Braking device for a passenger conveyor

Abstract

This invention relates to a braking device ( 10 ) for a passenger conveyor comprising at least one movable part ( 12 ). The braking device ( 10 ) comprises a braking element ( 18 ) having a braking portion ( 34 ) engageable with the movable part ( 12 ) of the passenger conveyor. The braking element ( 18 ) is movable in a first direction into a position in which the braking portion ( 34 ) engages with said movable part ( 12 ) of the passenger conveyor. The braking element ( 18 ), in a state in which the braking portion ( 34 ) engages with the movable part ( 12 ) of the passenger conveyor, is movable in a second direction from a position of initial engagement of the braking portion ( 34 ) into a braking position of the braking element ( 18 ). The movement in the second direction is driven by movement of the movable part ( 12 ) of the passenger conveyor.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A braking device for a passenger conveyor having at least one moveable part, the braking device comprising:
 a braking element having a braking portion that is selectively engageable with the moving part,   the braking element being moveable in a first direction into an engagement position where the braking element engages the moveable part,   the braking element being moveable in a second, different direction from the engagement position to a braking position, the braking element moving into the braking position responsive to movement of the moveable part urging the braking element toward the braking position,   the braking element blocking movement of the moveable part beyond the braking position once the braking element reaches the braking position.   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the moveable part includes a projection and the braking element engages the projection in the engagement position and the braking position. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the passenger conveyor comprises an escalator or a moving walkway. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the moveable part comprises a sprocket and the projection moves along an arcuate path as the moveable part moves, the braking element engaging a surface of the projection such that the braking element provides a braking force in a direction that is generally tangential to the arcuate path. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the projection projects away from a surface of the sprocket at least partially in a direction that is generally parallel to an axis of rotation about which the sprocket rotates. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the moveable part has a brake disc structure on at least one lateral face of the moveable part and around a periphery of the moveable part and the projection is part of the brake disc structure. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the braking element comprises a shaft having one end configured to engage the moveable part. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the first direction is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second direction is transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the braking element moves linearly in the first direction and the braking element pivotally moves in the second direction. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the braking element pivotally moves in the second direction about a pivot axis that is parallel with an axis of rotation of the moveable element. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein an angle between a first orientation of a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the engagement position and a second orientation of the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the braking position is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the angle is approximately 25 degrees. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 28 , comprising
 a support member supporting the braking element to allow movement in the second direction, the support member being moveable in the first direction between an inactivated position in which the braking element is out of engagement with the moveable part and an activated position in which the braking element engages the moveable part.   
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 28 , comprising
 a biasing member that biases the braking element toward an inactivated position in which the braking element is out of engagement with the moveable part.   
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 28 , comprising
 a stop member that an abutment surface of the braking element is received against in the braking position, engagement between the stop member and the abutment surface preventing movement of the braking element and the moveable part beyond the braking position.   
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the stop member comprises a wedge shaped portion defining an abutment surface against which the abutment surface of the braking element abuts in the braking position. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the abutment surface is defined on a surface of the wedge shaped portion tapering toward the moveable part with respect to the second direction. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the abutment surface is inclined with respect to the second direction at an angle between 1 degree and 20 degrees. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the stop member is moveable with the braking element in a direction toward or away from the moveable part. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 28 , comprising an electrically powered actuator that selectively moves the braking element in the first direction into engagement with the moveable part.