Patent Publication Number: US-6213278-B1

Title: Man-conveyor step

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to a step of an escalator, which is made to prevent drawing in of clothing, etc. of a passenger when the passenger uses the escalator. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As an escalator of prior art, for instance, one that is illustrated in FIG. 4 is available. It is comprised as follows. Steps  101  are endlessly connected with a chain, which is continuously driven, and convey passengers in a moving step system. On both sides of the steps  101 , hand rails  102  are provided for the safety of the passengers. Below these, skirt guards  103  are installed. 
     However, as there may be a gap between the moving steps  101  and the skirt guard  103  on this type of escalator, if a passenger on the step  101  is wearing a long skirt, or other clothing, there is a possibility that the hem of this long skirt may fall between the step  101  and the skirt guard  103 , and eventually be drawn in by the moving step  101  and torn off. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The objective of the present invention is to prevent the clothing of a passenger on a moving step from being drawn in by the step. 
     To realize this objective, according to the present invention, for a step of an escalator having a tread part and a riser part, guard panels are provided on both sides of the tread part in the step conveyance direction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an oblique view that illustrates an application example of a step of a passenger conveyor (escalator) that pertains to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an oblique view of an escalator wherein this step is used. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along Line A—A in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an overview of a typical prior art escalator installation. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Application Mode of the Invention 
     Next, the present invention will be explained based on the figures. FIG.  1  through FIG. 3 are diagrams that illustrate an application example of an escalator step according to the present invention. 
     In FIG. 1, the step  1  (for instance, composed of die cast aluminum) of an escalator is for passengers to step on. It comprises a flat tread part  2  that is typically rectangularly shaped, and a riser part  3 , which is integrally formed with this tread part  2  and has an approximately arc shaped cross-section. Many cleats ( 12 ) are formed on both the tread part  2  and the riser part  3 . In the front and the rear sides in the conveyance direction of the step on the step  1 , a chain roller  4  and a roller  5  are installed in a freely rotatable state. The chain roller  4  is joined with a chain (not illustrated), and this chain is made to orbit in the form of a closed loop by a driving means. 
     According to the present invention, installation rims  2   a ,  2   b  are formed on both sides of the tread part  2  of the step  1  in the step conveyance direction, and guard panels  6 ,  7  are installed on these installation rims  2   a ,  2   b . The guard panels  6 ,  7  are formed with the upper side inclined ( 14 ). The lower side is formed into an approximately L-letter shaped cross-section. These lower sides constitute the installation ends  6   a ,  7   a . These guard panels  6 ,  7  may be painted yellow so as to attract attention of the passengers. By attaching the installation ends  6   a ,  7   a  of the guard panels  6 ,  7  to the installation rims  2   a ,  2   b  of the step  1  with bolts, a pair of guard panels  6 ,  7  are installed on both sides of the tread part  2  in the step conveyance direction of the tread part  2 . At the front end in the step conveyance direction of the tread part  2  of the step  1 , a demarcation  8  is installed. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the steps  1  are in the form of a stairway (incline), the guard panel  7  that is installed on the step  1  moves along the interior ledge  10  on the lower side of the glass  9 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the guard panel  7 , according to the present invention, replaces its conventional skirt guard and is installed not on the guide rail side but on the step. Thus, the hem of the long skirt of a passenger on the step  1  will not fall between this step  1  and the guard panel  7 , and it will not be drawn in by the step  1 . 
     Next, as more than one of these steps  1  approach the landing plate  11  and more than one of these tread parts  2  begin to constitute a flat face as a whole, the upper end of the guard panel  7  that is installed on these steps  1  will be in a notched state. Thus, a space will be generated between the interior ledge  10  and the upper end of the guard panel  7 . Then, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a miniskirt panel  12  is installed on the interior ledge  10 , and the aforementioned space will be covered with this miniskirt panel  12 . Also, a brush  13  is installed at the tip of the miniskirt panel  12 . In this manner, since the miniskirt panel  12  is installed on the interior ledge  10 , the hem of a long skirt of a passenger on the step  1  will not enter or be drawn between the interior ledge  10  and the guard panel  7 . While the miniskirt panel  12  on the upper side is illustrated, needless to mention, a miniskirt panel is also installed on the lower side. 
     While an example was described wherein the present invention is applied to an escalator, it can naturally be applied to a moving sidewalk, too, with the appropriate modification of the upper sides  14 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and as explained above, according to the present invention, since guard panels are installed on both sides of the tread part of a step in the step conveyance direction, the hem of a long skirt, etc. of a passenger on the step will not fall between the step and the guard panel. It will not be drawn in by the step. 
     Various changes to the above description may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art of the present invention.