a subsurface 172 at the jobsite 102. So arranged, the water-resistant coating 124 is configured to substantially inhibit or prevent passage of water through pores of the concrete body 120 of the elevator pit 116 via the subsurface 172, thereby protecting the elevator equipment housed therein and maintaining structural integrity of the elevator pit 116 and building structure arranged thereon.

[0033] The sump pit 118, which will be further detailed below in connection with FIGS. 4-5, is a container that is configured to be installed in the sump pit recess 156 of the elevator pit 116 to house a sump pump (not shown) and connect to one or more drainage pipes. So configured, the sump pit 118 is designed to collect and discharge excess water (e.g., groundwater, rainwater, plumbing leaks, and / or the like) around the building and thus prevent flooding.

[0034] Similar to the elevator pit 116, the sump pit 118 includes a concrete body 174, a rebar core 176, and a water-resistant coating 178. The concrete body 174 is an opened-ended structure that includes an upper surface 180, a lower surface 182, and an exterior surface 184 that extends between the upper surface 180 and the lower surface 182. The upper surface 180 includes an opening 186 that communicates with a recess 188 that extends into the concrete body 174 toward the lower surface 182. The recess 188 includes a recess interior surface 190, which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 180, and a recess base surface 192, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 180 and substantially the same shape and size as the opening 186. The lower surface 182 is smaller than the upper surface 180, substantially concentric therewith, and substantially parallel thereto. Furthermore, the lower surface 182 is substantially the same shape and size as the second opening 134 of the elevator pit 116 and is thus configured to fit therethrough. The exterior surface 184 includes a flange section 194 and a lower exterior section 196. The flange section 194 includes an exterior flange surface 198, which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 180, and a lower flange surface 200, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 180. The exterior flange surface 198 is substantially the same shape and size as the ledge interior surface 152 of the elevator pit 116 and is thus configured to be seated thereagainst. The lower flange surface 200 is substantially the same shape and size as the ledge base surface 154 of the elevator pit 116 and is thus configured to be seated thereon. The lower exterior section 196 is larger than the lower passage section 140 of the elevator pit to allow the sump pit 118 to extend deeper underground than the elevator pit 116 and collect excess water therebelow.

[0035] While dimensions of the concrete body 174 may vary depending on several factors, including whether the building is residential or commercial, a volume of water intended to handle, local building practices, and / or the like, the concrete body 174 may, in some cases, have an overall depth (e.g., along a deepest point) in a range between approximately 1.5 feet and approximately 3.5 feet and an overall width (e.g., along a widest point) in a range between approximately 2 foot to approximately 3.5 feet.

[0036] The rebar core 176 is a grid-like structure embedded within the concrete body 174 to increase strength and durability of the sump pit 118. For example, the rebar core 176 may include a plurality of vertically arranged bars 202 and a plurality of horizontally arranged bars 204. The plurality of vertically arranged bars 202, which are substantially perpendicular to the 180, are centrally located between the exterior surface 184 and the recess interior surface 190. The plurality of horizontally arranged bars 204, which are substantially parallel to the upper surface 180, are centrally located between the lower surface 182 and the recess base surface 192.

[0037] The water-resistant coating 178 is the same material as the material of the water-resistant coating 124 of the elevator pit 116 and, as applied to the sump pit 118, forms a continuous barrier between the sump pit 118 and the subsurface 172 of the jobsite 102. In particular, the water-resistant coating 178 covers an entirety of the lower surface 182 and a portion 206 of the lower exterior section 196 that projects under the lower surface 128 of the elevator pit 116. So arranged, the water-resistant coating 178 is configured to substantially inhibit or prevent passage of water into pores of the concrete body 174 of the sump pit 118 via the subsurface 172.

[0038] FIG. 1 is provided as an example. It should be understood that other examples are possible and may differ from that described in relation to FIG. 1. For example, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and / or differently shaped components than those shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate additional views of the elevator pit 116. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the recess interior surface 146 of the upper recess section 138 includes a first recess interior surface portion 208, a second recess interior surface portion 210, a third recess interior surface portion 212, and a fourth recess interior surface portion 214. The first recess interior surface portion 208 is opposite the third recess interior surface portion 212, and the second recess interior surface portion 210 is opposite the fourth recess interior surface portion 214. A distance, along a horizontal direction 216, between the first recess interior surface portion 208 and the third recess interior surface portion 212 is substantially equal to a width of the first opening 132.

[0040] The passage interior surface 150 of the lower passage section 140 includes a first passage interior surface portion 218, a second passage interior surface portion 220, a third passage interior surface portion 222, and a fourth passage interior surface portion 224. The first passage interior surface portion 218 is opposite the third passage interior surface portion 222, and the second passage interior surface portion 220 is opposite the fourth passage interior surface portion 224. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first passage interior surface portion 218 and the third passage interior surface portion 222 is substantially equal to a width of the second opening 134.

[0041] The ledge interior surface 152 of the ledge section 142 includes a first ledge interior surface portion 226, a second ledge interior surface portion 228, a third ledge interior surface portion 230, and a fourth ledge interior surface portion 232. The first ledge interior surface portion 226 is opposite the third ledge interior surface portion 230, and the second ledge interior surface portion 228 is opposite the fourth ledge interior surface portion 232. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first ledge interior surface portion 226 and the third ledge interior surface portion 230 is less than the distance described above with respect to the recess interior surface 146 and greater than the distance described above with respect to passage interior surface 150.

[0042] The upper exterior section 158 of the exterior surface 130 includes a first exterior surface portion 234, a second exterior surface portion 236, a third exterior surface portion 238, and a fourth exterior surface portion 240. The first exterior surface portion 234 is opposite the third exterior surface portion 238, and the second exterior surface portion 236 is opposite the fourth exterior surface portion 240. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first exterior surface portion 234 and the third exterior surface portion 238 is substantially equal to a width of the upper surface 126.

[0043] The exterior step surface 164 of the step section 160 of the exterior surface 130 includes a first exterior step surface portion 242, a second exterior step surface portion 244, a third exterior step surface portion 246, and a fourth exterior step surface portion 248. The first exterior step surface portion 242 is opposite the third exterior step surface portion 246, and the second exterior step surface portion 244 is opposite the fourth exterior step surface portion 248. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first exterior step surface portion 242 and the third exterior step surface portion 246 is substantially equal to a width of the lower surface 128, which substantially defines the overall width of the concrete body 120 as described above.

[0044] FIGS. 2-3 are provided as examples. It should be understood that other examples are possible and may differ from that described in relation to FIGS. 2-3. For example, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and / or differently shaped components than those shown in FIGS. 2-3.

[0045] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate additional views of the sump pit 118. As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the recess interior surface 190 of the recess 188 includes a first recess interior surface portion 402, a second recess interior surface portion 404, a third recess interior surface portion 406, and a fourth recess interior surface portion 408. The first recess interior surface portion 402 is opposite the third recess interior surface portion 406, and the second recess interior surface portion 404 is opposite the fourth recess interior surface portion 408. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first recess interior surface portion 402 and the third recess interior surface portion 406 is substantially equal to a width of the opening 186.

[0046] The exterior flange surface 198 of the flange section 194 includes a first exterior flange surface portion 410, a second exterior flange surface portion 412, a third exterior flange surface portion 414, and a fourth exterior flange surface portion 416. The first exterior flange surface portion 410 is opposite the third exterior flange surface portion 414, and the second exterior flange surface portion 412 is opposite the fourth exterior flange surface portion 416. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first exterior flange surface portion 410 and the third exterior flange surface portion 414 is substantially equal to a width of the upper surface 180, which substantially defines the overall width of the concrete body 174 as described above.

[0047] The lower exterior section 196 of the exterior surface 184 includes a first lower exterior surface portion 418, a second lower exterior surface portion 420, a third lower exterior surface portion 422, and a fourth lower exterior surface portion 424. The first lower exterior surface portion 418 is opposite the third lower exterior surface portion 422, and the second lower exterior surface portion 420 is opposite the fourth lower exterior surface portion 424. A distance, along the horizontal direction 216, between the first lower exterior surface portion 418 and the third lower exterior surface portion 422 is substantially equal to a width of the lower surface 182.

[0048] FIGS. 4-5 are provided as examples. It should be understood that other examples are possible and may differ from that described in relation to FIGS. 4-5. For example, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and / or differently shaped components than those shown in FIGS. 4-5.

[0049] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate an example process 600 relating to manufacturing and installation of the elevator pit assembly 106. It should be understood that the process 600, in contrast to conventional construction processes, does not include onsite casting.

[0050] Initially, assume that a building manufacturer has prepared and provided engineering drawings of the elevator pit assembly 106 to a contractor. For example, the engineering drawings may include details regarding depth, dimensions, reinforcement, drainage requirements, and strength requirements (e.g., 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), and / or the like) associated with the elevator pit assembly 106.

[0051] Regarding FIG. 6, assume that the offsite facility 602 is located at a first location, which is different than a second location of the jobsite 102, and includes a controlled environment (e.g., an interior environment including controlled temperature, humidity, and / or the like). Assume further that preparation at the jobsite 102 (e.g., excavation of a pit 808, shown in FIGS. 8-9) is underway and involves an amount of time for completion that is substantially equal to an amount of time associated with casting and delivery of the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118. As such, the process 600 is designed to minimize downtime and other inefficiencies that are common in conventional construction processes.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, based on the engineering drawings and at the offsite facility 602, the contractor may cut and tie rebar (e.g., steel) into a first grid-like structure, which defines the rebar core 122 of the elevator pit 116, and into a second, separate grid-like structure, which defines the rebar core 176 of the sump pit 118. In order for the rebar core 122 to be centrally located between opposite surfaces (e.g., the recess base surface 148 and the lower surface 128, and / or the like) of the elevator pit 116, the rebar core 122 may include one or more spacers 604 that provide a minimal footprint while supporting and elevating the plurality of vertically arranged bars 166 and the plurality of horizontally arranged bars 168. Correspondingly, in order for the rebar core 176 to be centrally located between opposite surfaces (e.g., the recess base surface 192 and the lower surface 182, and / or the like) of the sump pit 118, the rebar core 176 may include one more spacers 606 that provide a minimal footprint while supporting and elevating the plurality of vertically arranged bars 202 and the plurality of horizontally arranged bars 204.

[0053] Further based on the engineering drawings and at the offsite facility 602, the contractor may construct an elevator pit mold 608 and a sump pit mold 610 by arranging and bolting together sheets of steel and reinforcements (e.g., wailers). The elevator pit mold 608 includes a mold recess 612 centrally encapsulating the rebar core 122 and having a shape that substantially matches a shape of the elevator pit 116. The sump pit mold 610 correspondingly has a mold recess 614 centrally encapsulating the rebar core 176 and having a shape that substantially matches a shape of the sump pit 118.

[0054] It should be noted that the elevator pit mold 608 and sump pit mold 610 are structured such that an elevator pit subassembly (e.g., the concrete body 120 with the rebar core 122 therein) and a sump pit subassembly (e.g., the concrete body 174 with the rebar core 176 therein) are each cast upside down (e.g., in first orientations 714, with the lower surface 128 elevated relative to the upper surface 126, and correspondingly, the lower surface 182 elevated relative to the upper surface 180). So structured, the elevator pit mold 608 and the sump pit mold 610 yield benefits relating to respective applications of the water-resistant coating 124 and the water-resistant coating 178, as will be described below in relation to FIG. 7.

[0055] Assume further, based on the strength requirements specified in the engineering drawings and / or pertinent regulations (e.g., American Concrete Institute standards, and / or the like), the contractor may prepare a concrete mixture at a concrete facility (not shown), which for convenience may be in close proximity to the offsite facility 602. As an example, the concrete mixture may be a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixture that includes one or more admixtures (e.g., a crystalline silicate admixture, and / or the like) to enhance water-resistance capability of the concrete mixture. Once the concrete mixture is prepared, the contractor may cause the concrete mixture to be poured into a cement mixer vehicle 616. The contractor may add water to the cement mixer vehicle 616, which mixes with the concrete mixture within a rotating drum 618 of the cement mixer vehicle 616 to form a batch of concrete 620. Based on a precise blend of material in the concrete mixture and ratio of the water mixed therewith, the concrete 620 may have a compressive strength of 6,500 PSI, which is configured to comply with the strength requirements, provide redundancy, maintain structural integrity of the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 during movement (e.g., lifting, rotating, transporting, and / or the like) thereof, among other attributes.

[0056] As shown by reference number 622 and upon arrival of the cement mixer vehicle 616 at the offsite facility 602, the contractor may cause the cement mixer vehicle 616 to pour the batch of the concrete 620 into the mold recess 612 within the elevator pit mold 608 and into the mold recess 614 within the sump pit mold 610. In some implementations, the contractor may cause the cement mixer vehicle 616 to entirely fill the mold recess 612 with a single pour of the concrete 620. Additionally, or alternatively, the contractor may cause the cement mixer vehicle 616 to entirely fill the mold recess 612 from the same batch of the concrete 620. At approximately the same time, to establish compliance with the strength requirements previously mentioned, the contractor may cause the cement mixer vehicle 616 to pour the concrete 620 into testing cylinders (not shown), which may be placed in close proximity to the elevator pit mold 608 and the sump pit mold 610 to be exposed to substantially the same controlled environmental conditions. Once the concrete 620 is sufficiently filled in around the rebar core 122, around the rebar core 176, and within the testing cylinders, the contractor may leave the concrete 620 to cure for a time period (e.g., 15 hours, and / or the like). After curing for the time period, the contractor may perform destructive testing on the test cylinders to establish the compressive strength level of the concrete 620. Once proven to comply with the strength requirements, the contractor may proceed with removing the elevator pit subassembly from the elevator pit mold 608 and removing the sump pit subassembly from the sump pit mold 610. For example, the contractor may use one or more pieces of equipment to break apart the elevator pit mold 608 and the sump pit mold 610.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, after removing the elevator pit subassembly from the elevator pit mold 608 and removing the sump pit subassembly from the sump pit mold 610, the contractor may insert a plug 702 into the sump pit recess 156 of the concrete body 120 to prepare the concrete body 120 for application of the water-resistant coating 124. To fill the sump pit recess 156 and thus protect the sump pit recess 156 from intrusion of the water-resistant coating 124, the plug 702 may have a surface 704 that has a shape matching that of the second opening 134. The contractor may further apply a protective covering 706 over a portion 708 of the exterior surface 184 of the concrete body 174 that will not be directly exposed to the subsurface 172. By doing so, the contractor may prevent the water-resistant coating 178 from being unnecessarily applied to the portion 708.

[0058] As shown by reference number 710, the contractor may apply, in a single session, a liquid 712 onto the concrete body 120 and the concrete body 174 to respectively form the water-resistant coating 124 of the elevator pit 116 and the water-resistant coating 178 of the sump pit 118. As an example, the contractor may use one or more devices (e.g., brushes, sprayers, rollers, and / or the like) to brush, spray, and / or roll the liquid 712 onto the entirety of the exterior surface 130, the entirety of the lower surface 128, the entirety of the lower surface 182, and the entirety of the portion 206 of the lower exterior section 196. The liquid 712 may include polyurethane, acrylic, bitumen, and / or the like. Because the contractor applies the liquid 712 while the elevator pit subassembly and the sump pit subassembly are purposefully maintained in the first orientation 714, the contractor may facilitate an even, continuous application of the liquid 712 and thereby minimize a potential for intrusion of water into the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118.

[0059] Regarding FIG. 8, assume that quality control has inspected and approved the water-resistant coating 124 and the water-resistant coating 178, the contractor has removed the plug 702 and the protective covering 706 from the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118, respectively, and a transportation vehicle 802 (e.g., a flatbed truck, and / or the like) has arrived at the offsite facility 602. As shown in FIG. 8, the contractor may cause the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 to be placed in second orientations 804 (e.g., with the upper surface 126 elevated relative to the lower surface 128, and correspondingly, the upper surface 180 elevated relative to the lower surface 182). For example, the contractor may use one or more lifting devices (e.g., a gantry crane, and / or the like) to rotate the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 into the second orientations 804. Once in the second orientations 804, the contractor may secure the plurality of rebar projections 114 onto the upper surface 126 of the elevator pit 116 (e.g., via drilling, and / or the like) and, using the one or more lifting devices, lower the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 onto the transportation vehicle 802.

[0060] As shown by reference number 806, after the contractor has secured the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 onto the transportation vehicle 802, the transportation vehicle 802 may travel a distance (e.g., one or more miles, and / or the like) from the offsite facility 602, at the first location, to the jobsite 102, at the second location. Because the contractor causes the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 to be delivered to the jobsite 102 in the second orientations 804, the contractor facilitates installation within the pit 808, as will be described in connection to FIGS. 9-10.

[0061] Regarding FIG. 9, assume that a crew has prepared the jobsite 102, including the pit 808. For example, the crew may have inspected the jobsite 102, performed soil analysis, excavated the pit 808, installed one or more drainage pipes (not shown) to communicate with the sump pit 118, dispersed and compacted soil and / or gravel thereon, and / or the like.

[0062] As shown by reference number 902, the contractor may cause the elevator pit 116 and the sump pit 118 to be installed directly on a ground surface in the pit 808 at the jobsite 102. For example, the contractor may use one or more lifting devices (e.g., cranes, and / or the like) to move the elevator pit 116 from the transportation vehicle 802 directly onto a leveled base 904 of the pit 808, which has a size and shape that is substantially equal to a size and shape of the lower surface 128 of the elevator pit 116. To facilitate installation, the pit 808 may include tapered walls 906 which define a pit opening 908 that has a size that is larger than the size of the leveled base 904.

[0063] Once the elevator pit 116 is in place, the contractor may apply epoxy to the ledge base surface 154 of the elevator pit 116, which is designed to form an adhesive seal against the lower flange surface 200 of the sump pit 118. The contractor may then use the one or more lifting devices to lower the sump pit 118 through the first opening 132 of the elevator pit 116, which is substantially level with the pit opening 908, and into the sump pit recess 156. Once so installed, the upper surface 180 of the sump pit 118 is substantially level with the recess base surface 148 of the elevator pit116.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, and by reference number 1002, the contractor may backfill the pit 808 to complete installation of the elevator pit assembly 106 at the jobsite 102. For example, the contractor may use one more devices (e.g., a dump truck, an excavator, and / or the like) to pour soil into a space between the exterior surface of the elevator pit and the tapered walls 906 of the pit 808. Because the water-resistant coating 124 and the water-resistant coating 178 are applied in a single session to form a continuous, water-blocking barrier on the elevator pit assembly 106, the elevator pit assembly 106 has improved waterproofing capabilities compared to conventional elevator pits, which are susceptible to ingress of water at transition areas between separately-applied waterproofing materials.

[0065] FIGS. 6-10 are provided as examples. It should be understood that other examples are possible and may differ from that described in relation to FIGS. 6-10. For example, the process 600 may include additional steps, fewer steps, additional components, fewer components, different components, and / or the like.

[0066] FIGS. 11-12 illustrate additional views of the elevator pit assembly 106, with the sump pit 118 fixedly secured within the elevator pit 116. Because the elevator pit 116 is a one-piece, seamless structure, formed via a single pour of the concrete 620, rather than a multi-piece structure formed via multiple pours during onsite casting, the elevator pit 116 has improved structural integrity relative to conventional elevator pits. In particular, because the elevator pit 116 is formed via the single pour, the elevator pit 116 has improved chemical bonding throughout the concrete body 120 and improved material consistency. Furthermore, because the elevator pit 116 has been cast in the controlled environment, rather than an uncontrolled environment, the elevator pit 116 is less susceptible to cracking and other stresses that may occur due to variations in environmental conditions during conventional onsite casting. Further still, because the elevator pit 116 has been manufactured at the offsite facility 602 while preparation of the jobsite 102 is underway, rather than casting the elevator pit 116 at the jobsite 102 after preparation of the jobsite 102, as is done in conventional construction processes, the contractor is able to eliminate multiple days of work from an overall construction schedule and thus greatly improve efficiency and reduce costs.

[0067] FIGS. 11-12 are provided as examples. It should be understood that other examples are possible and may differ from that described in relation to FIGS. 11-12. For example, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and / or differently shaped components than those shown in FIGS. 11-12.

[0068] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative example of an elevator pit 1300 that may be implemented in locations that are less susceptible to water intrusion (e.g., as determined by a water table assessment, and / or the like). Like the elevator pit 116, the elevator pit 1300 includes a concrete body 1302, a rebar core (not shown), and a water-resistant coating 1304. The concrete body 1302 includes the upper surface 126, a lower surface 1306, and the exterior surface 130 extending therebetween. The rebar core is substantially the same as the rebar core 122, and the water-resistant coating 1304 covers an entirety of lower surface 1306 and the exterior surface 130.

[0069] In contrast to the elevator pit 116, which includes a sump pit recess 156 and is thus configured to receive a sump pit 118, the elevator pit 1300 does not include the sump pit recess 156 or the through hole 136. Instead, the first opening 132 communicates with a recess 1308 which extends toward the lower surface 1306 and includes a continuous base 1310. The lower surface 1306 is likewise continuous. While not expressly described, it should be understood that the process 600 may be tailored to manufacture and install the elevator pit 1300 at a jobsite.

[0070] FIG. 13 is provided as an example. It should be understood that other examples are possible and may differ from that described in relation to FIG. 13. For example, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and / or differently shaped components than those shown in FIG. 13.

[0071] As used herein, “a,”“an,” and a “set” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”). Further, spatially relative terms, such as “below,”“lower,”“above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus, device, and / or element in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. An elevator pit comprising:a concrete body pre-cast from a single pour of concrete, the concrete body including:a lower surface that is configured to be seated directly on a ground surface,an upper surface that is opposite the lower surface,wherein the upper surface includes an opening that communicates with a main recess that extends toward the lower surface,wherein the main recess is configured to receive one or more components of an elevator system, andan exterior surface that extends between the lower surface and the upper surface; anda water-resistant coating applied continuously and in a single session to the lower surface and the exterior surface.

2. The elevator pit of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface includes:an upper exterior section that directly connects with the upper surface, anda step section between the upper exterior section and the lower surface, the step section including:a first exterior step surface portion that is parallel to the upper exterior section and directly connected to the lower surface, andan upper step surface that is parallel to the upper surface and directly connected to the upper exterior section.

3. The elevator pit of claim 1, wherein:the opening is a first opening,the lower surface includes a second opening that communicates with a sump pit recess that is configured to receive a sump pit,the sump pit recess has a width that is less than a width of the main recess, andthe sump pit recess communicates with the main recess.

4. The elevator pit of claim 3, wherein the sump pit recess includes:a lower passage section that communicates with the second opening, anda ledge section between the lower passage section and the main recess, the ledge section including:a ledge interior surface that directly connects to a base surface of the main recess, anda ledge base surface that is parallel to the upper surface.

5. The elevator pit of claim 1, wherein the water-resistant coating covers an entirety of the lower surface and the exterior surface.

6. The elevator pit of claim 1, wherein the concrete body is seamless.

7. The elevator pit of claim 1, wherein the concrete body includes reinforcement centrally embedded therein.

8. An elevator pit assembly comprising:an elevator pit pre-cast from a single pour of concrete, the elevator pit including:an upper surface that includes a first opening,a lower surface that includes a second opening that communicates with the first opening to define a through hole,wherein the through hole includes:a main recess, anda sump pit recess,an exterior surface that extends between lower surface and the upper surface; anda sump pit seated within the sump pit recess.

9. The elevator pit assembly of claim 8, wherein the concrete is a self-consolidating concrete.

10. The elevator pit assembly of claim 8, wherein the sump pit recess includes:a ledge section that connects to the main recess, anda lower passage section that connects to the second opening.

11. The elevator pit assembly of claim 10, wherein:the sump pit includes an exterior surface having a flange section and a lower exterior section,the flange section fixedly contacts the ledge section of the sump pit recess, andthe lower exterior section contacts the lower passage section of the sump pit recess.

12. The elevator pit assembly of claim 8, wherein the exterior surface includes:an upper exterior section that directly connects with the upper surface, anda step section between the upper exterior section and the lower surface, the step section including:a first exterior step surface portion that is parallel to the upper exterior section and directly connected to the lower surface, andan upper step surface that is parallel to the upper surface and directly connected to the upper exterior section.

13. The elevator pit assembly of claim 8, further comprising:a water-resistant coating applied to:the lower surface and the exterior surface of the elevator pit, anda lower surface and an exterior surface of the sump pit.

14. The elevator pit assembly of claim 8, wherein the elevator pit and the sump pit both include reinforcement embedded therein.

15. A method comprising:casting, with a single pour of concrete and at a first location, a concrete body of an elevator pit,wherein the concrete body includes:a lower surface,an upper surface that is opposite the lower surface,wherein the upper surface includes an opening that communicates with a main recess that extends toward the lower surface, wherein the main recess is configured to receive one or more components of an elevator system, andan exterior surface that connects the upper surface and the lower surface; andinstalling, at a second location different than the first location, the elevator pit such that the lower surface directly contacts a ground surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein casting the concrete body includes:pouring the concrete into a mold recess such that a top opening of the mold recess defines the lower surface of the concrete body.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:applying, continuously and in a single session, a water-resistant coating to the lower surface and the exterior surface of the concrete body.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:transporting the elevator pit from the first location to the second location,wherein applying the water-resistant coating occurs prior to transporting the elevator pit.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:rotating the elevator pit from a first orientation, in which the lower surface is vertically higher than the upper surface, to a second orientation, in which the lower surface is vertically lower than the upper surface,wherein applying the water-resistant coating occurs prior to rotating the elevator pit.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein:the opening is a first opening,the lower surface includes a second opening that communicates with a sump pit recess,wherein the sump pit recess communicates with the main recess, andthe method further comprises:inserting a sump pit into the first opening, andadhering the sump pit within the sump pit recess.

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