US2862599A

US2862599A - Safety landing for moving sidewalks

Info

Publication number: US2862599A
Application number: US670948A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred D Sinden; Robert O Schaeffer
Original assignee: ADAMSON STEPHENS Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: ADAMSON STEPHENS Manufacturing CO; STEPHENS-ADAMSON Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1957-07-10
Filing date: 1957-07-10
Publication date: 1958-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1975-12-02

Description

Dec- 2, V1958 A. D. slNDl-:N ET AL SAFETY LANDING FOR MOVING sIDEwALKs 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1957 INVENTORS.

v @if lm,

Dec. 2, 1958 A. D. slNDEN ET AL 2,852,599

SAFETY LANDING FOR MOVING sIDEwALKs Filed July lO, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

Dec. 2, 1958 A. D. slNDEN Erm. 2,862,599

SAFETY ummm@ FOR MOVING sInEwALxs vUnited States Patent O 2,862,599 SAFETY LANDING Fon MOVING smEwALKs Alfred D. Sinden, Aurora, and Robert 0. Schaeffer, Elgin,

Ill., assignors to Stephens-Adamson Mfg. Co., a corporation of Illinois Application July 10, 1957, Serial No. 670,948 13 Claims. `(c1.r 1934-16)v Our invention relates to a safety landing for moving sidewalks, and more particularly, to a device for facilitating the transfer of passengers between stationary passenger platforms and a moving sidewalk.

Patent No. 2,782,896, granted February 26, 1957, to Myron A. Kendall and Alfred D. Sinden, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, illustrates a device of the vtype to whichour invention re'- lates. In accordance with the teachings of said patent, a flexible strip of rubber or rubber-like material `closes the space betweenthe moving sidewalk and a platform in the area where transfer between the two is to be effected. The strip includes a relatively pointed sealing edge that projects over the transport surface of the moving sidewalk and extends across the width of said transfer area. Y

While the device of this patent has proved to be highly successful, problems that are associated onlywith passenger transportation have presented the need for improvements. v

For instance, experience has shown that nicks, and eventually gouges, develop in the sealing edge of the strip over extended periods of use. It has been demonstrated that this wearing of the sealing edge results from contact with passengers heels as they alight from the moving sidewalk.

Furthermore, even though the device of said patent effectively prevents articles, such as clothing, shoestrings, or the like, from being carried through the gap between the strip and the transport surface of the moving sidewalk, it has been found psychologically desirable to arrange the safety landing so that the sealing edgethereof will lift upwardly automatically in its entirety when articles or foreign matter enter the gap between the strip and the transport surface whereby removal of said articles v or foreign matter is more easily and quickly accomplished. y

A principal object of our invention is to provide a rockable safety landing for moving sidewalks and the like that includes a rigid sealing edge which overlies a sealing surface that cooperates with the transport surface of the moving sidewalk in preventing articles of clothing or the like from being drawn under the land- Another object of the invention is to provide a rockable safety landing for moving sidewalks that shuts oif the conveyor system when'foreign matter is drawn between the landing and the transport surface of the conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety landing for moving sidewalks andthe like that is adapted to meet all known contingencies that develop or may develop in the art of transporting passengers.

Still a further object ofthe invention is to provide a novel hinged mounting for the safety landing which insures a smooth junction between the tiltable or rockable structure and the adjacent stationary landing structure. 1 Y

Mice

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a rockable safety landing for moving sidewalks andthe like in which all moving parts involved are protected from dirt and moisture, and in which any adjustments required to the several lparts of the deviceV are facilitated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a safety landing for moving sidewalks and thelike that is composed of Vfew and simple parts, which is economical of manufacture, which is safe and convenientvin use, and which is readily adapted for use in connection with a wide variety of conveyor installations., v

Other objects, uses, and advantages will `be obvious or become apparent 4from a consideration of the following detailed description and the application drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view illustrating an inclined moving sidewalk or ramp arrangement to which the principles of our invention have been applied;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional viewtthrough the lower en d of the apparatus shown in Figure. l, taken longitudinally of the conveyor and illustrating the cooperation Yof our improved safety landing with the transport surface of the conveyor of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectionalv view along line 3-3 of Figure 7; Y

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4--4 of Figure 7;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the fixed support member and associated structures forming a part of 'our improved device, as viewed from the right hand side *of Figure 2; t

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the rocking member and associated structures forming a part ofV our improved device, as viewed from the right hand sideof Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a top view of thelprincipalelements of the device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 7a is an end elevational view of the member shown in Figure 5, taken from the right hand side thereof;

Figure 8 isa Figure 7;

' Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 8, as viewed from theright handside of Figurer 8; r, t 1

Figure l0 is a cross-sectional view alongline 10A- 10 of`Figure 7; l i.

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional View through the upper end of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, taken longitudinally of the conveyor, illustrating the application of our improved safety landing to the upper end of the conveyor; and p i Figure l2is a diagrammatic View schematically illustrating an appropriate electrical circuit that may be employed to operate the moving sidewalk described'herecross-sectional vie'vv along lines-8.VV of General description Reference numeral 10 of Figure l generally indicates a diagrammatically illustrated'moving sidewalk including an endless or continuous ribbon conveyorbelt 1 2 presenting a relatively smoothtransport surface 18 and trained over

pulleys

14 and 16 that, in the illustrated embodiment, are positioned at different elevations. Preferably, mov'- ing sidewalk 10 is of the reversible type, that i s, the transport surface 18 thereof is movable either upwardlyor downwardly. A specific drive arrangement is notshow'n as any conventional drive will serve the purpose, lthough Figure 12 illustrates acircuit for controlling the motor therefor. Reference numeral 20 generally Vindicates one form of our invention applied between the lower pulley 16 and the lower stationary diagrarnmaticallyl illustrated passenger platform 22, and reference numeral 24 generally indicates a similar embodiment of our invention applied between the upper vfend of the conveyor and an upper stationary diagrammatically illustrated passenger platform 26. Y Conveyor belt Y12 maybe of conventional type, and its supporting structure may be arranged in any conventional manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting structure includes a slide plate 28 that supports the upper run of the conveyor 12 (seeFigure 2).

Referring to Figure 2, safety landing Vdevice 28 generally comprises a rockable landing member 30 hinged to a stationary support member 32. Member 30 has fixed vto the top thereof a rigid plate 34 formed with a relatively pointed ysealing edge 36 `that projects over the transport surface 18 of the conveyor. Preferably, plate 34 is positioned so that sealing edge 36 is slightly below the adjacent portion of the top or transport surface 18 of the conveyor that moves toward it on downhill operation of the apparatus. .Associated with the plate 34 and underlying same .is a member l40 that is coextensive with the plate 34 and is formed from rubber or rubber-like material. Member 40 is provided with a sealing surface 38; preferably, the material from which member 4t? is selected is such that the V.frictional characteristics of the surface 38 will be substantially equal to or greater than the frictional characteristics of the transport surface-18.

The plate 34 'is formed with a tread surface 42 Athat is separated Vfrom sealing edge 36 by an upwardly curving 'surface 44 of special :significance and having frictional characteristics which are substantially less than the frictional characteristics of the transport surface.

VThe

members

30 and 32 are secured together by a hinge structure generally indicated at 50, and the rocking movement of the member 30 with respect to the member 32 is .preferably limited by

stop devices

52 and 54, respectively '(see Figures 2 and 3'). Stop devices 52 .limit downward rrocking movement of the member 30, and preferably the downward limit is such that initially sealing edge 36 touches surface 18 with no pressure and sealing surface 38 barely touches surface 18. The edge 36 and surface 38 may wear away somewhat during extended operation of the apparatus, leaving a slight spacing between these elements and the transport surface, but this has no material affect on the effectiveness of the invention, and in any event .the spacing may be adjusted, as will be hereinafter made clear.

Stop device 54 limits upward rocking movement 'of the vmember 30, and preferably adjustment is made so that the range of rocking movement betweenupper and :lower positionsis `on the-order of 1A; of an inch.

v.Spring assemblies 56 (see Figure 4) are employed to bias the member 30 into its said lower position. `A limit switch device 58 (see Figures 8 and 9) secured to member 32 is actuated by linkage 60 (see Figures 8 and 9) extending :between the limit switch and the member 30, when the member V30 is rocked toits upper limit of movement. In accordance with Vour .invention,`limit switch 58 is incorporated in the operating circuit of the moving side- Walk drive (see Figure 12) in such a manner that it serves as an off-on 'switch for the conveyor; when the member 30 is rocked upwardly to the upper limit of its movement, the conveyor movement stops.

In operation, assuming that the belt 12 is moving in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2, the normal operating position of the safety landing is .that lillustrated in Figure 2. As a passengers shoe 70 approaches the landing 20, the toe 72 Vthereof is lifted upwardly by surface 44 which tilts heel 74 of the 'shoe upwardly 'and rearwardly. After the front part of the .shoe com'es in contact with tread surface 42, the edge 76 of the heel remains tilted upwardly so that .it will miss :the 'sealing edge 36 -of the safety landing. Surface 44 having a relatively 10W coefficient of friction will permit 'the shoe 70 to slide easily onto surface `42 and over the member 30 onto the '2,862,599 Y' i n f plate 81 covering member 32. The foregoing assumes, of course, that the passenger is permitting the conveyor to push him off onto the landing without lifting his feet.

The surface 38 serves the function of preventing foreign matter or articles such as clothing from being drawn between the member 30 and the surface 18 of the conveyor. As the surface 38 has frictional characteristics that are substantially -equal to or greater than those of the surface 18, articles such as clothing will not enter in .between `surface38 and surface 13 but will be retained outwardly thereof, since the surface 18 tends to slide by the articles more easily than the articles will slide by surface 38.

If articles tend to enter the space under sealing edge 36, the member 30 will rock upwardly against the action of the spring assemblies 5,6, whereupon limit switch 58 will shut off the conveyor until the articles can be freed. The range of rocking-movement is limited to approximately Vs of an inch to prevent the accidental insertion of fingers and the like between ymem-ber -32 and the conveyor.

Figure 11 illustrates a similar embodiment of the inventionvthat is applied to `the upper Vend of conveyor 10. Thesafetylanding 24 contains the identical elements that safety landing 20 does, and when transport surface 18 moves upwardly instead of downwardly, safety landing 24 loperates vin the 'same manner as the safety landing 20.

Specific description Landing 20 generally comprises in the illustrated specic embodiments a rigid plate to which is secured la supporting plate 82, as by welding at 84. Member 40 is applied to bar 8 2 and then plate 34 is placed on top, fplate 34 and member 40 being Vsecured in place by at Iheaded screws 86 cooperating with nuts 88 in the illustrated embodiment.

A plurality of lugs 90 (see Figures 6 and 10) are 'secured to the side of plate 80 that faces member 32. Lugs 90 are formed lwith aligned holes 92 that receive hinging rods 94, which are also received in spaced lugs 96 fixed to the depending llange 98 of member 32 to form -hinging structure 50. Lugs 96 are formed with elongated holes 92a. Rods 94 may be provided with retaining cotter -pi-ns95 at either end thereof.

The

members

30 and 32 at each end thereof carry structure forming a stop assembly 52 (see Figures 5 andv 6). spaced plates fixed to plate 80 (see Figure 6) and "joined at their ends by a generally horizontal plate 102 which is perforated as `at 164 to receive the shank 106 of a bolt 108 that is screw threadedly mounted in a bracket .110 .fixed to ange 98 of support 'member 32. A pair ofmovement .limiting -lock nuts 112 'are screw threadedly received on the bolt 108 and limit upward movement of the plate 102 with respect to the bolt. This limits the downward 'rocking movement of the member 30, and of course, the adjustment desired may be had by appropriately positioning nuts 112.

VThe stop assembly 5'4 (see Figure 3) comprises a bolt 129 lreceived in holes 122 and 1.24 formed in plate 80 and flange 98. The bolt 120 carries lock nuts 126 that limit the movement of bolt 12) with respect to flange 98 and -thus the upward rocking movement of the vmember 30. Appropriate reinforcing and locating Aplates 97 and 99 may be secured to plate 80 and flange 98, respectively, if so desired. Adjustment may be made by appropriately positioning nuts 126.

The .linkage y60 (see Figures 8 and 9) that actuates l-imit .switch 58 comprises

rigid lmembers

130 and 132 fixed to a lug f90, and to each other, member 132 extending under support member 32 and being secured to a vertical plate 134 that is in turn secured to a horizon-tal plate 136. Plate 136 carries 'screw member 138 which lcoopera-tes with limit switch 58 to operate same. Nuts 137 may be turned to adjust member 138 with Eachr stop assembly 52 comprises a pair of aangaan respect to plate 136 as desired. Limit switch 58 may be of any conventional type that Ywill perform the desired functions, and is preferably attached to member 32 in any suitable manner as by being xed to plate 139 welded to ange 98.

The spring assemblies 56 (see Figure 4) each comprise a hooked bolt 140 received in a hole 142 formed in ange 98 of member 32. Ay compression spring 144 is received over the bolt 140- between

washers

146 and 148, lock nuts 150 providing means for adjusting the compression provided by spring 144 (that is, the biasing.

action that tends to draw the bolt 140 to the right of Figure 4). The hooked end 152 of the member 140 engages an appropriate bracket 154 that is secured to plate 80 of member 30. Nuts 150 of devices 56 are adjusted to provide a sufficient biasing action on member 30 such that the sealing edge 36 and the sealing surface 38 will remain in the aforementioned lower positions under normal operating conditions.

Member 32 in the form illustrated is an angle bar and has Xed thereto at each end thereof a plate 160, plates 160 being secured to appropriate supporting structures at the end of conveyor 10. v received over member 32 and held in position by appropriate at headed screws 170. The plate 81 preferably makes a smooth juncture at point 172 with the conventional passenger landing or platform structure 174.

In the illustrated embodiment, an appropriate structuralarrangement generally indicated at 176 is provided to hold plate 81 in line with platform 174.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 11 is generally the same as that already described, similar reference numerals indicating similar parts in this iigure. The elements not specifically illustrated are arranged in a manner similar to that described above. In this embodiment of the invention, the only real difference is that the tread surface 42 is level with the surface of plate 81. It will be noted that sealing edge 36 of device 24 is positioned below the adjacent portion of 'surface 18 that moves toward it on uphill operation of the apparatus. When the transport surface 18 moves uphill instead of downhill, device 24 performs the same functions as they device 30 does on downhill movement.

The diagrammatic circuit illustrated inFigure l2 includes three phase motor 180 connected through switches U1-U3 and D1-D3 to an appropriate source of three phase power.

Leads

182 and 184 connect switches 58 in the operating circuit as well as primary switch 186, up and down movement controlling push button switches 188 and 190, the coils of relays Dand U, and switches D4, D5, U4 and U5. Switches D4 and U5 are normally closed, and in the illustrated circuit relay D actuates switches D1-D5 while relay U actuates switches U1-U5.

When uphill operation is desired, after switch 186 is closed, switch 188 is closed whereby the coil of relay U is energized to actuate the relay, which functions to close switches U1, U2, U3 and U4, andopen switch U5. Assuming that the upper landing limit switch 58 Vis normally closed, and that motor 189 operates through appropriate drive transmitting means to move transport, surface 18 upwardly, the motor 180 will drive the transport surface 18 uphill until either switch 186 or switch S8 of the upper landing is opened, whereupon operation of the apparatus will cease; relay U being vde-energized functions in a conventional manner to close switch U5 and open switchcsUl, U2, U3 and U4. When once stopped, uphill operation is recommenced by again closing the contacts of switch 188 (after the switch 58 of the upper landing is again closed).

When downhill operation is desired, after switch 186 is closed, switch 190 is closed whereby the coil of relay D is energized to actuate the relay which functions to close switches D1, D2, Daand D5 and open switch D4. Assuming that the lower landing limit switch 58 is normally closed, theoperation of vmotor 180 is reversed to drive Cover plate 81 is the transport surface 18 downhill ,until either switch 186 or switch 58 of the lower landing 'is' opened, whereupon operation of the apparatus will cease; relay Dpbeing deenergized functions in a conventional manner to close switch D4 and open switches D1, D2, D3 and D5. When once stopped, downhill operation is recommenced by again closing the contacts of switch (after the switch 58 of the lower landing is closed).

The circuit of Figure l2 is provided for completeness of disclosure only, and it is to be understood that switches 58 may beincorporated in any .appropriatecircuit that will provide the desired results.

Advantages of invention Our improvement provides a number of important advantages. For instance, the sealing edge 36 being formed from a rigid material, it effectively resists damage to it from the shoes of passengers, etc. It also protects the rubber like member 40 that is disposed underneath vtread surface 42. Tread surface 42, together with the smooth convex surface 44, insures that the edge 76 of a persons heel will not catch on the sealing edge 36 of the safety landing. The sealing edge 36 being positioned closely adjacent toy and below the'adjacent portionof transport surfacey 18 that moves toward it, the introduction of foreign matter between the edge 36 and the conveyor is inhibited, as the tendency is for it to ride over the tread plate.

If it should happen that articles should fail to ride over the plate 34, and tend to wedge between edge 36 and the conveyor, the sealing surface'38 effectively prevents them from being drawn below the member 40 by the movement of the transport surface. The landing being tiltable, any article vor matter that might accidentally start to fol-V low the belt under the edge 36 may be easily and quickly pulled out. For perfect safety, on upward rocking movement of the safety landing, a limit switch 58 is actuated to shut off the conveyor system whereby it is insured that a person whosel clothing may be caught isfreed within seconds after being caught.'

By limiting the upward rocking movement of the member 32 to .approximately 1A; of an inch, it will be impossible for one to inadvertently insertA his fingers or the toe of his shoe in between the member 30 and the conveyor.

The stop assemblies 52 limiting downward rocking moveand the sealing surface 38 will be positioned adjacent to or just in contact with the transport surface 18 without at any time applying pressure against it.

The hinged connection in the embodiment of the invention illustrated insures a smooth junction between the rockable landing member 30 and the cover plate 81,v as will be observed from Figures 2 and 1l. This prevents the accumulation of dirt at this point, and eliminates any structures which might form obstacles to passenger movement.

The various components of the illustrated embodiments are arranged to provide ready access to all components that require adjustment. Thus, by merely removing cover plate 81, adjustments for upward and downward rocking movement, spring tension, and limit switch operating movement may be made. Moreover, replacement of the parts subject to the greatest wear, namely, the plate 34 and member 40, is easy because of their ready accessibility.

Another important feature of the invention is that all moving parts of the safety landing are protected and enclosed from dirt and moisture. l

Member 40 may be formed fromA rubber or a' rubber like material andy preferably has aV durometer hardness of about 60. Plate 34 is preferably formed from a metal of an appropriate type, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The other structural components illustrated may be formed from any suitable materials. v

Though our invention is .illustrated as applied toan 7 inclined moving 'sidewalk-or ramp, it should be apparent that it is equally applicable to level -or horizontal moving sidewalks.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate our invention and the manner in which it may be performed, and the invention is not to be limited thereto except in so far as the appended claims are so limited since those skilled in the art who have our disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing lfrom the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a conveyo-r system including a conveyor belt presenting a relatively smooth transport surface moving in a forward direction, and Va stationary passenger platform at the forward end of the transport surface, the improvement wherein a rockable landing member is interposed between said platform and said transport surface in the area where transfer Abetween the transport surface and the platform is to be eected, said landing member having a relatively pointed sealing edge projecting in a rearward direction over the transport surface in close proximity thereto, and being mounted for pivotal movement about-a substantially horizontal axis that is located forwardly of said pointed edge, stop means limiting the upward and downward rocking motion of said pointed edge, and means yieldably biasing said sealing edge toward said transport surface.

2. In a conveyor system including a conveyor belt presenting a relatively smooth transport surface moving in a forward direction, and a stationary passenger platform at the forward end of the transport surface, the improvement wherein a rockable landing member is interposed between said Vplatform and said transport surface in the area where the transfer between the transport surface and the platform is to be effected, said landing member extending across substantially the entire width of said transfer area and having a relatively pointed sealing edge projecting in a rearward direction over the transport surface in close proximity thereto, and an upper tread surface that is separated from said sealing edge by a convex surface, said convex surface having frictional characteristics that are less than those of said transport surface, said landing member being mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis that is located forwardlyvof said sealing edge, stop means lmiting the upward and downward rocking motion of said pointed edge, and resilient means biasing said sealing edge toward said transport surface.

3. In a conveyor system including a conveyor belt presenting a relatively smooth transport surface moving in a forward direction, and a stationary passenger platform at the forward end of the transport surface, the improvement wherein a rockable landing member is interposed between said platform and said transport surface in the area wherein the transfer between theV transport surface and the platform is to be effected, said landing member extending across substantially the entire width of said transfer area and having a relatively pointed sealing edge projecting in a rearward direction over the transport .surface and in close proximity thereto, and an upper substantially smooth tread surface, said landing member 'comprising .an upper relatively hard member forming said sealing edge and said upper tread surface, and a lower resilient member in substantial wiping engagement with said transport 'surface across substantially the entire width of said transfer area, said resilient member having frictional characteristics that are substantially equal to or greater than those of the transport surface, said landing member being mounted for pivotal movement about a 'substantially horizontal axis that is located forwardly of said sealing edge, stop `means limiting the upward and downward rocking motio-n of said sealing edge, and means yieldably biasing said sealing edge toward said transport surface.`

4. The improvement set forth in claim 3 wherein said ystop means limits the range of rocking motion of said sealing edge above said transport surface to that on the order of 1/8 of an inch.

5. The improvement set forth in claim'3 wherein said stop means is employed to stop motion of the conveyor belt 'when said sealing edge rocks away from the transport surface against the action of said yieldable means.

6. The improvement set forth in claim 3 wherein said stop means limits the downward rocking motion of said sealing edge with respect to the transport surface at the position wherein said sealing edge and said resilient member are positioned closely adjacent said transport surface.

7. In .a conveyor system including a conveyor belt presenting a relatively smooth transport surface moving in a forward direction, and a stationary passenger platform at the forward end of the transport surface, the improvement wherein a rockable landing member is interposed between said platform and said transport surface in the area wherein the transfer between the transport surface and the platform is to be effected, said landing member extending across .substantially the entire width of said transfer area and comprising a rigid plate having a relatively pointed sealing edge projecting in a rearward direction over the transport surface and in close proximity thereto, .and an upper relatively smooth tread surface that is positioned forwardly of said sealing edge, said landing member further comprising a lower member having a sealing surface that is positioned forwardly of said sealing edge and has frictional characteristics that are substantially equal to or greater than the frictional characteristics of said transport surface, said landing member being mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis that is located forwardly of said sealing surface, stop means limiting the upward rocking motion of said sealing edge to the range of movement on the order .o-f 1A; of an inch, stop means limiting downward rocking motion of said sealing edge with respect to the transport surface at the position wherein said sealing edge and said sealing surface are positioned closely adjacent said transport surface, and means yieldably biasing said sealing edege toward sai-d transport surface.

8. ln a conveyor system including a conveyor belt presenting a relatively smooth transport surface moving in a forward direction, and a stationary passenger platform at the forward end o-f the transport surface, the improvement wherein a safety landing device is interposed between said platform and said transport surface in the area where the transfer between the transport surface and the platform is to be effected, said device comprising a support member extending transversely of said transport surface and positioned in the gap between said transport surface and said platform, a landing member hinged to said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis that is located below the upper portion -of said support member and in said area, said landing member comprising a rigid member extending transversely of said transport surface, a rigid plate secured to the top of said member and having a relatively pointed sealing edge projecting in a rearward direction over the transport surface and in close proximity thereto and an upper relatively smooth tread surface that is positioned forwardly of said sealing edge, said landing member further comprising a lower member secured to said upper member and having a sealing surface that is positioned forwardly of said sealing edge and has frictional characteristics that are substantially equal to or greater than the frictional characteristics of said transport surface adjustable stop means coacting between said support member and said rigid member limiting the upward rocking motion of said sealing edge to the range of movement on the order of /a of an inch, further adjustable stop means coacting between said support member and said rigid member limiting the downward rocking motion of said sealing edge with respect to the transport surface at the position wherebelt, linkage means extending between said landing member and said limit switch means and shutitng o said switch means when said sealing edge rocks away from the transport surface, the adjustments of the respective stop means, and said limit switch means, being disposed between said support member and the platform, and recovable cover plate means secured over the space between said rigid plate and the platform.

9. A safety landing for the forward end of moving sidewalks and the like comprising a rigid upper plate positioned at least partially over the forward end of the moving sidewalk and having a relatively pointed rigid sealing edge that extends across substantially the entire width of the forward end of the moving sidewalk, and a lower member secured below said plate and formed with a sealing surface that has frictional characteristics that are substantially equal to or greater than the frictional characteristics of the moving sidewalk and is positioned closely adjacent the forward end of the moving sidewalk forwardly of said sealing edge, said sealing edge of said plate extending rearwardly of said sealing surface of said lower member.

10. In a conveyor system including a conveyor belt presenting a relatively smooth transport surface, and means for reversing the movement of the belt whereby the transport surface may move in either a forward or rearward direction, and forward and rearward stationary passenger platforms positioned at the forward and rearward ends of the transport surface, the improvement wherein a rockable landing member is interposed between the respective platforms and said transport surface in the area where transfer between the transport surface and the respective platforms is to be effected, each of said landing members comprising an upper rigid plate having a pointed sealing edge that extends over the transport surface, and an upper tread surface, ea-ch landing member further comprising a lower member having a scaling surface that is positioned adjacent to but extends short of the respective sealing edges of said plates, said sealing surfaces having frictional characteristics that are substantially equal to or greater than the frictional characteristics of said transport surface, stop means limiting the upward rocking motion of the respective sealing edges to the range of movement on the order of 1/s of an inch, stop means limiting downward rocking motions of the respective sealing edges with respect to the transport surface at the position wherein the respective sealing edges and sealing surfaces are disposed closely adjacent said transport surface, and resilient means biasing the respective sealing edges and sealing surfaces toward said transport surface.

11. The improvement set forth in claim 10 wherein said platforms are at different elevations, and wherein the transport surface inclines between said platforms.

l2. In a conveyor system including an endless conveyor presenting a transport surface moving in a forward direction, and a stationary passenger platform at the forward end of the transport surface, the improvement wherein a rockable landing member is interposed between said platform and said transport surface in the area where transfer between the transport surface and the platform is to be effected, said landing member comprising a rigid platelike structure that extends across substantially the entire width of the transfer area and closes the gap between the platform and the transport surface, said rigid structure having at its rearward side a relatively pointed sealing edge that projects in a rearward direction over the transport surface in close proximity thereto, and being formed with an upper tread surface that is separated from said edge by an upwardly curving convex surface that denes a lift structure for tilting a passengers shoe when the toe thereof engages and rides over said convex surface, whereby the heel of the shoe is tilted upwardly and away from engagement with said sealing edge, said landing member being mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis that extends transversely of the conveyor and is located forwardly of said sealing edge, stop means limiting the upward and downward rocking motion of said pointed edge, and resilient means biasing said sealing edge toward said transport surface.

13. The improvement set forth in claim 12 including limit switch means positioned adjacent said member, said limit switch means controlling the movement of said conveyor, said member being operatively connected to said switch means to shut off the conveyor when said sealing edge rocks away from the transport surface.

Dodge Dec. 12, 1899 Reno Oct. 6, 1914