Elevator car with working platform stabilization

1. An elevator car ( 1 ) comprising one or more side walls ( 4 a , 4 b ) defining an interior space ( 2 ) for accommodating passengers and/or cargo, the elevator car ( 1 ) comprising:

a support frame ( 8 ) positioned above the interior space ( 2 );

a working platform ( 12 ) suspendably connected to the support frame ( 8 ) and moveable between a stowed position, above the interior space ( 2 ), and an operational position, suspended within the interior space ( 2 );

wherein the working platform ( 12 ) comprises at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) and the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) comprises a first engagement portion ( 22 );

wherein at least one side wall ( 4 a ) of the one or more side walls ( 4 a , 4 b ) comprises a second engagement portion ( 6 ); and

wherein, when the working platform ( 12 ) is in the operational position, the first engagement portion ( 22 ) is configured to engage with the second engagement portion ( 6 ) so as to stabilize the working platform ( 12 ) in the operational position;

wherein the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position and wherein, in the deployed position, the first engagement portion ( 22 ) is configured to engage with the second engagement portion ( 6 );

wherein the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) comprises a first projection ( 18 ); the working platform ( 12 ) comprises a slot ( 16 ); and the first projection ( 18 ) is configured to slide in the slot ( 16 ), as the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) is moved between the retracted position and the deployed position.

2. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein the second engagement portion ( 6 ) is a handrail of the elevator car ( 1 ).

3. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein the second engagement portion ( 6 ) is at a predetermined height within the elevator car ( 1 ).

4. The elevator car of claim 3 , comprising a connection mechanism ( 11 ) arranged to suspendably connect the working platform ( 12 ) to the support frame ( 8 ), wherein the connection mechanism ( 11 ) extends to suspend the working platform ( 12 ) at a single operational position wherein the first engagement portion ( 22 ) is at the same predetermined height within the elevator car ( 1 ).

5. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion ( 22 ) comprises a hook.

6. The elevator car of claim 5 , wherein the hook ( 22 ) is shaped to match a shape of the second engagement portion ( 6 ).

7. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion ( 22 ) is made of a plastics material or covered with a plastics material.

8. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein, in the retracted position, the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) is entirely within the vertical footprint of the working platform ( 12 ) and wherein, in the deployed position, the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) extends laterally outside of the vertical footprint of the working platform ( 12 ).

9. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) is lockable in the retracted position and/or is lockable in the deployed position.

10. The elevator car of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing member ( 14 ) is a first stabilizing member ( 14 a ) and the working platform ( 12 ) further comprises a second stabilizing member ( 14 b ), and wherein the first stabilizing member ( 14 a ) and the second stabilizing member ( 14 b ) are positioned at opposed sides of the working platform ( 12 ).

11. An elevator system comprising an elevator car according to claim 1 .