TITLE OF INVENTION

MODULAR SYSTEM FOR THE BUILDING OF PREFABRICATE ELEVATOR

SHAFTS

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

When the load bearing frames of a building is not explicitly designed to withstand the static and dynamic stresses generated by the lifting plant, like for example lifts and cargo elevators, it is necessary to install a standalone load bearing frame in order to create the necessary shaft (in the sections that follow, the term "frame" synthetically refers to a load bearing frame designed to be used with lifting plants).

Besides having an appropriate mechanical resistance, all frames must have a configuration that simplifies the installation of all the equipment forming part of the plant, including (for plants where ropes are used) guides, booths, winches, doors, ropes, counterweights, etc. Specific requirements also apply to hydraulic plants.

Furthermore, as these frames are often installed outdoors, they must be resistant to weathering agents, have an appealing aesthetic finish and match the characteristics of the surrounding buildings.

BACKGROUND ART

In the vast majority of cases, frames are usually made in reinforced concrete or metal hardware. Metal hardware can be welded or bolted.

Frames in concrete must be constructed directly on site, i.e. on the site where the lifting plant has to be installed. Metal frames can instead be partially set-up in a workshop, which offers a great advantage in terms of quality and manufacturing costs.

The set-up of a fully welded frame can be carried out in the workshop only for small plants due to the limited size of transportation vehicles. When the plants exceed the size of transportation vehicles, it is generally preferable to choose mixed solutions (welded sections and bolted coupling joints) or alternatively weld the frame on site (which is generally not recommended due to both the duration of the assembly operations and the final quality).

Fully bolted solutions are generally based on the specific characteristics of the plant, as it is necessary to select the configuration, technical features and manufacturing solutions that best match the technical characteristics of the building.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Description of the technical solution

The innovative idea on which the invention is based consists in a modular and highly versatile system that enables to build prefabricated frames.

The term "versatile" is used to identify a system that enables to build frames of varying dimensions and specifically designed to be easily adapted to: a) the different architectural characteristics and dimensions of buildings, b) the different manufacturing characteristics of lifting plants.

The term "prefabricated" identifies a frame made of standardized components, manufactured in series in a workshop and assembled on site.

The whole assembled frame is illustrated in Figure 1 (assembly), which shows the main components. The frame has a main skeleton consisting of vertical parts called uprights (1 ) and horizontal parts called crosspieces (2). There are three types of uprights, which are called respectively: base upright (1a) used for the lower section of the frame; intermediate upright (1 b) used in central sections and top upright (1c) used for the upper section of the frame.

The skeleton rests on a base template (3) consisting of an upright template adjustable in height (3b) with threaded pins (3c). The base template (3) is joined to the four base uprights (1a); in addition to the base uprights (1a), a complete frame also has four intermediate uprights (1 b) and four crosspieces (2) on each level.

The cover (4) consists in two types of overlapped panels: a lateral panel (4a) and central panel (4b), which are fixed together by means of an adjustable system designed to guarantee the discharge of rainwater and the ventilation of the shaft. Said cover is fixed to the top uprights (1c).

To allow the frame to be fixed to the building, the modular system also comes with special ties (6) that enclose the frame on all sides and can be wall- mounted by means of special supports (7).

The frame can be further stiffened with internal cross braces (11a, 11 b) consisting of rods and tie rods. The use of said cross braces requires one joining point and therefore one tie only (6).

The frame is closed with curtain panels (5), which can be made in several materials such as stratified glass, metal sheet, plastic laminate or other materials. Said panels can be fixed for example with adhesives or by means of specific pressure profiles called "small grips" (16), which can be fixed both to the uprights and crosspieces. If necessary, it is also possible to insert additional glass separation profiles (8) to allow smaller panels to be fitted on larger openings.

The curtaining on the door side is achieved by placing shaped panels (or "staves") next to one another (13a, 13b). Said panels, in metal sheet or other materials, compensate the differences in size of the doors. Finishing is achieved using lateral (14a) and upper (14b) cover caps, which are fixed to the curtaining by means of adhesives, screws, biadhesive tape, etc.

The object of the invention is a modular system for the construction of frames that comprises all the above-described components and in which each component of the skeleton (crosspieces, uprights, ties, etc.) has varying lengths specifically designed to ensure maximum versatility during application.

By way of example and without any whatsoever limitation, the modular system comprises a range of twenty different crosspieces (2), each with the same profile and fixing system, but with varying lengths to allow the construction of frames with different widths and lengths. Similarly the system comprises a range of base (1a) and top uprights (1c) of varying lengths (from a minimum of 150 mm to a maximum of 3,000 mm, in steps ranging from 100 and 200 mm), which enable the frame height to be exactly adapted to the height

of the building. Intermediate uprights (1 b) always come in one length only; for example 3,000 mm.

In addition to the components described above, the modular system comes with a series of accessory components, also standardized, that are used to assembly the lifting plant and which include appropriately shaped rods and plates used, for example, to fix guides, doors, locks, etc. The size of these accessories is standard and is not influenced by the size of the frame.

All the -components of the system can be pre-fabricated in a workshop; have standardized sizes, are designed with a series of technical features, described in detail in the sections that follow, which enables them to be joined on site with ordinary hardware such as screws or bolts, and can be adjusted in order to be perfectly adapted to the building and lifting plant.

The system components can be manufactured with commercial material, like steel type Fe430B and with ordinary equipment like automatic CNC punchers and press bending machines, laser cutting and welding equipment, etc.

Corrosion protection and finishing in the desired colors can be applied by using the typical processes used for steel; for example a) zinc-plating and subsequent furnace painting; or b) painting with thermo-hardening powders based on saturated carboxylated polyester resins, which create a coating of 60 í 100 μm and guarantee a high resistance to corrosion and chemicals. When necessary, it is also possible to apply special coatings like intumescent paints that can enhance the fire resistance of the frame.

Detailed description of the invention

The section that follows provides a detailed description of the components that form part of the modular system.

ADJUSTABLE BASE TEMPLATE

The base template is part of the skeleton that rests on the foundation base and is mainly used to provide a stable resting surface for the frame in addition to its verticalness.

The base template is constituted by four template-crosspieces (3a) and four template-uprights (3b) that can be adjusted in height by means of the threaded pins (3c) inserted in the threaded holes drilled on the base plate of the base uprights (1a).

If the difference in level is significant, the base of the frame can be constructed without the template-crosspieces (3a), i.e. by fitting only the upright bases (3b) in order to adjust height with a greater flexibility.

Both the template-crosspieces (3a) and the upright bases (3b) come with flaps (3d) to simplify anchoring on the base of the foundation plate.

The modular system comprises the same number of template- crosspieces (3a) and crosspieces (2) in varying lengths. Depending on the size of the frame to be built, one will choose the appropriate template-crosspieces (3a) and corresponding crosspieces (2).

UPRIGHT

The upright (1) is formed by a structural profile (9a) and an external profile (9b), which is firmly joined to the former in order to create a wing (9c) that can be used to rest the curtain panels. The two profiles (9a) and (9b) are staggered in order to create a male/female joint (10) between subsequent uprights, that guarantee an accurate assembly and enable to achieve the required smoothness on the external surface of columns.

The upright has holes (11 ), placed at a standard distance, that are used both to assemble the skeleton and to block the "small grips" (16) that fix the curtain panels in place.

CROSSPIECE

The crosspiece is constituted by a structural (2a) and external profile (2b), which is firmly joined to the former in order to create a wing (9c) that can be used to rest the curtain panels.

The structural profile (2a) has a "C" section with folded edges that enhance the stiffness of the frame and enable standardized plates (12a) to be inserted to fix the rods on the guides sides and those on the door side.

The end of the crosspiece has a drilled plate (2c) that enables the skeleton to be fitted with the joint (10). If the assembly is carried out using bolts and nuts, it is necessary to create a recess in the profile (2a) to simplify tightening.

The modular system includes a range of crosspieces (2) of varying lengths, each with the same profile and fixing, to enable the construction of frames with varying widths or lengths.

UPRIGHT-CROSSPIECE JOINT

The standard joining element (10) enables the uprights (1 ) to be joined with the crosspieces (2) and is designed so that it can be perfectly fitted into the fixing holes present on the components.

The joint (10) is designed to allow the frame to be assembled from the interior (without external scaffolding) and to maintain the coupling hardware, like bolts, on the inside of the profiles so that they are not visible externally.

It is also possible to insert the joint (10) inside the upright (1 ) after assembly by simply sliding it into the desired position, without having to preposition it.

FIXTURES

The modular system includes drilled and shaped plates (12a), (12b) and (12c) that enable the components of the lifting plant to be fixed and adjusted.

The plate (12a) slides inside the crosspiece (2) and has a slot inclined at 45° and designed to be coupled with the slots of the guide or door rods.

The vertical/horizontal slots of the plate (12c) enable it to be placed in any position on the plates (12a).

FIXING OF CURTAIN PANELS

The curtain panels, whether in glass, metal sheet or other materials, are fixed in place by means of "small grips" (16) provided with slots, which allow the insertion of panels with a thickness ranging from approximately 5 mm to 15 mm.

To achieve a perfect insulation of the shaft from outdoors, it is also possible to insert sealing profiles.

The insertion of the glass separation element (8) fixed to the crosspieces, specifically on the guide side, enables the curtain panels to be assembled and replaced (5) even after the assembly of the mechanical components (guides, piston and arcade) of the lifting plant.

The insertion of the glass separation element (8) can be avoided if the curtain panels cover the whole wall and may even be inserted at a later time.

CURTAIN PANELS ON THE DOOR SIDE

The door side can be very different due to the different shapes and dimensions of doors and their location.

The curtaining of the lateral and upper section of the door is achieved by placing next to one another thin panels or "staves" (13a, 13b), with dimensions ranging from 10O e 350 mm, with shaped edges designed to match the adjacent panel, made jn metal sheet or other materials. Depending on the width of the frame, it may be necessary to join several panels side by side in order to achieve the desired height.

Tolerances are compensated by means of a finishing consisting in a lateral (14a) and upper (14b) cover cap, which can be fixed to the curtain panels with adhesives, screws, biadhesive tape or other materials.

COVER

The cover consists of three pieces, two lateral (4b) and a central one (4a), designed to simplify assembly. The two lateral parts (4b) are fixed on the end uprights in an slanted position to facilitate the discharge of rainwater.

The central part (4a) is overlapped on the two lateral ones (4b) and fixed along the edges. One of the two end pieces can be adjusted in height to attain the desired slope.

The size of the cover is designed to guarantee the ventilation of the lift shaft and to eliminate the need of drilling holes or installing ventilation grilles.

Advantages of the invention

The invention consists in a modular system made of prefabricated components that can be used to construct frames for lifting plants like, for example, lifts and cargo elevators, and is supplied with components for the assembly of frames and accessories for the assembly of the plant, which include, for example, fixing plates for the guide plates and doors of all levels.

The use of this modular system significantly reduces construction time and costs of frames because of: a) Its low production costs, deriving from the use of standardized components. b) Its low transport costs, deriving from the fact that the limited size of the single components are within the size that can be transported with ordinary transportation vehicles. c) Its easiness of assembly, originating from the low weight of the individual components and the use of standard assembly operations, which do not require highly skilled technicians. d) The lack of welds.

e) The possibility of using the frame as scaffolding to assemble the upper parts without installing external scaffolding, which enhances the safety of operators due to the fact that all work is carried out from the inside. f) The possibility of easily replacing both the curtain panels and the structural components, which reduces maintenance requirements and costs.

In addition to this, the components of the modular system are characterized by a series of features that enable the frames to be adapted to the characteristics of the buildings with maximum flexibility, thus offering the following advantages: g) The frame can be adapted to all differences between levels thanks to the specific shape of the upright with longitudinal groove, that enables the crosspieces to be fitted at any height. h) Joining hardware, for example screws or bolts, are not visible on the outside of the frame and thus ensure a more appealing aesthetic result. i) The cover enables to ventilate the lift shaft without drilling holes or using ventilation grilles. j) The profile of uprights and crosspieces includes a thin wing that can be used to rest curtain panels in different materials like, for example, glass, plastic laminate, wood, metal or other materials. Curtain walls are fixed from the inside by means of special "small grips", adhesives, sealants or other materials. Sealing profiles can be inserted if required. This enables to use several types of panels and to attain a very smooth external surface, which enhances the aesthetics and resistance to weathering agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The object of this invention can be easily understood by observing the attached drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows two perspective views of a complete frame constructed using the modular system.

FIG. 2 shows the detail of the adjustable base template.

FIG. 3 shows the manufacturing details of the upright.

FIG. 4 shows the manufacturing details of the crosspiece.

FIG. 5 shows the item used to joint the upright to the crosspiece.

FIG. 6 shows a partial view of how the cross braces are assembled.

FIG. 7 shows the details of a the ties used for each level.

FIG. 8 shows the details of the items used to join the components of the lifting plant.

FIG. 9 shows a partial view of the curtain panels on the door side.

FIG. 10 shows the position of the "grips" used to fix the curtain panels in place.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode to carry out the invention consists in manufacturing in series the components of the modular system and specifically the uprights (1 ) and crosspieces (2), which must be made available in varying lengths, with standard metal processing techniques like punching, press bending, electric welding or laser cutting and welding. Such technologies can also be used to manufacture all the other components and accessories of the system.

Serial production enables to set-up a stock of pre-fabricated components that can be used to build, each time, the required frame.

It is appropriate to develop a specific software to be able to generate a complete list of the components available in stock and select them according to the technical specifications of the frame that must be built.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The industrial applicability can be clearly deducted from the description and nature of the proposed invention.