ES2950031A1 - Adaptable protector for elevator walls and installation and uninstallation procedure for said protector (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a protector (1) adaptable for elevator walls that comprises a plurality of segments (2) connectable to each other. Each segment (2) comprises a sheath and a protective plate configured to be housed within said sheath, and the lateral edges of each segment (2) comprise fixing means (3) configured for fixing the segments (2) laterally to each other. others. In this way, the protector (1) can alternate between a disassembled state where the segments (2) are separated from each other and the protective plates are outside the respective covers, and an assembled state in which each protective plate is housed within The respective cover and a set of segments (2) are laterally fixed to each other through the fixing means (3) to cover a wall of the elevator. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Adaptable protector for elevator walls and installation and uninstallation procedure for said protector

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of protecting the walls of elevators to prevent damage during construction work or renovations and removals.

A first object of the present invention is a protector designed to adapt in a simple and quick way to any size of elevator.

A second object of the present invention is a procedure for installing said protector in an elevator.

A third object of the present invention is a procedure for uninstalling said protector from an elevator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carrying out works or renovations in multi-story buildings sometimes requires construction staff to use the elevator to transfer materials and tools. As a result, the elevator walls may be damaged due to impacts, scuffs, scratches and the like.

To avoid this problem, it is common to try to protect the elevator by lining its interior walls, for example with cardboard or wooden panels. Although this usually adequately solves the problem, it is very inefficient because the cardboard or wooden panels must be cut to size depending on the size of the elevator in each case. This not only wastes time, but also means that the cartons or panels cannot be reused for another elevator and are therefore thrown away after use. In addition, cardboard breaks easily and sometimes does not perform its function satisfactorily.

There are also companies on the market that manufacture and install custom-made protectors for the interior of cabins. Usually, the company's responsible technician visits the elevator to take measurements and, subsequently, a custom protector is manufactured. This type of protectors usually consist of large pieces of textile material intended to completely cover the walls of the elevator. These are, therefore, protectors that are not reusable in other elevators of different sizes. In addition, the fabric is usually thin so that it can be folded to facilitate storage and transportation, so the protection they provide is quite poor against impacts of a certain magnitude. Given the large size of the pieces, cleaning them also poses problems due to the impossibility of using a conventional washing machine for this purpose.

Document JPH10338443A describes an elevator protector formed by a multilayer sheet that is cut to size for the elevator wall and that is fixed to the elevator by means of magnetic plates.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the previous problems thanks to an adaptable protector that is made up of standardized components that adapt to the dimensions of any elevator. Specifically, the protector comprises a set of segments that are coupled to each other to form a continuous panel whose dimensions depend on the number and size of the segments that compose it. Once a panel of the desired dimensions has been formed, it is fixed to the elevator wall to protect it during construction. Once the work is finished, the protector is dismantled, separating some segments from others. The protector is thus ready to be used in another elevator of any size.

This new protector allows standardizing operations to protect the walls of an elevator, since it is assembled and disassembled quickly and easily. This constitutes an important advantage in relation to current systems that must be adapted individually for each particular elevator. Furthermore, the protector of the invention has the additional advantage that it can be transported and washed very easily.

First aspect: protective

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to an elevator wall protector comprising a plurality of segments having front and rear main faces, top and bottom end edges, and side edges. In principle, the segments can have any shape as long as they fit together in such a way that the protector once assembled forms an essentially continuous panel. For example, each segment may have the shape of a parallelogram of a narrow thickness in relation to its dimensions of length (corresponding to the long side constituted by the lateral edges) and width (corresponding to the short side constituted by the end edges). However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape of the segments is rectangular.

Each segment comprises a sleeve and a protective plate configured to be housed within said sleeve. Naturally, the pair formed by the sleeve and the protective plate corresponding to each segment will have the same shape and dimensions, so that the protective plate fits inside the sleeve.

The cover may be made of any suitable material, woven or non-woven, made of natural or synthetic fibres, or any other type. Examples of materials the cover may be made of include lightweight plastic (e.g. PVC), canvas, etc. However, preferably the cover is manufactured using a textile material such as polyester. The cover will also include an opening for the introduction of the protective plate. The opening may be located on either side of the segment, although it is preferably located on the upper end edge or on the side edge. The opening may also have closure means, for example Velcro, zippers, buttons, or others.

As for the protective plate, it is a plate that fits inside the cover and whose material and thickness are selected to cushion any blow that the elevator wall may suffer. Naturally, a lightweight material is chosen for easy transport, such as polyethylene foam, although other options are possible.

In terms of measurements, the plurality of segments that make up the protector may comprise several sets of segments of different widths in the transverse direction. That is, the protector may comprise, for example, 10 segments of a first width, 10 segments of a second width, and 10 segments of a third width, so that by appropriately selecting the segments protectors can be obtained. with different measurements for different sizes of elevators. The width of the segments forming each set of segments may be, for example, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm or 50 cm. As for the length of the segments, this is the same for all of them and is chosen so that they cover essentially the entire height of the elevator. For example, segments can be between 200 cm and 250 cm. On the other hand, the thickness of the segments, which of course essentially corresponds to the thickness of the protective plate, can be between 2 and 3 cm.

The lateral edges of each segment, that is, the lateral means of the sheath of each segment, comprise fixing means configured for fixing the segments laterally to each other. Although different types of fixing means can be used, preferably these comprise Velcro strips arranged along the lateral edges of each segment. The use of Velcro allows you to connect and disconnect segments with others in a very quick and easy way.

Thanks to this structure, the protector can alternate between a disassembled state where the segments are separated from each other and the protector plates are outside the respective sleeves, and an assembled state in which each protector plate is housed within the respective sleeve and a set of segments are laterally fixed to each other through the fixing means to cover a wall of the elevator.

This configuration is advantageous because it allows the protector to be transported in a disassembled state, so that it takes up very little space, and to quickly mount it on site in the elevator. Furthermore, since the protective plates can be removed from the covers, a conventional washing machine can be used to wash them.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, each segment is divided longitudinally into several sections, where each of said sections comprises a respective sheath and a protective plate configured to be housed within said sheath. The number of sections can be selected depending on the application, although taking into account the usual dimensions of elevators, preferably each segment is divided longitudinally into three sections. In any case, regardless of their number, the sections of each segment are configured to connect to each other along the longitudinal direction by preferably removable articulated joints. These articulated joints may comprise, for example, complementary straps and loops located at the ends of each section.

This configuration is advantageous because it allows the size of the protector components to be further reduced for easier transportation. Indeed, since each segment is made up of several differentiated sections that connect to each other, the protector can simply be stored in a bag that can be transported manually.

The fixation of the protector of the invention to the walls of the elevator can be carried out in any way as long as the fixation is sufficiently firm and secure. For this purpose, for example, a bar fixed to the upper end of the walls can be used from which the protector is hung by suitable means. In this case, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, an upper end edge of each segment (i.e., the upper end edge of each cover) comprises a strap provided with a closure means for fixing the segment. to a horizontal bar arranged in the elevator. For example, the closure means may comprise a first Velcro strip at the free end of the strap and a second Velcro strip complementary to the first disposed on a main face of the segment adjacent to the upper end edge. Thus, to hang the protector from the bar it is only necessary to surround said bar with the strap arranged at the upper end edge of each segment and attach the first strip of Velcro located at the end of the strap to the second strip of Velcro arranged at the main face of the segment.

This configuration is advantageous because it allows the protector to be fixed to the elevator walls quickly and easily.

Second aspect: protector installation procedure

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a procedure for installing a protector as described above in an elevator starting from a situation in which the protector is dismantled. In this context, the disassembled protector implies that the segments are disconnected from each other, the sections that constitute each segment are also disconnected from each other, and the protective plates corresponding to each section are outside the respective covers. The procedure to install the protector in an elevator fundamentally includes the following steps:

1. Insert a protective plate inside the cover corresponding to each section of each segment. To do this, the protective plate is inserted through the opening of the cover and said opening is closed using the closing means. This operation is repeated for all the sections that will be necessary to protect the elevator wall depending on its size. That is, for a small elevator, a relatively small number of segments may be sufficient, while for a larger elevator a greater number of segments will need to be mounted. It is also possible to play with segments, and therefore sections, of different widths.

2. Assemble each segment by joining the sections corresponding to said segment in the longitudinal direction. To do this, the removable articulated joints that were previously described are used, until all the segments that are going to be used for the particular elevator have been assembled.

3. Assemble the protector with a desired size by joining some segments to others using the fixing means arranged on the lateral sides of each segment.

4. Hang the protector made up of the plurality of segments joined together to a bar arranged on the elevator wall in such a way that the protector covers the elevator wall. To do this, the straps arranged at the upper ends of the segments are used.

Third aspect: protector uninstallation procedure

A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a procedure for removing a protector according to any of the preceding claims from an elevator starting from a situation in which the protector is mounted and installed. In this context, this means that the sections are connected to each other to form the segments and, in turn, the segments are connected to each other, and the protector thus assembled is fixed to the wall of an elevator. The procedure to uninstall this elevator protector includes the following steps:

1. Remove the mounted protector from the bar on the elevator wall.

2. Disassemble the protector, separating some segments from others.

3. Disassemble each segment, separating the sections that make it up.

4. Remove the protective plates from the respective covers of each section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a view of a guard assembled in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a view of a half-assembled protector in accordance with the present invention.

The Figs. 3a-3c show a segment of a protector according to the invention in three different states.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the upper end of a protector mounted according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The attached figures show different views of a protector (1) according to the present invention where the different parts that compose it can be clearly seen.

The protector (1) is formed by a plurality of segments (2). The segments (2) have an elongated rectangular shape, and each of them is formed by three differentiated rectangular sections (21, 22, 23). The total length of the segments (2) is approximately 200 cm, so that the length of each section (21, 22, 23) is approximately 63 cm. Regarding the width, in this example the protector comprises three sets of segments (2) that respectively have a width of 10 cm, 30 cm and 50 cm, in such a way that the user can choose those segments (2) whose width is best. adapts to the width of the elevator in question. For example, two segments (2) 50 cm wide and two other segments 10 cm wide can be used to form a protector (1) with a total width of 120 cm.

Each section (21,22, 23) is formed by a cover that, in this example, is made of a polyester textile. Each cover has an interior cavity in which a 3 cm thick polyethylene foam protection plate is housed. Naturally, the shape and size of the case and the protection plate that is housed inside it is essentially the itself, so that the protection plate fits inside the cavity of the cover to thus give each section (21, 22, 23) of each segment (2) the shape mentioned in the previous paragraph: a rectangle of about 63 cm in length, about 10, 30 or 50 cm in width, and about 3 cm in thickness.Figs. 3a-3c show in greater detail a segment (2) formed by three sections (21,22, 23). As can be seen, the three sections (21, 22, 23) that constitute each segment (2) are longitudinally connected to each other by their respective upper and/or lower end edges. More specifically, the sections (21, 22, 23) are connected to each other by means of removable articulated joints (4), which in this specific case are straps and loops arranged in an appropriate manner at the ends of the sections (21, 22). , 2. 3). In particular, in this specific example, the lower end of the first section (21) has a strap that is fixed to a loop arranged at the upper end of the second section (22), and the lower end of said second section (22) has a strap that is fixed to a loop arranged at the upper end of the third section (23). The result is a single segment (2) that can be folded to reduce its size.

In Figs. 3a-3c also shows the Velcro strips (3) arranged on the lateral edges of each of the sections (21,22, 23) that constitute the segment (2). Although it is not seen in detail, it is understood that the Velcro strips (3) will be arranged in such a way as to ensure the proper connection of some segments (2) with others. For example, each section (21, 22, 23) may have a Velcro strip of a first type on one side (for example, hooks) and a Velcro strip of the second type on the other (for example, loops). Thus, to connect some sections (21,22, 23) with others, it is only necessary to rotate each section (21,22, 23) to place it in the ideal position.

Fig. 4 shows in greater detail the straps (5) arranged at the upper ends of each segment (2) for fixing the protector (1) to a bar that is arranged in the upper part of the elevator wall. As can be seen, each strap (5) has a closure means formed by a first Velcro strip (51) arranged at the free end of the strap itself (5) and a second Velcro strip arranged at the top of the main face of the segment (2) in question. In this way, it is possible to hang each segment (2) of said bar simply by passing the strap (5) around the bar and attaching the first Velcro strip (51) to the second Velcro strip (52).

In this context, it is important to note that when it is described that the Velcro strips (3) are arranged on the lateral edges of the sections (21,22, 23), it means that they are arranged on the lateral edges of the covers of each section. Similarly, it happens with the removable articulated joints (4) and with the straps (5), which are evidently arranged in the cover corresponding to each segment.

Since each section (21, 22, 23) is formed by a polyester cover that houses a polyethylene foam protection plate, it is possible to remove the protection plate from the inside of the cover and wash said cover normally in a washing machine. Furthermore, the transport of this protector (1) in a disassembled and folded state, that is, with the segments (2) separated from each other and each segment (2) also folded by the joints (4) as shown in Fig. 3c, is very simple due to the little space it occupies. This protector (1) can thus be taken in a disassembled state to the installation site. At that moment, the user chooses what width of segments (2) he needs to adequately cover the elevator wall. For example, for a 150 cm wide elevator, the user could simply use three segments (2) of 50 cm width or, if finer adjustment is necessary, he could use two segments (2) of 50 cm, one segment (2) of 30 cm, and two segments (2) of 10 cm. The user then assembles the chosen segments (2) by joining the sections (21,22, 23) to each other through the articulated joints (4) formed by straps and loops. Once the segments (2) are assembled, the user laterally joins some segments (2) to others using the joining means (3) in the form of Velcro strips arranged on the lateral edges of each section (21, 22, 23). Once this operation is completed, the protector (1) is mounted, which adopts a continuous panel shape similar to that shown in Fig. 1. Next, you only have to install the protector (1) by hanging it from the bar arranged on the upper part of the elevator wall using the straps (5).

Claims (17)

1. Protector (1) adaptable for elevator walls, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of segments (2) that have front and rear main faces, upper and lower end edges and side edges, where each segment (2) comprises a sheath and a protective plate configured to be housed within said sheath, and where the lateral edges of each segment (2) comprise fixing means (3) configured for fixing the segments (2) laterally to each other, so that the protector (1) can alternate between a disassembled state where the segments (2) are separated from each other and the protective plates are outside the respective covers, and an assembled state in which each protective plate is housed within the respective cover and a set of segments (2) are laterally fixed to each other through the fixing means (3) to cover a wall of the elevator. 2. Protector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means (3) between some segments (2) and others comprise Velcro strips arranged along the lateral edges of each segment (3). 3. Protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, where each segment (2) is divided longitudinally into several sections (21, 22, 23), each of which comprises a respective cover and a protective plate configured to housed within said sheath, and where the sections (21,22, 23) of each segment (2) are configured to connect to each other along the longitudinal direction by means of removable articulated joints (4). 4. Protector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the removable articulated joint (4) for joining between sections (21, 22, 23) of a segment (2) comprises complementary straps and loops located at the ends of each section (21,22, 23). 5. Protector (1) according to any of claims 3-4, where each segment (2) is divided longitudinally into three sections (21,22, 23). 6. Protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper end edge of each segment (2) further comprises a strap (5) provided with a closing means (51, 52) for fixing the segment. (2) to a horizontal bar arranged in the elevator, 7. Protector (1) according to claim 6, wherein the closure means (51, 52) comprises a first velcro strip (51) at the free end of the webbing (5) and a second velcro strip (52). ) complementary with the first arranged on a main face of the segment (2) next to the upper end edge. 8. Protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each cover comprises an opening in the upper or lateral edge for the introduction of the respective protective plate. 9. Protector (1) according to any of the previous claims, where the cover is made of a textile material. 10. Protector (1) according to claim 9, where the textile material is polyester. 11. Protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the protective plate is made of polyethylene foam. 12. Protector (1) according to any of the previous claims, where the thickness of the protective plate is between 2 and 3 cm. 13. Protector (1) according to any of the previous claims, where each segment (2) has a height of between 200 cm and 250 cm. 14. Protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of segments (2) is formed by several sets of segments (2) of different widths in the transverse direction. 15. Protector (1) according to claim 14, where the width of each set of segments (2) is chosen between 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm. 16. Procedure for installing a protector (1) according to any of claims 1-15 in an elevator starting from a situation in which the protector (1) is disassembled, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - insert a protective plate inside the case corresponding to each section (21,22, 23) of each segment (2); - assemble each segment (2) by longitudinally joining the sections (21, 22, 23) corresponding to said segment (2); - mount the protector (1) with a desired size by laterally joining some segments (2) to others using the fixing means (3) arranged on the lateral sides of each segment (2); and - hanging the protector (1) made up of the plurality of segments (2) laterally joined to each other to a bar arranged on the wall of the elevator in such a way that the protector (1) covers the wall of the elevator. 17. Procedure for uninstalling a protector (1) according to any of claims 1-15 of an elevator starting from a situation in which the protector (1) is mounted and installed, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - remove the protector (1) mounted from the bar on the elevator wall; - dismantle the protector (1) laterally separating some segments (2) from others; - dismantle each segment () longitudinally separating the sections (21, 22, 23) that make it up; and - remove the protective plates from the respective covers of each section (21,22, 23).