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.

A tread element (12) for a passenger conveyor (10); the tread element (12) comprising a tread (14) defined by a front side, a rear side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side; a riser (16) comprising a riser panel (18) adjacent the rear side of the tread (14) and pivotably connected to the tread (14); at least one tread chain axle (28) adapted to connect the tread element (12) to the at least one tread chain (22); at least one tread roller (42) adapted to engage with a guide element (36) of the passenger conveyor (10) to adjust the position of the tread (14) with respect to the riser (16); and at least one cantilever arm (40) supported at its one longitudinal side by the tread chain axle (28) and supporting the tread roller (42) at its opposite longitudinal side.

A device serves for determining the speed of a passenger-transporting system. The device includes an arrangement of auxiliary elements and a sensing device. The arrangement of the auxiliary elements rotates, in a manner corresponding to a movement of the passenger-transporting system. The sensing device can sense whether an auxiliary element is, or is not, located at a certain sensing location. The auxiliary elements are of a first configuration type and a second configuration type. The sensing device can sense whether an auxiliary element is of the first configuration type or of the second configuration type. Furthermore, the sensing device can assign an auxiliary element of the first configuration type and an auxiliary element of the second configuration type to one another such that the direction of rotation can be determined from the order in which the auxiliary elements are sensed.

A drive belt (10; 20; 60) for a people conveyor comprises: a load bearing portion (12; 22; 62) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a length extending in the longitudinal direction and a width extending in a width direction; and a plurality of rollers (17; 27; 67) accommodated within the width of the load bearing portion (12; 22; 62). At least a part of the load bearing portion (12; 22; 62) is provided with a drive belt engagement structure (13; 23; 63). The drive belt engagement structure (13; 23; 63) in particular includes teeth (14, 25; 24), grooves (16; 26), and/or openings.

A chain drive (10) for a people conveyor (1) having a plurality of conveyance elements (4) comprises a drive chain (12) which is configured for driving the conveyance elements (4). The drive chain (12) includes a plurality of drive chain links (16) traveling along a closed path including a conveyance portion (5) and a return portion (7). The drive chain (12) further includes a plurality of linkages (42). Each linkage (42) is configured for coupling the drive chain (12) with one of the plurality of conveyance elements (4). The length of each linkage (42) along the path of the drive chain (12) is variable.

A drive chain (2a, 2b) for a chain drive comprises a plurality of chain links (10, 20) and joints (30) respectively connecting two of the chain links (10, 20) forming the drive chain (2a, 2b). The drive chain (2a, 2b) further comprises a plurality of carrier elements (40), each of said carrier elements (40) being linked to one of the chain links (10, 20) or joints (30) and supporting at least two support/engagement elements (43, 44), which are configured for supporting the drive chain (2a, 2b) and/or for engagement with an appropriate turnaround element (50; 90) for driving the drive chain (2a, 2b).

A plurality of steps are linked by endless step chains. Each of the steps includes: a step main body; first shafts that are disposed on the step main body; first step rollers that are disposed on the first shafts, and that are guided by the first guide rails; second shafts that are parallel to the first shafts; and second step rollers that are disposed on the second shafts, and that are guided by the second guide rails. The first shafts move along first pathways, and the second shafts move along second pathways. The second pathways are positioned inside the first pathways when viewed parallel to respective shaft axes of the first shafts. The step chains link each of the steps by joining the second shafts of each of the steps, and are disposed within a range of the step main body in an axial direction of the first shafts.

A plurality of steps are linked by endless step chains. Each of the steps includes: a step main body; first shafts that are disposed on the step main body; first step rollers that are disposed on the first shafts, and that are guided by the first guide rails; second shafts that are parallel to the first shafts; and second step rollers that are disposed on the second shafts, and that are guided by the second guide rails. The first shafts move along first pathways, and the second shafts move along second pathways. The second pathways are positioned inside the first pathways when viewed parallel to respective shaft axes of the first shafts. The step chains link each of the steps by joining the second shafts of each of the steps, and are disposed within a range of the step main body in an axial direction of the first shafts.

A people conveyor (10) comprises a conveying band (12) including a plurality of conveying elements (13); a truss (8) supporting the conveying band (12); a motor (24), which is mounted to the truss (8) and which is configured for driving the conveying band (12); and a force sensor (26). The force sensor (26) is arranged between the motor (24) and the truss (8) and is configured for measuring a force which is exerted by the motor (24) on the truss (8).

A direct-drive system for a passenger transportation apparatus, and a passenger transportation apparatus having same. The direct-drive system comprises: a motor comprising a motor output shaft, for providing power; a main drive shaft for transmitting the power to a passenger transportation portion of the passenger transportation apparatus; and a gear box comprising an input end connected to the motor output shaft and an output end connected to the main drive shaft respectively, and being used for transmitting the power, provided by the motor, to the main drive shaft, wherein the gear box comprises a plurality of gear pairs, and each of the gear pairs has a progressively decreasing gear slope along the direction from the input end of the gear box to the output end thereof.