The invention relates to an elevator system comprising at least one cabin comprising least one cabin door on a first side thereof; a horizontal elevator shaft in which the at least one cabin travels; a safety apparatus; at least one landing door; wherein the at least one cabin is adapted to move in a horizontal direction through the elevator shaft, characterized in that the safety apparatus is mounted to the cabin such that it provides a barrier between a passenger and the elevator shaft in the event the cabin stops and the at least one cabin door is out of alignment with the at least one landing door.

Safety eguipment used in elevators moving in the vertical direction are known in the art. A safety apparatus connected to the bottom part of a vertical elevator is used to cover any gap in the vertical direction between the floor of the elevator car in the hoistway or elevator shaft and the landing floor level. Such an apparatus is referred to as an apron or a toe-guard. It typically extends down from the elevator cabin door threshold in a vertical direction. When the elevator cabin stops in between floor levels, the gap formed between the cabin’s floor and the landing floor exposes the shaft. The apron is intended to cover this gap and thus prevent a person escaping from the cabin onto the landing floor, or from falling through the gap into the shaft, as well as preventing any body part of a passenger from getting between the cabin and the landing floor. WO 2013/054321 A1 discloses a foldable elevator apron for use in a vertical elevator system which has a reduced elevator pit. US 2014/0216860 A1 discloses a retractable wall connected to the bottom of a vertically moving elevator cabin. EP 1215159 A2 discloses a vertical apron that is movable on rails placed below the floor of the elevator cabin.

However there is no such safety devices available for an elevator that moves in a horizontal direction, for example, an elevator in a horizontal elevator shaft, or an elevator that travels in a first vertical shaft, which then transfers to a second vertical shaft via a horizontal translation through an interconnecting horizontal shaft. These types of elevator systems are exemplary of the MULTI system designed by the applicant. An example of one such an elevator system is described in EP 3122 680 Bl, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Due to the ever-increasing need for intelligent solutions relating to the efficient transport of people between locations within buildings and even between buildings themselves, horizontal elevator technology is set to increase in popularity. Therefore, these elevators also reguire innovative and appropriate safety systems set in place. It is thus an object of the invention, to provide a solution to this particular problem in order to improve passenger safety when travelling in an elevator that moves in a horizontal direction.

An elevator system comprising a safety apparatus, a safety apparatus for use in an elevator system and a method for improving passenger safety in an elevator system, are the subject of the appended claims and are described in further detail in the following embodiments and figure description.

Embodiments

The invention relates to an elevator system comprising:

- at least one cabin comprising at least one cabin door on a first side thereof, the cabin may also comprise at least one further cabin door on a second side thereof, wherein the first and second sides of the cabin are opposite each other. The cabin door preferably comprises two centrally opening panels;

- a horizontal elevator shaft through which the at least one cabin travels, wherein the shaft comprises a shaft wall;

- a safety apparatus;

- at least one landing door. Preferably the landing door consists of two centrally opening panels; wherein the at least one cabin is adapted to move in a horizontal direction, characterized in that the safety apparatus is mounted to the cabin such that it provides one or more of the following: a. - a barrier between a passenger and the elevator shaft in the event the cabin stops and the at least one cabin door when open or closed, is out of alignment with the at least one landing door; b. a surface area extension to at least a first side of the cabin. Preferably, it provides a surface-area extension on both sides of the at least one cabin door. Preferably the safety apparatus is mounted in such a way as to be aligned with the first side of the cabin so that the opening and closing of the cabin door or doors is not interrupted by the safety apparatus, i.e., the cabin door is able to traverse and overlap the safety apparatus; c. an extension of the at least one cabin door, in particular when the at least one cabin door is open, wherein the safety apparatus is

- located behind and - extends beyond the length of the cabin door.

In an embodiment of the invention, the safety apparatus comprises one or a plurality of panels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator system comprises a first panel mounted on a first wall of the cabin and a second panel mounted on a second wall of the cabin such that upon opening of the at least one cabin door, the cabin door traverses at least one panel. Preferably, the first and second walls are opposite one another. This advantageously provides a safety apparatus on both sides of the cabin door or doors so that in the event of an emergency, passengers and engineers or rescue workers are protected on both sides of the cabin door(s).

Preferably the first panel has a width ( p ) and the second panel has a width ( p ). Preferably, the width of the first panel is the same as the width (p) of the second panel. Collectively, the first and second panel are known as a “horizontal apron”. A single panel mounted at one side of an elevator cabin is also referred to as a “horizontal apron”. In this particular embodiment, when the first and second horizontal aprons are mounted on their respective walls of the cabin, the width of each panel (p) remains constant.

Preferably the horizontal apron comprises a metal or non-metal material. Preferably, the horizontal apron exhibits one or more of the following properties:

- is sturdy, i.e., has a sufficient stiffness to avoid unwanted deformation in cases of impact, thus avoiding the potential creation of a dangerous gap which could act as a point of entry into the elevator shaft and compromise safety. Preferably the material complies with the reguirements of EN 81-20, i.e., safety reguirements for a corresponding vertical apron;

- is light-weight, thereby not weighing down the cabin;

- has a robust conductivity, thereby facilitating e.g., circuitry;

- comprises a flat and smooth surface, i.e., is without potentially dangerous projections or protrusions.

In an embodiment of the invention, the safety apparatus is at least the same height as the cabin door. This advantageously ensures that the safety apparatus, acts as an extension of the cabin door when the cabin door is open and blocks access to the elevator shaft in cases of emergency, e.g., when the cabin is stuck in the shaft and evacuation of passengers is reguired.

In an embodiment of the invention, the safety apparatus comprises at least one panel connected with at least one further panel to provide a set of panels. Preferably at least one panel is connected to: - at least one further adjacent panel; or

- to the elevator cabin, in particular to the first or second wall of the cabin; or

- to both the first or second wall of the cabin and at least one further adjacent panel.

When two or more panels are connected, they are also known as a “horizontal apron”.

Preferably the panels of the horizontal apron are connected in a telescopic configuration. Said configuration is particularly advantageous when the availability of space in a horizontal elevator shaft is limited. The ability to connect panels is also advantageous because it allows for the horizontal apron to be tailored to meet specific dimension reguirements of the elevator shaft. In this embodiment, the width of the panel can be p or greater, e.g., 3p. In particular, when the panels are extended out of their telescopic configuration, the overall width np of the horizontal apron will increase.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one panel of the horizontal apron comprises a locking mechanism. Preferably at least one panel of the horizontal apron on each side of the elevator cabin comprises a locking mechanism. This advantageously holds the horizontal apron when in the telescopic configuration either in a folded position or in an extended position.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one panel of the horizontal apron further comprises a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism can be any known device that is adapted to push in one particular direction when triggered, and then returned to its original position via either manual force or automation. The compression mechanism is adapted to push out the panels of the horizontal apron from their telescopic configuration so that the maximum width np of the horizontal apron can be realized. Preferred compression mechanisms comprise spring mechanisms, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical linear drive systems. Preferably, a set of panels mounted on one or more wall of a cabin comprises a compression mechanism. This advantageously facilitates an emergency rescue operation since an engineer or a rescue worker does not have to spend time manually expanding the panels before accessing the passengers within the cabin. With the compression mechanism, the panels expand automatically and the rescue operation can begin straight away.

The invention also relates to a safety apparatus for use in an elevator system, the elevator system comprising:

- at least one cabin comprising least one cabin door on a first side thereof, the cabin may also comprise at least one further cabin door on a second side thereof, wherein the first and second sides of the cabin are opposite each other. The cabin door preferably comprises two centrally opening panels;

- a horizontal elevator shaft through which the at least one cabin travels, wherein the shaft comprises a shaft wall;

- a safety apparatus;

- at least one landing door. Preferably the landing door consists of two centrally opening panels; wherein the at least one cabin is adapted to move in a horizontal direction; characterized in that the safety apparatus is mounted to the cabin such that it provides one or more of the following: i. a barrier between a passenger and the elevator shaft in the event the cabin stops and the at least one cabin door when open or closed, is out of alignment with the at least one landing door; ii. a surface area extension to at least the first side of the cabin. Preferably, it provides a surface-area extension on both sides of the at least one cabin door. Preferably the safety apparatus is mounted in such a way as to be aligned with the first side of the cabin so that the opening and closing of the cabin door or doors is not interrupted by the safety apparatus, i.e., the cabin door is able to traverse and overlap the safety apparatus; iii. an extension of the at least one cabin door, in particular when the at least one cabin door is open, wherein the safety apparatus is

- located behind and

- extends beyond the length of the cabin door.

In an embodiment of the invention, the safety apparatus comprises one or a plurality of panels.

In an embodiment of the invention, a first panel and at least one second panel are each mounted to the cabin. Collectively or singly, a panel can be referred to as a “horizontal apron”.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first panel and the at least one second panel are each connected with at least one further panel to provide a set of panels. A set of panels can be referred to as a “horizontal apron” and more than one set of panels can also be referred to as a “horizontal apron”. Preferably the first panel and the second panel are each connected to:

- at least one further adjacent panel; or

- to the elevator cabin, in particular to the wall of the cabin; or

- to both the wall of the cabin and at least one further adjacent panel. Preferably the panels of the horizontal apron are connected in a telescopic configuration. Said configuration is particularly advantageous when the availability of space in a horizontal elevator shaft is limited. The ability to connect panels is also advantageous because it allows for the horizontal apron to be tailored to meet specific dimension reguirements of the elevator shaft. In this embodiment, the width of the panel can be p or greater, e.g., 3p. In particular when the panels are extended out of their telescopic configuration, the overall width np of the horizontal apron will increase.

In an embodiment of the invention, the horizontal apron comprising a set of panels, preferably in a telescopic configuration, comprises a lock mechanism. Preferably at least one panel of the horizontal apron on each side of the elevator cabin comprises a locking mechanism. This advantageously holds the horizontal apron either in a folded position or in an extended position.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one horizontal apron comprising a set of panels, preferably in a telescopic configuration, further comprises a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism can be any known device that is adapted to push in one particular direction when triggered, and then returned to its original position via either manual force or automation. The compression mechanism is adapted to push out the panels of the horizontal apron from their telescopic configuration so that the maximum width np of the horizontal apron can be realized. Preferred compression mechanisms comprise spring mechanisms, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical linear drive systems. This advantageously facilitates an emergency rescue operation since an engineer or a rescue worker does not have to spend time manually expanding the panels before accessing the passengers within the cabin. With the compression mechanism, the panels expand automatically and the rescue operation can begin straight away.

The invention also relates to a method for improving passenger safety in an elevator system comprising

- at least one cabin, wherein the at least one cabin has at least one cabin door, the cabin may also comprise at least one further cabin door on a second side thereof, wherein the first and second sides of the cabin are opposite each other. The cabin door preferably comprises two centrally opening panels;

- a horizontal elevator shaft through which the at least one cabin travels, wherein the shaft comprises a shaft wall;

- at least one landing door. Preferably the landing door consists of two centrally opening panels; wherein the at least one cabin is adapted to move in a horizontal direction, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a safety apparatus according to any of any of the previously described embodiments;

- mounting at least a first safety apparatus on a first wall of the cabin, preferably mounting a second safety apparatus on a second wall of the cabin, such that the safety apparatus provides one or more of the following: i. a barrier between a passenger and the elevator shaft in the event the cabin stops and the at least one cabin door when open or closed, is out of alignment with the at least one landing door; ii. a surface area extension to at least the first side of the cabin. Preferably, it provides a surface-area extension on both sides of the at least one cabin door. Preferably the safety apparatus is mounted in such a way as to be aligned with the first side of the cabin so that the opening and closing of the cabin door or doors is not interrupted by the safety apparatus, i.e., the cabin door is able to traverse and overlap the safety apparatus; iii. an extension of the at least one cabin door, in particular when the at least one cabin door is open, wherein the safety apparatus is

- located behind and

- extends beyond the length of the cabin door.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first safety apparatus comprises a set of panels and the second safety apparatus comprises a set of panels. The set of panels can also be referred to as a “horizontal apron”. Each horizontal apron preferably further comprises a locking mechanism which is adapted to hold the horizontal apron in a desired fixed position, for example, in a folded position, or in an extended position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of:

- unlocking the lock mechanism, this can be done when an emergency evacuation of the cabin is reguired;

- expanding the panels of the horizontal apron at one or both sides of the cabin, this can be done manually or automatically;

- locking the panels of the horizontal apron in their expanded orientation;

This can be achieved for example by:

- using an additional lock mechanism;

- or by manipulating one or more panels of the horizontal apron on preferably each side of the cabin such that they become fixedly extended and can only be folded back into their original orientation by undoing said manipulation. For example, when using a spring as a compression mechanism, the force of the spring may be strong enough to secure the expanded position of the horizontal apron, yet weak enough to allow the panels to be manually pushed back into a folded orientation;

- locking at the lock mechanism itself; or

- via another locking method known in the art;

- compressing the panels back into their original position, this is preferably done manually;

- re-locking the lock mechanism to maintain the panels in their original i.e., non-expanded orientation. This is carried out preferably when the emergency has been dealt with and the evacuation of the elevator cabin has been completed.

Figure Description

The invention is described in more detail with the help of the figures:

Fig. la is a schematic representation of an elevator cabin comprising a safety apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention when viewed from above, i.e., a top view.

Fig. lb is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin of fig. la from a frontal perspective.

Fig. 2a is a schematic representation of a shaft wall comprising a landing door when viewed from above, i.e., a top view.

Fig. 2b is a schematic representation of a landing wall comprising the landing door of Fig. 2a from a frontal perspective.

Fig. 3a is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin as shown in fig, la when positioned behind the landing wall as shown in fig. 2a.

Fig. 3b is a schematic representation of fig. 3a from a frontal perspective.

Fig. 4a is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin as shown in fig, la when positioned behind the landing wall as shown in fig. 2a.

Fig. 4b is a schematic representation of fig. 4a from a frontal perspective.

Fig. 5a is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin as shown in fig, la when positioned behind the landing wall as shown in fig. 2a; in particular, it shows an emergency exit path from the elevator cabin through the landing door.

Fig. 5b is a schematic representation of fig. 5a from a frontal perspective.

Fig. 6a is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin as shown in fig, la when positioned behind the landing wall as shown in fig. 2a; in particular, it shows an emergency exit path from the elevator cabin through the landing door and a dangerous gap posing serious risk to potential elevator passengers.

Fig. 6b is a schematic representation of fig. 6a from a frontal perspective.

Fig. 7a is a schematic representation of an elevator cabin comprising a safety apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention when viewed from above, i.e., a top view.

Fig. 7b is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin shown in fig. 7a when viewed from above, i.e., a top view, wherein the safety apparatus has been activated.

Fig. 8a is a schematic representation of an elevator cabin comprising a safety apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention when viewed from above, i.e., a top view.

Fig. 8b is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin shown in fig. 8a when viewed from above, i.e., a top view, wherein the safety apparatus has been activated.

Fig. 9a is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin shown in Fig. 1 comprising a safety apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9b is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin shown in Figs. 7a and 7b comprising a safety apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9c is a schematic representation of the elevator cabin shown in Figs. 7a and 7b comprising a safety apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. la shows a top view perspective of an elevator cabin 10 moving in a horizontal direction D through a horizontal elevator shaft (not shown). The elevator cabin 10 comprises a door 11 on a first side si . The door 11 consists of two centrally opening panels, which can open and close and through which passengers move when embarking and disembarking the elevator cabin 10. The door 11 is in the closed position. The cabin 10 comprises a safety apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this particular example, the safety apparatus 100 comprises a panel, wherein the panel is preferably comprised of a metal material.

A first panel 100 is mounted on the right-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall w2 and a second panel 100 is mounted on the left-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall wl. Collectively the first and second panels 100 are hereinafter referred to as a horizontal apron 100. A single panel 100 on one side of the elevator cabin 10 can also be referred to as a horizontal apron 100. The horizontal apron 100 can be mounted using any method known in the art, for example, using brackets, hinges, screws and nuts to secure it to the exterior walls of the elevator cabin 10. Fig. lb shows the elevator cabin 10 of Fig. la from a frontal perspective. The horizontal apron 100 is at least the same height as the door 11 of the elevator cabin 10. Also shown is an optional vertical apron 90 positioned below the elevator cabin 10. A vertical apron 90 is reguired when the elevator cabin moves in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The vertical apron 90 acts as a safety apparatus for example in the event the elevator cabin 10 changes elevator shafts, i.e., moves from a horizontal elevator shaft into a vertical elevator shaft and thus changes its travelling direction from horizontal to vertical, or vice versa. It is shown here for illustration purposes only.

Fig. 2a shows a top view perspective of a landing wall 200 behind which a shaft wall 210 comprising a landing door 21 is located, behind which the elevator cabin 10 is located (not shown). During normal operating conditions, the elevator cabin door 11 aligns with the landing door 21 when arriving at a landing area to allow the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. Flowever, in certain situations, alignment fails to occur and passenger safety becomes compromised. The following figures demonstrate potential non-alignment scenarios and show how the safety apparatus 100 according to any embodiment of the invention serves to mitigate such risks to passengers.

Fig. 2b shows the landing wall 200 of Fig. 2a from a frontal perspective. The landing door 21 is closed such that the elevator cabin 10 and the horizontal apron 100 are hidden from view.

Fig. 3a shows a top view perspective of a scenario wherein the elevator cabin 10 has become stuck in the horizontal elevator shaft such that the cabin 10 and thereby the cabin door 11 is located left of the landing door 21. The landing door 21 is closed, therefore no passengers can embark or disembark the elevator cabin 10. Fig 3b shows a frontal view of the scenario depicted in Fig. 3a.

In Fig. 4a however, the top view perspective shows that the landing door 21 has now opened, whilst the cabin door 11 remains closed thus it is not possible for a passenger to embark or disembark from the elevator cabin 10. Fig. 4b shows the frontal view and the view that a passenger would see in such a situation. The emboldened black rectangle represents the area exposed once the landing door 21 has opened. Shown here is the exterior of the elevator cabin door 11, the exterior of the elevator cabin 10, and an exterior surface of the horizontal apron 100. A passenger would automatically expect the landing door 21 to open into the elevator cabin 10 however, in this scenario it does not. The horizontal apron 100 advantageously covers the empty space within the elevator shaft - which could be life-threatening should a passenger enter into it by accident.

Figs. 5a and 5b show the scenario of Figs. 4a and 4b when the cabin door 11 has subseguently opened. The cabin door 11 is not centrally located or aligned with respect to the landing door 21, however there is a small width of overlap between the open cabin door 11 and the open landing door 21 which provides an exit path Ex for any trapped passengers. The horizontal apron 100 at each side of the cabin 10 is positioned such that it does neither hinder nor interrupt the cabin doors 11 during the opening and closing process.

Fig. 5b shows a passenger 80 being able to disembark from the elevator cabin 10. Due to the open cabin door 11 and the horizontal apron 100, any passenger waiting to embark this elevator will not be able to, or most likely would not want to until the elevator cabin 10 is back in normal operation.

Figs. 6a and 6b show the scenario of Figs. 5a and 5b however, in this example, there is no horizontal apron 100 present. Once the cabin door 11 and the landing door 21 open, the passenger 80 can safely disembark the elevator cabin 10 through the exit path Ex, however, a passenger 70 that has already disembarked and is waiting around the entrance to the cabin 10, or a passenger 70 in the immediate vicinity, or any authorized personnel e.g., an engineer or a rescue worker is now at risk. Due to the lack of a horizontal apron 100, a gap G1 has been created between the cabin door 11 and the landing wall 200. Passenger 70 is now at risk of entering the elevator shaft.

Figs. 7a to 9c show further embodiments of the invention in particular, embodiments wherein the horizontal apron 100 comprises one or several parts.

Similar to Fig. la, Fig. 7a shows a top view perspective of an elevator cabin 10 comprising a door 11 which comprises two centrally opening panels and which can open and close, through which passengers move when embarking and disembarking the elevator cabin 10. The door 11 is closed. The cabin 10 comprises a safety apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this particular example however, unlike in Fig. la, the safety apparatus 100 comprises;

- a plurality of panels 100, in particular a first set of panels 100 layered in a telescopic configuration and a second set of panels 100 layered in a telescopic configuration. The first set of panels 100 and the second set of panels 100 are hereinafter referred to as a horizontal apron 100.

In this example, each horizontal apron 100 comprises three panels 100 wherein each panel 100 is connected to at least one further adjacent panel 100; or to the elevator cabin 10, in particular to the exterior wall of the elevator cabin 10; or to both the exterior wall of the cabin 10 and a further adjacent panel 100.

The first set of panels 100 is mounted on the right-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall w2 and the second set of panels 100 is mounted on the left-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall wl. The horizontal apron 100 is mounted using any method known in the art, for example, using brackets, hinges, screws and nuts to secure it to the exterior walls of the elevator cabin 10. In this example, one panel 100 from the first set of panels 100 and one panel 100 from the second set of panels 100 is mounted to the exterior wall of the elevator cabin 10 with the remaining panels 100 in each set, being laterally movable with respect to the one fixed panel 100.

The safety apparatus 100 further comprises

- a locking mechanism 111.

The locking mechanism 111 comprises:

- a vertical upright 112 supporting a movable arm 113 wherein the arm 113 is held in position via a bolt 114 comprised within an exterior facing panel 100. The panel 100 comprising the bolt 114 on its exterior surface faces into the elevator shaft. The upright 112 comprises a lock LI facing the landing wall 200 (not shown), and which can be accessed and opened by an engineer, technician or rescue worker upon opening of the landing doors (not shown) for example, in case of emergency. Unlocking can be performed using an emergency unlocking tool, for example a triangular key. In this example, the locking mechanism 111 is a release lock. In Fig. 7a, the release lock 111 is locked Llx, L2x and thus holds the horizontal apron 100 at each side of the cabin 10 in a folded position.

In case of an emergency, e.g., the cabin 10 gets stuck in the horizontal elevator shaft and the passengers need to be evacuated, the release lock 111 is unlocked - depending on the position of the landing doors - at either a first side LI , or a second side L2, or if the situation reguires, at both sides LI and L2. Unlocking causes the movable arm 113 to rotate upwards about the upright 112 which releases the bolt 114 and allows the corresponding horizontal apron 100 to be expanded manually by pulling the panels 100 in the direction of arrows A into an expanded position, as shown in Fig. 7b. Once extended, the horizontal apron 100 is locked in the extended position. In this example, an additional lock mechanism (not shown) is used. The cabin door 11 can then be opened and passengers can disembark from the cabin 10. This advantageously ensures that neither the passengers nor the engineers or rescue workers are at risk of falling into the elevator shaft. Once the rescue operation is completed, the horizontal apron 100 is compressed back into its folded position by unlocking the release lock 111 at LI, or L2 or both LI and L2, manually pushing the panels 100 back into their original position in the direction of arrows B and re-locking the release lock 111 at LI, or L2 or both LI and L2 when the bolt 114 is returned to its position within the movable arm 113.

Figs. 8a and 8b show another embodiment of the invention, wherein instead of manually expanding the panels 100 according to the direction of arrows A and B as shown in Figs. 7a and 7b, a compression spring mechanism 121 is employed.

Similar to Fig. 7a, Fig. 8a shows from a top-view perspective an elevator cabin 10 comprising a door 11 which comprises two centrally opening panels and which can open and close, through which passengers move when embarking and disembarking the elevator cabin 10. The door 11 is closed. The cabin 10 comprises a safety apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this particular example, the safety apparatus 100 comprises;

- a plurality of panels 100, in particular a first set of panels 100 layered in a telescopic configuration and a second set of panels 100 layered in a telescopic configuration.

A telescopic configuration is particularly useful when the availability of space in a horizontal elevator shaft is limited. In this example, the first set comprises three panels 100 and the second set comprises three panels 100. Each panel 100 in each set is connected to

- at least one further adjacent panel 100; or

- to the elevator cabin 10, in particular to the exterior wall of the elevator cabin 10; or

- to both the exterior wall of the cabin 10 and a further adjacent panel 100.

Collectively the first set of panels 100 and the second set of panels 100 are hereinafter referred to as a horizontal apron 100.

The first set of panels 100 is mounted on the right-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall w2 and the second set of panels 100 is mounted on the left-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall wl. The horizontal apron 100 is mounted using any method known in the art, for example, using brackets, hinges, screws and nuts to secure it to the exterior walls of the elevator cabin 10. In this example, one panel 100 from the first set of panels 100 and one panel 100 from the second set of panels 100 is mounted to the exterior wall of the elevator cabin 10 with the remaining panels 100 in each set, being laterally movable with respect to the one fixed panel 100.

The safety apparatus 100 further comprises

- a locking mechanism 111; and

- a compression mechanisml21.

The locking mechanism 111 comprises:

- a vertical upright 112 supporting a movable arm 113 wherein the arm 113 is held in position via a bolt 114 comprised within an exterior facing panel 100.

The panel 100 comprising the bolt 114 on its exterior surface faces into the elevator shaft. The upright 112 comprises a lock LI facing the landing wall 200 (not shown), and which can be accessed and opened by an engineer, technician or rescue worker upon opening of the landing doors (not shown) for example, in case of emergency. Unlocking can be performed using an emergency unlocking tool, for example a triangular key. In this example, the locking mechanism 111 is a release lock. In Fig. 8a, the release lock 111 is locked Llx, L2x and thus holds the horizontal apron 100 at each side of the cabin 10 in a folded position.

The compression mechanism 121 in this example is a spring.

In case of an emergency, e.g., the cabin 10 gets stuck in the horizontal elevator shaft and the passengers need to be evacuated, the release lock 111 is unlocked - depending on the position of the landing doors - at either a first side LI , or a second side L2, or if the situation reguires, at both sides LI and L2. Unlocking causes the movable arm 113 to rotate upwards about the upright 112 which releases the bolt 114. Once the bolt 114 is released, the spring 121 pushes outwards in the direction of arrows A and the horizontal apron 100 extends into the expanded position, as shown in Fig. 8b. Once extended, the horizontal apron 100 is locked in the extended position. In this example, locking occurs via the spring. The force of the spring is strong enough to secure the extended position yet weak enough to allow the panels to be manually pushed back into a folded orientation. The cabin door 11 is then able to be opened allowing passengers to disembark from the cabin 10. This advantageously ensures that neither the passengers nor the engineers or rescue workers are at risk of falling into the elevator shaft. It also helps to expedite the rescue operation since expansion of the horizontal apron 100 occurs automatically upon unlocking of the lock mechanism 111 thereby saving time and allowing the engineers or rescue workers to concentrate on reaching the passengers as soon as possible. Once the rescue operation is completed, the horizontal apron 100 is compressed back into its folded position by manually pushing the panels 100 back into their original position in the direction of arrows B and re-locking the release lock 111 at LI, or L2 or both LI and L2 when the bolt 114 is returned to its position within the movable arm 113.

Fig. 9a is similar to Fig. la in that it shows a top view perspective of an elevator cabin 10 moving in a horizontal direction D (not shown) through a horizontal elevator shaft (not shown). The elevator cabin 10 comprises a door 11 on a first side si. The door 11 consists of two centrally opening panels, which can open and close and through which passengers move when embarking and disembarking the elevator cabin 10. The door 11 is closed. The cabin 10 comprises a safety apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. The safety apparatus 100 comprises a panel, wherein the panel 100 is preferably comprised of a metal material.

A first panel 100 is mounted on the right-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall w2 and a second panel 100 is mounted on the left-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall wl. Collectively the first and second panels 100 are hereinafter referred to as a horizontal apron 100. A single panel 100 on one side of the elevator cabin 10 can also be referred to as a horizontal apron 100. The horizontal apron 100 can be mounted using any method known in the art, for example, using brackets, hinges, screws and nuts to secure it to the exterior walls of the elevator cabin 10.

In this embodiment, the terminal end of each panel 100, i.e., the end which is not mounted to the cabin 10 at the wall wl, w2, is deformed to provide a defect 101. In this example, the defect 101 is a chamfer. This advantageously reduces the risk of injuries in situations where there might be a small gap between the apron 100 and the frame of the landing door 21. In such a situation, the gap may provide enough space for a body part e.g., a finger or a hand, to enter and thus cause injury to a person.

Figs. 9b and 9c are similar to Figs. 7a and 7b, however the safety apparatus 100 is according to another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9b shows a top view perspective of an elevator cabin 10 comprising a door 11 which comprises two centrally opening panels, which can open and close, through which passengers move when embarking and disembarking the elevator cabin 10. The door 11 is closed. The cabin 10 comprises a safety apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this particular example the safety apparatus 100 comprises;

- a plurality of panels 100, in particular a first set of panels 100 layered in a telescopic configuration and a second set of panels 100 layered in a telescopic configuration. The first set of panels 100 and the second set of panels 100 are hereinafter referred to as a horizontal apron 100.

In this example, each horizontal apron comprises three panels 100 wherein each panel 100 is connected to at least one further adjacent panel 100; or to the elevator cabin 10, in particular to the exterior wall of the elevator cabin 10; or to both the exterior wall of the cabin 10 and a further adjacent panel 100.

The first set of panels 100 is mounted on the right-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall w2 and the second set of panels 100 is mounted on the left-hand side of the elevator cabin 10 at wall wl. The horizontal apron 100 is mounted using any method known in the art, for example, using brackets, hinges, screws and nuts to secure it to the exterior walls of the elevator cabin 10. In this example, one panel 100 from the first set of panels 100 and one panel 100 from the second set of panels 100 is mounted to the exterior wall of the elevator cabin 10 with the remaining panels 100 in each set, being laterally movable with respect to the one fixed panel 100.

The safety apparatus 100 further comprises a locking mechanism 111.

In this embodiment, the terminal end of the top panel 100, wherein

- the top panel 100 is, when viewed from above, the panel 100 that sits on top of the other panels 100, and when viewed with a frontal perspective, the outermost panel facing into the elevator shaft;

- the terminal end refers to the end of the top panel which faces into the elevator shaft instead of the cabin 10; is deformed to provide a defect 101. In this example, the defect 101 is a chamfer. This advantageously reduces the risk of injuries in situations where there might be a small gap between the apron 100 and the frame of the landing door 21. In such a situation, the gap may provide enough space for a body part e.g., a finger or a hand, to enter and thus cause injury to a person. The operation of the locking mechanism 111 and the expansion of the panels 100 as shown in Fig. 9c, are as described in Figs. 7a and 7b. Whilst not shown in the figures, a deformation of a terminal end of a top panel 100 wherein

- the top panel 100 is, when viewed from above, the panel 100 that sits on top of the other panels 100, and when viewed with a frontal perspective, the outermost panel facing into the elevator shaft;

- the terminal end refers to the end of the top panel which faces into the elevator shaft instead of the cabin 10; said deformation being the same as that shown in Figs. 9b and 9c, can also be applied to a horizontal apron 100 comprising a compression mechanism 121, e.g., as shown in Figs. 8a and 8b. This advantageously reduces the risk of injuries in situations where there might be a small gap between the apron 100 and the frame of the landing door 21. In such a situation, the gap may provide enough space for a body part e.g., a finger or a hand, to enter and thus cause injury to a person.

It should be understood that aspects of any embodiment described hereinabove may be combined with aspects of another embodiment whilst still falling within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

Reference list

1 floor

2 elevator system

10 elevator cabin

11 cabin door

21 landing door

70 passenger

80 passenger

90 (optional) vertical apron

100 horizontal apron

101 defect

111 release lock

112 vertical upright

113 movable arm

114 bolt

121 spring mechanism

200 landing wall

210 shaft wall si first side s2 second side wl first wall w2 second wall

D direction of elevator cabin travel

Ex exit path

G1 gap

A extension

B compression

LI, L2 lock p apron width np extended apron width