HK1100654A - People mover - Google Patents

Description

Passenger conveyer

Technical Field

The invention relates to a people mover according to claim 1.

Background

It is known in the prior art to include conveyors in passenger conveyors, such as travelators, moving ramps or escalators.

The conveyor comprises a frame comprising a first frame part fixed to a fixed structure and a second frame part mounted to be movable in relation to the first frame part in its longitudinal axis, the first and second frame parts being mounted one after the other. The conveyor further comprises a first drive element arranged at a first side of the conveyor and operated as an endless loop. Furthermore, the conveyor comprises a second drive element, which is arranged with the second side of the first drive element at a distance from and parallel to the first drive element and is operated as an endless loop. The conveyor further comprises a plurality of transport platforms, such as pallets or steps, arranged one after the other and fixed to the first and second drive elements. The conveyor further comprises a first wheel arranged on a first side of the first end of the conveyor and bearing-mounted on the first frame part, the first drive element passing the first wheel. The conveyor further comprises a second wheel arranged on the second end of the first side of the conveyor and bearing-mounted on the second frame part, the first drive element passing the second wheel. The conveyor further comprises a third wheel arranged on the second side of the first end and bearing-mounted on the first frame part, through which third wheel the second drive element passes. The conveyor further comprises a fourth wheel arranged at the second end on the second side and bearing-mounted on the second frame part, the second drive element passing the fourth wheel. The conveyor further comprises a first tensioning device arranged on the first side and arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part, forcing the first wheel and the second wheel flexibly apart from each other to tension the first drive element with a first tensioning movement. In addition, the conveyor comprises a second tensioning device arranged on the second side and having the same construction as the first tensioning device and arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part, so that the third wheel and the fourth wheel are forced flexibly away from each other to tension the second drive element with a second tensioning movement. By tensioning the drive element, proper drive element tension is maintained for the conveyor operation.

However, at present, there is a need for travelators, moving ramps and/or escalators which have a very long transport distance and in which the distance between the wheels of the drive element is also very long. For example, in very long travelators, the distance between the wheels may be as long as, for example, on the order of 100 meters.

Moreover, there is an increasing demand for low-construction travelators, moving ramps and escalators which are designed to be mounted directly on a fixed foundation, for example on a floor, without any special pit for embedding the frame and machinery mounting the travelator in a fixed structure, for example on the floor of a building. There is little space for the drive machine of the conveyor in the low-frame structure of a travelator, moving ramp or escalator mounted on a fixed foundation and therefore the diameter of the wheels must be rather small and thus the chain must have a small pitch (e.g. 15 … 20 mm). Therefore, the link chain (linkchain) is subject to a large amount of wear over its entire length and the chain is subject to a greater elongation than is conventional. This means that the tensioning device must have a relatively long stroke (e.g. 300 … 400 mm 400). Also the difference in elongation on each chain (due to uneven loading or the like) is considerable. When fixing the transport platforms to the chains, the different elongation of the chains means that the transport platforms are not in a straight position when moving and this causes problems in the operation of the conveyor.

The chain typically used in travelators and escalators is a long pitch drive chain (typically having a pitch of 100 … 200 mm). Since the amount of wear experienced by the chain over the entire length of the conveyor is relatively small, the elongation is also relatively small. Therefore, the chain tensioning device need not have a long stroke (typically < 100 mm) and the elongation of each chain is relatively small. Therefore, no compensation for elongation is required.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. A particular object of the invention is to disclose a people mover, such as a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, in which the strokes of the drive element tensioning, regulating devices can be synchronized so as to mutually equalize them to each other.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a people mover having a long stroke tensioning device particularly suitable for use in low-profile people mover installations.

The invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterizing part of claim 1. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Embodiments of the invention are also presented in the description and drawings of the present application. The inventive content may be defined in other ways than is done in the claims below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of explicit or implicit sub-tasks or in respect of advantages or sets of advantages achieved. In such cases, it may be unnecessary to include in the appended claims certain features that are considered separate from the invention. The features of different embodiments of the invention can be applied in conjunction with other embodiments within the framework of the basic concept of the invention.

The people mover, such as a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, according to the invention comprises a conveyor having a first end and a second end, and a longitudinal first edge and a longitudinal second edge. The conveyor comprises a frame, which further comprises a first frame part fixed to a fixed structure, and a second frame part mounted longitudinally movable relative to the first frame part, said first and second frame parts being mounted one after the other. The conveyor further includes a first drive element located on a first side of the conveyor and operated as an endless loop. Furthermore, the conveyor comprises a second drive element which is located on the second side of the conveyor at a distance from and parallel to the first drive element and which is operated as an endless loop. The conveyor further comprises a plurality of conveyor platforms, such as steps or stairs, arranged one after the other and fixed to the first drive element and to the second drive element. The conveyor further comprises a first wheel arranged on a first side of the first end of the conveyor and bearing-mounted on the first frame part, the first drive element passing said first wheel. The conveyor further comprises a second wheel arranged on the first side of the second end of the conveyor and mounted with bearings on the second frame part, the first drive element passing over said second wheel. The conveyor further comprises a third wheel arranged on the second side of the first end and bearing-mounted on the first frame part, the second drive element passing through said third wheel. The conveyor further comprises a fourth wheel arranged on the second side of the second end and bearing-mounted on the second frame part, the second drive element passing through said fourth wheel. The conveyor further comprises a first tensioning device arranged on the first side and arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part to force the first wheel and the second wheel flexibly away from each other to tension the first drive element with a first tensioning movement. In addition, the conveyor includes a second tensioning device arranged on the second side and having substantially the same structure as the first tensioning device and acting between the first frame portion and the second frame portion to force the third wheel and the fourth wheel flexibly away from each other to tension the second drive element with a second tensioning movement. By tensioning the first and/or second drive element, an adaptation to changes in the travel length of the drive element due to elongation and/or wear of the drive element is achieved and a suitable tension of the drive element is maintained. Although this description focuses primarily on the compensation of variations in the elongation of the drive element, the inventive concept also includes compensation of changes in the tension of the drive element due to mutually different changes in the length of the drive element and the running track provided for the drive element, whether these changes are due to elongation, wear, expansion, contraction or other reasons.

According to the invention, the conveyor comprises a mechanical transmission element between the first tensioning device and the second tensioning device to maintain equal stroke lengths of the first and second tensioning movements.

Thanks to the invention, the mechanical transmission element ensures a stroke length of both force adjusters, which length is determined according to the length of the tensioning stroke required by the less elongated drive element, so that the tensioning stroke of the more elongated drive element is still somewhat shorter and the drive element concerned is correspondingly somewhat looser. By transmitting force from the side with greater elongation to the side with less elongation, wear of the chain is reduced. Due to the equal tensioning strokes, the transport platform always moves in a straight position. The mechanical transmission elements between the tensioning devices are simple, inexpensive and reliable and require little maintenance.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the first tension adjuster comprises a first gear; a first tensioning frame which is fixed on the first frame part and comprises first gear teeth which mesh with the first gearwheel on one side thereof; a second tensioning frame which is fixed on the second frame part and which comprises second gear teeth which are identical to the first gear teeth and which mesh with the first gear on the opposite side to the first gear teeth; and a first spring arranged to act between the first and second tensioning frames. The second tensioning device comprises a second gear, the gear teeth of which are identical to the first gear; a third tensioning frame which is fixed to the first frame part and which comprises third gear teeth which are identical to the first gear teeth and which mesh with the second gear wheel on one side thereof; a fourth tensioning frame which is fixed on the second frame part and which comprises fourth gear teeth which are identical to the first gear teeth and which mesh with the second gear wheel on the opposite side to the third gear teeth; and a second tensioning spring arranged to act between the third and fourth tensioning frames. The first gear and the second gear are coaxially mounted. The shaft, the first gear, the second gear, the first gear teeth, the second gear teeth, the third gear teeth and the fourth gear teeth constitute the mechanical transmission element. This results in a low-construction and long-stroke tensioning device which is particularly suitable for low-construction travelators, moving ramps and escalators mounted on a fixed foundation. The first and second tensioning devices may also have a common spring, the output force of which is shared between the tensioning devices. Other methods than a spring or springs may be used to generate the force to maintain tension, such as by using a tensioned weight. However, a spring is an advantageous solution in terms of space utilization.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the first tensioning frame comprises a plurality of mutually identical elongated first plates, each of which has first gear teeth and a first upper edge. The second tensioning frame comprises a plurality of mutually identical second plates, each of which has second gear teeth and a second upper edge. The first plate and the second plate are arranged as a set, wherein the plates are in an upright position in such a way that the first and second plates alternately overlap each other and are adapted to be moved relative to each other, the first gear teeth of the first plate are mutually aligned, the second gear teeth of the second plate are mutually aligned, and the first upper edge of the first plate is aligned at the same level as the second upper edge of the second plate, the first upper edge and the second upper edge together forming a planar first support surface.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the third tensioning frame comprises a plurality of mutually identical third plates, each having third gear teeth and a third upper edge. The fourth tensioning frame comprises a plurality of mutually identical fourth plates, each having fourth gear teeth and a fourth top edge. The third and fourth plates are arranged as a set, said plates being in an upright position in such a way that the third and fourth plates alternately overlap each other and are adapted to be moved relative to each other, the third gear teeth of the third plate being mutually aligned, the fourth gear teeth of the fourth plate being mutually aligned, and the third top edge of the third plate being aligned at the same level as the fourth top edge of the fourth plate, the third top edge and the fourth top edge together forming a planar second support surface.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the conveyor comprises support rails for guiding the transport platforms as they move along an endless track, having an upper part for moving people from a first end of the conveyor, seen in the transport direction as an entrance end, to a second end, seen in the transport direction as an exit end; and a lower portion for returning the transport platform from the second end to the first end. The first and second support surfaces formed by the upper edges of the plates constitute an upper part of the track of a part of the transport platform.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the length of the gear teeth is a stroke length suitable for the tightening movement, which is in the order of 10-60 cm.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the first drive element and the second drive element are link chains. In an embodiment of the people mover, the conveyor comprises a drive arranged at the first end of the conveyor for driving the first wheel and the second wheel. The first tensioning device and the second tensioning device are disposed near the second end of the conveyor.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the conveyor comprises a first synchronization device arranged at the first end for mutual synchronization of the first and second wheel. The conveyor comprises second synchronizing means arranged at the second end of the conveyor for mutual synchronization of the second wheel and the fourth wheel.

In an embodiment of the people mover, the people mover is a low-construction travelator, moving ramp or escalator mounted on a fixed foundation, such as a floor or other support.

Drawings

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic and three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a travelator according to the invention,

figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the first and second tensioning means connected by a mechanical transmission,

fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a part of the first side of the travelator at the second end of the conveyor, showing a first tensioning device,

figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion of figure 3,

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view from V-V of FIG. 4, an

Fig. 6 presents a view corresponding to fig. 4 showing the second side of the travelator at the second end of the conveyor and the second tensioning device.

Detailed Description

The people mover in fig. 1 is a low-construction travelator designed to be mounted on a fixed foundation, such as a floor or other support. The principles of the invention described below are also well suited for use in moving gangways and escalators.

The people mover comprises a conveyor 1 having a first end 2, a second end 3 and a longitudinal first edge 4 and a longitudinal second edge 5. The conveyor comprises a frame 6. The frame 6 comprises a first frame part 7 fixed to a fixed structure and a second frame part 8 mounted to be movable in its longitudinal direction in relation to the first frame part 7, said frame parts being arranged one after the other. Each frame part 7 and 8 consists of two mutually parallel elongated half-frames, which are arranged at a distance from each other and connected together by transverse brackets.

At the first side 4 of the conveyor 1, a first drive element 9 is operated as an endless loop to travel over a first wheel 12 bearing mounted at the first end 2 of the conveyor and a second wheel 12 bearing mounted at the second end 3 of the conveyor. Correspondingly, a second drive element 10, which is arranged at a distance from and parallel to the first drive element on the second side 5 of the conveyor, is operated as an endless loop to travel over a third wheel 14 bearing mounted at the first end 2 of the conveyor and over a fourth wheel 15 bearing mounted at the second end 3 of the conveyor. The first drive element 9 and the second drive element 10 are preferably link chains.

A plurality of transport platforms 11, which in fig. 1 are pallets, of which only two are shown in the figure, are arranged one after the other and are fixed to the first drive element 9 and the second drive element 10.

At the first side 4 of the conveyor a first tensioning device 16 acts between the first frame part 7 and the second frame part 8 to force the first wheel 12 and the second wheel 13 flexibly away from each other, compensating the elongation of the first drive element by means of a first spring to tension the first drive element 9 with a first tensioning movement. At the second side 5 of the conveyor, a second tensioning device 17 of the same construction as the first tensioning device and arranged to act between the first frame part 7 and the second frame part 8 to force the third wheel 14 and the fourth wheel 15 flexibly away from each other, by means of a second tensioning spring 30 to tension the second drive element 10 with a second tensioning movement to compensate for the elongation of the second drive element. The first tensioning device 16 and the second tensioning device 17 are connected together by a mechanical transmission element 18 to maintain equal stroke lengths of the first and second tensioning movements.

In fig. 1, tensioning devices 16 and 17 are shown at the level of principle. Fig. 2-6 show a preferred implementation of the tensioning device.

Referring to fig. 1-6, the first tensioning device 16 includes a first gear 19. The first tensioning frame 20 is fastened to the first frame part 7. The first tensioning device 20 comprises first gear teeth 21 extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, thus forming a rack. The first gear teeth 21 mesh with the first gear 21 on one side thereof, below the gear in fig. 1, above the gear in fig. 2-5.

A second tensioning frame 22 is fastened to the second frame part 8. The second tensioning frame 22 comprises second gear teeth 23, which are identical to the first gear teeth 21. The second gear teeth 23 mesh with the first gear 19 on the opposite side relative to the first gear teeth 21, i.e., above the gear in fig. 1, and below the gear in fig. 2-5. The first spring 24 acts between the first tensioning frame 20 and the second tensioning frame 22, tending to move them further away from each other.

The second tensioning device 17 is identical to the first tensioning device 16. The second tensioning device 17 comprises a second gear wheel 25 on which the gear teeth are identical with respect to the first gear wheel 19. A third tensioning frame 26 is fastened to the first frame part 7. The third tensioning frame 26 comprises third gear teeth 27, which are identical to the first and second gear teeth and which mesh with the second gear 25 on one side thereof, below the gear in fig. 1 and above the gear in fig. 2-5.

A fourth tensioning frame 28 is fastened to the second frame part 8. The fourth tensioning frame 28 comprises fourth gear teeth 29, which are identical to the first gear teeth 21. The fourth gear teeth 29 mesh with the second gear wheel 25 on the opposite side relative to the third gear teeth 27, i.e. above the gear wheel in fig. 1 and below the gear wheel in fig. 2-5.

The second spring 30 acts between the third tensioning frame 26 and the fourth tensioning frame 28, tending to move them further away from each other.

The first spring 24 and the second spring 30 may be, for example, gas springs or helical springs. In an embodiment, the spring force of each spring 24, 30 is of the order of 2 kN.

The first gear 19 and the second gear 25 are mounted on the same shaft 31, which is freely rotatable. The shaft 31, the first gear 19, the second gear 25, the first gear teeth 21, the second gear teeth 23, the third gear teeth 27 and the fourth gear teeth 29 constitute a mechanical transmission element 18 which maintains the equality of the tensioning movements of the tensioning devices 16 and 17.

The length of the racks 21, 23, 27, 29 is a stroke length of the order of 10-60cm of movement suitable for tensioning.

The detailed structure of the first tensioning device 16 is shown in fig. 3-5 and the detailed structure of the second tensioning device 17 is shown in fig. 6, which is identical with respect to the first tensioning device.

Referring to fig. 3-5, and in particular to fig. 4 and 5, the first tensioning frame 20 comprises a plurality of mutually identical elongated first plates 32. Each plate 32 has first gear teeth 21 and a first upper edge 33. Each plate 32 is provided with a longitudinal slot 48 with an upper inner edge 52 in which the gear teeth 21 are formed, and a smooth lower inner edge 53.

The second tensioning frame 22 comprises a plurality of mutually identical elongated second plates 34, each having second gear teeth 23 and a second upper edge 35. Each plate 34 is provided with a longitudinal slot 51 having a smooth upper inner edge 49 and a lower inner edge 50 in which the gear teeth 23 are formed. The plates 32 and 34 are preferably about 2-4 mm thick.

The first plate 32 and the second plate 34 are combined as a set, wherein the plates are in an upright position in such a way that the first plate 32 and the second plate 34 alternately overlap each other and are adapted to be movable with respect to each other. The first gear teeth 21 of the first plate 32 are aligned with each other, the second gear teeth 23 of the second plate 34 are aligned with each other and the first upper edge of the first plate 32 is aligned at the same level as the second upper edge 35 of the second plate 34, the first and second upper edges together forming a planar first support surface 36 on which the wheels of the transport platform 11 can roll on the tensioning device 16.

The set of first plates is held together by a guide portion 54 which passes through the slot 51 of the second plate 34 and which can slide along the upper and lower inner edges 49, 50 of the slot 51. The set of second plates 34 is held together by a guide portion 55 which passes through the slot 48 of the first plate 32 and which can slide along the lower and upper inner edges 52, 53 of the slot 48.

As can be seen from fig. 6, the second tensioning device 17 is identical in construction to the first tensioning device 16 in fig. 4. The third tensioning frame 26 comprises a plurality of mutually identical elongated third plates 37, each of which has third gear teeth 27 and a third upper edge 38. The fourth tensioning frame 28 comprises a plurality of mutually identical fourth plates 39, each of which has fourth gear teeth 29 and a fourth upper edge 40. The third plates 37 and the fourth plates 39 are arranged as a set, said plates being in an upright position and being adapted to be movable relative to each other in such a way that the third plates and the fourth plates alternately overlap each other, the third gear teeth 27 of the third plates being mutually aligned, the fourth gear teeth 29 of the fourth plates being mutually aligned, and the third upper edges 38 of the third plates being aligned at the same level as the fourth upper edges 40 of the fourth plates, the third upper edges and the fourth upper edges together forming a plane second support surface 41.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 3, the transport platform 11 has wheels on each side parallel to the transport direction, which are supported by support rails 42. The support rails 42 form a similar endless track for the transport platforms 11 which are fixed to the endless drive elements 9 and 10. This track comprises an upper part 43 for transporting passengers from the second end 3 of the conveyor, which is the entrance end as seen in the transport direction, to the first end 2, which is the exit end in the transport direction, and a lower part 44 for returning the transport platforms from the first end back to the second end. The first support surface 38 at the first side 4 of the conveyor and the second support surface 41 at the second side 5 of the conveyor constitute without any interruption an upper part 43 of a part of the track.

The conveyor 1 comprises a drive 45 arranged at the first end 2 of the conveyor for driving the first wheel 12 and the second wheel 14 such that the first end 2 is the driven end. A first tensioning device 16 and a second tensioning device 17 are arranged near the non-driven second end 3 of the conveyor.

To synchronize the movement of the drive elements 9 and 10 with each other, the conveyor 1 preferably comprises a first synchronization device 46 arranged at the first end 3 for mutual synchronization of the first wheel 12 and the second wheel 14, and a second synchronization device 47 arranged at the second end 4 of the conveyor for mutual synchronization of the second wheel 13 and the fourth wheel 15.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above; rather, many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

Conveyor (1) first end (2) second end (3) first side (4) second side (5) frame (6) first frame part (7) second frame part (8) first drive element (9) second drive element (10) first wheel (12) second wheel (13) third wheel (14) fourth wheel (15) first force adjuster (16) second tension adjuster (17) transport element (18) first gear (19) first tension frame (20) first gear teeth (21) second tension frame (22) second gear teeth (23) first spring (24) second gear (25) third tension frame (26) third gear teeth (27) fourth tension frame (28) fourth gear teeth (29) second tension spring (30) shaft (31) first plate (32) first upper edge (33) second plate (34) first synchronization device (46) second synchronization device (35) third support edge (37) third plate (37) third tension frame (35) upper edge (37) third synchronization device (35) third synchronization device (37) third plate surface (37) 38) Fourth plate (39) fourth upper edge (40) second support surface (41) support rail (42) upper portion (43) lower portion (44) actuator (45) second synchronization device (47) slot (48) upper inner edge (49) lower inner edge (50) slot (51) upper inner edge (52) lower inner edge (53) guide portion (54) guide portion (55)

Claims (11)

1. Passenger conveyor, such as a travelator, moving ramp or escalator, comprising a conveyor (1) having a first end (2), a second end (3) and a longitudinal first edge (4) and a longitudinal second edge (5), said conveyor comprising

A frame comprising in its longitudinal direction a first frame part (7) fixed to a fixed structure and a second frame part (8) mounted to be movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the first frame part, said first and second frame parts being mounted one after the other,

a first drive element (9) located on the first side (4) of the conveyor and operated as an endless loop,

a second drive element (10) arranged on the second side (5) of the conveyor at a distance from and parallel to the first drive element and operated as an endless loop,

a plurality of conveyor platforms (11), such as pallets or steps, arranged one after the other and fixed to the first drive element (9) and the second drive element (10),

a first wheel (12) arranged on the first side (4) of the first end (2) and bearing-mounted on the first frame part (7), through which first wheel the first drive element (9) passes,

a second wheel (13) arranged at the first side (4) of the second end (3) and bearing-mounted on the second frame part (8), through which second wheel the first drive element (9) passes,

a third wheel (14) arranged at the second side (5) of the first end (2) and bearing-mounted on the first frame part (7), through which the second drive element (10) passes,

a fourth wheel (15) arranged at the second side (5) of the second end (3) and bearing-mounted on the second frame part (8), through which fourth wheel the second drive element (10) passes,

a first tensioning device (16) which is configured on the first side (4) and arranged to act between the first frame part (7) and the second frame part (8) and force the first wheel (12) and the second wheel (13) flexibly away from each other in a first tensioning movement to tension the first drive element (9),

and a second tensioning device (17) arranged at the second side (5) and substantially identical in structure to the first tensioning device and arranged to act between the first frame part (7) and the second frame part (8) and to force the third wheel (14) and the fourth wheel (15) flexibly away from each other in a second tensioning movement to tension the second drive element (10), characterized in that the conveyor (1) comprises a mechanical transmission element (18) between the first tensioning device (16) and the second tensioning device (17) for keeping the stroke lengths of the first and second tensioning movements equal.

2. The people mover of claim 1, wherein:

the first tension adjuster (16) comprises

First gear (19)

A first tensioning frame (20) which is fixed to the first frame part (7) and which comprises first gear teeth (21) which mesh with the first gear wheel on one side thereof,

a second tensioning frame (22) which is fixed to the second frame part (8) and which comprises second gear teeth (23) which are identical to the first gear teeth (21) and which mesh with the first gear (19) on the opposite side with respect to the first gear teeth (21); and

a first spring (24) arranged to act between the first and second tensioning frames;

the second tensioning device (17) comprises

A second gear (25) whose gear teeth are identical with respect to the first gear (19);

a third tensioning frame (26) which is fixed to the first frame part (7) and which comprises third gear teeth (27) which are identical to the first gear teeth (21) and which mesh with the second gear on one side thereof;

a fourth tensioning frame (28) which is fixed to the second frame part (8) and which comprises fourth gear teeth (29) which are identical to the first gear teeth (21) and which mesh with the second gear (25) on the opposite side with respect to the third gear teeth (27);

and a second spring (30) arranged to act between the third and fourth tensioning frames,

and the first gear (19) and the second gear (25) are mounted on the same shaft (31), said shaft (31), the first gear (19), the second gear (25), the first gear teeth (21), the second gear teeth (23), the third gear teeth (27) and the fourth gear teeth (29) constituting the aforesaid mechanical transmission element (18).

3. A people mover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first tensioning frame (20) comprises a plurality of mutually substantially identical elongated first plates (32), each of said plates having first gear teeth (21) and a first upper edge (33); said second tensioning frame (22) comprising a plurality of second plates (34) substantially identical to each other, each of said plates having second gear teeth (23) and a second upper edge (35); and a first plate (32) and a second plate (34) are arranged as a set, said plates being in an upright position in such a way that the first and second plates alternately overlap each other and are adapted to be moved relative to each other, the first gear teeth (21) of the first plate being aligned with each other, the second gear teeth (23) of the second plate being aligned with each other, and the first upper edge (33) of the first plate being aligned on the same level as the second upper edge (35) of the second plate, the first upper edge and the second upper edge together forming a planar first support surface (36).

4. A people mover according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the third tensioning frame (26) comprises a number of mutually identical third plates (37), each of which plates has third gear teeth (27) and a third upper edge (38); -the fourth tensioning frame (28) comprises a plurality of mutually identical fourth plates (39), each of said plates having fourth gear teeth (29) and a fourth upper edge (40); and third (37) and fourth (39) plates are arranged as a set, said plates being in an upright position in such a way that they alternately overlap each other and are adapted to be moved relative to each other, the third gear teeth (27) of the third plates being aligned with each other, the fourth gear teeth (29) of the fourth plates being aligned with each other, and the third upper edges (38) of the third plates being aligned on the same level as the fourth upper edges (40) of the fourth plates, the third and fourth upper edges together forming a plane second support surface (41).

5. A people mover according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the conveyor (1) comprises support rails (42) for guiding the transport platforms (11) as they move along the endless track, said support rails having an upper part (43) for moving people from the first end (2) of the conveyor, which is the entry end as seen in the transport direction, to the second end (3), which is the exit end in the transport direction; and a lower portion (44) for returning the transport platform from the second end to the first end; and the first support surface (38) and the second support surface (41) form an upper portion (43) of a portion of the track.

6. A people mover according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the length of the gear transmission (21, 23, 27, 29) is well suited for a stroke length of the tightening movement of the order of 10-60 cm.

7. A people mover according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the first drive element (9) and the second drive element (10) are link chains.

8. A people mover according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the conveyor (1) comprises a drive (45) arranged at the first end (2) of the conveyor to drive the first wheel (12) and the second wheel (14); and a first tensioning device (16) and a second tensioning device (17) are arranged near the second end (3) of the conveyor.

9. A people mover according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the conveyor (1) comprises first synchronizing means (46) arranged at the first end (3) for mutual synchronization of the first wheel (12) and the third wheel (14).

10. A people mover according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the conveyor (1) comprises second synchronizing means (47) arranged at the second end (4) of the conveyor for mutual synchronization of the second wheel (13) and the fourth wheel (15).

11. A people mover according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the people mover is a low-construction travelator, moving ramp or escalator designed to be mounted on a fixed base, such as a floor or other support.