Title of Invention	A PALLET ARRANGEMENT FOR A TRAVELATOR
Abstract	The invention relates to a pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a pallet (1) moving on wheels (7) forms a part of a moving track, said pallet (1) consisting of at least a pallet body (2) and a surface part. The body (2) of the pallet is a structure cut to a predetermined size from a profiled bar, and the body (2) is provided with one or more surface plates (3-5) attached to it to form a wearing surface.

Title of Invention

A PALLET ARRANGEMENT FOR A TRAVELATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a pallet (1) moving on wheels (7) forms a part of a moving track, said pallet (1) consisting of at least a pallet body (2) and a surface part. The body (2) of the pallet is a structure cut to a predetermined size from a profiled bar, and the body (2) is provided with one or more surface plates (3-5) attached to it to form a wearing surface.

Full Text	A PALLET ARRANGEMENT FOR A TRAVELATOR The present invention relates to a. pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent. Like escalators, travelatois are conveying devices designed, to move people or goods. They differ from escalators e.g. in that they often work in a substantially horizontal position or in a slightly inclined position relative to their direction of motion so that successive steps, i.e. pallets, form a substan- tially even and rectilinea.: track instead of stair-like steps as in escalators. Travelat:>rs are also referred to as moving sidewalks and autowalks. In prior-art travelators, autoramps and escalators, the pal- lets are typically made from aluminum or other suitable metal or alloy pressure-molded as a single piece. A problem with these constructions is thai: the pressure-molding tools appli- cable for this purpose are very expensive. A further problem is that separate expensive tools are needed for each step or pallet type and for each width. In addition, prior-art pallet constructions have e.g. plastic comb strips or equivalent .ised as decorative or warning ele- ments. A problem with these solutions is that mounting the comb strips is a difficult and time-consuming operation be- cause in prior-art constructions they are generally fastened by means of screws to the routed edges of the steps or pal- lets. Another known technique in prior-art pallet structures is to illuminate the gap between steps or pallets from below to warn about the approaching end cf the moving track of the travela- tor. However, a problem is the narrow width of the aforesaid gap, which in prior-art solutions is generally only about three to six mm. Therefore, the warning light has a weak attention-arousing effect, which is why the warning is easily overlooked. The object of the present invention is to overcome; the above- mentioned drawbacks and achieve an easily variable pallet structure of economical cost for use in a' travelaror, autoramp, escalator or equivalent, a pallet structure that will also allow safety-improving solutions and various visual functions, such as the presentation of information or adver- tisements, and that also allows fast and economical mainte- nance of the pallets because the surfacing part is easily replaceable and additionally permits the replacement of worn parts only, making it unnecessary to replace the entire pallet due to wear of the surfacing. The pallet arrangement of the invention is characterized by the body being provided with wheels mounted at either end of it and with a fastening ele- ment at at least one end, preferably at either end, between the wheels mounted at the end of the pallet, for coupling the pallet to an endless cogged belt, chain or equivalent actuat- ing means. Preferably, the body of the pallet is a structure cut to a predetermined size from extruded aluminum or some other suit- able metal or alloy and composed of at least two extruded pieces joined together and disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the travelator. The surface plates forming a wearing surface are surface plates of substantially equal size made by extruding from plastic or a corresponding material. The lower part of the surface plates is provided with coupling elements and correspondingly the upper part of the body is provided with counterparts to which the coupling elements can be fastened by a shape-locked coupling. The sur- face plates are of mutually different colors, and that some of the surface plates are translucent or transparent. A notice, advertisement or other element varying the appearance and printed on paper, plastic or equivalent is preferably fitted between the translucent or transparent surface plates and the pallet body. In a preferred embodiment, the pallet arrangement comprises illumination equipment provided under the translu- cent or transparent surface plates and fitted to illuminate from below the notice, advertisement or other element varying the appearance, placed between the surface plates and the pallet body. The surface plates may be provided with a sealing fastened to their edge t o seal the gap between successive pallets. At least some of the: surface plates are of aluminum or similar material in their upper surface, preferably throughout their structure. The inventive content disclosed in the application can also be defined in other ways than is done in the claims below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inven- tions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in respect of advantages or sets of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. An example of such objectives or tasks is clarification of the production process and installation. The features of different embodiments of the invention and those of the described appli- cations of the invention can be combined with the embodiments defined or they can replace features of the embodiments as far as technically reasonable. The advantages of the pallet arrangement of the invention include: low manufacturing costs and a surface structure con- sisting of easily variable surfacing parts. Another advantage is that user safety is improved, because the light effects indicating the end of the moving track can be easily imple- mented so that they will be more readily perceivable than in prior-art solutions and additionally the gaps between steps or pallets can be sealed better than in prior-art solutions. A further advantage is that the surface of the pallets can be used better than before as a displaying surface: for notices cr advertisements. An advantage is also the fact that mainte- nance of the equipment becomes easier and cheaper because only the surfacing parts subject to wear need to be replaced. An additional advantage i s that the surfacing parts are fas- tened to the body of the step or pallet by profile-locked snap-on couplings or equivalent that can be easily released and locked, allowing the joints to be easily uncoupled using a suitable tool. An additional advantage are small invest- ments on tools, and therefore the pallets cut to a suitable length from extruded lone profiles or their surfacing parts can be easily and quickly replaced with a structure of some other type or shape if desirable. The pallet body being made from extruded profile or consisting of some other suitable pre file structure, in a preferred case this profile shape is pro\ided with fastening points both for the mounting of wheels ami for elements for the transmission of the driving power needed to move the pallets. The wheel or fastening element transmiiting driving power, which is at- tached to a chain or other means transmitting driving power to the pallet, is preferably connected to a fastening point in the pallet via a knuckle pin or equivalent. In the direction of motion of the pallet, the fastening point for the transmis- sion of driving power is ..ocated between the frontmost wheel and the hindmost wheel, preferably at the same level with the axles of the wheels. The body itself is preferably rigid enough to receive all the strain caused by the load and the movement of the pallet on its track. The knuckle pins or other fastening means and the cc ver plates of the pallet may also contribute towards increasing the rigidity of the body. Accordingly, the present ir vention provides a pallet arrange- ment for a travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a pallet, moving on wheels forms a part of a moving track, said pallet consisting of at lsast a pallet body and a surface part, such that the pallet body is a structure of predeter- mined size made from a profiled bar and that the body is pro- vided with one or more surface plates forming a wearing sur- face, characterized that the body is provided with wheels mounted at either end of :.t and with a fastening element at at least one end, preferably at either end, between the wheels mounted at the end of the pallet, for coupling the pallet to an endless cogged belt, chain or equivalent actuating means. In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment example and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 presents a pal.-et according to the invention in an oblique top view, and Fig. 2 presents a more detailed end view of the pallet of the invention. The pallet structure 1 of the invention comprises a pallet body 2, which is pref era :>ly made by extruding a suitable profile from aluminum or some other appropriate metal or alloy. In the manufacture of the profile, a certain type of profile is extruded in bar; of a length well suited for manu- facture, transportation oi other purposes. From the these profiled bars, parts of a Length exactly appropriate for the purpose are cut later during manufacture of the pallet. Thus, the same profile can be easily used for pallets of different widths, so the width of the moving track of the travelator can be easily varied. Fastened to the pallet body 2 are wheels 7 at each end of ths pallet and likewise at at least one end, preferably at either end a fastening element 8 by means of which the pallet is coupled to an endless cogged belt or chain or an equivalent actuating device serving to move the pallets. A surface part extruded from plastic or corresponding mate- rial and preferably consist Lng of one or more surface plates 3-5 of suitable width tha': also contain the required corruga- tions in the direction of the track of motion of the pallets is fastened onto the bod^ 2 of the pallet 1 by means of e.g. snap-on couplings or similar shape-locked couplings. Each surface plate 3-5 is pro/ided with snap-on coupling elements or similar coupling elements 9 preferably placed in the lower part or lower surface of the surface plates at suitable points, e.g. at the end:, and the middle part of the surface plates, so that the surface plates remain firmly in place on the body 2 of the pallet- and that the surface plates can be easily pressed into position and likewise easily released from the body by means of a tool appropriate for the purpose. Correspondingly, placed at suitable points substantially in the upper part of the body 2 of the pallet are counterparts 10 corresponding to the above-mentioned coupling elements 9, which can be fastened co the counterparts by a shape-locked coupling. The width of the surface plates 3-5 of the invention is pref- erably so defined that, using a suitable number of surface plates of the same width, it is possible to cover pallet bodies of different widths, so the same parts can be used to assemble pallets of different widths. The surface plates may also differ in width ::rom each other. Such surface plates of a different width maj be e.g. the surface plates placed at the edges of the pallet, which may have a different structure and/or coloring, or special patterning pieces whose pattern is desired to be continuous without visible boundaries. Fig. 1 presents a pallet 1 provided with surface plates 3 and 4 of different colo::s and also transparent or translucent surface plates 5. tnder these transparent or translucent surface plates 5, between the body 2 and the surface plate 5, it is possible to place e.g. a notice, advertisement or other element varying the appearance, printed on paper, plastic or similar material, which can be illuminated from below or from the side to produce different visual effects. The transparent or translucent surface plates 5 are preferably placed in the middle part of the pal..et 1. By placing surface plates of different colors at different positions in the widthwise direction of the pallet 1, it is possible to vary the appear- ance of successive pallets, allowing the appearance of the moving track of the travelator tc be easily changed and given a different look. The solution of the invention also allows the gap between successive pallets 1 in the traveiator to be made considera- bly wider than in prior-art solutions, even as much as about ten times wider depending on the surfacing solutions, so that, when completely or partly transparent or translucent surface plates are used, the transparent or translucent gap thus formed can be illuminated from below to warn e.g. about the danger posed by the approaching end of the moving track. Because the attention-arousing effect of the warning light in the wide gap thus formed is very good, passengers concen- trated on studying the no:ices or advertisements or equiva- lent can be effectively aroused to the danger caused by the approaching end of the moving track. When plastic elements are illuminated from the .side, it also possible to produce impressive illumination ei fects as the light is scattered e.g. at the crests of the corrugations mentioned above. When required, a suitable sealing surface or some other ap- plicable sealing structure, such as a sealing lip, can also be easily fastened to the extruded plastic surfacing part 3- 5, said sealing being designed to close the gap between suc- cessive pallets 1. The use of sealings improves the operating safety, among other things, and prevents small objects from falling down into the mechanical structures of the traveia- tor. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the in- vention is not limited ::o the example described above, but that it may be varied u Lthin the scope of the claims pre- sented below. Thus, not e11 the above-mentioned elements need necessarily be used on one pallet. A pallet may be provided with e.. g. only one kinc of surface plates. Likewise, the material and method of manufacture of the pallet body may differ from the above description. For example, the pallet body may consist of two or more sections coupled together, so the length of the body in the direction of the pallet track is not limited to the conventionally or easily available maximum size determined by the extrusion or other manufactur- ing technique. In addition, the size, shape, structure and material of the surfacing parts of the pallets may differ from the above description. Thus, for example, the surfacing part of the pallet may be made of a material other than plas- tic. A good other material like this is aluminum or the like. WE CLAIM : 1. A pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a pallet (1) moving on wheels (7) forms a part of a moving track, said pallet (1) consisting of at least a pallet body (2) and a surface part, such that the pallet body (2) is a structure of predetermined size made from a profiled bar and that the: body (2) is provided with one: or more surface plates (3-5) forming a wearing surface, charac- terized that the body (2) is provided with wheels (7) mounted at either end of it and with a fastening element (8) at at least one end, preferably at either end, between the wheels (7) mounted at the end of the pallet, for coupling the pallet (1) to an endless cogged belt, chain or equivalent actuating means. 2. A pallet arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (2) of the pallet is a structure cut to a predetermined size from extruded aluminum or some other suitable metal or alloy. 3. A pallet arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the body (2) of the pallet; is composed of at least two ex- truded pieces joined together and disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the travelator. 4. A pallet arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the surface plates (3-5) forming a wearing surface are surface plates of substantially equal size made by extruding from plastic or a corresponding material. 5. A pallet, arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part of the surface plates (3-5) is provided with coupling elements (9) and correspondingly the upper part of the body (2) is provided with counterparts (10) to which the coupling elements (9) can be fastened by a shape- locked coupling. 6. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface plates (3, 4 and 5) are of mutu- ally different colors, and that some of the surface: plates are translucent or transparent. 7. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a notice, advertisement or other element (6) varying the appearance and prinzed on paper, plastic or equivalent has been fitted between the translucent or trans- parent surface plates (5) and the pallet body (2). 8. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises illumination equipment provided under the translucent or transparent surface plates (5) and fitted to illuminate fron below the notice, advertisement or other element (6) varying the appearance, placed between the surface plates (5) and the pallet body (2). 9. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface plates (3-5) are provided with a sealing fastened to their edge to seal the gap between succes- sive pallets (1). 10. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, wherein at least some of the surface plates (3-5) are of aluminum or similar material in their upper surface, preferably throughout thrir structure. The invention relates to a pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a pallet (1) moving on wheels (7) forms a part of a moving track, said pallet (1) consisting of at least a pallet body (2) and a surface part. The body (2) of the pallet is a structure cut to a predetermined size from a profiled bar, and the body (2) is provided with one or more surface plates (3-5) attached to it to form a wearing surface.

Full Text

A PALLET ARRANGEMENT FOR A TRAVELATOR
The present invention relates to a. pallet arrangement for a
travelator or equivalent.
Like escalators, travelatois are conveying devices designed, to
move people or goods. They differ from escalators e.g. in that
they often work in a substantially horizontal position or in a
slightly inclined position relative to their direction of
motion so that successive steps, i.e. pallets, form a substan-
tially even and rectilinea.: track instead of stair-like steps
as in escalators. Travelat:>rs are also referred to as moving
sidewalks and autowalks.
In prior-art travelators, autoramps and escalators, the pal-
lets are typically made from aluminum or other suitable metal
or alloy pressure-molded as a single piece. A problem with
these constructions is thai: the pressure-molding tools appli-
cable for this purpose are very expensive. A further problem
is that separate expensive tools are needed for each step or
pallet type and for each width.
In addition, prior-art pallet constructions have e.g. plastic
comb strips or equivalent .ised as decorative or warning ele-
ments. A problem with these solutions is that mounting the
comb strips is a difficult and time-consuming operation be-
cause in prior-art constructions they are generally fastened
by means of screws to the routed edges of the steps or pal-
lets.
Another known technique in prior-art pallet structures is to
illuminate the gap between steps or pallets from below to warn
about the approaching end cf the moving track of the travela-
tor. However, a problem is the narrow width of the aforesaid
gap, which in prior-art solutions is generally only about
three to six mm. Therefore, the warning light has a weak
attention-arousing effect, which is why the warning is easily
overlooked.

The object of the present invention is to overcome; the above-
mentioned drawbacks and achieve an easily variable pallet
structure of economical cost for use in a' travelaror,
autoramp, escalator or equivalent, a pallet structure that
will also allow safety-improving solutions and various visual
functions, such as the presentation of information or adver-
tisements, and that also allows fast and economical mainte-
nance of the pallets because the surfacing part is easily
replaceable and additionally permits the replacement of worn
parts only, making it unnecessary to replace the entire pallet
due to wear of the surfacing. The pallet arrangement of the
invention is characterized by the body being provided with
wheels mounted at either end of it and with a fastening ele-
ment at at least one end, preferably at either end, between
the wheels mounted at the end of the pallet, for coupling the
pallet to an endless cogged belt, chain or equivalent actuat-
ing means.
Preferably, the body of the pallet is a structure cut to a
predetermined size from extruded aluminum or some other suit-
able metal or alloy and composed of at least two extruded
pieces joined together and disposed one after the other in the
longitudinal direction of the travelator. The surface plates
forming a wearing surface are surface plates of substantially
equal size made by extruding from plastic or a corresponding
material. The lower part of the surface plates is provided
with coupling elements and correspondingly the upper part of
the body is provided with counterparts to which the coupling
elements can be fastened by a shape-locked coupling. The sur-
face plates are of mutually different colors, and that some of
the surface plates are translucent or transparent. A notice,
advertisement or other element varying the appearance and
printed on paper, plastic or equivalent is preferably fitted
between the translucent or transparent surface plates and the
pallet body. In a preferred embodiment, the pallet arrangement

comprises illumination equipment provided under the translu-
cent or transparent surface plates and fitted to illuminate
from below the notice, advertisement or other element varying
the appearance, placed between the surface plates and the
pallet body. The surface plates may be provided with a sealing
fastened to their edge t o seal the gap between successive
pallets. At least some of the: surface plates are of aluminum
or similar material in their upper surface, preferably
throughout their structure.
The inventive content disclosed in the application can also be
defined in other ways than is done in the claims below. The
inventive content may also consist of several separate inven-
tions, especially if the invention is considered in the light
of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in respect of advantages
or sets of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the
attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous
from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. An
example of such objectives or tasks is clarification of the
production process and installation. The features of different
embodiments of the invention and those of the described appli-
cations of the invention can be combined with the embodiments
defined or they can replace features of the embodiments as far
as technically reasonable.
The advantages of the pallet arrangement of the invention
include: low manufacturing costs and a surface structure con-
sisting of easily variable surfacing parts. Another advantage
is that user safety is improved, because the light effects
indicating the end of the moving track can be easily imple-
mented so that they will be more readily perceivable than in
prior-art solutions and additionally the gaps between steps or
pallets can be sealed better than in prior-art solutions. A
further advantage is that the surface of the pallets can be
used better than before as a displaying surface: for notices cr
advertisements. An advantage is also the fact that mainte-

nance of the equipment becomes easier and cheaper because
only the surfacing parts subject to wear need to be replaced.
An additional advantage i s that the surfacing parts are fas-
tened to the body of the step or pallet by profile-locked
snap-on couplings or equivalent that can be easily released
and locked, allowing the joints to be easily uncoupled using
a suitable tool. An additional advantage are small invest-
ments on tools, and therefore the pallets cut to a suitable
length from extruded lone profiles or their surfacing parts
can be easily and quickly replaced with a structure of some
other type or shape if desirable.
The pallet body being made from extruded profile or consisting
of some other suitable pre file structure, in a preferred case
this profile shape is pro\ided with fastening points both for
the mounting of wheels ami for elements for the transmission
of the driving power needed to move the pallets. The wheel or
fastening element transmiiting driving power, which is at-
tached to a chain or other means transmitting driving power to
the pallet, is preferably connected to a fastening point in
the pallet via a knuckle pin or equivalent. In the direction
of motion of the pallet, the fastening point for the transmis-
sion of driving power is ..ocated between the frontmost wheel
and the hindmost wheel, preferably at the same level with the
axles of the wheels. The body itself is preferably rigid
enough to receive all the strain caused by the load and the
movement of the pallet on its track. The knuckle pins or other
fastening means and the cc ver plates of the pallet may also
contribute towards increasing the rigidity of the body.
Accordingly, the present ir vention provides a pallet arrange-
ment for a travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a
pallet, moving on wheels forms a part of a moving track, said
pallet consisting of at lsast a pallet body and a surface
part, such that the pallet body is a structure of predeter-
mined size made from a profiled bar and that the body is pro-

vided with one or more surface plates forming a wearing sur-
face, characterized that the body is provided with wheels
mounted at either end of :.t and with a fastening element at at
least one end, preferably at either end, between the wheels
mounted at the end of the pallet, for coupling the pallet to
an endless cogged belt, chain or equivalent actuating means.
In the following, the invention will be described in detail
with reference to an embodiment example and the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 presents a pal.-et according to the invention in an
oblique top view, and
Fig. 2 presents a more detailed end view of the pallet of
the invention.
The pallet structure 1 of the invention comprises a pallet
body 2, which is pref era :>ly made by extruding a suitable
profile from aluminum or some other appropriate metal or
alloy. In the manufacture of the profile, a certain type of
profile is extruded in bar; of a length well suited for manu-
facture, transportation oi other purposes. From the these
profiled bars, parts of a Length exactly appropriate for the
purpose are cut later during manufacture of the pallet. Thus,
the same profile can be easily used for pallets of different
widths, so the width of the moving track of the travelator
can be easily varied. Fastened to the pallet body 2 are
wheels 7 at each end of ths pallet and likewise at at least
one end, preferably at either end a fastening element 8 by
means of which the pallet is coupled to an endless cogged
belt or chain or an equivalent actuating device serving to
move the pallets.
A surface part extruded from plastic or corresponding mate-
rial and preferably consist Lng of one or more surface plates

3-5 of suitable width tha': also contain the required corruga-
tions in the direction of the track of motion of the pallets
is fastened onto the bod^ 2 of the pallet 1 by means of e.g.
snap-on couplings or similar shape-locked couplings. Each
surface plate 3-5 is pro/ided with snap-on coupling elements
or similar coupling elements 9 preferably placed in the lower
part or lower surface of the surface plates at suitable
points, e.g. at the end:, and the middle part of the surface
plates, so that the surface plates remain firmly in place on
the body 2 of the pallet- and that the surface plates can be
easily pressed into position and likewise easily released
from the body by means of a tool appropriate for the purpose.
Correspondingly, placed at suitable points substantially in
the upper part of the body 2 of the pallet are counterparts
10 corresponding to the above-mentioned coupling elements 9,
which can be fastened co the counterparts by a shape-locked
coupling.
The width of the surface plates 3-5 of the invention is pref-
erably so defined that, using a suitable number of surface
plates of the same width, it is possible to cover pallet
bodies of different widths, so the same parts can be used to
assemble pallets of different widths. The surface plates may
also differ in width ::rom each other. Such surface plates of
a different width maj be e.g. the surface plates placed at
the edges of the pallet, which may have a different structure
and/or coloring, or special patterning pieces whose pattern
is desired to be continuous without visible boundaries.
Fig. 1 presents a pallet 1 provided with surface plates 3 and
4 of different colo::s and also transparent or translucent
surface plates 5. tnder these transparent or translucent
surface plates 5, between the body 2 and the surface plate 5,
it is possible to place e.g. a notice, advertisement or other
element varying the appearance, printed on paper, plastic or
similar material, which can be illuminated from below or from

the side to produce different visual effects. The transparent
or translucent surface plates 5 are preferably placed in the
middle part of the pal..et 1. By placing surface plates of
different colors at different positions in the widthwise
direction of the pallet 1, it is possible to vary the appear-
ance of successive pallets, allowing the appearance of the
moving track of the travelator tc be easily changed and given
a different look.
The solution of the invention also allows the gap between
successive pallets 1 in the traveiator to be made considera-
bly wider than in prior-art solutions, even as much as about
ten times wider depending on the surfacing solutions, so
that, when completely or partly transparent or translucent
surface plates are used, the transparent or translucent gap
thus formed can be illuminated from below to warn e.g. about
the danger posed by the approaching end of the moving track.
Because the attention-arousing effect of the warning light in
the wide gap thus formed is very good, passengers concen-
trated on studying the no:ices or advertisements or equiva-
lent can be effectively aroused to the danger caused by the
approaching end of the moving track. When plastic elements
are illuminated from the .side, it also possible to produce
impressive illumination ei fects as the light is scattered
e.g. at the crests of the corrugations mentioned above.
When required, a suitable sealing surface or some other ap-
plicable sealing structure, such as a sealing lip, can also
be easily fastened to the extruded plastic surfacing part 3-
5, said sealing being designed to close the gap between suc-
cessive pallets 1. The use of sealings improves the operating
safety, among other things, and prevents small objects from
falling down into the mechanical structures of the traveia-
tor.
It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the in-

vention is not limited ::o the example described above, but
that it may be varied u Lthin the scope of the claims pre-
sented below. Thus, not e11 the above-mentioned elements need
necessarily be used on one pallet. A pallet may be provided
with e.. g. only one kinc of surface plates. Likewise, the
material and method of manufacture of the pallet body may
differ from the above description. For example, the pallet
body may consist of two or more sections coupled together, so
the length of the body in the direction of the pallet track
is not limited to the conventionally or easily available
maximum size determined by the extrusion or other manufactur-
ing technique. In addition, the size, shape, structure and
material of the surfacing parts of the pallets may differ
from the above description. Thus, for example, the surfacing
part of the pallet may be made of a material other than plas-
tic. A good other material like this is aluminum or the like.

WE CLAIM :
1. A pallet arrangement for a travelator or equivalent, in
which arrangement a pallet (1) moving on wheels (7) forms a
part of a moving track, said pallet (1) consisting of at least
a pallet body (2) and a surface part, such that the pallet
body (2) is a structure of predetermined size made from a
profiled bar and that the: body (2) is provided with one: or
more surface plates (3-5) forming a wearing surface, charac-
terized that the body (2) is provided with wheels (7) mounted
at either end of it and with a fastening element (8) at at
least one end, preferably at either end, between the wheels
(7) mounted at the end of the pallet, for coupling the pallet
(1) to an endless cogged belt, chain or equivalent actuating
means.
2. A pallet arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
body (2) of the pallet is a structure cut to a predetermined
size from extruded aluminum or some other suitable metal or
alloy.
3. A pallet arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein
the body (2) of the pallet; is composed of at least two ex-
truded pieces joined together and disposed one after the other
in the longitudinal direction of the travelator.
4. A pallet arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
the surface plates (3-5) forming a wearing surface are surface
plates of substantially equal size made by extruding from
plastic or a corresponding material.
5. A pallet, arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the lower part of the surface plates (3-5) is
provided with coupling elements (9) and correspondingly the
upper part of the body (2) is provided with counterparts (10)
to which the coupling elements (9) can be fastened by a shape-

locked coupling.
6. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the surface plates (3, 4 and 5) are of mutu-
ally different colors, and that some of the surface: plates are
translucent or transparent.
7. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein a notice, advertisement or other element (6)
varying the appearance and prinzed on paper, plastic or
equivalent has been fitted between the translucent or trans-
parent surface plates (5) and the pallet body (2).
8. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein it comprises illumination equipment provided
under the translucent or transparent surface plates (5) and
fitted to illuminate fron below the notice, advertisement or
other element (6) varying the appearance, placed between the
surface plates (5) and the pallet body (2).
9. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the surface plates (3-5) are provided with a
sealing fastened to their edge to seal the gap between succes-
sive pallets (1).
10. A pallet arrangement as claimed in any one of the preced-
ing claims, wherein at least some of the surface plates (3-5)
are of aluminum or similar material in their upper surface,
preferably throughout thrir structure.

The invention relates to a pallet arrangement for a
travelator or equivalent, in which arrangement a pallet (1)
moving on wheels (7) forms a part of a moving track, said
pallet (1) consisting of at least a pallet body (2) and a
surface part. The body (2) of the pallet is a structure cut
to a predetermined size from a profiled bar, and the body (2)
is provided with one or more surface plates (3-5) attached to
it to form a wearing surface.

Documents:

758-KOLNP-2006-(13-01-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

758-KOLNP-2006-(28-10-2011)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

758-KOLNP-2006-(28-10-2011)-OTHER PATENT DOCUMENTS.pdf

758-KOLNP-2006-(28-10-2011)-PA.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-abstract.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-assignment.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-claims.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-correspondence.pdf

758-KOLNP-2006-CRROSPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-description (complete).pdf

758-kolnp-2006-drawings.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-examination report.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-form 1.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-form 18.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-form 3.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-form 5.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-assignment.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-claims.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-correspondence.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-examination report.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-form 18.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-form 3.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-form 5.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-gpa.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-pa.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-specification.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-pa.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-reply to examination report.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-specification.pdf

758-kolnp-2006-translated copy of priority document.pdf

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Patent Number

238712

Indian Patent Application Number

758/KOLNP/2006

PG Journal Number

08/2010

Publication Date

19-Feb-2010

Grant Date

17-Feb-2010

Date of Filing

29-Mar-2006

Name of Patentee

KONE CORPORATION

Applicant Address

KARTANONTIE 1, FI-00330, HELSINKI

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	AULANKO ESKO	KAENKATU 6 C 33, FI-04230, KERAVA
2	MUSTALAHTI JORMA	RAIVAAJANTIE 13, FI-05620 HYVINKAA

PCT International Classification Number

B65D 19/00

PCT International Application Number

PCT/FI2004/000644

PCT International Filing date

2004-11-01

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	20031591	2003-11-03	Finland