Improved Safety Suspending Apparatus for Mine and other Suspended Lift Cages.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1895--Accepted, 4th May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
-Improved Safety Suspending Apparatus for Mine and other
Suspended Lift Cages.
I, JOHN STUART of Church End, Thurleigh, near Bedford in the County of
Bedford Mechanical 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 relates to suspended lift cages and is more especially intended for
those used in mines but it is also applicable to other lift cages when suspended
from above.
The object of the improved construction is to provide an efficient means for
causing the cage to become immediately suspended and engaged with the guides in
the event of the suspending rope or chain breaking, and to provide the occupants
of the cage with means for ensuring the action of the mechanism provided for the
said purpose.
In the annexed drawing
Figs. 1 and 2 are elevations of the improved lift cage, the one at right angles to
the other.
Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof with the suspending chains removed.
The drawings show the framework and mechanism of the cage only.
A is the horizontal frame which carries the platform and is rigidly secured by-
the uprights B and ties or braces C to the upper horizontal frame D. Beneath the
frame A is a horizontal frame E, and at a similar distance below the frame D is a
horizontal frame F. The frames E and F are rigidly connected together by the
rods G of which there may be two only, one in the centre of each of two opposite
sides. Between the frames A and E and D and F respectively are suitable
springs H, preferably coiled springs as shown, so placed as to cause the frames A
and E, D and F to be thrust apart from each other. The limit of the separation
of the frames under the thrust of the said springs is provided by the bolts J which
may be secured in the bars J' of frame A and project through holes in the bars of
frame E and be provided with nuts J on their ends; similar bolts being secured in
an analogous way to frame D for limiting the separation of that frame from
frame F.
K is the suspending rod which passes loosely through a hole in the bar L
connected to frame D. This rod K carries at its lower end a collar with two
lugs M to which are respectively pivoted two links N connected to the ends of
levers pivoted to lugs P on the frame D and connected by links R to the
frame F. To the upper end of rod K are secured by means of shackle S or
otherwise, chains T which are connected to the frame D at the corners or otherwise,
and are of such length as to hang somewhat loosely when the frames aforesaid are
separated by the action of the springs.
Upon the sides of frames A and D, in suitable relation to the guides by which
the cage is guided in the shaft, are provided the clutch blocks or arms U. These
are arranged in pairs facing each other and adapted to engage the guide between
them, for which purpose they are pivoted to the frame A or D and project
downwards. These arms are keyed upon the shafts V, one at each end, said shafts
traversing the frame A or D respectively and providing the pivotal connection
aforesaid with the frames. Upon the shafts V are keyed the arms W connected
by links X to lugs Y on the frames E and F respectively. On the shafts V which

page_text: traverse the upper frame F are also keyed the levers Z for hand use to ensure the
operation of the mechanism.
The lever gearing aforesaid is so proportioned and connected and the strength of
the springs is so proportioned to the weight of the parts that the operation of the
mechanism is as follows;-When the tension of the lifting rope or chain is brought
upon the shackle at the end of the rod K it lifts said rod and through the lever
gear thereunder commences to lift the platform or frame F and with it the frame E.
The springs H are thus brought into compression by the weight of the cage
comprising the frames A and D and parts and persons or loads thereon until the
chains T become taut, when the cage will become suspended. When the cage is
suspended, the springs are therefore under compression and the platforms or
frames A and E, D and F are brought nearer together than is shown in the
drawing; the shafts V are revolved by the arms, W and links X so that the clutch
blocks U are moved out from and held away from the sides of the guides and do
not engage therewith.
Should the suspending rope or chain break, the tension on the rod K immediately
ceases, and the springs operate to thrust apart the frames A and E, and D and F
thus causing the clutch blocks to be brought against the sides of the guides with
which they will enter into frictional engagement. This movement may be assisted
if necessary by the use of the land levers Z.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is ;-
-
1. The construction of lift cage-safety suspending mechanism wherein the
suspending gear is attached through leverage and otherwise to two frames in such a
manner as to cause the said frames to approach each other against the action of
springs when the cage is suspended, the relative position of said two frames governing
through lever gear the position of clutch blocks adapted, when the frames are
thrust apart, to engage the fixed guides in the lift shaft substantially as hercin
described.
2. The constructions consisting in the duplication of said frames to operate
clutch blocks at the platform as well as the bead frame of the lift.
3. The combination with the clutch blocks of the shafts V carrying said blocks
and the levers Z keyed on said shafts for the purpose set forth.
4. The construction of the lift cage with its safety suspension mechanism
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the annexed drawings.
Dated this 4th day of April 1895.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London,
Agents to Applicant.