A drive system (35) for a people conveyor (1) comprises a conveyance chain (15) including a plurality of chain links (36) connected to each other; a plurality of legs (38) configured for connecting the conveyance chain (15) with the conveyance elements (13); and a plurality of levers (40). Each leg (38) is connected to at least two different chain links (36) by at least two of the levers (40). Each of the levers (40) is pivotably connected to one of the chain links (36) and pivotably connected to one of the legs (38).

A step chain for driving steps of an escalator may include link plates, chain pins, chain bushes, and buffer rollers that are connected to one another to form chain links, which can be moved in relation to one another. The step chain may also include running rollers disposed outside the chain links. The buffer rollers may each be designed in the form of a multi-component part that comprises at least one inner, dimensionally stable sliding component, by way of which the buffer rollers can be arranged in a rotatable manner, respectively, on the chain bushes, and an outer, damping component that is designed to be more elastically deformable than the sliding component. The step chain may be utilized in a person-conveyor device, such as an escalator or a moving walkway, for example.

Chain links and a conveyor chain that is highly resilient, in a tensile direction, for a moving walkway, an escalator or a lift. A chain link can include two chain link connector receiving regions arranged at opposing ends for receiving a chain link connector, which mechanically connects two neighboring chain links to one another in such a way that a tensile force can be transmitted therebetween. The chain link can also include a loop closed in a ring shape and surrounding the two chain link connector receiving regions. The loop can be formed with a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material is preferably in the form of a loop-like closed band, in which fibers, such as carbon fibers that can be subjected to high levels of tension, are embedded in an elastomer-matrix material.

A drive belt segment (22) for forming a drive belt (20), in particular an endless drive belt (20) configured to be employed in a people conveyor (1), has two opposing ends and extends in a longitudinal direction between the two opposing ends. Each end is provided with a connector (30) which is configured for being connected to a corresponding connector (30) of the same or another drive belt segment (22) for forming an endless drive belt (20).

A conveyor drive unit (1a; 1b), which is configured for driving a conveyor, comprises: a motor (14); an adaptive power supply unit (20), which is configured for supplying electrical energy to the motor (14); a safety chain/circuit (30), comprising at least one safety device (32, 34, 36) and being configured for ensuring a safe operation of the conveyor. The conveyor drive unit (1a; 1b) further comprises an initialization switch (28a; 28b), which is configured for selectively connecting the adaptive power supply unit (20) electrically with the motor (14) for initialization of the adaptive power supply unit (20) without bypassing or deactivating the safety chain/circuit (30).

An escalator system with vertical step risers and side flanges includes a plurality of escalator steps, at least one varying length drive mechanism, a first decking, and a second decking. Each of the plurality of escalator steps includes an elongated step body, a first step mounted angled flange, and a second step mounted angled flange. The elongated step body transports passengers along the escalator path. The first step mounted angled flange and the second step mounted angled flange connect to form continuous barriers that prevent entrapment of objects between the moving steps and stationary panels. The at least one varying length drive mechanism prevents horizontal movement between each of the plurality of escalator steps traveling along the passenger side, thereby preventing entrapment of objects between adjacent steps. The first decking and the second decking partially cover the first step mounted angled flange and the second step mounted angled flange.

The invention relates to chain links (52) and a conveyor chain (50), which can be assembled with same and which is highly resilient in a tensile direction, for a moving walkway, an escalator (1) or a lift (90). A chain link has two chain link connector receiving regions (54) arranged at opposing ends of the chain link (52) for receiving a chain link connector (62), which mechanically connects two neighboring chain links (52) to one another in such a way that a tensile force can be transmitted from one chain link to the neighboring chain link. The chain link (52) also has a loop (56) closed in a ring shape and surrounding the two chain link connector receiving regions (54). The loop (56) is formed with a fiber composite material (57). The fiber composite material (57) is preferably in the form of a loop-like closed band, in which fibers (58), such as carbon fibers that can be subjected to high levels of tension, are embedded in an elastomer-matrix material (60). The chain links (52) are therefore very resistant to tension, however they are flexible in a bending direction (63) perpendicular to same. With a deflecting of the conveyor chain on a conveyor wheel, using support structures that are radially outwardly supporting the loop (56), the shape of the chain links is adapted to that of the conveyor wheel, and in this way, polygon effects and resulting jerking during the conveying of the conveyor chain are avoided.

A moving walkway (1) comprises at least one endless belt (12) moving in a conveyance direction along a closed loop; a plurality of pallets (20); and a plurality of linkages (26a, 26b) rotatably connecting adjacent pallets (20) with each other. A mounting portion (20a) of each pallet (20) is rotatably connected to the at least one belt (12).

A moving walkway (1) comprises at least one endless belt (12) moving in a conveyance direction along a closed loop and a plurality of pallets (20). The closed loop comprises a conveyance portion (16) and a return portion (18) extending between two turnaround portions (5, 7), respectively. Each of the pallets (20) comprises at least one mounting portion (20a, 20b) rotatably attached to the at least one belt (12), and at least one mechanical connection (21) connecting the pallet (20) with the at least one mounting portion (20a) of an adjacent pallet (20).

An escalator system with vertical step risers and side flanges includes a plurality of escalator steps, at least one varying length drive mechanism, a first decking, and a second decking. Each of the plurality of escalator steps includes an elongated step body, a first step mounted angled flange, and a second step mounted angled flange. The elongated step body transports passengers along the escalator path. The first step mounted angled flange and the second step mounted angled flange connect to form continuous barriers that prevent entrapment of objects between the moving steps and stationary panels. The at least one varying length drive mechanism prevents horizontal movement between each of the plurality of escalator steps traveling along the passenger side, thereby preventing entrapment of objects between adjacent steps. The first decking and the second decking partially cover the first step mounted angled flange and the second step mounted angled flange.