Abstract: A one piece balustrade skirt panel is provided for a passenger conveying device having a plurality of moving treadplates. The skirt panel comprises a formed, seamless cross-sectional profile having a front surface, a back surface, a plurality of ribs extending between the front and back surfaces, and apparatus for maintaining the skirt panel in close proximity to the treadplates. The formed, seamless cross-sectional profile extends in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: The tension on the moving handrail drive and/or step chain of a passenger conveyor such as an escalator or moving walkway is automatically released when the conveyor is shut down; and is automatically reapplied when the conveyor is started up again. Undesirable compression and localized flattening of the elastomeric components of the conveyor are thus avoided.

Abstract: A balustrade assembly is provided having a shaped panel holder for supporting a balustrade panel, an outer decking and an inner profile. The inner profile, outer decking and panel holder include a clip apparatus which enable the outer decking and inner profile to be attached to the panel holder in a constant aligned position, independent of the balustrade panel. A method for assembling a balustrade assembly is also provided including the steps of providing a balustrade panel for supporting a handrail, a shaped panel holder, an inner profile, an outer decking, and apparatus for clipping the panel holder, the inner profile, and the outer decking together.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a balustrade for a passenger conveying device include a left-hand side, a right-hand side, and apparatus for consistently positioning a balustrade panel holder in a particular geometry. The left and right sides include a midsection, a lower landing section an upper landing section, for assembling a right-hand and a left-hand passenger conveyor balustrades, respectively. The upper and lower landing sections extend away from the midsections at an angle and the midsections may be adjusted lengthwise to accommodate different length balustrade assemblies.

Abstract: An illuminated information display is provided for a passenger conveying device comprising a light source, a housing, and a display panel for mounting on the outer decking of passenger conveying device balustrade. According to an aspect of the present invention, a balustrade for a passenger conveying device is provided comprising an illuminated information display. According to another aspect of the present invention, a balustrade outer decking is provided having a light source incorporated therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a balustrade for a passenger conveying device includes a frame, a left support arm, and a right support arm. The right and left support arms are attached to the frame and include apparatus for attaching the escalator balustrade. The attaching apparatus attaches the transportation apparatus to the escalator balustrade, thereby enabling the balustrade to be transported.

Abstract: A method for assembling a balustrade for a people moving device is provided comprising the steps of providing a frame, balustrade components, and an adjustable assembly jig, aligning the balustrade components on the assembly jig in a predetermined geometry, assembling the balustrade components into a balustrade assembly on the assembly jig, and attaching the balustrade assembly to the frame.

Abstract: A balustrade handrail entry housing is provided for a balustrade having a base, a handrail, and a balustrade panel. The balustrade entry housing includes a frame, a shell, a channel formed within the frame for receiving the balustrade panel, apparatus for clamping the balustrade panel in the channel, and a face plate having apparatus for mounting a safety device for sensing obstructions entering the handrail entry housing around the handrail. The frame is independent of the balustrade base and the balustrade panel, and therefore may be positionally adjusted relative to both. The shell, which is independent of the frame, mounts on and is supported by the frame. The shell may be positionally adjusted relative to the balustrade base and balustrade panel.

Abstract: A balustrade assembly is provided having a balustrade panel, a panel holder, a clamp for clamping the balustrade panel in the panel holder, and an apparatus for adjusting the vertical position of the balustrade panel, independent of the clamp.

Abstract: In a curved escalator which has a return step run which is below the passenger-bearing run, the reversal step chain sprockets are of different diameters, the outer step chain sprockets being larger than the inner step chain sprockets. Since the steps are all tied together by the inner and outer step chains, the two chains must engage the inner and outer reversal sprocket teeth as the steps reverse their direction of movement. This results in a tipping of the step axles and steps during the turnaround, whereby a problem relating to engagement between the step chain rollers attached to the step axles and the sprocket teeth can occur. In order to maximize area contact between the tipped step chain rollers and the horizontal sprocket teeth, the step chain rollers which engage the sprocket teeth are formed with an external base-to-base truncated conical profile. This ensures that 50% of the surface of each profile roller will fully engage the sprocket teeth on the reversal sprockets.

Abstract: The reentry port where an escalator handrail passes out of view at the exit newel of the escalator is provided with an elastomeric reentry guard in the form of a collar surrounding the handrail. The collar has an elastomeric bumper part which is accessible from the exterior of the assembly, and which is mounted on a holder assembly which is contained inside of the escalator skirt housing. The holder and bumper are mounted for limited lateral movement concurrently with the handrail, and such movement is controlled by rollers mounted on the holder assembly, which rollers contact the sides of the handrail. The result is that lateral movements of the handrail as it moves past the reentry guard cause like lateral movements of the housing assembly and bumper. The handrail thus will not rub on the bumper, thereby providing a safer and longer lasting reentry guard.

Abstract: The outer and inner side decks of a curved escalator are connected at its inner end to the balustrade, and includes a horizontal top panel which extends outwardly away from the balustrade, and outer vertical curved in plan side panel which extends downwardly from the outer edge of the top panel. These deck panels are secured to inner support components of the deck. The corner of the deck where the top and side panels meet is covered with a plastic trim molding which covers the screws fastening the side panel to the underlying supports, and which snaps onto catches which are hidden on the underside of the top panel. An attractive corner is thus formed free of unsightly screws, bolts, or other fasteners.

Abstract: An elastomeric collar is positioned at the mouth of the escalator handrail reentry housing. The collar will deform when subjected to forces running parallel to the direction of travel of the handrail. Sufficient deformation of the collar will activate a switch which turns the escalator off. if an object enters the reentry housing and becomes lodged therein against the handrail, the forces generated thereby normal to the direction of travel of the handrail will activate a pressure sensor which in turn will turn the escalator off.

Abstract: An elastomeric collar is positioned at the mouth of the escalator handrail reentry housing. The collar will deform when subjected to forces running parallel to the direction of travel of the handrail. Sufficient deformation of the collar will activate a switch which turns the escalator off. If an object enters the reentry housing and becomes lodged therein against the handrail, the forces generated thereby normal to the direction of travel of the handrail will activate a pressure sensor which in turn will turn the escalator off.

Abstract: A guide for supporting a moving handrail or an escalator or moving walk is formed from a sheet of rolled spring steel or the like. The guide fits onto the top edge of a glass balustrade on the escalator or walk. The guide is secured to the glass balustrade solely by means of a spring clamping action which results from stressing the guide when it is forced down over the glass. The guide is formed with opposed planar clamping surfaces which flank the glass balustrade and are biased inwardly thereagainst by outer radiused edges of the guide which are stressed when the guide is pressed onto the glass. The radiused edges, when stressed, act as hairpin or torsion springs to force the clamp surfaces toward the glass. A gasket of paper or plastic is mounted directly on the glass for engagement by the clamping surfaces to provide increased protection for the glass.

Abstract: A glassholder (10) secures the balustrade (16) of an escalator to the truss (12) thereof; and also serves to secure the inward decking profile (40), the outward decking profile (42), and the exterior cladding profile (44) with relationship to the truss (12).

Abstract: The balustrade decking profile (14), or handrail guide, for an escalator clips, or "self-fastens" to the top edge of a glass balustrade (10), and presents a minimal yet sufficient sliding area to the handrail (12). This is accomplished by folding or molding a single rigid strip of material (20) as disclosed herein. The profile (14) itself and a method of forming it are disclosed.

Abstract: Two generally U-shaped pieces are adapted to fit together end-to-end so that when they are nested in an appropriately-sized passage in an escalator entry box, they cooperate to form a generally cylindrical actuator that at one end has brushes protruding through the opening of the entry box and that is slideable in the entry box over the handrail to actuate a safety shutoff switch located therein in the unlikely event of a foreign object being pulled by the handrail into the entry box.