Automatically adjusting escalator handrail system

US6460679B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Andreas Stuffel · Porta Westfalica, DE
• Uwe Hauer · Nienburg, DE
• Dirk Gerdau · Hohenhorst, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 4, 2000
• Grant date: Oct 8, 2002
• Expiry date: Oct 4, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66B23/20
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A passenger conveyor system includes a handrail adjustment mechanism that automatically adjusts the forces imposed on the handrail. A first length compensation device is positioned on a first side of the handrail drive mechanism. A second length compensation device is positioned on a second side of the handrail drive mechanism. Depending on the direction of handrail movement, one of the two length compensation devices imposes an automatically adjustable amount of tension on the handrail to maintain a desired effective length of the handrail. The length compensation device located on the slack side of the handrail compensates the handrail length by imposing a minimized tension on the handrail. The length compensation device located on the load side of the handrail will be lifted because the traction in the handrail caused by the drive mechanism overcomes any stretch imposed by the length compensation device on the load side.