A New or Improved Safety Device or Apparatus to Prevent Accidents in Mines and Hoists on the Breakage of the Rope or Chain.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Safety Device or Apparatus to Prevent
Accidents in Mines and Hoists on the Breakage of the Rope or Chain.
I, TOM SETTLE, of New Mill, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Gas Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is designed to prevent accidents to the cages in mines and hoists
on breakage of the winding rope or chain. In constructing such apparatus
according to my invention the chain or rope is attached to the cage in any ordinary
and well known manner, but on the top of the cage or to any convenient part of it,
I attach on each side of the chain a hinged vertical link on the upper end of which is
a horizontal lever, the opposite end being hinged to a block capable of sliding up and
down vertical rods placed at each side of the cage. These vertical links and hinged
horizontal levers are so arranged that when the cage is suspended by the chain, the
blocks move freely up and down the vertical rods, but if the chain or rope breaks
and ceases to suspend the cage, then the end of the horizontal levers come in contact
with a stud and bind against the vertical rod, whereby the descent of the cage is at
once arrested, and this takes place whether the rope or chain breaks, when either
lifting or lowering the cage.
Dated this 14th day of April 1892.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Safety Device or Apparatus to Prevent
Accidents in Mines and Hoists on the Breakage of the Rope or Chain.
I, TOM SETTLE, of New Mill, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Gas 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 :-
This invention is designed to prevent accidents to the cages in mines and hoists on
breakage of the winding rope or chain.
Such being the nature and object of my invention, I will now make reference to
the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrative thereof, wherein
Fig. 1 is side elevation of my improved apparatus, and Fig. 2 is plan view of
same.
A represents a portion of a cage suspended by chains B and winding chain C.
The cage is free to slide up and down the vertical rods D in the ordinary and
well known manner. To the top of the cage are hinged vertical rods or links E,
to each of which links are hinged arms F capable of oscillating upon fulcrums G,
on independent frame H, so as to cause the cams or eccentrics to be forced or
otherwise against the vertical guide rods D for the purpose of binding the said
guide rods between the cams and the inner side of the frame or plates H which
plates are bound together by bolts J for the purpose of being made strong and rigid.
When the cage is suspended by the winding chain and the apparatus intact, the
parts occupy the positions shewn in Fig. 1 where the cams I are clear and away
from the guide rods D and the frame H resting upon the bosses or collars K on the
top of the cage; but if the chain or rope breaks whilst the cage is either ascending
or descending, the cage commences to separate from the frame H causing the
weight of the cage to be thrown upon the fulcrums G whereby the rods E would be

page_text: made to assume a vertical position as shewn in Fig. 3 forcing the eccentrics I with
great power against the vertical rods D which become locked between the eccentrics
and the part of the frame H whereby the cage would be arrested and brought to
a standstill. A spiral spring M assists in drawing the rods E into a vertical
position.
Instead of employing vertical rods for steadying the cage in its upward and
downward movement, rails N may be employed as shewn in Fig. 4 in which case
the frame H would be open at both ends. In Fig. 5 I have shewn an arrangement
of mechanism which if required can be used in conjunction with my improved
apparatus. This mechanism consists of two jaws O and P the upper one of which,
when the cage is suspended, rests upon the top of the frame H but when the chain
or rope breaks, the weight Q draws the hinged arm R down sharply and forces the
lower jaw against the underside of the frame H which is suddenly kicked or slightly
raised and so assists the frame H to leave the bosses K and to quicken the
movement of the rods E which operate the eccentrics. Instead of using the
weight Q for drawing down the hinged arm R, I may employ a spiral spring S, or
if desirable the spring may be used in conjunction with the weight.
Having now 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 :-
Firstly. The combination with a miner's cage or hoist, of the rods E aud
eccentrics I, operated in the manner and for purposes herein described.
Secondly. The combination with a miner's cage or hoist of the rods E, and
eccentrics 1 and frame H all arranged and operated as described.
Thirdly. The combination with a miner's cage or hoist of rods E, eccentrics I,
having their fulcrum on an independent frame H all arranged and operated
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 7th day of September 1892.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.