Patent ID: 6471034
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: B66B

Abstract:
In an escalator or moving walkway of the type comprising a support, a step belt with steps or a plate belt with plates for the transport of persons and/or articles supported by the support, a balustrade which is held by means of a balustrade base affixed to the support, and a handrail mounted to the balustrade, the improvement comprising a guide device for lateral guidance of the step belt or the plate belt, the guide device being mounted at first and second opposed sides of the steps or plates, wherein the guide device guides the steps or the plates in a horizontal direction, the guide device comprising means for maintaining a minimum spacing of the step or plate from a base plate of the balustrade base during a forward run portion of step belt travel and for engaging a roller guide of the support during a return run portion of step belt travel, said means comprising an elongated hollow stem base member supported at a first end by the step or plate, and a guide element having at least one partially exposed ball mounted within the base member at a second end thereof for contacting the base plate and the roller guide to guide the step or plate therealong.