Comb profile for comb supports of escalators and moving walkways

Abstract

The invention relates to a comb profile for comb supports of escalators and moving walks which consists of a plurality of segments that can be linked with the comb support. Individual or several segments can be releasably interlinked outside the comb support. Segments that are juxtaposed with their front faces are functionally joined by tongue and groove joints.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a comb profile for comb supports of escalators and moving walkways according to the generic part of the first claim.

[0002] It is the general state of the art that the individual comb segments, which can be made of very different materials, such as e.g. aluminium, plastics or the like, are connected in the region of one of their ends to a comb support, in particular by screwing. The portion remaining outside the comb support penetrates into the steps and pallets of the escalators and moving walkways on the comb side, the segments being flush joined in the area of their front faces facing each other.

[0003] Regarding the fact, that, inter alia, also caddies, carts, trolleys or the like are moved respectively transported on moving walkways and frequently also on escalators, it is necessary to design the comb profiles such that a flat angle of inclination is formed. This causes a material reduction, which in turn causes problems if bigger loads act on the single segments of the comb profile. The flush joined combs can be individually deformed, as soon as point loads act thereon. Excessive, not admissible deflections of the combs as well as material breaks or materials fatigues cannot be excluded herein, so that a relatively fast replacement of single segments is required, which in turn causes an undesired standstill of the escalator or the moving walkway.

[0004] From U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,257 a comb support for passenger transport installations is known, which is composed of several juxtaposed segments. A round rod releasably connects the segments provided with smooth front faces as well as through bores to each other. By means of this measure a connection of all segments can be realised, but the replacement of individual, eventually damaged segments is not possible without disconnecting them.

[0005] Due to process tolerances it can also happen, that single ones of the segments are provided projecting respectively standing back in connection, which causes a negative optical impression.

[0006] It is the aim of the object of the invention to improve the comb profile described in the generic part of the first claim, such that on the one hand the wish of flat angles of inclination of the segments can be fulfilled and on the other hand damages in the area of the individual segments can be most largely excluded. Furthermore, it shall also be possible to replace single segments in case of damages without requiring the dismounting of the whole compound.

[0007] This aim is achieved by the characteristics described in the characteristic part of the first claim.

[0008] Advantageous developments of the object of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

[0009] Due to this second junction point a relatively rigid overall construction of the comb profile consisting of several individual segments is formed. By means of this measure it is possible to realise the material reduction with simultaneous formation of flatwise-inclined segments. Point loads do not act any more directly on single segments, but indirectly on the whole comb profile, whereby it is also possible to largely avoid damages of the individual segments. The deflection of single combs is substantially reduced, which also has a positive effect on the material fatigue.

[0010] There are different technical designs for establishing the releasable connection in the comb side area of the individual segments, wherein a tongue and groove joint shall be preferably used. Alternatives such as pin connections or the like are also imaginable.

[0011] The preferred tongue and groove joint is designed such that single segments can be extracted after disconnecting them from the comb support, so that eventually damaged segments can also be replaced without any problems without requiring the at least partial dismounting of the steps or pallets of the escalator respectively the moving walkway.

[0012] The object of the invention is represented in the drawing by means of an example of realisation and is described as follows.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a comb profile composed of several single segments.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a section through FIG. 1 along line A-A.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a section through FIG. 2 along line B-B.

[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged representation of the connection area on the comb side.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a comb profile 1 composed of several single segments 2, 3, 4, wherein the segments 2 and 4 form external segments of the comb profile 1 whereas the segment 3 is one of, should the occasion arise, several internal segments.

[0018] The single segments 2, 3, 4 are connected to a comb support, which is no further represented herein, by means of screws 5, 6, 7. Each segment 2, 3, 4 is provided with a comb like profile 8, 9, 10 outside the screw connection 5, 6, 7. In the area of this comb like profile 8, 9, 10 there are only outlined releasable connections 11, 12 given between the segments 2 and 3 on the one hand and between the segments 3 and 4 on the other hand.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a transverse section through segment 3 according to line A-A of FIG. 1. The following components can be seen: segment 3, only outlined comb supports 13, screw 6 as well as an outlined step 14 of a no further represented escalator. Step 14 is provided with a tread profile 15, in which the comb profile 9 of segment 3 engages. The releasable connection 12 is pointed out by hatching in this figure.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a section according to line B-B of FIG. 2. One can see segments 3 and 4 and step 14 including profile 15, wherein comb profiles 9, 10 of the segments 3, 4 engage in the corresponding tread profiles 15 of step 14. FIG. 3 now shows the releasable connection between the segments 3 and 4, which is composed in this example of a so-called tongue and groove joint. In the area of its front face turned towards segment 4, segment 3 is provided with a nose shaped projection engaging in a groove 17 provided in segment 4. Forces, which are eventually exerted on segment 3, thus do not remain in segment 3, but are proportionally transferred to the adjacent segments 2 and 4, whereby the deflection of the single segment 3 is reduced or even completely avoided.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged representation of the connection area 12 according to FIG. 1, wherein also the nose shaped projection 16 can be seen, which engages into the corresponding groove 17.

Claims

1. Comb profile for comb supports of escalators and moving walkways, which consists of several segments (2, 3, 4), which can be connected to a comb support (13), single ones or several ones of which can be releasably interlinked outside the comb support (13), characterised in that the segments (2, 3, 4), that are juxtaposed with their front faces, are functionally joined by a tongue and groove joint (12).

2. Comb profile according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the segments (2, 3) has a nose shaped projection (16) on the front face, which can be inserted into a groove (17) provided on the front face of a juxtaposed segment (3, 4).