GB1589918A

GB1589918A - Guided chain arrangements

Info

Publication number: GB1589918A
Application number: GB5227676A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SHAW TREW AND SMITH Ltd
Current assignee: SHAW TREW AND SMITH Ltd
Priority date: 1977-12-09
Filing date: 1977-12-09
Publication date: 1981-05-20

Description

(54) GUIDED CHAIN ARRANGEMENTS (71) We, SHAW, TREW & SMITH LIMITED, a British Company of Aston Street, Shifnal, Salop, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention is concerned with the provision of guided chain arrangements particularly, but not exclusively, for use as feeder or creeper chains in moving, retarding or similarly controlling mine cars or like vehicles the chain being provided with dogs or like means for engagement, for example, with axles or dummy axles of mine cars or the like. Such a chain is usually installed with its operative run disposed between the rails of a track for mine or like cars.

Hitherto the practice has been to use sprocket chain assemblies in feeder or creeper chain installations and the object of this invention is to provide simplified guided chain arrangements of somewhat less manufacturing and installation costs and which are also capable of readily following a curved path. Practical advantages in these and other respects will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to this invention, a guided chain arrangement such as for a feeder or creeper chain wherein the chain is of round link or like form and of which at least alternate links are guided by channel form guideway means, dog or like means being carried by the chain and mounted or each mounted from the latter by limbs of a Uform vertical link interlinked with adjacent links of the chain.

In practice and as applied to a feeder or creeper chain, constructions and arrangements are as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a cross section of one form of guided chain arrangement, FIGURE 2 is a side elevation taken on the line II--II of FIGURE 1, and FIGURES 3 and 4 are cross sectional views each showing alternative arrangements.

Like parts are referred to by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 the chain 1 employed is of conventional round link or like form and is shown arranged to provide an upper operative run 0 and a lower return run R. In such a case the chain 1 is usually of endless form passing about suitable sprocket wheels at each end (not shown) at least one of which is driven for imparting required longitudinal movement to the chain.

In the example shown alternate horizontal links 10 of the operative run 0 of the chain 1 are guided by lateral guideways 21 of channel form provided by fabricated support structure 2, the return run 5 being guided in a similar manner.

The horizontal members 24 of the support structure 2 which, together with the vertical members 25, provide the lateral guideways 21, also provide at their. edges guiding support slots 22 for the alternate vertical links 11 of the chain 1.

Secured to a special vertical link or Ubolt 12 of the chain 1 is a driving dog assembly 3 shown consisting of two pivoted dogs 30 arranged to contact a dummy axle 4 of a mine care according to the direction of required movement of the latter. The dogs 30 are shown pivotally carried about transverse pins 31 by a double bracket or carriage 32 which is directly secured to upstanding threaded limbs 13 of the U-bolt link 72 by nuts 33 as shown in FIGURE 2.

Upper horizontal plates 20 of the support structure 2 provide between them a guideway slot 23 for the limbs 13 of the Ubolt link 12.

In the usual manner the pivoted dogs 30 are arranged to be tripped by fixed trackside ramp means (not shown) for obtaining retraction of an appropriate dog 30 to 'an inoperative position as at 30R below dummy axle level and according to operating requirements.

A corresponding connection link 14 to the link 12 and having a securing bolt 15 is shown in the lower return run R of the chain 1 whilst it is to be understood that the dog assembly 3 is operated for back and forth movement at the operative run 0 between the rails of a mine car track and does not normally pass into the return run R although suitable clearance under the return run can be provided for underneath return movement of the dog assembly 3 if required.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing the flexibility of the chain 1 and its guidance is such that it can be readily arranged to follow a curved path i.e. by suitable curved form of the guideways 21 and slots 22, 23 and corresponding formation of the support structure 2.

Referring to FIGURE 3 a simplified arrangement of channel form guideway means is provided at 121 by two opposed angle section members 125 mounted in support structure 102 and arranged with their limbs 124 at an angle to the horizontal and vertical e.g. at 450 to the latter. Such an arrangement primarily provides lateral guideway support 121 for alternate horizontal links 10 of the chain 1 which is again of round link form, although guidance slots 122 are provided between the limbs 124 for the vertical links 11, 12 and 14.

Referring to FIGURE 4 inclined and opposed angle section members 125 are again employed for providing lateral guideways 121 for alternate horizontal links 10 of the chain 1 but the two runs of the chain are arranged side by side to provide an operative run 0 and a return run R or if desired two operative runs. Brackets or carriages 132 of the dog assemblies 103 are secured to the chain 1 in the manner already described i.e. by means of nuts 33 on threaded upstanding limbs 13 of special U-òrm links 12 which limbs 13 are guided in slots 123 provided between upper horizontal plates 120 of the fabricated support structure 202.

Also as before the dogs 130 are pivoted about transverse axes 131 on the brackets 132 and are.each shown provided with a guide roller 135 which co-operates with a fixed ramp 5 for obtaining retraction of the dog member 130 below dummy axle level according to operating requirements.

Once again the flexibility of the chain 1 and the guidance 121 provided enable the chain to follow a curved path as and where required and in a simple and effective arrangement.

It is to be understood that the above and below guiding arrangement shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 may be arranged in a side by side arrangement in a similar manner to that shown in FIGURE 4.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A guided chain arrangement such as for a feeder or creeper chain wherein the chain is of round link or like form and of which at least alternate links are guided by channel form guideway means, dog or like means 2 being carried by the chain and mounted or each mounted from the latter by limbs of a U-form vertical link interlinked with adjacent links of the chain.

2. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the channel form guideway means provides lateral and vertical guidance for corresponding links of the chain.

3. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 2 wherein opposed channels of the channel form guideway means receives laterally extending links for lateral guidance thereof, opposed edges of the channel form vertically disposed links of the chain.

4. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the channel form guideway means consists of a pair of angle section members having limbs inclined to the chain links so as to provide opposed channels for providing at least lateral guidance for laterally extending links of the chain.

5. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the limbs of the angle section members are inclined at 450 to the planes of the chain links.

6. A guided feeder or creeper chain arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein a carriage carrying at least one dog or like member is secured such as by bolting to the limbs of a said U-form vertical link.

7. A guided feeder or creeper chain arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein opposed edges of the channel form guideway means provide guidance for the or each U-form vertical link.

8. A guided chain arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein the chain includes a U-form connector link, the limbs of which receive a securing member such as a bolt.

9. A guided feeder or creeper chain arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, or FIGURES 3 or 5 of the accompanying drawings. ~ ~~ ~

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

A corresponding connection link 14 to the link 12 and having a securing bolt 15 is shown in the lower return run R of the chain 1 whilst it is to be understood that the dog assembly 3 is operated for back and forth movement at the operative run 0 between the rails of a mine car track and does not normally pass into the return run R although suitable clearance under the return run can be provided for underneath return movement of the dog assembly 3 if required.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing the flexibility of the chain 1 and its guidance is such that it can be readily arranged to follow a curved path i.e. by suitable curved form of the guideways 21 and slots 22, 23 and corresponding formation of the support structure 2.

Referring to FIGURE 3 a simplified arrangement of channel form guideway means is provided at 121 by two opposed angle section members 125 mounted in support structure 102 and arranged with their limbs 124 at an angle to the horizontal and vertical e.g. at 450 to the latter. Such an arrangement primarily provides lateral guideway support 121 for alternate horizontal links 10 of the chain 1 which is again of round link form, although guidance slots 122 are provided between the limbs 124 for the vertical links 11, 12 and 14.

Referring to FIGURE 4 inclined and opposed angle section members 125 are again employed for providing lateral guideways 121 for alternate horizontal links 10 of the chain 1 but the two runs of the chain are arranged side by side to provide an operative run 0 and a return run R or if desired two operative runs. Brackets or carriages 132 of the dog assemblies 103 are secured to the chain 1 in the manner already described i.e. by means of nuts 33 on threaded upstanding limbs 13 of special U-òrm links 12 which limbs 13 are guided in slots 123 provided between upper horizontal plates 120 of the fabricated support structure 202.

Also as before the dogs 130 are pivoted about transverse axes 131 on the brackets

132 and are.each shown provided with a guide roller 135 which co-operates with a fixed ramp 5 for obtaining retraction of the dog member 130 below dummy axle level according to operating requirements.

Once again the flexibility of the chain 1 and the guidance 121 provided enable the chain to follow a curved path as and where required and in a simple and effective arrangement.

It is to be understood that the above and below guiding arrangement shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 may be arranged in a side by side arrangement in a similar manner to that shown in FIGURE 4.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A guided chain arrangement such as for a feeder or creeper chain wherein the chain is of round link or like form and of which at least alternate links are guided by channel form guideway means, dog or like means 2 being carried by the chain and mounted or each mounted from the latter by limbs of a U-form vertical link interlinked with adjacent links of the chain.
2. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the channel form guideway means provides lateral and vertical guidance for corresponding links of the chain.
3. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 2 wherein opposed channels of the channel form guideway means receives laterally extending links for lateral guidance thereof, opposed edges of the channel form vertically disposed links of the chain.
4. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the channel form guideway means consists of a pair of angle section members having limbs inclined to the chain links so as to provide opposed channels for providing at least lateral guidance for laterally extending links of the chain.
5. A guided chain arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the limbs of the angle section members are inclined at 450 to the planes of the chain links.
6. A guided feeder or creeper chain arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein a carriage carrying at least one dog or like member is secured such as by bolting to the limbs of a said U-form vertical link.
7. A guided feeder or creeper chain arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein opposed edges of the channel form guideway means provide guidance for the or each U-form vertical link.
8. A guided chain arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein the chain includes a U-form connector link, the limbs of which receive a securing member such as a bolt.
9. A guided feeder or creeper chain arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, or FIGURES 3 or 5 of the accompanying drawings. ~ ~~ ~