US889080A - Moving spiral stairway. - Google Patents

Moving spiral stairway. Download PDF

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US889080A
US889080A US28278305A US1905282783A US889080A US 889080 A US889080 A US 889080A US 28278305 A US28278305 A US 28278305A US 1905282783 A US1905282783 A US 1905282783A US 889080 A US889080 A US 889080A
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stairway
spiral
sections
step sections
steps
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George A Wheeler
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66BELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B21/00Kinds or types of escalators or moving walkways
    • B66B21/02Escalators
    • B66B21/06Escalators spiral type

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  • My invention relates to certain improvements in what is known as a moving Stairway, in which the step sections travel on inclined ways so as to carry a person from one iioor-to another.
  • the invention particularly relates to that class of stairways known as spiral stairways in which the step sections 'travel in a spiral course.
  • the object of my invention is to so con? struct a stairway of this type that it will occupy but a minimum of space and will form an ascending and descending iiight in one endless belt capable of conveying passengers or freight from a lower to a higher level, or
  • My invention can be mounted between two oors of a building or can be arranged to carry passengers from one Hoor of a building toy another, or from the street level to the. platform of a railway, either elevated or depressed.
  • a further object is to so construct the step sections that' theywill present a minimum of fri'ctional resistance to their propulsion in travelingl in'a spiral course and to so@ oo nstruct t e step sections that the Vfexposed vtreadsurface will be the full width even when the step sections are traveling'in the'spirah course, and a still further object of the inventionl is to provide a suitable hand rail for the Stairway, as fully described hereafter.
  • Fig. 4 o-is agkeleton viewshowing the twol spiral' -corirseff-Q- or ⁇ the step f sections 'and the upper-horizontal section 'or' ilatform infull lines and the lower'horizont section or platform inidotted linesg Fig. 2, is adiagram view in elevation showing the position ,of the step-sections', Fig..3, is a plan view partly broken aw ayshowing the positions the 'steps assume as they "travel in the spiral course; Fig. 4, is a -planvview showing the -position the steps assume as they travel on the straight horizontal course, the tread surface of the 'steps being on :the same plane; Fig. 5, is an end view of Fig. 3 Fig. 6, is an end View of Fig.
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7,
  • Fig. 4 Fig. 8 is' a sectionalview through the Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 14, 1905. Serial N o. 282,783.
  • Fig.'I 9 is a. sectional plan view of Fig. 8, showing one method of driving the moving portion of the stairway;
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the step sections;
  • Fig. 11, is a sectional view through the hand rail;
  • Figs. 12, 13 land 14, are views of modifications of deshowing a modiication of the guides for the step sections.
  • stairway consists of two simi-- larly turned spirals, each having an inner andan outer track in the form of helical curves. On these two tracks the step sections are mounted.
  • the helical curve tracks are connected at the top and 4bottom by horizontal tracks, -preferably straight andv arranged tangentially, thus making an endless trackway for the step sections to travel on. It will be noticed on referring to Fig. 1 that my.
  • improved spiral stairway has the form of a figure 8, and that the inner track vof the ascending spiral joins the outer track of the descending spiral and the outer track of the ascending spiral joins the inner track of the descending s iral.
  • the junction is prefera ly made by means vof short curves which render the transition from the incline to the horizontal, orfrom the horizontal to the incline, gradual.
  • the framework consists of two plates A, A onejforming the outerv helical curve and the" other the inner helical curve between which the moving portion of .the stairway travels.
  • IThe moving portiona consists of a series of step sections B, of the form clearly illustrated in Fig. 10. Each step section has a iiat tread surface b and curved risers b and b2. It will be noticed that the riser b curves inward at the end ofthe step 110 step being in contact one with the ⁇ other, as
  • the object of this construction is to make a step section in which the tread portion is rectangular and ol the same width throughout and to allow one end ol" one tread section to overlap the end ol the other tread section when traveling in the spiral'path, yet vallowing the step sections Vto assume a position on the horizontal or platform portion ol the stairway with the surfaces on the same plane and their edges abutting as indicated in
  • the framework of each step section consists of lour brackets b3 to which the tread plate b is secured, as well the two riser plates b and b2, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7, of the drawings. Extending through the brackets ofv each step is a single shaft C on which are mounted 'Ilangcd wheels c, c.
  • the wheels c are arranged to travel on the rails a., while the wheels c" are arranged to travel on the rails a. ln this construction there is only one wheel on each end of each step section, thus materially decreasing the friction as the step sections travel on the curved portion of the stairway.
  • the step sections are held rigidly xon the horizontal portions of the structure by the edges of the illustrated in Fig. 4, and are prevented from tilting while on the curved portion of the structure by bars, which will be described in detail hereafter.
  • each step section Depending from the center of each step section is a post D, clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
  • This post is secured to a frame D', which is securely bolted to the brackets b3 of the step section in any suitable manner.
  • the "shaft C, in the present instance, passes through this frame D', as indicated in Fig. 7
  • each post D On each post D are loosely mounted four sleeves e, e and f, j", and the sleeves are held to the posts by a cotter pin, or other fastening d.
  • Extending from the sleeve e are two arms e2, and extending from the sleeve f are two arms 7'2. These arms are of sufficient length to extend between two projections d' on the step sections B and are for the purpose of bringing each step section in'radial position while on the curved portion of the stair- Way.
  • these projections d' are formed of rods screwed into the central brackets b3 and in order to reinforce the rods, the brackets have extensions b4 Which rest against the backs of the rods and 'resist the pressure of the arms.
  • the arms e2 also act as pivot pins for the links E,
  • the links E, E and F, F are arranged in pairs thus there are four links extending from one step section to another and the colnieetion is rigidly and securely made, so that it is impossible for one section to pull away from another to form gaps between the step sections.
  • the lower pair of links F are connected together by a series of pins f3, which are preferably set radially, as illustrated in' Figs. 3, 4 and 9, so that they will properly mesh with the driving sprocket wheels G 'and G", which are mounted on radialshafts G2 and G3, driven A in any suitable manner.
  • the driving wheels-G and G are preferably mounted so that they will contact with the toothed links F at a point directly below the up er ilatform, as shown in Fi 8 and 9, W e the step sections are stil on the curved portion of the stairway, thus insuring tight joint between the. step sections Where the inclined cu ⁇ rve ⁇ d portion joins the horizon- 1-1-0 tal latfo'rm section of thestairway.
  • the ste sections are on the horizontalportion o the stairway the tread surfaces are all on the same line and the step sections are held rigidly while they travel, by their edges coming in contact, one step section locking another and preventing any swinging movement which would be liable to occur on the posts'.
  • the step sections must be so shaped that there will be no gaps or spaces between the step sections while traversing I
  • the two risers of each ste section are similar but op ositely placed?
  • the step sections Taken in cross section t ey are convex, the' arc of ⁇ their convexity varying accordin to the point in the length ofthe step at W 'ch it is measured and coincides in each case with the path through which a corresponding oint on the edge of the next preceding or t e next succeeding step swingsin relation to it in changing from one position to another at certam points in the stairway.
  • the step sections are always retained in close contact one with another throughout the length of the step sections.
  • the rails and .the wheels of the step sections are concealed at all points throughout the stairway by ⁇ - sheathing a2, which extends down to a short distance above the axles of the wheels.
  • The, sheathing on the spiral ⁇ ortion of the stairway is extended above t e line ofthe steps to form the guard, one side acting as the hand rail su port A2, which may be made hollow, as clear y shown in Fig. 11.
  • I inclose the stairway with a railing on each side, leaving a space at the ljlper ,and lower platforms for a passage.
  • e hand rails at the inner portions of the stairway can be fixed, but I refer to provide a separate moving hand rail on the ascending run of the stairway and another one on the descending run of the stairway.
  • This moving hand rail J travels in guides a3 on the outer railing, as shown'in Figs. 8 and 9, the moving hand rail terminating at the upper and lower plat forms.
  • the hand rail consists of an endless belt J made up of two coils of spirall Wound spring wire j one inter laced wit the other, the coil y' being preferably of greater diameter than the coil j and of heavier wire.
  • the coils are preferably given a permanent set or curvature corresponding withthe radial distance of the hand rail when in position from the center of the spiral', but in some instances the coils may be wound without such.' curvature, as the flexibility of the hand rail is such that it will readily accommodate itself to any necessary curvature. f
  • the hand railJ passes around wheels, at top and bottom bf each flight and the shafts of these wheels are mounted in journal boxes.
  • the wheels or sheaves at the top of the flight are preferably the ⁇ driving sheaves and those at the bottom idlers.
  • the traveling hand rail projects above the preferably driven .at the same speed and in 'the same direction as the step sections, the
  • the driving wheels or sheaves may be provided with teeth to engage with strands of railing, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 11 and is the spirally wound wire, or I may depend upon "the frictional contact between the sheaves and the hand rail to drive the latter'.
  • the sheaves may be driven by a belt or chain 'from a wheel or sprocket on one of the shaftsupon which a sprocket which drives the steps is keyed or otherwise fastened.
  • I may in some instances cover the exposed portions of the hand rails with flexible material, but this is not absolutely necessary.
  • th'e hand rail #made of coiled wire I may use a hand rail having a rubberface and mounted on a link chain, the chain and the rubber face having a permanent set or curvature to coincide iis with thespiral path in which it must travel.
  • f I may modify the drivef as illustrated in me 'on the 13th day of November 1905, Serial ⁇ ig. 12, by extending the heels of the rack I links, as illustrated in said figure, so that they just clear one another and form a continuous rack.
  • a single toothed wheel may be used to mesh with the rack directly under the upper or lower platform or both, as the case may be.
  • the rack in this instance is made solid, the teeth being formed on the links.
  • I may make the links each from a single casting, as illustrated in F ig. 14, a single link being used in place of the two links illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. I may, in some instances, cut teeth on the edges of the link elements, as shown in Fig.
  • Fig. 15 I have shown a modification. Instead of the step sections leaving the spiral section on a tangent as illustrated in Fig. 1, it may leave it on a curve of larger radius and then from a tangent onthis curve. In
  • the guides for the step sections, as well as the shape of the riser portions of the steps will vary according to location and arrangement of parts, as I want at all times to make a tight joint between the step sections throughout the entire run of the stairway.
  • step sections travel with a minimum friction and by connecting the step sections by parallel links I insure the treads being always in a horizontal plane at every point throughout the course. Furthermore I am enabled to use a comparatively wide tread on the spiral portion of the stairway owing to the peculiar shape of the treads of the step sections, whereby one step section will overlap another.
  • the drive is simple and economical as the step sections are each connected to the drive f* chain at a central point, thus dispensing with complicateddri mechanism which is one of the great difhciilties to overcome in this class of moving stairways.
  • the step sections may be driven at any point desired either as they travel the spiral path or as they travelY vthe horizontal path.
  • step sections each having flat 'treads and curved risers at each side, 'said curved risers being such that the steps will be close together on the elevating and return runs as well as on the horizontal runs, and means for driving said step sections, substantially as described.
  • step sections each havin curved risers at each side, the curves of't e risers being such that the step sections will be close together while their relative positions are changing, and means for driving said step sections, substantially as described.
  • Vstep sections Vstep sections, guides therefor and means for moving said step sections, each step section having a fiat tread, and a curved riser at having a flat tread and a curvedris'er at eachv side, one riser projecting at the base at one end ofthe step section and the other riser projecting at the tread at said en d, and vice versa, substantially as described.
  • step sections each having-a singlel wheel at each end arranged ⁇ to travel, ⁇
  • step sections arrangedjto travel on ivoted to theV of guides, ste sections arranged to travel on said guides, inks connecting the step sections and forming an endless chain, each alternate link having gear teeth, and two gears arranged to engage the toothed links and so arranged that one gear will always be in mesh. with the endless chain, substantially as described.
  • step sectionsA guides Atherefor, each ste section having a ap closing slide at one en substantially as escrib'ed.
  • each step section hav-ing a curved recess at.
  • each end with slides arranged to be prol mounted so as to be free to swing in two jected to close said recess, each slide having l planes substantially at.r1ght. angles to each a curved edge, substantially as described.
  • the combination with tracks including horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circuit, of a series oil. steps coperating therewith, links of constant length connecting said ,steps and other, said links hobos provided with rack 27.
  • the f combination with tracks having straight and curved portions, a series of steps, parallel teeth formed thereon, and a driving pinion engaging the teeth of said links, substantially as described.
  • the combination with tracks including horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circuit, of a series of steps each provided with a pair of supports cooperating with said tracks, parallel links of constant length connecting said steps and provided with rack teeth formed thereon, and a driving pinion engaging the teeth of said links, substantially as described.
  • a moving stairway includinga chain,- steps mounted thereon, a guide, means for driving ⁇ the chain, arms on the chain, and stops on the steps placed to cooperate with said arms to maintain said steps in predetermined positions on the curved portions of the guide,l substantially as described.
  • step sections In a moving stairway the combination of step sections, a chain'connecting said sections so as to permit them tosWing on vertical aXes, with arms and cooperating stops placed to limit the swing of the step sections, substantially as described.

Description

PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.
G. A. WHEELER.
MVING SPIRAL STAIRWAY.
PPLIoATIoN FILED ooT. 14.1905.
4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.
PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.
5f lsjflfmwze; M f W .w .WET/c G. A. WHEELER. MOVING SPIRALSTAIRWAY.
APPLICATION FILED 00T. 14.1905.
No. 889,080. PATENTED MAY 26,1908.
G. AVWHEELER.) Y MOVING SPIRALJSTAIRWAY.
APLIUATION FILED 00T. 14.1906.
4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.
No. 889,080. PATENTED MAY 26, 1908. G. A. WHEELER. MOVING SPIRAL STAIRWAY. APPLICATION FILED ooi.14.19o5.
4 sHBTs-SHBET 4. v
IUNITED sTATEs EATENT oEErcE.
GEORGE A. WHEELER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
:MOVING SP'IRAL STAIRWAY.
To all whom'fit may concern:
Be it known that I, GEORGE A. WHEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Moving Spiral Stairways,
of which the following is a specification` My invention relates to certain improvements in what is known as a moving Stairway, in which the step sections travel on inclined ways so as to carry a person from one iioor-to another.
' The invention particularly relates to that class of stairways known as spiral stairways in which the step sections 'travel in a spiral course.
J The object of my invention is to so con? struct a stairway of this type that it will occupy but a minimum of space and will form an ascending and descending iiight in one endless belt capable of conveying passengers or freight from a lower to a higher level, or
from a higher to a lower level.
My invention can be mounted between two oors of a building or can be arranged to carry passengers from one Hoor of a building toy another, or from the street level to the. platform of a railway, either elevated or depressed.
A further object is to so construct the step sections that' theywill present a minimum of fri'ctional resistance to their propulsion in travelingl in'a spiral course and to so@ oo nstruct t e step sections that the Vfexposed vtreadsurface will be the full width even when the step sections are traveling'in the'spirah course, anda still further object of the inventionl is to provide a suitable hand rail for the Stairway, as fully described hereafter.
In the accompanyingdr-awingsz-Figure 1,
4 o-is agkeleton viewshowing the twol spiral' -corirseff-Q- or` the step f sections 'and the upper-horizontal section 'or' ilatform infull lines and the lower'horizont section or platform inidotted linesg Fig. 2, is adiagram view in elevation showing the position ,of the step-sections', Fig..3, is a plan view partly broken aw ayshowing the positions the 'steps assume as they "travel in the spiral course; Fig. 4, is a -planvview showing the -position the steps assume as they travel on the straight horizontal course, the tread surface of the 'steps being on :the same plane; Fig. 5, is an end view of Fig. 3 Fig. 6, is an end View of Fig.
' 4; Fig. 7, is a sectional view on the line 7-7,
Fig. 4 Fig. 8, is' a sectionalview through the Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 14, 1905. Serial N o. 282,783.
tails o f my invention; and Fig. 15, isa view -nent framework for the stairway, in detail. L
Patented May 2e, 190s. g
i center of the step section and taken at the point where'the spiral path joins the upper straight horizontal path; Fig.'I 9, is a. sectional plan view of Fig. 8, showing one method of driving the moving portion of the stairway; Fig. 10, is a perspective view of one of the step sections; Fig. 11, is a sectional view through the hand rail; Figs. 12, 13 land 14, are views of modifications of deshowing a modiication of the guides for the step sections.
In order to avoid confusion, I have not shown the supporting structure, or perma- It will be understood that the framework will vary'considerably according tothe location of the stairway. Myimproved stairway consists of two simi-- larly turned spirals, each having an inner andan outer track in the form of helical curves. On these two tracks the step sections are mounted. The helical curve tracks are connected at the top and 4bottom by horizontal tracks, -preferably straight andv arranged tangentially, thus making an endless trackway for the step sections to travel on. It will be noticed on referring to Fig. 1 that my. improved spiral stairway has the form of a figure 8, and that the inner track vof the ascending spiral joins the outer track of the descending spiral and the outer track of the ascending spiral joins the inner track of the descending s iral. In each case the junction is prefera ly made by means vof short curves which render the transition from the incline to the horizontal, orfrom the horizontal to the incline, gradual.
It will be evident that the distance between the two spirals may be varied accord- .ing to circumstances, bylengthening the straight horizontal sections.,
In the drawings, the framework consists of two plates A, A onejforming the outerv helical curve and the" other the inner helical curve between which the moving portion of .the stairway travels. I On these plates; as illustrated in Fig. 7, are rails a and af secured to the plates by brackets, or by other suitable means. IThe moving portionaconsists of a series of step sections B, of the form clearly illustrated in Fig. 10. Each step section has a iiat tread surface b and curved risers b and b2. It will be noticed that the riser b curves inward at the end ofthe step 110 step being in contact one with the`other, as
section and curves outward at the end m', while the riser curves outward at the end :l: and inward at the end zr.
The object of this construction is to make a step section in which the tread portion is rectangular and ol the same width throughout and to allow one end ol" one tread section to overlap the end ol the other tread section when traveling in the spiral'path, yet vallowing the step sections Vto assume a position on the horizontal or platform portion ol the stairway with the surfaces on the same plane and their edges abutting as indicated in The framework of each step section consists of lour brackets b3 to which the tread plate b is secured, as well the two riser plates b and b2, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7, of the drawings. Extending through the brackets ofv each step is a single shaft C on which are mounted 'Ilangcd wheels c, c. The wheels c are arranged to travel on the rails a., while the wheels c" are arranged to travel on the rails a. ln this construction there is only one wheel on each end of each step section, thus materially decreasing the friction as the step sections travel on the curved portion of the stairway. The step sections are held rigidly xon the horizontal portions of the structure by the edges of the illustrated in Fig. 4, and are prevented from tilting while on the curved portion of the structure by bars, which will be described in detail hereafter. y
Depending from the center of each step section is a post D, clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This post is secured to a frame D', which is securely bolted to the brackets b3 of the step section in any suitable manner. The "shaft C, in the present instance, passes through this frame D', as indicated in Fig. 7
On each post D are loosely mounted four sleeves e, e and f, j", and the sleeves are held to the posts by a cotter pin, or other fastening d. Extending from the sleeve e are two arms e2, and extending from the sleeve f are two arms 7'2. These arms are of sufficient length to extend between two projections d' on the step sections B and are for the purpose of bringing each step section in'radial position while on the curved portion of the stair- Way. In the present instance, these projections d' are formed of rods screwed into the central brackets b3 and in order to reinforce the rods, the brackets have extensions b4 Which rest against the backs of the rods and 'resist the pressure of the arms. -The arms e2 also act as pivot pins for the links E,
which extend from the sleeve of onestep to the sleeve of the other, while the arms j form the pivot pins for the links F, which extend from one step to another, as indicated in Fig. 8'. The links E are curved, as shown, so as to avoid the riseis of the step sections,
'position one `above another, as in a flight of steps, or all on a horizontal lane, such as is necessary at the platform, t 1e two positions being clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 rcspectively, as well as in Fig. 8.
It will be noticed that the links E, E and F, F are arranged in pairs thus there are four links extending from one step section to another and the colnieetion is rigidly and securely made, so that it is impossible for one section to pull away from another to form gaps between the step sections. The lower pair of links F are connected together by a series of pins f3, which are preferably set radially, as illustrated in' Figs. 3, 4 and 9, so that they will properly mesh with the driving sprocket wheels G 'and G", which are mounted on radialshafts G2 and G3, driven A in any suitable manner.A
.that the links E, E are closer to the center of `their sleevesthan the links F, F.
This arrangement allows one set of links to swing clear of the other. l
The driving wheels-G and G are preferably mounted so that they will contact with the toothed links F at a point directly below the up er ilatform, as shown in Fi 8 and 9, W e the step sections are stil on the curved portion of the stairway, thus insuring tight joint between the. step sections Where the inclined cu`rve`d portion joins the horizon- 1-1-0 tal latfo'rm section of thestairway.
hen the ste sections are on the horizontalportion o the stairway the tread surfaces are all on the same line and the step sections are held rigidly while they travel, by their edges coming in contact, one step section locking another and preventing any swinging movement which would be liable to occur on the posts'.
When the sections are on either of the spiral portionsof the stairway then the eX- tended arms are spread apart contacting with the projections on theunderside of the step sectlons, locking the step sections and reventing them swinging on the posts.
hese aims not only hold the step sections rigid but hold them rigid in their true radial positions when upon 'the spiral tracks. I
In. designing a lstairway in which the step sections must travel up one spiral path and 130 any portion of the structure.
s eaosoL down another, the step sections must be so shaped that there will be no gaps or spaces between the step sections while traversing I By making the step sections as clearly illustrated in Fig.- and asdescribed above it will be noticed that the two risers of each ste section are similar but op ositely placed? Taken in cross section t ey are convex, the' arc of `their convexity varying accordin to the point in the length ofthe step at W 'ch it is measured and coincides in each case with the path through which a corresponding oint on the edge of the next preceding or t e next succeeding step swingsin relation to it in changing from one position to another at certam points in the stairway. Thus the step sections are always retained in close contact one with another throughout the length of the step sections.
As will be seen by the drawings, the rails and .the wheels of the step sections are concealed at all points throughout the stairway by`- sheathing a2, which extends down to a short distance above the axles of the wheels.
The, sheathing on the spiral `ortion of the stairway is extended above t e line ofthe steps to form the guard, one side acting as the hand rail su port A2, which may be made hollow, as clear y shown in Fig. 11.
I preferably so design the stairway that the incline will not terminate at the termination of the-spiral, but extend slightly beyond that point so that the junction can be readily made on straight lines rather than -on the short' curves, as clearly illustrated 'in the drawings.
In order toprevent any gaps or spaces being formed at the ends of the step sections, I
forma curved recess in each end of each step section, the curve corresponding to the short radius of the spiral so that the step section will fit close against the inner wall of the structure while traveling in the spiral path'. This would leave a gap at the outer end of the step section and in order to close this'gap I provide slides h h which have a limited movement directly under the tread surface of each step section. The outer edge of each slide is curved to correspond with the long radius of the spiral so that it will fit against the outer wall of the spiral portion of the structure.
acting-as supports for the rods and the slides, so that when the slide at one end ofsthe step section is pushed in the slide at the opposite end of the sectionisf pushed out.
When the step sectionsare traveling on the horizontal portion then the two slides are in the mid-position, as indicated in the drawi ings, practically closing the-gaps which would otherwise form at this point.
'I It will be noticed in Fig. 1,;of the drawings,
that I inclose the stairway with a railing on each side, leaving a space at the ljlper ,and lower platforms for a passage. e hand rails at the inner portions of the stairway can be fixed, but I refer to provide a separate moving hand rail on the ascending run of the stairway and another one on the descending run of the stairway. This moving hand rail J travels in guides a3 on the outer railing, as shown'in Figs. 8 and 9, the moving hand rail terminating at the upper and lower plat forms. j
In the present instance the hand rail consists of an endless belt J made up of two coils of spirall Wound spring wire j one inter laced wit the other, the coil y' being preferably of greater diameter than the coil j and of heavier wire.
In winding the coils they are preferably given a permanent set or curvature corresponding withthe radial distance of the hand rail when in position from the center of the spiral', but in some instances the coils may be wound without such.' curvature, as the flexibility of the hand rail is such that it will readily accommodate itself to any necessary curvature. f
` The hand railJ passes around wheels, at top and bottom bf each flight and the shafts of these wheels are mounted in journal boxes. The wheels or sheaves at the top of the flight are preferably the `driving sheaves and those at the bottom idlers.
-The traveling hand rail projects above the preferably driven .at the same speed and in 'the same direction as the step sections, the
return run ofthe hand rail passes through the railing and may be supported 'at intervals by rollers i2.. i
The driving wheels or sheaves may be provided with teeth to engage with strands of railing, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 11 and is the spirally wound wire, or I may depend upon "the frictional contact between the sheaves and the hand rail to drive the latter'. The sheaves may be driven by a belt or chain 'from a wheel or sprocket on one of the shaftsupon which a sprocket which drives the steps is keyed or otherwise fastened.
I may in some instances cover the exposed portions of the hand rails with flexible material, but this is not absolutely necessary.
" In some instances in place of th'e hand rail #made of coiled wire I may use a hand rail having a rubberface and mounted on a link chain, the chain and the rubber face having a permanent set or curvature to coincide iis with thespiral path in which it must travel.
This improved hand rail is set forth and claimed in a companion application filed by Number 287,054, and `I therefore do .not claim vit in thepresent application. f I may modify the drivef as illustrated in me 'on the 13th day of November 1905, Serial `ig. 12, by extending the heels of the rack I links, as illustrated in said figure, so that they just clear one another and form a continuous rack. In this instance a single toothed wheel may be used to mesh with the rack directly under the upper or lower platform or both, as the case may be. The rack in this instance is made solid, the teeth being formed on the links. Y
Instead of using the link plates connected by pins which act as teeth I may make the links each from a single casting, as illustrated in F ig. 14, a single link being used in place of the two links illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. I may, in some instances, cut teeth on the edges of the link elements, as shown in Fig.
13, when it is desired to drive by one wheelengaging the cross pins and another wheel or wheels engaging the teeth on the edge of the links. The drive, however, will depend upon thc location and size of the stairway.
In Fig. 15, I have shown a modification. Instead of the step sections leaving the spiral section on a tangent as illustrated in Fig. 1, it may leave it on a curve of larger radius and then from a tangent onthis curve. In
`fact the guides for the step sections, as well as the shape of the riser portions of the steps will vary according to location and arrangement of parts, as I want at all times to make a tight joint between the step sections throughout the entire run of the stairway.
It will be seen by the above construction that l am enabled Yto build a spiral stairway with one pair of tracks and step sections,
each having a single wheel at each end ar-4 ranged to travel on the tracks, thus the step sections travel with a minimum friction and by connecting the step sections by parallel links I insure the treads being always in a horizontal plane at every point throughout the course. Furthermore I am enabled to use a comparatively wide tread on the spiral portion of the stairway owing to the peculiar shape of the treads of the step sections, whereby one step section will overlap another.
The drive is simple and economical as the step sections are each connected to the drive f* chain at a central point, thus dispensing with complicateddri mechanism which is one of the great difhciilties to overcome in this class of moving stairways. The step sections may be driven at any point desired either as they travel the spiral path or as they travelY vthe horizontal path.
1 claim as my inventionz- 1. The combination in a movmg stalrway,
'of two spiral guides connected at top and bot tomv by horizontal sections, Vstep sections havingV rectangular treads and shaped to travel in an endless path up one spiral and down the other spiral, and means including a double chain for driving ASaid SGCODS, Sl1bstantially as described.
2. The combination'in a moving stairway, of two similarly turned spiral guides each having an outer and an inner track, horizontal portions connecting the two spirals at top and bottom, step sections having rectangular treads arranged to travel in the endless path formed by thespirals and the horizontal portions, and means for driving the said sections, substantially as described.
3. The combination in a moving stairway, of two similarly turned spiral guides, each having an inner and an outer track in the form of helical curves, horizontal tracks at top and bottom of the stairway connected to the spiral tracks, rectangular tread step sections having wheels arranged to travel on said tracks, an endless chain to which each step is pivoted, and means for driving the chain so that the step sections, will travel in an endless path, substantially asdescribed.
4. The combination in a moving stairway, of two similarly turned spirals, each having an inner and an outer track in the form-of helical curves,-horizontal tracks attop and bottom connecting the tracks of the two spirals, the inner track of the ascending spiral joining the outer track of the descending spiral and the other' track of the ascending spiral joining the inner track of the descending spiral, step sections arranged to travel on the said endless track, and means for driving the said step sections, substantially as described.
5. The combination in a moving stairway, of two similarly turned spiral guides connected together at top and bottom by horizontal sections, step sections each having flat 'treads and curved risers at each side, 'said curved risers being such that the steps will be close together on the elevating and return runs as well as on the horizontal runs, and means for driving said step sections, substantially as described.
6. The combination in a moving stairway,
of two similarly turned spiral guides connected together at top and bottom by horizontal sections, step sections each havin curved risers at each side, the curves of't e risers being such that the step sections will be close together while their relative positions are changing, and means for driving said step sections, substantially as described.
7. The combination in a moving spiral stairway, of similarly turned spiral guides, a single guide rail at each side of the fixed portion of the spiral stairway, step sections each having a single wheel at each end arranged to travel on said rails, means for retaining the step sections in a horizontal position,and means. for driving said step sections, substantially as described.
8- The combination in a spiral stairway, of
Vstep sections, guides therefor and means for moving said step sections, each step section having a fiat tread, and a curved riser at having a flat tread and a curvedris'er at eachv side, one riser projecting at the base at one end ofthe step section and the other riser projecting at the tread at said en d, and vice versa, substantially as described.
10. The combination in a spiral moving stairway, of spiral guides, step sections arranged to travel on said guides, said step sec tions having rectangular treads, the tread of one step section overlapping the tread of the one below it at the inner edge of the stairway as the step sections travel on the curved rails, with a do'uble chain for driving said stairway, substantially as described.
11. The combinationv in a stairway, of guides, step sections 4arranged to travel on said guides, each ste section having a depending post, with inks ivoted to swing in two planes at right angles to each other, and extending from one post to another, substantially as described.
12. The combination in a spiral stairway, of spiralv guides, step sections arran ed to travel o'n said guides, a post on eac` step section, two sets of. links connecting the posts, and means for driving the said sections, substantially as described.
13. The combination in a spiral stairway,
of spiral guides and horizontalguides, secand arranged in step form on the spiral portion and flat on the horizontal portion, links substantially as described.
tions arranged to travel.v over both guides connecting the sections together, said sections bein 'free to swivel on vertical axes, substantia ly as described.
14. The combination in a spiral stairway, of guides, step sections arranged to travel on said guides, posts projecting from each step section, sleeves on the posts, andlinks' 0011-.
necting the sleeves of thesleveral posts so as to form an endless chain, substantially as described. .v
i 5o 15. The combination'in a spiral stairway,
of spiral guides, step sections each having-a singlel wheel at each end arranged `to travel,`
on the guides, a central post on each step section, sleeves mounted on the posts, and links connecting the sleeves of the several posts,
.16. The combination in a stairway, of
guides, step sections arranged to travel onl said guides, posts projecting from said step sections, sleeves on the posts, and-links connecting the sleeves, substantially as described. I
17. The combinationv in a stairway, of guides, step sections arranged to travel on said guides, posts'projecting from said step sections, two sets of sleeves on each post, and two sets of links connectingthe sleeves forming an endless chain, substantially as de-` scribed.
18. The combination inV a stairway, of guides, step sections arrangedto -travel on said guides, a post projecting from eachl ste section, two sets of sleeves swiveled on eac post and two sets of links connecting the sleeves forming an endless chain so -that the step sections areI free-to swivel on the links and free to assume dierent planes in respect to each other, and means forv making the steps assume a radialy position on the curved portion of the stairway, substantially as described. f
19. The combination in astairway, of
guides, step sections arrangedjto travel on ivoted to theV of guides, ste sections arranged to travel on said guides, inks connecting the step sections and forming an endless chain, each alternate link having gear teeth, and two gears arranged to engage the toothed links and so arranged that one gear will always be in mesh. with the endless chain, substantially as described.
22. The combination in a spiral stairway, of guides, step sections arranged to travel on said guides, posts depending from said step sections, two sets of links connecting the posts, the upper link of eachl alternate set being curved to clearv the riser of the step section, substantially as described. f.
23. The combination in a spiral stairway,
of step sectionsA guides Atherefor, each ste section having a ap closing slide at one en substantially as escrib'ed.
, 24.' The -combination `in a spiral stairway, of step sections, guides therefor, each ste section having a gap closing slide at each'en substantially as described. f
25. The combination in a spiral stairway, of step sections, guides therefor, each ste section having gap closing slides at each en connected together' so that when a slide is forced into the step section at. one side-the other slide is projected, substantially as described. y
2.6. The combination Vin a double spiral stairway, of step sections, guides therefor,
each step section hav-ing a=curved recess at.
each end, with slides arranged to be prol mounted so as to be free to swing in two jected to close said recess, each slide having l planes substantially at.r1ght. angles to each a curved edge, substantially as described.
link connections of constant length between said steps arranged to permit their axes to remain at right angles to the line of movement of said steps at every portion of the track, and means for driving the steps, substantially as described.
28. In a device of the class described, l'the combination with tracks comprising straight and laterally curved portions, of a series of steps having rectangular tread surfaces, link connections of constant length between said steps arranged to permit their aXes to remain at right angles to the line oi movement of said steps at every portion of the track, and means for driving the steps, substantially as described.
29. In ailevice of the class described, the
' combination with a pair of tracks having horiconnecting said steps and arranged to hold their tread surfaces in a horizontal position on the horizontal and inclined portions of the track, means for driving said steps, and means for limiting the amount of turning of the steps on their vertical axes, substantially as described.
30. In a device of the class described, the combinationwith a pair of tracks including horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circuit, of a series of steps each provided with a pair of supports co erating With said tracks, a system of paralle links of constant length connecting said steps so as to hold their surfaces in a horizontal position on the horizontal and inclined portions of the track, and means for driving said steps, substantially as described.
31. In a device of the class described, the
horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circpit,`of a series Ofsteps each provided with a' slngle pair of supports coperating with said tracks, and a' system of links connecting the central portions of said steps and located entirely beneath them, substantially as described. v
32;; In a device of the class described, the combination with tracks including horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circuit, of a series oil. steps coperating therewith, links of constant length connecting said ,steps and other, said links heilig provided with rack 27. In a device of the class described, the f combination with tracks having straight and curved portions, a series of steps, parallel teeth formed thereon, and a driving pinion engaging the teeth of said links, substantially as described.
33. In a device of the class described, the combination with tracks including horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circuit, of a series of steps each provided with a pair of supports cooperating with said tracks, parallel links of constant length connecting said steps and provided with rack teeth formed thereon, and a driving pinion engaging the teeth of said links, substantially as described.
34. In a moving stairway, an endless series of step sections connected together at the intersection oi their longitudinal and transverse axes and capable of swinging relatively to Aeach other, in two planes at right angles to each other, substantially as described.
35. In a moving stairway, the combination with tracks having straight and laterally curved portions, of a series of steps, link connections of constant length between said steps arranged to permit their axes to remain at right angles to the line of movement of the steps at every portion of the track and the centers of their axes to remain at a uniform distance apart, and means for driving said steps, substantially as described.
' 36. A moving stairway includinga chain,- steps mounted thereon, a guide, means for driving `the chain, arms on the chain, and stops on the steps placed to cooperate with said arms to maintain said steps in predetermined positions on the curved portions of the guide,l substantially as described.
37. The combination in a moving stairway of steps, guides for the steps including curved portions, a chain having its members movably connected to the steps, and cooperating devices carried by the steps and chain for determining the positions oi the steps upon tlie curved portions of the guides, substantially as described.
38.y The combination in a moving stairway of a series of steps each having a projecting post, a chain connected to the steps, a plucombination with a pair of tracks including A o a guide, steps mounted thereon and eac providedwith a post, sleeves mounted on each post, an arm or arms attached to each sleeve, a chain having its links connected to said arms as pivots, and sto s`on the steps placed to coperate with sai arms to determine the positions of the steps upon the curved portions of the guide, substantially as described.
40. In av moving stairway, the combination of a pair of rails consisting 'of horizontal and inclined portions and the necessary lateral curves to make a complete circuit, of a series of step sections each provided With a pair o f supports cooperating with said rails, stops on the step sections, links pivoted to sa1d step sections, and arms connected With said links and engaging said stops7 substantially as described.
41. In a moving stairway the combination of step sections, a chain'connecting said sections so as to permit them tosWing on vertical aXes, with arms and cooperating stops placed to limit the swing of the step sections, substantially as described.
42. In a moving stairway the combination of a chain, a series of step sections connected to said chain so as to be free to turn on both horizontal and vertical axes, a series of laterally extending arms connected With the chain and pivoted to the step sections, and 'stops on the step sectionsv coperating With said arms, substantially as described.
43. The combination of a moving spiral stairway, with a hand rail support and a moving hand rail arranged to travel on' said support, said hand rail having a permanent set or curvature so to travell readily in the spiral path, lsubstantially as described.
In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.
GEORGE A. WHEELER.
Jos. H. KLEIN.
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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2545741A (en) * 1946-04-18 1951-03-20 Multiscope Inc Escalator hand rail
US3399789A (en) * 1965-07-21 1968-09-03 Forst Solomon Parking garage construction
US4739870A (en) * 1983-09-19 1988-04-26 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Moving staircase with a curved conveyor passage
US4746000A (en) * 1982-09-14 1988-05-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Curved escalator
WO1991006501A1 (en) * 1989-10-24 1991-05-16 Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc. Circular escalator
US5415265A (en) * 1992-05-06 1995-05-16 Kubota; Masao Drive mechanism for an endless track conveyor apparatus
US9926173B1 (en) * 2017-06-23 2018-03-27 John Richard Strieter Robotic step transfer system for connecting ascending and descending spiral escalator steps

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2545741A (en) * 1946-04-18 1951-03-20 Multiscope Inc Escalator hand rail
US3399789A (en) * 1965-07-21 1968-09-03 Forst Solomon Parking garage construction
US4746000A (en) * 1982-09-14 1988-05-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Curved escalator
US4739870A (en) * 1983-09-19 1988-04-26 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Moving staircase with a curved conveyor passage
WO1991006501A1 (en) * 1989-10-24 1991-05-16 Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc. Circular escalator
US5052539A (en) * 1989-10-24 1991-10-01 Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc. Circular escalator
US5415265A (en) * 1992-05-06 1995-05-16 Kubota; Masao Drive mechanism for an endless track conveyor apparatus
US9926173B1 (en) * 2017-06-23 2018-03-27 John Richard Strieter Robotic step transfer system for connecting ascending and descending spiral escalator steps

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