GB2417227A

GB2417227A - Rail conveyance system

Info

Publication number: GB2417227A
Application number: GB0418457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Alan Mole
Original assignee: J M CLEARING SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: J M CLEARING SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-19
Filing date: 2004-08-19
Publication date: 2006-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-19
Also published as: GB2417227B; GB0418457D0

Abstract

The system has a pair of rails 12 which may be laid parallel to one another on an incline e.g. stairs 30, a conveyance 52, e.g. a bin, platform or invalid carriage, the conveyance having a pair of wheels 54 mounted at opposite ends of a transverse axle 56 each wheel being adapted to engage one of the rails, friction means 70,72 being supported on the axle for engagement of the rails, means for applying a frictional load between the friction means and the rails, to control the rate of descent of the conveyance down the incline and reaction means 62, e.g. a roller for engagement of the rails at a point spaced longitudinally of the point at which the wheels engage the rails for reacting torsional loads generated by application of the friction means. The friction means is a caliper brake 70 operating friction pads 72. The rails 12 are mounted on support posts 26, with adjustable cross-beams at their bases to locate the rails laterally on the stairs 30.

Description

24 1 7227

RAIL CONVEYANCE SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a rail conveyance system and in particular a rail conveyance system for moving materials or objects down steep inclines, for example a staircase.

The invention is particularly suitable for the removal of waste material from multi-storey blocks, when, for example refurbishing one floor of the block.

When refurbishing one floor of a multi-storey office block, it is necessary to remove waste material without inconveniencing other occupants of the multi-storey block. Under such circumstances, the normal elevator systems are not available and the use of chutes attached to the outside of the building is only suitable for lower floors, where there are opening windows.

Use of chutes for higher floors is limited by the terminal velocity achieved by materials falling down the chute, which will present problems at ground level.

Hitherto, it has consequently been necessary to manhandle the waste materials down the fire escape staircase of the office block.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a rail conveyance system comprises a pair of rails which may be laid parallel to one another on an incline, a conveyance, the conveyance having a pair of wheels mounted at opposite ends of a transverse axle, each wheel being adapted to engage one of the rails, friction means being supported on the axle for engagement of the rails, means for applying a frictional load between the friction means and the rails, to control the rate of descent of the conveyance down the incline and reaction means for engagement of the rails at a point spaced longitudinally of the point at which the wheels engage the rails for reacting torsional loads generated by application of the friction means. 2

According to the preferred embodiment, the conveyance is pivotal about the transverse axle, so that it may be tilted relative to the rails in order to position the centre of gravity of the conveyance over the axle, as the conveyance moves down the rails.

The conveyance according to the present invention may be in the form of a container, such as a bin, a platform truck upon which larger articles may be supported, or an invalid carriage or the like.

Preferably the rail conveyance system is suitable for temporary installation on the incline, for example a staircase. However, the rail conveyance system may alternatively be a permanent fixture to provide, for example, an emergency evacuation system for wheelchairs or the like. Alternatively, a light weight rail system made, for example of carbon fibre, could be stored adjacent a stair case for emergency use.

The invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates in a side elevation a rail conveyance system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the rail conveyance system illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional transverse view along lines lil - lil of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial sectional side view of a bin mounted for movement on the rail conveyance system of figure 1; and Figure 5 is a cross-section along line V - V of Figure 4. 3

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a rail system 10 comprises a pair of rails 12 mounted parallel to one another. The rails 12 are fabricated from steel and have an flange formation 14 extending laterally outwardly from the lower edge of the outside of each rail 12. A channel formation 16 is formed on the inside of each rail 12.

Each rail 12 has a central portion 20 of constant cross section, an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 24. The central portions 20 of the two rails 12, have support members 26 at spaced locations along their lengths, the support members 26 being adapted to locate at the rear of the tread 32 of one stair 30 and in abutment with the adjacent riser 33, to support the rails 12. Preferably, the support members 26 will support the rails 12, so that they are parallel to but clear of the flight of stairs 30, so as not to damage the treads 32 of the stairs 30.

As shown in Fig. 2, the support members 26 attached to each of the rails 12, are interconnected by cross members 34. The support members 26 are secured to the cross members 34 at fixed lateral spacing, corresponding to the track of the wheels 54 of a conveyance 50 to be used on the rail system 10. The cross members 34 have polyurethane buffers 35 for engagement of the stair treads 32, in order to avoid damage to the treads 32. The ends of the cross members 34 have telescopic extensions 36 which may be moved inwardly and outwardly, so that the length of the cross member 34 may be adjusted to abut the sides 31 of the flight of stairs 30, thereby securely locating the rail system 10 laterally with respect to the flight of stairs 30.

The telescopic extensions 36 may also be used to position the rail system 101aterally with respect to the flight of stairs 30. Locking clamps 38 are provided for locking the telescopic extensions 36. Rubber buffers 39 are provided at the free ends of extensions 36, to prevent damage to the stairs 30. - 4

The rails 12 are thereby located so that an operator may walk down the the stairs 30 behind the conveyance 50 and control its rate of decent, in the manner described hereinafter. Typically, the telescopic extensions 36 will be used to locate the rail system 10 to one side of the flight of stairs 30, allowing free access to the other side of the flight of stairs 30, for pedestrian use.

The support members 26 may be adjustably attached to the portions 20 of the rails 12 and may be of adjustable height in order to accommodate variations in the depth and height of the stairs 30. Sufficient supports 26 are provided at intervals corresponding to the spacing of the stairs 30, along the lengths 20 of rails 12, in order to securely support the rails 12, parallel to but spaced from the stairs 30.

Alternatively or in addition, resilient blocks may be provided, intermediate of the supports 26, in order to abut the stairs 30 between the supports 26, thereby providing additional support without damaging the stairs 30.

The lower portions 24 of each of the rails 12 have a pivoted pad 40 which is adapted to engage the floor at the bottom of the flight of stairs 30.

The upper portions 22 of each of the rails 12 are curved in the verticle plane and have a pivoted pad 42, in order to abut the floor at the top of the flight of stairs 30 and to provide a smooth transition to the central portions 30 of rails 12.

On both the upper portions 22 and lower portions 24 of the rails 12 the thickness of each rail 12 tapers towards the end remote from the central portion 20 so that the separation between the outside of each rail 12 and - 5 the base of the channel section 16 reduces.

The conveyance 50 comprises a bin 52 with a pair of wheels 54 mounted on a transverse axle 56, the transverse axle 56 being located towards a rearward edge of the base of the bin 52. The separation of the wheels 54 is such that when the conveyance 50 is mounted on the rail system 10, the wheels 54 will ride on the outer flanges 14 and will be guided by the outsides of the rails 12. The tapered end portions 22,24 will provide a greater lateral clearance between the rails 12 and the wheels 54, enabling the conveyance 50 to be easily mounted onto the rail system 10 at either end thereof.

A pair of leading arms 60 are secured one adjacent each end of axle 56 on the inside of each of the wheels 54. A roller 62 is pivotally mounted at the forward end of each of the leading arms 60, the roller 62 being adapted to engage the channel sections 16 formed on the inside of each of the rails 12.

A calliper brake 70 is mounted on each of the leading arms 60. The calliper brakes 70 have a pair of friction pads 72, the friction pads 72 of each of calliper brakes 70, engaging the outside of the rail 12 and the base of channel section 16, at a position between the wheel 54 and roller 62.

Control means, for example brake lever and cables (not shown) are provided for actuation of the calliper brakes 70, in order to control the rate of decent of the conveyance 50 down the rail system 10. The brakes 70 may be biased to the fully applied position, the brakes 70 being partially released to control the rate of decent of the conveyance 50, by actuation of the control lever. In this manner, the brakes 70 will automatically be fully applied if, for some reason, the operator is not in proper control. Alternatively, the braking load may be applied by the operator by actuation of the brake lever, means being provided for locking the brake lever in position once a sufficient brake - 6 load has been applied.

The bin 52 is pivotally attached to the axle 56, so that as the bin 52 is wheeled down the rail system 10, the bin 52 may be tilted so that the centre of gravity acts through the axle 56, thereby reducing the load experienced by the operator in order to tilt the bin 52. A pin 74 secured to the bin 52 engages through an arcuate slot 76 in the arm 60 secured to axle 56, in order to limit pivotal movement of the bin 52, relative to the arm 60.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

For example while in the above embodiment the rails 12 are fabricated from steel, the rails may be made from other materials, for example light alloy or reinforced plastics materials.

Also while in the above embodiment the rails 12 are secured to the cross members 34 at fixed spacing corresponding to the track of the conveyance 50, alternatively the spacing may be adjustable, so the at the rail system may be set up for conveyances having different tracks.

Furthermore while in the above embodiment the wheel assembly of the conveyance 50 is secured to the bin 52, separate bogies having wheel, leading arms, rollers and brakes may be provided, upon which different types of conveyance, for example bins, platforms or invalid chairs may be selectively mounted.

Automatic means may be provided for controlling the friction means 70. For example an electronic system may be provided, having wheel speed sensors, which automatically controls the friction means to limit the maximum rate of decent of the conveyance.

While in the above embodiment telescopic extensions 36 are provided at both ends of the cross member 34, in an alternative embodiment an extension 36 may be provided at only one end of the cross member 34.

With this embodiment, the single extension 36 will permit adjustment of the cross member 34 for different widths of staircase with the rails disposed to one side of the staircase. - 8

Claims

Claims.

1. A rail conveyance system comprises a pair of rails which may be laid parallel to one another on an incline, a conveyance, the conveyance having a pair of wheels mounted at opposite ends of a transverse axle, each wheel being adapted to engage one of the rails, friction means being supported on the axle for engagement of the rails, means for applying a frictional load between the friction means and the rails, to control the rate of descent of the conveyance down the incline and reaction means for engagement of the rails at a point spaced longitudinally of the point at which the wheels engage the rails for reacting torsional loads generated by application of the friction means.

2. A rail conveyance system according to claim 1 in which each rail defines a wheel engaging formation on its outer side, the outside of the rail acting as a guide for the wheel engaged thereby.

3. A rail conveyance system according to claim 1 or 2 in which each rail has a flange formation extending laterally outwardly from the lower edge of the outside of the rail, for engagement by the wheel of the conveyance.

4. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the friction means engages the rails at a point spaced longitudinally of the point at which the wheels engage the rails, the reaction means being attached to the axle, for engagement of the rails on the opposite side of the point of engagement of the friction means with the rails.

5. A rail conveyance system according to claim 4 in which an arm is attached at one end to the axle, the friction means being attached to the arm at a point intermediate of its ends and said reaction means being - 9 - attached at the free end of the arm for engagement of the rail, said friction means engaging the rail at a point intermediate of the wheel and the reaction means.

6. A rail conveyance system according to claim 4 or 5 in which the reaction means comprises a roller, the roller engaging in a channel formation in the track.

7. A rail conveyance system according to claim 5 in which arms are provided adjacent each wheel of the conveyance, on the inside thereof, said rollers engaging in channel formations formed on the inside of the rails.

8. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the friction means comprises a calliper brake, the calliper brake having a pair of friction elements, one friction element engaging the outside of the rail and the other friction element engaging the inside of the rail.

9. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the friction means is controlled by a control lever and cable system.

10. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the friction means is biased into engagement with the rail, control means being provided to partially release the friction means.

11. A rail conveyance system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the friction means is urged into engagement with the rail by application of a control means, means being provided for locking the control means in position when the required frictional load has been achieved. - 10

12. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which means is provided for automatically controlling the friction means to control the rate of decent of the conveyance.

13. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the conveyance is pivotal with respect to the axle.

14. A rail conveyance system according to claim 13 in which means is provided for limiting pivotal movement of the conveyance.

15. A rail conveyance system according to claim 14 in which a pin on either the conveyance or the axle engages through an arcuate slot in a bracket attached to the axle or the conveyance respectively, in order to limit 1 5 pivotal movement.

16. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rails are supported by support members secured to the rails at spaced intervals along their lengths, the support members on each rail being connected to a laterally disposed support member on the other rail by means of a cross member.

17. A rail conveyance system according to claim 16 in which the cross members are adapted to engage stair treads of a flight of stairs.

18. A rail conveyance system according to claim 17 in which the cross members are provided with buffers which engage the stair treads to avoid damage to thereto.

19. A rail conveyance system according to any one of claims 16 to 18 in which the cross members are of adjustable width, whereby the position of the rails laterally of the incline may be adjusted.

20. A rail conveyance system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the conveyance is a bin, platform or invalid carriage.

21. A rail conveyance system substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.