A lubricator for an elevator installation

Abstract

A lubricator (108) for an elevator installation (100) is disclosed. The lubricator (108) comprises a reservoir (110) adapted to store a lubricant and a pair of arms (112-1, 112-2) oppositely extending from the reservoir (110). The pair of arms (112-1, 112-2) are adapted to be engaged with at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) spaced apart from each other in at least one guide rail (106) of the elevator installation (100). Further, each arm (112-1, 112-2) is adapted to be elastically deformed with respect to the reservoir (110), such that each arm (112-1, 112-2) can be engaged with the respective guide contour (106-1, 106-2) to attach the lubricator (108) to the at least one guide rail (106). Moreover, each arm (112-1, 112-2) is adapted to receive the lubricant from the reservoir (110) to lubricate the respective guide contour (106-1, 106-2).

Description

[0001] A LUBRICATOR FOR AN ELEVATOR INSTALLATION

[0002] The present invention relates to elevators and more particularly, to a lubricator for an elevator installation.

[0003] Elevators are an essential part of multi-storey buildings, such as commercial or residential buildings, for transporting persons / goods between different floors. The elevator usually includes at least one guide rail engaged with a pair of guide shoes to guide a counterweight unit of the elevator. Further, the elevator system includes a pair of lubricators engageable to the guide rail and positioned on the pair of guide shoes. Each lubricator is adapted to lubricate a guide portion of the guide rail.

[0004] However, each existing lubricator is used to lubricate a single guide portion of the guide rail. When the guide portions of the guide rail are located at a larger distance from each other, multiple lubricators are required to be installed to lubricate the guide portions. The installation of multiple lubricators consumes significant time and effort, which further increases the overall cost associated with the installation of multiple lubricators. Further, the implementation of the pair of lubricators increases the number of components which causes the packaging issue and increases the overall cost of the elevator system. For installation, the pair of lubricators is required to be initially installed on the top of the guide rail and then, slide downwardly to a portion adjacent to the counterweight unit. Thus, the installation of the existing lubricators is a cumbersome task, which consumes more effort and time.

[0005] CN201309785Y shows an integrated guide shoe that can provide an integral guiding and lubricating function to the guide rail. The integrated guide shoe comprises a lubricant plug, a shoe guide, a locking plate, a cavernous body, a lubricant plug lid, and an oil guide lead-in wire. Herein, the lubrication oil flows from the cavernous body to the shoe guide to lubricate the guide rail. However, the integrated guide shoe can lubricate only a single guide portion of the guide rail. The integrated guide shoe is not implementable to lubricate the multiple guide portions located at a larger distance from each other on the guide rail. To lubricate such multiple guide portions, multiple lubricators are required to be installed, which can be a cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive task.

[0006] Therefore, there is an immense desire to develop a lubricator that can overcome one or more shortcomings associated with the abovementioned elevators.

[0007] One of the objectives of the present invention is to develop a lubricator that can lubricate at least two guide contours of a guide rail. Further, the lubricator is elastically deformable, such that the lubricator can be easily and swiftly installed in an elevator installation. Accordingly, this object is solved by the lubricator having the features of claim 1 and the elevator installation having the features of claim 14.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a lubricator for an elevator installation is disclosed. The lubricator comprises a reservoir adapted to store a lubricant, and a pair of arms oppositely extending from the reservoir. The pair of arms are adapted to be engaged with at least two guide contours spaced apart from each other in at least one guide rail of the elevator installation. Each arm is adapted to be elastically deformed with respect to the reservoir, such that each arm can be engaged with the respective guide contour to attach the lubricator to the at least one guide rail. Further, each arm is adapted to receive the lubricant from the reservoir to lubricate the respective guide contour.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, an elevator installation is disclosed. The elevator installation comprises a counterweight unit, at least one pair of guide shoes, at least one guide rail, and a lubricator as explained in the previous paragraph. The at least one pair of guide shoes is positioned on the counterweight unit. The at least one guide rail is engaged with the at least one pair of guide shoes to guide the counterweight unit. The lubricator is mounted on the counterweight unit and is engaged with at least two guide contours spaced apart from each other in the at least one guide rail. Herein, the lubricator is adapted to lubricate at least two guide contours of the at least one guide rail.

[0010] 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.

[0011] As mentioned above, the lubricator comprises the pair of arms extending from the reservoir. The pair of arms are adapted to be engaged with at least two guide contours of the at least one guide, such that the at least two guide contours can be lubricated. Herein, advantageously, each arm is adapted to be elastically deformed with respect to the reservoir to engage the respective arm with the respective guide contour to attach the lubricator to the at least one guide rail. Upon applying a predetermined force on each arm, the respective arm is elastically deformed, such that the lubricator can be positioned around the at least one guide rail. Further, when each arm is released, each arm engages with the respective guide contour to attach the lubricator to the at least one guide rail.

[0012] Furthermore, the lubricator comprises a single reservoir to lubricate the at least two guide contours of the at least one guide rail. In the elevator installation, the lubricator is mounted on the counterweight unit and is engaged with at least two guide contours spaced apart from each other in the at least one guide rail. Herein, the lubricator is adapted to lubricate at least two guide contours of the at least one guide rail.

[0013] Advantageously, the lubricator can lubricate the at least two guide contours located at a larger distance from each other. This eliminates the requirement to install multiple lubricators for lubricating at least two guide contours, which further reduces the overall cost associated with the installation of the multiple lubricators. Further, the elastic deformation of the pair of arms enables the easy and swift installation of the lubricator as the pair of arms manually elastically deforms to engage with the at least two guide contours. Upon release of each arm, the pair of arms is engaged with the at least two guide contours. Such engagement of the pair of arms and the at least two guide contours requires minimal effort and time. This results in swift and convenient installation of the lubricator.

[0014] As explained earlier, the implementation of the single reservoir reduces the number of components of the lubricator required to lubricate the at least two guide contours. This reduces the overall complexity and cost of the lubricator. Additionally, the lubricator is mounted on the counterweight unit of the elevator installation. This eliminates the requirement to provide a mounting provision on each guide shoe for mounting the lubricator as the lubricator is mounted on the counterweight unit. This results in easy and cost-effective mounting of the lubricator easy and cost-effective.

[0015] In the following, further embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, each arm comprises a supporting portion and a holding portion. The supporting portion laterally extends from the reservoir and is elastically deformable with respect to the reservoir. Herein, the supporting portion defines a hollow passage adapted to allow a flow of the lubricant therethrough or to receive the lubricant from the reservoir. The holding portion is adjoining the supporting portion at an outer end of the supporting portion. The holding portion is adapted to be engaged with the at least two guide contours spaced apart from each other at a predefined distance.

[0017] Advantageously, the supporting portion is connected to the reservoir to receive the lubricant. Further, the supporting portion defines the hollow passage adapted to allow a flow of the lubricant therethrough or to receive the lubricant from the reservoir to lubricate at least two guide contours via the holding portion of each arm. Herein, the holding portion engages with the at least two guide contours for lubrication. This eliminates the requirement to install multiple lubricators for lubricating the at least two guide contours, which further reduces the overall cost associated with the installation and manufacturing of the multiple lubricators.

[0018] Further, the implementation of the supporting portion provides an extended reach for the lubricator to lubricate and engage with the at least two guide contours located at the predefined distance from each other. Thus, the holding portion can be easily engaged to the at least two guide contours spaced apart from each other at the predefined distance. Herein, the extended reach enables the holding portion to engage with the at least two guide contours for the lubrication.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the holding portion extends from the supporting portion.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, a length of each arm is less than a length of the reservoir.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, a length of each arm is less than the predefined distance between the at least two guide contours. Thus, each provides the extended reach for the lubricator to engage with the at least two guide contours located at the predefined distance from each other.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the supporting portion of each arm is adapted to be elastically deformable between a normal position and a deformed position with respect to the reservoir. In the normal position, the supporting portion remains parallel to a reference plane. Herein, a wall of the reservoir is coplanar to the reference plane. In the deformed position, the supporting portion moves in an arcuate path, with respect to the reservoir, away from the reference plane to vary a linear distance between the holding portions of each arm. Herein, the supporting portions of the arms are elastically deformed when the supporting portions are moved in the arcuate path, such that the holding portions of the arms are moved away from the reference plate. This enables the engagement of the holding portions with the at least two guide contours of the one or more guide rails.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the supporting portion of at least one arm is elastically deformed such that the holding portion of the respective arm is engageable with the guide contour from among the at least two guide contours.

[0024] Advantageously, the elastic deformation of the supporting portion between the normal position and the deformed position facilitates the easy and simple attaching of the lubricator with the at least one guide rail. Upon the deformation of the supporting portion, the linear distance between the holding portions of each arm is increased, preferably more than a width of the guide rail. Herein, the width is the predefined distance between the at least two guide contours. Thus, the holding portion of each arm can be easily engaged with the respective guide contour of the at least one guide rail. This has the advantage that the effort and time required for installing the lubricator are reduced. Therefore, the lubricator can be installed in the elevator installation a swift and convenient way.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the lubricator comprises a pair of lubrication wicks. Each lubrication wick is positioned in the holding portion and is adapted to flow the lubricant from the hollow passage to each guide contour. The pair of lubrication wicks is adapted to flow the lubricant from the hollow passage to each guide contour via capillary action. Herein, each lubrication wick flows the lubricant via the hollow passage to lubricate at least one guide contour. Thus, the pair of lubrication wicks lubricates the at least two guide contours of the at least one guide rail.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the holding portion comprises a U-shaped cross-section adapted to be engaged with the guide contour from among the at least two guide contours. Herein, the U-shaped cross-section of the holding portion facilitates the easy engagement and lubrication of the guide contour positioned within the U-shaped cross-section. Such cross-section enables the easy installation of the lubricator. In an embodiment, a profile of the holding portion is identical to a profile of the respective guide contour, such that the holding portion can be easily engaged with the respective guide contour.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the reservoir comprises a mounting flange extending from a bottom wall of the reservoir. The mounting flange is adapted to be positioned on the counterweight unit of the elevator installation. Further, the mounting flange comprises a plurality of fastening holes adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners to mount the lubricator on the counterweight unit.

[0028] Advantageously, the mounting flange is only responsible for mounting the lubricator on the counterweight unit. Thus, mounting and dismantling the lubricator is easier as the mounting flange is required to be fixed or removed from the counterweight unit. This reduces the time and effort associated with the mounting of the lubricator. Further, the mounting flange acts as a base of the lubricator to support the lubricator on the counterweight unit.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the reservoir is embodied as a tank adapted to store the lubricant. The reservoir comprises a plurality of adjacent walls adapted to form a chamber to store the lubricant. Herein, the pair of arms extend from the opposite adjacent walls. Further, the at least one adjacent wall is adapted to be elastically deformed to support the elastic deformation of each arm.

[0030] Advantageously, the reservoir provides the lubricant to lubricate the at least two guide contours of the guide rail without using different tanks for lubricating the respective guide contour. Thus, the implementation of the single reservoir reduces the number of components of the lubricator required to lubricate the at least two guide contours, which further reduces the overall complexity and cost associated with the installation and manufacturing of the lubricator. In one or more embodiments, the lubricator comprises a housing and a lid cover. The housing defines the reservoir, the supporting portions, the holding portions and preferably, the mounting flange. In an embodiment, the housing is formed as a single-piece injection-moulded structure. Herein, a bottom portion of the housing defines the mounting flange. Further, a lid cover is adapted to be positioned on an upper portion of the housing to cover the upper portion.

[0031] The lid cover is adapted to be positioned on an upper portion of the housing to cover the reservoir, the supporting portions the holding portions. In an embodiment, the lid cover is coupled with the reservoir via at least one hinge. The lid cover is adapted to pivot with respect to the at least one hinge between an open condition and a closed condition. In the open condition, the lid cover is moved pivotally away from the reservoir, the supporting portions, and the holding portions to open the reservoir, the supporting portions and the holding portions.

[0032] Herein, the lid cover is opened to fill the lubricant inside the reservoir. In the closed condition, the lid cover is pivotally moved towards the reservoir, the supporting portions, the holding portions to conceal the reservoir, the supporting portions, and the holding portions. The lid cover is engaged with the reservoir, the supporting portions, and the holding portions to ensure that the lid cover remains in the closed condition during the movement of the counterweight unit. In an embodiment, the lid cover is formed of a polymeric material, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, the lid cover is formed of a metallic material, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Advantageously, the lid cover prevents an ingress of the external contaminants in the reservoir, the supporting portions, and the holding portions, such that the lubricant accommodated in the reservoir can be protected from the external contaminants. Further, the lid cover can be opened to fill or refill the lubricant in the reservoir. Moreover, the lid cover prevents the spillage of the lubricant from the lubricator.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the hollow passage of the supporting portion comprises a thin hollow shaped box section. Herein, a width of the thin hollow shaped box section is less than a width of the reservoir.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the lubricator is fixed with the counterweight unit via a plurality of fasteners. Herein, the plurality of fasteners is embodied as a plurality of bolts or screws, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0036] Advantageously, the fixing of the lubricator on the counterweight unit eliminates the requirement to provide a mounting provision on each guide shoe for mounting the lubricator. Thus, the lubricator can be easily installed in the elevator installation. Further, the plurality of fasteners can be easily untightened to remove the lubricator from the counterweight unit for maintenance or replacement.

[0037] In one or more embodiments of the second aspect, the at least one guide rail comprises the at least two guide contours spaced apart from each other at the predefined distance.

[0038] In one or more embodiments of the second aspect, a length of each arm is less than the predefined distance between the at least two guide contours of the at least one guide rail.

[0039] 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. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an elevator installation depicting a lubricator attached to a guide rail having at least two guide contours, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the elevator installation having the lubricator attached to the guide rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the lubricator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the lubricator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate perspective views of the lubricator having a lid cover in an open condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0044] Figure 5(c) illustrates a perspective view of the lubricator having the lid cover in a closed condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an elevator installation 100 depicting a lubricator 108 attached to a guide rail 106 having at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the elevator installation 100 having the lubricator 108 attached to the guide rail 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the elevator installation 100 is adapted to be installed in a building having a plurality of floors for transporting persons / goods between different floors. The elevator installation 100 comprises a counterweight unit 102, at least one pair of guide shoes 104, at least one guide rail 106, and the lubricator 108. The at least one pair of guide shoes 104 is positioned on the counterweight unit 102. The at least one guide rail 106 is engaged with the at least one pair of guide shoes 104 to guide the counterweight unit 102. Herein, the at least one guide rail 106 comprises the at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 spaced apart from each other at a predefined distance DI. For example, the predefined distance is greater than 8 cm.

[0047] The lubricator 108 is mounted on the counterweight unit 102. Further, the lubricator 108 is adapted to be engaged with the two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 spaced apart from each other in the at least one guide rail 106. Herein, the lubricator 108 is adapted to lubricate at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 of the at least one guide rail 106. In an embodiment, the lubricator 108 is mounted on the counterweight unit 102 via a plurality of fasteners.

[0048] Constructional and operational details of the lubricator 108 are explained in the subsequent paragraphs with respect to Figures 3-4.

[0049] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the lubricator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the lubricator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the lubricator 108 comprises a reservoir 110, a pair of arms 112- 1, 112-2, and a pair of lubrication wicks 118-1, 118-2. The reservoir 110 is adapted to store a lubricant. In an embodiment, the reservoir 110 is embodied as a tank adapted to store the lubricant.

[0050] The reservoir 110 comprises a mounting flange 120 and a plurality of adjacent walls 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4. The plurality of adjacent walls 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 is adapted to be joined with each other to form a chamber to store the lubricant. The pair of arms 112-1, 112-2 extends from the opposite adjacent walls 122-1, 122-2. Herein, the at least one adjacent wall 122-3 is adapted to be elastically deformed to support the elastic deformation of each arm 112-1, 112-2.

[0051] The mounting flange 120 extends from a bottom wall of the reservoir 110. The mounting flange 120 is adapted to be positioned on the counterweight unit 102 of the elevator installation 100. The mounting flange 120 comprises a plurality of fastening holes adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners to mount the lubricator 108 on the counterweight unit 102.

[0052] The pair of arms 112-1, 112-2 oppositely extends from the reservoir 110. The pair of arms 112-1, 112-2 are adapted to be engaged with at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 spaced apart from each other in guide rail 106 of the elevator installation 100. Each arm 112-1, 112-2 is adapted to be elastically deformed with respect to the reservoir 110, such that each arm 112-1, 112-2 can be engaged with the respective guide contour 106-1, 106-2 to attach the lubricator unit 108 to the guide rail 106.

[0053] Each arm 112-1, 112-2 is adapted to receive the lubricant from the reservoir 110 to lubricate the respective guide contour 106-1, 106-2. In an embodiment, each arm 112-1, 112-2 has a length L2 which is less than a length LI of the reservoir 110. In another embodiment, the length L2 of each arm 112-1, 112-2 is less than the predefined distance DI between the at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 of the guide rail 106.

[0054] Further, each arm 112-1, 112-2 comprises a supporting portion 114-1, 114- 2 and a holding portion 116-1, 116-2. The supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 laterally extends from the reservoir 110 and, is elastically deformable with respect to the reservoir 110. Herein, the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 defines a hollow passage adapted to allow a flow of the lubricant therethrough or to receive the lubricant from the reservoir 110. In an embodiment, the hollow passage of the supporting portion comprises a thin hollow-shaped box section. Herein, a width of the thin hollowshaped box section is less than a width W of the reservoir 110.

[0055] The holding portion 116-1, 116-2 is adjoining the supporting portion 114-

[0056] 1, 114-2 at an outer end of the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2. In an embodiment, the holding portion 116-1, 116-2 extends from the supporting portion 114-1, 114-

[0057] 2. The holding portion 116-1, 116-2 is adapted to be engaged with the at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 spaced apart from each other at the predefined distance DI. In an embodiment, the holding portion 116-1, 116-2 comprises a U-shaped cross-section adapted to be engaged with the guide contour 106-1, 106-2 from among the at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2. In another embodiment, the holding portion 116-1, 116-2 comprises a U-shaped cross-section adapted to be engaged with the guide contour 106-1, 106-2, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 of each arm 112-1, 112-2 is adapted to be elastically deformable between a normal position and a deformed position with respect to the reservoir 110. The direction of the deformation of the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2 is represented with arrows Al in Figure 3. In the normal position, the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 remains parallel to a reference plane YX as no force is applied on the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2. Herein, a wall 122-3 of the reservoir 110 is coplanar to the reference plane YX.

[0059] In the deformed position, the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 moves in an arcuate path A2, with respect to the reservoir 110, away from the reference plane YX to vary a linear distance D2 between the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 of each arm 112-1, 112-2. Herein, the force is applied on the supporting portion 114-1, 114- 2 to move the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 away from the reference plane YX, such that the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 can easily engage with the at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 upon releasing of the supporting portion 114-1, 114- 2.

[0060] Herein, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2 of the arms 112-1, 112-2 are elastically deformed. Such deformation of the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, moves the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 away from the reference plate YX to enable engagement of the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 with the at least two guide contours 106-1, 106-2 of the one or more guide rails 106.

[0061] In another embodiment, the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 of at least one arm 112-1, 112-2 is elastically deformed, such that the holding portion 116-1, 116- 2 of the respective arm 112-1, 112-2 can engage with the guide contour 106-1, 106- 2. Herein, the elastic deformation of the supporting portion 114-1, 114-2 of at least one arm 112-1, 112-2 moves the holding portion 116-1, 116-2 of the respective arm 112-1, 112-2 away from the reference plate YX. This enables the engagement of the respective holding portion 116-1, 116-2 with the guide contour 106-1, 106-2.

[0062] The pair of lubrication wicks 118-1, 118-2 is adapted to flow the lubricant from the hollow passage to each guide contour 106-1, 106-2 via a capillary action. In an embodiment, a first portion of each lubrication wick 118-1, 118-2 is positioned in the hollow passage and the reservoir 110 to receive the lubricant from the reservoir 110 via the capillary action. The first portion of each lubrication wick 118-1, 118-2 in the hollow passage allows the flow of the lubricant therethrough. Further, a second portion of each lubrication wick 118-1, 118-2 is positioned in the holding portion 116-1, 116-2 to receive the flow of the lubricant through the hollow passage to each guide contour 106-1, 106-2 for the lubrication.

[0063] In an embodiment, the lubricator 108 comprises a housing and a lid cover 128. Herein, the housing defines the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, the holding portions 116-1, 116-2, and the mounting flange 120. Herein, the housing is formed as a single-piece injection -moulded structure, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The housing comprises a bottom portion 124 and an upper portion 126 opposite to the bottom portion 124. The bottom portion 124 of the housing defines mounting flange 120. Constructional details of the lid cover 128 are explained in the subsequent paragraphs with reference to Figures 5(a) and 5(b).

[0064] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate perspective views of the lubricator 108 having the lid cover 128 in an open condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5(c) illustrates a perspective view of the lubricator 108 having the lid cover 128 in a closed condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c), the lid cover 128 is adapted to be positioned on an upper portion 126 of the housing to cover the upper portion 126 including the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2. Thus, the lid cover 128 prevents an ingress of the external contaminants in the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114- 2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2, such that the lubricant accommodated in the reservoir 100 can be protected from the external contaminants. Further, the lid cover 128 prevents the spillage of the lubricant from the lubricator.

[0065] In an embodiment, the lid cover 128 is coupled with the reservoir 110 via at least one hinge. The lid cover 128 is adapted to pivot with respect to the at least one hinge between the open condition and the closed condition. In the open condition, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the lid cover 128 is moved pivotally away from the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 to open the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2. Herein, the lid cover 128 is open to fill the lubricant inside the reservoir 110.

[0066] In the closed condition, as shown in Figure 5(c), the lid cover 128 is pivotally moved towards the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 to conceal the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2. The lid cover 128 is engaged with the reservoir 110, the supporting portions 114-1, 114-2, and the holding portions 116-1, 116-2 to ensure that the lid cover 128 remains in the closed condition during the movement of the counterweight unit. In an embodiment, the lid cover 128 is formed of a polymeric material, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, the lid cover 128 is formed of a rubber material, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0067] 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. A lubricator (108) for an elevator installation (100), the lubricator (108) comprising: a reservoir (110) adapted to store a lubricant; and a pair of arms (112-1, 112-2) oppositely extending from the reservoir (HO), wherein the pair of arms (112-1, 112-2) are adapted to be engaged with at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) spaced apart from each other in at least one guide rail (106) of the elevator installation (100), wherein each arm (112-1, 112-2) is adapted to be elastically deformed with respect to the reservoir (110), such that each arm (112-1, 112-2) can be engaged with the respective guide contour (106-1, 106-2) to attach the lubricator (108) to the at least one guide rail (106), and each arm (112-1, 112- 2) is adapted to receive the lubricant from the reservoir (110) to lubricate the respective guide contour (106-1, 106-2).

2. The lubricator (108) according to claim 1, wherein each arm (112-1, 112-2) comprises: a supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) laterally extending from the reservoir (110) and elastically deformable with respect to the reservoir (110), wherein the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) defines a hollow passage adapted to allow a flow of the lubricant therethrough or to receive the lubricant from the reservoir (110); and a holding portion (116-1, 116-2) adjoining the supporting portion (114- 1, 114-2) at an outer end of the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) and adapted to be engaged with the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) spaced apart from each other at a predefined distance (DI).

3. The lubricator (108) according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion (116- 1, 116-2) is extending from the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2).

4. The lubricator (108) according to claim 2, wherein a length (L2) of each arm (112-1, 112-2) is less than a length (LI) of the reservoir (110).

5. The lubricator (108) according to claim 2, wherein a length (L2) of each arm (112-1, 112-2) is less than the predefined distance (DI) between the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2).

6. The lubricator (108) according to any of the preceding claims, the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) of each arm (112-1, 112-2) is adapted to be elastically deformable between a normal position and a deformed position with respect to the reservoir (110), wherein: in the normal position, the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) remains parallel to a reference plane (YX), wherein a wall (122-4) of the reservoir (110) is coplanar to the reference plane (YX), and in the deformed position, the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) moves in an arcuate path (A2), with respect to the reservoir (110), away from the reference plane (YX) to vary a linear distance (D2) between the holding portions (116-1, 116-2) of each arm (112-1, 112-2), wherein the supporting portions (114-1, 114-2) of the arms (112-1, 112- 2) are elastically deformed such that the holding portions (116-1, 116-2) of the arms (112-1, 112-2) are moved away from the reference plate (YX) to enable engagement of the holding portions (116-1, 116-2) with the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) of the one or more guide rails (106).

7. The lubricator (108) according to claim 5, wherein the supporting portion (114-1, 114-2) of at least one arm (112-1, 112-2) is elastically deformed such that the holding portion (116-1, 116-2) of the respective arm (112-1, 112-2) is engageable with the guide contour (106-1, 106-2) from among the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2).

8. The lubricator (108) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a pair of lubrication wicks (118-1, 118-2), each lubrication wick (118- 1, 118-2) positioned in the holding portion (116-1, 116-2) and adapted to flow the lubricant from the hollow passage to each guide contour (106-1, 106-2).

9. The lubricator (108) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holding portion (116-1, 116-2) comprises a U-shaped cross-section adapted to be engaged with the guide contour (106-1, 106-2) from among the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2).

10. The lubricator (108) according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir (110) comprises: a mounting flange (120) extending from a bottom wall of the reservoir (110), the mounting flange (120) adapted to be positioned on a counterweight unit (102) of the elevator installation (100) and having a plurality of fastening holes adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners to mount the lubricator (108) on the counterweight unit (102).

11. The lubricator (108) according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir (110) is embodied as a tank adapted to store the lubricant and comprises: a plurality of adjacent walls (122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4) adapted to form a chamber to store the lubricant, wherein the pair of arms (112-1, 112-2) extends from the opposite adjacent walls (122-1, 122-2), wherein the at least one adjacent wall (122-3) is adapted to be elastically deformed to support the elastic deformation of each arm (112-1, 112-2).

12. The lubricator (108) according to claim 1, comprising: a housing defining the reservoir, the supporting portions (114-1, 114- 2), the holding portions (116-1, 116-2) and preferably, the mounting flange19(120), and formed as a single-piece injection-moulded structure, wherein a bottom portion (124) of the housing defines mounting flange (120); and a lid cover (128) adapted to be positioned on an upper portion (126) of the housing to cover the upper portion (126).

13. The lubricator (108) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow passage of the supporting portion comprises a thin hollow shaped box section, wherein a width of the thin hollow shaped box section is less than a width of the reservoir.

14. An elevator installation (100), comprising: a counterweight unit (102); at least one pair of guide shoes (104) positioned on the counterweight unit (102); at least one guide rail (106) engaged with the at least one pair of guide shoes (104) to guide the counterweight unit (102); and a lubricator (108) according to claims 1-13, mounted on the counterweight unit (102) and engaged with at least two guide contours (106- 1, 106-2) spaced apart from each other in the at least one guide rail (106), wherein the lubricator (108) is adapted to lubricate at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) of the at least one guide rail (106).

15. The elevator installation (100) according to claim 14, wherein the lubricator (108) is fixed with the counterweight unit (102) via a plurality of fasteners.

16. The elevator installation (100) according to claim 14, wherein the at least one guide rail (106) comprises the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) spaced apart from each other at a predefined distance (DI).

17. The elevator installation (100) according to claim 16, wherein a length (L2) of each arm (112-1, 112-2) is less than the predefined distance (DI) between20the at least two guide contours (106-1, 106-2) of the at least one guide rail (106).21

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