EP1312576A1 - Safety device for the handrail of an escalator or moving walkways - Google Patents

Abstract

A moving member is disposed above handrail elements (1,6) and adapted to be entrained by a foreign body itself entrained by the handrail elements in the same direction and speed as the handrail elements along a substantially horizontal path. A detector is adapted to detect predetermined displacement of the moving member, and causes the device to stop.

Description

The present invention relates to a device forming a handrail for a moving walkway or the like high speed, this device being accelerated and decelerated at its respective upstream and downstream ends.

We know, for example, from the EP-A-1 046 606 in the name of the applicant, a device forming a handrail of the aforementioned type comprising handrail elements arranged in such a way that the visible handrail elements which constitute the strand top of the device and which are moved in the direction downstream, are moved at a decelerated speed in a decelerated safety zone which is located upstream and near the downstream end of said device and in which these elements must be accessible to the public.

Downstream of this safety zone, the elements of handrail cross an acceleration zone and reversal of said device, in which they are not more accessible to the public.

For the safety of the equipment as for that users of such a moving walkway or the like, it is essential to provide a safety device adapted to stop the handrail device, but also generally the moving walkway, in case, for one reason or another, a foreign body, for example the hand of a user, hung on handrail elements would risk being dragged downstream from said area of security.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem thus posed and to propose a solution guaranteeing the safety of the equipment as well as that of users.

It should be noted that this problem does not arise for conventional moving walkways running at one normal speed for which the handrail is neither accelerated or decelerated at its extremities, and circulates at constant speed between two turning zones which are partly apparent.

The downstream reversal zone is located at a place where users left the moving walkway and can rest, if necessary, on the fixed wall from the sidewalk.

The security device provided for the handrail is then installed in a location that is not directly accessible to the public, for example at the substantially vertical section, or horizontal section constituting the upstream end of the lower return strand, along which the handrail disappears, after its reversal, at the bottom of the sidewalk, and can be constituted by a simple safety switch of any type suitable to be activated in the event of passage a foreign body.

Such an organ is not adapted to a device forming a handrail of the aforementioned type.

According to the present invention, the device of the type described above is characterized in that it comprises a protection and security package that covers the downstream end of said device and which comprises, in said decelerated safety zone, a movable member disposed above said handrail elements and adapted to being driven by a foreign body itself being driven by said handrail elements in the direction and at the movement speed, and along a trajectory substantially horizontal, of these, and a means of detection adapted to detect a predetermined displacement in said direction of said organ and to order the stopping of said device at least.

So, as soon as a foreign body is entrained by handrail elements in the security zone, the movable member is driven by this foreign body, and its displacement is detected to control the stopping of the device and moving walkway.

In addition, the mobile organ evolves like the elements handrail along a path substantially horizontal, so that any incident is detected, and the device and in general the sidewalk are stopped well before the turning area and well before that the said incident could not have serious consequences for users.

According to an interesting version of the invention, said assembly includes actuation means for move in said direction said organ, thus driven by a foreign body, at a speed higher than that of said foreign body.

This eliminates any risk of jamming of a foreign body, or the hand of a user, between the organ mobile and handrail elements.

According to an advantageous version of the invention, the actuation means include means for exercising on the mobile organ a force directed in the direction of moving handrail elements, all of protection and security also comprising means braking adapted to keep said member in its waiting position against the effect of said force and at at least partially stop their braking action when passage of a foreign body entrained by the elements of handrail.

The movable member permanently requested by said force is released as soon as the braking action is less than said force, and thus constitutes a subset mobile with very low inertia capable of reacting very quickly in the event of a foreign body intruding.

According to a very advantageous version of the invention, the whole of protection and security includes protective means arranged above said movable member to protect said member and adapted to open to let said entrained foreign body pass with minimal force by said hand elements common.

Such protective means make it possible to ward off or easily repel simply deposited objects on handrail elements but not fixed or connected firmly to them, so as to avoid stops untimely handrail device according to the present invention, while ensuring security complete equipment and users.

According to a preferred version of this invention, the protection means comprise two lips substantially contiguous elastics extending longitudinally above said member in their position closed and arranged in such a way that the edges respective adjacent of these two lips can deviate from each other transversely and upward in a raised position to allow said foreign body to pass.

Other special features and advantages of this invention will appear in the detailed description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique partielle en élévation d'un dispositif suivant un mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique agrandie d'un détail de la figure 1 représentant un ensemble de protection et de sécurité selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe selon III-III à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue semblable à la figure 3 représentant la main et le bras d'un usager engagés dans les moyens de protection du dispositif.

In the appended drawings, given only by way of nonlimiting examples:

• Figure 1 is a partial schematic elevational view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a detail of Figure 1 showing a protection and security assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view along III-III in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the hand and arm of a user engaged in the protection means of the device.

FIG. 1 shows an example of handrail device 15 for a sidewalk traveling 16 or the like at high speed. This device is accelerated and decelerated at their respective upstream ends 17 and downstream 18 corresponding to regions where the sidewalk traveling at high speed 16 respectively has a acceleration section and a deceleration section.

This handrail device 15 is described in EP-A-1 046 606 in the name of the plaintiff whose content is incorporated into this application as reference.

This known handrail device 15 includes 1 handrail handles mounted respectively on carriages 2 whose rollers 3 are move between running and guide rails 4.

A connecting element 6 constituted by a link flexible connects two successive carriages 2 through two return members 7, for example pulleys, carried by the axes of the rollers 3 of the carriages 2 so that each flexible connecting element 6 folds substantially at right angle to the right of each corresponding handle 1.

The two ends of each flexible element 6 are connected respectively to two adjacent counter-carriages 9 which can move on running rails and guide 10 while being held by these rails 10 at a variable distance of guide rails 4 of carriages 2 to allow the spacing to be varied and, by therefore, the speed of the handles 1.

Each side of the moving walkway 16 is equipped a handrail 15.

In zone A at maximum constant speed of the handrail 15, which covers most of the sidewalk roller 16 in which the movable floor 19 of said moving walk also has a constant speed maximum, the counter carriages 9 have joined the carriages 2 carrying the handles 1 because the guide rails 10 are very close to the rails 4, and the connecting elements flexible 6 are deployed in such a way that the distance between two successive handles 1 is maximum.

At each end 17, 18, of the device forming handrail 15, the guide rails 4 of the carriages 2 and the guide rails 10 of the counter-carriages 9 form each a loop to guide the carriages 2 and the counter carriages 9 around a turning device 20 of the handrail 15, allowing the handles 1 and the connecting elements 6 from one end 17, 18 to the other 18, 17 of the device 15.

The handrail device 15 shown diagrammatically at Figure 1 is a completely reversible device which will be suitable, for the purposes of the description below, that the visible handrail elements, consisting of the handles 1 and the connecting elements 6, located above movable floor 19, which constitute the strand 15a available to users, are moved downstream in the direction of arrow 21, from left to the right in Figure, the upstream end 17 being located at left of the upper part of the Figure, and the end downstream 18 being located to the right of the lower part of the FIG.

Because of this reversibility, each of the upstream 17 and downstream 18 ends of the device 15 includes a protection and security assembly 22 of the type described below.

Of course, a handrail device non-reversible could have only one set 22 installed at its downstream end 18.

The handrail device 15 has successively, between zone A at constant speed maximum and the downstream end 18, a deceleration zone B substantially corresponding to a deceleration zone of the movable floor 19, then a decelerated safety zone C. This decelerated safety zone C is generally located substantially in line with a decelerated area of the floor mobile 19. Downstream of the decelerated safety zone C, the users left the moving sidewalk 19 and no longer have need a moving handrail and can lean on a fixed or similar ramp or hood covering the device 15.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the handrail device 15 comprises downstream of the decelerated safety zone C an acceleration zone D followed by a reversal zone E which forms the strand lower 15b return of handrail elements 1.6 towards the upstream end 17.

Similarly, the device 15 presents, at its upstream end 17, which receives the downstream end of the strand lower return 15b, a reversal area E followed, downstream in the direction of arrow 21, a zone of deceleration B, then a decelerated safety zone C in which the handrail elements 1.6 are accessible to users. The decelerated zone C is followed an acceleration zone D which gives access to the zone at maximum constant speed A.

The detailed description which follows is also valid in the case where, as in the example shown in FIG. 3 of EP-A-1 046 606, the acceleration zone D and the reversal zone E of the downstream end 18 are noticeably confused.

The handles 1 and the flexible connecting elements 6 are thus arranged, and the rails 10 guiding the counter carriages 9 are thus arranged relative to the rails 4 guiding the handles 1, such that the handles 1 and the flexible connecting elements 6 are decelerated in a safety zone C which is close to the downstream end 18 of device 15.

According to the present invention, and as shown schematically in Figures 2 to 4, the device 15 comprises a set of protection and security 22 which covers the downstream end 18.

The assembly 22 includes, in the safety zone C, a movable member 23 disposed above the hand elements current 1.6 and adapted to be trained by a body stranger 24 himself driven by said hand elements current 1.6 in direction 21 and at the speed of movement and along a substantially horizontal trajectory of these latter, and a detection means 25 adapted to detect a predetermined displacement in direction 21 of the movable member 23 and to stop the device 15 and, in general, of the moving walkway 16.

The foreign body 24 can be, for example, as shown schematically in Figures 2 and 4, consisting of the hand and the arm of a user (not shown) of the moving walkway 16 clamping the handrail elements 1, 6, or be a any object attached in any way to the elements handrail 1, 6 or secured to them.

Such an intrusion must be imperative detected to control the stopping of the device 15 and of the sidewalk 16 to avoid serious injury to the user.

In the embodiment shown diagrammatically in the Figures 3 and 4, the movable member 23 is constituted by a carriage 26 provided on each side with rollers 27 guided by rails 28.

The carriage 26 has a cross section in section in the shape of an inverted U with a base 29 and two wings side 30 located respectively above and on the side and other handrail elements 1.6, low distance from them, so that the carriage 26 is necessarily struck and entrained by a foreign body 24 such as a user's hand tightly squeezing the elements handrail.

The detection means 25 is, for example, a conventional detector known any mechanical, optical or electric, in the example shown a switch safety of the limit switch type, adapted to be actuated by the carriage 26 driven by a foreign body 24 and control, by an appropriate electrical circuit, the stopping of the device 15 and the moving walkway 16.

The protection assembly 22 comprises advantageously actuation means for moving in direction 21, at a speed higher than that of handrail elements 1.6, the carriage 26 driven by a foreign body 24 at the speed of said elements 1.6.

In the example shown, the means actuator 31 include means for exerting on the carriage 26 a force, shown schematically by the arrow 32, and directed in the direction 21 of movement of the hand elements current 1.6.

The assembly 22 also includes means for braking, shown schematically at 33, adapted to hold the carriage 26 in its waiting position against the effect of said force and at least partially cease their action of braking during the passage of a foreign body 24 driven by handrail elements 1.6.

In this example, the actuating means 31 are shown schematically by a counterweight 34 fixed at the end bottom of a cable 35 comprising a substantially section horizontal 36 going from the front end 37 of the carriage 26, in direction 21, up to a deflection pulley 38 beyond which cable 35 has a vertical strand 39 extending down to counterweight 34.

The actuating means 31 could well understood to be constituted by equivalent means fulfilling the same function to obtain the same result, for example by mechanical means such as a spring or by pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical means.

The assembly 22 further comprises means for protection 40 arranged above the member 23 for protect said member 23 and adapted to open to leave pass the foreign body 24 driven with force minimum by handrail elements 1, 6.

In the example shown, the means of protection 40 include two elastic lips 41, 42 substantially contiguous extending longitudinally above the carriage 26 in their closed position in FIG. 3 and arranged in so that the respective adjacent edges 41a, 42a from these lips 41, 42 can deviate from one another transversely and upward, respectively in the direction of arrows 43, 44, in a raised position to allow said foreign body 24 to pass, as shown diagrammatically at Figure 4.

The elastic lips 41 and 42 thus constitute both the braking means 33 and the means of protection 40 above.

When the lips 41, 42 are raised, at least over part of their length, by a foreign body 24, they at least partially cease their action of braking so that the carriage 26, pushed by the body stranger 24 and stressed by the weight 34, moves quickly in direction 21 to engage and operate the detection means 25.

The lips 41, 42 are adapted to close after the passage of the foreign body 24.

The lips 41 and 42 extend longitudinally, in direction 21, over a predetermined length L sufficient to allow the foreign body to pass 24 over the distance traveled by said foreign body 24 driven by handrail elements 1, 6 until complete stop device 15 and moving walkway 16.

It is easy to size the decelerated zone C so that the above length L is substantially completely inside this area C before the start of the downstream acceleration and reversal zone.

We have therefore described a set of protection and safety 22 adapted to be installed above the device handrail 15 in a part substantially horizontal of this device, and to be operated in the direction 21 of movement of the handrail elements 1, 6, this system having a simple structure and an operation very reliable.

The elastic lips constitute a joint of protection capable of opening in the middle under force weak to clear the passage of the foreign body 24, everything remaining closed during normal operation.

On either side of lips 41 and 42 and carriage 26, the whole 22 for protection and security has rigid protective covers shown schematically in 45, 46 in Figures 3 and 4.

The assembly 22 also comprises, downstream of the protective device 40, a rigid protective cover, shown schematically at 47 in Figure 2, completely covering the device 15.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments just described, and there are many changes that can be made to them and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is thus possible to provide protection means 40 separate from the braking means 33.

We can also install a set 22 of protection and security on another type of device handrail than the one described above, in particular on a handrail device at uniform speed without security zone.

Claims (10)

Handrail device (15) for moving walkway (16) or the like at high speed, this device (15) being accelerated and decelerated at its respective upstream (17) and downstream (18) ends, this device comprising handrail elements (1, 6) arranged in such a way that the handrail elements (1, 6) visible, which constitute the upper strand (15a) of the device (15) and which are moved in the direction (21) downstream, are moved at a decelerated speed in a decelerated safety zone (C) which is located upstream and in the vicinity of the downstream end (18) of said device (15), characterized in that said device (15) comprises a set of protection and security (22) which covers the downstream end (18) of said device (15) and which comprises, in said decelerated security zone (C), a movable member (23) disposed above said handrail elements (1, 6) and adapted to be driven by a co foreign rps (24) itself driven by said handrail elements (1, 6) in the direction (21) and at the speed of movement, along a substantially horizontal trajectory, of the latter, and a detection means (25 ) adapted to detect a predetermined movement in said direction (21) of said member (23) and to control the stopping of said device (15) at least. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said assembly (22) comprises actuating means (31) for moving in said direction (21) said member (23), thus driven by a foreign body (24), to a speed greater than that of said foreign body (24). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said actuating means (31) comprise means for exerting on the movable member (23) a force (32) directed in the direction (21) of movement of the handrail elements (1, 6), the assembly (23) also comprising braking means (33) adapted to maintain said member (23) in its waiting position against the effect of said force and to at least partially cease their braking action during the passage of a foreign body (24) driven by the handrail elements (1, 6). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating means (31) for exerting a force on the movable member (23) are for example mechanical means such as a counterweight (34) or a spring, means pneumatic, hydraulic or electric. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly (22) comprises protection means (40) arranged above said member (23) to protect said member (23) and adapted to open to pass said foreign body (24) driven with minimal force by said handrail elements (1, 6). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said protective means (40) are adapted to close after the passage of said foreign body (24). Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said protective means (40) extend longitudinally over a predetermined length sufficient to allow the foreign body (24) to pass over the distance (L) traveled by said foreign body (24 ) until the complete stopping of said device (15) at least. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said protective means (40) comprise two elastic lips (41, 42) substantially contiguous extending longitudinally above said member (23) in their closed position and arranged in such a way that the respective adjacent edges (41a, 42a) of these two lips (41, 42) can move apart from each other transversely and upwards in a raised position to allow said foreign body to pass (24). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the elastic lips (41, 42) are in their closed position in contact with said member (23) and maintain it in its waiting position in the manner of a brake, this action braking ceasing when the lips (41, 42) are in a raised position. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handrail elements comprise handles (1) each mounted on a carriage (2) whose rollers (3) move between rails (4), and flexible connecting elements (6) which each connect two successive carriages (2) via deflection members (7) carried by the carriages (2), the two ends of each flexible connecting element (6) being connected respectively to two adjacent counter-carriages (9) moving on rails (10) at a variable distance from the rails (4).

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