Patent GB-190811455-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Moving Stairways.
Inventor: WHEELER GEORGE ALEXANDER
Filed: 1908-05-26
Granted: 1909-01-14
Abstract: 11,455. Wheeler, G. A. May 26. Lifts, continuous-stairway type. Comprises an endless stairway in which the step sections always remain right side up and both the straight ascending and descending runs are employed for conveying passengers, the portions of the way between these runs and in which the direction of motion is changed being recessed beneath the floor, or suitably enclosed above the floor. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the ascending and descending runs 1 are side by side, while the direction is reversed beneath the upper and lower platforms 3, 4. Short horizontal runs are arranged at each end of both runs. The endless carrier comprises step sections 8 having rectangular tread surfaces and symmetrical risers, which run on rails 6 beneath a flange 7 by rollers 10 mounted on transverse shafts. Projecting downwards from each step is a shaft 11 having a series of hubs 12, 13, 14, 15 loosely mounted thereon. Each step section is connected to the adjacent step sections by links 16, 17 mounted on the hubs 12, 14 on one side, and by links 18, 19 mounted on the hubs 13, 15 on the other side. The upper links 16 are preferably curved to clear the step sections when on inclined runs. The lower links 19 have teeth 20 on the lower face arranged to form an endless rack, which is driven by pinions 21 arranged at intervals. The upper hubs 12 have lips for the reception of lubricant, and each hub has grooves to carry the lubricant to the studs of the chain links. The lower links 19 are formed as receptacles to catch the drip of lubricant. Lugs 25, 26, 27, 28 project from beneath each step section. These lugs act upon pins 29, 30, formed on the hubs 12, 13, in such a manner as to retain the step sections in alinement on straight runs or in radial positions on curved runs. The forward edges of the treads, when on the carrying-run, abut continuously against the convex risers of the adjacent step sections, thus assisting the action of the lugs and pins, while, on non-carrying runs, where the direction of motion is changed, the forward edges of the treads are directed by guides to project under or over the edges of the adjacent step sections. The steps may then be swung round over one another on the studs 11 by means of curved guides. In a modification, the hubs 12, 13, 14, 15 are formed as blocks, which are bolted to the underside of the step sections. The blocks have hemispherical recesses, the step sections being connected together by single links having balls at each end fitting the spherical sockets formed between the blocks. In a furtber modification, racks are arranged on the sides of the links 17, 19 which are driven from elongated pinions mounted on vertical shafts, the lateral thrust being absorbed by plates mounted on the links abutting against fixed vertical rollers mounted opposite to the pinions. The endless moving hand-rail, Fig. 15, comprises interlaced spiral coils of wire 102, 103 running in a depression in a guard 101 and passing round sprocket or friction sheaves at the ends of the carrying-run. Breaks may be made in the carrying-runs when the apparatus serves several floors, while the ascending and descending runs may be arranged at different levels or at an angle to one another. Fig. 21 shows the manner in which the steps are guided on the non-carrying run when this is arranged above the floor level. Two or more stairways may be interlaced by causing the steps to cross at the non- carrying portions of the runs. The ascending and descending runs may be driven from a common shaft to economize power.