Enclosure of an escalator or a moving walkway

Abstract

The invention relates to an enclosure (31) for preventing users from falling on an escalator or a moving walkway. The enclosure (31) has a clamping profile (33) with a V-shaped groove (35); a balustrade panel (45); an L-shaped wedge insert (53) with a wedge limb (55) and a main limb (57); and a clamping wedge (59) which is designed to have a wedge-shaped cross-section. The wedge limb (55) of the wedge insert (53) is designed to have a wedge-shaped cross-section and is arranged between the first lateral surface (47) of the balustrade panel (45) and the first groove surface (39). The main limb (57) of the wedge insert (53) is arranged between the lower edge (51) of the balustrade panel (45) and the groove base (37). The clamping wedge (59) is arranged between the second lateral surface (49) of the balustrade panel (45) and the second groove surface (41).

Description

[0001] Barrier for an escalator or moving walkway

[0002] The invention relates to a barrier for a moving device, which barrier serves as fall protection for users, its assembly method, and a moving device with such a barrier.

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

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

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

[0006] Since the balustrades of conventional rides only extend to the height of the handrail, improper use poses certain risks. For example, users may "surf" on the handrails or intentionally jump over the balustrade, or they may be involuntarily pushed over the balustrade. This happens, for example, in football stadiums when hooligans throw themselves off a ride or push other users off.

[0007] Such situations are dangerous for the users of the ride equipment and also for the persons underneath the ride equipment and must therefore be avoided at all costs.

[0008] For example, WO 2020 / 114846A1 discloses a balustrade for an escalator in which the first panels are arranged below the handrail and act as additional barriers, while the second panels are arranged laterally offset from the handrail and projecting beyond the handrail. The disadvantage of this solution is that installing the panels in the support profile can lead to problems. The glass fiber mat, in particular, tends to shift when the panels are inserted, potentially becoming crumpled and requiring replacement. Furthermore, it offers little damping at the clamping point, which can lead to an increased risk of breakage in glass panels. A further problem arises from the mass of the barrier and the forces acting on the barrier due to greater leverage, which place additional stress on the balustrade. In most cases, the balustrade must be significantly reinforced, which increases its dead mass and, in turn, places additional stress on the supporting structure.Measures to reinforce the balustrade of existing moving equipment also significantly increase the installation effort and may require complex modifications to the existing balustrade panels. EP 3 757 052 ​​A1 also discloses a barrier that can be installed on the side of a balustrade of an escalator or moving walkway.

[0009] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for erecting the aforementioned barrier. In particular, the aim is to create a barrier that is easy and quick to install and visually appealing and serves as a fall protection device. Furthermore, the aim is to enable simple retrofitting of escalators with such a barrier, regardless of whether the escalator has a so-called glass balustrade, as is common in department store escalators, or a sheet metal balustrade, as is commonly used in escalators in train stations.

[0010] This problem is solved by a barrier to protect users from falling on a moving device designed as an escalator or moving walkway. The barrier is designed to be mounted on the moving device next to a handrail that can be moved all the way around a balustrade of the moving device, wherein in the mounted state the barrier extends parallel to the handrail and projects higher than the balustrade or handrail. The barrier has a clamping profile with a V-shaped groove that extends in the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile, wherein the V-shaped groove is delimited by a groove base and two groove surfaces and the groove surfaces are arranged so as to open at an angle to one another, starting from the groove base and ending at a groove mouth. The clamping profile can be made from an extruded or pressed profile bar.The clamping profile can be made, in particular, of an extruded aluminum profile or an extruded plastic profile. Its ends can be covered, for example, with a cap.

[0011] The barrier further comprises a balustrade panel with two parallel side surfaces and a V-shaped groove near its lower edge. The balustrade panel can also be constructed in multiple parts and comprise several panel sections. Another component of the barrier is an L-shaped wedge insert with a wedge leg and a base leg. The wedge leg has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is arranged between the first side surface of the balustrade panel and the first groove surface. The base leg is arranged between the lower edge of the balustrade panel and the groove base.

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

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

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

[0015] In one version of the barrier, the V-shaped groove has a projection on the first groove surface intended for the wedge insert that narrows the groove opening. The projection, together with the groove base and the first groove surface, forms a lateral pocket into which the wedge leg of the wedge insert can be inserted. The projection secures the wedge insert in the V-shaped groove during assembly and disassembly of the balustrade panel, ensuring that it remains in the groove at its intended location. This significantly simplifies assembly work and can be performed even by less qualified personnel.

[0016] In another design of the barrier, an elastic element is arranged on the wedge leg of the wedge insert. When the wedge insert is inserted into the V-shaped groove, the elastic element clamps the wedge leg between the projection and the groove base. The elastic element thus secures the wedge insert even more effectively in the V-shaped groove, particularly against longitudinal displacement. This is particularly advantageous in the inclined section of escalators, preventing the wedge insert from sliding downhill.

[0017] To further increase the adhesion of the elastic element to a surface, a further design of the barrier can include a ridge. When the wedge insert is inserted, the ridge rests against the projection, creating an even higher static friction between the elastic element and the projection, which secures the wedge insert in the inserted position.

[0018] In another barrier design, the balustrade panel is made of a transparent material. This can be tempered safety glass, laminated safety glass, PMMA, polycarbonate, and the like. However, the balustrade panel can also be made of opaque materials such as wood, composite materials, metal, or opaque polymer materials.

[0019] In another version of the barrier, the clamping wedge features an ejection lug. Installation personnel can attach a disassembly tool to this to release the clamping wedge from the V-shaped groove. This significantly simplifies the replacement of damaged or unsightly balustrade panels.

[0020] If necessary, the clamping wedge can have an ejection groove at both ends so that two tools can be placed at both ends of the clamping wedge at the same time and the wedge can be pulled out of the V-shaped groove.

[0021] In another design of the barrier, fastening structures for an elastic sealing profile are provided on both sides of the V-shaped groove mouth. The sealing profiles arranged on both sides prevent dirt and water from penetrating the V-shaped groove and lend an aesthetic appearance to the transition from the clamping profile to the balustrade panel.

[0022] In a further design of the barrier, a T-shaped groove is formed on a side of the clamping profile facing away from the V-shaped groove, which is intended to accommodate fastening devices. This allows the clamping profile to be attached to suitable structural components of the moving device or to the moving device via adapter parts. In addition, clamping profiles divided into several sections can be firmly connected to one another at the ends using connecting tongues inserted in the T-slot. In a further design of the barrier, this has a support that is provided with a foot fastening area at one end and a head fastening area at the other end. The head fastening area is connected to the clamping profile by means of fastening devices arranged in the T-shaped groove of the clamping profile. The T-shaped groove in the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile allows the position of the support on the clamping profile to be freely selected.The foot attachment area is intended to be attached to a supporting structure of a vehicle, for example to its supporting structure.

[0023] In one possible embodiment of the support, a telescopic device is arranged between the head attachment area and the foot attachment area. This allows the distance between the head attachment area and the foot attachment area to be fixedly adjusted.

[0024] In another design, the barrier features a connecting element. The connecting element is connected at one end to the clamping profile or the support, and the other end is designed to be attached to a handrail guide profile of a moving device. This connection between the balustrade and the barrier supports each other orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile, allowing both the balustrade and the barrier to be designed and constructed with reduced material thicknesses.

[0025] The thickness of the balustrade panel to be installed can vary depending on the order due to different standards or customer-specific requirements. However, clamping wedges and wedge inserts are typically installed in larger quantities, so it's best to have a wedge insert set with wedge inserts whose wedge legs have different thicknesses and / or a clamping wedge set with clamping wedges of different thicknesses. A wedge insert or clamping wedge tailored to the thickness of the balustrade panel can then be selected from the wedge insert set and / or the clamping wedge set.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the barrier has an end panel. The end panel has a first panel area with a first lower edge and a second panel area with a second lower edge offset from the first lower edge. In such an installed barrier, the end panel is arranged with its first lower edge in the clamping profile, and the second lower edge is arranged in a holding element. The holding element is intended to be attached to a floor area of ​​a moving device or a structure accommodating the moving device.

[0027] The moving device, designed as an escalator or moving walkway, can be equipped with a barrier on one or both sides, depending on its installation within a structure. Such moving devices typically have a revolving conveyor belt and, on either side of the conveyor belt, a balustrade with a revolvingly movable handrail. The barrier according to the invention is mounted on the moving device next to the revolvingly movable handrail, with the barrier being arranged on the side of the handrail facing away from the conveyor belt. When mounted, the barrier extends parallel to the balustrade and projects higher than the balustrade or its handrail.

[0028] The barrier assembly process includes at least the following steps. A wedge insert is inserted into the V-shaped groove so that the base leg of the wedge insert rests on the groove base of the V-shaped groove. The balustrade panel or end panel is then inserted into the V-shaped groove so that its lower edge rests on the base leg of the wedge insert and the wedge leg is positioned between the first groove surface of the V-shaped groove and the first side surface of the balustrade panel. The clamping wedge is then positioned and pressed in between the second side surface of the balustrade panel and the second groove surface.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals throughout the figures. Neither the drawings nor the description should be construed as limiting the invention. They show:

[0030] Figure 1: a three-dimensional representation of an escalator

[0031] Mobile device with glass balustrades and two side barriers to protect users from falling;

[0032] Figure 2: an enlarged view of a cross-section through a clamping profile of the barrier shown in Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 3: a cross-section through the entire barrier and the glass balustrade of the driving device shown in Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 4: an enlarged partial cross-section through a box-shaped balustrade of a moving device and the barrier attached to it;

[0035] Figure 5: a set of wedge inserts of the barrier shown in Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 6: a set of clamping wedges of the barrier shown in Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 7: a three-dimensional representation of a supporting structure of the escalator shown in Figure 1 and one of the glass balustrades with a laterally arranged barrier having a closing panel; and

[0038] Figure 8: a possible assembly method for a barrier according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a moving device 1 designed as an escalator, as installed in a building 3 (shown in dash-dotted lines). The moving device 1 has a continuously movable conveyor belt 5 with steps 7. Two balustrades 9 with glass panels 11 extend along each side of the conveyor belt 5. Moving devices 1 with such glass balustrades are used, for example, in department stores and shopping malls. At the edge of each balustrade 9, a handrail guide profile 13 (see Figure 3) with a continuously movable handrail 15 is arranged. The handrails 15 are moved synchronously with the conveyor belt 5. The balustrade height HB of the balustrade 9 is designed such that its handrail 15 can be comfortably grasped by an adult of average height, but is also easily accessible for smaller children.EN-115, for example, specifies a balustrade height HB of 900 cm to 1100 cm, depending on the location. Since there is no wall on either side of the moving device 1, users could trip over the balustrade and fall to the side of the moving device 1 if used improperly as mentioned above. To prevent this, a barrier 31 is mounted on both sides next to the handrail 15 of the moving device 1. As can be seen from Figure 1, the barrier 31 extends parallel to the balustrade 9 and, at a height HA, projects beyond the balustrade height HB of the balustrade 9 or the handrail 15. So that users can hold on to the handrail 15, the barrier 31 is arranged on the side of the handrail 15 facing away from the conveyor belt 5.

[0040] Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier 31 shown in Figure 1. The barrier 31 has a clamping profile 33 with a V-shaped groove 35 that extends in the longitudinal direction L (see Figure 1) of the clamping profile 33. The V-shaped groove 35 is delimited by a groove base 37 and two groove surfaces 39, 41. The groove surfaces 39, 41 are arranged at an angle to one another, starting from the groove base 37 and leading towards a groove mouth 43. In other words, the width of the V-shaped groove 35 increases in the direction of the groove mouth 43. The clamping profile 33 can, for example, be made from an extruded aluminum profile, the ends of which can be covered, for example, with an end cap 147 (see Figures 1 and 7).

[0041] The barrier 31 also includes a balustrade panel 45, which has two parallel side surfaces 47, 49 and is arranged in the V-shaped groove 35 in the region of its lower edge 51. The balustrade panel 45 can be made of a transparent material such as single-pane safety glass, laminated safety glass, a PMMA sheet, and the like. However, the balustrade panel 45 can also be made of an opaque material such as wood, composite material, metal, or opaque polymer materials. The balustrade panel 45 can also be constructed in several parts and comprise several panel sections 46 (see Figure 7).

[0042] Another component of the barrier 31 is an L-shaped wedge insert 53 with a wedge leg 55 and a base leg 57. The wedge leg 55 has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is arranged between the first side surface 47 of the balustrade panel 45 and the first groove surface 39. The base leg 57 of the wedge insert 53 is arranged between the lower edge 51 of the balustrade panel 45 and the groove bottom 37. In order to fasten the wedge insert 53 and the balustrade panel 45 in the clamping profile 33, the barrier 31 has a clamping wedge 59 with a wedge-shaped cross-section, which is arranged between the second side surface 49 of the balustrade panel 45 and the second groove surface 41.To ensure secure and permanent clamping of the balustrade panel 45 in the V-shaped groove 35, the wedge angle α of the wedge leg 55 and the wedge angle β of the clamping wedge 59 must be smaller than the angle of a friction cone existing between the first groove surface 39 and the wedge leg 55, or between the second groove surface 41 and the clamping wedge 59. The angle of the friction cone, which is another description of the friction coefficient between these components, depends on the surface roughness and the materials used for the clamping profile 33, the wedge insert 53, and the clamping wedge 59.

[0043] The V-shaped groove 35 also has a projection 61 narrowing the groove opening 43 on the first groove surface 39 intended for the wedge insert 53. This projection 61 provides the wedge insert 53 with better hold in the V-shaped groove 35, so that it does not slip when the balustrade panel 45 is inserted. To further improve this hold, an elastic element 63 can be arranged on the wedge leg 55 of the wedge insert 53. When the wedge insert 53 is inserted into the V-shaped groove 35, this elastic element 63 clamps the wedge leg 55 between the projection 61 and the groove base 37. The elastic element 63 is even more clearly visible in Figure 5.

[0044] To prevent the V-shaped groove 35 from filling with water and dirt, sealing profiles 65, 67 made of elastomer material such as rubber, nitrile rubber, and the like are arranged at the groove mouth 43 on both sides of the balustrade panel 45. To enable the sealing profiles 65, 67 to be mounted, fastening structures 69 are formed on both sides of the groove mouth 43 of the V-shaped groove 35. The fastening structures 69 (dovetail grooves are shown) correspond to corresponding formations on the sealing profile 65, 67. The groove / projection fastening structure 69 shown in Figure 2 is only one of the countless possible configurations for fastening the sealing profile 65, 67 in the groove mouth 43 and is therefore not to be limited to this single representation. In order to be able to fasten the barrier 31 to the driving device 1, a T-shaped groove 71 is formed on a side of the clamping profile 33 facing away from the V-shaped groove 35.Fasteners 73, such as square or hexagon screw heads, can be arranged therein, their position in the longitudinal direction L of the clamping profile 33 being freely selectable. This simple and robust construction enables the clamping profile 33 to be fastened, for example, to a support 75, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, or to a box-shaped balustrade 91, as shown in Figure 4.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the entire barrier 31 and the balustrade 9 of the moving device 1 shown in Figure 1. In addition to the clamping profile 33, the balustrade panel 45, the wedge insert 53 and the locking wedge 59, the barrier 31 has a support 75 which is provided at one end with a foot fastening area 77 and at the other end with a head fastening area 79. The head fastening area 79 is connected to the clamping profile 33 by means of fastening elements 73 arranged in the T-shaped groove 71 of the clamping profile 33. The foot fastening area 77 of the support 75 is screwed to a balustrade clamp 103 of the moving device 1 and the balustrade clamp 103 is fastened to a supporting structure 101 (only the upper chord of which is shown) of the moving device 1. The supporting structure 101 is the load-bearing structure that accommodates all components of the driving device 1 and supports its mass and its own mass in the structure 3.A glass panel 11 of the balustrade 9 is clamped in the clamping device 103 of the balustrade clamp.

[0046] So that the support 75 can be manufactured in large series rather than on a custom basis, a telescopic device 81 is arranged between the head fastening area 79 and the foot fastening area 77. The telescopic device 81 is implemented by a two-part support tube, wherein the two parts of the support tube are connected to one another by a thread 83 and enables adjustment in the axial direction A. By means of the telescopic device 81, a distance X between the head fastening area 79 and the foot fastening area 77 can be fixedly set, so that, on the one hand, manufacturing tolerances of the supporting structure 101 can be compensated and, on the other hand, the desired height HA of the balustrade panels 45 can be set. The barrier 31 also has a connecting element 85, which is connected at one end to the support 75.The other end of the connecting element 85 is attached to the handrail guide profile 13 of the moving device 1 mentioned above. Thus, the support 75 and the balustrade 9 of the moving device 1 stabilize each other against the forces acting transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the barrier 31 on the balustrade 9 and the barrier 31.

[0047] Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial cross-section through a box-shaped balustrade 91 of a moving device 1 and the barrier 31 attached to it. Box-shaped balustrades 91 have an inner metal structure 93 made of metal profiles covered with cladding sheets 95. Such card-shaped balustrades 91, also called metal balustrades, are typically installed in heavily used moving devices 1 in public buildings, for example in subway stations, train stations, and airports. Since the box-shaped balustrades 91 already have a high level of inherent rigidity and strength, a support 75 can be omitted. Instead, the clamping profile 33 of the barrier 31 is screwed onto simple brackets 97 that are attached to the inner metal structure 93. The bracket 97 shown as an example can be part of the barrier 31 or part of the box-shaped balustrade 91 of the moving device 1.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a set 111 of wedge inserts 53 of the barrier 31 shown in Figures 1 to 4 in plan view and in section, wherein the plan view is the same for all wedge inserts 53 of the set 111. The wedge insert set 111 comprises wedge inserts 53', 53", 53'", 53"", whose wedge legs 55 have different thicknesses. The base leg 57 is identical for all wedge inserts 53 of the wedge insert set 111. A wedge insert 53 matched to a thickness S of the balustrade panel 45 (see Figure 4) can now be selected from the wedge insert set 111. The thickness S of the balustrade panel 45 matching the respective wedge leg 55 is preferably indicated on the wedge insert 53. The wedge insert 53 is preferably manufactured from a polymer material using an injection molding process, but it could also be produced using 3D printing. To save material, the wedge insert 53 can have recesses 113 and / or depressions 115.

[0049] At both lateral ends of the wedge insert 53, leaf spring-like elastic elements 63 are arranged, which protrude in height above an upper edge 87 of the wedge leg 55. When inserting the wedge insert 53 into the V-shaped groove 35 (see Figure 2), the two elastic elements 63 are bent down and inserted under the projection 61. The elastic elements 63 now clamp the wedge insert 53 between the projection 61 and the groove base 37 of the V-shaped groove 35. This is particularly advantageous in the inclined part of travel devices 1, so that the wedge insert 53 does not slip "downhill" before or during the insertion of the balustrade panel 45. Of course, the leaf spring-like design of the elastic element 63 is only one possible example of many other variants of elastic elements that can be used here. As shown, the elastic element can be integrally formed on the wedge insert 53.It is also possible to design the elastic element 61 as a separate component and to mount it on the wedge insert 53.

[0050] To further increase the adhesion of the elastic element 63, it has a ribbing 89 on the surface intended to bear against the projection 61. When the wedge insert 53 is inserted, the ribbing 89 thus bears against the projection 61, so that an even higher static friction exists between the elastic element 63 and the projection 61 and the wedge insert is fixed even more securely in the inserted position. At this point, it should also be mentioned that the arrangement of the elastic element 63 and the ribbing 89 does not necessarily have to correspond to the embodiment shown. A person skilled in the art will recognize that other locations on the wedge insert 53, such as the upper edge 87, may also be suitable for attaching the elastic element 63 and / or the ribbing 89.

[0051] Figure 6 shows a clamping wedge set 121 with clamping wedges 59 of the barrier shown in Figures 1 to 4. The clamping wedges 59', 59", 59'", 59"" of the clamping wedge set 121 have different thicknesses, analogous to the wedge inserts 53', 53", 53'", 53"" of the wedge insert set 111. A clamping wedge 59 matched to a thickness S of the balustrade panel 45 can also be selected from the clamping wedge set 121. Here, too, the corresponding thickness S of the balustrade panel 45 is preferably indicated on the clamping wedge 59. The clamping wedge 59 is preferably also manufactured from a polymer material using an injection molding process. To save material, the clamping wedge 59 can also have recesses 123 and / or depressions 127. Ejection lugs 125 are arranged at both ends of the clamping wedge 59, onto which a disassembly tool (not shown) can be applied to release the clamping wedge 59 from the V-shaped groove 35. Of course, only one ejection lug 125 can be provided.However, a symmetrical arrangement of two ejection rabbets 125 makes it easier to drive the clamping wedge 59 out of the V-shaped groove 35, since a disassembly tool (not shown) can be applied on both sides.

[0052] Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional representation of the supporting structure 101 of the travel device 1 shown in Figure 1 and one of the balustrades 9. A barrier 31 is arranged to the side of the balustrade 9, which comprises a balustrade panel 45 consisting of several panel sections 46 and a closing panel 131. The balustrade panel 45, which is divided into panel sections 46, can have panel connectors 145 to connect the individual panel sections 46 to one another. In such multi-part balustrade panels 45, wedge inserts 53 and clamping wedges 59 are preferably arranged in the clamping profile 33 such that they overlap two adjacent panel sections 46.

[0053] The barrier 31 according to Figure 7 corresponds in its structure to the barrier 31 shown in Figure 2, with the exception of the end panel 131 and the multi-part balustrade panel 45. The end panel 131 has a first panel region 133 with a first lower edge 135 and a second panel region 137 with a second lower edge 139 offset from the first lower edge 135. Thanks to this configuration, the end panel 131 can be arranged with its first lower edge 135 in the clamping profile 33 and the second lower edge 139 can be arranged in a holding element 141 that is fastened to a floor region 143 of the travel device 1. The holding element 141 can be a piece of clamping profile 33, as is also used for the first lower edge 135 and the other panel sections 46 of the barrier 31. Its front side can also be covered with an end cap 147.

[0054] Figure 8 shows a possible assembly method for a barrier 31 according to the invention of the aforementioned type. In a first step S1 of the assembly method, the clamping profile 33 is firmly connected to the carriage 1 by supports 75, connecting elements 85, or brackets 97 (see Figures 3 and 4). In a further step S2, the wedge insert 53 or several wedge inserts 53 are inserted into the V-shaped groove 35 so that the base leg 57 of the respective wedge insert 53 rests on the groove base 37 of the V-shaped groove 35.

[0055] In a further step S3, a first sealing profile 65 is fastened above the wedge leg 55 of the wedge insert 53 or the plurality of wedge inserts 53, to the fastening structure 69 provided for this purpose. In a further step S4, one or more balustrade panels 45 and / or end panels 131 are inserted into the V-shaped groove 35 so that their lower edge 51 rests on the base leg 57 of the wedge insert 53 and the wedge leg 55 is arranged between the first groove surface 39 of the V-shaped groove 35 and the first side surface 47 of the balustrade panel 45. In a further step S5, one or more clamping wedges 59 are arranged and pressed in between the second side surface 49 of the balustrade panel 45 and the second groove surface 41. In a final step S6, a second sealing profile 67 is fastened above the clamping wedge 59 or the plurality of clamping wedges 59 to the fastening structure 69 provided for this purpose.

[0056] Although Figures 1 and 7 clearly show travel devices 1 designed as escalators, it is obvious that the barrier 31 and the associated method can also be used for moving walkways.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

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

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

3. Barrier (31) according to claim 2, wherein an elastic element (63) is arranged on the wedge leg (55) of the wedge insert (53), which elastic element (63) is bent when inserted into the V-shaped The wedge insert (53) inserted into the groove (35) clamps the wedge leg (55) of the wedge insert (53) between the projection (61) and the groove base (37).

4. Barrier (31) according to claim 3, wherein the elastic element (63) has a corrugation (89) on one surface and wherein the corrugation (89) is intended to bear against the projection (61) when the wedge insert (53) is inserted.

5. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamping profile (33) is made of an extruded or pressed profiled bar and an end cap (147) is arranged on at least one of its end faces.

6. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the clamping wedge (59) has an ejection lug (125) which is designed to attach a disassembly tool thereto in order to release the clamping wedge (59) from the V-shaped groove (35).

7. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein fastening structures (69) for an elastic sealing profile (65) are formed on both sides of the groove mouth (43) of the V-shaped groove (35).

8. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a T-shaped groove (71) is formed on a side of the clamping profile (33) facing away from the V-shaped groove (35) and is intended to receive fastening means (73).

9. Barrier (31) according to claim 8, wherein it comprises a support (75) which is provided at one end with a foot fastening region (77) and at the other end with a head fastening region (79), wherein the head fastening region (79) is connected to the clamping profile (33) by means of fastening means (73) arranged in the T-shaped groove (71) of the clamping profile (33), and the foot fastening region (77) is intended to be fastened to a supporting structure (101) of a travel device (1).

10. Barrier (31) according to claim 9, wherein a telescopic device (81) is arranged between the head fastening area (79) and the foot fastening area (77), by means of which telescopic device (81) a Distance (X) between the head fastening area (79) and the foot fastening area (77) can be fixed and adjusted.

11. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein it has a connecting element (85), which connecting element (85) is connected at one end to the clamping profile (33) or to the support (75) according to claim 9 or 10 and at the other end is designed to be fastened to a handrail guide profile (13) of a travel device (1).

12. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a wedge insert set (111) with wedge inserts (53', 53", 53'", 53""), the wedge legs (55) of which have a different thickness and / or a tension wedge set (121) with tension wedges (59', 59", 59'", 59"") of different thickness are present, wherein a wedge insert (53) matched to a thickness (S) of the balustrade panel (45) and / or a tension wedge (59) matched to the thickness (S) of the balustrade panel (45) can be selected from the wedge insert set (111).

13. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein it has an end panel (131), wherein the end panel (131) has a first panel region (133) with a first lower edge (135) and a second panel region (137) with a second lower edge (139) offset from the first lower edge (135), wherein the end panel (131) is arranged with its first lower edge (135) in the clamping profile (33) and the second lower edge (139) is arranged in a holding element (141), which holding element (141) is intended to be fastened to a floor region (143) of a driving device (1) or of a structure (3) receiving the driving device (1).

14. Travel device (1) which is designed as an escalator or moving walkway, with a circulating conveyor belt (5), characterized by at least one barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 13, which barrier (31) is mounted on the travel device (1) next to a handrail (15) which is movable in a circulating manner on a balustrade (9) of the travel device (1), wherein in the mounted state the barrier (31) extends parallel to the balustrade (9) and projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA), and wherein the barrier (31) on the is arranged on the side of the handrail (15) facing away from the conveyor belt (5).

15. Assembly method for a barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the assembly method comprises at least the following steps: • Inserting the wedge insert (53) into the V-shaped groove (35) so that the base leg (57) of the wedge insert (53) rests on the groove base (37) of the V-shaped groove (35); • Inserting the balustrade panel (45) and / or a closing panel (131) into the V-shaped groove (35) so that its lower edge (51, 135) rests on the base leg (57) of the wedge insert (53) and the wedge leg (55) is arranged between the first groove surface (39) of the V-shaped groove (35) and the first side surface (47) of the balustrade panel (45); and • Arranging and pressing in the clamping wedge (59) between the second side surface (49) of the balustrade panel (45) and the second groove surface (41).

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