GB2048199A

GB2048199A - Load lifting and transporting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2048199A
Application number: GB7913829A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-04-20
Filing date: 1979-04-20
Publication date: 1980-12-10
Also published as: GB2048199B

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting loads comprising an elongate lifting beam (3) provided with at least two trolleys (35, 36) to enable the beam to be suspended from a rail (34) so as to be movable along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the beam, the beam comprising a housing within which is situated at least one piston and cylinder unit extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam and arranged to act on an elongate flexible traction means (20, 21) extending out of the beam through an opening therein, the traction means being provided with load lifting means (28, 33) adapted to engage a load to enable the load to be lifted or lowered by said at least one piston and cylinder unit, the or each traction means being passed over a guide wheel or pulley (50, 51) also situated within said housing (3), the portion of the longitudinal axis (52, 53) of the wheel or pulley being adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the beam. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for transporting loads The present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting loads suitable for use in underground mining.

There are already known for use in underground pit mining pneumatically or hydraulically driven lifting beams which are arranged movably via supporting trolleys underneath the seam roof on a rail, for example the running rail of a monorail overhead conveyor. For fastening the load, these known lifting beams have flexible traction means such as chains with load lifting means such as load hooks arranged on their ends. The drive motor, for example, a hydraulic motor such as a vane-type motor, drives the flexible traction means via a step-down gearing. The construction thereby becomes very costly in terms of construction outlay and consequently relatively expensive and the lifting beam as a whole is very heavy. The useful load thereby becomes smaller, because according to mining regulations certain upper limiting loads of the rail of a monorail overhead conveyor may not be exceeded.

in particular, the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for transporting heavy loads in underground mining, which can be used with especial advantage in underground coal mining.

With a relatively small weight the apparatus is intended to permit the transport of heavy loads and its sensitive parts are protected against mechanical action as well as against dust and moisture. The apparatus according to the invention is also intended to be employed for the problem-free transport of containers of different lengths.

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for transporting loads comprising an elongate lifting beam provided with at least two trolleys to enable the beam to be suspended from a rail so as to be movable along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the beam, the beam comprising a housing within which is situated at least one piston and cylinder unit extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam and arranged to act on an or a respective elongate flexible traction means extending out of the beam through an opening therein, the traction means being provided with load lifting means adapted to engage a load to enable the load to be lifted or lowered by operation of said at least one piston and cylinder unit, the or each traction means passing over a guide wheel or pulley also situated within said housing, the position of the axis of the wheel or pulley being adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the beam.

Since the or each piston and cylinder unit and guide wheel or pulley is arranged within a housing, together with any other elements which may be present, such as pulleys, pivots, any other traction means guides, a part of the traction means themselves, valves and control lines, they are protected against dust and moisture as well as against mechanical actions. They are also removed from the direct region of access of the operating personnel, so that unintentional manipulation is excluded. Rather, it is ensured that only authorised persons carry out operations on the inside of the lifting beam. Moreover, with a comparatively small weight a lifting beam shaped like a sheet- metal box results in great stability which can be further increased by an arrangement or corrugations and/or ribs, for example on the inside of the sheet-metal box with simple means.

Furthermore, the lifting beam can be manufactured in a simple way from suitable sheetmetal, for example by folding one of more sheet panels. In so doing, the strength of the lifting beam can also be favourabiy influenced due to the choice of the cross-sectional form of the sheetmetal box.

In a preferred embodiment comprising two piston and cylinder units and two flexible traction means, the lifting beam can be adapted to different container lengths very quickly and with few manual actions by changing over the pivots of the guide chain wheels or of the guide pulleys, so that the portions of traction means hanging out of the box can be made fast practically always perpendicularly even with varying container lengths or with varying load lengths, so that no unfavourable force components are obtained.

The housing of the lifting beam is preferably formed from sheet-metal and preferably comprises two shells releasably secured together.

The housing can thus be manufactured also relatively simply by bending or folding.

Service or assembly openings closable by flaps are preferably provided in the housing to allow easy servicing of the inside of the lifting beam.

With this form of construction the lifting beam no longer needs to be dismantied completely when servicing and simple repair work is carried out.

Such work can be carried out through the openings of the sheet-metal housing which are provided for the purpose.

The lifting beam is preferably reinforced by reinforcing ribs and/or reinforcing corrugations, whereby the sheet-metal housing of the lifting beam can be manufactured from relatively thinwalled sheets, although heavy loads of, for example two and more tons in weight can be transported immediately with such a lifting beam.

The reinforcing ribs preferably comprise two elongate bars which are arranged parallel and spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam and which are connected fast to the housing of the lifting beam and the bars have a plurality of upwardly open bearing recesses for insertion of the pivot of the or each guide chain wheel or guide pulley, in such a way that the bearing openings of the one sectional-steel bar are arranged coaxially with the bearing openings of the other sectional-steel bar.

The reinforcing ribs may be formed from two steel bars which can be made polygonal, for example rectangular in cross-section, but also as double-T profiles, as triangular bars or as tubes. Owing to the fact that these reinforcing ribs serve simultaneously as bearing for the pivots of guide chain wheels or guide pulleys, they fulfil several tasks simultaneously. The bearing openings can be made simply by milling or the like. Moreover, they make it possible for the pivots, hence the guide chain wheels or guide pulleys to be adjustable due to simple lifting-out in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam.

This adjustment of the guide chain wheels or guide pulleys can be carried out without tools if the wheels or pulleys are arranged to be liftable by hand through a lower longitudinal slot in the housing and are movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam. Rather, with the load disconnected, the operator has merely to reach through the openings provided for the purpose on the underside of the sheet-metal housing of the lifting beam in order to lift the respective guide chain wheel or the guide pulley, transport it to the bearing opening desired and release at this point the guide chain wheel or guide pulley which then enters the respective bearing opening under its own weight.

The bearing openings are preferably deeper than the diameter of the respective pivot of the guide chain wheel or guide pulley, whereby a more secure seat of the respective pivot in each bearing opening is obtained.

The housing is preferably made of sheet-metal from 3 to 10 millimetres in thickness, more preferably 4 to 6 millimetres. This enables production of the sheet-metal housing to be carried out without problems, although such sheet-metal housings permit a very high carrying capacity of the lifting beam of several or many tons in weight.

The spacing of the bearing openings is preferably equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the pivot of each guide wheel or pulley. This enables the guide chain wheels and guide pulleys to be adjusted correspondingly to every length dimension important in practice.

The invention is illustrated partly schematically by reference to an exemplary embodiment in the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to the invention with two piston and cylinder units; Figure 2 is a plan view of the lifting beam of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross-section at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the lifting beam shown in Figure 2.

In the drawings the invention is illustrated as applied to lifting beams which are suitable for use in underground mining. Although in the Figures only one form of construction with two piston and cylinder units is illustrated, the invention is also applicable to apparatus having a single piston and cylinder unit. With such a form of construction the piston and cylinder unit is situated in the lifting beam with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lifting beam, the traction means being fastened to the end of a piston rod projecting out of a cylinder, while the free end of the cylinder is pivotably mounted in a horizontal plane in the housing so as to be pivotable through a limited angle.

With the embodiment shown i the drawing two piston and cylinder units 1 and 2 are arranged horizontally, with their longitudinal axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of a lifting beam 3, in such a way that the piston rods 4 and 5 are retractable and extensible in opposition to one another. One piston and cylinder unit 1 is arranged on the one side of the longitudinal axis of the lifting beam 3 while the other piston and cylinder unit 2 is situated on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the lifting beam. The cylinders 6 and 7 of the two piston and cylinder units 1 and 2 are mounted on opposite end regions of the lifting beam 3, each being pivotable through a limited angle about a respective pivot 8 and 9 in vertical planes, but not being displaceable or turnable.The pivots 8 and 9 each pass through two pairs of lugs 10 and 1 i, the lugs of each pair being arranged spaced from and parallel to one another. These pairs of lugs 10 and 11 are each connected fast to the lifting beam 3 by welding seams with a respective transverse reinforcement 12 and 13.

Figure 2 shows particularly clearly that each piston rod 4 and 5 is provided at its free end with a draw chain wheel or draw pulley 14 and 1 5.

These draw chain wheels or draw pulleys 14 and 1 5 are connected to the respective piston rod 4 or 5 rotatably via axles 1 6 and 17, but otherwise fixedly, optionally exchangeably. The axles 1 6 and 1 7 extend verticaliy in the installed position of the lifting beam 3, so that the respective draw chain wheels or draw pulleys 14 and 1 5 lie in horizontal planes. A respective bearing yoke 1 8 and 1 9 is provided for each wheel or pulley 14 and 1 5 which serves as a guide for the respective traction means 20 and 21 (rope or chain).

Line-break safety valves or braking and linebreak safety valves 22 and 23 are provided which prevent the respective piston rod of the associated piston and cylinder unit 1 or 2 from extending uncontrollably quickly if leaks or a line break were to occur.

Line connection fittings 24 and 25 are provided for the connection of pressure medium hoses which are suggested merely schematically at 26 and 27.

As can be seen particularly clearly from Figure 2, the traction means 21 which hangs freely downwardly out of the lifting beam 3 and is provided at its end with a load lifting means 28 in the embodiment shown with a load hook - is deflected by a guide chain wheel or guide pulley 29 out of the vertical into the horizontal and runs thence to the draw chain wheel or draw pulley 14, passes round the latter through about 1 800 of its circumference and leaves, it likewise running approximately horizontally, the free end of the flexible traction means 21 being fastened in the embodiment shown to a traction means fastening. a fixed point or abutment 30. The arrangement is such that the fastening is releasable, so that the traction mcans 21 can be lengthened or shortened.For this purpose, a cross- shaped perforation may be provided in the transverse reinforcement 13 in which the chain links may be arranged, so that, depending on the length adjustment of the traction means 21, a greater or smaller length of the free end of the chain emerges beyond the transverse reinforcement 1 3. Moreover, for the sake of safety the free end may be locked releasably by screws, split pins, pegs or the like.

With the embodiment shown the abutment 30 is connected fixedly to the transverse reinforcement 13, for example by welding seams. Retraction of the piston rod 4 thus results in a shortening of the length of the traction means 21 hanging out of the lifting beam 3, so that the load hook 28 is drawn upwards.

The arrangement is made correspondingly with the other piston and cylinder unit 2. With this piston and cylinder unit 2 the flexible traction means 20 -- generally a chain - is likewise deflected by a guide chain wheel or guide pulley 31 into the horizontal and runs thence to the drawn chain wheel 1 5 or to the draw pulley, passes around the latter over about 180" of its circumference and leaves this draw chain wheel or draw pulley 1 5 at the opposite side in the opposite direction and is made fast to an abutment, fixed point or traction means fastening 32 connected fixedly to the transverse reinforcement 12.This abutment may likewise be designed in the form of a cross-shaped perforation of the transverse reinforcement 12, as with the transverse reinforcement 1 3. Also the free end of the traction means emerging through this perforation may be locked releasably in a suitable way additionally or alternatively - as with the traction means 21 by screws, split pins, pegs or the like. This traction means 20 can thereby be lengthened or shortened. Both piston and cylinder units 1 and 2 are loadable by a suitable pressure medium switch synchronously, simultaneously and in the same direction with pressure medium, for example a suitable hydraulic fluid or compressed air, so that the load can be raised or lowered uniformly.In addition, only the one or the other piston and cylinder 1 or 2 is also loadable with pressure medium pressure via the same switch from a central point laterally next to the lifting beam 3 or from a more remote central control station, so that the traction means 20 and 21 can be lengthened or shortened separately from one another. The supply of pressure medium may be effected from a central pressure medium source, for example a hydraulic pressure medium source from a Diesel engine not shown via suitable hose lines which can be coupled to the above-described pressure medium lines and hose lines. If the supply is effected from a central pressure unit instead of by a Diesel engine, then the former can be introduced movably into a train of lifting beams.The pressure unit may consist substantially of a reservoir for the pressure medium, for example a suitable hydraulic fluid, an air motor designed as a vane-type motor, a hydraulic pump driven by this air motor, for example an axial piston pump and suitable pressure medium lines in the form of suitable pressure medium hoses through which the piston and cylinder units 1 and 2 of the respective lifting beams 3 are supplied with pressure medium. Also, of course, several such lifting beams, as shown in the drawing or with which only one piston and cylinder unit is provided, may be connected in series in a train. Trains of lifting beams, some with one piston and cylinder unit, and some with two piston and cylinder units can function without difficulty.

A load lifting means 33 is connected fixedly to the traction means 20.

Furthermore, reference numeral 34 designates a rail of a monorail overhead conveyor not shown in detail. Arranged on the rail 34 spaced from one another are supporting trolleys 35, 36 in which are situated rollers mounted in pairs relative to one another, whereby one roller from each pair lies on each side of the web of the rail, the rollers running on the lower flanges of the rail 34. Of the roller pairs only the rollers 37, 38, 39 and 40 are shown in the drawing, while the rollers arranged coaxially with these rollers are concealed by the web of the rail 34. The lifting beam 3 is suspended on the supporting trolleys 35 and 36 via universal joints 41 and 42.

The housing of the lifting beam 3 can be seen particularly clearly from the cross-section shown in Figure 3. The housing of the lifting beam 3 is made of sheet metal and has two shell-shaped parts 43 and 44 which in the embodiment shown have in cross-section approximately the shape of trapeziums which are pushed into one another with their free ends and - as suggested at 45 and 46 - are connected releasably to one another by screws. The shell-shaped parts 43 and 44 extend over the entire length of the lifting beam 3, so that the lifting beam is made completely closed upwardly, to the sides and also substantially on its lower side and has a smooth exterior.

As shown in Figure 3, there are fastened by welding seams to the lower sheet-metal shell 44 two edgewise standing sectional-steel bars 47 and 48 in the lower region of the lifting beam 3, running parallel to its longitudinal axis. With the embodiment shown these sectional-steel bars are made rectangular in cross-section, but may also have other cross-sectional shapes.

As shown especially in Figure 1, the steel bars 47 and 48 have in their upper marginal regions a plurality of upwardly open bearing recesses 49, pairs of bearing recesses 49 lying opposite one another being arranged coaxially with another.

The spacing of the bearing openings from one another is equal in the embodiment shown, but may alternatively be different, if desired, with other embodiments. With the embodiment shown in the drawing the sectional-steel bars 47 and 48 are provided over their entire length with such bearing recesses 49. However, it would be possible to omit such bearing recesses 49, at least in the central region of the length of the sectional steel bars 47 and 48. Moreover, the division of the bearing recesses 49 may be selected so that common load lengths can be made fast without difficulty.

The reference numerals 50 and 51 each designate a guide chain wheel or guide pulley, while reference numerals 52 and 53 represent pivots of these guide chain wheels or guide pulleys. These pivots 52 and 53 may be arranged selectively in the bearing openings 49, so that the spacing between the vertical portions of the tractions means 20 and 21 may be changed, depending on the length of the load, in order to prevent unfavourable force components.

To be able to effect the adjustment of the guide chain wheels or guide pulleys 50 and 51, one or more slot-like perforations 54 are provided on the lower side of the lifting beam 3. If the guide chain wheels or guide pulleys 50 and 51 are to be adjusted, the operator can reach through the perforation 54 and lift the respective guide chain wheel or guide pulley in such a way that its pivot comes out of the respective bearing opening 49, whereupon the respective guide chain wheel or guide pulley is transported, that is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam 3 as far as the desired point and is allowed to fall with its pivot into the selected bearing opening.

Owing to the closed box shape of the lifting beam the interior is protected reliably against dust and moisture, and also against mechanical actions. On the whole, a stable closed structural form is obtained, any projecting load being deflected to the side.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting loads comprising an elongate lifting beam provided with at least two trolleys to enable the beam to be suspended from a rail so as to be movable along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the beam, the beam comprising a housing within which is situated at least one piston and cylinder unit extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam and arranged to act on an or a respective elongate flexible traction means extending out of the beam through an opening therein, the traction means being provided with load lifting means adapted to engage a load to enable the load to be lifted or lowered by operation of said at least one piston and cylinder unit, the or each traction means passing over a guide wheel or pulley also situated within said housing, the position of the axis of the wheel or pulley being adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the beam.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lifting beam housing further contains an additional guide wheel or pulley for the or each traction means and valves and control lines for the or each piston and cylinder unit.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each piston and cylinder unit is pivotably mounted within said housing.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said housing is made of sheet metal.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting beam comprises two shells which are arranged to abut one another or to be pushed into one another with their base sides adjacent one another and are connected releasably to one another, for example by screws.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein service or assembly openings closable by flaps are arranged in the housing.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising reinforcing ribs and/or reinforcing corrugations arranged on the inside of the housing.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcing ribs comprise two elongate bars which are arranged parallel and spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the lifting beam and which are connected fast to the housing of the lifting beam and the bars have a plurality of upwardly open bearing recesses for insertion of the pivot of the or each guide chain wheel or guide pulley, in such a way that the bearing openings of the one elongate bar are arranged coaxially with the bearing openings of the other elongate bar.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the or each guide wheel or pulley is liftable by hand through a lower longitudinal slot in the beam housing and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam for the purpose of adjustment.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the bearing openings are deeper than the diameter of the pivot of the or each guide wheel or pulley.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet thickness of the sheetmetal housing of the lifting beam is 3 to 10 millimetres, preferably 4 to 6 millimetres.

12. An apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the spacing of the bearing openings is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the pivot of each guide chain wheel or guide pulley.

1 3. An apparatus for transporting loads substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.