FR2738858A1 - Spiral staircase incorporating chair-lift on central column - Google Patents

Abstract

Modules of eg. 3 steps, bolted to the cage walls, themselves of modular construction, are only lightly fixed (10) to the central column (11), a hollow tube supporting an inner worm shaft (5) on top and bottom bearings (22, 20) and bottom thrust bearing (26). Three nuts on the shaft are attached, by horizontal fixings passing through a helical guide slot (17) to an external part-cylindrical plate (15), supporting (14) a fold-up seat (28), foot-rest (29) and safety bar (30). Rotating the worm gear by belt-drive (27) from a motor (13) causes the nuts, and hence the attached support and seat, to rise and fall, on a helical path, dictated by the guide-slot, parallelling the stair's.

Description

 The invention relates to a spiral staircase structure comprising an elevator by worm.

 The staircase is modular and self-supporting, adapting to the space reserved for the stairwell.

 This invention presents a structurally designed combination independent of a stairwell with integrated spiral steps, supporting, at its axis, a worm elevator carrying a seat allowing one person at a time to have the choice to go up or down one floor or more, on foot or seated.

 Currently, the stairs are generally designed with the shell.

 For the stairs added after construction and this, of the spiral type, the steps are carried mainly by the central axis of the staircase.

 In the case where it is necessary to provide a stairlift, there are two solutions: elevators that follow an inclined slope with landings for straight stairs, elevators using the staircase ramp for spiral staircases. The risers can also use an attached ramp fixed to the walls of the staircase.

 In many cases, elevators are limited to one floor or one floor.

 The state of the art can be defined by the following patents - FR-A-2,571,036: Device called a carrier seat allowing the disabled to get on or off a straight staircase.

The invention relates to the possibilities of using the "screw and nut" system to obtain optimum efficiency at a minimum price. The device consists of a motor which drives a reduction gear which drives the screw. The screw turning, the nut undergoes a translational movement and takes the stem. The seat, the arms, the backrest and the footrest are fixed on the stem as well as a lift cart with two casters which supports the load. The bracket is guided laterally by a roller in a U-shaped rail which is fixed to the wall. The "screw and nut" mechanism is incorporated into a "raceway" profile. To limit the bending of the screw, two mobile bearings are positioned between the two bearings so as to reduce the range.

- FR-A-2.436.095: The lift includes a gondola, the supporting structure of which consists of a floor and a vertical metal side wall which slides along an inclined guide beam enclosing the drive mechanism . The nacelle is equipped, on the descent side with a single swing gate with automatic operation and, on the climb side, with a lifting springboard intended to fold down only on the upper landing floor when the nacelle stops at the highest point and get up again when starting downhill. At each end of the route, an access beach can be fitted with a contact mat which prevents the device from walking when a user passes over this mat.

- FR-A-2,471,942: This device comprises two substantially vertical uprights fixed on either side of the platform, each of which carries
- at its upper part, a double roller with a horizontal axis cooperating with the two raceways formed by the wings of a C-shaped section, the opening of which faces downwards and allows the upper part of the upright to pass considered and,
- At its lower part, a roller with a horizontal axis fixed laterally on the outside and engaged in a profile parallel to the upper profile of C section, the opening of which faces inwards, means being provided housed in the upper profiles for ensure the movement of the platform by acting on the uprights.

- FR-A-2.440.906: the present invention relates to a mobile ramp of the elevator or descender type with traction control on the ramp element. This ramp is characterized by the combination of an endless element disposed passing over at least one guide means along a use circuit and having means for the application of the use force, a power unit capable of driving the endless element and control means actuated by the force of use exerted on the endless element and controlling at least one of the factors among the direction of exercise of the force and its intensity, in the transmission of force from the motor unit to the endless element.

- FR-A-2.706.879: the invention relates to a device for raising or lowering people or goods on flat or inclined planes, such as: car access ramp, deformed terrain staircase. I1 consists of a rail and a sliding carriage inside a plate receiving a so-called "plug" bar. This device takes no hold on the ground, except for accessories.

Accessories: step, carrier for wheelchair, hook for wheeled bin, folding chair.

- FR-A-2.699.907: Device intended in particular to allow a disabled person to climb and / or descend, for example a staircase comprising a rack, means of transport for the person constituted by a seat and motorized means for ensuring the transportation of said disabled person. According to the invention, it comprises - guide means associated with said rack, - means for ensuring substantially horizontal stabilization, means of transporting the person whatever their position along the rack which cooperates with the means of guidance associated with said rack.

- FR-A-2.668.439: the present invention relates to a device for transporting loads in a stairwell for example. This device essentially comprises a load support platform driven by a geared motor group, the output shaft of which carries a pinion meshing with a rack secured to a first tube on which rolls a first carriage which is hingedly connected. by a link to a second carriage rolling on a second tube parallel to the first tube, so that the stability of the platform is ensured whatever the slope and the change of direction of the two parallel tubes.

- EP.0343.264: Bias elevator made up of parts plugged together, in particular of a main support. The length of the main support including feet can be adapted to the length of the stairs to be crossed and installed on them by backing. The load receiving means is fixed in cantilever on a roller movement mechanism so that the rollers thereof are pressed against the lower and upper faces of the main support.

- EP.0450.858: In a stairlift comprising a guide rail fixed to the steps of the staircase, a first slide does not extend below the first or the second riser at the foot of the staircase and / or at the -from the top of the stairs, on the landing and a second slide is mounted on the first slide and supported by it. The second slide has a shorter length than that of the flight of stairs and can be moved as desired between a position in which the second slide overflows on the landing landing at the top of the stairs and a position in which the second slide overflows below the first or second riser at the foot of the stairs. The user of the stairlift is carried by a carriage mounted on the second slide.

- EP.0.262.135: Screw freight elevator comprising a freight elevator cabin, which is movably supported on a vertically fixed screw and which carries a nut engaging with the screw and a belt transmission device intended to rotate the nut on the screw, thus driving the elevator car along the screw. The nut is rotatably journalled in a lubrication and support housing, which is connected to the elevator car and from which extends part of the nut, said part extending essentially conically and serving as a support for a belt pulley provided with a corresponding conical hole. The belt pulley and nut can somehow pivot axially relative to each other.

- W0.9203369: The device comprises a helical rail and shielded bearings mounted on this rail, said rail and said bearings being mounted either on the internal periphery of an elongated cylinder forming an external envelope, or on the periphery of a cylinder shorter internal telescopic mounted in the elongated cylinder and suitably spaced from the internal periphery thereof, said shorter cylinder carrying a lifting cabin by means of stops, said lifting cabin being locked against rotation and provided with a motor intended to animate the shorter cylinder with a rotary movement in order to carry out the lifting.

- W0.9006894: In a screw elevator, the elevator cage is carried by a drive nut rotatably mounted on a substantially straight screw, the elevator cage carrying a support means and a drive means for the nut. The screw is supported by several support brackets fixed to said screw along its length. Said nut has the shape of a spiral provided with turns whose pitch and axial thickness are adapted to the distance between the consoles and the dimension thereof in the direction of the length of said screw so as to allow the 'nut to pass freely in front of the consoles when they pass between the turns of the nut during passage.

 The majority of these devices must adapt to already existing stairs. Many devices have a heavy and expensive infrastructure which cannot be suitable for a particular dwelling.

 Finally, in many cases, the traditional staircase cannot be used at the same time as an elevator.

 The invention tends to avoid all of these drawbacks.

 This invention resolves all the negative points described in the state of the art.

 The combination of the staircase and the spiral elevator occupies a minimum floor space of 1.35 square meters for the narrowest model giving a walking passage of 0.60 meters ascending to the right or to the left on order . The steps and risers are solid and solidly integrated into the walls between the floor and the ceiling forming a well with its fully load-bearing and independent staircase without central pillar. This correctly reinforced structure (since independent) can support each floor and be anti-seismic. The shaft and the structural staircase support, in their axis, a spiral guide in tubular module meshing rigidly. This tubular guide contains the mechanism of the vertical elevator.

 The structure of the spiral staircase is self-supporting, while comprising an elevator by worm at the level of the central axis.

 The staircase structure is of the spiral type characterized by the fact that said structure is self-supporting and that the stair treads rest essentially on the interior walls of the stairwell, the central axis is occupied by a worm driven in rotation by a motor in order to maneuver a screw elevator secured to a mobile support mounted on said endless screw, fastening means being guided by guide means in a helical groove provided in a guide column.

 The stair structure is composed of a cage formed by the walls which form said cage, the spiral stair treads are fixed mainly on the walls by fixing means and incidentally by fixing lugs fixed themselves on the guide column. The staircase structure rests on an integrated sole.

 The stairwell is formed of multiple elements which join together to allow the setting in volume, said cage is therefore modular to adapt to the desired height of the staircase.

 The exterior shapes of the stairwell can be multiple, for example cylindrical or polygonal.

 The cage may include reinforcing pieces at the corners of the walls. These reinforcing pieces are arranged outside the cage at the corners.

 The worm can be made by assembling one or more worm elements. It is held in its lower part by a sealed bearing with clamp and stop and in its upper part by another sealed bearing with a clamp.

 To avoid arrow effects, at least one mobile carriage is mounted floating on the worm, it is equipped with floating bearings connected together by at least two connecting rods. Said floating bearings are mounted, one above the mobile support, the other below the mobile support. It is the mobile support which drives them in a vertical movement.

 For stair structures for several floors, the worm is provided with several movable carriages.

 The mobile support is fixed by axes with several nuts mounted on the worm, said axes also act as guide means in a helical groove provided in a guide column mounted coaxially with the worm.

 The mobile support is equipped to receive a retractable seat, retractable toe clips, a retractable user safety bar or other accessories necessary for use.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the mobile carriage, composed of two floating bearings, is itself guided by a guide means in a specific helical groove provided in the guide column.

 Said guide column is composed of three coaxial tubes.

 The upper part of the worm is placed in a seat with a ball bearing.

 The lower part of the worm is arranged in a seat with ball bearing and stopped in a clamp, the axis of the worm being engaged with a motor shaft actuated by a transmission means.

 The head and bottom bearings are assembled and filled with grease with seals. All these accessory parts do not require maintenance (plastic nut, aluminum guide column etc.).

 The attached drawings are given as indicative and non-limiting examples. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention. They will allow the invention to be easily understood.

 Of course, the staircase structure can be mounted on the left or on the right. You just have to choose the winding direction of the helical groove.

 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the structure of the stairwell.

 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the stairwell along the axis A-A shown in FIG. 1.

 Figure 3 is an exploded view of said structure.

 Figure 4 is a perspective view of said structure seen in its lower part.

 Figure 5 is an exploded view of a set of stair treads with different connecting elements.

 FIG. 6 is an overall view of the structure seen in longitudinal section along the axis E-E shown in FIG. 7.

 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the axis B-B shown in FIG. 6.

 FIG. 8 is a view in longitudinal section of the guide of the upper part of the endless screw seen along the cutting axis D-D shown in FIG. 7.

 FIG. 9 is a view in longitudinal section of the transmission of the rotational movement of the screw and of its guidance in the lower part, along the axis C-C shown in FIG. 7.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view along the axis
CC shown in Figure 7 and more particularly at the mobile support.

 FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the endless screw, support, etc. assembly. shown in Figure 10.

 Figures 9 and 13 are cross-sectional views according to other embodiments of the worm.

 Figure 14 is a perspective view of a connecting element.

 Figure 15 is a partial schematic view of the worm and the movable support in place on the guide column. It highlights the nuts of the mobile support, the mobile carriage formed by two floating bearings and two connecting rods.

 Figure 16 is a view according to Figure 15 but where the assembly of the worm is shown with its upper and lower parts.

 Figure 17 is a view according to Figure 16 but where are shown, in exploded view, the connecting parts between the movable support and the nuts mounted on the worm.

 The staircase structure 1 is of the spiral type.

 This structure is self-supporting, the steps 2 rest essentially on the interior walls 3 of the stairwell 4.

 The advantage of this staircase structure 1, according to the invention, lies in the fact that the central axis is well cleared allowing the installation of an endless screw 5 which allows the installation of an elevator .

 This staircase structure 1 is self-supporting independent of the structural work. It thus allows the use of this stair structure 1 as a fire, anti-seismic, explosion-proof shelter, etc. The staircase structure 1 rests on a sole 37.

 According to certain embodiments, said staircase structure 1 can be reinforced by reinforcing pieces 6 which are arranged outside the cage at the corners.

 FIG. 3 highlights the multiple elements 12 which, by assembly, authorize the volume of the staircase structure 1.

 FIG. 4 represents the fixing of the steps 2 on the internal vertical walls 3 of said structure 1 for example by screws or bolts 7. Said stair structure 1 is itself equipped with reinforcing members 8. Some modular elements composed of several steps are also fixed by a light fixing such as a fixing lug 10 which fixes said step assembly and the guide column 11.

 The central axis of the staircase is occupied by an endless screw 5 driven in rotation by a motor 13 for the purpose of operating a screw elevator 14 secured to a movable support 15, mounted on said endless screw 5, means of attachment being guided by guide means 16 in a helical groove 17 provided in a guide column 11.

 The worm 5 can be produced by assembling one or more worm elements, see FIG. 16. In this FIG. 16, the worm 5 is composed of several worm elements. These elements are assembled by connecting means 18,19. This modularity makes it possible to adapt the height of the endless screw 5 to the height of the staircase structure 1.

 The worm screw 5 is held in its lower part by a sealed bearing 20 and a clamp 21 while in its upper part, it is held in another sealed bearing 22.

 The guide of the upper part of the worm 5 is shown in FIG. 8.

 The upper end of the worm 5 is held in the bearing 22, itself housed in a needle bearing 23.

The guide column 11 is formed, in this embodiment, of three coaxial tubes.

 The lower end of the worm 5 is held in the bearing 20, itself housed in a ball bearing 36, the assembly rests in a bushing 21. The head and lower part bearings are assembled and filled with grease with watertight seals 44.45.

 This end of the worm 5 abuts against a ball bearing 24. The worm 5 continues with a transmission shaft 25 provided with a pulley 26 on which a transmission belt 27 is mounted. Said belt 27 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 13.

 The elevator is composed of a mobile support 15, a seat 28, toe clips 29 and a safety bar 30 for the user who can stand there.

 The mobile support 15 is fixed by pins 34 to nuts 31, 32, 33 mounted on the endless screw 5. These pins 34 act as fixing and guiding means for the mobile support 15.

When the endless screw 5 turns, the nuts 31, 32, 33 go up or down by these axes 34, they are guided in the helical groove 17 of the guide column 11 mounted coaxially with said endless screw 5.

 As shown in FIG. 7, the mobile support 15 receives a retractable seat 28 in order to possibly free the passage up the staircase, retractable toe clips 29, a retractable safety bar 30. This assembly retracted, the staircase remains completely free when the elevator 14 is not in operation.

 In the case where the worm is long, it is necessary to avoid effects of deflection and vibrations.

 To this end, a mobile carriage 38 is mounted floating. Said mobile carriage 38 is equipped with two floating bearings 39.40 connected together by at least two connecting rods 41. These two floating bearings 39.40 are themselves guided by guide pins 42, 43 which slide in the helical groove 17 of the guide column 11. In this embodiment, the structure is designed for a single stage.

 The upper bearing 39 is mounted coaxially with the worm 5 above the movable support 15.

 The lower bearing 40 is mounted coaxially with the worm screw below the mobile support 15. It is the movement of the mobile support 15 which drives the mobile carriage 38 in movement.

 FIG. 14 represents a connecting element 35 between the mobile support 15 and the accessories (seat-toe-feet-safety bar). This connecting element 35 can itself be reinforced according to the technical characteristics and the precise applications of the elevator. These connecting elements 35 are shown in FIG. 17.

 The speed of movement of the elevator is about half the speed of movement of a person walking on the stairs. This choice of speed allows an attendant to follow or precede the elevator.

 A remote control device can also be installed and adapted to this stair structure and to the screw elevator.

 This remote control device is removable, in place, it is arranged in the vicinity of the safety bar.

 This staircase structure is also equipped with an emergency stop button that can be unlocked by a responsible technician or by the maintenance department.

 REFERENCES 1. Stair structure 2. Steps 3. Internal vertical walls of the stairwell 4. Stairwell 5. Worm screw 6. Reinforcement parts 7. Steps fixing means 8. Reinforcement ribs 10 Fixing bracket 11. Guiding column 12. Multiple elements 13. Motor 14. Elevator (mobile support-seat-wedge-feet-safety bar) 15. Mobile support 16. Guiding means 17. Helical groove 18.19 Connecting means of several worm gear elements 20. Lower bearing 21. Crapaudine 22. Upper bearing 23. Needle bearing 24. Thrust bearing 25. Drive shaft 26. Pulley 27. belt 28. Seat 29. Footpegs 30. Bar security 31,32,33. Nuts 34. Axes acting as means of fixing and guiding the mobile support in the helical groove 17 35. Connecting element 36. Ball bearing 37. Stair of the stair structure 38. Mobile carriage 39.40. Floating bearings 41. Connecting rods 42.43. Guide pins 44. Lower part waterproof seal 45. Lower part waterproof seal

Claims (9)

 1. Staircase type structure characterized by the fact  that said structure (1) is self-supporting and that the stair treads (2) rest essentially on the interior walls (3) of the stairwell (4), the central axis is occupied by an endless screw (5 ) driven in rotation by a motor (13) in order to operate a screw elevator (14) secured to a movable support (15) mounted on said worm (5), fastening means being guided by means of guide (16) in a helical groove (17) provided in a guide column (11)  2.Structure of staircase of the spiral type according to claim 1 characterized in that  that it is composed of a cage (4) formed by the walls (3) which form said cage (4), the spiral staircase steps (2) are fixed mainly on the walls (3) by means of fixing (7) and incidentally by fixing lugs (10) fixed themselves on the guide column (11).  3. Staircase type spiral structure according to claim 2 characterized in that  that the stairwell (4) is formed of multiple elements (12) which join together to allow the setting in volume, said cage (4) is therefore modular to adapt to the desired height of the staircase.  4. Staircase structure of the spiral type according to claim 2 characterized in that  that the cage (4) has reinforcing pieces (6) at the corners of the walls; these reinforcing pieces (6) are arranged outside the cage (4) at the corners.  5. Staircase type spiral structure according to claim 1 characterized in that  the worm (5) is made by assembling one or more worm elements.  6. Staircase type spiral structure according to claim 1 characterized in that  that at least one mobile carriage (38) is mounted floating on the worm (5), it is equipped with floating bearings (39,40) interconnected by at least two connecting rods (41); Said floating bearings (39,40) are mounted, one above the mobile support (15), the other below the mobile support (15); it is the mobile support (15) which drives them in a vertical movement.  7. staircase structure of the spiral type according to claim 1 characterized in that  that the movable support (15) is fixed by pins (34) to several nuts (31,32,33) mounted on the worm (5), said pins (34) also act as guide means in a groove helical (17) provided in a guide column (11) mounted coaxially with the worm (5).  8. Staircase type spiral structure according to claim 7 characterized in that  that said mobile support (5) is equipped to receive a retractable seat (28), retractable toe clips (29), a retractable user safety bar (30).  9. staircase structure of the spiral type according to claim 1 characterized in that  that the upper part of the worm (5) is arranged in a seat with a ball bearing (36); the lower part of the worm (5) is arranged in a seat with a ball bearing (36) in a bush (21), the axis of the worm (5) being engaged with a motor shaft (25 ) actuated by a transmission means (27).