BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1.Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present invention relates to a falling object prevention fence provided on a passenger conveyor and a passenger conveyor.
2.Description of the Related Art
[0002]
A passenger conveyor includes a frame to be installed in a building structure, and a plurality of steps provided in the frame and connected endlessly to circulate. An endless chain is connected to the plurality of steps, and the plurality of steps circulate as the chain is driven to rotate. Further, a pair of balustrade portions is erected on the frame along a moving direction of the plurality of steps. In addition, a falling object prevention fence is provided on the outer side of the balustrade portion in order to prevent a person and an object from falling outside the balustrade portion. [0003]

In the conventional falling object prevention fence, a strut supporting a panel is fixed to a side surface portion on the outer side in the width direction of the frame by welding. However, a work space for fixing the strut is required in the conventional falling object prevention fence. [0004]
For example, there is a technique described in JP 2018-24489 A in order to save such a work space. JP 2018-24489 A describes the technique that includes: a balustrade having an outer deck that covers an outer lower portion of a balustrade panel; a moving handrail which is attached via a handrail frame at the top of the balustrade and moves in synchronization with steps; and a fence arranged on the outer side of the balustrade. The fence has a lower end fixed to the outer deck by a first fence fixing bracket and an intermediate portion fixed to the handrail frame by a second fence fixing bracket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]
In the technique described in JP 2018-24489 A, however, not only the first fence fixing bracket fixed to the outer deck but also the second fence fixing bracket fixed to the handrail frame is also required in order to

ensure the rigidity of the fence. Therefore, it is necessary to change the handrail frame to which the second fence fixing bracket is fixed to a special specification so that the work of installing the fence is very complicated in the technique described in JP 2018-24489 A. [0007]
In view of the above problem, an object of the invention is to provide a falling object prevention fence of a passenger conveyor and a passenger conveyor capable of easily performing work of installing a strut and a panel member. [0008]
In order to solve the above problem, a falling object prevention fence is installed on a passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor includes: a frame to be installed in a building structure; a plurality of steps provided on the frame and connected endlessly to circulate in the frame, and a balustrade portion arranged at both ends in a width direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the steps.
The falling object prevention fence includes a strut and a panel member. The strut is fixed to the frame and erected from the frame. The panel member is supported by the strut.

In addition, the strut includes a strut base, a support member, and a connecting member. The strut base is fixed to an upper surface portion at both ends in the width direction of the frame by a fixing bolt. The support member is arranged above the strut base in the vertical direction and supports the panel member. The connecting member connects the support member and the strut base with a connecting bolt to be closer to the inner side in the width direction of the frame than the panel member.
[0009]
In addition, a passenger conveyor which is provided in a building structure and conveys a person and an object includes a frame, a plurality of steps, a balustrade portion, and a falling object prevention fence. The frame is installed in the building structure. The plurality of steps are provided on the frame, circulate in the frame, and are connected endlessly. The balustrade portion is arranged at both ends in a width direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the plurality of steps. The falling object prevention fence is installed on the outer side in the width direction of the balustrade portion. In addition, the above-described falling object prevention fence is used as the falling object prevention fence.
[0010]

According to the falling object prevention fence and the passenger conveyor having the above configurations, the work of installing the strut and the panel member can be easily performed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]
Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration view illustrating a configuration example of a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a falling object prevention fence of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a strut of the falling object prevention fence according to the embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the falling object prevention fence according to the embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a front view illustrating a strut base installed in an inclined section of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a panel member and a support member of the falling object prevention fence according to the embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating work of installing falling object prevention fence according to the embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the work of installing the falling object prevention fence according to the embodiment; and
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the work of installing the falling object prevention fence according to the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012]
Hereinafter, embodiments of a falling object prevention fence and a passenger conveyor will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. Incidentally, common members in the drawings are denoted by the same reference signs.
[0013]
1. Exemplary Embodiment
1-1. Configuration Example of Passenger Conveyor
First, a configuration of a passenger conveyor using a falling object prevention fence according to an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "the present example") will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration view illustrating the passenger conveyor. [0014]
A passenger conveyor 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 is an inclined passenger conveyor, so-called escalator, installed on an upper floor 100A and a lower floor 100B of a building structure. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a frame 2 installed in the building structure, an upper boarding/landing floor 3A, a lower boarding/landing floor 3B, a deck portion 4, a plurality of steps 5, a balustrade portion 7, and a falling object prevention fence 15. In addition, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a drive mechanism (not illustrated), a lower sprocket 10, and an upper sprocket 11. [0015]
The frame 2 is installed across the upper floor 100A and the lower floor 100B. The frame 2 is constituted by an inclined section, an upper horizontal section, and a lower horizontal section. Hereinafter, a direction extending from the lower floor 100B to the upper floor 100A in the frame 2 is defined as a longitudinal direction of the frame 2. A direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the frame 2 and also orthogonal to the vertical direction is defined as a width direction of the frame 2. [0016]

The upper horizontal section formed on the upper floor 100A side in the longitudinal direction of the frame 2 is formed to be parallel with the upper floor 100A. Further, the upper boarding/landing floor 3A is installed in the upper horizontal section of the frame 2. The upper boarding/landing floor 3A is parallel to the upper floor 100A and is placed on the upper floor 100A. [0017]
The lower horizontal section formed on the lower floor 100B side in the longitudinal direction of the frame 2 is formed to be parallel with the lower floor 100B. Further, the lower boarding/landing floor 3B is installed in the lower horizontal section of the frame 2. The lower boarding/landing floor 3B is parallel to the lower floor 100B and is installed on the lower floor 100B. [0018]
The frame 2 is configured using, for example, a truss structure. The frame 2 has a pair of upper frames 2a arranged on both sides in the width direction. The upper frames 2a constitute an upper surface portion of the frame 2, and are arranged from the upper floor 100A to the lower floor 100B along the longitudinal direction. Fixing brackets 2b are provided in the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section of the upper frame 2a. [0019]

In addition, the drive mechanism (not illustrated) and the upper sprocket 11 are arranged below the upper boarding/landing floor 3A in the frame 2, and the lower sprocket 10 is arranged below the lower boarding/landing floor 3B in the frame 2. A transmission chain is wound around the upper sprocket 11 and a drive shaft of the drive mechanism. When the drive mechanism is driven, the upper sprocket 11 is driven to rotate via the transmission chain.
[0020]
A step chain is wound around the upper sprocket 11 and the lower sprocket 10. The step chain is formed in an endless shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are connected. As the upper sprocket 11 rotates, the lower sprocket 10 and the step chain rotate. Further, the step chain circulates between the upper sprocket 11 and the lower sprocket 10.
[0021]
The plurality of steps 5 are connected to the step chain in an endless manner. The plurality of steps 5 are movably supported by a guide rail (not illustrated) provided on the frame 2. Then, the plurality of steps 5 circulate between the upper sprocket 11 and the lower sprocket 10 along the guide rail.
[0022]

The deck portion 4 is installed at both ends in the width direction of the plurality of steps 5. The deck portion 4 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame 2. The deck portion 4 covers the entire inclined section above both ends in the width direction of the frame 2 and a part of each of the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section. The deck portion 4 has an inner deck 8 and an outer deck 9 (see Fig. 4) . The inner deck 8 is arranged on the inner side of the passenger conveyor 1 in the width direction, and the outer deck 9 is arranged on the outer side in the width direction. The deck portion 4 supports the balustrade portion 7 between the inner deck 8 and the outer deck 9. [0023]
The balustrade portion 7 includes a balustrade panel 7a supported by the deck portion 4 and a moving handrail 7b (see Fig. 4). The moving handrail 7b is movably supported on a circumferential edge portion of the balustrade panel 7a. In addition, the moving handrail 7b circulates in synchronization with the circulating operation of the plurality of steps 5. [0024]
In addition, the falling object prevention fence 15 is installed on the outer side of the balustrade portion 7 in the width direction. The falling object prevention

fence 15 is installed on the upper surface portion at both
ends of the frame 2 in the width direction.
[0025]
1-2. Configuration of Falling Object Prevention Fence
Next, a configuration example of the falling object prevention fence 15 of the present example will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 6.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the falling object prevention fence 15. [0026]
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the falling object prevention fence (hereinafter simply referred to as the "fence") 15 is fixed to the frame 2, and includes a plurality of struts 16 erected from the frame 2 upward in the vertical direction, and a plurality of panel members 17 supported by the struts 16. The panel member 17 is formed using a transparent or translucent member, for example, an acrylic panel. [0027]
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the strut 16, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the fence 15. Fig. 5 is a front view illustrating a strut base 21 fixed to the inclined section of the frame 2.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the strut 16 includes the strut base 21, a support member 22, and a connecting member 23.
[0028] [Strut Base]
The strut base 21 has a fixing portion 25 and a strut portion 26. The fixing portion 25 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. In the fixing portion 25, two bolt fixing holes 25a and four adjustment bolt fixing holes 25b are formed. The two bolt fixing holes 25a are formed at both ends of the fixing portion 25 in the longitudinal direction. [0029]
A fixing bolt 41 is screwed into the bolt fixing hole 25a. Accordingly, the strut base 21 is fastened and fixed to the upper frame 2a of the frame 2 by the fixing bolt 41 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Incidentally, the fixing portion 25 is fixed to the fixing bracket 2b in the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section of the frame 2. In addition, the fixing portion 25 is fixed to be closer to the outer side in the width direction than the balustrade portion 7 in a vertical projection plane of the upper frame 2a. [0030]

The four adjustment bolt fixing holes 25b are formed to be closer to the center in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 25 than the two bolt fixing holes 25a. The four adjustment bolt fixing holes 25b are formed on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction and one side and the other side in the lateral direction of the fixing portion 25. A jack bolt 45 (see Fig. 5) representing an inclination adjusting member, configured to adjust a direction in which the strut 16 is erected, that is, an inclination of the strut base 21, is attached to the adjustment bolt fixing hole 25b. [0031]
The strut portion 26 is formed to be closer to the center in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 25 than the four adjustment bolt fixing holes 25b. The strut portion 26 protrudes upward from the fixing portion 25 in the vertical direction. The strut portion 26 of the strut base 21 fixed to the upper horizontal section or the lower horizontal section of the frame 2, that is, fixed to the fixing bracket 2b, is erected to be substantially vertical from the fixing portion 25. [0032]
Fig. 5 is the view illustrating the strut base 21 fixed to the inclined section of the frame 2.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the strut portion 26 of the strut base 21 fixed to the inclined section of the frame 2 is erected with an inclination angle corresponding to an inclination angle of the inclined section of the frame 2, with respect to the fixing portion 25. [0033]
In addition, a direction in which the strut portion 26 extends can be adjusted by adjusting the tightening amount of the jack bolt 45 screwed into each of the four adjustment bolt fixing holes 25b. Accordingly, the strut base 21 can be fixed to the frame 2 in a state in which the direction in which the strut portion 26 extends is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. [0034]
In the strut portion 26, two base-side fixing holes 26a are formed. The two base-side fixing holes 26a are formed in one end and the other end in the vertical direction of the strut portion 26. In addition, the two base-side fixing holes 26a are formed on both end surfaces in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction of the strut portion 26 and also orthogonal to the width direction of the frame 2. [0035]
When the fixing portion 25 is fixed to the upper frame 2a, the strut portion 26 penetrates through a

through-hole 9b formed in an upper surface portion 9a of the outer deck 9 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Incidentally, a decorative plate 9c is arranged on the upper surface portion 9a in order to conceal a gap between the strut portion 2 6 and the through-hole 9b.
[0036]
[Support Member]
Next, the support member 22 will be described. The support member 22 includes a first support member 27 and a second support member 28. The first support member 27 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. An insertion hole 31 is formed in one end in the longitudinal direction of the first support member 27, that is, at the lower part in the vertical direction. The insertion hole 31 is formed at the center of the first support member 27 in the lateral direction. The insertion hole 31 is an opening that is open in a rectangular shape.
[0037]
In addition, a fixing hole 27a is formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the first support member 27, that is, at the upper part in the vertical direction. The fixing hole 27a is formed at the substantially center of the first support member 27 in the lateral direction.
[0038]

The second support member 2 8 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The second support member 28 includes a main surface portion 32, a protruding portion 33, and a support-side connecting portion 34. The protruding portion 33 is formed on one surface of the main surface portion 32 that opposes the first support member 27. The protruding portion 33 is formed at the center of the main surface portion 32 in the lateral direction. In addition, the protruding portion 33 extends from an upper end of the main surface portion 32 in the vertical direction toward a lower end with a predetermined length. The support-side connecting portion 34 is formed at the lower end of the protruding portion 33 in the vertical direction. [0039]
The support-side connecting portion 34 is formed continuously from a distal end of the protruding portion 33 in a protruding direction toward the first support member 27. Two support-side fixing holes 34a are formed in the support-side connecting portion 34. The two support-side fixing holes 34a are formed at upper and lower ends of the support-side connecting portion 34 in the vertical direction. In addition, the two support-side fixing holes 34a are formed on both end surfaces in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction of the support-side

connecting portion 34 and also orthogonal to a direction in which the support-side connecting portion 34 protrudes.
[0040]
The support-side connecting portion 34 is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the first support member 27. Accordingly, the first support member 27 opposes the main surface portion 32 of the second support member 28. In addition, as a fixing screw 44 is screwed into the fixing hole 27a provided in the first support member 27, the first support member 27 and the second support member 28 are fastened and fixed.
[0041]
Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the support member 22 and the panel member 17.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, a gap PI is formed between the first support member 27 and the main surface portion 32 of the second support member 28 by the protruding portion 33 provided in the second support member 28. The panel member 17 is inserted into the gap PI. Then, the support member 22 supports the panel member 17 by the first support member 27 and the main surface portion 32 of the second support member 28.
[0042]
In addition, the support-side connecting portion 34 of the second support member 28 is arranged above the strut

portion 26 of the strut base 21 in the vertical direction. At this time, the support-side connecting portion 34 and the strut portion 26 are arranged to be closer to the inner side in the width direction of the frame 2 than the panel member 17. Then, the strut base 21 and the support member 22 are connected by the connecting member 23.
[0043]
[Connecting Member]
Next, the connecting member 23 will be described. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the connecting member 23 is constituted by two connecting plates 29 and 29. The connecting plate 29 is formed using a flat plate member having a substantially rectangular shape. In the connecting plate 29, two first fixing holes 29a and two second fixing holes 29b are formed. The first fixing holes 29a are formed in the lower part of the connecting plate 29 in the vertical direction, and the second fixing holes 29b are formed in the upper part of the connecting plate 29 in the vertical direction.
[0044]
The first fixing hole 29a faces the base-side fixing hole 26a provided in the strut portion 26 of the strut base 21. In addition, the second fixing hole 29b faces the support-side fixing hole 34a provided in the support-side connecting portion 34 of the second support member 28.

Then, the strut portion 26 and the support-side connecting portion 34 are sandwiched between the two connecting plates 2 9 and 29.
[0045]
Incidentally, an opening diameter of the base-side fixing hole 26a is set to be larger than an opening diameter of the first fixing hole 29a, and an opening diameter of the support-side fixing hole 34a is set to be larger than an opening diameter of the second fixing hole 2 9b.
[0046]
A first connecting bolt 42 is screwed into the base-side fixing hole 26a and the first fixing hole 29a, and a second connecting bolt 43 is screwed into the support-side fixing hole 34a and the second fixing hole 29b. Accordingly, the connecting plates 29 are fastened and fixed to the strut portion 26 and the support-side connecting portion 34 by the first connecting bolt 42 and the second connecting bolt 43. As a result, the strut base 21 and the support member 22 are connected by the two connecting plates 29.
[0047]
In addition, the strut portion 26 is provided with the two base-side fixing holes 26a, and the support-side connecting portion 34 is provided with the two support-side

fixing holes 34a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent
the connecting plate 29 or the support-side connecting
portion 34 from rotating around the first connecting bolt
42 or the second connecting bolt 43.
[0048]
2. Example of Installation Work of Falling Object
Prevention Fence
Next, an example of installation work of the fence 15 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.
Figs. 7 to 9 are views illustrating the installation work of the fence 15. [0049]
First, the strut base 21 is fixed to the upper frame 2a or the fixing bracket 2b of the frame 2 by the fixing bolt 41 as illustrated in Fig. 7. Incidentally, in the strut base 21A installed in the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section, the strut portion 26 protrudes from the fixing portion 25 to be substantially vertical. Further, the strut portion 26 protrudes from the fixing portion 25 to be inclined in the strut base 21B installed in the inclined section. In addition, the direction in which the strut portion 26 extends, that is, the inclination of the strut base 21 can be adjusted by adjusting the tightening amount of the jack bolt 45 screwed

into each of the four adjustment bolt fixing holes 25b. Accordingly, the direction in which the strut portion 26 extends can be made parallel to the vertical direction.
[0050]
The work of fixing the strut base 21 to the frame 2 may be performed when the frame 2 is manufactured, or may be performed when the passenger conveyor 1 is installed in the building structure. Incidentally, when the frame 2 is manufactured, the work of installing the fence 15 on the passenger conveyor 1 in the building structure can be easily performed by fixing the strut base 21 in advance. Further, the rigidity of the strut 16 can be secured by fixing the strut base 21 to the frame 2.
[0051]
Next, the inner deck 8 and the outer deck 9 of the deck portion 4 are attached to the frame 2, and the outer deck 9 is covered with the strut base 21 from above in the vertical direction as illustrated in Fig. 8. At this time, the strut portion 26 of the strut base 21 passes through the through-hole 9b provided in the upper surface portion 9a of the outer deck 9. Then, the decorative plate 9c is installed around the through-hole 9b in the upper surface portion 9a. Accordingly, the gap between the strut portion 2 6 and the through-hole 9b can be concealed by the

decorative plate 9c, and the aesthetic appearance of the passenger conveyor 1 can be improved.
[0052]
Next, the support-side connecting portion 34 of the second support member 28 is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the first support member 27, and the first support member 27 and the second support member 28 are fastened and fixed by the fixing screw 44. Then, the support-side connecting portion 34 of the support member 22 to which the first support member 27 and the second support member 28 are integrally fixed is arranged above the strut portion 26 of the strut base 21 in the vertical direction. At this time, the support-side connecting portion 34 is arranged to be closer to the balustrade portion 7 than the gap PI formed between the first support member 27 and the second support member 28.
[0053]
Next, the support-side connecting portion 34 and the strut portion 2 6 are sandwiched by the two connecting plates 29. Then, the two connecting plates 29 are temporarily fixed to the strut portion 26 and the support-side connecting portion 34 by the first connecting bolt 42 and the second connecting bolt 43. Accordingly, the strut base 21 and the support member 22 are connected by the

connecting member 23. As a result, the temporary assembly
of the strut 16 is completed.
[0054]
Next, the panel member 17 is inserted into the gap PI formed between the first support member 27 and the second support member 28 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Incidentally, the strut 16 is divided into the strut base 21, the support member 22, and the connecting member 23, and the respective members are fixed not by welding but by a fixing bolt. As a result, it is possible to shorten time required for the fixing work. [0055]
Further, the opening diameter of the base-side fixing hole 26a is set to be larger than the opening diameter of the first fixing hole 29a, and the opening diameter of the support-side fixing hole 34a is set to be larger than the opening diameter of the second fixing hole 29b as described above. [0056]
Therefore, positions of the support member 22, the connecting member 23, and the panel member 17 can be adjusted after temporarily assembling the strut 16. Since the position of the panel member 17 can be adjusted, the panel member 17 can be arranged in accordance with a curved portion formed at a boundary between the upper horizontal

section and the inclined section or a boundary between the lower horizontal section and the inclined section in the deck portion 4. [0057]
Incidentally, the base-side fixing hole 26a and the support-side fixing hole 34a are concealed by the connecting plates 29. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the aesthetic appearance of the fence 15 from being damaged even if the opening diameters of the base-side fixing hole 26a and the support-side fixing hole 34a are set to be larger than the opening diameters of the first fixing hole 29a and the second fixing hole 29b. [0058]
Although the example in which the opening diameters of the base-side fixing hole 26a and the support-side fixing hole 34a are set to be larger than the opening diameters of the first fixing hole 29a and the second fixing hole 29b has been described in the present example, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the opening diameters of the first fixing hole 29a and the second fixing hole 29b on the connecting member 23 side may be set to be larger than the opening diameters of the base-side fixing hole 26a and the support-side fixing hole 34a. Even in this case, positions of the support member 22, the

connecting member 23, and the panel member 17 can be adjusted after temporarily assembling the strut 16.
[0059]
Further, when the work of adjusting the positions of the support member 22, the connecting member 23, and the panel member 17 is completed, the first connecting bolt 42 and the second connecting bolt 43 are tightened, and the connecting plate 29 is permanently fixed to the strut portion 26 and the support-side connecting portion 34. Accordingly, the installation work of the fence 15 is completed as illustrated in Fig. 9.
[0060]
Incidentally, the strut base 21 is fixed to the upper frame 2a or the fixing bracket 2b of the frame 2 and is further arranged in a vertical projection plane of the frame 2. Further, the panel member 17 is arranged in a vertical projection plane of the outer deck 9 constituting the deck portion 4 as illustrated in Fig. 4.
[0061]
As a result, the fence 15 can be prevented from projecting to the outer side in the width direction of the passenger conveyor 1, and a gap between the fence 15 and the balustrade portion 7 can be narrowed. Since the gap between the fence 15 and the balustrade portion 7 can be narrowed it is possible to prevent a person and an object

from entering the gap between the fence 15 and the balustrade portion 7. [0062]
In addition, the connecting member 23 connects the support member 22 and the strut base 21 to be closer to the inner side in the width direction of the frame 2 than the panel member 17. That is, the strut portion 26 and the support-side connecting portion 34 to which the connecting plate 29 is fixed are arranged on the inner side of the panel member 17 in the width direction of the frame 2. Incidentally, Figs. 1, 7 and 9 illustrate a part of each of the balustrade portion 7 and the deck portion 4 in a perspective view in order to illustrate the configuration of the strut 16. [0063]
Therefore, the work of connecting the strut base 21 and the support member 22 by the connecting member 23 can be performed from the inner side of the pair of balustrade portions 7, that is, from the steps 5. As a result, there is no need to provide a work space, such as a scaffold, configured to install the fence 15 on the outer side in the width direction of the passenger conveyor 1, the work space can be saved, and the installation work can be easily performed. [0064]

In addition, since the strut portion 26 and the support-side connecting portion 34 are arranged to be closer to the inner side than the panel member 17, it is possible to prevent bolts or tools, such as the first connecting bolt 42 and the second connecting bolt 43, from dropping from the outer side in the width direction of the passenger conveyor 1 during the installation work. [0065]
Incidentally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings, and various modifications can be made within a scope not departing from a gist of the invention described in the claims. [0066]
Although the description has been given by exemplifying the escalator in which a difference in level is generated between steps as the inclined passenger conveyor in the embodiment described above, the passenger conveyor of the invention can also be applied to an electric road having a plurality of steps in which no difference in level is generated between the steps, that is, a so-called moving sidewalk. [0067]
In addition, the invention can also be applied to a passenger conveyor having a frame in which at least a part

of an inclined section is provided with a portion parallel to an upper horizontal section and a lower horizontal section. Further, the invention can be similarly applied to a passenger conveyor having a frame in which extending directions of an upper horizontal section and a lower horizontal section are different since an extending direction of an inclined section is curved and changed. [0068]
Incidentally, terms such as "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used in this specification, but the terms do not have strict meaning of "parallel" and "orthogonal" but may indicate states of "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" within a range in which a relevant function can be exerted including "parallel" and "orthogonal."

We claim

1. A falling object prevention fence installed on an outer side in a width direction of a balustrade portion of a passenger conveyor, which includes: a frame to be installed in a building structure; a plurality of steps provided on the frame and connected endlessly to circulate in the frame; and the balustrade portion arranged at both ends in the width direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the plurality of steps, the falling object prevention fence comprising:
a strut fixed to the frame and erected from the frame; and
a panel member supported by the strut, wherein
the strut includes:
a strut base that is fixed by a fixing bolt to an upper surface portion at both ends in a width direction of the frame;
a support member that is arranged above the strut base in a vertical direction and supports the panel member; and
a connecting member that connects the support member and the strut base with a connecting bolt to be closer to an inner side in the width direction of the frame than the panel member.

2. The falling object prevention fence according to
claim 1, wherein
the strut base is fixed in a vertical projection plane of the frame, and
the panel member is arranged in a vertical projection plane of a deck portion that supports the balustrade portion in the passenger conveyor.
3. The falling object prevention fence according to
claim 1, wherein
the strut base includes:
a fixing portion fixed to the frame; and a strut portion erected from the fixing portion, and the support member has a support-side connecting portion that is connected to the strut portion.
4. The falling object prevention fence according to
claim 3, wherein
the support member includes:
a first support member having an insertion hole into which the support-side connecting portion is inserted; and
a second support member provided with the support-side connecting portion and opposing the first support member, and
the panel member is inserted into a gap formed between the first support member and the second support member.

5. The falling object prevention fence according to
claim 3, wherein
the connecting member has a pair of connecting plates that sandwich the strut portion and the support-side connecting portion,
the strut portion is fixed to the pair of connecting plates by at least two first connecting bolts, and
the support-side connecting portion is fixed to the pair of connecting plates by at least two second connecting bolts.
6. The falling object prevention fence according to
claim 1, wherein
an opening diameter of a fixing hole in the strut base and the support member into which the connecting bolt is inserted is set to a size different from an opening diameter of a fixing hole in the connecting member into which the connecting bolt is inserted.
7. The falling object prevention fence according to
claim 1, further comprising:
an inclination adjusting member which adjusts an inclination of the strut base.
8. A passenger conveyor that is provided in a
building structure and conveys a person and an object,
comprising:
a frame to be installed in the building structure;

a plurality of steps provided on the frame and connected endlessly to circulate in the frame;
a balustrade portion arranged at both ends in a width direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the plurality of steps; and
a falling object prevention fence installed on an outer side of the balustrade portion in the width direction, wherein
the falling object prevention fence includes:
a strut fixed to the frame and erected from the frame; and
a panel member supported by the strut, and
the strut includes:
a strut base that is fixed by a fixing bolt to an upper surface portion at both ends in a width direction of the frame;
a support member that is arranged above the strut base in a vertical direction and supports the panel member; and
a connecting member that connects the support member
and the strut base with a connecting bolt to be closer to
an inner side in the width direction of the frame than the
panel member.