With Means Allowing Tensioning Of The Endless Member Patents (Class 198/329)
  • Patent number: 10214390
    Abstract: A plurality of steps are linked by endless step chains. Each of the steps includes: a step main body; first shafts that are disposed on the step main body; first step rollers that are disposed on the first shafts, and that are guided by the first guide rails; second shafts that are parallel to the first shafts; and second step rollers that are disposed on the second shafts, and that are guided by the second guide rails. The first shafts move along first pathways, and the second shafts move along second pathways. The second pathways are positioned inside the first pathways when viewed parallel to respective shaft axes of the first shafts. The step chains link each of the steps by joining the second shafts of each of the steps, and are disposed within a range of the step main body in an axial direction of the first shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Doi
  • Patent number: 9944496
    Abstract: An escalator with a step belt or a moving walkway with a plate belt has a first deflecting region and a second deflecting region, wherein the plate belt or the step belt is arranged to circulate between the first deflecting region and the second deflecting region. The escalator or the moving walkway includes at least one guide rail arranged between the deflecting regions for guidance of the step belt or the plate belt, as well as at least one support, which is arranged between the deflecting regions for supporting the at least one guide rail. The at least one support includes a plurality of plug parts that in an assembled state can be plugged together by plug connections to form a box-shaped support base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Michael Matheisl, Norbert Frim, Thomas Illedits, Uwe Hauer, Robert Schulz, Michael Berger, Christoph Makovec
  • Patent number: 8622193
    Abstract: A bidirectional moving walkway with a tightening system for tightening the band of pallets of the walkway includes two tightening units (6, 6?) arranged at each end of the moving walkway and each including a locking system for locking the movable frame (7) of each end tightening unit (6, 6?). Two drive units (3, 3?) are each arranged at either end of the moving walkway. The locking system of each tightening unit (6, 6?) of either end of the walkway is configured for locking the operation of the tightening unit (6, 6?) when the drive unit (3, 3?) of its same end is operated, such that the moving walkway always works with the tightening unit operated by the passenger entrance end and locked by the passenger exit end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Elevator Innovation Center, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Alberto Pello Garcia, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Patinga, Alberto Cancio Fervienza, Alberto Florez Castro
  • Patent number: 8312978
    Abstract: A people mover comprising a plurality of steps or palettes to carry and move people. A transmission chain formed into an endless loop is connected to the steps or palettes via which the steps or palettes are moved. The transmission chain comprises consecutive chain links connected in a hinged manner to each other such that the chain links are bendable in relation to each other in a first direction (I) and in a second direction (II). Two turning elements are provided around which the transmission chain is arranged to pass. The consecutive chain links of the transmission chain bend in relation to each other in the first direction (I) when passing around the respective turning elements. A bending limitation mechanism is arranged to limit bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Arttu Hult, Nithil Karimpanackal Natarajan, Raimo Pelto-Huikko, Aki Metsänen
  • Patent number: 8292058
    Abstract: An escalator includes a plurality of steps or panels, a chain for driving the steps or panels, at least one chain wheel around which the chain is deflected and wherein the chain, starting from the chain wheel, forms an upper strand and a lower strand. There is also provided a device for the polygonal compensation of the movement of the at least one chain wheel. The effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the upper strand is substantially equal to the effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the lower strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ketten-Wulf Betriebs-GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Grobbel
  • Patent number: 8292059
    Abstract: An escalator includes a plurality of steps or panels, a chain for driving the steps or panels, at least one chain wheel around which the chain is deflected and wherein the chain, starting from the chain wheel, forms an upper strand and a lower strand. There is also provided a device for the polygonal compensation of the movement of the at least one chain wheel. The effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the upper strand is substantially equal to the effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the lower strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ketten-Wulf Betriebs-GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Grobbel
  • Patent number: 8286778
    Abstract: An escalator includes a plurality of steps or panels, a chain for driving the steps or panels, at least one chain wheel around which the chain is deflected and wherein the chain, starting from the chain wheel, forms an upper strand and a lower strand. There is also provided a device for the polygonal compensation of the movement of the at least one chain wheel. The effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the upper strand is substantially equal to the effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the lower strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Ketten-Wulf Betriebs-GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Grobbel
  • Patent number: 8079455
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway having a frame, to which rails for chain rollers and rails for idling rollers are fixedly mounted, in particular with the aid of side panels, the escalator or moving walkway further comprising a turn-around area for the chains thereof that comprises a tensioning station for the chains. The tensioning station is guided and mounted on a side part that is fixedly mounted to the frame independently of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp Elevator Innovation Center S.A.
    Inventors: Jens Böge, Frank Neerhut, Michael Tilkorn, Reiner Ludwig
  • Patent number: 7954619
    Abstract: A handrail drive apparatus is provided comprising a first drive wheel assembly configured to drive a handrail and comprising a planetary gear train arranged to be driven by a first driving member. The handrail drive apparatus further comprises a second drive wheel assembly configured to drive the handrail, the second drive wheel assembly being coupled to the planetary gear train of the first handrail drive wheel assembly by a second driving member. The planetary gear train of the first handrail drive wheel assembly is configured to divide a torque imparted by the first driving member between the first and second drive wheel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Nurnberg, Esko Aulanko, Glen Collison, Randall Keemle
  • Patent number: 7861843
    Abstract: Travelator, the conveyor of which comprises a frame, which comprises a stationary first frame part and a second frame part that moves in relation to it. The drive wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing rotation onto the first frame part. The power unit rotates the drive wheel. The diverting wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing free rotation onto the second frame part. The transport surfaces are connected to a traction element which is formed as an endless loop, and which is led to pass over the drive wheel and the diverting wheel. The tightening device is arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part to move the diverting wheel linearly away from the drive wheel in order to exert tightening force on the traction element. The travelator comprises identification means for identifying the drive status of the conveyor, and adjustment means for adjusting the tightening force of the tightening device to different force levels based on the drive status identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 7837021
    Abstract: Obtained is a passenger conveyor that, in the case of the elongation of a step chain of the passenger conveyor, causes a hydraulic cylinder to move a lower-part step chain wheel, thereby absorbing a slack in the step chain and tensioning the step chain with any push-out force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Ichikawa, Hideki Anshita
  • Patent number: 7766149
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create an inspection system (1) for rolled products (2) of a milling station, which is to reliably prevent the texture of the substrate from being impressed and/or pressing through during processing of the rolled product (2), especially during grinding. Said aim is achieved by disposing a number of vertically adjustable rolled product clamps (6, 8) on a conveyor belt (4) for rolled products (2) in the inspection system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Tiepelmann, Horst Oemkes
  • Publication number: 20100122889
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway having a frame, to which rails for chain rollers and rails for idling rollers are fixedly mounted, in particular with the aid of side panels, the escalator or moving walkway further comprising a turn-around area for the chains thereof that comprises a tensioning station for the chains. The tensioning station is guided and mounted on a side part that is fixedly mounted to the frame independently of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Jens Böge, Frank Neerhut, Michael Tilkorn, Reiner Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20090159397
    Abstract: Obtained is a passenger conveyor that, in the case of the elongation of a step chain of the passenger conveyor, causes a hydraulic cylinder to move a lower-part step chain wheel, thereby absorbing a slack in the step chain and tensioning the step chain with any push-out force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumio Ichikawa, Hideki Anshita
  • Patent number: 7543696
    Abstract: A handrail for a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, wherein the handrail frame (5) of the handrail comprises a first handrail frame part (9) fixedly mounted on the frame of the travelator and a second handrail frame part (10) with a turn-around guide (7) connected to it, the second handrail frame part (10) being guided to be movable in the direction of the handrail with respect to the first handrail frame part (9) between a mounting position (I) and a tensioning position (II), in which mounting position (I) the handrail belt can be removed from the handrail and/or mounted on the handrail, and in which tensioning position (II) the handrail belt is in a tensioned state; and that a tensioning device (8) has been fitted to move the second handrail frame part (10) and to lock it in position relative to the first handrail frame part (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 7506742
    Abstract: A board unloading device is provided that can simplify unloading task and can be used to unload and pile a thin board. A board dropper unlocks clamping of the board in fallen condition of a transport hanger. A board container receives and houses the board when the board has fallen vertically. By activating a rotate cylinder, the board container is rotated. A transport roller carries out the board horizontally from an open area of the rotated board container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruji Sasou, Hiroki Omura
  • Patent number: 7451867
    Abstract: An escalator and moving walk shaft mounting construction and method utilizes a truss, a shaft and a shaft-bearing to hold the shaft in the truss. The shaft bearing has a hub and a socket. The hub is affixed to the truss, while the socket interfits with the hub to hold the shaft. The hub-socket connection can be severed to release the shaft from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Michael Berger, Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6832678
    Abstract: In an escalator with a high speed inclined section, steps are coupled in an endless manner and 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 movement of the driving rollers in the reversing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Ogura, Takashi Yumura, Joichi Nakamura
  • 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: 6092639
    Abstract: A driven terminal for a passenger conveyor for transferring passenger or luggage. The driven terminal according to the present invention includes a pair of rotating plates mounted on both ends of a rotating shaft, an outer wheel forcibly contacted with the pallet chains having a smooth contacting surface, and an inner wheel having one surface contacted with a periphery of the rotating plate and the other surface contacted and secured to the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Dae Reo
  • Patent number: 5134571
    Abstract: A controlled tension cable transport system is disclosed, comprising a pulley with fixed axis and a second pulley whose axis occupies a position which is normally fixed during operation. Four sensors measure the tension of the cable during a previous test phase, with the installation off load, and a computing and control assembly compares the measurement results obtained with admissible limit values, for allowing or preventing operation of the installation. Preferably, the computing and control assembly permanently compares the tension of the cable and the torque of the pulley with respect to admissible threshold values during operation of the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Von Roll Transportsysteme Ag
    Inventors: Alain Falque, Bengt Asberg, Christophe Bottollier
  • Patent number: 5020654
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Frank Sansevero, Klaus Seehausen, James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 4739870
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryoichi Saito
  • Patent number: 4576276
    Abstract: An escalator having a conveyor constructed of rigid, pivotally interconnected toothed links, step axles, steps on the step axles, axle rollers on the axles, and step rollers on the steps. The guide arrangement for the conveyor includes a truss having axle and step roller guides. The guide portion of the truss includes movable, free-floating, self-adjusting, upper and lower turnarounds guided for rectilinear movement, and a fixed intermediate portion. Sliding joints which permit mis-alignment without binding interconnect the movable and fixed portions of the axle and step roller guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Henry Boltrek, Peter J. Coakley, Jr
  • Patent number: 4381851
    Abstract: A track splice having finger members fixed to the spaced ends of two track sections. The finger members include adjoining, contacting surfaces which are configured to positively align the finger members and wheel support surfaces of the finger members and associated track sections, while enabling the ends of the track sections to be adjustably spaced. The track splice further includes a clamping device for firmly clamping the finger members together, once the desired spacing between the track ends is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph K. Kraft