GB2322894A

GB2322894A - Stirrup for lift threshold

Info

Publication number: GB2322894A
Application number: GB9704845A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Kenneth Brunton
Original assignee: BRUNTON STEPHEN K
Current assignee: BRUNTON STEPHEN K
Priority date: 1997-03-08
Filing date: 1997-03-08
Publication date: 1998-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-08
Also published as: GB2322894B; IT1298949B1; DE19809442A1; ITMI980376A1; GB9704845D0

Abstract

All improved stirrup for lift thresholds, made from steel or other suitable materials, comprising a couple of plates (12, 16), coupled to one another according to a substantially orthogonal orientation, one of which is adjustable with regard to the other one at least in a horizontal and transversal and/or vertical direction. Said plates are connected to one another by a couple of angularly connected tie rods (20, 20').

Description

1 Description of the patent application for industrial invention entitled

"Improved stirrup for lift thresholds" 2322894

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an improved stirrup for lift thresholds.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved stirrup utilisable for the support of the thresholds obtained in the lift well of lift cabins in correspondence of the doors of the various floors.

As is known, along the lift well, generally from masonry, a plurality of metal stirrups are provided which form, in correspondence of each of the floors, the fixed support for the lift threshold, in order to permit the regulation of the door. Said stirrups are connected to the wall along the front on which the access opening are obtained, close to the lower edge of the same, and are generally constituted of metal sections fitted in the wall of the cabin or bolted, or of metal frames formed by two plates oriented at 90' relatively to one another. The frame is fastened to the wall of the lift well at a height suitable for placing the horizontal branch of the same close to the lower edge of the access opening. the threshold is placed and fastened on said horizontal branch.

Conventional frames, either fastened to the cabin well or fitted in it, do not allow a quick and easy regulation necessary, for instance, during the installation of the lift door. Also stirrups formed by two plates oriented at 90' relatively to one another, have basically the same drawback, as the two branches that constitute them are fixed: in fact, said stirrups are traditionally realised as a single integral piece.

Accordingly, also in this last case, it is impossible to obtain an optimum regulation in the horizontal and the vertical direction, of the part that forms the threshold support, because of said forn-ting of the two branches as one single piece; the adjustments that become necessary during the 2 installation are prevailingly carried out by mechanical deformations. This causes, besides an increase in installation time, a poor precision as concerns the orientation of the threshold support.

Object of tl-js invention is to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks.

More particularly, object of this invention is to realise an improved stirrup for lift thresholds suitable to allow the precise regulation in several directions of the part forming the support of said threshold.

A further object of the invention is to provide users with an improved thresholds that can offer a high level of resistance and reliability in the time, and also such as to be easily and economically realisable.

These and still other objects are achieved by the improved lift threshold of the present invention made from steel or other suitable materials, characterised in that it comprises a couple of plates coupled to one another according to a substantially orthogonal orientation, one of which is orientable with regard to the other at least in the horizontal and transversal and/or vertical direction.

The construction and functional characteristics of the improved stirrup for lift thresholds of the present invention will be better understood thanks to the following description, wherein reference is made to the attached drawings which represent a preferred non limitative embodiment and wherein:

Figure 1 is the exploded schematic view of the improved stirrup of the invention; Figure 2 is the perspective schematic view of the assembled stirrup; Figure 3 is the perspective schematic view of the assembled stirrup to which the threshold is fastened.

With reference to the above figures, the improved stirrup for lift thresholds of the invention, indicated as a whole by 10 in Figure 2, basically comprises a first plate 12 with side foldings 14, 14' on two 3 opposite fronts, a second plate 16 provided with like foldings 18, 18', and a couple of tie rods 20, 21', suitable to connect to one another the aforementioned elements 12, 16 from steel or other suitable materials. Plate 12, which forms the vertical branch of threshold 10, has a basically "U'-shaped configuration, wherein the central portion 12', having, by way of example, a rectangular shape, is provided with through- openings 22, 24, each of which houses the threaded end 26 of a screw protruding from a conventional plug 28 inserted in the wall of the cabin well; on said threaded ends 26 a nut 30 is screwed which pushes to the central portion of plate 12, connecting it to the wall. Preferably, at least one of the through openings 22, 24 is eyelet-shaped.

On the opposite fronts of plate 12, defined by the vertically oriented longer sides, a folding 14, 14' is formed, orthogonal relatively to the central portion 12' and obtained in the direction of the fore front; said foldings, of limited depth, have an overall height greater than the central C, portion 12' of plate 12, developing beyond the upper horizontal side of the same for a length comprised, by way of example, between 25 and 45 mm. Along said foldings 14, 14' of the plates, through-openings 32, 34 are formed, constituted respectively of a slit and a hole. Slit 32 extends, starting from the portion close to the lower end of foldings 14, 14", for a length preferably at least equal to half the overall height of said foldings, and has a such width as to house the stem of a bolt of which more will be said in the following; hole 34 is formed in a position close to the upper end of foldings 14, 14', and has, by way of example, a rectangular configuration. In correspondence of the edges that define the folding line between the central portion 12' of plate 12 and foldings 14, 14', a plurality of approached, substantially circular openings 36 is obtained, said openings being partly developed on said foldings and partly on said portion 12'.

4 Plate 16, that constitutes the horizontal branch of stirrup 10 and forms the direct support for the threshold indicated by 40 in Figure 3, has a conformation like that of the aforesaid plate 12. In fact, plate 16 materialises a "U'-shaped configuration, wherein the central portion 16' having, by way of example, a quadrangular shape, is provided with at least a through-hole 42, obtained in a substantially central position. On two opposite fronts of said plate 16, foldings 18, IS' are formed, orthogonal relatively to the central portion 16' and downwards oriented; said foldings 18, 18' having preferably an overall height substantially equivalent to the height that defines the upper extension of foldings 14, 14' of plate 12 above the central portion 12', as it is comprised between 25 and 45 mm. The overall width of plate 16 is equal to or slightly smaller than the equivalent length existing between the internal fronts of said upwards extended portions of foldings 14, 14' of plate 12.

Along each of the opposite foldings 18, 18' of plate 16, a throughopening is obtained, constituted of a slit 44, whose width is slightly greater than the width of the stem of a conventional bolt inserted in the same, as will be specified later on. Slit 44 extends longitudinally along each of said foldings starting from the portions close to the ends of the same. In the same way as plate 12, plate 16 has preferably a plurality of substantially circular approached openings 46 along the edges that define the folding lines between the central portion 16' and foldings 18, 18' Two coupled tie rods 20, 20' having, by way of example, a rectangular section, are arranged according to an inlined orientation between plates 12, 16, connected to the same through conventional bolts whose stem is fitted in slits 32, 44; tie rods 20, 20' are suitably provided with throughholes 48, 50, obtained respectively in correspondence of the opposite heads.

The assembly stage of stirrup 10 is through the coupling of plates 12, 16 which are fastened to one another according to an orthogonal orientation. More in detail, plate 16 is positioned horizontally at the upper end of plate 12 vertically arranged, foldings 18, 18' of plate 16 abut close to the internal wall of the upwards extended portion of foldings 14, 14' which develop above the central portion 12' of plate 12, so that holes 34, obtained in correspondence of said extensions, align with slits 44 of plate 16. In the so formed communicating opening, stem 52 of a conventional bolts is inserted; a nut 54 is screwed on said stem, which preferably protrudes from the external front of said foldings 14, 14'. The latter, as has been already specified, are oriented in the direction of the fore front of stirrup 10, i.e. in the direction of the well wherein the lift cabin slides, while side foldings 18, 18' of plate 16 are downwards oriented, i. e. in the direction of plate 12. In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, the back edge of plate 16 is substantially aligned with the upper edge of the central portion 12' of plate 12, but obviously such arrangement may be modified to obtain the precise position of stirrup 10 according to the specific installation needs. The tightening of nuts 54 causes the connection between said plates 12, 16, but the latter, due to slits 44 formed along foldings 18, 18', may be placed transversally with respect to the vertical plate 12, in a variable position as concerns forwards or backwards movement. Tie rods 20, 20' interact with said plates, allowing their angular orientation alternative to the orthogonal position, being connected to both of them along slits 32, 44, formed on their side foldings 14, 14' and 18, 18'. Said connection is obtained by means of bolts, whose stem 56 fits in,said slits and end holes 48, 50, obtained on said tie rods. A nut 58, screwed on stem 56 which preferably protrudes from the internal front of foldings 14, 14', 18, 18', fastens tie rods 20, 20' to plates 12, 16. The movement of said tie rods along slits 32, 44 allows the suitable angular 6 orientation between plates 12, 16, connected to one another either directly or indirectly, through said tie rods.

This specific embodiment allows the optimum regulation in the horizontal and vertical direction of stirrup 10, which may be further inclined in the transversal direction, relatively to the position of the upper plate 16, thanks to the rectangular openings 34 formed at the upper end of foldings 14, 14'. The locking in a suitable position to ensure the correct positioning of threshold 40 which is fastened to plate 16, for instance by conventional means inserted in hole 42, is ensured by the plurality of bolts than connect the different components.

Preferably, at least a support 60 is connected to the vertically oriented plate 12, which support may be, for instance, an "L"-shaped tag, suitable 0 to support a protection apron, indicated by 62 in Figure 3. Said tag is provided on each of the two branches 64, 66, angularly orientable relatively to one another, of through-cavities 68, 68' which house respectively the means for the connection to stirrup 10 and said protection apron 62. The fastening of said apron to stirrup 10 is obtained, as is shown in detail in Figures 1 and 2, by a conventional bolt whose stem 70 inserts into slit 32 of plate 12 and in cavity 68 of support 62, the latter being locked by a nut 72. Similar means fasten apron 62, provided, by way of example, in a suitable position of several holes 74, to branch 66 of tag or tags 60 through cavity/cavities 68'.

According to a preferred non critical embodiment, a further plate-shaped element is superposed and fastened to plate 16, said element being indicated as a whole by 76 in the fig. 1, said elements substantially defines an "L" configuration, whose upper front 78 has an extension equivalent to 16', or central portion, of plate 16, and the vertical branch which develops from said front 78, indicated by 80, has an extension equivalent to the one of foldings 18, 18' of said plate 16.

7 The upper front 78 of the plate-shaped element 76 is provided with one or more through holes 84,, possibly with an eyelet, obtained in correspondence of hole 42 of plate 16; in the same way, the vertical branch 80 of the plate-shaped element 76 has, preferably in a central position, one or more holes or eyelets 82 for the insertion of screws or equivalent fastening means, suitable to fix the protection apron 62.

As can be inferred from the above description, the advantages achieved by the invention are evident.

The improved stirrups for lift thresholds allows the easy and quick orientation in the horizontal, vertical and transversal directions of the portion to which the lift threshold is connected. Accordingly, the regulation of the door of said lift may be made with precision either during the starting installation or during the subsequent interventions of maintenance or repair.

The invention, as described hereabove and claimed hereafter, has been proposed solely by ways of example, being obvious that the same is susceptible of many changes and variants, all of which fall anyhow within the invention concept.

In particular, possible structural inversions of alternative locations of the components that as a whole form the improved stirrup subject matter of the invention, are possible.

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Claims

1. An improved stirrup for lift thresholds, made from steel or other suitable materials, comprising a couple of plates (12, 16), coupled to one another according to a substantially orthogonal orientation, one of which is orientable with regard to the other at least in the horizontal and transversal and/or vertical direction.

2. The improved stirrup according to claim 1, characterised in that said plates (12, 16) have a "U'-shaped configuration that defines a central flat portion (12', 16), from which side foldings (14, 14) and (18, 18) develop on two opposite fronts, a slit (32, 44) being formed on each of said foldings, the upper end of said foldings (14, 14') being extended beyond the upper side of plate (12) and provided with a vertically oriented through-opening (34) having a rectangular shape.

The improved stirrup according to the preceding claims, characterised in that slits (32) extend longitudinally, starting from the portion close to the lower end of foldings (14, 14), for a length at least equal to half the whole development of said foldings.

4. The improved stirrup according to the preceding claims, characterised in that slits (32) extend longitudinally along each folding (18, 18) of plate (16) starting from the portions close to the opposite ends of said foldings.

5. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, 0 characterised in that foldings (18, 18) of plate (16) are downwards oriented in the direction of plate (12) placed vertically with foldings (14, 14') oriented towards the fore front.

6. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has a couple of tie rods (20, 20) angularly oriented between plates (12, 16) to which they are fastened by bolts or equivalent means.

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7. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said tie rods (20, 20) are provided with a throughhole (50) close to the respective lower end portions, for the insertion of stem (56) and of a bolt that fits in further in slits (32) of foldings (14, 14) of plate (12), a nut (58) being screwed on said stem.

8. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said tie rods (20, 20) are provided with a throughhole (48) close to the respective upper end portions, for the insertion of stem (56) and of a bolt that fits in further in slits (44) of foldings (18, 18) of plate (12), a nut (58) being screwed on said stem.

9. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that foldings (18, 18) of plate (16) are located between foldings (14, 14) of plate (12) close to the upwards extended portions of said foldings.

10. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said plates (12, 16) are connected to one another by means of opposite bolts whose stem (52) is fitted in opening (34) of foldings (14, 14) and in slit (44) of foldings (18, 18), a nut (54) being screwed on said stem (52).

11. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central flat portion (12') of plate (12) is provided with through-openings (22, 24), one of which at least is constituted by an eyelet.

12. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a plate-shaped element (76), having a substantially "L"-shaped configuration, superposed and connected to plate (16) on its upper front defined by the central portion (16% the upper front (78) of said element (76) being provided with at least a through-hole or eyelet (84) aligned with hole(s) (42) of said plate (16).

13. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vertical branch of the plate-shaped element (76) has one or more through-holes or eyelets (82).

14. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the extension of the upper front (78) and the vertical branch (80) of the plate-shaped element (76) substantially correspond to the dimensions of portion (16') of plate (16) of foldings (18, 18') of the same.

15. The improved stirrup according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has at least a support (60) formed by two angularly orientable branches (64, 66), along which a through-cavity is respectively formed, fastened to the lower part of foldings(s) (14 and/or 14') of plate (12) by a bolt on whose stem (70) protruding from slit (32) a nut (72) is screwed, a protection apron (62), correspondingly provided with holes (74) being fastened to branch (66) of said support(s) (60).

16. An improved stirrup for lift thresholds, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.