A guide device of an elevator door panel, an elevator door guide apparatus and an elevator door system

Abstract

A guide device (1) for a door panel (10) of an elevator, comprising a main body (2) developing between a first end (2a) and a second end (2b) and having a first lateral guide surface (2c) and a second lateral guide surface (2d) developing between the first end (2a) and the second end (2b) at opposite sides, and two housing slots (3) which are obtained at each end (2a, 2b) and developing inward.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A GUIDE DEVICE OF AN ELEVATOR DOOR PANEL, AN ELEVATOR DOOR GUIDE APPARATUS AND AN ELEVATOR DOOR SYSTEM

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a guide device of an elevator door panel, as well as an elevator door guide apparatus comprising such guide device and an elevator door system comprising the door guide apparatus. The guide device is also known as guide shoe or door shoe in the elevator field. In particular, the present invention deals with the versatility of the guide device.

[0005] Background art

[0006] In the context of elevator doors, door panels move in horizontal direction by means of hanger rollers installed along a guide rail at the upper portion of each door panel. At the lower portion of each door, multiple devices are installed on each door panel. In particular, one device has a connecting segment and a guide shoe attached to the connecting segment. The guide shoe has a thickness that substantially corresponds with a groove in the doorsill. As known, the guide shoe prevents detaching of the door panel from the guide rails.

[0007] The majority of known solutions about guide shoe envisages the use of a sliding block which has two housing slots, one per end. The guide shoe is attached to the connecting segment of the door panel such that the connecting segment crosses the guide shoe from one end to the opposite one, resting in the housing slot.

[0008] The main drawback of this type of solution is that it does not allow for adjustments in position of the door panel since the relative mounting of the guide shoe and the door panel can happen only in one specific configuration.

[0009] In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose a guide device of an elevator door panel, an elevator door guide apparatus and an elevator door system which overcome the drawbacks ofthe prior art cited above.

[0010] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a guide device of an elevator door panel able to be quickly and easily adapted to different situations and configurations.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to make available a guide device of an elevator door panel, which is compact, structurally simple yet flexibly adjustable to different models of door panel.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention

[0013] The stated technical task and specified aims are substantially achieved by a guide device of an elevator door panel, comprising:

[0014] a main body developing between a first end and a second end along a main direction; said main body having a first lateral guide surface and a second lateral guide surface developing between the first end and the second end at opposite sides;

[0015] at least two housing slots which are obtained at each end and developing inward,

[0016] wherein the housing slots of each end are distributed in sequence according to a direction between the first and second lateral guide surfaces so that there is defined as first housing slot the one closest to the first lateral guide surface and as second housing slot the one closest to the second lateral guide surface,

[0017] wherein the housing slots of each end are arranged so that the distance of the first housing slot from the first lateral guide surface is different from the distance of the second housing slot from the second lateral guide surface; wherein the housing slots of one end are corresponding to the housing slots of the other end.

[0018] Preferably, the distance of the first housing slot from the first lateral guide surface is the same for both ends.

[0019] Preferably, the distance of the second housing slot from the second lateral guide surface is the same for both ends.

[0020] Preferably, the housing slots of an end develop according to paralleldirections.

[0021] Preferably, corresponding housing slots of the two ends develop according to a same direction.

[0022] Preferably, the housing slots develop inward each along an own direction which is substantially parallel to the main direction.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the main body comprises a central connection portion for connecting the guide device with the door panel. The stated technical task and specified aims are substantially achieved by an elevator door guide apparatus, comprising:

[0024] a door support frame attachable at a lower end of a door panel;

[0025] a guide device according to what is described, the guide device being attached to the door support frame, wherein two corresponding housing slots, one for each end house the door support frame.

[0026] The stated technical task and specified aims are substantially achieved by an elevator system, comprising:

[0027] a doorsill;

[0028] a door panel adjacent to the doorsill;

[0029] an elevator guide apparatus according to what is described, the guide device being slidably engaged with a groove in the doorsill to guide a movement of the door panel.

[0030] Brief description of drawings

[0031] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will more fully emerge from the non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a guide device of an elevator door panel, as well as an elevator door guide apparatus comprising such guide device and an elevator door system comprising the door guide apparatus, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] - figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a guide device of an elevator door panel, according to the present invention, respectively in a perspective view and in a top view;

[0033] - figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of a guide device of anelevator door panel, according to the present invention, respectively in a perspective view and in a top view;

[0034] - figures 5 and 6 illustrate an elevator door system, according to the present invention, respectively in a perspective view and in a side view.

[0035] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention With reference to the figures, number 1 indicates a guide device for an elevator door panel 101. The guide device is also known as guide shoe in the elevator field. As known, the guide device is destined to slide in a groove of a doorsill to keep the door panel to slide on the guide rail.

[0036] The guide device 1 comprises a main body 2. The main body 2 develops between a first end 2a and a second end 2b along a main direction “M”. It is to be noted that the main direction “M” corresponds in use to a sliding direction. For “in use” is intended when the guide device 1 is slidably engaged in the groove of the doorsill.

[0037] The main body 2 has a first lateral guide surface 2c and a second lateral guide surface 2d. The two lateral guide surfaces 2c, 2d develops between the first end 2a and the second end 2b at opposite sides. In other words, the two lateral guide surfaces 2c, 2d connect the two ends 2a, 2b at two opposite sides.

[0038] As known, in use the lateral guide surfaces 2c, 2d are the parts of the guide device 1 which faces the two opposite lateral walls of the groove of the doorsill and that may come in contact with them during sliding.

[0039] In particular, the main body 2 is shaped to have four sides, two by two equal. Two of them are the ends 2a, 2b, the other two are the lateral guide surfaces 2c, 2d.

[0040] At each end 2a, 2b, at least two housing slots 3 are obtained. The housing slots 3 develop inward.

[0041] Preferably, the housing slots 3 of an end 2a, 2b develop inward each according to an own direction which is substantially parallel to the main direction “M”.

[0042] Preferably, the housing slots 3 of an end 2a, 2b develop according toparallel directions.

[0043] The housing slots 3 of each end 2a, 2b are distributed in sequence according to a direction that goes from the first lateral guide surface 2c to the second lateral guide surfaces 2d, or viceversa. In particular, such direction is transverse to the main direction “M”. Preferably, such direction is perpendicular to the main direction “M”.

[0044] It is therefore possible to define as “first housing slot” the housing slot 3 which is the closest to the first lateral guide surface 2c and as “second housing slot” the housing slot 3 which is the closest to the second lateral guide surface 2d.

[0045] The housing slots 3 of each end 2a, 2b being arranged so that the distance of the first housing slot 3 from the first lateral guide surface 2c is different from the distance of the second housing slot 3 from the second lateral guide surface 2d.

[0046] It is to be noted that the distance from the first or second housing slot 3 to the corresponding lateral guide surface 2c, 2d corresponds to the thickness of the part of the main body 2 interposed therebetween.

[0047] The housing slots 3 of one end 2a, 2b are corresponding to the housing slots 3 of the other end 2a, 2b. In other words, corresponding means that the distance of the first housing slot 3 from the first lateral guide surface 2c is substantially the same for each end 2a, 2b and the distance of the second housing slot 3 from the second lateral guide surface 2d is the same for each end 2a, 2b.

[0048] Preferably, the housing slots 3 are two by two corresponding.

[0049] Preferably, corresponding housing slots 3 of the two ends 2a, 2b develop according to a same direction (and in opposite way).

[0050] In particular, the housing slots 3 of one end 2a, 2b each have an own distance from a reference lateral guide surface 2c, 2d which is the same of the housing slots 3 of the other end 2a, 2b. In other words, the corresponding housing slots 3 have the same distance from a reference lateral guide surface 2c, 2d.In particular, the housing slots 3 of one end 2a, 2b are specular to the housing slots 3 of the other end 2a, 2b.

[0051] It is therefore possible to define couples of housing slots 3. Each couple comprises corresponding housing slots 3, one from the first end 2a and the other from the second end 2b. It is reiterated that corresponding housing slots 3 are at the same distance from a reference lateral guide surface 2c, 2d.

[0052] Appropriately, the distance is considered with reference to the same part of the housing slot 3, for example the edge side closest to the reference lateral guide surface or the opposite edge side.

[0053] As already described above, in use the door panel crosses the guide device 1 from end to end, resting in two housing slots 3, one per end.

[0054] The presence of multiple couples of housing slots and of different distances of the housing slots 3 from the two lateral guide surfaces makes possible to achieve multiple adjustments in position of the door panel. According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the housing slots 3 are two per end 2a, 2b, therefore defining two couples. In this case, four different adjustments can be performed. Indeed, in addition to the two adjustments provided in the configuration illustrated, it is sufficient to rotate the guide device 1 by 180° to have two additional adjustments provided by the same two couples. Indeed, each different configuration provides a different position of the door panel.

[0055] The flexibility of the present invention is more evident as the number of housing slots 3 and consequently of couples increases.

[0056] According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the housing slots 3 are there per end 2a, 2b. In this case, six different adjustments can be performed, following the same logic as above.

[0057] Whatever the number of housing slots 3 per end 2a, 2b, there is always one closest to the first lateral guide surface 2c (“first housing slot”) and one closest to the second lateral guide surface 2d (“second housing slot”), with the difference in distance from the respective lateral guide surfaces 2c, 2das set above.

[0058] According to one embodiment, when more than two housing slots 3 per end 2a, 2b are present, the intermediate housing slot 3 has equal distance from the housing slot 3 preceding it and the one following it. This is referred to the direction between the first and second lateral guide surfaces 2c, 2d mentioned above.

[0059] Preferably, the housing slot 3 passes through according to a direction from above to below the guide device 1. This direction is perpendicular to a plane defined by the main direction “M” and a direction perpendicular to it going from one lateral guide surface 2c, 2d to the other.

[0060] According to the illustrated embodiment, the housing slot 3 has rectangular section.

[0061] Preferably, the housing slot 3 is a cavity in the shape of a parallelepiped. Preferably, the first end 2a and the second end 2b have the shape of a support portion from which perpendicular elements originate, with an elongated development away from it according to a plurality of parallel directions. The space between the perpendicular elements is the housing slot 3. In other words, the end 2a, 2b has the shape of a comb.

[0062] Preferably, the main body 2 comprises a central connection portion 4 for connecting the guide device 1 with the door panel 101.

[0063] According to the illustrated embodiment, the connection portion 4 comprises holes suitable for bolting. In alternative, the connection portion 4 may comprise holes suitable for insertion of a corresponding element integral with the door panel.

[0064] An elevator door guide apparatus 10 is also object of the present invention.

[0065] The door guide apparatus 10 comprises a door support frame 11 attachable at a lower end of a door panel 101 and a guide device 1 according to what is described above.

[0066] The guide device 1 is attached to the door support frame 11. Two corresponding housing slots 3, one for each end 2a, 2b (that is, a coupleof housing slots 3), house the door support frame 11. The remaining housing slots 3 are free.

[0067] As mentioned below, indeed, only one couple of housing slots 3 at a time is used for housing the door support frame 11.

[0068] An elevator door system 100 is also object of the present invention.

[0069] The elevator door system 100 comprises a doorsill 102, a door panel 101 adjacent to the doorsill 102 and an elevator guide apparatus 10 according to what is described above. The guide device 1 is slidably engaged with a groove 103 in the doorsill 102 to guide the movement of the door panel 101.

[0070] More in details, according to a preferred embodiment, the elevator door system 100 includes a door having left door panel and right door panel. What is described above for one door panel is applicable to both left door panel and right door panel. Consequently, there will be a left door support frame 11 , a right door support frame 11 , at least one left door guide device 1 and at least one right door guide device 1.

[0071] As known, a header is arranged above door panels and includes track on which rollers move along. Hangers are connected to rollers and door panels. As rollers move along guide rail, hangers also move along guide rail and doors move with hangers in order to open and close door.

[0072] Guide devices 1 guide the movement of door panels, preventing their detachment from guide rails.

[0073] The characteristics of the guide device of an elevator door panel, as well as the elevator door guide apparatus comprising such guide device and the elevator door system comprising the door guide apparatus, according to the present invention, emerge clearly from the above description, as do the advantages.

[0074] In particular, the presence of multiple couples of housing slots and of different distances of the housing slots 3 from the two lateral guide surfaces makes possible to achieve multiple adjustments in position of the door panel, as exemplified in two different embodiments in figures 1-2 and3-4 respectively.

[0075] The versatility of the solution is increased with respect to the known solutions, while keeping the same overall dimensions of the guide device. Therefore, the solution is structurally simple and compact.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A guide device (1 ) for a door panel (10) of an elevator, comprising: a main body (2) developing between a first end (2a) and a second end (2b) along a main direction (M); said main body (2) having a first lateral guide surface (2c) and a second lateral guide surface (2d) developing between the first end (2a) and the second end (2b) at opposite sides; at least two housing slots (3) obtained at each end (2a, 2b) and developing inward, wherein the housing slots (3) of each end (2a, 2b) are distributed in sequence along a direction between the first and second lateral guide surfaces (2c, 2d) so that there is defined as first housing slot (3) the one closest to the first lateral guide surface (2c) and as second housing slot (3) the one closest to the second lateral guide surface (2d), wherein the housing slots (3) of each end (2a, 2b) are arranged so that the distance of the first housing slot (3) from the first lateral guide surface (2c) is different from the distance of the second housing slot from the second lateral guide surface (2d);wherein the housing slots (3) of one end (2a, 2b) are corresponding to the housing slots (3) of the other end (2a, 2b).

2. The guide device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance of the first housing slot (3) from the first lateral guide surface (2c) and / or the distance of the second housing slot (3) from the second lateral guide surface (2d) is the same for both ends (2a, 2b).

3. The guide device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing slots (3) of an end (2a, 2b) develop according to parallel directions.

4. The guide device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein corresponding housing slots (3) of the two ends (2a, 2b) develop according to a same direction.

5. The guide device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing slots (3) develop inward each along an own direction which is substantially parallel to the main direction (M).

6. The guide device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the main body (2) comprises a central connection portion (2c) for connecting the guide device (1) with the door panel (10).

7. An elevator door guide apparatus (10), comprising:a door support frame (11 ) attachable at a lower end of a door panel (101); a guide device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the guide device (1) being attached to the door support frame (11), wherein two corresponding housing slots (3), one for each end (2a, 2b) house the door support frame (11).

8. An elevator door system (100), comprising:a doorsill (102);a door panel (101 ) adjacent to the doorsill (102);an elevator guide apparatus (10) according to claim 7, the guide device (1) being slidably engaged with a groove (103) in the doorsill (102) to guide a movement of the door panel (11 ).

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