EP1112219A1

EP1112219A1 - Hand-rail

Info

Publication number: EP1112219A1
Application number: EP99944536A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Janusz Ledzinski
Original assignee: Semperit AG Holding
Current assignee: Semperit AG Holding
Priority date: 1998-09-11
Filing date: 1999-08-27
Publication date: 2001-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-27
Also published as: EP1112219B1; CN1316972A; CA2343037A1; ATA153698A; CN1113802C; AT407377B; WO2000015536A1; BR9913628A; ES2193743T3; JP2002524372A; DE59905487D1; US6673431B1; KR20010073150A

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-rail that can be used for escalators, moving pavements and the like. The inventive hand-rail has a C-shaped cross-section, outer layers in the form of a sliding layer (3) and a rubber top layer (2) for the user, a layer with tractive support elements, especially steel chords that are embedded in rubber and oriented in a longitudinal direction, and at least one respective reinforcing layer (5) extending into the lip areas on both sides of the tractive support elements. At least one of the reinforcing layers (5) consists of a rubber layer with homogeneously distributed short fibres (6) with a preferred orientation, extending at an angle deviating from 0 DEG in relation to the longitudinal direction of the hand-rail (1).

Description

HANDRAIL

The present invention relates to a handrail for use in escalators, moving walks and the like, which has a C-shaped cross-section, a sliding layer and a rubber cover layer for the user as outer layers, and also a position having tension members, in particular with steel cords embedded in rubber and oriented in the longitudinal direction, and has at least one reinforcement layer on each side of the tension member

Handrails for escalators Moving walks for the transportation of passengers and the like have important functions to perform. They must provide a stable and secure grip for the people using the escalators and moving walks and be designed so flexibly that they can be bent and driven around the various drive rollers In addition, handrails must be able to withstand tens of thousands of Newtons

A handrail construction of the type mentioned at the outset is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,255,772. The disclosed handrail type with a C-shaped cross section has a tension member which consists of steel cords running parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the handrail and embedded in a rubber matrix The sliding layer is made of a tightly woven material, e.g. cotton, polyamide or polyester, and has to ensure good sliding of the handrail on the guide rail. Reinforcement layers are arranged on both sides of the tension member, which consist of a woven material, the warp thread in the transverse direction of the handrail , that is, they are oriented at right angles to the tension member. The individual weft threads are only used to hold the warp threads together

The required stiffness is supported by the C-shaped cross section of the handrail. The lip width is adjusted so that the handrail can slide without too much resistance, but the lip width tolerance has to be so small, that fingers or clothing cannot pinch. In most cases, handrails of known designs either tend to widen the lip spacing, which can lead to pinching of the fingers or clothing, or they tend to become narrower. In the latter case, this can lead to the handrail rubbing against the rail, to overheating and subsequently to the destruction of the handrail.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop a handrail for escalators and moving walks for people with improved dynamic properties and improved dimensional stability over a longer lifespan compared to the known constructions, which handrail does not have the problems mentioned.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that at least one of the reinforcement layers is a rubber layer with homogeneously distributed short fibers, which have a preferred orientation and run at an angle deviating from 0 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handrail.

The present invention provides a handrail with higher transverse stiffness, greater longitudinal flexibility, improved dimensional stability and stiffer lips compared to the known constructions. That for them

Reinforcement layers according to the invention used homogeneously provided with short fibers material prevents the occurrence of different tensions that arise in conventional handrails during stress in the area of the transition from textile to rubber. The reinforcement layers in the handrail are positioned so that the short fibers run at an angle other than 0 ° to the extension of the tension member. A reinforcement layer according to the invention also does not contain any warp threads that are contained in conventionally constructed handrails in the reinforcement layers made of woven material. The lack of warp threads gives a handrail constructed according to the invention excellent longitudinal elasticity with high transverse rigidity. In addition, in the handrails according to the invention, the lip width change is significantly less both with a positive bend and with a bend over the back of the handrail (negative bend) than with conventionally constructed handrails. Handrails constructed in accordance with the invention are simple to manufacture and have one over the other known constructions significantly longer life and are overall safer to operate than the known constructions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the short fibers in the reinforcement layers are oriented such that they are opposite to the longitudinal direction of the

Handrail run at an angle that deviates from the longitudinal direction of the handrail by at least 30 °, in particular by at least 45 °. Orientation of the short fibers in these areas is advantageous both for the elasticity in the longitudinal direction and for a high transverse rigidity.

Depending on the requirement and purpose, a handrail according to the invention can be designed differently. In particular, at least one, in particular two reinforcement layer (s) provided with short fibers can be arranged on one or on both sides of the tension member layer.

The rigidity of the handrail according to the invention is favorably influenced when the short fibers cross in adjacent reinforcement layers and preferably enclose angles of equal size with the longitudinal direction of the handrail. As an alternative to this, an embodiment can also be made in which the short fibers run parallel to one another in adjacent reinforcement layers.

To achieve the desired transverse stiffness, longitudinal flexibility and dimensional stability, it is advantageous if the proportion of short fibers is between 10 and 40 parts by weight, in particular between 15 and 30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber in the mixture.

As far as the material for the short fibers is concerned, they can consist of synthetic material such as nylon, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, aromatic polyamide, carbon, of mineral material such as glass or of a natural material such as cotton. The short fibers used can also be a fiber mix of fibers of different materials. The rigidity of the reinforcement layers can thus be determined by the choice of the type of fiber and the mixing ratio of possible different fibers. The ratio of the length of the fibers to the diameter of the fibers also determines the rigidity of the layers. This ratio should be between 50 and 300 for the fibers used.

Depending on the intended use and other requirements, as well as depending on the fiber material, fiber content, etc., the reinforcement layers in the finished handrail finally have a thickness of 0.8 to 5 mm.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing and examples of mixtures. 1 shows an oblique view of an embodiment of a handrail according to the invention, in which the individual layers are gradually removed to clarify the structure of the handrail, FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the handrail according to FIG. 1.

The handrail 1 shown in the drawing figures has the usual C-shaped cross-section and therefore comprises a flat, transversely extending central part 1 a and on both sides of these lips 1 b then bent inwards. A handrail 1 designed in this way is usually used for escalators or moving walks for people. The lips 1 b encompass the guide rail, not shown here, of the escalator or moving walk.

The Handiauf 1 has a multilayer structure, which will now be discussed in more detail.

On one outside the handrail 1 has the usual rubber cover layer 2 as a support for the hand of the user of the escalator or moving walk, on the other outside the handrail 1 is provided with a sliding layer 3 which comes into contact with the guide rail, not shown here . In the handrail 1 designed according to the invention, the sliding layer 3 can have the usual structure and consist of a tightly woven cotton, polyamide or polyester fabric in order to ensure that the handrail 1 slides well on the guide rail. Between the sliding layer 3 and the covering layer 2, the handrail 1 consists of further layers, by means of which it is given the required transverse rigidity and the required longitudinal flexibility. In the construction shown in the two drawing figures, three further layers are arranged between the rubber cover layer 2 and the sliding layer 3, of which the middle one is a rubber layer 4 which runs only in the middle part 1a and is embedded in the steel cords 4a which extend in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 1 run. In a further possible embodiment, which is not shown here, the layer 4 can extend into the lip areas, but is then carried out there without reinforcement. The steel cords 4a form the tension member of the handrail 1. Normally and as shown in the drawing figures, a single layer of steel cords 4a is provided, which in the layer 4 run side by side.

A reinforcing layer 5 designed according to the invention is provided on both sides of the tension member layer 4 and in each case between the cover layer 2 and the sliding layer 3 and in the lip regions 1b. The reinforcement layers 5 embed the tension member layer 4 between them, on both sides of the layer 4 or in the

Lip areas 1 b form a uniform position. The layers 5 consist of a rubber mixture in which short fibers 6 are embedded. The short fibers 6 have a preferred orientation, they are largely oriented in a single direction, the layers 5 being embedded in the handrail 1 in the illustrated embodiment such that the short fibers 6 run in the transverse direction of the handrail 1, accordingly at a right angle are arranged to the longitudinal direction and the alignment of the tension member.

Depending on the design or the intended use, the layers 5 are made with the appropriate thickness. In the finished, vulcanized handrail, a reinforcement layer 5 usually has a thickness between 0.8 and 5 mm, in particular up to 3 mm. The raw sheets from the fiber-reinforced mixture are produced by calendering in a thickness of 0.5 to 0.8 mm, which ensures good orientation of the fibers. In order to obtain a thicker reinforcement layer 5 in the finished handrail, several, in particular up to four, thin calendered plates are either doubled after calendering or are placed one above the other when the handrail 1 is being built up. In the case of thin layers 5, if these have a thickness of approximately 0.8 mm, it may be necessary to separate the cross-sectional areas immediately adjacent to the tension member layer 4 with separate strips of the mixture of Fill in layers 5. In the case of thicker layers 5, their volume is generally sufficient to adequately fill these cross-sectional areas. As far as the orientation of the fibers in the filler strips is concerned, this would correspond to the orientation of the fibers in the layers 5 in the present exemplary embodiment.

On the basis of the two mixture examples for a rubber mixture for the production of reinforcement layers 5 contained in the following tables, further special features thereof are explained in more detail. The proportions given for the individual components are parts by weight, each based on 100 parts by weight of rubber in the mixture.

Mixture example 1:

Mixture example 2:

In terms of polymer, the mixture according to Example 1 is based on polychloroprene rubber, the mixture according to Example 2 on styrene-butadiene rubber and natural rubber, these being only examples and therefore preferred types of rubber. In Example 2, the proportion of SBR can be between 30 and 80 parts by weight and the proportion of natural rubber can accordingly be between 20 and 70 parts by weight. Both mixtures also contain plasticizers, the proportion of which can be up to 20 parts by weight. The rubber mixtures also contain the usual additives, such as anti-aging agents, magnesium oxide, stearic acid, zinc oxide, accelerators, sulfur and optionally crosslinking agents, these additives being added in the usual amounts. The proportion of soot can be between 20 and 70 parts by weight.

As for the above-mentioned short fibers 6, the rubber mixture according to Mixing Example 1 contains short nylon fibers in a proportion of 5 parts by weight and short cotton fibers in a proportion of 15 parts by weight, based in each case on 100 parts by weight of rubber in the mixture. The mixture according to mixture example 2 contains a mixture of short cotton fibers (10 parts by weight), short nylon fibers (5 parts by weight) and PVA short fibers (5 parts by weight). In addition to fibers made of synthetic material such as carbon, nylon, polyester and aromatic polyamide (Kevlar), fibers made of a mineral material such as glass and natural fibers such as cotton are also suitable. The total proportion of fibers in the mixture is chosen between 10 and 40 parts by weight, in particular 15 to 30 parts by weight. Fibers of different materials can be added in combination with each other, but only one type of fiber can be used. The length of the fibers embedded in the reinforcement layers 5 is generally between 1 and 12 mm. In particular, the ratio of the length of the fibers to the diameter of the fibers also determines the rigidity of the layers 5. This ratio should be between 50 and 300 for the fibers used.

The rigidity of the fiber-reinforced layers 5 can thus be determined or set by the choice of the type of fiber, the mixing ratio of possible different fibers, the proportion of fibers, the length of the fibers and the ratio of length to diameter. That after vulcanization from such rubber compounds The resulting reinforcement layer 5 has a hardness of at least 75 Shore A, in particular of at least 80 Shore A.

The fibers can be uncoated or coated in a rubber-friendly manner, for example RFL (resorcinol-formaldehyde latex) -coated. The purpose of the coating is to improve the adhesion between the fiber material and the rubber matrix. The short fibers 6 added to the raw rubber mixture are oriented in a certain direction, for example, by the calendering process. A good orientation of the fibers in the rubber mixture is generally achieved by calendering the mixture in a thickness of 0.5 to 0.8 mm. In order to obtain thicker layers, the calendered layer is used in several layers. Extrusion through a slot die is also suitable for achieving fiber orientation.

In the exemplary embodiment according to the drawing figures, a reinforcing layer 5 with short fibers 6 according to the invention is provided above and below the layer 4 containing the tension member. The number or the total thickness of the reinforcement layers 5 are determined on the one hand by the rigidity of an individual layer 5 and on the other hand by the transverse rigidity to be achieved.

If, as shown, a layer 5 is used above and below the layer 4 having the tension member, the arrangement thereof is preferably such that the short fibers 6 run at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the handrail 1 or the tension member. In any case, the orientation of the short fibers 6 is chosen such that they enclose an angle deviating from 0 ° with the longitudinal direction of the handrail 1. It is particularly advantageous if the angle deviates from the longitudinal direction by at least 30 °, in particular at least 45 °.

If, for example, two layers 5 are provided above and below the layer 4, it is advantageous if the two reinforcement layers 5 provided above or below the layer 4 are positioned in the handrail 1 such that the short fibers 6 of the one layer 5 under one are oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the handrail 1 and the second reinforcement layer 5 is used in such a way that its short fibers 6 are preferably of the same size with respect to the However, the longitudinal direction is in the opposite direction. This results in a crossing arrangement of the short fibers 6 in these two adjacent layers 5. With regard to the two further layers 5, the orientation of the short fibers 6 can be continued such that a crossing arrangement is again provided in the lip regions 1 b, where layers 5 adjoin one another . However, it can

All layers 5 or only a few layers 5 are positioned in such a way that their short fibers 6 run transversely to the longitudinal direction of the handrail 1.

Reinforcement layers 5 according to the invention form homogeneously constructed reinforcement layers which have an excellent elasticity in the handrail 1

Longitudinal direction with high transverse rigidity at the same time. This homogeneous reinforcement material above and below the tension member prevents the occurrence of different tensions, as can be the case, for example, in conventional handrails due to the transitions from textile to rubber during use, which means that a greater amount in handrails according to the invention

Lifetime is reached. Changes in lip width, both in the case of a positive bend and a bend over the back of the handrail (negative bend), are reduced to a minimum due to the absence of interlining warp threads. The new construction also prevents the layers from compressing, as can also occur with conventionally constructed handrails. The leakage of the

Fabric inlays on the rubber surface, as can occur in conventional constructions, can no longer take place in handrails designed according to the invention.

Another important advantage of the new construction is the construction of the joint. Tissue overlaps, which represent an inhomogeneity and weak point of the handrail in conventionally constructed handrails, are missing in the construction according to the invention. The butt joints are designed so that the reinforcement layers 5 according to the invention are butted or overlapped at an angle of 30 to 90 ° only in the longitudinal direction, during which

Vulcanization flows the joint and can not form an inhomogeneous point in the handrail. The problems with moisture absorption that often occur in conventional constructions with textile inserts are also eliminated in the construction according to the invention. The particularly high hardness of the fiber-reinforced rubber material gives the handrail a high degree of transverse rigidity, and the very high rubber compound viscosity prevents the rubber material from penetrating through the sliding layer, which can increase the friction of the sliding layer on the guide rail in conventional handrails.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Handrail for use in escalators, moving walks and the like, which has a C-shaped cross section, outer layers, a slide layer and a rubber cover layer for the user, furthermore a layer with tension members, in particular with steel cords embedded in rubber and oriented in the longitudinal direction, and on both sides of the tension member at least one in each

Reinforcement layer extending into the lip areas, characterized in that at least one of the reinforcement layers (5) is a rubber layer with homogeneously distributed short fibers (6) which have a preferred orientation and run at an angle other than 0 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handrail (1).

2. Handrail according to claim 1, characterized in that the short fibers (6) with respect to the longitudinal direction at an angle which deviates by at least 30 °, in particular by at least 45 °, from the longitudinal direction of the handrail.

3. Handrail according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on one or on both sides of the tension member layer (4) in each case at least one, in particular two, each with short fibers (6) provided reinforcing layers (5) is or are.

4. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the short fibers (6) intersect in adjacent reinforcement layers (5), preferably the angle that the short fibers (6) in these layers (5) with the longitudinal direction of the Include handrail (1), are the same size.

5. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the short fibers (6) in adjacent reinforcement layers (5) run parallel to each other.

6. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reinforcement layer (s) (5) is or are made of a rubber mixture, or their proportion of short fibers (6) between 10 and 40 parts by weight, based per 100 parts by weight of rubber in the mixture.

7. Handrail according to claim 6, characterized in that the proportion of short fibers (6) is between 15 and 30 parts by weight.

8. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the short fibers made of synthetic material, such as nylon, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, aromatic polyamide, carbon, of mineral material such as glass or of a natural material, such as cotton.

9. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the short fibers (6) are a fiber mix of fibers of different materials.

10. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that fibers are used whose ratio of length to diameter is between 50 and 300.

1 1. Handrail according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reinforcing layer (s) (5) has or have a thickness of 0.8 to 5 mm.