Automatically adjusting escalator handrail system

A method of automatically adjusting a length of a handrail of a passenger conveyor having a drive mechanism that selectively moves the handrail in a first direction away from a first side of the drive mechanism or a second direction away from a second side of the drive mechanism, comprising the steps of:

• (A) providing a length compensation device on a first and second side of the drive mechanism that operate independently of each other;
• (B) automatically compensating the length of the handrail on the first side of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism moves the handrail in the first direction;
• and
• (C) automatically compensating the length of the handrail on the second side of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism moves the handrail in the second direction.

A passenger conveyor system, comprising:

• a handrail;
• a drive mechanism for moving the handrail in a chosen direction;
• a first length compensation device on a first side of the drive mechanism that provides length compensation of the handrail when the drive mechanism moves the handrail in a first direction;
• and
• a second length compensation device on a second side of the drive mechanism that provides length compensation of the handrail when the drive mechanism moves the handrail in a second direction wherein at least one of the first or second length compensation devices includes a weight that biases the handrail in a manner that adjusts an effective length of the handrail.

A passenger conveyor system, comprising:

• a handrail;
• a drive mechanism for moving the handrail in a chosen direction;
• a first length compensation device on a first side of the drive mechanism that provides length compensation of the handrail when the drive mechanism moves the handrail in a first direction, including an engaging member that engages one side of the handrail and two guide members positioned on an opposite side of the handrail such that the engaging member is located between the guide members and the handrail is deflected toward the opposite side;
• and
• a second length compensation device on a second side of the drive mechanism that provides length compensation of the handrail when the drive mechanism moves the handrail at a second direction.