Step for an escalator and escalator with at least one such step

Abstract

The following disclosure refers to a step (1) for an escalator, comprising a tread (2), a riser (3), side frames (4) forming a step roller axle (6) and a c-hole (5) for connecting the step (1) to a step chain and a first rib (8.1) extending between the c-holes (5), wherein an upper tread surface (2.6) comprises structure ribs (10.1) forming tread grooves (10) in between, wherein at least a part of the structure ribs (10.1) have protrusions (11) over the tread rear edge (2.2), each forming a catch (11.1) on a lower side of the protrusion (11), wherein the riser (3) forms recesses (12) for receiving the protrusions (11)of a likewise formed neighboring step (1), wherein the recesses (12) each have a limit stop (12.1) for the catches (11.1) on the bottom of the recess (12) and wherein the catches (11.1) and the limit stops (12.1) each have an inclined surface.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a step for an escalator, comprising a tread with a tread front edge, a tread rear edge and two tread side edges, a riser extending downwards from the tread front edge, the riser having at least a curved area and a riser lower edge, two side frames below each tread side edge forming a step roller axle below the riser lower edge and a c-hole for connecting the step to a step chain below the tread rear edge and a first rib extending between the c-holes of the two side frames and protruding downwards from a lower tread surface.

[0002] The present disclosure further relates to an escalator with at least one such step.Technical background

[0003] Escalators, which are moving staircases for carrying people e.g. between floors of a building or structure, are well known from the state of the art and typically comprises a lower transition area at the lower end of the escalator, an upper transition area at the upper end of the escalator and a transporting area in between the lower and the upper transition area. Steps of the escalator are running through those areas, form stairs on an upper side of the transporting area and are turned around in the transition areas. The steps are typically guided on rails by a step chain and two step rollers. In this case, the step is connected to the step chain of the escalator in the area of a step chain roller and is also guided laterally there. Typically, the step rollers run on flat rails without additional lateral guidance.

[0004] Said steps, which are mostly produced by casting processes, have a complex geometry and are therefore of rather high cost in production, wherein costs for production of the steps are critical to the costs of production of the escalator due to the number of steps installed in the escalator. Therefore a high need exists to reduce costs for production of the steps and to thus design the steps in a way which allows low cost production at high quality standards. In particular for a step produced by casting, costs may be reduced by a design which is easy to cast and needs non or at least as little as possible further machining after the casting process like e.g. drilling, boring, deburring, reaming, milling, cutting or the like.

[0005] Further, said steps need to fulfil high mechanical needs, e.g. run in the escalator without any deformation due to the weight of passengers or luggage of any kind and / or by being moved in the escalator. They also need to fulfill high needs regarding precision to assure smooth running and also further need regarding safety, in particular regarding safety regulations.

[0006] Considering this situation, it is a present objective to provide a step for an escalator, which is of a low cost design, low weight and fulfills mechanical, precision and safety needs.Description - Technical solution

[0007] The present objective is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the subclaims, the description and the drawings. If technically possible, the features of the subclaims can be combined with the features of the independent claims and subclaims at will.

[0008] In particular, the objective is solved by a step for an escalator, comprising a tread with a tread front edge, a tread rear edge and two tread side edges, a riser extending downwards from the tread front edge, the riser having at least a curved area and a riser lower edge, two side frames below each tread side edge forming a step roller axle below the riser lower edge and a c-hole for connecting the step to a step chain below the tread rear edge and a first rib extending between the c-holes of the two side frames and protruding downwards from a lower tread surface, wherein an upper tread surface comprises structure ribs forming tread grooves in between, wherein at least a part of the structure ribs have protrusions over the tread rear edge, each forming a catch on a lower side of the protrusion, wherein the riser forms recesses for receiving the protrusions of a likewise formed neighboring step, wherein the recesses each have a limit stop for the catches on the bottom of the recess and wherein the catches and the limit stops each have an inclined surface.

[0009] In the following, advantageous aspects and further preferred modified embodiments are described and explained. Explanations, in particular regarding advantages and definitions of features, are by their nature descriptive and preferential, but not limiting examples. If an explanation is limiting, this is expressly mentioned.

[0010] Insofar as ordinal numbers, e.g. "first", "second", etc., are used, for example to designate a component, an element, a process step or a process operation, these ordinal numbers are intended solely for the purpose differentiation in the designation and do not indicate any dependencies or sequences. This means in particular that, for example, a device does not necessarily need to have a "first component" in order to have a "second component". Also, a device can have a "first component" as well as a "third component", without necessarily having a "second component". There can also be several units of the same ordinal number, including, for example, several "first components".

[0011] An escalator generally refers to a device for transporting people or luggage from an lower area to an upper area or vice versa. Escalators are used e.g. in highly frequented buildings like office buildings, administration buildings or in public transport, e.g. at a subway station. For transportation of people or luggage, an escalator has a lower transition area at the lower end of the escalator, an upper transition area at the upper end of the escalator and a transporting area in between the lower and the upper transition area, wherein the steps of the escalator are running through those areas, form stairs on an upper side of the transporting area and are transformed into a flat arrangement with each other in the transition areas before being turned around in the transition areas. People enter the escalator on a step in the lower or upper transition area and stand on the step during transportation, while the step transforms into the stairs and back into a flat arrangement with other steps in the transition areas for the passenger to leave. Within an escalator, usually only one type steps is used, such that certain features of the step described herein refers to its relation to another step of the same kind when used next to each other. In particular, neighboring steps interact the lower step slied along the riser with its tread rear edge during transformation between the flat arrangement in the transition area and the stair arrangement in the transport area.

[0012] A tread is formed by a flat part of the step having an upper surface to receive one or more passengers, luggage or anything to be transported by the escalator. The tread is formed preferably rectangular and with an upper surface which provides slip-prove contact for the passenger and / or the luggage. The tread is oriented horizontally and is held in such a horizontal position during the entire area of the escalator, in which persons may be transported, while the tread may leave horizontal orientation by being turned around in the transition area, where no transportation takes place.

[0013] A riser provides guidance for a neighboring step during transition of the steps between flat arrangement with each other and stair arrangement with each other in the transition area. The riser therefore forms a curved area, which corresponded to a trajectory of the neighboring step during transition, which occurs due to the fact that the steps move below each other. The riser may provide guidance means such as rails, recesses or protrusions for engagement with the other step. The riser may also comprise further limit stops for the neighboring step to be stopped on in any direction further to the vertical direction.

[0014] A side frame is formed on the step to provide good mechanical properties, in particular sufficient stiffness, thus to provide support between the tread and the riser. The side frame further provides means for contacting / receiving the step chain and means for contacting / receiving the step roller and to provide support between these means and the tread and the riser. Preferably, the side frame is formed as a framework with a number of struts.

[0015] A rib may be configured as a flat part abutting perpendicular on a part which the rib is meant to stiffen. Preferably, the rib may abut perpendicular to more than one parts, wherein the parts are arranged angular to each other, e.g. perpendicular to each other, so that the rib stiffens the parts in themselves and against each other.

[0016] With the features of the step described before, when neighboring steps are at a fully inclined arrangement with each other in the transport area, such that the catches and the limit stops abut each other, the surface pressure at the contact between the catches and the limit stop is reduced. This is to say, due to the inclination of the catches and the limit stop, the contact surface is enlarged to better divide a transmitted force over the surfaces and thus reduce the surface pressure, in particular under uplift of the upper of the two steps. Further, the inclination can be oriented such that a contact between the catches and the limit stops makes the steps sliding off from each other in order to avoid the two steps pressing on each other under uplift of the upper step. Thus, the risk of the two steps damaging each other is reduced. By this arrangement, both the protrusions of the structure ribs and the lower rise edge can be of a lighter design in order to reduce material costs and weight, such that the overall step is of reduced costs and weight.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the protrusions each comprise a slide coating or a sliding shoe attached to at least one side surface. A risk of damaging or forming a burr at the recess of the riser due to the protrusion repeatedly sliding along the recess in the course of the use of the escalator is reduced by such a design. This is to say, with the slide coating or the sliding shoe a direct contact between metal and metal is avoided. The slide coating or sliding shoe may be made of a relatively soft but abrasion-resistant materials such as suitable plastic materials. Further, with the slide coating or the sliding shoe the protrusion and the recesses can be of a lighter design as possible wear effects do not have to be taken into account when designing it. Thus, with the slide coating or sliding shoe it is possible to achieve reduced weight of the step.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that a lower surface of the riser lower edge has an inclined contour. In this way, a step shape can be achieved that enables better filling of a corresponding mold during a casting process. Thus, improved material strength can be achieved allowing a lighter design to further reduce the weight of the step. Further, the distance between the limit stops and the lower surface of the riser lower edge can be reduced by adjusting the inclinations of the limit stops and of the lower surface in relation to each other in order to allow this are to be an feed point during the casting process, while removal of the mold is simply enabled.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the step may be produced by a semi-vacuum die casting or vacuum die casting process. In vacuum die casting, the die is kept at a vacuum condition to remove the gases from the melt. The main advantage of this method is a reduced porosity in the casting by reducing gasses in the melt. Strength and cast density are increased through this process, thus allowing an overall lighter design of the step with reduced cross-sections of the single components.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that intermediate spaces between the recesses at the riser comprise bulges at a rear surface of the riser. The recesses may be formed integrally with the rise during die-casting resulting in a rib arrangement at the back side of the rise, wherein each recess on the front side of the riser forms a rib structure on the back side.

[0021] Spaces between the recesses may therefore be of low material thickness and therefore be susceptible to damage such as breakage. By forming bulges in this area, the material strength can be improved in order to reduce the risk of damage.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the structure ribs have a tapering cross section with the smallest width at the top, wherein the width of the structure rib is 2.5 millimeter in a depth of not more than 4 millimeters. The width of 2.5 millimeter is a minimum to safely achieve a sufficiently strong and stable step and is specified in particular by the EN 115 standard. By defining this minimum width in a depth from the top of the structure rib, the most upper part of the structure rib may be of a smaller width according to the tapering to achieve a structure rib with reduced amount of material and thus with reduced weight, while the structure rib is yet of a strong and stable design and fulfills the EN 115 standard.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the riser has a height resulting in a 30° maximum escalator incline, when the catch of a step abuts at the limit stop of a likewise formed neighboring step. Thus, the step is limited for use in escalators having 30° or less inclination, while escalators having a higher inclination such as e.g. 35° are excluded from the step being used for. This is based on the understanding, that, although most standards allow higher inclination, a majority of escalators has 30° or less inclination and allows to significantly reduce the step in height to likewise significantly reduce the overall weight. With the reduction in height, further dimensions of the step can be reduced as well such as the height of the first rib or cross sections of most elements of the step in order to further reduce the overall step weight.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the step further comprises at least one second rib extending between the first rib and the tread front edge or the riser lower edge and protruding downwards from the lower tread surface and / or backwards from a rear surface of the riser and third ribs extending between the tread rear edge and the first rib and protruding downwards from the lower tread surface.

[0025] Preferably, at least two second ribs, at least three second ribs or at least four second ribs are provided distributed over the tread width. Further preferably, at least two third ribs, at least three third ribs or at least four third ribs are provided distributed over the tread width. Most preferred, the at least one third rib aligns with the at least one second rib. With the at least one third rib, the step is further stiffened, in particular in an area below the tread rear edge and thus provided equally good mechanical properties over the entire tread. In particular, the number of second ribs and / or thirds ribs may be chosen according to a width of the step and may be arranged in symmetry with a middle of the step. With the arrangement of the second and third ribs, an overall stiff and stable step is achieved.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the first rib has a contour with less than 5° inclination against the upper tread surface over at least 50% of the first rib's width. Due to this arrangement, the first rib can be of a relatively low height over a significant part of the step width. In particular, the parts of the rib's width having the inclination below 5° are the outer parts of the first rib being oriented to the tread side edges while the first rib increases in thickness resulting in a higher inclination in the middle part of its width. With such an arrangement, the first rib has a reduced mass while sufficiently stiffening the step in the width direction, in particular in the middle section which has the widest distance to the step roller axle and the c-hole, where the step is supported. Thus, with the arrangement, a step with an overall reduced weight is achieved at sufficient stability.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the side frames are each formed from an arm connecting the c-hole to the step roller axle, a pillar connecting the c-hole to the tread rear edge and a rib connection connecting the c-hole to the first rib. With the arrangement of the arm, the pillar and the rib connection, an overall stiff and stable step is achieved.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the arm is formed at least partially as a L-profile with a lower limb and a vertical limb, wherein the height of the vertical limb is less than the width of the lower limb. With this arrangement, a relatively small profile is provided at the arm which is sufficiently stiff while having low weight, resulting in an overall low weight of the step at good mechanical properties.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the side frames form a rotation stop at the c-hole as a non-round surface around the c-hole. Such a rotation stop can abut with a stop at the step chain for limiting the rotation and / or define the angle position of the c-hole around the axle or the bearing and thus provides for a strictly horizontal tread for a passenger to stand on or a luggage to be placed on during transportation. A corresponding stop at the step chain may be positioned to provide for the right rotation angle of the c-hole in respect to the position of the step roller axle.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the step has a rectangular contour around the c-hole forming the rotation stop. This means, that edges of the rectangular contour have at the most a very small radius such as a chamfer in order to maximize the flat surfaces being available as rotation stop. In this manner, by maximizing the surface, the material strength can be reduced resulting in an overall light weight step.

[0031] The objective is further solved by an escalator with at least one predescribed step. With such an escalator, the same advantages are to be reached as described in regards of the step. In particular, such an escalator is of low costs while providing sufficient mechanical, precision and safety needs.Brief description of the drawings

[0032] The following is a more detailed description of a preferred technical solution with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. The term "figure" is abbreviated to "Fig." in the drawings.

[0033] In the drawings Fig. 1shows a perspective top view of a step according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2shows a perspective bottom view of half the step according to fig. 1; Fig. 3ashows a cross sectional view of a riser lower edge of a step according to fig. 1 with a structure rib from another step engaging with the riser lower edge; Fig. 3bshows a perspective view of structure rib protrusions at the tread rear edge of a step according to fig. 1; Fig. 3cshows a perspective view of the riser lower edge according to fig. 3a; Fig. 4shows a rear view of structure ribs at the tread of a step according to fig. 1; Fig. 5shows a rear view of the riser lower edge according to fig. 3c; Fig. 6shows a rear view of half the step according to fig. 1; and Fig. 7shows a perspective view of a c-hole of a step according to fig. 1. Detailed description of the drawings

[0034] The described embodiments are merely examples which can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature, which is described for a particular embodiment, can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment example. Each feature, which is described for an embodiment example of a certain claim category, can also be used in a corresponding manner in an embodiment example of a different claim category.

[0035] Referring to figures 1 and 2, a step 1 comprises a tread 2, a riser 3 and two side frames 4. The tread 2 comprises a tread front edge 2.1, a tread rear edge 2.2 and two tread side edges 2.3, 2.4 adverse to each other. The riser 3 extends downwards from the tread front edge 2.1 and comprises a curved area 3.1 and a riser lower edge 3.2. The side frames 4 are connected to / do form a c-hole 5 for connecting the step 1 to a step chain below the tread rear edge 2.2 and a step roller axle 6, which receives a step roller not shown in the figures. Further, the step 1 comprises a first rib 8.1 extending between the two tread side edges 2.3, 2.4 and protruding downwards from a lower tread surface 2.5 and second ribs 8.2 extending between the first rib 8.1 and the tread front edge 2.1 and protruding downwards from the lower tread surface 2.5 and backwards from a rear surface 3.3 of the riser 3. The side frames 4 are formed from an arm 4.1 connecting the c-hole 5 to the step roller axle 6, a pillar 4.2 connecting the c-hole 5 to the tread rear edge 2.2 and a rib connection 4.3 connecting the c-hole 5 to the first rib 8.1.

[0036] The first rib 8.1 is formed according to the static properties of the step 1 and the expected dynamic load on the step 1 and thus, the first ribs 8.1 protrusion is at a maximum in a middle between the two tread side edges 2.3, 2.4 and at minimums at the side frames 4. The step 1 further comprises third ribs 8.3 extending between the tread rear edge 2.2 and the first rib 8.1 and protruding downwards from the lower tread surface 2.5.

[0037] Now referring to figures 1, 2, 3b and 4, an upper tread surface 2.6 comprises tread grooves 10 in the direction of movement, which are formed by upstanding structure ribs 10.1. Each second of the structure ribs 10.1 comprises a protrusion 11 over the tread rear edge 2.2 engaging a recess 12 in the riser 3 of a neighboring step as additionally visible in Fig. 3a and 3c. Accordingly, the recesses 12 have double the pitch over the pitch of the structure ribs 10.1. The recesses 12 extend over the entire riser 3 in order to lead the protrusion 11 during the entire transformation from a flat arrangement of neighboring steps 1 to a stair arrangement of neighboring steps 1.

[0038] As best visible in figure 3a, each protrusion 11 forms a catch 11.1 at a lower surface which is configured to abut in a vertical direction V on a limit stop 12.1 at the bottom of a corresponding recess 12. Both, the catch 11.1 and the limit stop 12.1 have an inclined surface, which means that they form an angle α over a horizontal direction H / over the upper tread surface 2.6, when the steps 1 are in an operational position. Due to the inclined surfaces, the contact area is enlarged such that when the catch 11.1 abuts the limit stop 12.1, in particular when the upper step 1 tends to lift up, the surface pressure at the contact surface is minimized. Further, with also a lower surface 3.5 of the riser 3 having an inclined contour with an angle β over a horizontal direction H, the cross section of the riser 3 in the area of the riser lower edge 3.2 is optimized regarding strength, weight and in view of the casting process. In particular, an area 13 best visible in Fig. 3c is optimized for serving as a feed point during die casting allowing for simple removal of the mold.

[0039] As further visible in fig. 3b, the protrusions 11 have side surfaces 11.2 forming recesses for receiving a slide coating or a slide show not pictured in the figures. With the slide coating or the slide shoe, damage, in particular burrs, at the recess 12 resulting from the protrusion 11 sliding through is avoided.

[0040] Figure 4 shows two structure ribs 10.1 in detail. They have a tapering cross section with the smallest width W.1 at a top 14 of each structure rib 10.1. In a depth D, which is not more than 4 millimeter, the width W.2 of the structure rib 10.1 is 2.5 millimeter. Thus, the structure rib 10.1, respectively the step 1, fulfills standards such as EN 115 requiring a minimum width of 2.5 millimeter but due to applying this value at the depth D, an overall smaller structure rib 10.1 and thus a light weight step 1 can be achieved.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a view of the lower part of the rear surface 3.3 of the riser 3 including the riser lower edge 3.2. At the rear surface 3.3, the recesses 12 form a rib structure 12.2 as reverse contour, wherein between the recesses 12, intermediate spaces of low material thickness are formed. In these intermediate spaces, bulges 15 are provided at the riser lower edge in order to strengthen the riser lower edge 3.2. In particular, the bulges 15 serve to better distribute forces from contact between the catches 11.1 and the limit stops 12.1.

[0042] Figure 6 shows a rear view of a first half of the step 1 showing the first rib 8.1 in detail. The first rib 8.1 has a contour having an inclination γ of less than 5° in a first area 16 of its width, wherein the first area 16 spans at least 50% of the overall width of the first rib 8.1. Accordingly, the second half of the step 1 is formed symmetrical to the first half shown in figure 6. With the small inclination γ, an overall low first rib 8.1 can be achieved in order to result at an overall light weight step 1, while the first rib 8.1 rises in the middle area of the first rib's width in order to provide a good stability of the step 1.

[0043] Now referring to figures 2 and 7, the c-hole 5 is formed as a merge point of the arm 4.1, the pillar 4.2 and the rib connection 4.3 and thus, forces on the c-hole 5 due to contact the support structure on the step chain are divided on the tread rear edge 2.2, the riser lower edge 3.2 and the first rib 8.1, the second ribs 8.2 and the third ribs 8.3. The side frames 4 form a non-round contour 17 from the surfaces 17.1, 17.2, namely a rectangular contour, around the c-hole 5 which serves as a rotation stop at the c-hole 5 to interact with the step chain to define the angle position of the step 1 against the step chain.

[0044] Referring to figure 1 again, the arm 4.1 has a lower limb 19.1 and a vertical limb 19.2, wherein the height of the vertical limb 19.2 is less than the width of the lower limb 19.1 resulting in an overall flat and light weight arm 4.1.Reference list

[0045] 1step 2tread 2.1tread front edge 2.2tread rear edge 2.3tread side edge 2.4tread side edge 2.5lower tread surface 2.6upper tread surface 3riser 3.1curved area of the riser 3.2riser lower edge 3.3rear surface of the riser 3.4vertical part of the riser 3.5lower surface of the riser lower edge 4side frames 4.1arm of a side frame 4.2pillar of a side frame 4.3rib connection of a side frame 5c-hole 6step roller axle 8.1first rib 8.2second rib 8.3third rib 10tread groove 10.1structure rib forming the tread grooves 11protrusion of a structure rib 11.1catch of the protrusion 11.2side surface of a protrusion 12recess in the riser 12.1limit stop of a recess 12.2rib structure 13feed point area 14top of a structure rib 15bulge at the riser lower edge 16first area of the first rib's width 17non-round contour at the c-hole 17.1first surface of the non-round contour 17.2second surface of the non-round contour 19.1lower limb of the arm of the side frame 19.2vertical limb of the arm of the side frame Ddepth at the structure rib Hhorizontal direction Vvertical direction W.1width of the structure rib at the top W.2width of the structure rib at the distance D from the top αangle of inclination at the catches / limit stops βangle at the lower surface of the riser γinclination of the first rib

Claims

1. Step (1) for an escalator, comprising a tread (2) with a tread front edge (2.1), a tread rear edge (2.2) and two tread side edges (2.3, 2.4); a riser (3) extending downwards from the tread front edge (2.1), the riser (3) having at least a curved area (3.1) and a riser lower edge (3.2); two side frames (4) below each tread side edge (2.3, 2.4) forming a step roller axle (6) below the riser lower edge (3.2) and a c-hole (5) for connecting the step (1) to a step chain below the tread rear edge (2.2); and a first rib (8.1) extending between the c-holes (5) of the two side frames (4) and protruding downwards from a lower tread surface (2.5); wherein an upper tread surface (2.6) comprises structure ribs (10.1) forming tread grooves (10) in between; wherein at least a part of the structure ribs (10.1) have protrusions (11) over the tread rear edge (2.2), each forming a catch (11.1) on a lower side of the protrusion (11); wherein the riser (3) forms recesses (12) for receiving the protrusions (11) of a likewise formed neighboring step (1), wherein the recesses (12) each have a limit stop (12.1) for the catches (11.1) on the bottom of the recess (12); and wherein the catches (11.1) and the limit stops (12.1) each have an inclined surface.

2. Step (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions (11) each comprise a slide coating or a sliding shoe attached to at least one side surface (11.2).

3. Step (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lower surface (3.5) of the riser lower edge (3.2) has an inclined contour.

4. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein intermediate spaces between the recesses (12) at the riser (3) comprise bulges (15) at a rear surface (3.3) of the riser (3).

5. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the structure ribs (10.1) have a tapering cross section with the smallest width (W.1) at the top (14), wherein the width (W.2) of the structure rib (10.1) is 2.5 millimeter in a depth (D) of not more than 4 millimeters.

6. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the riser (3) has a height resulting in a 30° maximum escalator incline, when the catch (11.1) of a step (1) abuts at the limit stop (12.1) of a likewise formed neighboring step (1).

7. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, further comprising at least one second rib (8.2) extending between the first rib (8.1) and the tread front edge (2.1) or the riser lower edge (3.2) and protruding downwards from the lower tread surface (2.5) and / or backwards from a rear surface (3.3) of the riser (3) and third ribs (8.3) extending between the tread rear edge (2.2) and the first rib (8.1) and protruding downwards from the lower tread surface (2.5).

8. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the first rib (8.1) has a contour with less than 5° inclination (y) against the upper tread surface (2.6) over at least 50% of the first rib's (8.1) width.

9. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the side frames (4) are each formed from an arm (4.1) connecting the c-hole (5) to the step roller axle (6), a pillar (4.2) connecting the c-hole (5) to the tread rear edge (2.2) and a rib connection (4.3) connecting the c-hole (5) to the first rib (8.1).

10. Step (1) according to claim 9, wherein the arm (4.1) is formed at least partially as a L-profile with a lower limb (19.1) and a vertical limb (19.2), wherein the height of the vertical limb (19.2) is less than the width of the lower limb (19.1).

11. Step (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the side frames (4) form a rotation stop at the c-hole (5) as a non-round surface (17.1, 17.2) around the c-hole (5).

12. Step (1) according to claim 11, having a rectangular contour around the c-hole (5) forming the rotation stop.

13. Escalator with at least one step (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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