GB2181710A - Side skirting for escalators or moving pavements - Google Patents

Abstract

Side skirting for escalators or moving pavements has a skirting structure (10) which extends longitudinally alongside the steps or pallets (S) and has a sidewall (12) mounted in support means (18) and adjustably mounted in stationary support members (30), for setting the distance between the skirting structure and the step band or pallet, in a manner permitting screw-adjustment, and with one or more switches (38) which are installed at fixed positions along the skirting structure and which, in the event of transverse movements of a defined magnitude, switch off the escalator, so that it ceases to operate. Each switch (38) has an actuating element in the form of a sleeve (46) which is slidably mounted within a bore (34) in the support means (18) while bearing, on the inside, against the skirting structure sidewall (12) which is adjacent the step band or pallet (S), with a spring preload, and carrying, at the opposite end, a first adjusting screw (52) for setting the amount by which the skirting (12) may be permitted to shift and/or bend before the switch (38) is tripped. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Side skirting for escalators or moving pavements The invention relates to side skirting for escalators or moving pavements, with a skirting structure which extends longitudinally alongside the steps or pallets and which has a generally vertical sidewail, with re- taining devices which are connected to the rearsurface of the skirting structure and fastened, with the aid of generally horizontal bolts for setting the distance between the skirting structure and the step band, in stationary, u-shaped supporting members, in a manner permitting screw-adjustment, and with one or more switches which are installed at fixed positions along the skirting structure, and which, in the event of movements ofthe skirting structure of a defined magnitude, switch off the escalator or moving pavement, so that it ceases to operate.

In the operation of escalators or moving pavements, care must be taken to ensure that objects cannot become jammed between the step band and the skirting structure, the latter being retained at a fixed distance from the former. The relevant official regulations contain requirements to the effect that the clearance between the skirting structure and the step band must not exceed only a few millimetres, and that the metal plate forming the skirting structure must distort elastically in the event of it being stressed by a defined force, and by only a defined amount.

In the case of a side skirting of the type discussed above and disclosed, for example, in German Patent Specification No. 2,941,773, the skirting structure is formed by a metal plate which has a shape app roximating to a "C" the free ends of this plate being gripped in a clamp-type holderwhich, in its turn, is fastened in the stationary supporting frame by means ofthe retaining bolts, in a manner such that the skirting structure can be adjusted to the required distance from the step band.The skirting structure is preloaded into its operative position, adjacentthe step band, by means of compression springs which are provided on the retaining bolts, and it can yield against the spring force, the intention being to prevent, as far as possible, the occurrence of potentially dangerous incidents involving jamming between the step band and the skirting structure.

In this known structural design, it is regarded as disadvantageous that, in the event of an incident involving jamming, the force exerted upon the skirting structure is transmitted to the compression springs, which are situated upon the retaining bolts, via the clamp-type skirting holders, or that, up to the actuation of the switch, this force-transmission occurs over an indirect path. This means that, in orderto ac tuate the switch, it is necessary, first of all, to over come the preload due to the springs on the retaining bolts.From this, it follows that an incident involving flexure of the skirting structure, for example in the region between the retaining bolts, altogetherfailsto manifest itself as a switching operation, although distortions ofthis nature can also entail hazards which necessitate the immediate stopping of the es calator.

Accordingly, the object underlying the present invention is to improve the side skirting ofthetype specified above such that the switch (microswitch), which is provided in each case, will interruptthees- calator control circuit if the skirting plate, which is adjacent the step band, flexes by a defined amount, and which will in fact perform this function irrespective ofwhetherthe side skirting is installed as unitary, fixed assembiy, or in a manner such that it can yield laterally.

According to the present invention there is provided side skirting for escalators or moving pavements, with a skirting structure which extends longitudinally alongside the steps or pallets and which has a sidewall adjustably mounted in support means for setting the distance between the skirting structure and the step band orpallet, in stationarysupport members, in a manner permitting screw-adjustment, and with one or more switches which are installed at fixed positions along the skirting structure and which, in the event of transverse movements of a defined magnitude, switch off the escalator, so that it ceases to operate, each switch having a actuating element in the form of a sleeve which is slidabiy mounted within a bore in the support means while bearing, on the inside, against the skirting structure sidewall which is adjacent the step band or pallet, with a spring preload, and carrying, at the opposite end, a first adjusting screw for setting the amount by which the skirting may be permitted to shift and/or bend before the switch is tripped.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve is slidable towards the switch, against the force of the return spring, as soon as the skirting structure or its sidewall is acted upon by a transverse force as a result, for example, of an object becoming jammed between the skirting and the step band. If the amount offlexure or elastic distortion produced in this way is sufficient, according to the adjustment which has been made, it causes the switch to inter rupt the escalator control current.

In the same way, the switching-offfunction is also guaranteed if the escalator or oving pavement happens to be of a type in which the skirting structure is resiliently preloaded, upon the supporting bolts, in an extreme position adjacent the step band as a unitary assemblytogetherwith the retaining device. In the case ofthis embodiment, the lateral force which is exerted upon the skirting,for example by an object which has become jammed, is transmitted to the spring means installed on the retaining bolts, via there- taining devices, sothatthe switching-offoperation then occurs without movement of the sliding sleeve relative to the retaining device. However, in this case, the design according to the invention additionally guarantees that the drive of the escalator or moving pavement is switched off even in the event of incidents involving flexure of the skirting sidewall, which may possibly occur earlier than the lateral shifting movements ofthe skirting structure as a whole, and independentlyofthese lateral movements.

The special manner in which the skirting structure is configured and retained is not intended to restrict the application of the present invention, the essence of which is that the adjustable sliding sleeve guaran tees that the switch, installed at a fixed location, will perform its switching function irrespective of whetheror not it is intended to ailowfor a resilient deformation ofthe skirting surface. Furtherfeatures and advantages ofthe invention will emerge from the following description of an illustrative embodiment, aided by the accompanying drawings which shows a diagrammatic vertical section through a side skirting according to the invention, this skirting being designed for an escalator.Referring to the drawing, in an escalator shaft, individual U-shaped supporting members 30 are fastened to a stationary supporting part T, in that the ends of their legs, which in the drawing point to the left, are welded to the supporting partT. A side skirting 10, having a skirting wall 12, is located at a pre-determined, precisely-set distance from the step band, the latter being diagrammatically indicated at the position S.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, the side skirting 10 is formed buy a metal skirting plate which has a shape approximating to a "C", and is gripped or, rather, clamped by means of a retaining device. In the present case, the retaining device consists of a clamp-type holder which comprises, in its turn, two clamping plates 18, between which the upper and lower ends 14and l6oftheskirting plate 10 are gripped. Threaded retaining bolts 20 are used forthis purpose, extending through clearance holes in the plates 18 which form the clamp-type holder and are clamped between the bolt head and a clamping unit 22.

The bolts 20, spaced in pairs along the top and bottom ofthe plates 18, retain the skirting structure, and are also arranged in a mannerwherebytheyare distributed overthe length oftheskirting structure, at adequate longitudinal intervals and, in the illustrative embodiment shown, carry stacks 26 of disc springs. Each disc-spring stack26seats upon astop bush 28 which is screwed onto the associated retaining bolt 20, so thatthe spring unit, supported against the U-shaped supporting member 30, urges there- taining bolt 20 to the right (as seen in the drawing) together with the side skirting 10.In order to adjust the extreme, or operating position of the side skirting 10, relative to the step band S, travel-limiting nuts 24 are provided on the inner ends ofthe retaining bolts 20 or, rather, on the stop bush 28, as well as lock nuts 25 on the bolts themselves.

In consequence, the position of the side skirting 10 can be adjusted againsttheforce exerted bythespring-stacks 26, guidance being effected by the retaining bolts or, rather, by the stop bushes 28, in aperture which are provided for this purpose, in the U-shaped supporting member 30.

As described so far, the construction of the side skirting 10, and its shifting movements to the left in the event of incidents involving jamming with the step band, corresponds roughly to the state of the art. However, the present invention is also relevantto those types of construction in which the side skirting 10 is rigidly fastened to the U-shaped supporting member 30, orto a retaining structure which has the same function.

Microswitches 38 are provided on the U-shaped supporting members 30, preferably near the beginning of each individual escalator, and also, if appropriate, in its end region, each switch being fastened to the U-shaped supporting member, with the aid of a fixing nut 40, in a manner such that the switch plunger42 points towards the side skirting 10.

When a plunger42 is actuated, the associated microswitch 38 is operated and brings about an interruption in the drive control currentforthe escalator. Irrespective of whetherthe side skirting 10 is mounted resiliently, as shown, orwhetherthe intention isto sense only resilient bending orflexureoftheskirting plate sidewall 12,the means of actuating the microswitch 38 must be capable of being set in a precise manner, to tenths of a millimetre, so asto stopthe escalator drive immediately any hazard arises.

Opposite the region in which each microswitch 38 is fastened to the associated U-shaped supporting member 30, sleeve 46 is slidably mounted within a bore 34 in the retaining plates 18forming the clamptype holder, this sleeve 46 carrying an annular shoulder48 at its end adjacent the switch. The sliding sleeve 46 is provided with an interval thread, into which a hexagon-headed adjusting screw 54 is screwed, the screw head bearing against the inside ofthe side skirting, that is to say against the skirting sidewall 12. A helical spring causes the head ofthe adjusting screw 54, which has been screwed into the sliding sleeve 46,to remain in contact with the skirting sidewall 12 during any change in the position of the skirting structure 10, or of its sidewall 12.

A second adjusting screw 52 is used for making fine adjustments on the switch side, the head of this screw 52 being located opposite to and in alignment with the switch plunger 42 with the desired, adjustable clearance.

As soon as a lateral force acting upon the skirting sidewall 12 causes this sidewall to deform slightly, this deformation is transmitted, via the adjusting screw 54and against the force of the helical spring 50, to the sliding sleeve 46 which, according to the drawing, is consequently moved to the left. The adjusting screw 52 then presses against the microswitch plunger 42, so asto bring aboutthe interruption in the control current, provided that the deformation travel is large enough to take up the clearance between the plunger and the adjusting screw 52 and, in addition, the switch throw. Any suitable locking pro cedurecan be used in orderto lock the adjusting screws 52 and 54 in their respective positions. The clearance apertures 34 in the plates 18forming the clamp-type holder are dimensioned for guiding the associated sleeve 46 with adequate precision.

Claims (6)

1. Side skirting for escalators or moving pavements, with a skirting structure which extends longitudinally alongside the steps or pallets and which has a sidewall adjustably mounted in support means for setting the distance between the skirting structure and the step band or pallet, in stationary support members, in a manner permitting screw-adjustment, and with one or more switches which are installed at fixed positions along the skirting structure and which, in the event of transverse movements of a def ined magnitude, switch off the escalator, so that it ceases to operate, each switch has an actuating element in the form of a sleeve which is slidablymoun- ted within a bore in the support means while bearing, on the inside, against the skirting structure sidewall which is adjacent the step band orpallet,with aspring preload, and carrying, at the opposite end, a first adjusting screwforsetting the amount by which the skirting may be permitted to shift and/or bend before the switch is tripped.

2. Side skirting according to claim 1, wherein each slidable sleeve is provided with an annular shoulder at its end facing the associated switch, this shoulder limiting the return movement of the sleeve towards the sidewall of the skirting structure, which return movement is effected by the spring preload.

3. Sideskirting according to claim 1 orclaim2, wherein each slidable sleeve carries a second adjust ing screw at the end adjacentthe skirting and struc- ture sidewall,the head ofthis screw bearing against the sidewall and acting as a stop for a helical spring which surrounds the sleeve, the other end ofthis spring being supported againstthe support means.

4. Side skirting according to cliam 3, wherein each slidable sleeve, including the first and second adjusting screws, is designed in a manner such that it will also actuate the associated switch upon bending deflection ofthe skirting sidewall.

5. Side skirting for escalators or moving pavements substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. An escalator or moving pavement embodying side skirting according to any of the preceding claims.