Improvements in Raising and Lowering Apparatus for Mines and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Raising and Lowering Apparatus for Mines
and the like.
I, DAVID DAVY, of Broomeroft, Parkhead, near Sheffield, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in raising and lowering apparatus for
mines and the like, and has for its object to render overwinding impossible and
to ensure greater safety, particularly when raising or lowering men, as well as
greater expedition and regularity of delivery of the mineral at the surface.
According to my invention I employ an endless chain elevator composed of one
or more pairs of endless chains with cages, or other carriers, slung from cross bars
connected to the chains at intervals, by pairs of suspension chains of such length
as to admit of the cages, or carriers, being caused to deviate from their normal
plane when ascending or descending and to assume a position midway between the
ascending and descending members of the main chains on approaching the top
and bottom of the shaft, so that on reaching their highest and lowest positions
the cages, or carriers, will remain stationary for a relatively prolonged period
at the dead point of their motion whilst the main chains may continue in motion
and carry the suspension chains past the pulleys around which the main chains
travel.
In combination with such an endless elevator, I provide guides, whereby such
deviation of the cages is effected at the proper times, and movable or fixed plat-
forms or landing stages, and means of temporarily supporting the cages during
their prolonged period of rest for loading and unloading.
The pair of main chains may pass over single pairs of pulleys at the top and
bottom, the two pulleys of a pair being in axial alignment but not connected by
a through shaft so that the suspension cages and their chains may pass the axis
of the pulleys. It is, however, preferred to employ two such pairs of pulleys in
corresponding planes so that there will be a relatively considerable stretch of
the chains in the horizontal direction at both top and bottom and a correspondingly
prolonged period of rest during the passage of the points of suspension from one
pulley to the other. This horizontal stretch may exceed the width apart of the
ascending and descending members of the main chains which may be caused to
diverge from the common central plane whilst the cages or carriers are caused to
approach the same as above mentioned. The guides by which this deviation of
the cages or carriers is produced are mounted in position to engage with lateral
projections on the cages or carriers so as to ensure the latter following the pre-
scribed direction on approaching and leaving their highest and lowest positions.
The cages are supported at the highest position during the period of rest by
props or other supports which are thrown in and out of engagement either by hand
or by self-acting means and which automatically take under or otherwise support
the cage as soon as it is raised to a sufficient height and are withdrawn to
permit its descent at the proper moment.
With either of such arrangements the landing stage or platform at the top of the

page_text: pit may be stationary, provision being made for the passage of the cage and of
the main and suspension chains, but in lieu of suspensing the cages by long chains
and causing them to deviate from the normal plane of the main chains on
approaching the top of the pit I may attach the cages directly to the main chains
and provide a horizontally movable platform adapted to accompany the cage in its
lateral movement on passing from the ascending to the descending side of the
clevator, such platform being provided with flaps which rise and fall to an extent
corresponding to the versed sine of the are of the circle through which the cage
moves.
The cages are adapted to be loaded and unloaded, by running wheeled trolleys
on and off the cage Hoors, but they may be carriers of any kind and be adapted
to be loaded in any other manner.
The shafts of the driving pair of pulleys would be geared with a common
driving shaft outside of the range of motion of the elevator so as to ensure equality
of motion of the two chains and the pulleys would be cupped or sprocketed or be
of polygonal form so as to obtain the necessary grip of the chains.
Instead of chains, wire ropes may be used, the pulleys being provided with the
usual means of gripping the ropes.
Hated thin 54h day of Dovombor 180e
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
Improvements in Raising and Lowering Apparatus for Mines
and the like.
I, DAVID DAVY, of Broomeroft, Parkhead, near Sheffield, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
My invention relates to raising and lowering wheeled trolleys in coal mines
and the like, and has for its principal object greater expedition and regularity of
delivery of the mineral at the surface, as well as to render overwinding impossible
and ensure greater safety, particularly when raising and lowering men.
My invention consists of an endless chain elevator composed of a pair of endless
chains having cages slung therefrom in combination with guides whereby the
cages are caused to deviate from the plane of the chains and to assume a
position midway between the ascending and descending members of the chains on
reaching the landing stage at the top and bottom of the shaft so that the cages
will remain relatively stationary for a sufficient period at the dead points of
their motion to permit of loading and unloading the cages although the chains will
continue in motion.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
forming part of this specification wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical
section of a mine shaft fitted with my improved winding gear. Figures 2 and 3
are respectively a side elevation and vertical cross section of the apparatus at the
pit mouth, and Figures 4 and 5 are corresponding elevations (forming continua-
tions of Figures 2 and 3) shewing the apparatus at the foot of the shaft. Figures 6
and 7 are front and side elevations of balance or relief pulleys for the main
chains. Figures 8, 9, and 10 shew in an elementary manner a modified con-
struction of the elevator. The same letters of reference indicate the same parts
in all the figures.

page_text: Referring to Figures 1 to 7 which shew the preferred construction, A A are the
pair of endless main chains of any suitable construction running on a pair of
pulleys B B of large diameter above the pit mouth and upon a pair of small
pulleys D D at the foot of the shaft. U are cages suspended by pairs of jointed
links E E, E E, from cross bars F connected to the chains A. A at intervals.
The cages are suspended freely so that they normally hang in the plane of the
chains, the total length of the links being sufficient to allow of the cages being
caused to deviate from the plane of the chains to an extent equal to half the
diameter of the pulleys B by means of guides which act on them as the cages
approach their highest position. In the arrangement now being described there
is a single pair of pulleys B at the top and a single pair D at the bottom, the
two pulleys of a pair being in axial alignment with each other but not being
connected by a through shaft in order that the suspension link of the cages may
pass across the geometrical axis of the pulleys. The diameter of the pulleys B
would generally be greater than that of the pit shaft G so that the ascending and
descending members of the chains converge above the pit mouth, being guided by
pulleys H, whilst the cages are caused to move in the opposite direction, that is
are brought into a central position directly beneath the axis of the pulleys B,
by means of pairs of guide rails II with which engage guide rollers is on the
projecting ends of a cross bar forming the middle joint pin of the pairs of
links E E, E E. The guides II are straight and vertical at the lower part
and rather nearer the median plane than the chains, the upper portions of the
guides being outwardly curved as shewn, the curved portions of the guides, the
pulleys B and the links E being so relatively proportioned and arranged that
the links E in passing round the pulleys will be caused to assume a succession
of positions such as indicated by dotted lines at 123 and 5 6 7 on the one
and the other side of the middle position 4 shewn in full lines. The upper ends
of the curved guides extend vertically upwards and at a distance from the
median plane corresponding to the radius of the pulleys i, the guides I at the
ascending and descending sides of the elevator being symmetrical. The radius
links E exceed in length the radius of the pulleys as shewn, and therefore
whilst the radius links E are moving over the summit of the pulleys from posi-
tion 3 to position 5 the guide rollers and consequently the cage will have a slight
rising and falling motion, which is conipensated for by the provision of hinged
flaps as hereafter described.
I
In order to steady the cage on passing through the hatchway in the landing
stage, a second pair of guides J J and a third pair K K are provided with which
respectively engage a pair of guide pulleys (on the projecting ends of a cross
bar mounted on top of the cage and to which the links are connected) and a
pair of guide pulleys kk (on the ends of a cross bar & mounted beneath the cage)
gaps being cut in the guides J K in order to give passage to the cross bar i and
rollers i i. The pairs of guides J K are situated in planes at a less distance apart
than the main guides I so that the cross bars and rollers and k¹ will pass
clear of the guides I.
In order to give passage to the cross bars Fand yet cause the rollers to engage
with the guides I at the ascending side of the main chains, each guide rail I
is provided with a movable switch L pivoted at and normally held in the
position shewn in dotted lines by the action of a counterbalanced lever L', the
switch being provided with a tail piece which is presented in an inclined
position to a roller on the main chain at the corresponding side, at the proper
distance in advance of the cross bar to cause the switch to be moved by the
chain in opposition to the balance weight, until the switch is held against a
fixed stop in an inclined position across the path of the roller i so as to lead
said roller on to the guide I. At the descending side the guides I are terminated
by freely pendent switch tongues L pivoted at which, when the rollers i i
come upon them, are swung against a stop 15 as shewn, and which yield to give
passage to the cross bar F. The form of the guides I is preferably that shewn and

page_text: is such that in passing the pulleys the suspension links E will move through a
succession of positions such as indicated in dotted lines at 1 to 7 in which they
never make a greater angle than, say 30° with the vertical, or 150° with the
links, which latter always remain vertical. The guides I JK at each side are
carried by a plate (not shewn) fixed to the inner end of the shaft on which the
pulley B at the corresponding side turns, the guides and their carrying plates
being therefore close against the inner faces of the pulleys B. These pulleys are
sprocketed to engage with the chains and preferably turn on stationary shafts
and are geared by spur wheels 13 on their outer faces with spur wheels B² on a
suitably driven shaft common to both so as to ensure equality of motion.
At the foot of the pit shaft G the chains A A run upon freely revolving poly-
gonal or flanged pulleys D D, and pairs of guides MN are provided with which
the rollers ii, kk, engage as shewn and whereby the cage is brought to, and
supported in, the central position vertically beneath the axis of the pulleys D D
whilst the cross bars F are making the circuit of the said pulleys. To permit of
this the links E, if rigid rods, must be so connected to, the cross bar Fas to be
free to slide through (or transversely upon) the cross bar (as shown) the cross
bar itself forming a joint pin of the main chains A A and being free to
accommodate itself to the varying angular position of the links E. Or the links E
may be replaced by flexible chains.
The cages are open at the two opposite sides which correspond to the planes of
the pulleys B and are adapted to be loaded and unloaded by running wheeled
trolleys on and off the cage floor, which has rails matching with rails on the
landing stages, the loading being effected at the pit foot by pushing a loaded
trolley on and an empty one off the cage floor, and conversely at the pit mouth.
To compensate for the slight rise and fall of the cage at the upper landing
stage, it is necessary that the upper landing stage should be provided with hinged
flaps P normally supported at the level of the landing stage and with the free
edges of which a projection c at the bottom of the cage engages when the radius
links E of the cage reach the position so that during the slight rise and fall of
the cage whilst the links E are traversing the are 345 the rails laid upon these
flaps will continue to match with the rails of the cage floor, the downward
inclination of the flap at the outgoing, side favouring the running off of the
loaded trolley.
The rise and fall of the platforms is relatively inconsiderable, being only equal
to the difference between the versed sine of the are 3 to 5 of the pulley B and
the versed sine of the are described by the links E in travelling from 3 to 5. It
will be obvious that the links might be in one rigid length in which case
the guides I would occupy the position of the guides J and would act on the
roller j.
It is to be understood that although the pendulous position of the cages is
preferred, the arrangement might be reversed, that is to say the cage might be
supported above the cross bar F (instead of below) by the links E acting in con-
pression, provided that the cage be continuously guided throughout the whole
ascending and descending circuit and provided also that the connection of the
cage with the link E is such as to allow of a slight ascending motion of the link
to admit of the cross bar F passing around the pulleys at bottom of the pit
shaft, whilst the cage itself is supported on an underneath support during the
operation of loading.
Referring now to Figures to 10, the chains A A pass over two pairs of
pulleys B4, B5, above the pit mouth, and similarly at the foot of the shaft, so
that there will be a relatively considerable stretch of the chains in the horizontal
direction and a correspondingly prolonged period of rest during the passage of
the cross bars F from the one pulley to the other. The chains pass over hexagonal
drums H as before, whence the ascending and descending members of each chain
diverge in order to pass over the pulleys B, B. The cages C are suspended
from the cross bars F by pairs of frames E2 each formed of two divergent links c²

page_text: connected to the opposite ends of a cross bar e³ jointed at et to the top of the cage
so as to permit of the suspension frames accommodating themselves to the
inclination of the chains whilst the cages remain vertical. At the ends of the cross
bars are mounted guide rollers of which the outer pair bear against guides Q
that extend down the pit shaft, the guides at the ascending and descending sides
of the chains being inclined towards one another above the drums H and
terminating above the landing stage in vertical portions between which the
rollers at opposite ends of the cross bars e fit so as to hold the cage stationary
whilst the cross bar F supporting the cage is passing from the outside of the one
pair to the outside of the other pair of pulleys.
In order to give passage to the cross bars F where their path intersects the
guides Q, gaps are cut in the latter and in order to prevent the rollers which
bear against the guides catching these gaps, guard rails or guides q' are provided
opposite such gaps and parallel to the inclined portion of the guide Q with which
the other pair of rollers engages as shewn in dotted lines at g³, the operation
being similar on the descending side. As the horizontal stretch of the chains A
between the pulleys 134, 13, is incapable of supporting the loaded cage at a
constant level whilst the cross bar is passing from the one pair of 'pulleys to the
other, it is necessary to provide pairs of props R R on cross shafts coupled
(outside the guides Q) by a diagonal ink, so that both pairs of props may be
thrown inwards simultaneously and engage beneath the floor of the cage as soon
as it reaches its highest position and so support it in that position during the
passage of the supporting cross bar from the one pair of pulleys to the other.
The props are thrown in, and out of, engagement with the cage at the proper
moments, either by means of a hand lever S or by a hydraulic cylinder (not shewn)
of which the plunger is coupled to the lever, whilst the admission and eduction
valves of the cylinder are operated at proper moments by tappets upon the main
chains A.
At the foot of the shaft the chains A are guided divergently by a second pair
of hexagon drums H' and pass round two pairs of pulleys D D. Whilst the cross
bar F from which the cage is suspended is following the divergent direction of the
chain, the outermost pair of guide pulleys q engages a pair of guides T by which
the cage is gradually brought to the median plane of the ascending and descending
members of the chains and comes to rest on an underneath support and so remains
whilst the supporting cross bar is passing from the one pair of pulleys to the other;
the converse action taking place when the cage is again raised.
In this, as in the former, case the suspension links E, if rigid, must be free
to slide upwards through the cross bar F to an extent corresponding to the
difference between the are described by their upper end and the straight line
followed by the cross bar.
"
In order to relieve the main chains A as far as possible of the strain due to
their own weight and that of the cages, and also in order to relieve the pulleys B
of the greater part of the total weight of the chains, cages, etc., the total weight
is subdivided and each portion thereof is sustained by independent means as
follows: The chains A are supported at intervals throughout the depth of the
shaft (as indicated in Figure 1) by gearing with pairs of sprocket pulleys ()
mounted to rotate freely, each on an axis fixed to a frame supported by springs.
Each pulley is of a diameter corresponding to the distance apart of the ascending
and descending side of the chain, in whose plane the pulley revolves so as to
gear with both sides of the chain simultaneously, and the strength of the support-
ing springs is made sufficient to sustain the weight of the ascending and descend-
ing portions of the chain comprised between that pulley and the next lower
support, together with the weight of the included cages, so that, instead of
successive lengths of chain, counting from below upwards, having to support an
increased load, each section of chain comprised between two adjacent pairs of
supporting pulleys, has to support the weight of that section alone, together with
the weight of the included cages.

page_text: Each of the frames is free to rise and fall within the limits of the tension of
the supporting springs and is guided in such vertical movements, and at same
time caused to maintain the pulley O in the plane of the chain, by means of
rods, o, passing vertically through guide blocks carried by girders fixed to
the sides of the shaft, the supporting springs of being interposed between the
blocks o and nuts on the rods of so as to be capable of adjustment to the requisite
tension. Fixed guides o serve to maintain the ascending and descending sides
of the chain A in gear with the pulley 0.
The balance or relief gear just described forms the subject of an Application
for Letters Patent No. 17050 filed by me on the 22nd day of August 1899 and is
not herein specifically claimed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
An endless chain elevator consisting of a pair of continuously travelling endless
chains passing over pulleys and series of cages suspended freely from the chains
in combination with stationary guides whereby each cage on reaching the highest
and lowest position is diverted from the direction followed by the chains and is
brought into a position midway between the ascending and descending members
of the chains and is there retained during the loading and unloading of the cage
substantially as herein described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 5th day of September 1899.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.