Barrier for an escalator or a moving walkway

Abstract

The invention relates to a support profile (23) of a barrier (21) on an escalator or on a moving walkway. The barrier (21) is mounted on a balustrade (9) next to a handrail (15) which can be moved in a circulating manner on the balustrade (9) of the travelling device (1) and projects beyond the handrail (15) at a height (HA). The support profile (23) is provided with at least one connection point (25) by means of which the support profile (23) can be fastened to a handrail guide profile (13) of the balustrade (9). The support profile (23) is additionally provided with at least one fastening interface (32) on a second longitudinal side (30) running parallel to the first longitudinal side (24), by means of which fastening interface a barrier panel (45) can be fastened to the support profile (23). Furthermore, the support profile (23) has at least one enclosed functional channel (82) which is provided with at least one opening (83) by means of material-removing machining in some regions, said opening being matched to a mounting interface (84) of a predetermined functional component (93, 94, 98, 102, 107, 109, 123).

Description

[0001] Barrier of an escalator or moving walkway

[0002] The invention relates to a barrier that serves as fall protection for users of a transport device. The invention also relates to a transport device with such a barrier.

[0003] For the purposes of this document, moving walkways and escalators are defined as those with a conveyor belt comprising a multitude of steps or pallets. These steps or pallets form a conveying surface used for transporting users and / or other loads, such as hand luggage or shopping carts.

[0004] Balustrades with handrails that move synchronously with the conveyor belt are typically arranged to the sides of the transport system. A support structure to which the balustrades are attached is located below the balustrades. The support structure is covered at the top by a cover assembly and on the sides by side panels. The cover assembly and the side panels are usually attached to the support structure using fasteners.

[0005] Building regulations and standards, such as EN-115, specify minimum dimensions for the balustrade height (measured from the conveyor belt surface) or the height at which the handrail is positioned for escalators or moving walkways. These regulations are intended to ensure the 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 elevators only extend to the height of the handrail, certain risks exist if they are used improperly. For example, users sometimes "surf" on the handrails, deliberately jump over them, or are involuntarily pushed over them. This happens, for instance, in football stadiums when hooligans jump off elevators or push other users off them.

[0007] Such situations are dangerous for users of the moving equipment and also for persons located beneath it, and must therefore be avoided at all costs. To solve this problem, JPH 1 036 054 A proposes an additional barrier, arranged parallel to the balustrade on its outer side and extending above it. The barrier has several segments arranged in a row, each formed by an approximately U-shaped panel. Each segment consists of an inner section, positioned along the side of the balustrade panel; an outer section, positioned at a certain distance from the inner section and parallel to it, extending above the balustrade; and a base section, connecting the inner and outer sections. The upper end of the inner section is attached to a handrail guide located at the top edge of the balustrade panel.

[0008] The aforementioned solution prevents easy access to the balustrade, but otherwise offers little aesthetic appeal or added benefit. Therefore, there may be a need to provide a barrier that offers additional design options.

[0009] This task is accomplished by a support profile for a barrier to prevent users from falling on a moving walkway or escalator. The barrier is designed to be mounted on the balustrade of the moving walkway, next to a handrail that can be moved around its circumference. When installed, the barrier is parallel to the handrail and extends above it. The support profile runs the length of the balustrade and has at least one connection point on its first longitudinal side. This connection point allows the support profile to be attached to a handrail guide profile of the balustrade.This allows existing escalators and moving walkways to be easily retrofitted with a barrier, without having to replace, for example, the handrail guide profile. The existing handrail guide profile may need to be modified to fit the connection point and the intended connectors.

[0010] To increase design freedom, the support profile is provided with at least one mounting interface on a second longitudinal side running parallel to the first. This interface allows for the attachment of a barrier panel, designed according to customer specifications, to the support profile. Furthermore, the support profile is tubular in shape and thus features at least one enclosed functional channel, which is partially machined to create at least one opening. This opening is aligned with a mounting interface of a predetermined functional component. In other words, the functional channel provided by the support profile and the opening leading into it allow for functional expansion of the barrier without compromising its aesthetics. The support profile is preferably manufactured from an extruded, rolled, or bent sheet metal profile.Since the support profile extends over the length of the balustrade, it preferably has a plurality of fastening points which are arranged at predetermined fastening intervals to each other in the longitudinal direction along the first longitudinal side.

[0011] In one embodiment of the support profile, a support flank is arranged on the first longitudinal side. This support flank is designed to brace against a balustrade panel of the balustrade in the intended installed state. This support counteracts moments acting on the handrail guide profile that are caused by transverse forces acting on the barrier.

[0012] In a further development, the support profile features a damping element which, in the intended installation state, is positioned between the balustrade panel and the support profile and attached to the support flank. The damping element is preferably made of a polymer material and rests against the balustrade panel without play, optionally even with slight compression. This prevents noise formation due to vibrations.

[0013] In another embodiment of the support profile, the functional component is a water drain pipe connection. The opening associated with the functional component, or the water drain pipe connection, is located on an end face or underside of the support profile, depending on its intended installation position. The water drain pipe connection preferably has a screw thread so that it can be screwed into the opening, which has a matching internal thread. If the water drain pipe connection is located on an end face, it can simultaneously serve as a fastening screw for a sound-absorbing cover, which aesthetically conceals the entire end face of the support profile. The opening leads into the functional channel. Furthermore, water inlet openings leading into the functional channel are formed on the upper side of the support profile.In other words, rainwater accumulating on the top surface is directed into the functional channel via the water inlet openings, and the rainwater collected in the functional channel is discharged into a connecting pipe of the structure via the water drain pipe connection.

[0014] Preferably, several water inlet openings are arranged distributed along the length of the support profile. The cross-section of each individual water inlet opening must be designed such that no body part, such as a child's finger, can be inserted. Several water inlet openings can also be grouped in a predefined perforation pattern, for example, to represent letters or pictograms. Multiple perforation patterns can then be formed at predetermined intervals within the support profile to convey information, warnings, or behavioral instructions. The perforation patterns can also contribute to the overall aesthetics of the barrier.

[0015] In another version of the support profile, the functional component is a presence sensor. The opening associated with the functional component is located on the top of the support profile in its intended installation state. This opening is designed for the installation of the presence sensor and leads into the functional channel. The presence sensor can detect whether body parts, objects, or even entire persons enter the monitored space between the handrail and the barrier, or above the support profile. As soon as the presence detector detects a body or object in the space, it sends a corresponding signal to an alarm device described below. Radar sensors, infrared sensors, laser scanners, and similar devices can be used as presence sensors.Since the associated opening leads into the functional channel, this serves as a cable duct for the presence sensor's connecting cable. To monitor the space along the entire length of the support profile or barrier, several presence sensors or associated openings are preferably required, distributed along the length of the support profile.

[0016] In another embodiment of the support profile, the functional component is a force sensor. With regard to the intended installation state of the support profile, the opening associated with the functional component is located on the top and / or bottom of the support profile. This opening is designed for installing the force sensor and / or for routing a connecting cable from the force sensor into the functional channel. The force sensor can be a strain gauge, a piezoelectric sensor, or similar device. This allows external forces acting on the barrier to be measured. The multiple arrangement described above for the presence sensor also applies analogously to the force sensor.

[0017] The presence sensor and / or force sensor can be connected to an alarm system of the vehicle and send detector signals to it. If the detector signals exceed signal criteria stored in the alarm system, the alarm system can issue an audible, visual, or audiovisual warning to the users of the vehicle and / or temporarily shut down the vehicle.

[0018] In another version of the support profile, the functional component is a spotlight. This can be a halogen spotlight, an LED spotlight, or something similar. The opening associated with the functional component is located on the top and / or bottom of the support profile, depending on its intended installation position, and opens into the functional channel. This opening is designed for installing the spotlight. The power supply cable and housing components of the spotlight are located within the functional channel.

[0019] In another embodiment of the support profile, the functional component is a light strip. This can be an LED light strip, an OLED light strip, a laterally coupled light guide, or similar. Regarding the intended installation state of the support profile, the opening associated with the functional component is located on the top and / or bottom of the support profile. This opening is designed for installing the light strip and / or for routing a connecting cable from the light strip into the functional channel.

[0020] The support profile is part of a barrier for fall protection of users on a moving walkway or escalator. The barrier is designed to be mounted next to a handrail that is movable around the perimeter of the walkway's balustrade. When mounted, the barrier extends parallel to the handrail and projects above it. To attach the barrier to the walkway, the support profile has the connection point to balustrade components, particularly the handrail guide profile, as described above. Furthermore, the barrier has at least one barrier panel, which is attached to the mounting interface of the support profile.

[0021] In one embodiment of the barrier, the mounting interface of the support profile is designed as a clamping profile and features a V-shaped groove extending longitudinally within the clamping profile. The V-shaped groove is bounded by a groove base and two groove surfaces. Starting from the groove base, the groove surfaces open at an angle to each other towards a groove opening. The barrier panel, which has two parallel side surfaces and a bottom edge, is positioned in the V-shaped groove along its bottom edge. Furthermore, the barrier includes an L-shaped wedge insert and a clamping wedge. The L-shaped wedge insert comprises a wedge leg and a base leg, with the wedge leg having a wedge-shaped cross-section and positioned between the first side surface of the barrier panel and the first groove surface.The base leg is positioned between the lower edge of the barrier panel and the bottom of the groove. To clamp the barrier panel firmly in the V-shaped groove, the clamping wedge has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is driven between the second side surface of the barrier panel and the second groove surface.

[0022] In an alternative design of the barrier, the mounting interface has a support surface that is vertically oriented in the intended installation position of the support profile. A threaded hole is formed in the support profile or in the support surface, perpendicular to this surface. The barrier panel is attached to the support surface using a screw and the threaded hole.

[0023] As previously mentioned, the barrier is designed for a moving walkway or escalator, featuring a continuous conveyor belt and at least one balustrade positioned to the side of the belt. After installation on the moving walkway, the barrier is positioned on the side of the handrail facing away from the conveyor belt.

[0024] 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 identical elements in all figures are provided with matching reference numerals. Neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. The drawings show:

[0025] Figure 1: three-dimensional representation of a moving device designed as an escalator with glass balustrades and two laterally arranged barriers to protect users from falling;

[0026] Figure 2: enlarged view of a cross-section through the barrier shown in Figure 1 with a support profile in a first embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3: enlarged view of a cross-section through the barrier shown in Figure 1 with a support profile in a second embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4: enlarged view of a cross-section through the barrier shown in Figure 1 with a support profile in a third embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5: enlarged view of a cross-section through the barrier shown in Figure 1 with a support profile in a fourth embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6: a top view of the carrier profd shown in Figure 5.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of an escalator 1 as installed in a building 3 (shown with dashed lines). The escalator 1 has a continuously moving conveyor belt 5 with steps 7. Two balustrades 9 with glass panels 11 extend along each side of the conveyor belt 5. Escalators 1 with such glass balustrades are used, for example, in department stores and shopping malls. A handrail guide profile 13 (see Figure 2) with a continuously moving handrail 15 is arranged at the edge of each balustrade 9. The handrails 15 move 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 reachable for smaller children.For example, EN-115 specifies a balustrade height HB of 900 cm to 1100 cm, depending on the location of use. Since there is no wall on either side of the moving platform 1, users could fall over the balustrade 9 and tumble to the side of the moving platform 1 if they use it improperly, as mentioned above. To prevent this, a barrier 21 is mounted on both sides of the moving platform 1 next to the handrail 15. As can be seen in Figure 1, the barrier 21 extends parallel to the balustrade 9 and its height HA is higher than the balustrade height HB of the balustrade 9, or the handrail 15. To allow users to hold onto the handrail 15, the barrier 21 is positioned on the side of the handrail 15 facing away from the conveyor belt 5.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier 21 depicted in Figure 1. The barrier 21 has a support profile 23 in a first embodiment. The support profile 23 extends in the longitudinal direction L (see Figure 1) of the balustrade 9 and follows the contour of the handrail 15, or rather its handrail guide profile 13, with respect to this longitudinal direction L. The support profile 23 is provided on a first longitudinal side 24 extending in the longitudinal direction L with a connection point 25 by means of which the support profile 23 can be attached to the handrail guide profile 13 of the balustrade 9. As can be seen from the cross-section shown, the support profile 23 is made of an extruded aluminum or plastic profile. The connection point 25 is designed as a connection surface 22 on the support profile 23, in which several fastening points 28 distributed in the longitudinal direction L are arranged.In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening points 28 are designed as threaded holes and correspond in diameter and mutual fastening distance B (see Figure 6) to holes 29 arranged in the handrail guide profile 13. The support profile 23 is fastened to the handrail guide profile 13 by inserting screws 26 into the holes 29 and threaded holes 28. Of course, other types of fastenings can also be provided at the fastening points 28, for example, snap fasteners, adhesives, pop rivets, grooved nails, spot welds, solder joints, or the like.

[0033] A support flank 27 is also arranged on the first longitudinal side 24. The support flank 27 is designed to bear against the balustrade panel 11 of the balustrade 9 in the intended installed state. This ensures that torques and bending moments acting on the support profile 23 are directly supported at the balustrade panel 11 and not transmitted to the handrail guide profile 13 via the connection point 25. If the balustrade panel 11 is made of glass, excessively high peak forces between the support flank 27 and the balustrade panel 11 could lead to glass breakage; for example, due to peak forces resulting from hard impacts acting on the support profile 23. If the gap between the support flank 27 and the balustrade panel 11 is very small, unpleasant noises could occur during operation due to vibrations.To avoid this, the support profile 23 can have a damping element 31 which, in the intended installation state, is arranged between the balustrade panel 11 and the support profile 23 and is attached to the support flank 27.

[0034] Furthermore, the support profile 23 is provided with a fastening interface 32 on a second longitudinal side 30 running parallel to the first longitudinal side 24. A barrier panel 45 can be attached to the support profile 23 by means of this interface. For this purpose, the barrier panel 21 has a clamping profile 33 with a V-shaped groove 35, which extends in the longitudinal direction L (see Figure 1) of the balustrade 9 within the clamping profile 33. The V-shaped groove 35 is bounded by a groove base 37 and two groove surfaces 39, 41. The groove surfaces 39, 41 are arranged at an angle to each other, opening towards a groove opening 43, starting from the groove base 37. In other words, the width of the V-shaped groove 35 increases towards the groove opening 43. The clamping profile 33 can, for example, be made from an aluminum extrusion profile, the ends of which can be covered, for example, with an end cap 91 (see Figure 1).

[0035] The barrier 21 also includes the balustrade panel 45, which has two parallel side surfaces 47, 49 and is arranged in the V-shaped groove 35 in the area of ​​its lower edge 51. The balustrade panel 45 can be made of transparent material such as tempered safety glass, laminated safety glass, a PMMA sheet, and the like. The balustrade panel 45 can also be made of opaque material such as wood, composite material, metal, or opaque polymer materials. The balustrade panel 45 can also be made of multiple parts and comprise several panel sections 46 (see Figure 1).

[0036] Another component of the barrier 21 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 located 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 located between the lower edge 51 of the balustrade panel 45 and the base of the groove 37. A channel 58 is also formed in the base leg 57, extending parallel to the V-shaped groove 35. The channel 58 in the base leg 57 has the advantage that, for example, a light source 92 can be installed within the clamping profile 31 or in the V-shaped groove 35 with a consistent cross-section without interrupting it.

[0037] To secure the wedge insert 53 and the balustrade panel 45 in the clamping profile 33, the barrier 21 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 that exists between the first groove surface 39 and the wedge leg 55 and between the second groove surface 41 and the clamping wedge 59, respectively. The angle of the friction cone, which is another way of describing the coefficient of friction 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.

[0038] The V-shaped groove 35 also has a projection 61 on the first groove surface 39, which is intended for the wedge insert 53 and narrows the groove opening 43. This projection 61 provides the wedge insert 53 with better support in the V-shaped groove 35, preventing it from slipping when the balustrade panel 45 is inserted. To further improve this support, 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 clamps its wedge leg 55 between the projection 61 and the groove base 37.

[0039] To prevent the V-shaped groove 35 from filling with water and dirt, sealing profiles 65, 67 made of elastomeric material such as rubber, nitrile rubber, and the like are arranged on both sides of the balustrade panel 45 at the groove opening 43. To enable the installation of the sealing profiles 65, 67, fastening structures 69 are formed on both sides of the groove opening 43 of the V-shaped groove 35. The fastening structures 69 (shown as dovetail grooves) correspond to corresponding features on the sealing profiles 65, 67. The groove / projection fastening structure 69 shown in Figure 2 is only one of countless possible configurations for fastening the sealing profiles 65, 67 in the groove opening 43 and should therefore not be understood as limited to this single illustration.

[0040] To connect the clamping profile 33 to the support profile 23, a T-shaped groove 71 is formed on one side of the clamping profile 33 opposite the V-shaped groove 35. Fasteners 73, such as square or hexagonal screw heads, can be positioned in this groove. Their position in the longitudinal direction L of the groove 71 is freely selectable and can be aligned with through holes 74 drilled at predetermined intervals in the support profile 23. Of course, this is only one of several possible connection methods. Instead of screws, the clamping profile 33 can also be attached to the support profile 23 with high-strength adhesives, or by soldering or welding. Snap connections, rivet connections, or even a monolithic design of the support profile 23 with the clamping profile 33 are also possible.

[0041] In the present embodiment shown in Figure 2, a functional channel 82 in the support profile 23 is divided into two functional channels 82', 82” by a longitudinally arranged rib 81. The functional channels 82', 82” extend over the entire length of the support profile 23. The rib 81 is not strictly necessary, but it facilitates bending the support profile 23 to adapt it to the handrail guide profile 13 by supporting the functional channel 82 centrally during bending to prevent it from buckling.

[0042] In other words, the support profile 23 is tubular in shape with at least one enclosed functional channel 82. The support profile 23 can be made from a light metal extrusion profile, a plastic extrusion profile, a metal rolling profile, or a sheet metal bending profile.

[0043] The functional channel 82 is provided with at least one opening 83, achieved through partial material removal machining. This opening is aligned with a mounting interface 84 for a functional component 93, 94 to be installed therein. Partial material removal machining can be performed by machining processes such as drilling, milling, cutting, grinding, or the like, or by non-machining processes such as punching, bending, pressing, or the like. In the present embodiment shown in Figure 2, one of the two functional components 94 is a spotlight. The opening 83 associated with this functional component 94 is located on the upper surface 85 of the support profile 23 in its intended installation state.The associated opening 83 leads into the functional channel 82” and has an internal thread matching the mounting interface 84 of the functional component 83, so that the spotlight fixture with a corresponding external thread can be screwed into the opening. The functional channel 82” serves as a cable duct for the electrical connecting cable 95 of the functional component 94. Depending on customer requirements, the associated opening 83 for installing the spotlight fixture can also be located on the underside 86 of the support profile 23 or on both sides.

[0044] The second functional component 93 is a force sensor. This can be a strain gauge, as shown in Figure 2, which is arranged in an area of ​​the support profile 23 where high strains are expected. The opening 83 associated with this functional component 93 includes a bore for the passage of the force sensor's connecting line 96, as well as a surface treatment that provides an ideal mounting surface for the strain gauge. Of course, other force sensors, such as piezoelectric elements, can also be used, in which case the associated opening 83 must be adapted accordingly for the use of this force sensor. The signals from the force sensor can be transmitted via the connecting line 96, for example, to the alarm device 97 shown in Figure 4.

[0045] Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier 21 depicted in Figure 1, with a support profile 23 in a second embodiment. This support profile 23 differs from the embodiment described above, in particular by a different fastening interface 32 and the design of the functional channel 82. The fastening interface 32 has a support surface 36 arranged vertically in the intended installation state of the support profile 23 and a threaded bore 38 arranged orthogonally to the support surface 36. The barrier panel 45, which has a through-hole 48, is fastened to the support surface 36 by means of a screw 44 using the threaded bore 38.Since the barrier panel 45 is multi-part and comprises several panel sections 46 (see Figure 1), these are connected to each other on the butt side by clamping elements 76 in order to mutually support the panel sections 46 with respect to laterally acting forces F. The functional channel 82 of the support profile 23 has no subdivision by longitudinally extending ribs. The functional component 98 is a presence sensor which, with respect to the intended installation state of the support profile 23, is arranged on the upper surface 85 of the support profile 23. The opening 83 associated with the functional component 98 opens into the functional channel 82 and is designed as a circular bore whose diameter D is matched to the housing diameter D' of the functional component 98. To secure it in the opening 83, snap spring elements 99 are arranged on the functional component 98.The electrical connecting line 101 of the functional component 98 is laid in the functional channel.

[0046] Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier 21 depicted in Figure 1, with a support profile 23 in a third embodiment. This support profile 23 differs from the previously described embodiments, in particular by a different fastening interface 32 and by the design of the functional channel 82. The fastening interface 32 has a groove 103 with a rectangular cross-section formed directly on the support profile 23. Its width B is matched to the thickness S of the barrier panel 45 to be received. The barrier panel 45 can be glued into the groove 103 using a commercially available adhesive.

[0047] The functional channel 82 is subdivided into three functional channels 82', 82", 82'" by means of two ribs 81, with at least one opening 83, associated with different functional components 102, 107, 109, opening into each of these functional channels 82', 82", 82'". The first functional component 102 shown in this embodiment is a light strip. This is arranged in the area of ​​the first longitudinal side 24. The associated opening 83 includes a bore for the connecting line 104 of the functional component 102, as well as a machining which, for example, provides a dovetail-shaped mounting groove 105 extending in the longitudinal direction E. The light strip, made of flexible material and with a complementary cross-section, can be snapped into the mounting groove 105 during assembly.The light strip is arranged on the underside 86 of the support profile 23, with its light emission 106 directed through the transparent balustrade panel 11 onto the conveyor belt 5 (see Figure 1). Refraction and reflection create attractive lighting effects on the conveyor belt. As mentioned above, the functional components 93, 98 (force sensor, presence sensor) can be connected to an alarm device 111 of the transport system 1 and send detector signals to it. The alarm device 111 includes signal processing means (hardware / software; not shown) to process the detector signals. As soon as detector signals are received, they are evaluated against defined signal criteria 112, whereby the alarm device 111 generates an acoustic, visual, or audiovisual output to the users of the transport system 1 if the signal criteria 112 are exceeded.The alarm device 111 can also temporarily shut down the driving device 1 by influencing its control 113 if the detector signals exceed the corresponding signal criteria 112 stored in the alarm device 111.

[0048] For acoustic output to the users, a second functional component 107 is arranged in the support profile 23. This functional component 107 is a loudspeaker, which is installed in an associated opening 83, and whose connecting cable 108 is routed through the functional channel 82” to the alarm device 111. The mounting concept of the loudspeaker is preferably identical to the mounting concept of the motion sensor (see Figure 3). Thus, several identical openings 83 can be formed in the longitudinal direction L in the support profile 23 and alternately equipped with a motion sensor or a loudspeaker.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the barrier 21 can also provide a visual output to the users by incorporating a third functional component 109. For this purpose, the barrier panels 45 can be equipped with screens, for example, OLED screen films, LED displays, or the like. The associated openings 83 for connecting cables 110 of the functional component 109 are bores (round cables) or slots (flat cables) and lead into the third functional channel 82".

[0050] Furthermore, other acoustic and visual outputs can be made via the corresponding functional components 107 and 109. For example, it is possible to output advertising messages, orientation instructions, or similar information using a terminal 114. The proposed signal architecture via the alarm device 111 ensures that, if the signal criteria 112 are exceeded, advertising messages are interrupted and only safety-relevant outputs are provided to the users. Figure 5 shows an enlarged cross-section through the barrier 21 depicted in Figure 1 with a support profile 23 in a fourth embodiment, and Figure 6 shows a top view of the support profile 23 shown in Figure 5. The fastening interface 32 for the barrier panel 45 is designed like the fastening interface 32 shown in Figure 4. The connection point 25 to the handrail guide profile 13 is designed as shown in Figure 2.

[0051] The functional component 123 shown in Figure 5 is a water drain pipe connection. The opening 83 associated with the functional component 123, or rather the water drain pipe connection, is located on the underside 86 of the carrier profile 23. The water drain pipe connection preferably has a screw thread 126 so that it can be screwed into the opening 83, which has a matching internal thread. Since the carrier profile 23 is preferably manufactured by extrusion, the internal functional channel 82 would be open to the environment on the sound side. The functional channel 82 is therefore closed on the sound side by means of a sound aperture 125 to prevent dirt from entering the functional channel 82 or water from escaping on the sound side. However, the water drain pipe connection can also be located on the end face 127 or in the sound aperture 125.Furthermore, water inlet openings 121 are formed on the upper surface 85 of the support profile 23, leading into the functional channel 82. In other words, rainwater accumulating on the upper surface 85 enters the functional channel 82 via the water inlet openings 121, and the rainwater collected in the functional channel 82 is conveyed via the functional component 123 and a connecting pipe 124 (see also Figure 1) to a drain pipe of the structure 3 (not shown).

[0052] Preferably, several water inlet openings 121 are arranged distributed along the length of the support profile 23. The cross-section Q of each individual water inlet opening 121 must be designed such that no body part, such as a child's finger, can be inserted into it. Several water inlet openings 121 can also be grouped in a predefined hole pattern 122 and, for example, represent letters or pictograms. Several of these hole patterns 122 can then be formed at predefined intervals A in the support profile 23 and convey information, warnings, or instructions. The hole patterns 121 can also contribute to the overall aesthetics of the barrier 21. Although Figure 1 clearly depicts a moving walkway 1, it is obvious that the barrier 21 can also be used for moving walkways.Furthermore, the combination of functional components 93, 94, 98, 102, 107, 109, 123 in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6 is arbitrary. In other words, the functional components 93, 94, 98, 102, 107, 109, 123 can be chosen arbitrarily for a carrier profile 23. If a water drain pipe connection and a motion sensor are selected as functional components 93, 94, 98, 102, 107, 109, 123, a subdivision of the functional channel 82 by means of ribs 81 ensures that electrical connecting lines 96, 108, 101, 110 and the rainwater to be drained are not in the same functional channel 82, but are routed through different, separate functional channels 82', 82" 82'". For such combinations, a connecting pipe 124 with several separate channels can be used, wherein the functional component 123 serving as a connection is designed such that each channel is connected to each functional channel.

[0053] 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

Patent claims 1. Support profile (23) of a barrier (21) for fall protection of users in a moving device (1) designed as an escalator or moving walkway, the barrier (21) being designed to be mounted on the balustrade (9) next to a handrail (15) that is movable around the circumference of the balustrade (9) of the moving device (1), wherein in the mounted state the barrier (21) is arranged parallel to the handrail (15) and projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA), wherein the support profile (23) extends in a longitudinal direction (L) over the length of the balustrade (9) and is provided on a first longitudinal side (24) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) with at least one connection point (25) by means of which the support profile (23) can be attached to a handrail guide profile (13) of the balustrade (9); characterized by • that the support profile (23) is provided on a second longitudinal side (30) running parallel to the first longitudinal side (24) with at least one fastening interface (32) by means of which a barrier panel (45) can be fastened to the support profile (23); and • that the carrier profile (23) is designed in a tubular shape and thereby has at least one enclosed functional channel (82) which is provided by a partially material-removing machining process with at least one opening (83) that is aligned with a mounting interface (84) of a predetermined functional component (93, 94, 98, 102, 107, 109, 123).

2. Support profile (23) according to claim 1, wherein a support flank (27) is arranged on the first longitudinal side (24), which support flank (27) is designed to support against a balustrade panel (11) of the balustrade (9) in the intended installation state.

3. Support profile (23) according to claim 2, wherein the support profile (23) has a damping element which, in the intended installation state, is arranged between the balustrade panel and the support profile (23) and is attached to the support flank (27).

4. Support profile (23) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the functional component (123) is a water drain pipe connection; wherein, with respect to the intended installation state of the support profile (23), the opening (83) associated with the functional component (123) opening into the functional channel (82) is located on an end face (127) or on a bottom side (86) of the carrier profile (23) is arranged; and wherein water inlet openings (121) leading into the functional channel (82) are formed in the carrier profile (23) on a top surface (85) of the carrier profile (23).

5. Support profile (23) according to claim 4, wherein several water inlet openings (121) are arranged and grouped in a predetermined hole pattern (122) and several of these hole patterns (122) are formed at predetermined intervals (A) in the support profile (23).

6. Carrier profile (23) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the functional component (98) is a presence sensor; wherein, with respect to the intended installation state of the carrier profile (23), the opening (83) associated with the functional component (98) is arranged on the top side (85) of the carrier profile (23), opening into the functional channel (82); and wherein the associated opening (83) is designed for the installation of the presence sensor.

7. Carrier profile (23) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the functional component (93) is a force measuring sensor; wherein, with respect to the intended installation state of the carrier profile (23), the opening (83) associated with the functional component (93) is arranged on the top (85) and / or on the bottom (86) of the carrier profile (23); and wherein the associated opening (83) is provided for installing the force measuring sensor and / or for passing a connecting line (96) of the force measuring sensor into the functional channel (82).

8. Carrier profile (23) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the presence sensor or force sensor is connected to an alarm device (111) of the drive device (1) and sends detector signals to it, wherein the alarm device (111) provides an acoustic, visual, or audiovisual output to the users of the drive device (1) and / or temporarily shuts down the drive device (1) when the detector signals exceed signal criteria (112) stored in the alarm device (111).

9. Carrier profile (23) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the functional component (94) is a spot light source; wherein, with respect to the intended installation state of the carrier profile (23), the opening (83) associated with the functional component (94) is arranged on the top (85) and / or on the bottom (86) of the carrier profile (23), opening into the functional channel (82); and wherein the associated opening (83) is designed for the installation of the spot light source.

10. Carrier profile (23) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the functional component (102) is a light strip; wherein, with respect to the intended installation state of the carrier profile (23), the opening (83) associated with the functional component (102) is arranged on the top (85) and / or on the bottom (86) of the carrier profile (23); and wherein the associated opening (83) is provided for installing the light strip and / or for passing a connecting line (104) of the light strip into the functional channel (82).

11. Barrier (21) for fall protection of users in a moving device (1) designed as an escalator or moving walkway, which barrier (21) is designed to be mounted on the moving device (1) next to a handrail (15) which is movable around the circumference on a balustrade (9) of the moving device (1), wherein in the mounted state the barrier (21) extends parallel to the handrail (15) and projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA), characterized in that the barrier (21) has a support profile (23) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and that at least one barrier panel (45) is attached to the fastening interface (32) of the support profile (23).

12. Barrier (21) according to claim 11, wherein the fastening interface (32) of the support profile (23) is designed as a clamping profile (33) and has a V-shaped groove (35) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the clamping profile (33), wherein the V-shaped groove (35) is bounded by a groove base (37) and two groove surfaces (39, 41), and the groove surfaces (39, 41) are arranged opening at an angle to each other from the groove base (37) towards a groove opening (43), wherein the barrier panel (45), which has two parallel side surfaces (47, 49) and a lower edge (51), is arranged in the V-shaped groove (35) in the region of its lower edge (51); and wherein the barrier (21) further comprises: • an L-shaped wedge insert (53) with a wedge leg (55) and with a base leg (57), wherein the wedge leg (55) has a wedge-shaped cross-section and is arranged between the first side surface (47) of the barrier panel (45) and the first groove surface (39), and the base leg (57) is arranged between the lower edge (51) of the barrier panel (45) and the groove base (37); and • a wedge-shaped clamping wedge (59) in cross-section, which is positioned between the second The side surface (49) of the barrier panel (45) and the second groove surface (41) is arranged.

13. Barrier (21) according to claim 11, wherein the fastening interface (32) has a support surface (36) arranged vertically in the intended installation state of the support profile (23), and a threaded bore (38) arranged orthogonally to the support surface (36), and wherein the barrier panel (45) is fastened to the support surface (36) by means of a screw (44) using the threaded bore (38).

14. Moving device (1) designed as an escalator or moving walkway, with a circumferential conveyor belt (5) and with at least one balustrade (9) arranged laterally to the side of the conveyor belt (5), characterized by at least one barrier (21) according to one of claims 11 to 13, which barrier (21) is arranged next to a handrail (15) movable circumferentially on the balustrade (9) and is mounted on a handrail guide profile (13) of the balustrade (9) by means of the at least one connection point (25) of the support profile (23), wherein in the mounted state the barrier (21) extends parallel to the balustrade (9) and with its barrier panel (45) projects above the balustrade (9) or the handrail (15) at a height (HA), and wherein the barrier (21) is arranged on the side of the handrail (15) facing away from the conveyor belt (5).

Images