Pallet of a moving walkway

Abstract

A moving walkway pallet is composed of a series of plates of a plate belt arranged to circulate between two deflecting regions of the walkway. Each plate has a base body with a base surface to which a tread element can be attached. The plates are pivotally connected to each other along pivot axes (SA) extending across a width (B) of the plates. The pivot axis is located either in a plane containing the base surface or above the side of the plane, remote from the base body. The base body has a width base body cross-section having a geometric center of gravity arranged below the base surface.

Claims

1. A moving walkway with two deflecting regions and a plate belt which is arranged to circulate between the two deflecting regions and which moving walkway further comprises two traction means and a plurality of identically shaped moving-walkway plates, wherein the moving-walkway plates are pivotably interconnected and arranged between the two traction means, and successively arranged ones of the moving-walkway plates are pivotable relative to one another in the deflecting regions about pivot axes thereof, wherein: each of the moving-walkway plates includes at least one base body continuously extending between the two traction means, the base body has a base surface for attachment of at least one tread element, wherein the base body has a length (L) of the base surface extending in an intended running direction (X) of the moving-walkway plate and a width (B) of the base surface extending orthogonally to the intended running direction (X), a pivot axis extending along the width (B) of the base body is defined by a pivot connection with a directly succeeding moving-walkway plate, the pivot axis being arranged in a plane containing the base surface or above the plane remote from the base body, and the base body has along its width (B) a base body cross-section having a geometric centre of gravity (S) arranged below the base surface.

2. The moving walkway according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the base body's centre of gravity and the base surface is maximized for pivoting of the plates without interference within the deflecting regions.

3. The moving walkway according to claim 2, wherein the base body cross-section is triangular or trapezium-shaped.

4. The moving walkway according to claim 3, wherein starting from the base surface the base body height (N) of the triangular or trapezium-shaped base body cross-section is 0.5 to 2.5 times the base body length (L) of the base surface (33, 133, 233).

5. The moving walkway of claim 4, wherein the base body height (N) is 0.65 to 1.5 times the base body length (L) of the base surface.

6. The moving walkway according to claim 3, wherein the triangular or trapezium-shaped base body cross-section has first and second side legs connected to the base surface and an internal angle (α) between the first and second legs of between 35° and 85°.

7. The moving walkway according to claim 6 wherein the internal angle (α) is between 50° and 65°.

8. The moving walkway according to claim 6, wherein the two side legs are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a center longitudinal plane (M-M) which extends along in the width (B) and orthogonally to the base surface (33, 133, 233) and which centrally intersects the base surface.

9. The moving walkway according to claim 6, wherein the side legs have side surfaces and there is at least one recess in at least one of the base surface and the side surfaces.

10. The moving walkway according to claim 3, wherein the base body is made of sheet metal and the triangular or trapezium-shaped base body cross-section thereof is formed by means of bent-over portions extending parallel to the width (B) of the base surface.

11. The moving walkway according to claim 10, wherein the base body has sheet metal end edges which extend in the width (B) and which are arranged to overlap one another and have interconnected regions.

12. The moving walkway according to claim 10, wherein the base body has sheet metal end edges which extend in the width (B) and which project into an inner side of the base body.

13. The moving walkway according to claim 10, wherein the base body has sheet metal edges which extend in the width (B) and are arranged in the base surface.

14. The moving walkway according to claim 1, wherein the base body is made from a composite material, and the base body cross-section thereof has a continuous outer profile.

15. The moving walkway according to claim 14, wherein the base body is made from a fibre composite material.

16. The moving walkway according to claim 1, wherein the base body length (L) of the base surface is 0.6 to 0.95 times the tread element length (T) of the at least one tread element to be attached to the base body and wherein the tread element length (T) extends analogously to the base body length (L) of the base surface in the intended running direction (X) of the moving-walkway plate.

17. The moving walkway according to claim 1, wherein the moving-walkway plates are connected by way of connecting points with the traction means to be pivotable relative to one another.

18. A moving-walkway plate of a plate belt for a moving walkway of the type having two deflecting regions and a plate belt which is arranged to circulate between the two deflecting regions and which further comprises two traction means and a plurality of identically shaped moving-walkway plates, wherein the moving-walkway plates are pivotably interconnected and arranged between the two traction means, successively arranged ones of the moving-walkway plates being pivotable relative to one another in the deflecting regions about pivot axes thereof wherein: the moving-walkway plates include at least one base body continuously extending between the two traction means, the base body has a base surface for attachment of at least one tread element, wherein the base body length (L) of the base surface extends in the intended running direction (X) of the moving-walkway plate and the width (B) of the base surface extends orthogonally to the intended running direction (X), a pivot axis, which extends along the width (B) of the base bodies is defined by the pivot connection with a directly succeeding moving-walkway plate, the pivot axis is arranged in a plane containing the base surface or above the plane remote from the base body, the base body has along its width (B) a base body cross-section having a geometric center of gravity (S) arranged below the base surface, and at least one tread element is fastened to the base surface of the base body.

19. The moving-walkway plate according to claim 18, wherein the at least one tread element has projections which are formed at the tread elements and protrude through recesses in the base surface in the base body, and the at least one tread element is attached to the base body by at least one of peening over, clinching, riveting of the projections, by means of screws or by means of an adhesive.

20. The moving-walkway plate according to claim 18, wherein projections are formed at at least one tread element and protrude through recesses in the base surface and the tread element is attached to the base body by means of spring washer clips arranged at the projections, and wherein the base body has side legs having side surfaces with recesses located thereon located, adapted and sized to facilitate the mounting of the spring washer clips on the projections.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The moving walkway according to the invention, moving-walkway plates of a plate belt arranged in its operating position to circulate between two deflecting regions of the moving walkway, and the base body of a moving-walkway plate are explained in more detail in the following by way of examples and with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in schematic illustration, a moving walkway with a support structure and two deflecting regions, wherein guide rails are arranged in the support structure and an encircling plate belt is arranged between the deflecting regions;

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in schematic illustration, a part of a deflecting region of FIG. 1 in side view with a deflecting chainwheel and with a plurality of moving-walkway plates illustrated in section;

(4) FIG. 3 shows, in three-dimensional view, a part of the plate belt, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, with two traction means, between which two moving-walkway plates of the plate belt are arranged by their base bodies and tread elements in succession and are connected together by way of the traction means;

(5) FIG. 4 shows, in three-dimensional underneath view, a part of a base body with a triangular cross-section, wherein a tread element is fastened on the base body by means of spring washer clips; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows, in sectional side view, a further embodiment of a base body with sheet metal edges, which extend in the width of the base body and which protrude into the inner side of the base body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows, in side view in schematic illustration, a moving walkway 10 which is arranged on a supporting structure 50. Serving as supporting structure 50 is, for example, a floor or concrete foundation having sufficient strength. A steel frame, a steel beam, a concrete ramp and the like can obviously also serve as supporting structure. The floor has mounts 51 on which the components of the moving walkway 10 are fastened. Belonging to these components are a first deflecting region 11 and a second deflecting region 12, as well as support structures 13, guide rails 14, balustrades 15 and a plate belt 16 arranged between the deflecting regions 11, 12. Deflecting chainwheels 19, 20 are rotatably mounted in the deflecting regions 11, 12 and the plate belt 16 is guided to circulate around these deflecting chainwheels 19, 20. Correspondingly, the plate belt 16 forms a forward run 21, which can be walked on by users, and a return run 22 for return of the moving-walkway plates. Moreover, arranged to connect with the deflecting regions 11, 12 are ramps 17, 18 by way of which users reach the walk-on height H and can walk onto or leave the plate belt 16. It is clearly apparent from FIG. 1 that, in the absence of a pit in the supporting structure 50, the spacing or the walk-on height H between the supporting structure 50 and the forward run 21 of the plate belt directly influences the inclination and length of the ramps 17, 18 and thus obviously user comfort.

(8) In the following, FIGS. 2 and 3 are described conjunctively. FIG. 2 shows, in schematic illustration, the deflecting chainwheel 20 of the deflecting region 12 of FIG. 1 in side view as well as a part of the plate belt 16 with several moving-walkway plates 30, which are illustrated in section, with their base bodies 31 and tread elements 32. Each base body 31 has a base surface 33 for fastening at least one tread element 32, wherein the base body length L of the base surface 33 extends in the intended running direction X of the moving-walkway plate 30. The width B of the base surface 30, illustrated in FIG. 3, extends orthogonally to the intended running direction X.

(9) FIG. 3 shows in three-dimensional view a part of the plate belt 16, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, with two traction means 35, at which guide rollers 37 are arranged at the pivot points described further below. The continuously extending base bodies 31 have, at the ends, connecting points 49 by which the base bodies 31 are connected with the traction means 35.

(10) The moving-walkway plates 30 of the plate belt 16 are arranged in succession between the link chains serving as traction means 35 and are connected together by way of the traction means 35. Due to the sectional illustration, only one of the two traction means 35 is visible in FIG. 2. The traction means 35 has pivot points 36, wherein a respective pivot point 36 is arranged between each two successive moving-walkway plates 30 and a pivot axis SA, SB is defined by this pivot point 36. In the simplest way, the association of the pivot axes SA, SB in the example of the moving-walkway plates 30 denoted by PA and PB can be explained. In the case of an assumed running direction X of the moving-walkway plates 30 or a sense of circulation U of the deflecting chainwheel 20 the moving-walkway plate PB follows the moving-walkway plate PA. When the moving-walkway plate PA reaches, as illustrated, the deflecting chainwheel 20 this is pivoted relative to the moving-walkway plate PB about the pivot axis SA associated therewith. Correspondingly, also associated with the following moving-walkway plate PB is pivot axis SB which is defined by the pivot point 36 between the moving walkway plate PB and the moving-walkway plate (no longer illustrated) following this.

(11) The minimum possible pitch circle diameter D of the deflecting chainwheel 30 should not, due to the minimum required chain pitch, be fallen below. In order to further reduce the walk-on height H, the pivot axis SB of the moving walkway plate PB is arranged at a spacing K above a plane containing the base surface 33 of its base body 31. The base surfaces 33 thereby move in the deflecting region 12 on a deflection path having a diameter which is smaller than the minimum pitch circle diameter D of the deflecting chainwheel 20. The spacing k can obviously also be 0, wherein the circulation path of the base surfaces 33 approximately corresponds with the pitch circle diameter D. Subject to the precondition that the tread element thickness v of the tread element does not change, the walk-on height H decreases the greater the spacing k is selected to be. The spacing k can be selected by design of the connecting points 49 described further above.

(12) In order that the moving-walkway plate 30 has a sufficient strength in bending, the base body 31 thereof has along its width B a base body cross-section with a geometric centre of gravity S arranged at a centre-of-gravity spacing t below the base surface 33. The centre-of-gravity spacing t is preferably as large as possible. This can be achieved by means of a base body 31 with a base body cross-section which extends as far as possible into the space below the base surface 33. As FIG. 2 shows, this space or free area is limited particularly in the region of the deflecting chainwheel 20. The continuously extending base body 31 therefore preferably has a base body cross-section with an outer profile which is matched to the position of the pivot axis SA, SB of the base body 31 and which, with respect to the respectively present spaces of the deflecting regions 11, 12, is bounded by the outer profiles of identically shaped base body cross-sections of a directly preceding and directly following base body 31, which is pivoted in the deflecting region 11, 12, of the plate belt 16.

(13) The base body cross-section of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is of trapezium-shaped construction so that the base body 31 cannot collide with an axis 25 or shaft 25 of the deflecting chainwheel 20 and adjacent, identically shaped base body 31. The trapezium-shaped cross-section of the base body 31 is formed from a sheet metal plate by means of bent-over portions extending in the width B, wherein formed by the bent-over portions are a first side leg 41 and a second side leg 42 which connect with the base surface 31 and which, starting from the base surface 31, extend so as to run towards one another. The two side legs 41, 42 are, in the present embodiment, arranged at an internal angle α of approximately 55° relative to one another. The size of the internal angle α can be dependent on the ratio of the base body length L to the base body height N or normal height N of the base body cross-section as well as on the pitch circle diameter D of the deflecting chainwheel 20.

(14) The sheet metal end edges 38, 39 extending in the width B are arranged to overlap in a plane parallel to the base surface 33 and are connected together. The overlapping sheet metal end edges 38, 39 are preferably welded together by means of spot-welding or rolled-seam welding. The base body 31, which is loaded in bending, is reinforced in ideal manner in its bottom chord zone by the overlapping and welding of the sheet metal end edges 38, 39. The base body 31 is extremely stiff in bending and torsion as a consequence of its tubularly profiled base body cross-section.

(15) It is apparent from FIG. 3 that the base surface 33 and the side surfaces, which extend in the width B, of the side legs 41, 42 have recesses 43 so as to reduce the weight of the base body 31.

(16) It is also to be added that the base body 30 illustrated in FIG. 3 can also be produced from composite materials, particularly fibre composite materials. However, this would then have not an overlapping region as illustrated in FIG. 2, but a continuous external profile without end edges extending in the width. Such a tubularly profiled base body could comprise carbon fibres and/or aramide fibres and/or glass-fibres. In addition, a base body produced from composite materials can have a trapezium-shaped or triangular base body cross-section.

(17) FIG. 4 shows in three-dimensional underneath view a part of a moving-walkway plate 130 with a base body 131 having a triangular cross-section extending in width, wherein a tread element 132 is fastened on the base body 131. The sheet metal end edges 138, 139, which extend in the width B, of the base body are in this embodiment arranged in the base surface 133 of the base body 131. In addition, formed at the tread element 132 are projections 145 which after placing of the tread element 132 on the base surface 133 protrude through recesses in the base surface 133. The tread element 132 is fastened to the base body 131 by means of spring washer clips 146, also termed spring axial securing devices, securing rings or securing washers, arranged at the projections 145. This base body 131 also has recesses 147 in the side surface 143, 144 of its side legs 141, 142 for the purpose of weight reduction. In order that the spring washer clips 146 can be mounted, the position of the recesses 147 in the side surfaces 143, 144 corresponds with the position of the projections 145 protruding through the base surface 133. Moreover, the size of the recesses 147 is matched to the diameter of the spring washer clips 146.

(18) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a moving-walkway plate 230 in sectional side view. This has a continuously extending base body 231 with a triangular base body cross-section. The sheet metal edges 238, 239 extending in the width B of the base body 231 protrude into the inner side of the base body 231. The two side legs 241, 242 are arranged at an internal angle α in mirror symmetry with respect to a centre longitudinal plane M-M, which extends in the width and orthogonally to the base surface 233 and centrally intersects the base surface 233.

(19) The at least one tread element 232 has projections 245 which are formed at the tread elements 232 and which after placing of the tread element 232 on the base surface 233 protrude through recesses in the base surface 233 into the base body 231 and position this at the base element 231. The at least one tread element 232 can be fastened to the base body by various fastening variants such as, for example, by means of peening or riveting of the projections, by means of screws or by means of an adhesive. The base body length L of the base surface 233 preferably corresponds with 0.6 to 0.95 times the tread element length T of the at least one tread element 232 to be fastened, wherein the tread element length T analogously to the base body length L of the base surface 233 extends in the intended running direction X of the moving-walkway plate 230. The external profile of the base body cross-section can, as illustrated in FIG. 2, thereby optimally fill out the available space.

(20) Although the invention has been described by illustration of specific embodiments it is obvious that numerous further variants of embodiment can be created with knowledge of the present invention, for example in that the features of the individual embodiments are combined with one another and/or individual functional units of the embodiments are exchanged. For example, only one tread element per moving-walkway plate can be fastened to the base body, which element extends over the entire width of the base body, or, as apparent from FIG. 3, several tread elements can be fastened to the base body. It is also possible for the base body together with the tread plate to be of integral construction, for example as plates produced integrally by means of a die-casting method. In these variants the plane, which contains the underneath view of the tread element and from which the side legs of the base body cross-section extend, counts as the base. Obviously, a moving-walkway plate can also have two continuously extending base bodies, which are arranged parallel to one another and which are connected together by means of one or more tread plates.

(21) In addition, the sheet metal end edges can be connected together in all embodiments. Obviously, all mentioned fastening variants of the tread elements to the base bodies can be used in all embodiments. It is also possible for the continuously extending base body to have a base body cross-section which differs from the trapezium-shaped or triangular cross-sectional shape in that, for example, a polygonal cross-sectional shape is created by means of further folds.