Mechanism for transporting connected steps

A continuous transport apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of unit step groups, each unit step group formed of a plurality of steps and having a front and a rear;
• connecting mechanisms for connecting the plurality of steps in the unit step group;
• a first stroke track having a terminal end;
• first unit step running means for transferring unit step groups on the first stroke track such that the rear of each unit step group is in contact with the front of another unit step group and the front of each unit step group is in contact the rear of another unit step group;
• a second stroke track aligned parallel to the first stroke track and having a starting end;
• second unit step running means for transferring unit step groups on the second stroke track such that the rear of each unit step group is in contact with the front of another unit step group and the front of each unit step group is in contact the rear of another unit step group, the unit step groups being transferred on the first and second stroke tracks while being oriented to extend in a first direction, parallel to the first and second stroke tracks;
• a circuit forming a looped connection between the terminal end of the first stroke track and the starting end of the second stroke track;
• a carriage for transporting one unit step group of the plurality of unit step groups, on the circuit from the terminal end of the first stroke track to the starting end of the second stroke track, the carriage being oriented to extend in a second direction;
• carriage driving means for circulating the carriage through the looped connection of the circuit while maintaining the orientation of the carriage in the second direction;
• and
• unit step delivery means for delivering the unit step group from the terminal end of the first stroke track to the carriage and from the carriage to the starting the end of the second stroke track, the unit step delivery means delivering the unit step group while maintaining the orientation of the unit step group in the first direction.