2006-10-09 05:42:08 · 13 answers · asked by donya d 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
It's to prevent you from shoving your fingers in the gap at the sides (either accidentally or on purpose).
Also the reason escalators have grooved surfaces is so that a comb at the end will ease you feet off the tread if you dont step off in time. The very first elevators had flat treads so they had a diagonal barrier at the end which forced you off the side to achieve the same effect.
Finally - and you're not going to believe this - the word escalate is derived FROM the word escalator, which in turn is derived from the french, escalier meaning "stair".
2006-10-09 07:19:39 · answer #1 · answered by Andrew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
help keep the larger chunks of dirt, rocks and other debris from getting stuck and/or tumbling endlessly at the end of the steps that cycle back into the floor...
it can trip you up real bad and jam the steps and you could have quite a trip if that happens and screw up the works in the mechanics of it and then there'd be yet another broken down escalator.
actually the brushes don't work that well.. they really must be new and long enough for this function to work.
they need a new system really.. escalators are a real old concept that hasn't been updated since like... for freaking ever!
some say static but.. if that were true... there would be static buffers all around the metal parts... it doesn't work...
2006-10-09 12:45:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like the first answer, but I always thought they were to keep you from getting to close to the edges. Kind of a "warning zone" that you are too close to the edge of the stair.
2006-10-09 12:44:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To make static electricity less easier to reach the inside!!
2006-10-09 12:44:45 · answer #4 · answered by Jordan D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to clean dirt off your shoes and stop shoelaces from getting stuck in the gears and pulleys below the steps.
2006-10-09 13:24:55 · answer #5 · answered by coolhotguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To clean the sides of your shoes.
2006-10-09 12:43:55 · answer #6 · answered by PDK 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To sweep away the pieces of shredded flesh.
2006-10-09 13:06:38 · answer #7 · answered by Silkie1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To removed static electicity.
2006-10-09 12:43:26 · answer #8 · answered by Tom M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So you don't stick your foot under it and get your shoe laces caught
2006-10-09 12:45:28 · answer #9 · answered by drea g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To let stingy people have something to clean their shoes with
2006-10-09 15:40:55 · answer #10 · answered by prof. Jack 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋