Moving walkway

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10683192-B2
Application number	US-201916247757-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2019
Priority date	Jan 15, 2018
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

A moving walkway ( 1 ) comprises at least one endless belt ( 12 ) moving in a conveyance direction along a closed loop; a plurality of pallets ( 20 ); and a plurality of linkages ( 26 a, 26 b ) rotatably connecting adjacent pallets ( 20 ) with each other. A mounting portion ( 20 a ) of each pallet ( 20 ) is rotatably connected to the at least one belt ( 12 ).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. Moving walkway comprising:
at least one endless belt moving in a conveyance direction along a closed loop, the closed loop comprising a conveyance portion and a return portion extending between two turnaround portions, respectively;
a plurality of pallets; and
a plurality of linkages rotatably connecting adjacent pallets with each other;
wherein at least one mounting portion of each pallet is rotatably connected to the at least one belt.

2. Moving walkway according to claim 1 ,
wherein the mounting portions connected to the at least one belt are first mounting portions and each pallet further comprises a second mounting portion, the first and second mounting portions being spaced apart from each other along the conveyance direction; and
wherein each of the linkages rotatably connects the first mounting portion of a respective pallet with the second mounting portion of an adjacent pallet.

3. Moving walkway according to claim 1 , wherein
a first end of each linkage is rotatably connected to a first mounting portion of one of the plurality of pallets and to the at least one belt; and
a second end of each linkage is rotatably connected to a second mounting portion of an adjacent pallet.

4. Moving walkway according to claim 1 , wherein each of the linkages comprises a first linkage element and a second linkage element,
wherein the first linkage elements are spaced apart from the second linkage elements in the lateral direction.

5. Moving walkway according to claim 4 , further comprising first linkage axles extending between first sides of the first and second linkage elements.

6. Moving walkway according to claim 5 , wherein the linkage axles are fixed to the at least one belt at a position corresponding to the neutral phase of the at least one belt which is neither compressed nor stretched when the belt is bent.

7. Moving walkway according to claim 5 , further comprising second linkage axles extending between second sides of the first and second linkage elements.

8. Moving walkway according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one belt is arranged below the pallets, when the pallets are located in the conveyance portion.

9. Moving walkway according to claim 1 , further comprising
pallet rollers attached to the pallets and
guide rails configured for guiding and supporting the pallet rollers.

10. Moving walkway according to claim 9 , wherein the pallet rollers are configured to travel along the turnaround portions without being supported by any guide rails.

11. Moving walkway according to claim 9 , wherein each of the pallets is equipped with at least two pallet rollers.

12. Moving walkway according to claim 11 , wherein the least two pallet rollers are arranged coaxially with each other.

13. Moving walkway according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one belt is arranged between the at least two pallet rollers.

14. Moving walkway according to claim 1 comprising at least two belts extending parallel to each other, wherein each pallet is connected to each of the belts.

15. Moving walkway according to claim 14 , wherein pallet rollers are arranged between the at least two belts.

16. Moving walkway according to claim 4 , wherein the first and second linkage elements are located on opposite lateral sides of the belt.

17. Moving walkway according to claim 5 , wherein the first linkage axles are fixed to the at least one belt.

18. Moving walkway comprising:
at least one endless belt moving in a conveyance direction along a closed loop, the closed loop comprising a conveyance portion and a return portion extending between two turnaround portions, respectively;
a plurality of pallets; and
a plurality of linkages rotatably connecting adjacent pallets with each other;
wherein at least one mounting portion of each pallet is rotatably connected to the at least one belt;
wherein each of the linkages comprises a first linkage element and a second linkage element, wherein the first linkage elements are spaced apart from the second linkage elements in the lateral direction;
a first linkage axle extending between the first and second linkage elements;
the first linkage axle fixed to the belt by a fastener extending through an opening formed in a central portion of the first linkage axle and through a mounting element provided at an opposite, toothed side of the belt.

Assignees

• Otis Elevator Co

Inventors

• Michalke Martin
• Turek Alexander

Classifications

• B66B23/145

  Roller assemblies · CPC title

• B66B23/024 Primary

  Chains therefor · CPC title

• B66B23/147

  End portions, i.e. means for changing the direction of the carrying surface · CPC title

• B66B23/026

  with a drive or carrying sprocket wheel located at end portions · CPC title

• B66B23/02

  Driving gear · CPC title