ELEVATOR AND STAIRS ASSEMBLY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator and stairs assembly according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Elevator and stairs assemblies of this type are known, for example from WO2008/020837 A1. The invention further relates to a method for production of a stairs to be arranged in a stairwell according to the preamble of independent claim 12 and to a method for the placement of a stairs according to the preamble of independent claim 13.

[0002] The world population is ageing, in particular the populations in the Western World and in Asia (e.g. in Japan, Korea and Taiwan). The percentage of the population, being 60 years or older, is 23.1% in The Netherlands, but even 32% in Japan. Therefore, more people become less mobile to execute their day-to-day routines. A result of this for example is that elderly people have to move from the multi-story houses in which they have lived for many years, to houses with single floors, such as bungalows or apartments, since climbing the stairs in those houses becomes more difficult if not impossible.

[0003] An option, in order to allow elderly people to age-in-place and facilitate their mobility, is to install an elevator or a stairway lift. However, conventional elevators generally require space in commonly-used rooms, such as the living room, and are expensive. Stairway lifts are less expensive, but partially block the stairs with a guide rail, especially for residents who are not restricted in their mobility.

[0004] Another option would be to install an elevator and stairs assembly in the stairwell of the multi-story houses, by which the existing stairs are replaced. In Europe, building norms require that an escape route to the lower floor should be present and that an elevator may not serve as a safe escape route.

[0005] In order to solve that problem, elevators are known that are arranged in the stairwell, for example from WO2008/020837 A1, wherein a cabin of the elevator is configured to move a portion of a stairs out of the way when the cabin is moved from a lower position to an upper position. In such an elevator, the cabin is arranged underneath the stairs when the cabin is in a lower position, such that the stairs can be used. A result of this is that the mentioned escape route over the stairs is available when the cabin is in the lower position.

[0006] A drawback of such an elevator is however that the movable portion of the stairs is pivoted away by the moving cabin. A result of the pivoting movement is for example that any object that is arranged on the movable stairs portion will fall off when the movable stairs portion is pivoted away. A guardrail that is fixed to a stairwell might furthermore form an obstruction for the movable stairs portion during the pivoting. From a safety point of view, the pivoting stairs has a further drawback, since a gap will occur between an upper landing on an upper floor and the movable stairs portion that has been pivoted away from the landing.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an elevator and stairs assembly that overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known elevators or at least to provide an alternative device.

[0008] The present invention relates to an elevator and stairs assembly as claimed in claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for the production of a stairs, as claimed in claim 12, and to a method for the placement of a stairs and an elevator and stairs assembly, as claimed in claim 13.

[0009] The inventive elevator and stairs assembly is configured to be arranged in a stairwell, in particular an existing stairwell of an existing building, wherein it replaces an existing stairs or at least a part thereof. The elevator and stairs assembly comprises a cabin, which is configured to be moved between a lower position and an upper position. In the lower position, the cabin floor may be aligned with a lower floor and in the upper position, the cabin floor may be aligned with the upper floor. In an embodiment, the elevator and stairs assembly can further be moved to another floor, e.g. a middle floor, which is arranged between the lower floor and the upper floor. The movement of the cabin between the lower floor and the upper floor is a substantially vertical movement in order to reduce the amount of required space for the elevator and stairs assembly in the horizontal plane.

[0010] With arranging the assembly in a stairwell, it is meant that the assembly may be arranged therein to replace an existing staircase. Alternatively, the stairwell may be an empty space in an building, in which it was intended to place a conventional staircase. An example thereof would be a stairwell in a newly-built building, in which no conventional staircase was placed, since it was intended to receive an elevator and stairs assembly. As a further alternative, the stairwell may be an opening in a floor of a building, through which the assembly may extend in order to connect the floor with a lower floor or at any other location where it is desirable to arrange the elevator and stairs assembly of the invention.

[0011] The cabin is configured to receive one or more passengers, wherein the cabin is configured to move the one or more passengers from the lower floor to the upper floor or vice versa. In an embodiment, the cabin is configured to receive goods or a combination of goods and passengers.

[0012] The elevator and stairs assembly comprises a lifting device, which is configured to move the cabin between the lower position and the upper position. In an embodiment, the lifting device can be a spindle, on which a lifting element with a threaded opening, e.g. a nut, is mounted and wherein a rotational movement of the spindle induces a translational movement of the lifting element. In the embodiment, the spindle will be connected to an electric motor, which is mounted to a fixed object, e.g. the ground or a wall. The lifting element will be connected to the cabin, such that the cabin will be moved between the upper position and the lower position along with the lifting element.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the spindle will be connected to an electric motor, which is attached to the cabin, wherein the threaded opening is mounted on the fixed object.

[0014] In another embodiment, the lifting device comprises a rack and pinion construction, wherein the rack is mounted to the fixed object and the pinion is connected to a motor, which is mounted on the cabin. The cabin will be moved between the upper position and the lower position when the pinion is rotated and is translated along the rack accordingly.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the rack is mounted on the cabin and the electric motor, with the pinion mounted thereon, is arranged on the fixed object.

[0016] The elevator and stairs assembly comprises a fixed stairs portion, which is configured to form a lower part of a stairs between the lower floor and the upper floor and comprises one or more steps. In a practical embodiment, the fixed stairs portion comprises in between 4 and 8 steps, but comprises at least in between 2 and 10 steps. The fixed stairs portion will be arranged adjacent the cabin when the cabin is in the lower position. In an embodiment, the fixed stairs portion can be a remainder of the existing stairs, if present. Therefore, in an embodiment, the existing stairs only need to be removed partially, i.e. the upper portion, to allow for the arrangement of the elevator. However, in a preferred embodiment, the fixed stairs portion is a new stairs portion, which is dimensioned such that it closely adjoins the cabin in the stairwell.

[0017] The elevator and stairs assembly comprises a movable stairs portion, which is connected to the cabin and comprises one or more steps. In a practical embodiment, the fixed stairs portion comprises in between 7 and 11 steps, but comprises at least in between 5 and 13 steps. The movable stairs portion is configured to form a continuation of the fixed stairs portion between the lower floor and the upper floor when the cabin is in the lower position. With this continuation, the stairs, comprising the lower fixed stairs portion and the upper movable stairs portion, can remain in use as a conventional stairs when the cabin is in the lower position. The stairs can thereby also be used as a safe escape route, according to some national and European regulations, provided that the cabin is not in the upper position.

[0018] In an embodiment, the movable stairs portion can be a second remaining portion of the existing stairs, if present. However, in a preferred embodiment, the movable stairs portion is a new stairs portion, which is dimensioned such that its outer dimensions substantially correspond to the cross-section of the cabin, in order not to form a barrier for the movement of the cabin.

[0019] The movable stairs portion is secured at a top side of the cabin so that it moves up or down together with the cabin when the cabin is moved between the lower position and the upper position. As a result, the orientation of the movable stairs remains constant, independent of the position of the cabin, since the movement of the cabin is vertical.

[0020] The invention has the advantage over prior art solutions in that if any loose objects might be present on any of the steps of the movable stairs portion, they will not fall off when the elevator is moved.

[0021] Furthermore, any guardrail will no longer form an obstruction in the movement of the movable stairs portion when the dimensions of the cabin and the movable stairs portion are chosen accordingly.

[0022] The connection between the cabin and the movable stairs portion can, in an embodiment, be formed by a bolted or the like connection, which is configured to be loosened when, for example, maintenance requires so.

[0023] In an embodiment, the movable stairs portion comprises a bend in the stairs about a vertical axis. Such bends are often present in conventional stairs, since a bended or winded stairs may allow for an efficient use of stairwell space.

[0024] The bend is in an embodiment a bend of 90°, wherein the direction of the stairs portion, e.g. the direction in the horizontal plane in which a person were to climb or descend the stairs, is changed 90°.

[0025] In an embodiment, the fixed stairs portion comprises a bend about a vertical axis. If such a bend was already present in the existing stairs, the bend generally needs to be arranged in the fixed stairs portion as well in order to fit in the existing stairwell and to maintain the present access point to the fixed stairs portion.

[0026] The bend is in an embodiment a bend of 90°, which is arranged such that a lower portion of the stairs has an angle of 90° in the horizontal plane with the direction of the middle portion of the stairs, wherein the bend is arranged across multiple steps.

[0027] In an embodiment, the cabin defines a substantially closed interior. Thereby, the interior of the cabin is arranged such that no access is provided to the exterior of the cabin, in particular when the elevator and stairs assembly is being used. An advantage of such a closed interior is that the safety norms are different as compared to those for open elevator cabins, whereby the safety norms for closed cabins are more suitable for domestic purposes.

[0028] The safety norms for elevator and stairs assemblies with a closed cabin for example do not require a dead man's switch to be built in a control system, whereas elevators with an open cabin do need to have a dead man's switch. The absence of such a switch provides easier operation of the elevator by the passenger, in particular when the elevator were to be operated by the passenger by means of a remote control element. The absence of a dead man's switch further provides easier operation of the elevator by an operator not being the passenger, such as for example a caretaker, who takes care of the passenger.

[0029] In an embodiment, the cabin comprises at least one wall element. The at least one wall element is arranged in a substantially vertical direction, such that the at least one wall element forms a substantially vertical wall. As a result of such a wall element, the cabin can, in an embodiment, define a substantially closed interior.

[0030] An example of a wall element may be a substantially flat, planar wall, in order to contribute to a cabin that is substantially closed off from its surroundings. Alternatively, the wall element may comprises several vertically aligned rods, or may be a fence-like wall element.

[0031] In the embodiment, the movable stairs portion is mounted at the top of the at least one wall element.

[0032] In an embodiment, the movable stair portion is configured to form a ceiling of the cabin, substantially closing the cabin at the top. The movable stairs portion is arranged such that the individual steps of the movable stairs portion form the ceiling of the interior of the cabin, so that the ceiling is not a flat horizontal surface. Such a stepped ceiling has the advantage that the height of the interior of the cabin is as large as possible to allow for optimal interior space.

[0033] In an embodiment, the cabin comprises a door, wherein the door can be moved between an opened position and a closed position. In the opened position, the door is configured to provide access to the interior of the cabin. When a door is arranged in the cabin, it can be opened when a person needs to enter or exit the cabin and can be closed when the cabin is moved between the lower position and the upper position.

[0034] In the embodiment, a second door is arranged on the ground floor, which is configured to close off the stairwell when it is in a closed position, preventing access to the stairwell in case the cabin is in the upper position. In a practical embodiment, such a second door may be a sliding door or the like.

[0035] In an embodiment, the door is arranged such that the access to the interior is provided in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length, or at least perpendicular to the longest side, of the hallway at the lower floor and/or the landing at the upper floor. In such an arrangement, normally no other rooms in the house need to be adapted to receive the elevator and stairs assembly rather than the hallway and the landing, which already were circulation areas instead of living space.

[0036] In an embodiment, the cabin is dimensioned to receive a wheelchair with a passenger in the interior. This provides the advantages that passengers not necessarily have to walk in the elevator and stairs assembly themselves, but can also be rolled in the interior in a wheelchair. To allow for the receipt of a wheelchair, the interior of the cabin needs to be dimensioned such that a wheelchair can be accommodated. The door needs to be dimensioned correspondingly to allow, in the opened position, for the transit of the wheelchair.

[0037] In the embodiment, access to the interior of the cabin is provided for a passenger with a rollator, wherein the door and the interior of the elevator and stairs assembly are dimensioned correspondingly to allow for the receipt of the rollator and the passenger.

[0038] In an embodiment, a loading mechanism is present on the floor of the cabin to allow for the introduction of a wheelchair with a passenger in the interior of the cabin in a mere sideways direction. The loading mechanism is configured to move at least partially out of the interior of the cabin, such that the passenger can manoeuvre the wheelchair on the loading mechanism in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the opening in the cabin in which the door is arranged.

[0039] In an embodiment, the interior of the cabin comprises a seat which may be movably, e.g. foldingly, connected to the at least one wall element. Such seat is configured to be folded to a substantially horizontal position when a passenger wants to sit during the movement of the cabin between the lower and the upper position. When the passenger does not want to sit during the movement of the cabin, the seat can be rotated to a substantially vertical position, wherein the seat is substantially parallel to the plane of the at least one wall element in order to occupy the least amount of space in the interior.

[0040] In another embodiment, the cabin comprises a seat that is fixedly connected to the at least one wall element.

[0041] In an embodiment, the elevator and stairs assembly e.g. the control system thereof is configured to move the cabin to the lower position when the elevator and stairs assembly has been in the upper position for a certain period and has not been used since. In such a case, apparently the passenger has moved to the upper floor and does not have the intention to return to the lower floor. Then, the cabin is configured to be moved to the lower position in order to allow access to the movable stairs portion. When the cabin is moved to the lower position, the stairs can be used again and will serve again as the escape route that is required by the building norms.

[0042] In an embodiment, the cabin is configured to be actively moved to the lower position, for example by means of the lifting device. Alternatively, the cabin may be configured to be moved to the lower position by means of the gravitational force, acting on the cabin.

[0043] Preferably, the period of time is as short as possible in order to re-establish the escape route over the stairs as fast as possible, such that the escape route is blocked for the lowest possible amount of time. In an embodiment, the cabin may be automatically moved to the lower position after usage.

[0044] In the embodiment, a control unit is provided, which is configured to determine whether the cabin can be moved to the lower position when the elevator and stairs assembly has not been used for a certain period of time. On both the lower floor and the upper floor, a button is arranged, which is configured to send a signal to the control unit, with which the lifting device may be activated to move the cabin to either the lower position or the upper position.

[0045] In an embodiment, a sensor is arranged on the movable stairs portion, which is configured to detect whether an object is arranged on top of the movable stairs portion. Such object could block the movement of the cabin.

[0046] In an embodiment, the sensor could be a mass sensor, which is configured to send a signal to the control unit when the measured mass, which is in fact the mass of the movable stairs portion combined with the mass of any object arranged on it, exceeds a certain threshold value. The control unit is thereby configured not to allow any movement of the cabin at least until the passenger has been informed or until the measured mass is below the threshold value.

[0047] In another embodiment, one or more sensors can be arranged remote from the cabin to detect whether an object is on the movable stairs portion. Such other sensors may be optical sensors or proximity sensors.

[0048] In an embodiment, a camera is arranged in the stairwell, having a view at the movable stairs portion. A monitor is thereby arranged in the cabin, such that the passenger in the cabin may see any objects on the stairs. The camera may be adapted to image infrared, such that any odd-temperature objects, such as humans or animals can be detected.

[0049] In an embodiment, a second stairs is arranged above the stairs provided with the assembly and thereby above the fixed stairs portion and the movable stairs portion. The second stairs extends between the upper floor and a second floor, wherein the second floor is arranged above the upper floor. Such second stairs may have a corresponding shape, as compared to the shape of the stairs between the lower floor and the upper floor.

[0050] In an embodiment, the second stairs comprises a ceiling element on an underside, above the moveable stairs portion. The movable stairs portion is configured to be nested in the ceiling element when the cabin is in the upper position. Therefore, the ceiling element has a corresponding shape as compared to the movable stairs portion; in particular, the ceiling element has a similar shape as the steps on the upper surface of the movable stairs portion. The ceiling element of the second stairs has a corresponding step-like shape, in order to allow for the nesting of the movable stairs portion.

[0051] In an embodiment, the existing second stairs is removed from the stairwell such that a new second stairs can be arranged in the stairwell, wherein the new second stairs are optimized to accommodate the movable stairs portion when the cabin is in the upper position.

[0052] In an embodiment, the lifting device and the cabin are arranged such that the cabin, when arranged in the upper position, is configured to arrive at the upper floor at the point where the landing of the existing stairs was. Therefore, the point where access is provided to the interior of the cabin at the upper floor is the same as the point as where, in case of the existing stairs, the stairs could be descended to the lower floor.

[0053] The invention further provides a method for the production of a stairs, to be arranged in a stairwell, according to claim 12.

[0054] The method comprises the step of measuring the dimensions of the stairwell. For example, the size of the hole in the upper floor and the height between the lower floor and the upper floor can be measured. Such dimensions are, in principle, known from the original drawings of the houses, but aftermarket adaptions to the house could cause deviations between the original dimensions and the actual dimensions.

[0055] Preferably, the measuring of the stairwell is performed before the existing stairs are removed from the stairwell. This poses the advantage that the existing stairs can be used longer, since the new stairs can be produced while the existing stairs is still installed.

[0056] The method comprises the step of designing a stairs, comprising a fixed stairs portion and a movable stairs portion. The stairs is configured such that it can be arranged in the stairwell accordingly. Therefore, the measured dimensions of the stairwell need to be taken into account and the size of the cabin of the elevator and stairs assembly needs to be known as well.

[0057] When all those dimensions are known, the stairs can be designed and it can, in particular, be determined where the separation between the movable stairs portion and the fixed stairs portion needs to be arranged.

[0058] The method comprises the step of producing the stairs, wherein the stairs are produced according to the design. Preferably, the stairs are produced as a whole in a factory, remote from the location where the elevator and stairs assembly will be installed. Therefore, the stairs can be produced when the existing stairs are still installed in the stairwell, provided that the measuring of the stairwell was performed as well when the existing stairs was still installed.

[0059] It must be emphasised that the portions of the stairs need to be produced such that they can still be brought into the house, for example through a door, in one piece, in order to allow for simple installation.

[0060] The objective of this method is to reduce the amount of time that is required for the production of the stairs. When such stairs are produced on the installation site, it generally takes more time to produce them due to limited tools and facilities. Furthermore, the existing stairs may need to be removed from the stairwell for a longer time, in order to allow for measuring and trial-and-error fitting of the new stairs in the stairwell.

[0061] In particular, the objective of this method may be that the elevator and stairs assembly, in particular the cabin, has a standard size and that the size of the fixed stairs portion and the movable stairs portion can adapted to this standard size and the dimensions of the stairwell.

[0062] The invention further provides a method for the placement of a stairs and an elevator and stairs assembly, according to claim 13.

[0063] The method comprises the step of removing the existing stairs. With this removing, all parts of the existing stairs, such as the steps, stair newel etc. will be removed from the stairwell. After this step, the access to the upper floor from the lower floor, at least by means of permanent stairs, is temporarily prevented.

[0064] The method further comprises the step of placing the elevator and stairs assembly in the stairwell. The elevator will be placed in the stairwell such that the new stairs, in particular the fixed stairs portion and the movable stairs portion, can be arranged in the stairwell accordingly.

[0065] The method comprises the step of placing the fixed stairs portion in the stairwell. In an embodiment, the fixed stairs portion is arranged adjacent the cabin of the elevator and stairs assembly, at least when the cabin is in the lower position.

[0066] The objective of this method is to place the stairs, comprising the fixed stairs portion and the movable stairs portion, and the elevator and stairs assembly as fast as possible, wherein the majority of the parts are prefabricated prior to the installation in the stairwell. Such placement poses the advantages of less time required for the placement and less construction required in or near the stairwell, which decreases the amount of nuisance for the habitants as compared to that of a conventional placement method.

[0067] In an embodiment of the method, the elevator and stairs assembly is produced with a method according to claim 12, which comprises the steps of measuring the dimensions of the stairwell, designing a stairs with the fixed stairs portion and the movable stairs portion and finally producing the stairs. In the embodiment, the stairs are therefore produced such that they can be placed in the stairwell, with the dimension such that it fits in the stairwell accordingly.

[0068] The invention further provides a house, in particular a terraced house, according to claim 15. The house comprises at least two floors and may, alternatively, be a single-family detached house.

[0069] Further characteristics and advantages of the elevator and stairs assembly according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment which is illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1A schematically depicts an embodiment of an elevator and stairs assembly according to the invention, wherein a cabin of the elevator and stairs assembly is in a lower position;

Figure 1B schematically depicts an embodiment of the elevator and stairs assembly according to the invention, wherein the cabin of the elevator and stairs assembly is between the lower position and an upper position;

Figure 1C schematically depicts an embodiment of the elevator and stairs assembly according to the invention, wherein the cabin of the elevator and stairs assembly is in the upper position; and

Figure 2 schematically depicts the embodiment of the elevator and stairs assembly of figure 1B, shown from behind.

[0070] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or components which have a corresponding action.

[0071] Figures 1A, 1B and 1C disclose a schematic representation of an elevator and stairs assembly according to the invention, denoted by reference numeral 1. The elevator and stairs assembly 1 is configured to be arranged in a stairwell 2, in particular in the stairwell 2 of a multi-story house, a single-family detached house or a terraced house. The elevator and stairs assembly 1 comprises a cabin 3, a lifting device 4 (only shown in figure 2), a fixed stairs portion 5 and a movable stairs portion 6.

[0072] In figures 1A, 1B and 1C, the stairwell 2 is shown to be a space in which one or more stairs can be arranged. Generally, a stairwell 2 comprises a hollow space stretching at least between a lower floor 10 and an upper floor 11 in order to allow for the introduction of the one or more stairs, stretching at least between the lower floor 10 and upper floor 11.

[0073] The cabin 3 is configured to be moved between a lower position at the lower floor 10 and an upper position at the upper floor 11. The lower floor 10 and the upper floor 11 are, as can be seen in figures 1A, 1B and 1C, arranged substantially above each other. Therefore, the movement of the cabin 3 between the lower position and the upper position is in a vertical direction through the stairwell 2.

[0074] The cabin 3 is configured to receive one or more passengers. In particular, the cabin 3 comprises an interior 7 which is configured to receive the one or more passengers.

[0075] In figure 1A, the cabin 3 is shown to be in the lower position at the lower floor 1. In the lower position, the elevator and stairs assembly 1 is configured to provide access to the interior 7 of the cabin 3, such that the passengers can enter of exit the interior 7 of the cabin 3 from or to the lower floor 10.

[0076] In figure 1B, the cabin 3 is arranged in a position between the lower floor 10 and the upper floor 11. The cabin 3 is moved past this position when it is moved between the lower position and the upper position.

[0077] In figure 1C, the cabin 3 is arranged in the upper position at the upper floor 11. In the upper position, the elevator and stairs assembly 1 is configured to provide access to the interior 7 of the cabin 3 as well.

[0078] The interior 7 of the cabin 3 is substantially closed, wherein access from the interior 7 to the outside of the cabin 3 is prevented. As a result, the building norms may be, at least in some countries, less strict as compared to when an open cabin 3 would be provided.

[0079] The cabin 3 comprises at least one wall element 8, which is configured to substantially extend in the vertical direction, thereby forming a cabin wall. The cabin wall is thereby configured to define the substantially closed interior 7 of the cabin 3.

[0080] In order to allow access to the interior 7 of the cabin 3 when the cabin 3 is in the lower position or in the upper position, the cabin 3 comprises a door 9. The door 9 can be moved between an opened position and a closed position, wherein, in the opened position, access is provided to the interior 7 of the cabin 3.

[0081] When the cabin 3 needs to be moved, the door 9 is required to be arranged in the closed position, since otherwise the interior 7 of the cabin 3 is no longer substantially closed. Then, the cabin 3 cannot be moved, until the door 9 is moved to the closed position.

[0082] In figure 1C, a second door 9A is arranged on the lower floor 10. The second door 9A is configured to prevent access to the stairwell 2 in case the cabin 3 is in the upper position.

[0083] In figure 1C, the door 9 is in the opened position, since, in that figure, the cabin 3 is arranged in the upper position. In figures 1B, for example, the door 9 is in the closed position, since the cabin 3 neither is in the lower position nor the upper position.

[0084] In the embodiment of the elevator and stairs assembly 1, the door 9 is arranged in the cabin 3 such that the entrance to the interior 7 of the cabin 3 in the lower position is parallel to where, prior to the placement of the elevator and stairs assembly 1, the lowest step of the existing stairs was and that the entrance to the interior 7 of the cabin 3 in the upper position is at the same point as where, prior to the placement of the elevator and stairs assembly 1, the highest step of the existing stairs was.

[0085] The lifting device 4, as shown in figure 2, is configured to move the cabin 4 with respect to the surroundings and in particular with respect to the lower floor 10. In current embodiment, the lifting device 4 is arranged on the cabin 3.

[0086] The lifting device 4 comprises a rack and pinion, wherein a rotational movement of the pinion is translated into a translational movement of the rack. In current embodiment, not shown in figure 2, the rack is connected to a stairwell 2 wall. The pinion is, in current embodiment, connected to an electric motor which is mounted on the cabin 3.

[0087] The fixed stairs portion 5 is arranged adjacent the cabin 3 in the stairwell 2. The fixed stairs portion 5 is fixedly connected to the lower floor 10 and is configured to at least form part of a stairs, extending from the lower floor 10 towards the upper floor 11.

[0088] In figures 1A, 1B and 1C a first stair newel 12 and a second stair newel 13 are displayed, which both extend in vertical direction. These stair newels 12, 13 may serve to vertically support at least a portion of the stairs on an inner side. The stairs are, on an outer side of them, connected to a wall 2A of the stairwell 2.

[0089] The fixed stairs portion 5 comprises a first bend 14 of 90° about a vertical axis, wherein, in current embodiment, a longitudinal axis of the first stair newel 12 is the vertical axis. With such a bend 14, the fixed stairs portion 5 can be arranged in the stairwell 2 spatially more efficient.

[0090] The movable stairs portion 6 is arranged on the cabin 3, in particular on the at least one wall element 8. It can be seen in figure 1A that in case the cabin 3 is in the lower position, the movable stairs portion 6 is arranged such that it forms, together with the fixed stairs portion 5, a complete stairs between the lower floor 10 and the upper floor 11.

[0091] The movable stairs portion 6 comprises a second 90° bend 15 about a second vertical axis. In current embodiment, the second vertical axis is formed by a longitudinal axis of the second stair newel 13. A person who would walk the complete stairs from the lower floor 10 to the upper floor 11, or vice versa, will therefore normally rotate 180° about his vertical axis.

[0092] In figures 1A, 1B and 1C, a second stairs 16 is arranged in the stairwell 2 above the fixed stairs portion 5 and the movable stairs portion 6. The second stairs 16 extends from the upper floor 11 to a second floor 17.

[0093] The second stairs 16 comprises a ceiling element 18 which is arranged at an underside of the second stairs 16, above the movable stairs portion 6. The movable stairs portion 6 is configured to be nested in the ceiling element 18 when the cabin 3 is in the upper position, as can be seen in figure 1C.

[0094] The ceiling element 18 has a step-like shape as a result of the steps that form the second stairs 16. The steps of the movable stairs portion 6 are configured to be similar to the steps of the second stairs 16, such that the movable stairs portion 6 can be nested in the ceiling element 18 of the second stairs 16.

[0095] It can be seen in figure 1B that when the cabin 3 is in a position between the lower position and the upper position, a person can no longer walk the complete stairs, since the cabin 3 has moved up forming a wall adjacent the upper-most step of the fixed stairs portion 5. With such a wall, it is prevented that people will not notice an eventual cavity between the fixed stairs portion 5 and the cabin 3, when the cabin 3 is not in the lower position.

[0096] A cavity might be present between the fixed stairs portion 5 and the cabin 3, when the cabin 3 is in the upper position. In the embodiment, a foldable safety plate 19 is arranged underneath the cabin 3 in order to cover the cavity, so as to increase the safety of the elevator and stairs assembly 1 by preventing people from falling in the cavity.

[0097] In figure 2, the embodiment of the elevator and stairs assembly 1 as in figure 1B is displayed, as shown from behind. In figure 2, the elevator and stairs assembly 1 is displayed, arranged in the stairwell 2, wherein the elevator and stairs assembly 1 comprises the cabin 3, the lifting device 4, the fixed stairs portion 5 and the movable stairs portion 6.

[0098] The lifting device 4 is mounted on the cabin 3. In current embodiment, the lifting device 4 is arranged under the movable stairs portion 6 in order to improve accessibility but to reduce, meanwhile, the amount of occupied space.

[0099] The lifting device 4 comprises a rack and pinion in order to move the cabin 3 between the lower position and the upper position. The rack is connected to a stairwell wall 2A, and the pinion is connected to an electric motor which is mounted on the cabin 3. The electric motor is configured to rotationally move the pinion around its longitudinal axis. Since the rack and pinion interlock, a rotational movement of the pinion is transferred into a translational movement of the rack in a vertical direction. This translational movement of the pinion with respect to the rack is transferred to the cabin 3, which is thereby moved accordingly in the vertical direction.

Claims

1. An elevator and stairs assembly (1), which is configured to be arranged or is arranged in a stairwell (2), wherein the assembly comprises:

- a cabin (3), which is configured to be moved between a lower position at a lower floor (10) and an upper position at an upper floor (11), wherein the cabin (3) is configured to receive one or more passengers;

- a lifting device (4), which is configured to move the cabin (3) between the lower position and the upper position;

- a fixed stairs portion (5), which is configured to form a lower part of a stairs between the lower floor (10) and the upper floor (11); and

- a movable stairs portion (6), which is configured to form a continuation of the fixed stairs portion (5) so as to form a stairs between the upper floor (11) and the lower floor (10) when the cabin (3) is in the lower position;

characterized in that
the movable stairs portion (6) is secured at a top side of the cabin (3) so that it moves up or down together with the cabin (3), when the cabin (3) is moved between the lower position and the upper position.

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable stairs portion (6) and/or the fixed stairs portion (5) comprises a bend (14, 15) about a vertical axis, e.g. a bend of 90°.

3. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin (3) defines a substantially closed interior (7).

4. Assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cabin (3) comprises at least one wall element (8), wherein the movable stairs portion (6) is mounted at the top of the at least one wall element (8).

5. Assembly (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cabin (2) comprises a door (9), wherein the door (9) can be moved between an opened position and a closed position, wherein, in the opened position, access is provided to the interior (7) of the cabin (3).

6. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin (3) is dimensioned to receive a wheelchair with a passenger in the interior (7).

7. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when the cabin (3) assembly has been in the upper position for a certain period and has not been used since, the assembly (1) is configured to move the cabin (3) to the lower position.

8. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second stairs (16) is arranged above the fixed stairs portion (5) and the movable stairs portion (6), between the upper floor (11) and a second floor (17), wherein the second floor (17) is arranged above the upper floor (11).

9. Assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second stairs (16) comprises a ceiling element (18) on an underside, above the movable stairs portion (6), wherein the movable stairs portion (6) is configured to be nested in the ceiling element (18) when the cabin (18) is in the upper position.

10. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting device (4) and the cabin (3) are arranged such that the cabin (3), when arranged in the upper position, is configured to arrive at the upper floor (11) at the point where the landing of an existing stairs was, wherein the existing stairs are removed for the placement of the elevator and stairs assembly (1).

11. Method for the production of an elevator and stairs assembly (1) to be arranged in a stairwell (2), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

- measuring the dimensions of the stairwell (2);

- designing a stairs, comprising a fixed stairs portion (5) and a movable stairs portion (6), that can be arranged in the stairwell (2) accordingly; and

- producing the stairs.

12. Method for the placement of an elevator and stairs assembly, according to any of the claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

- removing an existing stairs from a stairwell (2);

- placing the elevator and stairs assembly (1) with the movable stairs portion (6) in the stairwell (2); and

- placing the fixed stairs portion (5) in the stairwell (2).

13. Method for the placement of an elevator and stairs assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the elevator and stairs assembly (1) is produced with a method according to claim 11.

14. House, in particular a terraced house, having a lower floor (10), an upper floor (11) and a stairwell (2), wherein a living room and a kitchen are arranged on the lower floor (10) and wherein a bedroom and a bathroom are arranged on the upper floor (11), characterized in that the house comprises an elevator and stairs assembly (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 10.

15. House, in particular a terraced house according to claim 14, wherein the assembly (1) is arranged adjacent a separating wall, which is arranged between two houses.

Ansprüche

1. Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (1), welche ausgestaltet ist, in einem Treppenhaus (2) angeordnet zu werden oder angeordnet zu sein, wobei die Anordnung umfasst:

- eine Kabine (3), welche ausgestaltet ist, zwischen einer unteren Position in einem unteren Stockwerk (10) und einer oberen Position in einem oberen Stockwerk (11) bewegt zu werden, wobei die Kabine (3) ausgestaltet ist, einen oder mehrere Fahrgäste aufzunehmen;

- eine Hebevorrichtung (4), welche ausgestaltet ist, die Kabine (3) zwischen der unteren Position und der oberen Position zu bewegen;

- einen festen Treppenabschnitt (5), welcher ausgestaltet ist, einen unteren Teil einer Treppe zwischen dem unteren Stockwerk (10) und dem oberen Stockwerk (11) auszubilden; und

- einen beweglichen Treppenabschnitt (6), welche ausgestaltet ist, eine Fortsetzung des festen Treppenabschnitts (5) auszubilden, um eine Treppe zwischen dem oberen Stockwerk (11) und dem unteren Stockwerk (10) auszubilden, wenn die Kabine (3) in der unteren Position ist;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der bewegliche Treppenabschnitt (6) an einer Oberseite der Kabine (3) befestigt ist, sodass er sich zusammen mit der Kabine (3) hoch oder runter bewegt, wenn die Kabine zwischen der unteren Position und der oberen Position bewegt wird.

2. Anordnung (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der bewegliche Treppenabschnitt (6) und/oder der feste Treppenabschnitt (5) eine Biegung (14, 15) um eine vertikale Achse umfasst, zum Beispiel eine Biegung von 90°.

3. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kabine (3) einen im Wesentlichen geschlossenen Innenbereich (7) definiert.

4. Anordnung (1) nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Kabine (3) mindestens ein Wandelement (8) umfasst, wobei der bewegliche Treppenabschnitt (6) an der Oberseite des mindestens einen Wandelements (8) angebracht ist.

5. Anordnung (1) nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei die Kabine (2) eine Tür (9) umfasst, wobei die Tür (9) zwischen einer geöffneten Position und einer geschlossenen Position bewegt werden kann, wobei in der geöffneten Position ein Zugang zu dem Innenbereich (7) der Kabine (3) bereitgestellt wird.

6. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kabine (3) dimensioniert ist, einen Rollstuhl mit einem Fahrgast in dem Innenbereich (7) aufzunehmen.

7. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei, wenn die Kabinenanordnung (3) für eine bestimmte Zeitdauer in der oberen Position gewesen ist und seitdem nicht benutzt worden ist, die Anordnung (1) ausgestaltet ist, die Kabine (3) in die untere Position zu bewegen.

8. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei eine zweite Treppe (16) über dem festen Treppenabschnitt (5) und dem beweglichen Treppenabschnitt (6) zwischen dem oberen Stockwerk (11) und einem zweiten Stockwerk (17) angeordnet ist, wobei das zweite Stockwerk (17) über dem oberen Stockwerk (11) angeordnet ist.

9. Anordnung (1) nach Anspruch 8, wobei die zweite Treppe (16) ein Deckenelement (18) an einer Unterseite über dem beweglichen Treppenabschnitt (6) umfasst, wobei der bewegliche Treppenabschnitt (6) ausgestaltet ist, in das Deckenelement (18) eingeschachtelt zu werden, wenn die Kabine (18) in der oberen Position ist.

10. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hebevorrichtung (4) und die Kabine (3) derart ausgestaltet sind, dass die Kabine (3), wenn sie in der oberen Position angeordnet ist, ausgestaltet ist, in dem oberen Stockwerk (11) an dem Punkt anzukommen, wo der Absatz der bestehenden Treppe war, wobei die bestehende Treppe für den Ersatz durch die Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (1) entfernt ist.

11. Verfahren für die Herstellung einer in einem Treppenhaus (2) anzuordnenden Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (1) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verfahren die Schritte umfasst:

- Messen der Abmessungen des Treppenhauses (2);

- Gestalten einer Treppe umfassend einen festen Treppenabschnitt (5) und einen beweglichen Treppenabschnitt (6), welche in dem Treppenhaus (2) entsprechend angeordnet werden kann; und

- Herstellen der Treppe.

12. Verfahren für das Anordnen einer Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verfahren die Schritte umfasst:

- Entfernen einer bestehenden Treppe aus einem Treppenhaus (2);

- Anordnen der Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (1) mit dem beweglichen Treppenabschnitt (6) in dem Treppenhaus (2); und

- Anordnen des festen Treppenabschnitts (5) in dem Treppenhaus (2).

13. Verfahren für das Anordnen einer Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (21) nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (1) mit einem Verfahren nach Anspruch 11 hergestellt wurde.

14. Haus, insbesondere ein Reihenhaus, mit einem unteren Stockwerk (10), einem oberen Stockwerk (11) und einem Treppenhaus (2), wobei ein Wohnzimmer und eine Küche in dem unteren Stockwerk (10) angeordnet sind und wobei ein Schlafzimmer und ein Badezimmer in dem oberen Stockwerk (11) angeordnet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Haus eine Aufzug- und Treppenanordnung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10 umfasst.

15. Haus, insbesondere ein Reihenhaus, nach Anspruch 14, wobei die Anordnung (1) benachbart zu einer Trennwand angeordnet ist, welche zwischen zwei Häusern angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1) qui est configuré pour être agencé ou est agencé dans une cage d'escalier (2), dans lequel l'ensemble comprend :

une cabine (3) qui est configurée pour être déplacée entre une position inférieure à un étage inférieur (10) et une position supérieure à un étage supérieur (11), dans lequel la cabine (3) est configurée pour recevoir un ou plusieurs passagers ;

un dispositif de levage (4) qui est configuré pour déplacer la cabine (3) entre la position inférieure et la position supérieure ;

une partie d'escalier fixe (5) qui est configurée pour former une partie inférieure d'un escalier entre l'étage inférieur (10) et l'étage supérieur (11) ; et

une partie d'escalier mobile (6) qui est configurée pour former une continuité de la partie d'escalier fixe (5) afin de former un escalier entre l'étage supérieur (11) et l'étage inférieur (10) lorsque la cabine (3) est dans la position inférieure ;

caractérisé en ce que :
la partie d'escalier mobile (6) est fixée sur un côté supérieur de la cabine (3) de sorte qu'elle monte ou descend conjointement avec la cabine (3), lorsque la cabine (3) est déplacée entre la position inférieure et la position supérieure.

2. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie d'escalier mobile (6) et/ou la partie d'escalier fixe (5) comprend un coude (14, 15) autour d'un axe vertical, par exemple un coude de 90°.

3. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la cabine (3) définit un intérieur (7) sensiblement fermé.

4. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la cabine (3) comprend au moins un élément de paroi (8), dans lequel la partie d'escalier mobile (6) est montée sur le dessus du au moins un élément de paroi (8).

5. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel la cabine (2) comprend une porte (9), dans lequel la porte (9) peut être déplacée entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, dans lequel, dans la position ouverte, l'accès est fourni à l'intérieur (7) de la cabine (3).

6. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la cabine (3) est dimensionnée pour recevoir un fauteuil roulant pour un passager dans l'intérieur (7).

7. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lorsque l'ensemble de cabine (3) a été dans la position supérieure pendant une certaine période et n'a pas été utilisé depuis, l'ensemble (1) est configuré pour déplacer la cabine (3) à la position inférieure.

8. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un second escalier (16) est agencé au-dessus de la partie d'escalier fixe (5) et de la partie d'escalier mobile (6), entre l'étage supérieur (11) et un second étage (17), dans lequel le second étage (17) est agencé au-dessus de l'étage supérieur (11).

9. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le second escalier (16) comprend un élément de plafond (18) sur une face inférieure, au-dessus de la partie d'escalier mobile (6), dans lequel la partie d'escalier mobile (6) est configurée pour être emboîtée dans l'élément de plafond (18) lorsque la cabine (18) est dans la position supérieure.

10. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif de levage (4) et la cabine (3) sont agencés de sorte que la cabine (3), lorsqu'elle est agencée dans la position supérieure, est configurée pour arriver à l'étage supérieur (11) au point où le palier de l'escalier existant était, dans lequel l'escalier existant est retiré pour la mise en place de l'ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1).

11. Procédé pour la production d'un ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1) à agencer dans une cage d'escalier (2), selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à :

mesurer les dimensions de la cage d'escalier (2) ;

concevoir un escalier, comprenant une partie d'escalier fixe (5) et une partie d'escalier mobile (6), qui peuvent être agencées dans la cage d'escalier (2) de manière appropriée ; et

produire l'escalier.

12. Procédé pour la mise en place d'un ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à :

retirer un escalier existant d'une cage d'escalier (2) ;

placer l'ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1) avec la partie d'escalier mobile (6) dans la cage d'escalier (2) ; et

placer la partie d'escalier fixe (5) dans la cage d'escalier (2).

13. Procédé pour la mise en place d'un ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel l'ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1) est produit avec un procédé selon la revendication 11.

14. Maison, en particulier une maison mitoyenne ayant un étage inférieur (10), un étage supérieur (11) et une cage d'escalier (2), dans laquelle une salle à manger et une cuisine sont agencées à l'étage inférieur (10) et dans laquelle une chambre et une salle de bain sont agencées à l'étage supérieur (11),
caractérisé en ce que la maison comprend un ensemble d'ascenseur et d'escalier (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10.

15. Maison, en particulier une maison mitoyenne selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle l'ensemble (1) est agencé de manière adjacente à une paroi de séparation, qui est agencée entre deux maisons.

Drawing