Patent GB-906112-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in overhead cableway systems for lifting and transporting loads
IPC: B61B12/10
Filed: 1961-01-12
Abstract: 906,112. Overhead trolleys with lifting gear; overhead rope railways. NAUD, E. O. Jan. 12, 1961, No. 1276/61. Classes 78 (4) and 104 (2). An overhead cable system primarily intended for transporting logs comprises a carriage 10, Fig. 1, movably supported on the overhead cable 1, a hoisting line 23 extending from a winch 24 through the carriage to terminate in a load-engaging member which is latchable to the carriage, a line 32 for moving the carriage and extending from a point 35 (where it is spliced or otherwise secured to the line 23) through the carriage to the winch. The carriage is provided with brakes for securing it to the cable 1, line 23 or line 32 at will, and also with a clamp which couples the lines 23 and 32 together so that one of them can drive the other through the carriage. The system is designed for remote control and is described with reference to a radio-controlled sequence of operations in which logs are transported from point A of Fig. 1 to point B. Constructional details.-The cable 1 extends through a longitudinal channel 15, Fig. 3, in the carriage 10 whose frame members 11, 12 carry pulleys 19 running on the cable. Elongated brake shoes 71, operated by hydraulic actuators 77 and pivoted to the carriage at 75, project into the channel 15 and, when operated, grip the cable in their V-section grooves 72. The line 32 passes through the carriage as shown and is only coupled thereto on the operation of a brake, similar to the cable brake and operated by like hydraulic means 87. Hydraulic actuators 93 and 103 also operate, respectively, a brake for line 23 and the clamp for coupling lines 23 and 32, the clamp (see Fig. 9) comprising rotatable spindles 99 with rubber coverings 100 at each end at the levels of the said lines. The latch for the load-engaging member 28 attached to the end of line 23, comprises two levers 58 normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by the spring 64 in cylinder 61 of Fig. 3, but releasable by the application of pressure behind the piston 63 of this cylinder. In order that the carriage 10 may pass any of the supports of the overhead cable 1, the latter is suspended from hangers 5 (Fig. 11, not shown) and the channel 15 in the carriage is open along one side, the cable 1 being retained therein by normally spring-closed caps 111. A suitable cam surface on the hangers is made to deflect these caps and subsequently return them to the position shown on passing each hanger. Operation.-Radio transmitters are controlled by operators at points A and B and receivers are located with the winch operator at 24 and on the carriage. The latter receiver is operated from batteries charged by a generator driven by the movement of the carriage and the received signals operate solenoids controlling the various hydraulic devices, where power is derived from a pump also driven by carriage movement. The winch operator, on receiving a spoken instruction or agreed audible signal by radio, operates his winch to haul in line 23 and pay out line 32, both of which are initially locked to the carriage, so that the carriage moves from the top if its run towards A. At A the transmitter is operated to apply the cable brake and to instruct the winch operator to stop. The brakes on lines 23 and 32 are then released, the clamp connecting them is applied and the winch is operated in the reverse direction. This takes up any slack in line 23 between point 35 and the carriage and lowers the load-engaging member. Finally, the initial movement is continued toward B with the load attached.