US888950A - Moving stairway. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTF1) MAY v26. 1908.

. -..Illllv v8. A. WHEELER. MOVING STAIRWAY.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.,18. 1907.

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E. A. WHEELER. MOVING STAIEWAY.

APPLICATION I'ILED.00T.18,1907.

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G. A. WHEELER.

MOVING STAIRWAY.

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PATENTED MAY'ZG, 1908.

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G. A.. WHEELER.

MOVING STAIRWAY.

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-way illustrated I GEORGE A. WHEELER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

MOVING STAIRWAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1908.

Application filed October 18, 1907. Serial No. 398,068.

,To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. WHEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Moving Stairways, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to certain improvements in mechanism of the particular class described and claimed in an application for patent originally filed by me February 21, 1906, Serial No. 302,230, (renewed October 22, 1907, under Serial No. 398,033), one object of the present invention being to provide a moving stairway having itstoothed links so arranged as to produce a continuous rack capable of being engaged by a single driving gear wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single relatively simple drive for the ascending and descending flights of the endless system of linkage and its connected parts constituting a moving stairway; the various parts being so arranged that power shall be applied to drive the two flights of the stairway in opposite directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a moving stairway with two sets of toothed links arranged to form two distinct racks, which links shall be' so constructed as to be interchangeable.

It is also desired to so arrange two endless systems of linkage and the various parts connected therewith as to form interlaced moving stairways, of which one is disposed partly within but wholly independent and clear of the ath ofthe other.

Tiese objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a plan, to some extent diagrammatic, of a moving stairway constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2, is a vertical section, on the line 2 2, of the stairin Fig. 1; Fig. 3, is a vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, is a side elevation of a stairway constructed according to my invention and illustrating the steps as arranged to form a substantially horizontal platform or landing between two inclined portions; Fig. 5, is a plan of one end of a double moving stairway, illustrating two independent systems of steps interlaced With each other; Fig. 6, is a vertical section on the line 6-6, Fig. 5; Fig. 7, is a side elevation illustrating in detail a portion of a moving stairway constructed according to my invention; Fig. 8, is a plan, partly in horizontal section, of the stairway shown in Fig 7; Fig. 9, is -a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the various links relatively to the steps; Fig. 10, is a side elevation illustrating one means for counteracting the pressure of the driving gear upon the toothed links; Fig. 11, is a vertical section of one of the steps employed as part of my invention, and illustrating the means for attaching the links to said steps; Figs. 12 and 13, are vertical sections illustrating .the means for driving the ascending and descending flights of my stairway; Fig. 14, is a vertical section of one of the posts connected to each step and illustrating a modlfication of my invention; and, Fig. 15, is a perspective view of one of the toothed links.

It must be understood that the above drawings are all more or less diagrammatic, as they are designed to primarily illustrate the various parts and their relative arrange` ment rather than their required or preferred proportions.

Referring first to Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive of the above drawings, the stairway com rising my invention consists of a number o steps or step sections A, each consisting of a hollow casing open at the bottom. Each of these casings has bearings for a shaft d which extends longitudinally through it and is provided with wheels a.

Within the step casings are two transverse webs or ribs (L2, each having two downwardly projecting lugs together forming a fork-like structure extending below the bottom of said easing. Rigidly mounted between the two webs a2 in any desired or suitable manner is a downwardly extending post B, provided at its lower' end with a washer l) and a nut b' whereby there are held in position on it four sleeves b2, b3, b4 and t5. If desired this post may be provided with a sleeve t and have the various other sleeves mounted upon this, as shown in Fig. 14. The two upper sleeves b2 and b3 each has projecting horizontally from it an arm t, and one of these arms extends between lugs a3 belonging to one of the i runs of lthe stairway.

post B as an axis. The sleeve b2 has pivoted t0 it a paii of links c which extend to the similar sleeve belonging` to one of the steps next adjacent to it, while a second pair of links c is likewise pivoted to the sleeve b3 and extends from this to the similar sleeve on the other adjacent step. The two sleeves b4 and b5 are the same in form and dimensions, and to the sleeves b4 of two adja'cent steps is pivotally connected a toothed link or rack D; the connection being made to each sleeve adjacent to one end thereof.

From Figs. 7 and S, it will be seen that toothed links D form a substantially continuous rack throughout the length of the stairway, the faces of thel teeth lying in vertical planes and the ends of the links being overhung so that there is practically no break between adjacent link ends in the straight Moreover, the racks are so supported that the teeth of their adjacent ends are the correct distance apart to properly engage the driving gears. In addition to these links D, there is a second series of links D" which are likewise connected so as to form a substantially continuous rack throughout the length of the stairway, though the links of this second seriesare staggered relatively to those of the first series of links. That is to say, between any two steps, as for example the steps A and A2 in Fig. 7, two of the toothed links D terminate, one of these being connected to the step A3 and to the step A, and the other being connected to the step A2 and also to the step to the right of it. The two posts B of the steps A and A2 are however, connected by a single link D so that the middle of this latter link comes opposite the ends of the two links D. It will be noted that the links D are referably placed on the outer sides of the lin is D so as to avoid the possibility of interference in going around the loops.

As noted in connection with the links D, the links D of the second series are pivotally connected to their sleeves if so as to be movable on them in substantially vertical planes7 and in order to drive the stairway l provide a relatively wide faced gear E so arranged `that its teeth simultaneously engage the teeth of the toothed links D and D of both series. I preferably drive both the ascending and the descending rims of the stairway, providing the gear E on the descending side and the gear E on the ascending side as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13. lt'will of course be understood that suitable tracks f are provided where necessary for the wheels a of the steps and also provide any suitable supporting framework F for the system.

The shafts for the gears E and E are carried in suitable bearings f and f 2 and are repsectively provided with beveled gears f3 and f4, there being also provided a single driving shaft f(3 actuated from any suitable motor and having two beveled pinionsf5 and f7, mounted similarly to each other and meshing respectively with the gears f 3 and f1. inasmuch as the toothed racks of the ascending and descending flights of the stairway are so arranged as to be between the two gears E and E, it will be noted that power is applied to the toothed links shown in Fig. 12 so as to cause the steps connected thereto, to descend, while the toothed links engaged by the gear E are caused to ascend.

Where there are ascending and descending flights extending through two Aor more stories, additional single transverse shafts or gears may be provided and driven in synchronisin by any suitable means.

As the system of the steps and links approaches a landing or platform, as shown in Fig. 7, the toothed links D and D, which in the straight rims of the stairway have formed straight continuous racks, become substantially horizontal and are then inclined either up or down as the steps pass from the platform or landing into another ascending or descending run before entering one of the loops. As noted in my above mentioned application for patent, the arm t, in conjunction with the lugs a3 prevent one step from swinging beyond a predetermined angle relatively to its adjacent steps, so that the system in going through a curve such as that of the end loops, is necessarily maintained with its steps in the relative positions best suited for efficient and satisfactory operation.

In Fig. 1, l have illustrated a typical moving stairway constructed according to my invention, the various parts being so arranged as to provide an ascending run a5, a descending run a and end loops a7 and a8, the arrangement of steps while traversing one of the eiid'loops being well shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, l have illustrated a system of steps iii which certain steps are caused to assume horizontal positions with their tread surfaces all in the same plane so as to form a landing a9 between two ascending or descending runs.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it is possible to provide two interlacing stairway systems where this may be found desirable, the parts `being arranged so that said systems are absolutely independent of each other, and while occupying a minimum amount of space,

have two runs immediately adjacent to each other and moviiigin the same direction. It is to be understood that the second ends of the systems of these figures are arranged in a manner the saine as those shown herein. This interlacing of two or more stairways is rendered possible by causing the steps of one section to cross those of another at the loops thereof, which as-will be noted, include depressed curved portions as indicated at a7 and (1,10 in Figs. 5 and 6. In the case illustr ated, the two ascending or descending runs 0,11 and am are closely adjacent to each other and may if desired be caused to both move in the same direction. The clearance of the two systems is secured in this case by making the landing above the descending run a of greaterlength than that above the run 0,12, though it is obvious that the same object may be attained in'other ways.

ln order to counteract the side thrust of the gears E and E', I attach to each of the toothed links D and D a pressure plate or bar G, as shown in Fig. 15, pivoting this to the sleeves b4 or b5 as the case may be, so that it is free to move relatively to the same in a manner similar to that of the toothed links themselves. The pressure rollers g are mounted in any desired manner, as shown in Fig. 10, opposite the links E and E so as to bear upon the pressure bars or plates Gr and so keep the teeth of the racks in engagement with the teeth of said gear wheels. These pressure rollers can have either a rigid surlace of solid metal or be provided with a resilient surface of rubber, wood, spring metal or the like.

It is to be noted that the sleeves b4 and b5 are so placed on the posts B that their toothed links D and D are at the maximum distance apart. All of said sleeves and links, however, are of the same dimensions and Jforms, so that they are completely interchangeable when they are reversed as to position.

I claim:

1. A moving stairway having substantially parallel toothed links connecting the steps and arranged in two series, the memberls of' which are staggered relatively to each ot er.

2. A moving stairway including two series.

of parallel toothed links connecting the steps, the ends of the links of one series being opposite the middles of the links of the other series and the ends of each link being overhung to form substantially continuous racks.

3. The combination in a moving stairway of a plurality of steps, links connecting said steps to form an endless system, two substantially parallel series of toothed links connected to the steps and arranged with their toothed faces vertical, with a driving gear mounted to simultaneously engage the toothed links of both series.

4. A moving stairway consisting of a plurality of steps, means for connecting said steps to form an endless system, and two series of toothed links staggered relatively to each other, with a driving gear for the system, the same being constructed to simultaneously engage the toothed links of both series.

l 5. The combination in a moving stairway of a series of steps connected to ether to form an endless system, a series o toothed links having its members arranged to connect said Vsteps in pairs, a second series of toothed links also arranged to connect the steps, but in different pairs from those of the first series, with means for driving the stairway through the toothed links.

v 6. The combination in a moving stairway of a series oisteps connected to form an endless system, two series of toothed links connected to the steps and forming substantially continuous racks, with a toothed gear constructed to simultaneously engage the toothed links of both series, and means for counteracting the thrust of the gear upon said toothed links.

7. A moving stairway including steps connected to form an endless series, posts extending downwardly from the steps, sleeves on the posts, and toothed links pivotally connecting the sleeves of adjacent posts.

8. The combination in a moving stairway oi a number of steps connected to form an endless system, a downwardly extending post on each step, two sleeves carried by each post, toothed links connecting the upper sleeves of the posts in pairs to Jform a continuous rack,

first series and connecting the lower sleeves of the posts to form a second continuous rack, the teeth of the links being formed to lie in a substantially vertical plane or planes, with means for driving said toothed links.

9. The combination in a moving stairway of a number of steps connected to `form an endless system, a downwardly extending post on each step, two sleeves carried by each post, toothed links connecting the upper sleeves of the posts in pairs to form a continuous rack, a second series of toothed links connecting the lower sleeves of the posts to form a second continuous 'rack and staggered relatively to the links of the iirst series, the teeth of the links being formed to lie in a substantially vertical plane or planes, means for driving said toothed links, pressure plates extending between the sleeves, and means acting upon said plates to take the thrust of the driving means.

10. The combination in a moving stairway of a numberv of steps connected to form an endless system, a downwardly extending post on each step, two sleeves carried by each .post, toothed links connectingv the upper sleeves of the posts in pairs to form a continuous rack, a second series of toothed links connecting, the lower sleeves of the posts to form a second continuous rack and staggered relatively to the links of the first series, the teeth of the links being formed to lie in a substantially vertical plane or planes, means for driving said toothed links, two sets of pressure plates respectively connected to the sleeves and staggered relatively to each a second series of toothed links staggered relatively to the links of the other, with a roller mounted to engage said pressure plates to take the thrust of the driv- Ing means.

1 l. The combination in a moving stairway of a plurality of interlaced, endless systems of steps.

l2. The combination in a moving stairway of a plurality of interlaced, endless systems of steps, one of said systems having elongated landings under which the loops of the other system extend.

13. The combination in a mo ving stairway of a plurality of endless series of steps each providedwith a looped portion or portions, said series'of steps being interlaced so as to cross each other at their looped portions.

14. A moving stairway consisting of a series of step sections connected to form an endless system, two series of interchangeable toothed links carried by the stairway, and means for driving said toothed links.

15. The combination in a moving stairway of a plurality of step sections, each having a downwardly extending post, meanspfor connecting the step sections to form an endless system, sleeves mounted on each post, and toothed links pivotally connected to the sleeves of each post, said links being arranged in two series and being relatively interchangeable.

1 6. The combination in a moving stairway Vof a series of step sections connected to form an endless system having an ascending and a descending run, toothed links carried by the step sections, two gears respectively engaging the toothed links of the system on the ascending and on the descending runs, with a common driving shaft for said gears.

17, A moving stairway consisting of a series of step sections connected to form an endless system, a series of toothed links carried by the step sections so as to form a continuous rack and arranged with their toothed faces lying in a substantially verticalplane, two driving gears engaging said toothed links at the ascending and descending runs of the stairway respectively, beveled gears re' spectively connected to said driving gears, a single driving shaft, beveled pinions for said shaft respectively engaging the beveled gears, the parts being arranged so that one gear tends to dr'ive the ascending run upwardly while the other tends to drive the descending run downwardly.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speciiication, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. WHEELER.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. GORMAN, MARTIN MARUM.

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