AN ESCALATOR

Abstract

 The escalator comprises a truss, a chain of steps (20), a balustrade (30) with a balustrade panels (50), an inner deck panel (110) and a separate skirt panel (120). The inner deck panel has an inner end (110A) at a first horizontal distance (X1) from the balustrade panel (50) and an opposite outer end (110B). The skirt panel extends in a vertical direction at a second horizontal distance (X2) from a vertical side plane (25) of the steps. The skirt panel is formed of an upper panel (130) and a separate lower panel (140) being attached to each other. The upper panel is attached to the inner deck panel.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an escalator.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An escalator is a type of vertical transportation in the form of a moving staircase i.e. a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building. The device consists of a motor-driven chain of individually linked steps that move up or down on tracks, allowing the step treads to remain horizontal. The steps move upwards and/or downwards on a transport side of the escalator and return on a return side of the escalator.

[0003] An escalator may comprise landing platforms, a truss, tracks, steps and a balustrade.

[0004] The landing platforms house the curved sections of the tracks, as well as the gears and motors that drive the stairs. The top platform contains the motor assembly and the main drive gear, while the bottom platform holds the return cogwheel. These sections also anchor the ends of the escalator truss. In addition, the platforms contain a floor plate and a comb plate. The floor plate provides a place for the passengers to stand before they step onto the moving stairs. The floor plate is flush with the finished floor and is either hinged or removable to allow easy access to the machinery below. The comb plate is the piece between the stationary floor plate and the moving step. It is so named because its edge has a series of cleats that resemble the teeth of a comb. These teeth mesh with matching cleats on the edges of the steps. This design is necessary to minimize the gap between the stair and the landing, which helps prevent objects from getting caught in the gap.

[0005] The truss may be formed of a hollow metal structure that bridges the lower and upper landings. It may be composed of two side sections joined together with cross braces across the bottom and just below the top. The ends of the truss may be attached to the top and bottom landing platforms via steel or concrete supports. The truss carries all the straight track sections connecting the upper and lower sections.

[0006] The track system may be built into the truss to guide the steps and the chain, which continuously pulls the steps from the bottom platform and back to the top platform in an endless loop. The steps may be supported be two pairs of wheels on respective pairs of tracks. The axial distance between the wheels in two pairs of wheels and thereby also the axial distance between the two pairs of tracks may be different. The relative position of the two pairs of tracks cause the steps to form a staircase as they move out from under the comb plate. Along the inclined section of the truss, the tracks are at their maximum distance apart. This configuration keeps the step tread always horizontal on the escalator, whereby the steps resemble a staircase on the inclined section of the escalator. At the top and bottom of the escalator, the two tracks converge so that the two pairs of wheels are almost in a straight line. This causes the stairs to lay in a flat sheet like arrangement, one after another, so they can easily travel around the bend in the curved section of track. The tracks carry the steps down along the underside of the truss until they reach the bottom landing, where they pass through another curved section of track before exiting the bottom landing. At this point the tracks separate and the steps once again assume a staircase configuration. This cycle is repeated continually as the steps are pulled from bottom to top and back to the bottom again. The track system comprises transport guide rails on the transport side and return guide rails on the return side of the escalator.

[0007] The steps themselves are solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel. In most escalator models, both the riser and the tread of each step is cleated i.e. given a ribbed appearance with comb like protrusions that mesh with the comb plates on the top and bottom platforms and the succeeding steps in the chain. The steps are linked by at least one continuous metal chain that forming a closed loop. The steps may be supported by two pairs of wheels. The wheels in one of the pairs of wheels are set further apart in an axial direction compared to the other pair of wheels.

[0008] A balustrade may be positioned at opposite lateral sides of the steps. The balustrade may comprise a base supported on the truss, a balustrade panel extending upwards from the base, and a moving handrail supported on an upper edge of the balustrade panel. The base of the balustrade may be covered with an inner deck panel and a skirt panel. The inner deck panel may have an inner end at the balustrade and an outer end at an upper end of the skirt panel. The skirt panel may be vertical and located at a horizontal distance from a vertical side plane of the steps. A gap is formed between the skirt panel and the vertical side plane of the steps. The handrail provides a convenient handhold for passengers while they are riding the escalator. The handrails are pulled along their track by a chain that may be connected to the main drive gear by a series of pulleys.

[0009] The skirt panel have in prior art solutions been formed in the height direction of a single panel extending from a first vertical distance below a tread of the steps upwards to a second vertical distance above the tread of the steps. The balustrade panel in the balustrade may be transparent e.g. formed of glass. There is a chain of tolerances connected to the inner deck panel and the skirt panel accumulating from two opposite directions i.e. from the balustrade panels and from the step band. The escalator safety regulations and standards contain detailed definitions for the dimensioning of the clearance gap between the skirt panel and the step band and for the decking geometry.

[0010] A soft rubber ribbon has been used in prior art solutions to hide the tolerance gap in the seam between the inner deck panel and the balustrade panel in the balustrade along the whole length of the escalator. The rubber ribbon has been positioned on the inner edge of the inner deck panel facing towards the balustrade panel in the balustrade. The rubber ribbon wears in use, gathers dirt and dust, forms an unaesthetic design, and may involve hygienic issues.

SUMMARY

[0011] An object of the present invention is to achieve an improved escalator.

[0012] The escalator according to the invention is defined in claim 1.

[0013] The escalator comprises
a truss,
a chain of steps moving in a closed loop supported by the truss,
a balustrade at opposite lateral sides of the chain of steps, the balustrade comprising a base supported on the truss, substantially vertical balustrade panels supported in the base and extending upwards from the base, and a handrail movably supported on an upper edge of the balustrade panels,
an inner deck panel and a separate skirt panel, the inner deck panel having an inner end at a first horizontal distance from the balustrade panel and an opposite outer end, the skirt panel extending in a vertical direction at a second horizontal distance from a vertical side plane of the steps, the skirt panel extending from a first vertical distance below a tread of the steps to a second vertical distance above the tread of the steps.

[0014] The escalator is characterized in that the skirt panel is formed of an upper panel and a separate lower panel being attached to each other, the upper panel being attached to the inner deck panel.

[0015] The splitting of the skirt panel into an upper panel and a lower panel solves the problem relating to the chain of tolerances accumulating from two opposite directions i.e. from the balustrade panels and from the step band.

[0016] The upper panel may now be positioned so that the desired first horizontal distance between the inner end of the upper panel and the balustrade panel is achieved.

[0017] The lower panel of the skirt panel may on the other hand be positioned so that the desired second horizontal distance between the lower panel and the vertical side plane of the steps is achieved.

[0018] The possible vertical misalignment between the lower panel and the upper panel in the is not a problem in this solution. A skirt brush may be attached to a lower end of the upper panel, wherein the possible misalignment becomes concealed under the skirt brush.

[0019] The soft rubber ribbon that has been used in prior art solutions to hide the tolerance gap in the seam between the inner end of the inner deck panel and the balustrade panel is thus not needed in the novel solution. The inner end of the inner deck panel may be positioned at a small first horizontal distance from the balustrade panel. A visually high-quality seam between the inner end of the inner deck panel and the balustrade panel may thus be achieved in the novel solution.

[0020] The use of three separate panels i.e. an inner deck panel, an upper skirt panel and a lower skirt panel makes it possible to arrange the fastening arrangement of the inner deck panel, the upper skirt panel and the lower skirt panel completely from the interior of the panels.

[0021] The invention may advantageously be used in a low deck balustrade. A low deck balustrade comprises a low base, a balustrade panel supported in the low base and extending upwards from the base, and a moving handrail on the upper edge of the balustrade panel. The balustrade panel may be transparent. The balustrade panel may be made of glass. The handrail is thus supported solely by the balustrade panel on the base of the balustrade.

DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will in the following be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an escalator,

Figure 2 shows a schematic vertical cross section of the escalator,

Figure 3 shows a first isometric view of the deck and skirt panels of the balustrade,

Figure 4 shows a second isometric view of the deck and skirt panels of the balustrade,

Figure 5 shows a third isometric view of the deck and skirt panels of the balustrade,

Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section of the inner deck and skirt panels of the balustrade,

Figure 7 shows an enlargement of the junction between the deck panels and the balustrade panel,

Figure 8 shows an enlargement of the junction between the inner deck panel and the skirt panel,

Figure 9 shows an enlargement of the junction between the two skirt panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 shows a sematic side view of an escalator.

[0024] The escalator 1 connects a lower plane E1 with an upper plane E2. The truss 10 forms the load supporting framework of the escalator 1 between the upper plane E2 and the lower plane E1. The truss 10 is presented more in detail in figure 3. An endless formation of successive steps 20 moving in a closed loop around a driving roll 2 and a return roll 3 may be positioned in the truss 10. The driving roll 2 may be positioned at an upper end of the escalator and the return roll 3 may be positioned at a lower end of the escalator. The closed loop may thus be deflected in the upper plane E2 and in the lower plane E1. The balustrades 30 may extend along each longitudinal side of the step belt 20. A moving handrail 32 may be arranged at each balustrade 30, wherein the returning section of the handrail is arranged in a balustrade base 31 connecting the balustrade 30 with the truss 10. At least one side of the truss 10 may be clad with several cladding components 40. The cladding components 40 may extend in height above the truss 10 and the balustrade base 31 and may be made of steel plates. The balustrade 30 may comprise a support structure between the base 31 and the handrail 32. The support structure may be covered with cladding panels. The support structure may on the other hand be formed of balustrade panels extending between the base 31 and the handrail 32. The balustrade panels may be transparent, e.g. formed of glass.

[0025] The length direction Z of the escalator is also indicated in the figure. The length direction Z is horizontal on the lower plane E1 and on the upper plane E2 of the escalator. The length direction Z forms a first angle α1 with the horizontal plane on the inclined portion of the escalator.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a schematic vertical cross section of the escalator.

[0027] The transverse direction X i.e. the width direction of the steps 20 as well as the height direction Y i.e. the vertical direction is indicated in the figure. The escalator may have a transport side TS and a return side RS. The upper portion of the figure shows the steps 20 in the transport side TS of the escalator. The step tread 21 of the steps 20 is facing upwards in the transport side TS of the escalator. The lower portion of the figure shows the steps 20 in the return side RS of the escalator. The steps 20 are hanging i.e. with the step tread 21 facing downwards in the return side RS of the escalator. The steps 20 are transported back to the beginning of the transport side TS in the return side RS of the escalator. The steps 20 may move either upwards or downwards on the transport side of the escalator. People may thus be transported upwards and/or downwards in the transport side TS of the escalator. The escalator may be configured to operate only in one direction or the escalator may be configured to operate in both directions according to the need.

[0028] The escalator may comprise a horizontal top platform, a horizontal bottom platform and an inclined portion extending between the top platform and the bottom platform.

[0029] Each step 20 may be provided with two pairs of rollers. A first pair of rollers 22 may be provided on a first edge of the step 20. Each roller 22 in the first pair of rollers is provided on a respective side of the step 20. A second pair of rollers 23 may be provided on a second edge of the step 20. Each roller 23 in the second pair of rollers is provided on a respective side of the step 20. The axial distance between the rollers 22 in the first pair of rollers 22 may be smaller than the axial distance between the rollers 23 in the second pair of rollers 23. The rollers 22 in the first pair of rollers 22 and the rollers 23 in the second pair of rollers may be rotatably supported with a shaft on the support frame of the step 20. The first edge of the step 20 may be the edge of the step 20 that is facing towards the upper end of the escalator and the second edge of the step 20 may be the edge of the step 20 that is facing towards the bottom end of the escalator when the step 20 is moving upwards on the transport side TS of the escalator. The step 20 may move upwards or downwards on the transport side TS of the escalator.

[0030] The escalator may be provided with a first pair of transport guide rails 22A for the first pair of rollers 22 in the transport side TS of the escalator and with a second pair of transport guide rails 23A for the second pair of rollers 23 on the transport side TS of the escalator.

[0031] The escalator may further be provided with a first pair of return guide rails 22B for the first pair of rollers 22 in the return side RS of the escalator and with a second pair of return guide rails 23B for the second pair of rollers 23 on the return side RS of the escalator.

[0032] The first pair of rollers 22 and the second pair of rollers 23 run on an upper support surface of the respective transport guide rail 22A, 23A on the transport side TS of the escalator. The forces acting on the treads 21 of the steps 20 will thus be distributed through the rollers 22, 23 to the respective transport guide rails 22A, 23A.

[0033] The steps 20 are supported in a hanging position from the first pair of rollers 22 and the second pair of rollers 23 running on a respective return guide rail 22B, 23B on the return side RS of the escalator. The return guide rails 22B, 23B only have to support the weight of the steps 20.

[0034] The shaft of the first rollers 22 may be attached to a chain at only one axial side of the step or at both axial sides of the step 20. The chain at one side of the step 20 or the chains at each side of the step 20 may form an endless loop running over the driving roll on an upper level of the escalator and over the return roll on a lower level of the escalator. The chain may be provided with one or more chain wheels in the chain loops between the points in which the chain is attached to the rollers 22 of the step 20. The chain wheels may roll on the same guide rails 22A, 23A. The driving roll may be driven directly or through a transmission by an electric driving motor. The electric driving motor may be controlled by a converter. The rotation speed and direction of rotation of the electric driving motor may be controlled with the converter.

[0035] The transport guide rails 22A, 23A and the return guide rails 22B, 23B may be supported with support brackets at variable intervals to the truss 10 of the escalator. The transport guide rails 22A, 23A and the return guide rails 21B, 23B may be manufactured from cold rolled steel by roll-forming bending, drawing or some other suitable method for producing long, lightweight metal structures.

[0036] The balustrade 30 may be formed of a base 31, balustrade panels 50 supported on the base 31, and handrails 32 movably supported on the upper edge of the balustrade panels 50. The lower end of the balustrade panel 50 may be supported in a U-shaped support part 60 arranged in the base 31 of the balustrade 30. The balustrade panel 50 may be formed of several successive balustrade panels 50 positioned end-to-end along the longitudinal direction of the escalator. The balustrade panels 50 may be transparent, e.g. formed of glass.

[0037] The base 31 of the balustrade 30 may be covered with an inner deck panel 110, a skirt panel 120 and an outer deck panel 200.

[0038] The skirt panel 120 may be positioned at a horizontal distance from a vertical side plane 25 of the steps 20. The skirt panel 120 may be parallel with the vertical side plane 25 of the steps 20. The skirt panel 120 may be substantially vertical. A gap G1 may thus be formed between the skirt panel 120 and the vertical side plane 25 of the steps 20. Safety regulations determine the maxim horizontal width of this gap G1. The vertical side plane 25 of the steps 20 extends on the vertical side surface of the steps 25 in the longitudinal direction Z of the escalator. The lower end of the skirt panel 120 may be positioned at a vertical distance below the tread 21 of the steps 20 and the upper end of the skirt panel 120 may be positioned at a vertical distance above the tread 21 of the steps 20.

[0039] The inner deck panel 110 may be inclined extending from the upper end of the skirt panel 120 towards the balustrade panel 50. The upper end of the inner deck panel 110 may extend at a horizontal distance from the balustrade panel 50.

[0040] The balustrade 30 shown in the figure is a low deck balustrade. The base 31 of the balustrade 30 is low and the balustrade panel 50 forms the support structure of the balustrade 30 supporting the handrail 32.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a first isometric view, figure 4 shows a second isometric view, and figure 5 shows a third isometric view of the deck and skirt panels of the balustrade.

[0042] The inner deck panel 110 and the outer deck panel 200 may be positioned on opposite sides of the balustrade panel 50. The balustrade panel 50 may be positioned in a U-shaped support part 60 arranged in the base 31 of the balustrade 30. A skirt brush 160 may further be attached to the skirt panel 120. The deck panels 110, 200 may be attached via support arrangements to the truss 10.

[0043] The skirt panel 120 may comprise an upper panel 130 and a lower panel 140. The upper panel 120 is positioned above the lower panel 140 in the vertical direction Y. The lower end of the upper panel 130 may seat on the upper end of the lower panel 140. The skirt brush 160 may be attached to the upper skirt panel 140.

[0044] The lower panel 140 may be provided with two C-profiles 171 attached to the inner surface of the lower panel 140 and extending over the length of the lower panel 140. The C-profiles 171 may act as a stiffening element of the lower skirt panel 140. A short third C-profile 172 may further be attached to the inner surface of the lower panel 140 at the fastening points of the lower panel 140. The lower panel 140 may be attached via the C-profiles 171, 172 to flanges 173. The upper first C-profile and to the short third C-profile may be attached to the flanges 173. The flanges 173 may be supported on the truss 10.

[0045] The support part 60 supporting the balustrade panel 50 may be supported with support structures 174 to the truss 10.

[0046] The inner deck 110 and the upper panel 130 may be attached to each other with a fastening arrangement F1.

[0047] Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section of the inner deck and skirt panels of an escalator.

[0048] The balustrade panel 50 may be installed in a U-shaped support part 60. The U-shaped support part 60 may be supported in a support structure 174 supported on the truss 10. The U-shaped support part 60 may comprise form lock parts 61, 62 at both lateral sides of the balustrade panel 50. The form locking parts 61, 62 cooperate with respective form locking parts in the inner deck 110 and in the outer deck 200.

[0049] An inner deck panel 110 and an outer deck panel 200 is arranged on opposite sides of the balustrade panel 50. A skirt panel 120 is arranged at the side of the steps 20. The skirt panel 120 is positioned at a horizontal distance from a vertical side plane 25 of the stairs 20. Escalator safety regulations define the maximum value of this horizontal distance. The deck panels 110, 200 and the skirt panel 120 form an outward visible part of the balustrade 30.

[0050] The inner deck panel 110 and a vertical skirt panel 120 cover the base 31 in an area A1 between the balustrade panel 50 and a vertical side plane 25 of the steps 20. The skirt panel 120 extends from a first vertical distance Y1 below a tread 21 of the steps 20 to a second vertical distance Y2 above the tread 21 of the steps 20. The skirt panel 120 is positioned at a second horizontal distance X2 from the side plane 25 of the steps 20. The inner deck panel 110 extends from an upper end of the skirt panel 120 towards the balustrade panel 50.

[0051] The inner deck 110 may be substantially horizontal or inclined. The inner deck panel 110 has an inner end 110A at a first horizontal distance X1 from the balustrade panel 50 and an outer end 110B connected to an upper end 130A of the skirt panel 120. The inner deck panel 110 may be straight between the inner end 110A and the outer end 110B.

[0052] The skirt panel 120 may comprise an upper skirt panel 130 and a lower skirt panel 140. C-profiles 171, 172 may be attached to the inner surface of the lower skirt panel 140. The lower skirt panel 140 may be attached with flanges 173 form the C-profiles 171, 172 to the truss 10.

[0053] There is thus a first horizontal distance X1 between the inner end 110A of the inner deck 110 and the balustrade panel 50. The position in the horizontal direction of the inner deck 110 does not have any influence on the position in the horizontal direction of the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120. The reason for this is that the inner deck 110 and the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 are separate parts.

[0054] The second horizontal distance X2 between the skirt panel 120 and the vertical side plane of the steps 20 in the escalator may be adjusted by adjusting the position in the horizontal direction of the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120.

[0055] The first horizontal distance X1 between the inner end 110A of the inner deck panel 110 and the balustrade panel 50 may be adjusted by adjusting the position of the inner deck panel 110, wherein also the position of the upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120 changes in a corresponding way.

[0056] The lower end 130B of the upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120 will be positioned above the tread 21 of the steps 20 in the escalator. The horizontal position of the upper portion 130 of the skirt panel 120 will thus not have any impact on the second horizontal distance X2 between the side plane of the steps 20 and the skirt panel 120.

[0057] The lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 may be positioned at a desired second horizontal distance X2 from the vertical side plane of the steps 20 in the escalator. The second horizontal distance X2 between the vertical side plane of the steps 20 in the escalator and the skirt panel 120 is thus solely determined by the position in the horizontal direction of the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 140.

[0058] The lower panel 140 and the upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120 might not be vertically aligned when they are installed. The vertical position of the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 is determined only by the desired second horizontal distance X2 to the vertical side plane of the steps 20 in the escalator. The vertical position of the upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120 is determined only by the desired first horizontal distance X1 between the inner end 110A of the inner deck panel 110 and the balustrade panel 50.

[0059] The possible misalignment X3 between the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 is not a problem in this solution. The misalignment X3 may be concealed with a skirt brush 160. The misalignment X3 may be used as a seat for the skirt brush 160. The skirt brush 160 may be attached to the lower end portion of the upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120.

[0060] The lower panel 140 and the upper panel 130 in the skirt panel 120 are two distinct entities. The lower panel 140 and the upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120 may be attached to each other with vertical bolts. The lower panel 140 and the upper panel 130 are free to move in relation to each other until the lower panel 140 has been attached to the truss 10 and the lower end of the upper panel 130 has been attached to the upper end of the lower panel 140.

[0061] Figure 7 shows an enlargement of the junction between the deck panels and the balustrade panel.

[0062] The balustrade panel 50 is positioned in the support part 60 in the support construction 174. The inner deck panel 110 may extend at a first horizontal distance X1 from the balustrade panel 50. The inner end of the outer deck panel 200 may also extend at a horizontal distance from the balustrade panel 50.

[0063] A fastening part 112 may be attached to the inner surface of the inner deck panel 110. The fastening part 112 mates with a fastening part 61 in the U-shaped support part 60 of the balustrade panel 50. A form locking may be formed between the fastening parts 61, 112.

[0064] An inner end 110A of the inner deck 110 may be positioned at a desired first horizontal distance X1 from the balustrade panel 50. There is no need to consider the position of the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 as the skirt panel 120 is divided into two separate panels 130, 140. The position in the horizontal direction of the inner deck 110 will thus not have any impact on the position in the horizontal direction of the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 110. A second horizontal distance X2 between the vertical side plane of the steps 20 and the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 may be adjusted by adjusting the position of only the lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120.

[0065] The attachment of the inner end 110A of the inner deck 110 to the support profile 61 and thereby to the truss 10 is thus done completely from the inside of the inner deck 110 through the form locking between the fastening parts 112, 61. There are no visible screw heads on the outer surface of the inner deck 110.

[0066] The inner deck 110 is inclined in the embodiments shown in the figures. This is an advantageous embodiment, but the inner deck 110 could instead of being inclined be e.g. horizontal.

[0067] Figure 8 shows an enlargement of the junction between the inner deck panel and the skirt panel.

[0068] A first fastening arrangement F1 may be arranged between the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130 within a first interior space S1 restricted by the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130. The first fastening arrangement F1 may comprise a first connection part 115 connected to the inner deck panel 110, a second connection part 135 connected to the upper panel 135, and first fastening means 150 connecting the first connection part 115 and the second connection part 135 and thereby also the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130 together.

[0069] The first connection part 115 may be formed at the outer end 110B of the inner deck panel 110 and the second connection part 135 may be formed at an upper end 130A of the upper deck 130.

[0070] The first connection part 115 may be formed as an integral part of the inner deck panel 110 and the second connection part 135 may be formed as an integral part of the upper deck 130.

[0071] The first connection part 115 may as an alternative be formed as a separate part attached to the inner deck panel 110 and the second connection part 135 may be formed as a separate part attached to the upper deck 130.

[0072] The fastening means 150 may comprise a lock part 153 positioned in a T-shaped groove 111 in the inner surface of the inner deck panel 110, a bolt 151 passing through a hole in the lock part 153 into a flange part 152. The flange part 157 may comprise a first inclined surface 152A mating with a third inclined surface 115A of the first connection part 115 and a second inclined surface 152B mating with a fourth inclined surface 135A of the second connection part 135. Tightening of the bolt 151 moves the flange part 157 and thereby the first inclined surfaces 152A of the flange part 152 on the third inclined surface 115A of the first connection part 115 and the second inclined surface 152B of the flange part 152 on the fourth inclined surface 135A of the second connection part 135 locking the inner deck panel 110 to the upper panel 130.

[0073] The bolt 151 may pass in a direction being parallel with the direction of the inner deck panel 110.

[0074] The first fastening means 150 may be operable from the outside of the first interior space S1 restricted by the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130. This means that the bolt 151 is operable from the outside of the first interior space S1. The first fastening means 150 may be operated through an opening O1 arranged in the first fastening arrangement. The opening O1 may be arranged in the first connection means 115 or in the second connection means 135 or in a space between the first connection means 115 and the second connection means 135. The opening O1 provides access from the outside to the first interior space S1.

[0075] A compartment C1 may be formed between the first connection portion 115 and the second connection portion 135.

[0076] A LED light source 70 may be positioned in a chamber at a back of the compartment C1 and a diffusor profile 71 may be positioned in an opening O1 of the compartment C1. The diffusor profile 71 may be removably supported in the opening O1. The diffusor profile 71 may transmit the LED light out from the compartment C1 towards the space above the stairs 20. The diffusor panel 71 also spreads the LED light evenly into the space above the stairs 20.

[0077] The bolts 151 may have a hex socket in the head of the bolt. The bolts 151 may thus be accessed through the opening O1 in the compartment C1 when the diffusor profile 71 is not in place in the opening O1. Tightening and loosening of the bolts 151 is thus possible through the opening O1. Tightening of the bolts 151 locks the inner deck 110 and the upper panel 130 together. Loosening of the bolts 151 makes it possible to remove the inner decking 110. The inclined surfaces 152A, 152B of the flange part 152 glide away from the third inclined surface 115A of the inner deck panel 110 and the fourth inclined surface 135A of the upper panel 130 when the bolts 151 are loosened. The flange part 152 is moved outwards along the threads of the bolt 151. The inner deck 110 with the first fastening means 151, 152, 153 may then be lifted away from the upper panel 130 and the balustrade 30. The diffusor profile 71 may be simply pushed into place in the opening O1. The diffusor profile 71 may on the other hand be removed by wrenching from the side of the diffusor profile 71 e.g. with a screwdriver or a plastic tool and then drawing the diffusor profile 71 out from the opening O1.

[0078] The first fastening arrangement F1 between the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130 is thus formed entirely from the first interior space S1 inside the inner deck panel 110 and the skirt panel 120. There are no visible screw heads on the outside of the inner deck panel 110 or the skirt panel 120.

[0079] The upper panel 130 of the skirt panel 120 and the inner deck panel 110 form a second angle α2 with each other. The second angle α2 is over 90 degrees in the figure. The inner deck 110 is inclined downwards from the inner end 110A towards the outer end 110B. The second angle α2 would be 90 degrees in a situation in which the inner deck panel 110 is horizontal as shown with the dashed line in the figure. The second angle α2 is measured between the inner surfaces of the upper panel 130 and the inner deck panel 110 at the corner between the upper end 130A of the upper panel 130 and the outer end 110B of the inner deck panel 110.

[0080] The first connection means 115 may comprise reinforcement portions 116 at the outer end 110B of the inner deck panel 110. The second connection means 135 may also comprise reinforcement portions 136 at the upper end 130A of the upper panel 130.

[0081] Figure 9 shows an enlargement of the junction between the two skirt panels.

[0082] A second fastening arrangement F2 may be arranged between the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 within a second interior space S2 restricted by the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140.

[0083] The second fastening arrangement F2 may comprise a third connection part 180 connected to the upper panel 130, a fourth connection part 190 connected to the lower panel 140, and second fastening means 185 connecting the third connection part 180 and the fourth connection part 190 and thereby also the upper deck panel 130 and the lower panel 140 together.

[0084] The third connection part 180 may formed as an integral part of the upper panel 130 and the fourth connection part 190 may be formed as an integral part of the lower panel 140.

[0085] An alternative is that the third connection part 180 is formed as a separate part attached to the upper panel 130 and the fourth connection part 190 is formed of a separate part attached to the lower panel 140.

[0086] The third connection part 180 may be formed by bending the lower end 130B of the upper panel 130 inwards towards the balustrade 30. The angle of the bend may be 90 degrees. The third connection part 180 may be substantially horizontal.

[0087] The fourth connection part 190 may be formed by bending the upper end 140A of the lower panel 140 inwards towards the balustrade 30. The upper end of the lower panel 140 may first be bent inwards towards the balustrade 30 and then again outwards. The angle of both bends may be 90 degrees. A thicker fourth connection part 190 is thus achieved. The fourth connection part 190 may be substantially horizontal.

[0088] The third connection part 180 may be seating on the fourth connection part 190.

[0089] The third connection part 180 and the fourth connection part 190 may be attached to each other with the second fastening means 185 so that the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 are adjustable in relation to each other in a horizontal direction X between the balustrades 30 during the installation of the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140.

[0090] The second fastening means 185 may be formed by a substantially vertical bolt 185 passing through holes in the third connection part 180 and the fourth connection part 190. The holes in the third connection part 180 and the fourth connection part 190 may be arranged so that adjustment between the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 in the horizontal direction X is possible. A nut may be positioned below the fourth connection part 190. The outer threading of the bolt 185 mates with the inner threading of the nut. The bolt 185 and the nut form a pressure joint between the third connection part 180 and the fourth connection part 190.

[0091] The bolt 185 may be vertical. The nut may be formed of a house nut positioned at a bottom side of the fourth connection portion 190. The outer threading of the bolt 185 mates with the inner threading in the house nut. The fourth connection part 190 may be provided with a first rectangular opening in the upper part of the double bending and a second opening in the lower part of the double bending. The rectangular openings may have a length extending in the horizontal direction X between the balustrades and a width being perpendicular to the length. The width of the second opening may be greater than the width of the first opening. The house nut may be positioned in the second opening, wherein the house nut may move in the horizontal direction X in the second opening but is locked against rotation in the second opening. The house nut may comprise two opposite flanges extending through the first opening and being bent 90 degrees on the upper surface of the fourth connection part 190. The flanges lock the house nut into the fourth connection part 190 so that movement of the house nut in the horizontal direction X is possible. The third connection part 180 may comprise a rectangular recess in the bottom surface receiving the bended portion of the flanges of the house nut. The house nut may thus move in the horizontal direction X. The third connection part 180 and the fourth connection part 190 and thereby also the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 will be locked to each other when the bolt 185 passing into the house nut is tightened.

[0092] The frame 161 of the skirt brush 160 may be attached with a horizontal X bolt 165 to the lower end of the upper skirt panel 130. An L-shaped flange 167 may be positioned on the third connection part 130B. The horizontal X bolt 165 and the vertical Y bolt 185 pass through holes in the flange 167. A not may be positioned on the bolt 165. Tightening of the nut attaches the skirt brush 160 to the upper panel 130.

[0093] A portion of the fourth connection part 190 extending further outwards towards the steps 20 in relation to the third connection part 180 may also form a support surface for a frame 161 of the skirt brush 162.

[0094] The lower panel 140 may be attached to the flange 173 by a locking part 175 positioned inside the C-profile 171 and a horizontal bolt 176 extending through a hole in the flange 173 and through the opening in the C-profile 171 to a threaded hole in the locking part 175. Tightening of the bolt 176 locks the C-profile 171 and thereby also the lower panel 140 to the flange 173.

[0095] The lower panel 140 of the skirt panel 120 is attached to the truss 10 completely from the inside of the lower panel 140. The lower end 130B of the upper panel 130 is attached to the upper end 140A of the lower panel 140 completely inside the lower panel 140 and the upper panel 130. This means that there are no visible screw heads on the outer surface of the upper panel 130 or the lower panel 140.

[0096] The inner deck 110, the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 may be installed in the following manner.

[0097] The balustrade panel 50 may first be installed into the correct position by adjusting the U-shaped support part 61 into a correct position in the balustrade 30.

[0098] The lower panel 140 may then be installed and attached to the truss 10 as seen in figure 9. The second horizontal distance X2 is adjusted to the desired value when the lower panel 140 is attached to the truss 10.

[0099] The upper panel 130 is then installed. The lower end 130B of the upper panel 130 is attached to the upper end 140A of the lower panel 140 at the correct position of the upper panel 130. The correct horizontal X position of the upper panel 130 in relation to the balustrade panel 50 must thus be determined. This may be done by measurements or it may be possible to use a jig to position the upper panel 140 into the correct horizontal X position in relation to the balustrade panel 50. The vertical Y bolts 185 are then tightened in order to lock the upper panel 130 to the lower panel 140.

[0100] The inner deck 110 with the first fastening means 150 i.e. the locking parts 153, the bolts 151 and the flanges 152 are then positioned on the upper panel 130. The form locking in the inner end 110A of the inner deck 110 is positioned on the form locking part 61 in the support part 60 of the balustrade panel 50. The outer end 110B of the inner deck 110 is positioned on the upper end 130A of the upper panel 130. The inclined surfaces 152A, 152B of the flange part 152 are placed apart from the inclined surface 115A of the inner deck 110 and the inclined surface 135A of the upper panel 130. The locking parts 153, the bolts 151 and the flanges 152 have been installed at predetermined intervals along the inner panel 110 before this. The bolts 151 are loose so that the flange part 152 has been moved outwards along the threads of the bolt 151. The bolts 151 may then be tightened so that the inclined surfaces 152A, 152B in the flange part 152 glide on the inclined surface 115A of the inner deck panel 110 and on the inclined surface 135A of the upper panel 130. The inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130 become thus locked in relation to each other.

[0101] The outer surface of the inner deck 110 and the outer surface of the skirt panel 120 are completely smooth. There are no screw heads or similar on the outer surface of the inner deck 110 or on the outer surface of the skirt panel 120. The skirt brush 160 is the only object protruding outwards from the skirt panel 120.

[0102] The first fastening arrangement F1 between the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130 shown in the figures is an advantageous connection. The invention is, however, not in any way limited to this specific first fastening arrangement F1. There might not be a need for a light source 70 in the compartment C1. The compartment C1 would not thus bee needed. The connection could be amended so that the bolt 151 passes in the horizontal X direction. The outer end 110B of the inner deck panel 110 could seat on the upper end 130A of the upper panel 130. There could be a horizontal opening in the outer end 110B of the inner deck panel 110 making it possible to reach the head of the bolt 151 with an Allen key in order to tighten and loose the bolt 151. The outer end 110B of the inner deck panel 110 could comprise a vertical portion extending downwards.

[0103] The inner deck panel 110, the upper panel 130 and the lower panel 140 in the skirt panel 120 may be formed of metal profiles e.g. aluminium. The profiles may be manufactured by e.g. extrusion. The form of the connection parts 115, 135 on the inner surfaces of the inner deck panel 110 and the upper panel 130 may thus be achieved easily.

[0104] The use of the invention is not limited to the escalator disclosed in the figures. The invention can be used in any type of escalator.

[0105] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An escalator comprises
a truss (10),
a chain of steps (20) moving in a closed loop supported by the truss (10),
a balustrade (30) at opposite lateral sides of the chain of steps (20), the balustrade (30) comprising a base (31) supported on the truss (10), substantially vertical (Y) balustrade panels (50) supported in the base (31) and extending upwards from the base (31), and a handrail (32) movably supported on an upper edge of the balustrade panels (50),
an inner deck panel (110) and a separate skirt panel (120), the inner deck panel (110) having an inner end (110A) at a first horizontal distance (X1) from the balustrade panel (50) and an opposite outer end (110B), the skirt panel (120) extending in a vertical direction (Y) at a second horizontal distance (X2) from a vertical side plane (25) of the steps (20), the skirt panel (120) extending from a first vertical distance (Y1) below a tread (21) of the steps (20) to a second vertical distance (Y2) above the tread (21) of the steps (20),
characterized in that the skirt panel (120) is formed of an upper panel (130) and a separate lower panel (140) being attached to each other, the upper panel (130) being attached to the inner deck panel (110).

2. The escalator as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first fastening arrangement (F1) is arranged between the inner deck panel (110) and the upper panel (130) within a first interior space (S1) restricted by the inner deck panel (110) and the upper panel (130), the first fastening arrangement (F1) comprising a first connection part (115) connected to the inner deck panel (110), a second connection part (135) connected to the upper panel (135), and first fastening means (150) connecting the first connection part (115) and the second connection part (135) and thereby also the inner deck panel (110) and the upper panel (130) together.

3. The escalator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first connection part (115) is formed at the outer end (110B) of the inner deck panel (110) and the second connection part (135) is formed at an upper end (130A) of the upper panel (130).

4. The escalator as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the first connection part (115) is formed as an integral part of the inner deck panel (110) and the second connection part (135) is formed as an integral part of the upper panel (130).

5. The escalator as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first fastening means (150) comprises a lock part (153) positioned in a T-shaped groove (111) in an inner surface of the inner deck panel (110), a bolt (151) passing through a hole in the lock part (153) into a flange part (152), the flange part (152) comprising a first inclined surface (152A) mating with a third inclined surface (115A) of the first connection portion (115) and a second inclined surface (152B) mating with a fourth inclined surface (135A) of the second connection portion (135), wherein tightening of the bolt (152) moves the flange part (152) and thereby the first inclined surface (152A) of the flange part (152) on the third inclined surface (115A) of the first connection portion (115) and the second inclined surface (152B) of the flange part (152) on the fourth inclined surface (135A) of the second connection portion (135) locking the inner deck panel (110) to the upper panel (130).

6. The escalator as claimed in claim 4, wherein a compartment (C1) is formed between the first connection portion (115) and the second connection portion (135), a LED light source (70) being positioned in a chamber at a back of the compartment (C1) and a diffusor profile (71) being positioned in an opening (O1) of the compartment (C1), the diffusor profile (71) being removably supported in the opening (O1).

7. The escalator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a second fastening arrangement (F2) is arranged between the upper panel (130) and the lower panel (140) within a second interior space (S2) restricted by the upper panel (130) and the lower panel (140), the second fastening arrangement (F2) comprising a third connection part (180) connected to the upper panel (130), a fourth connection part (190) connected to the lower panel (140), and second fastening means (185) connecting the third connection part (180) and the fourth connection part (190) and thereby also the upper deck panel (130) and the lower panel (140) together.

8. The escalator as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third connection part (180) is formed at a lower end (130B) of the upper panel (130) and the fourth connection part (190) is formed at an upper end (140B) of the lower panel (140).

9. The escalator as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the third connection part (180) is formed as an integral part of the upper panel (130) and the fourth connection part (190) is formed as an integral part of the lower panel (140).

10. The escalator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third connection part (180) is formed by bending the lower end (130B) of the upper panel (130) inwards towards the balustrade (30) and the fourth connection part (190) is formed by bending the upper end (140A) of the lower panel (140) inwards towards the balustrade (30), the third connection part (180) and the fourth connection part (190) being substantially horizontal.

11. The escalator as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the third connection part (180) and the fourth connection part (190) are attached to each other with the second fastening means (185) so that the upper panel (130) and the lower panel (140) are adjustable in relation to each other in a horizontal direction (X) between the balustrades (30) during the installation of the upper panel (130) and the lower panel (140).

12. The escalator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second fastening means (185) is formed by a bolt (185) passing through holes in the third connection part (180) and the fourth connection part (190) and a nut at a bottom of the fourth connection part (190), the holes in the third connection part (180) and the fourth connection part (190) being arranged so that adjustment between the upper panel (130) and the lower panel (140) in the horizontal direction (X) is possible.

13. The escalator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inner deck panel (110) is inclined forming a downwards directed slope from the balustrade panel (50) to the skirt panel (120).

14. The escalator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein skirt brushes (160) are attached to the skirt panel (120) at opposite lateral sides of the steps (20), the skirt brushes (160) extending in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the escalator, the skirt brushes (130) being positioned at a distance above the steps (20) and extending outwards from the upper panel (130) towards the steps (20).

15. The escalator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the skirt brushes (160) are attached to the lower end (130B) of the upper panel (130) of the skirt panel (120).

Drawing