RAIL-FASTENING SYSTEM

Abstract

A rail fastening system fastens a rail of a vertically movable elevator system car has a first clamp connected to a holding structure, and a second clamp connected to the rail. The first clamp has a laterally extending first central part connectable to the holding structure and the second clamp has a laterally extending second central part connectable to the rail. Each clamp has two tabs attached in the lateral direction at opposite ends of the respective central part. A first tab of the first clamp can be connected to one of tabs of the second clamp on a first contact surface, and a second tab of the first clamp can be connected to the other of the tabs of the second clamp on a second contact surface. A first plane runs through the first contact surface and intersects with a second plane that runs through the second contact surface.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A rail fastening system for fastening a rail of a vertically movable car of an elevator system, the rail fastening system comprising: a first clamp adapted to be connected to a holding structure of the elevator system and a second clamp adapted to be connected to the rail of the elevator system; wherein the first clamp has a laterally extending first central part connectable to the holding structure, and the second clamp has a laterally extending second central part connectable to the rail; wherein each of the first clamp and the second clamp has a first tab and a second tab attached in a lateral direction at opposite ends of the respective first central part and the second central part enabling the first clamp and the second clamp to be assembled together in a first configuration and an alternative second configuration; wherein, when assembled in the first configuration, the first tab of the first clamp is connected to the first tab of the second clamp on a first contact surface, and the second tab of the first clamp is connected to the second tab of the second clamp on a second contact surface; wherein, when assembled in the second configuration, the first tab of the first clamp is connected to the second tab of the second clamp on the first contact surface, and the second tab of the first clamp is connected to the first tab of the second clamp on the second contact surface; and wherein a first plane that runs parallel through the first contact surface and a second plane that runs parallel through the second contact surface intersect in an intersecting line, and the intersecting line is perpendicular to a flat surface that extends parallel to a surface of the second central part.

17. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein the connected tabs rest flat against one another.

18. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein the flat surface is parallel to a rail contact surface of the rail, and the rail contact surface is adapted to be a bearing surface to a rail foot of the rail.

19. The rail fastening system according to claim 18 wherein the first tab and the second tab of the first clamp, or the first tab and the second tab of the second clamp, each have an elongated hole extending normal to the flat surface.

20. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein when the first clamp is connected to the holding structure and the second clamp is placed on the first clamp, the second clamp rests securely on the first tab and the second tab of the first clamp.

21. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein the second clamp has an opening adapted to receive a rail fastening thereby enabling the second clamp to be positioned closer to the holding structure when the rail fastening fastens the first clamp to the holding structure.

22. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein the first clamp has a recess that receives a rail holder thereby enabling the second clamp to be positioned closer to the holding structure.

23. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein a first distance between the first and second tabs of the first clamp and a second distance between the first and second tabs of the second clamp are predetermined such that when the second clamp is placed on the first clamp, either the second clamp fits between the tabs of the first clamp or the first clamp fits between the tabs of the second clamp.

24. The rail fastening system according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp is formed from a metal blank by bending.

25. The rail fastening system according to claim 24 wherein the metal blank is a piece of sheet metal.

26. The rail fastening system according to claim 24 wherein the metal blank is manufactured by punching.

27. A rail system for an elevator system comprising: at least one of the rail fastening system according to claim 16; and a rail for guiding a car of the elevator system and fastened by the at least one rail fastening system.

28. The rail system according to claim 27 wherein the rail is aligned in a straight line and fastened by a plurality of the at least one rail fastening system, and wherein a depth of each of the rail fastening systems is adapted to a distance between the holding structure and the rail by turning the second clamp.

29. The rail system according to claim 27 wherein each of the second clamps has a rail fastening that fastens the rail to the second clamp.

30. A method for fastening a rail of an elevator system, the method comprising the steps of: fastening the first clamp of the rail fastening system according to claim 16 to a holding structure of the rail system; placing the second clamp of the rail fastening system onto the first clamp; fastening the rail to the second clamp; and fastening the first clamp to the second clamp.

31. The method according to claim 30 further comprising: selecting one of a first configuration and a second configuration of the rail fastening system by placing the second clamp on the first clamp in a first orientation or in an orientation rotated by 180° to the first orientation; and displacing the second clamp relative to the flat surface.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] In the drawings:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a first clamp of a rail fastening system,

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a second clamp of a rail fastening system,

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a rail fastening system in a first configuration,

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the rail fastening system in a second configuration,

[0063] FIG. 5 shows the first plane and the second plane,

[0064] FIG. 6 shows the adjustment of the distance between the holding structure and the rail, and

[0065] FIG. 7 shows three rail fastening systems that hold a rail on a holding structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a first clamp 10 of a rail fastening system in a view from the front (top view) and in a view from above (bottom view). The first central part 11 is formed significantly longer in the lateral direction 101 than in the width direction 102. The central part 11 of the first clamp 10 has wall fastening holes 14 and recesses 15. The wall fastening holes 14 serve for fastening the first central part 11 of the first clamp 10 to the holding structure. For this purpose, retaining bolts and nuts, which are not shown in any of the figures, are advantageously used.

[0067] The first tab 12 and the second tab 13 of the first clamp 10 are located at the two ends of the first central part 11 and extend from the first central part 11 in the depth direction 103. Both tabs 12, 13 each have an elongated hole 8. The first central part 11 and the two tabs 12, 13 are bent from a piece of sheet metal. The two bending edges run relative to the lateral direction 101 of the first central part 11 at an angle α of 100°.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows the second clamp 20 of a rail fastening system matching the first clamp 10 from FIG. 1. The views are the same as in FIG. 1. The second central part 21 is also formed significantly longer in the lateral direction 101 than in the width direction 102. The length of the second central part 21 is substantially the same as the length of the first central part 11. It deviates only by approximately two sheet metal thicknesses from the length of the first central part 11. The central part of the second clamp 21 has openings 24 for the rail holders on which the rail holders are fastened to the second clamp 20.

[0069] A first and a second tab 22, 23 are also on the second central part 21 at its ends and extend from the second central part 21 in the depth direction 103. These two tabs 22, 23 each have a round hole 9. The round hole 9 requires less space than an elongated hole 8, and therefore the tabs 22, 23 of the second clamp 20 can be configured to be shorter than the tabs 12, 13 of the first clamp 10.

[0070] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the first and the second configuration, in which the two clamps from FIGS. 1 and 2 can be combined to form a rail fastening system 1. The plan view is shown at the top, and a front view at the bottom. In the plan view, the rail 2 and the rail fastening 3 are also shown, whereas the front view shows only the rail fastening 3. The two figures also show how the first clamp 10 rests with its central part 11 against the holding structure 4. The first clamp 10 can be fastened to the holding structure 4 by means of the wall fastening holes 14.

[0071] The tabs 12, 13 of the first clamp 10 are each connected to the tabs 22, 23 of the second clamp 20 by means of screws 5. Each of the screws 5 runs through an elongated hole 8 and a round hole 9. In FIG. 3, the first tab 12 of the first clamp 10 is connected to the first tab 22 of the second clamp 20. For the second configuration in FIG. 4, the second clamp is rotated by 180° about a vertical axis, i.e. parallel to the course of the rail 2. As a result, the second tab 23 of the second clamp 20 is now located at the first tab 12 of the first clamp 10. The selection of the orientation can be made when the second clamp 20 is placed on the first clamp 10 and depends on how large the distance s between the holding structure 4 and the rail 2 must be.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows the rail fastening system 1 with the maximum adjustable distance s. The screw connection 5 is in the outermost possible position of the elongated hole 8. In this configuration, the recesses 15 remain free. FIG. 4 shows the rail fastening system 1 with the minimum adjustable distance s. Such minimum distance s is predetermined by the employed rail holders 3, and in particular the screws of the rail holder 3. The recesses 15 allow the distance s to still be smaller than a sheet metal thickness than would be the case without the recesses 15. It would be possible to continue the recesses 15 as depressions (not shown) in the holding structure 4 and thereby further reduce the minimum distance s.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows a first plane 33 and a second plane 34 as are defined by the contact surfaces 31, 32 of the tabs 12, 13, 22, 23. The tabs 12, 13, 22, 23 are planar sheet metal parts, and therefore their likewise planar contact surfaces define the respective planes. The first plane 33 and the second plane 34 intersect in an intersecting line 35. A flat surface 37 is defined by a rail contact surface 36. The rail contact surface is formed on the central part 21 of the second clamp 20. The rail 2, and in particular the rail foot of the rail 2, rests on this planar rail contact surface 36. Therefore, the flat surface 37 is parallel to the rail 2 and, since the rail is preferably oriented vertically, is preferably also oriented vertically.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows a projection in the direction of the intersection axis between the first plane 33 and the flat surface 37. FIG. 6 view “a” shows the minimum adjustable distance S.sub.1. By displacing the second clamp 20 relative to the first clamp 10 along the elongated hole, a mean distance S.sub.2 (view “b”) can be adjusted which is at least equal to the minimum distance S.sub.3 (view “c”) in the second configuration in which the second clamp 20 is turned by 180°. By being displaced along the elongated hole, a distance to the maximum distance S.sub.4 (view “d”) of the rail fastening system 1 can be adjusted.

[0075] FIG. 7 shows a holding structure 4 that deviates from a vertical orientation. The schematic and idealized representation with the steps makes it possible to clearly show the positional variation of the holding structure, but does not necessarily correspond to the situation in an elevator system. Alternative holding structures 4 can also comprise uneven surfaces as arise, for example, due to tolerances upon construction. Metallic holding structures or framework structures can have individual surfaces that have locally different distances to the target position of the rail, and can therefore correspond to the steps of FIG. 7.

[0076] FIG. 7 shows two design variants of the rail fastening system 1. The upper two rail fastening systems 1 correspond to the embodiment as already shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In the assembled state, the tabs 22, 23 of the second clamp 20 are located between the tabs 12, 13 of the first clamp 10. The shown angle α is 135°, i.e. 45° deviating from the vertical. In the first embodiment, the angle α is at least larger enough for the second clamp 20 can rest on the first clamp 10.

[0077] The upper system of the three rail fastening systems 1 shows a wide configuration of the first embodiment, i.e., one that is suitable for large distances between the holding structure 4 and the rail 2. In this configuration, a distance can be adjusted via a relative displacement between the first clamp 10 and the second clamp 20 along the elongated holes such that the rail 2 runs straight. The middle of the rail fastening systems 1 shows the configuration of the first embodiment suitable for shorter distances that is obtained by turning the second clamp 20. In this case as well, a distance analogous to the first configuration can be adapted.

[0078] The lower of the three rail fastening systems 1 shows an alternative embodiment with which the tabs 22, 23 of the second clamp 20 touch the tabs 12, 13 of the first clamp 10 from the outside. The angle α is now 45°, i.e. again 45°, deviating from the vertical 102. The angle now deviates from the vertical 102 in the other direction so that the second clamp 20 again rests on the first clamp 10. By turning the second clamp, a configuration suitable for shorter distances can in turn be obtained. Contrary to the shown example, the first and the second embodiment would not be used together in the same elevator. By using only a single embodiment in an elevator system, it can be ensured that each first clamp can be combined with each second clamp.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as “comprising,” “having,” etc. do not preclude other elements or steps and terms such as “a” or “an” do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above.

[0080] 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.