HK1100551B - Pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent - Google Patents

Description

Pedal device for a travelator or the like

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pallet arrangement for a travelator or the like.

Background

Travelators, like escalators, are transportation devices used to transport people or objects. They differ from escalators, for example, in that they often work in a substantially horizontal position or in a position slightly inclined with respect to their direction of motion, so that successive steps, or pallets, form a substantially flat and linear path, instead of a step-like step as in an escalator. Travelators are also called moving walkways or travelators.

In prior travelators, moving ramps (moving ramps) and escalators, the tread plates are typically made in one piece from compression-moulded aluminium or other suitable metal or metal alloy. One problem with these constructions is that the tooling of the dies used for this purpose is very expensive. A further problem is that a different expensive tool is required for each step or tread type and for each width.

Furthermore, in the prior art pedal devices such as plastic comb strips or the like are used for decorative or warning elements. A disadvantage of these solutions is that the fitting of the comb strips is a difficult and time-consuming operation, since in the known constructions the comb strips are often fixed to the edges of the path of the steps or pallets by screws.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and to obtain a tread arrangement for use in travelators, moving ramps, escalators or the like with an economical easy change, and to obtain a tread arrangement which provides a solution for increased safety and versatile visual functions, such as the presentation of information or advertising, as well as providing a quick and economical maintenance of the tread since the surface parts are easy to replace and which, in addition, only allows replacing damaged parts, so that the entire tread does not need to be replaced due to the damage of the surface. The features of the pedal apparatus of the present invention are disclosed in the aspect of the pedal apparatus provided by the present invention. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by the preferred aspects of the pedal apparatus provided by the invention.

The advantages of the pedal device of the invention include a surface structure of different surface parts which is cheap to manufacture and easy to change. A further advantage is the increased safety of the user, since the light effects indicating the end of the path can be easily realized, so that they are more easily visible than in previously known solutions, and the gaps between steps or pallets can be better sealed than in prior-art solutions. Furthermore, another advantage is that the surface of the step can be used better than before as a display surface for information or advertising. An advantage is also the fact that maintenance of the equipment becomes easier and cheaper, since only the surface parts that are subject to wear need to be replaced. It is also an advantage that the surface element is fastened to the body of the step or tread by means of a lock-shaped snap connection or the like which is easy to release and snap, so that the joint can be easily separated by means of a suitable tool. Another advantage is that the investment in tools is small and therefore the pallets cut to the right length from the extruded long profile can easily and quickly be replaced with different types or shapes of construction when required.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the figures and exemplary embodiments, in which

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a partial oblique section of a pedal according to the present invention;

fig. 2 shows a view of the pallet according to the invention seen from the end of the pallet and with its surfacing elements turned partly apart;

fig. 3 shows a detail view of the pallet according to fig. 2, with the surface elements turned partly apart;

fig. 4 shows a detail of the pallet according to fig. 2 with the surfacing elements partly in its locking groove;

fig. 5 shows a detail of the pallet according to fig. 2, with the surface elements locked to the body of the pallet;

fig. 6 shows an oblique view of a detail of a preferred construction according to an embodiment of the invention, seen from the end of the pallet, and with its surface elements locked to the pallet body;

fig. 7 shows an oblique view of a detail of the construction according to fig. 6, seen from the end of the pallet, with the locking of the surfacing elements thereof released;

fig. 8 shows an oblique view of the structure according to fig. 6 in partial section from the lower part of the pallet, with the locking of the surfacing element active at the same time;

fig. 9 shows an oblique view, partly in section and in detail, of the structure according to fig. 6, seen from the lower part of the pallet, and with the locking of the surfacing elements thereof released; and

fig. 10 shows an oblique view of the structure according to fig. 6 in partial section from below of the pallet, with the locking of its surfacing elements released and one surfacing element partially broken away.

Detailed Description

The pedal device 1 of the present invention comprises a pedal body 3, preferably made by extruding aluminium or other suitable metal or alloy into a suitable profile. In the manufacture of such profiles, a certain type of profile is extruded into a rod of a length well suited for manufacturing, transport or other purposes. From these profile rods, parts are cut out in the later manufacture of the tread plate, which parts have a length that is very suitable for this purpose. Thus, the same profile can easily be used for pallets of different lengths, so that the width of the moving path of the travelator can easily be varied. Wheels 3 at each end of the pallets are fixed to the pallet body 2, as are fixing elements 4 at least one end for connecting the pallets 1 to an endless chain, toothed belt, rope or other similar structure for moving the pallets. Furthermore, one or more surfacing elements 5 extruded from plastic or a corresponding material forming the wearing surface of the pallet are fixed to the body 2 of the pallet, on which surfacing elements the desired corrugations in the direction of the path of movement of the pallet are also included. Between the lower surface of the surfacing element 5 and the upper surface of the pallet body 2 there is also placed a damping plate 6, which serves to eliminate any unevenness between the surfacing element 5 and the body and to damp clacking, squeaking or similar noises. The buffer plate 6 may be a thin metal sheet or preferably a sheet of a material softer than metal, such as plastic, rubber or the like.

The width of the surfacing elements 5 according to the invention is defined such that it is possible to cover pallet bodies of different widths with a suitable number of surfacing elements 5 of the same width or of different widths, so that the same components can be used for assembling pallets of different lengths.

Each surfacing element 5 has at each end, preferably on the lower part or lower surface of the surfacing element, seen from the end of the pallet, one or more form-locking coupling elements or similar coupling elements 7 and 8, which are placed in position at the surfacing element end, so that the surfacing element is firmly supported in position on the pallet body 2 and so that the surfacing element can be easily pressed into place, again easily removed from the body by means of a suitable tool. Correspondingly, located substantially at suitable points in the upper surface of the front and rear edges of the body 2 of the pallet are locking grooves 9 and 10 corresponding to the above-mentioned connecting elements, into which the connecting elements 7 and 8 are secured by means of a snap-in connection.

The upper surface of the first edge of the pallet body 2, seen from the end of the pallet, is provided with a locking groove 9 of substantially L-shaped cross-section, the projection of its lower part pointing towards the first edge of the pallet. The locking groove 9 has a length that covers substantially the entire length of the pallet body 2. Correspondingly, the first edge of the surfacing element 5, seen from the end of the pallet, is provided with one or more coupling elements 7 of L-shaped cross-section, the lower projection of which extends towards the first edge of the surfacing element 5. The size and shape of the coupling element 7 are adapted to the size and shape of the locking groove 9 so that the surfacing element 5 can be locked by its first edge to the pallet body by inserting one or more coupling elements 7 into the locking groove 9 while the surfacing element 5 is in an inclined position and turning the surfacing element so that its lower surface is gradually parallel to the upper surface of the pallet body.

The upper surface of the second edge of the pallet body 2, seen from the end of the pallet, is provided with a shape-locking groove 10 located close to the second edge and extending over the entire length of the pallet body 2. The inner edge of the groove 10 is provided with a groove 11 extending horizontally toward the middle portion of the pedal body 2. Correspondingly, the inner surface of one or more connection elements 8 near the second edge of the surfacing element 5 is provided with protrusions 8 corresponding to the recesses 11. Furthermore, located in the shape-locking groove 10 is a locking element 13 of a length corresponding substantially to the entire length of the pallet body 2, which element is an eccentric rod, as shown for example in fig. 2-5, one end of which rod extends outside the end of the body 2, which end has a nut 19 or a corresponding profile, which eccentric shaft (eccentric craft) is turned around its longitudinal axis by means of a tool. The size and shape of the coupling elements 8 are adapted to the size and shape of the shape-locking groove 10, so that the surfacing element 5 can be locked by its second edge to the pallet body by pressing one or more coupling elements 8 into the shape-locking groove 10 and locking one or all coupling elements 8 into position in the shape-locking groove 10 by means of a single operation and a single locking movement of the locking element 13. In the solution illustrated in fig. 2-5, the locking effect is achieved by turning the eccentric shaft of the locking element 13 from the end of the eccentric shaft by means of a suitable tool, thereby locking all the connecting elements 8 simultaneously. Fig. 5 reveals the situation in which the connecting element 8 is locked in the shape-locking groove 10 by means of the eccentric shaft of the locking element 13. In this case, the projection 12 of the connecting element 8 is locked in the recess 11 of the shape-locking groove 10.

Fig. 6-10 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the surfacing element 5 and the joining elements 7 and 8 have a structure substantially similar to that of the first embodiment described above. Similarly, the locking groove 9 and the shape-locking groove 10 are substantially the same as in the above-described embodiment. The structural and functional differences constitute different locking elements 14 which lock the surfacing element 5 in place by a single linear locking movement in the longitudinal direction of the body 2. Fig. 6 shows the situation where the locking element 14 is pushed into its locking position in the body 2, the surfacing element 5 thus being securely locked to the body 2. Correspondingly, fig. 7 shows the situation where the locking element 14 is pulled out from the end of the body 2 to a position where the surfacing element 5 can be lifted freely from the locking groove 10.

In fig. 8-10, the structure of the locking element 14 and its locking and releasing positions are shown more particularly as seen from the lower part of the body. The ends of the part bodies are cut away in the figures for clarity of illustration. The shape of the locking groove 10 has been set such that a flat and rectangular locking element 14, similar to a flat bar, can slide in the locking groove 10 in the longitudinal direction of the pallet body 2 in cross section. The locking element 14 also has a length substantially equal to the length of the pallet body 2 and the end of the locking element 14 has a profile extending beyond the end of the body 2 so that the locking element can easily be moved, for example a turn (elbow)18, for moving the locking element. The inner edge 17 of the actual locking portion is provided with notches 15 opening in the middle of the pallet body 2 at regular intervals. The spacing between the incisions and their shape and size correspond to the connection elements 8, which connection elements 8 are arranged in a straight line at a horizontal distance from each other on the lower surface of the surfacing element. The rear edge of the cutout 15 is provided with a bevelled edge 16 designed to allow the locking element 14 to be pushed into the locking position more easily, wherein the inner edge 17 of the locking element presses the connecting element 8 by the outer surface of the connecting element 8 against the inner edge of the locking groove 10. This causes the projection 12 of the locking element to be pressed into the groove 11 in the locking groove and the surfacing element 5 to be locked in place. To achieve locking, the locking element 14 is pushed into position inside the body 2 or is forced in by, for example, a hammer striking a bent tube 18 on the end of the locking element. In the locking operation, all connecting elements 8 are locked substantially simultaneously by the linear movement of the locking element 14.

The surfacing element 5 is released by an operation opposite to the locking operation. This release can also be accomplished by a single simultaneous release movement of all the locking elements 8. When using the locking element 13 according to fig. 2-5, the surface element is released by turning the eccentric shaft of the locking element 13 by turning the nut 19 at the end of the shaft, e.g. using a fork wrench until the coupling element 8 in the shape-locking groove 10 is released and the coupling element 8 is lifted out of the shape-locking groove 10 and the coupling element 7 is pulled obliquely out of the locking groove 9 at the first edge. Correspondingly, when using the locking element 14 as shown in fig. 6-10, the locking of the connecting element 8 is released by pulling the locking element 14 out of the end of the body a suitable distance and lifting the connecting element 8 away from said locking groove 10.

The pallet according to the invention may have surfacing elements 5 which consist of surfacing sheets of different colours, but also of transparent or translucent surfacing sheets. In the case of these transparent or translucent surface panels, between the body and the surface panels can be placed for example notices, advertisements or other elements of varying appearance printed on paper, plastic or similar material, which can be illuminated from below or from the sides of the product to obtain different visual effects. The transparent or translucent surface plate is preferably located in the middle part of the pallet 1. By placing surface plates with different colours at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the pallets 1, the appearance of successive pallets can be varied, so that the appearance of the moving path of the travelator can easily be changed to a different appearance.

The solution of the invention also allows the gap between successive pallets 1 in the travelator to be made correspondingly wider than in the prior art solutions, and even ten times wider according to the paving solution (surfacing solution), so that the transparent or translucent gap thus formed can be illuminated from below to warn, for example, of a danger arising from approaching the end of the travel path. Since the attention effect of the warning lamp in the wide gap thus formed is excellent, it is possible to effectively remind a passenger who is concentrating on watching a notice or advertisement or the like that the passenger is about to reach the end of the moving path. When the plastic element is illuminated from the side, an attractive illumination effect can also be produced, since the light is dispersed at the top of, for example, the above-mentioned corrugations.

If desired, suitable sealing surfaces or other suitable sealing structures, such as sealing lips, can also be easily fastened to the extruded plastic surface elements 5, said sealing being designed to approximate the gap between successive pallets 1. In other respects, the use of a seal enhances the safety of operation and prevents small objects from falling into the mechanical structure of the travelator.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples described above, but that it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. Thus, the number, size, shape and functional method of the locking grooves and locking elements may vary from the embodiments described above. Likewise, not all of the above elements need be used in such a pedal. A given tread may be provided with, for example, only a single type of surface plate. Similarly, the material and method of manufacture of the pedal body may differ from that described above. Further, the size, shape, structure, and material of the surface elements may be different from those described above. Thus, for example, the surface parts of the footplate may be made of a material other than plastic.

Claims (8)

1. A pallet arrangement for a travelator, in which arrangement a pallet (1) moving on wheels (3) forms part of a path, and which is composed of at least one pallet body (2) and at least one surfacing element (5) mounted on the body (2), characterized in that the surfacing element (5) is fixed to the body (2) of the pallet (1) by means of one or more connecting elements (8) arranged on the surfacing element (5) and locking grooves (10) and locking elements (13, 14) arranged on the body (2), so that the locking movement in the locking operation and the releasing movement in the releasing operation are arranged to act substantially simultaneously on all connecting elements (8) in the shape-locking groove (10), and the locking element (13, 14) is an elongated member extending substantially longitudinally along the pedal body (2).

2. A pallet arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (13, 14) is an elongated piece extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the pallet body (2) and having a length substantially equal to the length of the body (2).

3. A pedal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member (13, 14) is located substantially inside the body (2) such that one end of the locking member (13, 14) projects from the end of the body (2).

4. A pedal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end of the locking element (13, 14) extending out of the body (2) has a profile (18, 19) which allows the locking element to be easily moved to effect the locking and releasing movement.

5. A pedal device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (13) is formed by an eccentric lever which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and has eccentric cams which are adapted to press the coupling elements (8) in the shape-locking grooves (10) into their locking position.

6. A pallet arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (14) consists of a flat bar which is linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the body (2) and which has a cut-out (15), the inner edges (17) of which are adapted to press the connecting elements (8) in the shape-locking groove (10) into their locking position.

7. A pallet arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first edge of the pallet body (2) is provided with a locking groove (9) having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, in which groove a coupling element (7) provided in the lower surface of the surfacing element (5) and having a substantially L-shaped cross-section is placed, and that the second edge of the body (2) is provided with a locking groove (10), in which groove the coupling element (8) provided in the lower surface of the surfacing element (5) is locked by means of the locking element (13, 14).

8. Pedal device according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking groove (9) and the shape-locking groove (10) in the upper surface of the body have a length substantially equal to the length of the pedal body (2) and a cross-section substantially constant over their entire length.