Method and apparatus for retrofitting existing escalator systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for retrofitting existing escalator systems in a manner to positively limit relative movement between the escalator and the spaced-apart floors of a building during an earthquake.

1 . A method for retrofitting an escalator installation having a truss support member and a building structure member for supporting the truss support member, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a through-bore in the truss support member;   (b) forming a through-bore in the building structure member; and   (c) passing an elongated securement member through said openings.   
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  in which the building support member comprises an I beam and in which said securement member comprises an elongated length of cable. 
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1  in which said building support member comprises an I beam and in which said securement member comprises a threaded bolt. 
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 1  in which the building support member comprises a reinforced concrete support member and in which said securement member comprises an elongated, threaded bolt. 
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 1  in which the truss support member comprises an angle member having a horizontally extending leg and a vertically extending leg and in which the step of the method comprising forming a through-bore in the truss support member comprises the step of drilling a through-bore through said horizontally extending leg of said angle member. 
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 1  in which the truss support member comprises an angle member having a horizontally extending leg and a vertically extending leg and in which the step of the method comprising forming a through-bore in the truss support member comprises the step of drilling a through-bore through said vertically extending leg of said angle member. 
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 1  in which said building support member comprises an I beam having a connector plate affixed thereto and in which the step of the method comprising forming a through-bore in the truss support member comprises the step of drilling a through-bore through said connector plate of said I beam. 
   
   
       8 . A method for retrofitting an escalator installation having a truss support member comprising an angle member having a generally vertically extending leg and a generally horizontally extending leg and a building structure member for supporting the truss support member, the building structure member comprising an I beam having an upper flange, a lower flange and a web member interconnecting said upper and lower flange, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a through-bore through a selected one of the generally vertically extending legs and the generally horizontally extending legs of the truss support member;   (b) forming a through-bore through a selected one of the upper flange and the web member of the building structure member; and   (c) passing an elongated securement member through said openings.   
   
   
       9 . The method as defined in  claim 8  in which said securement member comprises a threaded bolt. 
   
   
       10 . The method as defined in  claim 8  in which said securement member comprises an elongated length of cable. 
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which said elongated length of cable has first and second ends and in which said securement member further comprises a connector for interconnecting said first and second ends. 
   
   
       12 . A method for retrofitting an escalator installation having a truss support member and a reinforced concrete building structure member for supporting the truss support member, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a through-bore in the truss support angle member;   (b) forming a through-bore in the building structure member;   (c) passing an elongated bolt through said opening in said building structure member; and   (d) interconnecting said elongated bolt with said truss support angle member.   
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  in which said elongated bolt comprises a bolt having a threaded portion, and in which said method comprises the step of securing said elongated bolt to said building structure member using a nut threadably connected to said threaded portion of said elongated bolt. 
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 12  in which said elongated bolt comprises an eye bolt having an eye portion and a threaded portion, and in which said method comprises the step of passing an elongated cable through said eye portion of said eye bolt and through said bore in the trust support angle member. 
   
   
       15 . A method for retrofitting an escalator installation having a truss support member comprising an angle member having a generally vertically extending leg and a generally horizontally extending leg and a building structure member for supporting the truss support member, the building structure member comprising an I beam having an upper flange, a lower flange and a web member interconnecting said upper and lower flange, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting a first elongate bar having a cross-bore to the vertically extending leg “V” of the truss support angle member;   (b) connecting a second bar having a cross-bore to the vertically extending web “W” of the building structure member “B”;   (c) inserting a first bolt having first and second ends through said cross-bore in said first elongate bar;   (d) inserting a second bolt having first and second ends through said cross-bore in said second elongate bar;   (e) connecting a first plate having an elongate bolt receiving slot and a drilled hole to said first ends of said first and second bolts; and   (f) connecting a second plate having an elongate bolt receiving slot and a drilled hole to said second ends of said first and second bolts.   
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 15  in which said first and second bolts are threaded and in which said first and second plates are connected to said bolts by nuts connected to said bolts.