BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an escalator for transporting passengers.
[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.57-141378 discloses a handrail driving mechanism
of a man conveyer that the total width of the man conveyer is decreased to improve
the maintainability by forming a part of the conveyer main frame by a support frame
of the handrail driving mechanism, and by arranging a coupling mechanism between a
driving roller and a motor in the same space facing moving step tread. Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No.57-141379 discloses a man conveyer that the total width of
the man conveyer is decreased to reduce the installation space by separating the man
conveyer main frame at a portion of the handrail driving mechanism, and by welding
and integrating a support frame of the handrail driving mechanism to and with the
separated portion to form a part of the main frame.
[0003] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.51-139082 discloses an escalator
that the inner side surface of the balustrade is formed in a convex shape projecting
toward the step tread so that a passenger's foot may be kept apart from the skirt
guard.
[0004] In a balustrade portion of a passenger escalator, balustrades, each of which is vertically
arranged under an endlessly continuous handrail to support the handrail, are arranged
in parallel to each other so that the distance between the both balustrades in the
vertical direction becomes constant, or are arranged so that the distance between
the both balustrades in the lower side of the balustrade is shorter than the distance
between the both balustrades at positions near the upper-line tracks of the handrails.
Therefore, for example, a passenger carrying baggage with him is sometimes leans against
the balustrade due to braking caused by the baggage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger escalator which can
extend the width of the space between the balustrades.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a passenger escalator which
can widen the width of step tread, and thereby the width of the space between the
balustrades can be extended.
[0007] In order to attain the above objects, the present invention can provide a safe passenger
escalator in which the balustrades are arranged in the outer side of the machine room,
and a hand rail support portion is provided on the side surface of the upper end portion
of the balustrade which is arranged so as to, for example, tilt or curve toward the
step side from the upper portion of the machine room or so as to vertically stand,
and an upper-line track of the handrail is arranged in the top end portion of the
support portion. By doing so, a space can be obtained above the inner deck portion.
Accordingly, for example, even when a passenger carries baggage with him, the passenger
does not lose his balance by being blocked by the baggage.
[0008] Further, in a mechanism for guiding and moving an endlessly connected handrail, the
handrail transport roller is arranged in the outer side and the driving unit of the
transfer roller is arranged in the step side. By doing so, by making use of a space
produced in the machine room, the step tread portion and the riser portion of the
step can be extended in the width direction, and the balustrades can be arranged in
a state of tilting toward the step side in the upper portion (a state of broadening
downward), and accordingly, the space in the lower portion of the passenger's riding
space is increased compared to that in the conventional passenger escalator. Therefore,
even when a passenger carries baggage with him, the passenger does not lose his balance
by being blocked by the baggage. Further, a little child can not mischievously enter
the outer deck portion. Thus, a safe passenger escalator can be provided.
[0009] In the mechanism guiding and moving the handrail arranged in a tilting state, in
the machine room, there are arranged an upper-line track of the step and a return
track of the step below the upper-line track which are for moving to circulate the
steps. In a portion further below the upper-line track of the step and the return
track of the step, there is arranged a return track of the handrail of which the upper-line
track is formed along the upper surface of the balustrade. By doing so, because the
space for the inner deck portion becomes unnecessary, the step can be extend in the
width direction by that amount, and the balustrades can be arranged in a state of
tilting toward the step side in the upper portion (a state of broadening downward),
and accordingly, the space in the lower portion of the passenger's riding space is
increased compared to that in the conventional passenger escalator. Therefore, for
example, when a passenger carries baggage with him, the passenger does not lose his
balance by being blocked by the baggage. Further, a little child can not mischievously
enter the outer deck portion. Thus, a safe passenger escalator can be provided.
[0010] In detail, the present invention provides the passenger escalator described below.
[0011] The present invention provides a passenger escalator comprising a row of endlessly
connected steps which is moved to circulate; decks formed in both sides of the row
of steps; balustrades standing along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail
formed along each of the balustrades; and a machine room for driving the handrails,
wherein a passenger standing space above the step is formed in a shape of a space
extended above the deck; balustrades tilting toward the step side above the deck are
arranged; a handrail guide is arranged in a top end of each of the balustrades; and
an upper-line track of the handrail is formed along an upper end surface of the handrail
guide.
[0012] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein the balustrade
is formed of a single sheet of transparent panel tilting in a straight line up to
the handrail guide.
[0013] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein the balustrade
is formed of a single sheet of transparent panel smoothly curved up to the handrail
guide.
[0014] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein the balustrade
has a decorative transparent panel in the step side.
[0015] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein an exterior
panel is arranged in the outer side of a side outer plate of the machine room; and
an end surface of the balustrade is connected to an upper end of said exterior panel.
[0016] The present invention provides a passenger escalator comprising a row of endlessly
connected steps which is moved to circulate; decks formed in both sides of the row
of steps; balustrades standing along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail
formed along each of the balustrades; and a machine room for driving the handrails,
wherein a passenger standing space above the step is formed in a shape of a space
extended above the deck; balustrades are formed by vertically extending from an upper
ends of exterior panel; a handrail guide is arranged in a top end of each of the balustrades;
and an upper-line track of the handrail is formed along an upper end surface of the
handrail guide.
[0017] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein the balustrade
has a decorative transparent panel in the step side.
[0018] The present invention provides a passenger escalator comprising a row of endlessly
connected steps which is moved to circulate; decks formed in both sides of the row
of steps; balustrades standing along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail
formed along each of the balustrades; and a machine room for driving the handrails,
wherein in said machine room, there are arranged an upper-line track of the step and
a return track of the step below the upper-line track which are for moving to circulate
the steps; and a handrail driving mechanism and a return track of the handrail further
below the upper-line track of the step and the return track of the step.
[0019] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein the handrail
driving mechanism is arranged in the side of a side surface of the step moving in
the machine room; and a transport roller and a driving roller of the handrail and
the handrail driven by the rollers are arranged in the side of an outer plate.
[0020] Further, the present invention provides a passenger escalator, wherein the balustrade
is arranged tilting toward the step side.
[0021] The present invention provides a group of juxtaposed passenger escalators, each of
the passenger escalators comprising a row of endlessly connected steps which is moved
to circulate; decks formed in both sides of the row of steps; balustrades standing
along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail formed along each of the
balustrades; and a machine room for driving the handrails, wherein a passenger standing
space above the step in each of the escalator is formed in a shape of a space extended
above the deck; a balustrade common to the adjacent escalators tilting toward each
of the step sides above the deck is arranged; a handrail guide of each of the escalators
is arranged in a branched top end of the balustrade; and an upper-line track of the
handrail is formed along an upper end surface of the handrail guide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a passenger
escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the passenger escalator being
taken on the plane of the line E-E of FIG.1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view showing a shape under use of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a view showing the dimensional relationship of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a modification of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of the first embodiment
of the passenger escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of the first embodiment
of the passenger escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8(A), FIG. 8(B) and FIG. 8(C) are perspective views each showing a terminal
portion of the example shown in FIG. 6.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a passenger
escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a further example of the second
embodiment of the passenger escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of a passenger
escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the passenger escalator being
taken on the plane of the line F-F of FIG.10.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of the third embodiment
of the passenger escalator in accordance with the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the passenger
escalator being taken on the plane of the line F-F of FIG.10.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of juxtaposed escalators.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, referring to the accompanied
figures.
[0039] FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 are views showing the construction of a first embodiment in accordance
with the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view; fig. 2
is a transverse cross-sectional view being taken on the plane of the line E-E of FIG.
1; FIG. 3 is a view showing a shape under use; and FIG. 4 is a view showing the dimensional
relationship. Referring to these figures, the reference character 1 is a machine room,
the reference character 2 is a step, the reference character 3 is a driving unit,
the reference character 4 is a side outer plate, the reference character 6 is a cover
plate, the reference character 7 is a balustrade, the reference character 8 is a handrail
guide, the reference character 9 is a handrail, the reference character 10 is a skirt
guard, the reference character 11 is a deck, the reference character 12 is an exterior
deck, the reference character 13 is a transport roller, the reference character 14
is a handrail driving mechanism, the reference character 15 is a frame, the reference
character 16 is a guide, the reference character 22 is a chain, and the reference
character 26 is a driving roller.
[0040] The balustrades are vertically set to stand in the both sides on the upper surface
of the machine room which moves and circulates the row of endlessly connected steps,
and an upper-line track of the handrail is formed along the upper surface of each
of the balustrades.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, the exterior panel 5 is further
attached onto the outer side of the side outer plate 4 of the machine room 1, and
the balustrade 7 is arranged from the upper end of the exterior panel 5, and the handrail
guide 8 is formed in the top end of the balustrade 7 and the upper-line track of the
handrail 9 is endlessly and continuously formed along the upper end of the handrail
guide 8. Since the positions of the handrails are equal to positions in a conventional
passenger escalator, the upper end portions of the balustrades 7 are formed so as
to tilt toward the step 2 side. Since the lower end portions of the balustrades 7
are formed so as to widen toward the lower side, spaces 100 are newly produced in
the hatched portions shown in FIG. 3. Even when a passenger gets on or off the escalator
carrying baggage with him, the passenger does not lose his balance by being blocked
by the baggage. Although the area of the deck 11 is widened, the balustrade is tilted
or curved toward the skirt guard 10 side to prevent a foot or baggage from putting
them on the deck 11. Since the lower end portion of the balustrade 7 is nearly even
with the exterior panel 5, the outer deck is eliminated and accordingly a little child
can not mischievously enter the outer deck portion. The material of the balustrade
7 may be glass, metal or wood.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows an example of the dimensional relationship. As shown in the figure,
the dimensional relationship is A: 1550 mm. B: 1004 mm, C: 1200 mm, D: 175 mm, and
the space 101 is expanded by the space 100 depending on the width of D.
[0043] The balustrade 7 tilting toward the step 2 side above the deck 11 is arranged, and
the balustrade 7 forms the space 100 which expands the passenger standing space 101
up to the space above the deck 11. The handrail guide 8 is arranged in the top end
of the balustrade 7. The balustrade 7 is sometimes constructed so as to have the decorative
transparent panel 21 in the step side, as shown in FIG. 5. Even in such a case, the
balustrade 7 capable of expanding the space 101 by the space 100 can be formed. Accordingly,
the decorative transparent panel 21 is also tilted toward the step side.
[0044] FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the other examples of the first embodiment.
[0045] In the escalator of FIG. 6, the balustrade 7 is curved from the upper end of the
exterior panel 5. Although the shape of the balustrade in the figure is drawn in a
single arc, the shape of the balustrade may be a combination of arcs, or may contain
a straight line portion. The spaces 100 of the hatched portions shown in FIG. 3 can
be widened by curving the balustrades 7. In this case, the space 101 can be expanded
up to the space 100 by the shape of the balustrades 7.
[0046] In the escalator of FIG. 7, the exterior panels 5 vertically extending upward are
arranged, a handrail support portion 18 is arranged so as to project from the upper
end side surface of each of the exterior panels 5, and a handrail 9 is formed along
the upper end surface of the handrail support portion 18. Therein, the height of the
exterior panel 5 may be up to the level of a handrail guide 8 or lower. In this case,
a support 19 for supporting the handrail support portion 18 and the handrail guide
8 is provided in the exterior panel.
[0047] FIG. 8(A), FIG. 8(B) and FIG. 8(C) are perspective views showing terminal portions
of the embodiment of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8 (A), the exterior panel 5 may be extended
to a point of the cover plate or longer exceeding the position where the handrail
enters into the machine room, and is used as a fence.
[0048] The exterior panel 5 may be extended to a point where the handrail enters into the
machine room, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), or the exterior panel 5 may be formed so as
to match the shape of the handrail entering the machine room as shown in FIG. 8 (C).
[0049] FIG. 9 is a view showing the construction of a second embodiment of a passenger escalator
in accordance with the present invention, and fig. 9 is the vertical view. In this
figure, the part corresponding to that in the precedent embodiment is identified by
the same reference character, and the explanation will be omitted here in order to
avoid repetition.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the return track of the handrail is
arranged in a position on the extension line of the balustrade 7 below the lower end
portion of the balustrade 7, the handrail driving mechanism 14 being arranged in the
side of the side surface of the step 2 moving in the machine room 1, a device for
driving the transport roller 13 being arranged in the step side, the return track
of the handrail 9 and the transport roller 13 for transporting the handrail being
arranged in the side outer plate 4 side. Since the return track of the handrail 9
is located in the side of the side outer plate 4, the gripped position of the handrail
and the position of the transport roller are not in the vertical positional relationship,
but are in a state of tilting the handrail driving mechanism 14 toward the step side,
that is, in a state of broadening downward. In this case, a space 102 is formed in
a side portion of the handrail driving mechanism. Therefore, the step 2 can be widened
in the horizontal direction, and a space 100 can be obtained in the inner side portion
of the balustrade. Further, the outer deck can be made smaller compared to that in
the conventional escalator, and accordingly a little child can not mischievously enter
the outer deck portion. According to this embodiment, the passenger standing space
101 can be extended not only by the space 100 but also by the space 102 which makes
it possible to widen the width of the step.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows another example of the second embodiment in accordance with the present
invention.
[0052] In the escalator of FIG. 10, there are provided the curved balustrades 7. Although
the shape of the balustrade in the figure is drawn in a single arc, the shape of the
balustrade may be a combination of arcs, or may contain a straight line portion. The
spaces 100 of the hatched portions shown in FIG. 3 can be widened by curving the balustrades
7.
[0053] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are views showing the construction of a third embodiment of a
passenger escalator in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 11 is the vertical
cross-sectional view. In this figure, the part corresponding to that in the precedent
embodiment is identified by the same reference character, and the explanation will
be omitted here in order to avoid repetition.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 11, in the third embodiment, in the machine room 1 there are the
upper-line track of the step and the return track of the step below the upper-line
track, and the handrail drive mechanism 14 and the return track of the handrail are
arranged further below the upper-line track and the return track of the step.
[0055] The return track of the handrail is arranged in the lower end portion on the extension
of the balustrade, the handrail driving mechanism 14 being arranged in the side of
the side surface of the step moving in the machine room 1, the transport roller 13
and the driving roller 6 being arranged in the step side, the return track of the
handrail and the transport roller 13 for transporting the handrail being arranged
in the side of the outer plate 4.
[0056] Since the return track of the handrail is arranged in a portion further below the
steps, as shown in FIG. 12, there is no need to provide a space for the handrail driving
mechanism by the side of the side surface of the step, differently from the conventional
escalator. Therefore, the width of the step can be widened by that amount. Further,
the total width of the machine room itself can be narrowed. Therefore, the space 101
can be extended by increase of the width of the step and by the spaces 100.
[0057] FIG. 13 is a view showing another example of the third embodiment of a passenger
escalator in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 13 is the vertical cross-sectional
view.
[0058] Since the handrail driving mechanism 14 is not arranged by the side of the step 2
but arranged below the step, the step can be extended in the width direction and the
step can be extended in keeping the width of the conventional machine room constant.
Therefore, the space 101 can be widened, and the transporting ability can be improved.
Further, since the inner deck can be eliminated and the level of the outer deck 11'
can be lowered, the escalator can be formed in a shape similar to a common staircase.
That is, since the distance between the balustrades is widened, an operating direction
of the passengers escalator can be easily observed from a distant position.
[0059] FIG. 14 shows the third embodiment of the passenger escalator in accordance with
the present invention.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 14, by arranging the handrail driving mechanism at a position shown
in the figure, the height of the machine room can be reduced to a value nearly equal
to the height of the conventional machine room.
[0061] FIG. 15 shows an example of juxtaposing the embodiment of the escalators in accordance
with the present invention.
[0062] The space for extending the passenger standing apace above the step in each of the
escalators 110, 111 to the position above each of the decks is formed. A sheet of
common balustrade 70 tilting toward the sides of the steps above the decks is provided,
and handrail guides of the escalators 110, 111 are arranged in the top ends of the
branched balustrade to form the upper-line tracks of the handrails along the upper
end surfaces of the handrail guides. Thereby, the balustrade common to the both escalators
can be formed, and the escalators become visually slim.
[0063] FIG. 16 shows another example of the juxtaposed escalators. This example is composed
of the escalators shown in FIG. 7, and the handrail driving mechanisms and the return
tracks of the handrail are arranged side by side below the upper-line tracks and the
return tracks of the steps, respectively. A sheet of the balustrade is commonly used
similarly to the above-mentioned example.
[0064] According to the present invention, it is possible to extend the width of step with
keeping the total width of the passenger escalator in a value equal to that in the
conventional one, and it is possible to provide a safe passenger escalator which can
improve the safety that the passenger does not lose his balance by being blocked by
the baggage when a passenger carries baggage with him, and that a little child can
not mischievously enter the outer deck portion.
1. A passenger escalator comprising a row of endlessly connected steps (2) which is moved
to circulate; decks (11) formed in both sides of the row of steps; balustrades (7)
standing along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail (9) formed along
each of the balustrades; and a machine room (1) for driving the handrails, wherein
a passenger standing space (101) above the step is formed in a shape of a space
(100) extended above the deck (11); balustrades tilting toward the step side above
the deck are arranged; a handrail guide (8) is arranged in a top end of each of the
balustrades (7); and an upper-line track of the handrail (9) is formed along an upper
end surface of the handrail guide (8).
2. A passenger escalator according to claim 1, wherein
said balustrade (7) is formed of a single sheet of transparent panel tilting in
a straight line up to the handrail guide (8).
3. A passenger escalator according to claim 1, wherein
said balustrade (7) is formed of a single sheet of transparent panel smoothly curved
up to the handrail guide.
4. A passenger escalator according to claim 1, wherein
said balustrade (7) has a decorative transparent panel in the step side.
5. A passenger escalator according to claim 1, wherein
an exterior panel is arranged in the outer side of a side outer plate of the machine
room (1); and an end surface of the balustrade (7) is connected to an upper end of
said exterior panel.
6. A passenger escalator comprising a row of endlessly connected steps (2) which is moved
to circulate; decks (11, 12) formed in both sides of the row of steps; balustrades
(7) standing along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail (9) formed
along each of the balustrades (7); and a machine room (1) for driving the handrails,
wherein
a passenger standing space (101) above the step is formed in a shape of a space
(100) extended above the deck (11); balustrades (7) are formed by vertically extending
from an upper ends of exterior panel; a handrail guide (8) is arranged in a top end
of each of the balustrades; and an upper-line track of the handrail (9) is formed
along an upper end surface of the handrail guide (8).
7. A passenger escalator according to claim 6, wherein
said balustrade (7) has a decorative transparent panel in the step side.
8. A passenger escalator comprising a row of endlessly connected steps (2) which is moved
to circulate; decks (11, 12) formed in both sides of the row of steps; balustrades
(7) standing along the row of steps; an upper-line track of a handrail (9) formed
along each of the balustrades (7); and a machine room (1) for driving the handrails,
wherein
in said machine room (1), there are arranged an upper-line track of the step and
a return track of the step below the upper-line track which are for moving to circulate
the steps; and a handrail driving mechanism (14) and a return track of the handrail
further below the upper-line track of the step and the return track of the step.
9. A passenger escalator according to claim 8, wherein
the handrail driving mechanism (14) is arranged in the side of a side surface of
the step moving in the machine room (1); and a transport roller (13) and a driving
roller of the handrail (9) and the handrail driven by the rollers are arranged in
the side of an outer plate.
10. A passenger escalator according to any one of claim 8 and claim 9, wherein
said balustrade (7) is arranged tilting toward the step side.
11. A group of juxtaposed passenger escalators, each of the passenger escalators comprising
a row of endlessly connected steps which is moved to circulate; decks formed in both
sides of the row of steps; balustrades standing along the row of steps; an upper-line
track of a handrail formed along each of the balustrades; and a machine room for driving
the handrails, wherein
a passenger standing space above the step in each of the escalator is formed in
a shape of a space extended above the deck; a balustrade (70) common to the adjacent
escalators tilting toward each of the step sides above the deck is arranged; a handrail
guide of each of the escalators is arranged in a branched top end of the balustrade;
and an upper-line track of the handrail is formed along an upper end surface of the
handrail guide.