EP3464149B1 - Floor covering of a passenger conveying device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a flat floor covering for covering an access area of a passenger conveyor, as well as a passenger conveyor equipped therewith and a method for converting a passenger conveyor.

Passenger conveyors such as escalators or moving walks generally serve to convey people or objects standing on a step belt provided with steps or a pallet belt provided with pallets, standing upright along an inclined or horizontal path. The steps or pallets are shifted along the inclined or horizontal path by means of a conveying device, so that, for example, a person can enter the person conveying device in a first access area and climb onto one of the steps or one of the pallets, and then together with them to an am opposite entrance of the passenger conveyor located second access area to be conveyed, where the person can leave the passenger conveyor again.

In the access areas at opposite ends of the step belt or pallet belt, a flat floor cover is generally used as a walkable floor to cover an opening of an underfloor space or area with, for example, technical facilities of the passenger conveyor device, so that people move across the access area towards the moving ones Steps or pallets can reach. In the underfloor spaces, for example, a deflection axis with deflection sprockets can be arranged at one end of the passenger conveyor and a drive, its control and a drive train with drive shaft and drive sprockets can be accommodated at the other end of the passenger conveyor.

The floor cover can be in one of the access areas

Passenger conveyor on the one hand ensure a walkable and as flush as possible transition between, for example, a floor of the surrounding building and the step or pallet belt moved in the passenger conveyor. On the other hand, the floor cover can often be designed to be removable or foldable, in order to then be able to get into the space underneath with the components of the passenger conveying device accommodated therein, for example to be able to repair or maintain it.

The EP 0 661 229 B1 discloses an angled frame connected to the construction parts of a passenger conveyor, which serves as a base cover for a cover element. For a flush and seamless transition to the surrounding floor, the angle frame can be adjusted in the vertical and horizontal position using screws and nuts. To dampen the footsteps when walking on the floor cover, the support surface of the angle frame is covered with an elastic profile, this elastic profile being positively connected on the underside to the horizontal leg of the angle profile of the angle frame.

As mentioned above, since the deflection area of the step belt of the escalator or the pallet belt of the moving walk is usually located in the underfloor space below the floor cover, the cover element must be securely arranged on the floor cover support, so that regardless of the direction of force and the point of force application, one acting on the cover element , external force, this under no circumstances slips, lifts or tilts on the floor covering support and unintentionally opens an opening to the room with the technical equipment.

EP 0 885 832 A1 discloses a floor cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention has for its object to provide a floor covering which takes account of the aforementioned requirements and largely precludes faulty installation.

This object is achieved by a floor covering of an access area of a passenger conveyor, which is designed as an escalator or moving walk. The base cover has a base cover support, a first cover element and at least one subsequent cover element. Through the floor covering, the opening of an underfloor space of the passenger conveyor to the surrounding, walkable floor can be closed flush at least by means of the first and the adjoining cover element placed on the floor covering support. At least in the area of the first cover element and the cover element adjoining it, at least one device is arranged, by means of which the only possible, correct installation position of the cover elements on the base cover support is predetermined. If the installation position is correct, the first cover element and the subsequent cover element are arranged flush on the base cover support. If the installation position is incorrect, at least part of the adjoining cover element on the base cover support is visibly protruding due to the device and is therefore not arranged flush. Flush thus means that, when installed correctly, the cover elements form a flat, walk-on surface with the floor covering support and its surrounding floor.

This is achieved by the device having a positioning element by means of which a correct position of the first covering element on the floor covering support and thus the correct installation position of the first covering element can be predetermined, whereby the positioning element is positively connected to the positioning covering by moving the first covering element the bottom cover support and / or can be brought with the first cover element.

The visible protrusion of at least part of the adjoining cover element immediately shows that the first cover element has not been correctly installed. The device thus indicates a dangerous state even for laypeople and forces the defect to be checked and remedied. The device can be designed differently in order to achieve a visible protrusion of the subsequent cover element when incorrectly installed. Depending on the design of the device, this or parts thereof can be arranged, for example, on the base cover support of the base cover or on one of the cover elements.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device is positioned in a region between the first cover element and the cover element adjoining it, with a fastening element being arranged on the base cover support. In order to achieve a partial protrusion of the subsequent cover element if the assembly is incorrect, the device includes a lever pawl which has a first lever arm, a bearing point and a second lever arm. The bearing point is arranged between the two lever arms and the positioning element on the first lever arm. The second lever arm extends into the area of the adjoining cover element. In the correct installation position, the positioning element protrudes into a recess in the first cover element, the second lever arm being matched to the base cover support and the adjoining cover element in such a way that the adjoining cover element can be arranged on the base cover support so that it is flush and therefore without protruding .

If the installation position is incorrect, the positioning element is in contact with the first cover element placed on the base cover support and holds the lever pawl in a position pivoted about the bearing point. In this position, the second lever arm protrudes beyond the support level of the base cover support, so that the subsequent cover element, which is placed on the base cover support, bears against the second support arm and is thereby at least partially raised from the base cover support. This protrusion now clearly indicates that the first cover element has not yet been placed in the correct position on the base cover support and, for example, lies with its front edge too far forward on the comb mat or, particularly badly, does not support with its front edge on the comb plate.

As soon as the positioning element finds the recess of the first covering element due to a linear displacement of the first covering element on the floor covering support, the lever pawl pivots back, the positioning element projects into the recess and the second lever arm lowers so that it no longer projects beyond the support level of the floor covering covering. The lever pawl is preferably pivoted back by gravity, which is why the second lever arm should have a greater moment of inertia than the first lever arm. Of course, the pivoting back can also be done with a torsion spring, for example be obtained. The subsequent cover element can now be placed flush on the base cover support.

Another embodiment of the invention also acts in a similar manner. In this embodiment, the device is arranged with a fastening element on the first cover element. As in the exemplary embodiment described above, the device is also positioned in a region between the first cover element and the cover element adjoining it. The second embodiment of the device also has a lever pawl with a lever arm, a bearing point and the positioning element arranged on the lever arm. However, the bearing point is arranged on a first lever arm end. In the correct installation position, the positioning element projects into a recess in the base cover support and the second lever arm end is arranged in the region of the adjoining cover element.

In the correct installation position, the positioning element protrudes into a recess in the base cover support, the lever arm being matched to the base cover support and the subsequent cover element in such a way that the adjacent cover element can be arranged flush and therefore subsequently and without visible protrusion or protrusion on the base cover support. If the installation position is incorrect, the positioning element bears against the base cover support and holds the lever pawl in a position pivoted about the bearing point. In this position, a second lever arm end protrudes beyond the support plane of the base cover support, so that the subsequent cover element, which is placed on the base cover support, bears against the second end of the lever arm and is thereby at least partially raised from the base cover support. This protrusion now clearly indicates that the first cover element has not yet been placed in the correct position on the base cover support and, for example, lies with its front edge too far forward on the comb mat or is not supported with its front edge on the comb plate.

As soon as the positioning element finds the recess in the base cover support by a linear displacement of the first cover element on the base cover support, the lever pawl pivots back Positioning element protrudes into the recess and the second lever arm end lowers so that it no longer protrudes beyond the support plane of the base cover support. The subsequent cover element can now be placed flush on the base cover support.

The position of the device for the floor covering support or for the first covering element is preferably adjustable by means of the at least one fastening element. This allows manufacturing tolerances between the recess and the comb plate to be compensated. If the fastening element has, for example, a screw connection and further components, an elongated hole, a slot or the like can be provided in one of the components to be connected.

For example, as such a component, the fastening element contains a bearing bracket on which the bearing point of the lever pawl is pivotably or rotatably mounted. The aforementioned elongated hole can also be formed in this bearing angle.

In order to achieve a positioning of the first cover element with respect to the floor covering support that is as free of play as possible, an opening can be formed in the first cover element and a recess can be formed in the floor covering support, the positioning element extending into the recess and the opening in the correct installation position.

To further increase security, a securing element, preferably a screw connection with a wing nut, can also be provided between the base cover support and the first cover element. Of course, the securing element can also be a locking device with a wide variety of configurations. It can be a rotary bolt or a sliding bolt, for example. The locking device can also be combined with a lock, for example with a cylinder lock. For example, a so-called spring catch (spring bolt) with a latching lug can also be used, the latch of which is held up by an elastic element.

The device preferably also has at least one sensor or switch by means of which the correct or incorrect installation position of the cover element can be monitored. The easiest way to do this is to use a simple pressure switch or pushbutton, which, for example, directly interrupts the energy supply to a drive motor or drive units of the passenger conveyor as soon as the cover element is in an incorrect installation position or is missing. Of course, the cover element can also be monitored by means of a sensor which transmits corresponding signals to a control of the passenger conveyor. This can then trigger suitable measures such as immediate braking (emergency stop) of the step belt or pallet belt.

Since the floor covering of a moving walk or an escalator usually extends over a fairly large area, the at least two covering elements can have a very high weight. In order to make handling easier for the assembly and maintenance personnel, the base cover can also have further cover elements which lie on the base cover support and are arranged one after the other. At least associated with the first cover element, a device is provided which forces the only possible correct installation position of the same.

At least the first cover element because the danger potential of a missing or incorrectly installed cover element can vary depending on its position in the order of the cover elements placed on it. For example, an incorrectly installed first cover element, which is then arranged on the comb plate on the base cover support, harbors very high risks for a user, since underneath this first cover element there are moving parts of the step belt or pallet belt that could immediately catch a falling person and seriously injure them. The cover element directly adjoining the first cover element can also be arranged in this dangerous area, which is why a corresponding device can also be provided or assigned for this.

Cover elements, which are arranged further away from the comb plate on the base cover support, however cover a less critical one or dangerous area of the underfloor space, in which, for example, the control cabinet and further electrical installations, lubrication installations, hydraulic installations and the like are arranged. Of course, at least one device can be provided for each cover element. The individual cover elements can have connecting elements on the end faces that face other cover elements in the assembled state. These can be configured, for example, as a tongue and groove.

A floor covering with several covering elements also has the advantage that only as many covering elements as necessary have to be removed if the access to the room with the technical equipment is to be exposed by removing the at least one covering element.

In order to make the at least partial projecting of an incorrectly mounted cover element even more perceptible, at least one side surface of the cover element can be provided with a signal color. Instead of or in combination with the signal color, the side surface can also have at least one reflective element. Of course, at least one illuminant can also be provided on the side surface for the same purpose, alone or in combination with a signal color and / or a reflective element. The lamp can be used continuously glowing or flashing. The lamp is preferably connected in such a way that its energy supply is interrupted immediately as soon as the cover element is in its correct installation position. Alternatively, the illuminant can be connected to the energy source in such a way that it does not light or flash when the cover element is in the incorrect installation position and lights up continuously when the cover element is arranged in the correct installation position on the base cover support. In this case, it is advantageous if the light from the illuminant can reach the access area in order to illuminate it for the user and / or to indicate the direction in which the step belt or pallet belt runs.

When the floor covering according to the invention is installed in an access area of a passenger conveyor which is designed as an escalator or moving walk, a device is first attached to the first covering element or to the floor covering support attached. The first cover element is then placed on the base cover support. The first cover element is then brought into an intended, correct installation position, at least by sliding, so that the positioning element of the device positively positions the first cover element relative to the base cover support. In a further step, the at least one adjoining cover element is subsequently arranged on the bottom cover support, the first cover element. This is followed by at least a visual check as to whether at least part of the subsequent cover element protrudes visibly from the base cover support.

Of course, the invention cannot only be used in new escalators or moving walks. For example, an existing floor covering can be replaced by a floor covering according to the invention and an existing moving walk can thereby be modernized. Of course, it is also possible to supplement an existing floor cover with at least one device, so that a single possible, correct installation position on the floor cover support is also provided for the existing cover element, with the correct cover mounting the subsequent cover element flush or with the floor cover support and its surrounding area Floor forming a flat walkable surface, is arranged lying on the floor covering and, if incorrectly installed, due to the device, at least part of the covering element adjoining the first covering element is arranged so as to protrude on the floor covering.

Figur 1:

in schematischer Darstellung eine Fahrtreppe mit einem Tragwerk beziehungsweise Fachwerk und zwei Umlenkbereichen, wobei im Tragwerk Laufschienen und zwischen den Umlenkbereichen ein umlaufendes Stufenband angeordnet sind;

Figur 2:

Der in Figur 1 mit A bezeichnete Ausschnitt eines Zutrittsbereiches in größerer Darstellung, so dass Details einer Bodenabdeckung, die den zugeordneten Umlenkbereich abdeckt, besser erkennbar sind;

Figur 3:

in geschnitten dargestellter Seitenansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Bodenabdeckung mit einem ersten Abdeckelement und mit mindestens einem daran anschließenden Abdeckelement, wobei die Bodenabdeckung eine Vorrichtung mit einer zweiarmigen Hebelklinke aufweist und das erste Abdeckelement in einer unkorrekten Einbaulage dargestellt ist;

Figur 4:

das Ausführungsbeispiel aus der Figur 3, wobei das erste Abdeckelement in der korrekten Einbaulage dargestellt ist und die korrekte Einbaulage des ersten Abdeckelementes durch einen Sensor oder Schalter überwacht wird;

Figur 5:

das Ausführungsbeispiel aus Figur 3, wobei das erste Abdeckelement in der korrekten Einbaulage mit einem zusätzlichen Befestigungselement gesichert ist;

Figur 6:

in dreidimensionaler Darstellung das Ausführungsbeispiel aus der Figur 3, wobei in der Figur 6 nur das anschließende Abdeckelement dargestellt ist, um dessen Signalisierungselemente zu zeigen;

Figur 7:

in geschnitten dargestellter Seitenansicht ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Bodenabdeckung mit einem ersten Abdeckelement und mit mindestens einem daran anschließenden Abdeckelement, wobei die Bodenabdeckung eine Vorrichtung mit einer einarmigen Hebelklinke aufweist und das erste Abdeckelement in einer unkorrekten Einbaulage dargestellt ist.

The floor covering with a device which specifies the only possible correct installation position of the first covering element on the floor covering support is explained in more detail below with the aid of examples and with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals being used consistently in all the figures for the same components. In it show:

Figure 1:

a schematic representation of an escalator with a structure or truss and two deflection areas, wherein rails are arranged in the structure and between the deflection areas a circumferential step belt are arranged;

Figure 2:

The in Figure 1 A section of an access area denoted by A in a larger representation, so that details of a floor covering which covers the assigned deflection area can be better recognized;

Figure 3:

in a side view shown in section, an embodiment of a floor cover with a first cover element and with at least one adjoining cover element, the floor cover having a device with a two-armed lever pawl and the first cover element is shown in an incorrect installation position;

Figure 4:

the embodiment from the Figure 3 , wherein the first cover element is shown in the correct installation position and the correct installation position of the first cover element is monitored by a sensor or switch;

Figure 5:

the embodiment from Figure 3 , wherein the first cover element is secured in the correct installation position with an additional fastening element;

Figure 6:

in three-dimensional representation, the embodiment of the Figure 3 , where in the Figure 6 only the subsequent cover element is shown to show its signaling elements;

Figure 7:

in a side view shown in section, a further embodiment of a floor cover with a first cover element and with at least one adjoining cover element, the floor cover having a device with a one-armed lever pawl and the first cover element being shown in an incorrect installation position.

Figure 1 shows schematically in side view a passenger conveyor 100 which is designed as an escalator and connects a first floor E1 to a second floor E2. The passenger conveyor 100 has a supporting structure 106 or truss 106 with two deflection areas 107, 108, between which a step belt 105, which is only partially shown, is guided all the way round. The step belt has traction means 109 on which steps 104 are arranged. A handrail 103 is arranged on a balustrade 102. The balustrade 102 is connected to the supporting structure 106 at the lower end by means of a balustrade base 110. The person conveyor device 100 or its step belt 105 can be entered via access areas 111, 112 present at both ends of the person conveyor device 100. The accessible areas of the access areas 111, 112 are floor coverings 10, which each close the opening of a room 113, 114 of the passenger conveyor 100 under the floor to the surrounding, accessible floor 115 of the floors E1, E2 flush or even.

Of course, the passenger conveyor 100 could also be designed as a moving walk, with a pallet belt being arranged all around instead of a step belt and the middle part of which has no slope or a smaller slope than an escalator.

Figure 2 shows the in Figure 1 "A" marked section of the access area 111 arranged on the floor E1 in a larger representation, so that details of the floor cover 10 can be seen more clearly. The bottom cover 10 shown in cross section has a plurality of cover elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The first cover 1, which in the Figure 2 on the right, in the area of the balustrade base 110, is designed as a hollow profile with transverse webs 9 and lies with its tapering right side 8 on a comb plate 18 belonging to a safety device. Its left side ends in a separating point 7. The cover element 2 adjoining on the left is designed in cross section as a rectangular hollow profile with transverse webs 9 and the further adjoining cover elements 3 to 5 are likewise constructed identically as hollow profiles with a rectangular cross section and cross webs 9. The cover elements 1 to 5 can be connected to one another on the end face at the separating points 7 with suitable connecting elements 14, for example with a tongue and groove. The left end face of the cover elements 1 to 5 have, for example, a groove and the right end face of the cover elements 2 to 5 has a tongue. A floor cover support 12 designed as an angular frame is fastened to the supporting structure 106 by means of adjusting screws 21, 22, so that the floor cover support 12 can be leveled onto the level of the surrounding, accessible floor 115 of the floor E1. The floor covering support 12 can be a frame made of angle profiles. This Angle profiles can be made from sheet steel, which are cut from a sheet metal plate by means of a stamping process and bent into angle profiles. The bottom cover support 12 closes the bottom cover 10 on two long sides (covered by the bottom cover) which extend in the access direction Z and a transverse side 13. All cover elements 1 to 5 are shown in their correct installation position.

When installing the base cover 10, the installation or maintenance personnel must take special care that the first cover element 1 with its tapering side 8 lies securely on the comb plate 18. In order to prevent slipping and tipping, the first cover element 1 is firmly connected to the base cover support 12 in the region of its left end face 15 by means of a securing element 16. The securing element 16 can be a screw connection 16, for example. Since this securing element 16 is not visible when the base cover 10 is fully installed, it cannot be recognized if, for example, the nut of the screw connection 16 is missing due to an assembly error.

In order to rule out this situation, the present invention provides that the base cover 10 contains at least one device 20, by means of which the only possible correct installation position of the at least one cover element 1 to 5 on the base cover support 12 is predetermined. Correct assembly is signaled by the fact that the cover element 1 to 5 is arranged flush on the base cover support 12. In the event of incorrect assembly, at least part of the cover element 2 adjoining the first cover element 1 is arranged on the base cover support 12 so as to protrude due to the device 20.

The device 20 and its arrangement in the base cover 10 can be designed in various ways. Possible exemplary embodiments are described below.

The Figures 3 to 5 show in sectional side view and Figure 6 a three-dimensional representation of a section of an embodiment of a floor cover 10 with a device 20, as in connection with the Figure 2 is mentioned. In the Figure 3 is that in the Figure 2 referred to as the first cover element 1 Part of the floor cover 10 shown in the incorrect installation position X ₁ . As already described above, insufficient or missing support of the first cover element 1 on the comb plate 18 represents a serious danger.

In order to indicate the incorrect installation position X ₁ and thus the potential danger, the base cover 10 has the device 20, which comprises a two-armed lever pawl 23, a bearing bracket 24 and a fastening element 25. On the bearing bracket 24, the two-armed lever pawl 23 is pivotally mounted on a bearing 39. A positioning element 28 formed as a projection is arranged on the first lever arm 26 thereof. The bearing bracket 24 is fastened to the base cover support 12 by means of the fastening element 25. In the present exemplary embodiment, the fastening element 25 is a screw connection. The bearing bracket 24 has an elongated hole 29 so that the position of the device 20 relative to the floor covering support 12 can be adjusted. The distance of the positioning element 28 to the comb plate 18 is set, so that when the installation position X _{0 is} correct, the first cover element 1 rests securely on the comb plate 18, as shown in FIGS Figures 4 and 5 is shown.

The first cover element 1 has a recess 30. When the first cover element 1 is placed on the base cover support 12, its underside 31 is as in FIG Figure 3 shown on the positioning element 28 and pivots the lever pawl 23 in the position shown. The second lever arm 27 projects with a height X ₂ beyond the support plane 32 of the base cover support 12. If, without correcting the position of the first cover element 1, a cover element 2 adjoining this is placed on the floor cover support 12, this adjoining cover element 2 will rest on the second lever arm 27 and be held in a visible projecting position or indicating the incorrect installation position X ₁ . As a result, it is immediately apparent to everyone that the first cover element 1 is in an incorrect installation position X ₁ .

In the illustrated embodiment of the Figure 3 By moving the first cover element 1 on the base cover support 12 in the direction of the comb plate 18, the first cover element can now be brought into the correct installation position X ₀ . This is achieved when the projection 28 can positively engage in the recess 30. Since the projection 28 can protrude into the recess 30, the Swing lever pawl 23 back as in the Figure 4 is shown. In this position, the second lever arm 27 no longer protrudes beyond the support plane 32, so that the subsequent cover element 2 can be arranged flush on the base cover support 12.

It is particularly advantageous if an incorrectly installed cover element 1 to 5 of the floor cover 10 directly influences the operating state of the passenger conveyor 100. To achieve this, as in the Figure 4 shown, the correct installation position X _{0 of} the cover element 1 to 5 are monitored by a sensor 33 or switch 33. The position of the lever pawl 23 can be measured mechanically or optically, for example, by the sensor 33. For this purpose, a simple switch 33 can be used which, for example, directly interrupts the energy supply to a drive motor of the step belt 105 or pallet belt as soon as the lever pawl 23 is pivoted due to an incorrect installation position X ₁ .

Alternatively, the switch 33 or sensor 33 can transmit a signal corresponding to the installation position of the cover element 1 to 5, for example via a signal line 34, to a control (not shown) of the passenger conveyor 100, so that if the installation position X _{1 is} incorrect, the control immediately stops the step belt 105 or pallet belt from coming to a standstill initiates or maintains this and, with the correct installation position X _0, enables operation with respect to the base cover 10.

The cover element 2 can be additionally secured in the correct installation position X ₀ with a securing means 16, as is shown in FIG Figure 5 is shown. The securing means 16 of the illustrated embodiment has a screw 35 and a wing nut 17. The screw 35 is inserted in the recess 30 of the first cover element 1 and projects in the correct installation position X ₀ through an opening 36 in the bearing bracket 24. The wing nut 17 of the securing means 16 is mounted and tightened as shown in FIG Figure 4 is shown. The upper, walkable surface of the first cover element 1, which is provided with a ribbed profile 37, is flush (X ₀ = 0) with the walkable surface of the subsequent cover element 2, which is arranged adjacent to the correctly installed first cover element 1 on the floor cover support 12.

Of course, a locking device, such as a spring catch or latch, can also serve as the securing means 16, which is fastened to the base cover support 12 and engages in a recess in the first cover element 1.

The Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional representation of a section of the embodiment of the Figure 3 , where in the Figure 6 only the subsequent cover element 2 is shown in order to show its signaling elements 40. So that the at least partial protrusion of an incorrectly mounted cover element 1 to 5 is even more noticeable, at least one side surface 44 of the subsequent cover element 2 can be provided with a signal color 45 such as neon yellow, neon orange and the like, as illustrated by the subsequent cover element 2.

Instead of or in combination with the signal color 45, the side surface 44 can also have at least one reflective element 46. Of course, at least one illuminant 47 can also be provided on the side surface 44 for the same purpose, as is shown schematically by the illuminant 47 arranged in a glazed groove 48. The illuminant 47 can be used alone or in combination with a signal color 45 and / or a reflecting element 46.

In the Figure 6 it is also clearly visible how the positioning element 28 protrudes beyond the support plane 32 of the base cover support 12, so that the lever pawl 23 is actuated and raises the subsequent cover element 2 when, as in FIG Figure 3 shown, the recess 30 of the first cover element 1 is not arranged at this point.

Figure 7 shows a sectional side view of a base cover 10 in a further embodiment of the invention, the first cover element 2 being shown in the incorrect installation position X ₁ . In this embodiment, a device 50 with a fastening element 51 is arranged on the first cover element 1. As in the exemplary embodiment described above, the device 50 is also positioned in a region between the first cover element 1 and the cover element 2 adjoining it. This embodiment of the device 50 also has a Lever pawl 53 with a lever arm 54, a bearing 55 and the positioning element 58 arranged on the lever arm 54. The bearing point 55 is arranged on a first lever arm end 56. The second lever arm end 57 is arranged in the region of the adjoining cover element 2. Furthermore, the base cover support has a recess 52.

If the installation position X ₁ is incorrect, the positioning element 58 is in contact with the base cover support 12 and holds the lever pawl 53 in a position pivoted about the bearing point 55. In this position, the second lever arm end 57 projects far beyond the support plane 32 of the base cover support 12, so that the subsequent cover element 2, which is placed on the base cover support 12, abuts the second lever arm end 57 and is thereby at least partially raised from the base cover support 12. This protrusion now clearly indicates that the first cover element 1 has not yet been arranged in the correct position on the base cover support 12 and for example lies with its front edge 11 too far forward on the comb plate 18 or as in FIG Figure 7 shown, is not supported on the comb plate 18 with its front edge 11.

As soon as the positioning element 58 finds the recess 52 of the floor covering support 12 by a linear displacement of the first cover element 1 on the base cover support 12, the lever pawl 53 pivots back, the positioning element 58 projects into the recess 52 and the second lever arm end 57 lowers so that it does not extends far beyond the support level 32 of the base cover support 12. The adjoining cover element 2 has an exemption 59 so that the pivoted lever pawl 53 has sufficient space and the adjoining cover element 2 can be placed flush on the base cover support 12.

Since the bearing point 55, part of the lever pawl 53 and in particular the positioning element 58 is arranged within the first cover element 1, an opening 60 is formed in the area of the positioning element 58 in the underside 31 of the first cover element 1. When the first cover element 1 is in the correct installation position X ₀ , the positioning element 58 projects through both the opening 60 and the recess 52. This enables a positioning with very little play because the positive connection takes place via the positioning element 58, the opening 60 and the recess 52 and not via the bearing point 55.

Although the invention has been described by the representation of specific exemplary embodiments, it is obvious that numerous further embodiment variants can be created with knowledge of the present invention, for example by using a sensor 25 or switch 25 for monitoring the correct assembly of the first cover element 1 in each of the embodiment variants is used. Furthermore, the base cover 10 can also have a plurality of devices 20, 50. All of the exemplary embodiments can also be used for floor covers 10 which have more than two cover elements 1 to 5. With such floor covers 10, at least one device 20, 50 can be provided for each of the cover elements 1 to 5. Of course, it is also possible for the second lever 27 of the lever pawl 23 to extend behind the cover element 2 directly adjoining the first cover element 1, so that if the installation position X _{1 is} incorrect, another adjoining cover element 3, 4, 5 is raised than that directly first cover element 1 subsequent cover element 2.

Of course, existing passenger transportation systems 100 can also be modernized by replacing their existing floor covers 10 with floor covers 10 according to the invention or by supplementing the existing floor covers 10 with corresponding devices 20, 50.

Claims (13)

1. A floor covering (10) of an entry region (111, 112) of a passenger conveyor (100) designed as an escalator or a moving walkway, which floor covering (10) has a floor covering support (12), a first covering element (1) and at least one adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5), it being possible to close the opening in an underfloor space (113, 114) in the passenger conveyor (100) at least by means of the first and the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5) supported on the floor covering support (12) such that it is flush with the surrounding flooring (115) that can be walked on, at least one device (20, 50) which predetermines a single-possible, correct installation position (X₀) of the covering elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) on the floor covering support (12) is arranged at least in the region of the first covering element (1) and the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5), and, in the correct installation position (X₀), the first covering element (1) and the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5) being arranged to be flush with the floor covering support (12) and, in an incorrect installation position (X₁), at least part of the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5) is arranged in a visibly protruding manner on the floor covering support (12) due to the device (20, 50), characterized in that the device (20, 50) comprises a positioning element (28, 58) by means of which a correct position of the first covering element (1) on the floor covering support (12) and thus the correct installation position (X₀) of the first covering element (1) can be predetermined, it being possible to bring the positioning element (28, 58) into an interlocking operative connection with the floor covering support (12) and/or with the first covering element (1) by moving the first covering element (1) on the floor covering support (12).
2. The floor covering (10) according to claim 1, wherein the device (20) is positioned in a region between the first covering element (1) and the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5), and is arranged on the floor covering support (12) by means of a fastening element (25), and the device (20) contains a lever latch (23) comprising a first lever arm (26), a bearing (39) and a second lever arm (27), the bearing (39) being arranged between the two lever arms (26, 27), the positioning element (28) being arranged on the first lever arm (26), which element projects into a cut-out (30) in the first covering element (1) in the correct installation position (X₀), and the second lever arm (27) extending in the region of the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5).
3. The floor covering (10) according to claim 1, wherein the device (50) is positioned in a region between the first covering element (1) and the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5), and is arranged on the first covering element (1) by means of a fastening element (51), and the device (50) contains a lever latch (53) comprising a lever arm (54), a bearing (55) and the positioning element (58) arranged on the lever arm (54), the bearing (55) being arranged on a first lever arm end (56), the positioning element (58) projecting into a cut-out (52) in the floor covering support (12) in the correct installation position (X₀), and the second lever arm end (57) being arranged in the region of the adjoining covering element (2).
4. The floor covering (10) according to either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the position of the device (20, 50) relative to the floor covering support (12) or to the first covering element (1) can be set by the at least one fastening element (25, 55).
5. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fastening element (25) contains a bearing bracket (24), on which the bearing (39) of the lever latch (23) is pivotally or rotatably mounted.
6. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein a through-hole (60) is made in the first covering element (1) and a cut-out (52) is made in the floor covering support (12), and the positioning element (58) extends into the cut-out (52) and the through-hole (60) in the correct installation position (X₀).
7. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a securing element (16), preferably a screw connection (16) having a wing nut (17), is arranged between the floor covering support (12) and the first covering element (1).
8. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device (20, 50) comprises at least one sensor (33) or switch (33) by means of which the correct installation position (X₀) or the incorrect installation position (X₁) of the covering element (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) can be monitored.
9. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said floor covering comprises a plurality of covering elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), which are arranged on the floor covering support (12) so as to rest on one another in an adjoining manner, and at least one device (20, 50) is assigned at least to the first covering element (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
10. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein access can be provided to the underfloor space (113, 114) containing the technical equipment by removing at least one of the covering elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
11. The floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one side face (44) of the covering element (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is provided with a signal color (45) and/or with at least one reflective element (46) and/or with at least one lamp (47).
12. A method for correctly installing a floor covering (10), according to any of claims 1 to 11, of an entry region (111, 112) of a passenger conveyor (100) designed as an escalator or moving walkway, characterized in that, during installation, the device (20, 50) is fastened to the first covering element (1) or to the floor covering support (12), in that the first covering element (1) is placed onto the floor covering support (12), in that the first covering element (1) is brought into an intended, correct installation position (X₀), at least by sliding, such that the positioning element (28, 58) of the device (20, 50) positions the first covering element (1) relative to the floor covering support (12) in an interlocking manner, in that the at least one adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5) is arranged on the floor covering support (12) so as to fit closely to the first covering element (1), and in that at least one visual inspection is made to ascertain whether at least part of the adjoining covering element (2, 3, 4, 5) is visibly protruding from the floor covering support (12).
13. A method for modernizing a passenger conveyor (100) designed as an escalator or moving walkway, characterized in that at least one device (20, 50) is added to the existing floor covering (10) in at least one of the entry regions (111, 112) of the existing escalator or moving walkway, such that this addition produces a floor covering (10) according to any of claims 1 to 11.

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