Variable speed handrail for passenger moving walkway systems
AssigneeThyssenkrupp Norte, S.A.
InventorsMiguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Juan Domingo Gonzalez Pantiga, Manuel Alonso Cuello
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Abstract
A variable speed handrail for a passenger moving walkway system, comprising a flexible profile comprised of a plurality of fixed blocks each having a grooved structure and circulating along the walkway or escalator and moving with a constant speed. A plurality of handgrips coupled on the flexible profile which move at a substantially identical speed. The handgrips have for their dragging first and second connection devices respectively connected to a constant speed and a variable speed drag mechanism.
Claims17
A variable speed handrail for a passenger moving walkway system or escalator, comprising:
- a flexible profile, which circulates along the walkway or escalator, the profile including a forward moving section and a return section;
- the flexible profile moves at a constant speed;
- a drag mechanism for the profile;
- a plurality of handgrips coupled on the flexible profile, the handgrips are movable along the direction of the profile selectively with the profile or independent of the profile, the handgrips being movable at a speed substantially identical to a speed of walkway plates of the walkway system or escalator, which plates are the plates then closest to respective ones of the handgrips;
- the handgrips having a first connection device connectable to a constant speed drag mechanism and a second connection device connectable to a variable speed auxiliary drag mechanism, both connection devices being operable for dragging the handgrips;
- the first connection device connects the handgrips to the constant speed drag mechanism when the handgrips are moved along a first section of the profile along which the walkway plates move at a constant speed, and the second connection device connects the handgrip to the variable speed auxiliary drag mechanism when the handgrips are moved along a second section of the profile along which the walkway plates move at a variable speed.
A handrail comprising:
- a flexible profile, drive elements for guiding the profile to move at a first speed along a movement path;
- a plurality of independently movable handgrips supportable on the profile to be movable by and along the moving profile;
- a shiftable connecting element at each of the handgrips and shiftable between a first condition at which the connecting element connects the respective handgrip to the profile for the handgrip to move with the profile and a second condition where the handgrip at the profile is disconnected from the profile such that the handgrip may then be moved relative to the profile;
- shift devices at locations along the profile operable on each of the connecting elements as it is moved past the shifting devices to move the connecting elements between the first and second conditions;
- a second handgrip drive positioned along part of the length of a movement path of the profile at a location along the profile where each of the connecting elements is in the second condition, and the second handgrip drive is engageable there with the handgrips so that the handgrips then in engagement with the second drive are driven by the second drive and are driven to move with respect to movement of the profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.