Barrier for an escalator or a moving walkway

Abstract

The invention relates to a barrier (31) for preventing users from falling from a travelling device (1) in the form of an escalator or moving walkway. The barrier (31) is designed to be mounted on the travelling device (1) adjacent to a handrail (15) that can be moved peripherally around a balustrade (9) of the travelling device (1). When mounted, the barrier (31) extends parallel to the handrail (15) and projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA). The barrier (31) also has: a deflector (29); and a panel region (22) that adjoins said deflector (29) and has at least one barrier panel (45, 45A).

Description

[0001] Barrier for an escalator or moving walkway

[0002] The invention relates to a barrier which serves as fall protection for users of a moving device, as well as to a moving device with such a barrier.

[0003] For the purposes of this document, transportation systems are escalators and moving walkways with a conveyor belt featuring a plurality of steps or pallets. The steps or pallets form a conveyor surface used to transport users and / or other loads, such as hand luggage or shopping carts.

[0004] Balustrades are typically arranged along the sides of the steps or pallets of the moving device. Below the balustrades is a supporting structure to which the balustrades are attached. The supporting structure is covered at the top by a cover assembly and at the sides by a side panel. The cover assembly and the side panel are typically attached to the supporting structure with fasteners, which are also designed for this purpose.

[0005] For escalators, building regulations and standards such as EN 115 apply regarding balustrade height (based on their conveying surface) and the height at which the handrail is installed. These building regulations are intended to ensure safe use of the escalator or moving walkway and must be strictly adhered to by the operators or building owners.

[0006] Since the balustrades of conventional rides only reach up to the height of the handrail, improper use poses certain risks. For example, users may intentionally jump over the balustrade or be involuntarily pushed over the balustrade. This happens, for example, in football stadiums when hooligans throw themselves off a ride or push other users off. Other bad behaviors include "surfing" on the handrails or holding on to the handrails with your hands while hanging freely outside the ride. This can also result in users becoming trapped if the ride passes an intersecting ride or leads through a narrow opening in the floor. Such situations are dangerous for the ride users and also for those below the ride and must therefore be avoided at all costs.

[0007] For example, WO 2020 / 114846A1 discloses a balustrade for an escalator in which first panels are arranged below the handrail and act as additional barriers, while second panels are arranged laterally offset from the handrail and projecting beyond the handrail. Such a barrier effectively reduces the risk of falling. It also extends the entire length of the balustrade to prevent "surfing" on the handrail or "hanging" along the barrier. This barrier significantly increases manufacturing, transport, and installation costs and, due to its high mass, places a strain on the supporting structure of the escalator or moving walkway.

[0008] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier that is as lightweight and cost-effective as possible. In particular, the barrier is designed to be easily and quickly installed and visually appealing, serving as a fall protection device. Furthermore, it is designed to enable easy retrofitting of mobile devices with such a barrier.

[0009] This problem is solved by a barrier to protect users from falling on a moving device that is designed as an escalator or moving walkway. The barrier is designed to be mounted on the moving device next to a handrail that can be moved all the way around a balustrade of the moving device. When mounted, the barrier extends parallel to the handrail and projects higher than the balustrade or handrail. The barrier also has a deflector and a panel area adjoining this deflector with at least one barrier panel. The deflector prevents people from climbing any further than this along the outside of the moving device in order to climb over the barrier and handrail in the ascending area and thus board the escalator or moving walkway from the side.The deflector allows the barrier to be kept shorter and does not need to be extended to the handrail deflection curve, as disclosed in WO 2020 / 114846A1, to prevent the aforementioned problem. Furthermore, the deflector serves as a fastening element to the moving device for the adjacent panel area, similar to a post.

[0010] In addition to the at least one barrier panel, the barrier has a clamping profile with a V-shaped groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile. The V-shaped groove is defined by a groove base and two groove surfaces, and the groove surfaces are arranged at an angle to one another, starting from the groove base and ending at a groove mouth. The clamping profile can be made from an extruded or pressed profile bar. The clamping profile can in particular be made from an extruded aluminum profile or an extruded plastic profile. Its ends can, for example, be covered with an end cap or can terminate in the deflector. Since the barrier panel is a plate-shaped structure, it comprises at least two parallel side surfaces and, with regard to its intended mounting position, a lower edge. The barrier panel is arranged with its lower edge in the V-shaped groove.

[0011] Another component of the barrier is an L-shaped wedge insert with a wedge leg and a base leg. The wedge leg has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is positioned between the first side surface of the barrier panel and the first groove surface. The base leg is positioned between the lower edge of the barrier panel and the groove base.

[0012] In addition, the barrier has a wedge-shaped clamping wedge in cross-section, which is arranged between the second side surface of the barrier panel and the second groove surface. It is not necessary for the wedge insert and the clamping wedge to extend continuously within the V-shaped groove or for their length to be matched to the length of the barrier panel.

[0013] For cost, manufacturing, and assembly reasons, the wedge insert and clamping wedge are designed to be significantly shorter than a barrier panel, allowing them to be used in curved sections of the clamping profile without having to bend them along the longitudinal extent of the clamping profile. Preferably, the wedge insert and clamping wedge are positioned opposite each other in the V-shaped groove and not offset longitudinally to avoid additional bending moments on the barrier panel due to the clamping force generated by the driven-in clamping wedge. Several wedge inserts and clamping wedges can be provided per barrier panel, with a distance between two wedge insert / clamping wedge pairs being possible that is greater than the length of a wedge insert or clamping wedge.

[0014] The L-shaped wedge insert provides a component that is inherently stable enough to withstand the forces exerted by the barrier panel when inserted into the V-shaped groove. Furthermore, the wedge insert precisely positions the barrier panel in the V-shaped groove, allowing multiple barrier panels arranged side by side in series to be precisely positioned relative to one another without effort. Furthermore, the wedge insert, which is preferably made of a polymer material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), and the like, offers excellent shock absorption, significantly reducing the risk of breakage of the barrier panel and keeping its thickness comparatively low.

[0015] In one embodiment of the barrier, the deflector comprises a support plate with a foot attachment area and a panel connection area. The deflector is designed such that, when the barrier is mounted on the moving device, its support plate extends in the same vertical spatial plane as the at least one barrier panel of the adjoining panel area. A deflector plate is arranged on the support plate in a plane parallel to the support plate and spaced apart from it. The deflector plate has smooth edges and surfaces that do not provide a grip for a hand or foot. Preferably, the distance to the support plate is selected such that, when the barrier is mounted, the deflector plate is arranged flush with a vertical side panel of the moving device.The edges of the deflector plate also create pressure points on the body when attempting to climb, resulting in an unpleasant feeling, so that in most cases the climbing attempt is aborted and abandoned.

[0016] In one version, the deflector plate is attached to the support plate by a recessed web. This prevents the creation of horizontal surfaces that could be used as climbing aids.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the barrier, a connection point matching the panel connection area is formed on an edge region of the at least one barrier panel. In other words, the connection point and the panel connection area are coordinated in such a way that the support plate and the barrier panel can be firmly connected with minimal effort, for example, using connecting means such as screws, clamps, connecting strips, adhesives, and the like. The connection point and the panel connection area can be designed to overlap each other, contain holes, have suitably prepared adhesive surfaces, etc.

[0018] In a further embodiment, a vertical deflector edge is provided on at least one barrier panel, depending on the intended installation position of the barrier. This deflector edge projects beyond the top edge of the barrier panel and is provided with a cylindrical deflector profile. The barrier panel equipped with a deflector profile is used where the moving device passes close to a crossing moving device or passes through a narrow floor opening. Without the deflector edge, the top edge of the barrier panel and the underside of the crossing moving device, or the underside of the ceiling in the area of ​​the floor opening, form a wedge-shaped gap in which, for example, outstretched arms can become trapped. The vertical deflector profile effectively mitigates this danger zone.

[0019] The barrier panel (whether with or without a deflector edge) is preferably made of a transparent material. This can be tempered safety glass, laminated safety glass, PMMA, polycarbonate, and the like. However, the barrier panel can also be made of opaque materials such as wood, composite materials, metal, or opaque polymer materials.

[0020] In a further embodiment, a connection point to a safety device of the structure is formed on the deflector and / or the clamping profile and / or on a support of the barrier described below. The safety device can be a lattice balustrade, a barrier panel, or the like.

[0021] In another design, a fastening area for one end of the clamping profile is provided in the panel connection area of ​​the deflector. This provides additional strength to the combination of deflector and barrier panel.

[0022] In another design of the barrier, the V-shaped groove has a projection on the first groove surface intended for the wedge insert that narrows the groove opening. The projection, together with the groove base and the first groove surface, forms a lateral pocket into which the wedge leg of the wedge insert can be inserted. The projection secures the wedge insert in the V-shaped groove during assembly and disassembly of the barrier panel, ensuring that it remains in the groove at its intended location. This significantly simplifies assembly work and can even be performed by less qualified personnel.

[0023] In another design of the barrier, an elastic element is arranged on the wedge leg of the wedge insert. When the wedge insert is inserted into the V-shaped groove, the elastic element clamps the wedge leg between the projection and the groove base. The elastic element thus secures the wedge insert even more effectively in the V-shaped groove, particularly against longitudinal displacement. This is particularly advantageous in the inclined section of escalators, preventing the wedge insert from sliding downhill.

[0024] In another design of the barrier, fastening structures for an elastic sealing profile are provided on both sides of the V-shaped groove mouth. The sealing profiles arranged on both sides prevent dirt and water from penetrating the V-shaped groove and lend an aesthetic appearance to the transition from the clamping profile to the barrier panel.

[0025] In a further design of the barrier, a T-shaped groove is formed on the side of the clamping profile facing away from the V-shaped groove, which is intended to accommodate fasteners. This allows the clamping profile to be attached to suitable structural components of the carriage or to the carriage via adapter parts. Furthermore, clamping profiles divided into several sections can be firmly connected to each other at the ends using connecting tabs inserted into the T-slot.

[0026] In a further design of the barrier, it has a support with a base attachment area at one end and a head attachment area at the other. The head attachment area is connected to the clamping profile by means of fasteners arranged in the T-shaped groove of the clamping profile. The T-shaped groove in the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile allows the position of the support on the clamping profile to be freely selected. The base attachment area is designed to be attached to a supporting structure of a moving device, for example, to its supporting structure.

[0027] In one possible design of the support, a telescopic device is arranged between the head attachment area and the foot attachment area. This allows the distance between the head attachment area and the foot attachment area to be fixedly adjusted.

[0028] In another design, the barrier features a connecting element. The connecting element is connected at one end to the clamping profile or the support, and the other end is designed to be attached to a handrail guide profile of a moving device. This connection between the balustrade and the barrier supports each other orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile, allowing both the balustrade and the barrier to be designed and constructed with reduced material thicknesses.

[0029] The moving device, designed as an escalator or moving walkway, can be equipped with a barrier on one or both sides, depending on its installation within a building. Such moving devices typically have a revolving conveyor belt and, on each side of the conveyor belt, a balustrade with a revolvingly movable handrail. The barrier according to the invention is mounted on the moving device next to the revolvingly movable handrail, with the barrier being arranged on the side of the handrail facing away from the conveyor belt. When installed, the barrier extends parallel to the balustrade and projects higher than the balustrade or its handrail.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals in all figures. Neither the drawings nor the description should be interpreted as limiting the invention. They show:

[0031] Figure 1: a three-dimensional representation of a moving device designed as an escalator with glass balustrades and two barriers arranged on the sides to protect users from falling;

[0032] Figure 2: in side view two crossing travel devices with fixed running directions, whereby both travel devices have barriers and the barrier of the upward-conveying travel device has a barrier panel with a deflector edge;

[0033] Figure 3: an enlarged view of a cross-section through the barrier panel shown in Figure 2 in the indicated section plane AA;

[0034] Figure 4: an enlarged view of a cross-section through a clamping profile of the barrier shown in Figure 1; and

[0035] Figure 5: a cross-section through the entire barrier and the glass balustrade of the driving device shown in Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a moving device 1 designed as an escalator, as installed in a building 3 (shown with a double-dotted line). The moving device 1 has a continuously movable conveyor belt 5 with steps 7. A balustrade 9 with glass panels 11 extends along each side of the conveyor belt 5. Moving devices 1 with such glass balustrades are used, for example, in department stores and shopping malls. At the edge of each balustrade 9, a handrail guide profile 13 (see Figure 5) with a continuously movable handrail 15 is arranged. The handrails 15 are moved synchronously with the conveyor belt 5. The balustrade height HB of the balustrade 9 is designed such that its handrail 15 can be comfortably grasped by an adult of average height, but is also easily accessible for smaller children.For example, EN-115 specifies a balustrade height HB of 900cm to 1100cm, depending on the location.

[0037] Since there is no wall on either side of the moving device 1, users could fall over the balustrade 9 and crash to the side of the moving device 1 if used improperly as mentioned above. To prevent this, a barrier 31 is mounted on both sides of the moving device 1 next to the handrail 15. As can be seen from Figure 1, the barrier 31 extends parallel to the balustrade 9. Its barrier panels 45 project at a height HA above the balustrade height HB or the handrail 15. So that users can hold on to the handrail 15, the barrier 31 is arranged on the side of the handrail 15 facing away from the conveyor belt 5.

[0038] To illustrate various designs of the barrier 31, the barrier panel 45 mounted on the right barrier 31 is constructed in one piece. As illustrated by the left barrier 31, the barrier 31 can also comprise multiple barrier panels 45. The barrier 31 can comprise panel connectors 145 to connect the individual barrier panels 45 to one another.

[0039] Furthermore, each barrier 31 has at least one deflector 29, whereby whether one or two deflectors 29 are provided per barrier 31 depends on the intended travel directions L and the building structure. The travel device 1 shown in Figure 1 can be operated in an upward and downward direction, as indicated by the double arrow in the travel direction L. Accordingly, two deflectors 29 are provided at the ends of the barrier 31, with the deflector 29 being arranged on the upper level of the building 3 in front of a safety device 4 of the building 3, such as the illustrated lattice balustrade. The panel area 22 with the barrier panels 45 extends between and adjoining the two deflectors 29. The deflector 29 prevents people from climbing further than this along the outside of the travel device 1 in order to climb around the rising area of ​​the travel device 1.As can be seen from Figure 1, a connection point 28 to the safety device 4 of the structure 3 is formed on a support 75 of the barrier 31. Through the connection point 28, the barrier 31 and the safety device 4 mutually support each other against laterally acting forces. Alternatively or additionally, a connection point 28 can also be formed on the deflector 29 (see Figure 2) and / or on the clamping profile 33 described below.

[0040] The deflector 29 also serves as a dimensionally stable post for attaching the barrier panels 45 of the adjoining panel area 22 to the carriage 1. For this purpose, the deflector 29 comprises a support plate 25 with a foot attachment area 26 and a panel connection area 27. The support plate 25 extends in the same vertical spatial plane as the at least one barrier panel 45 of the adjoining panel area 22. The foot attachment area 26 is designed such that it can be firmly connected to load-bearing components, for example by clamping, screwing, riveting, gluing, and the like. Such load-bearing components include, for example, the supporting structure 101 shown in Figure 5 or the balustrade clamp 103 attached thereto.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the adjoining barrier panel 45 is firmly connected to the support plate 25 by a panel connector 145. A deflector plate 23 is arranged on the support plate 25 in a plane parallel to the support plate 25 and spaced apart from it by a distance X. The deflector plate 23 has smooth edges and surfaces that do not provide a grip for a hand or foot. Preferably, the distance X from the support plate 25 is selected such that the deflector plate 23 is arranged flush with a vertical side panel 6 of the travel device 1. The deflector plate 23 is attached to the support plate 25 by a recessed web 24. This prevents the creation of horizontal surfaces that could be used as climbing aids.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a side view of two closely spaced, intersecting travel devices 1 with fixed travel directions L. Both travel devices 1 also have barriers 31 whose deflectors 29 are arranged according to the travel direction L. In order to limit the fall height of deflected users, the height Y of the foot attachment area 26 relative to a floor 2 of the structure 3 is specified by the standards. The height Y also determines how much shorter the barrier 31 can be compared to a conventional barrier. The barrier 31 of the upward-conveying travel device 1 also has a barrier panel 45A with a vertical deflector edge 44. This deflector edge 44 projects beyond an upper edge 88 of the barrier panel 45A and is provided with a cylindrical deflector profile 42 so that, for example, no user clothing gets caught on the deflector edge 44.

[0043] As can be seen from Figure 2, in the absence of the deflector edge 44, the upper edge 88 of the barrier panel 45 and a bottom view 87 of the crossing travel device 1 or a ceiling underside 86 of the structure 3 in the area of ​​the floor opening 89 form a wedge-shaped gap in which, for example, outstretched arms could become trapped. By providing a vertical deflector edge 44, the wedge shape of the gap is effectively mitigated, and the addition of the cylindrical deflector profile 42 completely prevents anyone from getting caught or trapped in this gap. The barrier panel 45A provided with a deflector profile 42 is thus used where the travel device 1, with respect to its intended orientation E, passes close to a crossing travel device 1 and / or passes through a narrowly dimensioned floor opening 89.

[0044] Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier panel 45A shown in Figure 2 in the indicated sectional plane AA to illustrate the cylindrical design of the deflector profile 42. The barrier panel 45A, provided with a deflector edge 44, also has a molded-on fastening flange 84 with holes 83 to allow it to be additionally fastened to the underside 87 of the crossing travel device 1. The barrier panels 45, 45A are preferably made of transparent material. This can be single-pane safety glass, laminated safety glass, a PMMA sheet, a polycarbonate sheet, and the like. However, the barrier panels 45, 45A can also be made of opaque material such as wood, composite material, metal, or opaque polymer materials. Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier 31 shown in Figure 1.The barrier 31 has a clamping profile 33 with a V-shaped groove 35. When the barrier 31 is mounted, the clamping profile 33 extends in the running direction L (see Figure 1) of the travel device 1. The V-shaped groove 35 is defined by a groove base 37 and two groove surfaces 39, 41. Starting from the groove base 37, the groove surfaces 39, 41 open at an angle to one another toward a groove mouth 43. In other words, the width of the V-shaped groove 35 increases toward the groove mouth 43. The clamping profile 33 can be made, for example, from an extruded aluminum profile or an extruded plastic profile, the end of which can be firmly connected, for example, to the adjacent deflector 29 (see Figures 1 and 2). For this purpose, a fastening area 54 for one end face of the clamping profile 33 is provided in the panel connection area 27 of the deflector 29.

[0045] The barrier 31 also has a barrier panel 45, 45A, which has two parallel side surfaces 47, 49 and is arranged in the V-shaped groove 35 in the region of its lower edge 51. As already mentioned above, the barrier panel 45 can be made of transparent material such as single-pane safety glass, laminated safety glass, a PMMA sheet, a polycarbonate sheet, and the like. However, the barrier panel 45 can also be made of opaque material such as wood, composite material, metal, or opaque polymer materials.

[0046] Another component of the barrier 31 is an L-shaped wedge insert 53 with a wedge leg 55 and a base leg 57. The wedge leg 55 has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is arranged between the first side surface 47 of the barrier panel 45 and the first groove surface 39. The base leg 57 of the wedge insert 53 is arranged between the lower edge 51 of the barrier panel 45, 45A and the groove bottom 37. A channel 58 is also formed in the base leg 57, which extends parallel to the V-shaped groove 35. The formation of a channel 58 in the base leg 57 has the advantage that, for example, a lighting device 151 can be installed within the clamping profile 31 or in the V-shaped groove 35 with a constant cross-section without interrupting it.All known light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes, fluorescent tubes, OLED films, and the like, can be used as the illuminant 151. The channel 58 also allows for the easy routing of electrical conductors such as signal lines 157 and power supply lines 155 in the V-shaped groove 35. To connect the electrical conductors, they can be routed through cavities in the deflector 29 (not shown) into the interior of the driving device 1.

[0047] In order for the wedge insert 53 and the barrier panel 45 to be firmly anchored in the clamping profile 33, the barrier 31 has a clamping wedge 59 with a wedge-shaped cross-section, which is driven between the second side surface 49 of the barrier panel 45 and the second groove surface 41. In order to ensure secure and permanent clamping of the barrier panel 45 in the V-shaped groove 35, the wedge angle α of the wedge leg 55 and the wedge angle β of the clamping wedge 59 must be smaller than the angle of a friction cone, which is present between the first groove surface 39 and the wedge leg 55 or the second groove surface 41 and the clamping wedge 59. The angle of the friction cone, which is another description of the friction coefficient between these components, depends on the surface roughness and the materials used for the clamping profile 33, the wedge insert 53 and the clamping wedge 59.In the case of barriers 31 with a plurality of barrier panels 45, wedge inserts 53 and clamping wedges 59 are preferably arranged in the clamping profile 33 in such a way that they overlap two adjacent barrier panels 45.

[0048] The V-shaped groove 35 also has a projection 61 narrowing the groove opening 43 on the first groove surface 39 provided for the wedge insert 53. This projection 61 provides the wedge insert 53 with better grip in the V-shaped groove 35, so that it does not slip when the barrier panel 45 is inserted. To further improve this grip, an elastic element 63 can be arranged on the wedge leg 55 of the wedge insert 53. When the wedge insert 53 is inserted into the V-shaped groove 35, the elastic element 63 clamps the wedge leg 55 between the projection 61 and the groove base 37.

[0049] To prevent the V-shaped groove 35 from filling with water and dirt, sealing profiles 65, 67 made of elastomer material such as rubber, nitrile rubber, and the like are arranged at the groove mouth 43 on both sides of the barrier panel 45. To enable the sealing profiles 65, 67 to be mounted, fastening structures 69 are formed on both sides of the groove mouth 43 of the V-shaped groove 35. The fastening structures 69 (a tongue and groove connection is shown) correspond to corresponding formations on the sealing profile 65, 67. The groove and projection fastening structure 69 shown in Figure 4 is only one of the countless possible configurations for fastening the sealing profile 65, 67 in the groove mouth 43 and is therefore not to be limited to this single representation.

[0050] In order to be able to fasten the barrier 31 to the moving device 1, a T-shaped groove 71 is formed on a side of the clamping profile 33 facing away from the V-shaped groove 35. Fastening means 73, such as square or hexagon screw heads, can be arranged in this groove, wherein their position in the longitudinal direction L of the clamping profile 33 can be freely selected. This simple and robust construction enables the clamping profile 33 to be fastened, for example, to a support 75 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and / or to the deflector 29. Of course, other structures such as bores with internal threads, clampable projections and the like can also be formed on the clamping profile 33 in order to be able to connect it to the moving device 1.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a cross-section through the entire barrier 31 and the balustrade 9 of the moving device 1 shown in Figure 1. In addition to the clamping profile 33, the barrier panel 45, the wedge insert 53 and the clamping wedge 59, the barrier 31 has a support 75 which is provided at one end with a foot fastening area 77 and at the other end with a head fastening area 79. The head fastening area 79 is connected to the clamping profile 33 by means of fastening elements 73 arranged in the T-shaped groove 71 of the clamping profile 33. The foot fastening area 77 of the support 75 is screwed to a balustrade clamp 103 of the moving device 1 and the balustrade clamp 103 is fastened to a supporting structure 101 (only the upper chord of which is shown) of the moving device 1. The supporting structure 101 is the load-bearing structure that accommodates all components of the driving device 1 and supports its mass and its own mass in the structure 3.A glass panel 11 of the balustrade 9 is clamped in the clamping device 103 of the balustrade clamp.

[0052] So that the support 75 can be manufactured in large series rather than on a custom basis, a telescopic device 81 is arranged between the head fastening area 79 and the foot fastening area 77. The telescopic device 81 is implemented by a two-part support tube, wherein the two parts of the support tube are connected to one another by a thread 82 and enables adjustment in the axial direction B. By means of the telescopic device 81, a support distance Z between the head fastening area 79 and the foot fastening area 77 can be fixedly set, so that, on the one hand, manufacturing tolerances of the supporting structure 101 can be compensated and, on the other hand, the desired height HA of the barrier panels 45 can be set in coordination with the deflector 29 (see Figure 1).

[0053] The barrier 31 also has a connecting element 85, one end of which is connected to the support 75. The other end of the connecting element 85 is attached to the handrail guide profile 13 of the moving device 1. As a result, the support 75 and the balustrade 9 of the moving device 1 mutually stabilize each other against the forces acting on the balustrade 9 and the barrier 31 transversely to the longitudinal direction L (see also Figure 1) of the barrier 31.

[0054] Although Figures 1 and 2 clearly show travel devices 1 designed as escalators, it is obvious that the barrier 31 can also be used for moving walkways.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Barrier (31) for protecting users from falling in a moving device (1) designed as an escalator or moving walkway, which barrier (31) is designed to be mounted on the moving device (1) next to a handrail (15) that is movable in a circumferential manner on a balustrade (9) of the moving device (1), wherein in the mounted state the barrier (31) extends parallel to the handrail (15) and projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA), wherein the barrier (31) has a deflector (29) and a panel area (22) adjoining this deflector (29) with at least one barrier panel (45, 45A), which barrier panel (45, 45A) comprises two parallel side surfaces (47, 49) and a lower edge (51), characterized in that the Barrier further (31) has: • a clamping profile (33) with a V-shaped groove (35) which extends in the longitudinal direction (L) of the clamping profile (33) therein, wherein the V-shaped groove (35) is delimited by a groove base (37) and two groove surfaces (39, 41) and the groove surfaces (39, 41) are arranged opening at an angle to one another, starting from the groove base (37), towards a groove mouth (43), wherein the barrier panel (45, 45A) is arranged with its lower edge (51) in the V-shaped groove (35); • an L-shaped wedge insert (53) with a wedge leg (55) and a base leg (57), wherein the wedge leg (55) is wedge-shaped in its cross-section and is arranged between the first side surface (47) of the barrier panel (45, 45 A) and the first groove surface (39), and the base leg (57) is arranged between the lower edge (51) of the barrier panel (45, 45 A) and the groove base (37); and • a clamping wedge (59) with a wedge-shaped cross section, which is arranged between the second side surface (49) of the barrier panel (45, 45 A) and the second groove surface (41).

2. Barrier (31) according to claim 1, wherein the deflector (29) comprises a support plate (25) with a foot attachment area (26) and a panel connection area (27), wherein the deflector (29) is designed such that when mounted Barrier (31) the support plate (25) extends in the same vertical spatial plane as the at least one barrier panel (45, 45A) of the adjoining panel area (22) and a deflector plate (23) is arranged in a plane parallel to the support plate (25) and spaced therefrom by a distance (X).

3. Barrier (31) according to claim 2, wherein the deflector plate (23) is attached to the support plate (25) by a recessed web (24).

4. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a connection point matching the panel connection region (27) is formed in an edge region of the at least one barrier panel (45, 45A).

5. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, with respect to the intended mounting position of the barrier (31), a vertical deflector edge (44) is formed on at least one barrier panel (45A), which projects beyond an upper edge (88) of the barrier panel (45A) and is provided with a cylindrical deflector profile (42).

6. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a connection point (28) to a safety device (4) of the structure (3) is formed on the deflector (29) and / or on the clamping profile (33) and / or on a support (75) of the barrier (31).

7. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a fastening area (54) for an end face of the clamping profile (33) is formed in the panel connection area (27) of the deflector (29).

8. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the V-shaped groove (35) has a projection (61) narrowing the groove mouth (43) on the first groove surface (39) provided for the wedge insert (53).

9. Barrier (31) according to claim 8, wherein an elastic element (63) is arranged on the wedge leg (55) of the wedge insert (53), which elastic element (63) when inserted into the V-shaped The wedge insert (53) inserted into the groove (35) clamps the wedge leg (55) of the wedge insert (53) between the projection (61) and the groove base (37).

10. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein fastening structures (69) for an elastic sealing profile (65) are formed on both sides of the groove mouth (43) of the V-shaped groove (35).

11. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a T-shaped groove (71) is formed on a side of the clamping profile (33) facing away from the V-shaped groove (35) and is intended to receive fastening means (73).

12. Barrier (31) according to claim 11, wherein it comprises a support (75) which is provided at one end with a foot fastening area (77) and at the other end with a head fastening area (79), wherein the head fastening area (79) is connected to the clamping profile (33) by means of fastening means (73) arranged in the T-shaped groove (71) of the clamping profile (33), and the foot fastening area (77) is intended to be fastened to a supporting structure (101) of a driving device (1).

13. Barrier (31) according to claim 12, wherein a telescopic device (81) is arranged between the head fastening region (79) and the foot fastening region (77), by means of which telescopic device (81) a support distance (Z) between the head fastening region (79) and the foot fastening region (77) can be fixedly adjusted.

14. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein it has a connecting element (85), which connecting element (85) is connected at one end to the clamping profile (33) or to the support (75) and at the other end is designed to be fastened to a handrail guide profile (13) of a travel device (1).

15. Travel device (1) which is designed as an escalator or moving walkway, with a circulating conveyor belt (5), characterized by at least one barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which barrier (31) is arranged next to a a balustrade (9) of the travel device (1) is mounted on the travel device (1) with a handrail (15) which is movable all the way around, wherein in the mounted state the barrier (31) extends parallel to the balustrade (9) and projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA), and wherein the barrier (31) is arranged on the side of the handrail (15) facing away from the conveyor belt (5).

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