GB2132965A

GB2132965A - Escalator tread cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2132965A
Application number: GB08234641A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick Lomas
Original assignee: ISS DARENAS UK Ltd
Current assignee: ISS DARENAS UK Ltd
Priority date: 1982-12-03
Filing date: 1982-12-03
Publication date: 1984-07-18

Abstract

An escalator tread cleaner comprises a carrier member (6) comprising clamping members (8), and a support member (20) to which is releasably secured a cleaning head (22), the cleaning head comprising a frame from which extend a plurality of closely- spaced cleaning elements in the form of steel or brass bristles. In the use of the device, with the escalator stationary, the device is positioned across (for example) the bottom end, and clamped between the side walls. The head is moved to bring the bristles into engagement with the treads of the escalator and the escalator is switched on, causing the treads to move across the bristles, to clean the treads of the escalator. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to cleaning devices Description of invention This invention in concerned with improvements relating to cleaning devices, particularly for escalators.

For continued smooth and safe operation and use of an escalator, it is necessary periodically to remove adherent dirt from the treads of the escalator. This operation is conventionally performed manually whilst the escalator is stationary, which is tedious and time consuming.

According to this invention, there is provided a method for cleaning the treads of an escalator, involving the use of a device comprising a plurality of cleaning elements, and the step of securing the device in a fixed position in which the cleaning elements engage the treads of the escalator whilst the escalator is in operation.

In this manner, the treads of the escalator may be cleaned in a relatively short period of time.

According to this invention, there is also provided a device for cleaning an escalator comprising clamping means to secure the device in a fixed position in relation to the escalator, and a plurality of cleaning elements adapted to engage the treads of the escalator whilst the escalator is in operation.

Preferably the cleaning elements are provided by bristle-like elements which are preferably sufficiently resilient to accommodate the differences in height across the treads by virtue of the castellations on the treads. Preferably the bristle-like elements are of metal, and may for example be of brass or steel.

Preferably the bristle-like elements form part of a head of the device which, in operation, is urged into engagement with the treads of an escalator, which head is advantageously detachable for replacement purposes.

Preferably the head is adapted to be urged into engagement with the treads by screw thread means, advantageously against the action of a spring compensatorwherebyforces acting on the device may be equalised over the width therof.

Preferably the clamping means is adjustable whereby the device may be secured to escalators of different sizes, and is preferably adapted to be clamped between opposing side walls of the escalator at the top or bottom.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a cleaning device which is a preferred embodiment of this invention and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa front elevation of the device; and Figure 2 is a scrap perspective view of the device.

The cleaning device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is specifically adapted for the cleaning of treads of an escalator, and comprises a carrier member 6 in the form of an elongate bar having mounted on each end a clamping member 8.

Each clamping member comprises a pad 10 and male threaded member 12 extending therefrom, a female threaded element 14 being mounted on the member 12.

The threaded member 12 extends into the carrier member 6, and a threaded bolt 16 may be inserted through opposed slots 18 of the member 6, and through a diametral bore (not shown) in an end portion of the threaded member 12 remote from the pad 10.

The device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention also comprises a support member 20 to which is releasably secured a cleaning head 22, said cleaning head comprising a frame 24 from which extend a plurality of closely spaced cleaning elements 26 in the form of steel or brass bristles.

Extending upwardly from the support member 20 through spaced bores in the elongate carrier member 6 are three threaded slide members 30, a threaded adjustment member 32 being mounted on each of the slide members between the carrier member and the support member.

Also extending upwardly from the support member through bores in the carrier member are four tie rods 34, springs 36 on the upper portions of the tie rods acting between end caps of the tie rods and the upper surface of the carrier member 6, to tend to draw the support member 20, and hence the head 22, towards the carrier member, such movement being limited by the adjustment members 32 on the slide members 30.

Extending forwardly from the carrier member is a bracket 40 which carries a jockey wheel 42, mounting 44 for the pivot axis of which being located on the upward side of the bracket.

In the use of the device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention in the cleaning of an escalator, with the escalator stationary the device is positioned conveniently across the bottom end, with the jockey wheel outwardly. With wing nuts 17 on the blots 16 loosened, by rotation of the threaded elements 14 the clamping elements may be extended in axially outward directions, and the pads 10 thereof moved into engagement with the side walls of the escalator to securely clamp the device across the escalator. If necessary, by removal of the bolts 16 the orientation of the pads 10 may be reversed, to accommodate for the position of the lip which is conventionally found on escalators at a distance spaced from the treads.

When the threaded elements 14 have been rotated to clamp the device adequately in position (which rotation may if desired be effected by the insertion of a tommy bar into a radial bore in the elements 14) the wind nuts 17 may be tightened on the bolts 16 as a locking mechanism.

The adjustment members 32 may then be rotated (again if desired by the use of tommy bars) in directions such as to draw the slide members 30 downwardly through the bores in the carrier member 6, moving the support members 20 and hence the head 22 away from the carrier member, compressing the springs 32 on the tie rods 34. In this manner, the cleaning elements 26 of the head may be moved into engagement with the treads of the escalator.

The escalator may then be switched on, causing the treads to move across the bristles, the bristles thus moving across, relatively speaking, the surfaces of the treads, and having a resilience sufficient to accommodate for the castellations of the treads.

The rotational movement which tends to be caused to the device by virtue of the engagement between the treads and the cleaning elements is prevented by engagement of the jockey wheel with a fixed horizontal surface, conveniently at the entrance to the escalator.

During continued operation of the escalator, any dirt or debris produced by the cleaning device will accumulate on the upstream side of the device, and may be removed (if desired) by the use of a vacuum cleaner.

In this manner the device may be used to thoroughly scour the surfaces of the treads of an escalator, removing therefrom debris such as oil, chewing gum, in a relatively short time and in a safe manner.

CLAIMS (Filed on 2 Dec. '83) 1. A device for cleaning an escalator, comprising clamping means to secure the device in a fixed position in relation to the escalator, and a plurality of cleaning elements adapted to engage the treads of the escalator whilst the escalator is in operation.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the cleaning elements are sufficiently resilient to accommodate the differences in the height across the treads by virtue of the castellations on the treads.

3. A device according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the cleaning elements are provided by bristle-like elements, which are preferably of metal.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaning elements form part of a head of the device which, in operation, is urged into engagement with the treads of an escalator.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein the head is demountable.

6. A device according to one of Claims 4 and 5 wherein the head is adapted to be urged into engagement with the treads by screw-thread means.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 4,5 and 6 wherein the head is so urged against the action of a compensation means whereby forces acting on the device may be equalised over the width thereof.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the clamping means is adjustable whereby the device may be secured to escalators of different sizes.

9. A device according to any one the preceding claims, adapted to be clamped between opposing side walls of an escalator at the top or bottom.

10. A method of cleaning the treads of an escalator, involving the use of a device comprising a plurality of cleaning elements, and the step of securing the device in a fixed position in which the cleaning elements engage the treads of the escalator whilst the escalator is in operation.

11. A device for cleaning an escalator, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of cleaning the treads of an escalator, when carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The escalator may then be switched on, causing the treads to move across the bristles, the bristles thus moving across, relatively speaking, the surfaces of the treads, and having a resilience sufficient to accommodate for the castellations of the treads. The rotational movement which tends to be caused to the device by virtue of the engagement between the treads and the cleaning elements is prevented by engagement of the jockey wheel with a fixed horizontal surface, conveniently at the entrance to the escalator. During continued operation of the escalator, any dirt or debris produced by the cleaning device will accumulate on the upstream side of the device, and may be removed (if desired) by the use of a vacuum cleaner. In this manner the device may be used to thoroughly scour the surfaces of the treads of an escalator, removing therefrom debris such as oil, chewing gum, in a relatively short time and in a safe manner. CLAIMS (Filed on 2 Dec. '83)

1. A device for cleaning an escalator, comprising clamping means to secure the device in a fixed position in relation to the escalator, and a plurality of cleaning elements adapted to engage the treads of the escalator whilst the escalator is in operation.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein the head is demountable.