GB2188910A - Transporting explosives - Google Patents

Description

GB 2 188 910 A SPECIFICATION Figure2 is aside view of a mine car used in

the method of the invention, Transporting explosives Figure 3 is an end view of the mine car of Figure 2, Figure4(a) and (b) are end and side views re This invention relates to the transporting of ex- 70 spectivelyof a securing mechanism used with the plosives. carof Figures 2 and 3, The mines inmost countries use substantial Figure5is an end viewof a container used in the amounts of explosives. The explosives are man u- method of the invention, factured at one or more factories, are packed into Figure 6is a plan view of a spreader frame used in cases, and the cases are then transported by road or 75 the method of the invention, and rail to a mine. Atthe mine the cases are unpacked Figure 7 is a side view of part of the spreaderframe from the transport vehicle and are loaded into a mine shown in Figure 6.

car. The laden mine car is then loaded into a cage, Figure 1 is a side view of a dedicated explosive skip orthe like for lowering underground. truck used in the method of the invention. Thetruck This method of transporting explosives nec- 80 is dimensioned to accommodate efficiently a essarily implies that the explosives are handled a number of containers 18 of the type shown in Figures number of times and this gives rise to safety prob- 2,3 and 5. The truck includes an onboard crane 10 by lems and to a security risk in thatthe cases can be means of which the containers can be loaded on to tampered with or explosives can be stolen. and unloaded from the truck. The containers once on The invention provides a method of transporting a 85 the truck are secured in position in any suitableway.

plurality of cases of explosives from a supply pointto For example it is noted that in Figure 1 the truck has an underground location of a mine which includes drop sides 12 which ensure thatthe containers the steps of packing the cases into a container, seal- cannot slide off the truck body. Alternatively locking ing the container, transporting the containerto the mechanisms of the kind shown in Figure 4, thefunc mine, and conveying the containerto the under- 90 tion of which is hereinafter described, could be used ground location. to fix the containers securely in position on thetruck.

The container may be conveyed to the under- The floor of the truck is lined with hardboard or a ground location in any suitable way. Preferably one similar non-sparking material to minimise the likeli or more containers are loaded onto a mine car on hood of accidental explosions.

surface and the mine car isthen conveyed under- 95 Thetruck carriesfore and aft red flags 14, or a red ground in a cage, skip orthe like. At a given under- warning light mounted on the driver's cab, as is re ground level the mine car loaded with full containers quired by law.

is moved to the desired location. The loaded mine Figures 2 and 3 are side and end views respectively car is used to replace a previously delivered mine car of a mine car 16 on which are loaded three containers which carries empty containers. A number of con- 100 18 which are fixed to the car at points 20. Figures 4(a) tainers may be transported in this way at a given and 4(b) illustrate the fixing mechanism. The car has time. a number of studs 22 which extend upwardly. Each The container orthe containers may be secured to stud has a link 24 coupled to a rod 26 which extends the mine car. across a clevis in the stud. The base 28 of each con- Each of the containers atthe underground location 105 tainer isformed with slots 30through which the re is regarded as a magazine and explosives are dis- spective studs 22 project. The links 24 arethen pensed therefrom as required. moved tothe horizontal position shown in Figures Each container may include one or more doors 4(a) and 4(b) to provide a secure locking mechanism which are lockable and which permit access into the fixing the containersto the car 16.

containerso thatthe explosives may betransferred 110 As shown in Figure 5 each container 18 has a door to orfrom the container. 32 which can be closed by means of an anti- racking The containers may be transported from the mechanism 34.

supply point in any suitable way. For example use Figures 6 and 7 illustrate in plan and from the side may be made of a suitable vehicle such as a dedica- respectively a spreaderframe 36 which can be ted truckwhich is designed to transport a plurality of 115 attached to a hoist, not shown, by means of cables the containers at a given time. 38. The spreaderframe is rectangular and can be The invention further extends to a containerfor connected to studs 40 on the upper end of each con use in the method of the invention which includes on tainer. The studs 40 protrude through holes in the or more lockable doors and the interior of which is spreaderframe and transverse pins, through the lined with, or includes, a material which cannot gen- 120 studs, secure the frame to the studs.

erate a spark. A suitable lining is for example made In the method of the invention containers 18 of the from plywood or hardboard orthe like. The lining kind shown in Figure 2 are packed with explosives at may be secured or bonded to the inside of the con- a supply point e.g. a factory. The containers are tainer in any suitable way. lined, overtheir interior surfaces, with hardboard, The invention is further described byway of ex125 plywood, or other similar non-sparking material. The ample with reference to the accompanying drawings minimises the risk of an accidental explosion.

in which: Once each container isfully packed its door32 is Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle used fortrans- closed and sealed. This ensures thatthe contents porting explosives in accordance with the method of thereof cannot be tampered with. The individual con- the invention. 130 tainers are loaded on to the truck shown in Figure 1 2 GB 2188910 A 2 using the crane 10 or by pallet truck or any other app- of which is lined with, or includes, a material which roved means. If necessary use can be made of the cannot generate a spark.

spreader bar shown in Figures 6 and 7. 6. A container according to claim 5 which inclu The truck is then driven to a mine which needs ex- des means on an upper surface for engagement with plosives. At the mine the containers 18 are unloaded 70 an overhead hoist.

from thetruck and are placed directly on a mine car 7. A combination of a mine car and a plurality of 16 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The containers are, as container according to claim 5 or 6, and means sec has been noted, then secured to the mine car. uring each containerto the mine car.

The laden mine car is wheeled directly into a cage, 8. A combination according to claim 7 wherein skip orthe like for conveyance underground. At a de- 75 the securing means includes a plurality of mech sired under underground level the laden mine car is an isms which are engagea bl e with respective form unloaded from the cage, skip or the like and transations on the containers.

ported on train, along tracks or by a trackless vehicle 9. A method of transporting explosives from a to a storage location. If desired the full conatiners supply pointto an underground location substanti can be onloaded from the mine car orthe trackless 80 ally as hereinbefore described with reference to any vehicle for storage. Alternatively and preferably the one of the accompanying drawings.

laden mine car and containers are stored as a single 10. A container for transporting explosives sub unit which takes the place of a previously delivered stantially as hereinbefore described with reference carwith containers which, atthis stage, are empty, to any one of the accompanying drawings.

the contents thereof having been used following a previous similar storage cycle.

Explosives are dispensed from the containers dir- Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company (U K) Ltd,8187, D8991685.

ectly. In otherwords each container is treated as a Published byThe Patent Office, 25Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, magazine. When all the explosives in a given con- from which copies maybe obtained.

tainer are finished the container is returned to sur face and so is availableforthe delivery of fresh ex plosives. Alternatively when all the containers are emptied, the mine car,together with the empty con tainers, is returned to surface and the cycle is recom menced.

As has been pointed the principle advantage of the invention lies in the factthat security and safety are enhanced because of the containerisation approach.

The individual cases of explosives are not handled otherthan atthe factory or at the point of use.

Depending upon regulations the accessories nee ded for use with explosives such as detonators, fuses and the like may be loaded into a separate container.

Clearly manyvariations of the invention are pos sible and these are all intended to fall within the scope of the present specification.

Claims (5)

1. A method of transporting a plurality of cases of explosives from a supply pointto an underground location of a mine which includes the steps of packing the cases into a container, sealing the con tainer, transporting the containertothe mine, and conveying the containerto the underground loca tion.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the container is loaded onto a mine car on surface atthe mine, and the mine car, together with the container, is conveyed to the underground location.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein explosives are dispensed for use directly from the container atthe underground location.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of the containers are loaded onto the mine car on surface and the mine car, togetherwith the plurality of containers, is conveyed to the under ground location.

5. A container for transporting explosives which includes one or more lockable doors and the interior