Railways – Traction – Cable
Patent
1985-05-14
1987-08-18
Reeves, Robert B.
Railways
Traction
Cable
104204, B61B 1206, B61B 1212
Patent
active
046869069
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an operationally releasable clamping device, in particular for monocable ropeways, comprising at least one clamp embracing the cable by means of two jaws, at least one jaw being forcible against the cable by at least one pressure spring and releasable therefrom by a preferably pivotal lever running up on a stationary rail, further comprising at least one test spring counteracting to the pressure spring, and comprising a device measuring the deformation of the test spring when the jaw is clamped to the cable and actuating a signal and/or stop device, when a predetermined value is exceeded.
In such a mechanism the deformation of the test spring is a measure of the force of the pressure spring causing the clamping effect. This force may decrease in the course of time because of aging of the pressure spring or rupture of single elements thereof, as well as because of wear of the movable connections between the pressure spring and the clamping jaw.
In a known device of the kind described, a stationary rail is supported by a spring which is compressed by the force of a roller of the releasing mechanism which runs up on the rail. If this force falls below a predetermined value the test spring will no longer or only insufficiently be compressed; this prevents the further movement of this hanging unit. A disadvantage of this device is that it is sensitive to pivoting movements of the hanging unit such that dynamic influences may cause switching errors. Furthermore, the force of the pressure spring is measured in the released condition, whereas the force, with the hanging unit being in the clamped condition, is decisive for the safety of clamping.
The object of the invention is to provide a clamping device with a test mechanism for the clamping force which tests the clamping force of the jaws in the clamped condition, this testing not being influenced by movements of the hanging unit and being independent of its speed. According to the invention, this is achieved by arranging the test spring in the pressure mechanism.
Thus, the test elements are arranged near the clamping jaws, and static and dynamic transmission faults are substantially eliminated.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures. Protection should, however, not be restricted to this possible embodiment of the inventive idea, the reference numbers in particular have illustrative character.
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a clamping device according to the invention, the parts shown in the position, when the clamping jaw is pressed to the cable, with the force of the pressure spring set being sufficient,
FIG. 2 also shows a longitudinal section of the position of the parts, when the clamping force is insufficient,
FIGS. 3 and 4, each, show sections of modified forms,
FIG. 5 shows a test spring for this modified form.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper end of the hanging unit is provided with a tube member 2 pivotally mounted on an axle 3 in order to permit swinging motions of the hanging unit in the travelling direction. Undesired swinging out transverse to the travelling direction is prevented by a roller 4 mounted at the free end of the axle 3, the roller 4 moving in a guide rail 5 arranged in the station.
The axle 3 is incorporated in a casing consisting of a U-shaped part 6 and two front plates 7 and 8. In 9, a roller of the travelling mechanism and the corresponding travelling rail have been indicated, which supports the hanging unit when released from the cable.
The stationary clamping jaw 10 is fixed on an extension of the casing. The movable clamping jaw 11 is mounted pivotally on a bolt 12. At its end directed to the casing, it is linked to an obliquely arranged pressure member 14 by means of a bolt 13, said pressure member being connected by means of a bolt 15 with a rod 16 which is longitudinally displaceably mounted in the casing. A set of cup springs 18 abuts on a shoulder 17 of said rod which urges the rod 16 in direction to the clamping jaws such that via the pressure member
REFERENCES:
patent: 3394661 (1968-07-01), Muller
patent: 3416462 (1968-12-01), Pomagalski
patent: 3610164 (1971-10-01), Feuz
patent: 3714904 (1973-02-01), Bruggemann et al.
patent: 3871304 (1975-03-01), Dettoni
Konrad Doppelmayr & Sohn Maschinefabrik Gesellschaft m.b.H & Co.
Reeves Robert B.
Werny Scott H.
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