US3878931A — Arcuate escalator system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 98 words

An escalator system for at least two successive floors comprising: passenger conveyor means comprising successive stair step structures each between a different pair of floors, said stair step structures defining a continuous closed loop including exposed operative portions, and including a sequence of step segments disposed along the loop, and drive means adjacent the loop; means defining stair step path transition regions of different configuration than the operative portions on each floor for the loop between each pair of structures; and means defining a single return path for the loop between the uppermost floor and the lowest floor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 98 words

An escalator system for at least two successive floors comprising: passenger conveyor means comprising successive stair step structures each between a different pair of floors, said stair step structures defining a continuous closed loop including exposed operative portions, and including a sequence of step segments disposed along the loop, and drive means adjacent the loop; means defining stair step path transition regions of different configuration than the operative portions on each floor for the loop between each pair of structures; and means defining a single return path for the loop between the uppermost floor and the lowest floor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 98 words

An escalator system for at least two successive floors comprising: passenger conveyor means comprising successive stair step structures each between a different pair of floors, said stair step structures defining a continuous closed loop including exposed operative portions, and including a sequence of step segments disposed along the loop, and drive means adjacent the loop; means defining stair step path transition regions of different configuration than the operative portions on each floor for the loop between each pair of structures; and means defining a single return path for the loop between the uppermost floor and the lowest floor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 98 words

An escalator system for at least two successive floors comprising: passenger conveyor means comprising successive stair step structures each between a different pair of floors, said stair step structures defining a continuous closed loop including exposed operative portions, and including a sequence of step segments disposed along the loop, and drive means adjacent the loop; means defining stair step path transition regions of different configuration than the operative portions on each floor for the loop between each pair of structures; and means defining a single return path for the loop between the uppermost floor and the lowest floor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the transition regions are substantially horizontal and the stair step structures have operative portions helically disposed about a central axis.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The invention as set forth in claim 2 above, including in addition a hollow core structure along the central axis, the return path extending within said hollow core structure.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 137 words

An arcuate escalator comprising: spaced apart guide means defining an arcuate escalator path within a closed loop path including operative and return path segments, the operative path being curved about an axis; chain drive means centrally extending along and spaced apart but adjacent the closed loop path; a plurality of step segments disposed along the path and each engaging the guide means along opposite sides thereof; a plurality of couupLing means mounted along said chain drive means and each pivotally coupled to a different individual one of said step segments; drive means engaging said chain drive means for advancing said step segments in a selected direction; and means along the return path segment for tilting and at least partially nesting the step segments relative to each other in the return path segment of said closed loop path.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 137 words

An arcuate escalator comprising: spaced apart guide means defining an arcuate escalator path within a closed loop path including operative and return path segments, the operative path being curved about an axis; chain drive means centrally extending along and spaced apart but adjacent the closed loop path; a plurality of step segments disposed along the path and each engaging the guide means along opposite sides thereof; a plurality of couupLing means mounted along said chain drive means and each pivotally coupled to a different individual one of said step segments; drive means engaging said chain drive means for advancing said step segments in a selected direction; and means along the return path segment for tilting and at least partially nesting the step segments relative to each other in the return path segment of said closed loop path.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 86 words

The invention as set forth in claim 4 above, wherein said arcuate escalator path has different radii of curvature relative to the axis about which the path curves at different regions therealong and comprises a principal operative curved path having entry and exit portions at different levels, a substantially linear return path portion between the entry and exit portions, and a pair of transition return path portions curving directly between the opposite ends of the linear return path portion and the entry and exit portions respectively.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 73 words

The invention as set forth in claim 4 above, wherein said arcuate escalator path comprises a helical path about a central axis, and wherein the return path segment comprises an essentially vertical and linear intermediate path and a pair of transition path portions having relatively small radii of curvature about the central axis and each joining a different opposite end of said linear intermediate path to an adjacent end of said helical path.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The invention as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein the closed loop path has an arcuate level portion lying in a chosen plane, said drive means engaging said chain drive means in the level portion.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7 above, including in addition second guide means disposed along and adjacent to the closed loop path and in contact with said coupling means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

The invention as set forth in claim 8 above, wherein said step segments are disposed substantially transversely between said spaced apart guide means, and wherein said coupling means comprises step link means including guide follower means contacting said second guide means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

The invention as set forth in claim 9 above, wherein said spaced apart guide means comprise tapered guide track means, and wherein said step segments comprise tapered end roller means engaging said tapered guide track means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The invention as set forth in claim 10 above, wherein said second guide means comprise tapered guide track means and wherein said guide follower means comprise tapered end roller means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 36 words

The invention as set forth in claim 8 above, including in addition centripetal force absorbing means including a plurality of rollers disposed adjacent and in contact with said chain drive means along the arcuate escalator path.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 166 words

An escalator system comprising: at least one loop of step segments disposed along an arcuate helical operative path about a central axis and having an entry region and an exit region at different elevations; arcuate guide means disposed to support said step segments at least along said operative path; means defining a return path having radii relative to the central axis and forming a closed loop path with the operative path, said return path comprising a substantially vertical portion substantially along the central axis and transition portions of varying radii of curvature joining the opposite ends of said substantially vertical portion to the entry and exit regions respectively, said transition portions curving in both the horizontal and vertical planes through angles no greater than substantially 90* in each plane and describing a horizontal path having a smaller radius of curvature than the helical path in each said transition portion; and drive means coupled to said step segments for advancing said step segments continually along said paths.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 166 words

An escalator system comprising: at least one loop of step segments disposed along an arcuate helical operative path about a central axis and having an entry region and an exit region at different elevations; arcuate guide means disposed to support said step segments at least along said operative path; means defining a return path having radii relative to the central axis and forming a closed loop path with the operative path, said return path comprising a substantially vertical portion substantially along the central axis and transition portions of varying radii of curvature joining the opposite ends of said substantially vertical portion to the entry and exit regions respectively, said transition portions curving in both the horizontal and vertical planes through angles no greater than substantially 90* in each plane and describing a horizontal path having a smaller radius of curvature than the helical path in each said transition portion; and drive means coupled to said step segments for advancing said step segments continually along said paths.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13 above, including in addition means operatively coupled to said step segments for shifting said step segments into and out of pArtially nested relation in the transition portions.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 76 words

The invention as set forth in claim 14 above, wherein said means for shifting in the transition portions comprises support means at the exit region pivotally coupled to said step segments at regions spaced from the center thereof, said step segments being free of said guide means in such regions and shifting under the force of gravity, and said means for shifting in the transition portion further comprises said arcuate guide means at the entry region.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 70 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13 above, wherein said system comprises a pair of adjacent stair step structures at different radii from the central axis, one ascending and the other descending, and each comprising a loop of step segments; and further includes a central hollow core structure, the return path for both step segment loops passing substantially vertically in side by side relation through said central core structure.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 43 words

The invention as set forth in claim 16 above, wherein the loop of step segments from the outer stair step structure cross th loop of step segments from the inner stair step structure in passing into and out of the central core structure.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 43 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13 above, wherein said drive means comprises a chain drive disposed along and under the path of the step segments and having freedom of movement along at least two mutually orthogonal axes normal to its length.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 52 words

The invention as set forth in claim 18 above, wherein said chain drive comprises a series of substantially rectangular chain blocks having side sprocket holes, and interconnecting means coupling said chain blocks, and wherein said drive means further comprises sprocket wheel drive means positioned along the loop and engaging the sprocket holes.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 147 words

A drive system for an escalator having a multiplicity of steps arranged to follow a selected curved path having radially inner and outer sides comprising: a chain drive mechanism comprising a plurality of chain elements and having substantial freedom to move laterally as well as vertically with respect to its longitudinal path, said mechanism having a longitudinal path proximate to the selected pathh of the steps; a plurality of step link means, eachh pivotally coupling a different one of said steps to a different one of said chain elements and being pivotably coupled to said chain elements and steps; first guide means disposed on opposite lateral sides of said chain drive mechanism for maintaining said mechanism in its longitudinal path; drive means disposed along the longitudinal path of said chain drive mechanism and coupled thereto; and second guide means disposed along and engaging the step link means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 147 words

A drive system for an escalator having a multiplicity of steps arranged to follow a selected curved path having radially inner and outer sides comprising: a chain drive mechanism comprising a plurality of chain elements and having substantial freedom to move laterally as well as vertically with respect to its longitudinal path, said mechanism having a longitudinal path proximate to the selected pathh of the steps; a plurality of step link means, eachh pivotally coupling a different one of said steps to a different one of said chain elements and being pivotably coupled to said chain elements and steps; first guide means disposed on opposite lateral sides of said chain drive mechanism for maintaining said mechanism in its longitudinal path; drive means disposed along the longitudinal path of said chain drive mechanism and coupled thereto; and second guide means disposed along and engaging the step link means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 85 words

The invention as set forth in claim 20 above, wherein the longitudinal path of said chain drive mechanism comprises at least partially an arcuate path, and wherein said chain elements comprise rectangular members having forward and rear internal sockets open to end apertures in said rectangular members, and wherein said chain drive mechanism further includes a plurality of link rod elements having terminal ball means pivotally engaging the forward and rear sockets of a differnt adjacent pair of chain elements through the respective end apertures.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 45 words

The invention as set forth in claim 21 above, wherein the sockets of said rectangular members and the terminal ball means of said link rod elements include mating spherical arc segment portions and said link rod elements have predetermined clearance relative to said end apertures.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 33 words

The invention as set forth in claim 21 above, wherein said first guide means comprises a plurality of roller guide means disposed on the radially inner lateral side of said chain drive mechanism.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 113 words

The invention as set forth in claim 21 above, wherein said step link means comprise generally Y-shaped link elements, said link elements being pivotally coupled in the region of the junction of the Y to the radially outer side of the associated rectangular member, and said step link means further comprises at least one guide follower means mounted on the side opposite the associated rectangular member, said first guide means comprising roller guide means disposed on the radially inner side of the path and engaging said rectangular elements and wherein said second guide means comprises guide track means disposed on the radially outer side of the path and engaging the guide follower means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 137 words

An escalator system for advancing a plurality of step elements along an arcuate path including an operative portion and having different radii of curvature at different regions therealong, comprising: first guide means receiving the lateral sides of said step elements and confining said step elements along at least the exposed portion of the selected path; continuous drive chain means including second guide means disposed proximate the first guide means, and spaced therefrom; and step link means pivotally coupling said step elements to said continuous drive chain means at a region spaced apart from the center of gravity and being in engagement with said second guide means, said first and second guide means being disposed to permit said step elements to tilt in those portions of the arcuate path having the smallest radii of curvature along the path.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 137 words

An escalator system for advancing a plurality of step elements along an arcuate path including an operative portion and having different radii of curvature at different regions therealong, comprising: first guide means receiving the lateral sides of said step elements and confining said step elements along at least the exposed portion of the selected path; continuous drive chain means including second guide means disposed proximate the first guide means, and spaced therefrom; and step link means pivotally coupling said step elements to said continuous drive chain means at a region spaced apart from the center of gravity and being in engagement with said second guide means, said first and second guide means being disposed to permit said step elements to tilt in those portions of the arcuate path having the smallest radii of curvature along the path.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 54 words

The invention as set forth in claim 25 above, wherein said step elements have substantially planar top and front surfaces that are exposed along the operative portion of the escalator path, and the rear portion of said top surface defines an edge that is at least partially nestable relative to the adjacent step element.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

The invention as set forth in claim 26 above, wherein the top surfaces of said steps taper outwardly from one lateral side to the other, and include a front surface and a rear lip extension.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 118 words

The invention as set forth in claim 27 above, wherein said step elements each include a spaced apart pair of guide followers on each lateral side thereof, wherein said first guide means comprises a pair of guide tracks on each lateral side of said step elements, each guide follower being in operative engagement with a different guide track, wherein said step link means comprise a plurality of step link elements, each pivotally coupled to said drive chain means and to said step elements at spaced apart points, said step link means including at least one guide follower each extending therefrom, and wherein said second guide means comprises guide track means in engagement with said step link guide followers.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-04-21	1978-10-21	1979-04-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-04-21	1982-10-21	1983-04-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-04-21	1986-10-21	1987-04-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Arcuate escalator system

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