With Paired Track Step Levelers Patents (Class 198/332)
  • Patent number: 11208297
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power switch device for an oiler of an escalator or a moving walk. The power switch device includes: a power input port, including a first power input terminal and a second power input terminal; a power output port, including a first power output terminal and a second power output terminal, the second power input terminal being connected to the second power output terminal, and a first circuit branch and a second circuit branch connected in parallel being connected between the first power input terminal and the first power output terminal; an electronically controlled on-off apparatus, connected in the first circuit branch; a manual switch, connected in the second circuit branch; and a state indicator, used to indicate a switching state of the manual switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: KONE ELEVATORS CO., LTD., KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minmin Shao, Jian Zhou, Jinming Wang, Hengyuan Gao
  • Patent number: 10974931
    Abstract: A run-in guide rail for escalators or moving walkways. The run-in guide rail is configured to support a step chain with buffer rollers arranged internally and track rollers arranged externally during the run-in into a sprocket. The run-in guide rail has a first support surface for supporting the buffer rollers and a second support surface, arranged alongside the first support surface, for supporting the buffer rollers. In addition, a passenger conveyance device comprising step chains, sprockets and at least one aforementioned run-in guide rail is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhardt Krämer, Gerrit Brand
  • Patent number: 10464785
    Abstract: A step chain for driving steps of an escalator may include link plates, chain pins, chain bushes, and buffer rollers that are connected to one another to form chain links, which can be moved in relation to one another. The step chain may also include running rollers disposed outside the chain links. The buffer rollers may each be designed in the form of a multi-component part that comprises at least one inner, dimensionally stable sliding component, by way of which the buffer rollers can be arranged in a rotatable manner, respectively, on the chain bushes, and an outer, damping component that is designed to be more elastically deformable than the sliding component. The step chain may be utilized in a person-conveyor device, such as an escalator or a moving walkway, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Reiner Ludwig, Maxim Golzew
  • Patent number: 9617122
    Abstract: A step of an escalator or a pallet of a moving walk has a supporting body with a base and at least one tread-element with a tread-surface wherein, on an underside that faces away from the tread-surface, the at-least one tread-element has at least one fastening protrusion. In the assembled state, the at-least one fastening protrusion protrudes through an opening in the base. Arranged on the side of the base that faces away from the tread-element, at least partly between the base and the fastening protrusion, is at least one fixing element. The fixing element fixes the tread-element against the base in a pretensioned manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Michael Matheisl, Robert Schulz, Thomas Illedits, Werner Eidler
  • Patent number: 9481551
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent balustrade (12) of an escalator (1) or of a moving walk, comprising a balustrade skirt (13), at least one glass panel (33), and a handrail guide (15) with a handrail (14). The at-least one glass panel (33) has an upper edge (9) and a lower end (6) and, at its lower end (6), is gripped in a mounting (18) in the balustrade skirt (13) in locationally fixed manner. The transparent balustrade (12) contains at least one support (20), which is tightly joined to the balustrade skirt (13). The glass panel (33) is deformable perpendicular to its planar extent and therefore in lateral direction. Through its elastic deformability, to absorb lateral forces (F) the glass panel (33) displays lateral displaceability within a permissible deformation play (s), lateral displaceability within the permissible deformation play (s) being limited by the support (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: David Krampl, Günther Niedermayer, Michael Matheisl, Gerhard Kleewein
  • Patent number: 9334656
    Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Bishop, James Boyd Schaible
  • Patent number: 8042675
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system having: a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member arranged symmetrical to the first longitudinal member in relation to a longitudinal mid-plane of the conveyor system, to define a forward movement track and a return track of the rollers (4); a connecting crossbeam (6) for connecting the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members have: an upper surface defining the forward movement track (2) on which the rollers (4) roll; a lower surface defining the return track (3) on which the rollers (4) roll; an inner surface provided with means for fixing the longitudinal members; an outer surface. The first longitudinal member is connected to the second longitudinal member by means of a connecting crossbeam (6) to ensure a necessary tolerance between longitudinal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: 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, Mónica Diaz Sorribas
  • Patent number: 7665594
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Kikuchi, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Yasuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7568571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Ogimura, Takayuki Kikuchi, Kazuya Yuge, Yoshinobu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7537102
    Abstract: A transportation device with steps or pallets arranged in the form of an endless transporter. The transportation device has two or more advance guide rails which are arranged in an advance area of the transportation device, and two return guide rails which are arranged in a return area of the transportation device. Each step or pallet has sliding elements fastened to it have an advance sliding surface and a return sliding surface. In the advance area each step or pallet is oriented with the advance sliding surfaces of the two respective sliding elements on the advance guide rails and slides along the advance guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Michael Matheisl, Thomas Novacek
  • Patent number: 7533765
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing device for passenger conveyors comprises shock-absorbing members, which are attached respectively to at least one side of each of an inner rail and an outer rail of a track and protrude from the inner and outer rails toward a step roller. Supporting members are attached to the shock absorbing members for supporting the shock-absorbing members together with the inner rail and the outer rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Yi Sug Kwon
  • Patent number: 7401692
    Abstract: A device for restraining the rise of a step roller of an escalator prevents the step roller from colliding with rails of a track in turn around areas at the top and bottom of the escalator. The device comprises: a supplementary roller, which is disposed between an outer rail and an inner rail of the track; an elastic member for biasing the supplementary roller toward the outer rail to roll thereon; and a supporting block to which the elastic member is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Jeong Rak Kim
  • Publication number: 20080149457
    Abstract: A transportation device with steps or pallets arranged in the form of an endless transporter. The transportation device has two or more advance guide rails which are arranged in an advance area of the transportation device, and two return guide rails which are arranged in a return area of the transportation device. Each step or pallet has sliding elements fastened to it have an advance sliding surface and a return sliding surface. In the advance area each step or pallet is oriented with the advance sliding surfaces of the two respective sliding elements on the advance guide rails and slides along the advance guide rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: MICHAEL MATHEISL, Thomas Novacek
  • Patent number: 7124875
    Abstract: An escalator with a high speed inclined section, includes link mechanisms, each of which has a first link with a first end rotatably connected to a step link roller shaft, and a second link, a first end of which is rotatably connected to a middle portion of the first link and a second end of which is rotatably connected to a step link roller shaft of an adjacent step. A rotatable auxiliary roller is located at a second end of the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Ogura, Takashi Yumura, Joichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6471034
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway is provided with a guide device to maintain the positions of the steps or plates with respect to the escalator sides. A respective guide device is provided at each step side which guides the steps laterally in the horizontal direction and insures a minimum spacing of the step from the base plate of the escalator balustrade base. In the forward run portion of the step belt the guide device engages the base plate, while in the return run portions of the step belt, the guide device engages the side surface of a second guide for chain rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lunardi, Reinhard Pallinger
  • Patent number: 6382388
    Abstract: A passenger conveyer apparatus including a plurality of steps connected to each other in an endless loop, traveling on a forward path, a backward path and a pair of turning paths connecting between opposite ends of the forward path and the backward path. Each of the steps comprising a step tread and first and second guide rollers offset from each other in the traveling direction of the steps. The apparatus also includes a forward rail configured to guide the first and the second guide rollers in the forward path, a backward rail configured to guide the first and the second guide rollers in the backward path, and a pair of turning rails having a curving rail formed in an arc, configured to guide the second guide roller in the turning paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaaki Hirai, Yoshio Ogimura, Kazuhisa Hara, Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6016902
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor provided with a drive motor, a drive sprocket coupled to a shaft of the drive motor, a drive terminal gear coaxially engaged to the drive sprocket, a step chain driven by meshing with the drive terminal gear, a step connected to the step chain and having front and rear wheel rollers, and an upper rail for guiding the front wheel roller so that the step chain meshes smoothly with the drive terminal gear, wherein the upper rail comprising a straight section formed in a straight; an arched section formed extendly from an end of the straight section, wherein the starting end of the arched section coincides with or goes beyond a perpendicular center: line of the terminal gear; a distance from an upper surface of the straight section to a circumferencial surface of the terminal gear is shorter than a radius of the front wheel roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Sug Kwon
  • Patent number: 5924544
    Abstract: A terminal rail system for an escalator includes an escalator step including a step front roller and a step rear roller, an upper guide rail for guiding the step front roller, a lower guide rail for guiding the step rear roller, a semicircular inner casing and outer casing, the inner casing being engaged to the lower guide rail, at a curved portion of the lower guide rail the escalator step changing a proceeding level, and at least one end portion of each of the inner casing and outer casing being separated from a corresponding one thereof for thereby reducing an impact caused by the step rear roller. The terminal rail system flexibly buffers the respective impacts caused by the step rear roller for thereby considerably relieving the vibration and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Sug Kwon
  • Patent number: 5899314
    Abstract: A terminal rail for a passenger conveyor including an inner and outer guide rails is disclosed. According to the terminal rail, a portion on which the rear wheel roller is initially contacted with the outer guide rail includes a damper placed between an end of a straight portion of the outer guide rail and a desired position of a turning portion to damp impact produced when the rear wheel roller of the step travels from the inner guide rail to the outer guide rail of the terminal rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Sug Kwon
  • Patent number: 5890578
    Abstract: The terminal rail system for an escalator includes a pair of terminal rails including a corresponding pair of curved portions thereof having identical curvatures therebetween, a curve start point of either of the terminal rails being displaced from that of the other of the terminal rails, in a pair of terminal rails for an escalator which include a pair of curved portions thereof for guiding therearound a pair of step rear rollers engaged to an escalator step, and a pair of linear portions for guiding therealong the pair of step rear rollers toward the curved portions. The system completely eliminates the noise and vibration caused by an impact of the step rear rollers on the upper casing of the terminal rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Sug Kwon
  • Patent number: 5697486
    Abstract: A device for the guidance of an endless belt for escalators or moving walkways in an endless belt of an escalator or a moving walkway, the chain rollers are guided by way of a support rail having a running track and by way of a compensating rail having a running track, and at the entry of a chain wheel, which deflects the endless belt, the chain rollers move from the rectilinear running track of the support rail onto the curved running track of the compensating rail and move from the compensating rail, at a tangent point, into engagement with the chain wheel, with the chain rollers being displaced, towards the chain wheel, by a spacing (h.sub.0), during the movement thereof, from the running track of the support rail to the tangent point, with the spacing being measured transversely to the running direction, in the direction extending at right angles to the running direction, with this displacement having an advantageous effect on the quietness of operation of the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Investio AG
    Inventor: David Krampl
  • Patent number: 5553697
    Abstract: An overlay for a passenger conveyor roller track extends over the joints between segments to provide the engagement surface for the roller track. The overlay separates the engagement surface from the joints between adjacent segments to minimize vibration and improve the comfort of the ride. In one embodiment, an escalator includes a roller track having a support structure formed from multiple segments joined end to end and an overlay extending over the multiple segments. The overlay defines the engagement surface for the rollers engaged with the roller track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Arthur McClement
  • Patent number: 5351800
    Abstract: Escalator steps are attached to their step axles by means of C-shaped clamps which are pivotally mounted on the steps and rotatable thereon to clamping positions where they embrace and clamp the step axles to the steps. One end of the clamp is then bolted to the step so that the clamp pivot pin and bolt will secure the clamps against the step axles. A cam profile is formed on a finger on the clamp, which cam profile guides the step axles into engagement with the step and clamp. A wrench-guiding tube is fixed to the step above the clamp bolt to hold the latter on the step and to ensure engagement between the bolt and an Allen wrench or other tool inserted through the step tread to bolt the clamp in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Johnson, James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 5325955
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hermann W. Ahls, Martin Mehlert, Jan G. Harbers
  • Patent number: 5293982
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hermann W. Ahls, Alfons Von Herz
  • Patent number: 5170875
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Masao Kubota
  • Patent number: 5161668
    Abstract: A guide mechanism for a passenger conveyor which includes a series of passenger platforms supported on and movable along a frame which has a support track for support rollers mounted on the platforms. The guide mechanism includes a monotrack guide rail, and a pair of horizontal pinch rollers supported by each passenger platform. The pinch rollers are in engagement with opposite sides of the monotrack guide rail. One of the pinch rollers is of a lower compression stiffness than the other pinch roller. The guide mechanism is coupled to a walking beam assembly wherein a pair of support rollers are mounted at opposite ends of a beam extending in the direction of movement of the conveyor, and the guide rail mechanism is coupled to the beam between the pair of support rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Montgomery Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas N. Datema, Thomas R. Nurnberg, Richard D. Rohret
  • Patent number: 5148906
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Erik Brunn
  • Patent number: 5137135
    Abstract: The step chain rollers for an escalator or moving walkway are provided with an annular elastomeric tread mounted on the rim of the roller. The roller rim is formed with a recess or groove which receives the tread. The main body of the roller is metal, and the side edges of the roller contact a side part of the escalator roller track as the roller moves along the track. Lateral guidance for the step chain is thus provided. By recessing the tread in the roller rim, an increase in the metal-to-metal side contact zone between the roller and track is provided resulting in longer roller lift. The sides of the tread are preferably offset from the sides of the roller recess to allow crack-free expansion of the tread to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Kurt Pietsch, Hans-Jirgen Langer
  • Patent number: 5033606
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Matoba, Hitoshi Todaka, Mitsuo Morisato
  • Patent number: 4953686
    Abstract: The balustrade for transportation apparatus, such as an escalator or a moving passenger walkway contains upright balustrade panels directly laterally guiding tread elements, such as steps or tread plates so as to dispense with both of the conventionally employed inner balustrade decks with their associated inner deck covers. A respective stable support profile member connected with a support body and arranged at both sides of a transport element, such as a step or tread plate band receives the base of the associated balustrade panel. The heads of screws or threaded bolts required for fastening the associated balustrade panel are arranged counter-sunk in openings of such balustrade panel. Apart from the savings in cost realized with the invention it is also possible to reduce the entire structural width of the transportation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Gerhart Rulke
  • Patent number: 4805763
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor guide arrangement comprises a guide rail which supports and guides step rollers mounted on the conveyor steps and a fastener which includes a nut and a bolt having a threaded shank and a substantially rectangular head for fastening the guide rail to the conveyor main frame. The guide rail includes a bottom guide portion for guiding a step roller tread and side guide portions vertically rising from the side edges of the bottom portion for guiding the roller sides. The bottom and the side guide portions together form a substantially U-shaped cross section. A side plate extends from the side guide portion at each side edge of the bottom guide portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom guide portion, and inturned portions extend from the lower end of the side plates in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom guide portion and each other to form a slit between the inner edges so as to engage the rectangular head of the bolt of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeharu Kitamura, Kazuhiko Sugita
  • Patent number: 4730717
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Sugita
  • Patent number: 4635783
    Abstract: Person-conveying device of quiet operating design having a step-belt or pallet belt which is guided in guide rails by transport chains with step-chain or pallet-chain rollers as well as chain-guide rollers, the points of contact of the step-chain or pallet-chain rollers with the travel surface being spaced from the lateral guide surface of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: O&K Orenstein & Koppel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Hofling
  • 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: 4484674
    Abstract: The guiding apparatus comprises substantially rectangular rail holders and L-shaped rail holders. Main and follower travel rails or tracks are supported by such rail holders and there are provided side plates at which there are mounted the rail holders, the side plates being supported upon a carrier frame. These rail holders are provided at their attachment or fastening side with at least two respective centering protuberances or nubs or the like which engage into corresponding centering openings provided in the side plates to which the rail holders are fastened. The rail holders possess, at their rail contact side, a dovetail clamping device which, in cooperation with a dovetail profile or section extending along the underside of the travel rail or track, to reliably and easily releasably holds the travel rails and the rail holders by virtue of a clamping action which is exerted at all sides of the dovetail profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lunardi, Gerhard Wipp
  • Patent number: 4249649
    Abstract: An escalator including an endless belt and a plurality of steps attached thereto. The endless belt and steps are guided about a loop which includes load bearing and return runs for the steps, by guide wheels rotatably mounted on a common side of the endless belt, and a guide track. The guide wheels and guide track cooperatively define the first and second yieldable guide points, and first and second non-yieldable guide points, which function at different levels of side thrust forces on the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph K. Kraft
  • Patent number: 4175652
    Abstract: An escalator comprising steps linked in an endless belt, front wheels and rear wheels for each of the steps supporting the step through a front shaft and a rear shaft respectively, guide rails for guiding the rolling movement of the front and rear wheels respectively, and projections extending axially of the rear shaft for each of the steps and projection upthrust rails mounted in a rear wheel portion of each of the steps, each of the projection upthrust rails being arranged in a manner to be juxtaposed against one of the projections and adapted to be brought into engagement with the projection to prevent an inadvertent pivotal upward movement of the step when this tendency occurs, whereby the accident of the shoes of passengers and other objects being caught in a riser portion of the step due to an inadvertent pivotal upward movement of the step can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Satou, Katsuya Teranishi
  • Patent number: 4175653
    Abstract: In a man conveyor, a framework includes, as main frame members, beams of a steel material in the form of a letter I or of other shape in cross section, and struts for supporting guide members for endless handrails are rigidly secured to upper edge portions of the beams. The framework of this man conveyor is highly solid and makes possible simplification of the internal structure of the man conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kubota, Masamitu Hanano
  • Patent number: 4139092
    Abstract: A conveyer system having a pair of spaced roller chains driven by chain wheels and having carriages disposed between the chains and pivotally coupled thereto by means of shafts. The carriages while normally maintaining horizontal positions, each include a pair of horizontally disposed rollers and a pair of vertically disposed rollers for cooperation with fixed guides for maintaining the carriages horizontal whether travelling through horizontal, vertical or inclined paths. The system also includes guide means coupled to the carriage shafts for engaging wheels having recesses therein to hold the carriages horizontal while the chains travel about the supporting chain wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Yamano