CA1144508A - Demarkation strip for escalator steps - Google Patents
Demarkation strip for escalator stepsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1144508A CA1144508A CA000386954A CA386954A CA1144508A CA 1144508 A CA1144508 A CA 1144508A CA 000386954 A CA000386954 A CA 000386954A CA 386954 A CA386954 A CA 386954A CA 1144508 A CA1144508 A CA 1144508A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- leg
- head portion
- face
- demarkation
- side edges
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B23/00—Component parts of escalators or moving walkways
- B66B23/08—Carrying surfaces
- B66B23/12—Steps
Landscapes
- Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention consists of a demarkation strip for an escalator step having front-to-back tread grooves formed therein which comprises an elongated body of extruded plastics material having, in cross-section, a leg proportioned to provide an interference fit within said tread grooves and a head portion extending across an upper end of the leg to form shoulders at opposite sides of the leg arranged to support the strip on a step with the leg located within a tread groove, said head portion having oppositely disposed side edges at opposite sides of the leg and an upper face extending between said side edges, at least a portion of said upper face being angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly from a first of said side edges of said head portion, said body having a front end and a back end, said head portion having a front face and back face at the front and back ends of the body, respectively, said front face being forwardly and upwardly inclined and said back face being rearwardly and upwardly inclined by the front and back faces of successive demarkation rails may overlie and nest with one another in use along a substantially flat run of an escalator.
This invention consists of a demarkation strip for an escalator step having front-to-back tread grooves formed therein which comprises an elongated body of extruded plastics material having, in cross-section, a leg proportioned to provide an interference fit within said tread grooves and a head portion extending across an upper end of the leg to form shoulders at opposite sides of the leg arranged to support the strip on a step with the leg located within a tread groove, said head portion having oppositely disposed side edges at opposite sides of the leg and an upper face extending between said side edges, at least a portion of said upper face being angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly from a first of said side edges of said head portion, said body having a front end and a back end, said head portion having a front face and back face at the front and back ends of the body, respectively, said front face being forwardly and upwardly inclined and said back face being rearwardly and upwardly inclined by the front and back faces of successive demarkation rails may overlie and nest with one another in use along a substantially flat run of an escalator.
Description
This invention relates to escalators. In particular, this invention relates to a demarkation strip for the side edges of escalator steps. L
PRIOR ART
In escalators, it is necessary to provide a clearance gap between the side edges of the escalator steps and the skirts which define the side edges of the escalat~r path.
Portions of footwear, particularly rubber footwear, do, from time to time, become lodged in the gap formed between the side edges of the step and the skirt and injuries have resulted from this problem . Despite the fact that this problem has existed for many years, no satisfactory solution to the problem has been offered.
I have found that by inserting a demarkation rail on the outermost tread grooves of each step, this problem is largely alleviated by the fact that the demarkation rail alerts the passengers both visually and physically when their footwear is resting in this hazardous area.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a demarkation strip for an escalator step having front-to-back tread grooves formed therein comprises an elongated body of extruded plastics material having, in cross-section, a leg proportioned to provide an interference fit within said ~read f grooves and a head portion extending across an upper end of the .;, leg to form shoulders at opposite sides of the leg arranged to support the strip on a step with the leg located within a tread groove, said head portion having oppositely disposed side edges at opposite sides of the leg and an upper face extending between said side edges, at least a portion of said upper face being angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly from a .: I
., , ~
first of said side edges of said head portion, said body having a front end and a back end, said head portion having a front face and back face at the front and back ends of the body, respectively, said front face being forwardly and upwardly inclined and said back face being rearwardly and upwardly inclined by the front and back faces of successive demarkation rails may overlie and nest with one another in use along a substantially flat run of an escalator.
Accordingly to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an escalator assembly which comprises an endless step assembly having a plurality of steps each having oppositely disposed side edges, each step having front-to-back tread groovrs formed therein which include outermost grooves adjacent each side edge, oppositely disposed skirts extending along a length of escalator run in a spaced relationship with the side edges of each step, a pair of longitudinally elongated rails each having a longitudinally elongated leg portion and a longitudinally elongated head portion arranged in a generally T-shaped configuration in which the leg portion depends from the head portion, said rails being located one at each side edge of each step with its leg portion disposed within one of said outermost grooves and one edge of the head portion extending to the adjacent side edge of the step, said head portion having a sufficient height to elevate an edge of an item of footwear resting thereon in use to an appreciable extent whereby to alert the wearer to the prox1mity of the side edge of the step.
The invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
1:~44~iV8 Figure 1 is an end view of a demarkation strip constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present nventlon;
Figure 2 is a side view of the strip of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a pictorial illustration of a portion of an escalator run;
Figure 4 is an end view of a portion of an escalator illustrating the manner in which the demarkation strip is mounted and its effect;
Figure 5 is a side view of an escalator run illustrating the manner in which the demarkation strips are mounted and Figure 6 is an end view of a portion of an escalator run in which the step portions are substantially horizontally oriented.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, , reference numeral 10 refers generally to a demarkation strip constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The strip 10 consists of an extruded body of plastics material, such as The body 10 has a leg portion 12 and a head portion 14 which are integrally formed and which provide a generally T-shaped cross-section. The head portion 14 hasoppositely disposed side edges 16 and 18 and upper face panels 20 and 22 of which the panel 22 is angularly inclined upwardly from the side edge 16. The thickness T of the head portion is, preferably, about 1/4 inch and the width W of the upper panel 20 is, preferably, about 1/4 inch and the angle of inclination ~ of the upper face 22 is, preferably, about 45. These proportions are selected to ensure that the head portion of the demarkation step is sufficiently large to be readily detected when tread upon in use as will be described hereinafter.
- 1~44S08 The head portion 14 has a back face 24 which is upwardly and inwardly inclined and a front face 26 which is upwardly and outwardly inclined to provide nesting faces with successive escalator demarkation strips as will be described hereafter. ~he front and back faces 24 and 26 are inclined at an angle ~ 1 which is, preferably, about 45 so as to be readily nestable.
Because the head portion 14 is not symmetrical with respect to the leg portion 12, right and left-hand strips are provided for use in association with the right and left-hand edges of the escalator.
The leg portion 12 has a thickness W proportioned to fit in an interference fit within the outermost tread grooves 32 of a conventional escalator step 30. The upper step in Figure 3 shows the grooves 32 prior to mounting of the strip 10 which is shown as being mounted in the outermost grooves of the lower step 30. It will, however, be understood that strips 10 are mounted one at each edge of each escalator step such that, as shown in Figure 4, the leg portion 12 fits in the , 20 outermost groove 32 and the side edge 18 is disposed substantially in alignment with the outer side edge 36 of the outer tread of the escalator step. It will be noted that, while a gap 38 remains between the outer side edge 36 of the rail and the skirt 40, the sole 42 of an item of footwear, such as a shoe 40, will be elevated along one edge to an appreciable extent so that the wearer will be alerted to the proximity of the edge of the step and will be subjected to some minor discomfort and, thereby, encouraged to re-position the foot away from the ; side edge of the escalator run.
As shown in Figure 6, the gap 50 formed between the oppositely disposed end faces 24 and 26 of successive demarkation strips is minimized by reason of the mating angular inclination of faces 24 and 26.
~445~8 In order to enhance the visual significance of the demarkation strip, the strips are, preferably, formed from a brightly coloured material, such as a bright yellow or the like.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that demarkation strips of the present invention may readily be secured to existing escalator steps so as to provide clear demarkation of the side edges of the escalator steps.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive demarkation strip which provides for the effective demarkation of the side edges of esca]ator steps without requiring substantial expenditures in manufacture and installation costs. The ; strips can readily be removed and replaced when worn.
Because the strips have a substantial height, they provide a physical demarkation as well as a visual demarkation of the side edges of the escalator step in use.
These and other advantagés of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
PRIOR ART
In escalators, it is necessary to provide a clearance gap between the side edges of the escalator steps and the skirts which define the side edges of the escalat~r path.
Portions of footwear, particularly rubber footwear, do, from time to time, become lodged in the gap formed between the side edges of the step and the skirt and injuries have resulted from this problem . Despite the fact that this problem has existed for many years, no satisfactory solution to the problem has been offered.
I have found that by inserting a demarkation rail on the outermost tread grooves of each step, this problem is largely alleviated by the fact that the demarkation rail alerts the passengers both visually and physically when their footwear is resting in this hazardous area.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a demarkation strip for an escalator step having front-to-back tread grooves formed therein comprises an elongated body of extruded plastics material having, in cross-section, a leg proportioned to provide an interference fit within said ~read f grooves and a head portion extending across an upper end of the .;, leg to form shoulders at opposite sides of the leg arranged to support the strip on a step with the leg located within a tread groove, said head portion having oppositely disposed side edges at opposite sides of the leg and an upper face extending between said side edges, at least a portion of said upper face being angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly from a .: I
., , ~
first of said side edges of said head portion, said body having a front end and a back end, said head portion having a front face and back face at the front and back ends of the body, respectively, said front face being forwardly and upwardly inclined and said back face being rearwardly and upwardly inclined by the front and back faces of successive demarkation rails may overlie and nest with one another in use along a substantially flat run of an escalator.
Accordingly to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an escalator assembly which comprises an endless step assembly having a plurality of steps each having oppositely disposed side edges, each step having front-to-back tread groovrs formed therein which include outermost grooves adjacent each side edge, oppositely disposed skirts extending along a length of escalator run in a spaced relationship with the side edges of each step, a pair of longitudinally elongated rails each having a longitudinally elongated leg portion and a longitudinally elongated head portion arranged in a generally T-shaped configuration in which the leg portion depends from the head portion, said rails being located one at each side edge of each step with its leg portion disposed within one of said outermost grooves and one edge of the head portion extending to the adjacent side edge of the step, said head portion having a sufficient height to elevate an edge of an item of footwear resting thereon in use to an appreciable extent whereby to alert the wearer to the prox1mity of the side edge of the step.
The invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
1:~44~iV8 Figure 1 is an end view of a demarkation strip constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present nventlon;
Figure 2 is a side view of the strip of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a pictorial illustration of a portion of an escalator run;
Figure 4 is an end view of a portion of an escalator illustrating the manner in which the demarkation strip is mounted and its effect;
Figure 5 is a side view of an escalator run illustrating the manner in which the demarkation strips are mounted and Figure 6 is an end view of a portion of an escalator run in which the step portions are substantially horizontally oriented.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, , reference numeral 10 refers generally to a demarkation strip constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The strip 10 consists of an extruded body of plastics material, such as The body 10 has a leg portion 12 and a head portion 14 which are integrally formed and which provide a generally T-shaped cross-section. The head portion 14 hasoppositely disposed side edges 16 and 18 and upper face panels 20 and 22 of which the panel 22 is angularly inclined upwardly from the side edge 16. The thickness T of the head portion is, preferably, about 1/4 inch and the width W of the upper panel 20 is, preferably, about 1/4 inch and the angle of inclination ~ of the upper face 22 is, preferably, about 45. These proportions are selected to ensure that the head portion of the demarkation step is sufficiently large to be readily detected when tread upon in use as will be described hereinafter.
- 1~44S08 The head portion 14 has a back face 24 which is upwardly and inwardly inclined and a front face 26 which is upwardly and outwardly inclined to provide nesting faces with successive escalator demarkation strips as will be described hereafter. ~he front and back faces 24 and 26 are inclined at an angle ~ 1 which is, preferably, about 45 so as to be readily nestable.
Because the head portion 14 is not symmetrical with respect to the leg portion 12, right and left-hand strips are provided for use in association with the right and left-hand edges of the escalator.
The leg portion 12 has a thickness W proportioned to fit in an interference fit within the outermost tread grooves 32 of a conventional escalator step 30. The upper step in Figure 3 shows the grooves 32 prior to mounting of the strip 10 which is shown as being mounted in the outermost grooves of the lower step 30. It will, however, be understood that strips 10 are mounted one at each edge of each escalator step such that, as shown in Figure 4, the leg portion 12 fits in the , 20 outermost groove 32 and the side edge 18 is disposed substantially in alignment with the outer side edge 36 of the outer tread of the escalator step. It will be noted that, while a gap 38 remains between the outer side edge 36 of the rail and the skirt 40, the sole 42 of an item of footwear, such as a shoe 40, will be elevated along one edge to an appreciable extent so that the wearer will be alerted to the proximity of the edge of the step and will be subjected to some minor discomfort and, thereby, encouraged to re-position the foot away from the ; side edge of the escalator run.
As shown in Figure 6, the gap 50 formed between the oppositely disposed end faces 24 and 26 of successive demarkation strips is minimized by reason of the mating angular inclination of faces 24 and 26.
~445~8 In order to enhance the visual significance of the demarkation strip, the strips are, preferably, formed from a brightly coloured material, such as a bright yellow or the like.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that demarkation strips of the present invention may readily be secured to existing escalator steps so as to provide clear demarkation of the side edges of the escalator steps.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive demarkation strip which provides for the effective demarkation of the side edges of esca]ator steps without requiring substantial expenditures in manufacture and installation costs. The ; strips can readily be removed and replaced when worn.
Because the strips have a substantial height, they provide a physical demarkation as well as a visual demarkation of the side edges of the escalator step in use.
These and other advantagés of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A demarkation strip for an escalator step having front-to-back tread grooves formed therein comprising:
an elongated body of extruded plastics material having, in cross-section, a leg proportioned to provide an interference fit within said tread grooves and a head portion extending across an upper end of the leg to form shoulders at opposite sides of the leg arranged to support the strip on a step with the leg located within a tread groove, said head portion having oppositely disposed side edges at opposite sides of the leg and an upper face extending between said side edges, at least a portion of said upper face being angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly from a first of said side edges of said head portion, said body having a front end and a back end, said head portion having a front face and back face at the front and back ends of the body, respectively, said front face being forwardly and upwardly inclined and said back face being rearwardly and upwardly inclined by the front and back faces of successive demarkation rails may overlie and nest with one another in use along a substantially flat run of an escalator.
an elongated body of extruded plastics material having, in cross-section, a leg proportioned to provide an interference fit within said tread grooves and a head portion extending across an upper end of the leg to form shoulders at opposite sides of the leg arranged to support the strip on a step with the leg located within a tread groove, said head portion having oppositely disposed side edges at opposite sides of the leg and an upper face extending between said side edges, at least a portion of said upper face being angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly from a first of said side edges of said head portion, said body having a front end and a back end, said head portion having a front face and back face at the front and back ends of the body, respectively, said front face being forwardly and upwardly inclined and said back face being rearwardly and upwardly inclined by the front and back faces of successive demarkation rails may overlie and nest with one another in use along a substantially flat run of an escalator.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000386954A CA1144508A (en) | 1981-09-30 | 1981-09-30 | Demarkation strip for escalator steps |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000386954A CA1144508A (en) | 1981-09-30 | 1981-09-30 | Demarkation strip for escalator steps |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1144508A true CA1144508A (en) | 1983-04-12 |
Family
ID=4121053
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000386954A Expired CA1144508A (en) | 1981-09-30 | 1981-09-30 | Demarkation strip for escalator steps |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1144508A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4858745A (en) * | 1987-07-01 | 1989-08-22 | Max Haas | Escalator steps having lateral safety devices |
| US4984672A (en) * | 1988-09-20 | 1991-01-15 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Tread member for escalator or travelling road |
-
1981
- 1981-09-30 CA CA000386954A patent/CA1144508A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4858745A (en) * | 1987-07-01 | 1989-08-22 | Max Haas | Escalator steps having lateral safety devices |
| US4984672A (en) * | 1988-09-20 | 1991-01-15 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Tread member for escalator or travelling road |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |