GB643746A - Improvements in or relating to gravity-operated rope-gripping mechanism of aerial ropeways and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

643,746. Aerial ropeway clip. LOWE, C. S. Oct. 9, 1947, No. 27197. [Class 78 (ii)] A gravity-operated ropegripping mechanism for the carriage of an aerial ropeway or the like (Fig. 1) having a hanger carrying the load, comprises a rope - gripping device having two jaws 18, 24, whereof one (18) is fixed and the other (24) is movable in relation thereto, and a cam-member 34 is arranged to move the movable jaw into gripping engagement with the rope situated between the jaws, characterized in that an abutment 70 which is movable in relation to the carriage and to the hanger is arranged to take up the reaction of the cam when it operates to move the second jaw for closing the ropegripping device. Fig. 1. The ropeway-carriage (not shown) is integral with upper part 12 of the hanger and the load is attached to movable lower part 14, the relative movement causing jaws 18 and 24 to grip or free the rope. Fixed jaw 18 is part of the arm 22 fixed to the upper part 12. Jaw 24 is pivoted at 28 to duplex link 36, the link 36 at its other end carrying a roller 40. Movement of cam 34 opens and closes the jaws, there being a return compression spring 46. Cam 34 is securely carried by lower hanger part 14 which is moved downwards by the load attached to stem 54 so that the jaws grip, and is moved upwards by shunt rails (not shown) which contact wheels 62 carried on axle 58 journalled in lower part 14 and press the latter upwards and so open the jaws. The reaction of the roller 40 upon wedge 34 is taken by thrust-block 70 which pivots in a semicircular hole in fixed portion 22 and is resiliently held by threaded pin 82 which is screwed into the portion 22 and carries a spring 86 between its head and the thrust-block. Fig. 5. The thrust-block 70 is shown similarly pivoted to fixed part 88 and taking the back thrust of roller 40 upon wedge 43. Fixed jaw 18 is a part of arm 22 which is part of fixed upper hanger part 12. Movable jaw 24 is pivoted at 28 to fixed jaw 18 and is pivoted at 30 to and motivated by duplex link 36 furnished with the roller 40 which is moved backwards and forwards by the vertically-sliding wedge 43 forming part of the movable lower hanger part 14 to which the load is attached. Otherwise operates like Fig. 1. Fig. 6. Carriage 90 runs on its rollers 94, and carries fixed jaw 98 and movable jaw 100. In slots 110 in the carriage 90 moves shaft 112, which shaft is pressed upwards when rollers 114 thereon contact shunt rails (not shown) and otherwise moves downwards under the weight of hanger 111 carrying the load. Shaft 112 carries adjustable cam 120 which contacts roller 104 fixed on the movable jaw 100 and so opens and closes the latter. The thrust between roller 104 and cam 120 is taken by the thrustblock 70 pivoted in 126 and resiliently held by a screw and spring. Fig. 4. Thrust-block 70 has faces 72, 74 with the same centre of curvature 73 and face 78 which is highly curved. Specification 600,876 is referred to.