Linear belt handrail drive

US5117960A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Hermann W. Ahls · Premnitz, DE
• Helmut Meyer · Bückeburg, DE
• Olaf Wurzler · Minden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 15, 1991
• Grant date: Jun 2, 1992
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66B23/04
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An escalator or moving walkway handrail is driven by a pair of linear belts which engage opposite sides of the handrail along the return path of travel thereof. The belt that engages the underside of the handrail is a powered drive belt, and the belt that engages the upper-side of the handrail is a pressure or reaction belt. Both belts are held against the handrail by a set of biased pressure rollers which urge the reaction belt against the handrail. The belts serve to convert line contact with the pressure rollers into area contact with the handrail thereby spreading out the driving forces acting upon the handrail.