EP1631520A1

EP1631520A1 - Handrail, handrail guiding system, and handrail drive system of an escalator or moving sidewalk

Info

Publication number: EP1631520A1
Application number: EP04736028A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Herwig Miessbacher
Original assignee: Semperit AG Holding
Current assignee: Semperit AG Holding
Priority date: 2003-06-04
Filing date: 2004-06-04
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Also published as: CA2528073A1; CN1816490A; US20060237284A1; WO2004108581A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a handrail drive system (2), a handrail guiding system (8), and to a handrail (1), for example, for an escalator (4) or a moving sidewalk. The handrail drive system (2) comprises at least one drive element (10), which is actively connected to a drive motor (12) and which is designed for coming into contact with a handrail (10) at least in areas. Said drive element (10), at least in the contact area (13) designed for coming into contact with the handrail (1), is made from a material that, while interacting with a handrail material, forms a pairing in this contact area (13), whereby this pairing has a coefficient of static friction greater than or equal to 0.95.

Description

Handrail, handrail guidance system, and handrail drive system of an escalator or moving walk

The invention relates to a handrail drive system, a handrail guidance system, a handrail and a device as described in the preambles of claims 1, 16, 21 and 51.

Handrails serve above all to increase the transport safety for individuals to be transported by means of escalators, moving walks or similar devices, in particular persons, handrails used in these areas of application at least in some areas as

Handle are formed. The handrails are usually designed in the form of endless belts, which are continuously driven by means of a drive system and are carried by deflection rollers, the handrail being guided on the top of a balustrade so that it can be accessed by individuals and on the underside of the balustrade to form an endless loop preferably inaccessible, especially in a substructure which has the drive system.

The handrails usually have an approximately C-shaped cross-sectional profile, and because of the length / thickness ratio of C-shaped cross-sectional profiles which is unfavorable for the tensile strength in cross-section, they are formed by several layers of different materials, for example special layers for increasing the tensile strength are. The handrail known in the prior art therefore has the disadvantage of cost-intensive manufacture, since in order to maintain the necessary component characteristics, e.g. high tensile strength, scratch resistance, geometry resistance, etc., the handrails can only be produced in a complex manufacturing process using conventional vulcanization or extrusion processes, since the manufacture of the handrail formed as a multi-layer composite part requires a complex preparation of semi-finished products.

A handrail drive with a handrail driven by this is shown for example in DE 198 50 037 AI. The handrail drive of an escalator, with a handrail underneath

Pressure brought into contact with a handrail drive pulley is connected to a drive wheel by a drive chain. Applying pressure on the handrail using a handrail drive pulley drives the handrail, with the Handrail drive pulley includes a variable air pressure hose installed on a peripheral surface of the handrail drive pulley, whereby the handrail is in pressure contact with the handrail drive pulley. The handrail is designed in the manner of a C-shaped profile.

Another drive arrangement for a movable handrail is shown in EP 0 528 387 B1, the handrail interacting with an endless drive belt and the drive belt being guided around a pair of spaced deflection rollers. In addition, an endless counteracting belt is arranged on an opposite surface, which interacts with the handrail and is guided around spaced end rollers. The handrail itself has a C-shaped cross-sectional profile.

The object of the present invention is to design a handrail drive system, a handrail guidance system and a handrail in such a way that they can be manufactured more easily and more cost-effectively. Furthermore, it is part of the object of the invention to enable a compact structure and a long service life for the components mentioned.

The object according to the invention is achieved independently by the features in the characterizing part of claims 1 and 21, respectively. The resultant advantage lies primarily in the fact that the mating material pairing between drive element and handrail with a static friction coefficient greater than or equal to 0.95 forms a reliable frictional connection in the contact area with low required surface pressure, so that when the drive element moves relative, the handrail applied to it can be reliably driven. The occurrence of sliding friction in the contact area of the material pairing can essentially be ruled out, so that a friction drive with very high operational reliability is created. In the handrail according to claim 21, it is also advantageous that the user of the handrail can be given greater security against possible injuries by being jammed in the guide area of the handrail.

A further development according to claim 2 is advantageous since the rotational movement of a drive motor can be converted directly into a linear movement of the handrail in cooperation with the handrail by means of a drive wheel. Through the embodiment variant defined according to the features in claim 3, the risk of sliding friction occurring in the system area can be reduced by the special material properties of rubber.

An embodiment variant according to claim 4 has the advantage that the frictional connection between the drive element and handrail in the contact area can be achieved or increased by expansion of the friction body, since the contact pressure between the contact surfaces can be varied by changing the volume of the friction body. The use of a hollow body such as an air-inflatable rubber tire is particularly advantageous since the elastomeric rubber material has good static friction properties and, in addition, the contact pressure between the two contact surfaces in the contact area can be increased by changing the air pressure in the rubber tire.

A variant according to claim 5 is advantageous because fiber-like structures, e.g.

Microfibers which have increased adhesion properties to surfaces, the adhesion of the contact surfaces to one another in the contact area can be increased.

An embodiment according to claim 6 has the advantage that the material of the drive element can be applied by a separate component, as a result of which inexpensive supplier or mass components can be used. In the case of drive wheels, this can be carried out in a particularly simple manner in a particularly simple manner by means of bearing shells or bearing sleeves with high surface friction.

An embodiment variant according to at least one of claims 7 or 8 or 23 is from

Advantage, since the reliability of the frictional or non-positive movement transmission can be increased by a wide contact area or an adequate static friction can be built up over the entire contact area by the drive element lying flat on the handrail.

The embodiment variant according to claim 9 or 22 has the advantage that the drive element in connection with a handrail can be embodied in a space-saving manner in a substructure or a balustrade, for example an escalator. By means of an embodiment according to claim 10, it is advantageous that drive elements arranged laterally to the handrail, in particular drive wheels, act laterally on the pressure force on the handrail, ie that lifting the handrail upwards, which is not desired, is made difficult or prevented becomes.

According to the embodiment variant according to at least one of claims 11 and 12, it is advantageous that the power transmission to the handrail can be additionally secured by means of a plurality of drive elements, and a failure of individual drive elements can be compensated for by increasing the operational safety by means of a plurality of drive elements.

An embodiment variant according to claim 13 has the advantage that the force transmission to the handrail is improved by a positive connection between the handrail and drive element and at the same time an unwanted detachment of the handrail from the drive element is made more difficult, the embodiment variants according to at least one of the

Claims 14 or 15 describe particularly advantageous positive configurations for the frictional connection of a drive wheel to the handrail.

The invention is also solved independently by the features in the characterizing part of claim 16. The resultant advantage lies above all in the smoother reliability of the handrail and the handrail guidance system relative to one another, as a result of which the material wear of the guide element resting on the handrail can be kept low. Furthermore, due to the reduced frictional resistance, a lower driving or conveying force acting on the handrail is necessary to drive it, which means that smaller-sized or more economical handrail drive systems with longer maintenance intervals can be used. The friction coefficients specified in claim 25 prove to be particularly advantageous.

An embodiment variant according to at least one of claims 17 or 18 is advantageous since the materials or structures mentioned have particularly good sliding properties in the contact area.

The embodiment variant according to at least one of claims 19 or 20 is advantageous because whereby the handrail can be displaced along its longitudinal extent on the sliding surface relative to the guide element and by a form-fitting interaction of the guide element with the handrail, for example in a recess, it is possible for the handrail to be essentially stable in a direction transverse to its longitudinal direction and is secured against lifting off on the handrail guidance system and this can only be moved in its longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, an embodiment variant according to claim 24 is advantageous because, by means of a handrail with a handrail surface divided into several contact areas, in particular in sections, with different friction properties in the contact areas, the different operative connections that the handrail enters into, on the one hand a frictional operative connection with the drive element , on the other hand, with the guide system, a sliding connection can be realized in a simple manner. The different handrail functions with regard to adhesion or sliding effect are thus decoupled from one another, whereby the respective functions can be optimized and changed independently of one another, so that a very high drive power can be transferred from the handrail drive system to the handrail. A compact and low-maintenance construction of a system, comprising the handrail according to the invention, is therefore possible.

An embodiment variant according to claim 26 is also advantageous, since a handrail surface formed from a uniform material can be provided with different surface roughnesses in the different sections due to area-specific surface treatments and thus can be brought into a condition required for a friction fit or sliding suitability, thereby Production of the handrail can be simplified.

By the variant according to claim 27, it is advantageous that guide elements can be brought into positive engagement with the handrail and thus a reliable and secured against loosening of the handrail guidance of the handrail in the recess is made possible, with the features specified in claim 28 this effect can be achieved through simple, structural training.

Due to the design according to claim 29, it is advantageous that the different Areas and functions of the handrail provided are decoupled from one another by the specified structure and can be adapted to their specific requirements, the handrail essentially having a known, for example double-T-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

By an embodiment according to claim 30, it is advantageous that the handrail can be used easily and safely for individuals by a special gripping surface on the upper belt.

The embodiment variant according to claim 31 is advantageous in that the risk of injury to persons gripping the handrail and the damage to the handrail or drive or guide system by penetration of external objects into it can be prevented by means of guide elements or handrail drive system elements hidden by the handrail ,

An embodiment variant according to claim 32 is also advantageous, as a result of which stresses occurring in the area of the guide or drive system of the handrail are limited to the area of the lower chord and its properties can be optimized essentially decoupled from the upper chord.

Through an embodiment according to claim 33, the manufacture of the handrail can advantageously be simplified by reduced tool preparation and cycle times during manufacture can be shortened.

Formations according to at least one of claims 34 to 36 are advantageous since the dimensions specified form a handrail which is dimensionally stable and has good strength properties, but which, at the same time, is secured against unintentional detachment from the handrail guidance system by adequate engagement of the handrail guidance system and is simultaneously guided with low wear.

An embodiment variant according to claim 37 essentially brings with it the advantage of additionally increased tensile strength properties of the handrail.

The embodiment variants according to at least one of claims 38, 39 and 40 are of Advantage, because the specified profile cross-sections and their surface dimensions can form a one-piece and flexible handrail with sufficient tensile strength properties for use with escalators or moving walks, whereby the handrail does not have to have additional layers that increase the tensile strength, so that handrail production through simplified tool preparation can be accelerated and reduced in costs.

It is also possible to design the handrail according to claim 41, whereby a separation of the functions "sliding" and "drive" can be achieved in a simple and safe manner.

An embodiment according to claim 42 is advantageous because by means of material pairings, in which at least one material is formed from an elastomeric material, in particular rubber, a non-positive or frictional transmission of movement is possible with less surface pressure than by means of non-elastomeric material pairings , which minimizes wear on the components and extends maintenance intervals.

An embodiment according to the features of claim 43 has the advantage that the contact surface in the contact area is limited by the profiling to the area of its elevations and the total contact surface can be reduced to reduce the sliding resistance between the handrail and guide element. In contrast, however, it is also possible to advantageously increase the adhesion between the drive element and the handrail by means of a combined friction and form fit.

Due to the configuration according to claim 44, the different coefficients of friction in the different plant areas can be achieved by the selection of specifically suitable, different materials or sliding layers and can be maintained essentially permanently and maintenance-free. The materials or sliding layers proposed in claims 45 and 46 have proven to be particularly advantageous.

Due to the configuration according to claim 47, it is advantageously possible to subsequently provide the handrail drive system and / or the handrail guidance system and / or the handrail with improved or special component properties. finished, separate sliding or friction layers can be used and these can be produced independently of the other components.

Due to the features according to claim 48, it is advantageously possible for the base body of the drive element and / or guide element and / or handrail to be formed from a different material in the contact area, which means that the drive element is made of inexpensive materials or for the requirements in the area of Base body suitable materials, e.g. can be used for torque transmission of the drive element in the area of the connection to the drive shaft.

Through embodiment variants according to at least one of claims 49 or 50, it is advantageously achieved that the handrail drive or handrail guide element or the handrail can be subsequently provided with special component properties, in particular increased tensile strength, by means of what is incorporated in a coating - Reinforcement layers brought. In particular, the handrail can be justified in a simple manner by means of a known vulcanization or extrusion process from a uniform material, since the additional coating is then applied.

The object of the invention is also solved independently by claim 51, the

Handrail and / or the handrail drive system and / or the handrail guidance system can be formed as in the cited claims, so that a device can be created with the advantages described above.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown schematically and in simplified form in the drawings.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows an escalator or a moving walk with a handrail and handrail drive system according to the invention in side view. FIG. 2 shows a partial section of an escalator or moving walk with the handrail or handrail drive system according to FIG. 1 in plan view;

3 shows an embodiment variant of the handrail according to the invention with a handrail drive system in cross section;

4 shows the handrail according to FIG. 3 with a possible embodiment variant of a guide system for the handrail in a cross-sectional illustration;

5 shows a further embodiment variant of a handrail with a handrail drive or

Cross section of the guide system;

6 shows a further embodiment variant of a handrail with a handrail drive or guide system in cross section;

7 shows a further embodiment variant of a handrail with a handrail drive or guide system in cross section;

8 shows a further embodiment variant of a handrail with a handrail drive system in cross section;

9 shows a further embodiment variant of a handrail with a handrail drive system in cross section;

10 shows a partial section of a possible embodiment variant of a handrail guidance system in a deflection area according to section X-X in FIG. 4;

11 shows an independent version of a handrail in cross-sectional representation;

12 shows a further embodiment variant of the independent handrail in cross section;

13 shows an embodiment variant of a handrail guide; 14 shows a variant of a handrail drive.

In the introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component designations. The location information selected in the description, e.g. above, below, laterally, etc. refer to the figure described and illustrated immediately and are to be transferred analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

1 shows an embodiment variant of a handrail 1 according to the invention, which is driven by means of a handrail drive system 2 and carried by deflection rollers 3.

To illustrate the handrail 1 or the handrail drive system 2, an escalator 4 is shown as an example in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of which has at least at its end regions one or more deflection rollers 3 around which the handrail 1, which is preferably formed as an endless belt, runs. An area of the handrail 1 that can be grasped by an individual using the escalator is formed at least over a partial area of an upper run 5, this graspable area representing that handrail section that extends on an upper side of a balustrade of the escalator 4 between the deflection rollers 3. In the area which extends below the upper run 5 between the deflection rollers 3, a lower run 6 is formed and the handrail 1 runs empty in this area, i.e. for an individual, in particular a user of the escalator, between the deflection rollers 3, which cannot be grasped. The lower run 6 is arranged, for example, in a substructure 7 - indicated schematically by dash-dotted lines - or within the balustrade of the escalator and is inaccessibly covered for people.

As there are differences in height to be overcome in escalators, in most cases they have a horizontal handrail course as well as an inclined or rising one Area so that additional rollers or deflection guides must be arranged in the transition areas between different handrail pitches. For this purpose, a handrail guidance system 8 for at least section-wise, linear guidance of the handrail 1 can be arranged at least in the region of the upper run 5, as is only indicated schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2 and will be described in more detail below. Deflection pulleys 9, which are used to give the direction of the handrail 1 mentioned above to determine its gradient and possibly also to adjust the tension in the handrail 1 in order to compensate for a loss of tension due to material fatigue after long-term operation of the handrail 1 and to prevent it sagging schematically indicated in Fig. 1.

It should be noted that the object according to the invention is not limited to the use of the escalator 4 shown schematically in FIG. 1, but the handrail 1 and the handrail drive system 2 for further suitable transport systems such as e.g. Moving walks, round trips, etc. can be used to overcome a height difference or with a flat course, which can be transport systems for people or objects.

FIG. 2 shows a partial area of the escalator 4 according to FIG. 1 in a fragmentary representation in a schematic plan view, the interaction of the different components of the handrail 1, the handrail drive system 2 and the handrail guidance system 8 being illustrated.

The handrail drive system 2 has at least one drive element 10, which is operatively connected to a drive motor 12 via a drive means 11, in particular a drive shaft. All of the devices known from the prior art for generating motion, in particular generating rotational motion, can be used as the drive motor 12, preferably using control or regulatable electric motors or stepped drives. The drive means 11 coupled to the drive motor 12 is designed as a movement transmission element for driving the drive element 10, which is also operatively connected to the drive means 11.

The drive element 10 which is in operative connection with the drive motor 12 is now at least in some areas designed to rest on handrail 1. Due to the direct contact of the drive element on the handrail 1, at least via a contact area 13, a movement transfer from the drive element 10 to the handrail 1 can take place by means of static friction when the contact surfaces are in contact with one another. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the drive element 10 is formed by a rotatable drive wheel 14, by means of which a rotational movement transmitted to the drive wheel 14 by an active connection with the drive motor 12 is converted into a translatory movement of the handrail 1 by interaction with the handrail 1 in the contact area 13 , The handrail 1 has, for example, a planar contact surface 15 on the underside of the handrail 1, which extends over the entire longitudinal course of the handrail 1 and in the contact area

13 is in frictional contact with the drive wheel 14.

It should be noted at this point that the drive wheel 14 for direct transmission of a movement to the handrail 1 is used as the drive element 10 for a simple construction of the handrail drive 2, but other devices such as e.g. Drive belts can be used to form a larger-area contact area 13, as will be described in more detail below in the course of FIG. 9.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the material pairing formed in the contact area 13 of the handrail 1 and the drive element 10 has a static friction with one another which is sufficient for a safe and sufficient for all stresses that occur. For this purpose, the pairing forms a coefficient of static friction of greater than or equal to 0.95, as a result of which the handrail 1, for example on the escalator 4, can be securely driven by the drive element 10 and the occurrence of sliding friction between the material pairing can be substantially prevented.

The handrail drive system 2 according to the invention in conjunction with the handrail 1 according to the invention thus forms a system which enables the handrail 1 to be driven by frictional engagement, so that no form-fitting transmission elements, such as toothed belts or gears, etc., have to be used. In order to ensure sufficient operational safety of the handrail 1, that is to say in particular to prevent the handrail 1 from slipping when force is applied, ie to prevent sliding friction from occurring between the drive element 10 and the handrail 1 in the contact area 13, a friction coefficient μ, in particular a coefficient of static friction μ, in the range of at least approximately 1 is required. The coefficient of static friction μ can be, for example, between 0.95 and 1.5, in particular between 1 and 1.2, although it is not previously known in the prior art for surface pairings with coefficients of friction that are higher than 0.9 for a handrail 1 or handrail drive system 2 combination. The coefficient of static friction μ depends on various influencing factors such as surface quality, contamination, liquid or lubricating films, for example due to the formation of condensation. However, these factors can be minimized or almost neglected by designing the system appropriately protected against external influences. However, the essential material influencing the coefficient of friction or the coefficient of static friction is the respective material of the handrail 1 or drive element 10 in the contact area 13 and the contact pressure of the contact surfaces 15, 16 relative to one another, as can be seen in the relationship μ = F / F _N is familiar to any specialist in this field.

To ensure that the interacting material pairing has a coefficient of static friction of> 0.95, it is necessary to combine the materials, i.e. of the drive element 10 and the handrail 1 in the contact area 13 so that the required friction is ensured with the lowest possible contact pressure of the contact surfaces to minimize material wear. For this purpose, the drive element 10 of the handrail drive system 2 can be formed on the contact surface 15, which interacts with the contact surface 16 of the handrail in the contact area 13, by a material which is selected from the group of thermoplastic elastomers or rubber. At least the surface area on the contact surface 15 of the drive element 10 is expediently formed by a rubber or a rubberized fabric, since such elastomers, in cooperation with other surfaces, have poor sliding properties and good adhesion properties. However, it is also possible to use non-plastic materials with the properties mentioned.

By using rubber-like materials or elastomers, it is advantageous that with the contact pressure acting between the contact surfaces 15, 16, in contrast to a contact area 13 which is linear in the case of rigid materials, a flat contact zone of the contact surfaces 15, 16 in the material deformation of the elastic material Contact area 13 is formed, and due to the restoring force of the deformed, elastic material, the required surface pressure between the adjacent contact surfaces 15, 16 is automatically applied to produce the necessary static friction.

As can now be seen from FIG. 3, the material can be applied as a coating 17 at least in the contact area 13 on the handrail 1 and / or on the drive element 10, as a result of which the base body of the handrail 1 or drive element 10 is made of commonly used materials such as e.g. Plastic, metal, can be formed, but are formed in the contact area 13 in cooperation with friction-increasing friction layers 18, 19. However, the friction layers 18, 19 or sliding layers (described later) can also be designed as independent layers or layers which are attached to the handrail 1, the guide element 29, or the drive element 10 at least in the contact areas 13, 34, wherein these sliding or friction layers can optionally have reinforcing layers 20.

The drive wheel 14 can thus be formed from a metallic base body or from hard plastic, in particular a duromer, with good surface sliding properties, but at least in the contact area 13 can be provided with a friction layer 17 formed on the contact surface 15. Such drive wheels 14 are formed, for example, as rubberized metal drive wheels with a friction layer 17 formed by a rubber or a rubberized fabric.

It is also possible for the handrail 1 to form its contact surface 16 on a friction layer 18 applied thereon, which in principle can have the properties of the previously described friction layer 17, i.e. can be applied to the handrail 1 in the manner of a special coating which increases the coefficient of friction.

It should be noted that only one of the materials in the area of the contact surfaces 15; 16 is applied as a coating 17 and the material of the further contact surface 15; 16 is formed uniformly with the base material of the handrail 1 or the drive element 10. A wide variety of material pairings are possible to achieve static friction between the contact surfaces 15, 16, all of which are known to the person skilled in the field of materials technology and in the present invention can be used, which means that the exchange or variation of the materials is within the scope of this specialist.

It is also possible for the coating to have one or more reinforcement layers 20. As reinforcement layers 20, e.g. Fabrics, knitted fabrics, thin-walled stiffening profiles made of metal and / or plastic, etc., are used, which serve to improve one or more metal properties. Above all, a coating 17 formed with a reinforcement layer 20 in conjunction with the handrail 1 can increase its strength properties, in particular the tensile strength, or material-specific properties of a handrail surface 21, such as e.g. Wear resistance, scratch resistance, etc. can be improved.

The yarns of the fabric pieces can be made of synthetic fibers, e.g. Polyamide or polyester, etc. and / or also from natural fibers, such as Cotton, sisal, hemp.

The handrail 1 is expediently designed to be flexible or deformable, at least in its longitudinal direction. In particular, its bending stiffness in the longitudinal extent must be so low that it can form a radius of curvature corresponding to this in the region of deflection rollers 9 for circulation along the latter. In essence, the handrail should

1 have such a low intrinsic stiffness that, in a horizontal position without support, it cannot automatically hold itself in this position due to its own weight and bends even at a small normal distance from the clamping point.

In a further embodiment variant of the handrail drive system 2, which is not shown, it is possible for the drive element 10 to have an outer shell which is formed as a separate component which is connected to the drive element 10 or fastened thereto, so that the contact surface 16 of the drive element 10 is connected to one outer surface of the outer shell is formed. For example, the drive wheel 14 can thus be provided on its outer, radial circumferential surface with a one-part or multi-part outer shell, which is preferably formed in the manner of a bearing shell or bearing sleeve and encloses the circumferential surface of the drive wheel 14. Due to the arrangement of an outer shell on the drive element 10 or drive wheel 14, which by the work required for sufficient static friction is formed, it is not necessary to process a base body 22, which is formed as a wheel hub 23 in a drive element 14 designed as a drive wheel 14, by means of a coating or surface treatment method, the separate outer shell being mechanically, for example, via a groove, for example / Spring connection, is attached to the base body 22.

In addition to the choice of a suitable material, a coefficient of static friction greater than or equal to 0.95 can also be achieved by an increased surface roughness on the contact surfaces 15, 16 in the contact area 13. It is therefore also possible for the material pairing of the adjoining contact surfaces 15, 16 j e to have corresponding minimum roughness depths which, in cooperation, form an adhesive connection in the contact area 13. It is advantageous that even hard materials with rigid properties, i.e. non-elastic materials, due to mutual engagement with one another, form a frictional connection even at low contact pressure, and thus the movement of the drive element 10 can be transmitted to the handrail 1 via the contact surfaces 15, 16.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the handrail 1 interacts with the handrail guidance system 8 in addition to the handrail drive system 2.

The handrail guidance system 8 preferably extends at least over a longitudinal section 24 on the upper run 5, so that the handrail 1 can be used as a supporting element at least in the area in which individuals are transported, as a result of which force is applied according to arrow 25 on an upper side 26 of the handrail 1 can without moving the handrail 1 out of its guideway.

The possibility is given that the handrail guidance system 8 extends along the entire upper or lower run, i.e. in an endless loop corresponding to the course of the handrail 1, which, due to the continuous guidance, causes excessive sagging and thus deformation of the handrail 1, which for example leads to Signs of material fatigue or slipping on the drive element 10 with tensile load on

Handrail 1 can lead, can be prevented. As indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 1, it is expedient in most cases to design the handrail guidance system 8 in the area of the upper run 5 essentially over its entire longitudinal extent and in the area of the lower run 6 to form the handrail guidance system 8 for supporting the handrail only over a partial area. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the handrail guidance system 8 is formed by guide elements 29, for example formed as guide rails 27, 28, which are each in contact with the handrail surface 21, in particular a surface region 31 formed on a sliding layer 30. As already described above, the sliding layer 30 can be applied as a coating to the handrail 1, or can be attached to the handrail 1 as a separate layer using a known connecting method, the sliding layer 33 being able to be formed, for example, by a woven or knitted fabric as mentioned above ,

The handrail guidance system 8 is designed in cooperation with the handrail 1 as a sliding guidance system, i.e. that the contacting surface areas 31 of the handrail 1 and surface area 32 of the guide elements 29 are in direct contact and are designed to be displaceable relative to one another with the lowest possible frictional resistance.

The surface area 31 on the handrail, which is in engagement with the surface area 32 of the guide element 29, is therefore formed as a sliding surface 33, which, in cooperation with the guide element 29, forms a material-material pairing in a further contact area 34 which has the lowest possible coefficient of sliding friction, which is less than / equal to 0.3, for example in the range from 0.15 to 0.25.

The handrail 1 is therefore preferably on its handrail surface 21 in a first section 35, in which the contact surface 15 extends for the frictional interaction with the contact surface 16 of the drive element 10 and divided into a further section 36, with the further section 36 of the handrail surface 21 the sliding surface 33 is formed, which slides or slides with the surface area 32 of the guide element 29, ie with very low frictional resistance.

For this purpose, in the further section 36, the sliding surface 33 and / or the surface area 32 of the guide element 29 can be formed from a material which, by applying a material layer by means of a coating 17, which may have a reinforcement layer, for example in the manner already for the contact area 13 has been described is formed. A further material, possibly different from the material in the first contact area 13, can be used as the material.

By means of a handrail 1 which has different friction properties in sections 35, 36, the coatings or surface-treated sections or separately applied layers required for a frictional or sliding connection need only be formed over a small partial area of the handrail surface 21 and a reduction in costs or manufacturing costs handrail 1 is possible.

In general, it is noted ^'that for achieving the required coefficient of friction in the first contact area 13 or in another contact region 34 are both of the contact surfaces of the pairs of materials by application of material coatings or surface treatment process can be processed, but it is also possible to use only one of the cooperating contact surfaces in such a way to prepare that, in cooperation with the other contact surface, it has the desired coefficient of friction. For example, it is possible for at least the surface area 32 of the guide element 29 to be formed by a material which, in cooperation with the sliding surface 33, without additional coating or sliding layers and possibly only by surface treatment methods, such as surface hardening of metals or vulcanization in the case of wetted elastomers that have the desired smooth sliding properties. The guide element 29 can be formed, for example, by a guide rail 27, 28 formed from metal or stainless steel, it also being possible, of course, for at least one of the interacting areas in the further contact area 34 with a material or a sliding layer, for example a woven or knitted fabric made of textile , Synthetic fiber, ceramic material or mixtures thereof, or a material from the group of polymers, in particular a wear-resistant plastic.

An equally possible design for the handrail 1 and the handrail drive system 2 is that the contact surface 15 is formed from the material of the handrail basic body 37 and is optionally surface-treated, the contact surface 15 interacting with the contact surface 16 of the drive element 10 and the contact surface 16 of the Drive element 10 has a material or surface structure suitable for producing a frictional pairing, for example increased roughness. In the possible embodiment variant of a handrail guide system 8 shown in FIG. 4, this has guide rails 27, 28, which have extensions 38, 39 or profile legs on opposite side regions 40, 41 of the handrail 1 for contacting the sliding surfaces formed there 33 intervene in certain areas. The guide rail

27, 28 is, as shown, formed, for example, as a U-profile, and connected to a guide frame 42 or fastened thereto, wherein the guide frame 42 can in turn be formed from one or more profiles, in particular U-profiles. In general, it should be noted that the embodiment variant of a guide system 8 shown in FIG. 4 is only one of many possible variants that can be used in combination with the present subject matter and represents slide guide systems known from the prior art in connection with the handrail 1 can be used.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the handrail base body 37 in the exemplary embodiment shown has at least one recess 43, 44 on each of the side regions 40, 41 thereof, so that a cross-sectional weakening of the handrail 1 with respect to one corresponds to a depth 45 Handrail width is formed. The handrail 1 can, for example, have an essentially rectangular or elliptical profile cross section, preferably with the one or more recesses 43, 44.

The recesses 43, 44 are preferably designed in the manner of grooves formed on the side regions 40, 41, which form the sliding surfaces 33 with their boundary surfaces. The contour of the sliding surfaces 33 of the recesses 43, 44 is preferably designed such that the extensions 38, 39 for holding the handrail 1 can positively engage in the recesses 43, 44 and through the extensions 38, 39 through the surface area 32 formed on them at the same time, a longitudinal guidance according to arrow 48 (FIG. 2) for the continuous conveying of the handrail can take place, a U or V-shaped circumferential contour of the sliding surfaces 33 delimiting the recesses 43, 44 proving to be expedient.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the engagement of the extensions 38, 39 in the recesses 43, 44 on the opposite side area 40, 41 is essentially pliers-shaped, so that the handrail 1 has all degrees of freedom except for the direction of movement. tion, according to arrow 48, and the opposite direction. Due to the positive connection between handrail 1 and handrail guidance system 8, a handrail 1 secured against unintentional detachment from the handrail guidance system 8 can be created, whereby malicious damage by tearing or lifting the handrail 1 out of the handrail guidance system 8 and the handrail 1 and with it can be prevented interacting components is protected from damage by vandalism.

The handrail 1 can by the above-described operative connection with the handrail drive system 2 and the handrail guidance system 8 with a simple and compact structure by the interaction of the surfaces in the different sections 35 and 36 of the handrail with the components attached to it, in particular the drive element 10 and the guide element 29, can be operated reliably in an advantageous manner. It is also advantageous here that the handrail guidance system 8 does not have any movable components, such as Must have guide rollers, which makes components prone to error, such as

Circulating roller bearings, can be avoided and maintenance intervals can be increased.

In the illustrated, possible embodiment variant of a handrail 1, this is in an upper region 49 by an upper chord 50 and in a lower region 51 by an

Lower flange 52 formed.

The upper belt 50 serves above all as a grip piece 53, which can be grasped freely by individuals, in particular people, on the gripping surface 54 formed on the upper side of the handrail 1. It should be noted that besides people, individuals can also mean objects which can be in contact with the gripping surface 54, and thus a secure transport of the same is made possible by interaction with the handrail 1.

The upper belt 50 preferably has a covering extension 55, 56 on each of the side regions 40, 41 of the handrail 1, which extends in the manner of side wings on the top 26 of the handrail guide system 8 in the installed position to cover the guide elements 29, so that on the top 26 of the handrail 1 through the handrail guidance system 8 and the handrail drive system 2 are hidden.

The lower flange 52 of the handrail 1 is designed as that active element which is formed on the contact areas 13, 34 in cooperation with the drive element 10 and the guide elements 29 in the first section 35 for frictionally driving the handrail 1 and further in the further section 36 forms the positive, but slippery connection between the handrail 1 and the guide element 29 for sliding guidance thereof. The lower flange 52 is thus functionally connected to the drive element 10 and preferably furthermore functionally connected to the handrail guide system 8, this effect connection essentially being brought about by different friction coefficients in the first and further sections 35, 36 suitable for the respective function.

The upper chord 50 and lower chord 52 of the handrail 1 are preferably designed as a one-piece component, in particular formed from a handrail basic body 37 formed from a uniform material, wherein, according to the embodiment variants shown, recesses 43, 44 arranged in the transition region between the upper and lower chord 52 and 53 Cross-sectional weakening is formed on the handrail 1. A connecting web 59 now extends between the respective groove base of the grooves or recesses 43, 44 over a width 58, via which upper and lower chord 50, 52 are connected. The width of the connecting web 59 should be approximately 50 to 95% of a lower chord width 60, so that the notch affecting the strength properties can be kept as small as possible through the recesses 43, 44 in the side regions 40, 41, with a width 58 of the connecting web 59 in the range of 75 to 85% of the lower chord width proves to be expedient, since a full profile cross section of the handrail 1 which is sufficient for the required strength properties and extends over the width 58, while at the same time having sufficient positive locking due to the adequately dimensioned depth 45 between the guide element 29 and handrail 1 for holding it given is.

The supporting cross-section 61 of the profile, which is essential for the tensile or compressive strength of the handrail 1, is drawn in dash-dotted lines. This has an essentially rectangular or elliptical cross-sectional shape, the ratio of the profile cross-section length 62 to the profile cross-section height 63 being, for example, in the range from 1: 1 to 5: 1, in particular 1.5: 1 to 2.5: 1 , The load-bearing profile cross section 63 corresponds to Essentially the cross-sectional area of the connecting web 59, the dimensions of which must be such that the handrail 1 deforms only slightly or not at all when the force acting on the upper chord 50 and simultaneous guidance or driving force on the lower chord 52, and in no case does it become one Cracking occurs in the handrail 1, the profile cross section 61, for example, having an area of 50 to 95%, in particular 70 to

85% of the total handrail cross-sectional area.

Such a cross-sectional configuration can advantageously ensure that the handrail body 37 provides the handrail 1 with sufficient strength properties, in particular tensile strength, so that it can be formed in the handrail body 37 without additional reinforcing inserts and at the same time conventional handrail materials such as e.g. Rubber or thermoplastic materials can be used as the handrail base material.

Another, independent solution for a handrail 1 or its cross-sectional shape is described in the course of FIGS. 11 and 12.

It should be noted at this point that the C-shaped or U-shaped profiles used in the prior art must have reinforcing layers or layers due to their small-area profile cross section, based on the very small width dimensions, in order to have sufficient tensile strength of the handrail to ensure. In a cross-sectional shape, according to the handrail 1 according to the invention, this is advantageously not necessary. As already indicated above, however, reinforcement layers 20 applied subsequently, for example with a coating 17, can be applied to the handrail surface 21 as layers for changing the component properties of the handrail 1, this not being taken into account in the manufacture of the handrail base body 37 got to.

The novel cross-sectional shape of the handrail 1 means that it is now possible to reduce its production outlay by simplified production tool preparation and a more reliable production process, the handrail body 37 being able to be produced by production processes known from the prior art, such as discontinuous press vulcanization or plastic extrusion. Furthermore, Production due to the changed cross-section, the reject rate can be significantly reduced, since cross-section fluctuations in production can be reduced or completely ruled out due to the unequal length-to-width ratio in contrast to the prior art, since difficult-to-manufacture, thin-walled legs or profile sections in the invention Cross-sectional shape essentially does not occur.

However, for an additional increase in tensile strength, the possibility should be mentioned that tension members 64 are arranged, for example, in the area of the lower flange 52 in the handrail base 37, for example by means of reinforcing ropes or layers, in particular

Steel cords, steel sheets, aramid cords, plastic reinforcement fibers, glass fibers, etc., can be formed.

5 shows a further embodiment variant of the handrail drive system 2 in conjunction with the handrail 1.

The drive element 10 of the handrail drive system 2 is formed by a drive wheel 14, which can be brought into a rotational movement — according to the arrow shown — about a rotation axis 65 by the drive means 11 coupled to the drive motor 12. All shaft-hub connections known from the prior art can be used as the connecting device between the drive means 11 and the drive wheel 14, for example, as indicated by dashed lines, a tongue and key connection.

The drive wheel 14 is now formed by a wheel hub 66 and a friction body 67 attached to the wheel hub, the mounting of the friction body 67 on a circumferential surface 68 of the wheel hub 66 by a radial prestress, in particular tensile stress, of an elastic friction body 67 and thus on the circumferential surface 68 acting pressure force and / or by means of positive locking of the circumferential surface 68 with a support surface 69 of the friction body 67. In the case of rigid friction bodies 67, the connection between the circulation surface and the bearing surface 68, 69 can be made, for example, by adhesion or mechanical fastening elements, such as screws, for example, it being possible to use connecting drives known from the prior art. The friction body 67 is designed to be expandable, at least in the area of its contact surface 16, ie its volume can be increased if necessary. Thus, the contact pressure of two contact surfaces 15, 16 adjacent to one another in the contact area 13 can be increased or decreased by controlling or regulating the volume of the friction body 67, as a result of which the coefficient of static friction between the contact surfaces 15, 16 can be influenced directly.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the friction body 67 is formed by a hollow body 70 and in particular a gas-fillable hose 71, which has an envelope wall 72. An elastically resilient material, for example a crosslinked elastomer, such as e.g. Rubber is used, a wall thickness 73 being dimensioned such that when a volume of a receiving chamber 74 of the hollow body 70 is increased, at least the contact surface 16 of the drive wheel 14 in the contact region 13 is moved or adjusted in the direction facing away from the wheel hub 66. In the embodiment variant shown, a hollow body 70 with a flexible, i.e. at least in the area of the contact surface 16, the casing wall 72 can be moved or adjusted so that in the contact area 13 with contact surfaces 15, 16 of the handrail 1 and the drive wheel 14 in contact, the coefficient of static friction μ of this pair of surfaces can be varied by in the Receiving chamber 74 the pressure, which acts on a boundary surface of the receiving chamber 74 according to the arrows 75, is increased or decreased.

The increase in volume thus follows by increasing the pressure in the receiving chamber 74, which is done in a simple manner by a pneumatic supply system via which gas, preferably air, the receiving chamber 74 is pumped, and thus an expansion of the hollow body 70 at least in the contact area 13 can be achieved. To connect the receiving chamber 74 to a pressure generator 74 via a pressure line 78, a valve 79, in particular a check valve, is preferably arranged in a flow channel in the casing wall 72.

A further possible embodiment variant, not shown, is that the friction body 67 can be adjusted at least in the area of the contact surface 16 via an additional adjusting device, for example an actuator formed as a piezo element. A further possible embodiment variant, not shown, should be mentioned, on which the drive wheel 14 is formed in one piece, preferably from a solid rubber wheel, instead of a drive wheel 14 shown in FIG. 5 and formed in the manner of a multi-part, air-filled tire. In general, regarding the rubber material in connection with the present invention or the material of the different components, it should be noted that the term “rubber” encompasses all suitable rubber mixtures, rubber braids, rubberized fabrics, etc.

As further shown, the abutting contact areas are in the contact area 13

15, 16 are profiled and complement each other so that a larger contact surface is formed in the contact region 13 and the friction surface is increased.

6 shows a further embodiment variant of a handrail 1 according to the invention with a handrail drive system 2 or handrail guidance system 8.

The drive elements 10 are arranged on the side regions 40, 41 of the handrail 1, so that contact surfaces 16 act on contact surfaces 15 arranged laterally on the lower flange 52 of the handrail 1.

With such a handrail drive system 2, the continuous conveying of the handrail 1 can be achieved in that the pressure normally acting on the contact surface 15 - according to the arrow shown in FIG. 6 - acts essentially normally on a central plane 57 and through the opposing drive elements 10 the counteracting pressure forces are compensated or compensated. The fact that no compressive force in parallel to the

In the direction acting in the center plane 57, no pressure force generated by the handrail drive system 2 has to be absorbed by the handrail guide system 8 in the area of the drive elements 10, as a result of which a handrail guide system 8 is not absolutely necessary at least in this area or can at least be dimensioned smaller.

A possible embodiment variant of the handrail guide system 8 is shown schematically in dashed lines in FIG. 6, the guide element 29 with the continuous sets 38, 39 in the area of the lower flange 52 in the lower area 51, which corresponds to the recess 43; 44, engages. The guide element 29 is designed as a T-shaped profile in order to prevent the handrail 1 from being lifted out of the handrail guidance system 8. It is also possible, for example, that instead of a T-shaped guide element 29 or guide rail, one or more L-shaped guide rails 27, 28 or a further profile-shaped guide rail known from the prior art for a form-fitting interaction with the handrail 1 in this intervenes.

The embodiment variant shown in FIG. 7 shows a handrail 1, which with a

Drive element 10 and a handrail guidance system 8 is functionally connected.

The arrangement of the drive element 10 in the side region 40 and the arrangement of the handrail guidance system 8 in the side region 41 of the handrail 1 opposite this enables a space-saving construction of the system. In order to prevent an intentional release by lifting the handrail 1 out of the handrail guidance system 8, in this embodiment variant the contact area 13 with the contact surfaces 15, 16 for frictionally driving the handrail 1 can be designed obliquely to the central plane 57, i.e. be arranged at an angle of, for example, 30 ° to the latter, the contact surface 16 of the drive element 10 delimiting the contact surface 15 of the handrail 1 in the direction of the upper chord, as a result of which the position of the drive element 10 with the handrail 1 is fixed in the direction of that shown in the middle plane 57 arrow is reached up to the conveying direction of the handrail 1.

The construction of the handrail guidance system 8 is thus simplified, since the handrail drive system 2 secures the handrail 1 by means of a form-fitting connection with it in some areas against lifting in the direction of the arrow shown.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment variant in which the drive elements 10 are designed as drive wheels 14, each of which has a recess 81 on its peripheral surfaces 82, so that the contact area 13 for the handrail 1 is formed by the interaction of the contact surfaces 16 Boundary surfaces 83 of the recess 82 with the contact surfaces 15 of the handrail 1 is formed. The recess 81 is for example is conical or V-shaped or U-shaped and the area of the handrail 1 intended for contact with the contact surface 16 is formed in the first section 35 opposite the recess 81 for positive engagement therein.

With such drive elements 10 corresponding to the handrail 1, a positive engagement of the handrail guidance system 8 in the handrail 1 in order to prevent the handrail 1 from being lifted or pulled off is not necessary, so that the handrail guidance system 8 can be made simpler.

Due to the opposite bevel gear pairing, as shown in FIG. 8, a reliable and safe drive of the handrail 1 is also possible, due to the frictional engagement between the contact surfaces 15, 16, which can be easily built up in the conical recesses 81, the relative distance of the In the case of bevel gears, the coefficient of static friction can be varied, so that if the frictional engagement is too low due to material wear, an adequate frictional engagement can be achieved by increasing the contact pressure between the contact surfaces 15, 16. Such a procedure, that is to say the increase in the contact pressure between the contact surfaces 15, 16 in order to increase the coefficient of friction, can of course also be used in all the other embodiment variants described.

It is also possible for a plurality of drive wheels 14 to be combined to form a caterpillar drive, ie for a plurality of drive wheels 14 to be arranged one behind the other in order to enable a secure transmission of power to the handrail 1. For example, it is possible for the handrail 1 in the region of the lower run 6 to be driven by one or more caterpillar drives and thus the handrail 1 to be pushed or pulled along the upper run 5. With the compressive force acting on the upper run 5, there is a tensile stress on the one hand between the force application point and the next drive element 10 and on the opposite side between the force drive point and the preceding, driving drive element 10 a compressive stress in the handrail 1, so that the materials of the handrail 1 also with dynamically changing continuous load must have a long service life without any signs of fatigue. For this purpose, as already mentioned above, cross-linked elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers or rubberized materials, fiber or fabric reinforced rubber bodies, can be used as handrail base materials. be applied.

A polymeric material, e.g. thermoplastic elastomer such as TPE, e.g. TPE-U, TPE-V, TPE-O, TPE-S, TPE-A, TPE-E, etc., or rubber, various latices, etc. can be used.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment variant of the handrail 1 with a handrail drive system 2 that interacts with it and a handrail filling system 8, in which the drive element 10, which cooperates with the handrail 1 on the contact surface 16 with the contact surface 15 in the contact area 15 for frictional force transmission , is formed as a circumferential band 85. The belt 85 runs at least between two rollers 86 which are motion-coupled to the drive motor 12, the contact area of the contact surfaces 15, 16 being formed over a large area, so that an improved movement transmission can take place by frictional engagement, since the contact area, in contrast to a linear contact in the case of rollers resting on the contact surface 15 in the contact area 13, is substantially larger.

With reference to the previously described FIGS. 1 to 8, it should again be noted that due to the preferably used rubber-like design, at least one of the contact surfaces 15 or 16 is formed not as a linear but rather as a flat support region 13 due to the flexible rubber material when pressurized.

If the drive element 10 is arranged on the underside of the handrail 1, it is advantageous for the drive element 10 having a width 87 to extend essentially over the entire lower belt width 60, as a result of which a wide contact area 13 between the contact surfaces 15, corresponding to the width 87 of the drive element 10, 16 is created and thus a static friction can be built up. The contact surface 15 on the underside of the lower flange 52 of the handrail 1 extends over 50 to 100%, in particular approximately 75 to 90%, of a handrail width, in particular the lower flange width 60.

This represents a further advantage over the profile sections of handrails known from the prior art, in particular C- or U-shaped profiles, since it was previously it was not possible to design the contact area 13 of the drive elements 10 over the entire handrail width.

With regard to the handrail guidance system 8, it should also be noted that - as shown in FIG. 9 - the extensions 38, 39, which extend into the handrail 1 to form the sliding guide, may take an angular course to the central plane 57, as a result of which unauthorized persons or unintentional release of the handrail 1 from the handrail guide 8 can be made more difficult or prevented. For this purpose, it is also possible to form a plurality of extensions 38, 39 on each guide element 29 for the respective engagement in the handrail 1 in order to additionally strengthen the connection between the handrail 1 and the handrail guidance system 8.

FIG. 10 shows a partial area of the handrail guidance system 8 which is designed to engage the handrail on the side areas 40, 41 thereof.

The illustration shown is intended to illustrate that in the deflection area between guided areas of the handrail 1 with different slopes or inclinations instead of deflection rollers, as is customary in the prior art, a course of the guide element deformed or curved in a curved area 88 29 is provided. A transfer of the handrail 1 into a region of the handrail guidance system 8 with a changed course or angle can thus be achieved without additional, movable elements by the extensions 38, 39 corresponding to the one in the handrail 1 taking a desired course. Essentially, the guide elements 29 are thus designed as curved or curved guide rails 27, 28, which are also operatively connected to the handrail 1 in the region of curvature 88.

11 and 12 show an independent design of a handrail 1, the facts described above being fully or partially transferable to this solution.

The handrail 1 has an essentially elliptical cross-section, the handrail 1 being provided with one or more recesses 43, 44 for receiving guide elements 29. The sliding layer 30 is fastened as a separate layer on the handrail 1, the fastening being able to be carried out using a known connection method, such as, for example, the material also being applied by coating, as was described in the course of FIGS. 1 to 10, is possible.

In the embodiment variants shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the handrail 1 is formed as a hollow profile. The handrail cross section can e.g. correspond to an O-shaped hollow profile, the proportion of the cross-sectional area having to be sufficiently dimensioned for the required tensile strength properties or geometry resistance of the handrail 1.

As shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible for the handrail 1 to be provided with further recesses 89, 90, as a result of which material can be saved and the handrail 1 can be reduced in weight while at the same time having sufficient strength.

The recesses 89, 90 can be filled with a filling material 91, which preferably has a low mass or density, but at least has a geometry-reinforcing effect in the handrail 1. For example, a filler material made of plastic, in particular polyurethane foam, granular material or other, flexibly deformable, light materials can be used as filler material 91.

When using the handrail 1 or the handrail drive 1, it should be noted that design variants are also possible in which the handrail 1 is conveyed and deflected at least in regions in a horizontal plane, that is to say normally to the center plane 57, in other words a curvature in the deflection region around the center plane 57 forms, e.g. is used in conjunction with a moving walk.

Furthermore, it is possible for the deflecting rollers 9 to additionally be designed as drive elements 10 of the handrail drive system 2 for the frictional drive of the handrail 1.

The friction coefficients according to the invention, which occur in the contact areas 13, 34, in particular the static or sliding friction coefficients, were determined using a test apparatus comprising a test specimen resting on a surface, the surface and the test specimen were arranged flat against each other at all times during the test process.

The test specimen was subjected to a normal force FN, which had a normal effect on the surface, and at the same time was moved parallel to the surface at a speed v along the surface, the following test conditions prevailing:

Normal force F _N : 50 N measuring path: 100mm test speed v: 180mm / min

Stroke: 10mm Stroke: 5mm

On the basis of the determined reaction force F _R , the sliding friction coefficient established during the sliding process or the static friction coefficient for surfaces still adhering to one another in the contact area were determined.

13 shows an embodiment variant of the handrail guidance system 8 for the handrail 1. This handrail guidance system 8 only comprises a guide element in the form of the guide rail 27. The guide rail 27 can be in the longitudinal direction, i.e. So in the direction of movement of the handrail 1, be endless. It is also conceivable that this guide rail 27 is composed of identical sections, each of which is mutually connected by suitable means, such as e.g. can be connected to one another by gluing, welding, screwing, riveting, etc.

In the embodiment of the guide rail 27 shown, it is advantageous that it can be plugged directly onto a balustrade 92, for example a glass balustrade, without any further adhesive connection, as is shown in FIG. 13. The guide rail 27 can therefore be fastened on the balustrade 92 by means of frictional engagement and / or via a clamp fit. For this purpose, the guide rail 27 has a groove-shaped recess 94 on an underside 93, which points in the direction of the balustrade 92, which is laterally delimited by legs 95, 96. A width 97 of the recess 94 can be dimensioned such that it is only slightly larger than a width 98 of the balustrade 92, so that a frictional connection is formed. It is also conceivable that the inside, i.e. those sides of the legs 95, 91 and / or a base 99 of the guide rail 27 facing the balustrade parts 92, from which the two legs 95, 96 protrude, for example with a rubber-elastic polymer, for example natural rubber or Synthetic rubber coated or this material is arranged between the balustrade 92 and the legs 95, 96 or the base, in order to increase the frictional engagement, for example, as well as, if necessary, blows which occur on the guide rail 27 and subsequently on the driven handrail 1 Balustrade 92 are transmitted, damped to prevent possible damage, such as the glass balustrade.

The two legs 95, 96 are preferably formed in one piece with the base of the guide rail 27, for example this guide rail 27 is produced by an extrusion process. Of course, it is also possible to use these two legs 95, 96 using suitable connection methods, such as Gluing, screwing, welding, etc., to connect to the base 99 of the guide rail 27.

On the inner sides of the legs 95, 96 facing the balustrade 92, at least one holding element 100, 101, for example in the form of a web, is arranged or formed projecting in the direction of the respectively opposite legs 95, 96. This holding element 100, 101 is preferably designed, as shown in FIG. 13, in such a way that it has a holding surface 102 which protrudes at least approximately at right angles from the leg 95, 96 and subsequently, if appropriate, after a short section which is approximately parallel to the side wall is chamfered in the direction of the legs 95, 96. The bevel makes it easier to slide the guide rail 27 onto the balustrade 92 while simultaneously spreading the legs 95, 96.

Corresponding groove-shaped recesses 103, 104 for receiving these holding elements 100, 101 are respectively provided in the balustrade 92 on opposite sides of the balustrade 92 and the legs 95, 96.

The groove-shaped recesses 103, 104 and the holding elements 100, 101 are preferably arranged offset in height in order to keep the material weakening resulting from the groove-shaped recesses 103, 104 in the balustrade 92 as low as possible. In order to achieve greater rigidity and thus greater strength of the guide rail 27, the legs 95, 96 can be provided with rounded cross-sectional extensions 105, 106 in the area of the base 99, the rounded embodiment providing the advantage that no sharp edges are a source of danger for the users of the handrail 1 are present and, moreover, the guide element 27 can be designed more elegantly. It is of course also possible to make these cross-sectional extensions 104, 105 angular. The rounded embodiment also has the advantage that the spreading of the legs 95, 96 requires less effort when the guide rail 27 is pushed onto the balustrade 92.

In cross-sectionally opposite end regions 106, 107 of the base 99, at least approximately at right angles and opposite to the legs 95, 96, holding legs 108, 109 are provided for engagement in the respectively opposite handrail recesses in the side region of the handrail. These holding legs 108, 109 in turn each have an extension 112, 113, the end region of these two extensions 112, 113 facing one another and thus, with a corresponding design of the handrail, as shown in FIG. 13, it can be securely held and guided.

As already mentioned, the handrail 1 is formed by the upper run 5 and the lower run 6, these being connected to one another via a web 114 and the web 114 having a smaller cross-section than the upper run 5 and the lower run 6, so that at least one is approximately double-T-shaped handrail cross section.

The two extensions 112, 113 now engage in the groove-shaped recess, which is formed due to the small diameter of the web 114 in comparison to the upper run 5 and the lower run 6.

At least that area of engagement in which the guide rail 27 engages in the handrail 1 is provided with the sliding layer 30 on the surface of the handrail 1, so that the

To minimize friction between the guide rail 27 and the handrail 1. As shown in FIG. 13, however, this sliding layer 30 is not formed continuously from one side of the handrail to the other side, so that in a central region 115 a region free of sliding layers remains, via which, as explained below, the drive takes place.

The upper run 5 has two, in the direction of the balustrade 92, lip-shaped projections which cover at least a partial area of the holding legs 108, 109, whereby the risk of getting caught between the handrail 1 and the guide rail 27 can be reduced.

The guide rail 27 can be formed from a plastic, such as polyamide or polyoxymethylene or plastics with comparable properties.

14 shows an embodiment variant of a handrail drive system 2 in cross section. This handrail drive system 2 comprises a drive wheel 14, which is formed in accordance with the prior art, with a central bore 116 for receiving the drive shaft. A flange 117 is arranged or formed on the drive wheel 14 on the outer circumference.

The flange 117 serves to receive a drive chuck 118 which runs around the outside of the drive wheel 14 and which is operatively connected to an area 119 with an underside of the handrail 120.

This flange 117 can now be designed such that a side plate 121 or a side cheek in the region of the drive chuck 118 of the drive wheel 14 is detachably connected to the drive wheel 14 via a fastening means 122, for example a screw. This makes it easy to replace the drive chuck 118 by removing this side plate 121 laterally, e.g. for repair purposes. However, it is also possible to design this flange 117 in several parts as seen over the circumference of the drive wheel 14, again allowing the drive chuck 118 to be inserted. Likewise, if the drive chuck 118 is correspondingly extensible, for example in the manner of a V-belt, the flange 117 can be designed in one piece with the drive wheel 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the underside of the handrail 120, when viewed in cross section, is divided into three areas with two side areas and the central area 115, which corresponds to the area 119. As already explained for FIG. 13, the two side areas are at least richly provided with the sliding layer 30, so as to allow the least possible sliding in the guide rail 27 (Fig. 13). The middle region 115, on the other hand, is formed without this sliding layer 30, so that there is a direct operative connection between the drive chuck 118 and the handrail material 1, so that a pairing can be formed between the two materials of the handrail 1 and the drive chuck 118, which has a static friction coefficient of greater than or equal to 0.95. It is advantageous if the central region 115 is offset in relation to the two end or side regions of the handrail 1 in the handrail cross-section, for example in the form of a groove running over the entire length of the handrail 1, and the drive chuck 118 corresponds to one - Chende, web-like, also running over the entire length of the suspension, for example in the form of a web, which is preferably at least approximately the width of the groove in the handrail 1 or only slightly smaller, with a height that the sliding layer 30 in the side areas of the Handrail is not in contact with the drive chuck 118.

The exemplary embodiments show possible design variants of the handrail 1, the

Handrail drive system 2 and the handrail guide system 8, it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically shown embodiment variants of the same, but rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants with one another are possible and this variation possibility is based on the teaching of technical action through the present invention lies in the ability of the specialist working in this technical field. The scope of protection also includes all conceivable design variants which are possible by combining individual details of the embodiment variant shown and described.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that for a better understanding of the

Construction of the handrail 1, the handrail drive system 2 and the handrail guidance system 8 these or their components were partially shown to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced.

The object on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

Above all, the individual in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4; 5; 6; 7; 8th; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14 shown ten versions form the subject of independent, inventive solutions. The relevant tasks and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.

B e z u s z e i c h e n a u f s t e l l u n

Handrail 41 side area handrail drive system 42 guide frame deflection roller 43 recess escalator 44 recess upper run 45 depth lower run 46 substructure 47 handrail guidance system 48 arrow deflection roller 49 upper area drive element 50 upper belt drive means 51 lower area drive motor 52 lower belt contact area 53 handle drive wheel 54 gripping surface contact surface 55 covering extension contact surface 56 covering extension coating 57 Middle plane friction layer 58 width friction layer 59 connecting web reinforcement layer 60 bottom flange width handrail surface 61 profile cross section base body 62 profile cross section length wheel hub 63 profile cross section height longitudinal section 64 tension member arrow 65 rotation axis top side 66 wheel hub guide rail 67 friction body guide rail 68 circulation surface guide element 69 bearing surface sliding layer 70 hollow body surface area 71 hose surface area 73 wall thickness wall surface area 74 receiving chamber first section 75 arrow further section 76 boundary surface of handrail base body 77 pressure generator extension 78 pressure line extension 79 valve side area 80 81 recess

82 circulation area

83 boundary surface

84 bevel gear 85 band

86 roll

87 width

88 area of curvature 89 recess

90 recess

91 filling material

92 balustrade 93 underside

94 recess

95 legs

96 legs 97 width

98 width

99 base 00 holding element 101 holding element

102 holding surface

103 recess

104 recess

105 Cross-sectional expansion

106 end area

107 end region

108 holding legs

109 holding leg 110 handrail recess

111 handrail recess

112 continuation

113 extension 114 bridge

115 middle section

116 hole

117 Flange H8 drive chuck

119 area

120 underside of handrail

121 side plate 122 fasteners

Claims

Patent claims

1. handrail drive system (2) for a handrail (1), for example an escalator (4) or a moving walk with at least one drive element (10), which is operatively connected to a drive motor (12) and in some areas for contact with a handrail (10) is formed, characterized in that the drive element (10) is formed, at least in the contact area (13) designed for contact with the handrail (1), from a material which forms a pairing in cooperation with a handrail material in this contact area (13) has a coefficient of static friction greater than or equal to 0.95.

2. Handrail drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive element (10) is formed by a drive wheel (14).

3. Handrail drive system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive wheel (14) is designed as a rubberized metal wheel or as a solid rubber tire.

4. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive wheel (14) by a on a wheel hub (66) arranged, preferably expandable friction body (67), in particular as a fillable hollow body (70) such as e.g. an air-filled tire, preferably made of rubber, is formed.

5. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in the contact area (13) a contact surface (16) of the drive element (10) has a fiber-like structure, in particular microfiber structure.

6. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive element (10) comprises, at least in the contact area (13), a one-part or multi-part outer shell, in particular bearing shell or bearing sleeve, formed from the material.

7. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive element (10) has a width (87) which is at least approximately as large as a lower belt width (60) of the handrail (1) in the contact area (13).

8. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material of the drive element (10) or the air pressure in the air-filled tire in the contact area (13) is designed or dimensioned such that the drive element (10) is at least approximately flat rests on the handrail (1).

9. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive element (10) for forming the contact area (13) is arranged in a lower area (51) of the handrail (1).

10. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one drive wheel (14) for forming the contact area (13) is arranged on one of the side areas (40, 41) of the handrail (1).

11. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more drive elements (10), if appropriate arranged in series, are arranged on the opposite side regions (40, 41) of the handrail (1).

12. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several drive wheels (14) are combined to form a caterpillar drive.

13. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one drive element (10) is designed in regions for a form-fitting interaction with the handrail (1).

14. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact surfaces (16) formed on the drive wheel (14) delimit, for example, a conical recess (81) on the outer circumferential surface (82) of the drive wheel (149) or the contact surfaces (16 ) on a drive wheel (14) formed in the manner of a bevel gear run obliquely to a circumferential axis (65) of the drive wheel (14).

15. Handrail drive system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive wheel (14) on its outer circumferential surface (82) has an elevation with the contact surface (16) formed thereon.

16. handrail guidance system (8) for a handrail (1) of, for example, one

Escalator (4) or a moving walk with at least one guide element (29), which is designed in some areas for bearing against a handrail (10), characterized in that the guide element (29) at least in the bearing area designed for bearing against a handrail (1) (34) is formed from a material which, in cooperation with a handrail material in this contact area (13), forms a pairing which has a sliding friction number of less than / equal to 0.3.

17. Handrail guidance system according to claim 16, characterized in that the material of the guide element (29) is selected at least in the contact area from the group of polymers, in particular a wear-resistant plastic.

18. Handrail guidance system according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the guide element (29) of the handrail (1) at least in the contact area by a woven or knitted fabric, for example made of a textile, synthetic fiber or ceramic material or mixtures thereof is formed, is formed.

19. Handrail guidance system according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the area of the guide element (29) formed for bearing against a handrail (1) for a form-fitting engagement in a handrail (1), in particular in recesses (43, 44) of a handrail (1).

20. Handrail guidance system according to claim 16 to 19, characterized in that the guide element (29) has at least in an area supplied to the handrail (1) essentially an L-shaped cross-sectional shape and / or the guide element (29) as a U-shaped guide rail ( 27, 28) is formed.

21. Handrail (1) for an escalator or moving walk, characterized in that the handrail (1) is in at least one in its installed position for contact with an attachment. Drive element (10) formed contact area (13) is formed from a material which, in cooperation with the material of the drive element (10) forms a pairing in this contact area (13), which has a static friction coefficient of greater than / equal to 0.95 and / or that the handrail (1) is formed by an upper chord (50) and a lower chord (52), which are connected via a connecting web (59), the connecting web (59) having a smaller cross-sectional width than the upper chord (50) and the Lower chord (52) and the upper chord (52) on its side areas (40, 41) has cover extensions (55, 56), which are bent at least in regions, at least approximately in the direction of the lower chord (52), at least laterally around the connecting web to cover areas.

22. Handrail according to claim 21, characterized in that a contact surface (15) for contacting the drive element (10) in the contact area (13) on the underside of the handrail (1) is formed, which is preferably normal to a vertical central plane (57) of the Handrail (1) runs.

23. Handrail according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the contact surface (15) extends over 50 to 100%, in particular approximately 75 to 90%, of a handrail width, in particular lower belt width (60).

24. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the handrail (1) in a further, for bearing against a guide element (29) of a handrail guidance system (8) formed contact area (34) has a sliding surface (33), in particular a Sliding layer (30).

25. Handrail according to claim 24, characterized in that the sliding surface (33), in cooperation with a guide element (29), a pairing with a low sliding friction coefficient, which is between 0.1 and 0.5, in particular less than / equal to 0.3, for example, 0.15 to 0.25.

26. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the handrail surface (21) in the different contact areas (35, 36) for a drive or guide element (10, 29) are formed from the same material, but different Surface roughness, especially roughness, have.

27. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that the handrail (1) has at least one recess (43, 44) and the boundary surface of the recess (43, 44) is preferably formed by the sliding surface (33).

28. Handrail according to claim 27, characterized in that the recess (43, 44) is formed as a groove on at least one side region (40, 41) of the handrail (1), preferably having a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped circumferential contour is formed.

29. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that the handrail (1) is formed by an upper flange (50) and a lower flange (52), which are connected via a connecting web (59).

30. Handrail according to claim 29, characterized in that a gripping surface (54) for individuals is formed on the upper belt (50) over a partial region of the handrail surface (21).

31. Handrail according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the upper belt (50) on its side regions (40, 41) cover extensions (55, 56), preferably for

Hiding a handrail guidance system (8) or a handrail drive system (2).

32. Handrail according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the lower flange (52) of the handrail (1) with the handrail drive system (2) and / or

Handrail guidance system (8) is functionally linked.

33. Handrail according to one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that at least one handrail base body (37), comprising upper flange (50), lower flange (52) and connecting web (59), of the handrail (1) is made in one piece or from a uniform unit Material is formed.

34. Handrail according to one of claims 29 to 33, characterized in that the connecting web (59) extends between opposing recesses (43, 44) formed on the side regions (40, 41) of the handrail (1).

35. Handrail according to one of claims 29 to 34, characterized in that a width (58) of the connecting web (59) is approximately 50 to 95%, in particular 75 to 85%, of a lower belt width (60) of the handrail (1).

36. Handrail according to one of claims 29 to 35, characterized in that a height of the connecting web (59) is approximately 5 to 50%, in particular 10 to 20%, of a handrail height.

37. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 36, characterized in that in the handrail base body (37) reinforcing elements, such as Tension members (64) or reinforcement layers, e.g. a steel cord, sheet steel, etc, are arranged.

38. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 37, characterized in that the handrail (1) has its load-bearing profile cross-section (61) at least in the region of the connecting web (59), which in its basic form is preferably rectangular or elliptical.

39. Handrail according to claim 38, characterized in that the load-bearing profile cross-section (61) has a length / width ratio in the range of approximately 1: 1 to 5: 1, in particular approximately 2: 1.

40. Handrail according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that the supporting profile cross-section (61) occupies an area of 50 to 95%, in particular 70 to 85%, of the total cross-sectional area of the handrail (1).

41. Handrail according to one of claims 21 to 40, characterized in that an underside of the lower flange (52) has a groove-shaped recess which runs over the entire length of the handrail and is free of sliding layers

42. Handrail drive system and / or handrail according to at least one of claims 1 to 15 and / or 21 to 41, characterized in that at least one of the materials of the material pairing in the contact area (13) is selected from a group of elastomeric materials, in particular cross-linked elastomers, Rubber or thermoplastic elastomers.

43. Handrail drive system and / or handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one of the contact areas (13; 34) between handrail (1) and drive element (10) and / or between handrail (1) and Guide element (29) which are profiled adjacent surface areas.

44. Handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to one of claims 16 to 20 and / or 21 to 41, characterized in that at least one of the surface areas (31, 32) of the handrail (1) and / formed for mutual abutment in the contact area (34) or of the guide element (29) is formed by a further material or a sliding layer 30, which may differ from the material of the handrail (1) on the contact surface (15).

45. Handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to claim 44, characterized in that the further material or the sliding layer 30 is formed from a plastic, in particular a thermoset, a metal or a metal alloy or a ceramic material.

46. Handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to claim 44 or 45, characterized in that the further material or the sliding layer 30 by a woven or knitted fabric, e.g. made of textile, natural fiber, glass, or plastic material or mixtures thereof

47. Handrail drive system and / or handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the materials formed in at least one of the contact areas (13; 34) between handrail and drive element (10) and / or between handrail and guide element Material pairing is formed in the form of a separate sliding or friction layer, which is fastened to the handrail (1) and / or to the drive element (10) and / or to the guide element (29), in particular in a cohesive manner, for example by adhesive bonding.

48. Handrail drive system and / or handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in one of the areas (13; 34) between the handrail (1) and the drive element (10) and / or between the handrail (1 ) and guide element (29) at least one material of the material pair formed is applied as a coating (17).

49. Handrail drive system and / or handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to spoke 47 or 48, characterized in that the coating (17) and / or the sliding or friction layer has at least one reinforcing layer (20).

50. handrail drive system and / or handrail guidance system and / or handrail according to spoke 49, characterized in that the reinforcing layer (20) is formed by a woven or knitted fabric.

51. Device, preferably for use with an escalator or a moving walk, at least comprising a handrail (1) which has a handrail drive system

(2) and / or a handrail guidance system (8) is operatively connected, characterized in that the handrail (1) according to one of claims 21 to 50 and / or the handrail drive system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 15, 42, 43 or 47 to 50 and / or the handrail guidance system (8) according to one of claims 16 to 20 or 42 to 50 is formed.