EP3747819B1

EP3747819B1 - A threshold for door of an elevator

Info

Publication number: EP3747819B1
Application number: EP19215504.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Giorgioni
Original assignee: Wittur Holding GmbH
Current assignee: Wittur Holding GmbH
Priority date: 2019-01-24
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-12
Also published as: EP3747819A1; CN111470399B; ES2897495T3; CN111470399A; IT201900001073A1; PL3747819T3

Description

The present invention relates to a threshold for door of an elevator.
In the current state of the art, the doors for elevators are composed of one or more leaves inferiorly provided with sliders, which slide in grooves or recesses formed in the threshold of the door. The presence of the sliders ensures guided sliding in opening and closing.
From document EP 0803463 a threshold for landing door of a floor is known comprising:

a steel lower profiled element, suitably corrugated to define at least one groove for the sliding of a leaf provided with sliders or rollers;
an aluminium upper profiled element, counter-shaped with respect to the lower one and joint-fitted on the latter.

The choice of the materials of the profiled elements, steel for the lower core and aluminium for the top cover, while being an improvement with respect to previous solutions in terms of weight and cost, still has its drawbacks. For example, the sliders have a plastic portion that tends to wear, thus they require periodic replacement.
Since the sliders are fixed to the leaves, the maintenance is long and costly. The components of the threshold EP 0803463 also require high production costs, due to the need to produce plates or metal profiles provided with many curves, in different materials.
JPS59192587U and CN207986473U disclose other relevant thresholds for door of an elevator.
In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a threshold for door of an elevator which overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art as described above.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a threshold for door of an elevator formed by components which are easier to make. Another object of the present invention is to propose a threshold for door of an elevator having a lower structural complexity, which translates into lower maintenance costs and greater reliability.
The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a threshold for door of an elevator, comprising:

a first profiled element extending mainly in a longitudinal direction and comprising a first upper projecting portion and a second upper projecting portion separated by a groove that is open in an upwards direction, the first upper projecting portion and the second upper projecting portion having a corresponding section narrowing obtained by localised recesses of vertical walls of the corresponding upper projecting portion;
a second profiled element extending mainly in the longitudinal direction and defining a first gully, said second profiled element being joint-fitted on the first profiled element in such a way that the first upper projecting portion engages the first gully;
a third profiled element extending mainly in the longitudinal direction and defining a second gully, said third profiled element being joint-fitted on the first profiled element in such a way that the second upper projecting portion engages the second gully, said second profiled element and said third profiled element partially penetrating in said groove, thus defining a guide for the sliding of a leaf of the door.

Originally, the second profiled element has two reliefs joint-fitted into the localised recesses of the section narrowing of the first upper projecting portion and the third profiled element has two reliefs joint-fitted into the localised recesses of the section narrowing of the second upper projecting portion.
Preferably, the second profiled element and the third profiled element are identical but applied to the first profiled element specularly with respect to the groove.
In particular, the second profiled element and the third profiled element each have a lip penetrating into the groove, which lip is shaped so as to accommodate an anti-friction element or so as to define a curvilinear projection in the groove.
Preferably, the first profiled element is made of one of the following materials: plastic, steel, aluminium.
The second profiled element and the third profiled element are made of the same material, which can be selected from among: plastic, steel, aluminium. Preferably, the second profiled element and the third profiled element consist of two extruded plastic bodies.
In particular, each localised recess defines an angle comprised between 10° and 170°.
Preferably, the groove is laterally delimited by a first vertical wall of the first upper projecting portion and by a second vertical wall of the second upper projecting portion.
In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the groove is inferiorly delimited by a horizontal base for connection between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall. In particular, the horizontal base is substantially flat. In this first embodiment, the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall have a corresponding protuberance projecting internally of the groove.
In accordance with a second preferred embodiment, the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall terminate respectively with an edge folded towards the groove.
Preferably the edges define a downward tapering or narrowing of the groove.
Preferably, the groove is inferiorly delimited by a part of the first profiled element. Preferably, the first profiled element further comprises a first lower projecting portion and a second lower projecting portion separated by a further channel or recess.
Preferably, said further channel has a substantially T-shaped section. Preferably, the threshold also comprises a bracket having at least a first portion that can be fixed to a wall of the lift shaft and a second portion which supports the first profiled element. Preferably, the profiled element is fixed to the second portion of the bracket by fastening means housed in said further channel.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an approximate, and thus non-limiting, description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of a threshold for door of an elevator, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

figure 1 illustrates a threshold for door of an elevator, according to the present invention, in a sectional view;
figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate some of the components of the threshold of figure 1 (lower profiled element and two upper profiled elements), in which different embodiments of the upper profiled elements and of the lower profiled element are combined, in a sectional view;
figure 8 illustrates a first embodiment of the lower profiled element, used in figures 5, 6 and 7, in a sectional view;
figure 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the lower profiled element, used in figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, in a sectional view;
figure 10 illustrates a first embodiment of the upper profiled element used in figures 1, 2 and 5, in a sectional view;
figure 11 illustrates a second embodiment of the upper profiled element used in figures 3 and 6, in a sectional view;
figure 12 illustrates a third embodiment of the upper profiled element used in figures 4 and 7, in a sectional view;
figure 13 illustrates a threshold for landing door having two leaves, according to the present invention, in a sectional view.

With reference to the figures, number 1 indicates a threshold for landing door of an elevator.
The threshold 1 comprises:

a first profiled element 2, hereinafter also referred to as "lower profiled element", extending mainly in a longitudinal direction;
a second profiled element 3 and a third profiled element 4, hereinafter also referred to as "upper profiled elements", which extend mainly in the same longitudinal direction.

The first profiled element 2 comprises a first upper projecting portion 21 and a second upper projecting portion 22 separated by a groove 23 that is open in an upwards direction for the sliding of a leaf 100 of the landing door (as will be better understood in the following).
The first profiled element 2 also comprises a first lower projecting portion 24 and a second lower projecting portion 25 separated by a further channel or recess 26. Preferably, the further channel 26 has a substantially T-shaped section.
Preferably, the first profiled element 2 consists of a plate-like body bent and shaped so as to define the projections and grooves defined above.
The threshold 1 is fixed to a wall 200 of the lift shaft by means of a bracket 5.
The bracket 5 comprises at least a first portion 51 that can be fixed to the wall 200 and a second portion 52, substantially at 90° with respect to the first portion 51, which supports the first profiled element 2.
In particular, the first profiled element 2 is fixed to the second portion 52 of the bracket 5 by fastening means 6 partially housed in the further channel 26. In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the fastening means 6 comprise a bolt coupled to a nut.
The bracket 5 also comprises a third portion 53 that extends to the side of the profiled elements 2, 3, 4, protecting them. The third portion 53 extends from the second portion 52 at about 90° (therefore it is parallel to the first portion 1).
In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the first upper projecting portion 21 and the second upper projecting portion 22 have a corresponding section narrowing 210, 220.
Preferably, each section narrowing 210, 220 is obtained by localised recesses of vertical walls 211, 212, 221, 222 of the corresponding upper projecting portion 21, 22.
In particular, each localised recess defines an angle α comprised between 10° and 170°.
The groove 23 of the first profiled element 2 is laterally delimited by a first vertical wall 211 of the first upper projecting portion 21 and by a second vertical wall 221 of the second upper projecting portion 22.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the first profiled element, illustrated in figure 8, the groove 23 is inferiorly delimited by a horizontal base 223 for connection between said first vertical wall 211 and said second vertical wall 221.
This horizontal base 223 superiorly delimits also the further channel 26 of the first profiled element 2.
Preferably, this horizontal base 223 is substantially flat.
Both the first vertical wall 211 and the second vertical wall 221 have a protuberance 2110, 2210 projecting internally of the groove 23.
In particular, the protuberances 2110, 2210 are angled in such a way as to taper or narrow the groove 23 downwards, i.e. going in the direction of the further channel 26.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the first profiled element 2, illustrated in figure 9, the first vertical wall 211 and the second vertical wall 221 terminate respectively with an edge 211a, 221a folded towards the groove 23. The edges 211a, 221a do not join but define a downward tapering or narrowing of the groove 23, i.e. going in the direction of the further channel 26.
In this embodiment, the groove 23 is inferiorly delimited by a horizontal base 223 which separates it from the further channel 26 below.
Preferably, the horizontal base 223 has a localised recess 2230 that projects into the further channel 26.
The upper profiled elements - i.e. the second profiled element 3 and the third profiled element 4 - are identical, but applied to the first profiled element 2 specularly with respect to the groove 23.
In particular, the second profiled element 3 defines a first gully 31 and is joint-fitted on the first profiled element 2 in such a way that the first upper projecting portion 21 engages the first gully 31.
The second profiled element 3 has two reliefs 32, 33 joint-fitted into the localised recesses of the section narrowing 210 of the first upper projecting portion 21.
The third profiled element 4 defines a second gully 41 and is joint-fitted on the first profiled element 2 in such a way that the second upper projecting portion 22 engages the second gully 41. The third profiled element 4 has two reliefs 42, 43 joint-fitted into the localised recesses of the section narrowing 220 of the second upper projecting portion 22. Advantageously, the second profiled element 3 and the third profiled element 4 partially penetrate in the groove 23 of the first profiled element 2 thus defining a guide for the sliding of the leaf 100.
Advantageously, the first profiled element 2 is made of one of following materials: plastic, steel, aluminium.
Preferably, the plastic material is associated with the first embodiment of the lower profiled element 2 (figure 8).
Preferably, the steel and aluminium are associated with the second embodiment of the lower profiled element 2 (figure 9).
The upper profiled elements 3, 4 can also be made from a choice of one of the following materials: plastic, steel, aluminium.
Preferably, aluminium is associated with the first embodiment of the upper profiled element (figure 10).
Preferably, steel is associated with the second embodiment of the upper profiled element (figure 11).
Preferably, the plastic material is associated with the third embodiment of the upper profiled element (figure 12).
Both the second profiled element 3 and the third profiled element 4 each have a lip 34, 44 penetrating into the groove 23.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the upper profiled elements, illustrated in figure 10, the lip 44 has a cavity having a partially curvilinear section, indicated by number 440.
Preferably, the cavity 440 formed in the lip 44 is a cylindrical portion and can accommodate an anti-friction element 7 made of plastic.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the upper profiled elements, illustrated in figure 11, the lip 44 defines a retention opening 441 for an antifriction element 7 made of plastic.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the upper profiled elements, illustrated in figure 12, the lip 44 has a curvilinear projection 442 in the groove 23.
In practice, the upper profiled elements can integrate the plastic slider (figures 10 and 11) or define its functionality inherently with their shapes (figure 12, in which the curvilinear projection is defined by the lip).
The coupling of the lower profiled element 2 made of plastic and upper profiled elements 3, 4 made of plastic is also particularly advantageous for the following reasons.
Firstly, these profiled elements can be made by extrusion. The plastic material chosen for the lower profiled element and the upper profiled elements can be the same or different.
Moreover, the curvilinear projection formed in the lips avoids having to insert the slider.
The characteristics of the threshold for landing door of an elevator according to the present invention emerge clearly from the above description, as do the advantages.
The joint-fitting assembly of the upper profiled elements on the lower profiled element allows easily modernising the existing systems, without having to replace the entire threshold. In fact, it is sufficient to remove the upper profiled elements and replace them, avoiding long and complex disassembly operations. In this case, the old profiled elements can be replaced with upper profiled elements of greater extension, i.e. with increased edges/lips that reduce the slide slits of the leaves.
The combined joint-fitted structure also allows simplifying the installation steps of the systems, during which a buffer is inserted on the lower profiled element that will then be removed at the end of the installation, to leave space for the joint-fitting of the upper profiled elements.
The particular shape of the threshold proposed here, with the edges or protuberances of the lower profiled element that taper the groove and with the inner lip of the upper profiled element that integrates or "simulates" the wearable portion of the slider, allow reducing the width of the groove, passing from about 10-12 mm to 5 mm. Reducing the groove has the advantage of limiting or entirely avoiding tripping, access problems with wheelchairs or walkers provided with wheels, stretchers, unintentional dropping of small objects, etc.
Furthermore, by making the upper profiled elements of plastic and shaping the lips in order to obtain the curvilinear projection, it is possible to avoid the use of sliders for the sliding of the leaves. It is evident that this choice reduces the number of components, simplifies the production of the threshold and its maintenance.

Claims

A threshold (1) for door of an elevator, comprising:
a first profiled element (2) extending mainly in a longitudinal direction and comprising a first upper projecting portion (21) and a second upper projecting portion (22) separated by a groove (23) that is open in an upwards direction, the first upper projecting portion (21) and the second upper projecting portion (22) having a corresponding section narrowing (210, 220) obtained by localised recesses of vertical walls (211, 212; 221, 222) of the corresponding upper projecting portion (21, 22);

a second profiled element (3) extending mainly in said longitudinal direction and defining a first gully (31), said second profiled element (3) being joint-fitted on the first profiled element (2) in such a way that the first upper projecting portion (21) engages the first gully (31);

a third profiled element (4) extending mainly in said longitudinal direction and defining a second gully (41), said third profiled element (4) being joint-fitted on the first profiled element (2) in such a way that the second upper projecting portion (22) engages the second gully (41), said second profiled element (3) and said third profiled element (4) partially penetrating into said groove (23), thus defining a guide for the sliding of a leaf (100) of said door, characterized in that said second profiled element has two reliefs (32, 33) joint-fitted into the localised recesses of the section narrowing (210) of the first upper projecting portion (21) and said third profiled element (4) has two reliefs (42, 43) joint-fitted into the localised recesses of the section narrowing (220) of the second upper projecting portion (22).
The threshold (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second profiled element (3) and said third profiled element (4) are identical but applied to the first profiled element (2) specularly with respect to the groove (23).
The threshold (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second profiled element (3) and said third profiled element (4) each have a lip (33, 34) penetrating into the groove (23), which lip is shaped so as to accommodate an anti-friction element (7) or so as to define a curvilinear projection (442) in the groove (23).
The threshold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
said first profiled element (2) is made of one of following materials: plastic, steel, aluminium;

said second profiled element (3) and said third profiled element (4) are made of the same material, which can be selected from among: plastic, steel, aluminium.
The threshold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second profiled element (3) and said third profiled element (4) consist of two extruded plastic bodies.
The threshold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each localised recess defines an angle (α) comprised between 10° and 170°.
The threshold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said groove (23) is laterally delimited by a first vertical wall (211) of the first upper projecting portion (21) and by a second vertical wall (221) of the second upper projecting portion (22).
The threshold (1) according to claim 7, wherein said groove (23) is inferiorly delimited by a horizontal base (223) for connection between said first vertical wall (211) and said second vertical wall (221).
The threshold (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first vertical wall (211) and said second vertical wall (221) have a corresponding protuberance (2110, 2210) projecting internally of the groove (23).
The threshold (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first vertical wall (211) and said second vertical wall (221) terminate respectively with an edge (211a, 221a) folded towards the groove (23).
The threshold (1) according to claim 10, wherein said edges (211a, 221a) define a downward tapering or narrowing of the groove (3).
The threshold (1) according to claim 11, wherein said groove (23) is inferiorly delimited by a part of the first profiled element (2).
The threshold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first profiled element (2) further comprises a first lower projecting portion (24) and a second lower projecting portion (25) separated by a further channel or recess (26).
The threshold (1) according to claim 13, further comprising a bracket (5) having at least a first portion (51) that can be fixed to a wall (200) of the lift shaft and a second portion (52) which supports the first profiled element (2).
The threshold (1) according to claim 14, wherein said first profiled element (2) is fixed to the second portion (52) of the bracket (5) by fastening means (6) housed in said further channel (26).