SPLIT HANDRAIL FOR PASSENGER MOVING WALKING SYSTEMS

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a handrail (1) for passenger moving walking systems comprising an endless handrail belt (2), wherein the handrail (1) comprises a first end section (3), a second end section (5) and a main section (4) between the first end section (3) and the second end section (5); wherein the handrail belt (2) is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side (21) and a second belt side (22), wherein the first belt side (21) is parallel to the second belt side (22), and in that at least one end section (3, 5) of the handrail the first belt side (21) of the handrail belt (2) is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side (22) of the handrail belt (2); and to a handrail system comprising at least two of said handrails (1, 1').
Furthermore the invention refers to a handrail system (10) comprising at least one of such a handrail and a passenger moving walking system comprising such a handrail system (10).

Description

[0001] The invention refers to a handrail for moving walking systems comprising an endless belt, a handrail system for moving walking systems comprising at least two of these consecutive handrails and a moving walking system comprising such a handrail system.

[0002] Handrails and handrail systems for moving walking systems are already known. A system made up of several constant speed handrails is known, wherein each handrail circulates at a different speed from the previous one, or as close as possible to the speed of the walking treads/pallets in the same area. Handrails with this configuration are disclosed in FR 2,757,143 A1 and in EP 0 837 026 B1. However, at different points of the moving walking system, the speed of the handrail can differ considerably from the speed of the walking treads/pallets. This can cause an unpleasant and uncomfortable sensation for the user and even pose safety a risk.

[0003] EP 1 582 494 A2 discloses a handrail comprising a continuous handrail and a discontinuous handrail wherein the discontinuous handrail slides over the continuous handrail and accelerates and decelerates at the same rate as the walking pallets. This system tries to mitigate the uncomfortable sensation for the user caused by the change in handrail speed, however, it is a complicated system and one that is not always fully utilized by the passengers since many choose not to even use the handrail when using such a walking system.

[0004] It is an object of the invention, to solve at least one of the above problems of the prior art. This object is solved by a handrail according to claim 1, a handrail system according to claim 2 and a passenger moving walking system according to claim 14. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims and in the description.

Handrail

[0005] The inventive handrail of the invention comprises an endless handrail belt. The handrail comprises a first end section, a second end section and a main section between the first end section and the second end section. It is characterized in that the handrail belt is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side and a second belt side, wherein the first belt side is parallel to the second belt side, and in that at least one end section of the handrail, the first belt side of the handrail belt is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side of the handrail belt. Each belt side of the handrail belt preferably forms its own belt.

[0006] The first belt side of a handrail can be longer in length than the second belt side of the same handrail or vice versa. The first belt side of a handrail can be the same length as the second belt side of the same handrail. This occurs when more than two handrails are used within a handrail system according to the invention, more preferably it occurs when at least three handrails are used within a handrail system.

[0007] The width (W) of the handrail according to the invention is preferably in the range of from 30 mm to 200 mm, more preferably in the range of from 35 mm to 150 mm, most preferably in the range from 40 mm to 100 mm. The width of the first belt side and the second belt side therefore lies within these ranges. The width of the first belt side can be equal to the width of the second belt side or it can vary. The total width of the first belt side and the second belt side equals the width of the handrail. The width of each belt side can be in the range from 40 to 50 mm. Preferably a gap of 0.1 to 2 mm can be present between the belt sides. Preferably, the width of each belt side can be 49 mm. Preferably, a gap of 2 mm can lie between both belt sides.
The first belt side of a first handrail lies parallel to the second belt side of the same handrail. It is preferred that between the two belt sides, there is a gap in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, more preferably in the rang of from 2 mm to 8 mm, most preferably in the range from 2 mm to 4 mm. The handrail belt itself is endless and can be any length.

[0008] The first belt side of the handrail belt can comprise a wedge, wherein the wedge is an extension of the belt width along the circumferential edge only. The second belt side of the handrail belt can also comprise said wedge. This wedge can be useful for driving the belt along the handrail housing. All handrail belts of the invention can be made of the same material and have the same or different cross-sectional structure.

Handrail system

[0009] The inventive handrail system of the invention comprises at least two consecutive handrails wherein each of the handrails comprise an endless handrail belt; a first end section, a second end section and a main section between the first end section and the second end section; and wherein the first end section and the second end section of at least a first and a second consecutive handrail of the handrail system form a transition area; wherein the handrail belt of each of the handrails is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side and a second belt side, wherein in the main section of each of the handrails, the first belt side of each handrail is parallel to the second belt side of the corresponding handrail, and wherein in the transition area, the first belt side of the first handrail is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail system from the second belt side of the first handrail and the first belt side of the second handrail is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail system from the second belt side of the second handrail; and wherein
the first belt side of the first handrail belt is arranged side by side to the second belt side of the second handrail belt in the transition area.

[0010] The handrail system of the invention can comprise any number of handrails, each one comprising an endless handrail belt. Two or more handrails can be the same length or different lengths, or both, e.g., two handrails having the same length with a third handrail being shorter or longer. The length of a handrail is defined by the longest distance between the first end section of the handrail and the second end section of the same handrail, wherein this distance can be between a first belt side and a second belt side of the same handrail or the same belt side of the same handrail.

[0011] A handrail in the handrail system according to the invention is a terminal handrail or a non-terminal handrail. A terminal handrail is a handrail positioned at a terminus point of the handrail system, i.e., at the start and/or end of the handrail system. Therefore a handrail system according to the invention comprises two terminal handrails. A handrail positioned between these two terminal handrails is a non-terminal handrail.

[0012] A handrail system comprising at least two consecutive handrails, wherein these handrails can be two terminal handrails, or two terminal handrails and at least one non-terminal handrail, also comprises at least one transition area. The number of transition areas within a handrail system according to the invention is preferably (n-1) wherein "n" is the number of handrails according to the invention.

[0013] The transition area refers to at least one end section of a first and second handrail, each end section comprising a first belt side offset from the second belt side. These respective end sections tessellate when positioned together in line at their longitudinal ends. The area which tessellates is the transition area.

[0014] In a handrail system comprising two handrails (therefore, two terminal handrails), the first belt side of a first handrail can be the same length as the second belt side of a second handrail and the second belt side of the first handrail can be the same length as the first belt side of the second handrail so that when the first and second handrails are placed together and tessellate, the remaining end sections of both handrails terminate at the same point. A terminal handrail preferably comprises one transition area. A non-terminal handrail comprises two transition areas.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the handrail system comprises three or more handrails comprising endless belts. In a system comprising three handrails (with handrails in the longitudinal order; first handrail-second handrail-third handrail), there are two transition areas (n=2). A first end section comprising a first belt side offset from the second belt side of the second (middle) handrail tessellates with an end section comprising a first belt side offset from the second belt side of the first (terminal) handrail, and a second end section comprising a first belt side offset from the second belt side of the second (middle) handrail tessellates with an end section comprising a first belt side offset from the second belt side of the third (terminal) handrail. In such a system, the first belt side of the first and/or third, (i.e., terminal) handrail may be the same length, longer, or shorter than the second belt side of the second (middle) belt. Likewise, the second belt side of the first and/or third (i.e., terminal) handrail may be the same length, longer, or shorter than the first belt side of the second (non-terminal) belt.

[0016] In a handrail system according to the invention comprising three or more handrails, the terminal handrails comprise one end section wherein a first belt side is offset from the second belt side and one end section wherein a first belt side and a second belt side terminate at the same point. The non-terminal handrails comprise a first belt side offset from the second belt side at both end sections. Where the first and second belt sides terminate at the same point, this is a terminus of the handrail. Wherein the first and second belt sides are offset from one another, this forms a transition area with another handrail.

[0017] The handrails comprised within the handrail system according to the invention can be driven at different speeds. It is preferred that the speed of the terminal handrails are the slowest and the speed of the non-terminal handrail(s) is (are) faster. The speed of the non-terminal handrail positioned in the middle of the handrail system is preferably the fastest. At the transition areas of the handrail system, the belt sides of the consecutive handrails move at two different speeds.

[0018] In the handrail system according to the invention, it is preferred that the speed of the handrail is synchronized with the speed of the walking pallets on the walkway. For example, in a handrail system comprising three handrails, upon entering the walking system, the first handrail is driven at the slowest speed, preferably at a speed corresponding to the speed of the walking pallets at that section of walkway. When moving to the second handrail, the speed is increased, preferably to a speed corresponding to the speed of the walking pallets at that section of walkway. When moving on to the third and final handrail, the speed is reduced, preferably to a speed corresponding to the speed of the walking pallets at that section of walkway.

[0019] For a handrail system with, an odd number of handrails, the two terminal handrails are driven at the slowest speed. The non-terminal handrail (e.g. middle handrail) is driven at the fastest speed. It is preferred that the speed of the terminal and middle handrails are constant. The non-terminal handrail(s) between the first terminal handrail and the middle handrail are driven at consecutively accelerating speed(s). The non-terminal handrail(s) between the middle handrail and the second terminal handrail are driven at consecutively decelerating speed(s). In handrail systems with an even number of handrails, e.g. four, the two terminal handrails are driven at the slowest speeds and speed of the non-terminal handrails comprised there between are driven at a speed faster than that of the speed of the two terminal handrails.

[0020] The handrail system according to the invention comprises at least one drive unit. Preferably the handrail(s) is/are mechanically coupled to said drive unit. It is preferred that the handrail system comprises several drive units wherein each handrail has its own drive unit. It is preferred that the handrails which are driven with the same speed (e.g., the two terminal handrails) are assigned to the same drive unit. Each drive unit can be independently controlled or collectively controlled at a control unit to which all drive units are in communication with. The handrails can also be controlled using both drive and control unit.

[0021] A summary of the advantageous embodiments of the handrail system is herein provided:

The handrail system comprises at least two consecutive handrails wherein said handrails are terminal, or non-terminal, or both. The handrail system can comprise two handrails wherein both are terminal handrails. When more than two handrails are used in the handrail system, two handrails are terminal and at least one handrail is a non-terminal handrail. This allows the length of the handrail system to be adjusted according to requirements, e.g., according to the length of the passenger moving walkway.

[0022] The handrail system can be characterized in that the first belt side of the first handrail belt is arranged in parallel to the second belt side of the second handrail belt in the transition area. This provides a continuous belt for the user to hold on to. Each belt side forms its own belt and therefore can be individually controlled if required.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the handrail system the longitudinal extension of the transition area is between 150 mm and 1000 mm, preferably between 150 mm and 550 mm. The width of each handrail is between 30 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 100 mm. This provides a belt which is comfortable for the user to hold on to.

[0024] According to another advantageous embodiment of the handrail system the handrail system comprises one drive unit, wherein the handrails are mechanically coupled to the one drive unit. The handrail system can also comprise several drive units wherein each handrail has its own drive unit. Handrails which are driven with the same speed can be assigned to the same drive unit. The handrail system can also be adapted so that the handrails can be driven independently. At least two handrail belts of the handrail system are driven with different speeds. This is advantageous for synchronizing the speed of the handrail to the speed of the moving pallets when the pallets themselves are moving at different speeds.

[0025] The handrail system can advantageously comprise at least five consecutive handrails wherein the at least one first handrail and the at least one last handrail of the handrail system form the terminal handrails of the handrail system, and are driven with a first speed; the at least one third handrail forming the middle part of the handrail system is driven with a second speed; and the at least one second handrail and the at least one fourth handrail forming the transition part between the end parts and the middle parts are driven with at least one third speed. The first speed and/or the second speed are preferably constant speeds. According to another advantageous embodiment of the handrail system the first speed is the lowest speed, the second speed is the highest speed and the at least one third speed is at least one speed between the lowest speed and the highest speed. This provides a handrail system which has a moving handrail capable of accelerating, moving at a constant speed and decelerating and thus capable of matching the variable speeds of a moving walkway.

[0026] A further aspect of the invention is a passenger moving walking system with movable pallets for transporting passengers characterized by the handrail system according to the invention. The pallets of the passenger moving walking system are preferably driven with different speeds wherein each speed section comprises a handrail of the handrail system according to the invention which is driven with a speed synchronized with the speed of the pallets. This provides a more comfortable sensation for the passenger when using such a walking system.

[0027] It is envisaged that the handrail system according to the invention, provides a simplified passenger moving walking system handrail which is not only more comfortable for the user, but it is also safer since there will always be a handrail that moves at the same speed as the pallets upon which the passenger stands, even in the areas where the pallet speed varies.

[0028] The invention is described in more detail with the help of the figures, wherein it is shown schematically:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a handrail according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a handrail system according to the invention comprising two handrails;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of a handrail system according to the invention comprising three handrails according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of a handrail system according to the invention comprising five handrails according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a passenger moving walking system comprising a handrail system according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of three handrail belts of another embodiment of a handrail system according to the invention in consecutive order along the direction of moving walkway;

Fig.7 shows a close-up schematic view of the transition area between two handrails of another embodiment of a handrail system according to the invention;

Fig. 8 shows a schematic cross-section along the y axis of another embodiment of a handrail system according to the invention; and

Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a handrail belt, which can be used for a handrail according to the invention.

[0029] In Fig. 1, an advantageous embodiment of a handrail 1 according to the invention is shown. The handrail 1 comprises a first end section 3, a second end section 5 and a main section 4 between the first end section 3 and the second end section 5. The handrail belt 2 is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side 21 and a second belt side 22 as shown by the dashed line, wherein the first belt side 21 is parallel to the second belt side 22. At the end section 5 of the handrail 1 the first belt side 21 of the handrail belt 2 is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 1 from the second belt side 22 of the handrail belt 2. The first belt side 21 terminates at the same point as the second belt side 22 at end section 3. In this embodiment the width w of the handrail belt 2 is 100 mm, wherein the width of each belt side 21, 22 is 49 mm and the gap between both belt sides 21, 22 is 2 mm. However, the width of the handrail belt 2 may vary particularly between 30 mm and 200 mm, wherein preferably the widths of the belt sides 21, 22 are equal.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a handrail system 10 according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention. The handrail system comprises two handrails, 1, 1'. Each handrail 1, 1' comprises a first end section 3, 3' a second end section 5, 5' and a main section 4, 4' between the first end section 3, 3' and the second end section 5, 5'. Each handrail belt 2, 2' is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side 21, 21' and a second belt side 22, 22', wherein the first belt side 21, 21' is parallel to the second belt side 22, 22'. The first belt side 21 of the handrail belt 2 is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22 of the handrail belt 2 at end section 5. The first belt side 21' of the handrail belt 2' is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22' of the handrail belt 2' at end section 3'. Belts 2, 2' are aligned at their longitudinal ends such that end sections 5 and 3' tessellate. The handrail belt of the handrail system 10 terminates at terminal ends 3 and 5'.

[0031] In Fig. 3 another embodiment of the handrail system 10 according to the invention comprising three handrails 1, 1', 1" moving in direction P, is shown. Each handrail comprising a first end section 3, 3', 3", a second end section 5, 5', 5", and a main section 4, 4', 4", between the first end section 3, 3', 3" and the second end section 5, 5';5". Each handrail belt 2, 2', 2" is split along its longitudinal direction into a first belt side 21, 21', 21" and a second belt side 22, 22', 22", wherein the first belt side 21, 21', 21" is parallel to the second belt side 22, 22', 22". The first belt side 21 of the handrail belt 2 is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22 of the handrail belt 2 at end section 5; the first belt side 21' of the handrail belt 2' is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22' of the handrail belt 2' at end sections 3' and 5'; the first belt side 21" of the handrail belt 2" is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22" of the handrail belt 2" at end section 3". Belts 2, 2' are aligned at their longitudinal ends such that end sections 5 and 3' tessellate. Belts 2', 2" are aligned at their longitudinal ends such that end sections 5' and 3" tessellate. Handrail 1 and handrail 1" represent the terminal handrails of the handrail system 10. The handrail system 10 terminates at end sections 3 and 5" of handrail 1 and handrail 1" respectively. The transition areas 111 are positioned at non-terminal end sections between handrail 1 and handrail 1' as well as between handrail 1' and handrail 1", wherein the first and second belt sides of said two handrails tessellate. Handrail 1' of the handrail system 10 comprises two transition areas 111. The terminal handrails 1, 1" each comprise one transition area 111.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a handrail system 10 according to the invention comprising five handrails 1, 1', 1", 1''', 1'''' moving in direction P. Each handrail comprises a first end section 3, 3', 3", 3"', 3"", a second end section 5, 5', 5", 5"', 5"", and a main section 4, 4', 4", 4"', 4"", between the first end and second end sections. Each handrail belt 2, 2', 2", 2"', 2"", is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side 21, 21', 21",21"', 21"", and a second belt side 22, 22', 22",22'", 22"" wherein the first belt side 21, 21', 21", 21'", 21"" is parallel to the second belt side 22, 22', 22", 22'", 22"". The first belt side 21 of the handrail belt 2 is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22 of the handrail belt 2 at end section 5; the first belt side 21' of the handrail belt 2' is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22' of the handrail belt 2' at end sections 3' and 5'; the first belt side 21" of the handrail belt 2" is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22" of the handrail belt 2" at end sections 3" and 5"; the first belt side 21'" of the handrail belt 2'" is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22'" of the handrail belt 2'" at end sections 3'" and 5'"; the first belt side 21"" of the handrail belt 2"" is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side 22"" of the handrail belt 2"" at end section 3"".

[0033] The first and second belt side 21, 22 of handrail 1 tessellate at end section 5 with the first and second belt sides 21', 22' of handrail 1' at end section 3'. The first and second belt side 21', 22' of handrail 1' tessellate at end section 5' with the first and second belt side 21", 22" of handrail 1" at end section 3". The first and second belt side 21", 22" of handrail 1" tessellate at end section 5" with first and second belt side 21"', 22'" of handrail 1'" at end section 3"'. The first and second belt side 21'", 22'" of handrail 1'" tessellate at end section 5"' with first and second belt side 21"", 22"" of handrail 1"" at end section 3"".

[0034] Handrail 1 and handrail 1"" represent the terminal handrails of the handrail system 10. The handrail of the handrail system 10 terminates at end sections 3 and 5"" of handrail 1 and handrail 1'''' respectively. The transition areas 111 are positioned at non-terminal end sections between handrails 1 and 1'; handrails 1' and 1"; handrails 1" and 1'" and handrails 1'" and 1"". Handrails 1', 1" and 1'" each comprise two transition areas 111. The terminal handrails 1, 1"" each comprise one transition area 111.

[0035] Advantageously the handrails 1, 1', 1", 1''', 1'''' of the handrail system 10 are assigned to at least one drive unit (not explicitly shown in Fig. 4). This allows to independently drive the handrails 1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"". This can be used for energy saving, e.g. if the handrail system 10 is used for a moving walkway. If only one user steps on the moving walkway the handrails can start moving consecutively and can be turned off when the user has left one handrail behind him/her. Advantageously the speed of the driven handrails are synchronized, preferably synchronized to the speed of the pallets of a passenger moving walking system, which move in parallel to the handrails 1, 1', 1", 1''', 1"".

[0036] According to another advantageous embodiment the handrails 1, 1'''' are driven with the same speed, e.g. 3 km/h. The handrail 1 " is driven with the highest speed, e.g. 7 km/h. The handrails 1', 1'" are driven with a speed between the speed of the handrails 1, 1'''' and handrail 1 ", e.g. 5 km/h. That allows acceleration and deceleration, respectively, of the pallets of a moving walking system which are in parallel to the handrails 1', 1"'.

[0037] The handrail system 10 shown in Fig. 4 could be the handrail system of a passenger moving walking system/walkway as shown in Fig. 5, for example.

[0038] Fig. 5 schematically shows in perspective view, an embodiment of a passenger moving walking system 20 according to the invention comprising a handrail system 10 according to the invention. Reference numbers 11 and 12 represent the terminal end sections of the terminal handrail(s). The pallets 70 of the walkway 20 move at different speeds in sections 30, 31, 32. Sections 30, 31, 32 can be any length. Preferably, if the moving direction of the walkway 20 is P, section 32 is an acceleration section, section 31 is a section with constant high speed, and section 30 is a deceleration section. Advantageously the handrails of the handrail system 10 are driven with approximately the same speed as the pallets in the corresponding sections 30, 31, 32. For this the walkway 20 is preferably controlled via control unit 50. This control unit 50can also be connected to one drive unit 40 of the handrail system 10, which is only schematically shown in Fig. 5. According to another embodiment the walkway 20 may comprise several drive units for driving the handrails of the handrail system 10. Figure 5 shows as a dotted line a middle handrail belt situated between two other handrail belts of the handrail system 10. This is for information purposes only and serves to make clear for the reader that a middle handrail belt is present at this section.

[0039] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of three handrails 1, 1', 1", comprising endless belts 2, 2', 2" in an embodiment of a handrail system 10 according to the invention. A first transition area 111 is located between handrails 1 and 1' (where the first and second belt sides 21, 21', 22, 22' of handrails 1 and 1' tessellate, not explicitly shown). A second transition area 111 is located between handrails 1' and 1" (where the first and second belt sides 21', 21", 22', 22" of handrails 1' and 1" tessellate, not explicitly shown).

[0040] Fig. 7 shows an exploded view of a transition area 111 of Fig. 6. The tessellation of the first and second belt sides 21, 21', 22, 22' of handrail belts 1 and 1' is shown more clearly. Belt side 21 and belt side 22 are of the first handrail 1 and belt side 21' and belt side 22' are of the second handrail 1'. As can be seen in Fig. 7 the turn-around of belt side 21 starts with an offset compared to the turn-around of belt side 22. The same applies mutatis mutandis for the belt sides 21', 22'.

[0041] Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of a section of a handrail system 10 mounted on a balustrade 60. As described before, the each handrail 1, 1' of the handrail system 10 is split in two belt sides, 21, 22 and 21' 22' respectively. Each belt side of the handrail belts 1, 1' are mounted on a respective friction wheel. In Fig. 7 only the friction wheels 61, 62, which are in the foreground of the shown handrail system 10, are shown.. The belt sides 21, 22 of handrail 1 or belt sides 21', 22' of handrail 1', respectively, are advantageously driven with the same speed. However, the speed of the first handrail 1 and the second handrail 1' may vary. For this, said friction wheel 61, 62 is advantageously connected to a drive unit (not shown). Friction wheel 61 can be connected to the drive unit and friction wheel 62 can be connected to a separate drive unit, wherein each drive unit is independently controlled. According to another embodiment all friction wheels 61, 62 can be connected to and thus controlled by the same drive unit. The drive unit can be controlled independently or it can be coupled to a control unit 50 (not shown). The control unit 50 controls the overall working of the passenger walking system 20.

[0042] By way of example, Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b show different types of cross-section a handrail belt 1 according to the invention can have. Fig. 9a shows a belt with no wedge between the first and second belt sides 21, 22. Figure 9b shows a handrail belt 1 with a wedge 21W on first belt side 21 and a wedge 22W on second belt side 22.

[0043] Whilst the above figure descriptions have been described in relation to a combination of handrail belts, e.g., 1 and 1'; or 1, 1' and 1"; or, 1, 1', 1", 1'" and 1"", this is in no way intended to limit the scope of protection. Any combination of any number of different handrail belts according to the invention can be used in a handrail system according to the invention, i.e., belt 1 can be tessellated with belt 1'''' provided that the handrail system itself comprises two terminal handrails.

Reference signs list

[0044] 

1

handrail

10

handrail system

111

transition area

2

handrail belt

21

first belt side

22

second belt side

3

first end section

4

main section

5

second end section

1'

handrail

2'

handrail belt of 1'

21'

first belt side of 1'

22'

second belt side of 1'

3'

first end section of 1'

4'

main section of 1'

5'

second end section of 1'

1"

handrail

2"

handrail belt of 1"

21"

first belt side of 1"

22"

second belt side of 1"

3"

first end section of 1"

4"

main section of 1"

5"

second end section of 1"

1"'

handrail

2"'

handrail belt of 1'"

21"'

first belt side of 1'"

22"'

second belt side of 1'"

3'"

first end section of 1'"

4'"

main section of 1'"

5"'

second end section of 1"'

1""

handrail

2""

handrail belt of 1""

21""

first belt side of 1""

22""

second belt side of 1""

3""

first end section of 1""

4""

main section of 1""

5""

second end section of 1""

11, 12

terminus of handrail on passenger moving walkway

20

passenger moving walkway

30

first speed section

31

second speed section

32

third speed section

40

drive unit

50

control unit

60

balustrade

61, 62

friction wheel

70

pallets of walkway

Claims

1. A handrail (1) for passenger moving walking systems (20) comprising an endless handrail belt (2),
wherein the handrail (1) comprises a first end section (3), a second end section (5) and a main section (4) between the first end section (3) and the second end section (5);
characterized in that
the handrail belt (2) is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side (21) and a second belt side (22), wherein the first belt side (21) is parallel to the second belt side (22), and in that at least one end section (3, 5) of the handrail the first belt side (21) of the handrail belt (2) is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail from the second belt side (22) of the handrail belt (2).

2. A handrail system (10) for passenger moving walking systems (20) comprising at least two consecutive handrails (1, 1'),
wherein each of the handrails (1, 1') comprise
an endless handrail belt (2, 2'),
a first end section (3, 3'),
a second end section (5, 5') and
a main section (4, 4') between the first end section (3, 3') and the second end section (5, 5");
and wherein the first end section (3, 3') and the second end section (5, 5') of at least a first and a second consecutive handrail of the handrail system form a transition area (111);
characterized in that
the handrail belt (2, 2') of each of the handrails (1, 1') is split along its longitudinal direction in a first belt side (21, 21') and a second belt side (22, 22'); wherein in the main section (4, 4') of each of the handrails, the first belt side (21, 21') of each handrail (1, 1') is parallel to the second belt side (22, 22') of the corresponding handrail,
and in that
in the transition area (111), the first belt side (21) of the first handrail (1) is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail system (10) from the second belt side (22) of the first handrail (1) and the first belt side (21') of the second handrail (1') is offset in the longitudinal direction of the handrail system (10) from the second belt side (22') of the second handrail (1');
and in that
the first belt side (21) of the first handrail belt (2) is arranged side by side to the second belt side (22') of the second handrail belt (2') in the transition area (111).

3. The handrail system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first belt side (21) of the first handrail (1) is arranged in parallel to the second belt side (22') of the second handrail (1') in the transition area (111).

4. The handrail system (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the longitudinal extension of the transition area (111) is between 150 mm and 1000 mm, preferably between 150 mm and 550 mm.

5. The handrail system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the width of each handrail (1, 1') is between 30 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 100 mm.

6. The handrail system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each belt side (21, 21', 22, 22') forms its own belt.

7. The handrail system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the handrail system comprises at least one driving unit (40), wherein at least two handrail belts (2, 2') of the handrail system (10) are driven with different speeds.

8. The handrail system (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least five consecutive handrails (1, 1', 1", 1''', 1"")
wherein the at least one first handrail (1) and the at least one last handrail (1"") of the handrail system '(10) form terminal handrails of the handrail system (10) and are driven with a first speed;
and wherein the at least one third handrail forming the middle part of the handrail system is driven with a second speed;
and wherein the at least one second handrail and the at least one fourth handrail forming the transition part between the middle handrail and each respective terminal handrails are driven with at least one third speed.

9. The handrail system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first speed and/or the second speed are constant speeds.

10. The handrail system (10) according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the first speed is the lowest speed, the second speed is the highest speed and in that the at least one third speed is at least one speed between the lowest speed and the highest speed.

11. The handrail system (10) according to any of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the handrail system (10) comprises one drive unit (40), wherein the handrails are mechanically coupled to the one drive unit (40).

12. The handrail system (10) according to any of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the handrail system comprises several drive units (40) wherein each handrail has its own drive unit (40) or the handrails, which are driven with the same speed, are assigned to the same drive unit (40).

13. The handrail system (10) according to any of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the handrail system (10) is adapted so that the handrails can be driven independently.

14. Passenger moving walking system (20) with movable pallets for transporting passengers characterized by a handrail system (10) according to any of claims 2 to 13.

15. Passenger moving walking system (20) according to claim 14 characterized in that the pallets are driven with different speeds in several speed sections (30, 31, 32), wherein each speed section (30, 31, 32) comprises at least one handrail of the handrail system (10) which is driven with a speed synchronized with the speed of the pallets.

Drawing