CN113382944A

CN113382944A - Balustrade for a people conveyor, people conveyor having such a balustrade and method for modernizing a people conveyor

Info

Publication number: CN113382944A
Application number: CN201980091089.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 莫里茨·蒂姆·穆恩乔; 格里特·布兰德; 富兰克·尼鲁特
Original assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
Current assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
Priority date: 2018-12-04
Filing date: 2019-11-27
Publication date: 2021-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-27
Also published as: EP3891091A1; CN113382944B; KR102591179B1; KR20210119959A; WO2020114846A1; DE102018220899A1; AU2019394592A1; AU2019394592B2

Abstract

The 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), wherein the second panels (3) are arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the first panels (2) such that the second panels (3) protrude beyond the handrail guide (4). The supporting elements (5) are each arranged between two first panels (2), wherein the supporting elements (5) have at least one holding element (10) arranged thereon which holds the second panel (3). The invention also relates to a people conveyor having at least one such balustrade (1). Finally, the invention relates to a method for modernizing a people conveyor, wherein the people conveyor is equipped with such a balustrade (1).

Description

Balustrade for a people conveyor, people conveyor having such a balustrade and method for modernizing a people conveyor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a balustrade comprising a plurality of first panels, a plurality of second panels, and a handrail guide disposed on the first panels. The second panel is arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the first panel such that the second panel protrudes beyond the handrail guidance. The invention also relates to a people conveyor with such a balustrade and also to a method of modernizing a people conveyor.

Background

Such balustrades are used in particular in people conveying installations such as escalators or moving walkways. The second panel serves here in particular as a guard in order to prevent a person using the people conveyor from falling from the people conveyor onto the handrail of the people conveyor. Since the first panel of the balustrade has arranged thereon a handrail guidance via which the driven, endless handrail is guided during operation of the people conveyor, the first panel cannot have any desired height; instead, it is necessary to have a second panel arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the handrail guidance.

For example, WO 2006/042428 a2 discloses an escalator balustrade in which case a first panel is arranged below the handrail and a second panel is arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the handrail so that it projects beyond the handrail. The escalator herein is particularly suited for such balustrades.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to improve the railing mentioned in the introduction and to provide an improved people conveyor. In particular, it is here intended to create a visually pleasing railing that acts as a guard. In particular, it is a further object to enable a people conveyor to be directly retrofitted with such a balustrade serving as a guard, preferably requiring only minor adjustments to the people conveyor.

In order to achieve the object, a balustrade, a people conveyor and a method for modernizing a people conveyor according to the independent claims are proposed. Further advantageous configurations of the invention are described in the dependent claims and in the description and are also shown in the drawings.

The proposed solution provides a balustrade, in particular for an escalator or a moving walkway, comprising a plurality of first panels, a plurality of second panels and a handrail guide arranged on the first panels. The second panel is arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the first panel such that the second panel protrudes beyond the handrail guidance. The support elements are each arranged between two first panels, wherein the support elements have at least one holding element arranged thereon which holds the second panel. In the case of such a balustrade, advantageously no significant adjustments to the design of the people conveyor are required. In particular, the railing is provided to comprise a railing base, wherein the first panel advantageously has its lower end arranged in the railing base, in particular in a corresponding holder of the railing base. Here, the railing base is advantageously not altered in any way with respect to a railing base for a railing without a guard, which railing comprises a first panel and does not comprise a second panel. Furthermore, the balustrade has a visually pleasing configuration in which the second panel forms a reliable guard. Advantageously, the support element is held only by the first panels, in particular clamped between two successive first panels by the support element. The support element of the railing is advantageously not connected to the railing base so that the railing base mechanically secures the support element.

According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the first panel provided is a glass plate or a glass panel. Furthermore, the second panel is preferably provided as a glass plate or a glass panel. Here, the glass sheet may be in particular a single-ply safety glass or a laminated safety glass. The first panel and/or the second panel are preferably transparent. Even if the panels are preferably glass panels, it is provided, in particular according to a variant, that the first and second panels are made of different materials. In particular, in a variant, the panels may also be composed of one or more than oneThe material is prepared from the following materials: plexiglas (Plexiglas), acrylic glass, stainless steel (Nirosta), steel plate and aluminium plate. In particular, the panels may also be made of composite materials, in particular under the trade name of

A composite material for sale.

The at least one holding element is preferably designed in the form of a continuous holding element comprising one or more parts, in particular in the form of a holding element extending parallel to the handrail guidance. In particular, it is provided that the at least one holding element is at least partially metallic, preferably at least partially made of aluminum or at least partially made of steel. The at least one holding element is advantageously at least one holding profile, in particular at least one continuous cast profile, preferably at least one aluminum continuous cast profile. Furthermore, it is provided in particular that the cross section of the at least one holding element is substantially circular or U-shaped. In particular, when the second panel is designed in the form of a glass panel, the at least one holding element is advantageously at least one clamping action glass strip. Here, it is advantageous to insert cellophane between the glass panel and the clamping action glass strip, respectively, to avoid direct contact between the glass panel and the clamping action glass strip. Furthermore, the second panel is advantageously fixed in the at least one holding element by means of a fixing element. In particular, the fastening element provided is in particular a plastic wedge, when the at least one holding element is designed in the form of at least one holding profile, in particular in the form of at least one clamping action glass strip. The plastic wedge advantageously has a slope, which advantageously ranges between 1 ° and 15 °. According to a particularly advantageous configuration, the ramp has an angle of 4 °. According to an advantageous variant, it is provided that the at least one retaining element is provided by a plurality of retaining elements which retain the second panel.

The second panels held in the at least one holding element are advantageously connected to each other at their adjoining edges, in particular by connection points. In addition or alternatively, it is an advantageous configuration that the second panel is connected at its upper end by at least one clamping bar, preferably by at least one metal clamping bar.

In particular, in order to further improve the visual perception of the proposed balustrade, according to an advantageous configuration, the at least one holding element comprises at least one light source. Here, the at least one light source is advantageously oriented such that the second panel is illuminated. If the second panel is a glass panel, it is particularly provided that the light sources are arranged below the lower edge of the second glass panel, so that light from the at least one light source is directed into the glass panel.

The preferred arrangement is such that the balustrade has a second panel over the entire length of the balustrade. However, in particular, arrangements are also provided in which the balustrade has a second panel only in certain parts, in particular when only certain parts of the balustrade are involved in the risk of seriously injuring a person if he falls over the balustrade. Thus, it can be provided that the second panel only comprises the second panel from a certain height between the escalator and the lower surface, especially if such a balustrade is used in an escalator. In particular, the height of the second panel should be dimensioned in order to achieve an effective shielding. Here, in particular, the height of the arrangement of the at least one holding element can be selected such that the second panel is arranged partially parallel to the first panel and thus the respective projection surface of the lower region of the second panel partially overlaps the upper region of the first panel. In particular, it is provided that the at least one retaining element is arranged at the level of the upper end of the first panel, and therefore the lower end of the second panel more or less abuts the first panel. According to another, less preferred, arrangement there may also be a gap between the upper end of the first panel and the lower end of the second panel. However, this gap should be small enough that there is no risk of injury to people due to this gap, especially if no safeguards are ensured due to the resulting gap.

Advantageously, the second panel is limited to a height of 200cm (cm: cm) vertically above the handrail. A particularly advantageous height is between 30cm and 100cm vertically above the handrail. The height is particularly advantageously limited to a maximum of 50cm above the handrail. Advantageously, such a height already ensures good protection against most situations. Furthermore, this limitation of the maximum height advantageously reduces the weight that has to be carried by the at least one holding element. Further advantageously, such a limitation results in cost savings, particularly in relation to materials and transportation.

Another advantageous configuration of the balustrade is to provide a corresponding cantilever on the support element. Here, the cantilever arms comprise a free end and a mounting end, respectively, wherein the at least one holding element is arranged at the free end of the respective cantilever arm. In particular, it is provided that a respective cantilever is arranged on each support element. The mounting end of each cantilever arm may be arranged on each support element in different ways. In particular, the cantilever arms may be welded to the respective support elements. In order to simplify the mounting of the cantilever, an advantageous configuration is one in which the cantilever fits into the support element. For this purpose, the cantilever advantageously has a corresponding hook element which engages in a corresponding mount of the support element, in particular in the manner of a mount system, wherein the mount hook for holding the shelf is fitted in the wall bar. According to a further particularly advantageous configuration, the respective cantilever arm is screwed onto the respective support element. This advantageously allows for an improved adjustability of the cantilever, in particular with regard to the height at which the cantilever is arranged.

The individual cantilevers create a spacing, in particular, with respect to the first panel and with respect to the handrail guide, and thus the second panel can advantageously be arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the first panel. In particular, here, the handrail guided via the handrail guide can continue to be used as intended. In particular, it is provided to arrange the second panel to be offset in a parallel state with respect to the first panel. Further advantageously, the offset between the first panel and the second panel is between 10cm and 40cm, preferably between 15cm and 30 cm. The cantilever is preferably at least partially metallic, in particular at least partially made of aluminum or at least partially made of steel.

A further advantageous configuration of the balustrade provides that the support elements each have a guide, in particular a guide extending over the entire height of the support element, and in which the respective cantilever is fixed. This advantageously further improves the adjustability of the cantilever with respect to its arrangement height. It is further advantageously provided that the respective cantilever arm has at its mounting end a counterpart by means of which the arm is arranged on the support element, which counterpart is formed in a corresponding manner to the guide of the support element and by means of which the respective cantilever arm engages in the guide of the respective support element. A further advantageous configuration provides that the guide is designed in the form of a groove, in particular a T-shaped groove. The suspension or the slider with the fixed suspension advantageously engages in the groove, in particular in 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 suspension arms are fixed by hammer head screws or slide blocks formed in a manner corresponding to the groove, the height of the respective suspension arm arrangement and thus of the holding element for the second panel is advantageously very easily adjustable.

An advantageous development of the balustrade provides that the respective cantilever is arranged to be fixed at its mounting end by means of a fixing element. The fixing element is here advantageously introduced into the respective support element on the side of the support element opposite the cantilever. The fastening element provided is in particular a screw. With this arrangement, the fixing element can advantageously be tightened by means of a torque wrench. This advantageously simplifies the mounting, in particular also the fixing by means of the slider in the guide of the respective support element. In the case of this variant, in particular, the bolt of the respective threaded connection element extends in the longitudinal extension direction of the respective cantilever arm. Here, the respective cantilever advantageously has a through-opening at its mounting end, which opening advantageously extends in the longitudinal extension direction of the respective cantilever. According to an advantageous configuration, these through openings have an internal thread which is operatively connected with an external thread of the threaded connection element. According to a further advantageous configuration, the cantilever arm has a free space behind the through-opening, wherein a corresponding nut is arranged in such a free space, which nut is operatively connected with the threaded connection element. A further advantageous configuration provides the through-openings as slots, so that the height of the cantilever arrangement can be adapted to the respective support element in a further improved manner.

In particular, it is provided that the respective cantilever arm is arranged in the upper half of the respective support element, in particular in the upper third of the respective support element. According to a further advantageous configuration, the cantilevers are each arranged in a height-adjustable manner on the respective support element. In the case of an advantageous variant, the position at which the cantilever is arranged on the respective support element is predetermined in a fixed manner, in particular by a respective through-hole opening, such as in particular a hole, in the support element. Here, the adjustability of the height of the cantilever is advantageously provided by the height at which the support element is arranged between the first panels.

Another advantageous configuration of the balustrade provides for arranging the respective U-shaped clamping holder, which opens in the upward direction, as a holding element at the free end of the respective cantilever arm. These clamping holders advantageously hold the second panel. The clamping holder, on which the respective second panel is supported, advantageously has a length of between 2cm (cm: cm) and 60 cm. In particular, the length is between 6.5cm and 22 cm.

According to a further particularly advantageous configuration of the balustrade, the respective support element has a mounting on each of its longitudinal sides. The first panels with the respective support elements arranged therebetween advantageously have respective lateral ends arranged in respective mountings of the support elements. The mounting is here advantageously designed in the form of a groove, in which the transverse end of the respective first panel advantageously engages in the form of a tongue. This advantageously further increases the stability of the arrangement. Further, this configuration is characterized by further improving the visual perception. Here, the lateral ends of the respective first panel advantageously subject the respective support element to a clamping action, whereby the support element is held between the two first panels.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the support elements are each designed in the form of a rail, in particular a metal rail. The support elements designed in the form of rails are advantageously each arranged in the joint between two first panels.

Advantageously, each support element has a first support element part having an outer region and a second support element part having an outer region. If the support element is configured in the form of a rail, the first support element component is advantageously a first rail component and the second support element component is advantageously a second rail component. The first support element part and the second support element part are advantageously arranged such that the outer region of the first support element part is arranged on one side of the balustrade and the outer region of the second support element part is arranged on the other side of the balustrade. Such a multipart configuration of the support element advantageously makes it possible to achieve an improved clamping action. This advantageously improves the retention of the support element between the first panels. Furthermore, such a multipart arrangement of the support element has advantages in particular for the assembly of railings. For example, such a multi-part support element comprising a first support element part and a second support element part may be installed, in particular in case the handrail guide does not have to be removed from the first panel. Advantageously, the first support element part is arranged between the two first panels from one side of the balustrade and the second support element part is arranged between the two first panels from the other side of the balustrade. Advantageously, the support element parts are connected by means of threaded connection elements, by means of which in particular also the respective cantilever arms are fastened to the support element. Here, provision is made in particular for the threaded connection elements to be introduced through the first support element part, then through the second support element part, then into the corresponding through-openings at the mounting end of the cantilever arm, and for the threaded connection elements to be screwed on. The respective through-opening advantageously adjoins a free space in which a nut for receiving the threaded connection element can be arranged. Alternatively or additionally, an arrangement is provided in which the through-opening has a corresponding internal thread in which the threaded connection element engages.

According to a variant, it can be provided that the first and second support elements are arranged only on the outer side of the front face of the respective first panel, wherein at least one fixing means connecting the support element parts, in particular a screw connecting the first support element part to the second support element part, engages through the interspace between the respective two first panels.

However, a preferred configuration of the balustrade is such that the first support element part has an inner region, in particular an inner contour, wherein the inner region is arranged between the first panels. Further preferably, the second support element part has an inner region, in particular an inner contour, wherein the inner region is arranged between the first panels. The inner region or the inner regions advantageously further simplify/simplify the mounting of the support element, since the arrangement position of the support element components is already maximally predetermined by the inner regions. Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the support element parts do not come into direct contact, thus ensuring that the first panel is subjected in particular to a clamping action. Here, the support element is advantageously held only by the clamping action between the two first panels. The inner region of the first support element part is therefore advantageously not in contact with the inner region of the second support element part and therefore the inner regions do not in particular abut against one another. This advantageously further improves the mounting and also the stability of the arrangement. In particular, it may be provided that between the lateral ends of the first panel, which are in direct contact with the respective support elements or the respective support element components, support elements are arranged. In the case of variants in which the support element is also connected in particular to the handrail guide and/or the railing base, it may instead be provided that the first and second support element parts, in particular the inner region of the first support element part and the inner region of the second support element part, are in direct contact with one another.

According to a variant, in particular, a tolerance gap is maintained between the respective support element or the respective support element component and the respective lateral end of the first panel. This has the advantage that the first panel is held in a stress-free manner even in the event of thermal expansion of the supporting element.

According to a further advantageous configuration, a mounting is formed between the first and second support element parts of the respective support element, into which mounting the first panel projects with its respective transverse end. The mountings of the support elements, which engage in each case the transverse ends of the respective first panels in the mountings, are provided with panel protection, in particular with cellophane. It is particularly provided that the panel protector is of a material which is more resilient than the material of the support element.

The first support element part and/or the second support element part advantageously have/have a respective outer region. Here, the outer region is in particular the region of the respective support element component which is not arranged between the two first panels. In particular, it is provided that a mounting is formed between an outer region of the first support element part and an outer region of the second support element part, respectively, into which mounting the first panel projects with its respective transverse end. In particular, it is provided that the outer region is in contact with the respective first panel by way of its surface oriented towards the respective first panel. In particular, it is provided that at least a portion of the outer region of the support element abuts against a respective outer surface of a respective first panel. Here, a protective layer is advantageously formed between the outer region of the respective support element and the panel surface, which protective layer is in particular made of an elastically yielding material, in particular cellophane. This advantageously provides better protection for the lateral ends of the first panel.

According to another advantageous configuration of the balustrade, the balustrade comprises at least one end panel. The at least one end panel is advantageously arranged at a respective end of the balustrade. Such an end panel advantageously has a first panel area with a first lower end and a second panel area with a second lower end. Such an end panel advantageously has its first lower end arranged in at least one holding element and its second lower end arranged in at least one further holding element. The at least one further holding element is advantageously not arranged on the cantilever or on the support element. In particular, it is provided that at least one further holding element is arranged in the floor area, in particular on a covering panel frame of the people conveyor for which a balustrade is provided. The at least one further retaining element may additionally or alternatively be provided in particular on the railing base.

In particular, it is provided that the end panel extends upwardly in the second panel region from a lower end of an adjacent first panel to an upper end of an adjacent second panel. In particular, it is also provided that the end panel extends in the first panel region from a lower end of the second panel to an upper end of the second panel. In particular, the end panel provided is a glass panel, in particular made of a single sheet of safety glass or a laminated safety glass. The visual perception of the balustrade is advantageously further improved by the at least one end panel. In particular, it is provided that the balustrade comprises two end panels, one at each end of the respective balustrade.

The people conveyor, which is also proposed for solving the objects mentioned in the introduction, comprises a balustrade according to the invention, in particular a balustrade according to the arrangements described above and below or according to a combination of these arrangements. In particular, the people conveyor is configured as an escalator or moving walkway. In particular, provision is also made for the people conveyor to comprise an endless conveyor belt, preferably an endless conveyor belt formed by a plurality of tread elements, in particular a step belt or a pallet belt.

The handrail is advantageously guided by a handrail guide of the balustrade, which handrail forms a continuous handrail belt. The handrail is advantageously driven here at the same speed as the conveyor belt or at a speed of up to 15% higher than the conveyor belt. In particular, the people conveyor is provided comprising two balustrades designed according to the invention, which advantageously laterally delimit the conveyor belt. In particular, provision is also made for the people conveyor to connect the first elevation level to a second elevation level, in particular two different floors.

In particular, it is provided to recreate a people conveyor with a balustrade according to the invention using modern methods. In the case of the proposed method for modernizing a people conveyor, in particular a people conveyor equipped with balustrades according to the invention is provided, in particular with balustrades according to the configurations described above or below or according to a combination of these configurations. The method here comprises in particular a completely new configuration of the people conveyor with the balustrade according to the invention. In particular, however, provision is also made for an existing people conveyor to be converted by means of a balustrade according to the invention, which can advantageously be used at least partially further and can be converted into a balustrade according to the invention.

In particular, a people conveyor is provided which has been modernized to have an existing balustrade which already comprises a plurality of first panels which are in particular arranged to abut. Here, the first panel of the prior art balustrade is in particular a glass panel. There is advantageously provided a method step wherein at least one first panel of an existing balustrade is removed, said first panel having a first length. The first panel is then replaced by a first panel having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length. In particular, the first panel having the second length may be a different first panel, or the first panel may be shortened to the second length. The first panels with the second length are here advantageously shorter than the first panels with the first length to such an extent that the spacing between further first panels can be increased, so that the support elements can be arranged between these first panels. In particular, it is provided that the further first panel of the further first panel having the first length is replaced by a further first panel having a second length which in turn is correspondingly shorter than the first length, so that the spacing between the first panels which need not be replaced can be correspondingly increased.

In particular in the case of people conveyor installations (e.g. escalators) which connect a first height level to a second height level and which are usually in the transition region from the horizontal range to the inclined range, each escalator having a first panel with a curvature adapted in a manner corresponding to the transition, it is advantageous to change these first panels, since in this case a corresponding adjustment of the arrangement of the further first panels which does not need to be replaced can take place both in the region of the horizontal range of the people conveyor installation and in the region of the inclined range of the people conveyor installation.

Once the at least one first panel is removed, the successive first panels are each advantageously arranged at a spacing a spaced apart from one another. The spacing between the first panels of the prior art rails is typically not over 3mm (mm: mm), typically 2mm in particular, prior to rearrangement. The spacing is advantageously increased to at least 10mm, preferably to at least 13 mm. The spacing between the first panels here depends in particular on the width of the support elements to be used, which are arranged between the first panels. However, the spacing between two successive panels preferably does not extend over 70mm, especially also for visual reasons. The preferred spacing to be created is between 13mm and 30 mm. In a further method step, the support elements are arranged between the first panels spaced apart by the distance.

According to another arrangement, an existing balustrade of a people conveyor is provided, which balustrade is to be modernized to comprise a handrail guide. In modernization, the handrail guidance is advantageously removed. According to an advantageous configuration, the support element is then pushed between the spaced apart first panels from above, so that the support element is arranged between the spaced apart first panels. In the case of this variant, the support element is advantageously formed as a single component. If in this variant the support element is formed as more than one part, the support element parts have advantageously been fitted together in order to form a support element mount in which the lateral end of the first panel is engaged. Once the support elements have been arranged between the two first panels, respectively, the handrail guidance is positioned on the first panels. This advantageously allows reuse of existing handrail guides.

If the support elements comprise a first support element part and a second support element part, respectively, it is advantageously provided that the first support element parts are arranged on one side of the balustrade, respectively. It is also advantageously provided that the second support element parts are arranged on the other side of the balustrade, respectively. Here, the respective first support element part and the respective second support element part are advantageously arranged such that the inner region of the support element is arranged between two successive first panels within the created spacing and such that the respective outer region of the support element protrudes beyond the lateral sub-section of the respective first panel, advantageously such that the outer region of the support element part forms a mounting into which the lateral end of the first panel protrudes. Advantageously, in the case of this variant, in which the respective support element comprises a first support element part and a second support element part, there is no need to remove, in particular completely remove, the handrail guide of the existing handrail. It is here advantageously possible to keep an existing handrail guide of a balustrade to create a balustrade according to the invention.

The first support element part is advantageously connected to the second support element part by a threaded connection. In particular, provision is additionally made here for the respective cantilever to be fastened to the support element by means of the threaded connection. This advantageously further simplifies the mounting, since in a single step the first support element part can be connected to the second support element part and, in addition, the cantilever is arranged on the support element.

According to another configuration, a people conveyor is provided to comprise a covering panel frame, in which a covering panel is incorporated. Here, the cover panel incorporated in the cover panel frame has a first width. Another method step provided herein is a method step wherein a cover panel having a first width is removed. At least one further retaining element is advantageously arranged on the covering panel frame. A cover panel having a second width is inserted into the cover panel frame, wherein the second width is smaller than the first width. According to a further advantageous variant, for this purpose the covering panel with the first width can be suitably shortened to the second width and reused. The covering panel, which is provided in particular with the second width, and the at least one retaining element have an overall width which is equal to the covering panel with the first width. In particular, it is provided that the at least one further holding element is a holding profile, in particular a clamping-acting glass strip. In particular, it can also be provided that the at least one further retaining element comprises a retaining element, by means of which the at least one further retaining element is fastened to the covering panel frame.

The further method steps provided are, in particular, as described above, wherein the cantilever is advantageously arranged on the respective support element by means of a threaded connection. The height at which the cantilever is arranged on the support element is advantageously adjusted accordingly. Here, the cantilever arms are advantageously arranged in respective guides of the support element.

The at least one holding element is then advantageously arranged at the free end of the cantilever. Here, an auxiliary element, in particular in the form of a groove/tongue arrangement, is advantageously formed between the at least one holding element and the cantilever arm. In particular, it is provided that the at least one holding element is screwed to the cantilever. Other fastening means may be provided as well. The second panel is advantageously arranged on or in the at least one holding element once the at least one holding element has been fastened on the cantilever. In particular, the second panel used is provided as a glass panel and the at least one holding element used is provided as at least one clamping action glass strip. The cellophane is advantageously introduced here into the clamping action glass strip, into which the respective glass panel is inserted. The respective glass pane is advantageously fixed in the clamping action glass strip by means of at least one clamping wedge. An end panel, in particular a glass end panel, is advantageously arranged at each end of the balustrade. The plate is advantageously fixed both to at least one holding element, in particular to the clamping glass strand, and advantageously to at least one further holding element, which can be arranged in particular on a covering panel frame of the people conveyor, or to the at least one further holding element. The further holding element is advantageously likewise a clamping action glass strip.

The second panels are advantageously arranged to abut. It is also advantageously provided for the second panels to be additionally connected to one another, in particular by means of a connection point between respectively successive second panels and/or a clamping bar arranged at the upper end of the second panels. It is also advantageous that the end panel is arranged to abut a respective adjacent second panel. It is further advantageous that the end panels are connected to adjacent second panels, respectively, in particular by connection points between the panels and/or clamping bars arranged at the upper ends of the respective end panel and the adjacent second panel.

Drawings

Further advantageous details, features and details of the invention will be explained in more detail in connection with exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a simplified schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a simplified schematic view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic view of a detail similar to that of FIG. 2 from a different perspective;

FIG. 4 shows a simplified schematic view of a detail similar to that of FIG. 2 from a different perspective;

figure 5 shows a simplified schematic view of further details of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade according to the present invention;

fig. 6 shows a greatly simplified schematic illustration of a people conveyor, in which an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for modernizing a people conveyor is used;

fig. 7 shows a further greatly simplified schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement of support elements during implementation of the method according to the invention; and

figure 8 shows a simplified schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a balustrade according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a balustrade 1 configured according to the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the balustrade 1 is shown together with the escalator support 41, in particular in order to show the arrangement of the balustrade 1 relative to the escalator support 41 and to clarify the dimensional ratios with respect to the escalator support 41. A person 50 is also schematically shown in fig. 1 as he or she will stand on the tread elements of the escalator. It can also be seen from the illustration that the total height of the balustrade 1 is high enough to preclude an undesired fall of a person 50 on the balustrade 1.

The balustrade 1 shown in fig. 1 comprises a plurality of first panels 2, which first panels 2 are glass panels. Here, the handrail guide 4 is disposed on the first panel 2. When the balustrade 1 is used in a people conveyor, a driven handrail (not shown in fig. 1) is guided via the handrail guidance 4. The plurality of second panels 3 are arranged in a laterally offset and parallel state with respect to the first panel 2 such that the second panels 3 protrude beyond the handrail guide 4. Here, the second panel 3 is also a glass panel.

In order to arrange the second panels 3 in place, support elements 5 are arranged between the two first panels 2, respectively. In particular, it is provided that the support elements 5 are each clamped between two first panels 2. In the upper region of the support element 5, a respective cantilever 11 is arranged on the support element 5. At the free end of the respective cantilever 11 a clamping-action glass strip is arranged in the form of a holding element 10 for the second panel 3. For this purpose, the second panel 3 is positioned in the holding element 10, and at least one clamping wedge secures the second panel 3 in the holding element 10.

At the beginning and at the end of the escalator support 41, respective covering panel frames 47 are arranged. A cover panel 48 is arranged in the cover panel frame 47, and a further clamping-action glass strip is also arranged in the cover panel frame 47, which forms a further holding element 27. Furthermore, at the beginning and at the end of the balustrade 1 respective end panels 22 are arranged. The end panel 22 is also a glass panel. The end panel 22 has a first panel region 23 and a second panel region 24, the first panel region 23 having a first lower end 25 and the second panel region 24 having a second lower end 26. Here, the end panels 22 are arranged with their first lower ends 25 in the holding elements 10, respectively, the holding elements 10 being held by the cantilevers 11. The end panels 22 arrange the second lower ends 26 in further holding elements 27, respectively, the further holding elements 27 being arranged on the covering panel frame 47. Here, the end panel 22 extends in the second panel region 24 from the lower end of the adjacent first panel 2 all the way to the upper end of the adjacent second panel 3.

In particular, it may be provided that at least one light source is mounted in the holding element 10, wherein the second panel 3 is illuminated by the at least one light source (not shown in fig. 1).

In particular the advantageous arrangement of the support element 5, the cantilever 11 and the at least one holding element 10 is shown in fig. 2, 3 and 4, which fig. 2, 3 and 4 show a detail of the balustrade 1, respectively.

Here, fig. 2 shows a support element 5 arranged between two first panels 2. The cantilever 11 is arranged on the support element 5. In the exemplary embodiment, mounting end 13 of cantilever 11 is threadedly coupled to support member 5. The clamping glass strand is arranged as a holding element 10 at the free end 12 of the cantilever 11. The second panel 3 is arranged in the holding element 10, wherein, in the exemplary embodiment, the second panel 3 is a glass panel. Here, the support element 5, the cantilever 11 and the holding element 10 are made in particular of aluminum.

The first panels 2 are spaced apart from each other by a spacing a. The distance a may be between 13mm and 30 mm. The support element 5 is arranged between these successively arranged first panels 2. Here, the support element 5 comprises a first support element part 6 and a second support element part 7, wherein the

support element parts

6, 7 are connected to each other via a threaded connection 28. For this purpose, the first support element part 6 and the second support element part 7 have respective through openings through which fixing elements 15, in particular screws, engage. Here, the first support element part 6 and the second support element part 7 extend over the entire length of the support element 5. Here, the support element part 6 and the support element part 7 each have an inner region 8 and an outer region 9 and advantageously each form a T-shaped profile. Here, the first support element part 6 and the second support element part 7 have a respective inner region 8 arranged between the two first panels 2, wherein the inner regions 8 of the

support element parts

6, 7 abut against each other. Here, the outer regions 9 of the

support element parts

6, 7 protrude beyond the transverse ends 17 of the first panel 2 and thus form mountings 16 on the longitudinal sides of the support element 5 formed by the

support element parts

6, 7. The lateral ends of the first panel 2 are arranged in these mountings 16. The threaded connection 28 connecting the first support element part 6 with the second support element part 7 achieves a clamping effect in combination with the first panels 2, so that the support elements 5 are held in a corresponding position between the first panels 2. Here, the transverse end 17 of the first panel 2 can act on the inner region 8 of the support element 5 in order to increase the clamping action. In particular, however, the outer region 9 of the support element 5 acts on the outside of the first panel 2 in order to increase the clamping effect.

In this embodiment, the second support element part 7 of the support element 5 additionally has a guide 14. The mounting end 13 of the boom 11 is arranged in the upper region of said guide 14. Here, the cantilever 11 advantageously extends obliquely upwards. This means that the total height of the second panel 3 can advantageously be smaller.

In this embodiment, the mounting end 13 of the boom 11 is mounted on the support element 5 by means of the upper two threaded connections 28, which also hold the first support element part 6 and the second support element part 7 together in this area. The mounting end 13 of the cantilever 11 has two through openings 18, behind which through openings 18 the cantilever 11 has a corresponding free space 19. Here, the screws 15 of the upper two threaded connections 28 protrude through the first support element part 6, the second support element part 7 and the through openings 18 and are then locked by nuts 29. Here, the free space 19 is advantageously large enough to allow a tool to act on the respective nut 29.

The clamping glass strand is arranged as a holding element 10 at the free end 12 of the cantilever 11. Fig. 2, 3 and 4 each show only a part of such a holding element 10. In particular, the free end 12 of the cantilever arm is screwed to the holding element 10. The holding element 10 preferably has a T-shaped screw 37 at its lower end. A sliding bolt 38 with a threaded 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 holding element 10 is fixed to the cantilever arm 11 by means of the threaded connection element 39. Here, the inner side of the holding element 10 is lined with cellophane 30. The latter protects the second panel 3 introduced into the holding element 10. The second panel 3 is fixed in the holding element 10 by means of a clamping wedge 31, which clamping wedge 31 can in particular be made of a plastic material. In the exemplary embodiment, the clamping wedge 31 has a lead-in slope of 4 °. The exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2 is shown in each of fig. 3 and 4 from a different perspective.

An advantageous variant provides for the respective cantilever 11 to be arranged in the upper third of the respective support element 5, as shown for example in fig. 4. According to this variant, the support elements 5 are designed here in the form of a rail, in particular in the form of a two-part rail with a first rail part and a second rail part, wherein the support elements 5 designed as rails are arranged in each case at the coupling between the two first panels 2. In this variant, a respective U-shaped clamping holder, which opens in the upward direction, is arranged as a holding element 10 at the free end 12 of the respective cantilever arm 11, as shown for example in fig. 4. Here, the respective clamping holder holds the second panel 3.

Fig. 5 shows a detail of an exemplary embodiment of the balustrade 1, which detail shows in particular details about how the lower end of the balustrade 1 as shown in fig. 1 can be configured according to 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 arranged on the first panels 2. Here, the second panel 3 is arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the first panel 2, wherein the second panel 3 protrudes over the handrail guide 4. The respective support elements 5 are arranged between the two first panels 2, respectively. The upper region of the respective support element 5 has arranged thereon a respective cantilever 11, on which cantilever 11 a holding element 10 is fastened, which holding element 10 holds the second panel 3. The first panel 2 is held by a retainer 35, the retainer 35 being disposed on the escalator support 41. As can be seen in fig. 5, the support element 5 here is not connected to these holders 35, but is held between the two first panels 2 only by a clamping action.

In a further case, a cover panel frame 47 is arranged on the escalator support 41, in which a cover panel 48 is arranged. A further holding element 27 is arranged on the covering panel frame 47, wherein the further holding element 27 is designed in the exemplary embodiment in the form of a clamping-acting glass strip.

The balustrade 1 comprises an end panel 22 at its lower end. As shown in fig. 5, here, the end panel 22 has a first panel region 23 and a second panel region 24, the first panel region 23 having a first lower end 25, the second panel region 24 having a second lower end 26. Here, the end panel 22 is held in the holding element 10 by a first lower end 25 of the first panel region 23. The end panel 22 is held in a further holding element 27 by the lower end 26 of the second panel region 24.

In the exemplary embodiment, the second panel 3 and the end panel 22 are connected to one another at their upper ends via a metal rail 33, in particular a clamping strip, and are additionally held thereby. On the end panel 22, the metal track 33 is guided up to the lower end 26 of the second panel area 24.

The method according to the invention for modernizing a people conveyor will be explained in more detail with reference to fig. 6. Fig. 6 schematically shows a people conveyor 40 connecting a first floor 55 to a second floor 56. Here, the people conveyor 40 has an existing balustrade 1. Here, a plurality of first panels 2, in particular glass panels 2, are arranged next to one another. While modernization is taking place here, the handrail guidance is not explicitly shown removed in fig. 6. The prior art 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 respective first glass panels 2 with a second length, shorter than the first length of the respective glass panels 2'. Here, the glass panel 2 may be a new glass panel or a suitably shortened first glass panel 2'. Since the replaced glass panel 2 has a shorter length than the original first glass panel 2', the spacing a between the further first glass panels 2 can then be increased to at least 13mm so that the support element 5 can be introduced between the first glass panels 2.

It is particularly advantageous here to remove the glass panels 2', since the spacing a between the first panels 2 arranged in the ramp region of the escalator 40 and the spacing a in the horizontal region of the escalator 40 can thus be adjusted accordingly.

Once a spacing a has been created between the first glass panels 2, the support elements 5 are inserted, in this exemplary embodiment, by pushing in, into the spacing a between two successive first glass panels 2, respectively. Once all the support elements 5 have been inserted between the first panels 2, the original handrail guidance or a new handrail guidance is again mounted on the first panels 2. At least one holding element 10 for holding the second panel 3 is fitted on the support element 5 (not explicitly shown in fig. 6). As shown in particular in fig. 2, 3 and 4, here the at least one holding element 10 is fitted in particular via a cantilever.

Here, the cantilever is in particular screwed to the support element 5. At least one holding element is then arranged at the free end of the cantilever, as shown in particular in fig. 2, 3 and 4. In particular, it is provided to arrange a plurality of clamping action glass strips as at least one holding element on the support element 5. Then, another glass panel is inserted as the second panel 3 into the clamping action glass strip. The glass panels 3 may be fastened to each other at some point along the abutting edges. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the metal track is arranged at the upper end of the glass panel, in particular as shown in fig. 5. Furthermore, it may be provided, in particular, to arrange end panels at the respective ends of the escalator 40, as is also shown in particular in fig. 5 and explained with reference to fig. 5.

Fig. 7 will be used to explain in more detail a variant of the above method, in which the support element 5 is not pushed into the spacing a created between successive first panels 2, as explained with reference to fig. 6. In this variant, the support element 5 comprises a first support element part 6 and a second support element part 7, which are schematically shown in the plan view of fig. 7. Modern methods also change. In particular, there is no pressing need to remove the existing handrail guide before inserting the support element 5 into the spacing a.

Once a spacing a is provided between two successive first panels 2, the first support element part 6 is arranged in place from one side of the balustrade and the second support element part 7 is arranged in place from the other side of the balustrade such that the respective inner regions 8 of the respective

support element parts

6, 7 protrude into this spacing a, wherein, once introduced between two first panels 2, the first and second

support element parts

6, 7 advantageously do not touch in order to achieve the necessary clamping action. Thus, the distances D1 and D2, i.e. the depth range of the inner region, are advantageously generally smaller than the distance D3, i.e. the thickness of the first panel 2. The situation is therefore advantageously D1+ D2< D3. Here, the respective outer regions 9 of the first and second

support element parts

6, 7 protrude beyond the lateral ends 17 of the plank 2 and form the mounts 16, as shown particularly in fig. 2. Here, the lateral end 17 of the first panel 2 is surrounded by the outer region 9.

In this arrangement, the

support element parts

6, 7 are then fixed to each other by means of at least one fixing element 15. Here, the

support element parts

6, 7 have respective through openings 20 through which the fixing elements 15 are introduced. In particular, provision is made for the cantilever 11, of which only a part is shown in fig. 7, to be introduced into the guide 14 of the second support element part 7 and arranged on the support element 5, the support element 5 being formed by the

support element parts

6, 7. Here, in particular, it is provided that the fixing element 15 does not merely connect the first support element part 6 to the second support element part 7 but additionally fixes the cantilever 11 on the support element 5, in particular by tensile stresses which are built up between the first support element part 6 and the second support element part 7 by means of the fixing element 15. For this purpose, the cantilever 11 has a through-opening 18 at its mounting end 13, in which through-opening 18 a fixing element 15, in particular a screw, can engage. In the case of this variant, therefore, the support elements 5 are each clamped between two first panels. The remaining method steps advantageously remain unchanged with respect to the method steps described above, in particular with reference to fig. 6.

The detail of the balustrade shown in fig. 8 differs from the one explained with reference to fig. 2, 3 and 4 in particular in that here the guide 14 of the second support element part 7 is designed in the form of a T-shaped slot. Here, the mounting end 13 of the cantilever 11 is arranged on the support element 5 by means of a corresponding hammer screw, which engages with a T-shaped groove. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the cantilever 11 is not fixed by a fixing element which at the same time also connects the first support element part 6 to the second support element part 7. One advantage of this configuration is that the height at which the cantilever 11 is arranged on the support element part 7 can be adjusted in an improved manner.

The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and explained in connection therewith serve to provide an explanation of the invention without limiting it.

List of reference numerals

1 balustrade

2 first panel

3 second panel

4 handrail guide

5 support element

6 first support element part

7 second support element part

8 inner region

9 outer zone

10 holding element

11 cantilever

12 free end of cantilever (11)

13 mounting end of cantilever (11)

14 guide for a support element (5)

15 fixing element

16 mounting piece

17 lateral ends of the first panel (2)

18 through-opening in the cantilever (11)

19 free space in the cantilever (11)

20 support through openings in the element parts (6, 7)

22 end panel

23 first panel region of end panel (22)

24 second panel region of end panel (22)

25 first lower end of first panel region (23) of end panel (22)

26 second lower end of second panel region (24) of end panel (22)

27 additional holding element

28 screw connection

29 nut

30 glassine paper

31 clamping wedge

33 Metal Rail

35 holder for a first panel (2)

37T-shaped groove

38 slide block

39 threaded connection element

40 people conveyor

41 support for a people conveyor (40)

45 existing balustrade

47 covering panel frame

48 cover panel

50 persons

55 first floor

56 second floor

A distance between two first panels (2)

Distance D1

Distance D2

Distance D3

Claims

1. 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), wherein the second panels (3) are arranged in a laterally offset manner with respect to the first panels (2) such that the second panels (3) protrude beyond the handrail guide (4), characterized in that support elements (5) are arranged between two first panels (2), respectively, wherein the support elements (5) have arranged thereon at least one retaining element (10) which retains the second panels (3).

2. Balustrade (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a respective cantilever (11) having a mounting end (13) and a free end (12) is arranged on the support element (5), wherein the at least one retaining element (10) is arranged at the free end (12) of the respective cantilever (11).

3. Balustrade (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support elements (5) each have a guide (14), the mounting end (13) of the respective cantilever (11) being fixed in said guide (14).

4. Balustrade (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the respective cantilever (11) is fixed at its mounting end (13) by a fixing element (15), wherein the fixing element (15) is introduced into the respective support element (5) at the side of the respective support element (5) located opposite to the cantilever (11).

5. Balustrade (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the respective cantilever (11) is arranged, in particular in a height-adjustable manner, in the upper half of the respective support element (5), in particular in the upper third of the respective support element (5).

6. Balustrade (1) according to any 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 a holding element (10) at the free end (12) of the respective cantilever arm (11), wherein said clamping holder holds the second panel (3).

7. Balustrade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective support element (5) has a mounting (16) on each of its longitudinal sides, wherein the first panel (2) which centrally arranges the respective support element (5) has a respective transverse end (17) arranged in the respective mounting (16) of the support element (5).

8. Balustrade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support elements (5) are each designed in the form of a rail, wherein the support elements (5) designed in the form of rails are each arranged at the coupling between two first panels (2).

9. Balustrade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (5) has a first support element part (6) with an outer area (9) and a second support element part (7) with an outer area (9) respectively, wherein the first support element part (6) and the second support element part (7) are arranged such that the outer area (9) of the first support element part (6) is arranged on one side of the balustrade and the outer area (9) of the second support element part (7) is arranged on the other side of the balustrade.

10. Balustrade (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first support element part (6) and/or the second support element part (7) has an inner region (8), wherein the inner region (21, 22) is arranged between the first panels (2).

11. Balustrade (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a mounting (16) according to claim 7 is formed between the first support element part (6) and the second support element part (7) of the respective support element (5).

12. Balustrade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an end panel (22), wherein the end panel (22) comprises a first panel region (23) having a first lower end (25) and a second panel region (24) having a second lower end (26), wherein the end panel (22) has its first lower end (25) arranged in the at least one holding element (10) and its second lower end (26) arranged in at least one further holding element (27).

13. Balustrade (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or second panel and/or the end panel is a glass panel.

14. People conveyor (40), in particular an escalator or a moving walkway, with an endless conveyor belt, characterized by at least one balustrade according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Method for modernizing a people conveyor (40), characterized in that the people conveyor (40) is equipped with a balustrade (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the people conveyor (40) has an existing balustrade (45), wherein the existing balustrade (45) comprises a plurality of first panels (2), wherein the first panels (2) are arranged adjacently, characterized in that at least one first panel (2) of the existing balustrade (45) having a first length is removed, the first panel (2) is replaced by a first panel having a second length shorter than the first length, successive first panels (2) are respectively arranged at a distance (a) from each other, and the support elements (5) are arranged between the first panels (2) spaced at the distance (a).

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the existing balustrade (45) comprises a handrail guide (4), characterized in that the handrail guide (4) is removed and the support element (5) is pushed from above into between the first panels (2) spaced apart by the spacing (a) in order to arrange the support element (5) between the first panels (2).

18. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the first support element parts (6) are arranged on one side of the existing balustrade (45) respectively and the second support element parts (7) are arranged on the other side of the existing balustrade (45) respectively, such that the inner region (8) of the support element (5) is arranged between two consecutive first panels (2) within the created spacing (a) and the respective outer region (9) of the support element (5) protrudes beyond the respective transverse subsection (17) of the first panel (2).

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the first support element part (6) is connected with the second support element part (7) by means of a threaded connection (28), respectively, wherein, in addition, the respective cantilever (11) is fixed on the support element (5) by means of the threaded connection (28).

20. Method according to any one of claims 15-19, wherein the people conveyor (40) comprises a covering panel frame (47) with covering panels (48), which covering panels (48) are incorporated in the frame and have a first width, characterized in that the covering panels (48) are removed, wherein further retaining elements (27) are arranged on the covering panel frame (47) and the covering panels (48) with the first width are replaced by covering panels (48) with a second width, wherein the second width is smaller than the first width.