Guide rail for an elevator system

• US 20070107993A1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Jayachandran, Vijay, Miller, Robin
• Application Number:
  US10/580,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20070107993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 187/406
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 7/02 Guideways; Guides arrangements in mine shafts E21D7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 7/022 with a special shape

Abstract

A guide rail (24) for an elevator system (20) includes an aluminum body having a base portion (30) and a nose portion (32). A covering (40), which is made from a steel sheet in one example, covers over a distal end (36) of the nose portion (32) to provide a braking surface for a conventional braking device to selectively prevent movement of an elevator car (22). In one example, a high temperature bonding material (42) secures the covering to the nose portion of the guide rail. In one example, the guide rail body is made from extruded aluminum and the covering comprises steel.

Claims

1. A guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

a first material body having a nose portion; and

a second material secured to at least some of the nose portion, wherein the second material comprises steel.

2. The guide rail of claim 1, wherein the second material establishes a covering that extends along an entire longitudinal length of the guide rail covering at least some of the nose portion.

3. The guide rail of claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a steel sheet that is shaped to conform to the nose portion and including a bonding agent between the steel sheet and the nose portion.

4. The guide rail of claim 1, wherein the nose portion includes at least one recess and the second material has a portion extending at least partially into the recess.

5. The guide rail of claim 1, including an insulating layer between the nose portion and the second material.

6. The guide rail of claim 5, wherein the insulating layer comprises a fiber mesh.

7. The guide rail of claim 6, wherein the mesh comprises a glass fiber fabric.

21. The guide rail of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises aluminum.

8. A guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

a first material body having a nose portion;

a second material secured to at least some of the nose portion; and

a bonding agent securing the second material to the nose portion.

9. The guide rail of claim 8, wherein the bonding agent comprises at least one of an adhesive or concrete.

10. A guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

a first material body having a nose portion; and

a second material secured to at least some of the nose portion, wherein the nose portion has a guiding surface on opposite sides of the nose portion and a braking region near an end of the nose portion and wherein the second material is only on the braking region of the nose portion.

11. The guide rail of claim 10, wherein the second material is a covering that comprises a steel sheet extending over the braking region on each side of the nose portion.

12. The guide rail of claim 11, wherein the covering extends along an entire longitudinal length of the nose portion.

13. A guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

a first material body having a nose portion; and

a second material secured to at least some of the nose portion, wherein the body comprises a base portion that is adapted to be secured to a stationary structure and the nose portion extends away from the base portion at an oblique angle.

14. A method of making a guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

forming a rail body using a first material that comprises aluminum; and

covering at least a portion of the rail with a second material that comprises steel.

15. The method of claim 14, including forming an elongated clip comprising the second material and subsequently placing the clip over the corresponding portion of the rail body.

16. The method of claim 14, including forming some of the second material to extend into at least one recess on the rail body.

17. The method of claim 14, including installing the rail body in a hoistway and subsequently moving a tool along the installed rail body to secure the second material covering in place.

18. The method of claim 17, including using an automated robot that climbs the rail.

19. A method of making a guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

forming a rail body using a first material;

covering at least a portion of the rail body with a second material; and

securing the second material to the rail body using a bonding agent.

20. A method of making a guide rail for use in an elevator system, comprising:

forming a rail body using a first material;

covering at least a portion of the rail body with a second material; and

forming the rail body to have a base and a nose portion and orienting the nose portion at an oblique angle relative to the base.