Step link for transportation apparatus
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorJoseph K. Kraft
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A toothed step link for transportation apparatus, such as escalators, constructed of formed metallic shells. First and second like elements, each including at least one metallic shell, are disposed in spaced relation. A third element, including at least one hollow metallic assembly formed of assembled right- and left-hand metallic shells, which collectively define a plurality of teeth, is disposed in a portion of the space between the first and second elements. The first, second and third elements are held in assembled relation via tubular members which are press fit into aligned openings in the first, second and third elements.
Claims8
A toothed step link for interconnection with like step links via step axles to form an endless articulated belt for transportation apparatus, comprising:
- first and second elongated elements of like construction having first and second ends, said first and second elongated elements being disposed in spaced relation with like ends adjacent to one another;
- a third elongated element having first and second ends, said third elongated element having a plurality of teeth, said third elongated element having its second end disposed in the space between the first ends of said first and second elements;
- said third element including at least one hollow metallic assembly formed of assembled right- and left-hand shell members, each of said right- and left-hand shell members having flat major wall portions formed of a metallic sheet having predetermined openings therethrough and a plurality of teeth along an outer edge, and including integral flange portions which extend outwardly from a common side of said flat major wall portion;
- said flange portions including portions which encircle the outer periphery of said flat major portion, including said plurality of teeth, and portions which encircle the predetermined openings, with the ends of at least certain of said flanged portions lying in a common plane;
- said right- and left-hand shell members being assembled with the ends of their flange portions which lie in a common plane being in contact with one another, with their flange portions which encircle their outer periphery cooperatively defining a side wall and a plurality of teeth, and with their flange portions which encircle the predetermined openings cooperatively defining the walls of openings which extend through the resulting hollow composite structure;
- and means joining said first, second and third elements to provide an assembly wherein the first end of the third elongated element, and the second ends of the first and second elongated elements define male and female portions, respectively, for cooperating with female and male portions, respectively, of like assemblies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.