Patent Publication Number: US-2020277164-A1

Title: Working platform for an elevator car

Description:
FOREIGN PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 19160333.1, filed Mar. 1, 2019, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under  35  U.S.C. § 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a working platform for an elevator car. The invention further relates to an elevator car and to an elevator system comprising a working platform, and to a method of installing a working platform within an elevator car. 
     An elevator system typically comprises an elevator car moving along a hoistway extending between a plurality of landings, and an elevator drive configured for driving the elevator car. 
     For repair and/or maintenance, there may be a need for a mechanic to access components located at the top of the elevator car or components arranged within the hoistway above the elevator car. 
     It therefore is desirable to provide a structure which allows a mechanic to access components located at the top of the elevator car or components arranged within the hoistway above the elevator car more easily. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a working platform is provided for an elevator car, the elevator car comprising a passenger space for accommodating passengers, and at least one handrail within the passenger space. The working platform includes a plurality of individual platform elements. The platform elements are configured for being supported in a working position within the elevator car, in which they are supported by the at least one handrail of the elevator car. When arranged in said working position, the platform elements, in combination, provide the working platform. A mechanic may climb onto the working platform for safely accessing components of the elevator system arranged at the top the elevator car and/or within the hoistway. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention include an elevator car comprising at least one handrail; and a working platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include an elevator system comprising a hoistway extending between a plurality of landings; and at least one elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is configured for moving along the hoistway between the plurality of landings. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of installing a working platform in an elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the method comprises taking at least two platform elements from respective storage positions and supporting the at least two platform elements on the at least one handrail of the elevator car. 
     As, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the platform elements are supported on handrails provided within the elevator car, there is no need for providing additional supporting elements within the elevator car. In consequence, a working platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may be provided and installed at low costs, and no space within the elevator car is occupied by additional supporting elements for supporting the platform elements. 
     Since the working platform is formed by a plurality of platform elements, each of the platform elements is smaller than the working platform. The reduced size of the platform elements facilitates the handling and storage of the platform elements. A working platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in particular may be installed and deinstalled by a single mechanic on its own, as each platform element may be configured to be small and light enough for being handled by a single mechanic 
     In consequence, a working platform according to exemplary embodiments of the invention provides a structure which may be installed and deinstalled easily within an elevator car and which allows a mechanic to position himself safely in an elevated position above the bottom of the elevator car. This allows the mechanic to access components located at the top of the elevator car or components arranged on top of the elevator car and/or within the hoistway safely and conveniently by reaching through an opening formed within an upper portion of the elevator car. 
     A number of optional features are set out in the following. These features may be realized in particular embodiments, alone or in combination with any of the other features, unless specified otherwise. 
     The platform elements may be configured to be arranged next to each other in their respective working positions, from where maintenance and repair of components located on top of the elevator car and/or within the hoistway are feasible, for forming a continuous working platform, in particular a continuous working platform which does not comprise any gaps between adjacent platform elements. This enhances the safety of the working platform as the mechanic may not fall into or stumble over gaps formed between adjacent platform elements. 
     The platform elements may be configured to establish, in combination, a working platform extending basically over the whole horizontal cross section of the passenger space, when the platform elements are arranged in their respective working positions. This provides a very safe working platform as a working platform extending basically over the whole horizontal cross section of the passenger space, i.e. over the whole distance between opposite sidewalls of the elevator car, prevents a mechanic from falling laterally from the working platform. 
     Each platform element may comprise a plate which is configured to extend horizontally within the elevator car, when the platform element is arranged in its working position, and at least one leg configured for supporting the platform element on the at least one handrail. The at least one leg may be movable, in particular pivotable, between a retracted storage position and an extended working position. The at least one leg may be configured for supporting the platform element on the at least one handrail when arranged in the extended working position. 
     A method of installing a working platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may include moving at least one leg of at least one of the platform elements from a retracted storage position into an extended working position and supporting the at least one leg on the at least one handrail of the elevator car for supporting the at least one platform element on the at least one handrail of the elevator car. 
     When arranged in the retracted storage position the at least one leg may extend basically parallel to the plate for reducing the space occupied by the platform element, in order to facilitate the storage of the platform element. 
     In order to allow securely supporting the at least one leg on one of the handrails, the at least one leg may comprise at least one cut-out, which is formed within a first end of the at least one leg and configured for accommodating at least a portion of the at least one handrail when the working platform is supported on said at least one handrail. 
     The at least one leg may further comprise a supporting surface formed at a second end of the leg opposite to the cut-out. The supporting surface may be configured for abutting against the plate of the working platform element when the leg is arranged in its working position, supporting the plate on the leg and preventing the leg from pivoting beyond its working position. 
     For providing a symmetric configuration resulting in a symmetric distribution of the acting forces, each platform element may comprise two legs mounted to opposite ends of the platform element, wherein each leg is configured for being supported on one of two handrails provided at opposite sidewalls of the elevator car. 
     In order to allow fixing the platform elements in respective storage positions, each platform element may comprise at least one fixing opening configured for accommodating a corresponding fixing element. 
     In order to allow for a convenient storage of the platform elements, in particular in a space-saving configuration, an elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may comprise a ceiling element, in particular a decorative ceiling element, which is configured for accommodating the platform elements in respective storage positions. 
     The ceiling element may be movable, in particular pivotable, between an open access position providing access to the platform elements arranged in their respective storage positions, and a closed storage position, in which the platform elements, when arranged in their respective storage positions, are not accessible from the passenger space of the elevator car. 
     A method of installing a working platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may include moving at least one ceiling element from a storage position into a working position for providing access to the platform elements before taking at least two platform elements from their respective storage positions. 
     The ceiling element may comprise at least one fixing element, in particular at least one hook, bolt or screw, configured for fixing the platform elements in their respective storage positions. The at least one fixing element in particular may be configured for extending through a corresponding fixing opening formed within the platform element for accommodating the fixing element. 
     The elevator car may comprise a ladder providing easy access to the working platform when arranged in the working position. The ladder may be attachable to at least one of the platform elements arranged in its working position. 
     In an alternative configuration, the ladder may be securely fixed to one of the platform elements and configured for being extended from said platform element after the platform element has been arranged in its working position. 
    
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
       In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures. 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts an elevator system comprising an elevator car configured for moving along a hoistway. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of an elevator car comprising a working platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention arranged in a working position. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  depict enlarged perspective views of a platform element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an enlarged view of a leg of a platform element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of an elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the platform elements are arranged in their respective storage positions. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of the elevator car depicted in  FIG. 6 , wherein a ceiling element of the elevator car is pivoted into the elevator car. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of the elevator car depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wherein a first platform element is supported on the handrails of the elevator car. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a ceiling element as it is employed in an elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an enlarged view of a fixing element provided at the ceiling element depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  depicts the ceiling element depicted in  FIG. 9  with three platform elements attached to the ceiling element. 
         FIG. 12  depicts an enlarged view of a fixing element extending through a fixing openings formed in a platform element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  schematically depicts an elevator system  2 . 
     The elevator system  2  includes an elevator car  60  movably arranged within a hoistway  4  extending between a plurality of landings  10 . The elevator car  60  in particular is movable in a longitudinal (vertical) direction along a plurality of car guide members  14 , such as guide rails, extending along the vertical direction of the hoistway  4 . Only one of said car guide members  14  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     Although only one elevator car  60  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the skilled person understands that exemplary embodiments of the invention may include elevator systems  2  including a plurality of elevator cars  60  moving in one or more hoistways  4 . 
     The elevator car  60  comprises a top  62 , a bottom  64  and a plurality of sidewalls  65  extending between the top  62  and the bottom  64  of the elevator car  60  defining a passenger space  61  of the elevator car  60 . 
     The elevator car  60  is movably suspended by means of a tension member  3 . The tension member  3 , for example a rope or belt, is connected to an elevator drive  5 , which is configured for driving the tension member  3  in order to move the elevator car  60  along the height of the hoistway  4  between the plurality of landings  10 , which are located on different floors. 
     The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  uses a 1:1 roping for suspending the elevator car  60 . The skilled person, however, easily understands that the type of the roping is not essential for the invention and that different kinds of roping, e.g. a 2:1 roping or a 4:1 roping may be used as well. 
     The tension member  3  may be a rope, e.g. a steel wire rope, or a belt. The tension member  3  may be uncoated or may have a coating, e.g. in the form of a polymer jacket. In a particular embodiment, the tension member  3  may be a belt comprising a plurality of polymer coated steel cords (not shown). The elevator system  2  may have a traction drive including a traction sheave for driving the tension member  3 . In an alternative configuration, which is not shown in the figures, the elevator system  2  may be an elevator system  2  without a tension member  3 . 
     The elevator system  2  also may comprise e.g. a hydraulic drive or a linear drive. The elevator system  2  may have a machine room (not shown) or it may be a machine room-less elevator system  2 . 
     The elevator system  2  further includes a counterweight  19  attached to the tension member  3  and configured for moving concurrently and in opposite direction with respect to the elevator car  60  along at least one counterweight guide member  15 . The skilled person will understand that the invention may be applied also to elevator systems  2  which do not comprise a counterweight  19 . 
     Each landing  10  is provided with a landing door  11 , and the elevator car  60  is provided with a corresponding elevator car door  12  for allowing passengers to transfer between a landing  10  and the passenger space  61  of the elevator car  60  when the elevator car  60  is positioned at the respective landing  10 . 
     The elevator drive  5  is controlled by an elevator controller  6  for moving the elevator car  60  along the hoistway  4  between the different landings  10 . 
     Input to the elevator controller  6  may be provided via landing control panels  7 a, which are provided on each landing  10  close to the landing doors  11 , and/or via an elevator car control panel  7 b, which is provided inside the elevator car  60 . 
     The landing control panels  7 a and the elevator car control panel  7 b may be connected to the elevator controller  6  by means of electric wires, which are not shown in  FIG. 1 , in particular by an electric bus, or by means of wireless data connections. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of an elevator car  60  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     The sidewalls  65  of the elevator car  60  are shown transparently in order to allow an unobstructed view into the elevator car  60  and the passenger space  61 . 
     A ceiling element  68 , in particular a decorative ceiling element  68 , provided at the top  62  of the elevator car  60  is pivoted into the passenger space  61  of the elevator car  60  creating an opening  66  at the top  62  of the elevator  60  which allows a person, in particular a mechanic (not shown), to reach out of the top  62  of the elevator car  60 . 
     Handrails  63  are mounted to two opposite sidewalls  65  of the elevator car  60  using connectors  67  extending between the respective handrail  63  and the corresponding sidewall  65  of the elevator car  60 . 
     A working platform  70  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is arranged in a working position within the elevator car  60 . The working platform  70  in particular is supported by the handrails  63 . 
     The working platform  70  comprises a plurality of platform elements  71 , in the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures in particular three platform elements  71 . The platform elements  71  are arranged next to each other on the handrails  63  forming a continuous working platform  70  extending basically over the whole cross-section of the elevator car  60 . 
     A ladder  72  extends between the bottom (floor)  64  of the elevator car  60  and the working platform  70  allowing persons to conveniently climb onto the working platform  70 . 
     The connectors  67  connecting the handrails  63  to the sidewalls  65  are configured strong enough for securely supporting the platform elements  71  and any persons on said platform elements  71 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  depict enlarged perspective views of a platform element  71  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     The platform element  71  comprises a plate  74 , in particular a rectangular plate  74 , which is configured to extend horizontally within the passenger space  61  of the elevator car  60  when the platform element  71  is arranged in the working position (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Fixing openings  80  configured for receiving the fixing elements  69 , which will be described further below with respect to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , are formed within the plates  74  of the platform elements  71 . 
     Two legs  76  are mounted to opposite ends of the plate  74 . Each of the legs  76  is pivotably mounted to the plate  74  by means of a corresponding joint  78 . 
     In the configuration depicted in  FIG. 3 , the legs  76  are arranged in respective storage positions extending basically parallel to the plate  74 . In such a configuration (“storage configuration”), the space occupied by the platform element  71  is reduced, which allows storing the platform element  71  easily. 
     In the configuration depicted in  FIG. 4 , the legs  76  are arranged in respective working positions extending transversely, in particular nearly orthogonally, from the plate  74 . In such a configuration (“working configuration”), the legs  76  allow supporting the platform element  71  in a working position on the handrail  63 , as it is depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     An enlarged view of a leg  76  is depicted in  FIG. 5 . At a first end  76 a of the leg  76  opposite to the joint  78 , a cutout  79  is formed within the leg  76 . The cutout  79  has a shape which allows accommodating one of the handrails  63  within the cutout  79  for securely supporting the platform element on the handrails  63  (cf.  FIG. 2 ). 
     A supporting surface  77  is formed at an opposing second end  76 b of the leg  76  next to the joint  78 . When the leg  76  is arranged in its working position, as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the supporting surface  77  abuts against the plate  74  supporting the plate  74  on the leg  76 . The mechanical interaction between the supporting surface  77  and the plate  74  further prevents the leg  76  from pivoting beyond the working position. 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  are perspective views of an elevator car  60  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrating the transfer of the working platform  70  from a storage position, which is shown in  FIG. 6 , into the working position depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the storage position (see  FIG. 6 ), the platform elements  71  and the ladder  72  are attached to the ceiling element  68 , which is not visible in  FIG. 6  as it is covered by the platform elements  71 . The ceiling element  68  is arranged in a storage position, in which it extends horizontally along the top  62  of the elevator car  60 . The legs  76  of the platform elements  71  are arranged in their respective storage positions extending basically parallel to the plates  74  of the platform elements  71  (cf.  FIG. 3 ). 
     For installing the working platform  70  in the working position, the ceiling element  68  is unlocked and pivoted together with the platform elements  71  and the ladder  72  attached to the ceiling element  68  into the passenger space  61  of the elevator car  60 . This results in a configuration as it is depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     After the ceiling element  68  has been moved into the position depicted in  FIG. 7 , the platform elements  71  are successively detached from the ceiling element  68  and supported on the handrails  63  of the elevator car  60 . A first platform element  71  supported on the handrails  63  is depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
     After all platform elements  71  have been detached from the ceiling element  68  and arranged on the handrails  63 , the ladder  72  is attached to the last (outermost) platform element  71  so as to extend between said platform element  71  and the bottom  64  of the elevator car  60 . Alternatively, the ladder  72  may be securely fixed to one of the platform elements  71  even when said platform element  71  is arranged in the storage position (see  FIG. 6 ), in order to be extended from said platform element  71  after the platform element  71  has been arranged in its working position, in which it is supported on the handrails  63  of the elevator car  60 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an enlarged view of a ceiling element  68  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention without any platform elements  71  being attached to the ceiling element  68 . 
     The ceiling element  68  is provided with a plurality of fixing elements  69  configured for supporting the platform elements  71  when arranged in their respective storage positions. The fixing elements  69  may be securely attached to the ceiling element  68 , or they may be formed integrally with the ceiling element  68 . 
     An enlarged view of a fixing element  69  is depicted in  FIG. 10 . In the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the fixing elements  69  are provided in the form of hooks. The shape of the fixing elements  69  depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , however, is only exemplarily. Alternative configurations of fixing elements  69 , such as bolts or screws, which allow supporting the platform elements  71  at the ceiling elements  68 , may be employed as well. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the ceiling element  68  with three platform elements  71  attached to the ceiling element  68  by fixing elements  69  extending through the fixing openings  80  formed within the plates  74  of the platform elements  71 . 
     An enlarged view of a fixing element  69  extending through one of the fixing openings  80  is depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
     The fixing elements securely support the platform elements  71  when arranged in their respective storage positions at the ceiling element  68  (see  FIGS. 6 and 11 ). The fixing elements allow detaching the platform elements  71  easily from the ceiling element  68  for transferring the platform elements  71  from their respective storage positions into the working positions forming the working platform  70  with the passenger space  61  of the elevator car  60  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     As a result, exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a working platform  70  within an elevator car  60  which allows a mechanic to position himself safely in an elevated position above the bottom (floor)  64  of the elevator car  60  and which may be installed and deinstalled easily. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention shall not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the dependent claims. 
     REFERENCES 
       2  elevator system 
       3  tension member 
       4  hoistway 
       5  elevator drive 
       6  elevator controller 
       7   a  landing control panel 
       7   b  elevator car control panel 
       10  landing 
       11  landing door 
       12  elevator car door 
       14  car guide member 
       15  counterweight guide member 
       19  counterweight 
       60  elevator car 
       61  passenger space 
       62  top of the elevator car 
       63  handrail 
       64  bottom of the elevator car 
       65  sidewall 
       66  opening 
       67  connector 
       68  ceiling element 
       69  fixing element 
       70  working platform 
       71  platform element 
       72  ladder 
       74  plate 
       76  leg 
       76   a  first end of the leg 
       76   b  second end of the leg 
       77  supporting surface 
       78  joint 
       79  cutout 
       80  fixing opening