U.S. patent application number 11/897709 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for method and apparatus for retrofitting existing escalator systems.
Invention is credited to Terryle L. Sneed.
Application Number | 20090056243 11/897709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40405302 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090056243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sneed; Terryle L. |
March 5, 2009 |
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.
Inventors: |
Sneed; Terryle L.; (La
Canada, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES E. BRUNTON, ESQ.
P. O. BOX 29000
GLENDALE
CA
91209
US
|
Family ID: |
40405302 |
Appl. No.: |
11/897709 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/167.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66B 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/167.8 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/02 20060101
E04H009/02 |
Claims
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to escalators that
are disposed between spaced-apart floors of a building. More
particularly, the invention concerns novel 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.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] Prior art moving stairways or escalators typically include a
support truss and a plurality of interconnected steps that travel
in a loop within the truss to provide a continuous movement along a
specified path. When the escalator assembly is appropriately
mounted between the floors of a building, the ends of the truss
rest on concrete or steel supports provided at each floor.
Typically, the ends of the truss are not rigidly connected to the
supports, but rather provision is made for some relative movement
between the escalator assembly and the building structure to
prevent catastrophic failures during an earthquake.
[0005] California Elevator Code adopted in October, 1998 includes
seismic requirements for escalators that require that escalators be
connected to their structural supports in such a way as to be
capable of resisting specified code seismic forces and, at the
time, be sufficiently free to move so that they will not be damaged
by the relative movement, called "story drift", of the building
structure at the upper and lower landings of the building that are
spanned by the escalator assembly.
[0006] Certain presently existing escalator assembly designs of
which applicant is aware accommodate story drift by providing
special connection mechanisms at each of the building landings that
permit some limited movement between the escalator assembly and
affixed-to building construction. One form of such prior art
connection mechanism includes a first specially designed structural
steel member that is interconnected with the escalator structure
and a second specially designed, cooperating structural steel
member that is interconnected with a fixed structural component of
the building structure. More particularly, one of the first and
second structural steel members is provided with a rib portion and
the other is provided with a slot that receives the rib portion.
With this construction the rib portion is free to move within the
slot thereby permitting some limited motion between the escalator
assembly and fixed structural components of the building
structure.
[0007] One of the most effective systems for accommodating story
drift is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,580 issued to the present
inventor. This patent describes an escalator or moving stairway
that is constructed to accommodate oscillation and lateral
displacement of a first story relative to a second story of a
building between which the escalator or moving stairway extends
such as that which may occur during an earthquake. The escalator
includes novel telescoping connector mechanisms that are connected
at one end to a structural support of the building and are
connected at the other end to supporting trusses of the escalator
in a manner to permit relative movement between the supporting
trusses and the floors of the first and second stories of the
building.
[0008] Another prior art escalator assembly design that has been
proposed to accommodate story drift requirements caused by
earthquakes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,198 issued to
Nusime. The Nusime patent discloses an escalator assembly wherein a
first end of the carrier is provided with a bed support which is in
turn supported upon a bed formed as part of the building
construction by a resilient mounting element which provides damping
for vibration and the like passing between the escalator and
building construction. A second end of the carrier is similarly
provided with a bed support, which is supported upon a fulcrum
firmly mounted to the bed. The fulcrum may be in the form of a bolt
upon which the bed support is detented. Damping means may be
incorporated into the fulcrum construction.
[0009] The present invention contemplates a novel 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide 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.
[0011] More particularly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a method for retrofitting an escalator installation of the
character having a truss support member and a building structure
member for supporting the truss support member, the method
comprising the steps of: drilling a through-bore in the trust
support angle member; drilling a through-bore in the building
structure member; and passing an elongated securement member
through the drilled bores.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a method of
the aforementioned character in which the building support member
comprises an I beam and in which the securement member comprises an
elongated length of cable.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a method of
the aforementioned character in which the building support member
comprises a reinforced concrete support member and in which the
securement member comprises an elongated, threaded bolt.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a method as
described in the preceding paragraphs which can be inexpensively
accomplished by relatively unskilled workmen.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a retrofitting
method of the character described that can be accomplished without
having to make any major modifications to the escalator
installation.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a retrofitting
method as described in the preceding paragraphs that can be
accomplished without having to shutdown the escalator installation
for any extensive period of time.
[0017] The foregoing as well as other objects of the invention can
be accomplished by the method and apparatus described in paragraphs
which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of a conventional, prior
art escalator installation in which the escalator truss is
supported by a steel I beam structural member.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view of the
area designated as 2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, but
illustrating one form of securement device of the present invention
as it appears when installed in a conventional escalator
installation, such as that shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view, similar
to FIG. 2, but illustrating an alternate form of securement device
of the present invention installed in a slightly different
escalator installation.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, but
illustrating still another form of securement device of the present
invention installed in still another, slightly different escalator
installation.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of yet another form of
securement device of the present invention installed in a slightly
different escalator installation.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of
securement device of the present invention of the character used in
connection with a conventional escalator installation in which the
escalator truss is supported by a reinforced concrete structural
member.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of
securement device of the present invention of the character used in
connection with the securement of the escalator angular member with
a reinforced concrete structural member.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of
securement device of the present invention of the character used in
connection with the securement of the escalator angular member with
a reinforced concrete structural member.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of
FIG. 9.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of yet another form of
securement device of the present invention for use in connecting
the escalator angular member with a steel I beam structural
member.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11, partly
broken away for better clarity.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a generally perspective view of the securement
device illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, partly broken away for
better clarity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a
typical form of prior art escalator installation is there shown.
The escalator, generally designated as "E", has a plurality of
moving treads, means for moving the plurality of moving treads and
a pair of spaced-apart supporting trusses for supporting the
plurality of moving treads. Each of the trusses "T" has upper and
lower ends disposed between a first floor F-1 of a building having
a structural support SS-1 and a second floor F-2 of a building
having a structural support SS-2. The upper end of the truss
typically comprises a transverse structural steel angle member "A",
which is generally L-shaped in cross-section, while the structural
support SS-2 may be a transverse I beam "B" (FIG. 2), or it may
comprise a conventional concrete beam "CB" (FIG. 7). As illustrated
in FIG. 2, angle member "A" is spaced-apart from structural support
SS-2, or I beam "B" by a distance "D". In a typical escalator
construction, a plurality of shims "S" are positioned between angle
member "A" and structural support SS-2. Shims "S" support but do
not interconnect angle member "A" with structural support SS-2.
[0033] As will be described more fully in the paragraphs that
follow, the methods of the invention concern various alternate
approaches for retrofitting existing escalator systems of the
character shown in the drawings in a manner to positively limit
relative movement between the escalator and the spaced-apart floors
of a building during an earthquake.
[0034] One retrofitting method of the invention, which is
illustrated in FIG. 2A of the drawings, comprises a method for
retrofitting an escalator installation having a truss support
member in the form of an angle member "A" and a building structure
member in the form of an I beam "B" for supporting the truss
support member. This retrofitting method comprises the steps of:
first forming, as by drilling, a through-bore 20 in the
horizontally extending leg "H" of the truss support angle member.
Next, a through-bore 22 is formed, as by drilling, through the
horizontally extending upper leg web "U" of the building structure
member "B". This done, an elongated securement member, shown here
as an elongated length of steel cable 24 having first and second
spaced-apart ends 24a and 24b is passed through the bores 20 and
22. With the cable 24 in the position shown in FIG. 2A of the
drawings, the ends 24a and 24b of the cable are suitably
interconnected by a conventional cable connector 26 thereby
securing the cable in position.
[0035] Another retrofitting method of the invention, which is
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, comprises a somewhat
similar method for retrofitting an escalator installation having a
truss support member in the form of an angle member "A" and a
building structure member in the form of an I beam "B" for
supporting the truss support member. In the escalator installation
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it is to be noted
that shims "S" are not positioned between the angle member and the
building structure member. This latter retrofitting method
comprises the steps of: first forming, as by drilling, a pair of
horizontally spaced-apart through-bores 28 in the vertically
extending leg "V" of the truss support angle member. Next, a pair
of horizontally spaced-apart through-bores 30 is formed, as by
drilling, through the vertically extending web "W" of the building
structure member "B". This done, an elongated securement member,
shown here as an elongated length of steel cable 32 having first
and second spaced-apart ends 32a and 32b is passed through the
bores 28 and 30. With the cable 32 in the position shown in FIGS. 3
and 4 of the drawings, the ends 32a and 32b of the cable are
suitably interconnected by a conventional cable connector 34,
thereby securing the cable in position.
[0036] Still another retrofitting method of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. This latest method is also
somewhat similar to the previously described methods for
retrofitting an escalator installation having a truss support
member in the form of an angle member "A" and a building structure
member in the form of an I beam "B" for supporting the truss
support member. It is to be noted that in the escalator
installation illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings only one shim is
positioned between the angle member and the building structure
member and a conventional jack bolt "JB" is provided for adjusting
the spacing between the structural members. It is also to be noted
that in this construction, a connector plate 36 has been welded to
the vertically extending web "W" of the building structure member
"B". This latest retrofitting method comprises the steps of: first
forming, as by drilling, a through-bore 38 in the vertically
extending leg "V" of the truss support angle member. Next, a
through-bore 40 is formed, as by drilling, through the connector
plate 36. This done, an elongated securement member, shown here as
an elongated length of steel cable 42 having first and second
spaced-apart ends 42a and 42b, is passed through the bores 38 and
40. With the cable 42 in the position shown in FIG. 5 of the
drawings, the ends 42a and 42b of the cable are suitably
interconnected by a conventional cable connector 44 thereby
securing the cable in position.
[0037] Yet another retrofitting method of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. As before, this latest
method comprises a method for retrofitting an escalator
installation having a truss support member in the form of an angle
member "A" and a building structure member in the form of an I beam
"B" for supporting the truss support member. This latest
retrofitting method comprises the steps of: first forming, as by
drilling, a through-bore 46 in the horizontally extending leg "H"
of the truss support angle member "A". Next, a through-bore 48 is
formed, as by drilling, through the horizontally extending upper
leg web "U" of the building structure member "B". This done, a
securement member, shown here as a conventional threaded bolt 50
having a head portion 50a and a threaded shank portion 50b, is
passed through the bores 46 and 48. With the bolt 50 in the
position shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, a conventional nut 50c is
threadably connected to bolt 50 and appropriately snugged down
thereby securely interconnecting together the structural members
"A" and "B".
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, still another
retrofitting method of the invention is there illustrated. This
latest retrofitting method involves retrofitting an escalator
installation of a slightly different character having a truss
support member in the form of an angle member "A" and a building
structure member in the form of a reinforced concrete structural
support generally designated in the drawings as "RC". This latest
retrofitting method comprises the steps of: first forming, as by
drilling, a through-bore 54 in the vertically extending leg "V" of
the truss support angle member "A". Next, a generally horizontally
extending through-bore 56 is formed, as by drilling, through the
vertically extending reinforced concrete post segment "P" of the
reinforced concrete structure "RC". This done, an elongated
securement member, shown here as an elongated eye bolt 58, is
passed through the bore 56. As indicated in FIG. 7, bolt 58 is
threaded at one end 58a and has at its opposite end an eye
connector 58b. With the bolt 58 in position within the reinforced
concrete post segment and secured in position by a conventional nut
58c, an elongated cable 60 having ends 60a and 60b is passed
through bore 54 formed in leg "V" and through the opening in the
eye connector 58b. This done, the ends 60a and 60b of the cable are
suitably interconnected by a conventional cable connector 62
thereby securing the cable in the position illustrated in FIG.
7.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, yet another
retrofitting method of the invention is there illustrated. This
retrofitting method involves retrofitting an escalator installation
similar to that shown in FIG. 7, but in this latest retrofitting
method a angularly extending through-bore 64 is formed, as by
drilling, through the juncture of the vertically extending
reinforced concrete post segment "P" and the horizontally extending
beam segment "HS" of the reinforced concrete structure "RC". After
a bore 65 is drilled through the horizontal leg of the angle member
"A", an elongated securement member, shown here as an elongated eye
bolt 66, is passed through the bore 64. As indicated in FIG. 8,
bolt 66 is threaded at one end 66a and has at its opposite end an
eye connector 66b. With the bolt 66 in position within the
reinforced concrete structure and secured in position by a
conventional nut 66c, an elongated cable 68 having ends 68a and 68b
is passed through bore 65 formed in the horizontal leg and through
the opening in the eye connector 66b. This done, the ends 68a and
68b of the cable are suitably interconnected by a conventional
cable connector 70 thereby securing the cable in the position
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0040] Turning to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, still another
retrofitting method of the invention is there illustrated. This
retrofitting method involves retrofitting an escalator installation
similar to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, but in this latest
retrofitting method a steel angle bracket 74 is initially affixed,
as by welding, to the outer surface of the vertically extending leg
"V" of the angle member "A" in the manner shown in FIG. 9. This
done, an elongated, generally "T"-shaped connector bracket 78
having spaced-apart flange portions 78a and 78b is affixed, as by
welding, to the lower surface of the horizontally extending leg 76
of the angle bracket 74 (FIG. 10). Flanges 78a and 78b are provided
with a plurality of vertically spaced holes which are adapted to
receive conventional anchor bolts 80. The next step in this latest
method of the invention is to drill a plurality of vertically
spaced-apart anchor bolt receiving bores in the reinforced concrete
post segment "P". Finally, connector bracket 78 is interconnected
with the concrete post segment in a manner well understood by those
skilled in the art, by means of the plurality of vertically
spaced-apart anchor bolts 80 that are closely received within
drilled bores formed in the reinforced concrete post segment
"P".
[0041] Turning to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 of the drawings, yet another
retrofitting method of the invention is there illustrated. This
latter retrofitting method involves retrofitting an escalator
installation somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 1 of the
drawings. More particularly, the method concerns retrofitting an
escalator installation of the character shown in FIG. 11 having a
truss support member in the form of an angle member "A" and a
building structure member in the form of an I beam "B" for
supporting the truss support member.
[0042] This latest retrofitting method comprises the steps of:
attaching, as by welding, a first elongate bar 86 having a
cross-bore 86a to the vertically extending leg "V" of the truss
support angle member. Next, a second bar 88 having a cross-bore 88a
is attached, as by welding, to the vertically extending web "W" of
the building structure member "B". This done, a threaded bolt 90
having first and second ends 90a and 90b is inserted through bore
86a and a second threaded bolt 92 having first and second ends 92a
and 92b is inserted through bore 88a in the manner shown in FIG.
12. Using nuts 95a and 95b, a first plate 94 having an elongate
bolt receiving slot 94a and a drilled hole 94b is next connected to
the first ends 90b and 92b of bolts 90 and 92 in the manner shown
in FIG. 12. This done, using nuts 97a and 97b, a second plate 98
having an elongate bolt receiving slot 98a and a drilled hole 98b
is connected to the second ends 90a and 92a of bolts 90 and 92 in
the manner shown in FIG. 12.
[0043] With the unique construction described in the preceding
paragraph, angle member "A" along with bar 86 is movable
horizontally relative to the I beam "B" to accommodate limited
movement of the escalator relative to the supporting building
structure during an earth quake.
[0044] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance
with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this
art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in
the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet
specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *