Balustrade Profile with Integrated Handrail Guide and Fall Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balustrades in passenger conveyor devices, such as escalators, lack a visually appealing and easily retrofittable fall protection solution that can be implemented with minimal adjustments to the device, while ensuring effective prevention of falls over the handrail.
Innovation Solution
A balustrade profile with a handrail guide and a locating means, featuring a receptacle and a U-shaped holding element that integrates a glass clamping strip for securing additional panels laterally offset to the handrail, providing enhanced fall protection and aesthetic appeal, while allowing for easy installation and modernization of passenger conveyor devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If second panels are added laterally offset to the handrail guide to provide fall protection, then fall protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handrail guide profile and the holding element into a single integrated balustrade profile. The holding element is formed as part of the same extruded profile, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fall protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated balustrade profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the handrail, provides structural support, and holds the second panels laterally offset to create fall protection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional balustrade with separate handrail guide and panel mounting structures is used, then structural stability is ensured, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handrail guide and panel mounting functions into a single extruded profile, simplifying manufacturing. The holding element is formed as an integral part of the profile, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The balustrade is designed as modular components that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. The integrated profile can be produced through extrusion processes, and multiple profiles can be connected to form complete balustrade sections, facilitating ease of manufacture while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If additional panels are installed beyond the handrail guide to enhance fall protection, then safety capability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is integrated into the balustrade profile, providing ready-made mounting structures for the second panels. This eliminates the need for separate mounting hardware and simplifies installation, as panels can be directly attached to the integrated holding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated profile is pre-formed with the holding elements and guiding features during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of the mounting structure reduces on-site installation complexity, as the components are ready for direct assembly without requiring additional fabrication or adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a balustrade profile (1) with a handrail guide (2) and with an arrangement means (3) for arranging the balustrade profile (1) at the upper end (112) of balustrade panels (11). The balustrade profile comprises a retaining element (4) spaced apart from the handrail guide (2), which is configured to hold at least one further panel (12) at its lower end (121) parallel to the handrail guide (2) such that the further panel (12) projects beyond the handrail guide (2) in order to serve as fall protection. The invention further relates to a balustrade (22) with such a balustrade profile (1), a passenger conveying device (30), in particular an escalator or moving walkway, with such a balustrade (22), and a method for modernizing a passenger conveying device (30), wherein a passenger conveying device (30) is equipped with such a balustrade.