Patent ID: 6848562
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: B66B

Abstract:
1. A device for automatically removing a controller assembly from an escalator pit to eliminate the risk of human injury, the device comprising: a mounting base having upper and lower portions for attaching to an escalator pit wall, a guide attached to and between the upper and lower portions of the mounting base, drive sprockets secured at the lower portion of the mounting base, return sprockets secured at the upper portion of the mounting base, a drive motor, drive coupling, and drive shaft operably connected to the drive sprockets, an ejector carriage which rides vertically up and down along the guide, wherein the carriage is connected on each side to a respective drive chain, whereby the ejector carriage travels from a vertical stored position to an ejected horizontal position, drive chains connected between the drive sprockets and return sprockets, wherein one end of each drive chain is connected to a threaded adjusting rod, which is connected to said carriage and the other end of each chain is connected directly to the carriage, an automatic pivoter arm and bracket for pivoting around a pivoter axle via an automatic pivoter chain, wherein the pivoter axle is securely attached to the ejector carriage and upon the carriage reaching its uppermost vertical position, the pivoter chain tightens causing the pivoter arm to rotate along with the ejector carriage and move the carriage to said ejected horizontal position out of the escalator pit, and; a push button station for controlling the automatic movement of the ejector carriage, wherein an up travel limit switch and a down travel limit switch interact with said push button station to control movement of the ejector carriage from the stored vertical position to the ejected horizontal position.