Patent Publication Number: US-9850099-B2

Title: Skirt for passenger conveyer

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to passenger conveyors, and more particularly to a skirt for use with a passenger conveyor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional passenger conveyors, such as escalators or moving walkways, include a chain of steps that travel in a loop to provide continuous movement along a specified path. There is inherently relative motion between the moving steps and the stationary structure of the conveyor system. One issue presented by passenger conveyor systems is the possibility for objects being caught between the moving steps and the stationary structure. 
     Various attempts have been made at minimizing or eliminating the possibility for objects to become caught at the interface between moving parts in a conveyor system. Stationary skirt panels do not eliminate relative motion, although they do cover some of the conveyor system components. Movable skirt panels have also been proposed. There is a need for an arrangement that guards against the possibility for objects to become caught or entrapped at the interface of moving parts and stationary system structure in a conveyor system. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a passenger conveyor includes a first stationary structure and a second stationary structure; a step positioned between the first stationary structure and the second stationary structure, the step having a tread with a tread surface; and a skirt secured to the step between the step and the first stationary structure, the skirt including an upper tread edge; wherein the upper tread edge extends beyond the tread surface by at least about 10 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the upper tread edge extends beyond the tread surface by about 10 mm to about 30 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the upper tread edge extends beyond the tread surface by about 15 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the step includes a riser with a riser surface. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the skirt includes a front riser edge, the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by at least about 10 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by about 10 mm to about 30 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by about 25 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the skirt is integrally formed with the step. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the skirt is fastened to the step. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a passenger conveyor step includes a tread with a tread surface; and a skirt secured to the step, the skirt including an upper tread edge; wherein the upper tread edge extends beyond the tread surface by at least about 10 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the upper tread edge extends beyond the tread surface by about 10 mm to about 30 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the upper tread edge extends beyond the tread surface by about 15 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the step includes a riser with a riser surface. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the skirt includes a front riser edge, the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by at least about 10 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by about 10 mm to about 30 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by about 25 mm. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the skirt is integrally formed with the step. 
     Alternatively or additionally in this or other embodiments, the skirt is fastened to the step. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a passenger conveyor includes a first stationary structure and a second stationary structure; a step positioned between the first stationary structure and the second stationary structure, the step having a tread with a tread surface and a riser with a riser surface; and a skirt secured to the step between the step and the first stationary structure, the skirt including an upper tread edge and a front riser edge; wherein the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by at least about 10 mm. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a passenger conveyor step includes a tread with a tread surface and a riser with a riser surface; and a skirt secured to the step, the skirt including a front riser edge; wherein the front riser edge extends beyond the riser surface by at least about 10 mm. 
     Other aspects, features, and techniques of embodiments of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the FIGURES: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an escalator in an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a step with a skirt in an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a skirt in an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts a step with a skirt in an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments relate to passenger conveyor systems, such as escalators or moving walkways.  FIG. 1  depicts an escalator  10  in an exemplary embodiment. Escalator  10  includes a frame  12 , a drive (not shown), a pair of balustrades  14 , a step chain  16 , and a plurality of steps  18  attached to the step chain  16 . The frame  12  comprises a truss section  20 ,  22  on both the left and right hand sides of the frame, respectively. Each truss section  20 ,  22  has two end sections  24 , 26  parallel to one another, connected by an inclined midsection  28 . The end sections  24 ,  26  form landings  25 ,  27  at the two elevations. The balustrades  14 , comprising handrails  29 , skirt panels  36 , and balustrade panels  34  are attached to the truss sections  20 ,  22  as is known in the art. The skirt panels  36  (if equipped) and/or balustrade panels  34  on each side provide stationary structures. Steps  18  travel relative to the stationary structures. 
     One or more of steps  18  may include a skirt on the left and right sides of step  18 .  FIG. 2  depicts a step  18  having a skirt  40  positioned at the right side of the step  18 . Step  18  includes a tread  42  having a tread surface and a riser  44  having a riser surface. Skirt  40  is positioned between step  18  and a stationary structure in the form of skirt panel  36 . Skirt  40  is secured to step  18  and moves along with step  18 . Skirt  40  serves to reduce or eliminate the possibility for objects to become caught at the interface between step  18  and stationary structure in the form of skirt panel  36 . Skirt  40  may be made from a metal (e.g., steel, aluminum) or a polymeric material. Skirt  40  may be attached to step  18  (e.g., by fasteners) or may be integrally formed along with step  18 , for example, by casting step  18  and skirt  40  simultaneously. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , skirt  40  has a tread portion  50  and a riser portion  52 . Tread portion  50  includes an upper tread edge  54  and a lower tread edge  56 . Riser portion  52  includes a front riser edge  58  and a rear riser edge  60 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , upper tread edge  54  extends beyond tread surface  42  of step  18  by a distance x. Tread surface  42  of step  18  is shown by a dashed line in  FIG. 3 . In exemplary embodiments, x is at least about 10 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, x ranges from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, x is about 15 mm. The value for x is selected to have a minimum height to prevent typical footwear from being pinched between step  18  and skirt panel  36  and a maximum height to avoid interference between the upper tread edge  54  and skirt brushes mounted to skirt panel  36 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , front riser edge  58  extends beyond riser surface  44  of step  18  by a distance y. Riser surface  44  of step  18  is shown by a dashed line in  FIG. 3 . In exemplary embodiments, y is at least about 10 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, y ranges from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, y is about 25 mm. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , upper tread edge  54  extends beyond tread surface  42  of step  18  by about 15 mm and front riser edge  58  extends beyond riser surface  44  of step  18  by a distance about 15 mm. Referring to  FIG. 3 , both x and y are about 15 mm. In other embodiments, the values for x and y may be different. Further, one of x and y may be zero.  FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment where upper tread edge  54  is aligned with the tread surface  42  (e.g., x is zero) and front riser edge  58  extends beyond riser surface  44  (e.g., by about 25 mm). Thus, embodiments may include only one of the upper tread edge  54  and the front riser edge  58  extending beyond a respective surface of step  18 . Embodiments also include both the upper tread edge  54  and the front riser edge  58  extending beyond a respective surface of step  18 , by equal or different distances. 
     Although the upper tread edge  54  and the front riser edge  58  are shown as being parallel to the tread surface  42  and riser surface  44 , respectively, in alternate embodiments, the upper tread edge  54  and the front riser edge  58  need not be parallel to the tread surface  42  and riser surface  44 , respectively. The distance x in  FIG. 3  may vary along the length of upper tread edge  54 . The distance y in  FIG. 3  may vary along the length of front riser edge  58 . 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to an escalator, the skirt may also be used in other passenger conveyor systems, such as a moving walkway. When used with a moving walkway, the skirt has an upper tread edge that extends above the tread surface of the moving walkway step by a distance z. In exemplary embodiments, z is at least about 10 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, z ranges from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, z is about 15 mm. The value for z is selected to have a minimum height to prevent typical footwear from being pinched between the step and the skirt panel and a maximum height to avoid interference between the upper tread edge and skirt brushes mounted to skirt panel. When employed in a moving walkway, the skirt does not include a riser portion. 
     Embodiments mitigate the entrapment risk between the step tread and stationary structure (e.g., for escalators or moving walkways) and/or the step riser and the stationary structure (e.g., for escalators). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. While the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as being limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.