US1716289A - Skip-loading gate - Google Patents

Description

Jul-1e 4, 1929- I A. ALLEN ET AL. 1,716,289

SKIP LOADING GATE` Filed May 13, 1927 2 Sheets-'Sheet l E? n @cul/war* June 4, 1929. 4 L A. ALLN ET AL 1,716,289

SKIP LOADING GATE Filed May 13, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .lune 4, i929.

Juri' stares aereas ANDREWS ALLEN, OF GLENGQE, ILLNOS, AND DANIEL F. LEPLY, DECEASED, LATE OF CONNELLSVILLE, PENNSYLVAL A, BY PAUL V. LELEY, EXECU'TOB., OF 003% NELLSVILLEQ PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS OF ONE'HALF TO ALLEN @c GARCA' COV., OF CHICAGO, ILLNOIS, A CORPORATION OF LLNOIS, AND Olil'EeHALF TO THE CONNELLSVILLE MFG. 6r, MNE SUPPLY CO., OF CONNELLSVLLLE, PENTS-YLVNA, A CORPORATION 'OF PENNSYLVANIA,

SKIPJLOADNCT GATE;

Applicationl led May 13, 1927. Serial No. 191,208.

This invention relates to automatic skip rihe above recited and other objects of the loading apparatus and has particular referinvention Will be more fully and better underence to a eut-oil' gate with a spout for use in stood by reference to the accompanying specloading skips in mining operations in measiiication and drawings and will be particu- 5 ured amounts. larly pointed out in the appended claims. 55

An obgect of the lnvention is the provision In the drawings: of means whereby a hoisting` slnp may be au- F1a'. 1 is a side elevational view of the intomatically filled with lading' without attenvention7 with certain parts in vertical section, tion on the part of an operator7 when the same showing' one form of the invention With a skip 1o reaches the bottom of a mine shaft. at the lower end of the shaft, and G0 Another object of the invention 1s the pro- Fig. 2 1s a vieu' similar to Figi'. 1, showing vision of skip loading means for automatia modiiication of the gate `With the spout cally filling` a skip with material to a predemounted thereon so as to be movable.with termined heightl in the skip, thus uniformly respect thereto, also including a wiring dia- 15 loading every skip automatically and in eq ual gram and diagrammatic representation-'of the 65 amounts u'ithout necessity for personal atmanner of actuating' the gate for loading purtention to the loading' thereof. poses. Y

A still further object of the invention is to lOdesignates a mine shaft and particularly provide means for delivering material from a the lower end thereof, in which is shown the zo bin to a skip in measured quantities. usual hoisting skip 11 operated therein in To Another object of the invention is 'the prothe usual manner. A bin 12 is provided into vision of skip-loading` means for rapid' filling which the mined material is discharged adjaoil the skip with a minimum amount of brealcent the lower end of the shaft.: In the drawage to the lading. ings the bin is shown `as having` sloping bote5 Another object of the invention is the protom Walls 13 and 14C. The Wall 14 has there- T vision of means for safely locking all of the in a discharge opening 15. The bin may be members in closed position of the gate ivithsupported in any desirable manner, such as out the aid of auxiliary means such as latches by a suitable outer wall 16 and foundation 17. or the like. y A discharge chute 18 is secured to the Wall 14 so Generally speaking the preferred einbodiof the bin, adapted to direct material from S0 nient of the invention comprises a bin having' the opening;v 15 in saidwvalhthis chute coma chute leading froman opening therein, with prising the usual bottom and side Walls. An a cut-oill gate pivoted to said chute in a manend gate ,A for said chute with its end Wall ner to be oscillated about said pivot for closarcuate is rotatably supported on a` shaft 2Ov 35 ing and openingy the chute. ln connection suitably secured to the under side ofthe dis S5 with the irate a spout is provided for deliverohargechute 18. One means for holding the ingma erial from the chute into a skip. The gate closed is the provision of a toggle linl inclination ofthe chute and of the spout on connecting the piston of the gate-operating the is such that every skip load of macylinder with the gate so that Whenthe gate is `in teriai is approximately equal, this being;` acin closed position, the link assumes a'position 9@ complislied by the angle of repose of the mapractically normal to the guideivay, thus pre terial delivered to the skip in conjunction venting' Without alatch or equivalent means, with the inclination of the chute and the the spout from falling back-,into the shaft if spout. Other features include mechanism the fluid pressure in the cylinder' should be Li5 for automatically opening and 'closinithe eut-oii. in Fig. 1, the gate A is shown as com- 95 fate the skip is moved to loading position, prising an arcuate end member 19 and side everything; being automatically done, 't" Wall 15) with a'spout 21'V extending; outwardly eliminatint,T the need of personal superiy from the upper end of the end member 19 of and operation at the bottom of? the shaft by the 'i' :e for projecting into the sli 'i 11 for 5U an attendant. lea purposeso theAshley walls of tlie spout 10o Vangle of inclination of which chute and spout is such that the material delivered thcreover to the skip 11 is regulated by the angle of repose of the'material with relation to the chute,

spout and the material in the skip. In order to control the speed of outflow from the bin 12, a slidably mounted door 22 is provided for the opening 15. In Fig. 1 this door is shown as operated by a rack bar 23 secured thereto, whichis in engagement with a gear wheel 24 controlled by a hand wheel 25 which members are suitably mounted on a bracket 26 secured to a beam 27 on a supporting structure 28 restingA preferably on the foundation 17. Operation of the hand wheel 25 regulates lthe position of the door 22 so that flow of material through the opening 15 may be adjusted from time to time as conditions require. We do not wish, however, to be limited to this particular means for actuating the door 22, as any other suitable means will be sufficient for the purpose intended. A similar door may be used with the arrangement of Fig. 2.

For opening the gate A a horizont-ally disposed cylind'er 29 is suitably mounted on the foundation 17 at anyplace convenient to the gate A and the other parts of the mechanism. A piston 30 operated from the cylinder 29 is connected to a cross-head 31 mounted in a guide-way 32 on the foundation 17, which cross-head 31 is connected by means of a link 33 to a pivot 33a on the gate A. It will be noted that the parts are so arranged that the link 33 assumes a substantially normal position to the guideway when the gate is closed. In other words the link 33 and the piston 30 form a connection whereby the gate is securely locked in closed position thus eliminating latches or other fastening means which have been employed heretofore and which are readily disarranged. As one means for operating the piston 30 ofthe cylinder 29 to actuate the gate A, we may employ fluid pressure,

vin which event there are connectedto the ends of the cylinder 29 supply pipes 34 and v.35 leading to a four-way valve 36 controlled by a valve handle 37, with an outlet pipe 38 leading from the four-way valve to a sump at the bottom of the shaft, into which water or other fluid used in the operation of the cylinder is discharged. A `fluid supply pipe 39 is provided leading from a suitable source of supply (not shown) to a manifold 40 having an air hammer 41 connected thereto by means of a pipe 42, with a connection 43 from the manifold to the four-way valve 36, the manifold 40 and the air hammer 41 being used for the purpose of maintaining a predetermined steady pressure for the operation of the piston 30 in the cylinder 29 during the actuation of the gate.

We use the term fluid pressure herein in a broad sense as including air, liquid or any similar agency suitable for carrying out the purpose of our invention.

As one means for actuating the four-way valve 36, we provide a solenoid 44, the armature of which is connected to the arm 37 of the valve 36. In Fig. 1 the solenoid 44is shown as provided with lead wires 45 and 46 from a time limit relay 47, in which leads a switch 48 is connected, having push buttons 49 and 50 therein, by means of which the operation of the solenoid 44 may be manually controlled if desired.

.Adjacent the shaft 10 is a hatchway switch 52 mounted on a supporting member 51, having an arm 53 projecting outwardly therefrom, adapted to be engaged by a suitable member on the skip 11, such as a bracket 54, so that the switch 52 may be actuated with every lowering and hoisting of the skip 11. From the switch 52 a conductor 55 extends to a source of energy, such as a battery 56, from the opposite side of which a conductor 57 leads to a manually operated cut-out switch 58, thence to the solenoid 44, the solenoid 44 and the switch 52 being grounded, so that an electric circuit is established through the solenoid whenever the circuit is closed by switch 52, thus controlling the operation of the four-way valve 36. Connected to a cominutator on the hub of the gate A are lead wires 60 and 61, which lead to a signal 62 in the hoist house, whereby a signal may be given the hoisting engineer to advise him of the position of the gate with respect to the skip.

In the operation of the device shown in Fig. 1, the skip 11 is lowered in the shaft 1() and as it reaches the bottom of the shaft the bracket 54 thereon actuates the arm 53 of the switch 52, establishing` a circuit through the solenoid 44, whereupon the four-way valve 36 is actuated to move the gate A into full line position shown in Fig. 1. Operation of thc valve 36 in this manner admits pressure te the left end of the cylinder 29, opening the right end of the cylinder for exhaust, thus moving the piston to thc right as viewed in this figure, so that any fluid in the right end of the cylinder is discharged into the sump through the pipe 38. When the gate A is thus opened, `material will flow from the bin along the chute 18 over the spout 21 into the skip 11, filling the skip to such position as is determined by the angle of repose of the material with respect to the inclination of the chute cylinder 29 and to open the leftend of the cylinder to exhaust, thereupon moving the gate A upwardly into closing position, that is in position when the arcuate wall 19 thereof covers the end of the chute 18, v-:hereupon the flow of material to the skip is cutoff and any material in the spout returned to the chute and the spout 21 is accordingly turned out of the path of the skip 11, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In the meantime the hoisting engineer has received a signal at 62 that the skip is ready to be hoisted'. As he hoists the skip, the bracket 54C thereon, moves the arm 53 of the switch 52 into open circuit position, ready to be actuated by the downward movement of the skip on its next trip.

The rate of discharge through the opening is controlled by the position of the sliding door and the inclination of the chute 18 and spout 21, which rate of discharge is determinated prior to the actual operation of the device and the amount of material delivered into a skip being determined by the angle of repose of the material and the inclination of the chute 18 and spout 21, it being uniform with every skip full of material, thus making' possible the loading of material from the bin 12 into skips, which loads are the same in amount without reqiiiiring the presence of an attendant. FV e utilise the angle of repose of the coal or other material being loaded into the skip of our invention for controlling' the flow of material into the skip. The angle of repose of coal, for instance, on steel is one thing and of coal on coal is another, the latter angle being greater than the former. Hence as the coal or other material is delivered into the skip and as the angle of repose of this material is reached, further flow of the material into the skip will cease for this reason, thereupon blocking further flow of the material along the chute. rlhus'the material itself is utilized to stop itsown flowin the manner just described. A's the gate is moved in a closed position, any surplus material in `the chute of the gate of F 1 will be discharged onto the top of the material in the skip 11', until the angle of repose of the material in this chute is reached, whereupon the flow stops and any excess material in this gate chute will be allowed to fall back into the chute 18. Likewise with respect vto the'arrangement of Fig. 2 ast-he spout C is raised in the manner hereinafter described, the flow of material therealong` will taper olf unt-il the angle of repose of the material with respect to this chute is reached, whereupon the flow 4will stop and any excess material remaining in this spout will fall back into the chute 1 8 when the spout is-moved'to closed position. By reason ofthe arrangement of parts just described, theskip will not overtiow even though the flow should not be cut oft" prompt'- ly by actuationv of the gate.' A. hand control switch 58 is interposed in the solenoid Circuit so that the device operates automatically as long as the switch is closed and the skip is raised and lowered in the usual manner.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, a cut-off gate B is shown, pivoted at 2O to the under side ofthe chute 18, leading from the bin 12, in thev same manner as described with reference to Fig. 1. In this modification, a spout C instead of being secured to the gate, as in Fig. 1, is pivoted to gate B at 65, so as to have limited angular movement with respect to the gate B. This is for the purpose of loading the skip .11 with more material than is possible with the form shown in Fig. 1 and to accomplish this object more rapidly and with less breakage to the lading. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the loading side of the skip is arranged to slope atan angle of approximately 300 to the vertical, the bottom of the skip being rounded on a longl radius. It will be` noted from Fig. 2 that the bottom of the spout C when in its low-ermost loading position is substantially parallel with the sloping side of the 'skip 11. It is evident therefore that material will flow from the bin to the skip more rapidly and with less breakage than if it were allowed to flow in a mass down the spout, falling to the bottom of the skip. Vilith the arrangement as shown in Fig. 2 at the beginning of the loading of the skip, the lading will slide down the sloping side wall of the'skip from the chute until it encounters the curved bottom, thus preventing such impact with the steel sides or bottom of the skip as to break the lading. Furthermore, since the spout-V C in its extreme low positi'on inl loading is substantially parallel to the sloping` sides of the skip, the material comes down along the skip side in a mass so that any line material therein will tend to cushion the larger' lumps. As the mass of material inthe skip iills up toa point substantially even with the end of the spout C in its loading position, the spout C will be caused to rise slowly at a predetermined and adjustable rate, so that the end of 'the spout will remain always slightly above the top of the'pile of lading in the skip. At the end of its upward travel in this position, the chute C will lie at or near the angle of repose of the material in the spout so that the flow of material will be reduced in amount and speed and will entirely cease, stopped by the angle of repose of the materi al in the skip having been reached, resulting in that thepile of lading in the skip will have been brought vup to the maximum possible height with the minimum amount of drop 'throughout' all parts of the loading cycle. In Fig. 2, cylinder D is provided for actuating the gate B and another cylinder E for actuating the spout C pivoted to the gate B. These cylinders are preferably horizontally disposed and suitably secured to. the foundation or superstructure underneath the bin 12 in suitable position to function properly.

Cooperating with the cylinder D is a piston rod 30 connected to a cross head31 with a link I33 pivotally connected to the gate B at 33a. The cylinder E is provided with a piston rod 30a, crosshead 31a with a link 33" extending from the cross head 31a to a pivot 33G on the spout C.

For actuating the cylinder D a four-way valve 36 is provided having a valve handle 37 actuated by a solenoid 44. A supply pipe 39 extends to the four-way valve 36 from any suitable` source of fluid pressure. At each end of the cylinder D we provide control elements. Each of these elements comprises branch pipes 66 and 67, the pipe 66 being formed for intake and the pipe 67 for exhaust. ln the branches 66 are interposed check-valves 63 and globe valves 69, while in the branches 67 are similar check-valves 70 and globe valves 71, the check-valves 68 being positioned to permit flow in but one direction through the branches 66, and the check-valves 70 permitting flow in the opposite direction only through branches 67. The purpose of the valves 69 and 71 is to regulate the speed of operation of the gate B by cutting down either the flow in the intake or the exhaust. This same arrangement is used for vregulating the How of fluid in the valves connected with cylinder E, which regulate spout C. If air 1s empoyed asa iiuid pressure medium, such regulation will be obtained by closing the exhaust so that full pressure will Y remain on the piston at all times as a varying load on the gate will not materially affect the speed of operation of th-e various parts.

`With respect to cylinder E similar branch connections are provided as indicated at H and K. Each of these connections comprises similar branches 66 for intake and 67 for exhaust with similar check and globe valves as indicated with reference to cylinder D. For controlling cylinder E a fourway valve 36, similar to valve 36 is provided, having a lever 37 actuated by solenoid 44a. A branch of the supply pipe .39 leads to the four-way valve 36a and from each of the valves 36 and 36?L in Fig. 2 exhaust connections 38f lead to a common exhaust 38 as described with reference to Figl.

Referring to the wiring diagram shown in Fig., 2, there are ,present two main conductors L1 and L2 leading from a source of energy.

A hatchway switch 53 is suitably support-- ed near the lower end of the shaft 10 which is normally open. A bracket 54u on the skip 11 is positioned to close the hatchwayswitch 53n when the skip reaches its lowermost position in the shaft. Another hatchway switch M is positioned to be actuated by the crosshead 3l of the cylinder D. This switch includes an arm 72 connected to a binding post 73'for cooperating with a contact 74. This switch M is normally open. Another hatchway switch N is positioned to be actuated by a projection 31" on the piston 30a of the cylinder E. This switch comprises an arm 75 connected to a binding post 76 and a contact member 77. This switch is normally closed.

Another hatchway switch 0 is positioned to be actuated by the cross head 31 of the cylinder D when the gate B is closed. This switch comprises an arm 7 8 connected to a binding post 79, and with a contact 80.l This hatchway switch is normally open.

A contactor P with which cooperates a solenoid 81 has two arms 82 and 83 communicating with connections 84 and 85 respectively, adapted under certain conditions to engage contacts 86 and 87. A time limit relay Q is provided having an armature 88 carrying a contact plate 89 adapted under certain conditions to bridge the gap, between the contacts 90 and 91.

The circuits controlled by the various switches and operating the several mechanisms of the invention are as follows:

Circuit I.

vis established from the conductor L through connection 100, conductor 101, contact 53,

larm 53, contact 53h, conductor 102, connection 103, conductor 104 tov switch N which is closed, through contact 77, arm 75, binding post 76, conductor 105 to solenoid 44 through conductor 106 to connection 107 in L2. This circuit energizes the solenoid 44, whereupon the arm 37 of the four-way valve 36 is moved to admit pressure to the cylinder D to open the gate, that'is, move it from the dotted line position in Fig. 3 to the full line position. When the gate is closed, that is in the dotted line position, the piston 30 of the cylinder D is at its limit of travel to the left asvviewed in this figure, with the parts as shown in dotted lines. Actuation of the four-way valve 36 thereupon admits pressure to the lefthand end of the cylinder D opening the righthand end thereof to exhaust, whereupon the gate is moved downwardly into the full line nection 112, solenoid 81, conductor 113, connection 114, yto the main L2. This circuit described is broken.

energizes the solenoid 81 therefore closing the contactor l), that is, moving` the arms 82 and 83 thereof against contacts 86 and 87, establishing two other circuits as follows:

Circuit [[I.

From main L, connection 100, conductor 101, hatchway si Yitch 53a, conductor 102, connection 103, conductor 115, Contact 87, arm 83 of the contacter P, through connection 85, conductor116,connection112,solenoid 8 1,conductor 113, connection 1111, to line L2. This circuit maintains the contacter in closed position when the establishing circuit just heretofore yThe second circuit established on the closing of the Contact B is as follows:

Circuit I V.

Main L', connection 100, Conductor 108, connection 109, conductor 117, connection 118, conductor 119, to contact 86ofthe contacter-l), arm 82, connection 84, through the time limit relay Q to line L. at connection 1141. rlhis circuit energizes the time limit relay Q. Energization of this relay bridges the gap between contacts 90 and '91, establishing a circuit as follows: v

Circuit V.

Line L, connection 100, conductor 108, connection 109, conductor 117, connection 118, conductor 120, contact 90, Contact `plate 89 of the relay Q, Contact 91,-conductor 121 to solenoid 44a and conductor 122 to line L2` rl`his energizes the solenoid 114 controlling the operation of the spout cylinder E.

lilaving in mind the circuits as heretofore recited, the closing of the circuit No. l through the hatchway switch 53?L energizing solenoid 44e, causes the gate B to open. When the gate reaches fully opened position, the hatchway switch M is closed as heretofore recited, closing the contactor l), and establishing a circuit through the vtime limit relay Q. After a predetermined period, said time relay Q operates to complete the circuit No. V through contacts 90 and 91 thereof. actuating the solenoid 14a controlling the loperation of cylinder E connected to the spout C, whereupon fluid pressure is admitted to the left end of the cylinder E and the spout C raised to the substantially horizontal dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. lVhen this spout C reaches its substantially horizontal position as 'just described, Ythe hatchvfay switch N is opened breaking 'the circuit through solenoid 44. rlhereupon the armature drops admitting pressure to the right-h and end of the cylinder E and opening` the left-hand end to exhaust, thus raising the gate B to closed position, that is, the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 Movement of the piston 30 of the cylinder D from full line to dotted linerposition opens .the hatchway switch M and closes the hatchway switch U. The circuit controlled by the hatchway switch O is the signal circuit to the hoisting engineer. This circuit is suitably connected through the conductors 123 and 124 with the hatchway switch O and a signal (not shown) in the -hoist house. W'hen the switch G is closed, the signal is given, whereupon the hoisting engineer hoists the skip 11. l-lfoisting the skip 11 opens the hatchway switch 53a thereupon breaking the circuit to the connection 115. ln the meantime the time limit relay Q, has functioned to break the connection between the contacts 90 and 91, thus opening all of the circuits which have heretofore been described with the exception of the signal cir- I cuit. ldlhen the solenoid 14u is deenergized by the breaking ofthe Circuit controlled by the time limit switch Q the armature of said solenoid drops, admitting pressure to the right-hand. end of the cylinder vE and Vopening the other end to exhaust, whereupon the spout@ is moved/to its downmost position with respect to gate B, which is the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, but while the gate is in closed position.

By raising the spout C as the lading is being discharged from the bin 12 into the skip 11, the discharge thereof is tapered ofi' as the angle of tl-ow is decreased and the spout beingmoved to the dotted line horizontal position of Fig. 2 tends to fill the skip with more material than as in the form shown in F 1 of the drawings where the spout is rigidly secured to the gate.

l/Vith the foregoing operationsclearly in mind, will be apparent that material discharged from the bin 12 will, by reason of the inclination of the chute 18 and the spouts attached to the end gate, assume a certain angle of repose. In the form shown in Fig. 1 the material will not lill the skip as completely as in the form shown in Fig. 2, for the reason that the spout C in Fig. 2 is raised relatively to the gate B tapering olf the flow and also directing material' above the line of the material possible with the arrangement of Fig. 1. 1n eitlier case, however, successive skip-loads of material will be the same, whichever form of the invention is used. It will therefore be apparent. that We have provided mechanism for loading skips in mine shafts, so that every skip load will gestor render expedient, without` departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination, a skip, means for delivering material into said skip, a cut-oft' gate associated with said delivery means, a spout on said gate movable with respect thereto, power means for operating said gate, other power means for operating said spout, and means actuated by the movement of said skip for controlling the power means associated with said gate and with said spout.

2. A hoist-ing mechanism, including in combination, a skip, means for discharging material into said skip, a cut-off gate associated with said discharge means, power mechanism for operating said gate, said mechanism including fluid pressure devices and electrically actuated controls for causing delayed action oit said devices, the actuation of the controls being initiated by movement of said skip.

3. A skip hoisting` mechanism, including in combination, a skip, a chute for discharge into said skip, an oscillating end gate for the chute, a spout vcarried by the gate and movable with respect thereto, power mechanism for actuating the gate, other power mechanism for actuating said spout, and means for controlling said spout actuating means including a solenoid with a time limit relay included in saidsolenoid circuit.

1l. A skip hoisting mechanism, including in combination, a skip, a chute for delivering material to said skip, an end gate for said chute pivot-ed thereto for oscillation in a vertical direction, a spout carried by said gate, means for oscillating said gate including a fluid pressure device, a valve for regulating admission and discharge of fluid to said device, means for operating said valve including a solenoid, a circuit for said solenoid including a switch, and means on said skip for controlling said solenoid circuit, whereby on movement of said skip in one direction, said gate mayV be opened to discharge material into said skip and a time limit relay in said circuit for causing said solenoid to move said valve to close said gate after a predetermined interval, and means for indicating at a. position remote from the chute the angular position of said gate.

5. A skip hoisting mechanism, including in combination, a skip, a bin, a chute leading outwardly from said bin, said bin having an opening therein adjacent said chute, a closure for said opening, means 'for moving said closure to vary discharge through said opening, an end gate for said chute pivoted thereto for oscillation in a vertical direction, a spout carried 'by said gate adapted when in open position to lie at substantially the same inclination as said chute bottom, fluid pressure means for operating said gate, a valve for said means, and a control means for said valve including a solenoid and a circuit therefor with a time limit relay interposed therein, and means actuated by the movement of said skip for closing said solenoid circuit.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination, a skipa chute for discharging material therein, an end gate for said chute pivoted thereto and adapted for vertical oscillation, a spout carried by said gate Yfor projecting into said skip under certain conditions, fluid pressure means for actuating said gate, a valve for controlling said fluid pressure means, and connections between said valve and said means including devices for regulating the flow between said valve and said fluid pressure device, means for regulating said valve including a solenoid and `a switch in said solenoid circuit adapted to be closed by said skip in its downward movement.

7. A skip hoisting mechanism including in combination, a skip, a chute for delivering material to said skip, an end gate for said Ychute adapted for oscillation in a vertical plane, means for operating said gate including a fluid pressure cylinder, a four-way valve connected thereto, a solenoid for actuating said valve, a circuit including said solenoid and a trip lever, a trip on said skip adapted to operate said trip lever as said skip is lowered to loading position to close the circuit through said solenoid for moving said fourway valve to open the gate, and a time limit relay in said solenoid circuit adapted to cause said solenoid to close said valve for closing said gate after a predetermined interval.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a skip, a source of supply of material, a chute leading' therefrom, an oscillating end gate on said chute, said skip having an inclined side, said gate having spout thereon and movable with respect thereto, said spout adapted to extend within said skip under certain conditions and lie substantially parallel to said inclined skip side to direct flow of material along said skip side at an angle obtuse thereto,vv means for actuating said gate, and separate means for actuating said spout to vary its angle of inclination with respect to the inclined side of the skip.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a skip, a source of supply of material, a chute leading therefrom, an oscillating end gate for said chute, means for oplaisses erating said gate independently of the skip for delivering material from said source of Ysupply into said skip under certain con`ditions, and valved means for automatically governing the speed of operation of said 0perating means.

lOfSkip loading apparatus, including in con'ibination, a skip, a bin, a chute leading from said bin for discharge into said skip, an end gate for said chute, fluid pressure means for operating said gate, a spout asso,- ciated with said gate so as to have vertical hinging movement with respect thereto, fluid pressure means for moving said spout, control devices for each of said fluid pressure means, said control devic-es being inter-connected and adapted for automatic operation in a predetermined cycle after initiation, means governed by downward movement of said skip for initiating the cycle of operation of said control devices for opening said gate, moving the said spout and finally closing said gate, said last mentioned means becoming inoperative on upward movement of said skip.

11. Skip loading apparatus, including in combination, a skip, a bin, a chute leading from said bin for discharge into said skip, an end gate for said chute, fluid pressure means for operating said gate, a spout associated with said gate so as to have vertical hinging movement with respect thereto, fluid pressure means for moving said spout, cona trol devices for each of said fluid pressure means, said control -devices being inter-connected and adapted for automatic operation in a predetermined cycle after initiation, means governed by downward movement of said skip for initiating the cycle of operation of said control devices for opening said gate, moving the said spout and finally closing said gate, said lastmentioned means becoming inoperative on upward movement oit said skip, said control device for said spout operative after said gate is closed for returning said spout to its lowest position with respect to said gate, and adapted on opening movement of said gate to permit bodily movement of said spout with said gate without affecting the angular relationship of said spout and said gate during such movement.

12. lnv mechanism of the class described, in combination, a skip, means for delivering material into said skip, a cut-0H gate asso- 'ciated with said delivery means, a spout on said gate movable with respect thereto, power means for operating said gate, other power means for operating said spout, control devices for said power means adapted for automatic operation after initiation, and means controlled by movement of said skip for initiating movements of said control devices.

13. A skip loading apparatus, in combination, a skip, a bin, a chute leading from said bin, an oscillating end gate for said chut-e, a spout pivoted to said gate adapted for vertical movementl about its pivotal connection, fluid pressure means for operating said gate, other fluid pressuremeans for operating said spout, `control devices, for each of said fluid pressure means, means rendered effective by said skip as it reaches loading position to actuate the control device-of said gate operating means for opening the gate, other means connected with said control devices and rendered effective when said gate is open to permit actuation of the spout operating means,a time limit relay included Vin said last mentioned means operative at a predetermined interval after said gate is opened kfor causing actuation of said spout operating means to raise said spout, means actuated by said spout operating means as said spout is raised to cause said gate operating means to close said gate, and means rendered effective when said gate isV closed to indicate such position when permitting hoisting ofsaid skip.

1&1. A skip loading apparatus, including in combination, a skip, a bin, a chute leading from said bin, an oscillating end gate for said chute, a spout pivoted to said gate a-dapted for vertical movement about is pivotal con nection, fluid pressure means for operating said gate, other fluid pressure means for operating said spout, means actuated by said skip as it reaches loading position for causing said gate operating means to` open the gate, means including a time limit relay rendered effective by the open position ofthe gate to raise said spout after a predetermined interval, other means effective when said spout reaches its raised position to close the gate and indicate the position of said gate for permitting hoisting of the skip, said spout operating means operative after said gate is closed for returning said spout to its lowest position with respect to said gate, and adapted on opening movement of said gate to permit bodily movement of said spout with said gate without affecting the angular relationship of said spout and sai-d gate during such movement.

15. A skip loading apparatus, including in combination, a skip, a bin, a chute leading from said bin, an oscillating end gate for said chute, a spout pivtedto said gate adapted for vertical movement about its pivotal connection, fluid pressure means for operating said gate, other fluid pressure means for operating said spout, control devices for each of said fluid pressure means, said devices being interconnected and adapted for automatic operation in a predetermined cycle, each of said devices including a four-way valve and a solenoid for operating the valve, electric circuits including said solenoids, the solenoids of the gate operating means being included in a circuit comprising a normally closed switch which is operated by the spout Cil mechanism under certain conditions and set up when said skip reaches loading position for opening the gate, the solenoid or' the spout operating means being included in a circuit which includes a time limit relay and a contactor, which contacter is closed by the skip reaching loading position, said time limit relay closing the circuit to said spout solenoid after a predetermined interval for raising the spout, the spout operating means breaking the circuit through the gate solenoid on reaching raised position, thereby causing actuation of the gate operating means to close the gate, a hoisting signal circuit established when said gate reaches closed position, said contact or circuit being broken as said skipis hoisted, thereby ,breaking` the circuit through the spout solenoid, permitting the return ot the spout to lowest position with respect to the gate.

16. In a mechanism of the class described, a skip, a chute for delivering material into the skip, a cutoll gate movably associated with the chute, a spout movably carried by the gate, power means for moving the gate from closed position to open position or vice or out of the skip, and power means for mo'ving the spout with respect to the gate so that its angle of inclination within the skip may be varied, and means actuated by the movement or' the skip for controlling the power means.

17. In a mechanism of the class described, a skip, a chute for delivering material into the skip, a cutotll gate movably associated with the chute, a spout movably carriedby the gate, power means for moving the gate from closed position to open position or vice versa, this movement carrying the spout into or out or' the skip, and power means for moving the spout with respect to the gate so that its angle ot inclination within the skip may be varied, and means actuated by the movement ot' the skip for causing the power means to successively open the gate and lower the spout into the skip, elevate the spout within the skip, and then close the gate and move the spout out of the skip.

ANDREVS ALLEN. PAUL V. LEPLEY, [ecutor of Daniel F. Leplegh deceased.

Images