GB388817A - Improvements in or relating to safety or emergency devices for use in connection with escalators and moving stairways - Google Patents

Abstract

388,817. Escalators ; preventing fires. PATTERSON, V. A., Monks Orchard, Oakfield Lane, Dartford, Kent, and HALL, Ltd., J. & E., 10, St. Swithin's Lane, London. Sept. 4, 1931, No. 24904. [Class 78 (i).] Means are provided for automatically stopping, or reversing the normal direction of travel of, one or more escalators upon the occurrence of an emergency, such as fire or failure of the lighting system. The coil LRW of a relay is connected across the lighting bus bars LBB of the building, and on becoming de-energized when the lighting system fails effects the closing of the contacts LR2, and the opening of the contacts LR1. The closing of the contacts LR2 causes the lighting of the signal lamp LL by the battery B. The opening of the contacts LR<1> breaks a circuit including the usual no-volt coil NV which effects the stopping of the escalator in the usual way. This circuit includes the usual emergency push buttons BPB, TPB provided at the bottom and top, respectively, of the escalator. An automatic device (not shown) for turning on water sprinklers in the event of fire is associated with a water relay WR, the contacts CWR of which are in series with the coil FRW of a relay and a manually-operable normally-closed test switch TS. When the coil FRW is energized, the nose of the latch M is depressed and releases the pivoted arm A which under the action of the spring S is moved to open the contacts T1 and close the contacts T2. This action results in the illumination of the signal lamp FL. The switch TS is provided in order that the routine fire installation tests may be carried out without stopping the escalator. When the automatic fire installation includes a water bell or turbine, the arm A may be held by a cam on the shaft of the water bell, and released on rotation of this shaft. The control system may be arranged to reverse the direction of motion of the escalator, or to control the opening or closing of fireproof doors, emergency exits, &c.