Escalator solid side truss construction
A side truss assembly for escalators and moving walkways is formed of a corrugated main panel bounded by upper and lower stiffeners. The corrugation fold lines preferably extend perpendicular to the rise angle of the assembly and to the length of the stiffeners. End panels may be joined to the main panel to form a parallelogram construction with vertical end walls.
The present invention relates to escalators and moving walkways, and in particular, to a new and improved truss construction therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional escalator and moving walkways (hereinafter generally referred to as “escalators”) utilize a support construction formed of steel channel elements. Such constructions are heavy, and because of the numerous welds typically required, are both expensive and time consuming to build. Constructions utilizing such channel elements incorporating cut-out sections to lessen the weight and limit construction steps have been proposed. See, for example, European patent application EP 1 074 507 A1. Such constructions, however, still require numerous operations and are not totally cost effective.
It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide an escalator support construction of improved design which has significant cost benefits over the manufacturing costs of conventional truss designs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the stated purpose, an escalator truss construction in accordance with the present invention utilizes a quasi-corrugated wall construction fastened to upper and lower profile elements. By incorporating a corrugated wall, the more complex fastenings, such as welds, for channel members are eliminated. The truss can be fabricated in any length required without extensive set-up and change-over costs. In addition, both the corrugated wall as well as preferred profile sections for the upper and lower supports can be formed from sheet steel by relatively simple bending processes, reducing material costs for the product. Additional cross member supports can be similarly fabricated from sheet steel as required, and welded or otherwise affixed to the sides to provided any additional escalator component supports.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA fuller understanding of the present invention will be achieved upon consideration of the following, detailed description of a preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment thereof, when reviewed in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein:
In distinction to a conventional escalator truss as depicted in
As further illustrated in
As depicted in
The upper and lower channel elements 14, 16 may be of 10 or 11 gauge, with a typical height of about 5 inches and a horizontal width of about 3 inches. The thickness of panel 12 may vary, depending on the rise of the escalator, but is typically between 11 and 16 gauge. The corrugations may have a depth on the order of 3 inches, while the exterior portions 28 in
Claims
1. An escalator side truss assembly, comprising a corrugated panel and top and bottom stiffeners extending substantially the length of the corrugated panel fastened to the corrugated panel.
2. The side truss assembly of claim 1, wherein the corrugated panel has corrugation fold lines extending perpendicular to a length of the stiffeners.
3. The side truss assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the corrugated panel is of stainless steel.
4. The side truss assembly of claim 3 further including at least one intermediate bracket affixed to the corrugated panel for supporting a roller assembly of the escalator.
5. The side truss assembly of claim 3, wherein the stiffeners are fastened to the corrugated panel by welds.
6. The side truss assembly of claim 3 wherein the truss assembly is of a parallelogram shape, with a rectangular corrugated panel and an end panel located adjacent an end of the corrugated panel and between the stiffeners.
7. The side truss assembly of claim 6, wherein the end panel is fastened to the stiffeners and corrugated panel by welds.
8. The side truss assembly of claim 6, wherein the end panel is of triangular or trapezoidal shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 21, 2003
Publication Date: May 26, 2005
Inventor: Richard Lauch (Hopatcong, NJ)
Application Number: 10/719,731