Elevator car door restrictor solenoid assembly and method

A solenoid plunger assembly, comprising:

• a spacer comprising
• a spacer body defining a first end, an opposed second end, and an axial bore extending from the first end to the second end, and
• a head extending radially outwardly from the spacer body proximate the first end;
• and
• a fastener extending through the axial bore, the fastener defining external threads configured to threadably engage a seat formed into an end of a solenoid plunger positioned within a solenoid.

An elevator car door restrictor solenoid assembly, comprising:

• a one-piece solenoid bracket comprising
• a mounting web, the mounting web defining a first side and second side opposite the first side,
• a first mounting flange extending from the first side substantially transversely to the mounting web,
• a second mounting flange extending from the second side substantially transversely to the mounting web, the second mounting flange defining a flange end and a slot,
• a retaining web extending from the flange end substantially transversely to the second mounting flange, the retaining web defining a distal end opposite the second mounting flange, and
• a retaining flange, the retaining flange extending from the distal end substantially transversely to the retaining web opposite the second mounting flange,
• wherein the mounting web, the first mounting flange, the second mounting flange, the retaining web, and the retaining flange form a single piece of material;
• a solenoid positioned within the slot defined in the second mounting flange;
• a plunger axially moveable within the solenoid, the plunger defining an end, the end defining a fastener seat, and
• a plunger assembly, comprising
• a spacer comprising
• a spacer body defining a first end, an opposed second end, and an axial bore extending from the first end to the second end, and
• a head extending radially outwardly from the spacer body proximate the first end;
• and
• a fastener extending through the axial bore, the fastener defining an externally-threaded end portion threadably engaging the fastener seat of the plunger.

A method of assembling an elevator car door restrictor solenoid assembly, comprising the steps of:

• partially inserting a externally-threaded reduced diameter portion of a solenoid partially through a hole of a one-piece solenoid bracket, the one-piece solenoid bracket comprising
• a mounting web, the mounting web defining a first side and second side opposite the first side,
• a first mounting flange extending from the first side substantially transversely to the mounting web, the first mounting flange defining the hole through which the externally-threaded reduced diameter portion of the solenoid is partially inserted;
• a second mounting flange extending from the second side substantially transversely to the mounting web, the second mounting flange defining a flange end and a slot,
• a retaining web extending from the flange end substantially transversely to the second mounting flange, the retaining web defining a distal end opposite the second mounting flange, and
• a retaining flange, the retaining flange extending from the distal end substantially transversely to the retaining web opposite the second mounting flange,
• wherein the mounting web, the first mounting flange, the second mounting flange, the retaining web, and the retaining flange form a single piece;
• orienting the solenoid at an angle with respect to the mounting web;
• exerting force upon the solenoid sufficient to position it within the slot of the second mounting flange and to orient an axis of the solenoid substantially parallel to a plane at least partially defined by the mounting web;
• and
• substantially completely inserting the externally-threaded reduced diameter portion of the solenoid through the hole of the one-piece solenoid bracket.

The method of claim 17, wherein the plunger defines an end, the end defining a fastener seat, and wherein the step of attaching the plunger assembly to the plunger comprises the steps of:

• positioning a spacer between an end of the solenoid and the retaining flange, the spacer comprising
• a spacer body defining a first end, an opposed second end, and an axial bore extending from the first end to the second end, and
• a head extending radially outwardly from the spacer body proximate the first end;
• inserting a fastener through the axial bore, the fastener defining opposed ends and external threads proximate at least one of the ends;
• and
• threadably engaging the external threads of the fastener with the fastener seat.