By Stairway Having Steps Forming An Endless Member Patents (Class 198/326)
  • Publication number: 20090065328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turnaround curve system for a chain conveyor system, having a chain having linear traction which is driven in turnaround sections by means of turnaround guides (7). The turnaround guides (7) have a geometry obtained by means of a family of curves corresponding to paths defined by six points (1-6), the six points (1-6) corresponding to six linkage positions of consecutive links of the chain in the turnaround sections. The system allows the turnaround sections to be more compact and extend the life of the rollers of the chain, since the rollers are subjected to smaller loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION CENTER, S.A., THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR (ES/PBB) Ltd.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, Jose Ojeda Arenas
  • Patent number: 7431139
    Abstract: A compactly constructed guide system has a run surface for guiding the run of the chain rollers. To guide the sides of the steps, a sliding pin arranged on a step rests on a side surface. A counter-surface serves as a counter-guide for the chain rollers and prevents the chain links from being pushed together. By means of an encapsulation, the step rollers, the chain links, and the running surface can be protected from dirt, dust, water, objects, etc. For run guidance of the step roller, a running surface is provided. An oil collecting channel prevents dripping of lubricating oil. The guide system rests on a bracket plate projection and is releasably connected to the bracket plate. The single-piece guide system is simple and efficient to install and can be accurately positioned at the sides against stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Kurt Streibig, Thomas Novacek, Thomas Illedits
  • Patent number: 7401693
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor including an endless conveyor band having a plurality of tread elements connected to and driven by a drive chain at each lateral edge thereof and a moving flange moving in use together with the conveyor band. The moving flange includes a plurality of discs attached to the tread elements and a plurality of bridges each attached between two consecutive discs. At least one bridge is attached to the drive chain by a pin and socket connection and a resilient locking element is arranged so as to bias in use the bridge against the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Andreas Stuffel, Georg Warmbold
  • Patent number: 7401691
    Abstract: A mountainous or valley-shaped curved part 13 is provided in a part of a footstep guide rail 3 for guiding a movement of footstep rollers 5 linked by a footstep chain 7, the part being positioned in the vicinity of a drive sprocket 9. Consequently, owing to meshing of the footstep rollers 5 with the drive sprocket 9, an unevenness in velocity of the footstep rollers 5 is absorbed by the curved part 13, so that a moving velocity of the footstep rollers 5 moving on the downstream of the curved part 13 is maintained constantly, suppressing vibrating of the footsteps 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Tadashi Munakata, Yoshio Ogimura, Nobuhiko Teshima, Shigeo Nakagaki, Hitoshi Kawamoto, Kenichi Fujii, Tomohiko Matsuura, Yoshifumi Ikeda, Kazuhisa Hara, Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7264105
    Abstract: An escalator has steps has steps that have a step-tread surface with a step-tread edge. Step brushes are arranged on the step-tread edge perpendicularly or vertically. Step brushes may also be arranged on the edge of the step's step-riser edge. The brushes provide a barrier against the entry of objects into the gap between a moving step and the stationery skirt-panel of the escalator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Thomas Illedits
  • Patent number: 7232028
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for cleaning travel equipment allows the travel equipment to be shifted from an operating mode to a cleaning mode. The cleaning equipment is an escalator or a moving walkway which has tread units connected with an endless conveyor. The cleaning unit can be mounted as a substitute for a tread unit of the travel equipment during a cleaning sequence and includes cleaning elements. The travel equipment can be shifted from an operating mode to a cleaning mode in which the cleaning equipment is substituted for one or more tread units and the travel equipment operated whereby a cleaning sequence is performed. After cleaning is performed, the equipment is stopped, the cleaning equipment removed, and the removed treads reinstalled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Robert Schulz
  • Patent number: 7219784
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor drive belt assembly (40) includes a belt support (60) that facilitates proper engagement between the drive belt (42) and corresponding links (32) of a step chain (30) under selected conditions such as a full brake application. The belt support (60) preferably is positioned between a drive sheave (50) and an idler sheave (52) within the loop traveled by the drive belt. The belt support (60) includes at least one moveable support member (62) that does not contact the inner surface of the drive belt during normal operation conditions. In one example, the belt support (60) comprises a plurality of rollers (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Richard Fargo
  • Patent number: 7204361
    Abstract: An escalator with steps having a tread surface and riser surface has riser brushes arranged at the riser surface. The riser brushes provide a barrier for the gap which is normally present between the tread surface of a first step and the riser surface of an adjacent step. The riser brushes may be mounted to a brush strip which is guided along the riser as the steps transfer between vertical and horizontal travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Thomas Illedits
  • Patent number: 7168547
    Abstract: Passenger conveyor (2) including an endless conveyor band (6) connected to a drive chain (8) at each lateral edge thereof and driven by a conveyor band drive (40) including an electric motor (48) and one drive output device (42) at each lateral edge of the conveyor band (6) for driving the respective drive chain (8), characterised in that the conveyor band drive (40) is arranged laterally outside of the conveyor band (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Dietmar Thaler, Richard Fargo, Helmut J. W. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7159705
    Abstract: A plurality of steps 33 are connected to a pair of step chains 32 wound around step chain sprockets 30. The step chain sprockets 30 drives the step chains 32 to turn the step chains 32 through a forward path 43a, a return path 43b, and reversing areas at the opposite ends of the forward path and the return path. Front wheels 39 are supported on shafts attached to the opposite side surfaces of a front part of the step 33 and connected to the step chains 32, respectively. Rear wheels 40 are supported on a rear part of the step 33. Front wheel guide rails 44 supporting and guiding the front wheels 39 and rear wheel guide rails 45 for supporting and guiding the rear wheels 40 guides the step 33 in the forward path. In the reversing area, in which the step is inverted, an auxiliary step guide means including auxiliary rollers 41 and auxiliary roller guide rails 46 controls the position of the step 33 such that the rear wheels approach a connecting shaft 30a supporting the step chain sprockets 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshio Ogimura, Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7140484
    Abstract: Passenger conveyor (2) including an endless conveyor band (6) comprised of a plurality of tread elements (4) connected to and driven by a drive chain (8) at each lateral edge thereof, a moving flange moving in use together with the conveyor band (6), the moving flange being comprised of a plurality of discs (16) attached to the tread elements (4) and a plurality of bridges (18) each attached alternating between two consecutive discs (16), wherein a groove and tongue (70) engagement is provided between bridge (18) and disc (16), characterised in that an insert (64) made of a plastic material is provided between bridge (18) and disc (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Andreas Stuffel, Helmut Meyer, Yangying Anne Chen
  • Patent number: 7124875
    Abstract: An escalator with a high speed inclined section, includes link mechanisms, each of which has a first link with a first end rotatably connected to a step link roller shaft, and a second link, a first end of which is rotatably connected to a middle portion of the first link and a second end of which is rotatably connected to a step link roller shaft of an adjacent step. A rotatable auxiliary roller is located at a second end of the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Ogura, Takashi Yumura, Joichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7063202
    Abstract: A moving walkway includes at least one drive belt having one side arranged to engage a synchronizing disk and another side presenting fixing elements spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the belt. Each of a plurality of pallets has at least one component to detachably engage with a corresponding fixing element on the drive belt so that the drive belt can move the pallets in a direction of conveyance. Each lateral side of each pallet includes an individual guide roller for engagement with a guideway. A rear area of one pallet and a front area of a following pallet, as seen in the direction of conveyance, define a supporting area such that a rear supporting area of each pallet is supported on a front supporting area of the following pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 6988608
    Abstract: A drive system for escalators and pedestrian conveyors having a plurality of steps and pallets, respectively, is provided. The drive system includes at least one driving chain including links and joints connecting the links. The driving chain has a chain pitch such that there are no more than two links per step or pallet and the driving chain is connectable to the plurality of steps or pallets via bolts that are positioned between two joints and provided with a roller. The drive system also includes a plurality of interspaced reversing elements having a number of teeth that correspond to the chain pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Pietz
  • Patent number: 6955254
    Abstract: For reduction in externally excited oscillations there is provided at an escalator or a moving walkway an oscillation damper which is connected with the escalator or the moving walkway within a self-supporting region, preferably at the point of greatest oscillation displacement. The oscillation damper is preferably a speed-proportional plate damper comprising plates which move relative to one another in viscous oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: David Krampl
  • Patent number: 6945379
    Abstract: Personnel conveyor (2) featuring endless personnel conveyor belt (6) formed of numerous step elements (4), in which step elements (4) are attached to conveyor chains (8) along both of their sides that are driven around a first and a second reversal element, and in which conveyor chains (8) are constructed of a multitude of chain links (10) that are connected to each other at pivots (12), and where the segmentation ratio of conveyor chain (8) to personnel conveyor belt (6) is 1:1, characterized in that two chain links (10), which are equally positioned in relation to a step element (4), are connected to each other by means of a through-going connecting axle (32) attached to chain links (16) between each two pivoting points of chain links (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Uwe Hauer, Andreas Stuffel, Joerg Ostermeier, Dietmar Thaler, Andreas Vogt
  • Patent number: 6868956
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor (2) contains an endless passenger conveyor belt (6) that is composed of several interconnected footboard elements (4), wherein the footboard elements (4) are respectively connected to transport chains (8) that are arranged laterally of the footboard elements and driven around a first and a second reversing point by means of a drive. This passenger conveyor is characterized by the fact that the footboard elements (4) are detachably connected to the transport chains (8) by means of one respective lateral holding device (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Uwe Hauer, Andreas Stuffel, Joerg Ostermeier, Dietmar Thaler, Andreas Vogt
  • Patent number: 6834753
    Abstract: For reduction in externally excited oscillations there is provided at an escalator or a moving walkway an oscillation damper which is connected with the escalator or the moving walkway within a self-supporting region, preferably at the point of greatest oscillation displacement. The oscillation damper is preferably a speed-proportional plate damper comprising plates which move relative to one another in viscous oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: David Krampl
  • Patent number: 6796416
    Abstract: In an escalator with a high speed inclined section, shape of an auxiliary rail is set, in a section between a forward path side horizontal section and a forward path side constant inclined section of a circulation path, such that, of steps adjacent to each other, a moving track of a relative position of a step on a lower step side with respect to a step on an upper step side is the same as surface shape of a riser of the step on the upper step side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Ogura, Takashi Yumura, Joichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040134749
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a people conveyor (2) with a rotating passenger transport band (4), at least one balustrade (6) arranged to the side of the passenger transport band and a base panel (8) at the transition between the passenger transport band and the balustrade, wherein a gap (10) is located between the passenger transport band and the base panel, and wherein the base panel essentially extends vertically upward from the gap. This people conveyor is characterized by the fact that a deflector (12) is provided which is constructed in one piece with the base panel and horizontally overlaps the gap by a certain length, wherein the deflector is arranged in such a way that a predetermined minimum vertical spacing between the deflector and the passenger transport band is observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Matthias Lunacek, Thorsten Gessner
  • Patent number: 6758318
    Abstract: A continuously moving sidewalk pedestrian transport system includes a railway loop having a pair of continuous parallel rails connected by a plurality of elongated tie rods disposed upon a ground surface. An area defined between the pair of rails and ground surface is hydraulically sealed to prevent fluid placed between the rails from escaping. A pedestrian pathway is mounted on top of the rails to contain the fluid under pressure. The pedestrian pathway is mounted such that it can move along the railway loop. A pedestrian walking upright can step onto the moving pathway and be transported along the railway loop. When the pedestrian reaches a desired location along the loop she may step off of the moving pathway to continue walking to her desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Eric R. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20040045790
    Abstract: Personnel conveyor (2) featuring endless personnel conveyor belt (6) formed of numerous step elements (4), in which step elements (4) are attached to conveyor chains (8) along both of their sides that are driven around a first and a second reversal element, and in which conveyor chains (8) are constructed of a multitude of chain links (10) that are connected to each other at pivots (12), and where the segmentation ratio of conveyor chain (8) to personnel conveyor belt (6) is 1:1, characterized in that two chain links (10), which are equally positioned in relation to a step element (4), are connected to each other by means of a through-going connecting axle (32) attached to chain links (16) between each two pivoting points of chain links (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Uwe Hauer, Andreas Stuffel, Joerg Ostermeier, Dietmar Thaler, Andreas Vogt
  • Patent number: 6702094
    Abstract: An eccentric crankshaft is connected to a rotary driving device, and a rocking unit is connected to the eccentric crankshaft. Pin roller rolling gear teeth, each having a trochoid tooth-shape, are provided in the rocking unit. When the rocking unit rocks in accordance with eccentric rotation of the eccentric crankshaft, the trochoid shape of the pin roller rolling gear teeth meshes with pin rollers and thus gives a thrust to the pin rollers, thereby driving footsteps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Megumi Ookubo
  • Publication number: 20040035676
    Abstract: In an escalator with a high speed inclined section, a plurality of steps are coupled in an endless manner and are moved to circulate. Driving roller shafts of the steps adjacent to each other are coupled with each other by a link mechanism. An interval between the driving roller shafts is changed as the link mechanism is transformed. An outer peripheral length change absorbing mechanism is provided in a reversing section of a circulation path of the steps. The outer peripheral length change absorbing mechanism absorbs a change in an outer peripheral length of a polygon formed by connecting axes of the driving rollers with straight lines, while guiding the movement of the driving rollers in the reversing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Manabu Ogura, Takashi Yumura, Joichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6685001
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway comprises at least one support structure which is supported between bearings. At least one upstanding support, which may be an arch or column, is provided. The support structure is connected at several points to the arch or the column, preferably by cables or rods. The columns or arches may be provided at each of the two sides of the moving walkway or the escalator and if the columns or arches and converge or run together above the escalator or moving walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: David Krampl
  • Patent number: 6685002
    Abstract: A method of modernizing an escalator using modular components. The mechanical and electrical parts of an existing escalator are removed, leaving only the structural truss framework and cross members as well as all external parts, such as external panels, that interface with the building. A single module is placed at the top of the escalator and another module at the bottom. A plurality of incline modules are placed in the central inclined part of the escalator, at each cross member. By utilizing these modules, the assembly of the escalator is simplified. Furthermore, an entirely new escalator system using the latest technology may be installed rather than merely installing new parts in an old system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Nurnberg, Theodore Martel, Andrew Dochterman
  • Patent number: 6685003
    Abstract: A pulse free escalator system has two spaced apart pulse free turnaround sections and at least one pulse-free transition zone. A method of designing the turnaround sections and the at least one transition zone is described herein. The escalator system has a pair of guide tracks and a pair of linkage assemblies, each comprising a plurality of links joined together. Each linkage assembly has a plurality of rollers for supporting the linkage assembly which travel in a respective one of the guide tracks. Each guide track has two spaced apart turnaround portions with each turnaround portion defining a travel path for each roller having a linear entry section, a linear exit section, and a pulse-free section intermediate the two sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: George Scott Copeland, Timothy P. Galante, Richard N. Fargo, Robert M. Hammell
  • Patent number: 6655521
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway includes, divided roller bearings to improve the efficiency of replacement thereof. The roller bearings may be located in the region of the drive axle or deflecting axle of the step chain. The divided roller bearing components can be mounted on the roller bearing axle, and removed therefrom, in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Kurt Streibig, Thomas Illedits
  • Patent number: 6640957
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor system is arranged along a path in a racetrack fashion. Drive members associated with lateral edges of each pallet step surface move with the pallets through straight sections of the path to avoid relative movement between the pallets and adjacent structure. During turnaround sections, where the pallets are beneath a floor surface, the drive members move relative to each other, with one set of drive members becoming temporarily disconnected from each other, to permit the pallets to make a transition and a turnaround. In the illustrated example, a drive mechanism cooperates with at least one set of the drive members to transmit a motive force to propel the pallets along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard Fargo, Frank Sansevero, Rob Hammell, David Jarvis
  • Patent number: 6637580
    Abstract: An escalator or moving stairway that is constructed to accommodate oscillation and lateral displacement of a first story relative to a second story of a building between which the escalator or moving stairway extends such as which may occur during an earthquake. The escalator includes novel telescoping connector mechanisms that are connected at one end to a structural support of the building and are connected at the other end to supporting trusses of the escalator in a manner to permit relative movement between the supporting trusses and the floors of the first and second stories of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Terryle L. Sneed
  • Patent number: 6595344
    Abstract: A strip brush moving surface guard mounted on a fixed surface and projecting over the edge of the moving surface includes a base for the strip brush and an elongated holder secured to the fixed surface. The holder includes a drop-in recess for the base with the primary horizontal fasteners for the holder extending through the recess so that they are concealed when the base is in place. Smaller secondary fasteners extend transversely of the primary fasteners or almost vertically to hold the strip brush base in place in the drop-in recess. The recess and base include mating pilot surfaces to facilitate the seating or placement of the base in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Chris M. Davis, Michael V. Zinn
  • Publication number: 20030121756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulse free escalator system having two spaced apart pulse free turnaround sections and at least one pulse-free transition zone and to a method of designing the turnaround sections and the at least one transition zone. The escalator system has a pair of guide tracks and a pair of linkage assemblies, each comprising a plurality of links joined together. Each linkage assembly has a plurality of rollers for supporting the linkage assembly which travel in a respective one of the guide tracks. Each guide track has two spaced apart turnaround portions with each turnaround portion defining a travel path for each roller having a linear entry section, a linear exit section, and a pulse-free section intermediate said two sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: George Scott Copeland, Timothy P. Galante, Richard N. Fargo, Robert M. Hammell
  • Patent number: 6540060
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor drive belt assembly includes a belt support that facilitates proper engagement between the drive belt and corresponding links of a step chain. The belt support preferably is positioned between a drive sheave and an idle sheave within the loop traveled by the drive belt. The belt support includes at least one moveable support member that moves responsive to movement of the drive belt while urging the drive belt into proper engagement with the step chain links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard Fargo, John P. Wesson
  • Patent number: 6533098
    Abstract: An escalator construction has a framework, steps and a balustrade at both sides of the steps. The balustrade is fastened to balustrade posts. Clamps for profile tubes are provided at the framework and optionally also at the balustrade posts, U-profile members for receiving the profile tubes can be provided at the lower part of the framework Partition walls are fastened to both the inner and outer sides of the profile tubes. In order to cover the fasteners, the outer partition walls are fastened at least at its lower portion from an internal face, while the fasteners at the lower portion of the inner walls are covered by the balustrade. The fasteners for the upper portions of the partition walls may be covered by a cover profile member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Gerald Winkler
  • Patent number: 6527098
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway includes a support structure supported between the rests at a cable, which is arranged laterally or below the support structure. According to the invention there is provided in the region of each rest a respective lever which is rotatably mounted at the support structure and is slidingly supported by one arm at the building structure, the cable being fastened to the other arm of the lever so that the cable is additionally tensioned when the support structure bends. In this manner, the construction is very stiff so that the escalator bends only slightly even under heaving loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: David Krampl
  • Publication number: 20020175040
    Abstract: A chain-free conveying device for persons has directly driven step bodies which run forward in one direction one after the other and run back more quickly thereunder. Each step body runs on rollers, of which two may each be driven by a respective electric motor. Each step body includes a device for the supplying of electrical current to the step body. Each step body has at least one sensor for determining spacing from the adjacent step bodies. A control electronic system controls the electric motors in dependence on a signal from the sensors, so that the step bodies run directly one after the other in a person transport region. A respective tipping station for inclining the step bodies is provided at each of the ends of the conveying device. In preferred embodiments the step bodies are directly driven by a friction wheel drive or by means of toothed wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Leopold Postlmayr
  • Patent number: 6471034
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway is provided with a guide device to maintain the positions of the steps or plates with respect to the escalator sides. A respective guide device is provided at each step side which guides the steps laterally in the horizontal direction and insures a minimum spacing of the step from the base plate of the escalator balustrade base. In the forward run portion of the step belt the guide device engages the base plate, while in the return run portions of the step belt, the guide device engages the side surface of a second guide for chain rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lunardi, Reinhard Pallinger
  • Patent number: 6450316
    Abstract: An escalator system includes a protective flange assembly along edges of the steps having step flanges. In one example, a first step flange member is adjacent each edge of each step and moves with the step along the escalator path. The first panel member remains stationary relative to the step along the entire path. A second panel member is associated with a corresponding link in the drive chain and remains stationary relative to the link along the entire path of the escalator. The first panel members and second panel members cooperate to provide a continuous barrier along each edge of the steps along the escalator path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Andreas Stuffel, Frank Sansevero, Richard Fargo, Jörg Ostermeier, Uwe Hauer
  • Patent number: 6425472
    Abstract: A strip brush moving surface guard is mounted to extend along a fixed surface with the strip brush projecting over the edge of the moving surface to guard the gap between the moving and fixed surfaces. The strip brush includes a base. An elongated holder is secured to the fixed surface and the base and holder are hingedly connected so that the strip brush may yield and pivot or hinge away from the moving surface. The hinge may be an elongated rod and socket connection. When assembled to the fixed surface, the fixed surface acts to block disassembly of the hinge without removal of the holder form the fixed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Chris M. Davis, Michael V. Zinn
  • Patent number: 6390270
    Abstract: In an escalator having a plurality of steps connected to an endless chain and moved along an endless path, a rotation locus of step forward wheels at both end portions is shifted toward end portions of the escalator relative to a rotation locus of the chain. A forward wheel guide track for guiding forward wheels of the steps is arranged, at both end portions of the escalator, so that a straight distance between forward wheels of two adjacent steps, which distance tends to be shortened by the chain following an arc at both end portions, is extended. By such constructions, interference between adjacent steps hardly occurs even if the rotation diameter of the steps at each end portion of the escalator is made small. Therefore, the rotation diameter of the steps can be made smaller than a conventional one and the escalator thickness (depth) can be made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Chuichi Saito, Kazuhira Ojima
  • Publication number: 20020008005
    Abstract: In a clean room having a plurality of floors of different levels, an escalator is disposed between the plurality of floors for transporting an article between the floors. A self-propelled vehicle is used for transporting an article between floors. The self-propelled vehicle and the article are loaded on a step of the escalator. The vehicle and the article are held on the step from above the article by means of a holding section. The holding section assists loading of the vehicle onto the escalator through the article in the vicinity of an entrance gate of the escalator and assists unloading of the vehicle from the escalator in the vicinity of an exit gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20010045340
    Abstract: A lubricating device incorporated in an escalator step of an escalator or in a moving walkway plate of a moving walkway, has lubrication points formed by lubricating siding pads or brushes which are arranged at the escalator step or the moving walkway plate and which project slightly beyond the side edges of the escalator step or the moving walkway plate. The pads or brushes have a bore through which the lubricant is transferred to base plates forming lateral boundaries for the steps or plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Walter Babler, Michael Matheisl
  • Publication number: 20010025764
    Abstract: A cleaning device for guide elements in the form of slide blocks utilized in escalators and moving walkways allows contaminants in escalators and moving walkways allows contaminants, which accumulate on the escalator and moving walkway base plates, against which the slide blocks run, to be removed during escalator moving walkway operation. Cleaning slide blocks are provided at at least one of the escalator steps or moving walkway plates instead of the slide block guide elements. The cleaning blocks may be formed of a thermoplastic synthetic material with a relatively high proportion of glass fibers. The glass fibers scrape the contaminants from the base plates during escalator moving walkway motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Wolfgang Neszmerak
  • Publication number: 20010023810
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway is provided with a guide device to maintain the positions of the steps or plates with respect to the escalator sides. A respective guide device is provided at each step side which guides the steps laterally in the horizontal direction and insures a minimum spacing of the step from the base plate of the escalator balustrade base. In the forward run portion of the step belt the guide device engages the base plate, while in the return run portions of the step belt, the guide device engages the side surface of a second guide for chain rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Gerhard Lunardi, Reinhard Pallinger
  • Publication number: 20010023811
    Abstract: A lubricating device for an escalator or moving walkway provides a lubricant container connected by way of lines with lubrication points which are arranged at a base plate which forms lateral borders for the escalator/moving walkway step belt or plate belt. Sliding pads are provided at the escalator steps of the step belt or at the plates of the plate belt which project slightly beyond the side edges of the steps or plates and, when sliding past the lubrication points, receive lubricant and subsequently transfer it to the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6257390
    Abstract: A skirt panel for a passenger conveyor, particularly an escalator having a plurality of steps. The skirt panel has a plurality of ball bearings that protrude enough from its surface to give a sliding and/or deflecting action to traveling objects so as to reduce skirt panel surface friction and to minimize side of step entrapments. The skirt panel can be fitted for installation as a skirt panel or as an overlay to an already installed skirt panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Cyrus M. Tehrani
  • Patent number: 6247574
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an escalator installation method by which the installation operation can be conducted with the high operation efficiency and an escalator can be stably installed. In an architectural structure having a stairway, the present invention comprises: a first process for forming a lower pit in a lower floor positioned on the lower side of the stairway; a second process for forming an upper pit in an upper floor positioned on the upper side of the stairway; and a third process for accommodating a lower flat portion of an escalator constituted by an integral structure in the lower pit with the part of the stairway positioned between the upper pit and the lower pit being maintained so as not to be drilled, accommodating an upper flat portion in the upper pit, and setting an inclined portion of the escalator above the part of the stairs positioned between the upper pit and the lower pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Yamaguchi, Masamitsu Yamaki, Chuichi Saito
  • Publication number: 20010002644
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a passenger conveyor, passenger detecting devices provided on balustrades distinguish and monitor the absence/presence of a passenger within first zones on an entrance gate side and an exit gate side including floor boards of the entrance gate side and the exit gate side and the absence/presence of a passenger within second zones on the entrance gate side and the exit gate side adjacent to the outside of the first zones so as to cover the first zones. In the case where a passenger is detected in the second zone on the entrance gate side in a standby mode, a mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to an intermediate mode, and in the case where a passenger is detected in the first zone on the entrance gate side in the intermediate mode, the mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to a conveying mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: Yasumasa Haruta, Yoshiki Sugiyama, Haruhiko Nakamura, Akio Iwata
  • Patent number: 6223879
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway for transporting people along a moving path includes a mounting assembly for attaching a roof structure to enclose the moving path and protect the people from rain an other undesirable environmental factors. The escalator is supported by a truss structure. A main bracket is secured to the truss structure outboard of the moving path and a handrail extends along the length of the moving path. Outer decking is secured to the main bracket for partially enclosing the truss structure. At least one roof bracket is mounted to the outer decking for gripping engagement with the main bracket and a roof support member is secured to the roof bracket for supporting the roof structure to enclose the moving path of the escalator or moving walkway. Preferably the main bracket includes grooves or channels for receiving outwardly extending tabs on the roof bracket to prevent vertical separation between the roof and main brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Karl-Friedrich Schöps
  • Patent number: 6213278
    Abstract: To avoid a step from drawing in the clothing, etc., of a passenger when the passenger is on the moving step, an escalator step 1 comprising a tread part 2 and a riser part 3, includes guard panels 6, 7 which are installed on both sides of the tread part 2 in the direction of step motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Joji Tanigawa