Floor covering of a passenger conveyor

Abstract

The application relates to a floor covering of an escalator or moving walkway. The floor covering has a floor covering support, a first covering element and at least one adjoining covering element. At least one device which predetermines a single-possible, correct installation position of the covering elements on the floor covering support is arranged between at least the first covering element and the adjoining covering element, wherein, in the correct installation position, the first covering element and the adjoining covering element are arranged to be flush with the floor covering support and, in an incorrect installation position, at least part of the adjoining covering element is arranged in a visibly protruding manner on the floor covering support due to the device.

Claims

1. A floor covering of an entry region of a passenger conveyor designed as an escalator or a moving walkway, the floor covering comprising: a floor covering support, a first covering element and at least one adjoining covering element configured to close an opening in an underfloor space in the passenger conveyor at least with the first covering element and the at least one adjoining covering element supported on the floor covering support such that it is flush with the surrounding flooring that can be walked on, at least one device which predetermines a single-possible, correct installation position of the first covering element and the at least one adjoining covering elements on the floor covering support arranged at least in the region of the first covering element and the at least one adjoining covering element the at least one device configured such that, in the correct installation position, the first covering element and the at least one adjoining covering element are arranged flush with the floor covering support and, in an incorrect installation position, at least part of the at least one adjoining covering element is arranged in a visibly protruding manner on the floor covering support due to the at least one device, wherein the at least one device comprises a positioning element configured to be brought into an interlocking operative connection with the floor covering support or with the first covering element by moving the first covering element on the floor covering support.

2. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device is positioned in a region between the first covering element and the at least one adjoining covering element, and is arranged on the floor covering support with a fastening element, and the at least one device comprises a lever latch comprising a first lever arm, a bearing and a second lever arm, the bearing arranged between the two lever arms, the positioning element arranged on the first lever arm, wherein the positioning element projects into a cut-out in the first covering element in the correct installation position, and the second lever arm extends in the region of the adjoining covering element.

3. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device is positioned in a region between the first covering element and the at least one adjoining covering element, and is arranged on the first covering element with a fastening element, and the at least one device comprises a lever latch comprising a lever arm, a bearing and the positioning element arranged on the lever arm, the bearing arranged on a first lever arm end, the positioning element projecting into a cut-out the floor covering support in the correct installation position, and the second lever arm end arranged in the region of the adjoining covering element.

4. The floor covering according to claim 2, wherein the position of the at least one device relative to the floor covering support or to the first covering element can be set by the at least one fastening element.

5. The floor covering according to claim 2, wherein the fastening element comprises a bearing bracket on which the bearing of the lever latch is pivotally or rotatably mounted.

6. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein first covering element comprises a through-hole and the floor covering support comprises a cut-out, and the positioning element extends into the cut-out and the through-hole in the correct installation position.

7. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein a securing element is arranged between the floor covering support and the first covering element.

8. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device comprises at least one sensor or switch configured to monitor the correct installation position or the incorrect installation position of the covering elements.

9. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein said floor covering comprises a plurality of covering elements, which are arranged on the floor covering support so as to rest on one another in an adjoining manner, and at least one device is assigned at least to the first covering element.

10. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein access can be provided to the underfloor space containing the technical equipment by removing at least one of the covering elements.

11. The floor covering according to claim 1, wherein at least one side face of the at least one adjoining covering element is provided with at least one of a signal color, at least one reflective element, or with at least one lamp.

12. A method for correctly installing a floor covering according to claim 1, of an entry region of a passenger conveyor designed as an escalator or moving walkway, the method comprising: during installation, fastening the at least one device to the first covering element or to the floor covering support, placing the first covering element onto the floor covering support, bringing the first covering element into an intended, correct installation position, at least by sliding, such that the positioning element of the device positions the first covering element relative to the floor covering support in an interlocking manner, arranging the at least one adjoining covering element on the floor covering support so as to fit closely to the first covering element, and making at least one visual inspection to ascertain whether at least part of the adjoining covering element is visibly protruding from the floor covering support.

13. A method for modernizing a passenger conveyor designed as an escalator or moving walkway, at least one device is added to the existing floor covering in at least one of the entry regions of the existing escalator or moving walkway, such that this addition produces a floor covering according to claim 1.

14. The floor covering to claim 7, wherein the securing element comprises a screw connection having a wing nut.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The floor covering comprising a device which predetermines a single-possible, correct installation position of the first covering element on the floor covering support will be explained in greater detail in the following on the basis of examples and with reference to the drawings, the same reference signs being used throughout in all the figures for identical components. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an escalator having a support structure or framework and two return regions, running rails being arranged in the support structure and a revolving step belt being arranged between the return regions;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the detail of an entry region denoted A in FIG. 1, and shows details of a floor covering that covers the associated return region more clearly;

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a floor covering comprising a first covering element and at least one adjoining covering element, the floor covering comprising a device having a dual-arm lever latch and the first covering element being shown in an incorrect installation position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the embodiment from FIG. 3, with the first covering element being shown in the correct installation position, and the correct installation position of the first covering element being monitored by a sensor or switch;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the embodiment from FIG. 3, with the first covering element being fastened in the correct installation position by means of an additional fastening element;

(7) FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the embodiment from FIG. 3, with only the adjoining covering element being shown in FIG. 6 so as to show the signaling elements thereof;

(8) FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a floor covering comprising a first covering element and at least one adjoining covering element, the floor covering comprising a device having a single-arm lever latch and the first covering element being shown in an incorrect installation position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a passenger conveyor 100 which is designed as an escalator and which connects a first floor E1 to a second floor E2. The passenger conveyor 100 comprises a support structure 106 or framework 106 comprising two return regions 107, 108, between which a step belt 105, which is only shown in part, is guided so as to revolve. The step belt has pulling means 109 on which steps 104 are arranged. A handrail 103 is arranged on a balustrade 102. The balustrade 102 is connected to the support structure 106 at the lower end by means of a balustrade base 110. The passenger conveyor 100 and the step belt 105 thereof can be accessed via entry regions 111, 112 at either end of the passenger conveyor 100. The surfaces of the entry regions 111, 112 that can be walked on are floor coverings 10 that each close the opening in an underfloor space 113, 114 in the passenger conveyor 100 from the surrounding flooring 115, which can be walked on, of the floors E1, E2 in a flush or planar manner

(10) Of course, the passenger conveyor 100 could also be designed as a moving walkway, with a pallet belt being arranged so as to revolve instead of a step belt, the middle part of said pallet belt not having any inclination or having less of an inclination than an escalator.

(11) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the detail of the entry region 111, denoted A in FIG. 1 and arranged in the floor E1, and shows details of the floor covering 10 more clearly. The floor covering 10 shown in cross section comprises a plurality of covering elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The first covering element 1, arranged in the region of the balustrade base 110 on the right in FIG. 2, is designed as a hollow profile having transverse supports 9, and the tapering right-hand side 8 of said covering element rests on a comb plate 18 that is part of a securing apparatus. The left-hand side of said covering element ends in a joint 7. The covering element 2 that adjoins on the left is designed in cross section as a rectangular hollow profile having transverse supports 9, and the other adjoining covering elements 3 to 5 are likewise identically designed as hollow profiles having rectangular cross sections and transverse supports 9. The end faces of the covering elements 1 to 5 may be interconnected at the joints 7 by means of appropriate connecting elements 14, such as tongues and grooves. The left-hand end faces of the covering elements 1 to 5 for example comprise a groove and the right-hand end faces of the covering elements 2 to 5 comprise a tongue. A floor covering support 12 designed as an angular frame is fastened to the support structure 106 by means of adjustment screws 21, 22, such that the floor covering support 12 can be leveled to the plane of the surrounding flooring 115, which can be walked on, of the floor E1. The floor covering support 12 may be a frame constructed from angular profiles. These angular profiles may be made of sheet steel, which is cut from a steel sheet in a punching process and is bent to form angular profiles. The floor covering support 12 caps off the floor covering 10 at two longitudinal sides (covered by the floor covering), which extend in the entry direction Z, and one transverse side 13. All the covering elements 1 to 5 are shown in their correct installation positions.

(12) When installing the floor covering 10, the installer or maintenance personnel must take particular care to ensure that the tapering side 8 of the first covering element 1 rests securely on the comb plate 18. In order to prevent slipping and tilting, the first covering element 1 is rigidly connected to the floor covering support 12 by means of a securing element 16 in the region of the left-hand end face 15 of said covering element. The securing element 16 may be a screw connection 16, for example Since this securing element 16 is not visible when the floor covering 10 is fully installed, it may also not be noticed if the nut of the screw connection 16 is missing due to an installation error.

(13) In order to prevent this situation from arising, the present invention provides that the floor covering 10 contains at least one device 20 by means of which a single-possible, correct installation position of the at least one covering element 1 to 5 on the floor covering support 12 is predetermined. Correct installation is signaled by the covering elements 1 to 5 being arranged flush with the floor covering support 12. If incorrectly installed, at least part of the covering element 2 adjoining the first covering element 1 is arranged in a visibly protruding manner on the floor covering support 12 due to the device 20.

(14) The device 20 and its arrangement in the floor covering 10 may be designed in various different ways. Possible embodiments are described in the following.

(15) FIGS. 3 to 5 are sectional side views and FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a detail of an embodiment of a floor covering 10 comprising a device 20, as mentioned in conjunction with FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the part of the floor covering 10 denoted as the first covering element 1 in FIG. 2 in the incorrect installation position X.sub.1. As already described, the first covering element 1 being insufficiently or defectively supported on the comb plate 18 poses a serious risk.

(16) In order to indicate the incorrect installation position X.sub.1 and thus the potential risk, the floor covering 10 comprises the device 20, which comprises a dual-arm lever latch 23, a bearing bracket 24 and a fastening element 25. On the bearing bracket 24, the dual-arm lever latch 23 is pivotally mounted on a bearing 39. A positioning element 28 integrally formed as a protrusion is arranged on the first lever arm 26 of said lever latch. The bearing bracket 24 is fastened to the floor covering support 12 by means of the fastening element 25. In the present embodiment, the fastening element 25 is a screw connection. In order to adjust the position of the device 20 relative to the floor covering support 12, the bearing bracket 24 comprises a slot 29. The distance of the positioning element 28 from the comb plate 18 is adjusted such that the first covering element 1 rests securely on the comb plate 18 in the correct installation position X.sub.0, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(17) The first covering element 1 comprises a cut-out 30. When the first covering element 1 is placed onto the floor covering support 12, the underside 31 stands on top of the positioning element 28, as shown in FIG. 3, and the lever latch 23 pivots into the position shown. The second lever arm 27 of said lever latch projects beyond the support plane 32 of the floor covering support 12 by a height X.sub.2. If an adjoining covering element 2 is then placed onto the floor covering support 12 without correcting the position of the first covering element 1, said adjoining covering element 2 will rest on the second lever arm 27 and be held in a visibly protruding position, or so as to indicate the incorrect installation position X.sub.1. This makes it immediately obvious to anyone that the first covering element 1 is in an incorrect installation position X.sub.1.

(18) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first covering element 1 can then be brought into the correct installation position X.sub.0 by moving the first covering element on the floor covering support 12 in the direction of the comb plate 18. This is then achieved when the protrusion 28 can engage in the cut-out 30 in an interlocking manner Since the protrusion 28 can project into the cut-out 30, the lever latch 23 can pivot back, as shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the second lever arm 27 no longer projects beyond the support plane 32, and therefore the adjoining covering element 2 can be flush with the floor covering support 12.

(19) It is particularly advantageous for an incorrectly installed covering element 1 to 5 of the floor covering 10 to directly affect the operating state of the passenger conveyor 100. To achieve this, as shown in FIG. 4, the correct installation position X.sub.0 of the covering element 1 to 5 can be monitored by a sensor 33 or a switch 33. The sensor 33 can mechanically or optically detect the position of the lever latch 23, for example A simple switch 33 can be used for this purpose which, for example, directly interrupts the supply of power to a drive motor (not shown) of the step belt 105 or pallet belt once the lever latch 23 is pivoted due to an incorrect installation position X.sub.1.

(20) Alternatively, the switch 33 or sensor 33 can transmit a signal corresponding to the installation position of the covering element 1 to 5 to a controller (not shown) of the passenger conveyor 100 via a signal line 34, for example, such that the controller immediately initiates or maintains the stoppage of the step belt 105 or pallet belt in the incorrect installation position X.sub.1 and enables operation relative to the floor covering 10 in the correct installation position X.sub.0.

(21) The covering element 2 may additionally be secured in the correct installation position X.sub.0 by means of a securing means 16, as shown in FIG. 5. The securing means 16 in the embodiment shown comprises a bolt 35 and a wing but 17. The bolt 35 is embedded in the cut-out 30 in the first covering element 1 and projects through a through-hole 36 in the bearing bracket 24 in the correct installation position X.sub.0. The wing nut 17 of the securing means 16 is installed and tightened so as to fit closely, as shown in FIG. 4. The upper surface of the first covering element 1, which can be walked on and is provided with a ribbed profile 37, is flush (X.sub.0=0) with the surface of the adjoining covering element 2, which can be walked on and is arranged on the floor covering support 12 so as to be adjacent to the correctly installed first covering element 1.

(22) Of course, a latching device, such as a spring bolt or a bar, which is fastened to the floor covering support 12 and engages in a cut-out in the first covering element 1, may also be used as a securing means 16.

(23) FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a detail of the embodiment from FIG. 3, with only the adjoining covering element 2 being shown in FIG. 6 so as to show the signaling elements 40 thereof. In order to make the at least partial protrusion of an incorrectly installed covering element 1 to 5 yet more easily perceptible, as shown with reference to the adjoining covering element 2, at least one side face 44 of the adjoining covering element 2 may be provided with a signal color 45 such as neon yellow, neon orange or the like.

(24) Instead of or in combination with the signal color 45, the side face 44 may also comprise at least one reflective element 46. Of course, at least one lamp 47 may also be provided on the side face 44 for the same purpose, as shown schematically by the light fitting 47 arranged in a glazed groove 48. The lamp 47 may be used either on its own or in combination with a signal color 45 and/or a reflective element 46.

(25) FIG. 6 also clearly shows how the positioning element 28 projects beyond the support plane 32 of the floor covering support 12, such that the lever latch 23 is actuated and the adjoining covering element 2 is raised when, as shown in FIG. 3, the cut-out 30 in the first covering element 1 is not arranged at this point.

(26) FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of a floor covering 10 in another embodiment of the invention, with the first covering element 2 being in the incorrect installation position X.sub.1. In this embodiment, a device 50 is arranged on the first covering element 1 by means of a fastening element 51. As in the previously described embodiment, the device 50 is also positioned in a region between the first covering element 1 and the adjoining covering element 2. This embodiment of the device 50 also comprises a lever latch 53 comprising a lever arm 54, a bearing 55 and the positioning element 58 arranged on the lever arm 54. The bearing 55 is, however, arranged on a first lever arm end 56. The second lever arm end 57 is arranged in the region of the adjoining covering element 2. Furthermore, the floor covering support comprises a cut-out 52.

(27) In an incorrect installation position X.sub.1, the positioning element 58 stands on top of the floor covering support 12 and holds the lever latch 53 in a position pivoted about the bearing 55. In this position, the second lever arm end 57 projects far beyond the support plane 32 of the floor covering support 12 such that the adjoining covering element 2 that is placed on the floor covering support 12 stands on top of the second lever arm end 57, and therefore is raised by the floor covering support 12 at least in part. This covering element protruding clearly indicates that the first covering element 1 is not yet arranged in the correct position on the floor covering support 12, and for example its front edge 11 is positioned too far onto the comb plate 18 or, as shown in FIG. 7, its front edge 11 is not supported on the comb plate 18.

(28) Once the positioning element 58 has found the cut-out 52 in the floor covering support 12 by the first covering element 1 moving linearly on the floor covering support 12, the lever latch 53 pivots back, the positioning element 58 projects into the cut-out 52 and the second lever arm end 57 lowers, such that it is no longer protruding beyond the support plane 32 of the floor covering support 12. The adjoining covering element 2 comprises a clearance 59 so that the lever latch 53 that has pivoted back has enough space and the adjoining covering element 2 can be flush with the floor covering support 12.

(29) Since the bearing 55, part of the lever latch 53 and in particular the positioning element 58 are arranged within the first covering element 1, a through-hole 60 is made in the underside 31 of the first covering element 1 in the region of the positioning element 58. When the first covering element 1 is in the correct installation position X.sub.0, the positioning element 58 project through both the through-hole 60 and the cut-out 52. As a result, positioning with very little play can be achieved, since the interlocking is produced by the positioning element 58, the through-hole 60 and the cut-out 52, and not the bearing 51.

(30) Although the invention has been described on the basis of specific embodiments, it is clear that countless additional variants can be produced within the context of the present invention, for example by a sensor 25 or switch 25 being used in each of the variants to monitor the correct installation of the first covering element 1. Furthermore, the floor covering 10 may also comprise a plurality of device 20, 50. All the embodiments may also be used in floor coverings 10 that comprise more than two covering elements 1 to 5. In floor coverings 10 of this type, at least one device 20, 50 may be provided for each of the covering elements 1 to 5. Of course, it is also possible for the second lever 27 of the lever latch 23 to extend behind the covering element 2 directly adjoining the first covering element 1, such that an adjoining covering element 3, 4, 5 other than the covering element 2 directly adjoining the first covering element 1 is raised in the incorrect installation position X.sub.1.

(31) Of course, existing passenger transport systems 100 can also be modernized by the existing floor coverings 10 thereof being replaced with floor coverings 10 according to the invention or by corresponding devices 20, 50 being added to the existing floor coverings 10.