Patent GB-379365-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to loading or conveying systems for use in mines or elsewhere
IPC: E21F13/06
Filed: 1931-05-29
Abstract: 379,365. Scoop apparatus for transporting loose material. BROWN, S. WALTON-, Seghill Hall, Dudley, Northumberland. May 29, 1931, No. 15778. [Class 78 (iv).] A self-loading scoop which is hauled to and from the working face or spoil in mines or elsewhere for loading or conveying coal or loose material is made of low form adapted for entire insertion in a kerf. The scoop is a device having plates extending upwardly and laterally adapted to engage and bring out the material from a pile, and is thus distinguished from conveyers comprising flat-carrier plates and from scraper-chain conveyers which are not self-loading. The scoops may be of the swingable-flap type, or V-type, hoe-type, flexible-type, of skeleton form, or with doors or flaps adapted to be pulled through the body of the scoop to discharge the load, and they may in general be constructed and operated as described in Specifications 352,930 and 378,512 provided they are of the low form and used without the troughing previously claimed. Main-and-tail haulage or an endless rope system may be employed; the scoop haulage may work the tub haulage. The scoops may be used as gate-end loaders or as transfer conveyers ; they may be used on flow-plates, and with guides at the side or sides, or overhead, provided with removable fenders, wearing-strips or antifriction devices ; and they may be used in tandem or series. As shown in Fig. 1, the haulage engine x is secured by supports y, and the main and tail ropes e, f are led to the scoop d direct and round guide sleeves at 171, 169 respectively. The scoop is of the swingable-flap box-type and discharges into tubs on the roadway h through an aperture l<1> and shoot on a bridge l with flared entrance l<3>. The part l<3> of the bridge may be hinged or fastened to or overlapped by the part l of the bridge and may be fixed by supports z. The scoop is guided by the coal-face and by a wall a attached to vertical uprights a<1>. The coal may be broken down in front of the scoop, or on to it. A knicking w may be cut on each side of the kerf and large blocks of coal brought down on to the scoop. In a modification, Fig. 3 (not shown), the wall a is raised from the floor. In another modification, Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown), the haulage engine is in a tail gate and the scoop is of V-type discharging over an upwardly inclined platform to a conveyer ; the coal is undercut on one face, such as A, Fig. 1, and loaded on another face such as B. As shown in Fig. 7, the scoop comprises ropes or chains 1 forming the sides, and ploughs 2, 2 forming the ends, one end being provided with a swingable flap 5. The haulage ropes or chains 6, 6<1> pass through a bushed hole 3 in each plough and hold the ploughs down on the ground. As shown in plan in Fig. 8, a box-type scoop is provided with a swingable door 5 operated by chains 7, 7<1> connected with stops 8, 8<1> on the haulage ropes 6, 6<1>, these stops bearing on connectors 9, 9<1> for transmitting the main pull to the scoop. As shown in Fig. 11, the scoop is provided with side arms 11 pivoted at 12 to increase the effective width of the scoop on the conveying journey. As shown in Fig. 12, bow-shaped guides 15, 15<1> are attached to the scoop, to facilitate passage between roof-supports, and these guides may be fixed or hinged to the scoop. Methods not illustrated include working the scoop to a fixed point so that the material left after one journey is pushed forwards towards the loading point on subsequent journeys; the use of the scoop for moving the coal-cutter, for removing kirvings, and for transporting material for filling the goaf ; the use of a loading bridge with raised sides or carriers co-operating with cheeks or rollers on the scoop. Specifications 356,275, 356,284, [both in Group XXV], and 379,377 also are referred to.