Accelerating and decelerating moving walkway with minimal surface irregularities

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An accelerating and decelerating moving walkway includ-, ing a plurality of overlapping platforms formed such that walkway surface irregularities are minimized and such that the platforms change direction in a minimal amount of space, is disclosed. Each platform includes a pallet and a tapered, trailing edge flap. The underside of the flaps are combed and mesh with the combed upperside of the platform that they overlap. Each flap is hinged to its associated pallet in a manner that allows only a limited amount of rotation. Surface irregularities, which occur primarily when the overlapping platforms are stretched out in the constant speed zone are, minimized by convexly contouring the upper …