Elevator guide rail clamp and method of use

An elevator clamp for use with a guide rail, the elevator clamp comprising:

• a framework including a framework cavity and a channel, the channel defined by a first wall, a second wall facing the first wall, and a base spacing the first wall from the second wall, the channel configured to receive the guide rail;
• a recess formed in the first wall;
• a cam disposed in the recess, the cam including a cam cavity, an engagement portion, and a clearance portion;
• a spring including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed in the cam cavity and the second portion disposed in the framework cavity, the spring having a first end engaging the cam and a second end engaging the framework, the spring biasing the cam toward a first position in which the engagement portion is rotated into the channel;
• a handle configured to rotate the cam from the first position to a second position in which the engagement portion is rotated out of the channel;
• a spring plunger disposed in the base of the framework, the spring plunger compressible between an extended position and a compressed position, the spring plunger in the extended position providing a mechanical stop against rotation of the cam toward the first position, the spring plunger in the compressed position permitting rotation of the cam toward the first position, the spring plunger configured to be moved to the compressed position by insertion of the guide rail into the channel, thereby removing the mechanical stop and allowing the spring to rotate the cam to the first position and engage the guide rail;
• a pin coupled to the cam and a pin aperture formed in the handle, the pin aperture having a first end and a second end, wherein rotation of the handle causes the first end of the pin aperture to engage the pin to rotate the cam from the first position to the second position;
• a spacer removably disposed in the channel, the spacer configured to adapt the channel to a predetermined guide rail size;
• a detent mechanism including a ball bearing disposed on a biasing element, the biasing element urging the ball bearing into engagement with the handle during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position, the ball bearing configured to rotate relative to the handle to reduce friction during rotation of the cam from the first position to the second position;
• a cap disposed on the first wall, the cap including a first slot configured to receive the handle and a second slot configured to receive a handle spacer, the handle spacer is configured to limit contact between the handle and the cap during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position;
• and
• a shaft extending through the cam, the shaft coupled to the framework and defining a rotational axis of the cam,
• wherein:
• the framework includes a cutout formed therein, the cutout configured to reduce weight of the framework,
• the cutout includes a plurality of cutouts,
• the first position corresponds to a storage state when no guide rail is present in the channel and an engaged state when the guide rail is present in the channel and engaged against the second wall,
• the second position corresponds to an armed state in which the spring plunger is in the extended position acting as the mechanical stop and the spring is loaded in anticipation of guide rail insertion,
• a nose of the spring plunger is at or below a surface of the base in the compressed position and the nose projects above the surface of the base to act as the mechanical stop in the extended position,
• the framework includes a spring cutout extending from the framework cavity, the spring cutout configured to retain the second end of the spring,
• the pin aperture is arcuate,
• the spacer is comprised by a first spacer, a second spacer, and a third spacer,
• the first spacer includes a receptacle configured to receive a fastener extending through an aperture in the second wall, the fastener operating to couple the first spacer to the second wall,
• the second spacer and the third spacer each include a slot configured to receive the fastener and permit removal of the second spacer and the third spacer upon loosening of the fastener,
• the second spacer and the third spacer each include an eyelet configured to receive a tether for coupling the second spacer and the third spacer to the framework,
• the tether is coupled to the framework by a tether fastener, the tether fastener having a head with an aperture configured to receive the tether,
• the second spacer and the third spacer each include a cutout formed therein, the cutout configured to reduce a weight of each respective spacer,
• the cutout includes a plurality of cutouts,
• the cam includes an aperture configured to receive the shaft, the aperture being offset from a central axis of the cam,
• the spring is disposed around the shaft, and
• the handle includes a bearing configured to allow the handle to rotate independently of the shaft.