GB1367684A - Conveyor handrails - Google Patents

Abstract

1367684 Conveyer handrail BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE 27 Aug 1971 [27 Aug 1970] 40269/71 Heading B8A [Also in Division H2] A handrail for the balustrade of a conveyer having at least one variable speed zone comprises a series of contiguous plate-like elements slidable relative to one another, guide means for the elements, and drive means changing the distance between adjacent element edges to produce a speed variation. Fig. 2 shows the change in orientation of the plates 7 which comprise the handrail when moving from a low speed zone into a higher speed zone. Fig. 4 shows a single plate 7 in a low speed zone riding on guide rails 11, 12 which come closer together as the plates are accelerated by means of an endless flexible screw 19 having a varying pitch 20 (Fig. 7). The plates 7 are preferably made of metal and the side portions are magnetized to provide magnetic attraction between each pair of adjacent plates. In alternative embodiments (not shown), alternative methods of linking the plates together (Figs. 12, 13, 14, not shown); alternative methods of driving the plates (Figs. 15, 16, 17, 18, not shown); and alternative constructions of the plates are described and shown.