Self adjustable escalator handrail drive
US4998613A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1989 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66B23/04
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The handrail drive is a mangle-type drive wherein the handrail passes through the nip of a pair of opposed drive rollers. A plurality of drive roller pairs may be used. The drive rollers are keyed to rotatable shafts to which drive sprockets are also keyed. The drive sprockets are rotated by an endless chain which in turn is driven by one or more powered sprockets. The drive roller shafts are journaled in rotatable bearings which are mounted in a mechanism housing with the bearings being eccentrically mounted in the housing with respect to the drive roller shafts. The housing is divided into two halves, each mounting one of the rollers in a drive roller pair. The two housing halves are hinged together so that the nip of each drive roller pair can be opened by pivoting one half of the housing away from the other half of the housing. When the drive rollers are rotated, friction between the handrail and the drive rollers, and between the roller shafts and eccentric bearings will cause the bearings to rotate about their axes thereby tightening the drive rollers about the handrail. As handrail drive roller friction increases, the tightening effect also increases. The rollers will only t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.