Abstract:
An endless handrail manufacturing method includes: a first step of cutting the dorsal part on one end side and the dorsal part on the other end side of a belt-like molded product to expose a tension member from the end portions; a second step of heating the product on the one end side, then removing the softened resin member, and then exposing a canvas from the end portion; a third step of heating the product with a heating jig to dent the abdominal part; a fourth step of applying an adhesive to the terminal on the one end side or the terminal on the other end side of the product, then fitting the former terminal to the latter terminal of the product; and a fifth step of supplementing a resin to the fitting portion, then hot pressing the fitting portion to fusion-bond the terminals.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an endless handrail manufacturing method, an endless handrail and an escalator. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    An endless handrail of an escalator is made of a belt-like molded product previously molded in bulk by extrusion molding (for example, see PTLs 1-6). The belt-like molded product is made of multiple materials, such as canvas, thermoplastic resin and tension member, and is cut to the length specified by a customer, then joined into a ring shape, so, the endless handrail includes one joint (seam). The joint of the endless handrail is formed by thermal-fusion-bonding both thermoplastic resin members of the cut end portions together. 
         [0003]    In the escalator handrail made of multiple materials, in order to satisfy the strength requirement of the seam of the canvas of the under side of the handrail and to protect the seam of the canvas from a handrail guide or the like, a patch is generally bonded to the endless joint. The patch is bonded to the canvas by hot pressing so as to follow the handrail shape, from the outside of the belt edge to the inner surface of the belt edge of the handrail, which is made of thermoplastic resin and canvas and is shaped beforehand. In the patch-type endless joint, bonding the patch causes the canvas to be pressed into the far inside of the handrail, in comparison with the normal part of the handrail. 
         [0004]    The patch is bonded over the seam of the canvas, and the canvas is discontinuous at the seam of the canvas. With the canvas having the seam, when the patch is bonded over the seam, the patch presses the canvas into the inside of the handrail, causing the canvas to be moved into the inside of the handrail. This causes a shortage of length at the seam of the canvas, which naturally causes a canvas gap at the seam of the canvas. In the canvas gap, an area in which the canvas does not exist under the patch locally exists. So, when the endless handrail is wound around a sheave or the like for driving the escalator and bent, distortion is concentrated at the canvas gap under the patch, deforming the canvas gap to be swelled up. 
         [0005]    A gap has occurred at the butt part of the canvas seam because of the heat expansion of the resin in mold pressing and the partial change in the laminate structure due to increase in the thickness caused by the patch. At the seam, the laminate structure changes locally, which causes difference in rigidity at the canvas seam, causing distortion to be concentrated at the canvas seam when the endless handrail is bent. As a result, the patch is locally deformed at the canvas seam, which may cause the patch to fall off, leading to crack or destruction of the endless handrail body. 
         [0006]    In a moving handrail for passenger conveyor, a metallic belt-like tension member is continuously provided in the longitudinal direction of a core body including a thermoplastic elastomer (for example, see PTL 1). Both ends of the moving handrail for passenger conveyor are joined together at the joint. At both ends of the belt-like tension member, a first lap part and a second lap part are provided lapped with each other in the thickness direction at the joint. At both tips of the first lap part and the second lap part, a taper part with the width gradually reduced is provided. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0007]    PTL 1 WO2006/087801 
         [0008]    PTL 2 JP-A-2002-265180 
         [0009]    PTL 3 JP-A-2004-250154 
         [0010]    PTL 4 JP-A-2000-86137 
         [0011]    PTL 5 JP-A-2000-226177 
         [0012]    PTL 6 JP-A-2008-201496 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0013]    As described above, the endless joint is provided to the handrail of the escalator. The thermoplastic resin part of the endless joint is joined by thermal fusion bonding. Since the canvas surface of the under side of the handrail includes the exposed seam, in order to reinforce the seam of the canvas and to protect the seam of the canvas from the handrail guide or the like, the patch is generally bonded so as to mask the joint. However, at the endless joint, the partial change in the laminate structure due to heat expansion of the resin in mold pressing and increase in the thickness caused by the patch causes the butt part of the canvas seam to be pressed into the inside of the handrail, causing a gap at the canvas gap. Even though the seam is protected by the patch, the laminate structure of the area in which the gap of the canvas seam exists under the patch locally changes to cause local difference in rigidity at the canvas seam. 
         [0014]    When the endless handrail is wound around the sheave or the like for driving the escalator and bent, distortion is concentrated at the handrail, deforming the canvas seam of the belt edge of the handrail to be swelled up. This continues to cause the patch to be locally deformed at the canvas seam, which causes the patch to fall off due to its fatigue and deterioration, leading to crack or destruction of the handrail body. In order to solve the above problem, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate local distortion at the seam of the canvas and reduce the area in which the rigidity increases, thereby improving the reliability of the handrail joint. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0015]    The endless handrail manufacturing method in accordance with the invention includes: a first step of cutting the dorsal part on one end side and the dorsal part on the other end side of a belt-like molded product to expose a tension member on the one end side and a tension member on the other end side from the respective end portions; a second step of heating the belt-like molded product after the first step on the one end side, then removing the resin member softened by the heating on the one end side over a defined width from the end face, and then exposing a canvas from the end portion on the one end side of the belt-like molded product; a third step of heating the belt-like molded product after the first step on the other end side with a heating jig attached to the abdominal part to dent the abdominal part on the other end side of the belt-like molded product lower than the surrounding area; a fourth step of applying an adhesive to the terminal on the one end side of the belt-like molded product formed through the second step or the terminal on the other end side of the belt-like molded product formed through the third step, then fitting the terminal on the one end side to the terminal on the other end side of the belt-like molded product; and a fifth step of supplementing a resin to the fitting portion of the belt-like molded product formed through the fourth step, then hot pressing the fitting portion supplemented with the resin to fusion-bond the terminal on the one end side to the terminal on the other end side. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0016]    According to the endless handrail in accordance with the invention, both ends of the canvas of the canvas lap part are lapped with each other, which prevents a gap from occurring at the seam of the canvas, eliminating the discontinuity of the canvas over the whole circumference of the handrail. Even when the endless handrail is wound around a sheave or the like for driving the escalator and bent, local distortion can be prevented, providing an effect of improving the reliability of the endless joint. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  A configuration diagram showing the overall view of an escalator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  A perspective view showing the structure of the endless handrail in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  A cross-sectional view showing the structure of the endless handrail in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  A top view showing a joint of the endless handrail in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  A cross-sectional view showing the joint of the endless handrail in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  A flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the endless handrail in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  A perspective view showing a terminal A in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  A perspective view showing how to use a heating block for exposing a canvas. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  A perspective view showing a terminal B in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  A perspective view showing how to use a heating jig for terminal denting. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  A diagram showing a process of fitting the terminal A to the terminal B. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  A diagram showing a process of fusion-bonding the terminal A to the terminal B. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  A diagram illustrating a fitting portion of the endless handrail. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  A top view showing a joint of an endless handrail in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  A diagram showing how to measure the flexural rigidity of the handrail in the endless handrail. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  A diagram showing a measured result of the flexural rigidity of the handrail in the endless handrail. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  A diagram showing a schematic cross section of a drive mechanism in the endless handrail. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    An embodiment of an escalator and an endless handrail of the escalator in accordance with the invention is described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the invention is not limited to the description below and may be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram showing the overall view of an escalator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. An escalator  100  includes an endless handrail  10 , a machine room  50 , steps  51 , a main frame  52 , a step drive chain  55 , a main shaft  56 , a driving machine  57 , a panel  58  and the like. The main frame  52  is bridged between adjacent upper and lower floors and supports the weight of the escalator itself and a passenger. The main shaft  56  rotates to cause the steps  51  to move continuously. The driving machine  57  is provided in the machine room  50  of the escalator  100 . The driving force of the driving machine  57  is transmitted to the main shaft  56  via a drive chain. The steps  51  are concatenated in an endless manner. The rotational movement of the main shaft  56  is transmitted to the steps  51  via the step drive chain  55 . A passenger of the escalator  100  uses the endless handrail  10  as an assistance in moving up and down. The panel  58  is provided for the safety of the passenger. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the configuration of the endless handrail of the escalator. The endless handrail  10  includes a thermoplastic resin member  1 , a canvas  2 , a tension member  4  and the like. The inner side (under side) of the thermoplastic resin member  1  is covered over the whole circumference with the canvas  2  that is a thick fabric containing cotton, hemp, polyester and the like. The tension member  4  includes a plurality of coated wires. Urethane resin or the like is used for the thermoplastic resin member  1 . The thermoplastic resin member  1 , the canvas  2  and the tension member  4  are integrated together by extrusion molding. The metallic tension member  4  is inserted in order to improve the strength of the endless handrail. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the endless handrail of the escalator. Referring to the cross-sectional shape, the endless handrail  10  includes a main body (flat portion)  3 , a belt edge (first curved portion)  5   x  and a belt edge (second curved portion)  5   y.  The belt edge  5   x  and the belt edge  5   y  are formed with the main body  3  in between and curved with a convex on the outside. The belt edge  5   x  and the belt edge  5   y,  opposing each other, are constituted of the pre-shaped thermoplastic resin member  1  and canvas  2 , and are shaped along the shape of a handrail guide of the escalator. The endless handrail  10  includes a dorsal part  10   a  and an abdominal part  10   b.    
         [0038]    The endless handrail  10  is made of several hundred meters of a belt-like molded product previously molded in bulk by extrusion molding. The belt-like molded product is cut to the length specified by a customer, then joined into a ring shape. The endless handrail  10  joined in the ring shape inevitably includes one joint. The joint in accordance with the embodiment has a lap-type structure in which the canvas ends are lapped with each other.  FIG. 4  is a top view showing the lap-type structure of the endless handrail. In a canvas lap part  6 , a lap side canvas  8  is bonded with an adhesive so as to cover the canvas  2  over the whole circumference. The lap side canvas  8  is secured in the length direction of the handrail, eliminating a gap of the canvas seam. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing the joint (canvas lap part) of the endless handrail. In the canvas lap part, the canvas  2  and the lap side canvas  8  are bonded to and lapped with each other. This lap-type endless structure avoids occurrence of a gap and concentration of distortion at the canvas seam, which allows the bonding area to be minimized. Discontinuity of the canvas  2  is eliminated over the whole circumference of the endless handrail, which avoids concentration of distortion also when the endless handrail is wound around a sheave or the like and bent. As a result, falling off of the adhesive due to local distortion of the endless handrail can be eliminated, providing an effect of improving the reliability of the joint (canvas lap part). 
         [0040]    In an endless structure using a patch, when the handrail is wound around a sheave or the like for driving the escalator and bent, a gap occurs at the canvas seam. In order to disperse distortion concentrating at the canvas gap and to secure the bonding area of the patch, the patch needs a length of 100 mm or more in the length direction of the handrail. On the other hand, in the lap-type endless structure according to the embodiment, no gap occurs and distortion does not concentrate at the canvas seam, so, the bonding area can be minimized. Since the length of the canvas lap part  6  can be 50 mm or less, the area in which the rigidity of the joint increases can be reduced, which improves the capability of following the curvature of the sheave or the like, providing an effect of improving the reliability of the endless handrail. 
         [0041]    Next, a method of manufacturing the endless handrail having the lap-type endless structure is described with reference to  FIG. 6 . In order to make the canvas lap part, both ends of a belt-like molded product  30  are subjected to terminal processing before endless joining. First, the belt-like molded product  30  molded by extrusion molding is prepared and cut at both ends to a specified length. Here, the end portion on the left in the figure is a terminal A on the lapped canvas side, and the end portion on the right is a terminal B on the lapping canvas side. At both terminals, a urethane resin  11  is cut out from the dorsal part (top side of the handrail) by the length of 300 mm or so. At both terminals, the tension member  4  is exposed with the urethane resin  11  cut out from the dorsal part. 
         [0042]    At the terminal A on the lapped canvas side, after the dorsal part of the main body (urethane resin  11  of the top side of the handrail) is cut out from the extrusion-molded belt-like molded product, a removed part  11   a  is cut out so that the tension member  4  projects from the end portion. At this time, the tension member  4  is separated from the thermoplastic resin member  1  (canvas  2 ) in a belt shape using a heated knife, then the tip of the tension member  4  is cut into a shape for joining. Furthermore, at a removed part  11   b,  the urethane resin is removed to cause the lap side canvas  8  to be exposed. At the terminal B on the lapping canvas side, after the urethane resin  11  of the top side of the handrail is cut out, the tension member  4  is separated from the canvas  2  in a belt shape using a heated knife, then the tension member  4  is cut into a shape for joining. At this time, an engagement part  4   a  and an engagement part  4   b  are formed in the tension member  4 A of the terminal A and tension member  4 B of the terminal A, respectively. In the figure, a concave portion is formed as the engagement part  4   a  in the tension member of the terminal A. On the other hand, a convex portion is formed as the engagement part  4   b  in the tension member of the terminal B. The engagement part  4   a  can be fitted to the engagement part  4   b.    
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the finished terminal A on the lapped canvas side. At the terminal A, the lap side canvas  8  is exposed over a defined width (W). The tension member  4 A including the engagement part  4   a  projects further than the lap side canvas  8 . In the tension member  4 A, a three-step concave portion is formed as the engagement part  4   a.  In order to expose the lap side canvas  8  from the thermoplastic resin member  1 , a heating block is inserted into the abdominal part  10   b  and the thermoplastic resin member  1  is heated via the canvas  2  to soften the thermoplastic resin member  1 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows how to use the heating block that is used in order to expose the canvas at the terminal A on the lapped canvas side. In this figure, the tension member  4  is not shown. The heating block  13  used at the terminal A has a defined length (W). The heating block  13  includes a cartridge heater  14  and a thermocouple  15  which are connected to a temperature controller  16 . The heating block  13  can be controlled to be at a predetermined temperature by operating the temperature controller  16 . Heating the removed part lib via the canvas  2  softens the thermoplastic resin member  1  of the removed part  11   b.    
         [0045]    The temperature of the heating block  13  is set to around 180° C. at which the canvas  2  does not change in property to be hardened and the thermoplastic resin member  1  is softened. After the heating is finished, a cool-temperature portion of the terminal A is chucked, then the thermoplastic resin of the removed part  11   b  is peeled off or scraped with a scraper. With the heating temperature set to around 180° C., the thermoplastic resin of the removed part  11   b  can be removed to expose the canvas without hardening or tearing the canvas. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the finished terminal B on the lapping canvas side. At the terminal B, after the urethane resin of the top side of the handrail is cut out, the tension member  4  is separated from the canvas  2  in a belt shape using a heated knife, then the tension member  4  is cut into a shape for joining. After that, a portion lapping the canvas of the terminal is heated and pressurized using a terminal denting jig to form a canvas dent  12  having a thickness of the lap side canvas  8  and an adhesive at the terminal B. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  shows how to use the terminal denting jig that is used in order to form the canvas dent  12  at the terminal B. The terminal denting jig (heating jig) is set on the portion lapping the canvas of the terminal B, then the portion is heated and pressurized to form a dent having a thickness of the canvas  2  and the adhesive at the terminal B. The terminal denting jig includes a lower die  17 , an upper die  18  and a denting block  19 , each of which includes the cartridge heater  14  and the thermocouple  15 . The terminal denting jig is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature by operating the temperature controller  16 . 
         [0048]    How to use the terminal denting jig in denting is specifically described. With the outer shape of the handrail held unmovable by the lower die  17  and the upper die  18 , the denting block  19  is pressurized from above by a pressurizer  20  and held, then, after a predetermined time elapses, the denting block  19  is cooled to near normal temperature. Then, the pressurizing is released, then the denting block  19  and the upper die  18  are detached, and then the terminal is taken out. Through finishing to a predetermined length, cutting and burring, the canvas dent  12  shown in  FIG. 9  can be formed at the terminal B on the lapping canvas side. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows a process of fitting the terminal A on the lapped canvas side to the terminal B on the lapping canvas side. An adhesive is applied to the lap side canvas  8  of the terminal A, then the lap side canvas  8  of the terminal A is inserted to the canvas dent  12  of the terminal B. Alternatively, an adhesive is applied to the canvas  2  of the terminal B, then the canvas dent  12  of the terminal B is inserted to the lap side canvas  8  of the terminal A. The lap side canvas  8  of the terminal A may also be inserted into the canvas dent  12  of the terminal B. When the terminal A is fitted to the terminal B, the engagement part  4   a  and the engagement part  4   b  abut against and are engaged with each other. 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  shows a process of fusion-bonding a fitting portion  23  of the terminal A on the lapped canvas side and of the terminal B on the lapping canvas side. A supplement resin  22  is supplemented to the fitting portion  23  of the belt-like molded product. The top side of the handrail and the belt edge reduced due to the terminal processing are additionally given the supplement resin  22  thereon and shaped by hot pressing. A thermoplastic resin is used for the supplement resin  22  to be supplemented to the fitting portions  23  in fusion-bonding. The end face of the terminal B is fusion-bonded to the thermoplastic resin member  1  of the terminal A to form the seam of the endless joint. 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  shows a cross section of the fitting portion  23  of the terminal A and of the terminal B. The tension member  4  includes the engagement parts  4   a,    4   b  formed at both ends and is buried in the flat portion  3  of the thermoplastic resin member  1 . Both ends of the canvas  2  are lapped with each other at the canvas lap part  6 , and the canvas of the terminal A is positioned on the upper side (inner side or abdominal part side) with respect to the canvas of the terminal B. The endpoint of the canvas of the terminal A is referred to as an upper side end of the canvas. The endpoint of the canvas of the terminal B is at the same position as the seam. Since the canvas dent  12  is formed at the terminal B, the canvas can be placed in a uniform shape even after shaping by hot pressing, which can secure stable bonding quality. The butt part of the engagement parts  4   a,    4   b  is provided on the anti-canvas lap part side with respect to the upper side end of the canvas. 
         [0052]    Note that, in using a thermoplastic adhesive for bonding the canvas lap part  6 , even when the lap side canvas  8  of the terminal A on the lapped canvas side is inserted into the canvas dent  12  of the terminal B on the lapping canvas side, maintaining the shape of the lap side canvas  8  is difficult. As such, the thermoplastic adhesive is previously warmed up to have some viscosity on its surface, then inserted into the canvas lap part  6 . Alternatively, the lap side canvas  8  can be temporarily fitted to the canvas dent  12  by softly pressurizing the canvas lap part  6  by hand, then the endless joint is shaped by hot pressing, which makes it possible to maintain the shape of the lap side canvas  8 . 
         [0053]    The above-described method allows the lap side canvas  8  to be placed in the canvas dent  12  in a uniform shape without causing fold or crinkle, and allows the adhesive to secure uniform film thickness between the canvas dent  12  and the lap side canvas  8 . As a result, stable bonding quality can be secured, providing an effect of improving the reliability of the endless part. Furthermore, the area in which both ends of the canvas are lapped with each other can be smaller than the area of the patch, so, the area in which the rigidity of the endless joint increases can be reduced. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, the dent having the thickness of one canvas and adhesive layer is formed at the terminal B, which can stabilize the canvas shape of the portion in which both ends of the canvas are lapped with each other, securing stable bonding area and adhesive film thickness. As a result, local distortion of the canvas seam can be eliminated, and the area in which the rigidity of the endless joint increases can be reduced, providing an effect of improving the reliability of the endless joint. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0055]    An endless handrail in accordance with a second embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  shows how the canvas lap part  6  is temporarily fixed with a metallic needle (such as staple). As shown in the first embodiment, in using a thermoplastic adhesive for bonding the canvas lap part, even when the lap side canvas  8  of the terminal A is inserted into the canvas dent  12  of the terminal B, maintaining the shape of the lap side canvas  8  is difficult. As such, the belt edge of the canvas lap part  6  is temporarily fixed with a staple  21  having a length such that the staple  21  does not protrude from within the belt edge  5 , then the joint of the endless handrail is formed by hot pressing. As a result, the lap side canvas  8  can be placed in a uniform shape even after shaping by hot pressing, which secures stable bonding quality as with the first embodiment. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0056]    In the endless structure using the patch, in order to disperse distortion concentrating at the canvas gap and to secure the bonding area of the patch, the patch needs a length of 100 mm or more in the length direction of the handrail. The lap-type endless structure can avoid occurrence of a gap and concentration of distortion at the canvas seam, so, the length of the canvas lap part  6  can be 50 mm or less.  FIG. 15  shows how to measure the flexural rigidity of the handrail. Two supporting rollers  59  placed with a distance of about 200 mm in between are used to support the endless handrail  10  at two points. Using a universal testing machine, an indenter  60  is pressed into the center of the joint by 10 mm or so to measure the repulsion force. 
         [0057]      FIG. 16  shows the measured result. The relation between the endless structure and the flexural rigidity of the handrail is shown. The flexural rigidity of the handrail of the joint in the lap-type endless structure is less than that in the patch-type endless structure. Also, reducing the lap part length can further reduce the flexural rigidity of the handrail of the joint. With the lap part length of 20 mm, the flexural rigidity of the handrail of the joint can be reduced by 40% and the ratio of the flexural rigidity of the handrail of the main body to the joint can be reduced to 1.3 in comparison with the patch-type endless structure. 
         [0058]    The ratio of the flexural rigidity of the handrail of the main body to the joint is low, which reduces the stress occurring at the joint, providing an effect of improving the reliability of the endless handrail. The shorter the lap part length of the lap-type endless structure is, the lower the flexural rigidity of the handrail of the joint can be. However, when the lap part length is too small, the bonding area is reduced and the workability becomes worse. So, the lap part length is desirably 10 mm or more. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0059]      FIG. 17  is a schematic view of a sheave drive system that is the most common handrail drive system for escalator. In the sheave drive system, a drive sheave  62  transmits driving force to a handrail  61 . Rotation of the drive sheave  62  causes the handrail  61  to move forward as if the handrail  61  is pushed out toward the traveling direction. The handrail  61  pushed out from the drive sheave  62  becomes in contact with a guide roller  63  arranged in an arching line. 
         [0060]    In the conventional endless joint, since the difference of the flexural rigidity of the handrail between the main body and the joint is large, the handrail  61  passes the guide roller  63  while polygonally deforming as if floating above the guide roller  63 . As a result, when the handrail  61  collides with the guide roller  63  as if landing on the guide roller  63 , a flaw occurs on the surface of the handrail. The lap-type endless structure lowers the ratio of the flexural rigidity of the handrail of the main body to the joint, which can suppress deformation of the handrail  61  in passing the guide roller  63 . The collision of the handrail with the guide roller is reduced, which can suppress occurrence of a flaw on the surface of the handrail. 
         [0061]    Note that, according to the invention, the embodiments may be freely combined or the embodiments may be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  thermoplastic resin member 
           2  canvas 
           3  main body 
           4  tension member 
           4 A tension member 
           4 B tension member 
           4   a  engagement part 
           4   b  engagement part 
           5  belt edge 
           5   x  belt edge 
           5   y  belt edge 
           6  canvas lap part 
           8  lap side canvas 
           10  endless handrail 
           10   a  dorsal part 
           10   b  abdominal part 
           11  urethane resin 
           11   a  removed part 
           11   b  removed part 
           12  canvas dent 
           13  heating block 
           14  cartridge heater 
           15  thermocouple 
           16  temperature controller 
           17  lower die 
           18  upper die 
           19  denting block 
           20  pressurizer 
           21  staple 
           22  supplement resin 
           23  fitting portion 
           30  belt-like molded product 
           50  machine room 
           51  steps 
           52  main frame 
           55  step drive chain 
           56  main shaft 
           57  driving machine 
           58  panel 
           59  supporting roller 
           60  indenter 
           61  handrail 
           62  drive sheave 
           63  guide roller 
           100  escalator 
         A terminal 
         B terminal