Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor frame or casing – Adjustable conveyor frame or casing
Patent
1987-03-02
1988-09-20
Spar, Robert J.
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor frame or casing
Adjustable conveyor frame or casing
198594, 414339, 414342, 414398, 105150, B65G 2100, B65G 4100
Patent
active
047718811
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a materials handling system which facilitates transport of materials. The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, for use in tunnelling operations such as in underground mines.
In underground mining operations, there are various transport systems for transporting extracted materials from the mines. A typical transportation system includes an endless belt loading conveyor which receives extracted materials from a continuous mining machine and delivers the extracted materials to a main transportation system which transports the extracted materials from the mine. Nowadays, the main transportation system generally comprises either an endless belt conveyor system or a rail car system running on tracks laid on the floor of the tunnel. In the case where the main transportation system is in the form of an endless belt conveyor system, it is usual to provide a rail track alongside the conveyor system for manriding and transportation of equipment to and from the mine face. Typically, the loading conveyor is suspended from an overhead monorail which is extended as the tunnel progresses so that the loading conveyor may be progressively advanced in the direction towards the mine face. At certain stages during the mining operation, the main transportation system must also be extended towards the mine face. This involves installation of a further section to the main transportation system, such as the installation of a further conveyor section or a further section of rail track.
The above-mentioned conventional transportation systems are costly to purchase and maintain, and are not altogether satisfactory as the the installation of further sections of the conveyor system and laying of further rail track sections can be awkward, particularly when the tunnel floor condition is poor such as in the case where the floor is under water.
Futhermore, it is necessary to interrupt operation of the main transportation system while it is being extended, and this may involve a significant loss in production time.
A still further disadvantage of conventional transportation systems is that the extensive installations involved with the main transport system are awkward to disassemble and remove when, for example, work on the tunnel ceases.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved materials handling system which is suspended from an overhead track means so as to be independent of floor conditions and which can be installed relatively easily and quickly.
In one form the invention resides in a materials handling system comprising an overhead track means, an elongated conveying means for conveying materials from a loading zone to a discharge zone, the conveying means being suspended from the overhead track means, a materails transport unit suspended from the track means for movement therealong, the arrangement being such that the movement transport unit can be positioned at a materials receiving station beneath the conveying means for receiving materials discharging therefrom at the discharge zone.
Preferably, the materials handling system further comprises a queuing station beneath the conveying means at which queuing station a further one or more of said transport units can be positioned prior to movement in turn to the material receiving station.
Preferably, the transport units are supported on hangers suspended from the track means.
Preferably, each hanger includes engaging means for releasably engaging the conveying means whereby the hanger provides support for the conveyor.
Preferably, each hanger includes a pair of vertically extending arms spaced to receive the conveying means therebetween when the respective transport unit is at the materials receiving station or at the queuing station.
Preferably, the engaging means includes an engaging member on each arm adapted to supportingly engage a respective longitudinal track on the conveying means whereby the engaging member is movable along the longitudinal track on relative movement between the conveying means and the hanger
REFERENCES:
patent: 1204760 (1916-11-01), Greenleaf
patent: 2724515 (1955-11-01), Scheuchzer et al.
patent: 4387798 (1983-06-01), Jamison et al.
patent: 4476975 (1984-10-01), Densmore
Doyle Jennifer L.
Spar Robert J.
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