GB2142295A

GB2142295A - Transfer device for transferring rail vehicles from one haulage system to another

Info

Publication number: GB2142295A
Application number: GB08410836A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Kirby; Arthur Brewster
Original assignee: Underground Mining Machinery Ltd
Current assignee: Underground Mining Machinery Ltd
Priority date: 1983-04-29
Filing date: 1984-04-27
Publication date: 1985-01-16
Also published as: GB8410836D0

Abstract

The transfer device 3' comprises two relatively-movable wheeled trolleys 5' and 6', a linkage, and a connector 11' for attachment to the draw gear 12' of a rail vehicle 1'. The linkage is constituted by first and second arms 9' and 8' having first ends interconnected by a hydraulic ram 7'. The second end of the first arm 9' is pivotally attached to the second arm 8'. The connector 11' is attached to the second end 10' of the second arm 8'. Each of the trolleys 5' and 6' is attached to a respective end of the hydraulic ram 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Transfer device This invention relates to a device for transferring vehicles, and in particular to a device for transferring vehicles from one rail haulage system to another rail haulage system.

It is known to transfer rail vehicles between rail haulage systems by means of groundmounted creepers or chains. It is also known to use a transfer device which runs along an overhead monorail system to tow rail vehicles from one system to another. In the latter case, the transfer device comprises a monorail tug and a linkage which can be detachably fixed to a vehicle to be transferred. The known type of linkage frequently gives problems as it must be both stable (so as to constitute a safe and reliable towing bar) and retractable (so that the linkage can be moved up so that the transfer device can travel over stationary vehicles). Moreover, the linkage of the known transfer device cannot always be attached to all types of rail vehicle, as the attachment points on such vehicles vary quite widely.

The aim of the invention is to provide a transfer device which is simple and reliable in operation, and which is sufficiently adjustable to permit the device to travel over stationary vehicles, and which is capable of connection to the connection points of a wide variety of rail vehicles.

In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a linkage for a rail vehicle transfer device, the linkage being constituted by first and second arms, and'a connector for attachment to the draw gear of a rail vehicle, the arms having first ends interconnected by an extensible link, the second end of the first arm being pivotally attached to the second arm, and the connector being attached to the second end of the second arm.

The invention also provides a transfer device for rail vehicles, the transfer device comprising two relatively-movable wheeled trolleys, a linkage, and a connector for attachment to the draw gear of a rail vehicle, the linkage being constituted by first and second arms having first ends interconnected by an extensible link, the second end of the first arm being pivotally attached to the second arm, the connector being attached to the second end of the second arm, and each of the trolleys being attached to a respective end of the extensible link.

In a preferred embodiment, the second end of the first arm is pivotally attached to the second arm substantially half way along the second arm. Alternatively, the second end of the first arm may be pivotally attached to the second end of the second arm.

Advantageously, the extensible link is constituted by a screw assembly powered by a hand drive, a hydraulic motor, or an air motor. Alternatively, the extensible link may be a hydraulic or pneumatic ram.

Conveniently, each of the arms is a doublearmed lever.

Preferably, the transfer device further comprises a powered tug which is detachably connected to one of the trolleys.

The invention also provides a transfer system for transferring rail vehicles from one rail system to another, the transfer system comprising an overhead monorail, and a transfer device as defined above, the trolleys of the transfer device being arranged to run along the monorail.

Two forms for device for transferring vehicles from one mine rail haulage system to another, and constructed in accordance with the invention, will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the first form of transfer device attached to a vehicle to be transferred, and showing an overhead monorail system; Figure 2 is a side elevation simiiar to Figure 1, but showing the first form transfer device separated from the vehicle; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the linkage which forms part of the first form of transfer device; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the second form of transfer device attached to a vehicle to be transferred, and showing an overhead monorail system; and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a coupler used with either form of transfer device.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a vehicle 1 which is to be transferred from a rail system, indicated schematically by the reference numeral 2, to another rail system (not shown). The vehicle 1 is to be transferred using a transfer device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 3, which runs on an overhead monorail 4.

The transfer device 3 has a pair of monorail trolleys 5 and 6 which run along the monorail 4. Brackets 5a and 6a respectively extend beneath the trolleys 5 and 6, and an extensible link 7 interconnects these brackets. A double armed lever 8 is pivotally attached to the link 7 at the end thereof connected to the bracket 5a. Similarly, a double armed lever 9 is pivotally connected to the link 7 at the end thereof attached to the bracket 6a. The opposite ends of the levers 8 and 9 are pivotally connected, at 10, thereby defining with the link 7 an isosceles triangle. A coupler 11 is pivotally attached to the arms 8 and 9 at the pivot 10, the coupler being attachable to the draw gear 1 2 of the vehicle 1. The extensible link 7 is a screw assembly which is powered by a device 1 3 such a a hand drive, a hydraulic motor or an air motor.Alternatively, this element could be any other suitable device such as a hydraulic or pneumatic ram.

The transfer device 3, together with the attached vehicle 1, can be moved along the monorail 4 by means of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered tug 14 which runs along the monorail, and is attached to the trolley 6.

In use, the transfer device 3 is positioned above the draw gear 1 2 of the vehicle 1 using the tug 14. During this positioning step, the link 7 is fully extended (as shown in Figure 2), so that the arms 8 and 9 are fully raised so as to avoid contact with the vehicle 1 (or with any other stationary vehicle on the rail system 2). When the transfer device 3 is in the required position, the link 7 is retracted until the coupler 11 is at the same height as the draw gear 12. The coupler 11 can then be attached to the draw gear 1 2, and the vehicle 1 can then be towed to the other rail system using the tug 14.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement similar to that of Figure 1, and so like (but primed) reference numerals will be used for like parts, and only the different parts of the Figure 4 arrangement will be described in detail. The main difference between the two arrange ments is that the transfer device 3' of Figure 4 has a hydraulic ram constituting the extensi ble link 7'. In order to minimise the working stroke of the hydraulic ram 7', the lever 9' is pivotally connected to the lever 8' by means of a pivot joint P positioned part way along the lever 8'. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the pivot joint P is positioned slightly nearer the bracket 5a' than the pivot joint 10', though it will be apparent that other configurations are possible.Obviously, with the arrangement of Figure 4, there is no need for a device equivalent to the power device 1 3 of the arrangement of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows the transfer device 3' in its lowered (working) position in full lines and in its raised (non-working) position in chain-dot lines.

The main advantage of the transfer device 3' of Figure 4 is that the hydraulic ram 7' is considerably cheaper than the screw assem bly/power device of the transfer device 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a preferred from of coupler 11" for use with either of the transfer devices 3 and 3' described above. The coupler 11" has a main connecting head 1 5 which is engageable with the draw gear 12 or 12' of the vehicle 1 or 1' for pulling the vehicle. The coupler 11" also has a collar 1 6 which is mounted behind the main connecting head 1 5. The collar 1 6 is engageable with the draw gear 1 2 or 12' in order that the device 3 or 3' can push the vehicle 1 or 1' as well as pull -it.

It will be apparent that the transfer device 3 or 3' can be used to tow vehicles having draw gear at different heights, as its coupler 11 can easily be adjusted to any height within a given range of heights. Moreover, the transfer device 3 or 3' can be raised well above the height of the vehicles to be transferred, so there is no danger of it contacting stationary vehicles when the transfer device is being manoeuvred into position.

The main advantage of the transfer devices described above is that they are ideal for moving rail vehicles from one rope system to another; for example at a road junction in a mine, where a mine rail car can be transferred from a main line rope system onto a subsidiary rope system in a side roadway.

A transfer device of this type is also extremely useful at a coal face, where mine rail cars are usually rope hauled to a point near to the face. The termination point is determined by the location of the return wheel around which passes the endless rope used for hauling, since obviously cars cannot be hauled beyond this point. In practice, it is rather difficult to site and anchor a return wheel close to a coal face, so it is quite common for the termination point to be up to several hundred metres from the face. On the other hand, it is quite easy to extend a rail track and an overhead monorail system right up to a coal face, so a transfer device constructed in accordance with the invention can be used to push mine rail cars right up to a coal face.

Moreover, the device could also be used to lift relatively light materials into, or out of, the cars.

This type of transfer device can also be used to assist with the lifting of a mine car or mine vehicle back onto the rails after derailment. Thus, not only can the device be used to pull a de-railed vehicle forward, but, with a suitable attachment, it can also lift the vehicle up onto the rails at the same time.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the transfer device of the invention is extremely versatile. It is also simple and reliable in operation, and is sufficiently adjustable to permit the device to travel over stationary vehicles.

Claims

1. A transfer device for rail vehicles the transfer device comprising two relativeiy-movable wheeled trolleys, a linkage, and a connector for attachment to the draw gear of a rail vehicle, the linkage being constituted by first and second arms having first ends interconnected by an extensible link, the second end of the first arm being pivotally attached to the second arm, the connector being attached to the second end of the second arm, and each of the trolleys being attached to a respective end of the extensible link.

2. A transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the first arm is pivotally attached to the second arm substantially half way along the second arm.

3. A transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the first arm is pivotably attached to the second end of the second arm.

4. A transfer device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extensible link is constituted by a screw assembly powered by a hand drive, a hydraulic motor, or an air motor.

5. A transfer device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extensible link is a hydraulic ram.

6. A transfer device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the arms is a double-armed lever.

7. A transfer device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a powered tug detachably connected to one of the trolleys.

8. A transfer device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figs. 1 to 3 or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A transfer system for transferring rail vehicles from one rail system to another, the transfer system comprising an overhead monorail, and a transfer device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, the trolleys of the transfer device being arranged to run along the monorail.

10. A linkage for a rail vehicle transfer device, the linkage being constituted by first and second arms, and a connector for attachment to the draw gear of a rail vehicle, the arms having first ends interconnected by an extensible link, the second end of the first arm being pivotally attached to the second arm, and the connector being attached to the second end of the second arm.