CA1244782A - Holeless hydraulic elevator with improved car frame - Google Patents
Holeless hydraulic elevator with improved car frameInfo
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- CA1244782A CA1244782A CA000497216A CA497216A CA1244782A CA 1244782 A CA1244782 A CA 1244782A CA 000497216 A CA000497216 A CA 000497216A CA 497216 A CA497216 A CA 497216A CA 1244782 A CA1244782 A CA 1244782A
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- elevator
- car
- platform
- braces
- pair
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Abstract
Abstract Holeless Hydraulic Elevator With Improved Car Frame A holeless hydraulic elevator (10) includes an improved car frame (35) comprising a platform (40) and a pair of side frame assemblies, each including a pair of upwardly covergent, oblique, tensiley loaded braces (55) fixed at the lower ends thereof to the platform and at the upper ends thereof to an output rod (220) of a jack (45) which powers the car.
Description
~;~447~2 Description Holeless Hydraulic Elevator With Improved Car Frame Technical Field 5This invention relates to elevators and particularly to holeless, hydraulic elevators.
~ackground ~rt Short rise hydraulic elevators are well known in the art. Certain of such elevators comprise a car powered vertically by an hydraulic jack exposed beneath the elevator car in a hole beneath the hoistway. Provision o~ such a hole to accommodate the jack represents a significant portion of the cost of the erection of such an hydraulic elevator. In an effort to reduce the construction costs associated with such prior art elevators, holeless hydraulic elevators have been developed. In such a holeless elevator the car is powered by one or more hydraulic jacks, the cylinders of which are disposed generally alongside the car rather than beneath it, the lower ends of the jacks being received within a shallow pit at the bottom of the hoistway rather than in a deeper hole as described hereinabove. While the elimination of holes in hydraulic elevators has reduced the construction costs thereof, it has been determined that state of the art holeless hydraulic elevators still exhibit various shortcomings.
.
$, ~447~2 A number of such shortcomings in present day holeless hydraulic elevators are associated with the elevator car frame which in some instances employs at the sides thereof, compressively loaded uprights with diagonal braces connected between the uprights and the car platform. It has been found that such car frames are not only complex, requiring rod fixtures on both the upright and car platform as well as means for adjusting rod tension, but are quite heavy as well.
Moreover, in such a frame structure, various components of the frame tend to be loaded in compression and bending which adversely affect the stability of the car under operating conditions and require accommodation by heavy structural members thereby further contributing to the weight of the frame. Such car frames also tend to militate against ease of serviceability of the jacks since the upright is often in a position which interferes with maintenance on the jack disposed adjacent thereto.
Prior art hydraulic elevators also exhibit various deficiencies in the support and stabilization of the car by the jacks and guide rails employed therein. Most of such deficiencies are attributable to the somewhat common approach of asymmetric support of the car by the jacks wherein, the jacks support the car by connection to the sides of the car frame either forwardly or rearwardly of the center thereof. Thus, the weight of the car applies bending moments to the jacks and guide rails, thereby requiring burying of the lower ends of the jacks within the ground with an attendant risk galvanic corrosion of the jack ~L~447~32 cylinders as well as requiring heavy rails which add to the expense to the elevator in the cost of both materials therefor and erection thereof. Moreoever, prior art hydraulic elevators often fail to provide adequate yet economical means for limiting the overtravel of the elevator car (due to, for example, a malfunction of the hydraulic control system) while dissipating the kinetic energy of the car during such overtravel conditions.
The above deficiencies associated with prior art hydraulic elevators combined with the desirability of mechanically simplieying such elevators while at the same time reducing the weight thereof has lead to the present invention.
Disclosure of Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator of enhanced simplicity and stability and which is light in weight.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator which is compact and easily serviceable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator characterized by an enhanced ease in the erection thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator wherein overtravel o the elevator car due to malfunction of the hydraulic system is safely and simply limited.
L2~47~2 In accordance with the present invention, an hydraulic elevator employs a car frame including side frame assemblies, each of which comprises a pair of oblique, upwardly convergent bilaterally rigid braces fixed at lower ends thereof to the car platform and at upper ends thereof to the free end of the plunger rod of an hydraulic jack, thereby defining a tensiley loaded, lightweight A-frame. Such a frame assembly minimizes bending and compression loads in the frame thereby enhancing the mechanical stability thereof. ~ach of a pair of hydraulic jacks which power the elevator car is receivable interiorly of the A-frame. The upper ends of the oblique braces (which may be tubular) are connected by fasteners such as bolts to the plunger rod by a short bracket of generally U-shaped cross section, the bolts being placed in double shear for increased strength in that connection. The improved car frame also includes a lightweight platform formed by a planar array of tubular beams supporting a floor portion and a guide shoe laterally offset from the top of the car frame by a bracket on which hydraulic control switches are also conveniently mounted.
Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the hydraulic elevator of the present invention, portions of the elevator being either broken away or removed entirely to show details of the construction thereof;
B
47~32 Fig. 2 is a side elevation in partial section of one of the hydraulic jacks employed with the elevator of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a view taken in the direction of line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fra~mentary, elevation of the connection between one of the braces employed in the frame of the elevator car and the output member of the hydrauIic jack and taken in the direction of line 4-4 of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 1, but showing an alternate embodiment of the hydraulic elevator in which lower portions of the guide rails thereof have been eliminated; and Fig. 6 is a top plan view in partial section of a portion of the car frame a guide shoe carried thereby, and an associated hydraulic jack, taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention and Industrial Applicability Thereof Referring to Fig. 1, an hydraulic elevator 10 is disposed within a hoistway 15 including a sidewall structure 20 and a lower pit 25. The elevator itself comprises a car 30 including a frame 35, a sidewall structure ~which for clarity is not illustrated) and a platform 40. The car is powered by a pair of upright jacks 45 disposed on opposite sides of the car and supported within hoistway 15 on the floor of pit 25.
~ ;~g~7~32 Car frame 35 comprises a pair of opposed side frame assemblies each including a pair of oblique upwardly convergent braces 55 fixed at lower ends thereof to the car platform at opposed sides thereo~. The braces may be of any known bilaterally rigid structural shape, in the preferred embodiment the braces being-formed from tubular steel for strength and lightness. The lower ends of the braces are attached to the platform by riveted, bolted, or similar connections to L-shaped 1~ brackets 60 welded or similarly attached to the sides of the platform. The upper ends of the braces are connected together by a rigidly bolted or riveted connection to opposite ends of bracket 65 of generally U-shaped cross section, the sides of bracket 65 each including a cutout 70 which accommodates the head of jack 45 therewithin. The connection between braces 55 and bracket 65 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 4.
As shown therein, each brace is received within the interior of the bracket outwardly of the medial portion thereof which is connected by bolt 75 to the jack. As illustrated, three bolts 85 pass through both sides of the bracket and each brace although greater or lesser numbers of fasteners may be employed depending upon the capacity of the elevator, the weight of the car and other relevant factors. As best seen in Fig. 1, bracket 65 serves to provide a connection between the jack and the car frame, and it will thus be appreciated that the connections between bracket 65 and braces 55 are loaded by the weight of the car. However, the tubular shape of the braces and the U-shaped cross section of bracket 65 cause each of ~ ~4L7~32 bolts 85 to be loaded in double shear for enhancing the strength of the connection. ~urthermore, it will be appreciated that braces 55 are loaded entirely in tension which enhances the stability of the car and eliminates any need for more massive structural components required to accommodate compressive and/or bending modes of loading.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the side frame assemblies are connected together by a cross head 90 comprising a pair of generally parallel channel members 95 connected by bolts, rivets or the like at opposite ends thereof to inwardly extending plates 100 attached to braces 55 by a welded or similar connections thereto. Channels 95 support oblique brackets 105 and lateral brackets 110 by bolted, riveted or similar connections thereto, brackets 105 and 110 being connected together at 115 by bolts, rivets or the like. As illustrated, each lateral bracket 110 carries an upper guide shoe 120 which slideably engages a corresponding guide rail 125 of generally T-shaped cross section which is mounted to a sidewall of the hoistway. Those skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that the engagement of upper guide shoes 120 as well as lower guide shoes 130 (carried by the car frame at the bottom of the platform thereof) with guide rails 125 provides additional lateral stability to the car. It will be seen that brackets 110 function not only as mounts for the guide shoes but also as mounts for leveling switch 135 including rollers 140 operated by stationary cams 145 mounted on the guide rail. Those skilled in the :~LZ44L7~32 art will, of course, readily appreciate that leveling switch 135 operated by cam 145 along with leveling switch 150 operated by cam 155 attached to the opposite side frame assembly controls hydraulic fluid flow to and from the jacks for controlIing such functions as acceleration and deceleration of the car by the jacks. ~racket 110 in providing a mount for both guide shoe 120 and leveling switch 135 si~plifies the overall structure of the car frame by eliminating the need for separate mounts for these components.
Platform 40 comprises a generally planar array of tubular beams including a plurality of parallel beams 160 joined at opposite ends thereof ~as by welding or the like) by a pair of generally parallel beams 165 orthogonally disposed with respect to beams 160. The platform includes a floor portion 167 overlying the platform frame and mounted thereto as by screws (not shown) or the like, the floor portion comprises a laminar arrangement of a lightweight, structural upper plate 170 formed from such material as wood, composite, or an oriented strand wood fiber material such as that sold by Weyerhaeuser Company under the mark Structurwood and a metallic lower plate 175 functioning as a fire stop and typically formed from aluminum, sheet steel, or the like. Such a platform structure, employing a planar array of tubular beams and a lightweight floor, substantially reduces the weight of the platform as compared to the platforms of prior art elevators thereby reducing the required , ..~
~LZ~47i3Z
9 _ strength and thus the weight of the remainder of the car frame as well as the hydraulic requirements of the elevator.
Referring to Fig. 2, each of jacks 45 comprises a cylinder 200 including a head 205 defined by h~using members 207 and 208 and a plunger 210 disposed within : the cylinder for reciprocal movement with respect thereto in response to changes in pressurizati~n and draining of the cylinder with hydraulic fluid through hydraulic lines 215. Plunger 210 is mounted on connecting rod 220 which extends outwardly o~ cylinder 200 through the head, the upper end of rod 220 including a hole through which bolt 75 is threaded for connecting the rod to bracket 65.
As set forth hereinabove, in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic control system it is desirable to provide hydraulic elevators with means to limit overtravel of the car while safely dissipating the kinetic energy of the car associated with any such overtravel. In accordance with the present invention, jack 45 is provided with stop means disposed : proximally to the cylinder head for limiting overtravel of the plunger while dissipating the kinetic energy thereof and means associated with the plunger for abutment with the stop means. As best illustrated in Fig. 2, the stop means comprises a hard impact ring 225 of steel or the like backed by a resilient urethane ring 230 which is in turn backed by a hard stop ring 235, In the event that plunger 210 is caused to overtravel upwardly due to an hydraulic system malfunction, the plunger will abut impac~ ring 2447t32 225 which upwardly compresses urethane ring 230 against stop ring 235, thereby eliminating further plunger overtravel and dissipating the energy of such overtravel by compression of the urethane ring to reduce the risk of damage to the jack. Head 220 also acco~modates a rubber seal 240, a wear ring 245 and wiper 250 in the usual manner. It will be noted that since the jack is received interiorly of the oblique braces 55 and since the guide rails are laterally offset from the jack, the jack is readily accessable for ease in maintenance thereof. Moreover, the lack of interference with the jack by the car frame and guide rails allows large clearances for head 205 and thus, the convenient accommodation of the two rectangular housing members 207 and 2~8 bolted together at the corners thereof with four bolts 255.
This is to be contrasted with various prior art elevator jack designs wherein jack head clearances are so limited that the head must be cylindrical in shape and of a diameter requiring bolting with as many as 9 to 12 bolts making such a head costly to manufacture and difficult to service.
Referring again to Fig. 1, as illustrated therein, jacks 45 are disposed adjacent to the car platform at medial locations on opposed sides thereof whereby the car is supported in a generally symmetric manner thereby reducing rail reactions to loading thereof and allowing rails of lighter weight than those of the past to be used. Disposition of the jacks interiorly of the car frame side assemblies :~447~
(between oblique braces 55) not only renders the jacks easily serviceable, but provides a more efficient use of the interior of the hoistway.
Guide rails 125 are mounted at the upper portions thereof to the hoistway walls with clamps 260 carried by fixtures 265 bolted to the hoistway walls and at the lower ends thereof by fastening (such as by welding) to angle brackets 270 mounted to the floor of the pit by any suitable means such as bolts and the like (not shown). The guide rails and jacks are also fixe~ to the hoistway walls and aligned with each other by connection to mounting brackets 275 each comprising a plurality of spaced feet 280 at which the bracket is secured to the hoistway sidewalls as by bolting. As shown, the bracket is a unitary structure in which the feet 280 alternate with fixture portions (lands) 285 and 290 at which jack and guide rail, respectively, are connected to the bracket as by clamping. Since the car is symmetrically supported by the jacks, the jacks are generally symmetrically loaded and therefore, the prior art practice of burying the lower ends of the jacks to accommodate bending loads thereon is unnecessary. Accordingly, the lower ends or bases of the jacks are received within a jack base comprising an upperwardly open, generally U-shaped channel member 295 closed at the ends thereof with closure plates 300 fastened thereto such as by welding, the closure plates being apertured to receive the jack bases for the alignment and vertically unrestrained accommodation thereof within the channel member. Such vertically, unrestrained 47~32 accommodation allows the jacks to freely "jump"
upwardly in the event of overtravel of the car for further dissipation of the kinetic energy associated therewith. The jack base also provides a convenient mount for receptacles 305 which accornmodate buffer springs 310 on which the platform may rest when lowered. The receptacles are fixed to the web of the channel member by any suitable means such as bolts or the like.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, an alternate embodi-ment of the elevator is shown. In this embodiment the lower portions o~ guide rails 125 have been eliminated, the jack cylinders taking the place of the lower rail portions and the lower slotted guide shoes lS have been replaced by a guide shoe 300 comprising a U-shaped bracket 305 carrying rollers 310 at the ends thereof. Bracket 305 is bolted at 315 to a mounting member 320 at the bottom of the car platform in alignment with jack cylinders 200 so that rollers 310 engage the cylinder walls. Thus, with this arrange-ment, lateral stability of the car at lower positions thereof is attained by movement of the car along the jack cylinders without necessitating lower guide rails, thereby further simplifying the elevator and rendering the elevator more economical in both material and assembly costs thereof.
From the foregoing, it will be seen then that the car frame described herein is simpler than prior art frames since it requires neither adjustable rods nor upright members. The frame is more stable than prior art frarnes since the side supports are loaded in 47~3Z
tension, without any significant compressive or bending loads thereon and the joints are rigid, Since the jacks are generally coplanar with the side frame assemblies, the elevator is compact and the jacks are S easily serviceable. The tubular frame floor further contributes to the lightness of the elevator and the symmetric support of the car frame by the centrally disposed jacks allows the use of smaller rails, due to minimal rail reactions. The symmetric loading of the jacks also eliminates the need to bury the lower ends of the jacks thus eliminating the'risk of the galvanic corrosion of the jack ends due to such burial.
Furthermore, since the jacks do not re~uire burying, they may rest on the pit floor in a vertically unrestrained orientation allowing the entire elevator to "jump" ir the event of car overtravel thereby contributing with the novel jack head structure to the elevator's ability to dissipate the kinetic energy associated with upward overtravel of the car. The integral guide shoe and leveling switch mounting, the one piece rail jack bracket and'the jack base further simplify the manufacture and erection of the elevator.
It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments shown and described herein, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
~ackground ~rt Short rise hydraulic elevators are well known in the art. Certain of such elevators comprise a car powered vertically by an hydraulic jack exposed beneath the elevator car in a hole beneath the hoistway. Provision o~ such a hole to accommodate the jack represents a significant portion of the cost of the erection of such an hydraulic elevator. In an effort to reduce the construction costs associated with such prior art elevators, holeless hydraulic elevators have been developed. In such a holeless elevator the car is powered by one or more hydraulic jacks, the cylinders of which are disposed generally alongside the car rather than beneath it, the lower ends of the jacks being received within a shallow pit at the bottom of the hoistway rather than in a deeper hole as described hereinabove. While the elimination of holes in hydraulic elevators has reduced the construction costs thereof, it has been determined that state of the art holeless hydraulic elevators still exhibit various shortcomings.
.
$, ~447~2 A number of such shortcomings in present day holeless hydraulic elevators are associated with the elevator car frame which in some instances employs at the sides thereof, compressively loaded uprights with diagonal braces connected between the uprights and the car platform. It has been found that such car frames are not only complex, requiring rod fixtures on both the upright and car platform as well as means for adjusting rod tension, but are quite heavy as well.
Moreover, in such a frame structure, various components of the frame tend to be loaded in compression and bending which adversely affect the stability of the car under operating conditions and require accommodation by heavy structural members thereby further contributing to the weight of the frame. Such car frames also tend to militate against ease of serviceability of the jacks since the upright is often in a position which interferes with maintenance on the jack disposed adjacent thereto.
Prior art hydraulic elevators also exhibit various deficiencies in the support and stabilization of the car by the jacks and guide rails employed therein. Most of such deficiencies are attributable to the somewhat common approach of asymmetric support of the car by the jacks wherein, the jacks support the car by connection to the sides of the car frame either forwardly or rearwardly of the center thereof. Thus, the weight of the car applies bending moments to the jacks and guide rails, thereby requiring burying of the lower ends of the jacks within the ground with an attendant risk galvanic corrosion of the jack ~L~447~32 cylinders as well as requiring heavy rails which add to the expense to the elevator in the cost of both materials therefor and erection thereof. Moreoever, prior art hydraulic elevators often fail to provide adequate yet economical means for limiting the overtravel of the elevator car (due to, for example, a malfunction of the hydraulic control system) while dissipating the kinetic energy of the car during such overtravel conditions.
The above deficiencies associated with prior art hydraulic elevators combined with the desirability of mechanically simplieying such elevators while at the same time reducing the weight thereof has lead to the present invention.
Disclosure of Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator of enhanced simplicity and stability and which is light in weight.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator which is compact and easily serviceable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator characterized by an enhanced ease in the erection thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic elevator wherein overtravel o the elevator car due to malfunction of the hydraulic system is safely and simply limited.
L2~47~2 In accordance with the present invention, an hydraulic elevator employs a car frame including side frame assemblies, each of which comprises a pair of oblique, upwardly convergent bilaterally rigid braces fixed at lower ends thereof to the car platform and at upper ends thereof to the free end of the plunger rod of an hydraulic jack, thereby defining a tensiley loaded, lightweight A-frame. Such a frame assembly minimizes bending and compression loads in the frame thereby enhancing the mechanical stability thereof. ~ach of a pair of hydraulic jacks which power the elevator car is receivable interiorly of the A-frame. The upper ends of the oblique braces (which may be tubular) are connected by fasteners such as bolts to the plunger rod by a short bracket of generally U-shaped cross section, the bolts being placed in double shear for increased strength in that connection. The improved car frame also includes a lightweight platform formed by a planar array of tubular beams supporting a floor portion and a guide shoe laterally offset from the top of the car frame by a bracket on which hydraulic control switches are also conveniently mounted.
Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the hydraulic elevator of the present invention, portions of the elevator being either broken away or removed entirely to show details of the construction thereof;
B
47~32 Fig. 2 is a side elevation in partial section of one of the hydraulic jacks employed with the elevator of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a view taken in the direction of line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fra~mentary, elevation of the connection between one of the braces employed in the frame of the elevator car and the output member of the hydrauIic jack and taken in the direction of line 4-4 of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 1, but showing an alternate embodiment of the hydraulic elevator in which lower portions of the guide rails thereof have been eliminated; and Fig. 6 is a top plan view in partial section of a portion of the car frame a guide shoe carried thereby, and an associated hydraulic jack, taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention and Industrial Applicability Thereof Referring to Fig. 1, an hydraulic elevator 10 is disposed within a hoistway 15 including a sidewall structure 20 and a lower pit 25. The elevator itself comprises a car 30 including a frame 35, a sidewall structure ~which for clarity is not illustrated) and a platform 40. The car is powered by a pair of upright jacks 45 disposed on opposite sides of the car and supported within hoistway 15 on the floor of pit 25.
~ ;~g~7~32 Car frame 35 comprises a pair of opposed side frame assemblies each including a pair of oblique upwardly convergent braces 55 fixed at lower ends thereof to the car platform at opposed sides thereo~. The braces may be of any known bilaterally rigid structural shape, in the preferred embodiment the braces being-formed from tubular steel for strength and lightness. The lower ends of the braces are attached to the platform by riveted, bolted, or similar connections to L-shaped 1~ brackets 60 welded or similarly attached to the sides of the platform. The upper ends of the braces are connected together by a rigidly bolted or riveted connection to opposite ends of bracket 65 of generally U-shaped cross section, the sides of bracket 65 each including a cutout 70 which accommodates the head of jack 45 therewithin. The connection between braces 55 and bracket 65 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 4.
As shown therein, each brace is received within the interior of the bracket outwardly of the medial portion thereof which is connected by bolt 75 to the jack. As illustrated, three bolts 85 pass through both sides of the bracket and each brace although greater or lesser numbers of fasteners may be employed depending upon the capacity of the elevator, the weight of the car and other relevant factors. As best seen in Fig. 1, bracket 65 serves to provide a connection between the jack and the car frame, and it will thus be appreciated that the connections between bracket 65 and braces 55 are loaded by the weight of the car. However, the tubular shape of the braces and the U-shaped cross section of bracket 65 cause each of ~ ~4L7~32 bolts 85 to be loaded in double shear for enhancing the strength of the connection. ~urthermore, it will be appreciated that braces 55 are loaded entirely in tension which enhances the stability of the car and eliminates any need for more massive structural components required to accommodate compressive and/or bending modes of loading.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the side frame assemblies are connected together by a cross head 90 comprising a pair of generally parallel channel members 95 connected by bolts, rivets or the like at opposite ends thereof to inwardly extending plates 100 attached to braces 55 by a welded or similar connections thereto. Channels 95 support oblique brackets 105 and lateral brackets 110 by bolted, riveted or similar connections thereto, brackets 105 and 110 being connected together at 115 by bolts, rivets or the like. As illustrated, each lateral bracket 110 carries an upper guide shoe 120 which slideably engages a corresponding guide rail 125 of generally T-shaped cross section which is mounted to a sidewall of the hoistway. Those skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that the engagement of upper guide shoes 120 as well as lower guide shoes 130 (carried by the car frame at the bottom of the platform thereof) with guide rails 125 provides additional lateral stability to the car. It will be seen that brackets 110 function not only as mounts for the guide shoes but also as mounts for leveling switch 135 including rollers 140 operated by stationary cams 145 mounted on the guide rail. Those skilled in the :~LZ44L7~32 art will, of course, readily appreciate that leveling switch 135 operated by cam 145 along with leveling switch 150 operated by cam 155 attached to the opposite side frame assembly controls hydraulic fluid flow to and from the jacks for controlIing such functions as acceleration and deceleration of the car by the jacks. ~racket 110 in providing a mount for both guide shoe 120 and leveling switch 135 si~plifies the overall structure of the car frame by eliminating the need for separate mounts for these components.
Platform 40 comprises a generally planar array of tubular beams including a plurality of parallel beams 160 joined at opposite ends thereof ~as by welding or the like) by a pair of generally parallel beams 165 orthogonally disposed with respect to beams 160. The platform includes a floor portion 167 overlying the platform frame and mounted thereto as by screws (not shown) or the like, the floor portion comprises a laminar arrangement of a lightweight, structural upper plate 170 formed from such material as wood, composite, or an oriented strand wood fiber material such as that sold by Weyerhaeuser Company under the mark Structurwood and a metallic lower plate 175 functioning as a fire stop and typically formed from aluminum, sheet steel, or the like. Such a platform structure, employing a planar array of tubular beams and a lightweight floor, substantially reduces the weight of the platform as compared to the platforms of prior art elevators thereby reducing the required , ..~
~LZ~47i3Z
9 _ strength and thus the weight of the remainder of the car frame as well as the hydraulic requirements of the elevator.
Referring to Fig. 2, each of jacks 45 comprises a cylinder 200 including a head 205 defined by h~using members 207 and 208 and a plunger 210 disposed within : the cylinder for reciprocal movement with respect thereto in response to changes in pressurizati~n and draining of the cylinder with hydraulic fluid through hydraulic lines 215. Plunger 210 is mounted on connecting rod 220 which extends outwardly o~ cylinder 200 through the head, the upper end of rod 220 including a hole through which bolt 75 is threaded for connecting the rod to bracket 65.
As set forth hereinabove, in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic control system it is desirable to provide hydraulic elevators with means to limit overtravel of the car while safely dissipating the kinetic energy of the car associated with any such overtravel. In accordance with the present invention, jack 45 is provided with stop means disposed : proximally to the cylinder head for limiting overtravel of the plunger while dissipating the kinetic energy thereof and means associated with the plunger for abutment with the stop means. As best illustrated in Fig. 2, the stop means comprises a hard impact ring 225 of steel or the like backed by a resilient urethane ring 230 which is in turn backed by a hard stop ring 235, In the event that plunger 210 is caused to overtravel upwardly due to an hydraulic system malfunction, the plunger will abut impac~ ring 2447t32 225 which upwardly compresses urethane ring 230 against stop ring 235, thereby eliminating further plunger overtravel and dissipating the energy of such overtravel by compression of the urethane ring to reduce the risk of damage to the jack. Head 220 also acco~modates a rubber seal 240, a wear ring 245 and wiper 250 in the usual manner. It will be noted that since the jack is received interiorly of the oblique braces 55 and since the guide rails are laterally offset from the jack, the jack is readily accessable for ease in maintenance thereof. Moreover, the lack of interference with the jack by the car frame and guide rails allows large clearances for head 205 and thus, the convenient accommodation of the two rectangular housing members 207 and 2~8 bolted together at the corners thereof with four bolts 255.
This is to be contrasted with various prior art elevator jack designs wherein jack head clearances are so limited that the head must be cylindrical in shape and of a diameter requiring bolting with as many as 9 to 12 bolts making such a head costly to manufacture and difficult to service.
Referring again to Fig. 1, as illustrated therein, jacks 45 are disposed adjacent to the car platform at medial locations on opposed sides thereof whereby the car is supported in a generally symmetric manner thereby reducing rail reactions to loading thereof and allowing rails of lighter weight than those of the past to be used. Disposition of the jacks interiorly of the car frame side assemblies :~447~
(between oblique braces 55) not only renders the jacks easily serviceable, but provides a more efficient use of the interior of the hoistway.
Guide rails 125 are mounted at the upper portions thereof to the hoistway walls with clamps 260 carried by fixtures 265 bolted to the hoistway walls and at the lower ends thereof by fastening (such as by welding) to angle brackets 270 mounted to the floor of the pit by any suitable means such as bolts and the like (not shown). The guide rails and jacks are also fixe~ to the hoistway walls and aligned with each other by connection to mounting brackets 275 each comprising a plurality of spaced feet 280 at which the bracket is secured to the hoistway sidewalls as by bolting. As shown, the bracket is a unitary structure in which the feet 280 alternate with fixture portions (lands) 285 and 290 at which jack and guide rail, respectively, are connected to the bracket as by clamping. Since the car is symmetrically supported by the jacks, the jacks are generally symmetrically loaded and therefore, the prior art practice of burying the lower ends of the jacks to accommodate bending loads thereon is unnecessary. Accordingly, the lower ends or bases of the jacks are received within a jack base comprising an upperwardly open, generally U-shaped channel member 295 closed at the ends thereof with closure plates 300 fastened thereto such as by welding, the closure plates being apertured to receive the jack bases for the alignment and vertically unrestrained accommodation thereof within the channel member. Such vertically, unrestrained 47~32 accommodation allows the jacks to freely "jump"
upwardly in the event of overtravel of the car for further dissipation of the kinetic energy associated therewith. The jack base also provides a convenient mount for receptacles 305 which accornmodate buffer springs 310 on which the platform may rest when lowered. The receptacles are fixed to the web of the channel member by any suitable means such as bolts or the like.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, an alternate embodi-ment of the elevator is shown. In this embodiment the lower portions o~ guide rails 125 have been eliminated, the jack cylinders taking the place of the lower rail portions and the lower slotted guide shoes lS have been replaced by a guide shoe 300 comprising a U-shaped bracket 305 carrying rollers 310 at the ends thereof. Bracket 305 is bolted at 315 to a mounting member 320 at the bottom of the car platform in alignment with jack cylinders 200 so that rollers 310 engage the cylinder walls. Thus, with this arrange-ment, lateral stability of the car at lower positions thereof is attained by movement of the car along the jack cylinders without necessitating lower guide rails, thereby further simplifying the elevator and rendering the elevator more economical in both material and assembly costs thereof.
From the foregoing, it will be seen then that the car frame described herein is simpler than prior art frames since it requires neither adjustable rods nor upright members. The frame is more stable than prior art frarnes since the side supports are loaded in 47~3Z
tension, without any significant compressive or bending loads thereon and the joints are rigid, Since the jacks are generally coplanar with the side frame assemblies, the elevator is compact and the jacks are S easily serviceable. The tubular frame floor further contributes to the lightness of the elevator and the symmetric support of the car frame by the centrally disposed jacks allows the use of smaller rails, due to minimal rail reactions. The symmetric loading of the jacks also eliminates the need to bury the lower ends of the jacks thus eliminating the'risk of the galvanic corrosion of the jack ends due to such burial.
Furthermore, since the jacks do not re~uire burying, they may rest on the pit floor in a vertically unrestrained orientation allowing the entire elevator to "jump" ir the event of car overtravel thereby contributing with the novel jack head structure to the elevator's ability to dissipate the kinetic energy associated with upward overtravel of the car. The integral guide shoe and leveling switch mounting, the one piece rail jack bracket and'the jack base further simplify the manufacture and erection of the elevator.
It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments shown and described herein, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
Claims (11)
1. An elevator comprising a pair of guide rails, a car having a front, a back and opposed sides, and means for powering said car, said powering means including an output member, said car comprising a car frame including a platform carrying a pair of guide shoes in engagement with said guide rails, and a pair of opposed side frame assemblies fixed to said platform and upstanding therefrom, the improvement characterized by:
each of said side frame assemblies comprising:
a pair of oblique, upwardly convergent, bilaterally rigid braces fixed at lower ends thereof to said platform at opposed sides thereof and interiorly, in a front-to-back direction, of said engagement of said guide shoes and guide rails; and means forming a connection between the upper ends of said braces and the free end portion of a corresponding output member proximally thereto, said convergent braces defining a pair of opposed, tensilely loaded, light-weight A-frames of enhanced stiffness and moment carrying capability which render enhanced stability to said car in both front-to-back and side-to-side directions, and within which said powering means are receivable for enhanced compactness and convenient serviceability.
each of said side frame assemblies comprising:
a pair of oblique, upwardly convergent, bilaterally rigid braces fixed at lower ends thereof to said platform at opposed sides thereof and interiorly, in a front-to-back direction, of said engagement of said guide shoes and guide rails; and means forming a connection between the upper ends of said braces and the free end portion of a corresponding output member proximally thereto, said convergent braces defining a pair of opposed, tensilely loaded, light-weight A-frames of enhanced stiffness and moment carrying capability which render enhanced stability to said car in both front-to-back and side-to-side directions, and within which said powering means are receivable for enhanced compactness and convenient serviceability.
2. The elevator of claim 1 characterized by said means for forming said connection between the upper ends of said braces and the free end portion of said output member comprising a first bracket of generally U-shaped cross section, said free end of said output member being fixed to a medial portion of said first bracket and said upper ends of said braces being fixed to the interior of said bracket, outwardly of said medial portion thereof by fasteners extending through said bracket and said upper ends of said braces whereby each of said fasteners are loaded in double shear for increased strength in said connection.
3. The elevator of claims 2 characterized by said fasteners comprising bolts.
4. The elevator of claims 1 characterized by:
at least one guide shoe laterally offset from the center of said side frame; and means for attaching said guide shoe to said car frame.
at least one guide shoe laterally offset from the center of said side frame; and means for attaching said guide shoe to said car frame.
5. The elevator of claim 4 characterized by switching means for controlling said powering means, said switching means being mounted on said attaching means.
6. The elevator of claim 5 characterized by said car frame including a cross head and said attaching means comprising a bracket mounted on said cross head, adjacent to one of said side frame assemblies.
7. The elevator of claim 1 characterized by said platform including a platform frame comprising of generally planar array of tubular beams.
8. The elevator of claim 7 characterized by said planar array of tubular beams comprising a plurality of parallel beams joined at opposed ends thereof by a pair of beams orthogonally disposed with respect to said parallel beams.
9. The elevator of claim 7 characterized by said platform including a floor portion overlying said platform frame and mounted thereto, said floor portion comprising a laminar arrangement of lightweight, upper plate overlying a metallic lower plate functioning as a fire-stop.
10. The elevator of claim 9 characterized by said lower plate being formed from aluminum.
11. The elevator of claim 9 characterized by said upper plate being formed from an oriented strand wood fiber material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US68618384A | 1984-12-24 | 1984-12-24 | |
| US686,183 | 1984-12-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1244782A true CA1244782A (en) | 1988-11-15 |
Family
ID=24755264
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000497216A Expired CA1244782A (en) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-12-10 | Holeless hydraulic elevator with improved car frame |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0686275B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU574546B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1244782A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1990001015A1 (en) * | 1988-07-21 | 1990-02-08 | Brian Ross Klopper | A hoist |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3465968D1 (en) * | 1983-07-22 | 1987-10-15 | Gebauer & Cie | Sliding piston drive |
| US5877042A (en) * | 1996-08-28 | 1999-03-02 | Motorola, Inc. | Glass/Metal package and method for producing the same |
-
1985
- 1985-12-10 CA CA000497216A patent/CA1244782A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-12-12 AU AU51137/85A patent/AU574546B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1985-12-24 JP JP29182485A patent/JPH0686275B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5113785A (en) | 1986-07-03 |
| JPH0686275B2 (en) | 1994-11-02 |
| AU574546B2 (en) | 1988-07-07 |
| JPS61155186A (en) | 1986-07-14 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |