AU2014218369A1 - Wagon cover - Google Patents

Abstract

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 Abstract A cover for an open-top container, including at least one cover member movable into a closed position. The cover member substantially covers the open top of the container and is configured to deflect into an open loading position upon contact with a deflection means. The cover member may be resiliently biased or be otherwise adapted to automatically move towards the closed position and/or formed of rubber or a rubber/PVC composite. A wagon including a cover is also disclosed, as is a method of loading the wagon and a loading chute including a deflection means. [Fig. 1] -------------- /l __a - -------

Description

H:\knh\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 - 1 WAGON COVER TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to covers for top loading containers and in particular to wagon covers, such as those used in the transportation of coal. BACKGROUND [0002] Once mined, coal is typically loaded and transported in open-top containers. One method of transport is the use of railway in which a series of open-top containers, or wagons, are pulled along via a train engine. Such wagons are also used for transporting many other ores, minerals and other solid products. [0003] During the loading process, these wagons travel along rails under a telescopic loading chute. The outlet of the loading chute is located close to the open top of the wagons, and coal (or some other material to be loaded) is released via the chute into the containers. Due to the open top of the wagon, when the material is loaded, dust and particulate material are spread into the atmosphere. This results in the loss of coal or other material, degradation of air quality around the loading station, and the creation of potentially hazardous explosive atmospheres. [0004] During transport, movement of the uncovered wagons provides for further release of coal dust and/or particulate material into the atmosphere along the transportation route. Similarly, as the emptied wagons travel back to their point of origin, residual coal or other matter in the wagon is also released into the atmosphere. [0005] Current methods to reduce the loss of material from open top containers during transport include attaching a tarpaulin over the top of the container. However this is labour intensive due to the size of the container and bulk of the tarpaulin. Furthermore, this method does not assist in reducing the release of material to the air during the loading process.

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 -2 [0006] Other methods include mechanical covers, such as hydraulic powered metal covers, however these methods require operator intervention and can be quite costly. In addition, failure of these covers during the loading process can cause costly delays, and installation, repair and replacement of such covers is prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, these covers are primarily designed to reduce transfer of material to the atmosphere during transport however do not provide any additional protection during the loading process. [0007] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. BRIEF SUMMARY [0008] The present invention seeks to provide a cover for an open top container, such as but not limited to a cover for a coal wagon, that overcomes some of the problems associated with the prior art. [0009] According to one example aspect, there is provided a cover for an open-top container, including at least one cover member movable into a closed position whereby the at least one cover member substantially covers the open top of the container, and wherein the at least one cover member is configured to deflect into an open loading position upon contact with a deflection means. [0010] In other particular, but non-limiting, example forms: the at least one cover member is resiliently biased towards or is otherwise adapted to automatically move to the closed position; the cover is formed of rubber or a rubber/PVC composite; the at least one cover member includes a longitudinal support member; the at least one cover member includes at least one cover support rib; and/or the cover further includes attachment means for attaching the cover to the open-top container.

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 -3 [0011] In another form, the cover includes two cover members for attaching to respective side walls of the open-top container, wherein each cover member extends from its respective side wall to the centre of the container. [0012] According to another example aspect, there is provided a loading chute, including a deflection means for opening a cover of an open top container, wherein contact between the deflection means and the cover deflects the cover into an open position thereby to allow loading of material into the container. [0013] In other particular, but non-limiting, example forms: the deflection means is a wedge-shaped plough; and/or the deflection means is adapted to open a cover substantially as herein described. [0014] According to another example aspect, there is provided a method of loading an open-top container using a loading chute, wherein the container includes a cover and the loading chute includes a deflection means, the method including moving the container relative to the loading chute so that the deflection means moves the cover to an open position, thereby allowing material to be placed into the container. [0015] In another form, the cover automatically returns to a closed position when the loading chute is moved away from the container. [0016] According to another example aspect, there is provided an open-top container for holding and/or transporting material, including a cover including at least one cover member movable into a closed position whereby the at least one cover member substantially covers the open top of the container, and wherein the at least one cover member is configured to deflect into an open loading position upon contact with a deflection means. [0017] In another form, the cover is substantially as herein described. [0018] In another form, the open-top container is a coal wagon.

H:\kmh\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 -4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES [0019] Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures. [0020] Figure 1 is a top view of a cover and deflecting plough embodying the present invention; [0021] Figure 2 is a side view of the cover and plough of Figure 1; [0022] Figure 3 is an end view of the cover in the open position around the chute; and [0023] Figure 4 is an end view of the cover in the closed position. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0024] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments. [0025] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures. [0026] Referring to the Figures, a wagon cover 10 includes a pair of cover members 12, 14. In a preferred embodiment, the cover members are formed of a resilient flexible material such as rubber or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/rubber composite. The cover members are resiliently biased into a closed position whereby the cover members substantially cover the open top of the wagon/container 16 (shown in phantom lines), as best seen in Figures 1 and 4. [0027] In alternative embodiments, the cover members 12, 14 are not resiliently biased into the closed position. Instead, the cover members are attached using a hinge and are closed under the force of gravity, by an external closing means, or, utilising some form of means such that it closes automatically. In such an embodiment they may be held closed by gravity, or may include a locking means.

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 -5 [0028] In other alternative embodiments, various other suitable materials may be used for the cover members, including but not limited to fibreglass, carbon fibre, other composite materials, steel, aluminium, other metallic and/or non-metallic alloys, rubber, PVC, PVC/rubber composite, other plastics and/or other composites. [0029] A plurality of ribs 18 extend from the outside longitudinal edge of the cover member toward the centre 20 of the wagon 16/cover 10 to provide additional support to the membranes. In one form the ribs 18 are flexible, however in alternative embodiments rigid ribs 18 are used. [0030] As shown in Figure 4, each rib is attached to a mounting 22 located on the outside longitudinal edge 24 of the cover, with each membrane secured onto respective side walls 26 of the wagon 16 through bolting of the mountings 22 to the top of the side walls 26. In one embodiment, glass filled nylon mountings 22 are used, however any other suitable flexible mounting or hinge may be used instead. [0031] As is best seen in Figure 2, the leading edge 28 of the cover defines sloping lips 29 which are angled at about 35 to 550 to the horizontal. Longitudinal support members 30 are located on the inside longitudinal edges of the covers 12, 14 and provide additional stiffness to the cover members. [0032] Figures 1 and 2 also show a deflection means in the form of a wedge-shaped deflection plough 40 which is attached to a telescopic loading chute 42, facing against the direction of travel of the wagons, in use. As is best seen in Figure 2 the front of the wedge is angled at about the same angle to the horizontal as the lip 29. [0033] In use, the chute is lowered so that the wedge is level with the lip 29 of the cover and as the wagon approaches the chute 42, the lips 29 on the leading end of the cover members engage with the deflection plough 40. The longitudinal support members 30 provide additional stiffness to the cover members to assist in guiding the cover members up and around the wedge. [0034] As the wagon proceeds forward, the cover continues to move along the wedge and, subsequently, the loading chute (see Figure 3). This maintains the cover in the open, H:\knh\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014 -6 loading position as it passes the loading chute, with the cover members progressively returning to the closed position as they pass the chute due to the resilient bias of the members, or other mechanism, they automatically move to the closed position. The sliding engagement between the inside longitudinal edges of the cover member and the chute act to supress the release of dust and particulate material into the atmosphere during the loading process. For example, in the case of a coal wagon, the cover prevents the release of coal dust during the loading process, thereby reducing coal loss and improving safety of workers by reducing explosion risk and reducing breathing hazards. [0035] While the present embodiments are described in relation to a wagon, any other suitable open-top container may be used. A preferred embodiment would be a railway coal wagon, while other possible uses include, but are not limited to, trailers or buckets of other transport vehicles such as trucks, containers carried on a conveyor, or any rail wagon for purposes other than transporting coal. [0036] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (15)

1. A cover for an open-top container, including at least one cover member movable into a closed position whereby the at least one cover member substantially covers the open top of the container, and wherein the at least one cover member is configured to deflect into an open loading position upon contact with a deflection means.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover member is resiliently biased or is otherwise adapted to automatically move towards the closed position.

3. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover is formed of rubber or a rubber/PVC composite.

4. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover member includes a longitudinal support member.

5. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover member includes at least one cover support rib.

6. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, further including attachment means for attaching the cover to the open-top container.

7. The cover according to any one of the preceding claims, including two cover members for attaching to respective side walls of the open-top container, wherein each cover member extends from its respective side wall to the centre of the container.

8. A loading chute, including a deflection means for opening a cover of an open top container, wherein contact between the deflection means and the cover deflects the cover into an open position thereby to allow loading of material into the container.

9. The loading chute according to claim 8, wherein the deflection means is a wedge shaped plough.

10. The loading chute according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the deflection means is adapted to open a cover in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7. H:\knh\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6664827_I.docx-25/08/2014

11. A method of loading an open-top container using a loading chute, wherein the container includes a cover and the loading chute includes a deflection means, the method including moving the container relative to the loading chute so that the deflection means moves the cover to an open position, thereby allowing material to be placed into the container.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cover automatically returns to a closed position when the loading chute is moved away from the container.

13. An open-top container for holding and/or transporting material, including a cover including at least one cover member movable into a closed position whereby the at least one cover member substantially covers the open top of the container, and wherein the at least one cover member is configured to deflect into an open loading position upon contact with a deflection means.

14. The open-top container according to claim 13, wherein the cover is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7.

15. The open-top container according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the open-top container is a coal wagon.