Patent GB-805580-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to escalators
IPC: B66B21/06
Filed: 1955-01-13
Abstract: 805,580. Escalators. HEFTI, M. Jan. 13, 1955 [Jan. 13, 1954], No. 1095/55. Class 78 (1). An escalator adapted to move along a horizontal path and an inclined path comprises step frames which are driven by an endless chain which is guided at the upper and lower ends of the escalator over chain sprockets disposed in horizontal planes, and the step frames are guided at each side by rollers engaging guide rails, the spindles of which rollers for each step frame, as seen axially, are positioned at the corners of an isoscles triangle with a horizontal base in such fashion that along the horizontal path of the escalator the step frames are guided by the rollers at the ends of the base of the triangle, and along the inclined path by the rollers disposed at the point of intersection of the two legs of the triangle and at one end of the base of the triangle. As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, the step frames 13 are secured by brackets 6 to an endless chain 5 which at the terminal portions of the escalator, passes around horizontal sprockets, the upper sprocket being driven by a motor 31. Each step frame comprises a tread in the form of a circular plate 13 from which depends a pin 20 on which are rotatably mounted two arms 21 provided with members 18 formed with marginal plate portions 18<SP>1</SP> which together with the plate 13 form a rectangular platform. These portions 18 are rotatable relative to the plates 13 on rollers 22 which run in guides 17 depending from the plate 13, the rollers being carried by bars 33 supported on the arms 21. The step frames'are guided by rollers on shafts 14, 14<SP>1</SP>, 16 mounted in plates 7<SP>1</SP>, 7<SP>11</SP> depending from each frame. Along an inclined path the frames are guided by rollers on the shafts 16, 14, engaging rails 15. Should the path be inclined in the opposite direction, rollers on the shafts 16, 141 engage the corresponding rails 15. Along a horizontal path, the frames are guided by the rollers on the shafts 14, 14<SP>1</SP>, 16 engaging a pair of rails 15<SP>1</SP>. In a modification, Figs. 8, 9, the plates 71, 7<SP>11</SP> are replaced by a tubular member 34 and the shafts 14, 14<SP>1</SP> by pins 35, 36 each carrying one roller. The guide rails 15, 15<SP>11</SP> are at different elevations so that the rail 15 may be engaged by rollers 16<SP>1</SP>, 361, and the rail 1511 by roller 351. The marginal plate 37 rotates relatively to the circular plate 38 on rollers 39, 24 which engage bevelled portions on the rim of the plate 38. Along a horizontal path, the roller 36<SP>1</SP> engages on the outside of the upper flange of an horizontal extension of the rail 15, and the roller 16<SP>1</SP> engages this extension rail between its flanges, whilst the roller 35<SP>1</SP> engages the upper flange of a rail parallel to this extension rail. In a further modification, Fig. 14, the step frames 43 are supported on the horizontal legs 44<SP>11</SP> of L-shaped hangers whose vertical legs 44<SP>1</SP> are provided with rollers 44, 45, 46, 47. The roller 44 engages in a rail 15<SP>1</SP>, whilst the rollers 45, 46 or 45, 47 engage in a rail 15<SP>11</SP> depending on the direction of inclination of the rail. Along the horizontal path, the rollers 46, 47 engage in a rail 15<SP>111</SP> and the roller 44 engages in a horizontal extension of the rail 15<SP>1</SP>. A handle 48 which can be gripped by a person on the escalator, is provided on the leg 44<SP>1</SP>. In another embodiment, Figs. 16, 17, the steps 52 are fixed to members 53 pivotally connected to the endless driving chain 5. Each member 53 carries projecting arms 54, 55 supporting rollers 14b, 14c and 14a, 14d respectively. The rollers 14c, 14d are coaxial and engage inner rails 15, 15b and outer rails 15a, 15c respectively, whilst the higher located rollers 14a, 14b, along the horizontal path of the escalator engage the upper flange of the rails 15a, 15 respectively, and along the inclined path, engage in the rails 15c, 15b respectively. Extending along the inclined path on each side is an auxiliary driving chain 5a running over vertical chain wheels 57 driven from the chain 5, through shafts 61 and chain wheels 62, by a chain 64 which passes round chain wheels 59, 60 coaxial with the chain wheels 56. These chains 5a have projections which engage projections 58 on the members 53.