Improvements in Cages of Mines, Hoists, and the like, and in Apparatus Connected therewith to Prevent Accident from the Overwinding or Breaking of the Winding Rope.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in Cages of Mines, Hoists, and the like, and in
Apparatus Connected therewith to Prevent Accident from the
Overwinding or Breaking of the Winding Rope.
I PETER NICHOLLS 75 Smeaton Street Barrow in Furness in the County of
Lancaster Foreman Blacksmith, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
'
Serious accidents occur in the shafts of mines pits hoists and other similar structures
from two causes viz. :-The overwinding of the cage or the breaking of the rope
during its ascent or descent, and it is to prevent the occurrence of accident from
either of these causes that my invention is designed 1st by freeing or releasing the
cage from the rope when raised too high and holding it suspended there and 2nd by
securing and sustaining it in the shaft should the rope break."
It consists essentially 1st of a connecting apparatus with pivoted folding hooks for
connecting the winding-rope with the cage and detaching apparatus with adjustable
slides and supporting catches carried by a bracket which operate upon the hooks and
release the rope when raised into contact with it securing & holding the cage when
released from the rope and 2nd of a gripping apparatus in combination with or attached
to the cage consisting of a fixed bar which supports the weight of the cage on levers
pivoted to a movable bar of similar dimensions and having sliding catches pivoted
or jointed to the levers so that should the rope break the whole weight of the cage
forces them into contact with the conductor-either of wood or wire rope-The
movement of the cage is thereby arrested and its descent prevented.
In carrying out the invention the connecting apparatus may be formed of two
sister or overlapping hooks pivoted together at their centre longitudinally, and with
projecting or inclined fish-tail pieces connected to their other ends. The hooks are
pivoted between guide plates which are formed with a slot at one end to receive the
winding-rope or its shackle and at the other carry a link to connect it with the
cage. The hooks are opened by pressing in their lower ends and at their upper
ends are provided with shoulders which when open project beyond the sides of the
guide plates. The detaching apparatus may be formed of a cast iron box or bracket

page_text: to be attached to the head gear. It is fitted near the bottom with two adjustable
slides and above with two spring catches. The slides act upon the fish-tails of the
hooks to open them and release the rope and the spring catches fall under the shoulders
of the hooks and sustain the cage. The gripping apparatus attached to the cage may
be formed of two transverse bars the one fixed firmly to the cage to bear its weight
& the other movable thereon vertically a regulated distance controlled by guide pins.
The movable bar has pivoted to it two pair of cranked levers whose one end is
connected with the winding rope & the other with an arm or pin which passes under
the fixed bar & upon which it rests. To the levers are connected movable catches
which move horizontally in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the bars and
when forced outward come in contact with the conductors of the cage made of wood
or wire-rope as the case may be. Where the invention is used in connection with a
wire-rope conductor a small clip or bracket is passed round it to prevent the rope
receding from the catch. Should the winding-rope break the weight of the cage
draws the lower arms of the pivoted levers together and moves the upper arms out-
wards forcing the catches against the conductors. The movement of the cage is thereby
arrested and its descent prevented. Springs may be attached to the levers to assist
in instantaneously bringing them into action.
The invention is herein described chiefly as applied to a pit shaft but it will be
obvious that it may also be applied to hoists or to the trucks or other apparatus drawn
up inclines also to any similar situation where a cage truck or other appliance is
drawn or raised by a rope operated by a winding engine.
T1100
1
T
1007

page_text: Improvements in Cages of Mines, Hoists, and the like, and in
Apparatus Connected therewith to Prevent Accident from the
Overwinding or Breaking of the Winding Rope.
1 PETER NICHOLLS 75 Smeaton Steet Barrow in Furness in the County of
Lancaster Foreman Blacksmith, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
:
It is well known that accidents occur in the shafts of pits mines hoists and other
similar structures from two causes viz. from the overwinding of the cage or the
breakage of the rope during the ascent or descent of the cage in the shaft. It is to
prevent accident from either cause that this invention is designed in the first place by
freeing the cage from the rope and sustaining it suspended when it is raised in
dangerous proximity to the head gear and in the second place by at once securing it
and sustaining it in any position in the shaft in case of the breakage of the rope.
It consists essentially first of a hook or attachment connecting the winding rope
with the cage which may be opened to release the rope and a box or detaching
apparatus fixed in the head gear to operate upon the hooks in the attaching apparatus
and release the rope when raised too high and at the same time secure and hold the
cage from descending and second of gripping apparatus or appliance to which the
winding rope is connected attached to the cage having a bar supported on levers with
sliding catches jointed or pivoted thereto which when the rope breaks receives the
whole weight of the cage forcing the slide levers out into contact with the conductor
of wood or wire as the case may be thereby arresting the movement of and preventing
the descent of the cage.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which show sufficient of the gear of a
pit shaft to illustrate the invention
Figs. 1 & 2 show a front elevation partly in section (top and bottom respectively)
of the first part of my invention with the safety hooks inside the detaching gear.
Figs. 3 & 4 end elevation partly in section of figs. 1 & 2.
Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 enlarged details of the several parts referred to by the letters
of reference marked upon them.
Fig. 10 front elevation of the second part of the invention.
Fig. 11 plan of Fig. 10.
In the drawings little or no portion of the winding or head gear is shown as that
may be of ordinary or any convenient form of construction and a winding rope of
any suitable make either of hemp or wire may be employed the end of the rope is
made in such way as to form a loop or to connect securely with a shackle A, preferably
the latter. The loop or shackle A engages with the attaching apparatus and bears the
weight of the cage.
In the attaching apparatus B are two hooks of the shape shown with a hook bat
the top end and an inclined projecting piece 61 somewhat of fishtail form at the

page_text: lower end. These two hooks are pivoted together at or near their centre on a pin or
pivot c between oblong guide plates C. The hooks open or move apart to receive
or release the shackle A, or rope or other connecting link and when closed retain it
firmly between them. The upper edge of each hook is inclined slightly inward so
that when closed on the shackle with the weight of the cage depending therefrom
their tendency is to keep quite close and considerable force would be required to open
them. The heads of the hooks are each provided with a shoulder & which when
opened engage with the catches D hereinafter described. The connecting or guide
plates Chave pivoted to them at their lower end a link E and are provided at the top
end with a longitudinal slot F which receives the shackle A of the winding rope and
prevents any lateral pressure from it against the hooks to open them. The cage is
attached to the link E, the apparatus forming a connection, being inserted between the
winding rope and the cage.
Secured to the head gear is the detaching apparatus consisting of a bracket or box G
constructed of cast iron or other suitable material. It is securely attached to the head
gear by the lugs g and screws g¹. There are two sets of catches H & D pivoted or
hinged inside of the box or bracket G. The catches or slides H are pivoted at h and
depend therefrom to the lower edge of the box or bracket G. They move freely on
the pivot hand at their lower ends are held in required position by the screws I
passing through the sides of the bracket. The lower ends are curved or inclined
backward so as to offer as little obstruction as possible to the entrance between them
of the hooks B and their guide plates C and the free passage of the rope. The
catches D are pivoted at d and project upwards above the top of the bracket G.
They are free to move on the pivots d' and their upper ends are drawn towards each
other by one or more springs K though only sufficiently close to allow of the free
passage between them of the rope and guard plates C.
When in working order the different individual parts of the apparatus are in
position shown in figs. 1-4 with the exception that hooks B and guide plates C may
be any place in the shaft as they are raised and lowered with the rope and cage. The
position shown is actually that immediately before the cage has been wound too high.
Should it be raised any higher the apparatus comes into action. The projecting
inclined or fish tail ends b' of the hooks B come in contact with the slides or catches H
and are forced inwards moving the hooks on their central pivot and causing them to
open at the top or other end. When the bottom edge of B has reached the lovel
of the bottom of the bracket H the hooks have opened and released the shackle A so
that the cage cannot be drawn any further up at the same time the catches D have
been drawn in beneath the shoulders d of the hooks B and prevent the descent of the
cage when released from the rope. To release the cage when the shackle is placed in
position again in the slot F of the guide plates C the slides H are drawn back by the
screws I and a cramp such as that shown in Fig. 7 applied to the jaws of the looks
to close them. As soon as closed they are released from the catches D and the cage
is in readiness to again descend. Should the hooks not be completely closed their
passage downward through the box will close them as the pivoted ends of the catches
will be set so as only to allow of their passage through when closed. The slides or
catches H are then set again by the screws I in the position shewn in the drawings.
Referring more particularly to figs. 10 and 11 in which my apparatus for arresting
the movement of and preventing the descent of the cage in case of breakage of the
rope is shown. L is the side of the cage which may be of any suitable or ordinary
construction. M is a strong bar sufficient to carry the weight of the cage, and
attached thereto by screws or rivets m passing through the side or it may be attached
thereto in any other suitable manner. N is a second bar of similar dimensions to the
bar M and placed above it. It is free to move vertically on the guide pins n and is
provided with lugs to receive the pins or pivots O. P are links or levers pivoted
on the pins O each of which serves as a fulcrum for a pair of the levers acting
together, one on either side of the bars. The levers P are hent to about the shape
shown though if found necessary in some instances may more nearly approach
the or bell crank lever in form. Q are strong pins or studs connecting together

page_text: each pair of levers at their bottom ends and upon them the bar M rests they are
fitted with a bowl or sleeve 7 so as to offer but little resistance as they move along
beneath the bar. R is a cranked pin to which the links connect, and to the ring
may be attached the winding rope or safety apparatus similar to that hereinbefore
described, or other form of connecting apparatus. The object of cranking the pin R
is to keep the links in the centre, instead thereof a washer may be placed at each
side of the links. S are sliding levers or catches placed one at each end of the bar N
and sliding longitudinally thereon in a slide or bracket T. They are cranked or bent
at one end so as to avoid the pins O and be pivoted to the links or levers P at some
distance therefrom preferably at a point equal in distance to about one half that
between the pins O and Q. The sliding levers S are set so that when in normal
position their outer ends are clear of the conductors for the cage. Any downward
movement of the lower arm of the lever P forces them outward until they engage
with the conductors. To the left hand of the drawings on sheets 7 and 8 the slide
is shown fitted to a wood conductor U and to the right hand side of the drawings as
fitted to a wire rope conductor U'. In this latter case a bracket V is attached by
cotters as shown or otherwise to pass round the other side of the conductor and thus
prevent it moving away from the slide as it would otherwise do. W are springs
attached at one end to a bolt or stud and at the other to the links or levers P.
arranged in the drawings four springs would be required but two may be found
sufficient one for each pair of levers. In this case the end would be connected by a
washer or link passing round the pin Q at or near its centre. The function of the
spring W is to draw the lower ends of the levers P together and thereby force outwards
the ends of the sliding catches S.
As
The operation of the apparatus is simple and effective, when in use its normal
position is that shown in Fig. 10. The weight of the cage on the links P tends to
keep their upper arms p in the position shown whether the cage be ascending or
descending. Should the rope break and the weight of the cage be relieved from the
links or levers P the springs W first act upon them to draw their lower arms towards
each other at the same time moving the arms p in the reverse direction and with them
the slides S until the latter come in contact with the conductors. The weight of the
cage still further acting on pins Q forces the links to assume the position shown in
dotted lines and the catches are thereby held tightly against the conductors. As the
levers P are moved the bar M recedes from the bar N to about the position shown by
the dotted lines. The heavier the weight in the cage the greater will be the force
acting upon the catches to prevent any further movement of the cage. In the case
of wire rope conductors the rope will be made to assume a position similar to that
shown. Although the drawings show the apparatus as applied to the cage of a mine
it will be understood that it may, the first part especially, be applied in other
situations where it is desired to prevent a cage or truck being wound up beyond a
certain determined distance and prevent such cage or truck descending down a shaft
or declivity on being released from the winding rope.
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.
1. An apparatus for preventing accident from the overwinding of the winding
rope in the shafts of mines hoists and other places having a connecting apparatus
consisting of pivoted overlapping or sister hooks, which may be opened by pressing
together their lower ends, and a detaching apparatus consisting of a box or bracket
provided with adjustable slides to act upon and open the hooks of the connecting
apparatus to release the winding rope, and with catches which receive and support the
hooks when the rope is released substantially as described.
2. A connecting apparatus for the cages of mines hoists and the like having a pair
of overlapping or sister hooks with projecting releasing pieces at one end and
shoulders or supporting pieces at the other end pivoted between guide plates which
are fitted at their upper end with a slot to receive the rope or shackle and at the
lower end carry a link or shackle substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: 3. An apparatus for disconnecting the winding rope from the cages of mines
hoists and the like when raised or drawn too far having releasing slides depending
from a pin or pivot in a box or bracket so controlled that they can be set firmly to
act upon the connecting hooks and be withdrawn to release them when required
substantially as described.
4. In detaching apparatus for the winding ropes of cages of mines hoists and the
like the combination of the box or bracket G with the slides H and their screws I
and the catches D and springs K substantially as described.
5. A gripping device or apparatus for attaching to the cage of a mine or hoist to
prevent its descent in case of breakage of the rope in which the cage is held suspended
by levers pivoted to a support or bar and so placed that should the weight or tension
be removed from their upper arms (such as by breakage of the rope) the weight of
the cage acts on the lower arms to draw them together and force slides or catches
into contact with the conductors substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. In a cage for mines hoists and the like the combination with a fixed bar or
supporting piece of a gripping device consisting of a movable bar carrying pivoted
levers which sustain the weight of the cage by pins passing beneath the stationary
bar and have connected to them sliding catches capable of moving outward as the
levers are moved on their pivots substantially as described.
7. A gripping device for the cages of mines hoists and the like for use with wire
rope conductors having a bracket attached to a rigid part thereof which passes round
the rope to retain it in proximity to the catch which engages with it substantially
as described.