WO2002020378A1

WO2002020378A1 - Illuminant-banded escalator

Info

Publication number: WO2002020378A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/027179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Atsushi Shimada; Jyoji Tanigawa
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Company
Priority date: 2000-09-05
Filing date: 2001-09-01
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: JP2002087749A

Abstract

To offer a modern escalator of superior design which is economical where an optical fiber is used as a lighting fixture for an escalator. Constitution Resin guide (6) and fixing guide (7) of handrail guide (3) in an escalator are formed from a light-transmitting resin material. Moreover, illuminated band (8), such as an optical fiber, etc. which emits light from the side surface, is arranged within resin guide (6). One end of illuminated band (8) is connected to light source (12). It is preferred that handrail (1) itself be transparent or semi-transparent. Also, illuminated band (8a) connected to light source (12) is fitted into grooved part (14) of skirt panel (15), and steps (13) are illuminated from transparent cover (16).

Description

ILLUMINANT-BANDED ESCALATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION PERTAINS

[0001] The present invention relates to an illuminant-banded escalator. In particular, by arranging an illuminated band such as an optical fiber, etc., in the skirt panel and part of the handrail guide, it is possible to illuminate the steps with the light emitted from the bottom of the handrail or from the skirt panel, so that an escalator can be illuminated with a novel light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An escalator handrail is an endless, revolving belt of rubber, etc., which is formed so that the passenger on the steps can move safely while resting his hand on the handrail as he moves on the endlessly rotating steps. The handrail is attached to the handrail guide so that it slide over it. The handrail guide is mounted to an approximately elliptical glass panel or balustrade, which is arranged on the left and right sides of the steps.

[0003] Conventionally, a lighting fixture was arranged in the handrail guide in order to illuminate the area of the feet of the passengers on the steps. An opaque elastic body such as rubber, etc. was used for the handrail so that only the step side or the bottom part of the handrail was illuminated.

[0004] As the lighting fixture, a conventional fluorescent lamp or neon tube was used which was formed into an arc like curved tube so that it could be arranged in the curved part at the top or bottom step of the escalator. Thus, the fixture had to be custom- made.

[0005] However, there was a limit to the length of the fluorescent lamp or neon tube and since an electrode part was interposed, the light was cutoff at said electrode part so that the corresponding areas of the steps were not illuminated. Thus, the illumination was not satisfactory. Also, in addition to the high cost of the custom design, it was necessary to form a mount and support for the fluorescent lamp or neon tube. Moreover, in addition to causing deterioration of the handrail due to the heat generated during emission, the tube had to be frequently replaced and consumed a large amount of power. [0006] However, various lighting fixtures are available at the present time and if used constitute escalators of superior design which differ from conventional escalators only in the use of modern lighting fixtures.

[0007] Therefore, the inventors focused their attention on optical fibers, which they used to produce a modern escalator of superior and economical design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The illuminant-banded escalator of the present invention is characterized by the fact that one part of the escalator handrail guide is formed from a light- transmitting resin material, within which an illuminated band, such as optical fiber, etc. that emits light from the side surface is arranged, where one end of said illuminated band is connected to a light source.

[0009] Also, the illuminant-banded escalator is characterized by the fact that the aforementioned handrail guide is comprised of a light-transmitting resin which is provided with a concave groove for illuminated band and fixed to a balustrade such as a glass panel, etc., where a light-transmitting fixing guide is arranged at the top part of this resin guide for the attachment of the illuminated band.

[0010] Also, the escalator of Claim 3 is characterized by the fact that an illuminated band arranged in the skirt panel that conceals the handrail on the step side is used to illuminate the steps.

[0011] Therefore, illumination can be executed with emission of light from the skirt panel and the bottom part of the handrail, the need for a custom-designed curved tube can be omitted, the cost relative to the conventional illuminating fluorescent lamp can be reduced, the mount and support for the fluorescent lamp or neon tube can be omitted, deterioration of the handrail caused by heat generated during emission can be prevented, and the work of replacing the tube can be omitted. In addition, the amount of power consumed can be reduced, a continuous light rather then an interrupted light can be formed, the color of the emitted light can be changed according to the time or season, and the emission state such as flashing, etc., can be changed to produce decorative effects, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an application example of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is a cross section along 2-2 of Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 3 shows an enlargement of part of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Application examples of the present invention will be explained below based on the figures. As shown in Figures 1-3, endless belt handrail (1) is movably attached to handrail guide (3) fixed at the peripheral part of balustrade (2) such as an approximately elliptical glass panel provided with a neutral part and an inclined part and is movable in the upward or downward direction according to drive source (5) arranged in base (4) at the bottom part of balustrade (2).

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, balustrade (2) is supported at the top of base (4) and handrail (1) moves over this base (4) in the downward or upward direction, which is opposite from what was mentioned above. As show in Figure 3, handrail (1) has the same cross section, source material, etc., as a conventional handrail. The cross section has the form of a flattened U. However, a semi-transparent handrail capable of transmitting light (NT 2000 made of urethane sold by Escalator Handrail Company) has been sold recently and can be optimally used in the present invention to produce an even more decorative effect.

[0017] Also, as shown in Figure 3, handrail guide (3) is comprised of light- transmitting resin guide (6) which is provided with concave grooves (5) and (5) for storing illuminated band (8), such as an optical fiber, etc., and fixed to glass panel (2), light-transmitting fixing guide (7) which is arranged at the top part of this resin guide (6) and fixes illuminated band (8), and sliding guides (9) and (9) arranged at the top part of this fixing guide (7) and engaged slidably with handrail (1). Sliding guides (9) and (9) can be made of nylon or resins such as acetal, etc.

[0018] Resin guide (6) and fixing guide (7) are formed from a light-transmitting synthetic resin. The light-transmitting synthetic resin can be a reinforced plastic of, e.g., polycarbonate or acrylic, acetal (POM) or nylon (PA), etc.

[0019] Resin guide (6) has side parts (6a) and (6a) into which the two end parts of handrail (1) formed into the aforementioned U shape are fitted and inverse concave part (6b) for fitting aforementioned balustrade (2) by forming concave grooves (5) and

(5). Also, it is possible to improve the reflectivity to the outside by applying a half-mirror-coating to the inside surface of resin guide (6), as required.

[0020] Fixing guide (7) has a cross section in the form of an I. Convex parts (7a) and (7a) and groove (7b) are formed on both the left and right sides at its top surface side and the bottom surface side is comprised of center groove section (7c) which closely contacts inverse concave part (6b) of resin guide (6) and presser parts (7d) and (7d) positioned on both its left and right sides. Also, it is possible to improve the reflection efficiency by mirror-coating the top surface, which contacts sliding guide (9), as required.

[0021] Sliding guides (9) and (9) are divided in two, each covering side part (6a) of aforementioned resin guide (6) with the one end side and mating with the aforementioned U-shaped end part of handrail (1). The other end side is latched to the inside of convex part (7a) of fixing guide (7) so that both make close contact.

Through-hole (7c) for fastening screw (10) is formed in groove (6b) between sliding guides (9) and (9). And screw hole (6c) for fastening screw (10) is formed in resin guide

(6).

[0022] Sliding guides (9) and (9) are formed by being divided in two, but it is preferable for both resin guide (6) and fixing guide (7) to be integrated into one body.

[0023] Illuminated band (8) is inserted into groove (5) of resin guide (6) and pressured and fixed to resin guide (6) and fixing guide (7) with presser part (7d) of fixing guide. Illuminated band (8), which is formed from a light-transmitting plastic capable of emitting light from the side surface and one end part, is lead to escalator machine room (11) (refer to Figure 1), where it is connected to light source (12). [0024] Illuminated band (8) is housed in concave groove (5) as is. Illuminated band (8) can be the product marketed under the name of 3M light fiber. It is preferable to use an optical fiber that can emit light widely and produce many colors by changing the color of the light source.

[0025] Therefore, by transmitting the light from light source (12) onto illuminated band (8), its entire side surface can emit light, and the light is made to incident on resin guide (6) and sliding guides (9) and (9). It is then transmitted to fixing guide (7) by scattering and reflecting within resin guide (6) so that the light scatters and reflects from the bottom part of handrail (1) and balustrade (2) and steps (13) are illuminated.

[0026] The light from light source (12) can be changed by using colored or flashing light. Therefore, safety can be improved by flashing light only in the boarding and disembarking areas to urge caution. Furthermore, it is possible to change the color according to the time period in addition to flashing.

[0027] Also, it is possible to fix illuminated band (8a), formed from a light- transmitting plastic having the same properties as illuminated band (8), in concave groove (14) formed on the step (13) side of skirt panel (15) with transparent cover (16) provided with a claw that engages with grooved part (14) in the vertical direction and formed with pressing part (17), formed from a transparent material with a prescribed spacing in the longitudinal direction as shown in Figure 2. One end of this illuminated band (8a) is then connected to an appropriate light source and is used to illuminate steps (13). The light source can be the same as or separate from aforementioned light source (12).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0028] According to the present invention explained above, the steps or the glass panel at the bottom part of the handrail, which is used by the passengers of the escalator to rest their hands, the feet area near the steps can be illuminated with the light from the skirt panel, so that compared to the conventional escalator, there is the economical effect of being able to dispense with custom-designed neon tubes or fluorescent lamps. Thus, costs can be reduced, the mount and support for tube can be dispensed with deterioration of the handrail caused by heat generated during emission can be prevented, the work of replacing the tube can be avoided, and the amount of power light can be reduced. In addition decorative design effects for the escalator are possible since it can be formed with a continuous light instead of an interrupted light, the color of the emission can be changed according to the time or season, and the emission state, such as flashing, etc., can be changed as desired.

(1)...handrail, (2)...balustrade, (3)...handrail guide, (4)...base, (5)...concave groove, (6)... resin guide, (7)...fixing guide, (8), (8a)... illuminated band, (9)...sliding guide, (10)... screw, (11)... machine room, (12)... light source, (13)...steps, (14)... grooved part, (15)...skirt panel, (16)... transparent cover, (17)... pressing member.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. Illuminant-banded escalator characterized by the fact that one part of the escalator handrail is formed from a light-transmitting resin, with which an illuminated band such as an optical fiber, etc. that emits light from the side surface is arranged, where one end of said illuminated band is connected to a light source.

2. Illuminant-banded escalator of Claim 1 characterized by the fact that the handrail is comprised of a light-transmitting resin which is provided with a concave groove for housing the illuminated band and is fixed to a balustrade such as a glass panel, etc. and a light-transmitting fixing guide is arranged at the top part of this resin guide for the attachment of the illuminated band.

3. Illuminant-banded escalator characterized by the fact that an illuminated band arranged in the skirt panel that conceals the handrail on the step side is formed to illuminate the steps.