US994879A

US994879A - Conveyer.

Info

Publication number: US994879A
Application number: US7952001A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles D Seeberger
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Co
Current assignee: Otis Elevator Co
Priority date: 1901-10-22
Filing date: 1901-10-22
Publication date: 1911-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1928-06-13

Description

C. D. SEEBERGER.

CONVEYER. APPLICATION FILBDAooT. 22, 1901.

Patented June 13, 1911.

G, D. SEEBERGER. GONVBYBR.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 0T. 22, 19011 994,79. 1 Patented June 13,1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. D. SEEBERGER,

CONVEYER.' APPLIOATION FILED 0012.22, 1901.

Patented June 13, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. D. SEEBERGER.

GONVEYER. APPLIOATION FILED 6017.22, 1901.

Patented June 13, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

om; QN QM, 0 0 Q QQ, o

@Mawr C. D. SEEBERGBR.

CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 22, 1901.

Patented June 13, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

C. D. SEEBBRGER.

GONVEYBR.

APPLICATION FILED 0012.22, 1901. 99%?9), Patented June 13, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

C. DfSEEBERGER CONVEYEB..

APPLIGATION FILED 00T. 22, 1901.

8 BHEETS-SHEET 7.

Patented June 13, 1911.

C. D. SEEBERGER. GONVEYER. APPLICATION FILED 00T.' 22, 1901. @gqcpygm Patented June 13, 1911.

8 SHBETSTSHEET B.

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` [mi il mi@ 6386s W2@ Gg f as r r Fries.

2 ES D. SEEBEGB, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB, T0 OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

CGNVEYBR.

f Application led October $2, 1901. Serial No. 79,520.

To all whom it 1mi/y concern:

Be it known that I,- CHARLES D. SEEBER- can, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyers, of which the following is a. specification.

My invention 'is concerned withl certain new and useful improvements in that class of conveyers which are intended to transport passengers or freight yfrom one floor or level to another by means of a continuously moving support upon which the load` rests and by which it is carried up or down as the case may be, audit relates in its spe'- cic application to improvements in moving stairways, and is adapted to insure their perfect operation without any possibility of accident to the mechanism or to the load.

lOne feature of my invention is concerned with `a driving mechanism, such as a sprocket wheel, meshing with both the ascending and` descendin portions of the chain connecting the series of steps or carriers, to relieve the strain at the curved portions of the path or way, such as the transition from incline to horizontal and at the end-carria e or reverser, and to balance the weights o the ascending and descending parts on the incline; the sprocket-wheel being preferably located at a point near the curve connecting the inclined and upper horizontal runs, but at a distance from the curve permitting a straight tangential run of at least one link length. y

Another feature of my invention is found in the location of the drivingl mechanism, such as a sprocket wheel, as near the top of the incline as possible to haul the steps up the incline without throwing any of their weight on the curves of the track, and so that the drive will carry'the weight or load of the connected eeries'of steps which otherwise would be taken by each step at the time it passes from the incline to the upper horizontal run.

in the construction of the links, which are of a special design that takes all the strain ed the axles of the trucks, and also permits the removal of any axle fory any purpose, aithout breaking the Vcontinuity ot the c am.

Another feature of my invention is found the end or reversing portions of the tracks so as to laccommodate automatically the lengthening or shortening of the chain due to the varying positions of the links or that may take place under changes of temperature or otherwise so as to keep it in proper adjustment under al circumstances.

Another feature of my invention is the employment of mechanism by which the synchronism of movement of the hand rail and thesteps is called to the attention of the passenger by means of appealing to his sense i of seeing, hearing and feeling.

`Another feature of my invention is concerned with a brake mechanism which I employ to prevent the possibility of the mechanism turning backward and causing an accident in case of breakage.

Other features of my invention will be fully described and particularly pointed .out in the claims.

Referring now to the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the ligures, Figure 1 is a central section. through the lower portion of the stairway with some ofthe trucks omitted to more clearly disclose the parts in connection therewith; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upper end of the stairway, but with the chain entirely omitted and the positions of theaxles of the trucks indicated; Figs. 3, 4

7 and 8 are detail views in side and end ele-- vation showing the adjustable tracks upon which the endcarriages are supported; Fig. 9 is a plan View of one of said adjustable tracks; Fig. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the upper landing, and with a portion of .the stairway beneath it in section on the broken line A--A of* Fig. 2; Fig. ll'is a similar view of the lower end of the stair- Another feature of my invention is foundy way in section on the broken line B-B of Fig. l; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are a sectionalv view4 in section on the line D-D of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing the details of the mechanism for driving the moving handrail, with the relative position of the stepsv thereon indicated to show how the synchronism of the movement of the steps and the handrail is forced upon the attention of the passenger; Fig. 18 is a sectional view through the balustrade on the ine E-E of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a sectional view through the hand-rail on an enlarged scale; Fig. 20 is a rear elevation .of the preferred form of thetruck and step supports, with the riser omitted; Fig. 21 is a section on the line F--F of Fig. 20, and Fig. 22 is apartially diagrammatic view showing the stationary balustrade (with the lower member or curtain omitted) and the steps in transit upon the upper or transporting run or line and between the inclined and upper horizontal portions of the vreturn line illustrating the overlapping of their tread surfaces upon the concave curve'or when viewed from beneath. t

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the moving stairway is made up of a connected series of steps which travel on ways providing ascending and descending inclined runs hav-l ing horizontal end portions to' form landings, in the present inst-ance arranged in upper and lower relation, and also having end-carriages or reversersi Upon the transporting portion of the inclined run the steps are in step-like formation, while upon the' horizontal end portions their treads are inthe same horizontal planes for suhicient distances to present plane-surfaced entrance 'and exit landing portions. 'Each step 20 is mounted on a step-frame having a truck or wheel-base composed of opposite side-

bars

21 and 22, each of which has a front-wheel 23 and a rear wheel 24. The

side-bars are olfset at their centers as shown in Fig. 10, so that the front wheels 23 are in different vertical planes from, 'and a suticient distance inside of, the rear wheels to permit adjacent trucks to overlap each other. The side bars are connected by axles or bolster rods 25. In the form shownin Fig. 1-0, each axle has brackets 26 secured to to 14, and consist of the male and female links, each link having the side bars 30 connected .by the pins or rods 31, which constitute the rack teeth, the male link having at the ends of the side bars30 the sleeves 32, through which the axles 25 pass, and which 1n turn tit in the encircling sleeves v33 terminating the ends of the side bars of the female links. This construction enables the links to swing freely upon each other, as is necessary to ass from the inclined to the horizontal portions of'the stairway and to turn around the end-carriages or revel-sers. This construction forms a larger frictional bearing surface than would be possible if the ends of the links were both pivotcd on the axle 25, and what is. of still greater importance, the strain resulting from the weight of the annexed step units is transmitted from one link to another, and does not tend to bind on the axles or to shear them off, as would be the case with the ordinary construction. This construction also enables me, if occasion arises, to remove any of the axles 25 without dismantling or disconnecting the chain, aswould be the case if the ordinary construction were cmployed. The wheel-base is broader than the tread, wh-ereb stability is assured and accidental tilting 1s prevented, thc center of gravity of the step and its load being at all times within the areal of the wheel-base. The center line through the wheel-base is parallel with the tread, whereby `the wheels may run on tracks at the sa'mc level on horizontal portions ofthe way but at different vlevels on the inclined transporting portion, the tracks being in parallel oblique planes 'on the latter and in the same horizontal planes on the former. The for,- Ward Wheels 23 run on the tracks 34, which reference character I apply to the stationary or fixed portion of the complete tracks covering the entire circuit. The tracks 34 project farther forward into the body of thev machine than do the similar tracks 35 upon which the rear wheels 24 run. As seen in 1, on the ascending incline, the tracks 34 are a sufficient distance below the tracks 35 so that .the steps While runningon these tracks will still retain their treads in horizontall position. On the descending incline the tracks are on the same level so that the treads of the steps are inclined at the same angle as the tracks, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The

tracks

34 and 35 on the inclined portions are supported by any suitable means, such as the plate girders 36, which in turn are su ported in any suitable manner upon the oors of the building or other structure in which the machine is located.

To drive the chain, I preferably employ an electric motor 37 located-in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, which has its armature shaft 38 provided'with the two oppositely directed worms 39 which mesh with the two oppositely rotating worm "wheels 40, which mesh with each other, and

one of which meshes with a spur Wheel (not shown) secured on the same shaft as the meshes with the driving gear wheel 43, the shaft of which is mounted in suitable bearings 44 carried by the plate girders 36 or other suitable supporting means. This arrangement of the armature shaft with the two oppositely disposed worms and gear Wheels meshing with each other serves to neutralize any thrust that may be' given to the armature shaft and causes the mechanism to run more steadily and with less friction and wear than it would otherwise. It will be seen that the driving mechanism, ineluding the motor, is contained within the body of the machine and does not require space outside. It is of course understood that the drive wheel may be operated in any suitable manner from any suitable source of power. The driving gear wheel.43 is, as seen in Fig. 2, located as near the upper end of the inclined portion as possible so as to engage the ascending line of links on the incline or below the change. of direction in passing to the curve between the inclined and upper horizontal portions of the way, and to engage the descending line of links above the change of direction at a point where it extends in a tangential run after it has started to leave the horizontal run and before it enters the inclined run as hereinafter described, and the drive is arranged so as to mesh with the axles 25 and the pins 31 of both` the ascending land descending adjacent portions of the chain at points where the lines of the chain are not parallel. By having the driving gear meshing with the ascending and descending portions of the chain, I practically divide the weight of the moving parts on the driving gear into. two parts so that the entire weight is not thrown on the few driving teeth with which the chain engages on one side only, but is thrown upon the driving teeth on both sides of the wheel, thereby engaging with twice as many teeth and thus lessening /the/strain on each tooth and its possibility of breakage. This construction also divides the slack in the chain between the portions above and below the driving gear, this provision for the slack being of special importance in connection with the employment of the movable end-carriages or .reversers to be described hereafter, as it is apparent that if the drive did not engage the return run, the entire weight of the descending line or run would be borne by the endLCarriage and on the curve, and moreover the weight or drag of the descending line would fal on the middle of the axles whose ends bear the tracks at the curveand would strain and distort the step units. Furthermore, as both runs engage the drive wheel, the weight or drag of the descending line tends toy counterbalance the weight or pull of the ascending run, the entire machine being thus counter-balanced through the drive. Also, by locating the both depending lines hangs on the drive and.

the strain or weight is taken off the curves of both runs. It will be apparent that I may produce substantially the same effecty with regard to dividing the strain on the teeth and also the slack in the chain by employing a driving pinion meshing with both lines or meshing with only one line of the chain and by employing in addition thereto a pinion, such as 45, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and which is merely an idle pinion and is not connected with the driving pinion,

but which meshes with both lines of the chain, and may be located at any suitable point in the incline. By this arrangement the weight of the steps down the incline is on the idler; when the machine is at'rest there is practically no pressure on the teeth of the driving pinion, and when it is in motion the drive takes only the pressure due to friction in `the conveyer, to driving the hand rails and shunt, and to the live load. I make no specific claim in this application to an arrangement of the parts where the Adrive meshes with one line and the idler with both lines, but expressly reserve the same as part of the subject matter of my co-pending application filed October 18, 1905, Serial No. 283,302, and I make no claim in this application to means for reducing or establishing tension or strain in the chain of steps at certain points, except as the driving wheel itself produces such function, but hereby expressly reserveV the same for my co-pending application filed November 24th, 1902,

Serial No. 132,513. vWhen the drive and idler mesh with both linesas shown in Fig. 2,` the idler relieves the drive of that part of the load or weight of both lines below the idler, thereby dividing the weight.

` At the upper end of the stairway, for the portion constituting the landing, the

tracks

34 and 35, which were on `ferent inclined planes come together in the same horizontal plane, so that the trucks on the landing portion run horizontally so as to have one or more of the tread surfaces of the steps constitute a substantially continuous horizontal surface of valv'yiiigv lengt-h according as the landing isy long enough to include one or a plurality of steps. The loops or

curved tracks

46 and 47, constituting the continua tion of the tracks 34, and the loops or curved portions 48V and 49, constituting a continuation of the tracks 35, and by which the direction of travel of the steps is reversed, are carried by the end-carriage or reverser 50, which consists of the side pieces 51,*which may be connected together by any suitable means, suchl as the cylindrical sleeve 52 to the flanged ends of which the plates 51 are bolted. The end-carriage 50 is supported by means of the bearing flanges 53 and 54, which rest on the anti-friction rollers'55 and 56, which in turn rest upon the tracks 57 and 58, which, as shown in Figs. 7 to 9, have inclined under surfaces or faces resting upon the oppositely inclined upper surfaces or faces of the wedge-sha ed supports l59 and 60, so that by moving tiie tracks 57 and 58 longitudinally, the end carriage 50'1nay be raised and lowered as much as may be necessary to bring the overlapping portions of the

tracks

46 and 48 exactly in line with the overlapping portions of the

tracks

34 and 35 on the upper side, and the overlapping portions of the

tracks

47 and 49 into register with'the corresponding portions of the return tracks 34 and 35. upper end-carriage should be normally supported in outward or rearward position so as to take up as much slack as there may be in the chain above the driving wheel 43, and for this purpose I employany suitable means. In the form shown I provide one or more weights 61, which are connected by cords or chains 62- to the end-carriage 50 and pass over sheaves 63 suitably supported on the main frame work 64 at the upper end of the stairway so that the tendency of the weight 6l is to keep the end-carriage drawn out or in a position as far to the rear as the tension of the chain will permit. At the lower end is a Similar construction, as I employ the end-carriage 65 consisting of the side lates 66 which are connected by the cylindrical flanged sleeve 67 to which they are bolted at either end in the same manner as the other end-carriage 50. These side plates carry the loops or

curved tracks

68 and 69, which form the continuation of the track 34, and the loops or'curved

tracks

70 and 71, which form av continuation of the tracks 35, and by which the direction cf travel of the steps is reversed. The end-carriage 65 is supported by means of the flanges 72 and 73 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, which rest upon anti-friction rollers 74 which in turn rest on the adjustable blocks 75 having the inclined under surfaces or faces which can be moved on the correspondingly inclined upper faces of the blocks 76 which are supported in any suitable manner, as on the anges 77. By means of these

blocks

75 and 76, the end-carriage 65 can be raised or lowered as much as may be desired to cause Y the overlapping portions of' the

tracks

70 and 71, and 68 and' 69to register with the The .copcrating portions of the

tracks

35 and 34 respectively. The lower end carriage should be normally in position to produce slack in the ascending portion of the chain between the lower landing and the driving sprocket so that the steps will not be lifted off of the tracks by reason 0f the angle formed when they pass from the horizontal to the incline, and for this purpose any suitable meanS. may be employed. In the form shown, I employ on one or both sides the weights 78 which are suspended by the cords 79 from the bell crank lever 80 which is pivoted at 8l to some suitable portion of the stationary support, and has pivoted at its upper end the link 82, which in turn is pivoted to the side plate 66, this construction causing the weights 78 to hold the end-carriage 65 normally in a forward position to produce the slack in the chain. The upper and lower end-carriages are thus respectively weighted out and weighted in, so that the necessary 4slack in the chain is provided below the drive to prevent the steps from being lifted off the tracks, and the necessary strain inthe chainis provided above the drive to prevent them from buckling up. The end-carriages thus provide means for regulatingr the tension on the chain passing through the curves. Also, by means of the floating endcarriages lthe track length always corresponds to the length of the steplinkage, adjusting itself automatically thereto. As theend-.carri ages are yieldingly supported, provision is made for accommodating any unusual conditions.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 I have illustrated one way in which the stationary parts of the

tracks

34 and 35 may be telescoped with the movable parts, as 68 and 70, for example. The

tracks

68 and 70 are brought togetherl on a level and they are cut away at their adjacent edges to form the enlaro'ed recess into which fits the reduced ends ofD the

tracks

34 and 35. In Fig. 5 the position of the wheels is indicated in dotted lines showing how their peripheries extend over the overlapping portions of both sections so that they are supported whether resting on either or both sections. This or any equivalent arrangement is duplicated at all necessary points. The tracks form a continuous support for the steps throughout the circuit of their travel. The curves between the incline and the end portions or horizontal landin are made or compounded so as to provi e constant speed, and the curves in the end- -carriages are similarly arranged, so that trackage providing constant-speed and embracing all curves, end-carriages and other portions of the circuit is provided. It will thus be seen that I have provided a system in which the steps are continuously supported by tracks atk all parts of their travel, and also provided a-path for the wheels at all times exactly corresponding with the length of the chain.

To supply a support for the hands of the passengers as they are using the machine,

I preferably employ a moving hand-rail,

such as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 15 to 19, which runs upward parallel with the line of movement of the treads at a suitable height therefrom, and returns on the underside, forming a continuous belt. The handrail and its mechanism may be duplicated on each side of the machine, so a description of one will suiiice. At the lower end, I place on one or both sides a hollow newel post 83, which has journaled therein the driving sheave 84:, which is connected by the shaft 85 mounted in the bearing 80 with the driving-pulley 87. rlliis pulley is driven by means of a gear wheel 88fsecured on the shaft' 89 extending between the side supports in a position where it meshes with links of the driving chain, preferably with the under side thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. As the stairway runs, the shaft 89 will be rotated and it has secured on the outer ends thereof the pulley wheels 90, each of which is provided with a rope or cable 91 passing around a pair of tightening pulleys 92 thence around'a sheave 93 and around the pulley wheel 87, thence to sheave 94, and

thence back to the pulley 90, so that as the stairway runs, the

sheaves

87, 93 and 94 will be rotated at a peripheral speed corresponding to the rate of movement of the stairway so that the flexible hand-rail 95,' which passes over the driving sheave 84C will move synchronously with the steps. At the upper landing, I provide a similar newel post'96, which has journaled therein the hand-rail driving slieave 97, secured upon the shaft 98 which passes through the bearing sleeve 99 and has secured to its outer end the driving pulley 100. The shaft 101, upon which the driving gear wheel 113 is mounted, has at its outer ends the pulley wheels 102, and a rope or cable 103 passing around the

4pulley wheels

100 and 102 and beneath the belt tightener 104 serves to rotate the driving wheel 97 at the same peripheral speed as the driving wheel 84 at the bottom landing. The upper driving sheave 97 practically serves to ull up so much of the ascending portion o the hand-rail as is on the incline, but no more, as the horizontal portion is pushed forward by the lower driving sheave` 84. l

To increase the adhesion ef the hand Arail 95 upon the driving sl-ieave 84, so that it will produce the necessary sleek in the horizontal available portion of the handrail at the lower landing which prevent the binding of kthe rail upon tendency of the rail lift ed its sup ort y at the curve between the horizontal ani. in-

the sheave 97 tends to produce, I employ the auxiliary driving pulleys 105 and 106, which are mounted on the shafts 107 and 108 journaled in

suitable bearings

109 and 110 carried by the standard 111 which supports the bearing 85 forthe

wheels

84 and 87. These shafts 107 and 108 have the

pulley wheels

94 and 93, previouslyreferred to, secured on their outer ends. A belt 112 connecting the driving

pulleys

105 and 106 coperates with the outer surface of the hand-rail 95 so as to hold it securely against the driving wheel 84, and thus aids in driving the hand-rail positively so as to prevent any possible slipping thereof over the pulley. To adjust the various parts of this hand-rail driving mechanism so as to take up any slack that might occur in the hand-rail, the standard 111 can be adjusted longitudinally of the support 113 to which it 1s secured by means of the set screw 114, which operates in the customary manner for this class of devices. To regulate the position of the wheels 105l and 106, they are respectively mounted upon supports 1154 and 110, which, as shown in Fig. 17, are adjustable vertically and hori-i zontally respectively by means of the set screws 117 and 118 so that any desired pressure or adhesion upon the belt 112 relative to the hand-rail can be appiied. The handrail in its upward movement travels on the stationary rail or guide 119, shown in sec' tion in Fig. 18, which may be mounted on the upper edge of the balustrade, and which is undercut, as shown, so that the iii-turned edges of the hand-rail 95 grip on it to prevent the hand-rail being lifted od of it either willfully or accidentally. To retainthis hand-rail inthe necessary shape to grip on the rail 119, I may place at intervals in the rubber and fabric of which it is referably composed, a similarly shaped strip of steel or some other suitable rigid substance,

`as indicated in dotted lines at 120 in- Fig. 19.

. erably employed for they hand-rail to travel over, as shown in Fig-18. To assist guiding the hand-rait in the proper positlon' on its return, 1" employ the sheave 123, which as shown, is journaled at suitable point withL in the hollow newel post or horinontal portion of the baluetrade.

To indicate to the user the synchronism of movement between the steps andi the W climed ascending portions which 'the pull of hand-rail, l may paint or otherwise decorate the alternate sections 124v thereof, which are of the same length as the width of the tread surface of a step, so that the boundaries of the spaces 124 and the steps will be the same, so that when the passenger is on one step, his hand will naturally rest upon the corresponding` space 124 of the hand-rail, thus synchronizing the motion of the two by appealin to his sight. To appeal to his sense of fee in I provide, as shown in F ig. 17,

the landlng 125 with a flexible mat 126,v

by the pins 129 on the driving wheel 34, these A pins being spaced apart so that each time the bell is sounded the hand-rail and treads will have advanced a distance equal to the length ot' one step.

To indicate to and compel the user to leave the stairway at the upper landing, I provide the shunt mechanism 130 shown in Figs. 2, 10 and 15, which is an improvement on' that shown in lmy Patent No. 617,779. As will be seen, I also mount on the shaft 101 the pulley wheel 131, around which travels a: rope or cable 132, which, after passing over the pair of tightener wheels 133, suitably mounted, passes over the sheave 134 secured on the shaft 135 mounted in the supports near their upper end. Secured on the same shaft adjacent to this pulley Wheel 134 is the pulley wheel 136, which carries the rope or cable 137, which passes over the vert-ical sheave 138 and the inclined sheave 139 which are so located and mounted as to properly direct the ro e 137 around the horizontal sheave 140, whic is secured to the lower end of the vertical shaft l141 which is journaled in suitable bearings in the support-ing frame of the shunt mechanism 130.

At the upper end of the shaft 141 is another sheave 142. Parallel to the shaft 141 and similarly located on the other side of the landing is the shaft 143, which has the sheave 144 on its upper end in the same Vhorizontal plane as the sheave 142. A

crossed rope or ca'ble 145 is passed over the' sheaves 142 and 144 so that the shafts 141 andV 143 rotate synchronously but in opposite directions. The

shafts

141 and 143 have secured thereon beneath their respective sheaves 142 and 144, the belt pulleys 146 and 147.

Mounted betweenthese shafts

141 and 143, and in-advance thereof, are the shafts 148 and 149, which have the belt wheels 150 and 151, respectively, secured thereon in the same horizontal plane as

thebelt wheels

146 and 147 land at or near the center of the steps. A- pair of heavy leatheror rubber belts 152 and 153respectively, are mounted on the belt pulleys 146 and 150, and 147 and 151, respectively, and it will'be seen that as the machine is running, the

belts

152 and 153 will travel from the center toward the `ends of the treads.

These belts fit down as close as may be to the surfaces of the treads of the steps, which m this position are horizontal, and the frame work 154, in which the

shafts

141, 143, 14S

when he reaches the shunt, the

belt

152 or 153, as the case may he, will force him olf of the'treads, and the belts are set down so y closely to the tread surfaces ofthe steps that it is impossible for thev foot or any portion of ones clothing or other object to be caught thereby. The

belts

152 and 153 are geared to run at a lineal speed so much greater than that of the steps, that their forward component of movement, (of which, together with the movement at right angles thereto, the diagonal movement may be considered a re sultant) in the direction of the movement of the steps is at. least equal to the rate of movement of the steps, so that a person or object remaining on a ste will, when he reaches the shunt, be force along the length of the step and directly olf of it, instead of backward u on the succeeding step, as would occur 1f it ran slower than the mini.- mum relative rate specified. In other words, the belt speed is enough greaterI `than the step speed so that the resultant of the Vtwo speeds produces motion at an angle, preferably a right angle, to the direction of travel of the steps. It is apparent that this principle of operation might be applied to conveyers of any kind.

To prevent thepossibility of any accident by reason of the steps running backward, in case the stairway should be crowded and the driving machinery should be suddenly 'stopped or become disabled, in which case the weight of the passengers or freight the' brake mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2

ably supported from one of the side pieces 36 b means of the brackets 157. This collar 156. as formed therein the eccentric recesses 158 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2), in

which are placed clutch rollers 159. These would tend to run it backward, I employr eccentric recesses 158 are of a' sufficient i' ing sha'ft 101 rotates in one direction, but it' the direction of rotation of ythe driving shaft should be changed, the friction of the shaft on the rollers will force them into the narrower portions of their recesses so that they will be jammed between the shaft andthe edges of the recess so as to stop the shaft 101 fromr `any further rotation. 0f course it will be understood that any other sort of a clutch mechanism might be employed.

Another feature of my invention consists in the shape given to the steps whereby it is possible for them to overlap slightly as is necessitated in the concave curve seen at the lower side of Fig. 22, where the positions the ste s assume are clearly shown, and where 1t will be seen that the treads pass through a circle or curve of a smaller radius than do the link centers or axles of the trucks, instead of through one of a larger radius as occurs on the convex curves. To

permit this, the thickness of the forward- Y, edge of the step is reduced, as shown at 160 in Fig. 22. A. convenient method of making this construction is to supportl on the brackets 26 the hollow rectangular frame 161, which is preferably formed of angle irons with the horizontal sides :facing` up.-

ward, one of these sides `forming the reduced portion at 160, while the' riser 162 is secured to the opposite side. When a step strikes the curve to the descending incline,`the front wheels dip down while the rear wheels remain u thereby tilting the ste so that its riser e ge may go in under the ront nosing ofthe next succeeding step.

ln Fi s. 20 and 21, I have shown the preferred orrn of 4the step and bracket construction. ln this construction each wheelbase is pinned to the axle and each bracket is provided with a pair of lateral wings 163 having outwardly extending Hanges 164C which rest respectively upon theY front arm of the wheel-base and a rear projection 165 thereof, the parts being secured by bolts 166 or other suitable means. The brackets are more or less rectangular in shape, and their uper portions are provided with exterior and interior bosses 26'and 26", respectively, Ibolted or otherwise attached to the tread or framework of the steps at each side of the axle, and at their inner ends they are provided with stirrups or collars 167, fitting on the axle 25 adjacent the hubs 33 of the rack-links 30, the collars 167 bein prefer-v ably :tormed with the small bearlng lugs 168 which fit snuglyagainst the aforesaid hubs 33, thus preventing any possible movement of the step transversely to the links, and securin the alinement of the ends o the steps. y this construction l obtain-a step structure of truss formation, in which 'they are subjected and which they

wheels

23 and 24 are outside (away chords bein joined together at intermediate points vby t ebrackets. It is obvious that the construction by which the step-frame and wheelebase are connected to ther at the ends and at the additional points of connection between the ends provides a truss formation, the intermediate connections being in the nature of ties or struts accordin to the character of the strains to whic resist. This provides a very strong and rigid structure. Each step unit consists of the step proper, the wheel-base and .the step-frame, all connected in unitary form. s

In Fig. 18 I show the balustrade provided with a lower member'or curtain 169 which is immediately adjacent to and passed by the ends of the steps, the curtain `extending down to a point somewhat below the lower SOL edge of the riser of the steps and secured tol v brackets 170 permitting its ready adjustment to compensate for warping The 1 rom the center of the machine) of the cutain which is placed to rovide the minimum clearance with the en s of the steps, the wheels 24 traveling in the spaces back of the curtain.

By reference to Fig. 2 ,it willbe seen that as the steps leave thehorizontal run at or near the u per end-carriage they travel upon an upwar curve and then\there is a tandential run introduced 'oining the curve which leads'to the deseen ing i oline, so that the curved path connecting he inclined and horizontal runs is really a compound of two curves with a strai ht or tangentialrun be tween them at whic point the drive engages the descendin line. By providing this curve rising above t e horizontal the rear of each step is raised slightly aboveits succeeding step so that they may ycome into overlap ing position, and by providing the interme iate straight or tangential run l maintain the ico ica

pitch line of the links uniform with reference to that of the drive wheel, as it is obvious that if one end of a link were entering the curved path certain of its teeth at the other end would not correctly engage the sprocket. In practice I prefer to make this tangential run about two link lengths.

The plate girders 36 are rovided with a transverse diaphragm 171 ocated between the carryin and return runs or between thetupper and ower series of steps, and which not only provides a diaphragm betweenthe.y girders but forms a protector for the lower' run by reason of adording lodgment for the material of the up er `run 1n case of accident. While l have s lown the various features of my invention as applied to stairways especially adapted for carrying passen' ers, it will be understood that some eatures ereof might be applied to other kinds of power transmitting and conveying apparatus, and,

that I do not desire to be limited to their employment in the particular kind of conveying apparatus shown and described.

While I have shown the various` features of my invention as embodied in the forms which I at present consider best adapted for carrying out their purpose, it will be understood that they are capable of modifications, and that I do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims by the language thereof, butv only as may be necessitated by the prior art.

What I claim as new and desi-re to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with the seriesV of connected steps, of inclined and horizontal ways in which said steps travel, anda driving mechanism intermediate the ends thereot1 near the top of the incline and in continuous engagement with the step-connections of both the ascending and descending parts of *saidV series. v

2. In a device ofthe class described, the combination with a series of steps, of inclined and horizontal ways in which said steps travel, of a sprocket chain connecting said steps, and a sprocket wheel interposed between the ascending and descending series of said'steps intermediate the ends thereof 'near the top of the incline and constantly meshing with said chain on both sides.

3. In a deviceof the class described, the combination with a series of steps, and inclined and horizontal .ways in which said steps travel, of a s rocket chain connecting said steps, a sprociiet wheel interposed between the ascending fand descending series of said steps intermediate the ends thereof near the top of' the incline in continuous mesh with said chain on both sides thereof, and means for applying power to said sprocket wheel todrive the steps.

4, In a device of the class described, the combination with a series of connected steps, of Ways in which said steps travel, said ways including two landingportions at diierent levels and upper and lower inclined portions connecting the same, and driving mechanism for said steps located in the inclined portion adjacent to upper landing and havine' continuous engagement with the stepconnections of both portions.

5. In adevice of the class described, a series of connected steps, ways in which said steps travel in ascending and descending upper and lower. runs, and a driving mechanism at the top of the incline intermediate the ends of the runs and engaging the step-connections of both runs.

6.l In a device of the class described, a series of connected steps, Ways providing upper and lower inclined rims and horizontal landing portions, and a' drive at the cagare 8. In a device of the class described, a

series of connected steps, ways providing upper and lower inclined rims and horizon-- tal landing portions and a drive at the top of the incline engaging the step connections on both runs, the waysbeing continuous and of varying length at the end.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with a series of steps, of ways in which said steps travel, said ways 1n-.

cluding two landing portions at different levels and an inclined portion connecting the saine, a chain 'connect-ing said steps, and driving mechanism for said chain located in 'the inclined portion adjacent to the upper landing. y

l0. In a device of the class described, the combination with a series of steps, and ways in which said steps travel, said ways including two landing portions at ditferent'levels and an inclined port-ion connecting the saine,

of a sprocket chain connecting said steps,

and a sprocket wheel interposed between the ascending and descending series of said steps and located in the inclined portion adjacent to the upper landing and meshing with both the ascending and descending portions of said chain.

1,1. In a device of the class described, the combination .with a series of steps connected by a driving chain, of ways in which said steps travel, said ways including landing portions at different levels and an inclined portion connecting the same, driving mechanism for said chain located in the inclined portion adjacentto the upper landing to reduce the weight on the chain at the an le.

12. In a device of the class describedg, a conveyer having ascending and descending runs of connected sections, a drive near the top of the incline engaging on both runs the connections of the'sections of the conveyer, and Vmeans for relieving the drive of part of Vthe weight of the conveyer on the incline.

13. In a device of the class described, a conveyer havin ascending and descending .inclined runs o connected sections, a drive engaging both runs of the conveyer, and an idler engaging both runs of the conveyer on the incline and on which the Weight thereof down the incline hangs.

. 14'. In a device of the classA described, a

eager/e near the top `of the incline, and an idler engaging both runs upon the incline.

l5. ln a device`of the class described, upper and lower inclined ways, a moving stairway traveling on the ways and consisting of link-connected steps, a driving sprocket engaging the links on both runs at an ineline, and an idler sprocketalso engaging the links of both runs on the incline, whereby one of such sprockets carries the load of the steps between such sprocket and the' other sprocket, and such other sprocket carries the load between itself and the bottom of the incline.

1G. ln a device of the class described, a traveling stairway providing upper and lower inclined runs, and a drive sprocket and an idler sprocketengaging both runs at diferent points on the incline to divide up the load of the steps.

17. in a device of the class described, a conveyer having ascending and descending runs, a drive engaging both runs of the conveyer at the incline, and an idler interposed between the drive and the bottom of the incline and engaging both runs.

18. in a device of the class described, a conveyer having ascendingand descending inclined runs, a drive cooperating with both runs at or near the top of the incline, and an idler interposed between the drive and the bottom of the incline andengaging both runs. 1

19. lin a device of the class described, ,a conveyer having ascending and descending inclinedv runs, a driving sprocket engaging both runs at or near the top of the incline, and an idler sprocket also engaging both runs at a point between the ends of the incline, one of such sprockets carrying the l load between such sprocket and the other,

and the other sprocket carrying the load between itself and the bot-tom of the incline.

20. ln a device of the class described, a moving stairway having ascending and descending runs and consisting of an endless series of steps, ways on which the steps travel, rack links connecting the steps, a drive-shaftlocated near the upper end ofthe incline and having a sprocket engaging the linksof both runs, and a cross shaft located between the drive shaft and the bottom of the incline and having an idler engaging the links of both runs.

21. In a device of the class described, a conveyer having inclined runs of connected sections, a drive for the conveyor engaging near thetop of the incline both runs to support the weight thereof down the incline.

22. n a device of the class described, the combination with the moving series of conl nected sections, of guides for said sections stationary relative to the movement thereof supporting said sections at both ends throughout their entire course, and driving collar surrounding the driving'shaft and the rollers interposed between said collar and sha it in the recesses; all constructed and operating substantially as described.

24. in a device of the class described, the combination with the series of connected sec- A tions moving throughout their course in a single vertical plane, of guides for said sections stationary relative to the movement thereof and supporting them at both ends throughout their entire course, and driving mechanism in continuously driving engagement with the sections between the two ends of the course and at a point where they change direction' of movement, said driving mechanism also engaging'- the sections on the return run.

25. In a device of the class described, the combination with a series of connected steps, of ways in which said steps travel, said ways including a horizontal landing portion and an inclined portion leading thereto, and driving mechanism for said steps located in the inclined portion adjacent to the landing and engaging the step-connections.

26. ln a device of the class described, the combination with the series of steps, of ways in which said steps travel, said ways including a horizontal landing portion to which an inclined portion leads, and driv ing mechanism for said steps located in the inclined portion adjacent to the landing and engaging with both the ascending and descending parts of said series.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination with a series of steps, of Ways in which said steps travel, said ways including a horizontal landing portion to which the inclined portion leads, of a sprocket chain connecting said steps, and a sprocket wheel interposedkbetween the ascending and descending series of said steps and located in the inclined portion adjacent to the landing and meshing with both the ascending and descending portions of said chain.

28.` In a device of the. class described, the combination with a. series of connected steps, inclined and horizontal ways in which said steps travel, and a single rotary member intermediate the ends thereof near the top of the incline continuously engaging the step-connections of both the ascending and descending portions of said series.

29. In a deviceof the class'described, the? combination with an endless carrier` coin,

d of la series of connected sections, of inclined and horizontal runs for said carrier, and a drive intermediate the ends thereof in continuous engagement with both the ascending and the descending portion of said carrier and engaging the atter, portion. in a tangential run intermediate the inclined and horizontal runs.

30. -In a device of the class described, the

combination with an endless carrier comd of a series of connected sections, of inclined and horizontal runs for said carrier, and driving mechanism intermediate the ends thereof in continuous'engageinent with both the ascending and descending portions of said carrier and engaging the latter in a tangential run located in the curve bev tween the inclined and horizontal runs.

31. In a device of the class described, the combination with an endless carrier composed of a series of connected sections, of

guiding and supporting mechanism for said carrier, said mechanism including a landing portion and an inclined portion leading thereto and driving mecha rier located in the inclined portion adjacent to the landing and engaging the ascending and descending portions lof the carrier straight runs.

32. In a device of the class described, the

' combination with an endless carrier composed of a series of connected sections, of

and supporting mechanism for said carrier, said mechanism including a horizontal landing portion to which an inclined portion leads, and driving mechanism for saidcarrier located in the inclined portion adjacent to the landin and engaging with both the ascending'an descending said carrier in strai ht but nonlpa el lines.

33. Ina'device o the class escribed, the

f combination with a series of connected sections moving throughout their course in a single vertical plane, of guides forvsaid sec tions stationary relative to the movement thereof and supporting them at both ends throughout their entire course, and driving mechanism engaging thesections between the Atwo ends of the course and at a point where they change direction of movement,l

said driving. mechanism consisting of a sprocket wheel in continuous epgagement with said steps on both the forwa .run and return-run.

34. The combination in a inovingl platv form or stairway, of the moving connected steps, tracks therefor, 'and a driving mechain continuons en Vpoint where they ch connections of said steps tween the two ends of tlieplatform or 'stairway and ata j direction of movement, said driving device also engaging, the

ste connections on the return run, substanti y as described.

for said car-l arts of 35. The combination in a moving -platform or stairway of moving sections, guides therefor, and a constantly acting driving device engaging the sections `between the two ends of the platform or stairway and at a point wherethey change direction of movenationv with the ways extendin to dii'erent levels, of a series of connecte steps coperating with said ways,l and a drive wheel for said `s teps co e'rating therewith to remove the tension t ereon while ipassing portions of the ways.

38. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with the ways extendin to diierent levels, of a series of connecte stepscoperating with said wa s, and a drivingwheel coperating therewit to establish tension in a portion thereof and reiriove it on. another.

portion.

' 39. In nation with the ways exte din to different levels, of aseries of .connect erating with said ways, and a driving wheel a conveying app Aratus, the combisteps cop- U coperating with said steps to establish ten- 'l sion therein as -they pass between predetermined points on said ways, and remove it between other points.`

40. In a device of the class described, an inclined way, a conveyer composed of bearing sections, links connecting drive located near the to o the incline and continuousl engaging t e links of the ascendinlgnan' descendin runs. l'

4:1. a device of, t e class described, an inclined way, a conveyer composed of bearin sections', links connecting the'sections.` a

engagin the links of the ascending and descendigng runs to' drive and suspend the same. 42. In a. device ofthe 'class described, a

mg mechanism therefor contained within `the body of the machine.

43. In a device of the class described, a conveyer consisting of a series of Aconnected steps, 'a way providing lan upper carrying and a lower return run, and driving mechanism located between the 44. Ir. a traveling stairway -v the sections, a

' 115 drive located near the top of the incline and l conveyer consistingof a series of connected v steps movin in a'contmuous path, and dmv-- having fa' iso framework, and an endless flight of steps mounted therein, the steps being journaled to an endless chain, the journals of which travel in the double camway, said camway being located outside of the vertical plane of the moving flight of steps, substantially as and for the purpose described.

d5. In a traveling conveyer, the combination of a chain composed of a series of connected links, and a series of steps each pivoted midway between its front and rear sides to one of said links.

li-6. In a traveling conveyer, the combination of a series of steps having downwardly extending end portions provided with bearings on their outer faces, and an endless belt located between said end portions and pivotally secured thereto.

d?. In a device of the class described, the combination with the ways, of the trucks having axles, the chain links connecting said axles and consisting of the male links having the sleeves formed on their ends tting over the axles and into the larger sleeves at Vthe ends of the female links.

d8. In a device of the class described, the combination with the Ways, of the trucks, -a bolster rod'on each truck, and chain links connecting said bolster rods and consisting of the male and female links, the male links having the sleeves formed on their ends surrounding the bolster rods, said sleeves fitting in the larger sleeves at the ends of the female links.

49. In a device of the class described, the combination with the ways, of the trucks, and chain links connecting said trucks and consisting of the side bars having their sleeves formed on their ends and connected by the rods, the sleeves on the alternate links being similar and fitting into the sleeves of the adjacent links; substantially as described. l y y 50. In a device of the class described, the combination with the ways, ofthe trucks, a bolster rod on each truck, and chain links connecting said trucks and consisting of the' male and female links, made up of side bars connected by rods, the male links provided with the sleeves at the' ends of the side bars through whichl the 'bolster rods pass and which pass into the sleeves at the ends of the female links.

5l. In a device of the class described, the combination with trucks having bolster rods,

of links. connecting said bolster rods tol form said trucks into an endless series, step sup porting brackets on each bolster rod `on either side of said links and having a collar engaging the links, and aV step rigidly secured on said brackets. y

52. In a device of the class described, a wheel-supported step having the wheel associated with the riser extending beyond the Same.

In a device ofthe class described, a

step having front and rear supporting- 57. ik step for an elevator having a wheelbase broader than the tread.

58. In a device of the class described, a step provided with wheel-carrying arms of equal .length and extending beyond the tread.

59. In a device of the class described, a step provided with wheel-carrying arms of equal length and extending beyond the opposite sides of the step tread, the center line through the varms being parallel with the tread.

60. In a device of the class described, a way, a series of steps provided with axles, oppositely extending wheel-carrying arms of equal length on the axles, the center line through the arms of each step being parallel with the tread.

61. In a device of the class described, a way consisting of upper and lower inclinedv tracks having end portions in the same horizontal plane, a series of connected steps provided with axles, oppositely extending wheel- Vcarrying arms of equal length, the wheels thereof engaging the tracks to maintain the steps with their treads horizontal through* out the transporting run, and dri-ving means engaging the step-connections.

62. In a device of the class described, a step-frame having bosses, and a tread bolted to the bosses.

63. In a device of the class described, a

stepeframe having inner and outer bosses, and a tread 'bolted to the bosses.

64:. In a device of the class described, a step and wheel-carrying arms connected together to form a unitary structure.

65. In a device of the class described, a step, and a wheel-carrying arm united to the step-frame.

66. In a device of the class described, a series of steps, and wheel-carrying arms, such steps and arms being fixed togetherto provide units, and links pivotally connecting such units whereby the latter are free to turn independently of the links.

67. In a device of the class described, the combination with tracks forming away,

wheel-carrying arms rigid with the steps,

the combination with tracks forming a way, of a series of steps having arms provided with carrying-wheels adapted tothe tracks,

steps having axle-bars, links connecting thev and links connect-ing the steps inside the arms.

Y 69. In-a device ofthe class described, the combination vwith tracks forming a way, of

axle-bars, and wheel-carrying arms on the axle-bars outside the links.

70. In a device of the class described, the combination with tracks forming a way, of

' a series of steps having arms provided with carrying-wheels adapted to the tracks, and

- pin links of constant length connecting; the

' steps.

71. In a device of the class described, the combination with tracks forming a way, of a series of steps having arms provided with carrying-Wheels adapted to the tracks, and

links of constant length connecting the steps,-

and drive mechanism engaging the links.

72. In a device of the class described, va series of steps, and a chain having interconnected sections connecting the steps intermediate the ends thereof.

7 3. In a device of the cla-ss described, the combination with tracks forming a way, of

steps having axle-bars, yokes mounted on the axle-bars'y and provided with wheels adapted to the tracks, male links connecting series of steps, and a chain having rigid alternate pairs of steps, and female links alternating with the male links and pivoted on the latter.

74. In a device of the class described, a

links connecting the steps.

75. In a device ofthe class described, a Way, steps traveling thereon, a chain having links of fixed length connecting the steps under the treads thereof, and means engaging'the chain 'to drive the steps. Y

76. .In a device of the class described, a

Vway, wheeled steps traveling on the way and each provided with an axle, links of constant length intermediate the ends of the steps and connecting the axles, and adriving device engaging the links.

77. In a device of .the class described, Ya Way consisting of tracks having inclined and horizontal portions, axles on the Stips, oppositely extending arms fixed to thea es and having wheels traveling on the tracks,

links connecting the axles intermediate the ends thereof, and a driving-'wheel engaging v the links. l

78. In a device of the class-described, av

way having inclined and-horizontal runs', a series of steps having curved r-isers each of which is in contact with the adjacent step throughout the transporting run, links of constant length connecting the steps, and

means to move the steps.

79. In a device'ofhe way having inclined and horizontal runs,

classY described, a

a series oi connected steps providing a stair formation on the incline and horizontal end landings, each step-being provided with a convex riser which is in contact with the adjacent step both Von the incline and landved steps having overlapping wheel-carryings, links of constant length connecting the y ing arms and breaking into step-like forv mation on the incline and forming landings on the horizontal portions, each step havir'ig a convex riser which engages the adjacent step on the incline as Well as at the landings.

82. In a device of the class described, a step having wheel-carrying arms, one of which diverges from the vertical plane of the other.

83. In ajdevice of the class described, a

step, and oppositely extending wheel-carrying arms, one of which divergesfrom lthe 'vertical plane of the other arm to a dierentvertical plane.

84. In a device of the'clas's described, a

step, a Wheel-base comprising forwardly and' rearwardly extending arms arranged in different vertical planes.

85. In a device of the class described, a

'step frame having a wheel-base, a stirrup depending from and rigid with the stepioo frame, and an axle secured-to the wheel-base and stirrup,providing a truss construction in which the axle is the lower cord and the step-frame the uppercord.

86. In v'a -device of the class described., a step-frame and wheel-base, an'axle connected at its ends to the wheel-base'and at intermediate points to the step-frame.-

87. In a device of the class described, /a

step-frame, a wheel-base secured thereto, an

axle-bar secured thereto at its. ends and-intermediate connections between the axle to the step-frame.

88. In a device ofthe class described, a

step-frame, a wheel-base secured thereto, an

axle-bar passing throughand pinned at its ends to the base, and connections securing the axle to the step-frame intermediate the ends of theaxle.

489. In a device ofthe class described, a' way having an end-carriage having tracks to reverse the steps at the-upper landing, and a step no portion of which -rises'above 90. In a deviceof the class described, a. way consisting Vof an incline and a horizontal landing portion, an end-carriage havin tracks to reverse the steps, and a series o .125 the landing in'passingthrough the carriage.