Abstract: A measuring flask 10 is described for use in a mine shaft assembly. The measuring flask 10 includes a body 12, a discharge opening 25, a door 24, and a pressurised fluid actuated door locking mechanism 40. The body 12 defines a storage chamber having a sloping bottom 22 and the discharge opening 25 is defined in the body 12 adjacent to the sloping bottom 22. The door 24 is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the discharge opening 25 and an open position in which is permits material to be discharged from the measuring flask 10 through the opening 25. The door locking mechanism 40 is operable to lock the door 24 releasably in its closed position. Instead or in addition to the door locking mechanism 40, the measuring flask 10 has a resilient door retaining arrangement 50 configured to retain the door 24 releasably in its closed position.

Abstract: A discharge hopper rail car (10) comprises a hopper body (14) mounted on a chassis (12) which is itself supported on flanged wheels (20). The body (14) includes a discharge opening in a lower part thereof and a door structure (16) pivotally mounted on the body (14) and displaceable between a closed condition in which the opening is closed by the door structure (16) and an opened condition to permit discharge of the contents of the body (14). The door structure (16) forms a basin for collecting both liquids and fines leaking from the opening when the door structure (16) is in its closed condition.

Abstract: A skip to be suspended in a mine shaft has a discharge opening at the lower end region of a chamber defined by a skip body. A door closes the opening and can open to discharge material from the chamber. Door operating members at opposite sides of the body are pivotable about a common axis between a closed position in which the door is closed and an open position in which the door is open. Connectors connect the members and the door and the connectors cross the pivot axis as the door moves between the open and closed positions. The connectors can be at least partly flexible. It is desirable for the chamber to be generally of a greater cross-sectional area at a level above the operating members than at the level of the members and for the body to extend above and at least partly cover the operating members.

Abstract: Bottom discharge hopper rail cars generally have a chassis on flanged wheels, and a hopper body mounted on the chassis and including transversely and longitudinally extending edges which border a discharge opening from the body. In the present invention, the opening is wholly or substantially wholly at a level below the tops of the wheels but above the bottoms of the wheels and extends at least partly between pairs of said flanged wheels.

Abstract: A bottom discharge hopper rail car train includes a pair of hopper rail cars each having a hopper body mounted on a chassis. Adjacent ends of the two hopper rail cars are supported by a split bogie assembly having bogie parts each pivotally mounted at an end region of a respective rail car and each including a pair of flanged wheels rotatable about a common axis. In this invention, the bogie parts are mounted adjacent to one another and each have formations for co-operating with complementary formations on the other bogie part for co-operating movement of the bogie parts of the assembly with respect to one another when the assembly moves along a curved track. The invention also extends to a split bogie assembly.

Abstract: A hopper car in which the body has vertical end walls and side walls each comprising a sloping lower portion and a vertical upper portion. The two sloping lower portions converge downwardly and their horizontal lower edges define a discharge opening. One of these edges lies in a horizontal plane which is at a different level to the plane containing the other lower edge. The angle of slope of one lower portion is different to the angle of slope of the other lower portion. Additionally, the horizontal plane containing the line of convergence between the one lower portion and its associated upper portion lies in a different horizontal plane to the corresponding line of convergence of the other side wall. An arcuate door carrying a laterally protruding operating arm closes-off the discharge opening.

Abstract: A bottom discharge hopper rail car has a hopper body mounted on a chassis which is itself supported on flanged wheels. The body has a pair of downwardly converging, laterally spaced side walls with longitudinally extending lower edges which border a discharge opening. The spacing between the lower edges of the sidewalls is greater than the lateral distance between the wheels as wider openings can facilitate discharge. In practice, the wheels have outer flange surfaces adjacent to rail-engaging surfaces for resting on the rails, and the spacing between the lower edges of the side walls is preferably greater than the distance between these outer flange surfaces. The side walls are asymmetrical with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane passing centrally between the wheels as this can inhibit bridging during discharge.

Abstract: A hopper car structure having a hopper body with a discharge opening at the bottom. A pivotally hung door having an arcuate base plate normally closes said opening and an arm is pivotally mounted on the door. A roller is carried by the arm on its free end and is intended to engage a ramp. The arm, in the closed condition of the door, has an abutment surface thereof spaced downwardly from an abutment surface of the door. When said roller engages an upwardly inclined ramp, the arm pivots upwardly with respect to the door until the abutment surface of the arm engages the abutment surface of the door. The door and arm then swing together about the pivotal mountings of the door to the open position of the door. The arm is locked against movement while the door is in its closed position and the abutment surface of the arm is spaced below the abutment surface of the door.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is disclosed which includes a bottom discharge hopper supported on an elongated, rectangular base frame. A bogie frame is provided beneath the base frame at each end thereof, the bogie frames carrying the vehicle wheels. Each bogie frame comprises two laterally spaced longitudinal members and a transverse member. Bearings are provided between the bogie frame members and the longitudinal and transverse members of the rectangular base frame. These bearings comprise rolling elements in arcuate grooves, the grooves being generated about the vertical pivotal axis of the adjacent bogie frame. Pins are provided which extend downwardly from the base frame and through arcuate slots in the bogie frames. The pins have structures at their lower ends for preventing upward withdrawal thereof through said slots. The slots are generated about the pivotal axis of the adjacent bogie frame.