Wheel chair abstract
The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair, the escalator
having side walls between which an endless belt of flights is moved,
there being a track extending between lower and upper platforms
at which at least one has one or more control gates to govern the
escalator speed, the wheel chair having spaced side frames with
main wheel supports spaced from downwardly extensible front wheel
supports and controlled in response to the track to depress said
front wheel supports to maintain the horizontal disposition of the
wheel chair during vertical displacement of the flights when transported
between said platforms.
Wheel chair claims
I claim:
1. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair, and including;
the escalator having side walls spaced to closely pass spaced 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, and having 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
as the belt thereof is propelled by motor means,
the wheel chair having a main wheel support rotatable outside of
each side frame and on a common axis aft of the center of gravity
when a person is seated in the wheel chair, and a downwardly extensible
wheel support at the front of each side frame and on independent
lift axes well forward of said center of gravity,
a track extending between the lower and upper platforms, said track
having variable displacement with respect to the vertical disposition
of the flights,
and the wheel chair having control means engageable with the track
to extend the wheel supports at the front of each side frame in
response to the variable displacement of the track from the flights
to depress said front wheel supports and controllably maintain the
horizontal disposition of the wheel chair.
2. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the wheel chair control means is comprised of
a lever having a follower engageable with the track and operably
connected to lift means to depress the front wheel supports.
3. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the wheel chair control means is comprised of
a lever having a laterally extensible follower engageable with the
track and operably connected to lift means to depress the front
wheel supports.
4. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the wheel chair control means is comprised of
a lever having a yieldingly retracted laterally extensible follower
engageable with the track and operably connected to lift means to
depress the front wheel supports.
5. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the wheel chair control means is comprised of
a lever having a manually shiftable follower retractably projecting
laterally to engage with the track and operably connected to lift
means to depress the front wheel supports.
6. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the wheel chair control means is comprised of
a lever having a manually shiftable follower projecting and yieldingly
retracted laterally from engagement with the track and operably
connected to lift means to depress the front wheel supports.
7. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the escalator track and wheel chair control
means are independently operable at each side wall and closely related
side frames of the wheel chair.
8. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the main wheel support
is rotatable on axles projecting outwardly from each side frame
on said common axis, and wherein the control means is carried on
said axles between the side frames and main wheel supports at each
side of the wheel chair.
9. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair, and including;
the escalator having side walls spaced to closely pass spaced 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, and having 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
as they are propelled by motor means,
the wheel chair having a main wheel support rotatable outside of
each side frame and on a common axis aft of the center of gravity
when a person is seated in the wheel chair, and a downwardly extensible
wheel support at the front of each side frame and on independent
lift axes well forward of said center of gravity,
a track extending between the lower and upper platforms, said track
having variable displacement with respect to the vertical disposition
of the flights,
and the wheel chair having a flight engageable anchor means extensible
from at least one of the side frames, and a manually operable control
means to extend the anchor means into flight engagement and thereafter
engageable with the track and operable to extend the wheel supports
at the front of each side frame in response to the variable displacement
of the track from the flights to depress said front wheel supports.
10. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of a lever having releasibly coupled arm members operable when coupled
to extend the anchor means into flight engagement and operable when
uncoupled to depress the front wheel supports.
11. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of a lost motion lift means to depress and retract the front wheel
supports and a lever having releasably coupled arm members operable
through the lost motion of the lift means when coupled to extend
the anchor means into flight engagement and operable at the end
of said lost motion when uncoupled to depress the front wheel support
and be reversely moved thereby.
12. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of a lift means having a lost motion sprocket and chain drive to
depress and retract the front wheel supports and a lever having
releasably coupled arm members operable between drive pins of said
lost motion lift means when coupled to extend the anchor means into
flight engagement, and operable against a drive pin at the end of
said lost motion when uncoupled to depress the front wheel support
and be reversely moved thereby.
13. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of a rack and pinion lift means having a lost motion sprocket and
chain drive to depress and retract the front wheel supports and
a lever having releasably coupled arm members operable between drive
pins of said lost motion lift means when coupled to extend the anchor
means into flight engagement, and operable against a drive pin at
the end of said lost motion when uncoupled to operate the rack and
pinion lift means and depress the front wheel support and be reversely
moved thereby.
14. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in any one of claims 10 through 13, wherein the lever is releasably
coupled by a manually shiftable handle to project laterally and
having a follower yieldingly retracted from engagement with the
track.
15. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of an arm swinging from the rear of each side frame and engageable
at a supporting surface and riser of adjacent flights.
16. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of an arm swinging from the rear of each side frame and includes
spring means to depress the arm into said flight engagement at a
supporting surface and riser of adjacent flights.
17. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of an arm swinging from the rear of each side frame and each with
a roller engageable at a supporting surface and riser of adjacent
flights.
18. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of an arm swinging from the rear of each side frame and each with
a roller engageable at an acute corner defined by the supporting
surface and riser of adjacent flights.
19. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the manually operable control means is comprised
of an arm swinging from the rear of each side frame and each with
a roller engageable into a pocket and captured at an acute corner
defined by the supporting surface and riser of adjacent flights.
20. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in any one of claims 9 through 13 and 15 through 19, wherein the
main wheel support is rotatable on axles projecting outwardly from
each side frame on said common axis, and wherein the manually operable
control means is carried on said axles between the side frames and
main wheel supports at each side of the wheel chair.
21. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the
lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of
a follower operating the manually operable control means.
22. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the
lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of
a follower operating the manually operable control means, and wherein
a gate means at one of said track openings is actuated by engagement
of the follower in the track to control the speed of the motor means.
23. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein a first gate means is actuated by engagement
of a 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 follower
in the track operating said motor means to restore the operating
speed thereof.
24. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the
lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of
a follower operating the manually operable control means, wherein
a first gate means at one of said track openings is actuated by
engagement of the 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 follower in the track operating said motor means to restore
the operating speed thereof.
25. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in any one of claims 21 through 24, wherein the control means and
track and follower are independently cooperable at each side wall
of the escalator.
26. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage
a follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair
subsequent to operation of said control means extending the anchor
means of the wheel chair, and wherein a gate means is actuated by
engagement of the follower in the track to control the speed of
the motor means.
27. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage
a follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair
subsequent to operation of said control 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 follower.
28. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage
a follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair
subsequent to operation of said control 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 follower, and wherein a gate means at one of said track openings
is actuated by engagement of the follower in the track to control
the speed of the motor means.
29. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage
a follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair
subsequent to operation of said control means extending the anchor
means of the wheel chair, wherein a first gate means is actuated
by engagement of the 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 follower in the track operating said motor means to restore
the operating speed thereof.
30. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein the track is positioned in a side wall to engage
a follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair
subsequent to operation of said control 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 follower, wherein a first gate means at one of said track
openings is actuated by engagement of the 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 follower in the track operating
said motor means to restore the operating speed thereof.
31. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in any one of claims 26 through 30, wherein the control means and
anchor means and track and follower are independently cooperable
at each side wall of the escalator.
32. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein each flight has a riser and a supporting surface
comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket
adapted to receive an anchor means roller and formed therein at
the riser of the next adjacent flight, and wherein platform fingers
project between said ribs and are pointed with an inclined plane
extending from the bottom of the pockets intercepted thereby to
lift the anchor means roller.
33. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein each flight has a riser and a supporting surface
comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket
adapted to receive an anchor means roller and formed therein at
the riser of the next adjacent flight, wherein the track is positioned
is a side wall to engage the follower projecting from the control
means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said control
means extending the anchor means of the wheel chair, and wherein
a gate means in the track is actuated by a follower projecting from
the control means and engageable in the track to slow the speed
of the motor means to enable depression of the anchor roller means
into the pocket.
34. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein each flight has a riser and a supporting surface
comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket
adapted to receive an anchor means roller and formed therein at
the riser of the next adjacent flight, 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 follower projecting from the control means of
the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said control means extending
the anchor roller means of the wheel chair, and wherein a gate means
in the track is actuated by a follower projecting from the control
means and engageable in the track to slow the speed of the motor
means to enable depression of the anchor follower means into the
pocket and for actuation of the safety switch means operable through
motor control means to restore the motor means to speed.
35. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein each flight has a riser and a supporting surface
comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket
adapted to receive an anchor means roller and formed therein at
the riser of the next adjacent flight, wherein the track is positioned
in a side wall to engage a follower projecting from the control
means of the wheel chair subsequent to operation of said control
means extending the anchor roller means of the wheel chair, wherein
a first gate means in the track is actuated by engagement of the
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, wherein a safety switch means is exposed
in said pocket to be actuated 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 follower
in the track and together with said safety switch means and through
said motor control means operating to restore the operating speed
thereof.
36. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein each flight has a riser and a supporting surface
comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket
adapted to receive an anchor means roller and formed therein at
the riser of the next adjacent flight, and wherein retractable ribs
are withdrawn by means responsive to actuation of a gate means to
form said pcoket.
37. The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 9, wherein each flight has a riser and a supporting surface
comprised of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs and a pocket
adapted to receive an anchor means roller and formed therein at
the riser of the next adjacent flight, and wherein the control means
and anchor roller means and track and a follower and gate means
are independently cooperable at each side wall of the escalator.
38. A multi-purpose wheel chair for normal use and for transport
upon variably offset flights of an escalator having spaced side
walls and a track variably displaced from the flights to control
the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair, and including;
spaced side frames to pass closely within the confines of the spaced
side walls of the escalator,
a main wheel support rotatable outside of each side frame and on
a common axis aft of the center of gravity when a person is seated
in the wheel chair,
a downwardly extensible wheel support at the front of each side
frame and on independent lift axes well forward of said center of
gravity,
and control means engageable with the track to extend the wheel
supports at the front of each side frame in response to the variable
displacement of the track from the flights to depress said front
wheel supports and controllably maintain the horizontal disposition
of the wheel chair.
39. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 38, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lever having a follower engageable
with the track and operably connected to lift means to depress the
front wheel supports.
40. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 38, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lever having a laterally extensible
follower engageable with the track and operably connected to lift
means to depress the front wheel supports.
41. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 38, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lever having a yieldingly retracted
laterally extensible follower engageable with the track and operably
connected to lift means to depress the front wheel supports.
42. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 38, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lever having a manually shiftable
follower retractably projecting laterally to engage with the track
and operably connected to lift means to depress the front wheel
supports.
43. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 38, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lever having a manually shiftable
follower projecting and yieldingly retracted laterally from engagement
with the track and operably connected to lift means to depress the
front wheel supports.
44. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 38, wherein
the control means is independently operable in each of the side
frames and with a follower engageable with a track at each side
wall of the escalator.
45. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in any one of claims
38 through 44, wherein the main wheel support is rotatable on axles
projecting outwardly from each side rame on said common axis, and
wherein the control means is carried on said axles between the side
frames and main wheel supports at each side of the wheel chair.
46. A multi-purpose wheel chair for normal use and for transport
upon variably offset flights of an escalator having spaced side
walls and a track variably displaced from the flights to control
the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair, and including;
spaced side frames to pass closely within the confines of the spaced
side walls of the escalator,
a main wheel support rotatable outside of each side frame and on
a common axis aft of the center of gravity when a person is seated
in the wheel chair,
a downwardly extensible wheel support at the front of each side
frame and on independent lift axes well forward of said center of
gravity,
a flight engageable anchor means extensible from at least one of
the side frames,
and manually operable control means to extend the anchor means
into flight engagement and thereafter engageable with the track
and operable to extend the wheel supports at the front of each side
frame in response to the variable displacement of the track from
the flights to depress said front wheel supports.
47. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lever having releasibly coupled
arm members operable when coupled to extend the anchor means into
flight engagement and operable when uncoupled to depress the front
wheel supports.
48. The multi-upurpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lost motion lift means to depress
and retract the front wheel supports and a lever having releasably
coupled arm members operable through the lost motion of the lift
means when coupled to extend the anchor means into flight engagement
and operable at the end of said lost motion when uncoupled to depress
the front wheel support and be reversely moved thereby.
49. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the control means is comprised of a lift means having a lost motion
sprocket and chain drive to depress and retract the front wheel
supports and a lever having releasably coupled arm members operable
between drive pins of said lost motion lift means when coupled to
extend the anchor means into flight engagement, and operable against
a drive pin at the end of said lost motion when uncoupled to depress
the front wheel support and be reversely moved thereby.
50. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the control means is comprised of a rack and pinion lift means having
a lost motion sprocket and chain drive to depress and retract the
front wheel supports and a lever having releasably coupled arm members
operable between drive pins of said lost motion lift means when
coupled to extend the anchor means into flight engagement, and operable
against a drive pin at the end of said lost motion when uncoupled
to operate the rack and pinion lift means and depress the front
wheel support and be reversely moved thereby.
51. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in any one of claims
47, 48, 49 or 50, wherein the lever is releasably coupled by a manually
shiftable handle to project laterally and having a follower yieldingly
retracted from engagement with the track.
52. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the flight engaged anchor means is comprised of an arm swinging
from the rear of each side frame and engageable at a supporting
surface and riser of adjacent flights.
53. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the flight engaged anchor means is comprised of an arm swinging
from the rear of each side frame and includes spring means to depress
the arm into said flight engagement at a supporting surface and
riser of adjacent flights.
54. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the flight engaged anchor means is comprised of an arm swinging
from the rear of each side frame and each with a roller engageable
at a supporting surface and riser of adjacent flights.
55. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the flight engageable anchor means is comprised of an arm swinging
from the rear of each side frame and each with a roller engageable
at an acute corner defined by the supporting surface and riser of
adjacent flights.
56. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in claim 46, wherein
the flight engageable anchor means is comprised of an arm swinging
from the rear of each side frame and each with a roller engageable
into a pocket and captured at an acute corner defined by the supporting
surface and riser of adjacent flights.
57. The multi-purpose wheel chair as set forth in any one of claims
46 through 50, 52 through 56, wherein the main wheel support is
rotatable on axles projecting outwardly from each side frame on
said common axis, and wherein the manually operable control means
is carried on said axles between the side frames and main wheel
supports at each side of the wheel chair.
58. A multi-purpose collapsible wheel chair for normal use and
for transport upon variably offset flights of an escalator having
spaced side walls and a track variably displaced from the flights
to control the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair, and including;
spaced side frames to pass closely within the confines of the spaced
side walls of the escalator,
a main wheel support rotatable outside of each side frame and on
a common axis aft of the center of gravity when a person is seated
in the wheel chair,
a downwardly extensible wheel support at the front of each side
frame and on independent lift axes well forward of said center of
gravity,
control means disposed between each side frame and main wheel support
and at least one of said control means being engageable with the
track to extend the wheel supports at the front of each side frame
in response to the variable displacement of the track from the flights
to depress said front wheel supports and controllably maintain the
horizontal disposition of the wheel chair,
and a collapsible motion transfer means coupling the control means
at opposite side frames to operate one from the other.
59. The multi-purpose collapsible wheel chair as set forth in claim
58, wherein at least one of the control means at opposite side frames
is comprised of a lever having a follower engageable with the track
and operably connected to lift means to depress the front wheel
support.
60. The multi-purpose collapsible wheel chair as set forth in claim
58, wherein at least one of the control means at opposite side frames
is comprised of a lever having a follower engageable with the track
and operably connected to lift means to depress the front wheel
support, and wherein the collapsible motion transfer means is comprised
of a sectional bar articulated to break at its center and coupled
to each lever.
61. The multi-purpose collapsible wheel chair as set forth in claim
58, wherein at least one of the control means at opposite side frames
is comprised of a lever having a follower engageable with the track
and operably connected to lift means to depress the front wheel
support, and wherein the collapsible motion transfer means is comprised
of a sectional bar articulated to break at its center and coupled
to each lever by a transfer lever on the main wheel support axis
and rotating with said control means lever.
62. An escalator for the transport of a wheel chair having spaced
side frames with main 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 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 offset by means to form steps as they are propelled by
motor means,
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 in response to said 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.
63. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, wherein the track is in a side wall to engage the track
follower projecting from the control means of the wheel chair.
64. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, wherein the track is variably displaced from the flights
as it extends between the lower and upper platforms.
65. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, wherein the track is carried by a side wall and variably
displaced above the flights as it extends between the lower and
upper platforms.
66. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, wherein a gate means is actuated by engagement of the
track follower in the track to control the speed of the motor means.
67. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, wherein the track has openings to be exposed at the
lower and upper platforms for the reception of and discharge of
the track follower.
68. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, 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.
69. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, wherein a first gate means is actuted 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.
70. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in claim 62, 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 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.
71. The escalator for the transport of a wheel chair as set forth
in any one of claims 62 through 70, 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.
72. 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 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 disposition of the wheel chair with the main and
front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically
by said riser.
73. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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 control means extending the
anchor means of the wheel chair.
74. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, wherein the track is positioned to receive 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.
75. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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.
76. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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 control 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.
77. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
any one of claims 68, 69 or 76, wherein the control means and track
follower are independently cooperable with a safety switch means
at each side wall of the escalator.
78. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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 control 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.
79. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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 control 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, 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.
80. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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 control 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 engagement of the track follower in the track operating said
motor means to restore the operating speed thereof.
81. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 72, 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 control 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
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.
82. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
any one of claims 72 through 76 and 78 through 81, 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.
83. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
any one of claims 68, 69, 70, 76, 79, 80, or 81, 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.
84. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
any one of claims 76, 79, 80 or 81, wherein the control means and
track follower are independently cooperable with a safety switch
means at each side wall of the escalator.
85. 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 depress said anchor roller
means into engagement with supporting surfaces 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 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 surface 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 disposed between
the said upstanding ribs 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 flights 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 disposition of the wheel chair with the main and
front wheel supports carried upon adjacent flights separated vertically
by said riser.
86. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 85, wherein the said fingers are pointed with an inclined
plane extending from the bottom of the pockets intercepted thereby.
87. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 85, 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 control 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.
88. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 87, wherein retractable ribs are withdrawn by means responsive
to actuation of the gate means to form said pocket.
89. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 85, wherein a safety switch means is exposed in said pockets
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 control 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.
90. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 85, 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 control 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, wherein a safety switch means is exposed in said pocket
to be actuated 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 restore the operating speed
thereof.
91. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 90, wherein retractable ribs are withdrawn by means responsive
to actuation of said first gate means to form said pocket.
92. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
any one of claims 87, 89, 90, or 91, wherein the control means and
anchor roller means and gate means and track and track follower
are independently cooperable at each side wall of the escalator.
93. The escalator for transport of a wheel chair as set forth in
claim 85, wherein retractable ribs are withdrawn by means to form
said pocket.
Wheel chair description
This application is copending with application Ser. Nos. 215,419
and 215,418 filed Dec. 11, 1980, both now abandoned, on even date
herewith and entitled Wheel Chair for Escalator Transport and Escalator
for Wheel Chair Transport, respectively.
BACKGROUND
The mobility of wheel chaired persons has become an important consideration,
so that their participation in society can be fulfilled. In addition
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 provide 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 diameter castered so as to permit
steering. It is 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 engage the next lower flight. It is also an object
to coordinate the leveling action of said leveling wheel with the
degree of ascension and descension of the escalator flights as they
depart from a structure level for UP and DOWN transport as the case
may be.
The side frames of wheel chairs are necessarily narrow for collapsibility
into a small space, there being cross bracing or a scissors-type
means (not shown) to separate them in vertical alignment with respect
to a supporting surface. It is an object of this invention to maintain
the narrow configuration of the side frame and wheel assembly, while
incorporating therein means by which the leveling 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 seat disposition
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.
The wheeled support of a wheel chair upon vertically displaced
flights 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 motion 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 slowing or stopping the escalator
momentarily for coupling to said anchor means. In practice, switch
means are provided for sequential stopping (slowing) and starting
of the escalator in the reception of wheel chaired persons for transport
thereby. The release of the wheel chair from the escalator flights
is automatic, it being an object herein to provide means by which
the anchor means releases at the discharge end of the escalator.
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 characterized by direct and positive rules of action.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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 like. The wheel chair is conventional
in every respect except for the additional 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. The wheel
chair is provided with lever means A for depression of the front
wheel support W2 in response to track means T in the escalator.
The wheel chair is also provided with anchor means B for coupled
engagement with a flight F of the escalator, said escalator flight
being provided with complementary anchor means therefor. A feature
is the releasible engagement of the complementary anchor means,
and the commitment to control by the track means T and lever means
A. The characteristic feature is the horizontal level at which the
wheel chair is maintained throughout the transport by the escalator,
while ascending and descending.
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 applications thereof,
throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a wheel chair embodying the
features of the present invention, the chair being conditioned for
normal use.
FIG. 2, is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the wheel 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 with the
flights of the escalator.
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.
FIG. 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 view of the wheel support W2, and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed sectional view thereof taken as
indicated by line 8--8 on FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by line
9--9 on FIG. 2.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged detailed 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 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 flights.
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the anchor configuration
of FIG. 14.
FIGS. 16 and 17 are enlarged detailed views of the anchor configurations,
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 showing the basic anchor
means and preferred escalator flight and control relationships preparatory
to descending, and
FIG. 19 is a similar view preparatory to ascending.
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 and 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,
features which are complementary for ascent and descent of wheel
chairs by escalators. Generally: the wheel chair is comprised of
side frames 10 with a main wheel support W1 and a front wheel support
W2, and to which is added the lever means A, anchor means B, and
lift means C; and the escalator is comprised of lower level and
upper level platforms P1 and P2 between which treads of flights
F are transported by means of an endless belt of articulated links
(not shown). The escalator 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 P1 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 at the walls
11 to receive a follower 13 for operation of the lever means A.
The gate means for escalator control is associated with the track
T.
Referring now to the wheel chair as it is shown herein, there are
two side frames 10 between which a seat 14 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 that
outside of each side frame there is a main wheel support W1 positioned
at the back 15 of the chair and aft of the center of gravity when
a person is seated therein. As shown, there is a vertical leg member
16 from which a supporting axle 17 projects to carry the main wheel
support W1. Forward of the member 16 there is a vertical 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 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 W1 close to the walls 11 of the escalator and for engagement
of the two followers 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 mounted fork 26, all of which is disposed well forward
of the center of gravity and outside of the side frame 10. The rack
27 telescopes into a cover tube 28 to mesh with the pinion 29 that
operates within a case 30 (see FIGS. 7-8). The pinion shaft 31 carries
a sprocket 32 inboard of the case 30 and outboard 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 lift means C is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
The anchor means B as it is disclosed 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 of
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 flights. 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 40. In carrying out this invention,
the arm 36 is lowered 35.degree. or more to a stop 35 and below
the horizontal of rail 20 for engagement in a pocket 40, and the
arm is alternately raised 65.degree. or more above said horizontal
when not in use (see FIGS. 3 and 1 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 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 provided with longitudinal fins 41
of a height at least one half the roller diameter (see FIGS. 10
and 16), to form said anchor pocket 40. The pocket 40 is formed
or opened by retraction 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 captures the roller
37 and hook 38 configuration. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5 the
terminous fingers 44 continue from the fins 41 at the platforms
P1 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 P1 at
the terminous of a descending escalator. Conversely, the roller
37 is automatically raised to the supporting plane of the upper
floor platform P2 at the terminous of an ascending escalator.
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 pocket 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 W1 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 according to the vertical displacement between flights 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 engageable in said track T.
The lever means A is comprised of a separable first class lever
that converts into a second class lever. 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 as shown in FIGS. 2-5 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 disposed between
the side frame 10 and main wheel support W1. 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 50 is adjacent thereto
and free to rotate on said axle 17 immediately outboard of the frame
leg 16.
The first or second class condition 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 revolves from
a retracted position as shown in FIG. 1 through 90.degree. to a
projected position 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. As shown in FIG. 12, the handle 45 is restricted to 90.degree.
rotation between said extreme position by a lug operable within
a notch, being held in the projected position by a manually releasable
spring lock as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 13, the bolt 51
has a lug that projects from member 46 and into member 47 to enter
a J-slot 53 therein for coupled engagement of the two arm members.
Accordingly, 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 circumstances require.
The arm member 47 of 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 FIGS. 2-5.
However, a cam-detent 59 compresses the spring 56 as shown in FIG.
1 while the link 54 retracts the arm 36 as shown. In practice therefore,
the arm 36 is extended and/or retracted by lever 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.
The drive sprocket 50 is engaged by the chain 33 to turn the sprocket
32 and has drive pins 60 and 61 engageable with arm member 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 sprocket 50 is driven by pins 61
to retract the anchor means B when recoupled as described.
The follower 13 is rotatably and extensibly carried by the handle
45 as best illustrated in FIG. 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 that 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 18 of the drawings, estensibility
thereof is by means of the lever means A the same as hereinabove
described. However in this form, anchorage is 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 riser 43. The roller 37' is of small
diameter and the fins 41" are not deepend or as widely spaced
as they are in 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 W1), 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 43 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 riding position with the wheel supports W1 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. It 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 downwardly curved track T as shown in FIG. 18,
whereby the lift means C depresses the wheel support W2 onto its
supporting flight. The offset of the two supporting flights F is
severe in FIG. 14 and moderate in the chair reception position thereof
as shown in FIG. 14, the supporting plane for wheel support W2 being
well below the supporting plane of wheel support W1 in FIG. 14,
and a roller 37' diameter or less in FIG. 18. Subsequently, the
flights are more rapidly offset into the down condition of FIG.
15 for example, according to conventional escalator operation.
The wheel chair herein 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 and C and related parts
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 means
D is provided as shown in FIGS. 20-23 and which 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 frames 10, from the rear thereof
(see FIG. 20). In practice, the rotational limits of arm members
46 is within 180.degree., 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 so that the bar 70 can be broken upwardly and downwardly
to the rear and so that it may be straightened (see FIG. 21). The
bar 70 breaks at a center pivot 72 on an axis 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 as to permit flexibility in track
width of the wheel chair during its operation.
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 for operation.
Preparatory to ascending, the wheel chair is backed onto the platform
P1 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 the 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
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. As shown in FIG. 4, there is a
second gate means represented by a switch 64 operated by follower
13. Switch 64 is wired into the control means 66 the same as switch
68 and is spaced from switch 65 in the direction of wheel chair
movement. Switch 64 can be used as an alternate for or in conjunction
with switch 68. Ascent of the wheel chair on vertically spaced flights
F is shown in FIG. 3.
Preparatory to descending with the rollers 37 and pockets 40, the
wheel chair is advanced forwardly from the platform P2 and 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 flight F. The handle 45 is
then rotated (see FIG. 9) to uncouple arm member 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 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 the control means 66
when a gate switch 65 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 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 descent. Descent of the wheel chair on vertically
spaced flights F is shown in FIG. 3.
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 as to extend and lower the anchor means A
and to press the roller rollers 37' onto the rearmost exposed flight
F. As is shown, when the gate switch 65 is operated the escalator
is stopped so as to enable 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.
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
exposed 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 F. As is shown, when the gate
switch 65 is operated the escalator is slowed and/or stopped or
pauses in the position shown, with the adjacent flight F beneath
the front wheel support W2 offset moderately and preferably about
one roller 37' diameter below the flight F beneath the main wheel
support W1. 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 to 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 variations that may appear to those skilled
in the art as set forth within the limits of the following claims. |