LOW PROFILE CAN DESCENDER

Abstract

A mining can descender comprising a plurality of strand jacks configured to work in concert to lower a load disposed between a first strand jack and a second strand jack a base configured to accommodate said plurality of strand jacks mounted there to, wherein said base comprises a plurality of assembled sections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to a low profile can descender. More particularly, but not necessarily entirely, this disclosure relates to a system, method and device for lowering and raising materials with a device that eliminates the head space limitation inherent in using overhead hoist.

2. Description of Related Art

Raising and lowering a load through a vertical space or aperture such as a mine shaft has traditionally been accomplished by the use of a system that employs a hoist of one type or another. Illustrations of two examples of the prior art are set forth in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The hoist system commonly comprises a cable and pulley system wherein a cable passes over a pulley or system of pulleys suspended over the space or aperture. The pulley or system a pulleys is suspended over the vertical space or aperture via a derrick comprising mutually supporting uprights. A cable passes over the pulley or system of pulleys such that one end of the cable is suspended below the pulley and over the vertical space or aperture. The load that is to be raised or lowered is fastened to this end of the cable. The other end of the cable is wind-ably fastened to a spool. The spool, in turn, is attached to a powering means such that the spool can rotate in both a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the spool rotates in one direction, it pays out the cable causing the length of cable extending below the pulley to lengthen and thus lower the load into the hole.

When the spool rotates in the opposite direction, the length of cable extending below the pulley shortens, raising the load from the hole.

A limitation of the traditional pulley and derrick system is the head space limitation created by the fact that the hoist must be positioned more or less directly over the hole. The distance between the pulley or pulley system and the top of the hole defines the maximum height of any object that may be lowered into the hole at any one time. This is because the object must be short enough to fit between the pulley and the top of the hole.

This height limitation, negatively impacts the usefulness of the pulley and derrick system when taller items must be lowered into the hole. An item that exceeds the head space of the pulley and derrick system must be divided into sections that can fit in the head space and lowered individually into the hole. This method requires a complicated, time consuming and potentially dangerous process wherein the first section must be lowered until the top of the section is flush with the top of the hole. The first section must be fastened in place by bolts or some other type of a brake mechanism. The cable is then removed from the first second while the second section is positioned over the hole, on top of the first section. The second section is fastened to the first section, and the cable is attached, to the second section, the braking means is removed from the first section and the first and second section are then lowered into the hole until the top of the second section is flush with the top of the hole. The process is repeated for each successive section.

The removal of the object is the opposite of the process described immediately above. The object is raised until the bottom of the uppermost section is flush with the top of the hole. Then, the object is held in place by a braking mechanism such as bolts, and the cable is removed from the uppermost section and the uppermost section is unfastened from the section below and removed from the hole. The cable is then attached to the next section and the process is repeated until the entire object is removed from the hole.

The many stops involved with this method of lowering an object into a hole or raising an object from a hole increase the time it would otherwise take to lower a tall object into the hole. It also involves more labor than would otherwise be required. These factors increase the man hours required and hence increase the cost of performing the operation. In addition, the braking and un-braking and the fastening and un-fastening of the cables increases the danger and risk of injury to the persons performing the operation.

In addition, because the traditional pulley and derrick system relies on gravity to position the object of the hole, it is very difficult to control the direction of the object as it is lowered. This makes it very difficult to use the pulley and derrick system to lower an object into a hole that is net parallel to the normal force, i.e, parallel with the force of gravity.

Thus, it would be useful if an object could be lowered into a hole all in one piece regardless of the height of the object. It would also be useful if the angle of the object being lowered could be controlled to aid in lowering an object into a hole that is angled. The problem to be solved to accomplish this goal is to eliminate the head space limitation inherent in the traditional pulley and derrick system. The second problem to be solved is to incorporate a directional controlling function into the lowering mechanism.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a means to lower and raise an object all a one time. It is also an object of this invention to provide a means to control the angle of the object as it is lowered for the purpose of lowering an object into a hole that is angled with respect to the normal force.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the can descender made in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an operation that illustrates the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operation that illustrates the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a base frame;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a base frame;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a strand jack;

FIG. 7 is to perspective view of a spacer;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a base deck piece;

FIG. 9 is perspective view of a spacer and a jack spacer;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a base frame utilizing strand jack sections;

FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating the frame base with decking partially installed;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the assembled strand jack system.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the can descender with three strand jacks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Before the present to profile can descender is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

The publications and other reference materials referred to herein to describe the background of the disclosure, and to provide additional detail regarding its practice, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, with the following exception: In the event that any portion of said reference materials is inconsistent with this application, this application supersedes said reference materials. The reference materials discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as a suggestion or admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior disclosure, or to distinguish the present disclosure from the subject matter disclosed in the reference materials.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.

As used herein, the term proximal shall refer broadly to the concept of a nearest portion.

As used herein, the term “distal” shall generally refer to the opposite of proximal, and thus to the concept of a further portion, or a furthest portion, depending upon the context.

As used herein, the phrase “in an at least partially proximal-to-distal direction” shall refer generally to a two-dimensional concept of direction in which the “proximal-to-distal” direction defines one direction or dimension. An item that extends in a non-parallel direction with respect to the “proximal-to-distal” direction, that is, at a non-straight angle thereto, thereby involve two components of direction, one of which is in the “proximal-to-distal” direction and the other being in a direction orthogonal to the “proximal-to-distal” direction.

Turning to FIG. 1, what is shown is an embodiment of the present invention depicting an apparatus 100 for raising or lowering a load into a hole or vertical aperture 126 such as a mine shaft. In this instance, the item depicted is a cylindrical load 102 such as a mine escape way, otherwise referred to as a can. The apparatus 100 depicted in FIG. 1 may be referred to as a can descender 100. As depicted in FIG. 1, the can descender 100 comprises a plurality of strand jacks 116 configured to work in concert to lower or raise the can 102. Although a strand lack 116 is specifically mentioned herein, any comparable device that is capable of raising or lowering a cable through it via any geared or ratchet mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art that eliminates the need for a derrick and pulley system may be used.

As depicted here, the strand jacks 116 are affixed to a base frame 120 at a point proximal to the base of each strand jack 116. The strand jacks 116 may be removably attached to the base frame 120 or as depicted in FIG. 1, to jack guards 114 attached to the base frame 120. As depicted in FIG. 1, the strand jack 116 is attached to the jack guard 114 at a point proximal to the base of the stand jack 116. The base frame 120 is open in the center, with the interior surface of the base frame 132 defining an aperture 126 through which the can 102 is raised or lowered. As depicted in FIG. 1, the jack guard 114 is located between the strand jack 116 and the aperture 126. In this position, the jack guard 114 protects the strand jack 116 from being struck by the can 102 or other object being lowered into or raised from the aperture 126. The jack guards 114 also act as guides for the can 102 or other object being raised from or lowered into the aperture 126.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the base frame 120 comprises a plurality of corner sections 110 (depicted in phantom) combined with a plurality of connectible sections 112. Although the corner sections depicted here comprise 90 degree angles, the corner sections may comprise a variety of angles, such that the base frame 120 may describe a square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or an other polygonal shape. The corner sections 110, may additionally be rounded. The base frame 120 supports a plurality of deck sections 136 that overlay the base frame 120. The deck sections 136 comprise a radius portion 146 for mechanical communication with the can 102 as it is raised or lowered. The base frame 120 is configured to accommodate a plurality of strand jacks 116 mounted thereon. As depicted in FIG. 1, the strand jacks 116 are angled in such a way that a first end 130 proximal to the aperture 126 is closer to the load than the second end 140 of the strand jack 116, winch end is distal from the aperture 126. The strand jack 116 may then be removably attached to the jack guard 114 via screws, bolts or other means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The strand jacks may be verticle or possess any other angular orientation with respect to the base frame 120.

The plurality of strand jacks 116 are configured to work in concert to raise and lower a load disposed between them. Each strand jack 116 is operable independently of the other strand jacks such that the cable 148 of one strand jack 116 may be lengthened or shortened to a greater degree than the cable 148 of the other strand jacks 116. In this manner, the object being raised or lowered 102 may be tipped and therefore angled for insertion into or removal from a hole or shaft that is angled.

FIG. 4 depicts an assembled base frame 400 comprised of interlocking sections or spacers 412, first corner sections 414, and second corner sections 410. The base frame 400 is assembleable in either a square or rectangular configuration as follows. The corners are created by connection the first corner section 414 and second corner section 410. The first corner section 414 is sized and shaped such that its first end 416 abuts and removably fastens to the side of the second corner section 410 proximal to a first end 418 of the second corner section 410. The second corner section 410 is sized and shaped to connect to the first end 418 of the first corner section 410. The second end 420 of the second corner section 410 and a second end 422 of the first corner section 414 are sized and shaped to removably connect with a first end 424 or second end 426 of the spacers 412. The first end 424 and second end 426 are also removably attachable to the first end 424 and second end 426 of other spacers 412. This configuration allows the area of the base frame 400 can be increased to accommodate any size opening 430 by the addition of spacers 412.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a base frame 500. In this embodiment, the corner sections 510 comprise one piece. The first end 514 and the second end 516 of the corner section 510 are sized and shaped to removably attach to the spacers 512. The area of the base frame 500 can be increased to accommodate any size opening 530 by the addition of spacers 512 between the corner sections 510. It should be understood that the spacers may be of varying lengths in order to accommodate holes 530 of varying sizes. The lengths may be mixed and matched to provide a more or less precise fit around any sized hole.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a strand jack 616 with the base frame 610 depicted in cutaway. The strand jack 616 is angled with respect to the base frame 610. A jack guard 614 is affixed to a jack guard base 612. The jack guard base 612 is attached to the base frame 610. The lower portion of the strand jack 616 is attached to a jack guard 614. The jack guard 614 protects the strand jack 616 from being contacted by the can as the can is being either raised or lowered. The jack guard 614 comprises a plurality of bumpers 615 to protect the jack guard 614 in the event it is contacted by the can. The jack guard 614 comprises a base 612 which base is attached to the base frame 610. A first end of the strand jack cable 622 extends from the end of the strand jack proximate to the aperture and removably attaches to the can (not shown). In this instance, the strand jack cable end attaches to the base of the can at a point proximate to the strand jack 616. Additional strand jacks (not shown) attach at other points on the base of the can. As the strand jack cable 622 is payed out through the strand jacks, the strand jack cable extending from the end of the strand jack proximate to the aperture lengthens, causing the can to lower into the shaft. When the can has been lowered into is appropriate position, it may be secured in place and the cable ends 630 may be removed.

Each strand jack 616 may be operated independently such that the lengths of cable 622 extending into the shaft may be varied independently. This varying of the cable lengths allows the can to be angled in any desired direction allowing the can to be inserted into shafts that are angled.

FIG. 7 depicts a spacer 712. The spacer comprises an end plate 717 with holes 715 for removably attaching the spacer 712 to an adjoining spacer (not shown) or a earner section (not shown) with bolts, screws or any other fastening means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The spacer 712 also comprises a longitudinal surface 724. The longitudinal surface 724 comprises holes 721 for removably attaching the deck plate. (not shown).

FIG. 8 depicts a deck pane 821 sized and shaped to removably attach to the upper surface of a base frame (not shown) in order to provide a working surface over the hole or mine shah as well as to provide for safety an protection from items or people falling into the hole or shaft. The deck panel 821 has an interior edge 823 that defines a radius section. The deck panel 821 also comprises a plurality of holes that correspond to holes in the base frame sections (not shown). This allows the deck panels 821 to be removably attached to the base frame. The deck panels 821 may vary in the size and are of their radius section in order to accommodate different sized base frames and holes or shafts, as well as different sized cans. In this manner, spacers and deck panels of appropriate size may be selected to accommodate the diameter of the hole that is being utilized.

In one embodiment, deck panels 821 of the required size and radius section are selected and removably fastened to the base frame to define a circular interior space whose diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the can being lowered. This configuration presents the optimum number of points on the interior surface of the deck panels 821 that are in mechanical communication with the exterior surface of the can to guide the can into position as it is lowered in to the shaft.

FIG. 10 depicts a base frame 1000 with strand jack sections 1014 that are sized, shaped and configured to be removably attached to the strand jacks (not shown). In this embodiment, the strand jack sections 1014 are flanked by strand jack spacers 1012b on either side. The strand jack spacers 1012b are sized and shaped such that the combined length of two strand jack spacers 1012b one strand nick section 1014 equals the length of one spacer 1012a. In this embodiment, where one or more strand jack sections 1014 are used, the sides of the base frame with no strand jack section 1014 can be made equal in length to the sides with a strand jack section 1014 by using one spacer 1012a.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a strand jack spacer 912b and a spacer 912a. Both the strand jack spacer 912b and the spacer 912a comprise a longitudinal section 924a and 924b. The longitudinal section comprise holes 920b, 920a located on the longitudinal section 924a and 924b for removably attaching the deck sections (not shown). The strand jack spacer 912b and the spacer 912a also comprise end pieces 930a and 930b which end pieces comprise holes 932a and 932b for removably attaching the strand jack spacer and spacer to each other and to other base frame members (not shown).

FIG. 11 is a top view of a base frame 1100 with strand jack sections 1114 that are sized, shaped and configured to be removably attached to the strand jacks (not shown). In this embodiment, the strand jack sections 1114 are flanked by strand jack spacers 1112b on either side, the sides that do not have strand jack sections 1114 or strand jack spacers 1112b possess spacers 1112a that are sized and shaped such that the combined length of two strand jack spacers 1112b plus one strand jack section 1114 equals the length of one spacer 1112a. This Figure illustrates the manner in which the deck sections 1120 are placed over the base frame 1100 and fastened to the base frame 1100 in order to provide a solid working surface and uniform aperture that corresponds more or less with the diameter of the hole as well as the diameter of the can.

FIG. 12 depicts a top view of a can descender 1210 comprising three strand jacks 1216. The deck sections 1220 define an interior radius 1230 around the shall 1234 through which the can or other load may be raised or lowered. Strand jack guards 1226 are interposed between the shaft 1234 and the strand jacks 1216. This configuration comprises a fourth strand jack spacer 1224 for the potential attachment of a fourth strand jack 1216. A configuration with three strand jacks 1216 provides an extra point of contact with the can than a two strand jack 1216 configuration has. Hence, the three strand jack 1216 configuration provides a greater degree of control over the can than does a two strand jack configuration 1216. Similarly, a four strand jack 1216 configuration provides a greater degree of control over the can than does a three strand jack 1216 configuration. However, a three strand jack 1216 configuration provides an opening through which the can may be maneuvered into place over the hole.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a can descender 1310 comprising a plurality or strand jacks 1316 on opposite sides of the base frame 1330. The strand jacks 1316 may be paired or may be distributed in pairs around the opening of the can descender. Pairing the strand jacks would allow the can descender to be scaled up to handle heavier loads.

While the above description deals primarily with escape ways, or cans, it should be apparent that the embodiments depicted above may be use for raising or lowering any load into or of a hole. Because the can descender is assembleable from its constituent parts, it can be transported to areas where space is limited, such as underground mines, and assembled where it is needed. This feature, along with the fact that the can descender can be used in areas with limited head soiree makes this device uniquely suited to work underground.

Thus, this can descender is ideally suited for use in mine escape way installation and removal method and system that utilizes, the can descender as depicted in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the can descender 100 comprises a plurality of base frame corner 110 and spacer members 112 of differing sizes. The method and system, also comprises as plurality of strand jacks 116 as well as at least one load 111 to be raised or lowered through a mine shaft. The load may be a mine escape way of the type used to provide a passageway to allow for the egress by miners from one part of the mine to another, especially where the passageway has a more or less vertical orientation. The can descender also comprises a plurality of deck sections 136 of differing sizes.

The method for employing the system comprises selecting the appropriate base frame members and deck sections required to create a frame and deck structure with sufficient diameter to match the diameter of the mine escape way being raised or lowered. If the can descender is to be used below the ground, the various selected parts of the system are transported below ground to the point where the device is to be used. An escape way of the appropriate size to fit the shaft or aperture into which it is to be inserted is also transported to the point where the device is to be used. Where space is an issue, the escape way may comprise connectible sections of sufficient length to fit through the passageway through which it must pass to get to the point where the device is to be used.

Once the appropriate parts are in place, the base frame sections are assembled around the shaft or aperture and the deck sections are fastened in place. The strand sacks are attached to the base frame. The escape way or escape way segment if placed proximate to the opening of the can descender. The cable end of each strand lack is attached to the escape way or escape way segment. Generally, the cable end would be attached proximal to the base of the escape way or escape way segment. The strand jacks are then operated in such a way that the escape way or escape way segment is lowered into the shaft or aperture. In the case of an escape way that is installed in segments when the first segment is lowered to the point where the top of the escape way segment is approximately even with the deck surface, another escape way segment is maneuvered into place on top of the first escape way segment and fastened to the first escape way segment. The strand lacks are then operated in such a way that the escape way segments are lowered into the shaft or aperture. This process is repeated until all the escape way segments are installed. The cable ends are then removed, from the escape way and retracted. The can descender is then disassembled into its component parts and removed from the site.

Claims

1. A mining can descender comprising:

a plurality of strand jacks configured to work in concert to lower a load disposed between a first strand jack and a second strand jack;

a base configured to accommodate said plurality of strand jacks mounted there to, wherein said base comprises a plurality of assembled sections.

2. The mining can descender of claims 1, wherein the said base further comprises a plurality of corner sections and a plurality of spacer pieces disposed between and connecting said corner sections to form a base frame;

wherein said base frame is overlaid with at least one deck section and;

wherein said deck sections comprise a radius portion for mechanical communication with said load.

3. The mining can descender of claim 2, farther comprising a plurality of jack guards corresponding to the plurality of strand jacks and configured to protect said strand jacks from contacting said cylindrical load.

4. The mining can descender of 3, wherein said spacer pieces are configured with attachment structures disposed at opposing ends such that a plurality of spacer pieces may be attached in series disposed between said corner portions so as to expand an opening of said base.

5. The mining can descender of claim 1, wherein the corner portions comprise:

adjoining strait members connected 90 degrees to each other to form a corner; and,

a decking for connecting to said corner, thereby providing a surface that is disposed between said connected strait members.

6. The mining can descender of claim 5, wherein said decking comprises a radius portion.

7. The mining can descender of claim 6, wherein said radius portion of said decking varies to correspond to the radius of the load.

8. A mine escape way installation and removal system comprising:

at least one escape way segment for placing within a mine shaft;

a plurality of strand jacks configured to work in concert to lower an escape way segment disposed between a first strand jack and a second strand jack;

a base configured to accommodate said plurality of strand jacks mounted there to, wherein said base comprises a plurality of corner sections;

wherein said corner portions comprise a curved portion for mechanical communication with said escape way segment; and

a plurality of jack guards corresponding to the plurality of strand jacks and configured to protect said strand jacks from contacting said escape way segment;

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said spacer pieces are configured to be used in series disposed between said corner portions so as to expand an opening of said base.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the spacer pieces are configure with attachment structures disposed at opposing ends such that a plurality of spacer pieces may be attached in series.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the corner portions comprise:

adjoining strait members connected at an angle relative to each other to form a corner and,

a decking for connecting to said corner thereby providing a surface that is disposed between said connected strait members.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said decking comprises a radius portion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said radius portion of said decking is variable to correspond to the radius of the escape way.

14. The system of claim 10, farther comprising spacer pieces that are sized to accommodate the placement of said strand jacks within said frame.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said can descender comprises two strand jacks and two corresponding jack guards.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said can descender comprises three strand jacks and three corresponding jack guards.

17. A mining escape way installation method comprising:

assembling a base frame by attaching at a plurality of corner sections and spacer pieces;

attaching a plurality of strand jacks to said base frame;

attaching at least one deck section to said base frame;

wherein said deck section comprises a radius portion;

placing an escape way segment within an opening of a can descender;

connecting a first cable of a first strand jack to said first escape way segment;

connecting a second cable of a second strand jack to said first escape way segment; and,

operating said first strand jack and said second strand jack so as to lower said escape way segment into a mine opening;

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching spacers between said corner portions so as to expand said opening to accommodate larger diameter escape ways.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said spacers are configured with attachment structures disposed at opposing ends such that a plurality of spacers may be used in series disposed between said corner portions so as to expand an opening of said base.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the corner portions comprise adjoining strait members connected at an angle relative to each other to form a corner.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said radius portion of said deck section varies corresponding to the diameter of the escape way.

22. The system of claim 19 further comprising spacers that are sized to accommodate the placement of said strand jacks within said frame.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein said can descender comprises two strand jacks and two corresponding jack guards.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein said can descender comprises three strand jacks and three corresponding jack guards.

25. The mining can descender of claim 1, wherein the plurality of strand jacks are paired on said base frame to increase load capacity.