| 摘要 |
<p>ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING MOVING WALKWAY WITH MINIMAL WALKWAY SURFACE IRREGULARITIES An accelerating and decelerating moving walkway, including a plurality of overlapping platforms formed such that walkway surface irregularities are minimized and such that the platforms change direction in a minimal amount of space, is disclosed. Each platform includes a pallet and a tapered, trailing edge flap. The underside of the flaps are combed and mesh with the combed upperside of the platform that they overlap. Each flap is hinged to its associated pallet in a manner that allows only a limited amount of rotation. Surface irregularities, which occur primarily when the overlapping platforms are stretched out in the constant speed zone, are minimized by convexly contouring the upper surface of the pallets in the direction of platform overlap; and, by controlling the rotation of the flaps so that contact is maintained between the flaps and the platforms they overlie. In regions where changes in the direction of platform movement occur, adjacent platforms are first separated, so that they no longer mesh and, then, are turned. After being turned, the platforms are realigned and brought back together. Separation, turning, and realigning the platforms is controlled by a trailing edge guide mechanism. The trailing edge guide mechanism includes platform support arms, attached to the rear of the outer edge of each pallet, and guide rails located around the outer periphery of the change of direction regions. The support arms engage the guide rail and, as the platforms are slightly accelerated, support the rear edge of the related platforms so that they are separated from the platforms they overlap. After turning and realignment, the platforms are joined and decelerated slightly.</p> |
