JP3466687B2 - Integrated skirt panel for handrails - Google Patents

Abstract

A one piece escalator balustrade skirt panel (28) is provided for an escalator having a plurality of moving steps (12). The skirt panel comprises a front surface (30), a back surface (32), a plurality of ribs (34), and a maintaining apparatus (36) for maintaining the skirt panel in close proximity to the steps. The ribs are positioned between and integrally attached to the front and back surfaces. <IMAGE>

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a skirt panel for a handrail (balus trade) used for a passenger transfer device (man conveyor) such as an escalator and a moving walkway.

[0002]

Escalators, moving walkways, and other passenger transport devices are devices that efficiently move large numbers of pedestrians from one point to another.

In this type of device, when a passenger gets on a step (or belt or pallet), the passenger is carried at a constant speed. In addition, for safety reasons, the escalator is provided with a handrail for passengers that travels in the same direction as the steps at the same speed. Each handrail device supports and guides the handrails located on both sides of the step.

Each handrail device has a handrail panel extending upward from the base portion to support the handrail. The base is an outer deck (or low deck)
And an inner deck (also referred to as inner knowledge) and a skirt panel. The outer deck surrounds the machine on the side of the handrail panel opposite the steps, that is, on the outside. The inner deck is located adjacent to, ie inside, the steps and surrounds the machine. Also, the inner deck provides variation between the handrail panel and the skirt panel. That is, the inner deck is provided so as to be inclined toward the steps due to safety requirements, and thereby connects the outer deck and the skirt panel.

The skirt panel is placed in close proximity but without contact with the steps. That is,
The skirt panel faces the side of the step with a slight gap. Since the skirt panel is close to the steps, it must be made of a rigid panel to prevent distortion between the panel and the steps. Therefore, this type of skirt panel is generally constructed as an assembly of structural members and sheet metal. The sheet metal provides a surface proximate to the steps, and the structural members add rigidity to the assembly.

As is known in the art, the metal fittings (mounting members) necessary to install and hold the skirt panel facing the steps are included in the structural members. For example, if a T-bolt is used to install and position the skirt panel, a "C" shaped channel (C-shaped groove) that mates with this will be formed in the structural member.

[0007] Also, as another method for attaching the assembled skirt panel, various attachments independent of the structural member may be used, such as independent "C" shaped channels or nuts attached to the structural member. . These prefabricated skirt panels are made as a single assembly or as a collection of many subassemblies.

[0008]

By the way, the above-mentioned assembled skirt panel according to the prior art has some drawbacks as follows.

First, the structural members must be attached to the sheet metal surface by welding or fasteners to provide the required rigidity. Either way, the exposed panel surface will be damaged by thermal discoloration and fasteners.

Second, forming the skirt panel by assembling means an increase in the number of manufacturing steps, which increases the time and cost for performing the manufacturing process.

Third, when the skirt panel is formed from multiple subassemblies, all subassemblies must be aligned and assembled during manufacturing.
In short, the prefabricated skirt panel has several drawbacks that negatively impact the manufacturing process, such as being laborious to manufacture.

An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated skirt panel for a handrail which is easy to assemble and maintain and is inexpensive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated skirt panel for handrails in which the skirt panel is hardly distorted (warped) from the steps.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated skirt panel for a handrail that includes a number of peripheral brackets to minimize the number of components in the handrail device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to minimize or eliminate damage to exposed skirt panel surfaces.

[0016]

Therefore, an integrated skirt panel for handrails adopted by the present invention is an integrated skirt panel for handrails of an escalator having a plurality of steps, and includes a front surface, a back surface, and a front surface. And a rear surface, and a holding means for holding the skirt panel in close proximity to the steps.

Further, it is preferable that the skirt panel is made of a homogeneous material.

Further, the retaining means comprises a plurality of channels integrally formed with the skirt panel and means for cooperating with the channels to adjustably secure the skirt panel to the frame member of the escalator. Preferably.

The skirt panel may also include adjustable position adjustment means for positioning the skirt panel in a plane perpendicular to the steps.

Further, the position adjusting means includes a lip integrally formed to extend outward from the back surface of the skirt panel,
Preferably, there is a bolt adjustably mounted to the frame member of the escalator in alignment with the lip to support and allow adjustment of the skirt panel in a plane perpendicular to the steps.

Further, it is preferable that the skirt panel includes guide means for guiding the steps.

Further, the guide means may include an upper thrust track located parallel to the roller track mounted on the frame member of the escalator.

Further, it is preferable to provide a face panel attached to the front face of the skirt panel.

On the other hand, an integrated skirt panel for a handrail of an escalator having a plurality of steps, including a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of ribs integrally formed between the front surface and the back surface.
A handrail including a holding means for holding the skirt panel close to the steps, a position adjusting means for adjusting the skirt panel in a plane perpendicular to the steps, and a guide means for guiding the steps. An integrated skirt panel may be constructed.

[0025]

As an integral skirt panel, it eliminates the need to assemble several parts of the skirt panel together, which simplifies both manufacturing and assembly.

Further, since the strength of the surface and the rib structure is strengthened, the displacement of the skirt panel which is far away from the steps is extremely small. Their faces and rib structure are
No reinforcing member is required for the back surface, and therefore unsightly deformation at the time of mounting does not occur.

Further, since the peripheral bracket and the mounting member are integrated, the number of parts of the handrail device is minimized. As a result, it is easy to assemble and maintain the handrail device.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an integrated skirt panel for handrail according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an escalator as a passenger transfer device (man conveyor) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The escalator includes a frame 10 and a frame 10. It is configured to include a plurality of steps 12 and a pair of handrail devices 14. Each of these steps 12
Is connected to a step chain 16 driven around an annular road by an electric motor 18. As is well known in the art, on both sides of the step 12, the handrail 19
Are driven in the same direction as the steps 12 and at the same speed. These handrails 19 serve to fix passengers (not shown) while they are on the escalator.

Next, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the handrail device 14. Each of the handrail devices 14 is erected upward from the base 22 in order to support and guide the handrail 19. A handrail panel 20 is provided.

The base portion 22 includes an outer deck 24, an inner deck 26 and a skirt panel 28. The outer deck 24 surrounds a machine (not shown; this machine is known in the art) at the side 31 of the handrail panel 20 opposite the steps 12. Also,
The inner deck 26 is provided adjacent to the steps 12, surrounds a machine (not shown because it is well known in the art), and provides a change between the handrail panel 20 and the skirt panel 28. There is.

The skirt panel 28 is formed from a homogeneous material as a one-piece construction and is preferably made of extruded aluminum. Here, the term “homogeneous” means that all are made of a homogeneous material. For example, PVC plastics, or reinforced plastics with fibers evenly dispersed throughout to increase strength, or a metal that can be constantly formed to have the desired strength can be used.

The skirt panel 28 includes a front surface 30 facing the step 12, a back surface 32 located on the back side of the front surface 30,
The front surface 30 and the back surface 32 are integrally provided with a plurality of ribs 34, and a holding means 36 for holding the skirt panel 28 near the step 12. Here, being integrally formed means between the structural elements, for example, the front surface 30 and the back surface 3.
2 and rib 34 is defined as having no seam. A seam is formed when the separate front and back surfaces are joined with separate ribs. The flange 38 attached to the front surface 30 extends above the uppermost rib 40. The flange 38 is eccentric so that the outer surface 41 and the front surface 30 of the inner deck 26 are flush with each other when the inner deck 26 is attached to the flange 38.

The engagement bolt device 37 is used in the skirt panel 2
It is for holding 8 in close proximity to the step 12.
Specifically, the engagement bolt device 37 has a plurality of C-shaped channels (C-shaped grooves) 42 integrally formed with the back surface 32 of the skirt panel 28 during the extrusion process. The T bolt 44 is inserted into the C channel 42 and rotated to prevent relative movement between the T bolt 44 and the C channel 42. T-shaped bolt 44
Is fixed to a mounting bracket 46 conventionally attached to the frame 10 of the escalator, thereby firmly fixing the skirt panel 28 to the frame 10. It should be noted that the engaging male and female holding means 36 comprising the C-shaped channel and the T-shaped bolt is an example, and other engaging shapes can be used as an alternative.

The skirt panel 28 also includes a lip 50 integrally formed within the skirt panel 28 structure during the extrusion process. The lip 50 and the bolt 52 are
It serves as a position adjusting means 48 for positioning the skirt panel 28 in a plane perpendicular to the steps 12. The lip 50 extends outwardly from the back surface 32 of the skirt panel 28. Proper positioning of the skirt panel 28 in a plane perpendicular to the steps 12 allows the lip 50 and the skirt panel 28 to rest on the bolt 52. Further, the bolt 52 prevents the skirt panel 28 from being displaced below its optimum position.

Further, the skirt panel 28 has the steps 12
It also comprises a flat surface 58 which serves as guide means 54 for guiding the rollers 56 mounted on the. This plane 58
Are integrally formed in the skirt panel 28 between the front surface 30 and the back surface 32. The flat surface 58 is on the side opposite to the rib 38 attached to the inner deck 26, and the front surface 30 and the back surface 32.
The faces are connected. The plane 58 acts as an upper thrust track and limits the distance the roller 56 can travel from the step chain guide track 61 mounted on the frame 10. That is, this plane 58 is
It functions as a regulating member that regulates the upward displacement of the roller 56.

In this embodiment, the skirt panel 28 has a front surface 30, a rear surface 32,
Since the ribs 34 and the like are formed as an integral structure using a homogeneous material, that is, they are integrally formed by extrusion molding of aluminum or injection molding of plastic without using welding or fasteners. The escalator can be manufactured easily and at low cost, and the maintainability can be improved. Furthermore, because it does not cause thermal deformation or external damage due to welding, it has high durability,
Reliability is greatly increased.

Further, the skirt panel 28 is attached to the step 12
Since the C-shaped channel 42, which constitutes a part of the holding means 36 required to be held in the vicinity of, is also integrally formed with the skirt panel 28, the number of separate and independent parts can be greatly reduced.

Further, the installation position of the skirt panel 28 can be optimally adjusted by the position adjusting means 48, and the lip 5 forming a part of the position adjusting means 48.
Since 0 is also integrally formed with the skirt panel 28, the overall configuration can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, since the flat surface 58 is integrally formed on the lower end side of the skirt panel 28, and the roller 56 is guided by the flat surface 58 and positioned, the smooth movement of the step 12 can be maintained. , The reliability can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. According to FIG. 3, a face panel 60 is attached to the front face 30 of the skirt panel 28. The tabs 62 attached to the face panel 60 are inserted into slots 64 formed in the front face 30 of the skirt panel 28 adjacent the plane 58. The opening 66 of the slot 64 is flush with the surface of the front surface 30. The rest of the face panel 60 other than the part inserted into the slot 64 is adhered to the front face 30. This surface panel 60
Is made of a decorative material such as brass, stainless steel, or colored hardened plastic, and functions as both a decorative panel and a wear panel.

This embodiment, which is constructed as described above, also has substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the face panel 60 that covers the front face 30 of the skirt panel 28 is provided, it is possible to prevent the front face 30 from being damaged and improve maintainability.

That is, since the skirt panel 28 is integrally molded, in the unlikely event that the front surface 30 of the skirt panel 28 comes into contact with the step 12, foreign matter, or the like, the other parts will not be damaged. However, the entire skirt panel 28 must be replaced, which may increase the maintenance cost. However, in this embodiment, the face panel 6
Maintenance cost is reduced because only 0 needs to be replaced.

Although the escalator has been described as an example of the man conveyor in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to other man conveyors such as a moving walkway. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. When applied to a moving walkway (not shown), the skirt panel 28 is closer to the movable belt (or pallet, neither shown) than the escalator steps 12.

[0045]

According to the present invention, an integrated skirt panel for a handrail which is easy to assemble and maintain and is inexpensive can be obtained.

Further, since the members forming part of the holding means and the position adjusting means are also integrally formed on the skirt panel,
The number of separate and independent parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing can be performed easily and inexpensively.

Further, since the front surface of the skirt panel is protected by the surface panel, even if the front surface is damaged, it is sufficient to replace the surface panel and the maintainability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of an escalator, which is provided with a plurality of steps and a handrail device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the handrail device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a state in which a face panel is attached to a skirt panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Frame 12 ... Steps 14 ... Handrail device 16 ... Step chain 18 ... Electric motor 19 ... Handrail 20 ... Handrail panel 22 ... Base 24 ... Outer deck 26 ... Inner deck 28 ... Skirt panel 30 ... Front 32 ... rear 34, 38, 40 ... Ribs 36 ... Holding means 37 ... Bolt device 42 ... C-shaped channel 44 ... T type bolt 46 ... Mounting bracket 48 ... Mounting means 50 ... Lip 52 ... bolt 54 ... Guiding means 56 ... Laura 58 ... Plane

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-256993 (JP, A) Actually open 63-201110 (JP, U) Actually open 4-69565 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B66B 23/22

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. An integrated skirt panel for a handrail of an escalator having a plurality of steps, comprising a front surface, a back surface, and
A plurality of ribs integrally formed between the front surface and the back surface, holding means for holding the skirt panel in close proximity to the steps, and positioning the skirt panel in a plane perpendicular to the steps
Integrated skirt panel for handrails, which comprises adjustable position adjusting means for 2. The integrated skirt panel for a handrail according to claim 1, wherein the skirt panel is made of a homogeneous material. 3. The retaining means comprises a plurality of channels integrally formed with the skirt panel and means for cooperating with the channels to adjustably secure the skirt panel to a frame member of an escalator. The integrated skirt panel for handrails according to claim 1, wherein 4. The position adjusting means is adjustably attached to a frame member of the escalator, which is integrally formed with a lip extending outward from the back surface of the skirt panel and aligned with the lip. The integrated skirt panel for a handrail according to claim 1 , further comprising a bolt supported in a vertical plane and adjustable in the plane. 5. The skirt panel includes guide means for guiding a step.
Integrated skirt panel for handrails described in. 6. The integrated skirt panel for a handrail according to claim 5 , wherein the guide means includes an upper thrust track positioned in parallel with a roller track attached to a frame member of the escalator. . 7. The handrail integrated skirt panel according to claim 1, further comprising a face panel attached to a front surface of the skirt panel. 8. An integrated skirt panel for a handrail of an escalator having a plurality of steps, comprising a front surface, a back surface, and
A plurality of ribs integrally formed between the front surface and the back surface, a holding means for holding the skirt panel close to the steps, and a position for adjustably positioning the skirt panel in a plane perpendicular to the steps. An integrated skirt panel for a handrail, which comprises adjusting means and guide means for guiding the steps. 9. The integrated skirt panel for a handrail according to claim 8 , further comprising a face panel attached to a front surface of the skirt panel. 10. The integrated skirt panel for a handrail according to claim 8 , wherein the skirt panel is made of a homogeneous material. 11. An integrated skirt panel for a handrail of a passenger transfer device having passenger transportation means, comprising: a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of ribs integrally formed between the front surface and the back surface.
Holding means for holding the skirt panel in close proximity to the passenger carrying means, and the skirt panel in a plane perpendicular to the steps
An integrated skirt panel for handrails, which comprises an adjustable position adjusting means for positioning the skirt on the handrail.