With Drive Means Patents (Class 198/330)
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Publication number: 20110155538Abstract: Drive system for escalators and moving walkways, comprising a set of wheels (3) carrying free-rotating rollers (4), with parallel axes to that of the wheels, and one or more shafts (5) perpendicular to the movement direction of the belt of steps or pallets (1), in which said roller wheels are mounted. The shafts (5) and wheels (3) are arranged between the moving forward way and the return way of the belt of steps or pallets (1). The wheels (3) engage through the rollers (4) with the steps or pallets (1) through engaging formations (7) of said belt of steps or pallets (1). The shafts (5) connect to a driving assembly through a transmission mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION CENTER, S.A., THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR (ES/PBB) GmbHInventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Alberto Pello Garcia
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Patent number: 7958986Abstract: An exemplary device for driving a handrail of a passenger conveyor includes a handrail drive member configured to engage a handrail. A motor is associated with the drive member such that a driving output of the motor is exclusively for moving the handrail drive member. An exemplary passenger conveyor includes a step chain and a handrail. A step chain motor is associated with the step chain for moving the step chain. A handrail motor that is distinct from the step chain motor is associated with the handrail for moving the handrail.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Dirk Winkelhake, Raymond J. Moncini
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Patent number: 7954620Abstract: A passenger conveyor assembly (20) includes a moveable stepping surface (22). A first drive (50) is operative to move the stepping surface (22). A handrail (30) and a second drive (40) is provided as part of the passenger conveyor assembly (20). A controller (70) controls the second drive (40) independent of the first drive (50) to allow for movement of the stepping surface (22) or the handrail (30) when the other of the handrail (30) or the stepping surface (22) is stationary.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Dirk Winkelhake
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Patent number: 7954619Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Kone CorporationInventors: Thomas Nurnberg, Esko Aulanko, Glen Collison, Randall Keemle
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Publication number: 20110108387Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes at least one elongated tension member (32). A jacket covers at least some of the tension member (32). The jacket comprises a polymer material (68,64) including an adhesion enhancer (62) that facilitates adhesion between the tension member and the jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Xiaomei Yu, Gopal R. Krishnan, John P. Wesson, John M. Milton-Benoit
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Patent number: 7926641Abstract: The invention relates to a pallet actuation system moving the pallets of a moving walkway through drive chains directly engaging the lower part of the chains of traction links. The drive chain has separate drive rollers which are made of deformable and elastic materials. The links of the traction chains are connected together by connecting shafts and have teeth and claws in the lower part to mesh with the drive chain and the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Elevator (ES/PBB) Ltd.Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, José Ojeda Arenas
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Patent number: 7918326Abstract: A driving and/or reversing system includes a driving and/or reversing element and a chain having a plurality of first and second chain pins connected by chain plates. The driving and/or reversing element has first and second pitch circles. First and second chain pins are alternately correspondingly engaged with the first and second pitch circles.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Thomas Illedits, Lukas Krauter
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Publication number: 20110024262Abstract: A power transmission system for a people mover includes a transmission housing, a first motor having a motor shaft, an output gear located inside the transmission housing, and a plurality of gears located inside the transmission housing. The plurality of gears includes an output gear located inside the transmission housing, and first and second reduction gears cooperating to drive the output gear. At least one of the first and second reduction gears has an input/output shaft extending outside the transmission housing. The system also includes an external reduction stage located outside the transmission housing and driven by the first motor shaft to rotate the input/output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Kone CorporationInventors: Thomas Nurnberg, Glen Collison
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Patent number: 7784598Abstract: A bi-directional escalator includes an ascending escalator and a descending escalator arranged in parallel and side-by-side with the ascending escalator. A driving machine drives an ascending driving unit and a descending driving unit at the same time. A controller controls operation of the driving machine. The driving machine includes an electric motor and a reduction gearbox connected to the electric motor. The reduction gearbox has a first output shaft and a second output shaft both arranged on the same side of the reduction gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Yongqing Fang, Jie Hu, Jianguo Li, Mingping Jiang, Feng Xu
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Patent number: 7770710Abstract: Method for compensating the length of a movable handrail (10) in a passenger conveyor (2) having a passenger transportation belt (4) defining at least one passenger transportation surface (8), the handrail (10) is traveling along a closed handrail path which extends through an exposed path (12) along the passenger transportation belt (4), around a turnaround means (14), through a return path (16) and around a further turnaround means (18), and which hand rail path defines a handrail plane which is substantially perpendicular to the passenger transportation surface, the method comprising the following steps: (i) turning the handrail (10) out of the handrail plane; (ii) directing the handrail (10) through a compensation means (38); and (iii) turning the handrail (10) back into the handrail plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Andreas Stuffel, Sameh Samdzada
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Patent number: 7735623Abstract: The present invention is a linearly actuated rotating handrail system for escalators and moving walkways. The system includes a worm band or a handrail, having a first friction device on one side, a dragging device formed by a second friction device and coupled to the first friction device to drag the worm band in the displacement direction. The pressure device includes a first layer of kinematic support, formed by a crank, an articulated shaft, a driving connection rod, shafts and driven cranks. There is a second layer formed by traction rollers. The application of pressure to the worm band or handrail and its balanced distribution over the different pressure rollers is carried out by slides actuated by a distributor, tightened by an elastic system. The elastic system transmits the tension by a beam.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2009Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Elevator Innovation Center, S.A., Thyssenkrupp Elevator (ES/PBB), Ltd.Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, David Moris Moro, Jose Ojeda Arenas
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Patent number: 7731009Abstract: An arrangement in drive machinery of a travelator, moving walkway, escalator or similar apparatus, includes at least a drive motor, at least one handrail with a handrail belt, a support element supporting the handrail and a drive belt connecting rotational movement of the drive motor to the support element. The support element comprises a supporting wheel, having a rim and adapted for use by the drive belt which is fitted to the rim of the support element.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Kone CorporationInventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
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Patent number: 7686152Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for moving walkways and stairs by means of horizontal drive chains, having a drive actuation mechanism and drive chains responsible for causing the movement of the plates of the walkway or steps of the stairs. The drive chains and the pallets or steps have direct mutual engagement devices which are opposite and coupled to one another along a straight section of the path of the belt or stairs. The devices have deformable rollers which are assembled in the links of the drive chain and engage in complementary cavities that the plates or links have at the back part.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Elevator Innovation Center, S.A., Thyssenkrupp Elevator (ES/PBB) Ltd.Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, José Ojeda Arenas, David Moris Moro
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Patent number: 7665595Abstract: A transportation system for a transportation device has a transportation chain having a plurality of chain links joined to form an articulated endless chain and with a sprocket to reverse the chain. The transportation chain has several equally-spaced guide elements which, in a transportation area of the transportation device are guided along a guide rail. The guide elements are formed of sliding elements that are mechanically linked to the transportation chain and slide along the guide rail when the transportation system is in motion. An outer circumference of the sprocket has recesses which at least partly accommodate the sliding elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Michael Matheisl, Thomas Novacek
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Patent number: 7665594Abstract: Provided is a passenger conveyor including a plurality of steps (2) having step rollers (6 and 7), a step chain (8) circulatingly moving in conjunction with each of the plurality of steps (2), guide rails (13a, 13b, 14a and 14b) provided in an intermediate portion of a truss and guiding the step rollers (6 and 7) of each step (2), and an intermediate driving device (12) provided in the intermediate portion of the truss and configured to transmit a driving force to the step chain (8). A step-attitude changing zone (Z) for changing the attitude of each step (2) on a return path side is provided on the traveling path of the steps (2) on the return path side.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Kikuchi, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Yasuhiro Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20100025186Abstract: A conveyance device has two endless arrangements of tread steps, step plates or pallets driven in a transportation direction by a drive. Adjacent to a first longitudinal side of the first arrangement is a first balustrade with a handrail, and adjacent a second longitudinal side of the first arrangement is a second balustrade and handrail. The second arrangement is located parallel and next to the first arrangement and is also driven by the drive. The second balustrade is configured as a center balustrade between the two arrangements to be used by persons on both arrangements. A third balustrade and handrail is adjacent a second side of the second arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventor: Gerald WINKLER
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Publication number: 20090308712Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: KETTEN WULF BETRIEBS-GMBHInventor: Burkhard Grobbel
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Publication number: 20090301837Abstract: A bi-directional escalator with an integrate framework is disclosed. It consists of a first escalator including a first driver having a first drive shaft; a second escalator including a second driver having a second drive shaft; and a two-stage bevel gear reversing unit. The two-stage bevel gear reversing unit includes: a first bevel gear connected to the first drive shaft, a second bevel gear connected to the second drive shaft, a third bevel gear engaged with the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear, and a main driving machine which drives the first escalator and the second escalator simultaneously by means of the two-stage bevel gear reversing unit. The invention is good design, low cost and energy saving.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventor: Jianwei Zhang
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Patent number: 7627945Abstract: During assembly of a vehicle door to a vehicle body, a door installation apparatus is mounted to a frame unit, which is movably mounted on a running rail. A synchronous drive unit, controlled by a user via a control panel, includes a drive roller mounted to the frame unit, a roller shift means that selectively contacts the drive roller to the running rail, and a roller drive unit that drives the drive roller such that the frame unit moves along the running rail at a speed equal to that of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae-Won Lee
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Patent number: 7604108Abstract: The invention relates to a pallet assembly (100, 101) for a transport system for the movement of passengers/goods formed by a moving endless belt based on said pallet assemblies (100, 101). Each assembly has: a driven pallet (101) which is driven by a drive pallet (100), both pallets (100, 101) being hinged to one another according to an axis perpendicular to a movement direction D of the belt. The pallets (100, 101) have a rocking beam (13) having: an end hinged to a functional surface according to an axis perpendicular to the movement direction D; another end having: at least one concave arc (130) perpendicular to the longitudinal movement direction D in the form of a claw; to form a meshing: in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement direction D; between drive equipment (300, 300?) and the drive pallet (100) through the concave arc (130).Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Norte, S.A., Thyssenkrupp Elevators (ES/PBB) Ltd.Inventors: Miguel Angel González Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, Abdón Muniz Camblor
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Patent number: 7600627Abstract: A conveyor apparatus is provided that is free of a pulsing motion in the circulating chains so as to provide a comfortable ride quality on its steps. The conveyor apparatus includes a step guide rail, a plurality of steps, a step chain, and a chain driving mechanism for driving the step chain. The chain driving mechanism includes a rotating and driving unit, a driving sprocket which is rotated by a driving force given by the rotating and driving unit, and a circulating chain for giving a thrust to the step chain. The circulating chain has chain links and hinges that are to be connected to the adjacent chain links. The chain link includes a placing surface on which the step roller is placed, and pressing surfaces that are in contact with step rollers.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Kenzo Tonoki, Taihei Koyama, Yoshio Ogimura, Takayuki Kikuchi, Nobuhiro Oku, Shin Murakami, Hitoshi Kawamoto
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Patent number: 7597182Abstract: An escalator or moving walk has a drive arranged in a reversing area. The drive drives chain wheels that move the step band or pallet band and include a motor, an axial gear, a first hollow shaft and a second hollow shaft. The motor drives a belt to drive a gear input shaft that runs coaxial to the first hollow shaft. Arranged at one end of the gear input shaft is an operating brake; the other end of the gear input shaft is connected to the axial gear. A first flange connects a first chain wheel to a truss. A second chain wheel is arranged at one end of the second hollow shaft; the other end of the second hollow shaft is connected to the housing of the axial gear. A second flange connected to a side plate serves as a torque converter bearing for the axial gear.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Thomas Illedits, Michael Matheisl, Alexander Prenner, Michael Berger
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Patent number: 7568571Abstract: In order to suppress speed irregularity of step rollers (5) in a passenger conveyor, a bent section (17) is formed in a step guide rail (3) and a restraining member (18) is provided upstream thereof, the shape of the height of the bent section (17) and the restraining member (18) is corrected beforehand by the amount of the compression of resilient members of the step rollers (5), which are formed with such resilient members around their shafts, by the compressive force acting between the bent section (17) and restraining member (18). Thus generation of speed irregularity of the steps (4) is suppressed and passenger comfort is improved. Also, by providing a recess (3aa) in the step guide rail (3), gripping of the step rollers (5) as they execute rolling movement along the undersurface of the restraining member (18) from below can be avoided, thereby preventing damage to the step rollers (5), restraining member (18) and step guide rail (3).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshio Ogimura, Takayuki Kikuchi, Kazuya Yuge, Yoshinobu Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20090173596Abstract: A bi-directional escalator includes a going-up escalator (100A), which consists of a truss (1), steps (14), handrails (15), and a going-up driving unit (3; 23; 33); a going-down escalator (100B), which consists of a truss (1), steps (14), handrails (15), and a going-down driving unit (5; 25; 35). Said going-up escalator (100A) and said going-down escalator (100B) are installed in parallel and side-by-side. The invention also includes a driving machine, which drives said going-up driving unit (3; 23/33) and said going down driving unit (5; 25; 35) simultaneously; and a controller, which controls the running of said driving machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2007Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Yongqing Fang, Jie Hu, Jianguo Li, Mingping Jiang, Feng Xu
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Publication number: 20090120762Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for moving walkways and stairs by means of horizontal drive chains, having a drive actuation mechanism and drive chains responsible for causing the movement of the plates of the walkway or steps of the stairs. The drive chains and the pallets or steps have direct mutual engagement devices which are opposite and coupled to one another along a straight section of the path of the belt or stairs. The devices have deformable rollers which are assembled in the links of the drive chain and engage in complementary cavities that the plates or links have at the back part.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicants: 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, David Moris Moro
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Patent number: 7500549Abstract: A people mover, such as a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, comprises a conveyor. The conveyor comprises a frame having a first frame part secured to a fixed structure, and a second frame part mounted to be movable in relation to the first frame part in the longitudinal direction. The first and second frame parts are arranged one after the other. Transport platforms are secured to a first drive element and a second drive element. The drive elements are endless elements. A first tensioning device tensions the first drive element and a second tensioning device tensions the second drive element. Each tensioning device acts between the first frame part and the second frame part. The conveyor additionally comprises mechanical transmission elements between the first and second tensioning devices for keeping the stroke lengths of the first and the second tensioning movements equal.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Kone CorporationInventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
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Publication number: 20090008216Abstract: Provided is a passenger conveyor including a plurality of steps (2) having step rollers (6 and 7), a step chain (8) circulatingly moving in conjunction with each of the plurality of steps (2), guide rails (13a, 13b, 14a and 14b) provided in an intermediate portion of a truss and guiding the step rollers (6 and 7) of each step (2), and an intermediate driving device (12) provided in the intermediate portion of the truss and configured to transmit a driving force to the step chain (8). A step-attitude changing zone (Z) for changing the attitude of each step (2) on a return path side is provided on the traveling path of the steps (2) on the return path side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Kikuchi, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Yasuhiro Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7451867Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Michael Berger, Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 7401691Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Tadashi Munakata, Yoshio Ogimura, Nobuhiko Teshima, Shigeo Nakagaki, Hitoshi Kawamoto, Kenichi Fujii, Tomohiko Matsuura, Yoshifumi Ikeda, Kazuhisa Hara, Takayuki Kikuchi
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Patent number: 7357240Abstract: A conveyor apparatus comprises step chains which couple a plurality of steps such that the steps, and driving units which drive the chains. Each of the driving units comprises a power unit comprising a motor, and a driving machine including pulleys and belts that reduce a rotation speed of the motor so as to meet a required reduction gear ratio and transfer the rotation speed to the chains, and a pair of right and left driving mechanisms that convert a rotary movement transferred from the machine of the power unit via an eccentric shaft into a movement of rocking units, and apply a propelling force to the chains via pin rollers provided at any one of sides of the rocking units and the chains and gears provided at the other side of the rocking units and the chains to engage with the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshio Ogimura, Takayuki Kikuchi, Yasuhiro Matsumoto, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Shin Murakami
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Patent number: 7353932Abstract: A travelator, moving ramp or escalator comprises a conveyor having a driven end driven by a power machine and a non-driven end. At the driven end, a first drive element, in the form of an endless loop, is passed over a first driving pulley rotated by the power machine, and at the non-driven end the first drive element is passed over a first diverting pulley. A second drive element, in the form of an endless loop, is passed over a second driving pulley at the driven end rotated by the power machine, and over a second diverting pulley at the non-driven end. A first synchronizing device at the driven end provides mutual synchronization of the first and second driving pulleys. The conveyor additionally comprises a second synchronizing device arranged at the non-driven end for mutual synchronization of the first and second diverting pulleys.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Kone CorporationInventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
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Publication number: 20080067034Abstract: An escalator or moving walk has a drive arranged in a reversing area. The drive drives chain wheels that move the step band or pallet band and include a motor, an axial gear, a first hollow shaft and a second hollow shaft. The motor drives a belt to drive a gear input shaft that runs coaxial to the first hollow shaft. Arranged at one end of the gear input shaft is an operating brake; the other end of the gear input shaft is connected to the axial gear. A first flange connects a first chain wheel to a truss. A second chain wheel is arranged at one end of the second hollow shaft; the other end of the second hollow shaft is connected to the housing of the axial gear. A second flange connected to a side plate serves as a torque converter bearing for the axial gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Thomas Illedits, Michael Matheisl, Alexander Prenner, Michael Berger
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Patent number: 7320393Abstract: An arrangement for a people mover located near a floor surface comprises a transport conveyor structure including a conveyor and a handrail having a casing. A drive machine is operatively arranged at least for moving the conveyor and the handrail. The drive machine is located above the floor surface and is installed in the transport conveyor structure, at least partly inside the casing of the handrail.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Kone CorporationInventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
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Patent number: 7308978Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway has a step or plate belt with motor-driven steps or plates and free-running steps or plates. A drive frame connected with a frame serves as support for a drive unit of a motor-driven step or plate. The drive unit includes a motor, a transmission and a brake. A friction wheel, which transmits drive power to a travel track, is arranged at the transmission output, while a counter-pressure roller arranged in a fixed position on the drive frame laterally guides the step.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Inventio AGInventor: Michael Matheisl
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Patent number: 7296671Abstract: A drive system for escalators having steps or moving walkways having pallets includes at least one drive motor. A drive chain is driven by the drive motor and is comprised of a plate link chain. The drive chain has such a pitch that a maximum of two links are used for each step or pallet. A mechanism for minimizing a polygon effect which occurs during entry and reversing of the chain at a reversing element includes at least one device for actuating one of the drive motor, the reversing elements or the drive chain with a non-constant rotational speed or velocity.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: KONE CorporationInventor: Alexander Pietz
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Patent number: 7219784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Richard Fargo
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Patent number: 7168547Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Dietmar Thaler, Richard Fargo, Helmut J. W. Meyer
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Patent number: 7137500Abstract: A passenger conveyor system (20) has a drive module that engages only one side (50) of the step chain loop (30). In a multiple drive module arrangement, at least one of the drive modules (40B) engages both sides (50, 52) of the step chain loop while another engages only one side (50). The inventive arrangement is not sensitive to spacing (54, 56) between the drive modules. Another example embodiment includes a synchronizing module (60) that engages both sides (50, 52) of the step chain loop (30).Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Richard N. Fargo
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Patent number: 7077257Abstract: A drive system for an escalator or a moving walkway includes at least one drive motor, at least one drive chain and a reversing element for the drive chain. A device for modifying the speed of the drive chain is arranged in at least an entry or exit area of the reversing element.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Kone CorporationInventor: Alexander Pietz
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Patent number: 7070038Abstract: An escalator having a twin chain drive. Each chain 10, 11 comprises links 13 consisting of two side plates 14 interconnected by hollow sleeves 15, 23. The links are pivotally connected together to form a chain by linking plates 18 and pins 19 that are inserted through holes in the linking plates 18 and the bores of first hollow sleeves 15. A rotatably mounted load bearing roller 21, 29 is mounted on each sleeve 15, 23. Second hollow sleeves 23 are provided at spaced intervals along the length of the chains and have a bore that is provided with a double tapered surface 24, 25 that converges at a radial plane 26 midway between the side plates 14 of the respective link 13. An axle 20 is provided at spaced intervals along the chains and comprises a spindle 37 located in the tapered bores of the second hollow sleeve 23 of each chain and a spacer assembly 39, 39a, 39b, 39c located between the pairs of second sleeves 23.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Precision Chains LimitedInventor: Brian Haycock
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Patent number: 6997302Abstract: An escalator drive assembly includes a backup member (40) that facilitates controlling movement of the escalator (20) even when the normal drive assembly operation is interrupted. A backup member (40) in the form of a flange (42) is associated with a drive pulley (34) and normally rotates in unison with the drive pulley (34). When there is a failure in the normal operation of the drive mechanism, however, there is a resulting relative movement between the backup member (40) and the drive pulley (34). Such relative motion preferably activates a switch (80) that provides a signal that indicates a failure of the normal operation of the drive mechanism. The backup member (40) facilitates providing an indication of a failure and control over movement of the escalator (20) even when the normal drive assembly is not operating as intended.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Richard N. Fargo, Jorg Ostermeier, Charles Darling, Bernward Engelke, Ernst Führing, John Michael Milton-Benoit
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Patent number: 6991084Abstract: In an escalator, a handrail is supported medially and reversed by means of a reversing sheave, which rotates about an axle which has approximately the width of a balustrade. The axle is held by at least one supporting cheek. A handrail-drive, which is integrated in the balustrade base, drives the reversing sheave by means of a drive-wheel, the handrail, which is guided over a diverter roller, being carried along by friction from the reversing sheave.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Inventio AGInventor: Gerhard Lunardi
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Patent number: 6988608Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Kone CorporationInventor: Alexander Pietz
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Patent number: 6974018Abstract: An escalator has a step-band with steps for the transport of persons. The step-band is bounded on its sides by a balustrade held by a balustrade base. A handrail-drive drives the handrails, and has friction-wheels driving the handrails on the outside of the handrails. Rollers press upon the insides of the handrails, pressing the handrail against the friction-wheel. At least one further friction-wheel arranged on a step chain-wheel drives the friction-wheel through frictional or mechanical engagement.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Gerhard Lunardi, Michael Matheisl
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Patent number: 6971497Abstract: A handrail-drive for an escalator or moving walk drives the handrail through frictional contact with an outside surface of the handrail. Press-on rollers engaging the inside of the handrail may be employed to press the handrail against a drive-wheel of the drive. The force of the rollers may be adjustable. The drive-wheel may include a gas-filled tire on a rim and can be driven by a motor, a step-chain wheel, or a step-chain drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Thomas Illedits, Hubert Hölzl
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Patent number: 6971496Abstract: A braking system for an escalator having multiple rates of deceleration. When electrical protective devices (EPD) indicate that the escalator should be stopped, the main controller makes a determination as to whether the maximum rate of deceleration should be applied or the lower rate of deceleration. The brake is then controlled according to this determination to prevent a sudden stopping of the escalator when it is not necessary. The EPDs may be divided into two or more groups for different rates of deceleration. A provision may be made for multiple signals at once. If the main controller fails to provide a deceleration rate, the braking controller automatically defaults to the maximum rate. This system may also be used with moving walkways or other conveyors.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Kone CorporationInventors: Thomas Nurnberg, Yilmaz Ozgur Cantez
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Patent number: 6966420Abstract: A passenger conveyor (2) with a running belt (4) contains a frame (6). A main running belt drive (12) is mounted on the frame (6) and contains a drive shaft (10) and at least one running belt driving wheel that is connected to the drive shaft. A drive unit contains a driving motor (16) and a step-down gear (18). The output of the step-down gear (18) is connected to the input of the main running belt drive (12). The driving motor (16) is mounted on the housing (22) of the step-down gear (18), with the driving motor (16) and the step-down gear (18) forming a drive unit (8), and the drive unit (8) is supported by the main running belt drive (12).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Thorsten Ackmann, Dietmar Thaler
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Patent number: 6892874Abstract: A device and method for reducing the polygon effect that occurs during the course of the reversing of a chain in a pedestrian conveyor, escalator, or moving walkway. The device includes a reversing wheel, at least one gear indirectly or directly acting upon the reversing wheel, at least one power supply unit, an electric driving motor coupled to the at least one gear and the at least one power supply unit such that the driving motor can be driven with a non-constant speed, a function generator, a controlling apparatus coupled to the function generator, at least one position sensor for detecting a phase position of the reversing wheel and transmitting the phase position to the controlling apparatus. In such a device, the controlling apparatus transmits a synchronized set speed value to the power supply unit based on the phase position.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Kone CorporationInventor: Alexander Pietz
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Patent number: 6874613Abstract: A device for driving step of an escalator or pallets of a moving walkway. A chain wheel has a chain wheel drive shaft and is coupled to the steps or pallets. The device includes a driving gear for being coupled to the chain wheel drive shaft. The device also includes at least one driving motor coupled to the driving gear. The driving gear includes first and second gears coupled to the chain wheel drive shaft. The first and second gears each have variable reference diameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: KONE CorporationInventor: Alexander Pietz
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Patent number: 6848562Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is a need for removal of the controller assembly from its stored location within the escalator pit for the purpose of working on the escalator or the escalator controller itself. The risk for human injury associated with this removal can be eliminated through the use of the present invention, that of a power driven ejection device for the automatic removal of the escalator controller from the escalator pit, with the main components of the automatic ejection device being the mounting base/guide tube, the drive system, the carriage, the main attachment pin and the controller attachment bracket, the automatic pivoter and the optional latch and manual release.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Barry Jay Viola