EA040886B1 - CHAIN CONNECTOR - Google Patents

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

An application for this invention claims priority over a provisional patent application

Australia No. 2017901735, filed May 10, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to a chain connector and in particular to a vertical block connector for a mine chain.

State of the art

Shaft chains are used in underground mining operations, especially in face coal mining. The conditions in the mines are harsh and the mine chains are subject to a lot of wear. Typically, mine chains are used to pull rods, which in turn drag the mined coal away from the coal face into chutes/channels, sometimes referred to as a chain conveyor.

The links of the chain are connected to each other, creating a closed loop of the required length using connectors, either flat connectors or vertical block connectors. Vertical connectors or vertical block type connectors are used in a vertical orientation, while flat connectors are usually used in a horizontal orientation.

At best, the connectors should be as strong as the other chain links, but at the same time they should be detachable to connect/disconnect the chain link. They are expensive to manufacture, as they usually require forging and machining, and are subject to wear and tear due to their complex construction and the rough handling that the chains undergo. Another common problem is that the pins that are used to hold the two parts of the connector together often come loose due to the load on the bearing as the chain is pulled around its groove.

As more coal is produced in the mines, wear on chains and connectors increases and connector life decreases and requires more frequent maintenance and replacement. Downtime also becomes more costly for miners as more coal production is lost. Existing connectors can be awkward to use - the connector design commonly used in Australia contains two essentially identical components that close to form a closed connection by moving the components together in the direction of travel of the circuit to form a closed loop. However, the design and operation of the components creates slack in the chain when the loop is closed, which must be corrected before the chain can be operated.

Creating slack in the chain not only takes time and thus affects the productivity of the mine, but also creates safety problems, since the chain conveyor is usually located adjacent to the coal face, which is always at risk of failure. Underground workers repairing or maintaining a chain conveyor are at risk of being struck by coal from any coal face collapse, and the need to create and then eliminate slack in the chain means that these workers are exposed to the coal face collapse hazard for longer than may be necessary.

When connectors fail, the most common cause of failure is metal fatigue rather than failure due to tensile stress.

It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a connector that is relatively inexpensive, preferably has a high fatigue life and thus is more durable, thus needing to be replaced less frequently, but can be removed and replaced more quickly on a chain conveyor.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, or the like, which has been included in the present description, should not be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters are part of the prior art or were well known in the field, relevant to the present disclosure, as it existed prior to the priority date of the application for this invention.

Throughout the description, the expression contain, or variants thereof, such as contains or containing, is to be understood as including the specified element, integer, or step, or group of elements, integers, or steps, but not excluding any other element, integer, or step, or a group of elements, integers or steps.

The essence of the invention

In a first aspect of the present invention, a vertical chain block connector is provided for connecting between two links of a closed circuit, comprising a first element and a second element configured to engage at a boundary or line of connection with the first element to form a chain connector in an assembled state, in use, the first element is located vertically below the second element in the assembled connector, wherein the first element defines a base defining a longitudinal axis extending from the first end wall to the second end wall, the first and second end walls protruding from opposite ends of the base, with the central post extending from the center of the base between the end walls with a recess for receiving a chain link formed on each of the opposite sides of the central post, while the first interacting elements are formed on the upper part of the side walls of the first element, and the response interacting elements the screws for interaction with the first interacting elements are formed on the second element so that the elements connect and form a sliding connection with each other, with a minimum clearance, while the side walls have approximately the same height, measured from the base, as the height of the chain links or higher when the links located in the recesses are oriented horizontally in use, while the boundary between the first and second elements is formed at the top of the side walls of the first element, the second element is slidably connected to the first element, and the direction of the sliding connection is a straight line, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector in a plane that is parallel to the base, while additionally formed at least two holes for receiving locking pins formed in the first and second elements for locking the first and second elements together when assembled with each other in use, and m at least two holes are oriented with non-parallel axes relative to each other, characterized in that the boundary between the first and second elements is in the H-H plane, which is above the Y-Y plane, which bisects the connector assembly and also above the links when the links are located in a horizontal orientation, moreover, the boundary between the first and second elements does not pass or crosses the Y-Y plane, while the arrangement is such that the second element is made with the possibility of moving away from the first element by sliding when the chain links are located in the recess in a horizontal orientation.

Preferably, male interacting elements are formed at the top of the side walls distal from the base, wherein the second element is an end wall that is attached to the top of the end walls, and corresponding female interacting elements are formed at the bottom of the second element to receive the male interacting elements.

Preferably, the depth of each recess, measured from the bottom of the recess to the bottom of the adjacent end wall, is approximately equal to the width/diameter of the recess at its widest point.

Preferably, the male interacting elements and the corresponding female interacting elements are formed and slidable with a minimum clearance, while the male interacting elements and the corresponding female interacting elements are tapered so that the first and second elements can only be connected in one direction.

Preferably, the connector includes a dovetail connection associated with the center post of the connector.

Preferably, the connector is mountable in any direction relative to the direction of travel.

Preferably, the boundary between the first and second elements is offset from the plane of symmetry.

Preferably, the boundary between the first and second elements does not intersect the plane of symmetry.

In a second aspect, a chain is provided, comprising a plurality of links and the above chain connector.

Brief description of the drawings

Next, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a front view of a circuit connector;

fig. 2 is a rear view of the circuit connector in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a plan view of the circuit connector of FIG. 1;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the circuit connector of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 is a side view of the bottom connector shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 6 is a plan view of the lower member shown in FIG. 5;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lower element shown in FIG. 5;

fig. 8 is a side view of the top connector shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 9 is a plan view of the top member shown in FIG. 8;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of the top member shown in FIG. 9;

fig. 11 is a rear view of the top member shown in FIG. 9;

fig. 12 is a plan view of the top member shown in FIG. 9; and fig. 13 is an exploded view of the connector, also showing the locking pins.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In FIG. 1-4 show a circuit block connector assembly or housing 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Also in FIG. 1 dashed lines show the contour of the horizontal

- 2 040886 links 15 of the chain connected by the connector. The chain connector includes a generally W-shaped stirrup or first or bottom member 12 and a second or top member 14 or top/cap that engages with the bottom portion to close the connector, provide two closed rings that hold the horizontal links 15 chains. The circuit connector 10 is of block/vertical type, in other words, in operation, the circuit connector is used vertically, as shown in FIG. 1 in the vertical plane V, the connected chain links being in the horizontal plane. The chain is typically used to pull rods in a chain conveyor (not shown), in use, the upper member 14 is positioned above the lower member 12 when mined coal, ore or the like is being dragged, and on its way back the vertical position of the two members is reversed. The lower part 12 of the connector passes through the sprockets of the conveyor.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the assembled connector body 10 is symmetrical about the Y-Y line/plane that bisects the connector body, in the horizontal plane as oriented in FIG. 1.

Fig. 5-7 show the lower element 12 in more detail. It is symmetrical (mirror image) about a central vertically continuous plane/axis V passing through the central axis A of the bottom member 12. It defines a longitudinally extending first end wall or base 20 and two curved end walls 22, 24 that extend upward from each end. grounds. The center post 26 protrudes upward along axis A and the top of the post defines a groove 28 or dovetail socket, the center post 26 divides the bottom member 14 into two U-shaped zones 34 to receive the horizontal chain links 15.

The top of each end wall 24, 22 defines cooperating elements for connecting the bottom element 12 to the top element 14. In particular, at the top end 36 of each end wall there is an adjacent base or bottom 38. Within this bottom, the first boss 41 protrudes upward from the bottom, and on the other side of the boss 40 there is an additional base or bottom 39, which generally coincides with the bottom 38. Within this bottom, the additional boss 40 protrudes upward from the bottom, and on the other side of the boss 40 there is an additional base or bottom 46. One side of the top of each bosses 41, 40 define a horizontally extending flange 42, 43, respectively, which rests on top of the bottom 38, 39, respectively.

The depth of each U-shaped zone 34, measured from the base of the U-shaped zone to the bottom 46 of the adjacent end wall, is approximately equal to the width/diameter of the U-shaped zone at its widest part.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the upper member 14 has an additional configuration of the upper surface of the lower member and defines additional connection patterns such that the elements join and form a sliding joint with each other with minimal clearance.

Fig. 8-12 show the top element 14 in more detail. The top element forms the second end wall of the connector housing when it is closed and connects the side walls of the bottom element. In particular, the top element defines a pair of hole shapes 64, 63 which are formed and configured to receive spaced apart bosses 41 and 40 and are formed on top of the side walls of the bottom element 12. The center of the top element defines a dependent dovetail 60 that slides into a corresponding slot 28 of the central racks.

Although not immediately apparent from the drawings, the cross-section of the top member is not constant, but tapers slightly, like the corresponding mating portions of the bottom member, so that the members can only be connected together in one direction, indicated by the ON arrow in the figures, and can be easily detached. Components can be detached when required by moving the top element in the opposite direction shown by the OFF arrow. It should be noted that the attachment of the top member to the bottom member is accomplished by moving the top member in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the connector in use (illustrated by arrow C in FIG. 3). It should be noted that the direction of sliding movement for connecting components is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the chain in use and in the horizontal plane (i.e. towards sidewalls, chutes, conveyors) when the connector is oriented vertically, as shown in FIG. 1.

This feature has several key advantages over the prior art. First, unlike connectors where components slide together in the direction of travel of the connector/chain when used to connect links, the connector described here will not create significant slack in the chain during connector closing. Secondly, the removal of the upper element occurs in the transverse direction of the chain movement. Within the channel there is a limited working space in which the chains and rods are located, and it is relatively easy for the technician to remove the top member by hitting the top member, for example with a side hammer, transverse to the direction of the chain travel.

The top element is attached to the bottom element using corner locking pins 70, 72 (these are usually split roller pins) passing through holes 80 and 82 in the top and bottom.

Claims (1)

it's elements that are combined when the elements are connected. All holes continue at an angle to the horizontal Y-Y plane (see Fig. 1). Also, openings 80 and 82 extend at an angle to the imaginary plane P (see FIG. 2) and extend along the length of the connector. The holes are oriented at an angle of about 45° to the horizontal plane when in use. Typically the angles will be between 30 and 60°. The pins are positioned so that their head near the topmost part of the chain connector is easily accessible for removal. Since the pins pass through the connector at an angle to the horizontal, in particular at least two different angles, the pins are less likely to come loose than previous connectors where all the pins are aligned in the same horizontal plane. Additionally, complete disengagement of the top member from the bottom member is allowed as the pins are free from the top member prior to being brought into contact with the AFC deck in which the chain is located. In FIG. 1, there are several design features of the connector design that allow the connector to be removed and replaced without the need to greatly reduce tension in the chain. First, the sidewalls of the U-slots 34 are generally flat at point 44. This makes it easier for the horizontal link cutting insert to avoid loss of tension when the horizontal link is inserted into the connector, as is the case with existing designs. Thus, unlike existing connector designs, the chain does not need to be pulled higher, creating a lot of slack to allow the horizontal link to be inserted into the connector, after which the link returns back into the mating arcs of the connector and loses some tension. Second, with reference to FIG. 1, in particular, when the chain links 15 are in a horizontal position, the upper member 14 can be slid relative to the lower member 12 to open and/or close the connector. That is, since the interacting elements are on the top of the walls 24, 22 and the height of the walls 24, 22 is approximately the same or higher than the height of the chain links, in a horizontal position, and are in the H-H plane. In most connectors, the links usually need to be slanted/non-horizontal to close the connector, usually in an inverted V, and the connector cannot be closed with the links in the horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, it should be noted that the boundary between the upper element and the lower element, where the upper element borders on the walls of the lower element, forms recesses, and only in the center of the upper element is an interacting element 60 formed, extending from the upper element in the plane formed by the upper surface of the links chains. In FIG. 1, an additional advantage of the high wall 24, 22 is that the connection line or boundary between the walls and the top member as a whole is above the Y-Y plane which bisects the connector body assembly, and above the links 15 and in particular above the H-H plane. Also, the border does not intersect the intersection or intersects the Y-Y plane. As the chain conveyor is dragged around, the links 15 hit the hard material of the walls 24, 22 of the lower member 12 rather than the stronger connection line/boundary between the upper and lower members which is more susceptible to fatigue and wear. This can increase the useful life of the connector. Additionally, it should be noted that most of the strength of the connector is at the bottom of the connector and the load pins are only required to hold the top member in position, hence, unlike certain prior art connectors, the pins are not placed under significant load. The taper also ensures that the connection is tight and does not float and that the pins are easier to insert into the pin holes. Preferably, in the above construction, the strength of the connector mainly depends on the lower element, even if the upper element fails, the lower section will retain the required mechanical properties and hold the link even after failure, which reduces the risk of equipment damage in case of failure of the upper element . An additional advantage of the present invention is that it does not require installation in a particular direction relative to the direction of travel. Most if not all of the current vertical block connectors must be installed in a specific direction, otherwise they will immediately come apart if the pins fail. One skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and/or transformations can be made in the above described embodiments without deviating from the general scope of protection of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. CLAIM 1. Vertical block connector (10) of the chain for connection between two links (15) of a closed chain, containing the first element (12) and the second element (14), made with the possibility of engagement at the border or line of connection with the first element (12) with the formation circuit connector in the assembled state, in use the first element (12) is located vertically under the second element in the assembled connector, the first element delimiting the base defining -