Step chain roller for curved escalator

US5094335A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Willy Adrian · Bad Eilsen, DE
• Bernd David · Henstedt-Ulzburg, DE
• Klaus Seehausen · Stadthagen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 11, 1991
• Grant date: Mar 10, 1992
• Expiry date: Sep 11, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66B21/06
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a curved escalator which has a return step run which is below the passenger-bearing run, the reversal step chain sprockets are of different diameters, the outer step chain sprockets being larger than the inner step chain sprockets. Since the steps are all tied together by the inner and outer step chains, the two chains must engage the inner and outer reversal sprocket teeth as the steps reverse their direction of movement. This results in a tipping of the step axles and steps during the turnaround, whereby a problem relating to engagement between the step chain rollers attached to the step axles and the sprocket teeth can occur. In order to maximize area contact between the tipped step chain rollers and the horizontal sprocket teeth, the step chain rollers which engage the sprocket teeth are formed with an external base-to-base truncated conical profile. This ensures that 50% of the surface of each profile roller will fully engage the sprocket teeth on the reversal sprockets.