Patent GB-189901091-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Elevators.
Inventor: SEEBERGER CHARLES DAVID
Filed: 1899-01-17
Granted: 1899-03-11
Abstract: 1091. Seeberger, C. D. Jan. 17. Lifts, continuous-stairway and like type. Fig. 2 shows the general arrangement of the lift. It consists of an endless continuously-travelling platform, which in the form of an ascending and descending spiral extends from the ground (say) to the third floor of a building. The course is indicated in the order of the numerals 1 to 24 in Fig. 2. The continuous platform consists of boards or steps, secured to sprocket chains, which form a flat surface so long as the travel takes place in a horizontal direction only, but which break up into stairway steps as soon as the ascent begins. Fig. 11 shows a longitudinal section, and Fig. 12 a cross-section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11, showing an ascending portion of the platform. Each step A is attached to a cross-shaft C', the ends of which are fastened to sprocket chains D which travel in rectangular hollow casings G arranged continuously along the sides of the platform. Rollers c<6> upon this shaft C<1> are fitted to engage with guideways J, H, at the beginning of the ascent, and thus maintain the horizontal position of the steps as the direction of motion changes. Each step A is also fitted with rollers B<3> and B<4> which engage with guide-rails g<1>. Depending spring flaps A' act as risers. To alter the length of one of the sprocket chains automatically, and thus adapt it to the different curvatures of the track, the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is employed. At the beginning of each section of different curvature a sprocket-wheel F is mounted and driven by the chain the length of which it is sought to adjust. The wheel F is mounted upon an axle F<1>, upon which a spur-wheel F<2> is also fixed. The wheel F<2> gears with a pinion F<3> on a shaft F<4>, carrying an elongated pinion F<5>, between the teeth of which pass projections D<2>, D<3> on the sprocket chain D. Each length or link of this chain consists of a bar reaching from one axle C' to the next, being axially pivoted to one and screwed to the other. The result is that each bar, as it enters a section of different curvature in passing over the pinion F<5>, is rotated to an extent determined by the gearing. The chain is thus shortened or lengthened automatically to adapt it to the new curvature. At each side of the platform in the inclined sections a travelling hand-rail and wainscot are arranged to move in the same direction, and with the same speed, as the platform. This is effected, as shown in Fig. 13, by mounting an endless band N', to which the wainscot sections O and hand-rail Q are attached, on two horizontal pulleys N, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the incline. The driver is mounted upon a shaft M' driven from the main sprocket chain D. The boards 0 return to the starting-point along the outer side of the balustrade thus formed. Pulleys R and P', attached to the wainscot, run on guide rails q<1> and G<1>. Admission to the lift is regulated by a special turnstile, which is rotated by gearing driven by the chain D. As each passenger passes through it, however, he depresses a spring board, which through a bell-crank lever throws the turnstile out of gear, so that a second passenger cannot pass through until the first has boarded the lift. Provision is also made to enable a passenger to return without making use of the lift. Passengers are prevented from making more than one complete circuit by a V-shaped structure which projects over the platform on the lowest level. A spring packing-device is fitted to each edge of the steps A to fill up the intervening space automatically. The middle of each step A is marked to indicate the place upon which the passenger should stand.