A balustrade assembly

Abstract

An elevator car having a balustrade assembly (1) includes posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) adapted to be mounted on an upper surface (2a) of the roof (2). Each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) has a bottom portion (3'') fixed on the upper surface (2a) and a top portion (3') distal to the bottom portion (3''). Cross members (4) connecting the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and mounting brackets (5) are disposed on the upper surface (2a) of the roof (2). Each mounting bracket (5) is adapted to receive a bottom portion (3'') of one of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) to fix the respective post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) on the roof (2) such that the top portion (3') is inwardly inclined with respect to the bottom portion (3'') and the top portions (3') form an upper working perimeter that is smaller than a lower working perimeter formed by bottom portions (3'').

Description

[0001] A BALUSTRADE ASSEMBLY

[0002] The present invention relates to elevators and more particularly, to a balustrade assembly adapted to be mounted on the roof of an elevator car.

[0003] Elevators are an essential part of multi-storey buildings, such as commercial or residential buildings, for transporting persons / goods between different floors. An elevator includes an elevator shaft disposed along the multiple floors of a building. Further, the elevator includes an elevator car adapted to be displaced along the elevator shaft between the multiple floors by using a drive unit.

[0004] To ensure the safe and reliable operation of such elevators, one or more maintenance operations are required to be periodically performed. To perform the maintenance operations, the elevator car is usually moved to a specific location within the elevator shaft. Typically, one or more operators are required to be present on a roof of the elevator car to perform various maintenance tasks. For maintenance operations near the roof of the elevator car, operators or technicians perform tasks such as inspection, service, and repair of various hoistway components of the elevator car. Balustrades on the roof of elevator cars have been known and used for a long time. WO 2016 / 116312 Al. There may be a need for an elevator car with a balustrade wherein the balustrade comprises few parts, to provide a stable balustrade and / or to ensure safety for the maintenance personal on the car roof

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known elevators and in particular to provide an improved elevator car having a balustrade assembly. According to the invention, this object is solved by the elevator car having the features of claim 1 and an elevator system having the features of claim 15.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, the elevator car including a roof and a balustrade assembly adapted to be mounted on the roof, is disclosed herein. A plurality of posts is adapted to be mounted on an upper surface of the roof. Each post has a bottom portion fixed on the upper surface and a top portion distal to the bottom portion. A plurality of cross members connects the plurality of posts. A plurality of mounting brackets is disposed on the upper surface of the roof. Each mounting bracket is adapted to receive a botom portion of one of the plurality of posts to fix the respective post on the roof such that the top portion is inwardly inclined with respect to the botom portion. The top portions of the plurality of posts form an upper working perimeter that is smaller than a lower working perimeter formed by the botom portions of the plurality of posts.

[0007] Possible features and advantages of embodiments / aspects of the invention can be considered, among other things, and without limiting the invention, to be dependent upon the concepts and findings described below.

[0008] Since the top portions of the posts are inclined relative to the botom portions, the working perimeter formed by the botom portions of the posts is larger. This means the operators or technicians have more room or space to position themselves to beter perform the maintenance tasks while retaining the safety provided by the cross members and the posts. The posts and the cross members collectively form a protective barrier for the operators standing on the roof of the elevator car. This increased working perimeter defines an increased working area which means that the increased area advantageously provides increased space for placing equipment or additional tools for performing the maintenance operation.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, an elevator system including a drive machine and an elevator car as described in the above paragraphs is disclosed herein. A botom portion of each post of the balustrade assembly of the elevator car is fixedly and especially rigidly anchored to a corresponding mounting bracket such that a top portion of each post is inclined with respect to the botom portion.

[0010] In the following, further embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0011] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, an angle of inclination of the top portion of each post relative to at least one of a horizontal axis (X) and a lateral axis (Z) of the roof is about 83 to 87 degrees. This means the top portion of each post is inclined at an angle of inclination ranging between 83 to 87 degrees relative to either the horizontal axis (X) or the lateral axis (Z). Alternatively, the top portion of each post is inclined at an angle of inclination ranging between 83 to 87 degrees relative to both the horizontal axis (X) and the lateral axis (Z). In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, the angle of inclination of each post relative to a vertical axis (Y) of the roof is about 3 to 7 degrees. The inclination of the posts relative to at least one or both the horizontal axis (X) and the lateral axis (Z) ensures the posts are made of metallic material having a lower wall thickness.

[0012] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, each of the plurality of posts is preferably made of a sheet metal having a wall thickness ranging between 1.25mm and 1.5mm. Advantageously, this reduces the overall cost and material used for the balustrade assembly.

[0013] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, each mounting bracket is affixed at an edge of the roof. The positioning of each mounting bracket at the edge of the roof ensures the working area available to the operators is maximized. Advantageously, this means more working area is at the disposal of operators or technicians such that positioning of equipment or tools or even placing a foot of the operator to perform the maintenance task without compromising safety is achieved.

[0014] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, a contour of at least one mounting bracket conforms with a contour of at least one edge of the roof in a manner that a flush connection is formed therebetween. Advantageously, the contour of the at least one mounting bracket forming the flush connection with the edge of the roof means the working area is maximized such that little or no portion of the roof is inaccessible for placing a foot of the operator or technician thereby increasing ease of performing the maintenance task.

[0015] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, the plurality of cross members connecting a first pair and a third pair of the posts form protective barriers from hoistway components on opposing sides of the roof of the elevator car thereby forming a two-sided balustrade assembly. The provision of the cross members connecting the posts on opposing sides of the roof ensures the operator is protected from falling debris or unintentional engagement with the hoistway components.

[0016] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, the plurality of cross members connecting the first pair, a second pair, and the third pair of the posts form protective barriers from hoistway components on three sides of the roof of the elevator car thereby forming a three-sided balustrade assembly. The provision of the cross members connecting the posts on the three sides of the roof ensures the operator is protected from falling debris or unintentional engagement with the hoistway components on the three sides of the roof.

[0017] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, each post is supported on the upper surface of the roof by at least one stiffener plate. Advantageously, the provision of the stiffener plate which may include a gusset plate increases the load bearing capacity of the posts and provides increased support to the posts in implementations where the posts are made of metallic materials.

[0018] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, a working area defined by the lower working perimeter is greater than a working area defined by the upper working perimeter. This increased working area advantageously provides increased space for placing equipment or additional tools for performing the maintenance operation. In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, the working area equals at least 95 percent of a total area of the roof. Since the working area is maximized, advantageously, little or no portion of the roof is inaccessible for placing a foot of the operator or technician thereby increasing ease of performing the maintenance task.

[0019] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, the second pair of the posts is inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis (X), the vertical axis (Y), and the lateral axis (Z) such that the cross members connecting the first pair and the third pair are inclined with respect to each other.

[0020] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, each of the mounting brackets is anchored to the upper surface of the roof using at least one of a screw thread fastener, a bolt fastener, and a welding procedure. Since the mounting brackets are rigidly anchored to the roof, the balustrade assembly prevents any deflection or damage to the posts that may occur with repeated closing or folding of the posts of the balustrade assembly as in the case of foldable balustrade assemblies. The rigid mounting of the posts prevents bending or movement of the posts when subject to exertion of external force on the posts thereby protecting the operator or technician positioned inside the working area from unintentional engagement with hoistway components.

[0021] In one or more embodiments according to the present invention, an outer profile of each of the posts is complementary to an inner profile of a corresponding mounting bracket from the plurality of mounting brackets such that each of the plurality of posts is fastened to a corresponding mounting bracket. This means posts having different outer profiles can be manufactured based on distinctive design considerations for example, load bearing capacity, available space on the roof of the elevator car, etc.

[0022] The term “elevator shaft” may be referred to as an enclosed space formed by a plurality of walls defining a hoistway to accommodate one or more components of the elevator system.

[0023] The term “upper working perimeter” may refer to the perimeter formed by the top portions of the posts of the balustrade assembly.

[0024] The term “lower working perimeter” may refer to the perimeter formed by the bottom portions of the posts of the balustrade assembly.

[0025] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments and from the drawings, in which identical or functionally identical elements are denoted with identical reference signs. The drawings are merely schematic and not to scale.

[0026] Figure la illustrates a perspective view of a balustrade assembly adapted to be mounted on a roof of an elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure lb illustrates an enlarged view of a mounting bracket of the balustrade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 1c illustrates a front planar view of the balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure Id illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket of the balustrade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of a three-sided balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2b illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket of the three-sided balustrade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2c illustrates a front planar view of the three-sided balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2d illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket of the three-sided balustrade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2e illustrates a top view of the three-sided balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car;

[0034] Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of the three-sided balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3b illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket of the three-sided balustrade assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3c illustrates a front planar view of the three-sided balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0037] Figure 3d illustrates a top view of the three-sided balustrade assembly mounted on the roof of the elevator car. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure la illustrates a perspective view of a balustrade assembly 1 adapted to be mounted on a roof 2 of an elevator car (not shown), according to an embodiment of the present invention. An elevator system including the elevator car may be adapted to be installed in a building having a plurality of floors for transporting persons / goods between different floors. The elevator system may include an elevator shaft (not shown), the at least one elevator car (not shown), at least one counterweight (not shown), a suspension traction member (not shown), and a drive machine (not shown). In the subsequent paragraphs, at least for the sake of readability, the at least one elevator car may be interchangeably referred to as the elevator car, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0039] In an embodiment, the elevator system may include the elevator car adapted to be displaced within the elevator shaft between the plurality of floors. The elevator car may be held and displaced along the elevator shaft by the suspension traction member. In an embodiment, the suspension traction member may be embodied as one of a rope and a belt, without departing from the scope of the present invention. An operation of the suspension traction member may be controlled by the drive machine. Further, the counterweight may be adapted to counterbalance a sum of a load of the elevator car and a predetermined load associated with a payload capacity of the elevator car.

[0040] The elevator car includes the balustrade assembly 1 adapted to be mounted on the roof 2. The balustrade assembly 1 includes a plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d adapted to be mounted on an upper surface 2a of the roof 2. Each post 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d has a bottom portion 3 ’ ’ fixed on the upper surface 2a and a top portion 3 ’ distal to the bottom portion 3 ” . In an embodiment, the balustrade assembly 1 includes a total of four vertical posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The plurality of cross members 4 connects the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. In an embodiment, an uppermost cross member 4a may function as a handrail for supporting or placing a hand of the operator or technician. Further, a central crossmember 4b may be arranged as a second crossmember at approximately mid-height between the handrail and the upper surface 2a of the roof 2. Figure lb illustrates an enlarged view of a mounting bracket 5 of the balustrade assembly 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the mounting brackets 5 is anchored to the upper surface 2a of the roof 2 using at least one of a screw thread fastener, a bolt fastener, and a welding procedure. Figure 1c illustrates a front planar view of the balustrade assembly 1 mounted on the roof 2 of the elevator car 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure Id illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket 5 of the balustrade assembly 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The brackets 5 are disposed on the upper surface 2a of the roof 2. Each mounting bracket 5 is adapted to receive a bottom portion 3 ” of one of the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to fix the respective post 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d on the roof 2 such that the top portion 3’ is inwardly inclined with respect to the bottom portion 3”. The top portions 3’ of the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d form an upper working perimeter that is smaller than a lower working perimeter formed by the bottom portions 3” of the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.

[0041] In an embodiment, the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d include a first pair 3a, 3b, a second pair 3b, 3c, a third pair 3c, 3d, and a fourth pair 3d, 3a attached on the upper surface 2a of the roof 2. In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures la-ld, the plurality of cross members 4 connects the first pair 3a, 3b and the third pair 3c, 3d of the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. As such, the plurality of cross members 4 connecting the first pair 3a, 3b and the third pair 3c, 3d of the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d form barriers on opposing sides of the roof 2 of the elevator car.

[0042] Moreover, an angle of inclination of the top portion 3’ of each post 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d relative to at least one of a horizontal axis X and a lateral axis Z of the roof 2 is about 83 to 87 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle of inclination of each post 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d relative to a vertical axis Y of the roof 2 is about 3 to 7 degrees. Each of the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is made of a sheet metal having a wall thickness ranging between 1.25mm and 1.5mm.

[0043] In an embodiment, each mounting bracket 5 is affixed at an edge of the roof 2. The positioning of each mounting bracket 5 at the edge of the roof 2 ensures the working area available to the operators is maximized. The working area defined by the lower working perimeter is greater than the working area defined by the upper working perimeter. In an embodiment, the working area equals at least 95 percent of a total area of the roof 2. Advantageously, this means more working area is at the disposal of operators or technicians such that positioning of equipment or tools or even placing a leg of the operator to perform the maintenance task without compromising safety is achieved.

[0044] A contour of at least one mounting bracket 5 ’ conforms with a contour of at least one edge of the roof 2 in a manner that a flush connection is formed therebetween. Advantageously, the contour of the at least one mounting bracket 5’ forming the flush connection with the edge of the roof means the working area is maximized such that little or no portion of the roof 2 is inaccessible for placing a foot or an extremity of the operator or technician thereby increasing ease of performing the maintenance task.

[0045] Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of a three-sided balustrade assembly 1’ mounted on the roof 2 of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2b illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket 5 of the three- sided balustrade assembly 1’, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2c illustrates a front planar view of the three-sided balustrade assembly 1 ’ mounted on the roof 2 of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2d illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket 5 of the three-sided balustrade assembly 1’, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2e illustrates a top view of the three-sided balustrade assembly 1 ’ mounted on the roof 2 of the elevator car. Each of the mounting brackets 5 is anchored to the upper surface 2a of the roof 2 using at least one of a screw thread fastener, a bolt fastener, and a welding procedure. In an embodiment, the outer profile of each post 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is complementary to an inner profile of a corresponding mounting bracket 5 from the plurality of mounting brackets 5 such that each of the plurality of posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are fastened to a corresponding mounting bracket 5.

[0046] Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of the three-sided balustrade assembly 1” mounted on the roof 2 of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3b illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting bracket 5 of the three- sided balustrade assembly 1’ ’ , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3c illustrates a front planar view of the three-sided balustrade assembly 1 ’ ’ arranged on the roof 2 of the elevator car, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3d illustrates a top view of the three-sided balustrade assembly 1 ’ ’ mounted on the roof 2 of the elevator car. The plurality of cross members 4 connecting the first pair 3a, 3b, a second pair 3b, 3c, and the third pair 3c, 3d of the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d form protective barriers from hoistway components on three sides of the roof 2 of the elevator car. In the three-sided inclined balustrade 1” exemplarily illustrated in Figures 3a-3d the second pair 3b, 3c of the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis X, the vertical axis Y, and the lateral axis Z such that the cross members 4 connecting the first pair 3a, 3b and the third pair 3c, 3d are inclined with respect to each other. In an embodiment, each post 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is supported on the upper surface 2a of the roof 2 by at least one stiffener plate 6. Advantageously, the provision of the stiffener plate 6 which may include a gusset plate increases the load bearing capacity of the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the provides increased support to the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d in implementations where the posts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are made of metallic materials.

[0047] While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

Claims

Claims:

1. An elevator car comprising a roof (2) and a balustrade assembly (1) adapted to be mounted on the roof (2), the balustrade assembly (1) comprising: a plurality of posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) adapted to be mounted on an upper surface (2a) of the roof (2), each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) has a bottom portion (3”) fixed on the upper surface (2a) and a top portion (3’) distal to the bottom portion (3”); a plurality of cross members (4) connecting the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d); and a plurality of mounting brackets (5) disposed on the upper surface (2a) of the roof (2), each mounting bracket (5) adapted to receive a bottom portion (3”) of one of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) to fix the respective post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) on the roof (2) such that the top portion (3’) is inwardly inclined with respect to the bottom portion (3”), wherein the top portions (3’) of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) form an upper working perimeter that is smaller than a lower working perimeter formed by the bottom portions (3”) of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).

2. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein: an angle of inclination of the top portion (3’) of each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) relative to at least one of a horizontal axis (X) and a lateral axis (Z ) of the roof (2) is about 83 to 87 degrees.

3. The elevator car according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the angle of inclination of each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) relative to a vertical axis (Y) of the roof (2) is about 3 to 7 degrees.

4. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket (5) is affixed at an edge of the roof (2).

5. The elevator car according to claim 4, wherein a contour of at least one mounting bracket (5’) conforms with a contour of at least one edge of the roof (2) in a manner that a flush connection is formed therebetween.

6. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross members (4) connecting a first pair (3a, 3b) and a third pair (3c, 3d) of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) form protective barriers from hoistway components on opposing sides of the roof (2) of the elevator car.

7. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross members (4) connecting the first pair (3a, 3b), a second pair (3b, 3c), and the third pair (3c, 3d) of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) form protective barriers from hoistway components on three sides of the roof (2) of the elevator car.

8. The elevator car according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is supported on the upper surface (2a) of the roof (2) by at least one stiffener plate (6).

9. The elevator car according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a working area defined by the lower working perimeter is greater than a working area defined by the upper working perimeter.

10. The elevator car according to claim 9, wherein the working area equals at least 95 percent of a total area of the roof (2).

11. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein the second pair (3b, 3 c) of the posts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis (X), the vertical axis (Y), and the lateral axis (Z) such that the cross members (4) connecting the first pair (3a, 3b) and the third pair (3c, 3d) are inclined with respect to each other.

12. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket (5) is anchored to the upper surface (2a) of the roof (2) using at least one of a screw thread fastener, a bolt fastener, and a welding procedure.

13. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is made of a sheet metal having a wall thickness ranging between 1.25mm and 1.5mm.

14. The elevator car according to claim 1, wherein an outer profile of each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is complementary to an inner profile of a corresponding mounting bracket (5) from the mounting brackets (5) such that each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is fastened to a corresponding mounting bracket (5).

15. An elevator system comprising: a drive machine; and an elevator car coupled to the drive machine and including a balustrade assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein a bottom portion (3”) of each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is fixedly anchored to a corresponding mounting bracket (5) such that a top portion (3’) of each post (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is inclined with respect to the bottom portion (3”).

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