EP1910208A1

EP1910208A1 - Support bridge for elevator installation and the system thereof

Info

Publication number: EP1910208A1
Application number: EP05794546A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian Otis Italia S.p.A. BUCA; Alessandro Otis Italia S.p.A. CAMBIERI; Emanuel Otis Italia S.p.A. BISQUOLA
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Co
Current assignee: Otis Elevator Co
Priority date: 2005-08-04
Filing date: 2005-08-04
Publication date: 2008-04-16
Also published as: WO2007015275A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support bridge (1) for installation of an elevator (10), characterised in that it comprises a frame (2) having a first end pivoted in at least a bracket (7), fixed at a flat threshold (S) adjacent to the elevator (10) hoistway (V), said frame (2) comprising, in correspondence of its second end, a channel allowing the introduction of a bearing beam (3), said bearing beam comprising, at one end, a resting element (3’), coupled to said bearing beam (3) by fixing means, and in correspondence of the other end, adjustable fixing means, suitable to adjust the position of said beam (3) and said frame (2) each other; said bridge (1) being apt to remain rigidly blocked between said flat threshold (S) and said walls when said frame (2) takes a blocking position in correspondence of which said resting element (3’) is stably rest on the lateral wall of the hoistway (V).

Description

SUPPORT BRIDGE FOR ELEVATOR INSTALLATION AND THE SYSTEM THEREOF

The present invention relates to a support bridge for elevator installation and the system thereof.

More specifically, the invention concerns a support bridge for elevator installation of the above kind, allowing the mounting of an elevator without employing scaffolding, hooks in the ceiling of the hoistway or on the top.

In the past many solutions have been suggested for allowing the installation of elevators, none of the being particularly satisfying for the final user.

Among the solutions suggested, it is possible noting for example the one described in the European Patent EP 1 303 454, of the same Applicant, concerning an "Integrated elevator installation hoist tool".

Other solutions are described in documents JP 01064987 of Toshiba Corp., JP 11228054A of Mitsubishi Electric Corp., JP 11292422° of Hitachi Building Systems Co. Ltd., JP 2000063056A of Mitsubishi Electric Corp, JP 2000335847A of Hitachi Building Systems Co. Ltd., JP 2000351553A of Hitachi Building Systems Co. Ltd., JP 2001048449A of Hitachi Building Systems Co. Ltd., JP 2001114483A of Toshiba Elevator Co. Ltd., JP 2002356289A of Otis elevator Co., JP 2003165680A of Fujitec Co. Ltd., US 4190135A del Sig. Josef Haaman, US 5000292A of Otis Elevator, US 6364067B1 of Otis Elevator, US 6446763B1 of Otis Elevator, e WO 0208109A1 of Otis Elevator.

All the solutions described in the above documents provide the use of scaffoldings and hooks in the ceiling of the hoistway, these involving drawbacks both under the practical and economic point of view. In view of the technology described in the above mentioned documents, it is well evident the needing of having a solution such as the one suggested according to the present invention allowing installing elevators without the needing of employing scaffoldings and hooks in the ceiling of the hoistway. These and other results are obtained according to the present invention providing a support bridge for the installation of an assemblable or disassemblable elevator that can be provided on a last position flat threshold, preventing the need of mounting hooks in the ceiling or of fixing devices in the scaffolding.

The bridge according to the invention also allows employing the mounting techniques. Furthermore, being the bridge according to the invention modular, it can be easily transported.

It is therefore specific object of the present invention a support bridge for installation of an elevator, characterised in that it comprises a frame having a first end pivoted in at least a bracket, fixed at a flat threshold adjacent to the elevator hoistway, said frame comprising, in correspondence of its second end, a channel allowing the introduction of a bearing beam, said bearing beam comprising, at one end, a resting element, coupled to said bearing beam by fixing means, and in correspondence of the other end, adjustable fixing means, suitable to adjust the position of said beam and said frame each other; said bridge being apt to remain rigidly blocked between said flat threshold and said wall when said frame takes a blocking position in correspondence of which said resting element is stably rest on the lateral wall of the hoistway.

Always according to the invention, said beam can be placed substantially perpendicular to said lateral wall of the elevator hoistway.

Still according to the invention, said channel can be substantially perpendicular with respect to said frame.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said bridge can comprise at least a lateral support, said lateral support having one end fixed to a further bracket, anchored to said flat threshold and the other one fixed by further fixing means to said frame.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said fixing means can comprise a pin, preferably a threaded pin provided with self-blocking nut. Always according to the invention, said adjustable fixing means can comprise a plurality of holes realised on the surface of said beam and a pin, preferably a threaded pin provided with self-blocking nuts, to be inserted inside one of said holes.

Still according to the invention, said bridge can comprise one or more slidable hooks, comprising a channel for the insertion of said beam.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said bridge can comprise adjustment means for said slidable hooks. Preferably, said adjustment means for said siidable hooks can comprise an adjustment rod.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said bridge can comprise a transmission pulley and/or one or more crooks fixed to said siidable hooks.

It is further object of the present invention a system for installing an elevator, said elevator comprising an armature, and furthermore comprising comprises a frame having a first end pivoted in at least a bracket, fixed at a flat threshold adjacent to the elevator hoistway, said frame comprising, in correspondence of its second end, a channel allowing the introduction of a bearing beam, said bearing beam comprising, at one end, a resting element, coupled to said bearing beam by fixing means, and in correspondence of the other end, adjustable fixing means, suitable to adjust the position of said beam and said frame each other; said frame taking a blocking position in correspondence of which said resting element is stably rest on the lateral wall of the hoistway, so that said bridge is rigidly blocked rigidly blocked between said flat threshold and said wall; one or more sliding hooks comprising a channel, allowing the introduction of said beam, a pulley being fixed to one of said siidable hooks for the transmission of a rope applied to a winch fixed on the armature of said elevator, said rope being fixed to said armature of the elevator or to traction ropes for said elevator, allowing the lifting of said elevator by said winch during the installation of said elevator.

Still according to the invention, said winch can comprise a safety device, coupling with a further safety rope sliding inside the same winch.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said winch can be fixed to said armature by a bracket.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said rope can be coupled with said armature by a bracket.

Preferably, according to the invention, said rope can be fixed to traction ropes of said elevator by wedge-shaped hooks and a self- balancing pulley system.

Always according. to the invention, said system can comprise one or more pulleys fixed to sliding hooks, for moving crooks, said crooks lifting components for installing said elevator. Still according to the invention, said components can comprise sliding guides to be applied to the wall of the elevator hoistway and/or to the elevator traction means, such as an electric motor or a cylinder - piston assembly. Preferably, according to the invention, a safety balustrade can be provided in correspondence of said frame and on the top of the elevator car.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said armature can have a substantially "L" shape, on the concave part of which said elevator car is placed.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support bridge for installation of an elevator according to the present invention; figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the support bridge of figure 1 ; figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show lateral views of the support bridge according to the invention during the installation; figure 4 shows the final installation of the support bridge according to the invention; figure 5 shows a lateral view of an elevator system; figure 6 is a perspective view of an elevator car during the installation; and figure 7 shows the mounting and installation system of an elevator according to the present invention.

Making reference first to figures 1 and 2, it is possible observing a support bridge 1 for installation of an elevator.

Said bridge 1 is suitable to be installed transverse to the elevator hoistway, on a lateral resting plane, avoiding the provision of scaffolding or top hooks. Said bridge 1 has the advantage of being easily disassembled and transported.

Support bridge 1 comprises a vertical support or frame 2, providing an upper channel 2', within which a bearing beam 3 is inserted, said beam being preferably made up of aluminium in order to lighten the structure. Above the support or frame 2, an adjustment rod 4 is provided for adjustment of sliding hooks 5. At the end of said bearing beam 3, a resting element 3' is provided, fixed to the same beam by a pin (not shown in the figure). As it will be more clear in the following, said hooks 5 support a transmission pulley or support crooks.

Adjustment holes 3" are present on the beam 3, for fixing to support 2, by a pin 3'". Said pin 3'" is threaded ad provides self-blocking nuts. Said bridge 1 provides also a lateral support 6, with a fixing element 6'.

At the bottom, resting brackets 7 are provided, that are fixed to the base of said support 2 by pins (not shown in the figure) and by said lateral support 6. A safety spacer 8 is provided between said brackets 7. The mounting sequence of the support bridge 1 according to the invention is shown in figures 3a - 3d.

Fixing of brackets 7 at a last position flat threshold S is shown in figure 3a, to be prepare during the realisation with the building yard, close to the hoistway V of the elevator to be installed. A spacer 8 is placed between the brackets 7.

A protective balustrade 9 is provided on said flat threshold, e.g. a standard railing.

Figure 3b shows the subsequent mounting step, wherein said brackets are pivoted on the support base 2. thus (figure 3c) bearing beam 3 is inserted within the channel 2', said beam having the hooks 5 on its surface, and finally the resting element 3' is fixed.

Making then reference to figure 3d, support 2 is rotated according to direction A. bearing beam 3 is adjusted by adjustment holes 3" and pin 3'", until the resting element 3' adheres to the hoistway V wall opposed to the flat threshold. Finally, lateral support 6 is applied.

As it can be noted, bridge 3 does not provide any hook fixed or walled in the hoistway V walls or in the ceiling. Said bridge 1 is self- supporting, once adjusted, between said flat threshold S and said opposed wall of the hoistway V. Figure 4 shows the final result of mounting of the bridge 1. Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the assembly of the elements connected to said bridge 1 for installation of an elevator 10 according to the present invention.

In the following, some of the main installation steps for the elevator 10 are described, making reference to the figures 5 - 7.

First, bridge 1 is mounted, as described in figures 3a - 3d. then, lifting and suspension of the guides is carried out, and then the installation and plumbing of first sliding guides 11 is carried out at the bottom of the hoistway V. Said guides 11 have a T-shaped profile. They allow the safe sliding of cabin 10' of elevator 10 inside the hoistway V, through rolls and/or sliding pads, preventing possible oscillations with consequent shocks of said cabin 10' against the walls of the elevator hoistway. Particularly, for an electric elevator, said guides 11 are four and not two (as for the hydraulic elevator). In fact, two guides guide the car armature and the other two guide the counterweight frame.

For installation of an hydraulic elevator, car 10' ropes 12 are coupled by a safety device 12'. Said device 12' exploits a compressed spring when the ropes are under tension. If one of said ropes loosens or fails, corresponding spring provided within the device 12' loosens. This involves pressure on a mechanical actuation pedal 12", activating blocking safety systems.

Then, car 10' is mounted on armature 10", said armature having an "L" shaped profile. In the subsequent step, winch 13 and rope blocking safety device 14 are mounted on the top of cabin 10'. Said rope blocking safety device 14 is also known as "block stop" and is blocked on a safety rope sliding inside the same, thus realising safe conditions for the cabin 10' of the car 10, in case rope 17 of lifting winch 13, which is in contact with said rope blocking safety device 14, should break or loosen. Said winch 13 is fixed by a bracket 15 to said armature 10".

A transmission pulley is mounted on one of said hooks 5 provided on the bridge 1 , through which a winch 13 traction rope 17 passes. The end of said traction rope 17 for a hydraulic elevator is fixed to said pulley-balancing systems 18 (see figure 6) that are fixed to the traction ropes 12 of the same elevator 10. Said pulley systems 18 can be of the 5/4/3 way type. Fixing of said pulley system 18 to said traction ropes 12 occurs by wedge shaped hooks 19. Said hooks 19 wedge or "crimp" the rope, thus ensuring a proper tensioning and fixing. For an electric elevator, said rope 17 is fixed to the armature 10' by a further bracket 15, while a speed limiter is installed on the bridge 1 , provided with its specific rope, said rope being connected with safety apparatuses provided on the car 10', necessary to ensure the blocking of car 10' in case the necessity should arise. Due to the lifting of the elevator 10 by the winch, worker O installing the elevator (see figure 7) fixes sliding guides 11 to the hoistway V walls, by the brackets 11'. For safety reasons, said brackets 11' are suitably spaced with respect to the same sliding guide 11. Proceeding with the lifting of the elevator 10, guides 11 are fixed to the elevator hoistway walls by the brackets 11', and then they are plumbed.

Once installed all the sliding guides 11 , until the top of the hoistway V, by the transmission pulley 16 or by said crooks 10, it is respectively lifted:

• the piston (not shown in the figures), for a hydraulic elevator;

• the electric motor (not shown in the figures), for an electric elevator.

Thus, in the first case, the piston is installed, ropes are transmitted on the pulley provided on its upper end, known also as "yoke", while the free end of the ropes 12 is then fixed on the ground, within the elevator trench at the point known as "fixed point".

Instead, in the second case, after the installation of the electric motor, said traction ropes 12 are coupled to the counterweight (not shown in the figures), and then put under traction. As final steps, electric systems are realised for supplying the car 10', the electric motor or the piston hydraulic motor.

On the basis of the preceding specification, it can be noted that the basic feature of the present invention resides in that said support bridge for installation of an elevator can be easily mounted within the hoistway V, thus allowing to carry out the installation of said elevator without the need of a scaffolding, of hooks in the ceiling of the elevator hoistway or in the top. An advantage of the present invention is that the system, employing said bridge can be applied to standard elevators.

A second advantage of the invention is that of allowing a high reduction of the installation and maintenance time. A third advantage of the present invention resides in that the bridge according to the invention can be used for installation both of hydraulic and electric elevators.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Support bridge for installation of an elevator, characterised in that it comprises a frame having a first end pivoted in at least a bracket, fixed at a flat threshold adjacent to the elevator hoistway, said frame comprising, in correspondence of its second end, a channel allowing the introduction of a bearing beam, said bearing beam comprising, at one end, a resting element, coupled to said bearing beam by fixing means, and in correspondence of the other end, adjustable fixing means, suitable to adjust the position of said beam and said frame each other; said bridge being apt to remain rigidly blocked between said flat threshold and said wall when said frame takes a blocking position in correspondence of which said resting element is stably rest on the lateral wall of the hoistway.

2. Bridge according to claim 1 , characterised in that said beam is placed substantially perpendicular to said lateral wall of the elevator hoistway.

3. Bridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said channel is substantially perpendicular with respect to said frame.

4. Bridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bridge comprises at least a lateral support, said lateral support having one end fixed to a further bracket, anchored to said flat threshold and the other one fixed by further fixing means to said frame.

5. Bridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said fixing means comprises a pin, preferably a threaded pin provided with self-blocking nut.

6. Bridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjustable fixing means comprises a plurality of holes realised on the surface of said beam and a pin, preferably a threaded pin provided with self-blocking nuts, to be inserted inside one of said holes.

7. Bridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bridge comprises one or more slidable hooks, comprising a channel for the insertion of said beam.

8. Bridge according to claim 7, characterised in that said bridge comprises adjustment means for said slidable hooks.

9. Bridge according to claim 8, characterised in that said adjustment means for said slidable hooks comprises an adjustment rod.

10. Bridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bridge comprises a transmission pulley and/or one or more crooks fixed to said slidable hooks.

11. System for installing an elevator, said elevator comprising an armature, characterised in that it comprises a frame having a first end pivoted in at least a bracket, fixed at a flat threshold adjacent to the elevator hoistway, said frame comprising, in correspondence of its second end, a channel allowing the introduction of a bearing beam, said bearing beam comprising, at one end, a resting element, coupled to said bearing beam by fixing means, and in correspondence of the other end, adjustable fixing means, suitable to adjust the position of said beam and said frame each other; said frame taking a blocking position in correspondence of which said resting element is stably rest on the lateral wall of the hoistway, so that said bridge is rigidly blocked rigidly blocked between said flat threshold and said wall; one or more sliding hooks comprising a channel, allowing the introduction of said beam, a pulley being fixed to one of said slidable hooks for the transmission of a rope applied to a winch fixed on the armature of said elevator, said rope being fixed to said armature of the elevator or to traction ropes for said elevator, allowing the lifting of said elevator by said winch during the installation of said elevator.

12. Support according to claim 11 , characterised in that said beam is placed substantially perpendicular to said lateral wall of the elevator hoistway.

13. System according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that said channel is substantially perpendicular with respect to said frame.

14. System according to one of claims 11 - 13, characterised in that said bridge comprises at least a lateral support, said lateral support having one end fixed to a further bracket, anchored to said flat threshold and the other one fixed by further fixing means to said frame.

15. System according to one of claims 11 - 14, characterised in that said fixing means comprises a pin, preferably a threaded pin provided with self-blocking nut.

16. System according to one of claims 11 - 15, characterised in that said adjustable fixing means comprises a plurality of holes realised on the surface of said beam and a pin, preferably a threaded pin provided with self-blocking nuts, to be inserted inside one of said holes.

17. System according to one of claims 11 - 16, characterised in that said bridge comprises adjustment means for said slidable hooks, such as an adjustment rod.

18. System according to one of claims 11 - 17, characterised in that said winch comprises a safety device blocking on a further safety rope sliding inside the same.

19. System according to one of claims 11 - 18, characterised in that said winch is fixed to said armature by a bracket.

20. System according to one of claims 11 - 19, characterised in that said rope is coupled with said armature by a bracket.

21. System according to one of claims 11 - 19, characterised in that said rope is fixed to traction ropes of said elevator by wedge-shaped hooks and a self-balancing pulley system.

22. System according to one of claims 11 - 21 , characterised in that said system comprises one or more pulleys fixed to sliding hooks, for moving crooks, said crooks lifting components for installing said elevator.

23. System according to one of claims 11 - 22, characterised in that said components comprises sliding guides to be applied to the wall of the elevator hoistway.

24. System according to claim 22 or 23, characterised in that said components comprises elevator traction means.

25. System according to claim 24, characterised in that said traction means comprise an electric motor.

26. System according to claim 24, characterised in that said traction means comprise a cylinder - piston assembly.

27. System according to one of claims 11 - 26, characterised in that a safety balustrade is provided in correspondence of said frame.

28. System according to one of claims 11 - 27, characterised in that a safety balustrade is provided on the top of the elevator car.

29. System according to one of claims 11 - 28, characterised in that said armature has a substantially "L" shape, on the concave part of which said elevator car is placed.