GB2109763A - Conveyor pans - Google Patents

Abstract

A connecting device is provided for connecting conveyor pans end-to- end so as to permit slight articulation, as required for an armoured face conveyor in a coal mine. The device comprises a member (50) on one pan (12) provided with a spigot (40) and a member (20) on the other pan (11) having a complementary socket. A transverse aperture 28 connects with the socket for receiving a key (35) engageable with a formation (41) in the spigot. In one embodiment, the spigot is part of a connecting element which engages in sockets in both members (50,20) and corresponding keys (35,51) engage formations (41,42) in the connecting element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveyor pans This invention relates to conveyor pans.

In a coal mine, for longwall mining, a face conveyor assembly is laid along a coal face for collecting coal cut from the face. The conveyor assembly is advanced as the face recedes by means of self-advanceable hydraulic roof supports connected to the assembly. The advancement is progressive along the face, so that the conveyor snakes horizontally and there is also some vertical undulation. The conveyor assembly is made up of a large number of conveyor pans connected end-to-end by means permitting relative articulation to allow for the snaking and undulation.

This connection is usually effected by bolts, so that connection and interconnection is time consuming. Also, conventional arrangements allow sharp angles between adjacent pans. This provides a difficult track for a winning machine which rides on the conveyor, especially where the machine has drive means engaging a rack carried by the conveyor assembly. This results in wear of the track at the junctions between pans.

According to the invention there is provided a connecting device for connecting together a pair of conveyor pans end-to-end, the device comprising first and second members for mounting respectively on the two pans, a connecting element secured or securable to the first member, the second member having a socket for receiving the connecting element and an aperture connecting transversely with the socket, and a key engageable in the aperture and with the connecting element to prevent withdrawal of the latter from the socket, whilst permitting articulation between the first and second members.

The invention also resides in a conveyor pan assembly having a pair of conveyor pans connected together by a pair of connecting devices as described above at opposite sides of the pans, the first and second members of each device being mounted respectively on the pans or integrally formed therewith.

It is preferred that the aperture is arranged so as to extend downwardly into the socket, in use.

The first member may also have a socket and an aperture for receiving a key, for releasably securing the connecting member thereto.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connecting device according to the invention shown mounted on a pair of conveyor pans; and Figure 2 is a similar perspective view of a modified connecting device.

As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor pans 11, 12 are face conveyor pans for laying along a mineral face for taking away mineral cut from the face. Each pan is substantially of conventional shape and may be basically of conventional construction or of the construction described in our co-pending patent application No. 8129085.

Each pan comprises a horizontal top plate 1 3 spaced above a bottom plate 14 and both supported by side parts 1 5, 11 defining flanges. A continuous chain conveyor (not shown) runs along the horizontal top plate 1 3 and returns beneath the top plate.

At each end of each pan and at both sides thereof, there is provided means for connecting the pan to another of the same construction.

This means comprises a connector block 20 which is integrally formed with the respective pan 11 by being welded in a rebate formed in the pan. The block has portions 21, 22 defining parts of the pan flanges and a portion 23 forming part of the horizontal top plate 13. The block also comprises a socket part 26 having a socket 27, which extends parallel to the length of the pan. An elongate aperture 28 is formed in the top of the socket part 26 and extends parallel to the socket 27 and transversely opens into the socket 27. A recess 29 is also formed in the top of the socket part 26 and connects with the elongate aperture.

Seats 30 are formed within the apertures by rebates 31,12.

An elongate key 35 fits in the aperture and can be slid into a position in which it extends into the socket 27. In this position, lugs 36 on the key rest on the seats 30, but the key is flush with the top of the socket part 26. The key has a slot 37 in its side, which, in this inserted position, is adjacent the recess 29. The key can be removed by engagement of a tool in this slot 37, the recess permitting access.

A connector element 40 is an elongate member which fits non-rotationally in the socket 27. The element has in a side wall a recess 41, which aligns with the aperture 28 and receives the key 35. The connector element is thereby anchored in position and the key is gravitationally biased into the engaged position.

The other pan 12 has a similar connector block 50 and key 51 for anchoring the other end of the connector element 40 by means of another recess 42 therein. The connector elements are sufficiently loosely fitted in the sockets of the connector blocks to permit some articulation to allow for the advancement of the conveyor assembly, in use.

A strong connection between the pans is, therefore, provided, which uses no bolts and can quickly effected. Disconnection of the pans is also easy by simply pulling out the keys. The degree of articulation is easily limited by the relative sizes of the connector element and the sockets.

With the pans 11, 12 connected, a wear strip 44 on one of the pans bridges the gap between the horizontal top plates 13.

Figure 2 shows a modified construction. In this case, one pan 111 has connector blocks 120 at each side, as previously described. The other pan 112 has connector blocks 130 which rigidly secure the connector elements 140. Each element fits into a socket 127 and is held by a key 135, as previously described, to connect the pans together.

In another modification, each pan has a connector block such as 1 30 at one side, mounting a connector element 140, and a connector block such as 120 at the opposite side, with each connector element 140 arranged opposite a block 120 on the other pan.

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A connecting device for connecting together a pair of conveyor pans end-to-end, the device comprising first and second members for mounting respectively on the two pans, a connecting element secured or securable to the first member, the second member having a socket for receiving the connecting element and an aperture connecting transversely with the socket, and a key engageable in the aperture and with the connecting element to prevent withdrawal of the latter from the socket, whilst permitting articulation between the first and second members.

2. A connecting device according to Claim 1, wherein the connecting element is an elongate member having a recessed side wall, the key being engageable in the recess.

3. A connecting device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second member is provided in its top wall with the aperture, so that the key is gravitationally biased into engagement with the connecting element.

4. A connecting device according to Claim 3, wherein the key has a shoulder which engages with a seat defined within the apertured part of the second member.

5. A connecting device according to Claim 4, wherein in the engaged position, the top surface of the key is flush with the adjacent top surfaces of the second member, an opening is provided adjacent the aperture, and the key has a formation for engaging a tool inserted in the opening to facilitate removal of the key.

6. A connecting device according to any preceding claim, in which the connecting element engages non-rotationally in the socket.

7. A connecting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member also has a socket for receiving the connecting element and an aperture connecting transversely with the socket, a further key being provided to engage in the aperture of the first member and with the connecting element for securing the connecting element to the first member

8.A conveyor pan comprising a partition and upper and lower side walls above and below the partition respectively for guiding continuous conveying means in an operating run along the top of the partition and a return run below the partition, each end of the pan being provided adjacent each side thereof with connecting means for connecting the pan end-to-end with another such pan, at least one of said connecting means at each end of the pan comprising a member having a socket for receiving a connecting member and an aperture connecting transversely with the socket, a key being provided for insertion in the aperture so as to extend into the socket and engage the connecting member to prevent its withdrawal from the socket.

9. A pair of conveyor pans connectible together end-to-end and provided with connecting devices according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, with each device having its first member secured to one pan and its second member secured to the other pan.

1 0. A connecting device constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A pair of conveyor pans having connecting devices and constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.