Belt-driven escalator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11286135-B2
Application number	US-202017091947-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2020
Priority date	Nov 8, 2019
Publication date	Mar 29, 2022
Grant date	Mar 29, 2022

Abstract

A belt-driven escalator 2 is provided that includes a plurality of escalator steps 4 arranged to travel along an inclined conveyance path 101; a drive belt 10, 1010 connected to the plurality of escalator steps 4; a drive system 24 arranged to drive the drive belt 10, 1010 so as to propel the plurality of escalator steps 4 along the inclined conveyance path 101; and a belt support structure 22, 1022 including at least one belt wheel 206, 1206 arranged to support the drive belt 10, 1010 so as to support the plurality of escalator steps 4.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) comprising:
a plurality of escalator steps ( 4 ) arranged to travel along an inclined conveyance path ( 101 );
a drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ) directly and rotatably connected to the plurality of escalator steps ( 4 );
a drive system ( 24 ) arranged to drive the drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ) so as to propel the plurality of escalator steps ( 4 ) along the inclined conveyance path ( 101 );
a belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) comprising at least one belt wheel ( 206 , 1206 ) arranged to support the drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ) so as to support the plurality of escalator steps ( 4 );
a step track ( 18 ) along which the steps ( 4 ) are arranged to travel during passenger conveyance;
wherein the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) is arranged to unload the step ( 4 ) and/or a support track ( 20 ) at at least one point on the conveyance path ( 101 );
wherein the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) is arranged to lift the steps ( 4 ) entirely away from the step track ( 18 ) and/or the support track ( 20 ) at at least one point on the conveyance path ( 101 ).

2. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conveyance path ( 101 ) comprises an upper transition region ( 110 ) between an inclined region ( 106 ) and a non-inclined landing region ( 104 ), and the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) is arranged to provide support to the steps ( 4 ) in the upper transition region ( 110 ).

3. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) is arranged to provide curved support to the drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ) in the upper transition region ( 110 ).

4. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) is arranged to provide curved support to the drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ) with a curve that matches a curve of the upper transition region ( 110 ).

5. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the curve of the upper transition region ( 110 ) comprises a radius of curvature of at least 0.5 m.

6. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) comprises a single belt wheel ( 206 , 1206 ).

7. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the belt support structure ( 22 , 1022 ) comprises a plurality of coplanar belt wheels ( 206 , 1206 ).

8. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one belt wheel ( 206 , 1206 ) is mounted via a ball bearing.

9. The belt-driven escalator ( 2 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ) is toothed and the at least one belt wheel ( 206 , 1206 ) comprises a sprocket arranged to engage with the toothed drive belt ( 10 , 1010 ).

Assignees

• Otis Elevator Co

Inventors

• Turek Alexander
• Illedits Thomas

Classifications

• B66B21/04 Primary

  linear type · CPC title

• B66B23/12

  Steps · CPC title

• B66B23/02 Primary

  Driving gear · CPC title

• B66B23/14

  Guiding means for carrying surfaces · CPC title