Patent Application
20160368740
1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates generally to an elevating device and, more particularly, to a helical escalator system to transport an individual between floors.
2. Description of Related Art
Stairs are the most common means for enabling an individual to climb to (or descend from) different levels in a residential, commercial, or other buildings. Stairs require effort to navigate and may even be unusable by some individuals. Advancements have been made to develop moveable stairs (i.e. escalators) and elevators. Elevators are costly and can take up a considerable amount of space. Additionally they have the disadvantage of being in operable in selected types of emergencies.
Escalators are useful to overcome the disadvantage of elevators during emergencies but also allow for most individuals to navigate and use it. The idea is to provide a series of steps that run in a linear path up and down between to different elevated levels. Such systems create a loop in that as stairs reach one end, they are sent to the other end and start the ascent or descent again. A disadvantage of traditional escalators is that they require considerable room to install. Linear space limitations make the use of an escalator less desirable.
Circular stairways have been developed to provide a more compact system however difficulties remain. Typical systems operate like traditional escalators in that a single a single stair is rotated around the length of the escalator in an ascending or descending fashion. Such systems also tend to require a loop for the stairs to run through. Some systems use tracks placed along the inside or outside of each step to permit the stair to roll up and down along its length. The need for the looping of each stair to return each stair to either end is a great limitation to circular stairways, and escalators in general.
Although great strides have been made, considerable shortcomings remain. A new type of escalator stairway system is needed to permit a non-looping escalator system that transports individuals between different elevations in a circular fashion.
The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the assembly and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.
The assembly in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional escalators and stair lift systems. Specifically, the system of the present application is configured to transport an individual between different elevations by utilizing a series of fixed stairs and movable stairs. The movable stairs are configured to move in relation to the fixed stairs and transport an individual between fixed stairs, one at a time. Each movable stair loops in relation to a single fixed stair. The individual is not required to take any additional steps or walk between stairs. These and other unique features of the assembly are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The assembly and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.
The escalator system of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. The assembly includes a central shaft surrounding a fixed shaft. The central shaft is configured to move in relation to the fixed shaft. A series of fixed stairs and movable stairs are selectively engaged between the central shaft and the outer housing of the escalator system. Fixed stairs are coupled directly to the outer housing in a cantilevered fashion. Movable stairs are coupled directly to the central shaft in a cantilevered fashion. The movable stairs move in relation to the fixed stairs in accordance to the movement of the central shaft. The movement is configured to transport an individual between the fixed stairs.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views.
Referring now also to
Central shaft 107 is configured to raise and lower along shaft 10 via at least bearings 6 and 17. Rotation of central shaft 107 is permitted via rotation of bearings in contact with shafts 10 and 11. Central shaft 107 is configured to move in relation to shaft 108. It is understood that central shaft 107 is configured to extend between the upper and lower portions of system 101. Stairs 103 are selectively attached to central shaft 103 and housing 21 as seen in
Referring now also to
Each stair 103 includes an elongated portion 41 that passes through a series of fins. Each fin is configured to couple to and extend away from the elongated portion. The fins 43 the movable stair 20 and the fins 45 of the fixed stair 22 are configured to engage each other by permitting the fins 43 to translate between fins 45. During movement of movable stair 20 relative to fixed stair 22, the fins 43 are configured to pass between fins 45 and around the elongated portion 41 of each fixed stair. Fixed stairs 22 are arrayed around housing 21 along the full height of system 101. A single movable stair 20 is operable between two fixed stairs 22.
Referring now also to
During operation, movable stairs 20 move in conjunction with the movement of central shaft 107. Central shaft 107 is configured to rise and fall, and rotate at a selected speed and in a particular pattern. This pattern coincides with the positions of movable stair 20 as seen in
It is understood that the positions and movements of movable stair 20 may be reversed to accommodate the transportation of an individual downward from an elevated position. Also, the precise pattern of movements are not limiting. Other patterns may be realized. It is important that the elongated portions 41 of each step avoid contacting the fins 43, 45. Furthermore, it is seen that fins 43 and 45 are in continuous engagement as movable stair 20 passes around fixed stair 22.
An advantage of system 101 is the ability to transport an individual up and down between two different elevations without the use of a continuous track of steps as seen in conventional escalators. The use of the steps having a plurality of fins to selectively engage and move relative to one another allow the individual to be lifted and moved onto the adjacent step. Because the movable stairs are isolated to operating between no more than two fixed steps, a return loop for all stairs is not necessary from one elevation to the other elevation.
Referring now also to
During installation, shafts 107 and 109 are aligned and configured to move relative to one another. The stairs are coupled to the corresponding shaft 107 or housing 21. The movable stairs are configured and set to move around a portion of the fixed stair as the central shaft 107 moves. This movement can be set to permit the downward movement or upward movement of the individual. Fins on each stair allow them to provide a seamless transition of the individual between each fixed stair 22. The number of stairs 103 may be adjusted to compensate for the elevation difference
The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the following: (1) a compact and modular circular stairway system; (2) seamless transition between fixed steps; (3) interlocking engagement of movable stairs to that of fixed stairs; and (4) stackability of the system to provide service to a plurality of elevations.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
