PLATFORM FOR ASSEMBLING ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT

Abstract

A temporary platform for assembling elevator equipment in an elevator shaft is arranged substantially in the region of a shaft opening, such that the platform partially sits on a floor surface of the building and partially protrudes into the elevator shaft. The platform includes a bottom frame and bottom plates that lie on or are inserted into the bottom frame. The bottom frame also includes two lateral bottom bars, at least one front and one rear transverse bar that interconnect the two lateral bottom bars, and at least two intermediate bars that are arranged parallel to the two lateral bottom bars. The two intermediate bars are supported substantially by the front and the rear transverse bars.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A platform for temporary use in the assembly of elevator equipment in an elevator shaft in a building comprising: the platform being adapted to be arranged substantially in a region of a shaft opening of the elevator shaft, wherein the platform in use partially sits on a floor surface of the building and partially protrudes into the elevator shaft through the shaft opening; the platform including a bottom frame and a plurality of bottom plates, the bottom plates either lie on the bottom frame or are inserted into the bottom frame, and the bottom frame includes two lateral bottom bars; wherein the bottom frame includes a front transverse bar and a rear transverse bar, the front and rear transverse bars interconnecting the two lateral bottom bars; and the bottom frame including at least two intermediate bars that are arranged parallel to the two lateral bottom bars and are supported by the front and rear transverse bars.

17. The platform according to claim 16 wherein a length of the at least two intermediate bars is shorter than a length of the two lateral bottom bars whereby when the platform is in use the at least two intermediate bars are completely within the elevator shaft.

18. The platform according to claim 16 wherein a height of the at least two intermediate bars is smaller than a height of the two lateral bottom bars and the at least two intermediate bars are connected to the front and the rear transverse bars to form a common support plane with upper supports of the two lateral bottom bars and the at least two intermediate bars.

19. The platform according to claim 16 wherein the at least two intermediate bars are arranged in relation to the two lateral bottom bars such that the bottom plates are supported by at least one of the two lateral bottom bars and at least one of the at least two intermediate bars.

20. The platform according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the bottom plates in a region between adjacent ones of the at least two intermediate bars has a passage formed therein or is divided into two parts, and wherein the at least one bottom plate having the passage or being divided is supported by only one of the two lateral bottom bars and only one of the at least two intermediate bars.

21. The platform according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the bottom plates is an elongated plate element extending substantially over an entire width of the bottom frame and is supported by the two lateral bottom bars and the at least two intermediate bars.

22. The platform according to claim 16 wherein the at least two intermediate bars are arranged such that an erection beam extends between the at least two intermediate bars from a threshold area of the shaft opening obliquely upwards into the elevator shaft.

23. The platform according to claim 22 wherein a passage is formed in the bottom plates to permit the erection beam to penetrate the bottom plates through the passage, wherein the passage is arranged in a front area of the platform near a threshold area of the floor surface.

24. The platform according to claim 16 wherein the rear transverse bar is arranged at an end of the bottom frame that protrudes into the elevator shaft and lies on and is connected to the two lateral bottom bars, and including outer guide rails arranged on the two lateral bottom bars whereby the bottom plates guided by the outer guide rails are inserted into the bottom frame, and wherein the rear transverse bar forms a rear stop for the bottom plates.

25. The platform according to claim 16 including a railing and at least one displaceable and removable additional platform, wherein the railing is fixed on an outside of the bottom frame of the platform and the additional platform is removably attached on the railing, wherein the additional platform can be attached above the railing to laterally project beyond the railing and the bottom frame, and wherein the additional platform has an entry allowing entry onto the additional platform from the platform.

26. The platform according to claim 16 including at least a first post and a second post arranged on opposite sides of the shaft opening, wherein the bottom frame is connectable or fixable in a lower region with the first and second posts, and wherein the bottom frame is further connected by at least two lateral two-part tension struts to an upper region of the posts.

27. The platform according to claim 26 wherein the first and the second posts each have a holder for receiving a barrier and wherein the holders are adapted for insertion of the barrier from above into the holders and removal of the barrier by lifting the barrier.

28. The platform according to claim 26 wherein the first and second posts each have at least two holders distributed over a height of the posts for receiving barriers, and the holders are adapted for insertion of the barriers into the holders and removal of the barriers by lifting the barriers, and wherein when the barriers are inserted into the holders, the barriers extend across the shaft opening and positioned one above the other over the height of the posts.

29. A method for erecting the platform according to claim 16 for use in a subsequent assembly of elevator equipment in an elevator shaft, the method comprising the steps of: a) laying the two lateral bottom bars on the floor surface such that the lateral bottom bars are spaced according to a width of the platform and a width of the shaft opening; b) placing and fastening the rear transverse bar on the lateral bottom bars, wherein the rear transverse bar is arranged at ends of the lateral bottom bars facing the elevator shaft; c) laying the at least two intermediate bars between the lateral bottom bars and fastening the at least two intermediate bars to the rear transverse bar such that the rear transverse bar rests on the at least two intermediate bars; d) attaching the front transverse bar to the lateral bottom bars and then attaching the at least two intermediate bars on the front transverse bar such that the lateral bottom bars and the at least two intermediate bars rest on the front transverse bar, wherein the at least two intermediate bars optionally rest indirectly by a support member on the front transverse bar so that a common support plane is formed by upper supports of the lateral bottom bars and the at least two intermediate bars; e) inserting the lateral bottom bars together with the at least two intermediate bars connected by the rear and front transverse bars to the lateral bottom bars into the elevator shaft through the shaft opening until a selected working position of the bottom frame is reached; and f) laying or inserting bottom plates onto the bottom frame either before or after performing the step e).

30. The method according to claim 29 including the further steps of: a1) in the execution of the step a) the two lateral bottom bars are positioned on the floor surface such that the lateral bottom bars protrude slightly into the elevator shaft through the shaft opening; b1) the rear transverse bar in the execution of the step b) is placed and fixed on ends of the lateral bottom bars protruding into the elevator shaft; and d1) prior to the execution of the step d) the two lateral bottom bars, together with the at least two intermediate bars connected by the rear transverse bar to the lateral bottom bars, are inserted into the elevator shaft through the shaft opening until front ends of the at least two intermediate bars opposite the ends protruding into the elevator shaft rest on the floor surface to enable fastening the front transverse bar to the lateral bottom bars inside the elevator shaft.

31. The method according to claim 29 including at least one of the further steps of: g) fastening outer guide rails to the lateral bottom bars; h) attaching foot protection strips and a railing on the bottom frame; and i) attaching a cable safety device which stabilizes and secures an end of the bottom frame protruding into the elevator shaft on a side wall or a rear wall of the elevator shaft.

32. A method for adapting the platform according to claim 16 to allow an erection of an upwardly oblique erection beam to penetrate the platform, the method comprising the steps of: a) establishing a penetration site at which the erection beam is intended to penetrate the bottom plates of the platform; b) removing any of the bottom plates at the penetration site starting from a threshold area of the shaft opening; c) inserting the erection beam into the elevator shaft so that the erection beam is guided between the at least two intermediate bars of the bottom frame; d) if desired, attaching inner guide rails to the at least two intermediate bars in a region of the penetration site location; and e) adapting the bottom plates located at the penetration site to form a passage for the erection beam and placing or inserting the adapted bottom plates laterally of the erection beam penetrating the platform.

Description

[0063] In the figures, the same reference numbers are used for equivalent parts in all of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] A platform 7 comprises as main component, as shown in FIG. 1, a bottom frame 9 occupied or occupiable by bottom plates 8 and accessible after erection. The bottom frame 9 or even the entire platform 7 is constructed to be substantially symmetrical. In the figures, of symmetrical parts, for the sake of clarity, usually only one is designated.

[0065] The bottom frame 9 includes two lateral, symmetrically arranged bottom bars 10, which extend substantially over a depth of the platform 7. The lateral bottom bars 10 are, in the example, U-profiles and in these profiles corresponding fastening holes or fasteners, such as threaded nuts or the like are provided.

[0066] A rear transverse bar 12 interconnects the two lateral bottom bars 10 at one end. The rear transverse bar 12 is provided in a standard length. Depending on the width of a shaft opening 2 through which the bottom frame 9 has to be pushed into the elevator shaft 1, the rear transverse bar 12 projects beyond the lateral bottom bars 10 accordingly. The rear transverse bar 12 is placed on the lateral bottom bar 10. In the example, the rear transverse bar 12 is designed as an L-profile, wherein one leg of the L-profile is fastened on the lateral bottom bar 10 and the other leg forms a stop for the bottom plates 8, which rest on the lateral bottom bars 10.

[0067] A front transverse bar 11 interconnects the two lateral bottom bars 10 in a front area of the bottom frame 9. The front area is close to the shaft opening 2. The front transverse bar 11 is constructed identical to the rear transverse bar 12 in the illustrated embodiment. However, it is attached from below to the lateral bottom bars 10, whereby it does not hinder a placement surface defined by upper surfaces of the lateral bottom bar 10.

[0068] Two intermediate bars 13 are arranged parallel to the two lateral bottom bars 10. The two intermediate bars 13 are substantially supported by the front transverse bar 11 and the rear transverse bar 12. Here, analogous to the lateral bottom bars 10, the rear transverse bar 12 is disposed on the intermediate bars 13 and the front transverse bar 11 below the intermediate bars 13. The lateral bottom bars 10 and the intermediate bars 13 thus form a common, essentially flat support surface for the bottom plates 8, so that the bottom plates 8 are supported by the two lateral bottom bars 10 and the at least two intermediate bars 13.

[0069] The lateral bottom bars 10 lie in the erected state with their front end still on floor surface 4 in the building. In the area of the front end, the lateral bottom bars 10 are connected to posts 18. The posts 18 are attached to both sides of the shaft opening to a wall of the building, so that they can introduce holding forces in the building. Two tension struts 19 are fastened at one end to an upper portion of the posts 18 and fastened at another end to a rear portion of the bottom frame 9 so as to be capable of supporting the bottom frame 9 together with the associated structural elements and a platform load.

[0070] Of course, instead of the posts 18, the lateral bottom bars 10 and also the tension struts 19 could be fastened directly to the masonry of the building.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 1, external guide rails 16 are fastened to the lateral bottom bars 10. These form a holder for the bottom plates 8, which can be placed on the lateral bottom bar 10 and intermediate bar 13 and inserted into the holders defined by the outer guide rails 16. In the example, the insertion of three bottom plates 8 is alluded to. The bottom plates 8 are made of wood panels or wood plates.

[0072] An assembly of the platform can take place essentially in the region of the shaft opening 2 from outside the elevator shaft 1. For this purpose, the two lateral bottom bars 10, as shown in FIG. 2, are positioned on the floor surface 4 in the building, so that they are spaced according to a width of the platform 7 and a width of the shaft opening 2 and so that they protrude slightly above a threshold area 3 into the elevator shaft 1.

[0073] The rear transverse bar 12 can be pivoted into the elevator shaft 1 and placed on the lateral bottom bars 10. Accordingly, the rear transverse bar 12 is placed in FIG. 2 on the lateral bottom bars 10 and it is firmly connected to the lateral bottom bars 10, screwed in the example. The rear transverse bar 12 is arranged on the ends of the lateral bottom bar 10 facing the elevator shaft 1.

[0074] Furthermore, the at least two intermediate bars 13 are positioned between the two lateral bottom bars 10 and they are likewise fastened to the rear transverse bar 12 such that the rear transverse bar 12 rests on the two intermediate bars 13. The connection of intermediate bar 13 and rear transverse bar 12 is preferably carried out by means of releasable connecting elements 25, such as screws and nuts with required intermediate layers. The other fasteners are usually realized by means of such fasteners 25, although not always explicitly indicated in the figures.

[0075] In the example, as shown in FIG. 3, first parts of a railing 22 are fastened to the shaft-side end of the lateral bottom bars 10 and the rear transverse bar 12, and outer guide rails 16 are erected on the lateral bottom bars 10. First bottom plates 8 are placed on the lateral bottom bar 10 and the intermediate bars 13. Tension struts 19, which are intended for the future erection of the platform 7, are fastened or preassembled on the bottom bars 10.

[0076] Prepared in this way, the bottom frame 9 is further inserted with the pre-assembled parts into the elevator shaft 1. For the purpose of insertion, auxiliary cables (not shown) are used as the rule, by means of which the bottom frame 9 is secured. The bottom frame 9 is pushed into the elevator shaft 1 until either a desired working depth has been reached or, as shown in FIG. 4, pushed into the elevator shaft 1 so far that the two intermediate bars 13 continue to rest partially in the threshold area 3 of the shaft opening 2.

[0077] In this working position, the front transverse bar 11 can be extended into the elevator shaft 1 and connected below the two lateral bottom bar 10 to these or screwed firmly. The two intermediate bars 13 can also be fastened to the front transverse bar 11.

[0078] In the example, a height of the intermediate bar 13 is less than a height of the lateral bottom bar 10. In order nevertheless to obtain a flat support surface via the lateral bottom bars 10 and the intermediate bars 13, the intermediate bars 13, as shown in the detail of FIG. 5, are connected to the front transverse bar 11 via a support element 14 or one support element 14 and corresponding connection elements 25.

[0079] The bottom frame 9 can now, if not already performed, be pushed finished into the desired working depth and the bottom frame 9 can, as shown in FIG. 6, in the lower area, be fastened directly to the posts 18 and by means of tension struts 19 at the top of the post 18. Thus, loads of the platform can be introduced into a structure of the building. The fasteners are geometrically variable or can be arranged differently, so that as many dimensions as possible can be provided with the same material.

[0080] Now on the bottom frame 9 and the lateral bottom bars 10 and the intermediates bar 13 (not shown in FIG. 6) the remaining bottom plates 8 are placed, fasteners can be tightened and the bottom frame 9 can be completed with other parts of the railing 22, foot protection strips 23 and so on. In the example, the bottom frame 9 and the platform 7 is fastened at the shaft-side end of the bottom frame 9 with an additional securing cable 24 on walls 5, 6 of the elevator shaft 1. Thus, the platform 7 is safe even at high loads.

[0081] An additional platform 26 can further be placed on the platform 7, as shown in FIG. 7, and further parts of the railing 22, if this has not already been completed, complete the platform. An entry 27 to the additional platform 26 can be provided as a ladder, for example.

[0082] As also seen in FIG. 7, holders 20 are attached to the post 18. In these holders, barriers 21 are erected if necessary, which prevent accidental entry to the platform. Further alluded to in FIG. 7 is that the bottom plates 8 can be provided in case of need with a passage 28.

[0083] Such a temporary platform 7 is provided to assemble elevator equipment in an elevator shaft 1. The platform 7 can be arranged in the region of a shaft opening 2, so that the platform 7 partly rests on a bottom surface 4 (FIG. 3) in a building and partially protrudes into the elevator shaft 1.

[0084] Depending on the purpose and type of material to be installed, the platform 7 can be adapted accordingly. A possible adaptation is explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. This is about arranging an erection beam 29, as it is explained in U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,224 as mentioned in the introduction, in connection with the platform 7.

[0085] The erection beam 29 is arranged such that it traverses the bottom plates 8 of the platform 7. For this purpose, as indicated in FIG. 7, a site of penetration or the passage 28 is established and the bottom plates 8 are removed in this area. Subsequently, the erection beam 29 can be introduced into the elevator shaft, so that it is led through between the two intermediate bars 13 of the platform 7. The erection beam 29 extends starting from the threshold area 3 of the shaft opening 2 obliquely upward, so that it is supported on a rear wall 6 of the elevator shaft 1.

[0086] The bottom plates 8 are shortened or cut corresponding to the passage 28 and laterally from the erection beam 29, they are in turn, as shown in FIG. 8, placed on each of the lateral bottom bars 10 and one of the two intermediate bars 13. These shortened bottom plates 8.1 are then supported by exactly one of the lateral bottom bars 10 and supported by exactly one of the two intermediate bars 13. In general, then these shortened bottom plates 8.1 are held outside by the outer guide rail 16 laterally and secured on the inside by the erection beam 29 against slipping. At most, inner guide rails can be fastened to the intermediate bar 13, which then secure the bottom plates 8 in this area. The adapted platform 7 is, as shown in FIG. 9, usable and accessible again as a complete platform 7.

[0087] The person skilled in the art may vary the illustrated arrangements. The connecting elements can in all events be partially replaced by plug or clamp connections.

[0088] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.