BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a passenger conveyor system, and more particularly to adjustable brackets for step flange covers in escalators and moving walks.
A typical passenger conveyor, such as an escalator or moving walk, includes a series of tread plates, a frame, a drive, a step chain and a pair of balustrade assemblies. The frame comprises a truss section on both the left and right hand sides of the frame. Each truss section has two end sections forming landings, connected by an inclined midsection. Matching pairs of roller tracks are attached on the inside of each truss section, i.e. the side of the truss section facing the other truss section. The upper landing usually houses the escalator drive between the trusses. The drive powers a pair of step chain sprockets, which in turn impart motion to the step chain to move the tread plates. The step chain and tread plates travel a closed loop, running from one elevation to the other elevation, and back.
The individual steps of an escalator typically move in a very narrow “channel” defined by panel elements that are commonly referred to as the skirt boards or panels. These skirt boards are attached to the frame of the escalator, and therefore remain fixed as the steps move therebetween. In order to reduce the risk that objects are pulled into and trapped in the gap on each side between the steps and the skirt board, this gap is kept very small. However, minimizing the gap between steps and skirt boards significantly increases installation and maintenance costs and complexity. One alternative escalator configuration includes a “guarded step” wherein a panel having flanges is attached to the step at each side, thereby eliminating the gap. Another alternative escalator configuration with a very small gap between steps and skirt boards includes a “moving skirt” or skirt boards that move in the same direction and speed as the steps. Moving skirts substantially reduce the risk of trapping objects in the gap between the step and skirt boards, because there is no relative motion between the two components.
One design challenge in passenger conveyors that employ a moving skirt is positioning a cover that is connected to the frame and forms the junction between the moving skirt and the stationary conveyor structure. The step flange cover, as it is sometimes called, needs to be positioned precisely with respect to the moving skirt to minimize the gap between the moving skirt, i.e. the step flanges, and the cover.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present invention include a passenger conveyor. The conveyor includes a frame. A step chain is moveably connected to the frame. A conveyor drive is connected to the frame and configured to drive the step chain. Tread plates are connected to the step chain. A step flange cover is arranged adjacent to the tread plates. A first bracket is connected to the frame. A second bracket is connected to the step flange cover. Bosses are arranged on one of the first bracket and the second bracket. A connector between the first bracket and the second bracket is configured to pivot the second bracket with respect to the first bracket about the bosses to vary a position of the step flange cover in at least two directions.
Embodiments of the present invention also include a device for connecting a step flange cover to a frame of a passenger conveyor. A first bracket is connected to the frame. A second bracket is connected to the step flange cover. Bosses are arranged on one of the first bracket and the second bracket. A connector between the first bracket and the second bracket is configured to pivot the second bracket with respect to the first bracket about the bosses to vary a position of the step flange cover in at least two directions.
Embodiments of the present invention also include a method of adjustably connecting a step flange cover to a frame of a passenger conveyor. A first bracket is attached to the frame. A second bracket is attached to the step flange cover. The first bracket is connected to the second bracket such that the second bracket is pivotable with respect to the first bracket about one or more bosses on one of the first bracket and the second bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of an escalator.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an adjustable connection according to the present invention between the frame and step flange cover of the escalator of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3A-3C show details of the adjustable connection of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing an alternative adjustable connection according to the present invention between the frame and step flange cover of the escalator of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show details of the adjustable connection of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is schematic elevation view of escalator 10 including frame 12, drive 14, step chain 16, steps 18, roller tracks 20, and balustrade assemblies 22. Frame 12 includes truss section 24 on both the left and right hand sides of frame 12 (only one side is shown in FIG. 1). Each truss section 24 has two end sections 26 parallel to one another, connected by an inclined midsection 28. The end sections 26 form upper landing 30 at upper elevation 32 and lower landing 34 at lower elevation 36. Matching pairs of roller tracks 20 are attached on the inside of each truss section 24, i.e. the side of truss section 24 facing the other truss section 24. The region between inclined midsection 28 and landings 30, 34 in which the slope of roller track 20 is changing from the slope of incline 28 to the slope of landings 30, 34, is defined to be transition region 38 between inclined midsection 28 and either of landings 30, 34.
Upper landing 30 houses escalator drive 14, between truss sections 24. Drive 14 powers a pair of step chain sprockets 40, which in turn impart linear motion to step chains 16. Steps or tread plates 18 are connected to step chains 16 and guided along roller tracks 20 as they are driven along with step chains 16 by escalator drive 14. Step chains 16 and steps 18 travel through closed loop path 42 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1), running from one elevation to the other elevation (32, 36), and back. The regions of the closed loop path through which step chains 16 and steps 18 travel includes two turnarounds 44 as chains 16 and steps 18 travel around sprockets 40 at upper and lower landings 30, 34.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing adjustable connection 64 according to the present invention between step flange cover 54 and frame member 60 of frame 12. Adjustable connection 64 is shown in proximity to adjacent steps 18 assembled for operation in escalator 10 and in an exploded condition to better distinguish between the different components comprising connection 64. Frame member 60 is just one specific element of the overall stationary frame 12 in which the elements of escalator 10 are arranged and to which they are connected. Frame member 60 is connected to the overall stationary structure of frame 12 (not shown for simplicity) and runs generally parallel to the exposed portion of closed loop path 42 (i.e. the portion where the moving skirt is exposed to passengers) through which steps 18 travel during operation of escalator 10. In FIG. 2, first step 18′ includes first step flange 50′ and is arranged adjacent second step 18″, which includes second step flange 50″. Bridge member 52 is arranged between first step flange 50′ and second step flange 50″ to form a moving skirt of escalator 10. Steps 18′, 18″ are shown in inclined portion 28 of closed loop path 42 through which they travel during operation of escalator 10.
Arranged adjacent and partially covering second step flange 50″ of step 18″ is step flange cover 54. Step flange cover 54 needs to be positioned precisely with respect to first and second step flanges 50′, 50″ and bridge member 52, i.e. the moving skirt, to minimize the gap between the moving skirt and the cover. Although reference is made to conveyors with moving skirts, embodiments of the present invention may also be employed in passenger conveyors with stationary, rather than moving skirts. In such embodiments, the step flange cover may be arranged adjacent to moving tread plates that do not include skirt plates or bridges interposed between adjacent skirt plates. The skirt plate is arranged in close proximity but out of contact with the side of the tread plates to form at least part of the stationary skirt of the conveyor. Embodiments of the present invention accordingly provide a connection between step flange covers and passenger conveyor frames that is adjustable to vary the position of a step flange cover relative to moving tread plates or a moving skirt in at least two directions. The adjustable connection permits the step flange cover to be precisely positioned with respect to the tread plates or the skirt without the necessity of using crude adjustment techniques, such as, for example, using shims. Referring again to FIG. 2, step flange cover 54 remains stationary relative to the moving step flanges, e.g. first and second step flanges 50′, 50″, and is connected to frame member 60 by adjustable connection 64. Adjustable connection 64 includes first bracket 68 connected to frame member 60 and second bracket 70 connected to cover 54 in incline midsection 28 of escalator 10 (see FIG. 1).
FIGS. 3A-3C show details of adjustable connection 64 between frame member 60 and step flange cover 54. FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of adjustable connection 64. FIG. 3C is an orthogonal section view of adjustable connection 64. In FIGS. 3A-3C, adjustable connection 64 includes first bracket 68, second bracket 70, first fastener 80, second fastener 82, and pivot bosses 84 (shown in FIG. 3C). First bracket 68 is a generally U-shaped bracket including first plate 68a, second plate 68b projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 68a, third plate 68c projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 68a and approximately parallel to second plate 68b, and cutout 68d in first plate 68a to define a void between second and third plates 68b, 68c. Second bracket 70 includes first plate 70a, second plate 70b projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 70a, third plate 70c projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 70a and approximately parallel to second plate 70b, and fourth plate 70d arranged in generally perpendicular relationship and connected to second and third plates 70b, 70c. As shown in FIG. 3C, first fastener 80 includes bolt 80a and nut 80b. Second fastener 82 includes bolt 82a, nut 82b, and resilient member 82c. Resilient member 82c may be, for example, a conical spring washer or a helical coil spring.
In FIG. 3A-3C, first bracket 68 is connected to frame member 60 and second bracket 70 is connected to step flange cover 54. First bracket 68 and second bracket 70 of adjustable connection 64 are removably attached to frame member 60 and cover 54 respectively. First bracket 68 includes fourth and fifth plates 68e, 68f that are configured to receive fasteners 60a that engage channels 60b in frame member 60. Fourth plate 70d of second bracket 70 includes cutouts 70e in two parallel peripheral edges that are configured to engage fasteners 54a in channels 54b of step flange cover 54. The generally accessible position of fasteners 60a and 54a provided by adjustable connection 64 may generally reduce assembly and maintenance time and costs for escalators including connection 64 and alternative embodiments thereof.
In FIG. 3C, first plate 68a of first bracket 68 is arranged in generally parallel relationship and connected to first plate 70a of second bracket 70, thereby positioning step flange cover 54 a small gap distance G from step flange 50 of step 18 (not shown). First bracket 68 is connected to second bracket 70 by second fastener 82. Specifically, bolt 82a is fixedly attached to first plate 70a of second bracket 70 to arrange bolt 82a in cutout 68d in first bracket 68. Nut 82b engages bolt 82a and compresses resilient member 82c between bolt 82a and first plate 68a of first bracket 68, thereby connecting first bracket 68 to second bracket 70. First fastener 80 and pivot bosses 84 define the distance between first plate 68a of first bracket 68 and first plate 70a of second bracket 70. Bolt 80a of first fastener 80 engages nut 80b and passes through a hole in first plate 68a of first bracket 68. Nut 80b is fixedly attached to first plate 68a. Bolt 80a is thereby adjustable through nut 80b to push first plate 70a of second bracket 70 away from first plate 68a of first bracket 68. As bolt 80a of first fastener 80 pushes first plate 70a of second bracket 70, and as bolt 82a is pulled by first plate 70a and nut 82b is pulled by bolt 82a to compress resilient member 82c, compression of resilient member 82c of second fastener 82 allows first plate 70a of second bracket 70 to rotate about pivot bosses 84. Rotating first plate 70a of second bracket 70 by adjusting first fastener 80 also causes step flange cover 54 to rotate. Rotating step flange cover 54 provides for fine adjustments to the vertical and horizontal position of step flange cover 54 with respect to step flange 50 of step 18 (not shown). Although FIG. 3C shows pivot bosses 84 formed in first plate 70a of second bracket 70, alternative embodiments of adjustable connection 64 include pivot bosses 84 formed in first plate 68a of first bracket 68.
FIG. 4 shows adjustable connection 66 according to the present invention between step flange cover 54 and frame member 62 of frame 12. For simplicity, the steps and other components of escalator 10 are not shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of step flange cover 54, frame member 62, and adjustable connection 66 between cover 54 and frame member 62 in horizontal end section 26 of the truss sections. Because the structural members of frame 12 of escalator 10, i.e. members 60, 62, are different in incline midsection 28 than in horizontal end sections 26, escalator 10 includes two different adjustable connections 64, 66 for each section 28, 26 respectively. In FIG. 4, adjustable connection 66 includes first bracket 72 connected to frame member 62 and second bracket 74 connected to cover 54 in horizontal end section 26 of escalator 10. Connection 66 may be arranged in both end sections 26 of escalator 10 at top elevation 32 and bottom elevation 34 (shown in FIG. 1). Although the adjustable connection 66 is shown in a disconnected exploded state in FIG. 4, first bracket 72 connects to second bracket 74 to form adjustable connection 66 between frame member 62 and step flange cover 54.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show details of adjustable connection 66 between frame member 62 and step flange cover 54, shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view of adjustable connection 66. FIG. 5B is an orthogonal section view of adjustable connection 66. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, adjustable connection 66 includes first bracket 72, second bracket 74, first fastener 90, second fastener 92, and pivot bosses 84. First bracket 72 is a generally U-shaped bracket including first plate 72a, second plate 72b projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 72a, third plate 72c projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 72a and approximately parallel to second plate 72b, and cutout 72d in first plate 72a to define a void between second and third plates 72b, 72c. Second bracket 74 includes first plate 74a and second plate 74b projecting approximately perpendicular from first plate 74a and oriented approximately perpendicular to second and third plates 72b, 72c of first bracket 72.
As shown in FIG. 5B, first fastener 90 includes bolt 90a and nut 90b. Second fastener 92 includes shank 92a, nut 92b, and resilient member 92c. Resilient member 92c may be, for example, a conical spring washer or a helical coil spring. In FIG. 5B, first bracket 72 is connected to frame member 62 and second bracket 74 is connected to step flange cover 54. First bracket 72 and second bracket 74 may be fixedly attached to frame member 62 and cover 54, respectively, by, for example, welding or other appropriate methods. First plate 72a of first bracket 72 is arranged in generally parallel relationship and connected to first plate 74a of second bracket 74, thereby positioning step flange cover 54 a small gap distance G from step flange 50 of step 18. First bracket 72 is connected to second bracket 74 by second fastener 92. Specifically, shank 92a is fixedly attached to first plate 74a of second bracket 74 to arrange shank 92a in cutout 72d in first bracket 72. Nut 92b engages shank 92a and compresses resilient member 92c between shank 92a and first plate 72a of first bracket 72, thereby connecting first bracket 72 to second bracket 74. First fastener 90 and pivot bosses 84 define the distance between first plate 72a of first bracket 72 and first plate 74a of second bracket 74. Bolt 90a of first fastener 90 engages nut 90b and passes through a hole in first plate 72a of first bracket 72. Nut 90b is fixedly attached to first plate 72a. Bolt 90a is thereby adjustable through nut 90b to push first plate 74a of second bracket 74 away from first plate 72a of first bracket 72. As bolt 90a of first fastener 90 pushes first plate 74a of second bracket 74, and as shank 92a is pulled by first plate 74a and nut 92b is pulled by shank 92a to compress resilient member 92c, resilient member 92c of second fastener 92 compresses to allow first plate 74a of second bracket 74 to rotate about pivot bosses 84. Rotating first plate 74a of second bracket 74 by adjusting first fastener 90 also causes step flange cover 54 to rotate. Rotating step flange cover 54 provides for fine adjustments to the vertical and horizontal position of step flange cover 54 with respect to step flange 50 of step 18. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B show pivot bosses 84 formed in first plate 72a of first bracket 72, alternative embodiments of adjustable connection 64 include pivot bosses 84 formed in first plate 74a of second bracket 74.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a connection between step flange covers and passenger conveyor frames that is adjustable to vary the position of a step flange cover relative to a moving skirt in at least two directions. The adjustable connection permits the step flange cover to be precisely positioned with respect to the moving skirt without the necessity of using crude adjustment techniques, such as, for example, using shims. Adjustable connections between step flange covers and conveyor frames according to the present invention act to reduce the cost, complexity, and time of installing and maintaining the step flange cover.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.
Patent Grant
8757350
