Exedy Corporation

Toru Kakehi

Yasuhiko Eguchi

Heiji Fukutake

The present invention configures a pushcart, in particular a baggage cart such as is used in airports, for ease of maneuverability in negotiating an escalator stairway. The cart is fitted with a front wheel assembly and pivotable rear wheel assemblies, as well as with drop-attenuating mechanisms fitted to each wheel assembly. The rear wheel assemblies each include a reverse-releasable, pivoting-lock mechanism. The drop attenuating mechanisms function when the pivotable wheel assemblies are locked in the pushcart advancing direction, and include damped-swing traction members for establishing adhesive friction in contacting the treads of a sloping escalator stairway. The traction members bear the pushcart through a damped swing if the wheel assemblies are not riding on the treads of the escalator steps. The pushcart user can readily orient the vehicle toward an escalator by slightly backing up the cart, swinging it into the desired orientation, and then, by pushing the cart forward, the rear wheel assemblies automatically lock straight ahead. Thus, the wheel drop attenuators are able to function effectively to smooth the dropping of the pushcart in case the wheels are caught on the edges of the escalator stairway as it slopes.

Baggage pushcart configured for negotiating escalator stairways

A fall suppressing device 8 provided in a cart for moving up and down an escalator includes an engagement member 87 and an oil damper 81. The engagement member 87 is vertically movably coupled to the cart, and engages with an upper step when a wheel 5 falls from the upper step. The oil damper 81 damps a relative moving speed between a cart body and the engagement member 87.

Fall suppressing device for a vehicle configured to ride on descending

A powered vehicle is configured to stably and reliably ride on an escalator and includes a vehicle body (1), front and rear wheels (2) and (3), a drive mechanism (42), and front and rear supports (4) and (5). The front and rear wheels (2) and (3) are supported on front and rear portions of the vehicle body, respectively. The drive mechanism (42) drives the rear wheels. The front and rear supports (4) and (5) are arranged adjacent to the corresponding front wheels (2) and behind the rear wheels (3), respectively. The front or rear supports (4) and (5) land on the step surface at least when the vehicle body (1) is inclined at a maximum inclination portion of the escalator. At this time, the wheels (2) or (3) remote from the landed supports (5) or (4) land on another step of the escalator.

Wheeled vehicle for movement on escalators

A motorized cart is disclosed which allows a rider to safely ride an escalator. The motorized cart includes front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3 mounted on a vehicle body 1. A first support portion 6 is formed on the bottom of the vehicle body 1, and includes a plurality of contact portions which support the vehicle body 1 on the step surfaces of the escalator when it reaches the maximum inclined portion of the escalator.

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Neyagawa, Japan

Toru Kakehi