Patent · US Expired

Self adjustable escalator handrail drive with balanced drive chain tension

US5133443A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
14References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 1991
Grant dateJul 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 15, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB66B23/04
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The handrail drive utilizes one or more pairs of drive chain sprockets and idler sprockets which form a nip over which the drive chain moves. The drive chain and idler sprockets are mounted on rotating drive shafts which in turn are eccentrically mounted in rotatable bushings. The drive rollers will automatically tighten on the handrail as friction increases between the rollers and handrail due to increased resistance to movement of the handrail. The rotatable bushings on each drive sprocket and its associated idler sprocket are connected together to ensure that chain tension equalizes between each drive and idler sprocket so that no drive chain slack will occur.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.