A threshold for a landing door for a lift

Abstract: The threshold (1) comprises a shaped support plate (2) of steel or the like with a sinuous profile which forms at least one longitudinal, upwardly-open loop (6) between two raised portions (3, 4). A profiled cover element (10) of aluminium or the like is located on this plate and forms at least one guide (14) for guiding the running of a door panel (P). This guide penetrates the corresponding loop of the support plate (2). The threshold further includes fixing devices for anchoring it in the zone connecting the landing (L) and the lift shaft or well (S).

Description: The present invention relates to a threshold for a landing door for a lift shaft. A threshold for a landing door for a lift shaft according to the preamble of independent claim 1 is known from US-A-3 686 808. The object of the present invention is to provide a threshold for a landing door for a lift which has a simple, robust structure and which is easy to put into operation. This object is achieved according to the invention by a threshold as defined in independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows, given purely by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partially-sectioned side view of a threshold according to the invention shown in the assembled condition; Figure 2 is a partial view taken on the arrow II of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a variant of the threshold according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a profiled retaining element forming part of the threshold of Figure 3. With reference to Figure 1, a threshold 1 according to the invention includes a support structure constituted by a plate 2 of steel having a sinuous transverse profile. In the embodiment illustrated, the plate 2 has three raised portions 3, 4 and 5 between which are two longitudinally-extending channel-shaped portions 6 and 7 which are upwardly open. These channel-shaped portions have respective, essentially vertical walls 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b and respective bases 6c and 7c. The lower parts of the walls 6b and 7b of the channel-shaped portions 6 and 7 define respective lateral recesses indicated 6d and 7d respectively. The shaped plate 2 also has two substantially vertical edge portions or skirts 8 and 9. A profiled cover element indicated 10, preferably of aluminium, is located on the shaped support plate 2. This profiled element has three raised portions 11, 12 and 13 between which are two channel portions 14 and 15 intended to serve as guides for running members, such as shoes or rollers, of two door panels (not illustrated). The profiled cover element 10 has an edge portion 16 bent downwardly. As seen in Figure 1, the profiled cover element 10 has a shape complementary to that of the support structure 2 so that said cover element 10 can be fitted to the support structure 2 so that the guide channels 14 and 15 penetrate the channel-shaped portions 6 and 7 of the support plate. The raised portions 11, 12 and 13 of the profiled cover element 10 rest on the corresponding raised portions 3, 4 and 5 of the steel plate 2. The support plate 2 is fixed to a plurality of beam elements of which only one is visible in Figures 1 and 2 where it is indicated 17. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, each of the beam elements is of essentially channel section with the channel open downwardly (see Figure 2). Conveniently the support plate 2 is connected to the beam elements 17 by connecting members such as screws, indicated 26 in Figure 1, located in the recesses 6d and 7d of the loops of this plate. The connecting members are obviously screwed in before the profiled cover element 10 is located on the support plate 2. Each beam element 17 is fixed to a horizontal limb 18a of an L-shaped bracket 18 by known connecting members such as a bolt 19 and associated nut or like female-thread element 20 (see in particular Figure 2). The other limb 18b of the bracket 18 is fixed to the wall W of the lift shaft S adjacent the lower edge of the door opening O, for example by means of a bolt 21 which passes through a slot 22 in the bracket. Each bracket 18 is fixed to the wall W of the lift shaft S at a level below the surface of the landing L (Figure 1) close to the lower edge of the door opening O so that, in the assembled condition of the threshold, the upper surfaces of the profiled cover element 10 are substantially flush with the landing L. Conveniently the threshold further includes a profiled trim element indicated 23 in Figure 1. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, this profiled trim element 23 has a substantially T-shaped cross-section with a first upper arm 23a which lies over a portion 13 of the profiled cover element 10 and a second arm or limb 23b which projects at least partly over the surface of the landing L, covering the space between the landing and the profiled cover element 10. The profiled trim element 23 also has an essentially vertical stem 23c located adjacent the vertical limb portion 9 of the support plate 2. The stem 23c of the trim element 23 has a bent lower edge portion 23d which engages beneath the edge of the vertical limb portion 9 of the support plate 2. The horizontal arm 23a of the trim element 23 has a downwardly-bent edge portion 23e with a tooth-shaped retaining formation 23f on its side facing the landing L which engages a cooperating groove 15a in the cover element 10. The trim element 23 is thus firmly connected to the cover element 10 and to the support plate 2. It may, however, easily be removed by slight resilient deformation to allow its bent lower edge 23d to be disengaged from the bottom edge of the edge portion 9 of the support plate 2 and then the toothed formation 23f to be removed from the groove 15a. The threshold described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 is intended for use with a landing door for a lift in which the door has two door panels which run in the guide channels 14 and 15 of the profiled element 10. Figure 3 shows a variant of the threshold of the invention for a door having only one door panel indicated P. For this purpose the support plate 2 forms a single channel-shaped portion indicated 6 and, correspondingly, the profiled cover element 10 forms a single guide channel 14. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the threshold 1 further includes a profiled retaining element 24 (see also Figure 4) which has a horizontal limb 24a located on the plane of the landing L before the laying or casting of a layer 25 of material for covering the landing, such as mortar, cement. The limb 24a of the retaining element 24 is joined to a portion 24b of this profiled element which is essentially channel shaped and has a base interposed between the beam elements 17 and the associated support brackets 18. As seen in Figure 3, when the limb 24a of the profiled element 24 is in its position of use, it is covered by the layer 25 of material which covers the landing L. Some of this material 25 may also be introduced into the channel portion 24b of this profiled element, extending as far as a vertical partition indicated 26 in Figure 3 which bears against the beam elements 17. The limb 23b of the profiled trim element 23 rests on the layer 25 which covers the landing L. Although the use of a profiled retaining element 24 has been illustrated in a threshold with a single guide channel for the running of a door panel, obviously such a profiled retaining element may also be incorporated in a threshold with two or more guide channels, such as that described previously with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of non-limitative example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached Claims.

Claims: A threshold (1) for a landing door (P) of a lift shaft (S), including a support structure including a plate (2) of steel having a sinuous profile which forms at least one longitudinal, upwardly open channel-shaped portion (6, 7) between two raised portions (3, 4; 4, 5); at least one profiled cover element (10), preferably of aluminium, an intermediate portion whereof forms at least one guide (14, 15) for guiding the running of a door panel (P); and fixing means (17-22) which in use are suitable for anchoring the support structure (2) adjacent the zone connecting the landing (L) to the lift shaft (S) close to the lower edge of a door opening (○), with the channel-shaped portion (6, 7) and the guide (14, 15) being in use disposable parallel to the edge of the door opening (O), and with the upper surface (11-13) of the cover element (10) being substantially flush with the landing (L) when the threshold is installed, characterised in that the cover element (10) has a shape complementary to that of the support structure (2) so that said cover element (10) can be fitted to the support structure (2) so that the guide (14, 15) penetrates the corresponding channel-shaped portion (6, 7) of the support structure (2). A threshold according to Claim 1, characterised in that the plate (2) has two longitudinal, parallel, upwardly open channel-shaped portions (6, 7) formed between three raised portions (3-5) and the cover element (10) correspondingly forms two guides (14, 15) for the running of respective door panels (P); the guides (14, 15) penetrating the channel-shaped portions (6, 7) of the plate (2). A threshold according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that it further includes a profiled trim element (23) coupled to the cover element (10) and having at least one projecting limb (23b) which, when the threshold (1) is installed, projects at least partly over the surface of the landing (L), covering the space between the landing (L) and the cover element (10). A threshold according to Claim 3, characterised in that the profiled trim element (23) has a substantially T-shaped cross-section with a first upper arm (23a) which lies over an edge portion (13) of the cover element (10) and a second upper arm (23b) which constitutes the said projecting limb; the vertical limb (23c) of the profiled trim element (23) being adjacent a corresponding vertical limb (9) of the shaped support plate (2) and having a bent appendage (23d) which engages beneath the edge of the vertical limb (9) of the shaped support plate (2); the first upper arm (23a) of the profiled trim element (23) having a downwardly bent edge portion (23e) with a toothed retaining formation (23f) which engages a groove (15a) in the profiled cover element (10). A threshold according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the at least one channel-shaped portion (6, 7) of the shaped support plate (2) has a lateral recess (6d, 7d) in an essentially vertical wall (6b, 7b) which forms a space which, during assembly, allows the introduction and putting into operation of connecting members (26), such as screws, bolts, for connecting the support plate (2) to the fixing means (17, 18). A threshold according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the fixing means comprise a plurality of L-shaped brackets (18) each having a limb (18a) which, in the assembled condition, extends horizontally and another limb (18b) for fixing in use in a vertical attitude to the wall (W) of the lift shaft or well (S), and a corresponding plurality of beam elements (17) each fixed to the horizontal limb (18a) of a respective L-shaped bracket (18) and having the shaped support plate (2) fixed thereto. A threshold according to Claim 6, characterised in that the beam elements (17) have channel sections with the channel facing downwardly. A threshold according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterised in that it further includes a profiled retaining element (24) having a horizontal limb (24a) for location in use on the plane of the landing (L) before the laying or casting of a layer (25) of material for covering the landing (L); the retaining element (24) essentially forming a channel (24b) adjacent the limb (24a) whose base is interposed between the beam elements (17) and the associated L-shaped brackets (18); the limb (24a) of the retaining element (24) being intended to be covered by the layer (25) of material for covering the landing (L) ; the profiled trim element (23) of the threshold (1) bearing on this layer (25).

Inventors: LODI MARIO, PRANDONI STEFAN, LODI, MARIO, PRANDONI, STEFAN
Applicants: KONE CORP, KONE CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B66B13
IPC codes: B66B13