Escalator apparatus

摘要

An escalator (1) moving with a plurality of steps (2) joined to an endless chain (8), wherein front wheel guide means are provided which are adapted to increase a distance in straight line, which is going to decrease when the chain (8) moves arcuately at both end portions (11,12) of the escalator, between front wheels (23) of two adjacent steps (2). The escalator is also provided with means for shifting paths (23a) followed by front wheels (23) of the turning steps at both end portions (11,12) of the escalator from paths (8a) followed by the turning portions of the chain (8) which are at both end portions of the escalator toward outer edges of the end portions of the escalator. Owing to this arrangement, even when the radius of turning movements of the steps (2) at both end portions (11,12) of the escalator is reduced, the interference between adjacent steps (2) rarely occurs. This enables the radius of turning movements of the steps (2) to be set smaller than that of turning movements of the steps of a conventional escalator, and a distance (H) between upper and lower portions of the escalator (1) to be reduced.