EP1162166B1

EP1162166B1 - A safety interlocking device for elevators gates

Info

Publication number: EP1162166B1
Application number: EP01112758A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Bertoncello; Roberto Bertoncello
Original assignee: Maber costruzioni Srl
Current assignee: Maber costruzioni Srl
Priority date: 2000-06-07
Filing date: 2001-05-26
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-26
Also published as: EP1162166A1; DE60118275D1; ITVI20000122A1; DE60118275T2; ATE321725T1; ITVI20000122A0; IT1315361B1; ES2260120T3

Abstract

The finding relates to a lock for safety gates at the floors, to be applied to the above mentioned safety gates, at the landing floors reachable by lifts, elevators and platforms in general, in building sites, as well as in other industrial activities where individuals and materials must be lifted through mobile platforms, such as lifts, elevators and the like, and safety regulations at work provide that access to the floors must be regulated through a safety gate. Said lock is characterised in that it comprises a box-shaped body inside which there is pivoted a suitably shaped bracket which, when subject to the action of a contrast spring and regulated by a release lever integral with the mobile platform, provides to coupling/releasing the tooth of the safety gate at the floors, based on the presence or absence of the same gate. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention has the purpose of realising a safety interlocking device for use in securing sliding landing doors at the landing of lifts, elevators and other platforms, according to the preamble of claim 1.
As known, safety regulations at work provide that in building sites, as well as in other industrial activities where individuals and materials must be lifted through mobile platforms, such as lifts, elevators and the like, access to the floors must be regulated through a safety gate, which can only be opened after the lift or elevator have stopped at the landing floors; similarly, the same cannot restart if the above gate is not regularly closed.
The present invention concerns a device, which in the following description is generically referred to as safety interlocking device, applied on the building scaffolding or wall, at the landing floors, which coordinates the operation of the safety gate at the floors in order to comply with all national and international safety regulations, guaranteeing people's safety.
This device can be used in securing sliding landing doors at the landing of lifts, elevators and other platforms travelling between landings so as to provide an interlocking safety function between a travelling platform and a safety door located at a landing by preventing any safety door from being opened unless the platform is stopped at that landing and by premitting the platform to leave the landing only when the safety door is locked in its closed position. A safety interlocking device is known from US-A-1493069. Purpose of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described In said document, that is an improvement on respect of the known similar devices, both by constructive and functional point of view. This is realized by means of the features according to the characterising part of claim 1.
Other particular embodiments and implementation details of the device are described in the dependent claims. In particular the invention provides an interlock mechanism consisting of a box-shaped body or outer casing inside which there is pivoted a suitably shaped bracket which, when subject to the action of a contrast or return spring and regulated by a release lever integral with the mobile platform to which it is second in use, provides to coupling/releasing the tooth or hasp member of the safety gate at the floors, based on the presence or absence of the same gate.
Structurally, the bracket consists of a plate which has such a shape to form at least two surfaces, idly pivoted on the box-shaped body through a pivot welded on the same bracket.
An end of such bracket exhibits a suitably shaped recess adapted to house (receive) the gate tooth, when the same is closed, whereas the other end is provided with a feeler pin, which is in contact with a cam applied on a release lever, applied on the mobile platform.
Operatively, when the gate is closed, thanks to the thrust action of the contrast (return) spring the bracket is arranged so as to prevent the gate tooth from releasing from the interlocking device.
When the platform arrives at the landing floor, the gate opens by means of the cam, applied on the release lever which, by introducing into the slit obtained on the box-shaped body of the interlocking device, overcomes the contrast force of the thrust spring, thus causing an angular rotation of the bracket, so that the gate tooth releases.
Moreover, for the purpose of complying with the safety regulations according to which, when the gate is in open position, it is not possible to move the platform, the invention provides for an automatic coupling between bracket and release lever when the gate is open, so that since the release lever cannot withdraw from the safety interlocking device, it prevents the accidental movement of the same platform.
Finally, in order to obtain the maximum safety, according to the invention the complete withdrawal of the release lever from the interlocking device in order to let the platform move, is possible only after the introduction of the gate tooth into the interlocking device.
The invention shall be now described more in detail, in a particular embodiment, made by way of an illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings. In such drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 (sheet I) show an elevation and plan view of a platform provided with the device of the invention, in upward and downward position.
Figures 3 and 4 (sheet II) show an elevation and plan view of the platform of figure 1, in coupling position.
Figures 5 and 6 (sheet III) show a plan and elevation view, respectively sectioned according to lines V-V and VI-VI, of the device of the invention, with closed gate.
Figures 7 and 8 (sheet IV) show a plan and elevation view of the interlocking device during the introduction of the release lever.
Figures 9 and 10 (sheet V) show a plan and elevation view of the interlocking device open gate.
Figures 11 and 12 (sheet VI) show a plan and elevation view of the interlocking device during the step of release of the lever.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 (sheet VII) show the three orthogonal views of the shaped bracket.

As can be seen in figures 1-2, interlocking device, 1 of the invention, to which the safety gate 2 couples at the landing floors, consists of a box-shaped body 3 integral with the building scaffolding or wall where the gate is located, and of a release lever 4, integral with the mobile platform 5.
As can be seen in figures 2-3, when platform 5 is in position at the floor the release lever 4 introduces into the box-shaped body 3 to allow the opening of gate 2.
As can be seen in figures 5 and 6, the box-shaped body 3 contains a bracket 6 that is shaped so as to exhibit at least two walls or faces 7 and 8 and provided with a pivot 9, idly pivoted on the same body.
A contrast spring 10 acts on bracket 6 upon the rotation of said bracket.
As can be seen again in figures 5 and 6, the closing of gate 2 is ensured by the fact that tooth 11 is held into housing 12, obtained on wall 7 of the bracket, thanks to the thrust of spring 10 which keeps said bracket locked against the abutment pipe 13.
As can be seen in figures 7 and 8, as platform 5 arrives at the floor, the release lever 4, integral with said platform, introduces into the box-shaped body 3 and, by means of its cam 14, pulls the feeler pin 15 arranged on wall 8 of bracket 6 and, overcoming the thrust of spring 10, it causes the rotation of the same by such angular quantity as to release tooth 11 from housing 12, thus allowing the opening of gate 3.
As can be seen in figures 9 and 10, when gate 2 is open, an automatic coupling between bracket 7 and release lever 4 is realised by providing said lever with a tooth 16 that engages with the feeler pin 15 of the bracket, so as to prevent the possible accidental movement of platform 5.
Finally, as can be seen in figures 11 and 12, the interlocking device only opens after the gate has been closed (according to the safety regulations) since tooth 11 must get into contact against edge 17 of wall 7 to cause a rotation of the bracket that disengages tooth 16 from the feeler pin 15, thus allowing the extraction of the release lever 4 from the box-shaped body 3.

Claims

A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE (1) for use in securing sliding landing doors (2) at the landings of lifts, elevators and other platforms travelling between landings so as to provide an interlocking safety function between a travelling car platform (5) and a safety door (2) located at a landing by preventing any safety door from being opened unless the platform is stopped at that landing and by only allowing the platform to leave the landing when the safety door is locked in its closed position; which safety interlocking device comprises:
- an interlock mechanism (6-10, 15) comprising a pivotally mounted bracket and destined for use when mounted on a fixed structure (3) adjacent to a safety door (2) provided at an elevator landing;

- a release lever (4) destined for use when mounted on the car platform (5) of an elevator car so as to enter into selectively releasable engagement with said interlock mechanism (6-10, 15) whenever the car platform arrives at an elevator landing;

- a hasp member (11) destined for use when mounted on the safety door (2) at an elevator landing so as to move together with such safety door during opening and closing and so as to enter into selectively releasable engagement with said interlock mechanism as the safety door approaches its closed position; whereby said interlock mechanism (6-10, 15) is adapted so that in operation each of said hasp member (11) and said release lever (4) enters into engagement therewith in a respective direction of engagement, which respective directions are mutually arranged substantially perpendicular to one another; whereby
the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15), in relation to which either one of said release lever (4) and said hasp member (11) is collectively identified as an engaging member, is so adapted as to coordinate during operation the locking of each engaging member currently releasably engaged with the interlock mechanism in such a manner that at all times said interlock mechanism is in engagement with at least one engaging member,
such that as soon as the release lever (4) withdraws from its engagement with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15) then said hasp member (11) becomes locked in form-fit engagement (figs. 5, 6) with the pivotable bracket (6) until such time as the release lever (4) enters once again into engagement with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15); and whereby
the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15) is further adapted such that as soon as the hasp member (11) withdraws from its engagement with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15), leaving said release lever (4) in engagement therewith, then the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15) interacts with the release lever (4) in such a manner as to prevent any displacement of said car platform from occurring until such time as the hasp member (11) once more enters into engagement with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15);
thereby ensuring that during operation, as long as a safety door (2) at a landing remains open, the car platform (5) is prevented from leaving its position stopped at said landing through interaction (figs. 9, 10) of the release lever (4) with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15); and that whenever during operation no car platform (5) is stopped at the respective landing, the safety door (2) is held locked in its closed position by positive locking engagement (figs. 5, 6) of the hasp member (11), with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15);
characterized in that
the interlock mechanism comprises a bell-crank bracket mounted on an outer casing (3) so as to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the directions of engagement both of the release lever and of the hasp member and having two arms arranged substantially at right angles one to the other, whereby a return spring (10) urges said bell-crank bracket into a locking position where each of said arms is substantially aligned with a respective one direction of engagement;
the interlock mechanism being additionally adapted such that during operation:
whenever the hasp member (11) is withdrawn out from engagement with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15), such withdrawal being permitted when said release lever (4) is still in engagement with the respective arm (7) of the pivotable bracket (6), then the release lever (4) is maintained locked to the interlock mechanism by positive form-fit engagement (figs. 9, 10) until such time as the hasp member (11) next enters into engagement with the interlock mechanism (6-10, 15); and

whenever either engaging member progressively enters into cooperating engagement with its corresponding arm of the bell-crank bracket in said interlock mechanism, an inclined front face located at the distal end of one of either the engaging member or of its respective counterpart bracket arm initially encounters its engagement counterpart, which encounter causes the bell-crank bracket to be displaced out of the path of said front face by an amount sufficient for a finger portion protruding laterally from the end of the respective bracket arm to slide over a first distal extent of the engaging member thereby becoming releasably locked thereto, the bracket being thereby displaced by an amount insufficient for its other arm to release its locking engagement with the other engaging member; whereby

upon said one engaging member penetrating further into engagement with the interlock mechanism, a cam portion of the respective engaging member acts upon the laterally protruding finger of the respective bracket arm, thereby causing the bell-crank bracket to assume its release position in which said other engaging member becomes unlocked and is thus released for withdrawal from the interlock mechanism.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterised in that the bracket consists of a plate substantially shaped according to at least two surfaces, and idly pivoted on the outer casing through a pivot welded on the same bracket, an end of such bracket exhibiting a recess adapted to receive the hasp member, when the same is closed, whereas the other end is provided with a feeler pin, which is in contact with a cam applied on a release lever, applied on the mobile platform.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 2, characterised in that when the gate is closed, thanks to the thrust action of the return spring the bracket is arranged so as to prevent the hasp member from withdrawing out of the lock; afterwards, when the platform arrives at the height of the floor, the gate opens by means the cam, applied on the release lever which, by automatically introducing into a slit obtained on the outer casing of the lock, overcomes the contrast force of the return spring, thus causing an angular rotation of the bracket, so as to allow the same to release from the hasp member.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 3, characterised in that when the gate is in open position, an automatic coupling is realised between the bracket and the release lever so that since the latter cannot withdraw from the safety lock, it prevents the accidental movement of the same platform.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 4, characterised in that the complete withdrawal of the release lever from the lock to let the platform move is only possible after the introduction of the hasp member into the lock.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 5, characterised in that the fixed outer casing (3) is second in use to the building scaffolding or wall provided with the gate, and of the release lever (4), in secured in use to the mobile platform (5), whereby introduction of the release lever into the outer casing (3) permits opening of the gate, said outer casing containing a bracket (6) shaped so as to exhibit at least two walls (7, 8) and provided with a pivot (9), idly pivoted on the casing, and whereby the return spring (10) acts on said bracket to resist rotation thereof.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 6, characterised in that the closing of the gate (2) is ensured by the hasp member (11), held into the receiving recess (12), formed in the surface (7) of the bracket, thanks to the thrust of the spring (10) which keeps said bracket locked against the abutment pipe (13).
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 7, characterised in that the release lever (4), second in use to the platform, when introduced into the outer casing (3), pulls by actions of its cam (14) the feeler pin (15) arranged on the surface (8) of the bracket (6) and, overcoming the thrust of the spring (10), thereby causing the rotation of the said bracket by a sufficient angular amount as to release the tooth (11) from the receiving recess (12), thus allowing the opening of the gate.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 8, characterised in that an automatic coupling is realised between the bracket (7) and the release lever (4) by providing said lever with a tooth (16) that engages with the feeler pin (15) of the bracket.
A SAFETY INTERLOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 9, characterised in that the opening of the lock is only possible when the tooth (11) goes into contact with the edge (17) of the bracket surface (8) to cause a rotation of the bracket that disengages the tooth (16) from the feeler pin (15), thus allowing the extraction of the release lever (4) from the outer casing (3).