Improvements in Moving Stairways, Elevators and Platforms.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 14th May, 1898
:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Moving Stairways, Elevators and Platforms.
I, JAMES MAPES DODGE, of Clapier and McKean Streets, Germantown, in the
City and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of
America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement: -
The object of my invention is to construct a safe and convenient travelling
stairway, or elevator, and consists in so constructing and arranging the device
that there are no dangerous or otherwise objectionable gaps or spaces between the
steps, or between the steps and the platforms, or the supporting ways, and so also
that the height of the travelling steps gradually diminishes towards the foot and
towards the top of the stairway; and the invention further consists of certain
particular arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described:
The invention will be clearly understood by the following description with
reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: -
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a travelling stairway constructed
according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram shewing the relation of the step sections to the floors;
Figure 3 is a plan view shewing the upper and lower platforms and their relation
to the step sections;
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4, Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5, Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower portion of the stairway;
Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper portion of the stairway;"
Figure 7 is a view of a detail of Figure 7;
Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view on the line 8-8, Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a plan view of one of the step sections;
Figure 10 is a side view of one of the step sections;
Figure 11 is an end view of one of the step sections;
Figure 12 is a sectional view through a series of the step sections, shewing their
relation one to another;
:
Figure 13 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the lower portion of
the stairway;
Figure 14 is a similar sectional view illustrating a modification of the upper
portion of the stairway;
Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view on the line 15-15, Figure 13;
Figure 16 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow, Figure 15;
Figure 17 is a sectional view on the line 17-17, Figure 14;
Figure 18 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow, Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a side sectional elevation shewing another modification of my
invention;
Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19, with the step sections removed to shew
the grooves;

page_text: Figure 21 is a perspective view of one of the steps shewn in Figure 19;
Figure 22 is a sectional view shewing the method of driving a series of the step
sections;
i
Figure 23 is a view illustrating a still further modification of the invention, in
which the series of steps are linked together so that the sections can be returned
without guides but allow the independent movement of the steps;
Figure 24 is a diagram view shewing arrangement for running the mechanism
illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 in the reverse direction;
Figure 25 is a diagram similar to Figure 2; with the exception that the platforms
are on a level with the step sections;
Figure 26 is a diagram of an arrangement for two. flights of stairs;
Figure 27 is a diagram of another modification of my invention in which the
stair sections are returned overhead;
.
Figures 28 and 29 represent in elevation and plan respectively my invention
applied to a travelling inclined plane; and
"
42
Figure 30 is a view shewing one feature of my invention applied to a moving
.platform.
y
ند
J
Prior to my invention it has been proposed to construct movable platforms" and
stairways by positively connecting a series of moving sections together by links,
the structure constituting, in effect, an endless chain carrier; it has also been
proposed to attach a series of steps to endless belts, making travelling stairways,
with which fixed platforms were to be combined. In these prior arrangements,
however, the movements of the travelling step sections have been such as to cause
objectionable gaps and spaces at different points and sudden changes in direction,
as well as to develop steps of substantially the same height throughout 'the
stairway.
66
According to my invention the sections constituting the travelling steps of the
stairway are independent, by which phrase, I do, not necessarily, mean that they
are separate, one from another, although I prefer that construction, but that, in the
carrying run," that is while forming steps or platforms, they are not controlled
by adjoining sections, thus preventing in the stairway, or, between the stairway
and the platforms, objectionable gaps or spaces, such as would be unavoidable
were the sections positively connected together in a way to prevent their having
independent motion.
I also so construct and relatively arrange the moving step sections and the ways
in which they travel, that the steps developed at the foot and at the top of the
stairway, shall be of small height or depth, and gradually increase in height
upward from the foot of the stairway, and downward from the top thereof, so that
persons ascending or descending with the stairway shall not be required in passing
onto or from the same, to suddenly take a step of full height, but the conditions
shall be most favourable for allowing them to adapt themselves to the conditions
arising out of the travel of the steps themselves, thus minimizing danger of
accident.
My invention may be used with or without a stationary or a movable hand rail.
Referring to Figures 1 to 12 inclusive, A are side plates or beams of the stairway
arranged at the proper angle. Attached to the plates A are rails a, Figure 8,
forming grooves a¹, a³, in which travel the wheels or shoes 61, 12 of the step
sections B. As shewn in Figures 6 and 7, the rails a are connected at the upper
end, or form continuations of rails a³ which form the return grooves a¹, a³, in
which travel the wheels of the step sections on their return; two of the rails a are
connected, at the lower end of the stairway, to two of the rails a³ while the other
rails a, a³ are shewn as being discontinued, at the lower part, although in some
instances they may be made continuous. The rails a a² a3 are shewn in the present
instance as being made of angle bars, properly curved at the top and bottom of
the stairway.
"I prefer not to provide at the base of the stairway a floor or platform formed of

page_text: step sections but to provide at the said base and a permanent floor from beneath
which the step sections emerge the development of steps commencing with the
emergence of the step sections from beneath the said permanent floor or platform.
As the upper end of the stairway is approached the steps gradually decrease in
height so as to carry the passenger to a level with or only slightly above that of
a permanent floor or platform onto which he is to pass from the stairway.
I preferably arrange the floor or platform C at the lower or receiving end of the
stairway, above the lower section of the latter, so that a person stepping onto the
moving stairway will step down, thus transferring his weight, onto the foot on
the step section, and I prefer to arrange the floor or platform C₁, at the upper or
delivery end of the stairway, below the upper section thereof, so that a person
stepping from the stairway to the floor will step down, thus transferring his weight
onto the foot on the floor. By this arrangement danger of accident is materially
lessened, as the passenger is not so liable to stumble as he would be were his weight
distributed so as to be partly on one and partly on the other foot at the moment of
passing on or off the travelling steps.
By making the steps gradually increase in height, the moment a person steps
from the permanent platform onto a moving step section he is carried upwards or
downwards, according to the direction of travel of the stairway, while at the same
time this upward or downward motion is so gradual that time and opportunity
are afforded him to acquire a firm footing and stable equilibrium before the step
assumes its full height, thus the person carried thereby is not so liable to fall as if
he were required to step from a fixed platform directly onto a suddenly developed
moving step of the full height, or were suddenly transferred from a moving hori-
zontal platform directly onto a moving step of full height; and as the step nears the
platform at the delivery end, either in ascending or descending, the passenger can
step from the moving step section onto the platform, without jar or danger, because
there is such slight difference of level.
In order to prevent accidents at the upper terminal of the stairway, I continue
the guides and the travel of the step sections upwards a considerable distance
above the platform or floor at the said upper end, as shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 7.
The step sections thus act as an abutment, rendering accidents impossible in passing
from the stairway to the floor or platform, or by reason of the user being carried
forward too far; the said floor or platform in this case extending along one or both
sides of the stairway, as shewn in the drawings. Another advantage arising from
this construction is, that it enables roughened tread surfaces to be employed for
the step sections, which cannot well be done where the said sections disappear at
the delivery end, beneath a permanent floor or platform.
The several step sections are made independent and are self-contained and are
preferably made in the form shewn in Figures 9, 10 and 11.
The step sections of the stairway are driven as shewn in Figure 6 at the base of
the stairway by means of a shaft 1) driven in any suitable manner, so that it will
turn slowly and evenly, on which shaft are two wheels D', having socketed arms d
which engage rollers or pins on the step sections; in the present instance, I have
shewn rollers 63 mounted on studs & secured to the step sections.
The wheels D engage the rollers 63 and carry the step sections around the curve
guide bars a at the base, and push the said sections forward. Thus the wheels D'
act directly upon each step section successively to push it forward, and as each
step section is thus pushed, it pushes forward the preceding step sections of the
series, the contiguous step sections being in positive contact with each other, thus
preventing objectionable gaps in the structure. The step sections return by their
own weight to the starting point or if desired they may be pushed there by any
suitable means.
The wheels b¹ of the step sections are carried by studs 5 which, in the present
instance, also carry anti-friction rollers e, these rollers project beyond, the rear
edge of the step sections to which they are attached and bear upon the risers of the

page_text: next step section in advance, as shewn in Figure 12. The wheels 62 are mounted
on studs be having their bearings in extensions of the risers of the step sections.
As shewn in Figures 3 and 4, I prefer to make the platform at the lower or
receiving end of the stairway inclined towards the stairway and to cover the
inclined surface with rubber or other suitable material; and, as shown in Figures 3
and 5, I prefer to make the platform at the delivery or upper end of the stairway
to incline downward from the stairway, and also cover this inclined surface with
rubber; and, as shown in Figure 12, I may insert rubber or equivalent material
in the treads of the step sections.
The foregoing description refers particularly to an ascending moving stairway;
if the direction of movement is to be reversed, as indicated in Figure 24, so
as to form a descending stairway, then the driving shaft D and its wheels D¹ are
preferably placed at the upper end, and the moving abutment of step sections
formed at the base of the stairway.
It will be noticed on referring to Figures 1 to 8, that the ends of the step sections
fit snugly between the sides of the stairway so that the entire passage-way is to
all intents and purposes the same as a stairway having fixed steps.
In some cases I may make both the lower and the upper travelling platforms
of the step sections, as in the diaphragm Figure 25, and I may make these travelling
platforms on a level with a floor.
When three or more floors or stages are to be provided for, I prefer the form of
device shown in the diagram, Figure 26. In this case, the intermediate floor or
stage is on two levels y; the level y on one side of the stairway being slightly
below the delivery level of flight 1 of the stairway, so that a passenger carried by
said flight can step down therefrom on to said floor or stage, while the level a on
the other side of the stairway, is slightly above the receiving level of the flight 2,
thereof, so that a passenger may step down from said floor or stage on to one of the
travelling steps of said flight 2.
If desired additional driving mechanism may he arranged at each floor or
platform.
In order to take up lost motion I preferably make the upper section A¹ of the
stairway Figures 7 and 7* adjustable. In the present instance the section A¹ rests
upon longitudinal beams and on the section are lugs through which pass adjusting
screws f, which bear against lugs on the beams, so that on turning the screws, in
one direction the section is moved to take up the lost motion. The section A¹ may
be secured to the side plates A. of the stairway after adjustment by bolt fl.
In some instances I may make the stairway as shown in Figures 13 to 18
inclusive, in which the step sections pass directly under a platform at both the base
and the summit.
In this case,
I extend the shafts or studs 65 of the rollers b¹ across the step sections
and provide a pushing wheel 12 with socketed arms which engage with the said
shafts or studs, and push the step sections forward; each section in turn will push
the one in advance, and so on throughout the entire length of the stairway, and
in order to carry the step sections around the curve, I mount on the shaft D
wheels D³ having projections which engage with the wheel or roller b² of the step
sections so as to steady them in passing around the curve.
The guides for the step sections shown in Figure 14, do not extend above the
platform at the summit, but simply pass around and under the ascending flight
of steps.
The return section A² may be adjusted longitudinally, to take up lost motion,
in the same manner as the device shown in Figure 7.
It will be noticed in these figures, that the side walls or wainscoating a³,
Figures 15 and 17, can be arranged close to the moving step sections, so that no
objectionable spaces are formed at the ends of the steps.
In Figures 19, 20 and 21, I have shown step sections which are driven by
wheels D on the driving shaft I). These wheels act upon studs or pins 67 projecting
from the ends of the step sections; in this case the step sections may be solid, as

page_text: shown in Figure 21. The studs or rollers of the step sections (Figure 20) are
adapted to a single channel a* at each side, and at each end of the stairway are
short rails as on which the pins & bear so as to steady the step sections when at the
top and bottom of the flight.
I provide guard rails a at the point where the two grooves merge into one
groove, so as to carry the step sections across the open spaces. The steps may
return in any suitable manner, preferably in the channels shown.
The step sections do not extend above the floor level at the summit, but the
floors are slightly above the step sections, and in this case I have so arranged the
guide-ways that the step sections form the upper and lower platforms, the tops
of the steps being on the same level, although this is not essential.
In Figure 22, I have shown the step sections driven by an endless chain having
lugs which act upon studs or rollers on the step sections, so that two or more
steps may be driven forward in unison. This construction may be used when it
is required to push a considerable number of steps forward from a single point.
In Figure 23, I have shown a construction which may be used in some instances
where it is desired to dispense with guide-grooves for the return of the step sections.
In this instance, I connect the step sections by loose sliding joints consisting of
vertically grooved plates s, fixed on the ends of the step sections, in which grooves
slide pins s¹, on adjacent step sections, so that while the steps have an independent
up and down motion they are not separate, being connected together loosely by the
said devices; thus while the steps will be in contact when they are being pushed
forward, and so prevent objectionable gaps or spaces between them, they will yet
hang together on their return, and may be simply suspended without guides, I
prefer in this case however, in order to guard against accident. should the step
sections become disconnected, to use a single guide which may carry the pins s¹,
or the rollers 31 or 2 carried on the step sections. Other forms of loose connections
for the step sections may be used without departing from the essential feature of
the invention.
It will be understood that either of the devices shown in the drawing may be
used to ascend and descend, but I prefer to make separate structures, ascending and
descending.
Figure 27 is a diagram of an arrangement of overhead return for the step sections.
The step sections in this arrangement extend up at each end of the stairway,
forming the moving abutments, and extend over the stairway so that the steps
may be moved in either direction, driving mechanism being provided in the
moving abutment at the delivery end, for travelling the step sections in one direction
and in the other moving abutment at the delivery end to travel the steps in the
opposite direction, so that in this modification the step sections can be moved in
either direction to act as an ascending or descending moving stairway, retaining,
in both cases, the advantage of a moving abutment at both ends of the stairway.
Instead of the step sections I may use sections that form an inclined plane and
platform, (Figs. 28 and 29), and make the abutment at the delivery end by turning
up the guides or rails. I can also relieve the strain on the driving mechanism
by placing at one or more points throughout the run, auxiliary driving wheels
especially at or near the point or points where the direction of movement changes,
for instance at the point where the sections turn to form the abutment, as shewn in
full lines in Figure 28 and in dotted lines in Figure 7.
It will be understood that the movable abutment can be arranged at either end
or at both ends of a moving platform, as shown in Figure 30, without departing
from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st. In a moving stairway, step sections free to slide upon each other, substan-
tially as herein before described.

page_text: 2nd. The combination in a stairway, of a series of moving step sections abutting
one against another throughout the length of the stairway, guides for the sections,
and means for moving the sections, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3rd. The combination in a stairway, of a series of moving step sections abutting
one against another and fitting against the sides of a guide-way, guides for the
sections, and means for propelling the sections, substantially as herein before
described.
4th. The combination in a stairway, of movable step sections, a platform at the
base of the stairway, and means for so guiding the step sections, that their height
is gradually increased as they are moved away from, and decreased as they are
moved towards the said platform, substantially as herein before described.
5th. The combination in a stairway, of a series of moving step sections, a fixed
platform at the base and a fixed platform at the summit of the stairway, and guides
for the step sections, the said guides being arranged on gentle curvs at the base
and at the summit of the stairway, substantially as herein before described.
6th. The combination in a stairway, of a series of independent moving steps,
guides, for the said steps, and means for pushing the series of steps from a fixed
point, substantially as herein before described.
7th. The combination in a moving stairway, of moving step sections, guideways
at each side of the stairway, wheels on the step sections adapted to travel on said
guideways, and mechanism situated at one end of the stairway and operating to
propel the step sections, substantially as hereinbefore described.
8th. The combination in a moving stairway, of independent step sections, two
guideways therefor, and projections on each step section, one adapted to one guide-
way and the other adapted to the other guideway, the said guideways being so
arranged in respect to each other and of such a curve that the step sections will
gradually increase in height as they move away from one platform and will
gradually diminish in height as they approach the other platform, substantially
as herein before described.
9th. The combination in a moving stairway, of sections independently movable
to form steps or platforms, guides therefor, each step section having projections
adapted to the guides, a driving shaft, and wheels on the driving shaft adapted
to engage the step sections, substantially as hereinbefore described.
10th. The combination in a stairway, of moving step sections, with a platform
situated on a level slightly below the tread of the step sections at the delivery
point, substantially as herein before described.
11th. The combination in a stairway, of moving step sections, a platform
situated on a level slightly above the tread of the step sections at the receiving
point, and a platform situated on a level slightly below the tread of the step
sections at the delivery point, substantially as hereinbefore described.
12th. The combination in a moving stairway, of travelling step sections, and a
floor or platform at the delivery end thereof, the travel of the step sections being
continued above the said floor or platform so as to form an abutment, substantially
as herein before described.
I
13th. The combination in a moving stairway, of travelling step sections, with
guides for the said sections, guides extending upwards beyond a floor or platform
at the delivery end of the said stairway, so that the step sections will be carried
to a point above the said platform and act as an abutment, substantially as herein-
before described.
14th. The combination in a moving stairway, of a floor or platform at each end
of the stairway, independent step sections, means for moving the said sections,
and guides for the said sections, the said guides being so formed that the steps will
gradually increase in height as they move away from one platform and will
gradually decrease in height as they approach the other platform, the platform.at
the receiving end being above the level of the step sections and the platform at the
delivery end being below the level of the step sections, and the guides for the

page_text: step sections extending considerably above the platform at the delivery end so that
the step section will pass upwards and form an abutment, all substantially as
herein before described.
15th. In a moving stairway, the combination of separate step sections, guides
therefor, and means for pushing the step sections forward, substantially as herein-
before described.
16th. In a moving stairway, the combination of a series of disconnected step
sections, and guides therefor, with means for engaging and moving the said step
sections successively and thereby imparting motion to the series, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
17th. The combination in a moving stairway, of step sections independently.
movable to form steps or platforms, guides therefor, the guides at one end being
adjustable for the purpose of taking up lost motion, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
18th. A moving platform or stairway consisting of sections, guides therefor and
means for moving the sections forwardly by causing them to push one upon another,
as hereinbefore described.
19th. A moving carrier guided so as to form a platform, and having a portion
presenting an abrupt change of angle at the said platform so as to serve as an abut-
ment, substantially as hereinbefore described.
20th. A moving carrier guided so as to form a platform and having a portion
presenting an abrupt change of angle at the said platform so as to serve as an
abutinent, in combination with one or more fixed side platforms adjoining that of
the moving carrier, substantially as hereinbefore described.
21st. A moving carrier consisting of a series of sections guided so as to form a
platform, the direction of travel of the said sections being abruptly changed at said
platform so as to form an abutment, substantially as hereinbefore described.
22nd. The combination in a moving platform or stairway, of sections, guides
therefor, and a driving device engaging with the said sections at or near a point
where they change direction of movement, substantially as hereinbefore described.
23rd. The combination in a moving platform or stairway, of moving sections,
guides whereby the sections are directed so as to form an abutment, means for
moving the said sections forward and a driving device engaging the sections as
they turn to form the abutment,, substantially as herein before described.
24th. The combination in a moving platform or stairway, of moving sections,
guides therefor, and a driving device engaging the sections at a point where they
change direction of movement the said driving device also engaging the sections on
the return run, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 8th day of Fuhruow 1808
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.