SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF AN ELEVATOR OR MOVING PLATFORM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a supporting structure of an escalator or a moving walkway.

[0002] An escalator or moving walkway is a passenger transport system with movable surface segments connected to form an endless chain and moved by a drive along a guide to transport passengers. The surface segments are arranged almost seamlessly one behind the other, at least on one upper side of the passenger transport system. The passenger transport system has two end sections and a central section. At least at the end sections, the passenger transport system is connected to a structure. At the end sections, the surface segments appear and disappear beneath a comb plate and an adjoining floor covering. The end sections are generally horizontally aligned.

[0003] In an escalator, the end sections are arranged at different levels of the structure. The central section runs at an angle to the horizontal and connects the levels. In the central section, the surface segments of the escalator form steps. The escalator can be referred to as an escalator.

[0004] In a moving walk, the end sections can be arranged at the same height or at different levels. Accordingly, the central section of the moving walk can be horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal. The central section of a moving walk is generally less steep than the central section of an escalator. In a moving walk, the surface segments do not form steps.

[0005] Both escalators and moving walks have a supporting structure. The supporting structure can be designed as a truss. The individual components of the passenger transport system, such as the guides, drive, balustrades, handrails, and cladding, are connected to the supporting structure. The supporting structure is usually prefabricated and lifted into the structure. Once the end sections of the supporting structure are connected to the structure, additional components are installed, and the passenger transport system is completed and ready for operation. In particular, balustrades are often only installed after the supporting structure has been anchored in the structure.

[0006] To assemble the components, fitters must access the supporting structure. Since the center section of the personnel transport system often runs freely through the air, the fitters require fall protection. The fitters can secure themselves, for example, with large hooks or carabiners directly in the supporting structure or to structures in the building. Alternatively or additionally, temporary maintenance railings can be clamped to the supporting structure with special clamping devices. The fitters can also use the temporary maintenance railings to attach their personal protective equipment. The personal protective equipment usually consists of a harness worn on the body and a longer piece of rope attached to it, the end of which can be hooked safely, quickly and easily to a suitable location using a snap hook, for example. The temporary maintenance railings can be gradually removed as the balustrades are installed.

[0007] Securing personal protective equipment to structures within the building or to structures on the supporting structure that are not specifically designed for this purpose can be complex and can also pose a risk of inappropriate fall protection. Installing and subsequently removing temporary maintenance railings can require additional effort. Since temporary maintenance railings are loose parts during installation or removal, they can be dropped. Parts of the temporary maintenance railing can cause considerable damage if dropped. In addition, clamping devices with different clamping cross-sections or clamping surfaces are required for different types of supporting structures to ensure flat contact with the respective supporting structure.

[0008] WO 2019 / 185573 A1 describes a fastening device for attaching a temporary maintenance railing to a supporting structure of a passenger transport system.

[0009] EP 1 108 675 B1 describes a working method and a protection system for assembly personnel working on a passenger conveyor system.

[0010] Among other things, there may be a need for improved occupational safety when working on an escalator or moving walkway. In particular, there may be a need for occupational safety that can improve safety, particularly for fitters, during installation in a structurally simple, cost-effective, and / or reliable manner.

[0011] Such a need can be met by proposing, according to one aspect of the invention, a supporting structure for an escalator or moving walkway, wherein at least two anchoring devices for personal protective equipment are arranged in a central region of the supporting structure, spaced apart from each other by a maximum safety distance and firmly connected to the supporting structure. Anchoring devices, also referred to as anchor points, are specially created locations where personal protective equipment can be securely, quickly, and easily attached. The anchoring devices typically have a structure with an eyelet formed thereon, so that the personal protective equipment can be quickly and securely attached to it, but also quickly detached again.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and described in the description.

[0013] A supporting structure can be a structural component of a passenger transport system in the form of an escalator or a moving walkway. The supporting structure can be a truss girder. The supporting structure can have top chords, bottom chords, struts, uprights, and cross braces as structural components. The top chords and bottom chords can be arranged essentially parallel to one another and run in a main extension direction of the supporting structure. The top chords and bottom chords can be connected to one another by struts aligned diagonally to the top chords and bottom chords and / or by uprights aligned transversely to the top chords and bottom chords. Top chords, bottom chords, struts, uprights, and cross braces can be metal profiles. In particular, the top chords, bottom chords, struts, uprights, and cross braces can be L-profiles made of metal. The top chords, bottom chords, struts, uprights, and cross braces can be connected to one another by gusset plates.For example, the top chords, bottom chords, struts, uprights and cross braces can be welded, screwed, pinned and / or riveted.

[0014] A central section of the supporting structure can be located between two end sections of the supporting structure. In an escalator, the central section is aligned diagonally to the horizontal in one installed position of the supporting structure. In a moving walk, the central section can run horizontally or diagonally upwards or downwards. The end sections of both an escalator and a moving walk can generally be aligned horizontally. The supporting structure can have connection points to a building at the end sections. Lifting points for raising the supporting structure can also be located at the end sections.

[0015] An anchor device for personal protective equipment is specifically dimensioned for this purpose in accordance with applicable standards and regulations. The anchor device can, for example, comply with the European standard EN 365 and / or EN 795. The anchor device for personal protective equipment is a specially designed fixed device specifically intended for the purpose of fall protection using personal protective equipment on the supporting structure. The anchor device for personal protective equipment is not an installation point for escalator or moving walk components. Nor is it intended for the attachment of lifting equipment, such as the lifting points described above. The anchor device is dimensioned such that it can absorb the forces occurring in a standard fall without damage and transfer them to the supporting structure. For example, the anchor device can be designed for a load of 16 kilonewtons.The anchorage device can also be dimensioned for larger forces. The anchorage devices presented here remain attached to the supporting structure even after the components of the passenger transport system have been installed.

[0016] The anchor device has an eyelet. The eyelet can be a through-hole, an opening, or a hole into which at least one lanyard of the personal protective equipment can be hooked. The eyelet can also be large enough to allow two lanyards to be hooked in by different people simultaneously. The eyelet can be regular or irregular in shape.

[0017] The anchorage device can be highlighted in a signal color or a contrasting color to the base color of the supporting structure, so that it can be quickly and easily identified by the installation personnel being secured. This prevents the device from being hooked onto an unsuitable location on the supporting structure. With the anchorage devices permanently attached to the supporting structure, a technician can immediately secure themselves against falls when entering the supporting structure without first having to search for a suitable location on the supporting structure or building or erect a temporary maintenance railing.

[0018] As already mentioned, personal protective equipment, or PPE for short, includes, for example, a full body harness and a fall arrester with two separate lanyards and at least one energy-absorbing element. The lanyards can be retractable and extendable, for example. The energy-absorbing element can partially absorb the kinetic energy of a falling body, thus preventing injuries.

[0019] A safety distance between two adjacent anchor devices may be specified by applicable standards and regulations. The safety distance should generally be smaller than the average arm span of an average person. The safety distance can, for example, be in a range of 0.5 m to 3 m, preferably 1 m to 2 m, and can be 1.2 meters, for example. By arranging anchor devices spaced apart by a maximum of the safety distance, each fitter can always reach at least two anchor devices simultaneously. The anchor devices can be arranged along the entire length of the supporting structure, in particular along the entire length of the central region of the supporting structure, preferably at equal intervals.

[0020] The anchor devices can be arranged on opposite sides of the structure. The anchor devices can be evenly distributed to the right and left of the structure. This allows the installer to always connect to a right anchor device and a left anchor device. If the installer should then fall, their fall will always be stopped by the lanyard attached further away. This can reduce the fall height.

[0021] This also reduces the amount of fall energy or kinetic energy that needs to be absorbed. Furthermore, the risk of falling or hitting the ground is reduced.

[0022] At least one end area of ​​the supporting structure can have at least one color-coded anchor device permanently connected to the supporting structure for an anchorage device for personal protective equipment. The anchor device can be spaced from an adjacent anchor device by a maximum of the safety distance. Due to its eyelet design, an anchor device requires installation space. The available space is particularly limited in the end areas. An anchor device can require significantly less installation space than a stop device. Like the stop device, the anchor device is dimensioned in accordance with applicable standards and regulations. The anchor device is a specially designed fixing point intended solely for the purpose of fall protection using an anchor device. The anchor device is not an assembly device for components of the escalator or moving walkway.The anchor device is dimensioned so that it can absorb the forces occurring during a standard fall without damage and transfer them to the supporting structure. The anchor device can be oversized. The anchor device can locally stiffen the supporting structure. A component of the supporting structure can be reinforced in the area of ​​the anchor device. The anchor device remains on the supporting structure even after the components of the personnel transport system have been installed. The fitter can carry at least one standardized anchor device. Upon entering the end area, the fitter can immediately recognize the anchor device and connect the anchor device he is carrying to the anchor device. The fitter can then attach his personal protective equipment to the anchor device, as it has an eyelet, for example. The anchor device and the anchor device together therefore form a single anchor device.

[0023] At least two anchor devices can be arranged on opposite sides of the structure in the end zone. The anchor devices can be evenly distributed to the right and left of the structure. This allows the installer to always connect one anchor device to a right anchor device and one to a left anchor device. If the installer then falls, their fall will always be stopped by the connector suspended further away. This can reduce the fall height. This also reduces the fall energy that needs to be absorbed. Furthermore, the risk of falling to the ground is reduced.

[0024] The anchor devices and / or the anchoring devices can be arranged in pairs, opposite each other. By arranging the anchor devices and / or the anchoring devices in pairs at the same height, the technician can always reach at least three anchor devices and / or the anchoring devices. If two technicians are working together on the same passenger transport system, the anchor devices and / or the anchoring devices arranged in pairs allow them to easily climb past each other without having to remove their personal protective equipment.

[0025] The anchor devices and / or anchoring devices can be integrally bonded to the supporting structure. The anchor devices and / or anchoring devices can be welded to the supporting structure. Welded anchor devices and / or anchoring devices prevent the anchor devices and / or anchoring devices from being accidentally removed. Alternatively, the anchor devices and / or anchoring devices can also be soldered or glued.

[0026] The anchor devices and / or anchoring devices can be arranged on at least one of the upper chords of the supporting structure. By arranging them on the upper chord, the anchor devices and / or anchoring devices can be clearly visible and easily accessible for the fitter. When the fitter is standing in the supporting structure, the upper chord can be approximately at chest height. The connecting devices are long enough to also allow work on the lower chord. By arranging the anchor devices and / or anchoring devices on the upper chord, a fall is arrested earlier and the fall height is reduced. This also reduces the fall energy that needs to be absorbed. Furthermore, the risk of falling to the ground is reduced.

[0027] The supporting structure can enclose an interior space of the structure with its top and bottom chords. The anchor devices can be aligned toward an interior space of the structure. The anchor devices can be aligned toward the interior space. This makes the anchor devices easily accessible from the interior. There is no need to reach to the outside of the supporting structure to attach a connecting device.

[0028] The anchor devices can be cut from a sheet material. Each anchor device can have a stiffening area for locally stiffening the supporting structure and a tab with an eyelet. A sheet material can be a thick metal sheet. The sheet material can be sheet steel, for example. The anchor devices can be burned, punched, lasered, waterjet cut, or milled from the sheet material, for example. A stiffening area can, at least in part, represent a profile of the structural component on which the anchor device is arranged. The stiffening area can be welded to the structural component. The stiffening area can enlarge a force introduction area of ​​the structural component to introduce the fall energy, so that the supporting structure is not damaged in the event of a mechanic's fall.This means that the supporting structure outside the anchoring devices can be smaller, as the stiffening area stiffens the supporting structure component at the force introduction surface. The stiffening area can, for example, have two V-shaped legs, so that the anchoring device resembles a butterfly with outstretched wings. The legs can enlarge the force introduction surface along an extension direction of the supporting structure component. A tab can protrude from the stiffening area. The tab can protrude beyond the supporting structure component. The tab can be arranged centrally between the legs. The tab can be tongue-shaped. One end of the tab can be rounded. The eyelet can be an opening through the eyelet. The eyelet can be circular or oval, for example. The eyelet can also be triangular with rounded corners.The eyelet can be large enough to accommodate two connectors simultaneously. The lug and / or the legs can bend in the event of a fall, thus absorbing the fall energy. This can protect the structural component from overload.

[0029] The anchor devices can be cut and bent. The tab can be aligned at an angle to the stiffening area. The anchor device can, in particular, be designed as a stamped and bent part. The bent tab allows the connecting device to be easily hooked into the eyelet. The tab can, in particular, be bent upwards. This allows the tab to bend by a greater angle in the event of a fall than if the tab were positioned horizontally. This allows the tab to absorb more fall energy.

[0030] At least one color-coded anchor device can be installed at at least one of the end areas, which are horizontally aligned in the installed position. It is firmly connected to the supporting structure and spaced at a maximum distance equal to the safety distance from an adjacent anchor device. The end areas of the supporting structure can extend beyond an edge of the structure. In this case, a fall hazard may already exist at the transition from the end area to the central area. By installing at least one anchor device in the transition area, the installer can secure themselves at the transition.

[0031] The anchor device can have a thread for an anchoring device designed as a screw eye. The anchor device can have a stiffening area that is welded to the structural component. The stiffening area can have a blind hole with the thread. This can prevent the structural component from weakening due to the thread. An anchor device designed as a screw eye can have a forged eye and a threaded pin. The threaded pin can be temporarily connected to the eye in a rotationally fixed manner. This allows the screw eye to be screwed into the anchor device without the need for tools. After screwing in, the rotationally fixed connection can be released so that the eye can rotate independently of the threaded pin. The freely rotating eyelet prevents the screw eye from unscrewing itself from the anchor device.Thus, the anchor device and the screw eye or anchor device connected to it together form an anchor device.

[0032] The anchor device may have a hole for an anchor device designed as a pawl anchor. The hole may be a through-hole. The hole may be arranged laterally of the structural component in a separate component. The lateral arrangement can prevent weakening of the structural component by the hole. A pawl anchor may have a movable pawl, a flexible shaft, and an eyelet. The pawl may be arranged at one end of the shaft. The eyelet may be arranged at an opposite end of the shaft. The pawl can be inserted into the hole in an unlocked position. Behind the hole, the pawl can be moved into a locked position. A spring on the shaft can hold the pawl in the locked position. In the locked position, the pawl can be arranged transversely to the hole and rest against a rear side of the anchor device.This prevents the pawl armature from being pulled out of the anchor device. To remove the pawl armature, the spring can be compressed and the pawl returned to the unlocked position. The pawl armature can then be removed from the anchor device.

[0033] The anchor device can be located on the underside of a top chord of the structure. Locating it on the underside can prevent lateral loading of the anchor device in the event of a fall.

[0034] It should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments of methods on the one hand and devices on the other. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be combined, adapted, or exchanged as appropriate to achieve further embodiments of the invention.

[0035] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description are to be construed as limiting the invention. Fig. 1 shows a representation of a supporting structure according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a representation of a stop device on a supporting structure according to an embodiment; and Fig. 3 shows a representation of anchor devices on a supporting structure according to an embodiment.

[0036] The figures are merely schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals denote like or equivalent features.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a representation of a supporting structure 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The supporting structure 100 is a truss consisting of upper chords 102, lower chords 104, struts 106 and uprights 108, and cross braces 110. The upper chords 102 and lower chords 104 run essentially parallel to one another. The lower chords 104 are connected to one another by cross braces 110. The cross braces 110 are arranged perpendicular to the lower chords 104. The struts 106 are arranged diagonally to the upper chords 102 and lower chords 104 and each connect one of the upper chords 102 to one of the lower chords 104. The uprights 108 are arranged perpendicular to the upper chords 102 and lower chords 104 and each connect one of the upper chords 102 to one of the lower chords 104. The uprights 108 are connected by further cross struts 110.

[0038] The supporting structure 100 has two end regions 112 and a central region 114. In the present exemplary embodiment, half of a supporting structure 100 of an escalator 116 is shown. Its central region 114 is aligned obliquely to the end regions 112 in order to overcome a height difference between the two levels connected by the escalator 116. The end regions 112 are aligned horizontally. At the transitions between the end regions 112 and the central region 114, the supporting structure 100 has a kink. In the case of a moving walkway, the central region 114 can be arranged. At the central region 114, stop devices 118 for personal protective equipment 130 (this is shown in the Figur 1 The anchor devices 118 are firmly connected to the supporting structure 100 (shown only schematically and without an installer). The anchor devices 118 are dimensioned and designed in such a way that they meet the relevant standards and regulations with regard to their strength. The anchor devices 118 are clearly color-coded. The anchor devices 118 each have an eyelet 120 for at least one connecting device 123 of the personal protective equipment 130. The anchor devices 118 remain on the supporting structure 100 even after the completion of the escalator 116.

[0039] The anchor devices 118 are arranged at a maximum safety distance of 122 from each other. The safety distance 122 is smaller than the average arm span of an average person. The average arm span can be specified in relevant standards and regulations. By limiting the distance to less than the safety distance 122, a fitter can always reach at least two of the anchor devices 118 and thus secure themselves.

[0040] Preferably, the anchor devices 118 are welded to the supporting structure 100. This integral connection allows for the forces generated during a fall to be safely transferred into the supporting structure 100. The welding also prevents the anchor devices 118 from being accidentally unscrewed.

[0041] In one embodiment, the anchor devices 118 are arranged on both sides of the supporting structure 100. The anchor devices 118 are arranged to the right and left of the supporting structure 100. This allows the installer to secure himself on both sides simultaneously. The fall height can be reduced in this way, since the first lanyard to be tightened always slows the fall.

[0042] In one embodiment, the stop devices 118 are arranged in pairs opposite one another. This allows the technician to always reach at least three of the stop devices 118 simultaneously. If two technicians are working on the escalator 116 simultaneously, they can easily pass each other, as one of the technicians on each side can be secured while passing. Once the technicians have passed each other, they can secure themselves again on both sides.

[0043] In one embodiment, the anchor devices 118 are arranged on the upper chords 102. The anchor devices 118 on the upper chords 102 are easily accessible to the technician, as they are located at chest height while the technician is standing. By securing the upper chord 102, the fall height can be reduced. In addition, the upper chords 102 are sufficiently dimensioned to absorb any resulting fall energy.

[0044] In one embodiment, the anchor devices 118 are cut from a sheet material. The anchor devices 118 each have a stiffening region 124 and a tab 126 with the eyelet 120. The stiffening region 124 is firmly connected to the supporting structure 100 and locally stiffens the supporting structure 100 to safely dissipate the fall energy into the supporting structure 100. The tab 126 protrudes from the stiffening region 124 and the supporting structure 100. The tab 126 can plastically deform during a fall to absorb part of the fall energy.

[0045] In one embodiment, the stiffening region 124 has two arranged legs 125. The tab 126 connects both legs 125 to one another. The legs extend from the tab 126 in a V-shape and thus obliquely to a direction of extension of the supporting structure 100. The anchor devices 118 are thus approximately butterfly-shaped. At their ends, the legs 125 are widened. At the widened portion, the legs 125 are approximately as wide as the upper chord 102. Due to the oblique orientation, the legs 125 are aligned with a direction of force expected in the event of a fall. The widened portions and, if applicable, also the legs 125 are welded, in particular, to a surface of the upper chord 102.

[0046] In one embodiment, the tabs 126 extend into an interior space 128 of the supporting structure 100. This allows the eyelets 120 to be easily accessible by the installer, and the connecting means 132 of the personal protective equipment 130 can align in the eyelet 120 due to gravity. In the event of a fall, transverse loading of the connecting means 132 can thus be avoided.

[0047] In one embodiment, the tabs 126 with the eyelets 120 are bent upwards by approximately 45° from the planes of the stiffening regions 124. This allows the connecting means 132 to be aligned with the anchor device 118 in multiple spatial directions without tilting. The bent tab 126 can be bent downwards in the event of a fall to dissipate the energy of the fall.

[0048] In one embodiment, two additional stop devices 118 are arranged at the transition from the end region 112 to the central region 114. The stop devices are arranged in the end region 112 and are spaced from the adjacent stop devices 118 of the central region 114 by a maximum of the safety distance 122.

[0049] Fig. 2 shows a representation of a stop device 118 on a supporting structure 100 according to an embodiment. The stop device 118 essentially corresponds to the Fig. 1 The stop devices shown here. Here, the escalator 116 is already partially assembled. A balustrade 200 is attached to the upper chord 102 using balustrade clamps 202. The balustrade 200 provides lateral fall protection. The balustrade clamp 202 is bolted to the upper chord 102 and securely clamps the balustrade 200 between its clamping jaws. The stop device 118 is arranged between a lower edge of the balustrade 200 and the upper chord 102.

[0050] Below the stop device 118, a movable handrail 204 of the escalator 116 runs within the supporting structure 100. The handrail 204 is guided by handrail guides 206. The handrail guides 206 are mounted below the balustrade clamps 202. The handrail guides 206 have support rollers and guide rollers for laterally guiding the handrail 204. This view clearly shows that the stop device 118 can easily remain in the escalator 116 and does not need to be removed after the balustrades 200 have been installed, as is the case, for example, with the temporary maintenance railings mentioned above (not shown).

[0051] Fig. 3 shows an illustration of anchor devices 300 on a supporting structure 100 according to an embodiment. The supporting structure 100 essentially corresponds to the supporting structure in Fig. 1 . Here, an end region 112 of the supporting structure 100 is shown. The anchor devices 300 are dimensioned and designed in such a way that they meet the safety requirements of relevant standards and regulations. The anchor devices 300 are clearly color-coded. If necessary, a mobile anchor device 302 for suspending or attaching the personal protective equipment 130 (see Figur 1 ) temporarily. The anchor devices 300 are intended only for the anchor devices 302 and are not used for mounting components of the escalator 116.

[0052] In one embodiment, the anchor devices 300 are arranged on an underside of the upper chord 102. The anchor device 302 can be anchored from below or diagonally from below in the anchor device 300 and removed from below from the anchor device 300 after use. By mounting from below, lateral shear loads on the anchor devices 302 can be avoided in the event of a fall.

[0053] In one embodiment, the anchor device 302 is a pawl anchor 304. The pawl anchor 304 can be attached to the anchor device 400 without tools. The pawl anchor 304 has a pawl 306, which is inserted into a hole 308 of the anchor device 300 in a longitudinal direction of the pawl anchor 304 and extends transversely behind the hole 308 and rests against a rear side of the anchor device 300. A shaft 310 of the pawl anchor 304 protrudes from a front side of the anchor device 300 and ends in an eyelet 120. The connecting means 132 of the personal protective equipment 130 can be hooked into the eyelet 120.

[0054] To remove the pawl anchor 304, the shaft 310 is pushed further into the hole 308, the pawl 306, which is thus relieved of load, is realigned longitudinally by an integrated mechanism and pulled out of the hole 308 together with the shaft 310.

[0055] In one embodiment, the anchor device 302 is a screw eye 312. The screw eye 312 has a threaded pin 316 and an eyelet 120 for the connecting means 132 of the personal protective equipment 130. The threaded pin 316 is screwed into a thread 314 of the anchor device 300. The thread 314 can be an M16 thread, for example. For screwing in and unscrewing, the threaded pin 316 is connected to the eyelet 120 in a rotationally fixed manner. The eyelet 120 can thus be used as a handle for tool-free screwing in and unscrewing. When the threaded pin is screwed into the thread 314, the rotationally fixed connection to the eyelet 120 is released and the eyelet 120 can rotate freely relative to the threaded pin 316. A locking mechanism used (not shown) can be operated without tools and visually indicates its locking status via signal-colored locking elements.

[0056] In one embodiment, the thread 314 is designed as a blind hole and is arranged in a stiffening region 124 of the anchor device 300 in order to avoid causing notch effects in the supporting structure 100. The stiffening region 124 is, in particular, welded to the supporting structure 100 and has a greater thickness than the depth of the blind hole.

[0057] In the following, possible configurations of the supporting structure 100 described herein or of the escalator 116 or moving walkway formed therewith are described again with a partially different choice of words.

[0058] If a 116 escalator or moving walk is delivered without a 200 balustrade, the 200 balustrade will be installed on-site at the customer's premises after installation. This poses a risk of falling, as a continuous safety chain is often difficult or impossible to implement, for example, in 116 escalators installed crossed one above the other in an atrium, as no stop devices for self-protection are provided on the building. Traditionally, no stop devices are provided on the 116 escalator either.

[0059] The anchor devices 118 presented here for securing persons using personal protective equipment (PPE) 130 can be arranged at defined regular or irregular intervals 122 on the truss top chord 102. The distance 122 is in Fig. 1selected so that it is possible to attach the personal protective equipment 130 to two consecutive or opposite anchor devices 118 simultaneously. Depending on the design, the anchor devices 118 can be arranged on one or both sides of the escalator 116.

[0060] This system makes it possible to hook into the next anchorage device 118 while wearing personal protective equipment 130 without having to unhook from the current anchorage device 118. This makes it possible to secure oneself from one anchorage device 118 to the next along the escalator 116. This ensures compliance with the defined safety concept for the installers, which stipulates that they may only enter the unfinished escalator 116 or the unfinished moving walkway while secured against falling.

[0061] The stop devices 118 are preferably welded, soldered or glued to the upper chord 102 of the truss 100, or to other escalator structural elements, for example, provided that these elements withstand the test forces required by the standards.

[0062] The anchor device 118 is designed for the embodiment shown in such a way that the upper chord 102 of the truss structure is reinforced or stiffened and thus a local overload of the truss upper chord 102 is prevented when the test force is applied.

[0063] The illustrated design enables several people to secure themselves on the escalator 116 at the same time with their personal protective equipment 130 without any additional effort.

[0064] The anchor devices 118 are highlighted by color or other markings to prevent accidental securing to components not intended for this purpose.

[0065] These anchor devices 118 are pre-assembled at the factory and can therefore be used immediately for fall protection without the need for complex assembly work prior to installation of the escalator 116. The anchor devices 118 can be used immediately for fall protection if no anchor devices are provided by the building.

[0066] The stop devices 118 can be used both for the balustrade construction and for all subsequent repairs or modernizations of the systems, since the stop devices 118 remain installed on the escalator 116.

[0067] The stop devices 118 themselves can be manufactured, for example, by laser cutting, flame cutting, or waterjet cutting. Likewise, the stop devices 118 can be manufactured as a gravity-cast component or using another manufacturing process.

[0068] The illustrated anchor devices 118 are designed for connection to the upper chord 102 by welding, so that they can be used with all product types. The size and shape of the opening for attaching the personal protective equipment 130 can vary to accommodate one or more snap or screw carabiners.

[0069] The permanently installed stop devices 118 described in this document allow for easy handling and can be used on all escalator types. They are permanently installed on their supporting structure 100, can also be used for repairs or modernizations, and are cost-effective to manufacture. The use of the permanently installed stop devices 118 presented here can improve occupational safety and increase work efficiency.

[0070] 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

1. A support structure (100) of an escalator (116) or a moving walkway, wherein at least two attachment devices (118) for personal protective equipment (130) are arranged in a central region (114) of the support structure (100) and are welded, soldered or riveted to the support structure (100), which attachment devices are spaced apart from one another at most by a safety distance (122).

2. The support structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein the attachment devices (118) are color-coded.

3. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment devices (118) are arranged on opposite sides of the support structure (100).

4. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one color-coded anchor device (300) fixedly connected to the support structure (100) for an attachment means (302) for the personal protective equipment (130) is arranged on at least one end region (112) of the support structure (100), wherein the anchor device (300) is spaced from an adjacent attachment device (118) at most by the safety distance (122).

5. The support structure (100) according to claim 4, wherein in the end region (112) at least two anchor devices (300) are arranged on opposite sides of the support structure (100).

6. The support structure (100) according to any of claims 4 to 5, wherein the anchor device (300) has a thread (314) for an attachment means (302) designed as a screw eyelet (312).

7. The support structure (100) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the anchor device (300) has a hole (308) for an attachment means (302) designed as a pawl anchor (304).

8. The support structure (100) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the anchor device (300) is arranged on an underside of an upper chord (102) of the support structure (100).

9. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment devices (118) and / or the anchor devices (300) are arranged in pairs opposite one another.

10. The support structure (100) according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the at least one anchor device (300) is welded to the support structure (100).

11. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (100) has upper chords (102) and lower chords (104) and wherein the attachment devices (118) and / or anchor devices (300) are arranged on at least one of the upper chords (102) of the support structure (100).

12. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment devices (118) are oriented toward an interior space (128) of the support structure (100).

13. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment devices (118) are cut from a sheet material, and each have a stiffening region (124) for locally stiffening the support structure (100) and a tab (126) having an eyelet (120).

14. The support structure (100) according to claim 9, wherein the attachment devices (118) are cut and bent, wherein the tab (126) is oriented at an angle to the stiffening region (124).

15. The support structure (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one attachment device (118) spaced from an adjacent attachment device (118) at most by the safety distance (122) and fixedly connected to the support structure (100) is arranged on at least one of the end regions.