AU2019394592A1 - Balustrade for a people-transporting device, people-transporting device comprising such a balustrade, and method for modernising a people-transporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a balustrade (1) comprising a plurality of first panels (2), a plurality of second panels (3), and a handrail guide (4) arranged on the first panels (2), the second panels (3) being arranged laterally offset with respect to the first panels (2) in such a way that the second panels (3) protrude beyond the handrail guide (4). Support elements (5) are arranged in each case between two first panels (2), with at least one holding element (10) being arranged on the support elements, which holding element holds the second panels (3). The invention also relates to a people-transporting device having at least one such balustrade (1). Lastly, the invention relates to a method for modernising a people-transporting device, wherein the people-transporting device is fitted with such a balustrade (1).

Description

1/30

Balustrade for a people-conveying apparatus, people-conveying apparatus having such a balustrade, and method for modernizing a people-conveying apparatus

The invention relates to a balustrade comprising a plurality of first panels, a plurality of second

panels and a handrail guide, which is arranged on the first panels. The second panels are arranged in a laterally offset manner in relation to the first panels such that the second panels project

beyond the handrail guide. The invention also relates to a people-conveying apparatus having such a balustrade and also to a method for modernizing a people-conveying apparatus.

Such balustrades are used, in particular, in people-conveying apparatuses such as escalators or moving walkways. The second panels here serve, in particular, as a safeguard, in order to prevent

people who are using the people-conveying apparatus from falling from the people-conveying apparatus over the handrail of the people-conveying apparatus. Since the first panels of the

balustrade have arranged on them the handrail guide, via which a driven, endless handrail is guided during operation of a people-conveying apparatus, the first panels cannot be of any

desired height; rather, it is necessary to have second panels, which are arranged in a laterally offset manner in relation to the handrail guide.

WO 2006/042428 A2 discloses, for example, an escalator balustrade in the case of which first panels are arranged beneath the handrail and second panels are arranged in a laterally offset

manner in relation to the handrail, such that they project beyond the handrail. The escalator here is adapted specifically to this balustrade.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to improve a balustrade

mentioned in the introduction and to provide an improved people-conveying apparatus. In particular, the intention here is to create a visually pleasing balustrade which serves as a

safeguard. In particular, an additional intention is to make it possible for people-conveying

apparatuses to be straightforwardly retrofitted with such a balustrade which serves as a safeguard, preferably with only small adaptations to the people-conveying apparatus being

required.

2/30

Forthe purpose of achievingthis object, a balustrade, people-conveying apparatus and a method for modernizing a people-conveying apparatus as claimed in the independent claims are

proposed. Further advantageous configurations of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the description and are also illustrated in the figures.

The proposed solution provides a balustrade, in particular a balustrade for an escalator or moving

walkway, which comprises a plurality of first panels, a plurality of second panels and a handrail guide, which is arranged on the first panels. The second panels are arranged in a laterally offset

manner in relation to the first panel such that the second panels project beyond the handrail

guide. Supporting elements are arranged in each case between two first panels, wherein the supporting elements have arranged on them at least one retaining element, which retains the

second panels. There is advantageously no need, in the case of this balustrade, for any significant adaptations to the design of the people-conveying apparatus. In particular, provision is made for

the balustrade to comprise a balustrade base, wherein the first panels advantageously have their lower end arranged in the balustrade base, in particular in corresponding holders of the

balustrade base. The balustrade base here advantageously is not altered in any way in relation to a balustrade base which is used for a balustrade without a safeguard, comprising the first

panels but no second panels. Furthermore, the balustrade is of visually pleasing configuration,

wherein the second panels form a reliable safeguard. The supporting elements are advantageously retained solely by the first panels, in particular by the supporting elements being

clamped between two successive first panels. The supporting elements of the balustrade are advantageously not connected to the balustrade base such that the balustrade base fixes the

supporting elements mechanically.

According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the first panels provided are glass panes or glass panels. Furthermore, the second panels provided are preferably glass panes or glass

panels. The glass panes here can be, in particular, single-pane safety glass or laminated safety

glass. The first panels and/or the second panels are preferably transparent. Even if the panels are preferably glass panels, provision is made, in particular according to a variant, for the first panels

and the second panels to be made from different materials. In particular, it is also possible for the panels, in a variant, to be made from one or more of the following materials: Plexiglas, acrylic

glass, Nirosta, sheet steel and sheet aluminum. In particular, it is also possible for the panels to

3/30

be made from a composite material, in particular the composite material which, at the time of the application, is sold under the tradename Dibond©.

The at least one retaining element is preferably designed in the form of a continuous retaining

element comprising one or more parts, in particular in the form of a retaining element which runs parallel to the handrail guide. In particular, provision is made for the at least one retaining

element to be at least partially metallic, preferably to be made at least partially from aluminum or at least partially from steel. The at least one retaining element is advantageously at least one

retaining profile, in particular at least one continuous-casting profile, preferably at least one

aluminum continuous-casting profile. Furthermore, provision is made in particular for the cross section of the at least one retaining element to be essentially round or to be U-shaped. In

particular when the second panels are designed in the form of glass panels, the at least one retaining element is advantageously at least one clamping-action glazing bar. Glass paper is

advantageously inserted here in each case between the glass panel and clamping-action glazing bar, in order to avoid direct contact between the glass panel and clamping-action glazing bar.

Furthermore, the second panels are advantageously fixed in the at least one retaining element by a fixing element. In particular when the at least one retaining element is designed in the form

of at least one retaining profile, in particular in the form of at least one clamping-action glazing

bar, the fixing element provided is, in particular, a plastic wedge. This plastic wedge advantageously has a slope which is advantageously in an angle range between 1 and 15.

According to a particularly advantageous configuration, the slope has an angle of 4. According to an advantageous variant, provision is made for the at least one retaining element to be

provided by a plurality of retaining elements, which retain the second panels.

The second panels, which are retained in the at least one retaining element, are advantageously connected to one another at their abutment edges, in particular via connecting points. In

addition, or as an alternative, an advantageous configuration is one where the second panels are

connected at their upper end by means of at least one clamping bar, preferably by means of at least one metallic clamping bar.

In particular for further improving the visual perception of the proposed balustrade, the at least

one retaining element, according to an advantageous configuration, comprises at least one light

4/30

source. The at least one light source here is advantageously oriented such that the second panels are illuminated. If the second panels are glass panels, provision is made, in particular, for the light

sources to be arranged beneath the lower edge of the second glass panels, the light from the at least one light source therefore being directed into the glass panels.

A preferred configuration makes provision for the balustrade to have second panels over the

entire length of the balustrade. In particular, however, configurations are also provided where the balustrade has second panels only in certain sections, in particular when only certain sections

of the balustrade involve the risk of people seriously injuring themselves if they were to fall over

the handrail. Provision can therefore be made, in particular if such a balustrade is used for an escalator, for the second panels to comprise second panels only from a specific height between

the escalator and the underlying surface. The height of the second panels should be dimensioned, in particular, so as to achieve an effective safeguard. The height of the arrangement of the at

least one retaining element can be selected here, in particular, such that the second panels are arranged, in part, parallel to the first panels, and therefore the corresponding projection surfaces

of a lower region of the second panels partially overlap the upper region of the first panels. In particular, provision is made for the at least one retaining element to be arranged at the height

of the upper end of the first panels, and therefore the lower end of the second panels more or

less adjoins the first panels. According to a further, less preferred configuration, it is also possible for a gap to be present between the upper end of the first panels and the lower end of the second

panels. This gap, however, should be small enough for there to be no risk of people coming to harm as a result of this gap, in particular in the case where a safeguard would not be ensured

due to the resulting gap.

The second panels are advantageously limited to a height of 200 cm (cm: centimeters) vertically above the handrail. A particularly advantageous height is between 30 cm and 100 cm vertically

above the handrail. The height is particularly advantageously limited to a maximum of 50 cm

above the handrail. It is advantageously the case that such a height already ensures a good safeguard for most scenarios. Furthermore, such limitation of the maximum height

advantageously reducesthe weightwhich hasto be carried bythe at leastone retaining element. It is further advantageously the case that such a limitation gives rise to savings in costs, in

particular costs relating to materials and transport.

5/30

A further advantageous configuration of the balustrade makes provision for the arrangement, on

the supporting elements, of a respective cantilever arm. The cantilever arm here comprises in each case a free end and a mounted end, wherein the at least one retaining element is arranged

at the free end of the respective cantilever arm. In particular, provision is made for a respective cantilever arm to be arranged on each supporting element. The mounted end of the respective

cantilever arm can be arranged in different ways on the respective supporting element. In particular, the cantilever arm can be welded to the respective supporting element. For simplified

installation of the cantilever arm, an advantageous configuration is one where the cantilever arm

is fitted into the supporting element. For this purpose, the cantilever arm advantageously has corresponding hook elements, which engage in corresponding mounts of the supporting

element, in particular in the manner of a rack system in which rack hooks for retaining shelves are fitted into a wall bar. According to a further particularly advantageous configuration, a

respective cantilever arm is screwed to the respective supporting element. This advantageously allows improved adjustability of the cantilever arm in particular in relation to the height at which

it is arranged.

The respective cantilever arms create in particular, a spacing in relation to the first panels and in

relation to the handrail guide, and therefore the second panels can advantageously be arranged in a laterally offset manner in relation to the first panels. In particular, it is possible here for a

handrail which is guided via the handrail guide to continue to be used as intended. In particular, provision is made for second panels to be arranged so as to be offset in a parallel state in relation

to the first panels. Further advantageously, the offset between the first panels and the second panels is between 10 cm and 40 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 30 cm. The cantilever arms

are preferably at least partially metallic, in particular are made at least partially from aluminum or at least partially from steel.

A further advantageous configuration of the balustrade makes provision for the supporting elements each to have a guide, in particular a guide which extends over the entire height of the

supporting element and in which the respective cantilever arm is fixed. This advantageously further improves the adjustability of the cantilever arm in relation to the height at which it is

arranged. Provision is further advantageously made for a respective cantilever arm to have at its

6/30

mounted end, by means of which said arm is arranged on the supporting element, a counterpart, which is formed in the manner corresponding to the guide of the supporting element and by way

of which the respective cantilever arm engages in the guide of the respective supporting element. A further advantageous configuration makes provision for the guide to be designed in the form

of a groove, in particular in the form of a T-shaped groove. The cantilever arm, or a sliding block which fixes the cantilever arm, advantageously engages in said groove, in particular the T-shaped

groove. In particular if the guide is configured in the form of a groove, in particular in the form of a T-shaped groove, and the cantilever arms are fixed by hammerhead screws or sliding blocks

formed in a manner corresponding to the groove, the height at which the respective cantilever

arm is arranged, and therefore also the height of the retaining element for the second panels, is advantageously very easy to adjust.

An advantageous development of the balustrade makes provision for the respective cantilever

arm to be fixed at its mounted end by a fixing element. The fixing element here is advantageously introduced into the respective supporting element on the side of the latter which is located

opposite the cantilever arm. The fixing elements provided are, in particular, screws. In the case of this configuration, the fixing elements can advantageously be tightened by means of a torque

wrench. This advantageously simplifies installation, in particular also in relation to fixing by

means of sliding blocks in the guide of the respective supporting element. In the case of this variant, in particular the threaded bolt of the respective screw-connection element extends in

the longitudinal-extent direction of the respective cantilever arm. The respective cantilever arm here advantageously has through-passage openings at its mounted end, said openings

advantageously extending in the longitudinal-extent direction of the respective cantilever arm. According to an advantageous configuration, these through-passage openings have an internal

thread, which is in operative connection with the external thread of the screw-connection element. According to a further advantageous configuration, the cantilevers arms have free

spaces behind the through-passage openings, wherein such a free space has arranged in it a

respective nut, which is in operative connection with the screw-connection element. A further advantageous configuration makes provision for the through-passage openings to be slots, in

order that the height at which the cantilever arms are arranged can be adapted to the respective supporting elements in a further-improved manner.

7/30

In particular, provision is made for the respective cantilever arm to be arranged in the upper half of a respective supporting element, in particular for the respective cantilever arm to be arranged

in the upper third of a respective supporting element. According to a further advantageous configuration, the cantilever arms are arranged in each case in a height-adjustable manner on

the respective supporting element. In the case of an advantageous variant, the position in which the cantilever arm is arranged on the respective supporting element is predetermined in a fixed

manner, in particular by corresponding through-passage openings in the supporting elements such as, in particular, bores. Adjustability of the height of the cantilever arms is advantageously

provided here by the height at which the supporting elements are arranged between the first

panels.

A further advantageous configuration of the balustrade makes provision for a respective U shaped clamping holder which is open in the upward direction to be arranged as retaining

element at the free end of the respective cantilever arm. These clamping holders advantageously retain the second panels. The clamping holders advantageously have a length between 2 cm (cm:

centimeters) and 60 cm, over which the respective second panel is supported. In particular, the length is between 6.5 cm and 22 cm.

According to a further particularly advantageous configuration of the balustrade, a respective supporting element has a mount on each of its longitudinal sides. The first panels, between which

the respective supporting element is arranged, advantageously have a respective lateral end arranged in a respective mount of the supporting element. The mounts here are advantageously

designed in the form of a groove, in which advantageously the lateral ends of the respective first panels engage in the form of tongues. This advantageously further increases the stability of the

arrangement. Furthermore, this configuration is distinguished by further-improved visual perception. The lateral ends of the respective first panels here advantageously subject the

respective supporting element to a clamping action, as a result of which the supporting element

is retained between two first panels.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the supporting elements are designed in each case in the form of a rail, in particular in the form of a metal rail. A supporting element that is

8/30

designed in the form of a rail is advantageously arranged in each case in the joint between two first panels.

The supporting elements advantageously each have a first supporting-element part with an outer

region and a second supporting-element part with an outer region. If the supporting elements are configured in the form of rails, the first supporting-element part is advantageously a first rail

part and the second supporting-element part is advantageously a second rail part. The first supporting-element part and the second supporting-element part are advantageously arranged such that the outer region of the first supporting-element part is arranged on the one side of the

balustrade and the outer region of the second supporting-element part is arranged on the other side of the balustrade. Such a multi-part configuration of the supporting elements

advantageously makes it possible to achieve an improved clamping action. This advantageously improves the retention of the supporting elements between the first panels. Furthermore, such

a multi-part configuration of the supporting elements has, in particular, advantages for the assembly of the balustrade. For example, it is possible for such a multi-part supporting element,

which comprises a first supporting-element part and a second supporting-element part, to be installed in particular without the handrail guide having to be removed from the first panels. It is

advantageously the case that the first supporting-element part is arranged between two first

panels from the one side of the balustrade and the second supporting-element part is arranged between said two first panels from the other side of the balustrade. The supporting-element

parts are advantageously connected by means of screw-connection elements, provision being made, in particular, for the respective cantilever arm also to be fastened on the supporting

element by means of these screw-connection elements. Provision is made here, in particular, for the screw-connection element to be introduced through the first supporting-element part, then

through the second supporting-element part and then into a corresponding through-passage opening at the mounted end of the cantilever arm, and for the screw-element to be screw

connected. The corresponding through-passage opening is advantageously adjoined by a free

space, in which a nut for receiving the screw-connection element can be arranged. A configuration in which the through-passage opening has a corresponding internal thread, in

which the screw-connection element engages, is provided as an alternative, or in addition.

9/30

According to a variant, provision can be made for the first supporting element and the second supporting element to be arranged exclusively on the outside in front of the respective first

panels, wherein the at least one fixing means by way of which the supporting-element parts are connected, in particular the screws which connect the first supporting-element part to the

second supporting-element part, engages through the interspace between the respective two first panels.

A preferred configuration of the balustrade, however, makes provision for the first supporting

element part to have an inner region, in particular an inner profile, wherein the inner region is

arranged between the first panels. Further preferably, the second supporting-element part has an inner region, in particular an inner profile, wherein the inner region is arranged between the

first panels. This inner region or these inner regions advantageously further simplifies/simplify the installation of the supporting elements, because the position in which the supporting

element parts are arranged is already predetermined to the greatest extent by the inner regions. Furthermore, provision is advantageously made for the supporting-element parts not to be in

direct contact, it therefore being ensured that the first panels are subjected, in particular, to a clamping action. The supporting elements here are advantageously retained solely on account of

the clamping action between two first panels. The inner region of the first supporting-element

part is therefore advantageously not in contact with the inner region of the second supporting element part, and therefore the inner regions, in particular, do not butt against one another. This

advantageously further improves installation and also the stability of the arrangement. In particular, provision can be made for the lateral ends of the first panels, between which a

supporting element is arranged, to be in direct contact with the respective supporting element or the respective supporting-element parts. In the case of a variant in which the supporting

elements are also connected, in particular, to the handrail guide and/or to the balustrade base, provision can be made, in contrast, for the first supporting-element part and the second

supporting-element part, in particular the inner region of the first supporting-element part and

the inner region of the second supporting-element part, to be in direct contact with one another.

According to a variant, in particular a tolerance gap is maintained between the respective supporting element or the respective supporting-element parts and the respective lateral end of

10/30

a first panel. This has the advantage that, even in the event of thermal expansion of the supporting element, the first panels are retained in a stress-free manner.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the mount, into which the first panels project

by way of their respective lateral end, are formed between the first supporting-element part and the second supporting-element part of a respective supporting element. The mounts of the

supporting element, the lateral ends of a respective first panel engaging in said mounts in each case, are provided with a panel protector, in particular with glass paper. In particular, provision

is made for the panel protector to be an elastically more compliant material than the material of

the supporting element.

The first supporting-element part and/or the second supporting-element part advantageously have/has a respective outer region. This outer region here is, in particular, that region of the

respective supporting-element part which is not arranged between two first panels. In particular, provision is made for the mounts, into which the first panels project by way of their respective

lateral ends, to be formed in each case between the outer region of the first supporting-element part and the outer region of the second supporting-element part. In particular, provision is made

for the outer regions to be in contact with the respective first panel by way of their surface which

is directed toward the respective first panel. In particular, provision is made for at least part of the outer regions of the supporting elements to butt against the respective outer surface of the

respective first panel. A protective layer, in particular made of an elastically compliant material, in particular made of glass paper, is advantageously formed here between the outer region of

the respective supporting element and the panel surface. This advantageously gives better protection to the lateral ends of the first panels.

According to a further advantageous configuration of the balustrade, the balustrade comprises

at least one end panel. This at least one end panel is advantageously arranged at a respective

end of the balustrade. Such an end panel advantageously has a first panel region with a first lower end and a second panel region with a second lower end. Such an end panel advantageously has

its first lower end arranged in the at least one retaining element and its second lower end arranged in at least one further retaining element. The at least one further retaining element is

advantageously not arranged on the cantilever arms or on the supporting elements. In particular,

11/30

provision is made for the at least one further retaining element to be arranged in the floor region, in particular on a cover-panel frame of a people-conveying apparatus for which the balustrade is

provided. The at least one further retaining element can also be arranged in addition, or as an alternative, in particular on the balustrade base.

In particular, provision is made for the end panel to extend, in the second panel region, from the

lower end of an adjacent first panel up to the upper end of an adjacent second panel. In particular, provision is also made for the end panel to extend, in the first panel region, from the

lower end of a second panel up to the upper end of a second panel. In particular, the end panels

provided are glass panels, in particular made of a single-pane safety glass or laminated safety glass. The visual perception of the balustrade is advantageously further improved by the at least

one end panel. In particular, provision is made for a balustrade to comprise two end panels, that is to say one end panel at each of the ends of a respective balustrade.

The people-conveying apparatus, which is also proposed for the purpose of solving the object

mentioned in the introduction, comprises a balustrade according to the invention, in particular a balustrade according to a configuration as described above and hereinbelow or according to a

combination of these configurations. In particular, provision is made for the people-conveying

apparatus to be an escalator or a moving walkway. In particular, provision is also made for the people-conveying apparatus to comprise a circulating conveyor belt, preferably a circulating

conveyor belt formed from a multiplicity of tread elements, in particular a step belt or pallet belt.

A handrail is advantageously guided via the handrail guide of the balustrade, said handrail forming a continuous handrail belt. Said handrail is advantageously driven here at the same

speed as the conveyor belt or at a speed which is up to 15% higher than that of the conveyor belt. In particular, provision is made for the people-conveying apparatus to comprise two

balustrades designed accordingto the invention, which advantageously delimit the conveyor belt

laterally. Provision is also made, in particular, for the people-conveying apparatus to connect a first height level to a second height level, in particular two different stories.

In particular, provision is made for a people-conveying apparatus to be created anew with a

balustrade according to the invention using a modernization method. In the case of the proposed

12/30

method for modernizing a people-conveying apparatus, provision is made, in particular, for a people-conveying apparatus to be equipped with a balustrade according to the invention, in

particular with a balustrade according to a configuration as described above or hereinbelow or according to a combination of these configurations. The method here comprises, in particular,

the completely new construction of a people-conveying apparatus with a balustrade according to the invention. In particular, however, provision is also made for an existing people-conveying

apparatus to be retrofitted with a balustrade according to the invention, it advantageously being possible for an existing balustrade of such an existing people-conveying apparatus to continue to

be used, at least in part, and to be converted into a balustrade according to the invention.

In particular, provision is made for the people-conveying apparatus which is to be modernized

already to have an existing balustrade, this existing balustrade already comprising a plurality of the first panels, which are arranged, in particular, in abutment. The first panels of the existing

balustrade here are, in particular, glass panels. A method step advantageously provided here is one in which at least one first panel of the existing balustrade, said first panel having a first length,

is removed. This first panel is then replaced by a first panel which has a second length, which is shorter than the first length. The first panel with the second length can be, in particular, a

different first panel or else the first panel shortened to the second length. The first panel with

the second length here is advantageously shorter than the first panel with the first length to the extent where the spacing between the further first panels can be increased such that the

supporting elements can be arranged between these first panels. In particular, provision is made for a further first panel with a first length to be replaced by a further first panel with a second

length, said second length, in turn, being correspondingly shorter than the first length, so that the spacings between the first panels which are not to be replaced can be increased accordingly.

In particular in the case of people-conveying apparatus, for example escalators, which connect a

first height level to a second height level and, usually in the region of the transition from the

horizontal extent to the sloping extent, each have a first panel with a curvature which is adapted in a manner corresponding to said transition, it is advantageous to change over these first panels,

since in this case the corresponding adaptation of the arrangement of the further first panels, which are not to be replaced, can take place both in the region of the horizontal extent of the

13/30

people-conveying apparatus and in the region of the sloping extent of the people-conveying apparatus.

Once the at least one first panel has been removed, the successive first panels are

advantageously arranged in each case at a spacing A apart from one another. The spacings between the first panels of the existing balustrade prior to the rearrangement are typically no

more than up to 3 mm (mm: millimeters), typically in particular 2 mm. This spacing is advantageously increased to at least 10 mm, preferably to at least 13 mm. The spacing between

the first panels here depends, in particular, on the width of the supporting elements which are

to be used, the supporting elements being arranged between the first panels. In particular also for visual reasons, however, provision is made for the spacings between two successive panels

preferably not to extend beyond 70 mm. A preferred spacing to be created is between 13 mm and 30 mm. In a further method step, the supporting elements are arranged between the first

panels spaced apart by the spacing.

According to a further configuration, provision is made for the existing balustrade of the people conveying apparatus which is to be modernized to comprise a handrail guide. This handrail guide

is advantageously removed while modernization is being carried out. According to an

advantageous configuration, the supporting elements are then pushed in from above between the spaced-apart first panels, in order for the supporting elements to be arranged between the

spaced-apart first panels. In the case of this variant, the supporting elements are advantageously formed as a single part. If the supporting elements, in this variant, are formed in more than one

part, the supporting-element parts have advantageously already been fitted together so as to form the supporting-element mounts, in which the lateral ends of the first panels engage. Once

the supporting elements have been arranged between in each case two first panels, the handrail guide is positioned on the first panels. This advantageously allows the handrail guide of the

existing balustrade to be reused.

If the supporting elements comprise in each case a first supporting-element part and a second

supporting-element part, then provision is advantageously made for in each case the first supporting-element part to be arranged on the one side of the balustrade. Provision is also

advantageously made for in each case the second supporting-element part to be arranged on the

14/30

other side of the balustrade. The respective first supporting-element part and the respective second supporting-element part are advantageously arranged here such that the inner region of

the supporting element is arranged between two successive first panels, within the created spacing, and such that the respective outer region of the supporting element projects beyond a

lateral sub-portion of the respective first panel, advantageously such that the outer regions of the supporting-element parts form the mount, into which the lateral ends of the first panels

project. There is advantageously no need in the case of this variant, in which the respective supporting element comprises the first supporting-element part and the second supporting

element part, for the handrail guide of the existing balustrade to be removed, in particular

removed completely. It is advantageously possible here for the handrail guide of the existing balustrade to be maintained for the creation of the balustrade according to the invention.

The first supporting-element part is advantageously connected to the second supporting

element part in each case by means of a screw connection. In particular, provision is made here in addition for the respective cantilever arm to be fixed on the supporting element by means of

this screw connection. This advantageously further simplifies installation since, in a single step, the first supporting-element part is able to be connected to the second supporting-element part

and, in addition, the cantilever arm is arranged on the supporting element.

According to a further configuration, provision is made for the people-conveying apparatus to

comprise a cover-panel frame with a cover panel incorporated therein. The cover panel, which is incorporated in the cover-panel frame, has a first width here. A further method step provided

here is one in which the cover panel with the first width is removed. The at least one further retaining element is advantageously arranged on the cover-panel frame. A cover panel which has

a second width, wherein the second width is smaller than the first width, is inserted into the cover-panel frame. According to a further advantageous variant, for this purpose, the cover panel

with the first width can be appropriately shortened to the second width and reused. In particular,

provision is made for the cover panel with the second width and the at least one retaining element to have a total width equal to the cover panel with the first width. In particular, provision

is made for the at least one further retaining element to be a retaining profile, in particular a clamping-action glazing bar. In particular, provision can also be made for the at least one further

15/30

retaining element to comprise a holder, by way of which the at least one further retaining element is fastened on the cover-panel frame.

A further method step provided is, in particular, one in which the cantilever arms are to be

arranged on the respective supporting elements, advantageously by means of a screw connection, as described above. The height at which the cantilever arms are arranged on the

supporting elements is advantageously adapted correspondingly. The cantilever arms here are advantageously arranged in a respective guide of the supporting elements.

The at least one retaining element is then advantageously arranged at the free ends of the cantilever arms. An aid, in particular in the form of a groove/tongue arrangement, is

advantageously formed here between the at least one retaining element and the cantilever arms. In particular, provision is made for the at least one retaining element to be screw-connected to

the cantilever arms. Other fastening means can likewise be provided. Once the at least one retaining element has been fastened on the cantilever arms, the second panels are

advantageously arranged on or in the at least one retaining element. In particular, provision is made for the second panels used to be glass panels and with the at least one retaining element

used to be at least one clamping-action glazing bar. Glass paper is advantageously introduced

here in the clamping-action glazing bar, a respective glass panel being inserted into the clamping action glazing bar. A respective glass panel is advantageously fixed in the clamping-action glazing

bar by at least one clamping wedge. An end panel, in particular a glass end panel, is advantageously arranged at each of the ends of the balustrade. This panel is advantageously fixed

both on or in the at least one retaining element, in particular the clamping-action glazing bar, and advantageously also on or in the at least one further retaining element, which can be

arranged, in particular, on the cover-panel frame of the people-conveying apparatus. This further retaining element is advantageously likewise a clamping-action glazing bar.

The second panels are advantageously arranged in abutment. Provision is also advantageously made for the second panels additionally to be connected to one another, in particular by means

of connecting points between in each case successive second panels and/or a clamping bar arranged at the upper end of the second panels. It is also advantageously the case that the end

panels are arranged in abutment with the respectively adjacent second panel. Further

16/30

advantageously, the end panels are connected in each case to the adjacent second panel, in particular by means of connecting points between the panels and/or a clamping bar arranged at

the upper end of the respective end panel and of the adjacent second panel.

Further advantageous details, features and specifics of the invention will be explained in more detail in combination with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade

according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a

balustrade according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a detail similar to that in figure 2, from a

different perspective;

Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a detail similar to that in figure 2, from a

different perspective;

Figure 5 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a further detail of an exemplary

embodiment of a balustrade according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a vastly simplified schematic illustration of a people-conveying apparatus in which use is made of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the

invention for modernizing the people-conveying apparatus;

Figure 7 shows a further vastly simplified schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment

of the arrangement of supporting elements during implementation of a method according to the invention; and

Figure 8 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a

balustrade according to the invention.

17/30

Figure 1 shows a perspective, schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade

1 configured according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the balustrade 1 is illustrated together with an escalator support 41, in particular in order to illustrate the

arrangement of the balustrade 1 in relation to this escalator support 41 and in order to clarify the size ratios in relation to the escalator support 41. Also illustrated schematically in figure 1 is

a person 50, as he or she would be standing on a tread element of an escalator. It can also be seen from this illustration that the overall height for the balustrade 1 is high enough for an

undesired fall of a person 50 over the balustrade 1 to be ruled out.

The balustrade 1 illustrated in figure 1 comprises a plurality of first panels 2, these first panels 2

being glass panels. A handrail guide 4 is arranged on the first panels 2 here. When this balustrade 1 is used in a people-conveying apparatus, a driven handrail (not illustrated in figure 1) is guided

via said handrail guide 4. A plurality of second panels 3 are arranged in a laterally offset and parallel state in relation to the first panels 2 such that the second panels 3 project beyond the

handrail guide 4. The second panels 3 here are likewise glass panels.

In order for the second panels 3 to be arranged in place, a supporting element 5 is arranged in

each case between two first panels 2. In particular, provision is made for the supporting elements 5 to be clamped in in each case between two first panels 2. In the upper region of the supporting

elements 5 here, a respective cantilever arm 11 is arranged on the supporting elements 5. A clamping-action glazing bar is arranged, in the form of a retaining element 10 for the second

panels 3, at the free end of the respective cantilever arm 11. For this purpose, the second panels 3 are positioned in the retaining element 10, at least one clamping wedge fixing the second

panels 3 in the retaining element 10.

A respective cover-panel frame 47 is arranged at the start and at the end of the escalator support

41. A cover panel 48 is arranged in said cover-panel frame 47, as is also a further clamping-action glazing bar, which forms a further retaining element 27. In addition, a respective end panel 22 is

arranged at the start and at the end of the balustrade 1. The end panel 22 is likewise a glass panel. The end panel 22 has a first panel region 23 with a first lower end 25 and a second panel

region 24 with a second lower end 26. The end panel 22 here has its first lower end 25 arranged

18/30

in each case in the retaining element 10, which is retained by the cantilever arms 11. The end panel 22 has the second lower end 26 arranged in each case in the further retaining element 27,

which is arranged on the cover-panel frame 47. The end panel 22 here extends, in the second panel region 24, from the lower end of an adjacent first panel 2 up to the upper end of an

adjacent second panel 3.

In particular, provision can be made for at least one light source to be installed in the retaining element 10, wherein the second panels 3 are illuminated by means of the at least one light source

(not illustrated in figure 1).

Advantageous configurations in particular of the supporting elements 5, of the cantilever arms

11 and of the at least one retaining element 10 are illustrated in figure 2, figure 3 and figure 4, which each show a detail of a balustrade 1.

Figure 2 here shows a supporting element 5, which is arranged between two first panels 2. A

cantilever arm 11 is arranged on the supporting element 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the mounted end 13 of the cantilever arm 11 is screw-connected to the supporting element 5. A

clamping-action glazing bar is arranged as retaining element 10 at the free end 12 of the

cantilever arm 11. A second panel 3 is arranged in the retaining element 10, wherein, in this exemplary embodiment, the second panel 3 is a glass panel. The supporting element 5, cantilever

arm 11 and retaining element 10 here are made, in particular, from aluminum.

The first panels 2 are spaced apart from one another by a spacing A. This spacing A can be, in particular, between 13 mm and 30 mm. The supporting element 5 is arranged between these

successively arranged first panels 2. The supporting element 5 here comprises a first supporting element part 6 and a second supporting-element part 7, wherein the supporting-element parts

6, 7 are connected to one another via screw connections 28. For this purpose, the first

supporting-element part 6 and the second supporting-element part 7 have corresponding through-passage openings, through which the fixing elements 15, in particular screws, engage.

The first supporting-element part 6 and the second supporting-element part 7 here extend over the entire length of the supporting element 5. The supporting-element part 6 and the supporting

element part 7 here each have an inner region 8 and also an outer region 9 and advantageously

19/30

each form a T-shaped profile. The first supporting-element part 6 and the second supporting element part 7 here have the respective inner region 8 arranged between the two first panels 2,

wherein the inner regions 8 of the supporting-element parts 6, 7 butt against one another. The outer regions 9 of the supporting-element parts 6, 7 here project beyond the lateral ends 17 of

the first panels 2, and therefore mounts 16 are formed on the longitudinal sides of the supporting element 5, which is formed from the supporting-element parts 6, 7. The lateral ends of the first

panels 2 are arranged in these mounts 16. The screw connections 28, which connect the first supporting-element part 6 with the second supporting-element part 7, achieve a clamping action

in combination with the first panels 2, as a result of which the supporting element 5 is retained

in the corresponding position between the first panels 2. It is possible here for the lateral ends 17 of the first panels 2 to act on the inner regions 8 of the supporting element 5 in order to

increase the clamping action. In particular, however, the outer regions 9 of the supporting element 5 act on the outer sides of the first panels 2 in order to increase the clamping action.

In this exemplary embodiment, the second supporting-element part 7 of the supporting element

5 additionally has a guide 14. The cantilever arm 11 has its mounted end 13 arranged in the upper region of said guide 14. Said cantilever arm 11 here advantageously extends obliquely upward.

This means that the overall height of the second panels 3 can advantageously be smaller.

In this exemplary embodiment, the mounted end 13 of the cantilever arm 11is mounted on the

supporting element 5 by way of the upper two screw connections 28, which also hold the first supporting-element part 6 and the second supporting-element part 7 together in this region. The

mounted end 13 of the cantilever arm 11 has two through-passage openings 18, behind which the cantilever arm 11 has a respective free space 19. The screws 15 of the upper two screw

connections 28 here project through the first supporting-element part 6, the second supporting element part 7 and the through-passage opening 18 and is then locked by a nut 29. The free

spaces 19 here are advantageously large enough to allow a tool to act on the respective nut 29.

A clamping-action glazing bar is arranged as retaining element 10 at the free end 12 of the

cantilever arm 11. Figure 2, figure 3 and figure 4 each illustrate just part of such a retaining element 10. In particular, the free end 12 of the cantilever arm is screw-connected to the

retaining element 10. The retaining element 10 preferably has a T-shaped screw 37 at its lower

20/30

end. A sliding bolt 38 with a screw-connection element 39 is advantageously arranged at the free end 12 of the cantilever arm, wherein the sliding bolt 38 engages in the T-shaped groove 37 and

the retaining element 10 is fixed on the cantilever arm 11 by means of the screw-connection element 39. An inner side of the retaining element 10 here is lined with a glass paper 30. The

latter protects the second panel 3, which is introduced into the retaining element 10. The second panel 3 is fixed in the retaining element 10 by means of a clamping wedge 31, which can be made,

in particular, from a plastic material. In this exemplary embodiment, the clamping wedge 31 has an introduction slope of 4. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 2 is shown from a

different perspective in each of figure 3 and figure 4.

An advantageous variant makes provision for the respective cantilever arm 11 to be arranged in

the upper third of a respective supporting element 5, as shown for example in figure 4. According to this variant, the supporting element 5 is designed here in the form of a rail, in particular in the

form of a two-part rail having a first rail part and a second rail part, wherein the supporting element 5 designed in the form of a rail is arranged in each case in the joint between two first

panels 2. In this variant, a respective U-shaped clamping holder which is open in the upward direction is arranged as retaining element 10 at the free end 12 of the respective cantilever arm

11, as shown for example in figure 4. The respective clamping holders here retain the second

panels 3.

Figure 5 illustrates a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade 1, this detail showing, in particular, specifics as to how the lower end of a balustrade 1, as illustrated in figure 1, could

be configured in accordance with an advantageous configuration. The balustrade 1 here comprises a plurality of first panels 2, a plurality of second panels 3 and a handrail guide 4, which

is arranged on the first panels 2. The second panels 3 here are arranged in a laterally offset manner in relation to the first panels 2, wherein the second panels 3 project beyond the handrail

guide 4. A respective supporting element 5 is arranged between in each case two first panels 2.

The upper region of a respective supporting element 5 has arranged on it a respective cantilever arm 11, on which are fastened retaining elements 10, which retain the second panels 3. The first

panels 2 are retained by holders 35, which are arranged on an escalator support 41. As can be seen in figure 5, the supporting elements 5 here, rather than being connected to these holders

35, are retained between two first panels 2 solely by the clamping action.

21/30

It is also the case that a cover-panel frame 47 with a cover panel 48 arranged therein is arranged

on the escalator support 41. Afurther retaining element 27, which in this exemplary embodiment is designed in the form of a clamping-action glazing bar panel here is arranged on the cover-panel

frame 47.

The balustrade 1 comprises an end panel 22 at its lower end. As illustrated in figure 5, the end panel 22 here has a first panel region 23 with a first lower end 25 and a second panel region 24

with a second lower end 26. The end panel 22 here is retained in the retaining element 10 by

way of the first lower end 25 of the first panel region 23. The end panel 22 is retained in the further retaining element 27 by way of the lower end 26 of the second panel region 24.

In this exemplary embodiment, the second panels 3 and also the end panels 22 are connected to

one another at their upper ends via a metal rail 33, in particular a clamping bar, and are additionally retained thereby. On the end panel 22, the metal rail 33 is guided as far as the lower

end 26 of the second panel region 24.

A method according to the invention for modernizing a people-conveying apparatus will be

explained in more detail with reference to figure 6. Figure 6 illustrates, schematically, a people conveying apparatus 40 which connects a first story level 55 to a second story level 56. The

people-conveying apparatus 40 here has an existing balustrade 1. A plurality of first panels 2, in particular glass panels 2, are arranged in abutment here. While modernization is being carried

out here, a handrail guide, which is not illustrated explicitly in figure 6, is removed. The existing balustrade 1 has two first glass panels 2' with a radius of curvature and a first length. These two

first glass panels 2' are likewise removed and replaced by corresponding first glass panels 2* with a second length, which is shorter than the first length of the respective glass panels 2'. The glass

panels 2* here can be new glass panels or the appropriately shortened first glass panels 2'. Since

the replaced glass panels 2* have a shorter length than the original first glass panels 2', it is then possible for the spacings A between the further first glass panels 2 to be increased to at least

13 mm such that the supporting elements 5 can be introduced between the first glass panels 2.

22/30

It is particularly advantageous here to remove the glass panels 2' since, as a result, it is correspondingly possible to adapt both the spacings A between the first panels 2 which are

arranged in the region of the slope of the escalator 40 and the spacings Ain the horizontal regions of the escalator 40.

Once the spacings A have been created between the first glass panels 2, in this exemplary

embodiment the supporting elements 5 are inserted into the spacings A between respectively two successive first glass panels 2 by being pushed in. Once all the supporting element 5 have

been inserted between the first panels 2, the original handrail guide or a new handrail guide is

installed again on the first panels 2. The at least one retaining element 10, for retaining the second panels 3, is fitted on the supporting elements 5 (not illustrated explicitly in figure 6). The

at least one retaining element 10 is fitted here, in particular, via cantilever arms, as illustrated in particular in figure 2, figure 3 and figure 4.

The cantilever arms here are screw-connected in particular to the supporting elements 5. The at

least one retaining element is then arranged at the free end of the cantilever arms, in particular as illustrated in figure 2, figure 3 and figure 4. In particular, provision is made for a plurality of

clamping-action glazing bars to be arranged as the at least one retaining element on the

supporting elements 5. Further glass panels are then inserted, as second panels 3, into the clamping-action glazing bars. These glass panels 3 can be fastened to one another at certain

points along the abutment edges. As an alternative, or in addition, provision can be made for a metal rail to be arranged at the upper end of the glass panels, in particular as illustrated in

figure 5. Furthermore, provision can be made, in particular, for an end panel to be arranged at the respective end of the escalator 40, as likewise illustrated in particular in figure 5 and

explained with reference to figure 5.

Figure 7 will be used to explain in more detail a variant of the abovedescribed method in which

the supporting elements 5 are not, as explained with reference to figure 6, pushed into the spacings A created between successive first panels 2. In this variant, the supporting elements 5

comprise a first supporting-element part 6 and a second supporting-element part 7, which are illustrated schematically in a plan view in figure 7. The modernization method is altered as a

23/30

result. In particular, there is no pressing need for a handrail guide of an existing balustrade to be removed before the supporting elements 5 are inserted into the spacings A.

Once the spacing A has been set between two successive first panels 2, the first supporting

element part 6 is arranged in position from the one side of the balustrade, and the second supporting-element part 7 is arranged in position from the other side of the balustrade, such that

a respective inner region 8 of the respective supporting-element part 6, 7 projects into this spacing A, wherein, once introduced between the two first panels 2, the first supporting-element

part 6 and the second supporting-element part 7 are advantageously not in contact in order to

achieve the necessary clamping action. The distances D1 and D2, that is to say the depthwise extent of the inner regions, are therefore advantageously smaller in total than the distance D3,

that is to say the thickness of the first panels 2. It is therefore advantageously the case that D1+ D2 < D3. A respective outer region 9 of the first supporting-element part 6 and of the second

supporting-element part 7 here project beyond the lateral ends 17 of the panels 2 and form a mount 16, as illustrated in particular in figure 2. The lateral ends 17 of the first panels 2 here are

enclosed by the outer regions 9.

In this arrangement, the supporting-element parts 6, 7 are then fixed to one another by at least

one fixing element 15. The supporting-element parts 6, 7 here have corresponding through passage openings 20, through which the fixing element 15 is introduced. In particular, provision

is made for a cantilever arm 11, only part of which is illustrated in figure 7, to be introduced into a guide 14 of the second supporting-element part 7 and arranged on the supporting element 5,

which is formed from the supporting-element parts 6, 7. Provision is made here, in particular, for the fixing element 15, rather than just connecting the first supporting-element part 6 to the

second supporting-element part 7, additionally fixing the cantilever arm 11 on the supporting element 5, in particular by tensile stressing being built up between the first supporting-element

part 6 and the second supporting-element part 7 by means of the fixing element 15. For this

purpose, the cantilever arm 11 has, at its mounted end 13, a through-passage opening 18, in which the fixing element 15, in particular a screw, can engage. In the case of this variant, the

supporting elements 5 are thus clamped between in each case two first panels. The rest of the method steps advantageously remain unaltered in relation to the method steps described above,

in particular the method steps described with reference to figure 6.

24/30

That detail of a balustrade which is illustrated in figure 8 differs from the balustrade explained

with reference to figure 2, figure 3 and figure 4, in particular, in that the guide 14 of the second supporting-element part 7 here is designed in the form of a T-shaped groove. The mounted end

13 of the cantileverarm 11here is arranged on the supporting element 5 byway of corresponding hammerhead screws, which engage with the T-shaped groove. In this exemplary embodiment, it

is therefore the case that the cantilever arm 11is not fixed by a fixing element which also, at the same time, connects the first supporting-element part 6 to the second supporting-element part

7. One advantage of this configuration is that the height at which the cantilever arm 11 is

arranged on the supporting-element part 7 can be adjusted in an improved manner.

The exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the figures and have been explained in combination therewith serve to provide explanation of the invention and do not limit the

invention.

25/30

List of reference signs

1 Balustrade 2 first panel 3 second panel 4 handrail guide 5 Supporting element 6 first supporting-element part 7 second supporting-element part 8 Inner region 9 Outer region 10 Retaining element 11 Cantilever arm 12 free end of the cantilever arm (11) 13 mounted end of the cantilever arm (11) 14 Guide of the supporting element (5) 15 Fixing element 16 Mount 17 lateral end of a first panel (2) 18 Through-passage opening in the cantilever arm (11) 19 Free space in the cantilever arm (11) 20 Through-passage opening in the supporting-element parts (6, 7) 22 End panel 23 first panel region of the end panel (22) 24 second panel region of the end panel (22) 25 first lower end of the first panel region (23) of the end panel (22) 26 second lower end of the second panel region (24) of the end panel (22) 27 further retaining element 28 screw connection 29 nut 30 Glass paper 31 Clamping wedge

26/30

33 Metal rail 35 Holder of the first panel (2)

37 T-shaped groove 38 Sliding block

39 Screw-connection element 40 People-conveying apparatus

41 Support of the people-conveying apparatus (40) 45 Existing balustrade

47 Cover-panel frame

48 Cover panel 50 Person

55 first story level 56 second story level

A Spacing between two first panels (2) D1 Distance

D2 Distance D3 Distance

Claims (6)

27/30 Claims

1. A balustrade (1) comprising a plurality of first panels (2), a plurality of second panels (3) and a handrail guide (4), which is arranged on the first panels (2), wherein the second

panels (3) are arranged in a laterally offset manner in relation to the first panels (2) such that the second panels (3) project beyond the handrail guide (4), characterized in that

supporting elements (5) are arranged in each case between two first panels (2), wherein the supporting elements (5) have arranged on them at least one retaining element (10),

which retains the second panels (3).

2. The balustrade (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the arrangement, on the

supporting elements (5), of a respective cantilever arm (11) with a mounted end (13) and a free end (12), wherein the at least one retaining element (10) is arranged at the free end

(12) of the respective cantilever arm (11).

3. The balustrade (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the supporting elements (5) each have a guide (14), in which the mounted end (13) of the respective cantilever arm (11)

is fixed.

4. The balustrade (1) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the respective

cantilever arm (11) is fixed at its mounted end (13) by a fixing element (15), wherein the fixing element (15) is introduced into the respective supporting element (5) on the side of

the latter which is located opposite the cantilever arm (11).

5. The balustrade (1) as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the respective cantilever arm (11) is arranged, in particular arranged in a height-adjustable manner, in the

upper half of a respective supporting element (5), in particular in the upper third of a

respective supporting element (5).

6. The balustrade (1) as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a respective u shaped clamping holder which is open in the upward direction is arranged as retaining