CA1154395A - Escalator for wheel chair transport - Google Patents
Escalator for wheel chair transportInfo
- Publication number
- CA1154395A CA1154395A CA000410724A CA410724A CA1154395A CA 1154395 A CA1154395 A CA 1154395A CA 000410724 A CA000410724 A CA 000410724A CA 410724 A CA410724 A CA 410724A CA 1154395 A CA1154395 A CA 1154395A
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- track
- wheel chair
- escalator
- transport
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
This invention relates to the transport of wheel chaired persons via escalators to ascend and descend between the floor level of building structures and the like. In partic-ular, an escalator for transporting a wheel chair having spaced side frames with main wheel supports, downwardly ex-tensible wheel supports at the front of each side frame and a control mechanism with a track follower to depress the front wheel supports is taught. The escalator has side walls spaced to closely pass the side frame of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and a mechanism to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically offset to form steps as they are propelled by a motor, and a variably displaced track ex-tending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower on the wheel chair control mechanism oper-able in response to the variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights.
The escalator, when used with the specified wheel chair, assures the wheel chair will remain positioned upon the esca-lator during transport from one flight to the next.
This invention relates to the transport of wheel chaired persons via escalators to ascend and descend between the floor level of building structures and the like. In partic-ular, an escalator for transporting a wheel chair having spaced side frames with main wheel supports, downwardly ex-tensible wheel supports at the front of each side frame and a control mechanism with a track follower to depress the front wheel supports is taught. The escalator has side walls spaced to closely pass the side frame of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and a mechanism to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically offset to form steps as they are propelled by a motor, and a variably displaced track ex-tending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower on the wheel chair control mechanism oper-able in response to the variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights.
The escalator, when used with the specified wheel chair, assures the wheel chair will remain positioned upon the esca-lator during transport from one flight to the next.
Description
3~5 BACKGROUND: The mobility of wheel chaired persons has become an important consideration, so that their participation in society can be fulfilled.
In additlon to horizontal transport it is~necessary to ascend to elevated levels, for example to the various floors of building structures and the like; and for this purpose escalators are employed. However, escalators comprising an inclined or declined series of treads or flights that are linked in an endless belt have been devoid of features that will permit the transport of wheel chairs thereon, it being a general object of this invention to prov1de a wheel chair and escalator combination whereby wheel chaired persons can ascend and descend between structure levels serviced thereby.
Wheel chairs are characteristically a collapsible framework comprised of a pair of complementary side frames that separate to form a seat. Each frame has`a main supporting wheel of large diameter and with a hand rim to be turned by the person seated thereon, and has a secondary ;~
leveling wheel of small di~meter castered so as to permit steering. It i5 an object of this invention - to coordinate the smaller leveling wheel with the inclination of the escalator stairs or flights in order to maintain a level condition of said wheel chair. In practice, the main supporting wheels engage one escalator flight while the leveling wheels "~ ' 3~5 engage the next lower flight. It is also an object to coordinate the leveling action of said leveling wheel with the degree o~ ascension and descension of the escalator flights as they depart from a structure level for UP and DOWN transport as the case may be.
~he s~de frames of wheel chairs are necessarily narrow for collapsibility into a small space, there being cross bracing or a scissors-type means (not ; 10 shown) to separate them in vertical alignment with respect to a supporting surface. It is an object of khis invention to maintain the narrow configuration of the side frame and wheel assembly, while incorporating therein means by which the level1ng wheels are controllably depressed in order to preserve a horizontal condition of the chair seat.
Heretofore, the wheeled carriage of wheel chairs ~` have maintained parallelism with respect to the supporting surface. With the present invention it is an object to maintain a horizontal sea-t dlsposition with respect to offset supporting surfaces -that are parallel. Accordingly, one wheeled support is controllably depressed with respect to the other, and preferably the front castered wheels are extended from the frames. In carrying out this invention, a lever means responsive to a -track at the side wall of the escalator controllably depresses the wheels so as to ; engage them with the lowered escalator flight.
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The wheeled support of a wheel chair upon vertically dlsplaced fl1ghts of an escalator poses a problem with respect to safety. That is, an assurance that the wheel chair will remain positioned upon said flight to move therewith, and without rolling off and/or tumbling out of control. To this end, it is an object of this invention to provide reliable anchor means coordinated with the aforementioned lever means to capture the wheel chair in position for transport upon a pair of adjacent escalator flights.
The foregoing objectives are embodied in a wheel chair of conventional design, and adapted to manual operation by the person transported thereby.
The escalator is provided with cooperative tracking means and anchor means, and mo-tion control means, whereby anchored engagement of the wheel chair to the escalator can be established. To this end, gate positions are established where the wheel chair is , engageable with a flight of the escalator, by slowlng or stopping the escalator momentarily for coupling to said anchor means. In practice, switch means are provided for sequential stopping (slowing) and startlng of the escalator in the reception of wheel chaired persons for transport thereby. The release of the wheel chair from ~he escalator flights is ` automatic, it being~an object herein to provide means by which the anchor means releases at ~he discharge end of the escalator.
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1 It is a general object of this invention to provide simple, practical and durable means incorporated in a conventional wheel chair to accomplish the aforesaid objectives, and to provide complementary features in the escalator mechanism which are safe and acceptable. The relationship of wheel chair and escalator features is uncomplicated and character-ized by direct and positive rules of action.
SUMMA~Y OF ~HE I~VE~TION
This invention relates to the transport of wheel chaired persons via escalators to ascend and descend between the floor levels of building structures and the li~e. The wheel - chair is conventional in evsry respect except for the addit-ional features herein disclosed. Likewise, the escalator is conventional in every respect except for the additional features applied thereto in order to complement the said wheel chair features to be controlled thereby~
~ Accordin~ to the present invention an escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with ~- main wheel supports downwardly extensible wheel supports at ~ 20 the front of each side frame, and having control means with a ;~ track follower to depress said front wheel supports and ; ~ ~ thereby maintain the hori~ontal disposition of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of escalator flights, and `~:
escalator including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the wheel chair, ;; an endless belt of flights extending between vertically ; spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, ~0 lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a hori~ontal disposition of the flights ~.
1 as they are vertically offset by means to form steps as they ar~ propelled by motor means, and a variably displaced track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable in response to said vari-able displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal disposiion of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights, is disclosed.
According to an aspect of the invention an escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with spaced main and downwardly extensible front wheel æupports and downwardly extensible anchor means and having control means with a track follower to depress said anchor means into engagement with escalator flights and to depress said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposit-ion of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of a : riser at adjacent escalator flights, and including;
side walls spaced to clo~ely pa~ the side frame of the . .
- wheel chair, ~:~ an endless belt of flights with risers extending between ~ 20 vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of :~ the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels :~ and means to maintai~ a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically offset by means to form steps and ex-pose the risers at adjacent flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track e~tending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable ~ 5 A -L3~S
l displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-ition of the wheel chair with the main and front ~heel sup-ports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by said riser, is taught.
~ he escalator for transport of a wheel chPir has a vari-ably displaced track independently cooperable with the track follower of the said wheel chair control meanY at each side of the e~calator.
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According to a further aspect, an escalator for the lO transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with ~.
spaced main and downwardly e~tensible front wheel supports and downwardly extensible anchor roller means and having con-trol means with a track follower to depress said anchor roller means into engagement with supporting surfaces and to depre~s said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposition of the whee:l chair during vertical : displacemment of a ri3er at adjacent escalator flights, and - ;
including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the :~
: 20 wheel chair, : an endles3 belt of flights with risers e~tending between vertically spaced floor Ievels to move within the confines of ~: the spaced ~ide walls and each riser having a supporti~g sur-face comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribY and a pocket adapted to receive said anchor roller means and :~ formed therein at the riser of the ne~t adjacent flight, ~ :
- lower and upper platformæ with longitudinal fingers dis- ;
~` posed between the said upstanding ries of the flights pa~3ing beneath said platforms to intercept and diYcharge the anchor -~
; 30 roller means from the pocket at said spaced floor levels and ~.
means to maintain a hori30ntal disposition of the flight as ~ .
3;~i 1 they are vertically offset by means to form steps and expose the risers at adjacent .flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track extending betwesn the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control mean~ operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-; 10 ition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel sup-port~ carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by eaid riser, i~ possible.
~ he escalator for transport of a wheel chair, wherein the said fingers are pointed with an inclined plane extending from the bottom of the pocket~ intercepted thereby.
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3:~5 The foregoing and other various features and objects of this invention will be apparent and fully understood from the following detailed ~ description of the typical preferred forms and ; 5 applications thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings.
.Fig. 1 ls a side elevation view of a wheel chair embodying the features of the present invention, the chair belng conditioned for normal use. Fig. 2, is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the whee~l chair in combination with and received by the flights of an escalator preliminary to ascent. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the ascending and/or descending condition of the wheel chair in combination lS with the ~lights of the èscalator. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the wheel chair in combination ~` with and received by the flights of an escalator preliminary to descent. FigO 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the wheel chair in combination with and departing from the flights of the escalator.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the follower and track engagement that controls depression of the wheel support W2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional vlew of the wheel support W2, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed sectlonal view thereof taken as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by ., ~i line 9-9 on Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed : .1 .
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view of the first form of anchor means B
shown as it is engaged with the escalator.
Fig~ 11 is a perspective view of the control handle release of the lever means A. Fig. 12 S is an exploded perspective view of the control handle of the lever means A showing its limit of rotation. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the hub of the lever means A showing its means of separation. Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a basic anchor means that cooperates with a track follower to capture the wheel chair in position on the escalator ~, fllghts. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 3 ~, 15 showing the anchor configuration of Fig. 14.
Figs. 16 and 17 are enlarged detailed views of the anchor confiyurations, Fig. 16 being that of the first form shown in Figs. 1-13, Fig~ 17 being that of the second basic form shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 18. Fig. 18 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 14 showiny the basic anchor means and preferred escalator flight and control relationships preparatory to descending, and Fig. 19 is a similar view preparatory to ascend ng.
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Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 1, incorporating therein a transfer motion between the collapsible side frames and mechanisms involved herein. Fig. 21 is a back view of the wheel chair taken as indicated by line 21-21 on Fig. 20.
Fig. 22.is an enlarged detailed sectional view similar to Fig. 9 ànd taken as indicated by line 22-22 on Fig. 20, and Fig. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken as indicated by line 23-23 on Fig. 22.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: The escalator and wheel chair concept herein disclosed involves additional features applied to the wheel chair and to the escalator, featulres which are complementary for ascent and descent of wheel chairs by escalators. Generally: the wheel 20~ ~ chair is comprised of side frames 10 ~ with~a main wheel support Wl ~and a .
front wheel support W2, and to whlch is added the lever means A, anchor . . .
`~ m-ans B, and lift means C, and the : :
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3~5 escalator is comprised of lower level and-upper level platforms Pl and P2 between whlch treads or flights F are transported by means of an endless belt of articulated links (not shown). The escalator S is conventional in every respect, except for the horizontal disposition of several flights F in the plane of the upper platform P2 preparatory to descent. The escalator is driven by a motor M under control of gate means as will be described. The transport of the escalator is either UP or DOWN and the descent or ascent thereby is between the platforms Pl and P2 at separated floor levels. As shown, the flights F ascend and descend between side - walls 11 along which moving hand rails 12 are associated with the flights. A feature of this invention is the track T a-t the walls 11 to recelve a follower 13 for operation of the lever means A.
; The gate means for escalator control is associated with the track T.
2a Referring now to the wheel chair as it is ~` shown herein, there are two side frames 10 between ~- which a seat 1~ extends in a horizontal plane spaced above the supporting surface. It is to be understood that there is such a frame at each side of the wheel chair and tha~ outside of each side frame there is a main wheel support Wl positioned at the back 15 of ; the chair and aft of the center of gravity when a ~` person is seated therein. ~s shown, there is a ~ .
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vertical leg member 16 from which a supporting axle 17 projects to carry the main wheel support Wl.
; Forward of the member 16 there is a vextical leg member 18 from which the front wheel support W2 depends. The members 16 and 18 are rigidly connected by an upper arm 19 and by a lower rail 20 that extends rearward of the member 16 to terminate I just within the perimeter of the wheel support W1.
- The bracing by which the two side frames 10 are held in spaced vertical positions is not shown herein and is conventional so as to position the two side .` wheels Wl close to the walls 11 of the escalator and for engagement of the two ollowers 13 in the . two tracks T.
, The front wheel support W2 is extensible through operation of the :Lift means C, which in its preferred form is a rack and pinion jack operable along the caster axis a of a front wheel 25 carried : by a swivally moI1nted fork 26, all of which is disposed well forward of -the center of gravity and ;` ou-tside of the side frame 10. The rack 27 telescopes : ~ into a cover tube 28 to mesh with the pinion 29 that ; operates wi-thin a case 30 (see Figs. 7-8). The pinion shaft 31 carries a sprocket 32 inboard of - 25 the case 30 and ou-tboard of the leg members 16 and 18. A drive chain 33 engages over sprocket 32 to : lower and raise the rack 27, the lowermost end of .; which carries the fork 26 on swival bearings 34.
The extreme positions of the extensible rack 27 of :- 30 lift means C is shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
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The anchor means B as it is dlsclosed in Figs. 1-13 and 16 is extensible through operation of the lever means A to be releasibly engaged by the flights F of the escalator, the flights being provided with pockets 40 for the reception of said anchor means A. In practice, there is an anchor means A at each side frame 10 and comprised or an arm 36 pivoted on a transverse horizontal axis from the rear extremity of -the frame rail 20, to retractably swing into engagement with -the escalator fligh-t~s. A feature is the roller 37 at the terminal end of arm 36, and the forwardly disposed hook 38 on the arm to engage in a flight pocket 40. As shown in Fig. 10 the pocket 40 receives both the roller 37 and hook 38, the roller being engageable with next adjacent flight F and the hook 38 having a face engageable with the opposing wall of the pocket ~0. In carrying out this inven-tion, the arm 36 is lowered 35 or more to a stop 35 and below the horizontal of rail 20 ~or engagement in a pocket 40, and the arm is alternately xaised 65 or more àbove said horizontal when not in use (see Figs. 3 and l for comparison).
; Referring now to the pocket or pockets 40, there is such a pocket at each side of each flight F
at the innermost edge or corner of the tread defined by the next adjacent flight riser 43. These spaced pockets 40 are positioned to align with the spaced .. . .
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rails 20 of the side frames 10, and with the anchor means arms 36 to receive hooks 38 and rollers 37 thereof. The conventional ribbed or grooved tread of the escalator flights F is provlded with longitudinal fins 41 of a height at least one half the roller diameter (see FigsO 10 and 16), to form said anchor pocket 40. The pocket 40 is formed or opened by re-traction of a fin section 41', as shown in Fig. 10.
Accordingly, one or more fin sections 41' are retracted to form the pocket with a face 42 to oppose the hook face 38, while the roller 37 is engageable with the riser 43 of the adjacent flight when it is raised as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 10. As best illustrated in Fig.`10, rising of said adjacent flight F relative to the next lower flight F establishes a convergence that capturès the roller 37 and hook 38 configuration.
; Conversely, as shown in Flg. 5 the terminous fingers 44 continue from the fins 41 a-t the platforms Pl and P2, as the case may be, and are inclined to operate between the fins 41 so as to intercept the rollers 37 and withdraw them from the pockets 40 automatically.
As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the roller 37 has , ~
been withdrawn from the pocket 40~and automatically raised to the supporting plane of the lower floor platform Pl at the terminous of a descending escalator.
Conversely, the roller 37 is au-tomatically raised to -the supporting plane of the upper floor platform P2 ., ` at the termlnous of an ascending escalator.
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Referring now to the lever means A, the purpose thereof is twofold. Firstly, lever means A
manually swings the arm 36 so as to engage the roller 37 and hook 38 into the escalator flight and to depress the same into the pocke-t 40. Secondly, lever means A
follows the track T so as to operate the lift means C
to extend the front wheel support W2 commensurate with the vertical displacement between adjacent supporting flights. As shown for example in Figs. 1-5 of the drawings, the wheel chair is maintained horizontal over one or more supporting surfaces, and characteristically when the wheel supports ~rl and W2 are supported by vertically displaced flights F. Sequentially therefore, the lever means A is manually operable to depress the anchor means B into engagement with a flight F to enter a pocket therein, and is then simultaneously separable and engageable with the track T and operated thereby to extend the front wheel support W2 accordlng to the vertical displacement between fllghts F. As shown, the aforementioned follower 13 is made part of the lever means A~and is incorporated in an extensible handle 45 thereof to be enga~eable in said track T.
The lever means A is comprised of a separable first class lever that converts into a second class leverO The first class condition thereof as shown in Fig. 1 has its two arm members 46 and 47 locked together as one, by means of the lock features of Figs. 12 and 13. The second class condition thereof 31 ~5~3~5 :~ .
as shown in Figs. 2-S has said two members 46 and 47 unlocked, by virtue of turning the handle 45 outwardly as shown. In carrying out this invention, the lever means A has the axle 17 for its fulcrum, being S disposed between the side frame 10 and maln wheel support Wl. Refer to Fig. 9 wherein the arm members 46 and 47 are shown as rotatable on independent hubs 48 and 49, and wherein a drive sprocket S0 is adjacent thereto and free to rotate on said axle 1~ immediately outboard of the frame leg 16.
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The first or second class conditlon of the lever means A is determined by a manually operable lock means L comprised of the handle 45 carried at ; the force applied end of arm member 46, and that ; 15 revolves from a retracted position as shown in Fig. 1 through 90 to a projected positlon as shown in Figs. 2-5 (also Fig- 9)- Lock means L includes a bolt 51 extending from the handle 45 and through the member 46 to couple with the member 47, and also includes a release means 52. ~s shown in Fig~. 12, ~.
the handle 45 is restricted to 90 rotation between said extreme positions by a lug operable~withln a notch, being held in the projected posltlon by a manually releasable spring loc~ as shown in Fig. 11.
2S As shown in Fig. 13, the bolt Sl has a lug that~
projects from member 46 and into member ~7 to enter a J-slot 53 therein for coupled engagement of the two arm members. AccordlnlJLy, the two arm members 46 and 47 can operate as one first class lever and arm member 46 alone can operate alternately as a second class lever, all as clrcumstances requlre.
3~!5 The arm member 47 o~ lever means A carries a pressure exerting means coupled to the arm 36 of the anchor means B through a link 54. The pressure exerted by said means is compressive and so as to depress the arm 36 in its extended position as shown in Figs. 2-5, and is shown in Fig. 9 comprised of a piston 55 biased by a spring 56 to limitedly extend a rod 57 connected by link 54 to arm 36. In practice, a stop 58 limits upward revolvement at an over-center position where the arm member 47 is held as shown in igs. 2-5~ However, a cam-detent S9 compresses the spring 56 as shown in ~ig. 1 while the link 54 ` retracts the arm 36 as shown. In practice therefore, " :
the arm 36 is extended and/or retracted by lever lS means A in its "first class lever" condition, and alternately the lock means L is released so as to separate the arm members 46 and 47 whereby the arm member 46 is free to be operated by the track T as ` a "second class lever" as next described.
~he drive sprocket 50 is en~aged by the cha~n 33 to turn the sprocket 32 and has drive pins 60 and 61 t engageable wlth arm mem~er 46, providing lost motion , therebetween to permit -the first class lever operation as above described to depress the anchor means arm 36.
However, upon release of lock means L separating arm members 46 and 47, the drive sprocket 50 is driven by pin 60 to operate the lift means C as described.
Alternately, -the sproc~et 50 is driven by pins 61 to retract the anchor means B when recoupled as described.
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The follower 13 is rotatably and extensibly carried by the handle 45 as best illustrated in Fiy. 9 wherein a compression spring 63 yieldingly retracts a , spindle 64 that rotatably carries the follower 13 so that it will turn free in the track T as shown throughout the drawing and as it is detailed in Fig. 6. A safety feature is the track T of dovetail configuration having well rounded inside and outside corners. In practice, the uppermost corner is shallow and obtuse as compared with the lowermost corner tha~
is deep and sharp to guide and retain the roller follower 13 to the track T. The follower 13 presents a complementary knob form or configuration devoid of any sharpness that might otherwise catch garments or cause damage and/or injury.
Referring now to a more basic form of anchor means B' as it is disclosed in Figs. 14, 15, 17 and 13 , of the drawings, extensibility thereof is by means ofthe lever means A the same as hereinabove described.
However in~ this formJ anchorage ~s by means of cooperation with the follower 13 operable in the track T all as hereinabove described, but devoid of the flight pockets 40. From Figs. 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 it will be observed that the roller 37' is lowered and extended by arm 36 to rest upon the flight ribs~
or fins 41" and against the~adjacent flight rlser 43.
- The roller 37' is of small diameter and the fins 41"
~ are not deepened or as widely spaced as they are in : :
3~5 the first form (see Fig. 16). Capture of the wheel chair in riding position on the flights F is by means of the acute angularity between the supporting plane of the flight F and riser 43 simultaneously engageable therewith when the adjacent flight raises with respect to the wheel supporting flight (wheel Wl) and by virtue of the converging angular relationship of the track T with respect to the horizontal plane of the wheel supporting flight F (wheels W1 and W2).
Figs. 14, 15 and 18 illustrate this angular convergence of the track T and follower 13 relationship to the acute engagement of roller 37', whereby the wheel chair is captured in riding position on the two vertically displaced flights F. -The basic anchor roller of Figs. 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 is inherently forced against a riser ~3 as shown, for both UP and DOWN transport of the wheel chair. The convergence of track T and the supporting ' planes of the flights F makes this a positive function that maintains a proper rlding position with the wheel supports Wl and W2 safely positioned upon their respective flights F. Accordingly and as best illustrated in the descent modes of Figs~ 14 and 18, this first fully exposed flight F emanating from the top platform P2 is lowered with respect to the following flight F so that the riser 43 of the latter is exposed to engage with the anchor roller 37'.
In practice, the planar offset of the first fully exposed flight F from the emanating flight F is substantially one roller diameter as shown, whereby a positive depression is realized by the riding occupant when the roller 37' is depressed by spring 56 into the acute corner established by said riser 43. I-t is this roller depression onto the first fully exposed flight F that operates the switch 68.
~ Concurrently with the foregoing engagement ; of the anchor roller 37' with the first fully exposed flight F, the roller 13 has moved forwardly in the , 1 `~ downwardly curved trac~ T as shown in Fig. 18, whereby the llft means C depresses the wheel support W2 onto its supporting flight. The offset of the two supporting fllghts F is severe in Fig. 14 and moderate in the chair reception position thereof as shown in Fig. 14, the supporting plane for wheel ` 15 support W2`being well below -the supporting plane of wheel support Wl in Fis~. 14, and a roller 37' diameter or less in Fig. :L8. Subsequently, the flights are more rapidly offset into the down ' ; condltlon of Flg. 15 for example, according to ~ 20 ~conventional escalator operation.
; The wheel chair hèrein remains collapsible and so that the laterally separable side frames 10 can be moved~together and~apart. As thus far described, the controlling means A, B end C and related par-ts are incorporated individually in each side frame 10 so as ~to be independently operable.~ However, it may be desired that the two sides of the wheel chair operate in unison, dependently or independently as may be required. Accordingly, collapsible motion transfer ~0 means D is provided as shown in Figs. 20-23 and which :
3~5 operates between the lever means A at opposite side frames 10. The collapsible motion -transfer means D
involves an articulated torque transmitting bar 70, a sectional bar coupled to transfer levers 71 revolved by each arm member 46 outside of each side frame 10 The bar 70 embraces the spaced legs 16 of opposite side framés 10, from the rear thereof (see Fig. 20).
In practice, the rotational limits of ar~ members 46 is within 180, so that it may be offset as shown to clear the leg 16; and it is the spaced transfer levers 71 which establishes this offset 50 that the bar 70 can be broken upwardly an~ dQw~wardly to.the rea~ and so that it may be straightened (see Fig. 21). The bar 70 breaks at a center pivot 72 on an æis parallel with axes of like pivots 73 at the spaced transfer levers 71.
Levers 71 are keyed to sleeves 74 common with arm.
members 46, and said bar is telescoped as shown in Fig. 22 so as to.permit flexibility in track width of , the wheel chair during its operationO
Operation of the wheel chair and control of the escalator as disclosed herein is as follows:
~:~ The conventional wheel chair of Fig. 1 incorporates the lever means A which manually holds the anchor means B and lift means.C retracted with the handle 45 positioned to lock the arm members 46 and 47 in the first class lever condition ready ~or operation.
: -19-Preparatory to ascending, the wheel chair is backed onto the pla-tform Pl of an UP escalator with the lever means A manually operated as shown in Fig. 2 so as to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller 37 (37') onto the supporting surface and onto a flight F. The handle 45 is then rotated (see Fig. 9) to uncouple arm member 46 from arm member 47 and so as to laterally project the follower 13 for its engagement into the track T.
Entry of the follower 13 into th~ track T is by movement of the wheel chair into riding position where there is a gate means represented by a switch 65, the operation of which slows and/or stops the escalator.
In practice, the escalator is slowed so that its rate of travel is minimized and accompanied by retraction of the fin sections 41' through control means 66 and retraction means 67 indicated as a solenoid or the ~ like. The control means 66 governs the speed of P . motor M, and when anchor roller 37 and hook 38 drop into pocket 40 a switch 68 is operated and through control means 66 accelerates and restores motor M
to its normal speed so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of ascent. In practice, 65 - 68 operate sequentially at each side frame anchor means B and are ,:
in series or the like, so that simultaneous operation thereof is required in order to restore the motor M
to its normal speed. ~scent of the wheel chaix on vertically spaced flights F lS shown in Fig. 3.
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3~Si Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37 and pockets 40, -the wheel chair is advanced forwardly from the platform P2 a~d onto adjacent coplanar flights F of a DOWN escalator with the lever means A
manually operated as shown in Fig. 4 so as to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller 37 onto the supporting surface and onto the rearmost exposed fliyht F. The handle 45 is then rotated (see Fig. 9) to uncouple arm mem~er 46 from arm member 47 and so as to project the follower 13 for its engagement into the track T. Initial entry of the follower 13 into the track T is by movement of the wheel chair toward riding position where there is a gate means represented by a switch 65, the operation of which slows and/or stops the escala-tor.
In practice, the escalator i9 slowed so that its rate of travel is minimized and accompanied by ~` retraction of the fin sections 41' through the control means 66 when a gate swi-tch~6~>is operated for the actuation of the retraction means 67. The ~ ~ .
control means 66 governs the speed of motor M, and when the anchor roller 37 and hook 38~drop into the opened pocket 40 a switch 68 lS operated and through control means 66 accelerates and restores motor M to its normal speed so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of descent. ~Descent of the wheel chair on vertically spaced flights F
is shown in Fig. 3.
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~ 9~ 3 ~5 1 Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37' and without pockets 40, the wheel chair is advanced ; forwardly through the gate switch or switches 65 and from the platform P2 and onto a flight F substantially coplanar therewith and with the lever means A manually operated as shown in Fig. 14 so a~ to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller rollers 37' onto the rearmost exposed flight ~. As is shown, when the gate switch 65 is operated the escalator is stopped ; 10 so as to enable the occupant to place the wheel chair into proper riding position with the anchor rollers 37' ;
engaging a riser ~3, whereby actuation of switches 68 through control means 66 restore~ motor M to its normal speed and so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of descent.
Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37' and without gate switches 65, the wheel chair is advanced forwardly through the gate switch or switches 65 and from the platform P2 and onto a fully e~po~ed flight F offset substantially one roller diameter below the next emanating flight F, and with the lever means A manually operated as shown in Fig. 18 so as to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller 37' onto the - supporting surface and onto the rearmost exposed flight P As is shown, when the gate switch 65 is operated the escalator is slowed and/or stopped or pauses in the position shown9 with the adjacent flight F - -, 3~S
beneath the front wheel support W2 offset ~oderately and preferably about one roller 37' diameter below the flight F beneath the main wheel support Wl.
This delay in transport of the escalator enables the occupant to place the wheel chair into proper riding position with the anchor rollers 37' engaging a riser 43, whereby actuation of switches 68 through control means 66 restores motor M to its normal speed and so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of descent.
Operation of the wheel chair and of the escalator is the same with both forms of anchor means A and A', and it is t,o be understood that the means A, B, and C as they are disclosed herein are applied to at least one and preferably to both the . left and right side frames of the wheel chair and .` to both the left and right rails of the escalator, and independently operable as described and as circumstances require.
Having described only the typical preferred ' forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific ; : details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ,, myself any modifications or variat.ions that may ' 25 appear to those skilled in the art as set forth within the limits of -the following claims.
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In additlon to horizontal transport it is~necessary to ascend to elevated levels, for example to the various floors of building structures and the like; and for this purpose escalators are employed. However, escalators comprising an inclined or declined series of treads or flights that are linked in an endless belt have been devoid of features that will permit the transport of wheel chairs thereon, it being a general object of this invention to prov1de a wheel chair and escalator combination whereby wheel chaired persons can ascend and descend between structure levels serviced thereby.
Wheel chairs are characteristically a collapsible framework comprised of a pair of complementary side frames that separate to form a seat. Each frame has`a main supporting wheel of large diameter and with a hand rim to be turned by the person seated thereon, and has a secondary ;~
leveling wheel of small di~meter castered so as to permit steering. It i5 an object of this invention - to coordinate the smaller leveling wheel with the inclination of the escalator stairs or flights in order to maintain a level condition of said wheel chair. In practice, the main supporting wheels engage one escalator flight while the leveling wheels "~ ' 3~5 engage the next lower flight. It is also an object to coordinate the leveling action of said leveling wheel with the degree o~ ascension and descension of the escalator flights as they depart from a structure level for UP and DOWN transport as the case may be.
~he s~de frames of wheel chairs are necessarily narrow for collapsibility into a small space, there being cross bracing or a scissors-type means (not ; 10 shown) to separate them in vertical alignment with respect to a supporting surface. It is an object of khis invention to maintain the narrow configuration of the side frame and wheel assembly, while incorporating therein means by which the level1ng wheels are controllably depressed in order to preserve a horizontal condition of the chair seat.
Heretofore, the wheeled carriage of wheel chairs ~` have maintained parallelism with respect to the supporting surface. With the present invention it is an object to maintain a horizontal sea-t dlsposition with respect to offset supporting surfaces -that are parallel. Accordingly, one wheeled support is controllably depressed with respect to the other, and preferably the front castered wheels are extended from the frames. In carrying out this invention, a lever means responsive to a -track at the side wall of the escalator controllably depresses the wheels so as to ; engage them with the lowered escalator flight.
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The wheeled support of a wheel chair upon vertically dlsplaced fl1ghts of an escalator poses a problem with respect to safety. That is, an assurance that the wheel chair will remain positioned upon said flight to move therewith, and without rolling off and/or tumbling out of control. To this end, it is an object of this invention to provide reliable anchor means coordinated with the aforementioned lever means to capture the wheel chair in position for transport upon a pair of adjacent escalator flights.
The foregoing objectives are embodied in a wheel chair of conventional design, and adapted to manual operation by the person transported thereby.
The escalator is provided with cooperative tracking means and anchor means, and mo-tion control means, whereby anchored engagement of the wheel chair to the escalator can be established. To this end, gate positions are established where the wheel chair is , engageable with a flight of the escalator, by slowlng or stopping the escalator momentarily for coupling to said anchor means. In practice, switch means are provided for sequential stopping (slowing) and startlng of the escalator in the reception of wheel chaired persons for transport thereby. The release of the wheel chair from ~he escalator flights is ` automatic, it being~an object herein to provide means by which the anchor means releases at ~he discharge end of the escalator.
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1 It is a general object of this invention to provide simple, practical and durable means incorporated in a conventional wheel chair to accomplish the aforesaid objectives, and to provide complementary features in the escalator mechanism which are safe and acceptable. The relationship of wheel chair and escalator features is uncomplicated and character-ized by direct and positive rules of action.
SUMMA~Y OF ~HE I~VE~TION
This invention relates to the transport of wheel chaired persons via escalators to ascend and descend between the floor levels of building structures and the li~e. The wheel - chair is conventional in evsry respect except for the addit-ional features herein disclosed. Likewise, the escalator is conventional in every respect except for the additional features applied thereto in order to complement the said wheel chair features to be controlled thereby~
~ Accordin~ to the present invention an escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with ~- main wheel supports downwardly extensible wheel supports at ~ 20 the front of each side frame, and having control means with a ;~ track follower to depress said front wheel supports and ; ~ ~ thereby maintain the hori~ontal disposition of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of escalator flights, and `~:
escalator including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the wheel chair, ;; an endless belt of flights extending between vertically ; spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, ~0 lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a hori~ontal disposition of the flights ~.
1 as they are vertically offset by means to form steps as they ar~ propelled by motor means, and a variably displaced track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable in response to said vari-able displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal disposiion of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights, is disclosed.
According to an aspect of the invention an escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with spaced main and downwardly extensible front wheel æupports and downwardly extensible anchor means and having control means with a track follower to depress said anchor means into engagement with escalator flights and to depress said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposit-ion of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of a : riser at adjacent escalator flights, and including;
side walls spaced to clo~ely pa~ the side frame of the . .
- wheel chair, ~:~ an endless belt of flights with risers extending between ~ 20 vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of :~ the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels :~ and means to maintai~ a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically offset by means to form steps and ex-pose the risers at adjacent flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track e~tending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable ~ 5 A -L3~S
l displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-ition of the wheel chair with the main and front ~heel sup-ports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by said riser, is taught.
~ he escalator for transport of a wheel chPir has a vari-ably displaced track independently cooperable with the track follower of the said wheel chair control meanY at each side of the e~calator.
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According to a further aspect, an escalator for the lO transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with ~.
spaced main and downwardly e~tensible front wheel supports and downwardly extensible anchor roller means and having con-trol means with a track follower to depress said anchor roller means into engagement with supporting surfaces and to depre~s said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposition of the whee:l chair during vertical : displacemment of a ri3er at adjacent escalator flights, and - ;
including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the :~
: 20 wheel chair, : an endles3 belt of flights with risers e~tending between vertically spaced floor Ievels to move within the confines of ~: the spaced ~ide walls and each riser having a supporti~g sur-face comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribY and a pocket adapted to receive said anchor roller means and :~ formed therein at the riser of the ne~t adjacent flight, ~ :
- lower and upper platformæ with longitudinal fingers dis- ;
~` posed between the said upstanding ries of the flights pa~3ing beneath said platforms to intercept and diYcharge the anchor -~
; 30 roller means from the pocket at said spaced floor levels and ~.
means to maintain a hori30ntal disposition of the flight as ~ .
3;~i 1 they are vertically offset by means to form steps and expose the risers at adjacent .flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track extending betwesn the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control mean~ operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-; 10 ition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel sup-port~ carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by eaid riser, i~ possible.
~ he escalator for transport of a wheel chair, wherein the said fingers are pointed with an inclined plane extending from the bottom of the pocket~ intercepted thereby.
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3:~5 The foregoing and other various features and objects of this invention will be apparent and fully understood from the following detailed ~ description of the typical preferred forms and ; 5 applications thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings.
.Fig. 1 ls a side elevation view of a wheel chair embodying the features of the present invention, the chair belng conditioned for normal use. Fig. 2, is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the whee~l chair in combination with and received by the flights of an escalator preliminary to ascent. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the ascending and/or descending condition of the wheel chair in combination lS with the ~lights of the èscalator. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the wheel chair in combination ~` with and received by the flights of an escalator preliminary to descent. FigO 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the wheel chair in combination with and departing from the flights of the escalator.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the follower and track engagement that controls depression of the wheel support W2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional vlew of the wheel support W2, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed sectlonal view thereof taken as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by ., ~i line 9-9 on Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed : .1 .
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view of the first form of anchor means B
shown as it is engaged with the escalator.
Fig~ 11 is a perspective view of the control handle release of the lever means A. Fig. 12 S is an exploded perspective view of the control handle of the lever means A showing its limit of rotation. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the hub of the lever means A showing its means of separation. Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a basic anchor means that cooperates with a track follower to capture the wheel chair in position on the escalator ~, fllghts. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 3 ~, 15 showing the anchor configuration of Fig. 14.
Figs. 16 and 17 are enlarged detailed views of the anchor confiyurations, Fig. 16 being that of the first form shown in Figs. 1-13, Fig~ 17 being that of the second basic form shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 18. Fig. 18 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 14 showiny the basic anchor means and preferred escalator flight and control relationships preparatory to descending, and Fig. 19 is a similar view preparatory to ascend ng.
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Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 1, incorporating therein a transfer motion between the collapsible side frames and mechanisms involved herein. Fig. 21 is a back view of the wheel chair taken as indicated by line 21-21 on Fig. 20.
Fig. 22.is an enlarged detailed sectional view similar to Fig. 9 ànd taken as indicated by line 22-22 on Fig. 20, and Fig. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken as indicated by line 23-23 on Fig. 22.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: The escalator and wheel chair concept herein disclosed involves additional features applied to the wheel chair and to the escalator, featulres which are complementary for ascent and descent of wheel chairs by escalators. Generally: the wheel 20~ ~ chair is comprised of side frames 10 ~ with~a main wheel support Wl ~and a .
front wheel support W2, and to whlch is added the lever means A, anchor . . .
`~ m-ans B, and lift means C, and the : :
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3~5 escalator is comprised of lower level and-upper level platforms Pl and P2 between whlch treads or flights F are transported by means of an endless belt of articulated links (not shown). The escalator S is conventional in every respect, except for the horizontal disposition of several flights F in the plane of the upper platform P2 preparatory to descent. The escalator is driven by a motor M under control of gate means as will be described. The transport of the escalator is either UP or DOWN and the descent or ascent thereby is between the platforms Pl and P2 at separated floor levels. As shown, the flights F ascend and descend between side - walls 11 along which moving hand rails 12 are associated with the flights. A feature of this invention is the track T a-t the walls 11 to recelve a follower 13 for operation of the lever means A.
; The gate means for escalator control is associated with the track T.
2a Referring now to the wheel chair as it is ~` shown herein, there are two side frames 10 between ~- which a seat 1~ extends in a horizontal plane spaced above the supporting surface. It is to be understood that there is such a frame at each side of the wheel chair and tha~ outside of each side frame there is a main wheel support Wl positioned at the back 15 of ; the chair and aft of the center of gravity when a ~` person is seated therein. ~s shown, there is a ~ .
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vertical leg member 16 from which a supporting axle 17 projects to carry the main wheel support Wl.
; Forward of the member 16 there is a vextical leg member 18 from which the front wheel support W2 depends. The members 16 and 18 are rigidly connected by an upper arm 19 and by a lower rail 20 that extends rearward of the member 16 to terminate I just within the perimeter of the wheel support W1.
- The bracing by which the two side frames 10 are held in spaced vertical positions is not shown herein and is conventional so as to position the two side .` wheels Wl close to the walls 11 of the escalator and for engagement of the two ollowers 13 in the . two tracks T.
, The front wheel support W2 is extensible through operation of the :Lift means C, which in its preferred form is a rack and pinion jack operable along the caster axis a of a front wheel 25 carried : by a swivally moI1nted fork 26, all of which is disposed well forward of -the center of gravity and ;` ou-tside of the side frame 10. The rack 27 telescopes : ~ into a cover tube 28 to mesh with the pinion 29 that ; operates wi-thin a case 30 (see Figs. 7-8). The pinion shaft 31 carries a sprocket 32 inboard of - 25 the case 30 and ou-tboard of the leg members 16 and 18. A drive chain 33 engages over sprocket 32 to : lower and raise the rack 27, the lowermost end of .; which carries the fork 26 on swival bearings 34.
The extreme positions of the extensible rack 27 of :- 30 lift means C is shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
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The anchor means B as it is dlsclosed in Figs. 1-13 and 16 is extensible through operation of the lever means A to be releasibly engaged by the flights F of the escalator, the flights being provided with pockets 40 for the reception of said anchor means A. In practice, there is an anchor means A at each side frame 10 and comprised or an arm 36 pivoted on a transverse horizontal axis from the rear extremity of -the frame rail 20, to retractably swing into engagement with -the escalator fligh-t~s. A feature is the roller 37 at the terminal end of arm 36, and the forwardly disposed hook 38 on the arm to engage in a flight pocket 40. As shown in Fig. 10 the pocket 40 receives both the roller 37 and hook 38, the roller being engageable with next adjacent flight F and the hook 38 having a face engageable with the opposing wall of the pocket ~0. In carrying out this inven-tion, the arm 36 is lowered 35 or more to a stop 35 and below the horizontal of rail 20 ~or engagement in a pocket 40, and the arm is alternately xaised 65 or more àbove said horizontal when not in use (see Figs. 3 and l for comparison).
; Referring now to the pocket or pockets 40, there is such a pocket at each side of each flight F
at the innermost edge or corner of the tread defined by the next adjacent flight riser 43. These spaced pockets 40 are positioned to align with the spaced .. . .
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rails 20 of the side frames 10, and with the anchor means arms 36 to receive hooks 38 and rollers 37 thereof. The conventional ribbed or grooved tread of the escalator flights F is provlded with longitudinal fins 41 of a height at least one half the roller diameter (see FigsO 10 and 16), to form said anchor pocket 40. The pocket 40 is formed or opened by re-traction of a fin section 41', as shown in Fig. 10.
Accordingly, one or more fin sections 41' are retracted to form the pocket with a face 42 to oppose the hook face 38, while the roller 37 is engageable with the riser 43 of the adjacent flight when it is raised as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 10. As best illustrated in Fig.`10, rising of said adjacent flight F relative to the next lower flight F establishes a convergence that capturès the roller 37 and hook 38 configuration.
; Conversely, as shown in Flg. 5 the terminous fingers 44 continue from the fins 41 a-t the platforms Pl and P2, as the case may be, and are inclined to operate between the fins 41 so as to intercept the rollers 37 and withdraw them from the pockets 40 automatically.
As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the roller 37 has , ~
been withdrawn from the pocket 40~and automatically raised to the supporting plane of the lower floor platform Pl at the terminous of a descending escalator.
Conversely, the roller 37 is au-tomatically raised to -the supporting plane of the upper floor platform P2 ., ` at the termlnous of an ascending escalator.
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Referring now to the lever means A, the purpose thereof is twofold. Firstly, lever means A
manually swings the arm 36 so as to engage the roller 37 and hook 38 into the escalator flight and to depress the same into the pocke-t 40. Secondly, lever means A
follows the track T so as to operate the lift means C
to extend the front wheel support W2 commensurate with the vertical displacement between adjacent supporting flights. As shown for example in Figs. 1-5 of the drawings, the wheel chair is maintained horizontal over one or more supporting surfaces, and characteristically when the wheel supports ~rl and W2 are supported by vertically displaced flights F. Sequentially therefore, the lever means A is manually operable to depress the anchor means B into engagement with a flight F to enter a pocket therein, and is then simultaneously separable and engageable with the track T and operated thereby to extend the front wheel support W2 accordlng to the vertical displacement between fllghts F. As shown, the aforementioned follower 13 is made part of the lever means A~and is incorporated in an extensible handle 45 thereof to be enga~eable in said track T.
The lever means A is comprised of a separable first class lever that converts into a second class leverO The first class condition thereof as shown in Fig. 1 has its two arm members 46 and 47 locked together as one, by means of the lock features of Figs. 12 and 13. The second class condition thereof 31 ~5~3~5 :~ .
as shown in Figs. 2-S has said two members 46 and 47 unlocked, by virtue of turning the handle 45 outwardly as shown. In carrying out this invention, the lever means A has the axle 17 for its fulcrum, being S disposed between the side frame 10 and maln wheel support Wl. Refer to Fig. 9 wherein the arm members 46 and 47 are shown as rotatable on independent hubs 48 and 49, and wherein a drive sprocket S0 is adjacent thereto and free to rotate on said axle 1~ immediately outboard of the frame leg 16.
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The first or second class conditlon of the lever means A is determined by a manually operable lock means L comprised of the handle 45 carried at ; the force applied end of arm member 46, and that ; 15 revolves from a retracted position as shown in Fig. 1 through 90 to a projected positlon as shown in Figs. 2-5 (also Fig- 9)- Lock means L includes a bolt 51 extending from the handle 45 and through the member 46 to couple with the member 47, and also includes a release means 52. ~s shown in Fig~. 12, ~.
the handle 45 is restricted to 90 rotation between said extreme positions by a lug operable~withln a notch, being held in the projected posltlon by a manually releasable spring loc~ as shown in Fig. 11.
2S As shown in Fig. 13, the bolt Sl has a lug that~
projects from member 46 and into member ~7 to enter a J-slot 53 therein for coupled engagement of the two arm members. AccordlnlJLy, the two arm members 46 and 47 can operate as one first class lever and arm member 46 alone can operate alternately as a second class lever, all as clrcumstances requlre.
3~!5 The arm member 47 o~ lever means A carries a pressure exerting means coupled to the arm 36 of the anchor means B through a link 54. The pressure exerted by said means is compressive and so as to depress the arm 36 in its extended position as shown in Figs. 2-5, and is shown in Fig. 9 comprised of a piston 55 biased by a spring 56 to limitedly extend a rod 57 connected by link 54 to arm 36. In practice, a stop 58 limits upward revolvement at an over-center position where the arm member 47 is held as shown in igs. 2-5~ However, a cam-detent S9 compresses the spring 56 as shown in ~ig. 1 while the link 54 ` retracts the arm 36 as shown. In practice therefore, " :
the arm 36 is extended and/or retracted by lever lS means A in its "first class lever" condition, and alternately the lock means L is released so as to separate the arm members 46 and 47 whereby the arm member 46 is free to be operated by the track T as ` a "second class lever" as next described.
~he drive sprocket 50 is en~aged by the cha~n 33 to turn the sprocket 32 and has drive pins 60 and 61 t engageable wlth arm mem~er 46, providing lost motion , therebetween to permit -the first class lever operation as above described to depress the anchor means arm 36.
However, upon release of lock means L separating arm members 46 and 47, the drive sprocket 50 is driven by pin 60 to operate the lift means C as described.
Alternately, -the sproc~et 50 is driven by pins 61 to retract the anchor means B when recoupled as described.
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The follower 13 is rotatably and extensibly carried by the handle 45 as best illustrated in Fiy. 9 wherein a compression spring 63 yieldingly retracts a , spindle 64 that rotatably carries the follower 13 so that it will turn free in the track T as shown throughout the drawing and as it is detailed in Fig. 6. A safety feature is the track T of dovetail configuration having well rounded inside and outside corners. In practice, the uppermost corner is shallow and obtuse as compared with the lowermost corner tha~
is deep and sharp to guide and retain the roller follower 13 to the track T. The follower 13 presents a complementary knob form or configuration devoid of any sharpness that might otherwise catch garments or cause damage and/or injury.
Referring now to a more basic form of anchor means B' as it is disclosed in Figs. 14, 15, 17 and 13 , of the drawings, extensibility thereof is by means ofthe lever means A the same as hereinabove described.
However in~ this formJ anchorage ~s by means of cooperation with the follower 13 operable in the track T all as hereinabove described, but devoid of the flight pockets 40. From Figs. 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 it will be observed that the roller 37' is lowered and extended by arm 36 to rest upon the flight ribs~
or fins 41" and against the~adjacent flight rlser 43.
- The roller 37' is of small diameter and the fins 41"
~ are not deepened or as widely spaced as they are in : :
3~5 the first form (see Fig. 16). Capture of the wheel chair in riding position on the flights F is by means of the acute angularity between the supporting plane of the flight F and riser 43 simultaneously engageable therewith when the adjacent flight raises with respect to the wheel supporting flight (wheel Wl) and by virtue of the converging angular relationship of the track T with respect to the horizontal plane of the wheel supporting flight F (wheels W1 and W2).
Figs. 14, 15 and 18 illustrate this angular convergence of the track T and follower 13 relationship to the acute engagement of roller 37', whereby the wheel chair is captured in riding position on the two vertically displaced flights F. -The basic anchor roller of Figs. 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 is inherently forced against a riser ~3 as shown, for both UP and DOWN transport of the wheel chair. The convergence of track T and the supporting ' planes of the flights F makes this a positive function that maintains a proper rlding position with the wheel supports Wl and W2 safely positioned upon their respective flights F. Accordingly and as best illustrated in the descent modes of Figs~ 14 and 18, this first fully exposed flight F emanating from the top platform P2 is lowered with respect to the following flight F so that the riser 43 of the latter is exposed to engage with the anchor roller 37'.
In practice, the planar offset of the first fully exposed flight F from the emanating flight F is substantially one roller diameter as shown, whereby a positive depression is realized by the riding occupant when the roller 37' is depressed by spring 56 into the acute corner established by said riser 43. I-t is this roller depression onto the first fully exposed flight F that operates the switch 68.
~ Concurrently with the foregoing engagement ; of the anchor roller 37' with the first fully exposed flight F, the roller 13 has moved forwardly in the , 1 `~ downwardly curved trac~ T as shown in Fig. 18, whereby the llft means C depresses the wheel support W2 onto its supporting flight. The offset of the two supporting fllghts F is severe in Fig. 14 and moderate in the chair reception position thereof as shown in Fig. 14, the supporting plane for wheel ` 15 support W2`being well below -the supporting plane of wheel support Wl in Fis~. 14, and a roller 37' diameter or less in Fig. :L8. Subsequently, the flights are more rapidly offset into the down ' ; condltlon of Flg. 15 for example, according to ~ 20 ~conventional escalator operation.
; The wheel chair hèrein remains collapsible and so that the laterally separable side frames 10 can be moved~together and~apart. As thus far described, the controlling means A, B end C and related par-ts are incorporated individually in each side frame 10 so as ~to be independently operable.~ However, it may be desired that the two sides of the wheel chair operate in unison, dependently or independently as may be required. Accordingly, collapsible motion transfer ~0 means D is provided as shown in Figs. 20-23 and which :
3~5 operates between the lever means A at opposite side frames 10. The collapsible motion -transfer means D
involves an articulated torque transmitting bar 70, a sectional bar coupled to transfer levers 71 revolved by each arm member 46 outside of each side frame 10 The bar 70 embraces the spaced legs 16 of opposite side framés 10, from the rear thereof (see Fig. 20).
In practice, the rotational limits of ar~ members 46 is within 180, so that it may be offset as shown to clear the leg 16; and it is the spaced transfer levers 71 which establishes this offset 50 that the bar 70 can be broken upwardly an~ dQw~wardly to.the rea~ and so that it may be straightened (see Fig. 21). The bar 70 breaks at a center pivot 72 on an æis parallel with axes of like pivots 73 at the spaced transfer levers 71.
Levers 71 are keyed to sleeves 74 common with arm.
members 46, and said bar is telescoped as shown in Fig. 22 so as to.permit flexibility in track width of , the wheel chair during its operationO
Operation of the wheel chair and control of the escalator as disclosed herein is as follows:
~:~ The conventional wheel chair of Fig. 1 incorporates the lever means A which manually holds the anchor means B and lift means.C retracted with the handle 45 positioned to lock the arm members 46 and 47 in the first class lever condition ready ~or operation.
: -19-Preparatory to ascending, the wheel chair is backed onto the pla-tform Pl of an UP escalator with the lever means A manually operated as shown in Fig. 2 so as to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller 37 (37') onto the supporting surface and onto a flight F. The handle 45 is then rotated (see Fig. 9) to uncouple arm member 46 from arm member 47 and so as to laterally project the follower 13 for its engagement into the track T.
Entry of the follower 13 into th~ track T is by movement of the wheel chair into riding position where there is a gate means represented by a switch 65, the operation of which slows and/or stops the escalator.
In practice, the escalator is slowed so that its rate of travel is minimized and accompanied by retraction of the fin sections 41' through control means 66 and retraction means 67 indicated as a solenoid or the ~ like. The control means 66 governs the speed of P . motor M, and when anchor roller 37 and hook 38 drop into pocket 40 a switch 68 is operated and through control means 66 accelerates and restores motor M
to its normal speed so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of ascent. In practice, 65 - 68 operate sequentially at each side frame anchor means B and are ,:
in series or the like, so that simultaneous operation thereof is required in order to restore the motor M
to its normal speed. ~scent of the wheel chaix on vertically spaced flights F lS shown in Fig. 3.
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3~Si Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37 and pockets 40, -the wheel chair is advanced forwardly from the platform P2 a~d onto adjacent coplanar flights F of a DOWN escalator with the lever means A
manually operated as shown in Fig. 4 so as to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller 37 onto the supporting surface and onto the rearmost exposed fliyht F. The handle 45 is then rotated (see Fig. 9) to uncouple arm mem~er 46 from arm member 47 and so as to project the follower 13 for its engagement into the track T. Initial entry of the follower 13 into the track T is by movement of the wheel chair toward riding position where there is a gate means represented by a switch 65, the operation of which slows and/or stops the escala-tor.
In practice, the escalator i9 slowed so that its rate of travel is minimized and accompanied by ~` retraction of the fin sections 41' through the control means 66 when a gate swi-tch~6~>is operated for the actuation of the retraction means 67. The ~ ~ .
control means 66 governs the speed of motor M, and when the anchor roller 37 and hook 38~drop into the opened pocket 40 a switch 68 lS operated and through control means 66 accelerates and restores motor M to its normal speed so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of descent. ~Descent of the wheel chair on vertically spaced flights F
is shown in Fig. 3.
:;
~ 9~ 3 ~5 1 Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37' and without pockets 40, the wheel chair is advanced ; forwardly through the gate switch or switches 65 and from the platform P2 and onto a flight F substantially coplanar therewith and with the lever means A manually operated as shown in Fig. 14 so a~ to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller rollers 37' onto the rearmost exposed flight ~. As is shown, when the gate switch 65 is operated the escalator is stopped ; 10 so as to enable the occupant to place the wheel chair into proper riding position with the anchor rollers 37' ;
engaging a riser ~3, whereby actuation of switches 68 through control means 66 restore~ motor M to its normal speed and so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of descent.
Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37' and without gate switches 65, the wheel chair is advanced forwardly through the gate switch or switches 65 and from the platform P2 and onto a fully e~po~ed flight F offset substantially one roller diameter below the next emanating flight F, and with the lever means A manually operated as shown in Fig. 18 so as to extend and lower the anchor means A and to press the roller 37' onto the - supporting surface and onto the rearmost exposed flight P As is shown, when the gate switch 65 is operated the escalator is slowed and/or stopped or pauses in the position shown9 with the adjacent flight F - -, 3~S
beneath the front wheel support W2 offset ~oderately and preferably about one roller 37' diameter below the flight F beneath the main wheel support Wl.
This delay in transport of the escalator enables the occupant to place the wheel chair into proper riding position with the anchor rollers 37' engaging a riser 43, whereby actuation of switches 68 through control means 66 restores motor M to its normal speed and so that the escalator resumes its normal rate of descent.
Operation of the wheel chair and of the escalator is the same with both forms of anchor means A and A', and it is t,o be understood that the means A, B, and C as they are disclosed herein are applied to at least one and preferably to both the . left and right side frames of the wheel chair and .` to both the left and right rails of the escalator, and independently operable as described and as circumstances require.
Having described only the typical preferred ' forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific ; : details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ,, myself any modifications or variat.ions that may ' 25 appear to those skilled in the art as set forth within the limits of -the following claims.
i:
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' -23-
Claims (38)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with main wheel supports downwardly exten-sible wheel supports and having control means with a track follower to depress said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of escalator flights, and said escala-tor including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically off set by means to form steps as they are propelled by motor means, and a variably displaced track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable in response to said vari-able displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights.
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically off set by means to form steps as they are propelled by motor means, and a variably displaced track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable in response to said vari-able displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights.
2. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1 wherein the track is in a side wall to en-gage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair.
3. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track is variably displaced from the flights as it extends between the lower and upper platforms.
4. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein -the track is carried by a side wall and variably displaced above the flights as it extends be-tween the lower and upper platforms.
5. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein a gate means is actuated by engage-ment of the track follower in the track to control the speed of the motor means.
6. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track has openings to be ex-posed at the lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of the track follower.
7. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track has openings to be ex-posed at the lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of the track follower, and wherein a gate means at one of said track openings is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track to control the speed of the motor means.
::
::
8. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first gate means is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track operating motor control means to slow the speed of the motor means, and wherein a second gate means spaced in the direction of trans-port is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track operating said motor means to restore the operating speed thereof.
9. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track has openings to be ex-posed at the lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of the track follower, wherein a first gate means at one of said track openings is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track operating motor control means to slow the speed of the motor means, and wherein a second gate means spaced in the direction of transport is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track operating said motor means to restore the operating speed thereof.
10. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a variably displaced track is independently cooperable with the track follower of the said wheel chair control means at each side wall of the escalator.
11. An escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with spaced main and downwardly extensible front wheel supports and downwardly extensible anchor means and having control means with a track follower to depress said anchor means into engagement with escalator flights and to depress said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of a riser at adjacent escalator flights, and including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frame of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights with risers extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically offset by means to form steps and ex-pose the risers at adjacent flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track extending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-ition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel sup-ports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by said riser.
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frame of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights with risers extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls, lower and upper platforms at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flights as they are vertically offset by means to form steps and ex-pose the risers at adjacent flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track extending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-ition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel sup-ports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by said riser.
12. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair.
13. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned to re-ceive the track follower of the control means subsequent to operation thereof extending the anchor means and is variably displaced from the flights as it extends between the lower and upper platforms to govern the wheel chair control means.
14. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is carried by a side wall and is positioned to receive the track follower of the control means subsequent to operation thereof extending the anchor means and is variably displaced above the flights as it extends between lower and upper platforms to govern the wheel chair control means.
15. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, and wherein a gate means is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track to control the speed of the motor means.
16. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, and wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of the track follower.
17. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, and wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of the track follower, and wherein a gate means at one of said track openings is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track to control the speed of the motor means.
18. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, wherein a first gate means is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track operating motor control means to slow the speed of the motor means, and wherein a second gate means spaced in the direction of transport is actuated by en-gagement of the track follower in the track operating said motor means to restore the operating speed thereof.
19. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of the track follower, wherein a first gate means at one of said track openings is actuated by engagement of the track fol-lower in the track operating motor control means to slow the speed of the motor means, and wherein a second gate means spaced in the direction of transport is actuated by engage-ment of the track follower in the track operating said motor means to restore the operating speed thereof.
20. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein a variably displaced track is independently cooperable with the track follower of the said wheel chair control means at each side of the esca-lator.
21. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein a variably displaced track is independently cooperable with the track follower of the said wheel chair control means at each side of the esca-lator.
22. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein a variably displaced track is independently cooperable with the track follower of the said wheel chair control means at each side of the esca-lator.
23. An escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced side frames with spaced main and downwardly extensible front wheel supports and downwardly extensible anchor roller means and having control means with a track follower to de-press said anchor roller means into engagement with support-ing surfaces and to depress said front wheel supports and thereby maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair during vertical displacemment of a riser at adjacent escalator flights, and including;
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights with risers extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls and each riser having a supporting sur-face comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket adapted to receive said anchor roller means and formed therein at the riser of the next adjacent flight, lower and upper platforms with longitudinal fingers dis-posed between the said upstanding rigs of the flights passing beneath said platforms to intercept and discharge the anchor roller means from the pocket at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flight as they are vertically offset by means to form steps and expose the risers at adjacent flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track extending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-ition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel sup-ports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by said riser.
side walls spaced to closely pass the side frames of the wheel chair, an endless belt of flights with risers extending between vertically spaced floor levels to move within the confines of the spaced side walls and each riser having a supporting sur-face comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket adapted to receive said anchor roller means and formed therein at the riser of the next adjacent flight, lower and upper platforms with longitudinal fingers dis-posed between the said upstanding rigs of the flights passing beneath said platforms to intercept and discharge the anchor roller means from the pocket at said spaced floor levels and means to maintain a horizontal disposition of the flight as they are vertically offset by means to form steps and expose the risers at adjacent flights as they are propelled by motor means from one platform to the other, and a variably displaced track extending between the lower and upper platforms and engaged by the track follower of the said wheel chair control means operable to extend the anchor means of the wheel chair into engagement with a flight and adjacent riser and operable in response to said variable displacement of the track to maintain the horizontal dispos-ition of the wheel chair with the main and front wheel sup-ports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically by said riser.
24. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 23, wherein the said fingers are pointed with an inclined plane extending from the bottom of the pockets intercepted thereby.
25. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 23, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, and wherein a gate means in the track is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track to slow -the speed of the motor means to enable depression of the anchor roller means into the pocket.
26. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 23, wherein a safety switch means is exposed in said pocket to be actuated by the anchor roller means when received therein, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor roller means of the wheel chair, and wherein a gate means in the track is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track to slow the speed of the motor means to enable depression of the anchor roller means into the pocket and for actuation of the safety switch means operable through motor control means to restore the motor means to speed.
27. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 23, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage the track follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said con-trol means extending the anchor roller means of the wheel chair, wherein a first gate means in the track is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track operating motor control means to slow the speed of the motor means and enable depression of the anchor roller means into the pocket, where-in a safety switch means is exposed in said pocket to be act-uated by the anchor roller means when received therein, and wherein a second gate means in the track and spaced in the direction of transport is actuated by engagement of the track follower in the track and together with said safety switch means and through said motor control means operating to re-store the operating speed thereof.
28. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 23, wherein retractable ribs are withdrawn by means to form said pocket.
29. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 25, wherein retractable ribs are withdrawn by means responsive to actuation of the gate means to form said pocket.
30. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 27, wherein retractable ribs are withdrawn by means responsive to actuation of said first gate means to form said pocket.
31. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein the control means and anchor roller means and gate means and track and track fol-lower are independently cooperable at each side wall of the escalator.
32. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 29 or 30, wherein the control means and anchor roller means and gate means and track and track fol-lower are independently cooperable at each side wall of the escalator.
33. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein a safety switch means is exposed to anchor means engagement with the supporting flight at the riser of the adjacent flight for engagement thereby and operable through the gate means and motor control means to restore the motor means speed.
34. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 15, 17 or 18, a safety switch means is exposed to anchor means engagement with the supporting flight at the riser of the adjacent flight for engagement thereby and operable through the gate means and motor control means to restore the motor means speed.
35. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 19, wherein a safety switch means is exposed to anchor means engagement with the supporting flight at the riser of the adjacent flight for engagement thereby and oper-able through the gate means and motor control means to re-store the motor means speed.
36. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 7, 8 or 15, wherein the control means and track follower are independently cooperable with a safety switch means at each side wall of the escalator.
37. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 15, 17 or 18, wherein the control means and track follower are independently cooperable with a safety switch means at each side wall of the escalator.
38. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in claim 19, wherein the control means and track fol-lower are independently cooperable with a safety switch means at each side wall of the escalator.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000410724A CA1154395A (en) | 1980-12-11 | 1982-09-02 | Escalator for wheel chair transport |
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US21541980A | 1980-12-11 | 1980-12-11 | |
| US21541880A | 1980-12-11 | 1980-12-11 | |
| US215,418 | 1980-12-11 | ||
| US215,419 | 1980-12-11 | ||
| US06/215,417 US4326622A (en) | 1980-12-11 | 1980-12-11 | Cooperative escalator and wheel chair |
| US215,417 | 1980-12-11 | ||
| CA000389055A CA1143318A (en) | 1980-12-11 | 1981-10-29 | Cooperative escalator and wheel chair |
| CA000410724A CA1154395A (en) | 1980-12-11 | 1982-09-02 | Escalator for wheel chair transport |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1154395A true CA1154395A (en) | 1983-09-27 |
Family
ID=27508199
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000410724A Expired CA1154395A (en) | 1980-12-11 | 1982-09-02 | Escalator for wheel chair transport |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1154395A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-09-02 CA CA000410724A patent/CA1154395A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |