US1249106A - Automatic stopping and releasing device for mine-cars. - Google Patents

Description

G. M. JOHNSON. AUTOMATIC SIQPPING AND RELEASING DEVICE FOR MINE CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6. I917 Patented Dec. 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

m T N E V N G. M. JOHNSON.

AUTOMATIC STOPPING AND RELEASING DEVICE FOR MINE CARS.

APPLICATION FILED ruLY 5,1917.

1,249,106.. Patented Dec. 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESS G. M. JOHNSON.

AUTOMATIC STOPPING AND RELEASING DEVICE FOR MINE CARS.

APPL|CATION FILED JUL-Y 5,19]?- 1,24%,1 w Patented Dec. 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WITNESS Y GEORGE M. JOHNSON, OF MCDONALD, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC STOPPING AND RELEASING DEVICE FOR MINE-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 1917.

Application filed July 6, 1917. Serial No. 178,998.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residingat McDonald, county of Washington and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Stopping and Releasing Devices for Mine-Cars, of which the following is a specification. a

This invention relates to an automatic stopping and releasing device for mine cars, more especially to that type adapted to be operated automatically by the movement of-the cars operating the mine cage, and besides possessing the objects and advantages embodied in the device forming the subject matter of Letters Patent, No. 1,187,151, granted me June 13, 1916, has for its further object to provide the devicewith an operating mechanism, having means to prevent injury thereto on the ascent of the mine cage.

A further object of the invention is to provide the device, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with an actuating rod, for a plurality of stop elements, said actuating rod having associated therewith a series of anti-friction rollers to provide for uniform travel of said rod, when the occasion so requires, to overcome friction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device, for the purpose set forth, having means, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, for restoring the device to normal position, when released by the cars without the employment of counter-weights.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to permit of locking the cars on the cage, when the latter is mounted on supports or landers.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device, for the purpose set forth, which is simple in its construction, strong, automatic in its operation, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily set up, and comparatively inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter referred to, and illus. trated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an elevation, party in section, of an automatic stopping and releasing device'for mine cars and further showing the adaptation thereof in connection with the mine cage and a plurality of cars.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a mine cage showing the adaptation therewith of an automatic stopping and releasing device for mine cars in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, somewhat on larged, of the operating mechanism for releasing a pair of stop elements, said operating device being in operative position due to the action thereon of a mine car.

Fig. 4. is an elevation, partly in section, of the operating mechanism, the latter being shown in inoperative position. i

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the operating mechanism, when in operative position, and further illustrating in full and dotted lines, the position of the shiftable section of the plunger of the operating mechanism on the ascent of the mine cage.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of one of the forward stop blocks.

An automatic stopping and releasing device for mine cars in accordance with this invention, includes a pair of spring controlled rearward stop blooks, a pair of spring controlled forward stop blocks, shifting mechanism for said forward stop blocks, an automatically operable actuating or operating mechanism for said shifting mechanism, and landers for supporting the mine cage, and which permits of locking the cars upon the cage when the latter is supported upon the landers.

The shaft of the mine is indicated at 1, and the landing at 2, 3. The landing 2, 3, may be at the bottom of the shaft 1, at points intermediate the bottom and mouth of the shaft 1, or at the mouth of the shaft 1. But one landing is illustrated, it will be stated however, that the same type of landing as shown will be employed throughout the shaft, wherever required.

The side indicated at 2 of the landing is provided with trackrails 4, 5, and the side 3 of the landing is provided with trackrails 6, 7. These latter are arranged in alinement with track rails 4, 5. The trackrails 4, 5, provide a track for the travel of the ears to the mine cage 8. The track rails 6, 7 provide a track for the traveling of the car from the mine cage 8.

The sides 2, 3, of the landing are in form of platforms provided with reinforcing elements 9, each provided with a depending hanger 10, having a pair of inwardly eX- tending supports 11, which project toward the mine shaft 1. The supports of each pair are arranged in alinement and mounted upon the support of each pair are bearings 12, which are arranged in alinemcnt. Journaled in one pair of bearings 12, is a shaft 13, and journaled in another pair of bearings 12 is a shaft 14. The shafts 13 and 14 are of a length greater than the width of the platforms of the landing and are arranged directly below the inner end of the platforms of the said landing.

Fixed to the shaft 13 is a pair of upwardly extending landers 15, 16 which normally incline to the shaft 1, and fixed to the shaft 14 is a pair of upwardly extending landers 17, 13, which project normally at an inclination toward the shaft 1. Each of said landers 15 to 18 has its upper end cut away to provide a shoulder 19 and a ledge 20, the former abutting against the cage and the latter providing a seat for the cage when the cage is to be supported at the landing, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1.

Connected to a crank arm21, on the shaft 13, is a shifting rod 22, which is arranged below the reinforcing elements 9 of the side 2 of the landing. Depending from one of the reinforcing elements 9 of the side 2 of the landing is a bracket 23, having the lower end of the lever 24 pivotally connected therewith as at 25. The rod 22 is pivotally connected to the lever 24 as at 26. The lever- 24 extends up through an opening 27 formed in the side 2 of the landing so that the lever can be conveniently operated to actuate the rod 22 to shift the lander 16, toward the mine shaft 1, and as the lander 16 is fixed to the shaft 13 the latter will be rocked on its bearings and will carry the lander 15 therewith.

Depending from the shaft 13 is a crank arm 28, to which is pivotally connected as at 29, a connecting rod 30, the latter extends across the shaft and is pivotally connected to a crank arm 31, on the shaft 14. As the lander is fixed to the shaft 14, it is obvious that when the shaft 13 is rocked,

the connecting rod 30 will shift the arm 31, which in turn will rock the shaft 14 and the latter will carry the lander 17 therewith. The position of the landers when shifted by the lever 24 is shown in Fig. 1.

Connected to the shaft 14, as well as eX-' tending at anangle with respect thereto, and toward the mine shaft 1, is a supporting arm 32, upon which is adjustably mounted a counter-weight33, for the purpose of restoring thelanders to operative position when the lever 24 is released.

An adjustable flexible connection is indicated at 34, which is attached to the lander 15 and is employed for limiting the inward movement of the landers.

When the landers are shifted to the position as shown in Fig. 1 they support the mine cage 8. The mine cars which are inclicated at 35 can be locked upon the mine cage without necessitating the operation of the landers, or in other words, the cars can be locked upon the cage when the latter is supported upon the landers.

The floor of the cage is indicated at 36 and has its lower face provided with angle bars 37, for the purpose of reinforcing said floor. Depending from the lower face of the floor 36, near each end, are transverse elements 38, each formed of a pair of channel bars, connected together at the lower ends by a plate 39. The said transverse members 38, form, what may be termed, abutments, which are seated upon the ledges of the landers and contact with the shoulders of the .landers "for the purpose of sup porting the cage, and further for the purpose of maintaining the floor of the cage in alinement with the platforms of the sides 2, 3, of the landings, so that the trackrails 40, 41, upon the upper face of the floor 36, will. be in alinement withthe track- rails 4, 5, 6 and 7. The track- rails 40, 41, provide a track upon the upper face of the floor 36, and each alines with the track formed by the rails 6, 7.

Secured to the upper face of the floor 36, exteriorly of the track- rails 40, 41, and at each corner of said floor is a supporting plate. These plates are indicated at 42, 43, 44 and 45, and each of which at its outer side is provided with a bevel 46, flat surface as at 47 and which constitutes a runway for water and the like.

Each of the plates 42, 45, has its upper face provided, with a segment shaped lug 48, for purpose to be presently referred to.

Rear-ward 86079 bZ0c7cs.The rearward stop-blocks are indicated at 49, 50, are quadrant shaped in contour, are oppositely disposed with respect to each other and normally project over the treads of the trackrails 40, 41. The blocks 49, 50, each has. its

lower face formed with a pair of segment shaped grooves as at 51, 52. The lugs 48 travel in the grooves 52 and arrest movement in either direction of the blocks as well as guiding the movement thereof. Extending down through the plate 43 is a shaft 53, and to the upper end of which is fixed the block 49. Extending down through the plate 42 is a crank shaft 54, having fixed to its upper end the block 50.

Shafts 53 and 54 extend through the floor 36 and each has its lower end provided with a crank 55, to which is connected a coil spring 56, the latter being attached to a keeper 57, which is arranged below and secured with the floor 36. The spring 56 normally retains the blocks 42, 43, in a position shown in Fig. 2, which is across the tread of the rails 40, 41.

The blocks 42, 43 are automatically shifted from the position shown in Fig. 2, by the wheels of the car, when the car is moved upon the trackrails 40, 41 and after the rear wheels of the car have cleared the blocks 42, 43, springs 56, restore the blocks to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to prevent shifting off of the car in one direction.

F o'rwarcl st0p-Z2Z007cs.The forward stop blocks are indicated at 60, 61, and are similar in construction to the blocks 42, 43. The normal position of the blocks 60, 61 is as illustrated in Fig. 2, that is extending upon the tread of the trackrails 40, 41. The block 60 operates upon the plate 44 and the block 61 upon the plate 45. through the plate 44 and floor 36 is a crank shaft 62, tothe upper end of which is fixed the block 60. Extending down to the plate 45 and floor 36 is a crank shaft 63 to the upper end of which is fixed the block 61.

Secured to the upper face of the floor 36 between the track rails 40, 41, is a plate 64, through which extends a shaft 65, having its upper end provided with a crank arm 66.

The shaft 65extends down through the floor 36, and has secured to its lower end a lever arm 67, to one end of which is pivotally connected a connecting rod 68. The shaft 63 has'its lower end provided with a crank 69,

which is pivotally connected to the rod 68.

Pivotally connected to the other end of the lever 67 is a connecting rod 70. The shaft 62 has its lower end provided with a crank 71, which is pivotally connected to the connecting rod 70.

Arranged below the floor 36, as well as being secured therewith is a keeper 72, to which one end of a coil spring 73 is attached. The spring 73 is a pulling spring and has its other end connected as at 74, to the pivot between the rod and the lever 67.

The function of the spring 73, is to normally maintain blocks 60, 61, in a position as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2.

Extending down Mounted upon the upper face of the floor 36, between the track rails 40, 41, is a pair of brackets, 74, 75 each provided with a pair of superposed bearing rollers 76, which form anti-friction means for the shifting element for the forward stop blocks. Said element moves longitudinally with respect to the cage, and the function thereof is to shift the forward stop blocks clear of the treads of the track rails 40, 41. The shifting element is in the form of an elongated push rod, 7 7, having its forward end pivotally connected to the crank 66, and its rear end provided with an abutment 78 which is somewhat larger than the diameter of the rod.

To limit the. rearward movement of the rod 77, the latter is provided with a collar 79, adapted to impact against the bracket 74, under such conditions limiting the rearward movement of said rod.

The automatically operable actuating or operating mechanism for the shifting element or mechanism which is employed for actuating said shifting mechanism to move the forward stop blocks to release'position, comprises a plate 80 which is secured to the side 2 of the landing, at a point between the trackrails 4, 5. Connected with or formed integral with the plate 80, intermediate its ends, is a pair of uprights 81, which support spaced anti-friction rollers 82'.

Extending between the anti-frictionvrollers 82, is a sectional plunger comprising sections 83 and 84. The section 83 slides between the rollers 82 and is provided at its outer end with a head 85, secured therewith as at 86, and formed with a bifurcated lower portion 87, in which is journaled a wheel or sheave 88, which travels upon the plate 80.

Secured to the other end of the section 83, as at 89, at a point removed, from the said other end, is a bracket 90, which extends above and below said section 83. The lower end of the bracket has iournaled therein a wheel or sheave 91, which travels upon the plate 80. The section 83 projects inwardly from the bracket 90, as at 92.

The section 84, constitutes what may be termed an abutment, and at its inner end is provided with socket 93, which receives the projecting end 92 of the section 83. The section 84 is much larger than the diameter of the section 83 and at its outer end is formed with an off-set 94, which is disposed vertically. Projecting from said off-set portion 94, is a pair of lugs 95, which are pivotally connected as at 96, to the top of the bracket 90. By such an arrangement the section 84 can be swung backwardly to permit of the ascent of the cage without damaging the plunger as indicated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 5.

Formed integral with the plate 80, near the outer end thereof, is a pair of apertured rods 08 and 70.

lugs 97, between which is pivoted, as at 98, the lower terminus of the curved portion 99 of the operating lever 100.

The curved portion 99 of the lever 100 is formed with a cam extension 101, provided with a. wheel or sheave 102.

/Vhen the car, as indicated at 103 is shifted on the track formed by the track rails 4, 5, the bottom of the car 103 engages the straight portion of the lever 100 as the car moves toward the cage. The lever 100 is depressed, causing the wheel ,or sheave 102, to ride against the head 85, and as the cam portion 101 moves downwardly the plunger is forced toward the mine cage, whereby the abutment 84:, engaging the abutment .78, will shift the push rod 77, longitudinally of the mine cage, under such con ditions shifting the crank arm 66, carrying the shaft therewith, which in turn will shift the lever arm 67 actuating the connect When the connecting rods 68, 70 are actuated the crank shafts 69, will be moved opposite directions with respect to each other, and the forward stop blocks 60, 61 will be shifted from off the treads of the traclrrails 10, 41, and the car which has been locked on the cage can be shifted therefrom.

The plunger formed of the sections 83, 8% will remain in an extended position. until the lever 100 is released which would be when the car has cleared the track on the side 2 of the landing. After the lever has been released, in the manner as stated, the sections 83, 8 .2 of the plunger are returned to normal position by an expansion spring 103, which is connected as at 10 to a head 85. and as at 105, to the plate 80.

In the operation of the blocks considerable trouble is causcd by the blocks becoming clogged and prevented from movement, due to pieces of coal or other material falling upon the floor of the cage near the blocks. The blocks, however, are constructed in a manner as set forth in the Letters Patent referred to, to overcome the objections stated.

Although the drawings illustrate two cars upon the mine cage, yet it is to be understood that the device is applicable for use in connection with one or more cars.

The plate 80, provided with a track, upon which travels the wheels or sheaves 88 and 91, and which track acts as a guide for the plunger.

What I claim is:

1. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising forward stop blocks, shifting mechanism therefor, a sectional plunger for actuating said mechanism to move the blocks to release position, one of the sections of said plunger pivotally connected to the' other and capable of being shifted at an angle with respect thereto, and means for operating said plunger.

2. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising forward stop blocks, a shifting mechanism therefor including. a push rod,

2 spring controlled plunger for actuating F when shifting to normal position.

3. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising forward stop blocks, a shifting mechanism therefor including-a pushrod, a spring controlled plunger for actuating said mechanism to move said blocks to release position, means for shifting said plunger against the action of its spring to operate said mechanism, anti-friction rollers for supporting said push rod, and said plunger including a pivoted section capable of being turned back during the ascent of the mine cage when the plunger has been shifted to actuatesaid mechanism.

4:. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising a stop block releasing mechanism, an operating mechanism' therefor, said operating mechanism including a plunger having a pivoted section capable of being swungclear of the mine cage during the ascent of the cage when said operating mechanism has been actuated to operate the stop block releasing mechanism.

5. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising an automatically operable actuating or operating mechanism for a stop block shifting mechanism, said operating moch anism including a spring controlled plunge including a pair of sections, one of said sections pivoted to and adapted to receive the end of the other section.

6. A device for thepurpose set forth, comprising an automatically operable actuating or operating mechanism for a stop block shifting mechanism, said operating mechanism including a spring controlled plunger consisting of a pair of sections, one of said sections provided with a head and the other of said sections pivoted to that section having the head and adapted to receive the inner end of that section having tie head and a lever provided with a cam extension capable when the lever moves in one direction to engage with said head for shifting the plunger.

7. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising an automatically operable actuating or operating mechanism for a stop block shifting mechanism, said operating mech-.

anism including a spring controlled plunger conslstlng of a pair of sections, one of sald sections provided With a head and the other of said sections pivoted to that section hav ing the head and adapted to receive the inner end 01'' that section having the head and a lever provided With a cam extension capable when the lever moves in one direction to engage With said head for shifting the plunger, said pivoted section of greater size than the other section of said plunger and constituting an abutment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE M. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

MAX H. SROLOVITZ, LUELLA H. SIMON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. G.

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