Improvements in Frames for the Loading and Unloading of Cages in Mines and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Frames for the Loading and Unloading of Cages in
Mines and the like.
JOHN TINSLEY Grasmere Terrace Audenshaw near Manchester Mechanical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention consists of two carriages frames lying horizontally within the pit
shaft for receiving the desending cage loaded with men empty corves or otherwise,
and the machinery requisite for operating the same. The carrages frames are
arranged so that when one is lowered for decking purposes the other ascends in
readiness to do similar work. Underneath each carriage frame, and attached one at
each end are two groved pulleys fixed to run parallel with the carrige frame ends.
At a suitable hight above the loading level to which the carriage frames asend in
turn there is fixed a shaft of iron, at each side of which the cages will pass before
falling on the carriage frames, and near each end of which there is fixed a groved
pulley. A brake is also fixed upon the iron shaft so that the moving parts of the
decking table are under the complete control of the men in attendance.
carriages frames are suspended on the groved pulleys fixed at each end of the iron
shaft, by two ropes of pliable wire. One end of each rope is firmly secured to a
bearer, then passed underneath a carriage frame pulley (which one carriage frame
is at loading level) up the pit to the farther side of one of the pulleys on the fixed
shaft and twice round the last named pulley of the other carriage frame (when
in its lowest possition. The other end of each rope is attached at the opposite side of
the pit shaft to which the first end was attached and in the same manner.
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11
1000
The
JOHN
TINSLEY,
Grasmere Terrace, Audenshaw, near Manchester.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Frames for the Loading and Unloading of Cages in
Mines and the like.
I, JOHN TINSLEY of Grasmere Terrace, Audenshaw, near Manchester, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 the loading and unloading of coal mine and like cages, and
has for its object to enable the man or attendant at the bottom of the mine shaft,
when a cage has reached the bottom of the shaft to lower such cage to successive
levels, or to bring its several decks or platforms on a level with the pit floor,
independently of. the man or attendant in charge of the winding engine on the
surface, and thus enable the mine cage to be loaded and unloaded with greater
expedition and facility than heretofore.

page_text: In accordance with my invention I employ two carriage frames (platforms or
tables), which lie horizontally in a continuation of the mine shaft, or below the pit
floor, and upon which frames the mine cages alternately come to rest. Underneath
each carriage frame are two groove pulleys, one at each end and capable of revolving
in a plane at right angles to the frame.
At a suitable height above the loading level, and in suitable fixed bearings, I mount
a shaft, and affix thereon a pair of grooved pulleys, in correspondence with the
pulleys on the respective ends of the frames. Around the pulley of one frame, and
the pulley on the corresponding end of the other frame, and around one of the pulleys
on the shaft aforesaid I pass a wire rope or band.
band around the pulleys on the opposite ends of the frames, and the remaining pulley
I also pass a similar wire rope or
on the shaft. The ends of these ropes are secured to suitable hold-fasts and beams.
Each rope (starting from one of its hold-fasts) first passes beneath the pulley of one
of the frames; then passes twice or thrice around the pulley on the shaft above and
from thence beneath the pulley on the other frame to the other holdfast.
It will now be seen that by so arranging the ropes the two frames balance or
counter-weight each other, and that as one is raised the other is lowered, and
vice-versa. The aforesaid shaft above the loading level and carrying the two pulleys,
also carries a brake wheel, which, in conjunction with a brake strap, serves to arrest
the movement of such shaft, or prevent its turning.
In starting to use the balanced frames, one or other is caused to come level with
the loading or unloading level and the brake is then applied. The descending cage
then drops on such frame, and the man in the engine house above allows the hauling
rope to run slack. To lower the cage and bring its several decks or levels in line
with the pit floor the attendant gradually releases the brake. The weight of the cage
then gradually depresses the frame, and causes it to sink until the first level is
reached, when the attendant puts on the brake again. For the next level the
operation is repeated, and meanwhile it will be observed the other and empty
frame has been gradually raised level with the pit floor, and made ready to receive
the other cage, which on alighting repeats the operation in respect of the first
named frame, and in such way the working of one frame prepares the other for
working.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect, I have hereunto annexed 2 sheets of drawings, and will now
proceed to describe the same with the figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.
On Sheet one, Fig. 1 is a front view, and Fig. 2 a side view of the loading and
unloading level of a mine shaft, and with my invention applied thereto.
On Sheet two, Fig. 3 is a plan, and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are diagram views of the
action of my invention.
set of
In accordance with my invention, I employ two carriage frames (tables or
platforms) (A), (A'), which I cause to lie in a horizontal position beneath the loading
level (B). Each of these frames I provide with grooved pulleys (C) and (C).
Above the loading level I employ a shaft (D) upon which I mount
pulleys (E), (F). The pulley (E) is in line with or lies immediately over
the pulleys (C), and the pulley (F) is in line with and lies immediately over the
pulleys (C) on the frames. Around the pulleys (C) and (E) I pass a wire rope or
band (G). Around the pulleys (C) and (F) I pass a wire rope or band (H). Each
rope is secured to suitable holdfasts (G') (H'), and passes round its set of pulleys
in the manner shewn.
Upon the shaft (D) I mount the brake wheel (I) and provide such wheel with
brake strap (J), connected to disc (K) which under the movement of levers (L), (M)
and (N), links (O) and (P), tightens or slackens the strap (J) upon the brake wheel
and locks or releases the shaft (D), and causes the frames (A) and (A¹) to remain
stationary, or allows them to rise and fall.
In Figs. 4 to 6 (Sheet 2) I shew the successive levels to which the cage can be
lowered, Fig. 4 shewing the cage after it has just come to rest upon frame (A) and

page_text: with the first section (I) of the cage on a level with the unloading line, Fig. 5
shewing the cage and frame (A) lowered to an extent which brings the middle
section (2) of the cage on a level with the unloading level, and Fig. 6 shewing the
cage and frame (A) lowered to an extent which brings the upper or top-most
section (3) of the cage on a level with the unloading level,-the frame (A') in each
case moving upwards at the same rate and the same distance..
The hauling rope (Q) is allowed to run slack by the engine man, and the amount
of slack is (by preference) just sufficient to allow for the cage to descend to the
full distance. The cage is guided in its ascent and descent by the usual guide
ropes (K), "housed" in casings (S).
Whilst my invention greatly expedites the loading and unloading of the cages, and
only requires the attention of one man, it also serves to cushion the cages as they
alight on the frames, since if a very unusual shock or strain comes on the frames the
ropes (G) and (H) will slip round their pulleys and so buffer the blow.
Although I have described my invention as applied to mine cages, it will be
obvious that it may be employed to advantage with the loaling and unloading of
other objects requiring to be lowered to varying levels. Similarly my invention
may be used with one cage only by causing it to alight first on one table & then
on the other, and in like manner may be used with a series of cages.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In means for facilitating the loading and (or) unloading of mine cages and
the like, the use and employment of carriage frames (tables or platforms) beneath
the loading or unloading level, balanced or working in such relation to each other
that as one rises the other falls, as set forth.
2. The combination of frames (A), (A'), with pulleys (C), (C) shaft (D),
pulleys (E), (F), ropes (G), (H) brake wheel (I) and strap (J) disc (K), levers
and links (L) (M) (N) (O) and (P) or their equivalent, mounted, arranged and
operating, as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 15th day of Ancil 1907
JOHN TINSLEY,
By John G. Wilson & Co., M.I.M.E.,
55 Market Street, Manchester, Agents.