AU2015100047A4 - Improved cleaning apparatus and method for escalator or moving walkway - Google Patents

Abstract

Improved Cleaning Apparatus & Method For Escalator Or Moving Walkway A cleaning-apparatus is adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway. The apparatus has a brush which cleans incoming standing surfaces that move towards the apparatus. The brush is supported by an angled support arrangement. In use, the brush is positioned on the incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus such that the angled support, in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, is able to contribute a substantial downwardsforce that presses the brush onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform-components. Figure 4A Figure 4C

Description

1 Improved Cleaning Apparatus & Method For Escalator Or Moving Walkway Field of Invention 5 The present invention relates exclusively to escalators and moving walkways (travelators), and relates particularly to a method and apparatus used to clean standing-surfaces on existing escalators or moving walkways. 10 Background of the Invention Escalators are mechanised, moving stairs. These mechanisms include a plurality of platform-components that are connected in an endless loop. The platform-components are arranged to circulated so as to resemble moving stairs. People stand on the platform-components, 15 and thus are transported either up or down the moving stairs by the movement of the platform components. Prior Art Figure 1 shows an illustration of part of a conventional escalator. Another variety of such mechanisms are moving walkways which are based on a similar concept, except that the platform-components are arranged to resemble moving, elongated platforms which are actually made up of a loop of connected the platform-components. These 20 moving walkways are also known as travelators. When such escalators and moving walkways are used, the people stand on the upper surfaces (tread plate) on the platform-components, and hence, the upper surfaces on which people stand, during such use, will be referred to in this specification as standing-surfaces of the platform-components. 25 Prior art Figure 2 shows a conventional platform-component 20 which has an alternating series of elongate, parallel valleys and peaks that, in operation, generally align axially with the travel direction of the platform-components. Cleaning 30 Over a period of time, it becomes necessary to clean the standing-surfaces because, over long periods of operation, the standing-surfaces become soiled particularly from contact with shoes of people standing or stepping on the standing-surfaces, and from other sources such as spillage of food and drink, and lubricants from the other parts of the mechanised apparatus.

2 Australian Patent No. 199668086 (Brennan) describes a known apparatus for cleaning escalators and travelators. The Brennan device provides a brush that is placed on moving surfaces of an escalator for cleaning the surfaces, however, a problem with the Brennan device is that, to achieve a greater degree of contact of the brush and the moving surfaces, heavy weights are 5 placed on the brush. The heavy weights cause the brush to press down harder on the moving surfaces of the escalator. Page 4 of the Brennan specification indicates that weights of up to 30 kg can be used to enable the brush bristles to penetrate the longitudinal grooves that are typically found on the surfaces of the standing-surfaces of escalators. Practically, this presents a disadvantage for the user if he or she is required to carry 30 kg of weights for optimal use of the 10 Brennan device. An object of the present invention is to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the problems in the prior art, or to provide an improved alternative. Discussion of prior art herein is not to be taken as an admission of common general knowledge of the skilled addressee of this specification. 15 Summary of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an incoming standing-surfaces-cleaning-apparatus adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform-components 20 of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, the apparatus comprising: incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means adapted to clean incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus during use of the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning 25 apparatus; and downwards-force-support-means adapted to support the incoming-standing-surfaces cleaning-means, during use, on the incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning apparatus such that the downwards-force-support-means, in use in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, is able to contribute a substantial downwards force that presses the 30 incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform components. Preferably, the downwards-force-support-means is arranged and adapted to support the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means, in use, at an inclined orientation that comprises at 3 least an angle with respect to the standing-surfaces such that the inclined orientation is instrumental in enabling the downwards-force-support-means to contribute a downwards force component in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces. Alternatively, the downwards-force-support-means may be arranged and adapted to 5 support the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means, in use, at an inclined orientation that comprises two or more angles with respect to the standing-surfaces. Preferably, the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means includes a brush with bristles where the bristles of the brush include shorter bristles adapted, in use, to clean peaks on the standing-surfaces, and longer bristles adapted, in use, to clean valleys on the standing-surfaces. 10 The incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means may include mechanised portions that contribute motion to facilitate cleaning. Preferably, the cleaning-apparatus comprises: position-maintenance-means adapted to maintain the cleaning-apparatus in a constant position relative to the escalator or moving walkway such that, in use, all the standing-surfaces of the platform-components are able to pass 15 under the cleaning-apparatus one followed by another as a result of movement of the continuous loop of the mutually connected platform-components. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, 20 in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform components, the method comprising: using downwards-force-support-means of an incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning apparatus to support incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means of the apparatus on the incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus such that the downwards 25 force-support-means, in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, contributes a substantial downwards force that presses the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform-components. Preferably, the method includes using the downwards-force-support-means to support the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means at an inclined orientation that comprises at least an 30 angle with respect to the standing-surfaces to enable the downwards-force-support-means to contribute a substantial downwards-force component in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces. Preferably, the method includes using position-maintenance-means of the cleaning apparatus to maintain the cleaning-apparatus in a constant position relative to the escalator or 4 moving walkway such that all the standing-surfaces of the platform-components are able to pass under the cleaning-apparatus one followed by another as a result of movement of the continuous loop of the mutually connected platform-components. 5 According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a standing surfaces-cleaning-apparatus adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, and in which the standing-surface of each platform-component has an alternating series 10 of elongate, parallel valleys and peaks that generally align axially with the travel direction of the platform-components, the apparatus comprising: incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means adapted to clean incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus during use of the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning 15 apparatus; wherein the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means includes a brush with bristles including shorter bristles adapted, in use, to clean peaks on the standing-surfaces, and longer bristles adapted, in use, to clean valleys on the standing-surfaces. 20 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an incoming standing-surfaces-cleaning-apparatus adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, the apparatus comprising: 25 incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means adapted to clean incoming standing-surfaces; and downwards-force-support-means adapted to support the incoming-standing-surfaces cleaning-means on the standing-surfaces such that the downwards-force-support-means, in use in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, is able to contribute a substantial 30 downwards force that presses the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means onto the standing surfaces of the incoming platform-components.

5 Drawings In order that the present invention might be more fully understood, embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying 5 drawings, in which: Figure 1 relates to prior art, and is an illustration of part of a known escalator; Figure 2 relates to prior art, and is a perspective view of part of a standing-surface on a platform-component of a known escalator, such as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 relates to prior art, and is a schematic diagram that represents a cross-sectional 10 front view of a standing-surface of a known platform-component; Figure 4A is a side perspective view of an embodiment of an incoming-standing surfaces-cleaning-apparatus shown with its support arm arranged at an in-use angle; Figure 4B is a side perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4A shown with its support arm folded down when in its non-use arrangement; 15 Figure 4C shows the embodiment of Figure 4B here shown with end panels installed; Figure 4D shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4C; Figure 4E shows a rear perspective, end view of the embodiment of Figure 4C; Figure 4F shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4C; Figure 4G shows the embodiment of Figures 4A to 4F here with the brush flipped over to 20 reveal the undersurface of the brush; Figure 4H is a simplified, schematic diagram showing in-use arrangement of an embodiment of the invention relative to the direction of incoming platform-components; and Figures 41 and 4J show swivel-pads used to maintain the embodiment in constant location during use. 25 Embodiments of the invention will be described in relation to escalators for the sake of illustration, however, other embodiments or modifications can be applied equally to moving walkways or travelators. Description of Embodiments 30 Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an illustration of a conventional escalator 10.

6 In prior art Figure 1, the escalator 10 includes a mutually-connected loop of platform components 20. The platform-components 20 are able to move in a continuous loop during operation. In Figure 1, users stand on top of the platform-components 20. In Figure 1, the 5 uppermost, flat part 21 of each platform-component 20 acts as standing-surface on which the users can stand. The standing-surfaces are in the form of tread-plates 21. The users stand on the tread-plates 21 and are thereby conveyed by the escalator, thus avoiding having to climb up or down the stairs. In Figure 1, the moving tread-plates 21 are bordered on either side by upright side-panels 10 11 which may be vertical or at a slight incline. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a tread-plate 21 of a conventional platform component 20. The tread-plate 21 has an alternating series of elongate, parallel valleys and peaks that, in operation, generally align axially with the travel direction of the platform-components. In terms of appearance, the peaks 22 separated by valleys 23, in Figure 3, are in the form that 15 resembles rows of parallel ribs. In conventional escalators, the tops of the peaks can be curved, flat, peaked, cut or serrated, however, embodiments of the invention are able to enhance peaks with all of these surface variations. In Figure 1, the travel direction A-A of the escalator is shown with an arrow 12 which 20 indicates that the escalator is able to act as a moving stairway that has its tread-plates 21 moving either upwards or downwards in order to convey the users either up or down the stairway. Cleaning Apparatus 25 Figure 4A show a view of an embodiment of an incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning apparatus in the form of a surface-cleaner 400. The surface-cleaner 400 is adapted to clean the top of the tread-plates 21 of the platform components 20 of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components. 30 As an overview, the surface-cleaner 400, in use, is positioned and maintained in a constant position between the side-panels 11 that are on either side of the moving tread-plates 21. Thus, when the escalator is in operation, a continuous procession of tread-plates 21 moves towards and then underneath the surface-cleaner 400which is kept in a constant location relative to the escalator.

7 The surface-cleaner 400 is provided with incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means which, in the embodiment, is in the form of a brush 500. As the continuous procession of tread plates 21 moves towards and then underneath the brush 500, the upper surfaces of the plates 21 are cleaned by the brush. 5 In the embodiment shown in Figures 4A to 4G, the brush 500 is a single piece that can span substantially the full width of a typical escalator. Hence, in Figure 1, the brush 500 would be able to fit substantially in the gap between the two end-panels 11. In other modifications, however, the size of the brush and even its bristles can be modified. For instance, smaller brushes can be attached to the surface-cleaner 400 such that an overall brush portion is provided by a 10 combination of several smaller brushes attached to the apparatus 400 to cover the desired width. In other modifications, rather than having one brush or brush portion that cleans the entire width of the escalator or moving walkway, the modification may provide one, or preferably two or more smaller brushes that only clean certain portions of the escalator or moving walkway. For example, a modified embodiment may only have brushes at the peripheral ends for cleaning only 15 both the extreme sides the escalator or moving walkway close to the two side-panels 11. In the embodiment of Figures 4A to 4G, the surface-cleaner 400 has a support frame 110 which includes two end-panels 111 that are supported at either end of a strut 112. (In Figures 4A and 4B, and also Figures 41 and 4J, the end panels 111 are not shown). 20 Cleaner Position Maintenance In the embodiment of Figures 4A to 4G, the surface-cleaner 400 is provided with position-maintenance-means in a form which includes swivel-pads 150. In operation, the platform-components of the escalator are in continuous movement, 25 hence, the position-maintenance-means is able to hold fast the surface-cleaner 400 to an object that is not moving, relative to the moving platform-components, in order that the overall surface cleaner 400 is maintained in a constant position relative to the moving platform-components. In the embodiment, the frame 110 of the surface-cleaner 400 is held firmly between the non-moving, upright side-panels 11, seen in Figure 1. 30 In Figures 41 and 4J, each of the ends of the strut 112 fits in a hole that is at an end of each of the support arms 600. The swivel-pads 150 have threaded stems 113 which screw into tapped holes at the ends of the strut 112. Screwing the stem 113, either inwards or outwards, allows the swivel-pad 150 to be positioned either closer or further away from its respective support arms 600.

8 The swivel-pad 150 are connected to its stem 113 by a ball-and-socket mechanism that allows the pad 150 to swivel at the end of the stem 113, and to have a restricted degree of freedom. In the range of different escalators, the angle of orientation of the side-panels 11 can vary, hence, the slight degree of freedom of the swivel-pads 150 allows the surface-cleaner 400 to 5 be used with a wide variety of side-panel 11 which can vary in their angles of inclination or configurations as can be found in existing escalator or walkways. In use of the embodiment, the surface-cleaner 400 is positioned in between the upright side-panels 11 of the escalator. Both of the swivel-pads 150, at either side of the surface-cleaner 400, are rotated so as to move outwardly until each of the pads 150 press against the side-panels 10 11 of the escalator, thus bracing the support frame 110 of the surface-cleaner 400 therebetween. The support frame 110 of the surface-cleaner 400 is thus able to be maintained in this constant position, until it is later removed by loosening the pads 150. The swivel-pads 150 maintain the support frame 110 of the surface-cleaner 400 in a constant location relative to the moving parts of the escalator or moving walkway. 15 In use, all the tread-plates of the platform-components are able to pass under the support frame 110 of the surface-cleaner 400, one followed by another, as a result of movement of the continuous loop of the mutually connected platform-components of the escalator. (Even if the frame 110 were to be positioned above the flat surface 17 of the cone plate, the fact remains, by definition, that all the tread-plates still pass under the frame 110). 20 In the embodiment, the position-maintenance-means enables the surface-cleaner 400 to be fitted to a wide range of known escalators or moving walkways, particularly at their points of entry or exit. The operator would stand on the ground surface 9 that is adjacent to the entry or exit of the escalator. 25 Downwards Vector Force Component In the embodiment, the surface-cleaner 400 is provided with downwards-force-support means in the form of an downward-angle-support-arm 600. The angle-arm 600 is adapted to support the brush 500, during use, so that the brush 500 30 is positioned on the incoming standing-surfaces of the tread-plates 21 that move towards the surface-cleaner 400. A feature of the downward-angle-support-arm 600 is that the arm 600 is adapted and able to be arranged such that the arm 600, in use in reaction to movement of the incoming standing- 9 surfaces, is able to contribute a substantial downwards force that presses the brush 500 onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform-components. Figure 4H shows a simplified, rough vector diagram (not drawn to scale). As the incoming platform-components move towards the surface-cleaner 400 (shown by arrow 12A), the 5 incoming movement of the standing-surfaces generates an oncoming force 610 that acts on the brush 500, and thereby acts on the overall surface-cleaner 400. The reaction 620 to this oncoming force 610 is transmitted through the downward-angle-support-arm 600. This reactionary force 620, in the downward-angle-support-arm 600, which is arranged at an angle, has a vertical force component 620V and a substantial horizontal force component 10 620H. The effect of the downwards, vertical force component 620V - that is in reaction to the force of the incoming standing-surfaces - causes the downward-angle-support-arm 600 to press the brush 500 down onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform-components. This substantial downward pressure on the brush aids the effectiveness of the brush to 15 clean the standing-surfaces of the platform-components. Thus, a substantial downwards force 620V is obtained by harnessed the force of the incoming motion of the incoming platform-components. Therefore, in contrast to the Brennan prior art, mentioned in the preamble, there is no need to create a downwards force by supplying separate heavy weights. Hence, the present embodiment is at least an improvement over the prior 20 art, for instance, because surface-cleaner 400 of the present embodiment is easier to transport and operate than the prior art apparatus. In use with an escalator, the surface-cleaner 400 may be used either at the entry or exit of the escalator, provided that the downward-angle-support-arm 600 is arranged, in use, to slope towards and against the incoming platform-components, as indicated in the schematic diagram of 25 Figure 4H. In Figure 4H, the downward-angle-support-arm 600 is arranged to support the brush 500, during use, at an inclined orientation that comprises at least an angle 630 with respect to the standing-surface. The inclined orientation is instrumental in enabling the downward-angle support-arm 600 to contribute a downwards force component in reaction to movement of the 30 incoming standing-surfaces. Specifically, it is not advisable to use the surface-cleaner 400 with the downward-angle support-arm 600 is arranged, in use, as indicated in the schematic diagram of Figure 4K. In the inadvisable arrangement of Figure 4K, there is an insubstantial downwards force pressing on the brush 500, and whatever insubstantial downwards force there is comes mostly from the combined 10 mass of the brush 500 and the downward-angle-support-arm 600. In other words, in the arrangement of Figure 4K, there is no substantial degree of harnessing of force from the moving platform-components. The provision of the optional side panels 111 in the embodiment is to provide support for 5 the arm 600 when the apparatus is not in use, such as show in Figures 4C to 4F. When the apparatus is in use, with the arm 600 raised at an angle 630, these side panels 111 do not play a role in the in-use, angled arrangement. Brush Bristle Length Variation 10 In the embodiment in Figures 4C and 4G, the bristles of the brush 500 include shorter bristles 510 adapted, in use, to clean the peaks 22 on the standing-surfaces, and longer bristles 520 adapted, in use, to clean valleys 23 on the standing-surfaces. Preferably, the difference in length between the longer and shorter bristles correlates to approximately the depth of the valleys, 15 i.e. the distance between the peaks 22 and the valleys 23, found on typical escalator standing surfaces. In the embodiment, the shorter bristles 510 are grouped together at the centre of the arrangement of bristles, while the longer bristles 520 are arranged proximate either longitudinal edge of the arrangement of bristles. This arrangement enables the brush to sit flat on a surface, as 20 shown in Figure 4C. It is also easier to manufacture when the regions of bristles, of different lengths, are separated rather than having the differently sized bristles combined. Other Variations 25 In the embodiment of Figures 4A to 4G, the downward-angle-support-arm 600 is in the form of a single-bar linkage, however, other variations can use multiple-bar linkages. In such variations, the downward-angle-support-arm 600 would be arranged to support the brush 500 at an inclined orientation that comprises two or more angles 630, 631 with respect to the standing surfaces, for instance as shown in Figure 4H2. 30 In other modifications, there are other ways of maintaining the surface-cleaner 400 in a constant position relative to the escalator, which may be achieved by fastening the apparatus to other parts of the escalator environment that are not moving. In the embodiment of Figures 4A to 4G, the surface-cleaner 400 is held firmly between the upright, non-moving sides-panels 11 of the escalator. The functional requirement, however, is 11 that the enhancement apparatus is maintained in a constant position relative to the moving platform components 20, hence, this could conceivably be achieved by a mechanism that holds the enhancement apparatus to another object or surface that is not moving, for instance, to the ground surface. 5 The visual appearance of the frame 110 of various parts of the surface-cleaner 400can be varied while maintaining similar mechanical and functional capabilities of the invention in its broadest aspect. The width of the surface-cleaner 400 apparatus, and the widths of the brush portions, can be modified to be shorter or longer to cater for variations in the widths of escalators or moving 10 walkways around the world. In other modifications, the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means may have a form, apart from brushes, that includes mechanised portions that contribute motion to facilitate cleaning, for example, wiping pads or wiping implements. In other variations, the incoming standing-surfaces-cleaning-means may comprise moving parts, such as rotating brushes, rotating 15 abrasive surfaces, or vibrating cleaning or scouring pads. In such modifications, the rotation or vibration motion can come from small motors, or alternatively the apparatus can have a mechanism that harnesses the motion of the escalator to create any such movement in the modified cleaning-means. The embodiments have been advanced by way of example only, and modifications are 20 possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In this specification, where the words comprise or comprises or derivatives thereof are used in relation to elements, integers, steps or features, this is to indicate that those elements, integers, steps or features are present but it is not to be taken to preclude the possibility of other elements, integers, steps or features being present. 25 The specification and its appended claims specifically exclude from its scope any matter that does not pertain to the field of escalators and moving walkways.

Claims (5)

1. Incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-apparatus adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, the apparatus comprising: incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means adapted to clean incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus during use of the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning apparatus; and downwards-force-support-means adapted to support the incoming-standing-surfaces cleaning-means, during use, on the incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning apparatus such that the downwards-force-support-means, in use in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, is able to contribute a substantial downwards force that presses the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform components.

2. Incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downwards-force support-means is arranged and adapted to support the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning means, in use, at an inclined orientation that comprises at least an angle with respect to the standing-surfaces such that the inclined orientation is instrumental in enabling the downwards force-support-means to contribute a downwards force component in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces.

3. A method of cleaning standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, the method comprising: using downwards-force-support-means of an incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning apparatus to support incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means of the apparatus on the incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus such that the downwards force-support-means, in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, contributes a substantial downwards force that presses the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means onto the standing-surfaces of the incoming platform-components. 13

4. Standing-surfaces-cleaning-apparatus adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, and in which the standing-surface of each platform-component has an alternating series of elongate, parallel valleys and peaks that generally align axially with the travel direction of the platform-components, the apparatus comprising: incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means adapted to clean incoming standing-surfaces that move towards the cleaning-apparatus during use of the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning apparatus; wherein the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means includes a brush with bristles including shorter bristles adapted, in use, to clean peaks on the standing-surfaces, and longer bristles adapted, in use, to clean valleys on the standing-surfaces.

5. Incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-apparatus adapted to clean standing-surfaces of platform-components of an escalator or a moving walkway which, in operation, is able to move in a continuous loop of a plurality of mutually connected platform-components, the apparatus comprising: incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means adapted to clean incoming standing surfaces; and downwards-force-support-means adapted to support the incoming-standing-surfaces cleaning-means on the standing-surfaces such that the downwards-force-support-means, in use in reaction to movement of the incoming standing-surfaces, is able to contribute a substantial downwards force that presses the incoming-standing-surfaces-cleaning-means onto the standing surfaces of the incoming platform-components.