DESCRIPTION Title of Invention: CEILING UNIT AND ELEVATOR CAR INCLUDING CEILING UNIT
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a ceiling unit and an elevator
car that includes the ceiling unit.
Background Art
[0002] A conventional elevator includes a car frame supported
by a hoisting machine rope, and the car frame is constituted by
a lower frame, upright columns, and an upper frame. A cab that
passengers enter and leave is supported in the interior of the car
frame. The car frame and the cab are separate structures, and
therefore sufficient strength must be secured in each. For example,
the upper frame of the car frame must be strong enough to be able
to withstand an offset load acting on a floor plate of the cab,
while a ceiling plate of the cab must be strong enough to be able
to withstand the weight of a maintenance worker or a heavy component
placed thereon during installation or maintenance. In a
conventional elevator, strength must be secured in both the upper
frame and the ceiling plate, leading to overall increases in the
number of components and the mass of the elevator.
[0003] An elevator in which an upper frame supported by upright
columns and a ceiling plate supported by side walls of a cab are
arranged on an identical plane has been proposed in response to
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this problem (see PTL 1, for example) . In PTL 1, the number of components and the mass are reduced by employing the upper frame as a part of the ceiling.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2011-190059 (page 5, Fig. 2}
Summary of Invention Technical Problem
[0005] In the elevator car described in PTL 1, however, the ceiling plate disposed on the periphery of the upper frame is still attached to the side walls of the cab. Therefore, although the number of components can be reduced, members exhibiting superior strength must be used for the. side walls, making it impossible to achieve an overall reduction in mass.
[0006] This invention has been designed to solve the problem described above, and an object thereof is to obtain a ceiling unit with which the number of components and the mass of an elevator car can be reduced, and an elevator car in which the number of components and the mass thereof have been reduced.
Solution to Problem
[0007] A ceiling unit according to a first aspect of this
invention includes a first side beam supported by at least one of
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a plurality of upright columns erected on a floor plate of an elevator car, a second side beam supported parallel to the first side beam by a different upright column, among the plurality of upright columns, from the upright column supporting the first side beam, a rear beam that connects respective rear side end portions of the first and second side beams, and a ceiling plate supported by the first and second side beams and the rear beam.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008] According to this invention, the number of components and the mass of the elevator car can be reduced.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an elevator car
according to a first embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a ceiling unit according to the first embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a connecting portion between a side beam and a rear beam.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing a connecting portion between the side beam and a front beam.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a connecting portion between the side beam and an upper beam.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a ceiling plate.
Fig. 7 is a front view showing the ceiling unit according
to the first embodiment of this invention in an installation
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condition.
Fig. 8 is a front view.showing the ceiling unit according to the first embodiment of this invention in a transportation condition.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a connecting portion between the side beam and an upright column.
Fig. 10 is an enlarged view showing a fastening portion between the ceiling plate and a side wall.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an upper frame according to a second embodiment of this invention.
Description of Embodiments [0010] First Embodiment
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an elevator car according to a first embodiment of this invention. In Fig. 1, a car 1 is constituted by a lower frame 2 including a safety device, a cab, a ceiling unit 7 forming a ceiling portion of the cab, and guide shoes 8 provided on the ceiling unit 1, while the cab includes a floor plate 3 provided on the lower frame 2, upright columns 4 erected in the four corners of the floor plate 3, a pair of side walls 5 forming side faces of the car, a front facing wall (not shown) provided opposite a doorway 10, a car door {not shown) for opening and closing the doorway 10, and an end rail 6 provided above the doorway 10.
When the car 1 ascends and descends through a hoistway, the
car 1 is guided by guide rails 9 provided in the hoistway via the
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guide shoes 8.
[0011] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the ceiling unit
7 according to the first embodiment of this invention. In Fig. 2,
the ceiling unit 7 is constituted by an upper frame 71 and a ceiling
plate 72. The upper frame 71 is constituted by first and second
side beams (referred to hereafter as a pair of side beams) 711
arranged parallel to each other via a gap in a frontage direction
of the doorway 10, a rear beam 712 that connects respective far
side {rear side) end portions of the pair of side beams 711, a front
beam 713 that connects respective front side end portions (doorway
10 side end portions) of the pair of side beams 711, and an upper
beam 714 that connects respective central portions of the pair of
side beams 711. When the pair of side beams 711, the rear beam 712,
and the front beam 713 are joined together, the upper frame 71 takes
a rectangular shape.
[0012] Next, the upper frame 71 will be described in detail
using Figs. 3 to 5.
Each side beam 711 is formed by bending a single sheet of
steel. First, the steel sheet is disposed so that a long side
thereof is horizontal and a short side is vertical, whereupon an
upper portion thereof is bent to a horizontal position. Next, a
front side part of a lower portion of the steel sheet is bent to
a horizontal position in the same direction as the upper side edge
portion while leaving unbent a part thereof having a dimension that
corresponds to a front-rear dimension of a horizontal portion 712a
of the rear beam 712, to be described below, from a far side end
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face. As a result, the side beam 711 has a U-shaped cross-section on the front side and an L-shaped cross-section on the far side. The pair of side beams 711 are arranged parallel to each other via a gap in the frontage direction of the doorway 10 so that respective opening portions of the U shapes thereof oppose each other.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a connecting part between one of the side beams 711 and the rear beam 712.
The opening portions of the U shapes on the front sides of
the pair of side beams 711 are each constituted by two horizontal
portions 711a, c, and one vertical portion 711b provided between
the two horizontal portions 711a, c so as to form a bottom portion
of the U shape. Here, the horizontal portion positioned on the
lower side, of the two horizontal portions 711a, c, will be referred
to as a lower horizontal portion 711a, and the horizontal portion
positioned on the upper side will be referred to as an upper
horizontal portion 711c. An upper face of the lower horizontal
portion 711a serves as a contact surface that contacts and is
fastened to the ceiling plate'72, to be described below. Further,
respective far sides of the pair of side beams 711 are each
constituted by the vertical portion 711b and the upper horizontal
portion 711c so as to have L-shaped cross-sections. Note that a
length from a front side end face to a far side end face of the
lower horizontal portion 711a is shorter than a length from a front
side end face to a far side end face of the vertical portion 711b
and the upper horizontal portion 711c by an amount corresponding
to the front-rear dimension of the horizontal portion 712a of the
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rear beam 712. Furthermore, the far side of the steel sheet, which remains after the lower horizontal portion 711a is formed, extends vertically downward so as to form the vertical portion 711b. [0013] The rear beam 712 is molded by bending one side of a long side of a steel sheet upward, and therefore has an L-shaped cross-section. The L-shaped rear beam 712 includes the horizontal portion 712a, and a vertical portion 712b extending upward from the horizontal portion 712a. An upper face of the horizontal portion 712a serves as a contact surface that contacts and is fastened to the ceiling plate 72, to be described below. A short side dimension of the vertical portion 712b is set to be identical to a short side dimension of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam 711.
[0014] One lengthwise direction end portion of the rear beam 712 is welded to a far side end portion of one of the side beams 711. More specifically, a front face of one lengthwise direction end portion of the horizontal portion 712a is brought into contact with the far side end face of the lower horizontal portion 711a, an end face of the horizontal portion 712a on the side beam 711 side is brought into contact with a side face of the vertical portion 711b on the rear beam 712 side, an end face of the vertical portion 712b on the side beam 711 side is brought into contact with the side face of the vertical portion 711b on the rear beam 712 side, and an upper end face of the vertical portion 712b is brought into contact with a lower face of the upper horizontal portion 711c. In this condition, the horizontal portion 712a is welded to the

lower horizontal portion 711a, the horizontal portion 712a is
welded to the vertical portion 711b, the vertical portion 712b is
welded to the vertical portion 711b, and the upper horizontal
portion 711c is welded to the vertical portion 712b. The other side
beam 711 is welded to the other lengthwise direction end portion
of the rear beam 712 in a similar manner. As a result, the rear
beam 712 connects the respective far side end portions of the pair
of side beams 711. Here, the respective upper faces of the lower
horizontal portions 711a of the pair of side beams 711 and the upper
face of the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712 are disposed
on an identical horizontal plane (A). Further, bolt holes 12 are
provided in the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams
711 and the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712. The side
beams 711 and the rear beam 712 are fastened to the ceiling plate
72, to be described below, via the bolt holes 12.
[0015] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing a connecting part
between one of the side beams 711 and the front beam 713.
The front beam 713 is molded by bending one side of a long
side of a steel sheet upward, and therefore has an L~shaped
cross-section. The L-shaped front beam 713 is shaped identically
to the rear beam 712, but is smaller than the rear beam 712. The
front beam 713 includes a horizontal portion 713a that is parallel
to the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712, and a vertical
portion 713b that extends upward from the horizontal portion 713a.
A short side dimension of the vertical portion 713b is set to be
shorter than the short side dimension of the vertical portion 711b
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of the side beam.
[0016] One lengthwise direction end portion of the front beam
713 is welded to a front side (a doorway 10 side) end portion of
one of the side beams 711. More specifically, an upper face of the
vertical portion 713b of the front beam 713 is brought into contact
with the lower face of the upper horizontal portion 711c of the
side beam 711. An end face of the horizontal portion 713a of the
front beam 713 on the side beam 711 side is brought into contact
with a side face of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam 711
on the front beam 713 side. An end face of the vertical portion
713b of the front beam 713 on the side beam 711 side is brought
into contact with the side face of the vertical portion 711b of
the side beam 711 on the front beam 713 side. In this condition,
the upper horizontal portion 711c is welded to the vertical portion
713b, the vertical portion 713b is welded to the vertical portion
711b, and the horizontal portion 713a is welded to the vertical
portion 711b. The other lengthwise direction end portion of the
front beam 713 is welded to the front side end portion of the other
side beam 711 in a similar manner. As a result, the front beam 713
connects the respective front side end portions of the pair of side
beams 711. Here, a vertical dimension of the vertical portion 713b
of the front beam 713 is set to be shorter than a vertical dimension
of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam 711. Accordingly,
a lower face of the horizontal portion 713a of the front beam 713
is disposed above the upper face of the lower horizontal portion
711a of the side beam 711 at a remove from the upper face of the
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lower horizontal portion 711a.
[0017] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a connecting part
between one of the side beams 711 and the upper beam 714.
The upper beam 714 is molded by bending a steel sheet so as
to obtain a U-shaped cross-section. The upper beam 714 is disposed
such that an opening portion of the U shape is oriented upward.
The U-shaped opening portion of the upper beam 714 is constituted
by two vertical portions 714b and one horizontal portion 714a
provided between the two vertical portions 714b so as to form a
bottom portion of the U shape. Here, a vertical dimension of each
of the two vertical portions 714b of the upper beam 714 is set to
be shorter than the vertical dimension of the vertical portion 711b
of the side beam 711 and identical to the vertical dimension of
the vertical portion 713b of the front beam 713.
[0018] One lengthwise direction end portion of the upper beam
714 is welded to a central portion of one of the side beams 711.
More specifically, an end face of the horizontal portion 714a of
the upper beam 714 on the side beam 711 side is brought into contact
with a side face of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam 711
on the upper beam 714 side. Respective end faces of the two vertical
portions 714b on the side beam 711 side are brought into contact
with the side face of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam
711 on the upper beam 714 side. Respective upper faces of the two
vertical portions 714b are brought into contact with the lower face
of the upper horizontal portion 711c of the side beam 711. In this
condition, the horizontal portion 714a is welded to the vertical
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portion 711b, the two vertical portions 714b are welded to the
vertical portion 711b, and the vertical portion 714b is welded to
the upper horizontal portion 711c. The other lengthwise direction
end portion of* the upper beam 714 is welded to the central portion
of the other side beam 711 in a similar manner. As a result, the
upper beam 714 connects the respective central portions of the pair
of side beams 711. Here, the vertical dimension of each of the two
vertical portions 714b of the upper beam 714 is set to be shorter
than the vertical dimension of the vertical portion 711b of the
side beam 711 and identical to the vertical dimension of the vertical
portion 713b of the front beam 713. Accordingly, the lower face
of the horizontal portion 713a of the front beam 713 and a lower
face of the horizontal portion 714a of the upper beam 714 are
disposed on an identical horizontal plane (B). The horizontal
plane (B) is positioned above the horizontal plane (A) on which
the lower faces of the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side
beams 711 and the lower face of the horizontal portion 712a of the
rear beam 712 are disposed.
[0019] Note that the steel sheets used to form the respective
beams have a typical structure and a prescribed strength. Further,
the beams may be formed using different steel sheets as long as
the resulting beams are rigid.
[0020] Next, the ceiling plate 72 will be described in detail
using Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ceiling plate
72.
The ceiling plate 72 includes first and second vertical
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portions (referred to hereafter as a pair of side vertical portions)
721a molded by bending a pair of opposing sides of a rectangular
plate toward an upper side of the car 1. Of the two remaining sides,
a side on the far side of the car 1 is bent toward the upper side
of the car 1 so as to form a third vertical portion {referred to
hereafter as a rear vertical portion) 722a, and the remaining side
on the front of the car 1 is likewise bent toward the upper side
of the car 1 so as to form a fourth vertical portion (referred to
hereafter as a front vertical portion) 723a. An upper portion of
each side vertical portion 721a is bent toward an opposite side
to the other side vertical portion 721a, and as a result, first
and second horizontal portions (referred to hereafter as a pair
of side horizontal portions) 721b are formed. An upper portion of
the rear vertical portion 722a is bent toward an opposite side to
the front vertical portion 723a so as to form a third horizontal
portion (referred to hereafter as a rear horizontal portion) 722b.
An upper portion of the front vertical portion 723a is bent toward
an opposite side to the rear vertical portion 722a so as to form
a fourth horizontal portion (referred to hereafter as a front
horizontal portion) 723b. The side horizontal portions 721b, the
rear horizontal portion 722b, and the front horizontal portion 723b
are connected to respective upper end portions of the side vertical
portions 721a, the rear vertical portion 722a, and the front
vertical portion 723a so as to extend outwardly therefrom. Further,
a bottom portion 72a is formed between respective lower end portions
of the side vertical portions 721a, the rear vertical portion 722a,
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and the front vertical portion 723a. The bottom portion 72a connects the respective lower end portions of the side vertical portions 721a, the rear vertical portion 722a, and the front vertical portion 723a. An upper face of the bottom portion 72a serves as a canopy on which a maintenance worker stands or on which heavy components are placed during installation or maintenance, while a lower face thereof serves as a design surface used as a ceiling surface of the cab interior.
[0021] Next, a method of fastening the ceiling plate 72 to the upper frame 71 will be described.
Bolt holes 16 are formed in the side vertical portions 721a, the rear vertical portion 722a, and the front vertical portion 723a. The side vertical portions 721a, the rear vertical portion 722a, and the front vertical portion 723a are fastened to respective upper end portions of the side walls 5, an upper end portion of the front facing wall (not shown) , and an upper end portion of the end rail 6 via the bolt holes 16.
Respective upper faces of the lower horizontal portions 711a
of the side beams 711 and the horizontal portion 712a of the rear
beam 712 serve as contact surfaces that contact respective lower
surfaces of the side horizontal portions 721b and the rear
horizontal portion 722b of the ceiling plate 72, respectively.
Further, bolt holes 12 are provided in the side horizontal portions
721b and the rear horizontal portion 722b. The side horizontal
portions 721b and the rear horizontal portion 722b are fastened
to the lower horizontal portions 711a of the respective side beams
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711 and the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712,
respectively, via the bolt holes 12. The front horizontal portion
723b does not contact the front beam 713.
[0022] Fig. 7 is a view showing the ceiling unit 7 from the
doorway 10 side. The ceiling plate 72 is mounted on the upper frame
71 from the front beam 713 side such that the canopy faces upward
and the design surface faces downward. At this time, the side
horizontal portions 721b of the ceiling plate 72 are inserted
between the horizontal plane (A) on which the lower horizontal
portions 711a of the pair of side beams 711 and the horizontal
portion 712a of the rear beam 712 of the upper frame 71 are disposed
and the horizontal plane (B) on which the horizontal portion 713a
of the front beam 713 and the horizontal portion 714a of the upper
beam 714 are disposed. The lower surfaces of the side horizontal
portions 721b of the ceiling plate 72 respectively contact the upper
surfaces of the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams
711. Similarly, the lower surface of the rear horizontal portion
722b of the ceiling plate 72 contacts the upper surface of the
horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712. Through the bolt
holes 12, the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711
are fastened and fixed to the side horizontal portions 721b of the
ceiling plate 72 by bolts, and the horizontal portion 712a of the
rear beam 712 is fastened and fixed to the horizontal portion 722b
of the ceiling plate 72 by bolts. As a result, the ceiling unit
7 shown in Fig. 2 is formed.
[0023] Here, in the ceiling plate 72, the bottom portion 72a
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forming the design surface and the canopy, the vertical portions
721a, 722a, 723a, and the horizontal portions 721b, 722b, 723b are
all formed from a single plate. Further, the horizontal portions
721b, 722b of the ceiling plate 72 contact the upper faces of the
lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711 and the
horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712, respectively, over
the entire lengths thereof. As a result, the ceiling plate 72 can
be prevented from falling even when the ceiling plate 72 becomes
unfastened from the side beams 711 and the rear beam 712.
[0024] Procedures for installing the car 1 when the ceiling
unit 7 having the above configuration is employed will now be
described using Figs. 1, 9, and 10.
First, the floor plate 3 is disposed on the lower frame 2
and adjusted so as to be horizontal. Next, the upright columns 4
are erected in the four corners of the floor plate 3. The ceiling
unit 7 is then fastened to the upper portions of the upright columns
4. Bolt holes 14 are provided in the vertical portions 711b of the
side beams 711 and upper portions of the upright columns 4, and
through the bolt holes 14, the vertical portions 711b of the side
beams 711 are fastened to the upper portions of the upright columns
4 by bolts 15. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a fastening portion
between the side beam 711 and the upright column 4. As shown in
Fig. 9, the upright column 4 is brought into contact with an outer
face of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam 711 (a side face
on the opposite side to the surface thereof that contacts the front
beam 713) , and then fastened to the side beam 711 by the bolts 15.
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[0025] After fastening the ceiling unit 7 to the upright
columns 4, the side walls 5 are erected on the floor plate 3,
whereupon the side walls 5 are fastened to the side vertical portions
721a of the ceiling plate 72 and the floor plate 3 by bolts 17.
The front facing wall (not shown) is fastened to an outer face of
the rear vertical portion 722a of the ceiling plate 72 (a side face
thereof on the opposite side to the front vertical portion 723a)
and the floor plate 3 by the bolts 17. The end rail 6 is fastened
to an outer face of the front vertical portion 723a of the ceiling
plate 72 (a side face thereof on the opposite side to the rear
vertical portion 722a) by the bolts 17. At this point, the car 1
is in the condition shown in Fig. 1. Finally, the car door (not
shown) is attached to the doorway 10.
[0026] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view showing a fastening portion
between the ceiling plate 72 and the side wall 5. As shown in Fig.
10, an upper portion of each side wall 5 is brought into contact
with an outer face of the corresponding side vertical portion 721a
of the ceiling plate 72 (a side face thereof on the opposite side
to the other side vertical portion 721a) and fastened thereto by
the bolts 17 . Similarly, respective upper end portions of the front
facing wall and the end rail 6 are brought into contact with an
outer face of the rear vertical portion 722a of the ceiling plate
72 {a side face thereof on the opposite side to the front vertical
portion 723a) and an outer face of the front vertical portion 723a
of the ceiling plate 72 (a side face thereof on the opposite side
to the rear vertical portion 722a), respectively, and fastened
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thereto by the bolts 17. As a result, a load exerted on the ceiling
plate 72 is diffused to the side walls 5, the front facing wall,
and the end rail 6, and therefore sufficient rigidity can be obtained
in the ceiling plate 72 to withstand the weight of a maintenance
worker or a heavy component placed thereon during installation or
maintenance without attaching a reinforcing material to the ceiling
plate 72.
[0027] Fig, 7 is a front view showing the ceiling unit 7 in
an installation condition, and Fig. 8 is a view showing the ceiling
unit 7 in a transportation condition. The ceiling unit 7 may be
shipped in either the condition shown in Fig. 7 or the condition
shown in Fig, 8.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, keyholes 11 constituted by a small
diameter hole and a large diameter hole connected to the small
diameter hole are formed respectively in one lengthwise direction
end portion of the horizontal portion 713a of the front beam 713
and one lengthwise direction end portion of the horizontal portion
714a of the upper beam 714. Further, keyholes 11 of an identical
shape and size are formed in the lower horizontal portion 711a of
the side beam 711 in positions vertically beneath the keyholes 11
in the respective lengthwise direction end portions (of the
keyholes 11 formed in the side beam 711, the keyhole 11 corresponding
to the upper beam 714 is not shown in the drawings) . Keyholes 11
are formed likewise in the other lengthwise direction end portions
of the front beam 713 and the upper beam 714, and keyholes 11 are
formed likewise in the other side beam 711 so as to correspond to
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the keyholes 11 formed in the other lengthwise direction end
portions. The keyholes 11 are formed such that the large diameter
hole is located further toward the doorway 10 side than the small
diameter hole.
[0028] In Fig. 8, the respective upper faces of the side
horizontal portions 721b of the ceiling plate 72 contact the lower
face of the horizontal portion 713a of the front beam 713 and the
lower face of the horizontal portion 714a of the upper beam 714.
The side horizontal portions 721b of the ceiling plate 72 are
provisionally fastened thereto by bolts (not shown) via elongated
holes 13 in the side horizontal portions 721b and the small diameter
holes of the keyholes 11 in the front beam 713. Further, the side
horizontal portions 721b of the ceiling plate 72 are provisionally
fastened thereto by bolts (not shown) via the elongated holes 13
in the side horizontal portions 721b and the small diameter holes
of the keyholes 11 in the upper beam 714. A diameter of the small
diameter hole forming the keyhole 11 is set to be smaller than a
diameter of a head portion of the bolt and larger than a diameter
of a shaft portion of the bolt. Further, a diameter of the large
diameter hole of the keyhole 11 is set to be larger than the diameter
of the head portion of the bolt. Hence, the ceiling plate 72 can
be provisionally fastened to the front beam 713 and the upper beam
714 easily by passing bolts through the elongated holes 13 and
attaching nuts thereto so that the bolts are held on the ceiling
plate 72, and in this condition, passing the head portions of the
bolts through the large diameter holes of the keyholes 11 and then
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moving the bolts into the small diameter holes. When the upper
frame 71 is provisionally fastened to the ceiling plate 72 in this
manner, as shown in Fig. 8, the design surface of the ceiling plate
72 is disposed in a higher position than the horizontal plane (A)
on which the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711
and the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712 are disposed,
and therefore the ceiling plate 72 does not contact the respective
upper surfaces of the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side
beams 711. When the ceiling unit 7 is shipped in this condition,
there is no risk of the design surface of the ceiling plate 72 being
damaged during transportation, and therefore the amount of
packaging material used to wrap the ceiling unit 7 can be reduced.
[0029] Having been shipped and transported in the
transportation condition shown in Fig. 8, the ceiling unit 7 is
transferred to an installation site and deformed into the
installation condition shown in Fig. 7. First, the bolts
provisionally fastening the side horizontal portions 721b of the
ceiling plate 72 to the horizontal portion 713a of the front beam
713 and the horizontal portion 714a of the upper beam 714 are
loosened, whereupon the ceiling plate 72 is shifted toward the
doorway 10 side of the car 1 relative to the upper beam 714.
Accordingly, the head portions of the bolts move out of the small
diameter holes in the keyholes 11 toward the large diameter hole
side so that the bolts can be removed from the keyholes 11, and
as a result, the side horizontal portions 721b of the ceiling plate
72 can be removed from the horizontal portion 713a of the front
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beam 713 and the horizontal portion 714a of the upper beam 714.
Even after the side horizontal portions 721b of the ceiling
plate 72 are removed from the horizontal portion 713a of the front
beam 713 and the horizontal portion 714a of the upper beam 714,
the bolts fastening the ceiling plate 72 to the front beam 713 and
the upper beam 714 remain attached to the elongated holes 13 in
the ceiling plate 72. When the ceiling plate 72 is moved downward,
the lower surfaces of the side horizontal portions 721b
respectively contact the upper surfaces of the lower horizontal
portions 711a of the side beams 711. At this time, the bolts
attached to the elongated holes 13 in the ceiling plate 72 pass
through the large diameter holes of the keyholes 11 provided in
the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711. When the
ceiling plate 72 is then moved to the far side, the rear horizontal
portion 722b of the ceiling plate 72 contacts the upper surface
of the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712, whereby the
bolts connecting the elongated holes 13 in the ceiling plate 72
to the keyholes 11 in the side beams 711 move from the large diameter
holes of the keyholes 11 into the small diameter holes. The ceiling
plate 72 is then fixed to the upper frame 71 by tightening these
bolts and also fastening the bolt holes 12 provided in the lower
horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711 and the horizontal
portion 712a of the rear beam 712 to the bolt holes 12 provided
in the side horizontal portions 721b and the rear horizontal portion
722b of the ceiling plate 72 fully using bolts {not shown), and
as a result, the installation condition shown in Fig. 7 is realized.
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[0030] Hence, the ceiling unit 7 can be deformed easily from
the transportation condition shown in Fig. 8 to the installation
condition shown in Fig. 7. Note that during installation of the
car 1, the ceiling unit 7 may be fastened to the upper portions
of the upright columns 4 while in the transportation condition shown
in Fig. 8, and after fastening the ceiling unit 7 to the upright
columns 4, the ceiling plate 72 may be moved so as to realize the
installation condition shown in Fig. 7. When the ceiling unit 7
is fastened to the upper portions of the upright columns 4 while
in the transportation condition shown in Fig. 8, there is no risk
of damage to the design surface of the ceiling plate 72, and
therefore an installation operation can be performed easily.
[0031] Note that the pair of side beams 711 are each fastened
to the upper portions of two upright columns 4, but instead, each
side beam 711 may be fastened to the upper portion of one upright
column 4. Further, the upright columns 4 are erected in the four
corners of the floor plate 3, but this invention is not limited
thereto. For example, the upright columns 4 may be erected in
central portions of the sides to which the side walls 5 are attached
in addition to the four corners of the floor plate 3. In this case,
the pair of side beams 711 are each fastened to the upper portions
of three upright columns 4.
[0032] The ceiling unit 7 according to this embodiment
includes the first side beam 711 supported by at least one of the
plurality of upright columns 4 erected on the floor plate 3, and
the second side beam 711 supported parallel to the first side beam
21

711 by a different upright column 4 from the upright column 4
supporting the first side beam 711. The ceiling unit 7 also
includes the rear beam 712 that connects the respective rear side
end portions of the first and second side beams 711. The ceiling
plate 72 is supported by the first and second side beams 711 and
the rear beam 712. As a result, the ceiling unit 7 can be formed
by integrating the ceiling plate 72 with the first and second side
beams 711 and the rear beam 712 forming the upper frame 71, enabling
a reduction in the number of components thereof. Moreover, the
ceiling plate 72 is supported by the upper frame 71, and therefore
the weight exerted on the side walls 5 of the cab can be reduced.
Accordingly, members that are comparatively low in strength can
be used as the side walls 5, and as a result, the mass of the car
1 can be reduced.
[0033] Further, in the ceiling unit 7 according to this
embodiment, the first and second side beams 711 respectively
include contact surfaces that contact the lower surface of the
ceiling plate 72. Furthermore, the ceiling unit 7 includes the
front beam 713 disposed above the respective contact surfaces of
the first and second side beams 711 at a remove from the respective
contact surfaces so as to connect the respective front side end
portions of the first and second side beams 711, and the upper beam
714 disposed above the respective contact surfaces of the first
and second side beams 711 at a remove from the respective contact
surfaces so as to connect the respective central portions of the
first and second side beams 711. Hence, the first and second side
22

beams 711 are connected to the front beam 713 and the upper beam
714 as well as the rear beam 712, and therefore the rigidity of
the ceiling unit 7 can be improved. Moreover, the ceiling plate
72 is laid across the first and second side beams 711, and therefore
the ceiling plate 72 can be prevented from falling even when the
ceiling plate 72 becomes unfastened from the first and second side
beams 711.
[0034] Furthermore, in the ceiling unit 7 according to this
embodiment, the lower surface of the front beam 713 and the lower
surface of the upper beam 714 are disposed on an identical horizontal
plane. Accordingly, the ceiling plate 72 can be fastened
provisionally to the lower surface of the front beam 713 and the
lower surface of the upper beam 714 during transportation of the
ceiling unit 7, thereby eliminating the risk of damage to the design
surface of the ceiling plate 72, and as a result, the amount of
packaging material used to wrap the ceiling unit 7 can be reduced.
[0035] Moreover, in the'ceiling unit 7 according to this
embodiment, the rear beam 712 has a contact surface that contacts
the lower surface of the ceiling plate 72. Furthermore, the
respective contact surfaces of the first and second side beams 711
and the contact surface of the rear beam 712 are disposed on an
identical horizontal plane. Hence, the ceiling plate 72 is laid
across the rear beam 712 as well as the first and second side beams
711, and therefore the rigidity of the ceiling unit 7 can be improved
and the ceiling plate 72 can be prevented from falling.
[0036] The keyholes 11 serving as fastening holes, each of
23

which is constituted by a small diameter hole and a large diameter
hole connected to the small diameter hole, are provided in both
lengthwise direction ends of each of the front beam 713 and the
upper beam 714, and the keyholes 11 serving as fastening holes having
the same shape as the connecting holes are provided in the first
and second side beams 711 in positions vertically beneath the
keyholes 11 serving as the fastening holes. As a result, the
ceiling plate 72 can be held in contact with and fastened
provisionally to the respective lower surfaces of the horizontal
portion 713a of the front beam 713 and the horizontal portion 714a
of the upper beam 714 during transportation. The design surface
of the ceiling plate 72 is disposed in a higher position than the
horizontal plane (A) on which the lower horizontal portions 711a
of the side beams 711 and the horizontal portion 712a of the rear
beam 712 are disposed, and therefore the risk of damage to the design
surface is eliminated.
[0037] Furthermore, the ceiling plate 72 forming the ceiling
unit 7 according to this embodiment includes the mutually opposing
first and second vertical portions 721a, the third vertical portion
722a provided between the respective rear side end portions of the
first and second vertical portions 721a, the first and second
horizontal portions 721b and the third horizontal portion 722b
connected respectively to the upper end portions of the first and
second vertical portions 721a and the third vertical portion 722a
so as to extend outward from the upper end portions, and the bottom
portion 72a connecting the lower end portions of the first and second
24

vertical portions 721a and the third vertical portion 722a to each
other. As a result, the vertical portions 721a, 722a can function
as ceiling baseboards, enabling reductions in the number of
components and the mass of the car 1.
[0038] Further, in the ceiling unit 7 according to this
embodiment, the ceiling plate 72 is configured such that the first
and second horizontal portions 721b are carried on the first and
second side beams 711 and the third horizontal portion 722b is
carried on the rear beam 712. Hence, the ceiling plate 72 is
configured such that the horizontal portions 721b are carried on
the lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711 and the
horizontal portion 721b of the rear beam 712, and as a result, the
ceiling plate 72 can be prevented from falling even when the ceiling
plate 72 becomes unfastened from the side beams 711 and the rear
beam 712.
[0039] Moreover, in the ceiling unit 7 according to this
embodiment, the first and second vertical portions 721a, the first
and second horizontal portions 721b, and the bottom portion 72a
of the ceiling plate 72 are formed from a single plate. Hence, the
ceiling plate 72 formed from a single plate is configured such that
the respective outer faces of the vertical portions 721a are
fastened to the side walls 5, and therefore sufficient strength
can be obtained therein to withstand the weight of a maintenance
worker or a heavy component placed thereon during installation or
maintenance.
[0040] Furthermore, the elevator car 1 according to this
25

embodiment includes the first side wall 5 erected on the floor plate
3 of the elevator car, the second side wall 5 erected on the floor
plate 3 of the elevator car so as to oppose the first side wall
5, the front facing wall {not shown) erected on the floor plate
3 of the elevator car so as to oppose the doorway 10 of the elevator,
and the ceiling unit 7, in which the bottom portion 72a of the ceiling
plate 72 is oriented toward the floor plate 3 side, and in this
condition, the respective outer faces of the first and second
vertical portions 721a of the ceiling plate 72 are brought into
contact with and fastened to inner faces of the first and second
side walls 5, and the third vertical portion 722a of the ceiling
plate 72 is brought into contact with and fastened to an inner face
of the front facing wall. Hence, the ceiling plate 72 is molded
by bending the four sides thereof upward so as to form the respective
side vertical portions 721a, the rear vertical portion 722a, and
the front vertical portion 723a, and the respective outer faces
of these vertical portions are fastened to the side walls 5, the
front facing wall, and the end rail 6, with the result that
sufficient rigidity can be obtained. Accordingly, there is no need
to attach a reinforcing material to the ceiling plate 72, and
therefore the number of components thereof can be reduced and the
installation operation can be performed easily. Moreover, the
ceiling unit 7 is in an integrated condition from the time of
shipping and can be installed in that condition, and as a result,
the installation operation can be performed easily.
[0041] Note that in this embodiment, the four vertical
26

portions and four horizontal portions are formed by bending the
four sides of a single plate, but it is sufficient to form the side
vertical portions 721a and the side horizontal portions 721b by
bending at least a pair of opposing sides. In this case, the
vertical portions 722a, 723a and the horizontal portions 721b, 722b
positioned on the far side and the doorway 10 side of the car 1
are formed by attaching separate members. Likewise in this case,
the ceiling plate 72 can be prevented from falling and the
installation operation can be performed easily.
[0042] Further, the ceiling plate 72 may be formed in a planar
shape instead of forming the vertical portions 721a, 722a, 723a
and horizontal portions 721b, 722b, 723b. In this case, a dimension
of the ceiling plate 72 in a width direction of the doorway 10 is
set to be larger than a frontage width between the lower horizontal
portions 711a of the side beams 711 so that the ceiling plate 72
is laid across the respective upper faces of the lower horizontal
portions 711a of the side beams 711. As a result, the ceiling plate
72 can be prevented from falling and the installation operation
can be performed easily.
[0043] Note that as a method of winding a rope (not shown) used
to raise and lower the car 1, either a so-called underslung method,
in which the rope is wound around a lower portion and side faces
of the car 1, or a so-called hanging method, in which end portions
of the rope are attached to the upper beam 714, may be applied.
[0044] Also note that although the side beams 711 and the rear
beam 712 are fastened to the ceiling plate 72 via the bolt holes
27

12, the side beams 711 and the rear beam 712 may be fixed by welding.
[004 5] Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the horizontal portion 713a of the
front beam 713 is disposed in a higher position than the horizontal
portions 711a of the side beams 711 and the horizontal portion 712a
of the rear beam 712, but the horizontal portion 713a of the front
beam 713 may be provided at an identical height. Fig. 11 is a
perspective view showing the upper frame 71 according to this
embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the horizontal portion 713a of
the front beam 713 is formed so as to be bent toward the far side
of the car 1, and the bolt holes 12 are provided in the horizontal
portion 713a to fasten the horizontal portion 713a to the front
horizontal portion 723b of the ceiling plate 72.
[0046] The lower horizontal portion 711a of each side beam 711
is formed by bending a central part of the steel sheet while leaving
unbent a part having a dimension that corresponds to the front-rear
dimension of the horizontal portion 712a of the rear beam 712 from
the far side end face and a part having a dimension that corresponds
to the front-rear dimension of the horizontal portion 713a of the
front beam 713 from the front side end face. Accordingly, the
length from the front side end face to the far side end face of
the lower horizontal portion 711a is shorter than the length from
the front side end face to the far side end face of the upper
horizontal portion 711c by an amount corresponding to a sum of the
front-rear dimension of the horizontal portion 712a of the rear
beam 712 and the front-rear dimension of the horizontal portion
28

713a of the front beam 713. Furthermore, the far side and the front
side of the steel sheet, which remain after the lower horizontal
portion 711a is formed, extend vertically downward so as to form
the vertical portion 711b.
[0047] One lengthwise direction end portion of the front beam
713 is welded to the front side {the doorway 10 side) end portion
of one of the side beams 711* More specifically, a rear face of
the lengthwise direction end portion of the horizontal portion 713a
of the front beam 713 is brought into contact with a front side
end face of the lower horizontal portion 711a of the side beam 711.
The end face of the horizontal portion 713a of the front beam 713
on the side beam 711 side is brought into contact with the side
face of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam 711 on the front
beam 713 side. The end face of the vertical portion 713b of the
front beam 713 on the side beam 711 side is brought into contact
with the side face of the vertical portion 711b of the side beam
711 on the front beam 713 side. An upper end face of the vertical
portion 713b of the front beam 713 is brought into contact with
the lower face of the upper horizontal portion 711c of the side
beam 711. In this condition, the upper horizontal portion 711c is
welded to the vertical portion 713b, the vertical portion 713b is
welded to the vertical portion 711b, the horizontal portion 713a
is welded to the vertical portion 711b, and the horizontal portion
713a is welded to the lower horizontal portion 711a. The other
lengthwise direction end portion of the front beam 713 is welded
to the front side end portion of the other side beam 711 in a similar
29

manner. As a result, the front beam 713 connects the respective
front side end portions of the pair of side beams 711.
The rear beam 712 is connected to the pair of side beams 711
using a similar method to the first embodiment. Likewise in this
embodiment, when the pair of side beams 711, the rear beam 712,
and the front beam 713 are joined together, the upper frame 71 takes
a rectangular shape.
[0048] Here, the upper horizontal portion 711c of each side
beam 711 is formed to have a narrower width in the frontage direction
of the doorway 10 of the car 1 than in the first embodiment. Further,
a distance by which the upper horizontal portions 711c of the pair
of side beams 711 are removed from each other is set to be longer
than a dimension from the side face of one of the side horizontal
portions 721b of the ceiling plate 72 on one side beam 711 side
to the side face of the other side horizontal portion 721b on the
other side beam 711 side. Furthermore, the upper beam 714 is not
provided. The ceiling plate 72 can be inserted from the upper side
into the upper frame 71 constituted by the side beams 711, the rear
beam 712, and the front beam 713. The side horizontal portions 721b,
rear horizontal portion 722b, and front horizontal portion 723b
of the ceiling plate are fastened respectively to the lower
horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711, the horizontal
portion 712a of the rear beam, and the horizontal portion 713a of
the front beam. As a result, the ceiling unit 7 is formed.
[0049] In this embodiment, the car 1 is installed by
implementing similar procedures to the first embodiment. The
30

ceiling unit 7 is fastened to the upright columns 4 in a condition
corresponding to the installation condition of the first embodiment,
shown in Fig. 7. Similarly to the first embodiment, the respective
outer faces of the side vertical portions 721a of the ceiling plate
72 (the side faces thereof on the opposite side to the other side
beam 711) are fastened to the outer faces of the side walls 5, the
outer face of the rear vertical portion 722a {the side face thereof
on the opposite side to the front beam 723) is fastened to the outer
face of the front facing wall, and the outer face of the front
vertical portion 723a (the side face thereof on the opposite side
to the rear beam 722) is fastened to the outer face of the end rail
6.
[0050] Likewise in the second embodiment, the ceiling unit 7
is formed by integrating the upper frame 71 and the ceiling plate
72, enabling a reduction in the number of components thereof.
Moreover, the ceiling plate 72 is supported by the upper frame 71,
and therefore the weight exerted on the side walls 5 of the cab
can be reduced. Accordingly, members that are comparatively low
in strength can be used as the side walls 5, and as a result, the
mass of the car can be reduced.
[0051] Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the ceiling
plate 72 is molded by bending the four sides thereof upward so as
to form the respective side vertical portions 721a, the rear
vertical portion 722a, and the front vertical portion 723a, and
these vertical portions are fastened to the side walls 5, the front
facing wall (not shown) , and the end rail 6, with the result that
31

sufficient rigidity can be obtained. Hence, there is no need to
attach a reinforcing material to the ceiling plate 72, and therefore
the number of components thereof can be reduced and the installation
operation can be performed easily. Moreover, the ceiling unit 7
is in an integrated condition from the time of shipping and can
be installed in that condition, and as a result, the installation
operation can be performed easily.
[0052] Note that in this embodiment, the vertical portions and
horizontal portions are formed by bending the four sides of the
ceiling plate 72, but it is sufficient to form the side vertical
portions 721a and the side horizontal portions 721b by bending at
least a pair of opposing sides. In this case, the vertical portions
722a, 723a and the horizontal portions 722b, 723b positioned on
the far side and the doorway 10 side of the car 1 are formed by
attaching separate members. Likewise in this case, the ceiling
plate 72 can be prevented from falling and the installation
operation can be performed easily.
[0053] Further, the ceiling plate 72 may be formed in a planar
shape instead of forming the vertical portions 721a, 722a, 723a
and horizontal portions 721b, 722b, 723b. In this case, the
dimension of the ceiling plate 72 in the width direction of the
doorway 10 is set to be larger than the frontage width between the
lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711 so that the
ceiling plate 72 is laid across the respective upper faces of the
lower horizontal portions 711a of the side beams 711. As a result,
the ceiling plate 72 can be prevented from falling and the
32

installation operation can be performed easily.
[0054] Furthermore, the upper horizontal portion 711c of each
side beam 711 is formed such that the width thereof in the frontage
direction of the doorway 10 of the car 1 is narrower than in the
first embodiment, but the side beam 711 may be formed without the
upper horizontal portion 711c so as to have an L~shaped
cross-section.
[0055] In the ceiling unit 7 according to this embodiment, the
first and second side beams 711 respectively include contact
surfaces that contact the lower surface of the ceiling plate 72,
the front beam 713 is provided to connect the respective front side
end portions of the first and second side beams 711, and the frontage
between the respective upper portions of the first and second side
beams 711 is set to be wider than the dimension of one side of the
ceiling plate 72. Accordingly, the ceiling plate 72 is inserted
and fastened from above the upper frame 71, and as a result, the
installation operation can be performed easily. Moreover, the
ceiling plate 72 is carried on the side beams 711, and therefore
the ceiling plate 72 can be prevented from falling even when the
ceiling plate 72 becomes unfastened from the side beams 711.
[0056] Likewise in this embodiment, either the so-called
underslung method, in which the rope (not shown) is wound around
the lower portion and side faces of the car 1, or the so-called
hanging method, in which the end portions of the rope are attached
to the upper beam 714, may be applied as the method of winding the
rope used to raise and lower the car 1.
33

[0057] Likewise in this embodiment, although the side beams 711 and the rear beam 712 are fastened to the ceiling plate 72 via the bolt holes 12, the side beams 711 and the rear beam 712 may be fixed by welding.
Reference Signs List
[0058] 1 Car
2 Lower frame
3 Floor plate
4 Upright column
5 Side wall
6 End rail
7 Ceiling unit
71 Upper frame
711 Side beam
712 Rear beam
713 Front beam
714 Upper beam
711a Lower horizontal portion
711c Upper horizontal portion
712a, 713a, 714a Horizontal portion
711b, 712b, 713b, 714b. Vertical portion
72 Ceiling plate
72a Bottom portion
721a Side vertical portion
721b Side horizontal portion
34

722a Rear vertical portion 722b Rear horizontal portion 723a Front vertical portion 723b Front horizontal portion
8 Guide shoe
9 Guide rail
10 Doorway
11 Keyhole
12, 14, 16 Bolt hole 13 Elongated hole 15, 17 Bolt
35

CLAIMS [Claim 1] A ceiling unit comprising:
a first side beam supported by at least one of a plurality of upright columns erected on a floor plate of an elevator car;
a second side beam supported parallel to the first side beam by a different upright column, among the plurality of upright columns, from the upright column supporting the first side beam;
a rear beam that connects respective rear side end portions of the first and second side beams; and
a ceiling plate supported by the first and second side beams and the rear beam.
[Claim 2] The ceiling unit.according to claim 1, wherein
the first and second side beams respectively include contact surfaces that contact a lower surface of the ceiling plate, and
the ceiling unit further comprises:
a front beam disposed above the respective contact surfaces at a remove from the respective contact surfaces so as to connect respective front side end portions of the first and second side beams; and
an upper beam disposed above the respective contact surfaces at a remove from the respective contact surfaces so as to connect respective central portions of the first and second side beams.
[Claim 3] The ceiling unit according to claim 2, wherein a lower
surface of the front beam and a lower surface of the upper beam
36

are disposed on an identical horizontal plane.
[Claim 4] The ceiling unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rear beam has a contact surface that contacts the lower
surface of the ceiling plate, and
the respective contact surfaces of the first and second side
beams and the contact surface of the rear beam are disposed on an
identical horizontal plane.
[Claim 5] The ceiling unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein
fastening holes, each constituted by a small diameter hole and a large diameter hole connected to the small diameter hole, are provided in both lengthwise direction ends of each of the front beam and the upper beam, and
fastening holes having the same shape as the fastening holes are provided in the first and second side beams in positions vertically beneath the fastening holes.
[Claim 6] The ceiling unit according to claim 1, wherein
the first and second side beams respectively include contact
surfaces that contact a lower surface of the ceiling plate,
the ceiling unit further comprises a front beam that connects
respective front side end portions of the first and second side
beams, and
a frontage between respective upper portions of the first
37

and second side beams is set to be wider than a dimension of one side of the ceiling plate.
[Claim 7] The ceiling unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ceiling plate includes:
mutually opposing first and second vertical portions;
a third vertical portion provided between respective rear side end portions of the first and second vertical portions;
first, second, and third horizontal portions connected to respective upper end portions of the first, second, and third-vertical portions so as to extend outward from the upper end portions; and
a bottom portion connecting respective lower end portions of the first, second, and third vertical portions to each other.
[Claim 8] The ceiling unit according to claim 7, wherein the first and second horizontal portions of the ceiling plate are carried on the first and second side beams, and the third horizontal portion thereof is carried on the rear beam.
[Claim 9] The ceiling unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first and second vertical portions, the first and second horizontal portions, and the bottom portion of the ceiling plate are formed from a single sheet of plate material.
[Claim 10] An elevator car comprising:
38

a first side wall erected on a floor plate of the elevator car;
a second side wall erected on the floor plate of the elevator car so as to oppose the first side wall;
a front facing wall erected on the floor plate of the elevator car so as to oppose a doorway of the elevator; and
the ceiling unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the bottom portion of the ceiling plate is oriented toward the floor plate side, and in this condition, respective outer faces of the first and second vertical portions of the ceiling plate are brought into contact with and fastened to respective inner faces of the first and second side walls, and the third vertical portion of the ceiling plate is brought into contact with and fastened to an inner face of the front facing wall.