Abstract: Provided is a guide shoe for a passenger conveyor, including: a base portion to be slid across a skirt guard provided along a moving direction of a plurality of steps that are movably provided; and a weight containing a material having a specific gravity larger than a specific gravity of a material of the base portion, which is provided to the base portion.

Abstract: A drive system (35) for a people conveyor (1) comprises a conveyance chain (15) including a plurality of chain links (36) connected to each other; a plurality of legs (38) configured for connecting the conveyance chain (15) with the conveyance elements (13); and a plurality of levers (40). Each leg (38) is connected to at least two different chain links (36) by at least two of the levers (40). Each of the levers (40) is pivotably connected to one of the chain links (36) and pivotably connected to one of the legs (38).

Abstract: This invention describes the design of a carrier system for people or goods that provides a continuous path of travel of a duo spiral escalator ascending and descending around a cylindrical tower with all stairway treads remaining upright and in continuous operation. At the bottom level and at the top level of the spiral escalator the treads follow a curved path from one side of the tower to the other as they travel along two half circle tracks. At the end of the first half circle in the center of the tower, each tread is lifted from its tracks, rotated 180 degrees, and placed back down on the tracks at the beginning of the second half circle. This invention permits continuous transportation of the riders ascending and descending to a plurality of floors of varying ceiling heights.

Abstract: This invention describes the design of a carrier system for people or goods permitting the continuous path of travel of a duo spiral escalator ascending and descending around a tower with a fixed diameter from the top to the bottom. At the bottom level and at the top level of the duo spiral escalator the invention consists of discontinuous upper and lower tracks for reversing the tread direction. Escalator chains connected to the tread support rods insure a smooth transfer of the treads between sets of tracks. This invention permits continuous transportation of the riders ascending and descending to a plurality of floors of varying ceiling heights. Current straight and spiral escalators have half of the treads carrying riders while the other half are empty as they travel back underneath. With this invention, as the treads move between floors, all of them may have riders aboard. This design saves horizontal space and requires fewer treads and materials than current escalators.

Abstract: An escalator or travelator comprising a circulating step belt or panel belt. Each step or panel of a belt is provided on each side respectively with a supporting roller and a chain roller, which are guided on supporting roller rails and chain roller rails in forward travel and in return travel. Supporting roller return travel rails are adapted to support the supporting roller only partially.

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.

Abstract: An escalator has steps shaped (1) to negotiate curves. The steps are suitably linked (4)(5)(6), guided (3)(10)(11), contained and powered so that the escalator can rise, fall, follow a horizontal path, be straight or curved in any predetermined sequence within the design parameters. The steps remain usable in both the flow and return paths. Shields are fitted to guard against entrapment of shoes or other apparel between the moving and stationary parts. For boarding or alighting safely, straight horizontal lengths may be included with appropriate means for passengers crossing from or to a stationary floor.

Abstract: Initiator systems of the present invention include both a complexed initiator and a carboxylic acid decomplexer. For example, dicarboxylic acid decomplexer, carboxylic acid ester decomplexers, and monocarboxylic acid decomplexers (preferably those comprising an alkyl group having at least nine carbon atoms for low odor compositions) are useful in the present invention.

Abstract: An escalator has steps shaped (1) to negotiate curves. The steps are suitably linked (4)(5)(6), guided (3)(10) (11), contained and powered so that the escalator can rise, fall, follow a horizontal path, be straight or curved in any predetermined sequence within the design parameters. The steps remain usable in both the flow and return paths. Shields are fitted to guard against entrapment of shoes or other apparel between the moving and stationary parts. For boarding or alighting safely, straight horizontal lengths may be included with appropriate means for passengers crossing from or to a stationary floor.

Abstract: An escalator system includes an endless conveyor belt having an outer flexible layer adapted to receive an object to be conveyed on a surface thereof, an intermediate flexible layer provided with internal reinforcement members extending transversely relative to the belt and arranged spaced in a moving direction of the belt, the intermediate flexible layer having a surface held in tight contact with another surface of the outer flexible layer, and an inner flexible layer provided with internal longitudinal members extending in the moving direction of the belt. The inner flexible layer has one surface held in tight contact with a transversely central part of the other surface of the intermediate flexible layer, a pair of pulleys arranged respectively at a conveyance starting point and a conveyance terminating point, the conveyor belt being wound around the pulleys.

Abstract: A roller degradation monitor device monitors the diameter of escalator rollers during operation of the escalator. A cam plate is mounted proximate the roller track for sequential contact with the upper circumference of rollers as they travel along the track. The vertical displacement of the cam plate is monitored by a proximity switch or sensor, differences in cam plate practice from an established baseline signifying variations in roller diameter. The output of the proximity switch or sensor provides a continuous measure of wear and decrease in diameter of the rollers. When the wear exceeds a predetermined value an alarm can be actuated.

Abstract: A drive system for a curved escalator which has a frame, a transport section including steps, return tracks and guide tracks, and a drive connected to the transport section. The drive system includes: chain wheels connectable to the drive; and chains engaging the chain wheels hingeable in lateral edge areas of the steps, the chains being disposed parallel to one another, each of the chains comprising interior and exterior brackets. The drive system further includes shaft sections disposed adjacent corresponding ones of the brackets and further being adapted to be disposed at respective edge areas of each step; rollers connected to respective ends of each of the shaft sections, each of the shaft sections projecting through a corresponding one of the rollers and being fixed, at a face end thereof, in a wall area of a corresponding one of the interior brackets which is adapted to face outer frame areas of the frame; and traction rollers placed at a distance from the rollers.

Abstract: A curved escalator in which the occurrence of an unacceptably wide gap between the steps or between the steps and the sidewalls is avoided by virtue of the fact that all the step sections have different arcs when viewed in the plan view but have constant arcs in each of these zones. The arcs in these zones are selected or calculated such that, in every position in these zones, the rotational speed of the inner and outer drive chains is the same. The arc corresponding to the zone which links the stair landing with the central zone is such that the overall angle covered over this zone is the same for the inner and the outer drive chain. Within this region, small angular discrepancies can occur between the drive chains, the gaps of between 1 and 6 mm thus produced being compensated for by bending of the step skirts.

Abstract: An endless track conveyor apparatus having steps (1, 2) is driven by a drive chain (6) circulating along an endless travelling track (A, B-M, N, A) made up of an ascending section, a descending section, and U-turn sections connecting these ascending and descending sections. The endless track conveyor apparatus includes a driven medium having a number of piled-up slats (50), each of which is swingably supported on a conveyor frame. The driven medium engages with teeth provided on either the upper or the lower side of a chain link of the drive chain (6) provided at the ascending section (C-D) of the travelling track. The passive medium transmits the drive power of the drive chain (6) to the conveyor frame. Therefore, the endless track conveyor apparatus travels along the travelling track. On the other hand, at the descending section (J-K) of the travelling track, the load acting on the conveyor apparatus is converted into rotational motion.

Abstract: A vertically movable staircase carries on a vertical pillar a plurality of steps sequentially secured to the pillar along a spiral line thereon, the pillar being vertically moved while being axially rotated by a driving device. The staircase is space saving and simple in structure.

Abstract: An escalator includes a main frame defining an elongated sloped circulating loop path having an upper load-bearing run and a lower return run and a plurality of steps disposed along the circulating loop path defined by a guide rail mounted to the main frame for guiding the steps. A transmission mechanism is disposed on the steps for transmitting a power from a drive unit. Each of the steps has a pin and a slot formed in an edge portion of the step to extend along the edge portion of the step. One end of a link is pivotally connected to the pin of the step and the other end of the link is slidably engaged by the slot in the link of the neighboring step, whereby the steps are connected together so that the distance between the respective steps can be varied.

Abstract: A conveyer machine which has a forward conveyer part and a backward conveyer part continuous therewith, and which is simple in construction, small in size, and light in weight, and which can be applied to various fields. A reciprocal escalator serving as the conveyer machine comprises a plurality of steps which are closely disposed on looped guide rails disposed along a travel motion path including a forward section and a backward section which are continuous with each other through turning sections. Adjacent steps are coupled to each other by a parallel link mechanism having coupling nodes each of which has opposite ends thereof lockably coupled to pin node points provided at columns of these steps and each of which is bendable around a pin disposed at the middle of the coupling node, so that these steps are enabled to smoothly travel around the travel motion part which includes ascent and descent sections and curved sections.

Abstract: A circulating circular escalator has a vertically-oriented rotatable cylinder extending between upper and lower floors. An annular stairway having a plurality of steps is disposed about the rotatable cylinder. An annular cam member is disposed around the rotatable cylinder for camming and guiding the steps to move along the stairway, and a landing board extends over each of the upper and lower horizontal runs of the stairway. The stairway includes a lower horizontal run at a lower floor level, an upper horizontal run at an upper floor level, and ascending and descending sloped runs connected between the lower and upper runs. The sloped runs may be used for conveying passengers, or either one of the runs may be used as a return run. The inner sides of the steps are attached to the rotatable cylinder for rotation therewith, the steps each being independently vertically slidable relative to the rotatable cylinder.

Abstract: A spiral escalator includes a plurality of stairs which are moved along a closed path of travel with the stairs collectively defining generally upwardly and downwardly moving spiral staircases bridged by upper and lower generally horizontally moving stair platforms. A generally vertical spindle is associated with each upwardly and downwardly moving spiral staircase.

Abstract: A circular escalator which compensates the different angle velocities of the inner and outer step edges in the transition and landing zones of the escalator to maintain the axis (29) of each step (21) exactly radial to the path of travel (1) so that dangerous gaps are not formed between the steps. The invention avoids such gaps by running driving chains (24) on the main track (25), and connecting the inner and outer edges of the steps (21) to the chains via rotatable connecting rods (23). Each step (21) is joined via a vertically rotatable connecting rod (23) to chain links of the driving chain (24). The main track (25) describes a different path to the step track (27) in the transition zone (1b) and in the landing zones (1c). The vertical distance between the main track (25) and the step track (27) is proportional to the cosine of the inclination of the path of travel (1), the path difference .DELTA.s on the main track and the length L of the connecting rod (23).

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: A single endless series of steps for up and down flights has inboard end spacing control links, each operated by a gear arrangement at transitions between curved and straight paths of step travel. Steps are molded plastic cores with top mounted tread caps, both the cores and caps being of colors as desired, and with light transmission characteristics from opaque to transparent, as desired. Inter-engaging edges on treads and risers are of curved shape facilitating the transition from straight to curved runs of steps. Break-away stripper comb fingers at landings terminate escalator operation when an object becomes jammed between a step and a finger and breaks a finger. Spring-loaded skirt guards at the sides of steps, and step spacing monitors, include wear indicators. The ascending and descending flights of steps are supported by structural tubes extending between floors, with no other support for the flights. Stabilizer legs, rollers and tracks under the steps maintain the horizontal attitude of the steps.

Abstract: An escalator which follows a curvilinear path with a fixed center constant radius in plan must have steps with specially configured risers. The step risers will have vertical cleats which mesh with trailing edges of adjacent steps, which meshing must be performed without risk of jamming. The escalator has an outer step chain which changes its effectual length over the path of travel of the escalator, whereby it is shorter in the inclined zone and longer in the landing zones of the escalator. The radii of the step risers, in elevation must thus decrease along the step riser cleats as the cleats descend away from the step tread.

Abstract: There is disclosed a conveyor for transporting passengers. The conveyor comprises numerous step units which are interconnected. The step units move along guide passages. Each step unit consists of a front portion and a rear portion. These two portions are so connected that their upper surfaces are substantially flush with each other and that they can rotate relative to each other about a line perpendicular to the upper surfaces, when the steps move along a set of curved guide passages which combine upward portions, downward portions, portions directed to the left, and portions directed to the right.

Abstract: The curved escalator has inner and outer step chains that are entrained on inner and outer sprockets which have different diameters, the outer sprocket having a larger diameter than the inner sprocket. The steps of the escalator reverse their direction of movement at the sprockets and pass from the passenger bearing run to a return run beneath the passenger bearing run. One of the sprocket sets is the power or driving set and the other is an idler set, which will be spring biased to maintain chain tension. In order to reverse the steps, they must tip or dip sideways because of the different sized sprockets. The dip zone of the roller tracks has an S curve to minimize noise and allow location of the track splice on the tensioned end of the escalator to be placed over the axis of rotation of the tensioned sprockets.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there will be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of the outer of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: The balustrade of a linear or curved escalator has upper and lower edges that are curved in elevation between the horizontal landing portions and the constant slope inclined medial portion of the escalator. The radius which defines the upper and lower balustrade curves is developed so as to have the maximum value possible without producing a discontinuity in the vertical distance between the escalator handrail and the escalator tread surface which would be noticeable by a passenger on the escalator.

Abstract: The steps of the escalator move along a curved path which has a fixed constant radius when viewed in plan. The step chain also follows the constant radius path and thus its effective length must vary at different locations along its path of travel in order to keep the step rollers on their constant radius tracks. The effective length of the step chain is varied using an eccentric pivot cam at chain link connections spaced along the chain whereby the degree of overlap of adjacent links can be changed by controlling the path along which cam actuating rollers travel. The cam actuating rollers control operation of the eccentric pivot cam link connections.

Abstract: The escalator has steps with vertical planar cleated risers which mesh with cleated trailing edges of the adjacent step. The step chains are selectively kinked and unkinked to provide for a constant spacing of adjacent step axles throughout the path of travel of the escalator. The steps thus display a constant horizontal velocity. The escalator can be adapted to follow a fixed center constant radius in plan helical path of travel.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there with be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of the outer of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there will be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of at least one of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: A balustrade structure for a curved escalator wherein at least one of an inner deck board and an outer deck board constituting a balustrade base portion of the escalator is constructed with a plurality of curved strips of a thin sheet which is straight in the transverse direction. A longitudinally-extending side edge of the curved sheet strips may be covered by a joint. The deck may comprise a main deck extending along the balustrade panel and an end deck disposed at the lengthwise ends of the main deck for covering the ends. The end deck has formed in its edge portion a slot into which the longitudinally-extending side edge of the main deck is inserted, and each of the deck boards comprises a main deck and an end deck.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there will be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of at least one of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: An escalator is provided with a curved path of travel from its entry to its exit landings. The path of travel of the escalator steps as seen in plan is a curve having a fixed center and a constant radius from landing to landing. In elevation, each landing portion will be disposed in vertically spaced horizontal planes, and there will be a medial constant slope ascending or descending portion. Interconnecting each landing portion with the constant slope portion will be entry and exit transitional curved portions of varying slope as seen in the elevational view. To enable the steps to traverse the curved path successfully, the effective length of the outer of the step chains is varied at different points along the path of travel of the escalator.

Abstract: A curved escalator comprises a plurality of segment steps movable along the stairway path, an inner balustrade panel of balustrades vertically disposed along an outer and an inner side of the stairway path, a moving handrail supported by a handrail guide for a guided movement along the balustrade, a skirt guard mounted to the frame work and extending in parallel to a travel path of the steps, and a guide rail for guiding step axles of the steps. The guide rail varies in its radius of curvature and the position of its center of curvature along its length in accordance with the varying slope angle, and the handrail guide varies in its radius of curvature and the position of its center of curvature along its length in correspondence with the radius of curvature and the position of center of curvature of the guide rail.

Abstract: A segment step is provided for a curved escalator having a plurality of segment steps connected to an endless loop of step chains having curved cleats so related in curvature that the steps circulating along the endless loop mesh properly and smoothly. Each step comprises a tread slate having formed therein a plurality of arcuate horizontal cleats and an arcuate vertical riser plate connected to the tread plate and having formed therein a plurality of vertical cleats curved similar to the riser plate. The radii of curvature of the vertical cleats and the radii of curvature of the horizontal cleats increase in the direction away from the center of curvature of the escalator according to an arithmetic progression.

Abstract: A curved escalator includes guide tracks for defining a stairway path which includes a constant slope intermediate section, horizontal landing sections, and transient sections smoothly connecting the intermediate section and the landing sections. Each section of differing slope has a differing radius of curvature which when viewed in plan, is inversely proportional to the slope angle, thereby eliminating the need for drive chains to change the distance between the step axles. Turn-around mechanisms that are compact and simple in structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A moving staircase having an arcuate conveyor passage in plan view is disclosed in which the tread boards articulated in an endless fashion along the arcuate conveyor passage are each rotatably provided with a tread board axle in the widthwise direction, the tread board axle rotatably carrying outer and inner drive rollers near its outer and inner ends, respectively, and these outer and inner drive rollers are adapted to be supported on and guided by the outer and inner rails, respectively, secured to the main frame. The outer and/or inner drive rollers are prevented from derailing from the outer and/or inner drive rails by presser rails secured to the main frame, and side rollers mounted on the tread board axles to resist the radially inward force applied to the tread boards in operation are adapted to abut against the side surfaces of the outer and/or inner drive rails and the presser rails.

Abstract: A curved escalator comprising a plurality of segment steps having step axles connected to an inner and an outer endless loop of step chains so that the steps circulate along the endless loops, and inner and outer sprocket wheels having different diameters for turning around the step axles along a conical surface in turn-around portions of the loop in engagement with the inner and outer endless chain loops, the bottom surfaces of the teeth being engageable with the step axles of the inner and outer sprocket wheels having sloped surfaces that are parallel to the axis of the step axles in the turn-around portion, and the teeth having the same pitch circle. Since the bottom surfaces of the teeth engaging the step axles have sloped surfaces that are parallel to the axis of the step axles in the turn-around portion, and since the pitch circles of the teeth are the same, the driving force is transmitted to the step axles and the step chain, and the steps are smoothly turned around to provide a better ride.

Abstract: A frame structure for a curved escalator comprises a plurality of truss units connected to each other to define an arc in plan, the frame structure having upper and lower horizontal sections and a sloped section therebetween. The frame structure further comprises an upper transition section including at least one truss unit and connected between the upper horizontal section and the sloped section, and a lower transition section including at least one truss unit and connected between the lower horizontal section and the sloped section.

Abstract: A curvilinear escalator comprises, in combination: a main frame having an arcuate shape in the horizontal plane of projection and disposed in inclined condition, the main frame having a forwarding way formed on the top surface side thereof, a turning section at one distal end part of the main frame in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a return way on the bottom surface side thereof to thereby construct an endless conveying path; a plurality of steps continuously disposed in the conveying path and guided therealong, each of the steps being in a sector shape; a pair of step chains disposed at both sides of the steps on the edge part in the breadthwise direction thereof and provided along the conveying path, the each step chain being constructed with joint pieces, each of which is engaged with the end part of a step shaft disposed in each of the steps in the breadthwise direction thereof, and link members with one end part thereof being connected with one end part of the joint piece and to bring the adjace

Abstract: A curved escalator comprises a plurality of segment steps movable along the stairway path, an inner balustrade panel of balustrades vertically disposed along an outer and an inner side of the stairway path, a moving handrail supported by a handrail guide for a guided movement along the balustrade, a skirt guard mounted to the frame work and extending in parallel to a travel path of the steps, and a guide rail for guiding step axles of the steps. The guide rail varies in its radius of curvature and the position of its center of curvature along its length in accordance with the varying slope angle, and the handrail guide varies in its radius of curvature and the position of its center of curvature along its length in correspondence with the radius of curvature and the position of center of curvature of the guide rail.

Abstract: A passenger carrying system for transporting passengers between two floors, comprising a plurality of interconnected steps which move between the floors in a closed pattern that includes sections which spiral down and up between the floors around vertical posts. In the spiral sections the steps form staircases which move along the pattern.

Abstract: A plurality of stairs are interconnected and propelled in a racetrack pattern between two floors of a building. The stairs are guided on rails and provide moving staircase sections for passengers to stand on for transport between the floors. The stairs move flatly in line with each other beneath the floor level in going from one of these staircase sections to the other. The stairs are interconnected and mounted on the rails in such a way that they can rotate relative to each other so that they can turn in going from one staircase section to the other.