Escalator roller degradation monitor device

• US 6,349,813 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Inventors: Frazier, Roger L., Kao, Michael D., Bonitz, William G., Offerman, Kirk Von, North, Robert T., Smith, Melanie Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/468,567
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 198/323, 198/321, 198/502.1
• US Class Current: 198/328
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 27/00 Indicating operating conditions of escalators or moving walkways of general application G08

Abstract

A roller degradation monitor device monitors the diameter of escalator rollers during operation of the escalator. A cam plate is mounted proximate the roller track for sequential contact with the upper circumference of rollers as they travel along the track. The vertical displacement of the cam plate is monitored by a proximity switch or sensor, differences in cam plate practice from an established baseline signifying variations in roller diameter. The output of the proximity switch or sensor provides a continuous measure of wear and decrease in diameter of the rollers. When the wear exceeds a predetermined value an alarm can be actuated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the wear of escalator rollers traveling along a track, said track forming a closed path for the rollers, comprising a bracket mounted to the track;

a proximity switch mounted to the bracket and having an actuator;

and a cam plate coupled to the actuator positioned and arranged for contact with at least one of the rollers as the rollers travel along the track;

the proximity switch generating a signal when the displacement of the cam plate as a result of roller wear equals or exceeds a preset value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximity switch is of the proportional type.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cam plate is positioned and arranged for continuous contact with one of the rollers as the roller makes at least one half of a revolution along the track.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cam plate is positioned and arranged for contact with the rollers by gravity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cam plate is connected to the bracket by a linkage for maintaining the cam plate parallel to the track.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cam plate has a roller contact length equal to a spacing between adjacent rollers.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cam plate is positioned and arranged for contact with the rollers by gravity.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said cam plate is connected to the bracket by a linkage for maintaining the cam plate parallel to the track.