Handrail Guard Patents (Class 198/338)
  • Patent number: 11174131
    Abstract: A sanitizing system including a housing assembly and a sanitizing assembly is disclosed. The housing assembly includes a housing having lights thereon. Attached to a top of the housing is a display to present news, alerts or advertisements to users approaching an escalator or walkway with moving handrails. The housing including a curvature at a rear side that cooperates with the handrails, allowing the housing to be secured to the handrails. Within the housing is a container of the sanitizing assembly having a sanitizing solution within. The sanitizing solution is dispensed onto a sanitizing roller attached to the housing. The sanitizing roller is in abutting contact with the handrails to constantly deliver the sanitizing solution to the handrails and eliminate cross contamination bacteria from the handrails. The sanitizing roller engages a top end and lateral sides of the handrails ensuring that the handrails are always cleaned between users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Beatris Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11065680
    Abstract: A wear resistant mesh for construction of a component includes a plurality of inserts, a web connecting the inserts to one another and maintaining geometry and spacing of the inserts. A component including a mesh including a plurality of inserts and a web connecting the inserts to one another and maintaining geometry and spacing of the inserts, a matrix material disposed about the mesh, the material exposing selected wear surfaces of the mesh. A method for making a mesh to dispose in a component for wear resistance and a method for producing a component having wear resistance and ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zheng Ye, Ignacio Martinez
  • Patent number: 10597261
    Abstract: A transport device for conveying passengers between first and second landing areas in a conveying direction may include a skirt member and a balustrade, which may include lower and upper sides, extending between the landing areas. The skirt member may be secured to the lower side. An endless moving handrail may form a loop. A first section of the handrail moves along the upper side of the balustrade in the conveying direction, and a second section of the handrail moves within the skirt member opposite the conveying direction. Two turnaround sections are disposed between the first and second sections near the first and second landing areas, respectively. At least one of the turnaround sections includes a cover member that renders part of the turnaround section of the handrail inaccessible to passengers. The cover member may comprise a positioning mechanism for adjustably positioning the cover member relative to the balustrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION CENTER S.A., THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Juan Domingo González Pantiga, Elena González Ruibal, Jonatan Hernández Álvarez
  • Patent number: 10532913
    Abstract: People conveyors and components for people conveyors are described. The components include a toothed surface having at least one tooth. The at least one tooth having an engagement surface and a surface pattern comprising pattern channels formed into the engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Huan Zhang, John P. Wesson
  • Patent number: 10399825
    Abstract: The disclosed preferred embodiment of the handrail cleaning device comprises a flexible bar which uses spring resilience force to press one or more reusable or disposable cleaning pads against the moving handrail of an escalator. The apparatus provides a lightweight, low cost apparatus that is simple to set-up and use and requires no external power. Additionally, the device is capable of cleaning and treating the handrails of common escalators during operation of the escalator. The device utilizes the motion of the escalator to perform the cleaning action. The simplicity of the device allows for multiple devices to be used simultaneously by a single operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Ori Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 9382102
    Abstract: The invention is an escalator handrail cleaning apparatus for a running handrail (1) on a guide rail (11) along an escalator (12), wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises: —a main body (3) with a preferably underlying, generally through channel (31) for the handrail (1) to pass through, —a steam supply hose (2) to a longitudinally running inlet channel (21) in the main body (3) and connected to one or more across distribution channels (5) in the main body (3), —a number of steam nozzles (6) from the distribution channel (5) directed towards the through passing handrail (1), —at least a first and a second squeegee gasket (7) for delimiting a space (38) in the through channel (31) between the main body (3), the through running handrail (1), and the surroundings and arranged for wiping off water and dirt from the through running handrail (1), —at least one drain channel (41) from the space (38) wherein the drain channel (41) conducts water, steam and dirt to a return hose (4), preferably by vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: TECNOVAP AS
    Inventors: Svein Røthe, Hans Åge Bergfald, Thomas Tjelland
  • Publication number: 20150008095
    Abstract: Disk-shaped pulleys 6 arranged on entrance side IN and exit side OUT and rotated around a horizontal axis, an expansion link chain 8 endlessly wound between the disk-shaped pulleys, and a flexible handrail belt member 10 connected outside the expansion link chain and extendable/retractable in a traveling direction are provided. The expansion link chain comprises expansion links 82 connected in series. The expansion link is flexibly extendable/retractable in length direction and has a pivot 84. An acceleration/deceleration device 12 accelerates/decelerates the pivot, and has a first track chain 122 endlessly guided along a predetermined first track and a first pressing fitting 128 having a rod shape extending outwards swingably attached to the first track chain. A tip of the first pressing fitting is detachably engaged with the pivot to accelerate/decelerate the pivot by continuously changing distance between the pivots by change of swing angle of the first pressing fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Katsuya TERAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8701861
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor includes an endless tread band having a plurality of treads. At least one endless drive chain is driven around a first and a second turn around section by a drive. The drivetrain includes a plurality of links that are associated with drive chain rollers. A plurality of the treads are connected with the drivetrain. At least one panel member is located on a lateral side of the treads. The panel member is moveable with respect to the treads and supported to remain stationary with respect to at least one of the drive chain links. Each of the treads is associated with at least one panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Alexander Turek, Bernward Engelke, Alois Senger, Gero Gschwendtner, Detlev Lindemeier
  • Patent number: 8534445
    Abstract: A monitor, which may be closely associated with a handrail, may determine the amount of force applied to the handrail. The monitor may also determine the pattern in which force is applied to the handrail in order to assess how the user is contacting the handrail. The user's application of force to the handrail can be monitored along the course of movement along the handrail and may be compared to historical usage patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Julie Behan, Terrance Dishongh, Karol O'Donovan, Adrian Burns, Simon Roberts
  • Patent number: 8240453
    Abstract: A film for cleaning guide rollers of escalator can be detachably stuck over a predetermined length in a direction of transporting of a handrail belt, to the endless handrail belt which is guided and transported by guide rollers installed at a lower side of steps of an escalator (E) and a belt guide which is installed at an upper side of the steps, and includes a removing film layer which scrapes substances adhered to an outer circumferential surface of the guide rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Vistec Co., Ltd., Videca Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Nobuo Miyaji
  • Patent number: 8206528
    Abstract: A method of applying a film to an endless moving handrail comprises the steps of adhering a first film layer, having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surfaces of the endless moving handrail and including a barrier coating on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the first layer, to a top surface of an endless moving handrail, and adhering a substantially transparent film layer over the first film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: EHC Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Naseer Mohammed Qureshi
  • Patent number: 8123020
    Abstract: An easily dismantled escalator outer decking, the escalator including a handrail system bracket and a balustrade panel, the escalator outer decking including cover plate (1), wherein the escalator outer decking also includes a first bracket (3) mounted on the handrail system bracket (5), a retention member (2) secured to the cover plate (1) and an insertion strip (8), wherein the retention member (2) is connected to the first bracket (3) in a manner of embedding or snapping, and the insertion strip (8) is wedged between the cover plate (1) and the balustrade panel (9); such that when the outer decking is disassembled, the cover plate (1) and the retention member (2) can be taken down together by putting away the insertion strip (8) first and then lifting the cover plate (1) and the retention member (2) or pushing them towards the balustrade panel (9). The escalator outer decking the present invention has good configuration and can be dismantled easily during maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Yongqing Fang, Jianguo Li, Mingping Jiang
  • Patent number: 7552812
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for moving handrails consisting of a stop (5), arranged at the entrance of the handrail (1) assembled on a fixed railing (3) finishing the handrail, the stop (5) being connected to a rod (7) which can move longitudinally and is retractable against a spring (9), the device comprising a hinged outer lid (15) having locking pawls (19) for an inner lid (18), such that the outer lid (15) automatically tends to the open position due to the effect of the springs (17) affecting the hinge (16) when the stop (5) is retracted and the lock (10) of the latter are released, whereas the inner lid (18), upon being released, also tends to the open position by simple gravity. In this way when a user does not let go of the handrail (1) when it penetrates the railing (3), he or she drives the stop (5) with his or her hand and the lids (15) and (18) are automatically opened, preventing injury to the hand of the user and causing the stop of the handrail through a microswitch (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Norte, S.A., Thyssennkrupp Elevator (ES/PBB) Ltd.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel González Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, José Mendiolagoitia Juliana
  • Patent number: 7552813
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements introduced in invention patent number 200602335 relating to a safety system for moving handrails comprising a plurality of moving handgrips (1), the system having a retractable stop (5) inside the railing (3), a support structure (7), joined to the railing (3), having a guide (9), a lowerable body (11) with respect to the structure (7) and having a guiding rod (12) with a runner (13) and a roller (14) moving parallel to the handgrips (1) and a driving element (15) of the body (11), one of the ends (15b) of which is rotatably connected to the support structure (7) and the other end (15a) is rotatably connected to the lowerable body (11), such that when the retractable stop (5) is pushed by the hand of the user, the rod (12) is moved and the runner (13) is released from the guide (9), the lowerable body (11) being lowered due to the effect of the driving element (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Norte S.A., Thyssenkrupp Elevator (ES/PBB) Ltd.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel González Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, José Mendiolagoitia Juliana, Francisco Palomero Cocho
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090071798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand rail for an escalator or a moving walkway, comprising a flexible base body (1) with two lateral lips (2a, 2b) that wrap around a guide rail (4). The respective ends of the lateral lips are provided with a bulge (6a, 6b), which engages in a corresponding guide groove (8a, 8b) of the guide rail (4), thus securing the hand rail against lateral slippage. The invention also relates to a corresponding guide rail (4), which is equipped with a guide groove (8a, 8b) for guiding the lateral lips of the hand rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: SEMPERIT AG HOLDING
    Inventors: Albrecht Dürrer, Herwig Miessbacher
  • Patent number: 7441644
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting passengers in a transport direction such as, for example, a travelator, moving ramp, or escalator, is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor mounted on a first frame adapted to be supported on a fixed structure. The first frame includes two elongated first frame parts which include guide tracks for guiding the conveyor. The first frame parts may be profiled metallic bodies of solid material joined together end to end one after the other. The profiled metallic bodies include one or more extruded profiles. A handrail is provided and includes a handrail frame and an endless handrail belt mounted on the handrail frame. The endless handrail belt is arranged as a loop having an upper handhold portion that a passenger can grip with a hand for support and a lower return portion disposed inside the first frame. A number of suspenders are fastened to the first frame at a distance from each other to support the return portion of the handrail belt inside the profiled metallic bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Publication number: 20080185264
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for moving handrails consisting of a stop (5), arranged at the entrance of the handrail (1) assembled on a fixed railing (3) finishing the handrail, the stop (5) being connected to a rod (7) which can move longitudinally and is retractable against a spring (9), the device comprising a hinged outer lid (15) having locking pawls (19) for an inner lid (18), such that the outer lid (15) automatically tends to the open position due to the effect of the springs (17) affecting the hinge (16) when the stop (5) is retracted and the locking means (10) of the latter are released, whereas the inner lid (18), upon being released, also tends to the open position by simple gravity. In this way when a user does not let go of the handrail (1) when it penetrates the railing (3), he or she drives the stop (5) with his or her hand and the lids (15) and (18) are automatically opened, preventing injury to the hand of the user and causing the stop of the handrail through a microswitch (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP NORTE, S.A., THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR (ES/PBB) LTD.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, Jose Mendiolagoitia Juliana
  • Publication number: 20080185265
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements introduced in invention patent number 200602335 relating to a safety system for moving handrails comprising a plurality of moving handgrips (1), the system having a retractable stop (5) inside the railing (3), a support structure (7), joined to the railing (3), having a guide (9), a lowerable body (11) with respect to the structure (7) and having a guiding rod (12) with a runner (13) and a roller (14) moving parallel to the handgrips (1) and a driving element (15) of the body (11), one of the ends (15b) of which is rotatably connected to the support structure (7) and the other end (15a) is rotatably connected to the lowerable body (11), such that when the retractable stop (5) is pushed by the hand of the user, the rod (12) is moved and the runner (13) is released from the guide (9), the lowerable body (11) being lowered due to the effect of the driving element (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP NORTE, S.A., THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR (ES/PBB) LTD.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello, Jose Mendiolagoitia Juliana, Francisco Palomero Cocho
  • Patent number: 7320393
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 7191890
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway with a handrail and a handrail entryway has a finger contact protection cover, wherein the finger contact protection cover includes corrugated bristles. The corrugated bristles allow the gap between the handrail and the entryway to be minimized. The bristle construction also provides improved tactile feedback when a user's hand contacts the bristles, allowing the hand to be more quickly removed from the handrail and contact with the bristles, avoiding potential injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Walter Thierer, Paul Sailer
  • Patent number: 7134539
    Abstract: A guard device for a handrail in an entry zone of an escalator is disclosed, which assures safety of an entry of the escalator, sanitary maintenance of the handrail by sterilization, efficient advertisement of products and business corporations, and clean maintenance of air in the entry of the escalator. The guard device includes a guide channel at its bottom to receive a part of the handrail. The guard device further includes a sterilization unit to sterilize the handrail, an advertising display provided on a front face thereof, and an air-cleaning unit provided at a side wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jong-Sook Kim
  • Patent number: 6006889
    Abstract: A deterring device for deterring unsafe usage of a handrail part of an escalator or other conventional people moving devices. The deterring device includes an elongated body positioned in an overlying yet space relationship relative to the handrail. The body define an overriding surface having a generally concave shaped configuration for allowing intended users to grasp the handrail while blocking access to the handrail by other body parts of the intended users and blocking access to the handrail from the exterior of the people moving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Jean Marc Caron
  • Patent number: 5736225
    Abstract: A handrail with or without a wedge for escalators and speedwalks involves a number of permanently connected molded layers wherein the lower outer layer of the handrail, in part, constitutes a slide layer and, in part, constitutes a conveyor layer, an inner layer having increased longitudinal strength constitutes a traction carrier, and the upper outer layer constitutes an uppermost elastic coating of said handrail, wherein said lower outer layer has at least two symmetrically arranged longitudinal grooves whose spacing is somewhat larger than the width of said inner layer having increased longitudinal strength. The tractor carrier of the handrail is always accurately centered so that it does not tend to lateral movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Bottcher Tech GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gyorgy Nagy
  • Patent number: 5465823
    Abstract: A handrail inlet element for an escalator having a handrail. The handrail inlet element is positioned in a lower banister area of the escalator, and includes two separate elements arranged around the handrail. One of the separate elements includes a recess, and the other of the separate elements includes a corresponding projection for engaging the recess to fix the two separate elements together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: O&K Orenstein & Koppel AG
    Inventor: Klaus Schoeneweiss
  • Patent number: 5443145
    Abstract: A safety device is disposed at a run-in region of a circulating handrail of a moving passage into a stationary wall. The safety device is made of a cover plate; an elastically deformable handrail run-in part configured as a bellows and connected to the cover plate; a rod-shaped element having a first end and a second end and being seated in a rear region of the handrail run-in part; an angled component having a first leg connected to a rear side of the handrail run-in part and a second leg adapted to receive the first end of the rod-shaped element; and a limit switch for stopping a movement of the moving passage upon being activated. The limit switch is disposed such that the rod-shaped element is effective for transmitting a deformation of the handrail run-in part onto the limit switch for activating the limit switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: O&K Orenstein & Koppel, AG
    Inventor: Klaus Schoeneweiss
  • Patent number: 5366060
    Abstract: A balustrade handrail entry housing is provided for a balustrade having a base, a handrail, and a balustrade panel. The balustrade entry housing includes a frame, a shell, a channel formed within the frame for receiving the balustrade panel, apparatus for clamping the balustrade panel in the channel, and a face plate having apparatus for mounting a safety device for sensing obstructions entering the handrail entry housing around the handrail. The frame is independent of the balustrade base and the balustrade panel, and therefore may be positionally adjusted relative to both. The shell, which is independent of the frame, mounts on and is supported by the frame. The shell may be positionally adjusted relative to the balustrade base and balustrade panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventors: Gerald E. Johnson, Ronald Laliberte, Frank M. Sansevero, Willy Adrian, Gerald Wente, R. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5355990
    Abstract: A handrail entry safety device including a collar and a base is provided for a balustrade having an enclosure and a handrail. The base includes an upper section and a lower section, the latter having a seat for receiving the collar. The upper section is hingedly attached to the lower section above where the handrail enters the safety device, thereby enabling the lower section and the collar to pivot together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John T. Pitts, Ary O. Mello, Gerald E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5332078
    Abstract: A handrail entry guard is provided having a pair of symmetrically opposed elastomeric halves for substantially surrounding a handrail of a balustrade when the guard is in a normal position. Each half includes a rear edge, a forward edge, and a top surface. The forward edge extends from the top surface to the rear edge along an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Johnson, James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 5295567
    Abstract: Motion of the moving handrail of an escalator or moving walkway is interrupted in the event that a foreign object is carried into the handrail reentry housing area on the handrail. Handrail movement stops independently of movement of the conveyor steps, so that the handrail will stop even as the steps are still decelerating as a result of an appropriate signal from a reentry housing foreign object sensor. The handrail will be reset for further motion after the steps stop but will not commence further movement until the steps are intentionally restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Vlad Zaharia, Gerald E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5259493
    Abstract: The handrail reentry housing on an escalator or moving walkway is provided with a set of journaled rollers which are disposed adjacent to each of the exposed surfaces of the handrail. The rollers are spaced apart slightly from the handrail, and are formed from a low coefficient of friction material such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The rollers are freely rotatable and do not contact the moving handrail, therefore objects that may enter the space between the handrail and the reentry housing can be quickly and easily withdrawn without becoming entrapped therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Gerald E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5156252
    Abstract: The handrail reentry guard housing on a moving walkway or an escalator is provided with a retrofittable shield which is attached to the underside of the guard housing, and which fills the space between the moving handrail and the guard housing. The shield is formed from complimentary halves which are made from formed plastic sheets. The shield halves are somewhat flexible so as not to form a rigid counterpart to the moving handrail. Hook and loop components are secured to the guard housing and to the shield halves to allow for retrofit securement of the shield to the guard housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Ary O. Mello, Gerald E. Johnson, Arthur McClement
  • Patent number: 5117968
    Abstract: The underside of an escalator or moving walkway handrail is continuously cleaned by an assembly which includes rotating brushes associated with a vacuum nozzle which removes loosened debris from the handrail. The brushes are preferably driven so as to rotate in opposite directions to sweep debris toward the vacuum nozzle. The vacuum nozzle empties into a container which can be periodically emptied during normal servicing of the escalator or walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 5064047
    Abstract: The reentry port where an escalator handrail passes out of view at the exit newel of the escalator is provided with an elastomeric reentry guard in the form of a collar surrounding the handrail. The collar has an elastomeric bumper part which is accessible from the exterior of the assembly, and which is mounted on a holder assembly which is contained inside of the escalator skirt housing. The holder and bumper are mounted for limited lateral movement concurrently with the handrail, and such movement is controlled by rollers mounted on the holder assembly, which rollers contact the sides of the handrail. The result is that lateral movements of the handrail as it moves past the reentry guard cause like lateral movements of the housing assembly and bumper. The handrail thus will not rub on the bumper, thereby providing a safer and longer lasting reentry guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Detlev B. Moldenhauer, Willy Adrian
  • Patent number: 4976345
    Abstract: An elastomeric collar is positioned at the mouth of the escalator handrail reentry housing. The collar will deform when subjected to forces running parallel to the direction of travel of the handrail. Sufficient deformation of the collar will activate a switch which turns the escalator off. if an object enters the reentry housing and becomes lodged therein against the handrail, the forces generated thereby normal to the direction of travel of the handrail will activate a pressure sensor which in turn will turn the escalator off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Willy Adrian, Detlev B. Moldenhaur
  • Patent number: 4934512
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an armrest belt conveyor of an escalator. The apparatus permits use of the escalator during cleaning. Preferably, excess cleaner can be scraped off from the conveyor and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventors: Hwang F. Lin, Se K. C. Wu
  • Patent number: 4924995
    Abstract: An elastomeric collar is positioned at the mouth of the escalator handrail reentry housing. The collar will deform when subjected to forces running parallel to the direction of travel of the handrail. Sufficient deformation of the collar will activate a switch which turns the escalator off. If an object enters the reentry housing and becomes lodged therein against the handrail, the forces generated thereby normal to the direction of travel of the handrail will activate a pressure sensor which in turn will turn the escalator off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Willy Adrian, Detlev B. Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 4896759
    Abstract: A deflector is mounted on an escalator balustrade immediately below the moving handrail at the newel, or turnaround ends of the escalator. The deflector smooths the line between the handrail and balustrade and protects against clothing, packages, or the like, contacting the handrail in the exit newel end of the escalator. The deflector may be internally illuminated to heighten its awareness and design impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hella Badstuebner, Walter Tietze
  • Patent number: 4798274
    Abstract: A balustrade comprises a deck cover disposed on the opposite side to a plurality of steps, a transparent balustrade panel supported by the deck cover, a handrail, a handrail guide frame, secured to an upper edge of the balustrade panel for guiding the handrail moving in synchronism with the plurality of steps, and an illumination device attached directly to the outside surface of the balustrade panel so as to be spaced from the handrail to leave transparent between the handrail and the illumination device. The balustrade further is provided with a supporting pole for supporting the illumination device and containing therein lead wires of the illumination device. The supporting pole has an U-shaped opening and secures an entrance prevention fence with the edge being inserted in the U-shaped opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cyuichi Saito
  • Patent number: 4619355
    Abstract: Two generally U-shaped pieces are adapted to fit together end-to-end so that when they are nested in an appropriately-sized passage in an escalator entry box, they cooperate to form a generally cylindrical actuator that at one end has brushes protruding through the opening of the entry box and that is slideable in the entry box over the handrail to actuate a safety shutoff switch located therein in the unlikely event of a foreign object being pulled by the handrail into the entry box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Willy Adrian, Ralf Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 4618387
    Abstract: A method of splicing a length of extruded handrail having a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration, a substantially flat inner drive surface, and a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending inextensible members embedded in the body of the handrail. The ends of the handrail are squared, aligned, and butted. Longitudinally extending grooves are cut into the flat drive surface, through and on both sides of the butt joint, in the spaces between the embedded inextensible members. Predetermined lengths of inextensible members and elastomeric material are placed in the grooves, and bonded to the surfaces which define the grooves. In another embodiment, the grooves are extruded into the flat drive surface at the same time the handrail is extruded. In either embodiment, the ends of the handrail may be bonded together prior to, or simultaneously with, the bonding of the inextensible members and elastomeric material with the groove surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Marvin D. Fisher, Louis E. Bobsein