GB2095717A

GB2095717A - Positioning mine roadway supports

Info

Publication number: GB2095717A
Application number: GB8109529A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Dobson Park Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Joy Global Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1981-03-26
Filing date: 1981-03-26
Publication date: 1982-10-06
Also published as: DE3207949C2; DE8206133U1; GB2095717B; DE3207949A1

Abstract

The invention provides both a method and a mechanism for positioning roadway supports 10, 12, 14, 16 in an underground working. The method employs the combination of a lifting force applied through a flexible element 62 and a control exercised during at least the latter part of the movement by control means, for example one or more articulated arms 46, 48. The mechanism includes the flexible element 62 having a device, 64, 66 for attachment to one of the supports 10, 12, 14, 16 and the control means such as the articulated arms 46, 48 adapted to engage with the support so as to exercise control over the movement of the support during lifting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A method and apparatus for positioning roadway supports in underground workings The setting of a roadway support in the roadway of a mine presents considerable problems of manipulation. The upper end of the support has to be raised from the ground into engagement with the roof; the support has to be correctly spaced from an adjacent support and the supporting struts or sections set on foot pieces.

Sometimes, it is possible to utilise lifting gear (such as a chain attached to the head of a ripping machine) but even then the manipulation of the support necessary to ensure correct setting and placing is often difficult. When using supports comprising an uppermost section and separate supporting struts or sections, the uppermost section may be raised into engagement with the roof before the supporting struts or sections are attached.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which greatly facilitates the positioning of a roadway support in an underground working. It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in its possible applications to the supporting of the walls and roofs of roadways in mines, and the supports include supports having curvilinear crowns, and square work supports having horizontal uppermost sections.

According to a first aspect of the invention in a method of positioning a roadway support in an underground working, a lifting force is applied to the uppermost section of the support through a flexible element attached to the uppermost section and a control is exercised on the lifting movement at least during a later part of that movement, by control means which engage with the support. The method of the invention therefore combines with a lifting arrangement the use of a control arrangement which provides a degree of location and steadying of at least the uppermost section of the support not available from the lifting arrangement itself.

Preferably the control means comprises at least one articulated arm.

Preferably the articulated arm or arms engage with the uppermost section after a first stage of lifting. In the preferred method there are two articulated arms which engage with the uppermost section on opposite sides of the centre of the section, at approximately equal distances from the centre of the section, at approximately equal distances from the centre of the section, and the ends of the two arms which engage with the section follow parallel trajectories.

It is further preferred that the movement of the or each arm includes a pivotal motion and/or a motion substantially parallel with the direction of the underground working in which the arch support is being positioned. Clearly therefore, in its most refined form, the method of this aspect of the invention provides a large measure of control over the movement of the support during positioning.

According to another aspect of the invention a mechanism for use in positioning roadway supports in underground workings comprises a lifting mechanism including a flexible element having a device for attachment to the uppermost section of a support, and control means arranged to engage with the support, and exercise control over the movement of the support, during at least a later part of the lifting movement. Preferably the control means comprise at least one articulated arm. Whilst articulation of the arm or arms may be obtained from a mounting at a relatively low level in the working (e.g. resting on the floor of the working) it is preferred that the mechanism includes a headstock adapted to be secured in an elevated position in the working, there being a guide member for the flexible element carried by the headstock and the control arm or arms being articulated from the headstock.Preferably there are two control arms spaced laterally from each other and articulated to the headstock in such a manner that their ends which are adapted to engage with a support are constrained to follow parallel trajectories.

In the preferred construction, the or each support arm is pivoted on the headstock and/or adapted for linear motion relatively to the headstock in a longitudinal direction. (Through this specification, the longitudinal direction is that of the length of the working in which the invention is applied.) According to a preferred feature of this aspect of the invention a carriage is mounted for longitudinal motion relatively to a stationary part of the headstock, the guide member for the flexible element and the support arm or arms being carried by the carriage. A ram-and-cylinder device may be active between the stationary part of the headstock and the carriage for producing linear motion of the carriage.

According to another preferred feature of the invention the flexible element is anchored at one end to the headstock and passes around a roller carried by the movable element of a ram-andcylinder device so that extension of the ram-andcylinder device produces lifting of the attachment device on the flexible element.

The preferred construction comprises a headstock having a stationary part adapted to be secured to a stationary structure in a working; a carriage mounted for longitudinal motion relatively to the stationary part; a ram-and-cylinder device mounted between the stationary part and the carriage; a guide wheel pivoted about a transverse axis on the carriage; a lifting ram-and-cylinder device mounted on the carriage and having a wheel at its distal end; a flexible lifting element (e.g. a chain or wire rope) anchored at one end to the carriage and passing around the wheel on the ram-and-cylinder device and then over the guide wheel, there being a device for attachment to a support to be lifted at the free end of the lifting element, and a pair of control arms spaced apart laterally one on each side of the guide wheel and pivoted to the carriage about a common transverse axis, each of the control arms being adapted at its free end to engage with a support.

The construction of one form of apparatus for positioning roadway supports in underground workings and its method of use, both in accordance with the invention, will now be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with a roadway support being lifted, and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of the apparatus showing the positioning of a support.

For present purposes, it is assumed that the apparatus is being used in the roadway of a mine, and that some roadway supports in the form of arch supports, indicated at 10, 12, and 14 have already been fixed in position between the rib-side and pack-side. A further arch support 16 has to be set in the newly ripped roadway spaced from the last fixed support, 14, by the correct arch centre distance.

The apparatus has a headstock, indicated generally at 1 8, which comprises a stationary part 20 and a carriage 22. The stationary part 20 itself comprises a fabricated steel structure, which essentially provides a mounting for the movable parts of the apparatus, and it is fitted with brackets 24, whereby it can be secured to the fixed arch supports 10 and 12 as shown (that is, leaving one fixed arch 14 beyond the position at which the headstock is mounted). It will be appreciated that the brackets 24 could be secured to the other fixed structures -- such as horseheads, if these are fitted in the roadway - but that in any event, the mounting should be such that the headstock 1 8 is held in an elevated position in the working.

The carriage 22 has two longitudinal beams 26 and 28 bridged by a crosspiece 30, and end brackets 32 and 34 on each beam support a slide tube 36, which is able to slide in bearings in the stationary part 20 (the beams 26 and 28 passing under the stationary part). Hence, the carriage 22 is adapted for longitudinal motion relatively to the stationary part 20, within the limits of traverse of the end brackets 32 and 34 with respect to the stationary part. A hydraulic ram-and-cylinder 38 is pivoted at one end to a mounting 40 on the stationary part 20, and at its other end, to a mounting 42 on the carriage 22 to provide a means for traversing the carriage in a longitudinal direction.

At their forward ends, each of the beams 26 and 28 is formed into a clevis 44 for the reception of the proximal end of a control arm 46 and 48 respectively, these arms being pivoted on axially aligned pivot pins 50 and 52. The arms 46 and 48 are of equal length and at its distal end, each arm is formed into a cup bearing 54 large enough to receive the cross-section of the crown of an arch support of the kind being used in the working. It will be observed that the rear finger 56 of each cup bearing is longer than the front finger 58.The purpose of the arms 46 and 48 will become clear hereinafter, but it is to be noted that they are pivoted about the same transverse axis and will move in unison in a longitudinal direction if the carriage 22 is moved, so that their cup bearings 54 are adapted to move in parallel and similar trajectories due to the articulation of the arms on the headstock.

A lifting mechanism is also provided. This includes a hydraulic ram-and-cylinder device 60 which provides the operating force and a chain 62 fitted at one end with a clevis 64 and clamp 66 for attachment to the crown of the arch support 1 6 which is to be lifted.

A pair of brackets 68, 70 extends forwardly from the crosspiece 30 and a wheel 72 is free to rotate on a pin 74 bridging these brackets; this wheel 72 provides a guide wheel for the lifting chain 62. A second pin 76 extending between the brackets 68 and 70 provides a forward mounting for the cylinder of the ram-and-cylinder device 60.

The ram of this device carries a second wheel 78 around which passes the chain 62, the other end of which is anchored at 80 to the crossbeam 30.

When the ram of the device 60 is extended, the end of the chain 62 carrying the clevis 64 is lifted through a height equal to twice the projection of the driving ram, due to the mechanical advantage obtained from the wheel 78.

Means (not shown) are provided for actuating the traversing ram 38 and the lifting ram as and when required. These means may be power or manually operated. There may also be additional brackets (not shown) for suspending the headstock from an overhead monorail or other overhead structure.

In use, when the arch support 1 6 is to be positioned for setting, the chain 62 is lowered and the clevis 64 and clamp 66 attached to the centre of the crown of the support -- which at that stage is lying on the floor of the working. The lifting ram 60 is then actuated, and the chain 62 begins to lift the arch support. This stage is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The control arms 46 and 48 will of course hang in the lowered position shown in Figure 1 (and shown in full lines in Figure 2) by virtue of theirown weight, and when the support 1 6 is partly lifted, it is possible to engage the arch with the cup bearings 54 of both arms as shown in Figure 2. Since the clevic 64 engages with the centre of the arch and the control arms 46 and 48 are spaced equally on opposite sides of the chain 62, the cup bearings will engage with similar positions on the arch.

Lifting then continues by extension of the ram 60, but instead of the clevis 64 rising vertically, it moves in an upward and forward arc due to the swinging of the control arms 46 and 48 about their pivots 50 and 52. During this, the later part of the upward motion of the crown of the arch support, the support is closely controlled because it is held at three positions, namely at the two cup bearings and at the clevis 64. Consequently, there is no necessity to manipulate the support.

Eventually, the support 1 6 arrives at the fully raised position, shown at 1 6a in Figure 2, where the crown lies close to the roof of the working and the struts hang vertically. The initial positioning of the headstock 1 8 ensures that in this fully raised position, the arch support 16 is nearer to the last fixed support 14 than is required to give the correct arch centres between the support 14 and 1 6. The ram 38 is then extended to move the carriage forwardly, carrying the support 1 6 then held in the bearing 54 into the correct location. It will be noted that in the fully raised position, the longer finger 56 of each cup bearing extends vertically and the shorter finger 58 extends substantially horizontally.This ensures that forward motion of the carriage 20 is transmitted to the arch support.

At that stage, foot pieces can be fitted under the struts of the support 1 6, in conventional manner, to force the support into tight engagement with the roof of the working and complete the setting of the arch. It is then possible to disengage the cup bearings 54 from the arch support, allowing the, arms 46 and 48 to fall into their lowered positions, and similarly, the clevis 64 and clamp 66 can be disconnected from the arch support. The support 1 6 has then been properly set.

For setting the next arch support, it is necessary to move the headstock forwardly on to the supports 12 and 14. Supposing that the headstock is suspended from a monorail, the clamps 24 are released from the supports 10 and 12. Before the clevis 64 is disconnected from the support 16, the ram 38 is contracted and this pulls the stationary part 20 forwardly on the side tubes 36 until it is located beneath the supports 12 and 14, where the clamps 24 can be re-applied to establish a new position for the stationary part 20.

It will be appreciated however, that the headstock need not necessarily be carried forwardly on a monorail. It could be carried by the head of a ripping machine, or it could be mounted for sliding and clamping motion on horseheads if these are fitted.

In the foregoing description of the operation of the apparatus, it has been assumed that the control arms 46 and 48 will first be turned to their top position and then moved forwardly to position the arch support 1 6. However, it is envisaged that the operatives will develop the skill to combine the upward and forward movements, so that the crown of the support will be given a compound motion during lifting, into the correct location.

The invention is equally applicable to the positioning of so-called square roadway supports, which each have a horizontal uppermost section, instead of a curvilinear crown. Furthermore, where the uppermost section is formed separately from the side supports or legs, the uppermost section may be positioned before the legs are attached.

Claims

1. A method of positioning a roadway support in an underground working, comprising applying a lifting force to the uppermost section of the support through a flexible element attached to the uppermost section, and exercising a control on the lifting movement at least during a later part of that movement, by control means which engage with the support.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the control means comprise at least one articulated arm.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the articulated arm or arms engage with the uppermost section after a first stage of lifting.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which there are two articulated arms which engage with the uppermost section on opposite sides of the centre of the section, at approximately equal distances from the centre of the section, and the ends of the two arms which engage with the section follow parallel trajectories.

5. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the movement of the or each articulated arm includes a pivotal motion.

6. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the motion of the or each articulated arm includes a motion substantially parallel with the direction of the underground working in which the arch support is being positioned.

7. A mechanism for use in positioning roadway supports in underground workings comprising a lifting mechanism including a flexible element having a device for attachment to the uppermost section of a support, and control means arranged to engage with the support, and exercise control over the movement of the support, during at least a later part of the lifting movement.

8. A mechanism as claimed in Claim 7, in which the control means comprise at least one articulated arm.

9. A mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, including headstock adapted to be secured in an elevated position in the underground working, there being a guide member for the flexible element carried by the headstock, and the control arm or arms are articulated to the headstock.

10. A mechanism as claimed in Claim 9, in which there are two control arms spaced laterally from each other and articulated to the headstock in such a manner that their ends which are adapted to engage with a support are constrained to follow parallel trajectories.

11. A mechanism as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the or each support arm is pivoted on the headstock.

12. A mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the or each support arm is adapted for movement relatively to the headstock in a longitudinal direction.

13. A mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, in which a carriage is mounted for longitudinal motion relatively to a stationary part of the headstock, the guide member for the flexible element and the support arm or arms being carried by the carriage.

14. A mechanism as claimed in Claim 13, in which a ram-and-cylinder device is active between the stationary part of the headstock and the carriage for producing linear motion of the carriage.

15. A mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the flexible element is anchored at one end to the headstock and passes around a roller carried by the movable element of a ram-and-cylinder device so that extension of the ram-and-cylinder device produces lifting of the attachment device on the flexible element.

1 6. A mechanism for use in positioning roadway supports in underground workings comprising: a headstock having a stationary part adapted to be secured to a stationary structure in a working; a carriage mounted for longitudinal motion relatively to the stationary part; a ram-andcylinder device mounted between the stationary part and the carriage; a guide wheel pivoted about a transverse axis on the carriage; a lifting ramand-cylinder device mounted on the carriage and having a wheel at its distal end; a flexible lifting element (e.g. a chain or wire rope) anchored at one end to the carriage and then passing around the wheel on the ram-and-cylinder device and then over the guide wheel, there being a device for attachment to a support to be lifted at the free end of the lifting element, and a pair of control arms spaced apart laterally one on each side of the guide wheel and pivoted to the carriage about a common transverse axis, each of the control arms being adapted at its free end to engage with a support.

17. A method of positioning a roadway support in an underground working, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 8. A mechanism for use in positioning roadway supports in underground workings constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.