CONVEYANCE BELT FOR A CONVEYOR

Abstract

A conveyance belt (12) for a conveyor (1) comprises a plurality of cavities (26a-26c). Each of the cavities (26a-26c) is configured for form-fittingly accommodating a corresponding insert (24a-24f) for connecting the conveyance belt (12) with a conveyance element (20) of the conveyor (1).

Claims

1. Conveyance belt (12) for a conveyor (1), the conveyance belt (12) extending in a conveyance direction and comprising a plurality of cavities (26a-26c), wherein each of the cavities (26a-26c) is configured for form-fittingly accommodating a corresponding insert (24a-24f) for connecting the conveyance belt (12) with a conveyance element (20) of the conveyor (1).

2. Conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance belt (12) comprises plurality of teeth (22, 22a-22c) and the cavities (26a-26c) are formed in at least some of the teeth (22, 22a-22c).

3. Conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein the cavities (26a-26c) are spaced equidistantly from each other along the conveyance direction.

4. Conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein each of the cavities (26a-26c) has a smaller dimension in a direction extending parallel to the conveyance direction, and a larger dimension in a direction extending orthogonally to a conveyance direction.

5. Conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cavities (26a-26c), which are spaced apart from each other orthogonally to the conveyance direction, are formed at a same position along the conveyance direction.

6. Conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cavities (26a-26c) is formed with an undercut for fixing a correspondingly formed insert (24a) within the cavity (26a).

7. Conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cavities (26a-26c) comprises at least one recess configured for accommodating a matching protrusion (36d, 36f) of a corresponding insert (24d, 24f) for fixing the insert (24d, 24f) within the cavity (26a-26c), and/or wherein at least one of the cavities (26a-26c) comprises at least one protrusion configured for extending into a matching recess (36e) formed within a corresponding insert (24e) for fixing the insert (24e) within the cavity (26a-26c).

8. Insert (24a-24f) configured for being form-fittingly inserted into a conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1.

9. Insert (24a-24f) according to claim 8 comprising at least one opening (28a-28f) or extension (30a-30f), in particular a threaded opening (28a-28f) or extension (30a-30f), configured for connecting the insert (24a-24f) with a conveyance element (20) of a conveyor (1).

10. Insert (24a, 24b) according to claim 8 comprising a portion (32b) having a trapezoidal cross-section for being form-fittingly accommodated within a corresponding cavity (26a, 26b) formed with a matching undercut.

11. Insert (24a-24f) according to claim 8, comprising at least one protrusion (36d, 36f) configured for extending into a matching recess formed within a corresponding cavity of the conveyance belt (12), and/or comprising at least one recess (36e) configured for accommodating a matching protrusion formed within a corresponding cavity of the conveyance belt (12).

12. Conveyance system for a conveyor (1), comprising: a conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1; a plurality of inserts, each insert (24a-24f) being accommodated within one of the cavities (26a-26c) of the conveyance belt (12), respectively; and a plurality of conveyance elements (20) connected to the conveyance belt (12) via the inserts (24a-24f).

13. People conveyor (1), in particular an escalator (1a) or a moving walkway (1b), comprising a conveyance system according to claim 12.

14. Method of inserting an insert (24a-24f) according to claim 8 into a cavity of a conveyance belt (12), wherein the method includes elastically deforming a portion of the conveyance belt (12) including the cavity (26a-26c) in order to allow introducing the insert (24a-24f) into the cavity (26a-26c).

15. Method of fixing a conveyance element (20) to a conveyance belt (12) according to claim 1, wherein the method includes inserting at least one insert (24a-24f) into a cavity (26a-26c) of the conveyance belt (12).

Description

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the enclosed figures.

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic side view of a people conveyor, in particular of an escalator.

[0032] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic side view of another people conveyor, in particular of a moving walkway.

[0033] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a section of a conveyance belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view through a tooth of a conveyance belt accommodating an insert according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an insert according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4.

[0036] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an insert according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an insert according to a yet another exemplary embodiment.

[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict sectional views of a tooth of the conveyance belt accommodating two inserts according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 7.

[0039] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an insert according to a further exemplary embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an insert according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an insert according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic side view of a conveyor 1, in particular a people conveyor in the form of an escalator 1a, comprising a truss 2 and a conveyance band 10. The conveyance band 10 includes a plurality of conveyance elements 20, in particular steps 20a, and extends in a (longitudinal) conveyance direction between two landing portions 11. The conveyance elements 20 comprise rollers 25 guided and supported by guide rails (not shown). For clarity, only some of the conveyance elements 20 are depicted in FIG. 1, and not all conveyance elements 20 and rollers 25 are provided with reference signs.

[0043] In turnaround portions 5, 7 next to the landing portions 11, the conveyance band 10 passes from an upper conveyance portion 16 into a lower return portion 18, and vice versa.

[0044] The conveyance elements 20 are connected to a conveyance belt 12, extending along a closed loop and configured for driving the conveyance elements 20. The conveyance belt 12 is driven by a conveyance sheave 14. A drive 15 including a motor 19 is provided for driving the conveyance sheave 14 via a transmission element 17, such as a transmission belt or a transmission chain.

[0045] Balustrades 4 supporting moving handrails 6 extend parallel to the conveyance portion 16.

[0046] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic side view of another conveyor 1, in particular a people conveyor in the form of a moving walkway 1b.

[0047] The moving walkway 1b comprises an endless conveyance band 10 including conveyance elements 20, in particular pallets 20b, moving between two landing portions 11 in a (longitudinal) conveyance direction in an upper conveyance portion 16 and opposite to the conveyance direction in a lower return portion 18.

[0048] Turnaround portions 5, 7, are provided at both ends of the moving walkway 1b. In the turnaround portions 5, 7 the conveyance band 10 passes from the conveyance portion 16 into the return portion 18, and vice versa.

[0049] The conveyance elements 20 are connected to a conveyance belt 12 extending along a closed loop and configured for driving the conveyance elements 20. The conveyance belt 12 is driven by a conveyance sheave 14. A drive 15 including a motor 19 is provided for driving the conveyance sheave 14 via a transmission element 17, e.g. a transmission belt or a transmission chain.

[0050] Balustrades 4 supporting moving handrails 6 extend parallel to the conveyance portion 16.

[0051] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a section of a conveyance belt 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0052] The conveyance belt 12 depicted in FIG. 3 is a toothed belt comprising a plurality of teeth 22, 22a-22c. The teeth 22, 22a-22c are formed on one side of the conveyance belt 12, which is the upper side of the conveyance belt 12 in the orientation of the conveyance belt 12 depicted in FIG. 3.

[0053] The teeth 22, 22a-22c are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and they are configured for engaging with the conveyance sheave 14 (not shown in FIG. 3) in order to allow the conveyance sheave 14 to drive the conveyance belt 12. For clarity of the illustration, not all teeth 22, 22a-22c are denoted with reference signs in FIG. 3.

[0054] In order to allow connecting the conveyance elements 20 (not shown in FIG. 3) with the conveyance belt 12, inserts 24a-24f are arranged within the conveyance belt 12. The inserts 24a-24f in particular are arranged within corresponding cavities 26a-26c formed within the conveyance belt 12.

[0055] The cavities 26a-26c in particular are formed in some of the teeth 22a-22c. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, a cavity 26a-26c respectively accommodating an insert 24a-24f is formed in every seventh tooth 22a-22c. This, however, is only an exemplary configuration, and the skilled person understands that the number of the teeth 22, 22a-22c between adjacent cavities 26a-26c/inserts 24a-24f may vary according to the circumstances of the respective configuration. The number of teeth 22 between adjacent inserts 24a-24f in particular may depend on the dimensions of the teeth 22, 22a-22c and the conveyance elements 20 in the conveyance direction.

[0056] For illustrative reasons, different types of inserts 24a-24f are depicted in FIG. 3. However, usually the same type of insert 24a-24f is used for all inserts 24a-24f within as single conveyance belt 12.

[0057] The tooth 22a accommodating the first insert 24a shown on the left side of FIG. 3 is depicted semi-transparently in order to illustrate the embedding of the insert 24a within the tooth 22a more clearly.

[0058] For preventing inserts 24a-24f from dropping out of the conveyance belt 12, all inserts 24a-24f are fixed within the conveyance belt 12 by form-fit only, i.e. the inserts 24a-24f are fixed within the conveyance belt 12 without employing any additional fixing elements. This allows installing the inserts 24a-24f within the conveyance belt 12 at low costs.

[0059] FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view through a tooth 22a of a conveyance belt 12 accommodating an insert 24a according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an insert 24a according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4.

[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates that a cavity 26a configured for accommodating the insert 24a is formed within the tooth 22a.

[0061] The insert 24a and the cavity 26a are shaped so that an undercut fixing the insert 24a within the cavity 26a is formed. In order words, as clearly visible in FIG. 4, the extension D.sub.T of the cavity 26a at its open top side is smaller than the extension D.sub.B of the cavity 26a at the closed bottom side within the conveyance belt 12 (D.sub.T<D.sub.B).

[0062] In other words, the cavity 26a tapers from its closed bottom side to its open top side.

[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insert 24a is shaped correspondingly, i.e. with a small extension, which matches the extension D.sub.T at the top side of the cavity, at its top, and with a larger extension, which matches the extension D.sub.B at the bottom of the cavity 26a, at its bottom.

[0064] Although only the extensions D.sub.T, D.sub.B in a direction which is oriented orthogonally to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 12 are illustrated in FIG. 4, it is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the same rule (d.sub.T<d.sub.B) applies to the extensions d.sub.T, d.sub.B (not explicitly denoted in the figures) of the cavity 26a in the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 12 as well.

[0065] The skilled person understands that for achieving a suitable form-fit between an insert 24a-24f and a corresponding cavity 26a-26c it may be sufficient that the extension D.sub.T, d.sub.T at the top side is smaller than the extension D.sub.B, d.sub.B at the top side in at least one dimension, i.e. that D.sub.T<D.sub.B or d.sub.T<d.sub.B.

[0066] As a result, when the insert 24a is arranged within the cavity 26a, as it is illustrated in FIG. 4, the larger bottom of the insert 24a cannot pass the narrow opening at the top of the cavity 26a, and thus, the insert 24a is securely fixed within the cavity 26a.

[0067] The abutting inclined lateral surfaces of the insert 24a and the cavity 26a in particular constitute a wedge-like configuration which blocks any movement of the insert 24a out of the cavity 26a.

[0068] Usually, the conveyance belt 12 is produced with appropriate cavities 26a, e.g. by extrusion, and the inserts 24a are inserted into the cavities 26a subsequently.

[0069] For inserting an insert 24a into an existing cavity 26a, the conveyance belt 12, which is made of an elastic material, is locally deformed allowing the relatively wide bottom of the insert 24a to pass through the narrow opening at the top of the cavity 26a.

[0070] This special deformation of the conveyance belt 12 has to be done on purpose. The special deformation of the conveyance belt 12, which is necessary for allowing the wide bottom of the insert 24a to pass the narrow opening provided at the top of the cavity 26a, in particular does not occur accidentally during normal operation of the conveyor 1. Thus, the insert 24a cannot inadvertently move out of the cavity 26a during operation of the conveyor 1.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, two openings 28a are provided within the insert 24a. The openings 28a are configured for accommodating appropriate fixing elements (not shown), such as bolts or screws, for fixing a conveyance element 20 to the insert 24a. The openings 28a may be provided with threads, respectively, which are configured for engaging with screws inserted into the openings 28a. Alternatively, the fixing elements may extend through the openings 28a to be fixed by corresponding securing elements (not shown), such as splints or nuts, applied to the fixing elements on the opposite side of the insert 24a/conveyance belt 12.

[0072] For increasing the mechanical stability, each opening 28a is surrounded by a cylindrical extension 30a extending completely through the conveyance belt 12.

[0073] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an insert 24b according to another exemplary embodiment (cf. FIG. 3).

[0074] When viewed from the bottom or top, the insert 24b according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 has a bone-like contour. The insert 24b in particular has a middle portion 32b with a trapezoidal cross-section, which is smaller at the top than at the bottom, similar to the insert 24a according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0075] In an insert 24b according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, an opening 28b is formed in each of two basically circular end portions 34b provided at both ends of the middle portion 32b, respectively. For enhancing the strength of the insert 24b in the area of the openings 28b, the end portions 34b are formed with an increased thickness of the wall surrounding the openings 28b, respectively.

[0076] Similar to the insert 24a depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the end portions 34b of the insert 24b are provided with cylindrical extensions 30b surrounding the openings 28b and extending completely through the conveyance belt 12, when the insert 24b is arranged within said conveyance belt 12.

[0077] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an insert 24c according to yet another exemplary embodiment (cf. FIG. 3). FIGS. 8 and 9 depict sectional views of a tooth 22c of the conveyance belt 12 accommodating two inserts 24c according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, respectively.

[0078] An insert 24c according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 comprises a main body 32c having a trapezoidal cross-section and two rounded end portions 34c. Contrary to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the width of the end portions 34c is not larger than the width of the main body 32c. Further, no openings are formed within the end portions 34c of an insert 24c according to said exemplary embodiment.

[0079] Instead, a single opening 28c is formed in a central portion 31c of the main body 32c. The central portion 31c of the main body 32c next to the opening 28c includes an arcuate enforcement structure 33c laterally extending from the main body 32c. The enforcement structure 33c enhances the strength of the central portion 31c of the main body 32c next to the opening 28c by increasing the thickness of the wall surrounding the opening 28c.

[0080] Further, similar to the inserts 24a, 24b according to the exemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 to 6, a cylindrical extension 30c extending completely through the conveyance belt 12 (see FIG. 8) surrounds the lower portion of the opening 28c in an area below the main body 32c.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9, two inserts 24c are arranged next to each other in a single tooth 22c. The two inserts 24c in particular are spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction, i.e. orthogonally to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 12. Such a configuration comprising two inserts 24c allows fixing two portions of a conveyance element 20 to the same tooth 22c of the conveyance belt 12 although each insert 24c comprises only a single opening 28c, respectively.

[0082] The configurations depicted in FIG. 3, in which one or two inserts 24a-24f are arranged in a single tooth 22a-22c, however, are only examples. The skilled person understands that more than one or two inserts 24a-24f may be arranged in a single tooth 22a-22c for providing an even stronger connection between the conveyance elements 20 and the conveyance belt 12.

[0083] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an insert 24d according to a further exemplary embodiment.

[0084] Similar to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, an insert 24d according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10 has a bone-like contour including a middle portion 32d extending between two round end portions 34d. Similar to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, an opening 28d with a corresponding lower cylindrical extension 30d is formed within each of the end portions 34d, respectively.

[0085] The insert 24d depicted in FIG. 10 differs from the insert 24b depicted in FIG. 6 in that the middle portion 32d has a rectangular cross-section instead of a trapezoidal cross-section. In order to allow form-fittingly arranging the insert 24d within a corresponding cavity (not shown) of the conveyance belt 12, a protrusion 36d is formed on at least one lateral side surface 42d of the middle portion 32d.

[0086] Although only one protrusion 36d is visible in FIG. 10, the skilled person understands that a similar protrusion 36d may be formed on the opposing lateral side surface (rear side) of the middle portion 32d, which is not visible in the perspective view of FIG. 10.

[0087] The protrusion 36d depicted in FIG. 10 has an arcuate contour and extends between the two end portions 34d over the whole lengths of the middle portion 32d.

[0088] In order to allow form-fittingly arranging inserts 24d within a conveyance belt 12, corresponding recesses (not shown) configured for accommodating the protrusions 36d are formed within the cavities (not shown) provided within a matching conveyance belt 12.

[0089] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an insert 24e according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0090] Similar to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the insert 24e according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 has a bone-like contour including a middle portion 32e extending between two round end portions 34e. Similar to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, an opening 28e and a corresponding lower cylindrical extension 30e are formed within each of the end portions 34e, respectively.

[0091] Contrary to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, instead of a protrusion 36d, a recess 36e is formed on the lateral side surfaces 42e of the middle portion 32e.

[0092] Although only one recess 36e is visible in FIG. 11, the skilled person understands that a similar recess 36e may be formed on the opposing lateral side surface (rear side) of the middle portion 32e, which is not visible in the perspective view of FIG. 11.

[0093] In order to allow form-fittingly arranging the inserts 24e according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 within the conveyance belt 12, corresponding protrusions (not shown) configured for extending in to the recesses 36e of the inserts 24e are formed within the cavities (not shown) provided within a matching conveyance belt 12.

[0094] It is noted that the configuration according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 is basically complementary to the configuration according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10.

[0095] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an insert 24f according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

[0096] Similar to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the insert 24f depicted in FIG. 12 has a bone-like contour including a middle portion 32f extending between two round end portions 34f. As in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, an opening 28f and a corresponding lower cylindrical extensions 30f are formed within each of the end portions 34f, respectively.

[0097] Contrary to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, instead of a single protrusion 36d extending over the whole length of the middle portion 32f between the two end portions 34f, an insert 24f according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10 comprises a plurality of protrusions 36f formed on the lateral side(s) 42f of the middle portion 32f.

[0098] In the exemplary embodiment of an insert 24f depicted in FIG. 12, three protrusions 36f are equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the lateral side surface 42f of the middle portion 32f. This, however, is only an example, and the skilled person understands that more or less than three protrusions 36f may be formed. Similarly, the protrusions 36f may be spaced apart from each other equidistantly as depicted in FIG. 12, or non-equidistantly.

[0099] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, the protrusions 36f have a basically triangular cross-section including a top surface 38f extending basically orthogonally from a lateral side surface 42f of the middle portion 32f, and a bottom surface 40f extending in an acute angle from the lateral side surface 42f of the middle portion 32f to an outer end of the top surface 38f.

[0100] As a result, the protrusions 36f according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 act as barbs when introduced into correspondingly shaped cavities (not shown). I.e. the barb-like shape of the protrusions 36f allows introducing the inserts 24f easily into correspondingly shaped cavities of the conveyance belt 12. The mechanical interaction of the protrusions 36f, in particular the orthogonally extending top surfaces 38f of the protrusions, with corresponding geometrical features of the cavities, however, prevents the inserts 24f from dropping out and/or being pulled out of the cavities.

[0101] The skilled person understands that features of the exemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 10 to 12 may be combined with each other. I.e. protrusions 36d, 36f or recesses 36e according to one of said exemplary embodiments may be formed on a first lateral side surface 42d-42f of a middle portion 32d-32f of an insert 24d-24f, and protrusions 36d, 36f or recesses 36e according to another one of said exemplary embodiments may be formed on an opposing second lateral side surface of the middle portion 32d-32f of the insert 24d-24f. Such a configuration results in asymmetric inserts, which may be arranged only in a predetermined orientation in a correspondingly shaped cavity (not shown).

[0102] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

REFERENCES

[0103] 1 conveyor [0104] 1a escalator [0105] 1b moving walkway [0106] 2 truss [0107] 4 balustrade [0108] 5 turnaround portion [0109] 6 handrail [0110] 7 turnaround portion [0111] 9 conveyance mechanism [0112] 10 conveyance band [0113] 11 landing portion [0114] 12 conveyance belt [0115] 14 conveyance sheave [0116] 15 drive [0117] 16 conveyance portion [0118] 17 transmission element [0119] 18 return portion [0120] 19 motor [0121] 20 conveyance element [0122] 22, 22a-22c teeth [0123] 24a-24f insert [0124] 25 roller [0125] 26a-26c cavity [0126] 28a-28f opening [0127] 30a-30f extension [0128] 31c central [0129] 32b middle portion [0130] 32c main body [0131] 32d-32f middle portion [0132] 33c enforcement structure [0133] 34c-34f end portion [0134] 36d, 36f protrusion [0135] 36e recess [0136] 38f top surface [0137] 40f bottom surface [0138] 42d-42f lateral side surface