Tread element for escalators and travelators

Abstract: A tread element for escalators and travelators including a treadplate (2) for receiving the persons to be transported. The treadplate is provided in the region of at least one of its outer portions with at least one molding made of a plastics material. The molding comprises several stud-shaped lugs on its treadplate side which can pass through corresponding recesses in the region of the treadplate (2) and are definable relative to the said treadplate (2) by means of connecting elements (13). Several moldings (10) are disposed juxtaposed or in sequence in at least one of said treadplate outer portions (6,7,8). The edge portions of the individual moldings (10) adjoining each other are provided with lugs (14) overlapping each other at least in part and said studs (11) being provided in the region of their free face surface areas at least with receiving openings into which said connecting elements configured as screws (13) are incorporated.

Description: The novel aspect relates to a tread element for escalators and travelators including a treadplate for receiving the persons to be transported, this treadplate being provided in the region of at least one of its outer portions with at least one molding made more particularly of a plastics material, the molding comprising several stud-shaped lugs on its treadplate side which can pass through corresponding recesses in the region of the treadplate and on the side facing away from the treadplate and are definable relative to the treadplate by means of connecting elements. Evident from DE-A 35 30 263 is a tread element for travelators or escalators including a treadplate for receiving the persons to be transported, this plate being provided with at least one edge molding in the region of at least one of its longitudinal edges secured thereto. Along at least one of its two longitudinal edges the edge molding underclasps a part of the treadplate and is fixedly connected to the treadplate between its two longitudinal edges by means of additional fastener means. From EP-A 449 780 a tread element for escalators and travelators is known. To affect a reliable connection between edge moldings inserted in the treadplate of a tread element simply producable by die casting each of the edge moldings comprises on its underside a spring at least along its two longitudinal edges. The cross-sections of the latter two have the shape of a parallelogram having equal angles to each other or a trapezium and engage in the manner of a tongue-and-groove connection in corresponding grooves in the treadplate. Furthermore, these edge moldings are provided on their underside also with at least two casted arresting studs extending downwards and through the adjoining treadplate at the free ends of which protruding downwards from the treadplate a clamping ring flexibly supported by the underside of the treadplate is firmly clamped in place. The drawback in this arrangement is that due to using a springy clamping ring as the connecting element this becomes loose in the course of time which ultimately results in the edge molding lifting off as a result of which it poses an accident hazard for passengers. The object of the subject matter of the novel aspect is, on the one hand, to overcome the drawbacks particular to EP-A 449 780 and, on the other, to design a particularly cost-effective means of fastening the edge moldings. This object is achieved in accordance with the novel aspect by several moldings disposed juxtaposed or in sequence in at least one of the treadplate portions, the edge portions of the individual moldings adjoining each other being provided with lugs overlapping each other at least in part, the studs being provided in the region of the their free face surface areas at least with receiving openings into which the connecting elements configured as screws are incorporated. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the novel aspect read from the sub-claims. Due to the special shape of the studs having core holes in the region of the undersides of the edge moldings in conjunction with the through-holes necessary therefore in the region of the treadplates the screw configured more particularly self-tapping, more particularly as a special screw can be fitted with a suitable power screwdriver in the blind hole, as a result of which the connection is ultimately produced by material displacement, i.e. by a lateral clamping action. The connection is shock and vibration-proof so that any unwanted release of the edge molding from the treadplate can be reliably excluded. The subject matter of the novel aspect will now be described on the basis of an example embodiment with respect to the drawing in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are various views of a tread element for an escalator, Figs. 3 to 5 are various views and cross-sections of an edge molding for the tread element as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Figs. 6 and 7 are various views of the tread element as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, provided with edge moldings as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, Fig. 8 is a partial illustration of a connecting portion between an edge molding and a tread element. Figs. 1 and 2 show in various views a tread element 1 configured as a step for an escalator (not shown). As an alternative, of course, the tread element may be provided for a travelator. The tread element 1 comprises a treadplate 2, side portions 3,4 for receiving rollers (not shown) as well as a backing element 5. In the region of the treadplate 2 recesses are provided in the treadplate outer portions 6, 7, 8 serving to receive the edge moldings described in the following Figs.. The treadplate outer portions 6, 7, 8 comprise a plurality of through-holes 9. Figs. 3 to 5 show in various views or sections an edge molding 10 provided with a profile equivalent to that of the treadplate. On the underside (Fig.4) of the edge molding 10 several stud-shaped lugs 11 are provided each incorporating a blind hole 12. The edge moldings 10 preferably consist of a tinged plastics material. Figs. 6 and 7 show the tread elements 1 already illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, here, however, equipped with the edge moldings 10 as shown in Figs. 3 to 5. It is evident more particularly from Fig.7 that the edge moldings 10 are provided in the region of their juxtaposed edge portions with lugs 14 overlapping at least in part, this arrangement enabling minor tolerances to be compensated in fitting without the overall appearance of the tread element 1 being negatively affected. The edge moldings 10 are designed so that a surface area is formed flush with the treadplate 2, Fig. 8 shows a partial portion of a treadplate 2 together with the edge molding 10 inserted therein. As already indicated the treadplate 2 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 9 through which the stud-shaped lugs 11 are inserted. By means of a suitable tool, preferably a plastics displacing screw 13 having a special thread (not shown) is inserted in the blind hole 12, the connection between the edge molding 10 and the treadplate being produced by corresponding material displacement.

Claims: A tread element for escalators and travelators including a treadplate (2) for receiving the persons to be transported, said treadplate being provided in the region of at least one of its outer portions (6, 7, 8) with at least one molding (10), made more particularly of a plastics material, said molding (10) comprising several stud-shaped lugs (11) on its treadplate side which can pass through corresponding recesses (9) in the region of said treadplate (2) and on the side facing away from said treadplate (2) are definable relative to said treadplate (2) by means of connecting elements (13) characterized by several moldings (10) disposed juxtaposed or in sequence in at least one of said treadplate outer portions (6, 7, 8), the edge portions of the individual moldings (10) adjoining each other being provided with lugs (14) overlapping each other at least in part, said studs (11) being provided in the region of their free face surface areas at least with receiving openings into which said connecting elements configured as screws (13) are incorporated. The tread element as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that in all said outer portions (6, 7, 8) of said treadplate (2) several moldings (10) are provided juxtaposed. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said moldings (10) adjoining said moldings (10) provided in the longer outer portion (7) are each provided with profiles (14), said profiles (14) being introducable in corresponding cavities of said moldings (10) provided in said longer outer portion (7). The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said screws (13) are provided self-tapping. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said screws (13) are provided with a plastics-displacing thread of a predetermined pitch. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said thread pitch is approx. 30°. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the shank of said screw (13) comprises a geometric shape other than circular. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said studs (11) are configured at the face end with core holes (12) of a predetermined length and diameter. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said core holes (12) are provided countersunk. The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said moldings (10) are provided with centering elements definable relative to said treadplates (2). The tread element as set forth in claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said moldings (10) are provided at least in the region of the treadplate longitudinal edges outside of the edge profiles of said treadplates (2).

Inventors: SCHOENEWEISS KLAUS, SCHOENEWEISS, KLAUS, Schöneweiss, Klaus 
Applicants: KONE CORP, KONE CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B66B23
IPC codes: B66B23