摘要 |
<p>Accelerating and Decelerating Handrail A handrail having accelerating and decelerating regions whereat people board and alight from an accelerating and decelerating walkway is disclosed. The handrail comprises a plurality of overlapping handrail elements. The elements move in a vertical, oval track having lengthy sides joined by curved ends. Acceleration of the handrail is synchronized with the acceleration of the moving walkway, and occurs immediately subsequent to the entry of people on the moving walkway. Deceleration of the handrail is synchronized with the deceleration of the moving walkway, and occurs just prior to the exit of people from the moving walkway. Pairs of adjacent overlapping handrail elements are operably connected together by an extendable and retractable member. Each extendable and retractable member is also connected to a cam follower. The cam followers follow acceleration and deceleration cams located internal to the vertical, oval track that defines the handrail path of travel. Through the extendable and retractable member, cam action causes the amount of handrail element overlap to increase or decrease to create deceleration or acceleration, respectively.</p> |