A Safety Clutch for Mine Cages, Lifts, & Hoists.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 14th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 15th Feb., 1887.
CHARLES EDWARD HARDY 22 Octavia Street Battersea in the County of Surrey
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
A Safety Clutch for Mine Cages, Lifts, & Hoists.
This invention has for its object the prevention of accidents in mines in case of the
breaking of the rope attached to the cage.
The invention consists in the application of a wedge to distend two claws and thus
arrest the further descent of the cage by gripping the guides or runners.
The Iron frames have fixed upon its surface the claws, stop blocks, and guide block
for the wedge which is hollow and contains a spiral spring. The claws work on pins
secured to the Iron frames by nuts.
The wedge has also secured to its top by means of links a top beam which is bolted
to the bottom of the cage.
In its normal position when attached to the cage the claws are kept off the guides
by reason of their being hung out of the centre on the pins.
On the claws coming into action by reason of the rope breaking the spiral spring
gives the first action to the wedge and the claws simultaneously which are thereby
distended and caused to grip the inner surface of the guides. When the weight of the
cage is again taken by the rope the wedge is drawn into its normal position thus
releasing the two claws and allowing them to fall back clear of the guides.
CHARLES EDWARD HARDY,
22, Octavia Street, Battersea.

page_text: CHARLES EDWARD HARDY 22 Octavia St. Battersea Surrey 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 has for its object the prevention of accidents in Coal Mines, in case
of the rope breaking and also for buildings, where lifts are used, actuated by a rope.
The Invention consists in the application of a wedge to distend two claws and thus
arrest the further descent of the cage or lift by gripping the guides or runners.
The wedge A A is contained and worked between two iron frames C. C one of which
has fixed upon its surface the claws B. B. and the stop blocks D. D. and the guide
blocks E.
The
The wedge A. A. which is hollow contains a spiral spring F.
claws B. B. work on pins secured to the iron frames C. C. by nuts.
The wedge A. A. has also secured to its top by means of links G G a top beam H
which is bolted to the bottom of the cage. In its normal position when attached to the
cage the claws B. B. are kept off the guides by means of the links I fixed to the wedges
and working on pins J fixed on the heels of the claws B. B or I may use a thrust
spring pressing against the claws B. B and recessed into the stop blocks D. D or other
suitable means.
On the claws coming into action by reason of the rope breaking, the spiral spring F
gives the first action to the wedge A. A and the claws B. B simultaneously which are
thereby distended and caused to grip the inner surface of the guides or runners.
The weight of the cage descending on the top of the wedge A. A. presses the claws
firmly against the guides or runners and completes the stoppage of the cage.
The claws can be either flat, serrated or of any suitable form to obtain the object
sought namely to arrest the descent of the cage.
The weight of the cage being again taken by the rope the wedge A A is drawn up
into its normal position releasing the claws and drawing back and retaining them clear
of the guides or runners.
When the guides or runners are of wire rope I employ a suitable device for the
purpose of retaining them in contact with the claws, should the hauling rope break.
This said device consisting of a steel band or other suitable means, bolted to the frame
work of the clutch for the aforesaid-purpose-of-retaining the wire guides or runners in
close proximity to the claws and for the purpose of enabling the wire rope, guides, or
runners to withstand the pressure without being forced away from the claws, thus

page_text: ensuring a firm and close grip of the claws against the wire rope, guides or runners
for arresting the further descent of the cage.
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
First. The application of a wedge to distend two or more claws for the purpose of
arresting the descent of the cage, lift or hoist, by gripping the guides, rods or runners
either at the top or bottom of the cage as herein before described.
Secondly. The application of a spiral or other form of spring for the purpose
primarily of actuating the wedge, whereby the claws are distended as herein before
described.
Thirdly. The application of a link bar for the purpose of automatically drawing back
the claws and retaining them clear of the guides or runners when the wedge is not in
action as herein before described.
CHARLES EDWARD HARDY.