Abstract: A roller assembly for a passenger conveyor step chain includes a rolling contact bearing disposed between a bushing and an axle of the roller assembly. The rolling contact bearing improves wear resistance and load carrying capabilities of the roller assembly and step chain. In a particular embodiment, the roller assembly includes a pair of seals and a lubrication chamber. The seals define a sealed region encompassing the rolling contact bearing and lubrication chamber. The seals prevent lubrication from leaking and debris from penetrating into the sealed region.

Abstract: A passenger sensor for a conveyor includes a transmitter assembly that is positioned within a channel in the conveyor balustrade. The transmitter assembly includes a plurality of transmitters that are spaced along a cable to form a transmitter chain. Each transmitter includes a module and a connector attached thereto. The transmitter assembly is disposed within the channel without the need for mounting hardware or openings within the balustrade for the passage of the cable. In a particular embodiment, a receiver assembly is disposed in a channel in the opposite balustrade in a similar manner.

Abstract: A step platform for an escalator is provided, comprising a higher step and a lower step. The higher step includes a top surface and a support arm. The lower step has a main body, a raisable middle section, and apparatus for selectively raising the middle section. When the apparatus for selectively raising the middle section engages the support arms, the top surface of the middle section is maintained in the same plane as the top surface of the higher step.

Abstract: A step platform for an escalator having a step chain with a plurality of axles is provided comprising a lower step attached to an axle of the step chain, a higher step, attached to an axle of the step chain, having a middle section, and apparatus for actuating the middle section. The actuating apparatus is operated by the rotation of the step chain axles in the transition zones between the landings and the inclined midsection of the escalator.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a handrail of a passenger conveying device is provided, having a drive wheel and apparatus for pressuring the handrail against the drive wheel. The apparatus for pressuring includes a plurality of rollers, made of a polymeric material having a hardness range less than that of the handrail. Specifically, the polymeric material is made of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer having a Shore A hardness in a range equal to or greater than 62 and less than or equal to 68 Shore A.

Abstract: A combplate for a people moving device is provided having a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, a comb having a plurality of fingers, and a wear resistant polymeric coating, having a color, bonded to the combplate and made of a thermal setting plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic.

Abstract: A treadplate for a people moving device is provided having a tread surface with a plurality of ribs extending out from the tread surface, and a wear resistant polymeric coating, having a color, bonded to the treadplate. The polymeric coating being made of a thermal setting plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic.

Abstract: A direct drive wheel to handrail contact drive assembly utilizes a pair of drive rollers which contact the handrail directly. The drive rollers are powered by a single drive shaft. A pair of pressure rollers oppose the drive rollers so as to press the handrail against the drive rollers. The pressure rollers are spring biased against the handrail. The drive assembly is used to drive the handrail of an escalator or moving walkway.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the step chain of an escalator having a frame with a first and a second landing, an inclined section attached therebetween, and roller tracks fixed thereto, is provided and includes a pair of arcuated ramps for supporting the step chain in a transition area between either of the landings and the inclined section, inboard of the roller tracks, each of the ramps is made of a first bushing, a second bushing, and an elastomeric center section attached to the bushings.

Abstract: An escalator handrail drive system includes a powered drive belt which engages the underneath surface of the handrail along the return path of travel of the latter. A series of pressure rollers engage the outer surface of the handrail to press the latter against the drive belt. The pressure rollers are all biased against the handrail by a single spring. The drive belt is pretensioned by an adjustable pretension spring assembly which can apply a fixed pretensioning force to the drive belt which will not substantially change irrespective of whether the handrail is being driven in the "up" direction or in the "down" direction on the escalator.

Abstract: A step chain is provided for a person conveying device having a first strand, a second strand, a plurality of connecting axles and an attachment apparatus for detachably attaching the connecting axles to the first and second strands.

Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway handrail is driven by a pair of linear belts which engage opposite sides of the handrail along the return path of travel thereof. The belt that engages the underside of the handrail is a powered drive belt, and the belt that engages the upper-side of the handrail is a pressure or reaction belt. Both belts are held against the handrail by a set of biased pressure rollers which urge the reaction belt against the handrail. The belts serve to convert line contact with the pressure rollers into area contact with the handrail thereby spreading out the driving forces acting upon the handrail.