Escalator for negotiating curves
AssigneeLevytator Limited
InventorJohn Court Levy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An escalator has steps shaped (1) to negotiate curves. The steps are suitably linked (4)(5)(6), guided (3)(10)(11), contained and powered so that the escalator can rise, fall, follow a horizontal path, be straight or curved in any predetermined sequence within the design parameters. The steps remain usable in both the flow and return paths. Shields are fitted to guard against entrapment of shoes or other apparel between the moving and stationary parts. For boarding or alighting safely, straight horizontal lengths may be included with appropriate means for passengers crossing from or to a stationary floor.
Claims24
An escalator for negotiating curves comprising a plurality of steps disposed sequentially in a curved path along which the steps are driven,
- each step having a head with a leading and a trailing edge in the direction of movement of the escalator,
- wherein the treads are shaped such that the trailing edge of the head of one step is curved to match a corresponding curve of the leading edge of the tread of the subsequent step, so that the steps fit together as they move about the curved path,
- and each step:
- a. is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis through the step, wherein the vertical axes between adjacent steps are restrained relative to each other to have a fixed horizontal distance;
- and
- b. each step is adapted to vertically translate with respect to the vertical axes of its adjacent steps.
An escalator for negotiating curves comprising several steps arrayed in sequence about a curved path along which the steps travel, each step having opposing leading and trailing edges facing their direction of travel, wherein:
- a. the trailing edge of one step is complementarily curved with respect to the leading edge of the adjacent step, whereby the adjacent steps fit together as they travel about the curved path,
- b. each step includes:
- (1) a vertical shaft about which the step rotates;
- and
- (2) a bush horizontally spaced by a fixed distance from the vertical shaft, wherein the bush is fit about the shaft of an adjacent step to both rotate and vertically translate thereon, whereby adjacent steps are allowed to rotate and vertically translate with respect to each other as they travel about their curved path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.