Patent Abstract:
An escalator or moving stairway that is constructed to accommodate oscillation and lateral displacement of a first story relative to a second story of a building between which the escalator or moving stairway extends such as which may occur during an earthquake. The escalator includes novel telescoping connector mechanisms that are connected at one end to a structural support of the building and are connected at the other end to supporting trusses of the escalator in a manner to permit relative movement between the supporting trusses and the floors of the first and second stories of the building.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to moving stairways or escalators. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel connector mechanism for use in interconnecting an escalator system between spaced apart floors of a building. 
     1. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Prior art moving stairways or escalators escalators typically include a support truss and a plurality of interconnected steps that travel in a loop within the truss to provide a continuous movement along a specified path. When the escalator assembly is appropriately mounted between the floors of a building, relative motion of course exists between the moving steps and the stationary structure of the conveyor system. If the escalator assembly is rigidly mounted between the adjacent floors of a building and no provision is made for relative movement between the escalator assembly and the building structure catastrophic failures can occur during an earthquake. For this reason various states including California have adopted specific seismic requirements for escalators. 
     The California Elevator Code adopted in October, 1998 includes seismic requirements for escalators that require that escalators be connected to their structural supports in such a way as to be capable of resisting specified code seismic forces and, at the time, be sufficiently free to move so that they will not be damaged by the relative movement, called “story drift”, of the building structure at the upper and lower landings of the building that are spanned by the escalator assembly. 
     The latest version of the elevator code, ASME AI7.1, which has not yet been adopted in California, will substantially increase the story drift requirements. 
     While the existing prior art escalator assembly designs are capable of meeting present code requirements, they will not be capable of meeting the new, more stringent code requirements when they are adopted. Accordingly, the thrust of the present invention is to provide a novel escalator assembly design that will be capable of meeting the substantially more stringent story drift requirements presently to be enacted. 
     Certain presently existing escalator assembly designs of which applicant is aware accommodate story drift by providing special connection mechanisms at each of the building landings that permit some limited movement between the escalator assembly and affixed to building construction. One form of such prior art connection mechanism includes a first specially designed structural steel member that is interconnected with the escalator structure and a second specially designed, cooperating structural steel member that is interconnected with a fixed structural component of the building structure. More particularly, one of the first and second structural steel members is provided with a rib portion and the other is provided with a slot that receives the rib portion. With this construction the rib portion is free to move within the slot thereby permitting some limited motion between the escalator assembly and fixed structural components of the building structure. While this approach is satisfactory to accommodate small amounts of story drift, it does not provide sufficient structural freedom to safely accommodate substantially greater story drift such as that envisioned by the proposed California codes. 
     Another prior art escalator assembly design that has been proposed to accommodate story drift requirements caused by earthquakes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,198 issued to Nusime. The Nusime patent discloses an elevator assembly wherein a first end of the carrier is provided with a bed support which is in turn supported upon a bed formed as part of the building construction by a resilient mounting element which provides damping for vibration and the like passing between the escalator and building construction. A second end of the carrier is similarly provided with a bed support, which is supported upon a fulcrum firmly mounted to the bed. The fulcrum may be in the form of a bolt upon which the bed support is detented. Damping means may be incorporated into the fulcrum construction. 
     The present invention contemplates an entirely new and novel escalator connection that will both adequately support the escalator system and will accommodate substantial story drift. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an escalator or moving stairway that is constructed to absorb oscillation and lateral displacement of a first story relative to a second story of a building between which the escalator or moving stairway extends such as may occur during an earthquake. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an escalator or moving stairway of the aforementioned character that includes novel connector mechanisms at each floor that are connected at one end to a structural support of the building and are connected at the other end to a supporting truss of the escalator. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an escalator of the class described in which the novel connector mechanisms of the invention include cooperating telescoping sections that accommodate movement in both tensile and compressive modes in response to forces generated by an earthquake. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an escalator as described in the preceding paragraphs in which the novel connector mechanisms include restraint means for limiting the extent of travel in both the tensile and compressive modes. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an escalator or moving stairway as described in the preceding paragraphs in which the novel connector mechanisms include an interconnection means that permits limited movement of the escalator or moving stairway relative to the building construction in response to lateral forces generated by an earthquake. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an escalator of the class described in which the novel connector mechanisms permit movement of the escalator relative to the building structure in both a longitudinal and transverse direction and also permits pivotal movement of the escalator relative to the building structure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B when considered together comprise a top plan view of one form of an escalator assembly of the invention, partly broken away to show a portion of the connector mechanism of the invention. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B when considered together comprise a view taken along lines  2 — 2  of Fig. 1A and 1B. 
     FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged view taken along lines  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 A. 
     FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG.  2 B. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion identified in FIG.  5  and as “ 6 — 6 ”. 
     FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view of the portion identified as “ 7 — 7 ” in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 9 is enlarged cross-sectional view of the area designated in FIG.  8  and as “ 9 — 9 ”. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 — 10  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the connector mechanism pivoted about a pivot anchor into a second position. 
     FIG. 12 is a view taken along lines  12 — 12  of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the connector mechanism pivoted about a pivot anchor into a second position. 
     FIG. 14 is a view taken along lines  14 — 14  of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section of an alternate form of connector mechanism of the apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  16 — 16  of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a generally perspective view of the alternate form of connector mechanism shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. 
     FIG. 18 is a top plan view of still another form of connector mechanism of the apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  19 — 19  of FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  20 — 20  of FIG.  19 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, one form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. As best seen by referring to figures  1 A,  1 B,  1 C and  1 D, the apparatus of the invention here comprises an escalator  20  of a generally conventional construction having a plurality of moving treads  22 , means for moving the plurality of moving treads and a pair of spaced apart supporting trusses  24  for supporting the plurality of moving treads (FIG.  3 ). Each of the trusses  24  has first and second ends  24   a  and  24   b  respectively and, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each is disposed between a first floor F- 1  of a building having a structural support SS- 1  and a second floor F- 2  of a building having a structural support SS- 2 . 
     The improvement to the generally conventional escalator  20  here comprises a first connector means for connecting the first end  24   a  of each of the supporting trusses of the escalator to the structural support SS- 1  of the first floor and a second connector means for connecting the second end  24   b  of each of the supporting trusses of the escalator to the structural support SS- 2  of the second floor. As will presently be described, the first and second connector means are uniquely designed to permit controlled relative movement between the supporting trusses and the first and second floors of the building. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first connector means here comprises a first connector mechanism  25  that includes a transverse connector  26  that is connected to the structural support SS- 1  of the first floor, a pair of spaced apart second connectors  28  that are connected to first ends  24   a  of the supporting trusses and a pair of third connectors  30  that are disposed between first and second connectors  26  and  28 . Each of the third connectors  30  has a first end  30   a  connected to first connector  26  and a body portion  30   b  that is telescopically receivable within second connectors  28 . In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 14, first connector  26  comprises a structural steel angle member, which is generally L-shaped in cross-section (FIG.  5 ). Each of the second connectors  28  comprises a tubular steel member that is generally rectangular in cross-section. However, it is to be understood that connectors  28  can be circular in cross-section, or can have any other cross-sectional configuration that may be desired. 
     The second connector means of the invention is similar in construction to the first connector means and here comprises a second connector mechanism  29  that includes first transverse connector  32  that is connected to the structural support SS- 2  of the second floor (FIGS.  2 B and  4 ), a pair of spaced apart second connectors  34  that are connected to the first ends  24   b  of the supporting trusses and a pair of third connectors  36  that are disposed between first and second connectors  32  and  34 . As before, each of the third connectors  36  has a first end  36   a  that is connected to first connector  32  and a body portion  36   b  that is telescopically receivable with second connectors  34 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the first and second connector means includes restraint means for limiting the extent of travel of the third connectors relative to the second connectors. In the present form of the invention the restraint means of the first connector means comprises a pair of transversely extending bolts  38  that are carried by connector members  30  (FIG.  3 ). Each bolt  38  has a first end portion of  38   a , a shank portion of  38   b  and a threaded second end portion of  38 c that threadably accepts a nut  39 . Bolts  38  extend through spaced apart, indexedly aligned apertures  30   c  formed in connector members  30  and also extend through indexedly aligned elongated slots  28   a  formed in the sidewalls of tubular members  28 . The head portions  38   a  of each of the bolts  38  as well as the nuts  39  are in sliding engagement with the outer walls of tubular members  28  so that, in a manner presently to be described, as members  30  telescopically move within tubular members  28 , the bolts  38  will reciprocate within slots  28   a . With this construction it is apparent that the telescopic movement of members  30  within tubular members  28  is limited by the length of the slots  28   a.    
     As best seen by referring to FIG. 4, the restraint means of the second connector means of the invention is similar in construction to the first restraint means and here comprises a pair of transversely extending bolts  40  that are carried by connector members  34 . Each of the bolts  40  has a first end portion of  40   a , a shank portion of  40   b  and a threaded second end portion of  40   c  that threadably accepts a nut  41 . Bolts  40  extend through spaced apart, indexedly aligned apertures  34   a  (FIG. 10) formed in tubular connector members  34  and also extend through indexedly aligned elongated slots  36   c  formed in the sidewalls of each of the connector members  36 . The shank portion  40   b  of each of the bolts  40  is in sliding engagement with the walls of the slots  36   c  so that, in a manner presently to be described, as members  36  telescopically move within tubular members  34  the bolts  40  will reciprocate within slots  36   c . With this construction it is apparent that the telescopic movement of members  36  within tubular members  34  is limited by the length of the slots  36   c . It is to be observed that in the construction shown in FIG. 5, the slots  28   a  are in outer tubes  28  with the tight round holes  36   c  being provided in the inner tubes or members  30 . However, in the construction shown in FIG. 8 the slots  36   c  are formed in the inner tubes or members  36 , with a tight round holes  34   a  being formed in the outer tubes  34 . It is to be appreciated that, as illustrated in FIGS. 15,  16  and  17 , if desired slots can be provided in both the inner and outer tubes to accomplish the restraint function. A more detailed description of this latter type construction will be provided in the paragraphs that follow. 
     Forming an important aspect of each of the connector mechanism  25  and  29  is interconnection means for interconnecting the connector mechanisms with a building structure. As best seen in FIG. 5 the interconnecting means of connector mechanism  25  comprises a generally cylindrically shaped, boss-like member  44  that is affixed to a first steel plate  46  that is, in turn, connected to a second steel plate  48 . Steel plate  48  is affixed to structural support SS- 1  by any suitable means such an anchor bolt  50 . Member  44  is closely received within an aperture  52  formed in connector member  26  (see also FIG.  16 ). In similar manner, the interconnecting means of connector mechanism  29  comprises a generally cylindrically shaped, boss-like member  54  that is affixed to a first steel plate  56  that is, in turn, connected to a second steel plate  58  (see FIGS.  8  and  9 ). Steel plate  58  is also affixed to structural support SS- 2  by any suitable means such as an anchor bolt  60 . Member  54  is closely received within an aperture  55  formed in connector member  32 . 
     With the escalator or moving stairs connected to the building structure by the first and second connection means of the invention in the manner shown in the drawings the moving stairs or treads  22  can be driven normal fashion by the driving means or motor  63  (FIG.  2 A). In the event of an earthquake, the first connector mechanism  25  can move from the first position shown in FIG. 3 to the second position shown in FIG.  11 . In the second position, mechanism  25  can pivot about member  44  into the position shown in FIG. 11 in response to lateral forces generated by the earthquake. Similarly, in response to oscillatory forces, connectors  30  can move from the extended position shown in FIG. 3 into the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 wherein bolt  38  is in engagement with the distal end of slot  28   a  (see also FIG.  12 ). 
     In a similar manner, the second connector mechanism  29  will move from the first position shown in FIG. 8 to the second position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In the second position, mechanism  29  has pivoted about member  54  into the position shown in FIG. 11 in response to lateral forces generated by the earthquake. Similarly, in response to the oscillatory forces generated by the earthquake, connectors  36  will move from the partially extended position shown in FIG. 8 into the fully extended position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 wherein bolt  40  is in engagement with the proximal end of slot  36   c    
     Turning to FIGS. 15,  16  and  17 , the previously identified alternate form of first connector means of the invention for connecting the first end  24   a  of each of the supporting trusses to the structural support SS- 1  of the first floor is there shown. This connector means is similar in many respects to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 15,  16  and  17  to identify like components. 
     This alternate first connector means here comprises a connector mechanism  65  that includes a transverse connector  26  connected to the structural support SS- 1  of the first floor, a pair of spaced apart second connectors  68  that are connected to first ends  24   a  of the supporting trusses and a pair of third connectors  70  that are disposed between first and second connectors  26  and  68 . Each of the third connectors  70  has a first end  70   a  connected to first connector  26  and a body portion  70   b  telescopically receivable with a selected second connector  68 . Each of the second connectors  68  comprises a steel tubular member that is generally rectangular in cross-section. However, once again, it is to be understood that connectors  68  can be circular in cross-section, or can have any other cross-sectional configuration that may be desired. 
     As before, the first connector means includes restraint means for limiting the extent of travel of the third connectors relative to the second connectors. In this latest form of the in invention the restraint means of the first connector means comprises a pair of transversely extending bolts  38  that are carried by connector members  68  and  70 . Bolts  38  extend through spaced apart, indexedly aligned slots  68   a  formed in connector members  68  and also extend through indexedly aligned elongated slots  70   c  formed in the side walls of connectors  70  (FIG.  15 ). The head portions  38   a  of each of the bolts  38  as well as the nuts  39  are in sliding engagement with the outer walls of tubular members  68  so that as members  70  telescopically move within tubular members  68 , the bolts  38  will reciprocate within slots  68   a  and  70   c . With this construction it is apparent that the telescopic movement of members  30  within tubular members  28  is limited by the length of the slots  68   a and  70   c.    
     Referring now to FIGS. 18,  19  and  20 , still another form of first connector means of the invention for connecting the first end  24   a  of each of the supporting trusses to the structural support SS- 1  of the first floor is there shown. This connector means is also somewhat to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, but the cooperating telescopically movable components of the connector means are of a different construction. 
     This alternate first connector means here comprises a connector mechanism  75  that includes a transverse angle connector  76  that is connected to the structural support SS- 1  of the first floor, a pair of spaced apart second connectors  78  that are connected to first ends  24   a  of the supporting trusses and a pair of third connectors  80  that are disposed between first and second connectors  76  and  78 . Each of the third connectors  80  has a first end  80   a  that is connected to first connector  76  and a body portion  80   b  that is telescopically receivable between second connectors  78 . Each of the second connectors  78  here comprises a steel member that is generally “U” shaped in cross-section (FIG.  20 ). Third connectors  80  here comprise elongated, plate like steel members that are receivable between the inner faces  78   a  of connectors  78  in the manner shown in FIG.  20 . 
     As before the connector means of this latest form of the invention includes restraint means for limiting the extent of travel of the third connectors relative to the second connectors. In this latest form of the invention the restraint means comprises a pair of transversely extending bolts  82  that are carried by connector members  80 . Bolts  82  extend through bores  78   b  formed in connector members  78  and also extend through spaced apart, indexedly aligned slots  78   c  formed in connector members  78 . The head portions  82   a  and the nuts  84  which are threadably connected to the threaded shank portions of the bolts are in sliding engagement with the outer walls of members  78  so that as members  80  telescopically move within members  78 , the bolts  82  will reciprocate within slots  78   c . With this construction it is apparent that the telescopic movement of members  80  within members  78  is limited by the length of the slots  78   c.    
     The interconnection means of this latest form of the invention for interconnecting the connector mechanisms with a building structure is substantially identical to that previously described. More particularly, the interconnecting means here comprises a generally cylindrically shaped member  86  that is affixed to a first steel plate  88  that is in turn connected to a second steel plate  90 . Steel plate  90  is affixed to structural support SS- 1  by means of an anchor bolt  92 . Member  86  is closely received within an aperture  94  formed in connector member  76 . 
     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1