Roller arrangement for a handrail guide profile of an escalator or a moving walkway

Abstract

This invention relates to a roller assembly for a handrail guide profile, a handrail guide profile with a roller assembly, and an escalator or moving walkway with such a handrail guide profile. The aim of this invention is to minimize the assembly work of the rollers in the handrail guide profiles and to make them more flexible. This can be achieved with a roller assembly suitable for placement in a groove of the handrail guide profile of an escalator or moving walkway. In particular, this means that the dimensions of the roller assembly can be such that it can be placed and mounted in the groove.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a roller arrangement for a handrail guide profile, a handrail guide profile with a roller arrangement, and an escalator or moving walkway with such a handrail guide profile.

[0002] Escalators and moving walkways have handrails arranged around their balustrades, which move synchronously with the steps of the escalator or the conveyor belt of the moving walkway. These handrails are usually wire-reinforced profiled straps made of elastomer material and are guided by handrail guide profiles, often also called handrail guide rails. The handrail guide profiles are usually sheet metal profiles made of steel or stainless steel, or extruded profiles made of polymer material or aluminum, with an approximately hat-shaped cross-section. As a rule, the handrail guide profiles are not provided with a wear-reducing, low-friction structure. This means the handrail is in direct contact with the handrail guide profile. In escalators and moving walkways used outdoors, rainwater can penetrate between the handrail guide profiles and the handrails.This leads to fluctuating frictional resistance, which can cause the handrail to exhibit jerky movements during operation. These not only create an unpleasant riding experience for users, but also pose some hidden dangers and can even trigger a monitoring sensor, causing the escalator or moving walkway to stop.

[0003] To reduce frictional resistance in areas with sharp bends in the handrail, DE 29500800 U1, for example, proposes using rollers instead of handrail guide profiles in these areas. EP 3 587 335 A2 discloses a roller arrangement with multiple rollers that are attached to the handrail guide profile by means of a sheet metal strip and fastening screws. For this purpose, the handrail guide profiles are provided with mounting holes on site, which entails considerable assembly effort. Furthermore, the individual sheet metal strips must be cut to fit the areas to be fitted with rollers.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to minimize and make more flexible the assembly effort of rollers in the handrail guide profiles.

[0005] This task is solved by a roller assembly suitable for being embedded in a groove of a handrail guide profile of an escalator or moving walkway. Specifically, this means that the dimensions of the roller assembly are such that it can be inserted into the groove and secured therein. The roller assembly comprises a bearing block and at least one roller axle with a roller. The roller is rotatably mounted in the bearing block by means of the roller axle. Furthermore, the roller assembly has at least one locking element and one clamping element, which are arranged on the bearing block in such a way that, when the roller assembly is inserted into the groove, the locking element can be clamped between opposing walls of the groove by means of the clamping element.

[0006] In other words, the roller assembly features a locking element that, via the clamping element, can be moved from an untensioned position, where the roller assembly can be easily inserted into the groove, to a tensioned position, where the roller assembly can no longer be removed from the groove. This eliminates the need for any modifications to the handrail guide profiles to securely and permanently attach a roller assembly. Furthermore, this roller assembly offers exceptional flexibility, as individual rollers can be mounted at freely selectable intervals within the groove of the handrail guide profile, eliminating the need to insert an entire strip of rollers. This significantly reduces installation time and material costs, as a roller assembly is only installed where support is required.

[0007] The locking element and the clamping element can have very different designs. For example, screw connections can be used as clamping elements. Of course, lever arrangements such as toggle levers or eccentric arrangements can also be used to apply a clamping force to the locking element. Preferably, the clamping element comprises a threaded bolt and a threaded nut.

[0008] In a first embodiment of the roller assembly, the locking element is a curved leaf spring element. A bearing surface is formed on the bearing block, on which the locking element is positioned. The curvature of the leaf spring element spans this bearing surface. The clamping element allows the curvature of the locking element to be variably flattened on the bearing surface, thereby changing its lateral extent or width. This change in width is used to clamp the clamping element between opposing walls of the groove. Depending on the design of the locking element and the force applied by the clamping element, the roller assembly is secured in the groove by either frictional (friction) or positive locking (notch formation on the groove walls).

[0009] In a second embodiment of the roller arrangement, the locking element is designed as a wedge element. Furthermore, a wedge surface is formed on the bearing block, on which the locking element is linearly displaceable. Due to the shape of the wedge surface and the wedge element, the wedge element can be displaced orthogonally to the direction of the clamping force and relative to the bearing block by a clamping force, analogous to the leaf spring element described previously. This also changes the width of the roller arrangement until the wedge element, on the one hand, and the contours of the bearing block, on the other, abut the opposing walls of the groove. The clamping force acting on the walls depends on the reduction ratio of the wedge element, more precisely on its wedge angle.

[0010] The third version of the locking element is very similar to the second version, except that the locking element comprises two wedges. A bearing surface is formed on the bearing block, on which the two wedges are arranged so that they can be linearly displaced and complement each other in terms of inclination. Functionally, the third version differs from the second version only in that both wedges can be displaced relative to each other and to the bearing surface.

[0011] To achieve an even more secure fastening or anchoring of the roller arrangement in the handrail guide profile, the areas of the locking element intended for contact with the walls of the groove can have an embossed edge.

[0012] In principle, the clamping element and / or the locking element can be designed in such a way that, once clamped between the walls of the groove, a locking element cannot be released. For this purpose, the clamping element and / or the locking element can have interlocking structures, plastically deformable areas, snap-in elements, or locking devices such as anaerobic adhesives, locking elements, and the like.

[0013] The bearing block of the roller assembly has two side walls with receptacles for the roller axle. The two side walls are connected to each other by a base structure of the bearing block, so that the bearing block has a U-shaped cross-section formed by the side walls and the base structure. The locking element and at least one clamping element associated with the locking element are, for example, arranged on the base structure.

[0014] To allow for changing the rollers without having to remove the bearing block from the groove of the handrail guide profile, the recesses formed in the side panels are preferably designed as U-shaped cutouts. Their open ends are oriented away from the floor surface. The roller axle can be inserted into these recesses. The handrail, guided over the rollers, secures the axle against falling out of the bearing block.

[0015] To prevent relative movements and thus wear between the bearing block and the roller axle, complementary positive-locking structures can be formed between the roller axle and at least one of the recesses as an anti-rotation device.

[0016] The aforementioned handrail guide profile can be equipped with at least one of the roller arrangements described above before its installation in the balustrade of an escalator or moving walkway. Naturally, handrail guide profiles of existing escalators or moving walkways can also be fitted with these roller arrangements, provided these handrail guide profiles have at least one suitable groove.

[0017] Basically, the groove only needs to have two opposing walls, the distance between which is matched to the locking element within the intended area. The cross-section of the groove can be arbitrarily shaped, although a trapezoidal cross-section should not widen too much towards the open side of the groove, as vibrations during operation could cause a pre-tensioned locking element to loosen. The shape of the groove base between the walls is largely irrelevant; it can be a concave surface, a surface at an angle to the walls, and so on. However, grooves with a rectangular cross-section are particularly suitable.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Identical or equivalent features are designated by the same reference numeral. The drawings show: Figure 1: Schematic view of a section of a balustrade of an escalator or moving walkway in side view with a handrail that is movable around its circumference and guided by a handrail guide profile, with roller arrangements embedded in the handrail guide profile indicated; Figure 2: Enlarged view showing the handrail in the Figure 1 specified cross-section A - A through the handrail and the handrail guide profile with two adjacent roller arrangements in a first embodiment; Figure 3: one in the Figure 2 The depicted roller arrangement in a three-dimensional view; Figure 4: enlarged, showing the arrangement shown in the Figure 1specified cross-section A - A through the handrail and the handrail guide profile, with a roller arrangement in a second version and with a roller arrangement in a third version.

[0019] The figures are schematic only and not to scale. Identical reference symbols in the different figures denote identical or equivalent features.

[0020] Figure 1Figure 1 schematically shows a section of a balustrade 3 of an escalator 11 or a moving walkway 21 in a side view. The balustrade 3 has several balustrade panels 5, 7, 9, which are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal extent of the escalator 11 or the moving walkway 21. The balustrade panels 5, 7, 9 are fixedly connected at their lower edge 13 to the other static components of the escalator 11 or the moving walkway 21 within a balustrade base 15 by means of fasteners (not shown). A handrail guide profile 19 is arranged on further edges 17 of the balustrade panels 5, 7, 9, which guides a continuously movable handrail 23. Furthermore, the Figure 1 A number of roller arrangements 25 are indicated, which are distributed along a guide path S of the handrail guide profile 19 and embedded in the handrail guide profile 19. In fact, for the sake of clarity, only the rollers 31 of the roller arrangements 25 are shown (see Figures 2and 3 ) are shown in normal line thickness. Strictly speaking, these parts, which are invisible from the outside, should be shown with a thin, broken line.

[0021] From the Figure 1 It is also evident that the roller arrangements 25 can be arranged at different distances B, C, D from each other in the handrail guide profile 19. For example, where changes in direction of the handrail 23 and thus high compressive forces on the handrail guide profile must be supported, the roller arrangements 25 are arranged closer together.

[0022] The Figure 2 shows enlarged details of the area in the Figure 1The specified cross-section A - A through the handrail 23 and the handrail guide profile 19. The handrail 23 has a C-shaped cross-section and is made of an elastic polymer material. The lateral guide grooves 51, 53 of the handrail 19, formed by the C-shaped cross-section, surround laterally projecting ribs 55, 57 of the handrail guide profile 19 and thus form a sliding guide for the handrail 23, which is movable relative to the handrail guide profile 19.

[0023] The handrail guide profile 19 has three parallel grooves 59, 61, 63 extending along the longitudinal direction of the handrail guide profile 19. The central groove 59, designed as a plug-in connection, serves to fasten the handrail guide profile 19 to the edge regions 17 of the balustrade panels 5, 7, 9. Roller assemblies 25 can be embedded in the other two grooves 61, 63.

[0024] In this document, "embedded" means that the roller assembly 25 is inserted into the groove 61, 63 and secured therein in a displacement-proof manner. The roller 31 protrudes from the groove 61, 63 and separates an inner surface 33 of the handrail 23, which rests on the rollers 31, from the strips 55, 57 of the handrail guide profile 19.

[0025] In cross-section AA of the Figure 2 In each of the two outer grooves 61, 63, a roller arrangement 25 is embedded side by side. Such a paired arrangement is advantageous so that the handrail 23 is also supported in its width (orthogonal to the guide path S) by the roller arrangements 25.

[0026] One of the two in the Figure 2 The role arrangements shown in 25 are also in the Figure 3 shown in a three-dimensional view, which is why the Figures 2 and 3 will be described together below.

[0027] The roller assembly 25 in a first embodiment essentially comprises a bearing block 71, a roller axle 81, a roller 31, two locking elements 83, and two clamping elements 85. In the present embodiment, a commercially available steel ball bearing is used as roller 31. Of course, other rollers 31 can also be used, for example, those with a sliding bearing bushing matched to the roller axle 81. The axis of rotation R of roller 31 is orthogonal to the guide path S of the handrail guide profile 19 (see also Figure 1 ) arranged.

[0028] The bearing block 71 is designed as a sheet metal bent part and comprises two side walls 73, 74 with receptacles 77 for the roller axle 81 and a base structure 75 connecting the two side walls 73, 74. The bearing block 71 has a U-shaped cross-section formed by the side walls 73, 74 and the base structure 75, so that the roller 31 can be arranged between the two side walls 73, 74. The distance W between the two side walls 73, 74 is also matched to a groove width T of the opposing walls 65, 67 of the two outer grooves 61, 63, so that the bearing block 71 can be inserted into the groove 61, 63 with sufficient clearance.

[0029] The receptacles 77 formed in the side walls 73, 74 are U-shaped recesses. This allows the roller axle 81, together with the roller 31, to be easily inserted into or removed from the receptacles 77. This is still possible even when the bearing block 71 is embedded in a groove 61, 63.

[0030] The locking elements 83 and the clamping elements 85 serve to fasten the roller assembly 25 in the groove 61, 63 of the handrail guide profile 19. A bearing surface 79 is formed on the base structure 75 of the bearing block 71 for each locking element 83. The locking element 83 is arranged on this bearing surface 79. The locking element 83 is a curved leaf spring element, the curvature of which spans the bearing surface 79. A threaded bolt 86 is also arranged on the bearing surface 79, projecting vertically from the bearing surface 79 and passing through a bore 84 of the locking element 83. Furthermore, a self-locking threaded nut 87 is arranged on the threaded bolt 86, with the locking element 83 positioned between the bearing surface 79 and the threaded nut 87. When the threaded nut 87 is screwed against the support surface 79, the locking element 83 is increasingly flattened.This changes the width of the locking element 83 with respect to the opposing walls 65, 67 of the groove 61, 63, until the areas of the locking element 83 intended to abut the walls 65, 67 of the groove 61, 63 are in contact with them. By further tightening the threaded nut 87, these areas are clamped against the walls 65, 67 of the groove 61, 63 with increasing force. The threaded bolt 86 and the threaded nut 87 thus form a clamping element 85 for the locking element 83.

[0031] To prevent the roller axle 81 from rotating in the receptacles 77, complementary structures 91, 92 in the form of surfaces are formed on the roller axle 81 and on the recesses 77. Together, these provide a positive fit with respect to rotational movement about the axis of rotation R and thus form an anti-rotation device between the roller axle 81 and at least one recess 77.

[0032] The Figure 4 shows enlarged details of the area in the Figure 1The specified cross-section A - A is defined by the handrail 23 and the handrail guide profile 19, as well as a roller arrangement 25 in a second version and a roller arrangement 25 in a third version. The basic structure of the second and third versions essentially corresponds to the first version. They differ from the first version only in the differently designed locking elements 93, 96.

[0033] The roller arrangement 25 of the second embodiment has a wedge-shaped locking element 96. Instead of a bearing surface 79, a wedge surface 97 is formed on the bearing block 71, on which the wedge-shaped locking element 96 is arranged to be linearly displaceable. As can be seen from the Figure 4As can be seen, the wedge angle α of the locking element 96 and the wedge surface 97 complement each other, so that the threaded nut 87 of the clamping element 85 can act over a surface area on the wedge-shaped locking element 96. The wedge angle α should be larger than a resulting solid friction angle, which depends on the coefficients of friction between the threaded nut 87, the locking element 96, and the wedge surface 97. When the threaded nut 87 is tightened, the locking element 96 moves against one of the two walls 67 of the groove 61 and presses the opposite side of the bearing block 71 against the opposite wall 65 of the groove 61. As a result, the roller assembly 25 is not embedded centrally in the groove 61.

[0034] To embed the roller assembly 25 centrally, the third embodiment features a locking element 93 with two wedges 94, 95. As in the first embodiment, a bearing surface 79 is formed on the bearing block 71, on which the two wedges 94, 95 are arranged so that they complement each other in inclination and are linearly displaceable relative to each other. When the threaded nut 87 is tightened, one wedge 94 of the locking element 93 moves against one of the two walls 67 of the groove 63, and the other wedge 95 of the locking element 93 moves against the opposite wall 65 of the groove 63.

[0035] The areas of the previously described locking elements 83, 93, 96 intended for connection with the walls 65, 67 of the groove 61, 63 can have an embossed edge 99 (see Figure 3) exhibit. This embossed edge 99 partially digs into the material of the handrail guide profile 19 when the clamping element 85 is tightened, thereby creating a positive fit that secures the roller arrangement 25 even better against being pulled out of the groove 61, 63 and / or against being displaced in the groove 61, 63 along the guide path S.

[0036] Although in the Figures 2 to 4 Since a screw is always shown as the clamping element 85, it is obvious that for the present invention, further clamping elements 85 such as toggle clamps, eccentric clamps and the like can be used to apply a force to the locking element 83, 93, 96 and to clamp it in the groove of the handrail guide profile 19. Furthermore, a roller arrangement 25 can also have more than one roller 31, which are rotatably mounted side by side on the same roller axle 81 or one behind the other on several roller axles 81 in the same bearing block 71.

[0037] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "encompassing," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. A roller arrangement (25) which is suitable for being embedded in a groove (61, 63) of a handrail guide profile (19) of an escalator (11) or a moving walkway (21), wherein the roller arrangement (25) comprises a bearing block (71) and at least one roller axis (81) with a roller (31) and the roller (31) is rotatably mounted in the bearing block (71) by means of the roller axis (81), characterized in that in that the roller arrangement (25) has at least one locking element (83, 93, 96) and one clamping element (85), which are arranged interacting with one another on the bearing block (71) in such a manner that, when the roller arrangement (25) is inserted into the groove (61, 63), the locking element (83, 93, 96) can be clamped between opposing walls (65, 67) of the groove (61, 63) by means of the clamping element (85).

2. The roller arrangement (25) according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (83) is a curved leaf spring element and a support surface (79) is formed on the bearing block (71), on which the locking element (83) is arranged, wherein the curvature of the leaf spring element spans the support surface (79).

3. The roller arrangement (25) according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (96) is designed as a wedge element and a wedge surface (97) is formed on the bearing block (71), on which the locking element (96) is arranged so as to be linearly displaceable.

4. The roller arrangement (25) according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (93) comprises two wedges (94, 95) and a support surface (79) is formed on the bearing block (71), on which the two wedges (94, 95) are arranged so as to complement one another in inclination and to be linearly displaceable.

5. The roller arrangement (25) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamping element (85) has a threaded bolt (86) and a threaded nut (87).

6. The roller arrangement (25) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the areas of the locking element (83, 93, 96) provided for contact with the walls (65, 67) of the groove (61, 63) have an embossed edge (99).

7. The roller arrangement (25) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bearing block (71) comprises two side cheeks (73, 74) with receptacles (77) for the roller axis (81) and a base structure (75) connecting the two side cheeks (73, 74), and wherein the bearing block (71) has a U-shaped cross-section formed by the side cheeks (73, 74) and the base structure (75).

8. The roller arrangement (25) according to claim 7, wherein the receptacles (77) formed in the side cheeks (73, 74) are U-shaped recesses.

9. The roller arrangement (25) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein complementary positive-locking structures (91, 92) are formed between the roller axis (81) and at least one recess to prevent rotation.

10. The roller arrangement (25) according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least one locking element (83, 93, 96) and at least one clamping element (85) associated with the locking element (83, 93, 96) are arranged on the base structure (75).

11. A handrail guide profile (19) having at least one roller arrangement (25) according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. An escalator (11) or a moving walkway (21) having at least one handrail guide profile (19) according to claim 11.