Improvements in Means and Appliances for the Conveyance of Coal on Steep Seams.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Appliances for the Conveyance of Coal
on Steep Seams.
We, JACOB SPARKES, Junior, of Chester Park, Fishponds, in the City and
County of Bristol, Mining Engineer, and DONALD MACDONALD DOUGLAS
STUART, residing at Redland, Bristol, Mining Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to enable coal to be cheaply despatched from
seams dipping at angles which, from their high rate of inclination, have hitherto
been expensive to work. Under this invention coal can be profitably obtained
from scains dipping at from 35 degrees to 70 degrees.
According to this invention, which is based upon the counterbalance method of
conveyance, a specially designed carriage for the trams is employed, and the
counterbalance to which it is connected by a wire rope passed around a pulley
fixed at the top of the "plane" is capable of ready variation in weight by taking
parts from, or adding parts to it.
The carriage which consists of a frame and a horizontal platform for the trams,
is mounted on four wheels the axles of which are cranked so as to provide space
for the balance, which, in working, passes under the carriage midway between the
sides.
The carriage, which is light and strong, and fitted together in easy sections, is
capable of adjustment within limits to suit various rates of inclination of seam,
such adjustment being effected by unbolting the adjustable parts and rebolting
after adjustment.
A convenient form of variable balance consists of a series of plates of ascer-
tained weight, which are loosely dropped over the axles of the balance wheels. One
or more of such plates may be readily removed or added according to the weight of
balance required. This form of balance also affords the greatest possible weight
in the least possible space.
Rails for the carriage to run on are laid on the incline, such incline being
worked out on the exact inclination of the coal seam.
The rails for the balance road are laid on the same sleepers as those for the
carriage, but, being of lighter section, their level is lower, which affords additional
space for the balance.
The gauge of the balance road is narrower than, that of the carriage road, the
centre line being the same for both sets of rails.
By virtue of the central position of the balance, a carriage-way of ordinary
height and width only is required, and trams can be run on to the carriage
platform from headings, or stall-roads on both sides of the "plane inasmuch as
the balance railway is within that of the carriage.
"
23
or
Further, under this invention, trams may be taken to and from any station or
stations in the carriage way and delivered on to the shaft level from the "rise
dip" of the seam in a horizontal position, and less motive power is required for
drawing coal from the "deep."
With such means and appliances the working of steep seams is made still more
practicable inasmuch as a greater extent of coal-face can be opened with the
same length of roadway than in other systems of working. The distance of
conveyance, and the amount of roadway to be made, and maintained are reduced.
Dated this 11th day of Janu190
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol Bank Buildings, Bristol, Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Appliances for the Conveyance of Coal
on Steep Seams.
We, JACOB SPARKES, Junior, residing at Chester Park, Fishponds, Bristol, and
DONALD MACDONALD DOUGLAS STUART, residing at Redland, Bristol, Mining
Engineers, 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:-
This invention relates to means for conveying any kind of materials along
inclined planes but is specially adapted for planes of great inclination, and it
consists in an improved construction and arrangement of a travelling carriage to
receive the load, the platform of such carriage being adjustable to suit different
inclines, in combination with a weight or balance connected to such carriage by a
rope passing over a pulley, the weight also travelling upon a track fixed to the
same sleepers as the track upon which the carriage runs, and serving by its gravity
to raise or lower the carriage and load upon the inclined plane as required when
the pulley round which the connecting rope passes is released.
The travel of the weight or balance is arranged so that such weight in raising or
lowering the carriage passes beneath such carriage which will be specially formed
to permit this, and the track on which the weight or balance runs will be arranged
between the rails of the track of the carriage.
The carriage is made adjustable so that the platform to receive the load_may
always be in a horizontal plane no matter what gradient it travels on; and the
balance is adjustable in weight so as to enable it to be made to suit the load and
incline, and to raise and lower the carriage when empty, and when carrying the
load as required. The pulley around which the connecting rope passes is fitted
with an automatic brake, which normally holds the whole system stationary, and
only permits the gravity of the weight or balance to act after the brake has been
actuated to release such pulley.
In the accompanying drawings the system is shown as applied to the conveyance
of coal on steep seams.
Fig. 1 is a sectional front elevation of the coal seam and the improved
apparatus, and
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such apparatus.
.
Fig. 3.is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the carriage to receive the
load.
.
.
.
Fig. 4 a front elevation of same, and
Fig. 5 a plan view thereof.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the travelling weight or balance.
Fig. 7 a plan view of same, and
Fig. 8 an end elevation thereof.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the removable weights of the balance.
Fig. 10 a vertical section through the body of same on line a, b, and
Fig. 11 a vertical section of same on line c, d.
Referring specially to Figs. 1 and 2, A is the carriage to receive the load (in
this case the trucks B containing the coal or materials with which they have been
charged) at any level or station and upon either side of the incline C, such
carriage A running upon a track I secured to sleepers D laid on the incline,
and being so formed and adjusted that the table or platform a at the top thereof
is horizontal. A rope E is attached to the carriage A and passes over a pulley F
at the top of the incline C, and then passes down, its lower end being secured to
the weight or balance G which runs on à track H the rails of which are fixed on
the same sleepers D as the track 1 on which the carriage runs, such track H being
arranged inside the track I and the weight or balance G being able to pass under

page_text: the carriage A. The pulley F may be provided with any suitable form of
automatic brake which will normally prevent such pulley revolving until it is
released, when the weights of the carriage A and the balance G in relation to
each other will ensure the carriage A being raised or lowered to the position
desired to receive its load, and then carry the same to the station or stations or to
the haulage road at either the top or bottom of the inclined plane, the weight of
the balance G being as above stated capable of adjustment to enable this to he
effected, when the incline is to the rise of the haulage road, but when the incline
is to the deep of the haulage road, the minimum amount of motive power is
required, as only the difference in the weights of the balance and the load has to
be provided for.
The above description will enable the working of this system to be readily
understood and we will now proceed to describe the special construction of the
carriage A, which enables the same to be adapted to any incline, and which also
permits the balance G to pass underneath it.
Referring more especially to Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, it will be
seen that the horizontal platform a, of the carriage A is fixed to uprights J, and
that both are secured to a wheel frame K, the wheels of which run on the
track I on the incline. The connections between the platform a, and also
between the uprights and the wheel frame K consist in the angle pieces L, L',
which are respectively bolted or otherwise secured to such frame and the parts a
and J, and these angle pieces L, L, are removable so that by substituting pieces of
different angles, the platform a can always be maintained in a horizontal position
no matter what incline the carriage has to travel on. These angle pieces L, L',
are also designed to strengthen the structure, and ensure its rigidity, while
maintaining the lightness of the carriage. A strut M is arranged between each
side of the wheel frame and the uprights J and secured to both, and these struts
will also require to be replaced by others when the platform and uprights are
shifted or moved in relation to the wheel frame or undercarriage. The wheels k
are arranged so that they also may be shifted in either direction to keep their
centres vertically beneath the load on the platform. The part N to which the
supe
E is connected is fixed to the carriage so that the pull of the weight or
balance G approximately coincides with the centre of gravity of the carriage and
its load.
In order to enable the balance G to pass under the carriage A, the axles O on
which the wheels k are mounted, are cranked as shown in Fig. 4, the width
and height of the cranks being sufficient to allow the balance to pass freely.
The inner end of the platform a is also set back in the centre as shown at a',
Fig. 5, for the same purpose. Not only is space provided by the cranked axles
and set back platform for the balance to pass underneath, but this arrangement
secures the horizontal platform and the centre of gravity of the carriage at the
least possible heights above the rails on which the carriage runs.
The platform a is provided with rails P for the wheels of the truck B containing
the load to run on, and a bar catch Q of any suitable construction is also provided
to secure such trucks in position thereon, the rails and bar catch being arranged
so that the centre of gravity of the load when fixed on the platform will fall
vertically approximately near to the centre of gravity of the carriage.
The balance G is preferably constructed as shown in detail in Figs. 6 to 11
inclusive of the drawings, and consists of a light frame g with end pieces g
bolted thereto, to the top one of which the rope E is secured, the points of
attachment being near the corners of the frame and in line with the load centre of
the weight upon the axles of the wheels of such frame.
The frame g is mounted on wheels R which run upon the track H on the
incline C (see Figs. 1 and 2) and collars r are interposed between such wheels and
the frame so as to keep the same central. Near each end of the frame g is a
notched or toothed cross piece S which secures the rigidity of the frame, and
serves to receive and hold in position any desired number of removable weights T,

page_text: all of the same shape and size, by means of which such frame is loaded to suit the
requirements of the load on carriage A, the incline of the plane, on which it is to
travel, and the requirements of the work to be effected. The weights T are cut
away at t (Fig. 9) so as to pass freely over the axles V of wheels R and their
ends are provided with projecting lips t' to enable them to be readily lifted in and
out of position, while the lower part of such end is reduced in width (as shown at t
Figs. 9 and 11) so as to fit into the notches or teeth of the cross pieces S and to
form shoulders which rest on the upper surface thereof. Each weight is thus held
firmly in position in the frame independently of the others, and can be readily
inserted therein, and removed therefrom as required, any number of same being.
inserted and distributed in any positions therein to suit the load.
は
The whole frame is within the space between the wheels R, so that it can move
vertically in relation thereto, to allow for variations of gradient upon the same
plane.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. The improved arrangement for raising and lowering loads on inclined planes,
consisting in a carriage the platform of which is adjustable to suit different
inclines, such carriage which receives the load running upon a track laid on the
incline, in combination with a travelling weight or balance connected to the
carriage carrying the load by a rope passing over a pulley, such weight or balance
running on a track laid on the same sleepers as the track on which the carriage
carrying the load runs, and passing centrally underneath the carriage, substantially
as specified.
2. The improved carriage for running on inclines, consisting in a horizontal
platform, secured to uprights, both the platform and the uprights being connected
to the wheel frame by angle pieces which can be changed to suit different inclines,
and thus always ensure the platform being kept in a horizontal position, substan-
tially as specified.
3. The improved carriage for running on inclines, consisting in a frame mounted
upon two or more pairs of wheels, so that same can be adjusted in relation thereto
in order to adapt the carriage to different inclines, the axles of all of the wheels of
such carriage being equally cranked to enable a travelling weight to pass under
such carriage, substantially as specified.
4. An improved carriage for running upon inclines consisting in a frame
mounted upon wheels having cranked axles, such frame being connected to the
wheel frame by angle pieces, by means of which cranked axles and angle pieces
the horizontal platform and the centre of gravity of the carriage are secured at
the minimum heights above the rails upon which the carriage runs, and strength
and rigidity combined with lightness of frame are obtained, all substantially as
specified.
5. The adjustable weight or balance consisting in a frame running on wheels and
provided with means for securing removable weights in position therein, substan-
tially as specified.
6. The removable weights formed with recesses to fit over the axles of the
running wheels of a travelling frame, projecting lips at the ends, to enable such
weights to be readily lifted, and portions cut away at the bottom part of the ends,
so as to enable them to engage between notches or teeth in cross pieces secured to
such frame, and be thereby held in position, substantially as specified.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1892.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.