GB783414A - Improvements in or relating to the raising of coal or other minerals in mine shafts - Google Patents

Abstract

783,414. Decking apparatus for pit cages. COAL INDUSTRY (PATENTS), Ltd. Aug. 23, 1954 [Aug. 27, 1953], No. 23700/53. Class 78 (4). In the winding installation illustrated a loaded container A2, Fig. 2, is pushed out of a mine cage A at the top of a shaft on to an unloading platform D3 by an empty container A1 which is pushed from a platform D4, on which it has been unloaded, into the cage. The cage A is then lowered so that the empty container A1 may be pushed on to the loading platform L3, Fig. 6, by a container A3 which has been filled on the loading platform L4. This sequence continues with the platforms D3, D4, and L3, L4 being used alternately. Similar provision is made for loading and unloading containers B1, B2, B3 by a second cage B. The containers are moved over rollers 12 into and out the cages by rams R1 ... R8. These serve both to push containers into the cage and to pull on to the loading and unloading platforms containers which have been pushed partly out of a cage by an entering container. For this purpose levers 58, Fig. 8, pivoted at 59 to the heads of the rams carry catches 60 for engaging portions 61 of the containers when wheels 63 carried by the levers 58 engage the lower portion 64 of ram tracks 64, 66, 65. The containers may be constructed as described in Specification 720,373, and may be unloaded when on the platform D1 ... D4 by supporting the containers above tilting platforms 24, Fig. 3 (not shown), which are lowered to allow the bottom of the container to hinge downwardly. While the containers are on the platforms L1 ... L4 they may be loaded by a feeder started automatically when the container is laid in position on the platform and stopped by weighing means on the platform. The rams for moving the containers, keps for supporting the cages, safety catches for preventing the containers from entering and leaving the cages, and a signal to the banksman, may be operated automatically with safety interlocks; a suitable system employing electric switches, solenoid operated valves, and hydraulic piston and cylinder devices is outlined in the Specification. Fig. 30 (not shown), shows a wholly hydraulic device for controlling the keps. Each cage may accommodate a group of two or more containers. The rams are arranged so that they may be withdrawn beyond their usual strokes to permit access to the cages and to permit reserve containers A4, D4, Fig. 2, to be brought into service.