HK1110297B - Handrail for a travelator, escalator or moving ramp and methods for mounting a handrail belt on a handrail and removing from a handrail - Google Patents

Description

Handrail for a travelator, escalator or moving ramp and method for mounting and removing a handrail belt on and from a handrail

Technical Field

The invention relates to a handrail for a travelator, moving ramp or escalator. Further, the invention relates to a method for mounting a handrail belt onto a handrail. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for removing a handrail belt from a handrail.

Background

Handrails for travelators, moving ramps or escalators are well known in the art. Such handrails comprise a handrail belt which moves as an endless loop. The handrail belt runs at a speed synchronized with the speed of movement of the conveyor of the travelator, moving ramp or escalator, so that the passengers on the travelator can grip the upper handhold portion of the handrail with the hands for support. At the end of the handrail belt is turned 180 at the turn-around portion to form a return portion in the opposite return direction with respect to the direction of movement of the upper handhold portion, the return portion usually running inside the frame structure to the other end of the travelator.

The handrail further comprises a handrail frame to support the handrail belt loop, said frame being connected to the frame of the travelator, moving ramp or escalator. The handrail frame comprises an upper guide device which supports and guides the handrail portion of the handrail belt. A turn-around guide having a curved shape, usually a circular arc, supports and guides the handrail belt at its turn-around portion.

In order to tension the handrail belt, the handrail belt must be provided with some kind of tensioning device. Tensioning of the handrail belt is normally achieved by arranging a tensioning ring in the handrail belt close to the drive pulley, or by arranging a plurality of rings in the return portion of the handrail belt.

The problem with such prior art tensioners is that the tensioner and the turnaround required for tensioning bend the handrail belt in different directions and take up a lot of space in the frame structure, which is why they are not suitable for travelators, moving ramps or escalators designed to be mounted on the base, in which the frame structure should be as low as possible. Furthermore, the bending of the handrail belt at locations other than the turning ends and the reverse bending in different directions beyond the turning ends increases the wear of the handrail belt and greatly shortens its service life. Furthermore, in prior art handrails, it is difficult and time consuming to install and remove the handrail belt.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

A particular object of the invention is to disclose a handrail in which the handrail belt undergoes as little bending as possible, so that no additional bending is required for tensioning and no reverse bending at all occurs.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a handrail wherein the handrail belt is subject to less wear and has a longer service life.

It is a further object of the invention to disclose a simple and economical method for mounting/removing a handrail belt.

To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handrail for a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, comprising:

a handrail belt, arranged to move as an endless belt loop, having an upper handhold portion which can be gripped by a hand for support by a passenger on the travelator, a lower return portion and a turnaround end portion at which the return portion is turned at the end of the travelator to become a handhold portion and vice versa,

a handrail frame connected to the frame and comprising an upper guide for supporting and guiding the upper handrail part and a turn guide for supporting and guiding the curvature of the turn end, an

A overspeed device tensioner for tensioning handrail area characterized in that: the handrail frame comprises a first handrail frame part fixedly mounted on the frame of the travelator, and a second handrail frame part, to which a turn-around guide is connected and which is guided to be movable in relation to the first handrail frame part in the direction of the handrail between a mounting position, in which the handrail belt can be removed from and/or mounted onto the handrail, and a tensioning position, in which the handrail belt is in a tensioned state; and a tensioning device is arranged and acts between the first handrail frame part and the second handrail frame part to move the second handrail frame part relative to the first handrail frame part and to lock the second handrail frame part in place.

Preferably, the first handrail frame portion comprises:

a profiled beam mountable on the frame of the travelator, which profiled beam has a hollow interior space through which the return portion of the handrail belt is guided to run,

a plate-shaped panel mounted on the forming beam, an upper guide mounted to the upper edge of the plate-shaped panel and

a support member mounted to the profiled beam, the tensioning device being arranged to act between the support member and the second handrail frame part.

Preferably, the profiled beam comprises a top wall defining an interior space in an upward direction, the upper surface of the top wall being provided with longitudinal mounting slots for mounting the panel and the support.

Preferably, the second handrail frame part comprises a guide profile, which comprises:

an upper straight first portion forming an extension of the upper guide of the first handrail frame part,

a lower, straight second portion, fitting within the interior space of the profiled beam,

a curved portion forming a turn-around guide and comprising a plurality of sequentially arranged support rollers to support the handrail belt from inside the handrail belt.

Preferably, the second handrail frame part is guided by means of an upper first guide element and a lower second guide element, so as to be movable in the direction of the handrail between a mounting position and a tensioning position,

the first guide is provided for guiding the first portion of the guide profile to move in linear alignment with the upper guide,

the second guide is provided for guiding the second portion of the guide profile to move in linear alignment with the profiled beam.

Preferably, the top wall of the profiled beam is provided with a first elongated through hole oriented in the longitudinal direction of the profiled beam, while the second handrail frame part comprises a T-shaped guide, which is mounted to the second part of the guide profile and which comprises a vertical web, which passes through the first elongated through hole from the inside to the outside of the profiled beam, and a horizontal flange, which is connected to the web and arranged to be supported on the upper surface of the top wall, said second guide thus comprising the first elongated through hole and the web and flange of the T-shaped guide.

Preferably, the first portion of the guide profile comprises a second elongated through hole and the first handrail frame portion comprises an elongated insertion profile mounted on the upper edge of the panel and mounted slidable in the first portion of the guide profile, provided with a projecting peg guided by and slidable in the second elongated through hole, said first guide element thus comprising the second elongated through hole, the insertion profile and the projecting peg.

Preferably, the tensioning device is an active telescopic type of power device.

Preferably, the tensioning device comprises a threaded rod connected to the second handrail frame part and having an external thread, and a threaded sleeve connected to the first handrail frame part and provided with an internal thread, the threaded rod being attached to the threaded sleeve to be turned.

Preferably, the threaded sleeve is connected to the support.

Preferably, the tensioning device is arranged in the middle area of the handrail, seen in the vertical direction, at substantially equal vertical distances from the first and second portions of the guide profile.

Preferably, the power means of the active telescopic type are pressure medium operated cylinders.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for mounting a handrail belt onto a handrail as defined in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, characterized by:

moving the second handrail frame part relative to the first handrail frame part to an installation position in which the length of the perimeter supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame is shorter than the length of the perimeter of the free, untensioned handrail belt loop,

mounting a handrail belt to a handrail frame, an

Moving the second handrail frame part relative to the first handrail frame part to a tensioned position in which the length of the perimeter supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame is slightly larger than the length of the perimeter of the free, untensioned handrail belt loop to generate a tensile tension in the handrail belt, wherein the second handrail frame part is moved relative to the first handrail frame part to an installed position using a tensioning device arranged to act between the first handrail frame part and the second handrail frame part, and

the second handrail frame part is moved into a tensioning position relative to the first handrail frame part using a tensioning device, which is arranged to act between the first handrail frame part and the second handrail frame part.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for removing a handrail belt from a handrail as defined according to the first aspect of the invention, characterized by:

moving the second handrail frame part relative to the first handrail frame part to an installation position in which the length of the perimeter supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame is shorter than the length of the perimeter of a free, untensioned handrail belt loop, and

the handrail belt is taken down from the handrail frame,

wherein the second handrail frame part is moved into the mounting position relative to the first handrail frame part using a tensioning device, which is arranged to act between the first handrail frame part and the second handrail frame part.

According to the invention, the handrail frame of the handrail comprises a first handrail frame part, which is fixedly mounted on the frame of the travelator, and a second handrail frame part, to which the turn-around guide is connected. The second handrail frame part is guided, movable relative to the first handrail frame part in the direction of the handrail between a mounting position and a tensioning position. In the installation position, the handrail belt can be removed from the handrail and/or mounted to the handrail. In the tensioned position the handrail belt is in a tensioned state. A tensioning device is mounted to move the second handrail frame part relative to the first handrail frame part and lock it in place.

According to the invention, in the method of mounting a handrail belt on a handrail, the second handrail frame part is moved relative to the first handrail frame part into a mounting position in which the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame is shorter than the length of the circumference of a free, untensioned handrail belt loop. The handrail belt is then mounted on the frame. Finally, the second handrail frame part is moved relative to the first handrail frame part into a tensioned position in which the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame is slightly longer than the length of the circumference of the free, untensioned handrail belt loop to create a tensile tension in the handrail belt.

According to the method of the invention, the handrail belt is in the future removed from the handrail, the second handrail frame part is moved relative to the first handrail frame part to an installation position in which the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame is shorter than the length of the circumference of the free, untensioned handrail belt loop, whereupon the handrail belt is removed from the handrail frame.

The advantage of the invention is that since the tensioning of the handrail belt is achieved by moving the turn-around guide in the area of the turn-around end, the handrail belt only needs to be bent in its natural bending direction and with a larger radius at the turn-around end in the area of the turn-around guide and no other bending or counter-bending at all is needed for tensioning, whereby the handrail belt has a longer service life due to the reduction of wear. The handrail belt can be easily and quickly installed and removed.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the first handrail frame part comprises a profiled beam mountable on the frame of the travelator. The profiled beam has a hollow interior space through which the return portion of the handrail belt is guided for running. The plate-like panels are attached to the profiled beam. The upper guide is mounted to the upper edge of the panel. The support is mounted to the profiled beam. The tensioning device is mounted to act between the support element and the second handrail frame part.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the profiled beam comprises a top wall defining an interior space in an upward direction. The upper surface of the top wall is provided with longitudinal mounting slots for mounting the panel and the support.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the second handrail frame part comprises a guide profile. The guide profile comprises an upper straight first portion which forms an extension of the upper guide of the first handrail frame part. In addition, the guide profile comprises a lower straight second portion, which is mounted in the inner space of the profiled beam. Furthermore, the guide profile has a curved portion which forms a turn-around guide and comprises a plurality of successively arranged supporting rollers for supporting the handrail belt from the inside.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the second handrail frame part is guided, movable in the direction of the handrail between the mounting position and the tensioning position, by means of an upper first guide and a lower second guide. The upper guide is mounted to guide the first part of the guide profile to move in linear alignment with the upper guide, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the handrail. The lower second guide guides the second part of the guide profile to move in linear alignment with the profiled beam.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the top wall of the profiled beam is provided with a first elongated through hole positioned in the longitudinal direction of the profiled beam. The second handrail frame part comprises a T-shaped guide which is mounted to the second part of the guide profile. The T-shaped guide comprises a vertical web which extends from the interior of the profiled beam through the first slot. Furthermore, the T-guide comprises a horizontal flange connected to the web and arranged to bear on the upper surface of the profiled beam. The second guide member includes a first slot and a web and flange of the T-shaped guide member.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the first portion of the guide profile comprises a second elongated through hole. The first handrail frame part comprises an elongated insertion profile which is mounted on the upper edge of the panel and is arranged slidable inside the first part of the guide profile, and arranged on the insertion profile is a projecting peg or the like which is guided by and slidable in the second elongated hole. The first guide member includes a second elongated hole, an insertion profile, and a projecting peg.

In an embodiment of the handrail the tensioning device is an active telescopic type of power device, such as a pressure medium operated cylinder or the like.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the tensioning device comprises a threaded rod connected to the second handrail frame part and having an external thread, and a threaded sleeve connected to the first handrail frame part and having an internal thread, the threaded rod being mounted on the threaded sleeve to be turned.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the threaded sleeve is connected with the support.

In an embodiment of the handrail, the tensioning device is arranged in the middle area of the handrail, seen in the vertical direction, at substantially equal vertical distances from the first and second portions of the guide profile.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the following examples and the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an oblique top isometric view of one end of a travelator, moving ramp or escalator provided with an embodiment of the handrail of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows first and second arm frame portions separated from one another; and

figure 3 shows an oblique top isometric view of another embodiment of an armrest of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a travelator, moving ramp or escalator and a part of the end of a handrail arranged on one side thereof. The handrail comprises a handrail belt 1 arranged to move as an endless belt loop. In fig. 1, the profile of the handrail belt portion is illustrated with dotted and dashed lines. The handrail belt 1 has an upper handhold portion 2, which a passenger on the travelator can grasp with his hands for support, a lower return portion 3 and a turnaround end portion 4. In the turnaround end 4, the return 3 turns by 180 ° to become the handhold 2 and vice versa.

The handrail frame 5 is supported on the frame F of the travelator. The handrail frame 5 comprises an upper guide 6 which supports and guides the handhold portion 2 of the handrail belt loop. Furthermore, the handrail frame 5 comprises a curved turn-around guide 7 (see fig. 2) to support and guide the turn-around end.

The handrail frame 5 comprises a fixed first handrail frame part 9, which is fixedly mounted on the frame F of the travelator, and a movable second handrail frame part 10, to which the turn-around guide 7 is connected. The second handrail frame part 10 is guided so as to be movable in the direction of the handrail relative to the first handrail frame part 9 between a mounting position I and a tensioning position II. In the installation position I the handrail belt can be detached from and/or mounted on the handrail, because in this position the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt 1 and determined by the handrail frame 5 is smaller than the length of the circumference of the free, untensioned handrail belt loop. In the tensioned position II the handrail belt 1 is in a tensioned state, because in this position the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt 1 and determined by the handrail frame 5 is slightly larger than the length of the circumference of a free, untensioned handrail belt loop to create a tensile tension in the handrail belt 1.

The second handrail frame part 10 is moved and locked in position relative to the first handrail frame part 9 by the tensioning device 8.

Referring to fig. 2, the first handrail frame part 8 comprises a profiled beam 11 mounted on top of the frame F of the travelator.

The profiled beam has a hollow interior space 12 through which the return portion 3 of the handrail belt is guided to travel, as can be seen from fig. 1. The plate-like panels 13 are fixed to the profiled beam 11 with fasteners. The profiled beam 11 comprises a top wall 16 delimiting the inner space 12 in the upper direction, the upper surface 17 of which is provided with a longitudinal mounting groove 18, the mounting groove 18 being a bolt groove to which the panel 13 can be fastened by bolting. The upper guide 6 is mounted to the upper edge 14 of the panel to support and guide the handhold portion of the handrail belt. Likewise, the support 15 is mounted to the mounting groove 18 of the profiled beam 11 by bolting.

In the embodiment in fig. 1 and 2, the tensioning device 8 comprises a threaded rod 31 which is connected to the second handrail frame part 10 and has an external thread. Connected to the support 15 is a threaded sleeve 32 provided with an internal thread, into which sleeve the screw 31 is fitted by means of a thread.

The second handrail frame part 10 comprises a guide profile 19 which is bent into a U shape so that it has an upper straight first portion 20, a lower straight second portion 21 and a bend 22.

The upper first portion 20 forms an extension of the upper guide 6 of the first handrail frame part 9. The lower second portion 21 can be fitted in the inner space 12 of the profiled beam 11. The curved portion 22 forms the turn guide 9. Supported on the bend by bearings are a number of sequentially arranged support rollers 23 which serve as bearings to support the handrail belt from the inside.

The second handrail frame part 10 is guided so as to be movable in the direction of the handrail between the mounting position I and the tensioning position II by means of upper first guide elements 24, 25, 26 and lower second guide elements 27, 28, 29, 30, the first guide elements 24, 25, 26 being fitted for guiding the first portion 20 of the guide profile 19 to move in linear alignment with the upper guide 6 and the second guide elements 27, 28, 29, 30 being fitted for guiding the second portion 21 of the guide profile 19 to move in linear alignment with the profiled beam 11.

The top wall 16 of the profiled beam 11 is provided with a first through-going hole 27 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the profiled beam. In the example of fig. 2, the profiled beam has two such oblong holes at a distance from each other. Mounted on the second handrail frame part 10 are respective two T-shaped guide elements 28 which are attached to the second part 21 of the guide profile at a distance from each other. The T-shaped guide 28 comprises a vertical web 29 which can be passed through the first slot 27 from the inside to the outside of the profiled beam, and a horizontal flange 30 which is connected to the web 29 and is arranged to be located on the upper surface 17 of the profiled beam. The lower second guide thus comprises the first slot 27 and the web 29 and the flange 30 of the T-shaped guide 28.

The first portion 20 of the guide profile 19 comprises two second oblong holes 24, aligned with each other on opposite sides of the guide profile. The first handrail frame part 9 comprises an elongated insertion profile 25 mounted on the upper edge 14 of the panel 13 and fitted to be slidable inside the guide profile first part 20 between positions I and II during the tensioning movement. Assigned to the insert profile 25 is a projecting peg 26 which is mounted so as to be guided by the second elongated hole 24 and can slide in the second elongated hole 24. The upper first guide therefore comprises the second elongated hole 24, the insertion profile 25 and the projecting peg 26.

The tensioning device 8 is arranged in the middle area of the handrail, seen in the vertical direction, at substantially equal vertical distances from the first portion 20 and the second portion 21 of the guide profile 19.

Fig. 3 shows that the tensioning device 8 can also be an active telescopic type of power device, such as a pressure medium operated cylinder or the like, which exerts a continuous tensioning force on the handrail belt from the first handrail frame part 9, for example by continuously forcing the second handrail frame part 10 away from the first handrail frame part 9.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but many variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A handrail for a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, which handrail comprises:

a handrail belt (1) arranged to move as an endless belt loop, having an upper handhold portion (2) which can be gripped by a hand for support by passengers on the travelator, a lower return portion (3) and a turnaround end portion (4) where the return portion is turned at the end of the travelator to become a handhold portion and vice versa,

a handrail frame (5) connected to the frame (F) and comprising an upper guide means (6) for supporting and guiding the upper handhold portion (2), and a curved turn guide means (7) for supporting and guiding the turn end portion, and

tensioning device (8) for tensioning a handrail belt, characterized in that: the handrail frame (5) comprises a first handrail frame part (9) fixedly mounted on the frame of the travelator, and a second handrail frame part (10), to which the turn-around guide (7) is connected and which second handrail frame part (10) is guided to be movable in relation to the first handrail frame part (9) in the direction of the handrail between an installation position (I), in which the handrail belt can be removed from and/or mounted onto the handrail, and a tensioning position (II), in which the handrail belt is in a tensioned state; and a tensioning device (8) is arranged and acts between the first handrail frame part (9) and the second handrail frame part (10) to move the second handrail frame part (10) relative to the first handrail frame part (9) and to lock the second handrail frame part (10) in place.

2. A handrail according to claim 1, characterized in that the first handrail frame part (9) comprises:

a profiled beam (11) mountable on the frame (F) of the travelator, which profiled beam has a hollow interior space (12) through which the return portion (3) of the handrail belt is guided in operation,

a plate-shaped panel (13) mounted to the profiled beam (11), to the upper edge (14) of which the upper guide means (6) are mounted, and

a support member (15) mounted to the profiled beam (11), the tensioning device (8) being arranged to act between said support member (15) and the second handrail frame part (10).

3. A handrail according to claim 2, characterized in that the profiled beam (11) comprises a top wall (16) defining the inner space (12) in an upward direction, the upper surface (17) of said top wall being provided with longitudinal mounting slots (18) for mounting the plate-like panels (13) and the supports (15).

4. A handrail according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second handrail frame part (10) comprises a guide profile (19) comprising:

an upper straight first portion (20) forming an extension of the upper guide (6) of the first handrail frame part (9),

a lower straight second portion (21) fitted in the inner space (12) of the profiled beam (11),

a curved portion (22) forming a turn-around guide (7) and comprising a plurality of sequentially arranged support rollers (23) to support the handrail belt from inside the handrail belt.

5. A handrail according to claim 4, characterized in that the second handrail frame part (10) is guided by means of an upper first guide and a lower second guide so as to be movable in the direction of the handrail between a mounting position (I) and a tensioning position (II),

the first guide element is provided for guiding a first portion (20) of the guide profile (19) to move in linear alignment with the upper guide means (6),

the second guide is provided for guiding the second portion (21) of the guide profile (19) to move in linear alignment with the profiled beam (11).

6. A handrail according to claim 5, characterized in that the top wall (16) of the profiled beam (11) is provided with a first elongated through hole (27) oriented in the longitudinal direction of the profiled beam, and the second handrail frame part (10) comprises a T-shaped guide (28), which T-shaped guide (28) is mounted to the second part (21) of the guide profile, and which T-shaped guide comprises a vertical web (29) passing through the first elongated through hole (27) from the inside to the outside of the profiled beam, and a horizontal flange (30) connected to the web (29) and arranged to bear on the upper surface (17) of the top wall, said second guide thus comprising the first elongated through hole (27) and the web (29) and the flange (30) of the T-shaped guide (28).

7. A handrail according to claim 5, characterized in that the first portion (20) of the guide profile (19) comprises a second elongated through hole (24) and the first handrail frame part (9) comprises an elongated insert profile (25), which elongated insert profile (25) is mounted on the upper edge (14) of the panel (13) and is mounted slidable in the first portion (20) of the guide profile, and that the elongated insert profile (25) is provided with a projecting peg (26), which is guided by the second elongated through hole (24) and slidable in the second elongated through hole (24), said first guide thus comprising the second elongated through hole (24), the elongated insert profile (25) and the projecting peg (26).

8. A handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tensioning device (8) is a power device of the active telescopic type.

9. A handrail according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the tensioning device (8) comprises a threaded rod (31) connected to the second handrail frame part (10) and having an external thread, and a threaded sleeve (32) connected to the first handrail frame part (9) and provided with an internal thread, the threaded rod being attached to the threaded sleeve to be turned.

10. A handrail according to claim 9, wherein the threaded sleeve (32) is connected to the support member (15).

11. A handrail according to claim 4, characterized in that the tensioning device (8) is arranged in the middle area of the handrail, seen in the vertical direction, at substantially equal vertical distances from the first part (20) and the second part (21) of the guide profile (19).

12. An armrest according to claim 8 wherein said active telescopic type power means is a pressure medium operated cylinder.

13. A method for mounting a handrail belt (1) onto a handrail as defined in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that:

moving the second handrail frame part (10) relative to the first handrail frame part (9) to an installation position (I) in which the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame (5) is shorter than the length of the circumference of a free, untensioned handrail belt loop,

mounting the handrail belt (1) on the handrail frame (5), and

the second handrail frame part (10) is moved relative to the first handrail frame part (9) to a tensioning position (II) in which the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame (5) is slightly greater than the length of the circumference of the free, untensioned handrail belt loop to create a tensile tension in the handrail belt. Wherein the second handrail frame part (10) is moved into the mounting position (I) relative to the first handrail frame part (9) using a tensioning device (8) which is arranged to act between the first handrail frame part (9) and the second handrail frame part (10), and

the second handrail frame part (10) is moved into a tensioning position (II) relative to the first handrail frame part (9) using a tensioning device (8), which is arranged to act between the first handrail frame part (9) and the second handrail frame part (10).

14. A method for removing a handrail belt (1) from a handrail as defined in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that:

moving the second handrail frame part (10) relative to the first handrail frame part (9) to an installation position (I) in which the length of the circumference supporting the handrail belt and determined by the handrail frame (5) is shorter than the length of the circumference of a free, untensioned handrail belt loop, and

the handrail belt (1) is taken down from the handrail frame (5),

wherein the second handrail frame part (10) is moved into the mounting position (I) relative to the first handrail frame part (9) using a tensioning device (8), which is arranged to act between the first handrail frame part (9) and the second handrail frame part (10).