Patent ID: 12187578

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1and2show an elevator car102forming part of an elevator system (not shown) and configured to move up and down within a hoistway (not shown). Although the elevator system is not shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the elevator system may include other standard components including but not limited to a drive means, a tension member, a counterweight, a controller, a power source and a plurality of elevator landing doors.

As seen inFIGS.1and2, the elevator car102comprises a passenger compartment104defined by one or more internal walls106, a ceiling108and a floor110. In any example of the disclosure, any of the internal walls106, ceiling108and floor110may comprise a magnetic material such as a metal. The passenger compartment104is configured to contain and transport one or more passengers111using the elevator system (not shown). It will be understood that, in any example such as that shown inFIG.2, the elevator car102may comprise one or more side walls112which form the internal walls106of the passenger compartment104. In other examples however, panels or covers113(as seen inFIG.1) are attached to the side walls112and/or to the floor110or ceiling108, which panels113extend internally of the side walls112and form some or all of the internal walls106of the passenger compartment104. Such panels113may improve the aesthetics of the passenger compartment104and/or provide sound or heat insulation from the environment external to the passenger compartment104. There may be a plurality of panels113of any shape on each side wall112, or a single panel113may cover an entire side wall112and/or ceiling108.

In any example of the disclosure, the elevator car102also comprises one or more protectors200disposed along one or more of the internal walls106thereof. The protectors200are configured to protect the internal walls106from being damaged by passengers111and/or cargo (not shown) in the passenger compartment104. The protectors200could be located at any suitable point on a wall, for example at a height suitable to protect the wall from passengers111leaning against it. In some examples, the protectors200may be disposed at or towards the bottom of the internal wall106, adjacent to and either forming a small gap with the floor110or in contact with the floor110of the elevator car102. Such protectors200can prevent damage that could for example be caused by passengers111kicking or leaning against the elevator car102. The protectors200may also improve the aesthetic of the passenger compartment104, improving user satisfaction.

FIG.3shows a schematic perspective view of part of a protector200according to an example of the disclosure.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the protector200ofFIG.3. The protector200will now be described in further detail with reference to the drawings. While only one protector200is described below, it will be appreciated that one or more such protectors200may be installed in a passenger compartment104, for example extending along each internal wall106, in some examples thereby surrounding the floor110of the elevator car102. In any example of the disclosure, the protector200is configured to be attached to an internal wall106of the passenger compartment104of the elevator car102. At least in some examples, the protector200may be positioned adjacent or near to or may abut the floor110of the elevator car102.

In any example of the disclosure, the protector200comprises a protective panel202which comprises a first side202aand a second side202b, as seen for example inFIG.4. The first side202ais configured to face the internal wall106to which the protector200is mounted and the second side202bis configured to face into the passenger compartment104when the protector200is attached to the internal wall106. In at least some examples, the protective panel202may be configured to extend parallel or substantially parallel to the internal wall106. In any example of the disclosure and wherever the term “substantially” is used, “substantially” will be understood to mean within a range of + or −10 degrees, or + or −5 degrees, or + or −1 degrees to the direction described.

In all examples of the disclosure, the protective panel202comprises a height h, a length l (as seen inFIG.3) and a depth d (as seen inFIG.4). The depth d of the protective panel202is defined as the shortest distance between the first side202aand the second side202bof the protective panel202. The length l of the protective panel202may be the largest of the three dimensions, the height h of the protective panel202may be the second largest, and the depth d may be the smallest. The depth d may be less than the height h, and/or the height h may be less than the length l. The protector200is configured to be positioned adjacent to the internal wall106such that the length l of the protector200extends parallel or substantially parallel to the internal wall106and/or to the floor110. The height h extends at about 90 degrees to the length l, substantially parallel with the internal wall106and substantially normal to the floor110. The depth d extends substantially normal to the surface of the internal wall106, substantially parallel to the floor110. The protector200may extend only along a portion of the length (not shown) of an internal wall106of the passenger compartment104, such that other protectors200may be placed adjacent to each other to form one continuous length (not shown) of protective panels202, covering a portion of or the entire length of each internal wall106. At least in some examples of the disclosure, the protective panel202is configured to be spaced from the internal wall106when assembled into the elevator car102.

The protector200comprises one or more magnets204(as shown for example inFIG.4) which are configured to retain the protective panel202against the internal wall106. The one or more magnets204exert a magnetic force on the internal wall106, thereby urging the protector200(including the protective panel202) into removable attachment with the internal wall106. Using magnets in this way provides a significantly easier method for attaching and removing the protector200to/from the internal wall106than the methods known in the state of the art. The previously known methods involve a bolt, screw, adhesive or other kind of semi-permanent or permanent fixing, all of which require more time to install than the magnetic system described above. The previously known methods can also cause damage to the internal wall106, for example requiring holes to be drilled in the internal wall106or causing surface damage to the internal wall106when removing a protector200fixed using adhesive. Further, protectors attached using the previously known methods are not as easily removed, for example to permit maintenance of either the protector or the elevator car102. The use of magnets204eliminates or reduces the need for a bolt, screw and/or adhesive, thereby providing a more convenient and less destructive way for attaching and removing the protector200to/from the internal wall106.

At least in some examples of the disclosure, the or each magnet204may produce a sufficiently strong magnetic field, which results in a sufficiently strong force of magnetic attraction between the magnets204and the internal wall106such that passengers are not likely to accidentally remove the protectors200from attachment with the internal wall106. The magnets204may be sufficiently strong such that only motivated maintenance personnel may remove the protector200from attachment with the internal wall106. The maintenance personnel may swiftly and easily remove the protector200without the need for any specialist tools, enabling them to gain access to the hidden part of the internal wall106and the protector200more quickly, and therefore to perform maintenance more quickly. Upon completion of the maintenance, the maintenance personnel may re-attach the protector200to the internal wall106if desired. The protector200may be attached and/or removed many times without damaging the protector200or the elevator car102and without reducing the strength of the attachment of the protector200to the internal wall106. At least in some examples of the disclosure, the magnetic force of attraction between each magnet204and the internal wall106may be between 1N and 400N, optionally between 300N and 400N.

The manufacturing process to produce the magnets204may include a moulding-sintering process. The manufacturing process to produce the magnets204may also include subtractive manufacturing techniques such as machining, which may include lathe-turning, milling, cutting, boring, drilling and grinding. The magnets204comprise any suitable ferromagnetic material, for example the magnets204may comprise any of neodymium, samarium cobalt, alnico and ferrite.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view through the protector200shown inFIG.3. The protector200comprises a protective panel202and one or more magnets204as described above. It will be appreciated that in at least some examples of the disclosure, the protector200may comprise a plurality of magnets204. It will be understood that any suitable number of magnets204may be provided and that the magnets204can be spaced from each other by any desired amount along the length l of the protective panel202. The magnets204can be evenly spaced from each other or spaced by varying amounts. Further, groups of two or more magnets204could be provided in alignment along the height h of the protective panel202or in any other desired arrangement. In the example ofFIG.4, only a single magnet204is provided and so only one magnet204is described here. In any example of the disclosure, the protector200is configured to be attached to an internal wall106of an elevator car102, where the internal wall106is shown schematically inFIG.4as the dotted line50.

In any example of the disclosure, the protector200may comprise a support210which mounts the magnet204to the protective panel202. The support210may space the magnet204from the protective panel202. The support210may be formed integrally with the protective panel202(for example, by extrusion as will be described further below) or may be attached to the protective panel202. The support210may comprise a support pad212and one or more support brackets214. In at least one example of the disclosure, two support brackets214may extend substantially perpendicularly outward from the first side202aof the protective panel202. The support brackets214may extend across the entire length l of the protective panel202, and may be spaced from each other along the height h of the protective panel202. The support brackets214may each extend by substantially the same distance from the protective panel202, and the support pad212may be disposed at a distal end of the support brackets214, extending between the support brackets214, thereby connecting the support brackets214. The support pad212may extend substantially parallel to the protective panel202and may be spaced from the protective panel202.

In at least one example of the disclosure, for example when the protector200comprises a metal or magnetically attractive material, the magnet204may be mounted to the protector200by magnetic attraction of the magnet204to the support pad212. In any example of the disclosure however, the magnet204may additionally or alternatively be retained against the support pad212by a retainer assembly220. In some examples of the disclosure, the retainer assembly220may extend at least partially around the magnet204such that the magnet204is retained between the retainer assembly220and the support pad212. The retainer assembly220may be formed integrally with the protective panel202(for example, by extrusion as will be described further below) or may be attached to the protective panel202. The magnet204may comprise a mounting face204mthat contacts the support pad212when the magnet204is retained in the protector200by the retainer assembly220. The magnet204may comprise an attachment face204c, which at least in some examples is configured to face towards and contact the internal wall106when the protector200is attached to the internal wall106. In at least one example, the height hm of the mounting face204mmay be equal to or larger than the height hs of the support pad212. The midpoint (not shown) of the height hm of the magnet204may be placed into alignment with the midpoint (not shown) of the height hs of the support pad212.

In alternative examples of the disclosure wherein the one or more magnets204are configured to retain the protective panel202against the internal wall106as described above, the attachment face204cmay be configured to face towards the internal wall106and retain the protective panel202against the wall without the attachment face204cbeing in direct contact with the internal wall106. In said alternative examples, the one or more magnets204may produce a magnetic force of attraction that is sufficiently strong such that the protective panel202is retained again the internal wall without the one or magnets204being in direct contact with the internal wall. In such examples the one or more magnets204may be spaced from the internal wall106by a part of the protector200, by a part of the internal wall106, or by a component that does not form part of the protector200or the internal wall106.

In some examples of the disclosure and as shown for example inFIG.4, the retainer assembly220may comprise a first retainer222and a second retainer224. The first retainer222may be disposed above the support210in the height dimension and the second retainer222may be disposed below the support210in the height dimension. The first and second retainers222,224may comprise first and second retainer brackets222a,224aand retainer lips222b,224brespectively. In all examples of the disclosure including the first and second retainers222,224, the first and second retainer brackets222a,224amay extend from the protective panel202. In at least some examples of the disclosure including the first and second retainers222,224, the first and second retainer brackets222a,224amay extend substantially perpendicularly from the protective panel202.

In any example of the disclosure including the first and second retainers222,224, the first and second retainer lips222b,224bmay be disposed at the distal ends of the first and second retainer brackets222a,224arespectively. In any example of the disclosure including the first and second retainers222,224, the first and second retainer lips222b,224bmay extend toward each other. In at least one example of the disclosure, the first and second retainer lips222b,224bmay extend substantially parallel to the protective panel202. The first and second retainer lips222b,224b, the support pad212and the first and second retainer brackets222a,224amay at least partially define a space206. In at least some examples of the disclosure, the magnet204or a portion thereof may be disposed in the space206. In any example of the disclosure including retainers, the first and second retainer lips222b,224bmay overlap with or extend over first and second mating faces208a,208bof the magnet204, which are configured to face towards the internal wall106, thereby retaining the magnet204in the space206against the support pad212. The first and second retainer lips222b,224bmay overlap with the first and second mating faces208a,208bsuch that a gap remains between the first and second retainer lips222b,224band the first and second mating faces208a,208bof the magnet204. In other examples, the first and second retainer lips222b,224bmay overlap with and contact the first and second mating faces208a,208b.

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the first and second mating faces208a,208bof the magnet204may form shoulders disposed on the first and second notches208, the first and second notches208extending from the magnet204, parallel to the protective panel202. The first and second notches208may have a depth less than that of the magnet204and may be placed anywhere along the depth of the magnet204. However, in alternative examples of the disclosure, the notch208may have substantially the same depth as the magnet204, and the first and second mating faces208a,208bof the magnet204may be flush with the attachment face204c.

As shown inFIG.5, in addition to or as an alternative to the retainers described above and shown inFIG.4, the retainer assembly220may comprise one or more fasteners230. In any example of the disclosure including a fastener230, the one or more fasteners230may extend through part or all of the magnet204. In at least some of the examples of the disclosure, the fastener230may extend through the attachment face204cof the magnet204. In at least some examples of the disclosure, the fastener230may extend through the support pad212. However, in alternative examples, the fastener230may extend only partially through the support pad212. In further alternative examples, a fixing such as a nut (not shown) may be disposed on a first face of the support pad212and configured to face towards the internal wall106into which the fastener230may be disposed such that the fastener230does not extend through the support pad212. In any example of the disclosure including a fastener230, the one or more fasteners230retain the magnet204against the support pad212. In one example of the disclosure, the fastener230may be a screw.

In one example of the disclosure, the retainer assembly220can comprise both the first222and second retainers224and one or more fasteners230. In another example, the retainer assembly220comprises only the first222and second retainers224. In a yet further example, the retainer assembly220comprises only the fastener230.

In any example of the disclosure, the protector200may further comprise a component which may include one or more of an electrical device, an air freshener, a sound system, one or more sensors, and a conduit for a fluid. In some examples, the conduit for a fluid could be for hydraulic or pneumatic fluid for use in hydraulic or pneumatic systems. In other examples, the conduit for a fluid could be for a fluid for use in air conditioning, heat exchangers or odour control for example. In the arrangement shown in the Figures, the component is shown as an electrical device which comprises a lighting device240as discussed further below. In any example, the electrical device may receive power and/or be controlled via a wireless connection with a power source (not shown) and/or a controller (not shown). In any example, the electrical device may receive power via an electrical cable250, also comprised within the protector200. The electrical cable250may be configured to be connected to the power in the elevator car102, for example it may be connected to an elevator car control panel (not shown). The electrical device may be configured to receive power from any power source, in one example the elevator car control panel (not shown), via the electrical cable250. The electrical device may be configured to be controlled via signals such as electrical signals received via the electrical cable250.

In any example of the disclosure, the electrical cable250may be mounted in a cable gap258defined by the protective panel202and a cable support252. The cable support252may extend under the electrical cable250such that the electrical cable250rests on the cable support252and is supported by it. The cable support252may be formed integrally with the protective panel202(for example, by extrusion as will be described further below) or may be attached to the protective panel202. The cable support252may comprise a first member254and a second member256. The first member254may extend away from the protective panel202, and the second member256may be disposed at a distal end of the first member254and extend away from the first member254. In at least some examples of the disclosure, the first member254may extend substantially perpendicularly from the protective panel202, and the second member256may extend substantially parallel with the protective panel202. In at least some examples of the disclosure, the first member254may be configured to extend towards the internal wall106shown by dotted line50. In alternative examples of the disclosure, the first member254may be configured to extend into the passenger compartment104. The cable gap258may be defined by the protective panel202, the first member254, and the second member256.

In examples of the disclosure, the electrical device may comprise any of an air freshener, a sound system or one or more sensors. In an alternative example of the disclosure, the electrical device may comprise a lighting device240. The lighting device240may comprise one or more LEDs, for example in an LED strip, although any other electrical light source may be used. The lighting device240may be configured to emit light into the passenger compartment104, providing further illumination and improving the aesthetic of the elevator compartment104, thereby improving user experience.

The electrical device or any other component including but not limited to the alternatives described above (for example the lighting device240) may be disposed on a component support242that extends away from the protective panel202. The component support242may be formed integrally with the protective panel202(for example, by extrusion as will be described further below) or may be attached to the protective panel202. The component support242may be configured to space the protective panel202from the internal wall106. In some examples of the disclosure as seen inFIGS.4and5, the component support242extends from the first side202aof the protective panel202such that the electrical device may be mounted between the protective panel202and the internal wall106to which the protective panel202is mounted. In other examples of the disclosure as seen inFIG.6, the component support242may be configured to extend from the second side202bof the protective panel202such that the electrical device may be mounted within the passenger compartment104, externally of the protective panel202. In these or any other examples, a spacer288may be provided extending from the first side202aof the protective panel202so as to extend between the protective panel202and the internal wall106to space the protective panel202from the internal wall106.

In any example of the disclosure including a component, such as, for example, the electrical device, the component may be disposed on top of or underneath the component support242. In other words, the component may be disposed on a first side of the component support242so as to face towards the floor110of the elevator car102when the protector200is installed on an internal wall106of the elevator car102or the component may be disposed on a second side of the component support242so as to face towards the ceiling108of the elevator car102when the protector200is installed on an internal wall106of the elevator car102. In any of the examples of the disclosure, the component or electrical device may be attached to the component support242by any suitable means, for example with adhesive or fasteners such as screws or magnets (not shown).

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the protector200may comprise a diffuser. The diffuser may comprise any of a light diffuser, sound diffuser, scent diffuser or any other type of diffuser known in the art. When the diffuser comprises a light diffuser260, the light diffuser260may scatter the light emitted from the lighting device240to create a visual effect. The visual effect may include, but is not limited to, reducing the brightness and/or making the emitted light softer. The light diffuser260may be translucent. The light diffuser260may be made of plastic. The light diffuser260may be disposed against the protective panel202of the protector200. In any example of the disclosure, the spacer288and/or the light diffuser260may be configured to close a gap formed between the protective panel202and an internal wall106when the protector200is installed against the internal wall106. The gap may be closed at an upper end of the protector200such that removal of the protector200by passengers or other unauthorised personnel is made more difficult.

The diffuser may be retained against the protective panel202by a diffuser retainer262. In examples of the disclosure including a light diffuser260, the diffuser retainer262and the light diffuser260may be disposed between the lighting device240and the passenger compartment104such that all of the light emitted from the lighting device240passes through the light diffuser260before entering the passenger compartment104. In at least some examples where the light diffuser260is disposed on top of the component support242, the diffuser retainer262may be disposed above the lighting device240. In at least some examples where the light diffuser260is disposed below the component support242, the diffuser retainer262may be disposed below the lighting device240. The diffuser retainer262may be formed integrally with the protective panel202(for example, by extrusion as will be described further below) or may be attached to the protective panel202.

In at least some of the examples of the disclosure, the diffuser retainer262may comprise a diffuser support264which extends from the first side202aof the protective panel202(seeFIG.5). In alternative examples of the disclosure, the diffuser support264may extend from the second side202bof the protective panel202(seeFIG.6). In all examples of the disclosure including a diffuser retainer262, the diffuser retainer262may comprise a lip266disposed at a distal end of the diffuser support264that extends away from the diffuser support264. In at least some examples, the diffuser support264may extend substantially perpendicularly from the protective panel202and the lip266may extend substantially parallel with the protective panel202. The diffuser retainer262may thereby comprise an “L” shape.

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the light diffuser260may comprise a diffuser slot268. The diffuser slot268may have a shape similar to that of the diffuser retainer262. The light diffuser260may be assembled onto the diffuser retainer262such that the diffuser retainer262is contained within the diffuser slot268. In alternative examples, the light diffuser260may be disposed on top of, below, or on the side of the diffuser retainer262and may be attached to the diffuser retainer262by any suitable means, for example through the use of an adhesive or a fastener such as, but not limited to, a screw (not shown). In one example, the light diffuser260may be configured to be disposed between the protective panel202and the internal wall106shown by the dotted line50. In another example, the light diffuser260may be configured to be disposed between the protective panel202and the passenger compartment104. In any example of the disclosure wherein the diffuser comprises any of a sound diffuser, scent diffuser or any other type of diffuser, the diffuser may be attached to the protective panel202through the use of similar features to those described above.

In any of the examples above, the protector200may further comprise a foot290extending from the protective panel202. The foot290may be configured to contact the floor110of the elevator car102when the protector200is attached to the internal wall106of the elevator car102. The foot290may be formed integrally with the protective panel202(for example, by extrusion as will be described further below) or may be attached to the protective panel202. The foot290may be configured to space the protective panel202from the internal wall106.

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the protective panel202and/or some other parts of the protector200, including but not limited to any combination of parts including the foot290, the retainer assembly220, the support210, the cable support252, the electrical support242, the diffuser retainer262and the spacer288may be made of a metal, for example aluminium. In at least some examples of the disclosure, the protective panel202and/or any of the combination of parts listed above may be manufactured by extrusion. Alternatively, the protective panel202and/or any of the combination of parts listed above may comprise any other suitable material, for example another material capable of extrusion, such as a plastic or aluminium.

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the protective panel202and/or other parts of the protector200, including but not limited to any combination of parts including the foot290, the retainer assembly220, the support210, the cable support252, the electrical support242, the diffuser retainer262and the spacer288may be made of a non-magnetic material. By using a non-magnetic material for the protective panel202and/or other parts of the protector200described above, the force of magnetic attraction between the or each magnet204and the internal wall106of the elevator car102can be increased.

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the protective panel202may provide floor level protection or may be a kickplate.

A method for attaching the protector200of any of the examples above to an internal wall106of an elevator car102may include mounting one or more magnets204to the protective panel202, wherein the magnets204are retained against the support210by a retainer assembly220. The method further includes installing the protector200adjacent to the internal wall106such that magnetic attraction between the one or more magnets204and the internal wall106causes the protector200to be attached to the internal wall106.

Mounting a magnet204to the protector200may comprise sliding the magnet204into the space206defined by the first and second retainer lips222b,224b, the support pad212and the first and second retainer brackets222a,224a. The method may further comprise sliding the one or more magnets204along a part or all of the length l of the protector200, for example such that they are regularly spaced along the length l of the protector200. In other examples, or in addition to the above, mounting a magnet204to the protector200may comprise inserting a fastener230to extend through at least a part of the magnet204to fix the magnet204to the support210.

In at least some examples of the disclosure seen, for example, atFIGS.7aand7b, the protector200may comprise a removal assembly300which is attachable to the protector200. It will be understood that although shown with a particular example protector inFIGS.7aand7b, the removal assembly300may be used with a protector according to any example of the disclosure including, but not limited to the example protectors described above. The removal assembly300may comprise a bolt302, a bore hole (not shown), and a fastener304through which the bolt302may extend. In at least some examples of the disclosure, the fastener304may be a rivet. The fastener304may extend through the bore hole. The bore hole may be disposed through the protective panel202at any point along the height or length of the protective panel202, for example between the foot290and the support210. In at least some of the examples of the disclosure which include the first and second retainers222,224, the bore hole may be disposed between the foot290and the second retainer224. The fastener304may have a hollow radially inner portion, the radially inner surface of which may be threaded. The bolt302may have a threaded shaft configured to engage with the threaded radially inner surface of the hollow portion of the fastener304. The shaft308of the bolt302may have a length longer than the depth Dp of the protector200. (Where the depth Dp of the protector200corresponds to a distance between the second face202bof the protective panel202and the internal wall106when the protector is installed against the internal wall106).

In at least some examples of the disclosure, the protector200may comprise a plurality of removal assemblies300disposed along the length or height of the protector200. Alternatively, the protector200may comprise only one removal assembly300. It will further be understood that the bore hole may be present in the protective panel at all times or it may be formed by maintenance personnel when they wish to remove a protector200from the elevator car102.

A method for removing the protector200as described in any of the examples above is also disclosed. It will be understood that the method can be used in relation to any example of the protector200described previously. The method for removing the protector200may use the removal assembly300described above and may comprise: forming a bore hole in in the protective panel202if not already present; inserting a fastener304into a bore hole in the protective panel202and attaching the fastener304to the protective panel202. The fastener304attached to the protective panel202is shown inFIG.7A. The method then comprises inserting a bolt302through the fastener304as shown inFIG.7Bsuch that the threads of the shaft308of the bolt302engage the threads of the fastener304; rotating the bolt302(for example, using a screw driver) so as to continue to pass the bolt302through the fastener304such that the bolt302extends outwardly from the protective panel202towards the internal wall106and then comes into contact with the internal wall106(as shown inFIG.7B); further rotating the bolt302so as to continue to pass the bolt302through the fastener304such that the protector200is pushed away from the internal wall106by the bolt302in a direction N normal to the internal wall106, to create a clearance gap (not shown) between the protector200and the internal wall106; and manually removing the protector200from the internal wall106. At least in some examples, the clearance gap is large enough to allow a maintenance person to insert their hand between the protector200(for example at the diffuser260end) and the internal wall106.

An alternative method for removing a protector200from a wall which may use an alternative removal assembly300is also provided. It will be understood that the alternative method can be used in relation to any example of the protector200described previously. The alternative method is illustrated inFIGS.8aand8b, which depict the protectors ofFIGS.5and6respectively. In the alternative method, the removal assembly300again comprises one or more bore holes (not shown) as described above, and also comprises one or more bolts302and one or more fasteners304. In at least some examples of the disclosure including the alternative method, the one or more fasteners may comprise one or more rivets and the one or more rivets may be threaded. However, any suitable fastener may be used, for example the one or more fasteners304may alternatively comprise one or more nuts. The one or more bolts302may be plane head bolts, comprising a plane head306. The diameter of the plane head306may be less than the distance in the height dimension between the foot290and the lower support bracket214. In at least some examples of the disclosure including the first and second retainers222,224, the diameter of the plane head306may be smaller than the distance in the height dimension between the foot290and the second retainer224.

The alternative method may comprise: attaching a fastener304to the internal wall106of the elevator car102; inserting a bolt302into the fastener304such that the threads of the bolt302engage the threads of the fastener304; forming a bore hole in the protective panel202if not already present; passing a tool through the bore hole and into engagement with the bolt302; loosening the bolt302with the tool such that it moves in a direction normal to the internal wall106and such that a proximal end of the bolt302, opposite the end received in the fastener304, contacts the protective panel202, wherein the plane head306is disposed at the proximal end of the bolt302; continuing to loosen the bolt302such that the protector200is pushed away from the internal wall106in a direction N normal to the internal wall106to create a clearance gap (not shown) between the protector200and the internal wall106; and manually removing the protector200from the internal wall106. In at least some examples of the disclosure including the alternative method, the steps of attaching the fastener304to the internal wall106; and inserting the bolt302into the fastener304such that the threads of the bolt302engage the threads of the fastener304, may be performed before the protector200is attached to the internal wall106.

A method for replacing the protector200as described in any of the examples above is also disclosed. The method comprises: pulling a first protector200away from the wall106of an elevator car102with a force greater than that exerted by the one or more magnets204, optionally by one of the example removal methods described above; and installing a second protector200on the wall106, the protective panel202of the second protector200being attached to the wall106by the one or more magnets204.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure has been illustrated by describing one or more examples thereof, but is not limited to these examples; many variations and modifications are possible, within the scope of the accompanying claims.