Mine-car coupling using hooks, eyelets and hangers - has base-frame moving at car speed for power-raised uncoupler frame with centring toggles and retractable release

摘要

The coupling comprises hook and eyelet on adjoining minecars to move both ways via an interposed hanger using a track mounted retractable release to raise the eyelet to the hook tip and then swing the hook free the opposite way so hook and eyelet drop down. Coupling takes place during movement, with the release moving in the minecar sense and coupling/uncloupling carried out by the same device as required. The device base frame below the track plane should move at minecar speed and mount an uncoupler frame which moves vertically off a double-loaded cylinder unit to a top position in the coupling zone. On both sides the car centre plane the frame has toggles (29, 30) with centering recessed (36, 37) at long arm ends, the short arm hinged to side cylinders (21, 22) pivoted on the frame so the toggles are swung to straddle the hanger with their recesses on the engaged coupling to hold the hanger ready for release. The baseplate fitted coupling is raised by a cylinder high enough to couple to the hook tip and has an L shaped coupler (13) with vertical engaging leg and horizontal leg hinged to a doubly loaded cylinder to move the coupler a limited amount lengthways. The coupling station starts below the track and is swung in to use after passing a proximity switch and the two side cylinders (21m 22) swing up onto and centre the hanger, the shackle is swung clear and the coupler raised over the hook tip to move the hook back which is then held by cylinders from both sides. The second shackle is swung in, the hook then swung down and all parts re-set below track. USE/ADVANTAGE - Underground coalmining mine-car haulage. Rapid coupling without human intervention or related accidents.