toe guard

purpose

To design a standardized toe guard while maintaining code constraints.

constraints & requirements

• must be 16 gauge thick and wide enough to cover gap between elevator and floor

• withstand a horizontal force of 145lbf

• Deflect a maximum of 6mm and cannot plastically deform from the max horizontal force

• Enable fastening/securing from the bottom while being easily removable

design

A 16-gauge bent sheet metal component with stamped mounting holes for easy installtion. A 5-inch horizontal surface incorporated for ample clearance during assembly, while a 60 degree bent flange was used instead of a vertical edge to eliminate safety hazards.

validation

Validation was completed through FEA of the toe guard under code-relevant loading conditions, including a 145 lbf concentrated point load and a 145 lbf distributed area load applied to the vertical wall. The results showed no plastic deformation, confirming the design meets elevator code strength requirements.