Barrier for an escalator or for a moving walkway

Abstract

A barrier (31) which serves for protecting users of an escalator or a moving walkway from falling is disclosed. The barrier (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 with a base limb (57), and a clamping wedge (59) of a wedge-shaped cross section. The wedge limb (55) of the wedge insert (53) is of a wedge-shaped cross section and is located between the first side surface (47) of the balustrade panel (45) and the first groove surface (39). The base limb (57) of the wedge insert (53) has a channel (58) and is located between the lower edge (51) of the balustrade panel (45) and the groove base (37). The clamping wedge (59) is located between the second side 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, as well as a moving device with such a barrier and a method for modernizing a moving device by means of 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 using fasteners.

[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] WO 2020 / 114846A1, for example, 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 cause problems. The glass fiber backing, in particular, tends to shift when inserting the panels, potentially becoming crumpled and requiring replacement. Furthermore, it offers little damping at the clamping point, which can increase the risk of breakage in glass panels. A further problem arises from the mass of the barrier and the forces acting on it 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, serving as a fall protection device. Furthermore, the aim is to enable easy retrofitting of mobile devices with such a barrier.

[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 at an angle to one another, starting from the groove base and ending at a groove mouth. The clamping profile can be made, for example, from an extruded aluminum profile, the ends of which are covered, for example, with an end cap.

[0011] The barrier further comprises a balustrade panel. This has two parallel side surfaces and a bottom edge, and is arranged in the V-shaped groove near its bottom 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 bottom edge of the balustrade panel and the groove base. A channel extending parallel to the V-shaped groove is also formed in the base leg.The formation of a channel in the base leg has the advantage that at least one of the following components can be installed in the clamping profile or in the V-shaped groove: an electrical conductor such as a signal line or power supply line; a lighting device; a CAN bus.

[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 longitudinal extent of the clamping profile. To avoid additional bending moments on the balustrade panel due to the clamping force generated by the driven-in clamping wedge, the wedge insert and clamping wedge are preferably arranged opposite each other in the V-shaped groove and not offset longitudinally. Several wedge inserts and clamping wedges can be provided per balustrade panel, whereby a distance greater than the length of a wedge insert or clamping wedge can be provided between two wedge insert / clamping wedge pairs.

[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 panel sections of a balustrade panel divided into several parts, arranged side by side, to be precisely positioned relative to 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 channel is located on the opposite side of the base leg, which, when the wedge insert is inserted into the V-shaped groove, is directed toward the bottom of the groove. This creates a wide support for the lower edge of the balustrade panel. To ensure that the balustrade panel resting on it is sufficiently illuminated by a light source located in the channel, even in the area of ​​the wedge insert, at least one opening is provided through the base leg. This opening can also be used to route power supply and / or signal cables.

[0016] In one version of the barrier, the channel is located on the side of the base leg that, when the wedge insert is inserted into the V-shaped groove and the balustrade panel is inserted, faces the lower edge of the balustrade panel. This design has the advantage that no opening is required, since a light source arranged in the channel can also be positioned in the area of ​​the wedge insert between the base leg and the lower edge of the balustrade panel. The balustrade panel is preferably made of transparent material such as single-pane safety glass, double-pane safety glass, transparent plastic such as polycarbonate (PC), acrylic glass (PMMA), edge-illuminated acrylic glass with light output via the side surfaces, and the like.The balustrade panel can also be made of opaque material such as wood, composite material, metal or opaque polymer materials, although it cannot be illuminated from the V-shaped groove without additional precautions.

[0017] In one design of the barrier, a light source is arranged in the V-shaped groove. This light source is also guided through the channel of the wedge insert, so that the light source can have a consistent cross-section over the entire length of the clamping profile and does not need to be interrupted. If a light source is arranged in the V-shaped groove, transparent balustrade panels are preferably used to illuminate them. It is also possible to use opaque balustrade panels with suitable precautions, such as openings in the balustrade panel, recesses in the clamping profile, or wedge inserts and locking wedges made of transparent plastic. All known light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes, fluorescent tubes, OLED cells, and the like, can be used as light sources.

[0018] The light source can be a strip light equipped with LEDs. Strip lights of the aforementioned type typically have an integrated power supply line that supplies the individual LEDs with electrical energy. Depending on the design, these strip lights are dimmable and / or the beamwidth or wavelength of the emitted light can be adjusted as desired. A signal line may also be integrated into the strip light to control the individual LEDs.

[0019] To facilitate assembly of the barrier, the channel can be provided with a positioning device. The positioning device is designed to fit the light source in such a way that it positions the light source perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile in the channel during and after assembly of the barrier. The positioning device can, for example, be a rounded or chamfered edge at the channel mouth facing the balustrade panel or the groove base.

[0020] 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.

[0021] In addition, an elastic element can be 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.

[0022] To further increase the adhesion of the elastic element, one surface can be ribbed. When the wedge insert is inserted, the ribbed surface rests against the projection, creating even greater static friction between the elastic element and the projection, which secures the wedge insert in the inserted position.

[0023] In another version of the barrier, the clamping wedge features an ejection lug. Installation personnel can attach a disassembly tool to this lug to release the clamping wedge from the V-shaped groove. This significantly simplifies the replacement of damaged or unsightly balustrade panels. If required, the clamping wedge can be equipped with an ejection lug at both ends, allowing two tools to be applied simultaneously to both ends of the clamping wedge and pull it out of the V-shaped groove.

[0024] In another design of the barrier, fastening structures for an elastic sealing profile are provided on both sides of the groove opening of the V-shaped groove. 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.

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

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

[0027] The support may include a telescopic device between the head attachment area and the foot attachment area. This allows the distance between the head attachment area and the foot attachment area to be fixedly adjusted.

[0028] In another version of the barrier, it has a connecting element. The connecting element is connected at one end to the clamping profile or to the support, and the other end is designed so that it can be attached to a handrail guide profile of a moving device. By connecting the balustrade and barrier in this way, they support each other orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the clamping profile, so that both the balustrade and the barrier can be designed and built with reduced material thicknesses. 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, which is why 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 is preferably available.A wedge insert or a correspondingly matched tension wedge can then be selected from the wedge insert set and / or the tension wedge set, which is matched to the thickness of the balustrade panel.

[0029] The barrier can also have 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 fastened to a floor area of ​​a moving device or a structure accommodating the moving device. Like the barrier, the holding element can also have a clamping profile with a wedge insert and tension wedge in which a lighting device can be arranged.

[0030] 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.

[0031] An existing driving device of the aforementioned type can also be modernized by equipping it with at least one barrier according to the invention.

[0032] The barrier assembly process comprises at least the following steps. At least one of the following components is arranged in the V-shaped groove: a light source, a power supply line, a signal line, or the like. A wedge insert is then inserted into the V-shaped groove so that the base leg of the wedge insert rests on the bottom of the V-shaped groove. The previously arranged component is guided through the channel of the wedge insert. The balustrade panel or the 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 arranged between the first groove surface of the V-shaped groove and the first side surface of the balustrade panel. The clamping wedge is then arranged and pressed in between the second side surface of the balustrade panel and the second groove surface.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the barrier according to the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar elements in all figures are provided with identical reference numerals. Neither the drawings nor the description should be interpreted as limiting the invention. They show:

[0034] Figure 1: a three-dimensional representation of a moving device designed as an escalator with glass balustrades and two barriers arranged on the sides to protect users from falling;

[0035] Figure 2: an enlarged view of a cross-section through a clamping profile of the barrier shown in Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 3: a cross-section through the entire barrier and the glass balustrade of the driving device shown in Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 4: an enlarged partial cross-section through a box-shaped balustrade of a moving device and the barrier attached to it;

[0038] Figure 5: a set of wedge inserts of the barrier shown in Figures 1 to 3;

[0039] Figure 6: a set of clamping wedges of the barrier shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 7: a larger view of section B shown in Figure 2; and

[0040] Figure 8: a possible assembly method for a barrier according to the invention.

[0041] 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 small children.For example, EN-115 specifies a balustrade height HB of 900cm to 1100cm, depending on the location.

[0042] Since there is no wall on either side of the moving device 1, users could fall over the balustrade and crash to the side of the moving device 1 if used improperly as mentioned above. To prevent this, a barrier 31 is mounted on both sides of the moving device 1 next to the handrail 15. As can be seen from Figure 1, the barrier 31 extends parallel to the balustrade 9. Its balustrade panel 45 projects at a height HA above the balustrade height HB or the handrail 15. So that users can hold on to the handrail 15, the barrier 31 is arranged on the side of the handrail 15 facing away from the conveyor belt 5.

[0043] To illustrate various designs of the barrier 31, the balustrade panel 45 mounted on the right barrier 31 is constructed in one piece. As illustrated by the left barrier 31, the balustrade panel 45 can also be constructed in multiple parts and comprise several panel sections 46. The barrier 31 can include panel connectors 145 to connect the individual panel sections 46 to one another.

[0044] 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 or an extruded plastic profile, the ends of which can be covered, for example, with an end cap 147 (see Figure 1).

[0045] 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, a polycarbonate 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.

[0046] Another component of the barrier 31 is an L-shaped wedge insert 53 with a wedge leg 55 and a base leg 57. The wedge leg 55 has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is arranged between the first side surface 47 of the 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 base 37. A channel 58 is also formed in the base leg 57, which extends parallel to the V-shaped groove 35. The formation of a channel 58 in the base leg 57 has the advantage that, for example, a lighting device 151 can be installed within the clamping profile 31 or in the V-shaped groove 35 with a constant cross-section without interrupting it.All known light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes, fluorescent tubes, OLED films, and the like, can be used as the illuminant 151. The channel also allows for the easy routing of electrical conductors such as signal lines 157 and power supply lines 155 in the V-shaped groove 35 (see also Figures 4 and 7).

[0047] 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, which is present between the first groove surface 39 and the wedge leg 55 or the second groove surface 41 and the clamping wedge 59. The angle of the friction cone, which is another description of the friction coefficient between these components, depends on the surface roughness and the materials used for the clamping profile 33, the wedge insert 53 and the clamping wedge 59.In the case of multi-part balustrade panels 45, wedge inserts 53 and clamping wedges 59 are preferably arranged in the clamping profile 33 in such a way that they overlap two adjacent panel sections 46.

[0048] 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.

[0049] To prevent the V-shaped groove 35 from filling with water and dirt, sealing profiles 65, 67 made of elastomer material such as rubber, nitrile rubber, and the like are arranged at the groove mouth 43 on both sides of the balustrade panel 45. To enable the sealing profiles 65, 67 to be installed, fastening structures 69 are formed on both sides of the groove mouth 43 of the V-shaped groove 35. The fastening structures 69 (a tongue and groove connection is shown) correspond to corresponding formations on the sealing profile 65, 67. The groove and projection fastening structure 69 shown in Figure 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.

[0050] In order to be able to fasten the barrier 31 to the moving device 1, a T-shaped groove 71 is formed on a side of the clamping profile 33 facing away from the V-shaped groove 35. Fastening means 73, such as square or hexagon screw heads, can be arranged in this groove, wherein their position in the longitudinal direction L of the clamping profile 33 can be freely selected. This simple and robust construction enables the clamping profile 33 to be fastened, for example, to a support 75 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, or to a box-shaped balustrade 91, as shown in Figure 4. Of course, other structures such as bores with internal threads, clampable projections and the like can also be formed on the clamping profile 33 in order to be able to connect it to the moving device 1.

[0051] Figure 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.

[0052] So that the support 75 can be manufactured in large series rather than on a custom basis, a telescopic device 81 is arranged between the head fastening area 79 and the foot fastening area 77. The telescopic device 81 is implemented by a two-part support tube, wherein the two parts of the support tube are connected to one another by a thread 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.

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

[0054] 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.

[0055] In contrast to the wedge insert 53 described in Figure 2, the channel 58 of the wedge insert 53 shown in Figure 4 is arranged on the opposite side of the base leg 57. In other words, the channel 58 is arranged on the side of the base leg 57 that, when the wedge insert 53 is inserted into the V-shaped groove 35 and the balustrade panel 45 is inserted, is directed toward the lower edge 51 of the balustrade panel 45. This design has the advantage that, for example, power supply lines 155 and signal lines 157 can be laid very easily in the V-shaped groove 35. In addition, no opening 54 (see Figures 5 and 7) is required, since a lighting means 151 (not shown) arranged in the channel 58 can also be arranged in the area of ​​the wedge insert 53 between the base leg 57 and the lower edge 51 of the balustrade panel 45.

[0056] Figure 5 shows a set 111 of wedge inserts 53 of the barrier 31 shown in Figures 1 to 3 in plan view and in section, whereby 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 identically designed for all wedge inserts 53 of the wedge insert set 111. So that the suspended balustrade panel 45 (not shown) can also be sufficiently illuminated in the area of ​​the wedge insert 53 by a lamp 151 arranged in the channel 58, several openings 54 are provided through the base leg 57. The opening 54 can also be used to pass through power supply lines 155 and / or signal lines 157.

[0057] 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. Preferably, the thickness S of the balustrade panel 45 matching the respective wedge leg 55 is 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.

[0058] 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 63 as a separate component and to mount it on the wedge insert 53.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 also be provided. However, a symmetrical arrangement of two ejection lugs 125 facilitates the removal of the clamping wedge 59 from the V-shaped groove 35, since a disassembly tool (not shown) can be applied on either side.

[0062] Figure 7 shows a larger view of section B shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment of the wedge insert 53, the channel 58 is arranged on the side of the base leg 57 which, when the wedge insert 53 is inserted into the V-shaped groove 35, is directed towards the groove base 37. This creates a broad support for the lower edge 51 of the balustrade panel 45. As already mentioned above, at least one opening 54 is provided through the base leg 57 so that the light 99 emitted by the illuminant 151 can also reach the lower edge 51 of the balustrade panel 45 in the area of ​​the wedge insert 53. The light strip used as the illuminant 151 has an integrated power supply line 155 and an integrated signal line 157.

[0063] To facilitate the assembly of the barrier 31, the channel 58 has a positioning means 153. In the present exemplary embodiment, the positioning means 153 is two chamfers with a chamfer angle y, which are formed on the two edges of the opening 158 of the channel 58. The dimensions of the positioning means 153 are matched to a contour or a cross-section 56 of the illuminant 151 in such a way that it positions the illuminant 151 transversely to the longitudinal direction L (see Figure 1) of the clamping profile 33 in the channel 58 during and after assembly of the barrier 31. The illustrated positioning means 153 represents only one of many different possibilities for positioning the illuminant in the channel 58. Noses, projections, grooves, fillets on the groove mouth 158 and the like can also be used as positioning means 153, provided they are matched to the illuminant 151 intended for installation.

[0064] Figure 8 shows a possible assembly method for a barrier 31 according to the invention of the aforementioned type. The sequence of steps does not necessarily have to be followed, so that other, reasonable sequences of these steps are also included within the scope of protection. In a 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 addition, a light strip serving as a light source 151 is installed in the V-shaped groove 35.

[0065] 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. In this case, the illuminant 151 is "automatically" positioned and fixed in the channel 58 of the wedge insert 53 by the alignment means 153 described in Figure 7.

[0066] 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.

[0067] In a further step S4, a balustrade panel 45 or several panel sections 46 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] In a further 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.

[0070] The aforementioned steps S1 to S6 can also be part of a method for modernizing an existing driving device 1, in which this driving device 1 is equipped with a barrier 31 according to the invention.

[0071] Although Figure 1 clearly depicts a moving device 1 configured as an escalator, it is obvious that the barrier 31 and the associated method can also be used for moving walkways. Furthermore, two oppositely arranged channels 58 can also be formed in the base leg 57 of the wedge insert 53.

[0072] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "having," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered limiting.

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 (HA), 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) and a channel (58) is formed in the base leg (57) which extends parallel to the V-shaped groove (35).

2. Barrier (31) according to claim 1, wherein the channel (58) is arranged on that side of the base leg (57) which, when the wedge insert (53) is inserted into the V-shaped groove (35), is directed towards the groove base (37) and wherein at least one opening (54) through the base leg (57) is present.

3. Barrier (31) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the channel (58) is arranged on that side of the base leg (57) which, when the wedge insert (53) is inserted into the V-shaped groove (35) and the balustrade panel (45) is inserted, is directed towards the lower edge (51) of the balustrade panel (45).

4. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the following components is arranged in the V-shaped groove (35): a lighting means (151), a power supply line (155), a signal line (157); wherein this component is guided through the channel (58) of the wedge insert (53).

5. Barrier (31) according to claim 4, wherein the illuminating means (151) is a luminous strip equipped with light-emitting diodes.

6. Barrier (31) according to claim 5, wherein the channel (58) has a positioning means (153) which is matched to the lighting means (151) and positions the lighting means (151) during and after assembly of the barrier (31) transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the clamping profile (33) in the channel (58).

7. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 6, 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), and wherein an elastic element (63) is arranged on the wedge leg (55) of the wedge insert (53), which elastic element (63) clamps the wedge leg (55) of the wedge insert (53) between the projection (61) and the groove base (37) when the wedge insert (53) is inserted into the V-shaped groove (35).

8. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 7, 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).

9. Barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 8, 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).

10. 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) and the foot fastening region (77) is intended to be fastened to a supporting structure (101) of a travel device (1).

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 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. A travel device (1) 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 12, which barrier (31) is mounted on the travel device (1) next to a handrail (15) that 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) is arranged on the side of the handrail (15) facing away from the conveyor belt (5).

14. A method for modernising a transport device which is designed as an escalator or moving walkway, characterized in that an existing transport device is equipped with a barrier according to one of claims 1 to 12. - TI - 15. Assembly method for a barrier (31) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the assembly method comprises at least the following steps: • Arrangement of at least one of the following components in the V-shaped groove: a lighting means (11), a voltage supply line (155), a signal line (157); • 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). The previously arranged component is guided through the channel (58) of the wedge insert (53); • Inserting the balustrade panel (45) into the V-shaped groove (35) so that its 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); 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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