Appeal No. 99-0047
Application 08/574,792
conveyor such as an escalator, and to a method and device for
monitoring the structural integrity of the handrail. Claims
1, 8 and 10, the three independent claims on appeal, are
illustrative and read as follows:
1. A handrail monitoring device for a handrail, the
handrail being driven through a closed loop by a drive
machine, the monitoring device including:
one or more conductors extending through the handrail;
means for inducing an electrical current in the one or
more conductors;
and
means to monitor the induced current.
8. A handrail for a passenger conveyor, the handrail
defining a continuous loop, the handrail including one or more
conductors that extend longitudinally through the handrail to
form an electrically closed, continuous loop, such that an
electrical current may be induced in the one or more
conductors.
10. A method to monitor a passenger conveyor handrail,
the handrail including one or more conductors extending
longitudinally through the handrail to form an electrically
closed loop, the method including the steps of:
inducing a current in the one or more conductors;
measuring the induced current;
comparing the measured current to a predetermined level
of current; and
generating a signal if the measured current is less than
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007