FI127152B

FI127152B - people mover

Info

Publication number: FI127152B
Application number: FI20165947A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Nathan Jiesong Jiang; Eric Yun Zhao
Original assignee: Kone Corp; Kone Elevators Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-09
Filing date: 2016-12-09
Publication date: 2017-12-15
Also published as: FI20165947A; CN206969973U; CN108217407A; CN108217407B

Description

PEOPLE MOVER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a people mover, such as an escalator, autowalk or moving ramp, and in particular to safety related components thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Escalators, autowalks and moving ramps are people movers, each of which typically comprises an endless band of conveying elements, such as steps or pallets for supporting the load to be transported, i.e. a person. The conveying element typically comprises rollers and a tread member with a tread surface on which a person can stand. The people movers typically furthermore comprise plurality of elongated guide rails for guiding and supporting the rollers of the conveying elements.

[0003] The endless band of conveying elements has a forward moving band section and a reversing band section moving below the forward moving band section. The endless band of conveying elements changes its direction by a curve section between the aforementioned band sections, in which curve section the path of the endless band of conveying elements turns around a horizontal axis extending in width direction of the people mover. The people movers are conventionally installed partially below the ground or floor level of the surroundings. For this purpose, the people mover comprises a pit, and at least the aforementioned curve section is located in the pit. The pit is covered by an openable cover plate forming a tread plate along which people can pass onto the endless band of conveying elements or away from it. There can be a working space in the pit below the cover plate and beside the curve section.

[0004] For protecting the technician working in the pit, the people mover can be equipped with a guard plate placed between the working space and the curve section. Document CN205222421U discloses such a guard plate. It has been possible to monitor the state of the guard plate.

[0005] A drawback of the known solutions has been that the parts located behind the safety guard, the safety guard and related components have been inadequately swift to service. A further drawback of the known solutions has been that the guard plate has not been able to give adequate protection against various dangerous situations that are possible to occur in the pit space. The known solutions have been provided protection only for the dangerous situation caused by running of the conveying elements away from their intended course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to introduce a new people mover improved in terms of its ability protect people against various dangerous situations that are possible to occur in the pit space. An object is to introduce a solution by which one or more of the above defined problems of prior art and/or problems discussed or implied elsewhere in the description can be solved.

[0007] An object is particularly to introduce a reliable and simple guard plate solution, which itself and the components cooperating therewith are swift to service. At the same time the object is to ensure safety by providing that the people mover is efficiently, reliably and simply triggered to react to a dangerous situation occurring in the pit space.

[0008] Embodiments are presented, inter alia, wherein the guard plate mounting is such that the guard plate is swift to detach, thereby facilitating said swiftness of servicing. Embodiments are presented, inter alia, wherein the guard plate mounting and design is such that it can be moved by a push from several directions, which push can be sensed and reacted to appropriately.

[0009] It is brought forward a new people mover comprising a pit; an endless band of conveying elements, the endless band of conveying elements comprising a curve section located in the pit, in which curve section the path of the endless band of conveying elements turns around a horizontal axis extending in width direction of the people mover; an openable cover plate on top of the pit forming a tread plate along which people can pass onto the endless band of conveying elements or away from it; a working space in the pit below the cover plate and beside the curve section; a guard plate mounted between the working space and the curve section forming a plate wall between the working space and the curve section; a sensing arrangement for sensing position of the guard plate; and a stationary frame. The people mover further comprises a hinge arrangement by which the guard plate is connected with the stationary frame pivotally around a horizontal pivot axis, which pivot axis is parallel with said horizontal axis, wherein the stationary frame comprises a first frame part and a second frame part which are on opposite sides of the guard plate in direction of said pivot axis, the guard plate comprising a first edge located beside the first frame part, and a second edge located beside the second frame part, which first and second edges are in direction of said pivot axis opposite edges of the guard plate. Said hinge arrangement comprises a first hinge connecting said first edge of the guard plate and said first frame part; and a second hinge connecting said second edge of the guard plate and said second frame part. The first hinge comprises a first hinge part fixed on the first edge of the guard plate, and a second hinge part fixed on the first frame part, which first and second hinge part of the first hinge are pivotal relative to each other, and the second hinge comprises a first hinge part fixed on the second edge of the guard plate, and a second hinge part fixed on the second frame part, which first and second hinge part of the second hinge are pivotal relative to each other. With this solution one or more of the above mentioned objects can be achieved. A guard plate solution is provided, movement of which can be sensed simply, but also that the push directed on the guard plate is forcefully and reliably transmitted to a part of the guard plate that is being sensed. Pivoting has the advantageous effect that parts distant from the pivot axis move a great length. It also provides that pushes directed on the guard plate from various angles can be made to cause movement of the guard plate. The design is also simple as regards the mounting of the guard plate. Thus, the guard plate is in direction of said pivot axis between the first frame part and a second frame part on which it is mounted. The particular design facilitates accessibility of the hinge arrangement, whereby the hinge arrangement itself can be serviced, but also manipulated so as to detach the guard plate simply for servicing of the guard plate itself or the curve section behind it. Preferable further details of the people mover are introduced in the following, which further details can be combined with the method individually or in any combination.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the first hinge part and the second hinge part of the first hinge are detachably connected to each other; and the first hinge part and the second hinge part of the second hinge are detachably connected to each other.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal pivot axis of the guard plate is offset from the guard plate towards the working space.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, each of said first hinge and second hinge comprises releasable tightening means for tightening the first hinge part and the second hinge part of the hinge together.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, one of the first hinge part and the second hinge part of each hinge comprises a shaft having a central axis coincident with the horizontal pivot axis of the guard plate, and the other of the first hinge part and the second hinge part of each hinge comprises a nest for receiving the shaft.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the nest comprises a channel for guiding the shaft into and/or out from the nest by movement of the shaft in radial direction thereof.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the channel forms an unobstructed passage for the shaft away from the nest by movement of the shaft in radial direction thereof.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the channel is shaped to allow inserting of the shaft into the nest by movement of the shaft in radial direction thereof, and to allow withdrawing of the shaft from the nest by movement of the shaft in radial direction thereof.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the channel is a slot formed in the first hinge part comprising said nest, said slot extending through the first hinge part in direction of the horizontal pivot axis.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the shaft is in the form of a threaded bolt, and the tightening means comprise a threaded nut, such as a butterfly nut, installed on the shaft.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the people mover is an escalator, said conveying elements being steps.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate comprises a protrusion protruding in direction of said pivot axis of the guard plate away from the guard plate, and said sensing arrangement is arranged to sense position of the protrusion of the guard plate.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the sensing arrangement for sensing position of the guard plate comprises one or more sensors arranged to sense position of a part of the guard plate.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more sensors are mounted on the frame.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, said horizontal pivot axis is higher than the one or more sensors.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, each said sensor is a limit switch.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate is connected with the frame pivotally around said horizontal pivot axis in clockwise direction and/or counterclockwise direction, wherein when pivoting in clockwise direction the guard plate pivots such that its lower edge moves towards the curve section from direction of the working space, and when pivoting in counterclockwise direction, the guard plate pivots such that its lower edge moves from direction of the curve section towards the working space.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate comprises an oblique plate portion comprising a planar surface facing diagonally upwards towards the cover plate.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate comprises a vertical plate portion comprising a planar surface facing horizontally towards the working space.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the oblique plate portion extends diagonally upwards away from the working space on top of the curve section.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate comprises a horizontal plate portion. The horizontal plate portion preferably comprises a planar surface facing upwards.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, said horizontal pivot axis is located on a lower level than the upper edge of the oblique plate portion.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal plate portion is located on top of the curve section.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the vertical plate portion extends vertically downwards from the lower edge of the oblique plate portion.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal plate portion, the oblique plate portion and the vertical plate portion are portions of a same bent metal plate piece, and a the bent metal piece comprises a bend between the horizontal plate portion and the oblique plate portion, and a bend between the oblique plate portion and the vertical plate portion.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the first edge and second edge of the guard plate are edges of the oblique plate portion of the guard plate.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the people mover comprises a control system for controlling movement of the endless band of conveying elements; and the control system of the people mover is arranged to stop movement of the endless band of conveying elements in response to sensing displacement of the guard plate.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate extends from below the level of the horizontal axis of the curve section above the level of the horizontal axis of the curve section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates a people mover according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates the people mover of Figure 1 when the cover plate of the pit is removed.

Figure 3 illustrates a horizontal front view of the guard plate as seen from direction of the working space of the pit.

Figure 4 illustrates a horizontal side view of the guard plate as seen in width direction of the people mover.

Figure 5 illustrates preferred details of the guard plate, the hinge arrangement and the sensing arrangement.

Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged view of preferred details of the guard plate, the hinge arrangement and the sensing arrangement.

Figure 7 illustrates a horizontal side view of the guard plate and preferred details of the hinge arrangement as seen in width direction of the people mover The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and the detailed description related thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates a people mover 1 according to an embodiment. The people mover 1 comprises an endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a for supporting the load to be transported, i.e. a person. The people mover 1 presented in Figure 1 is an escalator, whereby said conveying elements 3a are steps. Each said conveying element comprises a planar tread surface 3a’ on which a person can stand.

[0039] The endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a has a forward moving band section and a reversing band section moving below the forward moving band section. The endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a has a curve section 4 between the aforementioned band sections, in which curve section 4 the path of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a turns around a horizontal axis 5 extending width direction W of the people mover 1. Such a curve section 4 is at both ends of the people mover. The people mover 1 further comprises a pit 2, wherein said curve section 4 is located, as well as an openable cover plate 6 on top of the pit 2 forming a tread plate along which people can pass onto the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a or away from it. The pit 2 forms a space below the level of the upper surface of the ground or floor that is beside the curve section 4. There is a working space 7 in the pit 2 below the cover plate 6 and beside the curve section 4, the working space 7 being suitable for accommodating a person. The cover plate 6 being openable provides that the person, such as a technician intending to service the people mover 1 can move into the working space 7 in the pit 2. For providing protection, the people mover comprises a guard plate 8 mounted between the working space 7 and the curve section 4 forming a plate wall between the working space 7 and the curve section 4, and a sensing arrangement 9 for sensing position of the guard plate 8. The guard plate 8 is illustrated in Figures 2-7 [0040] The people mover 1 comprises a stationary frame 10, a so called truss. The stationary frame 10 preferably forms a metal beam structure on which the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a are mounted movably. In the preferred embodiment, each said conveying element 3 comprises rollers and a tread member with a tread surface on which a person can stand. The stationary frame 10 then preferably supports a plurality of elongated guide rails for guiding and supporting the rollers of the conveying elements 3a.

[0041] As illustrated in Figures 3-7, the people mover 1 further comprises a hinge arrangement 11,12 by which the guard plate 8 is connected with the stationary frame 10 pivotally around a horizontal pivot axis 13, which pivot axis 13 is parallel with said horizontal axis 5. Thus, the guard plate is made moveable by pivoting under push of an object leaning, colliding or wedging against it. Pivotal movability provides such a movability for the guard plate 8 that can be sensed simply, but also that the push is forcefully and reliably transmitted to a location of the guard plate 8 that is being sensed. Pivoting has the advantageous effect that parts distant from the pivot axis move a great length which can simply be sensed. It provides also that pushes directed on the guard plate 8 from various angles can be made to cause movement of the guard plate 8.

[0042] The pivotal movability also facilitates simplicity of the mounting of the guard plate. The mounting of the guard plate 8 is in the preferred embodiment designed such that the stationary frame 10 comprises a first frame part 10a and a second frame part 10b which are on opposite sides of the guard plate 8 in direction of said pivot axis 13, the guard plate 8 comprising a first edge 8a located beside the first frame part 10a, and a second edge 8b located beside the second frame part 10b, which first and second edges 8a, 8b are in direction of said pivot axis 13 opposite edges of the guard plate 8. Thus, the guard plate 8 is in direction of said pivot axis 13 between the first frame part 10a and a second frame part 10b on which it is mounted. This facilitates accessibility of the hinge arrangement 11,12, whereby it can be serviced, but also manipulated so as to detach the guard plate 8 simply.

[0043] Said hinge arrangement 11, 12 comprises a first hinge 11 connecting said first edge 8a of the guard plate 8 and said first frame part 10a; and a second hinge 12 connecting said second edge 8b of the guard plate 8 and said second frame part 10b. The first hinge 11 comprises a first hinge part 11a fixed on the first edge 8a of the guard plate 8, and a second hinge part lib fixed on the first frame part 10a, which first and second hinge part 11a, lib of the first hinge 11 are pivotal relative to each other, and the second hinge 12 comprises a first hinge part 12a fixed on the second edge 8b of the guard plate 8, and a second hinge part 12b fixed on the second frame part 10b, which first and second hinge part 12a,12b of the second hinge 12 are pivotal relative to each other.

[0044] The first hinge part 11a and the second hinge part lib of the first hinge 11 are detachably connected to each other; and the first hinge part 12a and the second hinge part 12b of the second hinge 12 are detachably connected to each other.

[0045] The first hinge part 11a and the second hinge part lib of the first hinge 11 are detachably connected to each other; and the first hinge part 12a and the second hinge part 12b of the second hinge 12 are detachably connected to each other. Thereby, the guard plate 8 can be removed from its position by simply detaching each first hinge part 11a, 12a from the second hinge part 11a, 12b of the hinges 11,12. Removal and detachment of the guard plate 8 are made simple and easy as the guard plate is between the first and second frame parts 10a, 10b. No relevant component related to the mounting of the guard plate 8 needs to remain behind the guard plate 8, which makes all relevant components related to the mounting of the guard plate 8 simply accessible. Hereby, the curve section 4 as well as the guard plate 8 itself and all the components related to the mounting thereof become very easy and swift to service.

[0046] As visible in Figures 4-7 particularly, it is preferred that the horizontal pivot axis 13 of the guard plate 8 is offset from the guard plate 8 towards the working space 7. Thus, the hinge structures are not hidden behind guard plate 8 structures, but they are instead easily accessible by a service person for servicing and detachment of the first hinge part 11a,12a from the second hinge part 12a, 12b.

[0047] Figures 3-7 illustrate details of the hinge structure. Figure 6 illustrates details of the first hinge 11, but the second hinge 12 is preferably configured otherwise similar as the first hinge 11 but mirror-like. As presented, it is preferable that one of the first hinge part 11a, 12a and the second hinge part lib, 12b of each hinge 11,12 comprises a shaft lib, 12b having a central axis oriented parallel and coincident with the horizontal pivot axis 13 of the guard plate 8, and the other of the first hinge part 11a, 12a and the second hinge part lib, 12b of each hinge 11,12 comprises a nest 11c, 12c for receiving the shaft lib, 12b. In the preferred embodiment, with each said hinge 11,12 said first hinge part 11a, 12a comprises the nest 11c, 12c and the second hinge part lib, 12b is the shaft.

[0048] So as to make the detachment of the guard plate 8 swift and simple, the nest 11c, 12c comprises a channel lid, 12d for guiding the shaft lib, 12b into and/or out from the nest 11c, 12c by movement of the shaft lib, 12b in radial direction thereof. Hereby, the guard plate 8 can be attached by movement occurring only along a vertical plane for which the horizontal pivot axis 13 of the guard plate 8 is orthogonal. The channel lid, 12d is more specifically such that it forms an unobstructed passage for the shaft lib, 12b away from the nest 11c, 12c by movement of the shaft lib, 12b in radial direction thereof. The channel lid, 12d is shaped to allow inserting of the shaft into the nest 11c, 12c by movement of the shaft lib, 12b in radial direction thereof, and to allow withdrawing of the shaft from the nest 11c, 12c by movement of the shaft lib, 12b in radial direction thereof. The channel lid, 12d is in the form of a slot formed in the first hinge part 11a, 12a, and extends through the first hinge part 11a, 12a in direction of the horizontal pivot axis 13.

[0049] For the purpose of detachment and reattachment, each of said first hinge and second hinge 11, 12 comprises releasable tightening means 14 for tightening the first hinge part 11a, 12a and the second hinge part lib, 12b of the hinge 11,12 together. This is implemented in the preferred embodiment such that the shaft lib, 12b is in the form of a threaded bolt, and the tightening means 14 comprise a threaded nut 14, such as a butterfly nut as visible in Figure 6, screwed on the shaft lib, 12b.

[0050] The guard plate 8 is preferably more specifically connected with the frame 10 pivotally in two directions around said horizontal pivot axis 13, i.e. in clockwise direction D2 and/or counterclockwise direction Dl, wherein when pivoting in clockwise direction D2 the guard plate 8 pivots such that its lower edge moves towards the curve section 4 from direction of the working space 7, and when pivoting in counterclockwise direction Dl, the guard plate 8 pivots such that its lower edge moves from direction of the curve section 4 towards the working space 7.

[0051] The sensing arrangement 9 for sensing position of the guard plate 8 comprises one or more sensors 9a arranged to sense position of a part of the guard plate 8. The sensing arrangement 9 for sensing position of the guard plate 8 are preferably also designed to allow easy detachment of the guard plate 8. For this end, the guard plate 8 comprises a protrusion 15 protruding in direction of said pivot axis 13 of the guard plate 8 away from the guard plate 8, and said sensing arrangement 9, in particular a sensor 9a thereof, is arranged to sense position of the protrusion 15 of the guard plate 8. Owing to that the sensing arrangement 9 is arranged to sense the position of the guard plate 8 by sensing position of the protrusion 15 allows the positioning of the sensor(s) 9a in a location that is on the side of the guard plate 8, in particular displaced from the first edge 8a and the second edge 8b of the guard plate 8 so that swift removal of the guard plate 8 is enabled without the sensor(s) blocking the way. Correspondingly, the guard plate structures only minimally block access to the sensor(s) 9a so that inspection and repair of them is swift.

[0052] The people mover can comprise only one of said sensors 9a, as illustrated in Figure 5, in which case said protrusion 15 needed on only one side of the guard plate 8. However, there could alternatively be another sensor 9a. Figure 3 shows also another sensor 9a. Presence of more than one sensor 9a is not necessary because the sensing can be arranged by only one sensor 9a. The sensor type of the sensor 9a is then chosen so that the desired sensing abilities are present. The sensor 9a is preferably in the form of a limit switch. It can be arranged to sense pivoting of the guard plate 8 in one or both of the directions D1,D2 presented in Figure 2. Generally, it is preferable that each said sensor 9a are mounted on the frame 10, whereby they can be accurately positioned.

[0053] Should one and the same sensor 9a be chosen to sense pivoting of the guard plate 8 in both of the directions D1,D2, then it is preferably so called two-way limit switch. Such limit switches are commercially available. Such a two-way sensor can have one sensor head, for instance, which is arranged to compress e.g. by spring force against the component being sensed (in this case protrusion 15), and displacement of the sensor head pushed by the component being sensed (in this case protrusion 15) towards the sensor body is configured to break a safety circuit, and correspondingly displacement of the sensor head away from the sensor body and towards the component being sensed (in this case protrusion 15) when said component moves away from the sensor head, is configured to break said safety circuit. It is however not necessary to use a two-way limit switch for sensing pivoting in two directions D1,D2, because this feature could be provided by using two sensors 9a as illustrated in Figure 3, one of them being configured to sense pivoting of the guard plate 8 in the clockwise direction D2, and the other of them being configured to sense pivoting of the guard plate 8 in the counterclockwise direction Dl.

[0054] Preferably, said horizontal pivot axis 13 is higher than the one or more sensors 9a, as illustrated in Figure 3, 5 and 6. Thus, they are at a height and location easily accessible by the service person without danger. Here, they are also able to sense pivoting of the guard plate 8 effectively.

[0055] The guard plate 8 is preferably shaped to facilitate adequate protection against various dangerous situations. Figures 2-7 illustrate a preferred shape for the guard plate 8. The particular shape together with pivotal movement is advantageous as it provides that push directed on the guard plate 8 from various angles can be made to cause movement of the guard plate 8.

[0056] For protecting person or objects from getting into contact with moving parts of the people conveyor, the guard plate 8 comprises an oblique plate portion 81 comprising a planar surface facing diagonally upwards towards the cover plate 6. The oblique pate portion 81 causes that pivoting around the horizontal pivot axis 13 occurs by force when a person or an object from above falls into the pit.

[0057] The oblique plate portion 81 preferably extends diagonally upwards away from the working space 7 on top of the curve section 7. Thereby, falling between the guard plate 8 and the curve section 4 is blocked. Pivoting of the guard plate 8 triggers stopping the movement of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a of the people conveyor 1, and the oblique plate portion 81 itself is effective enough to block entrance of the object or person between the guard plate 8 and the curve section 4 at least until said movement of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3 is stopped. The first edge 8a and the second edge 8b of the guard plate 8 are edges of the oblique plate portion 81 of the guard plate 8.

[0058] To further increase protection the guard plate 8 comprises a horizontal plate portion 80. The horizontal plate portion 80 is located on top of the curve section 4. The horizontal section causes that pivoting around the horizontal pivot axis 13 occurs by force when a person or an object from above falls or is wedged on top of the curve section 4. Pivoting of the guard plate 8 triggers stopping the movement of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a of the people conveyor 1, and the horizontal plate portion 80 itself is effective enough to block entrance of the object or person between the guard plate 8 and the curve section 4 at least until said movement of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3 is stopped.

[0059] The guard plate 8 furthermore comprises a vertical plate portion 82 comprising a planar surface facing horizontally towards the working space 7. The vertical plate portion 82 extends vertically downwards from the lower edge of the oblique plate portion 81. An efficient protection of the service person located inside the working space 7 is hereby provided.

[0060] The overall structure of the guard plate 8 is preferably such that the horizontal plate portion 80, the oblique plate portion 81 and the vertical plate portion 82 are portions of a same bent metal plate piece, and a the bent metal piece comprises a bend between the horizontal plate portion 80 and the oblique plate portion 81, and a bend between the oblique plate portion 81 and the vertical plate portion 82. Thus, the guard plate 8 is simple to manufacture and able to ensure safety in various dangerous situations. Each of said horizontal plate portion 80, the oblique plate portion 81 and the vertical plate portion 82 has preferably more than 15 cm length as measured along a plane to which said horizontal pivot axis 13 is orthogonal.

[0061] Said horizontal pivot axis 13 is preferably located on a lower level than the upper edge of the oblique plate portion 81. Thus, pivoting in two directions is facilitated. Particularly, if the horizontal plate portion 80 is pushed downwards, pivoting in the counterclockwise direction D1 is swift and efficient. Said horizontal pivot axis 13 is however preferably located on a higher level than the lower edge of the oblique plate portion 81.

[0062] Generally, the people mover 1 comprises a control system 20 for controlling movement of the endless band of conveying elements; and the control system of the people mover is arranged to stop movement of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a in response to sensing displacement of the guard plate 8. The control system 20 for controlling movement of the endless band 3 of conveying elements 3a preferably comprises a motor, a brake, a control unit 20a including electronic processing means such as one or more microprocessors.

[0063] Generally, the people mover can be an escalator, autowalk or a moving ramp. The aforementioned conveying elements 3a are steps if the people mover is an escalator and pallets if the people mover is an autowalk or a moving ramp.

[0064] The position of the guard plate 8 is preferably such that it extends from below the level of the horizontal axis 5 of the curve section 4 above the level of the horizontal axis 5 of the curve section 4. Thus, it protects the most critical heights efficiently. As mentioned, the position of the guard plate 8 is preferably also such that the oblique plate portion 81 extends diagonally upwards away from the working space 7 on top of the curve section 4, and furthermore preferably such that the horizontal plate portion 80 is located on top of the curve section 4. Thus, the guard plate 8 protects efficiently all the most critical sectors of the curve section 4.

[0065] The people mover 1 may further comprise a limit means 16 for limiting the range of pivoting movement of the guard plate 8 in clockwise direction D2 and/or counterclockwise direction Dl. Generally, the solution provides that the same structure can be modified simply to comprise such safety features as desired for various people mover individuals, thereby being suitable for meeting different safety requirements. The solution is, for instance, usable in solutions where only pivoting in direction Dl is sensed, but should an increased safety be desired, the solution can simply sense pivoting in direction D2 as well.

[0066] It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying Figures are only intended to teach the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The above-described embodiments of the invention may thus be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A passenger conveyor (1) comprising a pit (2); conveying elements (3a) of an endless belt (3) comprising a curved portion (4) located in a pit (2) having a convex portion (4) of conveying elements (3a) of an endless belt (3) rotating about a horizontal axis (5); an opening cover plate (6) on top of the well (2); a work space (7) in a pit (2) adjacent to the curved portion (4); a shield (8) mounted between the working space (7) and the curved portion (4); an identification arrangement (9) for identifying the location of the shield (8); a stationary body (10); characterized in that the passenger conveyor (1) further comprises a hinge arrangement (11,12) by which the shield plate (8) is connected to a stationary body (10) folding about a horizontal folding axis (13) parallel to said horizontal axis (13). 5), wherein said stationary body (10) comprises a first body (10a) and a second body (10b) on opposite sides of the shield (8) in the direction of said folding shaft (13), and the shield (8) comprises a first edge (8a) adjacent to a first frame member (10a), and a second edge (8b) adjacent a second frame member (10b), the first and second edges (8a, 8b) of which are in the direction of said folding axis (13). opposite edges; wherein said hinge arrangement (11,12) comprises a first hinge (11) connecting said first edge (8a) of said shield plate (8) and said first body member (10a); and a second hinge (12) connecting said second edge (8b) and said second body (10b) of the shielding plate (8); and wherein said first hinge (11) comprises a first hinge portion (11a) secured to said first edge (8a) of said shield plate (8) and a second hinge portion (11b) secured to a first frame portion (10a) (11) the first and second hinge portions (11a, 11b) being foldable with respect to one another, and said second hinge portion (12) comprising a first hinge portion (12a) secured to said second edge (8b) of said shield plate (8) and a second hinge portion (12b) ) attached to the second body portion (10b), the first and second hinge portions (12a, 12b) of the second hinge (12) being foldable with respect to each other.

A passenger conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the first hinge part (11a) and the second hinge part (11b) of the first hinge (11) are releasably connected to one another; and the first hinge part (12a) and the second hinge part (12b) of the second hinge (12) are releasably connected to each other.

A passenger conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said first and second hinge parts (11, 12) comprises a first hinged part (11a, 12a) and a second hinged part (11b, 12b) ) to tighten each other.

A passenger conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said horizontal folding axis (13) of the shield plate (8) is disposed at a transition from the shield plate (8) towards the work space.

A passenger conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of said first hinge part (11a, 12a) and the second hinge part (11b, 12b) of each hinge (11, 12) comprises an axis (11b, 12b) having a central axis coincident with the horizontal folding axis (13) of the shield plate (8), and one of said first hinge part (11a, 12a) and the second hinge part (11b, 12b) of each hinge (11, 12b) comprises an axis (11b, 12b) of the housing (11c, 12c). receiving.

Passenger conveyor according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (11c, 12c) comprises a channel (11d, 12d) for guiding the shaft (11b, 12b) in and / or out of the housing (11c, 12c) by moving the shaft (11b, 12b). in the radial direction.

A passenger conveyor according to claim 6, characterized in that the passage (11d, 12d) forms an unobstructed passage for the shaft (11b, 12b) away from the housing (11c, 12c) by movement of the shaft (11b, 12b) in its radial direction.

Passenger conveyor according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the channel (11d, 12d) is shaped to allow the shaft to be inserted into the housing (11c, 12c) by movement of the shaft (11b, 12b) in its radial direction, and to allow removal of the shaft 12c) moving the shaft (11b, 12b) in its radial direction.

Passenger conveyor according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the channel (11d1, 12d) is a slot formed in a first hinge part (11a, 12a) comprising said housing (11c, 12c), and said slot extends over the first hinge part (11a, 12a). 11a, 12a) through the horizontal folding axis (13).

Passenger conveyor according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the shaft (11b, 12b) is in the form of a threaded bolt and said clamping means (14) comprise a threaded nut (14) such as a butterfly nut mounted on the shaft (11b, 12b).

Passenger conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shielding plate (8) comprises a projection (15) projecting from the shielding plate (8) in the direction of said folding axis (13), and said identification arrangement (9) (8) the location of the projection (15).

Passenger conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification arrangement (9) for detecting the location of the shielding plate (8) comprises one or more sensors (9a), such as a limit sensor, arranged to detect the position of the part (15).

Passenger conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective plate (8) comprises an inclined plate portion (81) having a planar surface which is inclined upwardly towards the cover plate (6).

A passenger conveyor according to claim 13, characterized in that the inclined plate portion (81) extends obliquely upwards from the working space on the curved portion (4).

A passenger conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective plate (8) comprises a vertical plate portion (82) having a planar surface which looks horizontally towards the work space (7).

A passenger conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective plate (8) comprises a horizontal plate portion (80) located on a curved portion (4).

A passenger conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims 13, 15 or 16, characterized in that the horizontal plate portion (80), the inclined plate portion (81) and the vertical plate portion (82) are portions of the same bent metal body, and said bent metal body comprises a horizontal ) and the inclined plate portion (81), and the bend between the inclined plate portion (81) and the vertical plate portion (82).

A passenger conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passenger conveyor (1) comprises a control system (20) for transporting elements of said endless belt (3) to control movement; and said passenger conveyor control system is arranged to stop movement of the transport elements (3a) of said endless belt (3) in response to detection of displacement of the guard plate (8).