[0001 ] The present application claims priority from:

[0002] Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015901918 titled "A TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR BULK ORES" and filed on 25 May 2015; and

[0003 ] Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015904447 titled "A TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR BULK ORES" and filed on 30 October 2015;

[0004] the content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

10005] The present disclosure relates to a transport system for bulk ores, although its application is not so limited. In a particular form the present disclosure relates to an elevated railway system.

BACKGROUND

[0006] The iron ore market is currently suffering from depressed prices. Profitability is decreased, with high cost and/or low grade producers feeling the greatest impact.

[0007] Several mines have been closed or placed in care and maintenance, whilst many expansion programs have been deferred or completely cancelled.

[0008] Significant focus has been placed on haulage of ores as a potential source of cost savings to improve profitability.

[0009] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0010] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY

[001 1 ] According to a first aspect, there is provided an elevated railway system comprising an elevated beam supporting a plurality of tracks, the system further comprising at least one carriage which is free to run along its respective track, but which is retained by the track so as to prevent departure of the carriage from the track.

[0012] According to a further aspect, there is provided an elevated railway system comprising a plurality of track segment assemblies joined end to end, where each track segment comprises an elevated beam supporting a plurality of tracks, and a plurality of legs for supporting the beam in its elevated position, the system further comprising at least one carriage which is free to run along its respective track, but which is retained by the track so as to prevent departure of the carriage from the track.

[0013 ] In one form, the beam supports two tracks. In one form, a first track extends along an upper side of the beam, and a second track extends along an underside of the beam. In an alternative, a track extends along either side of the beam.

[0014] In one form, in an alternative, the beam supports three tracks.

[0015] In one form, the beam comprises at least three sides and a triangular cross-sectional shape. In one form, at least one track extends along each side of the beam.

[0016] In one form, in an alternative, the beam comprises four sides and a square cross-sectional shape, and so on.

[0017] In one form, the beam comprises a hollow section, and utilities such as (but not necessarily limited to) pipelines (for gas, oil or water) or cables (for power or telecommunications) are routed through the beam.

[0018] In one form, the system is comprised of a plurality of track segment assemblies joined end to end.

[0019] In one form, the track segments are joined by a joining means. In one form, this joining means is adapted to dampen vibrations.

[0020] In one form, each track segment assembly is adapted for end to end connection to a further track segment assembly. In one form, at least the beam of each track segment assembly is so adapted.

[0021 ] In one form, each track segment assembly comprises a plurality of legs for supporting the beam in its elevated position. [0022 ] In one from, each of the legs is length adjustable.

[0023] In one form, each leg comprises at least a pair of telescoping segments to provide length adjustment.

10024] In one form, each leg comprises a base assembly pivotally attached to a lower leg segment to compensate for uneven ground.

[0025] In one form, each base assembly comprises a foot and an anchor arrangement for anchoring the foot to the ground.

[0026] In one form, each leg is adapted to be filled with a ballast once positioned. In one form, this ballast is concrete. Alternatives include earth, sand, gravel or water.

[0027] In one form, each carriage comprises at least one wheel assembly, where each wheel assembly is free to run along its respective rail, but is retained by the rail so as to prevent departure of the wheel assembly from the rail.

[0028] In one form, each carriage comprises motive (i.e. drive) means. In one form, only certain carriages will comprise drive means, and other carriages will comprise no such means.

[0029] In one form, the motive means is electrically powered, and comprises one or more electric motors.

[0030] In one form, the electric power from the motive means is supplied, at least in part, by a solar power derived supply. In one form, this solar power derived supply employs photovoltaics. Electric power not derived from solar power, could be derived from mains power or generators.

[00311 In one form, the carriage comprises an enclosed container comprising a hatch via which the container can be loaded and unloaded. Such a container would be suitable for bulk materials such as ores or grains.

[0032] In one form, in an alternative, the carriage comprises a cage body.

[0033] In one form, in an alternative, the carriage is configured to carry passengers.

10034] In one form, each carriage comprises means via which it can be remotely and wirelessly controlled to run along its respective track. [0035] According to a further aspect, there is provided a track segment assembly adapted for end to end connection with a further track segment assembly to form an elevated track system, the track segment assembly comprising a beam supporting at least one track, and a plurality of legs for supporting the beam in an elevated position.

[0036] According to a further aspect, there is provided an elevated railway system comprising a plurality of track segment assemblies joined end to end, where each track segment assembly is adapted for end to end connection with a further track segment assembly, and comprises a beam supporting at least one track, and a plurality of legs for supporting the beam in an elevated position.

[0037] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for forming an elevated track system from a plurality of track segment assemblies, where each track segment assembly comprises an elevated beam supporting a plurality of tracks, a plurality of legs for supporting the beam in its elevated position, and wherein each track segment assembly is adapted for end to end connection with a further track segment assembly, the method comprising the steps of manufacturing the track segment assemblies, transporting these to an installation site, and then joining the track segment assemblies end to end.

[0038] In one form, the method comprises the further step of adjusting a length of each of the legs.

[0039] In one form, the method comprises the further step of securing the legs with respect to the ground.

[0040] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0041 ] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is knowTi in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

10042] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0043] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a track segment assembly for an elevated track system, according to a first embodiment;

[0044] Figure 2 is an end view of the track segment assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0045] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a track segment assembly for an elevated track system, according to a second embodiment;

[0046] Figure 4 is a side view of the track segment assembly of Figure 3; and [0047] Figure 5 is an end view of the track segment assembly of Figure 3.

[0048] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, where there is illustrated a segment assembly 10 of an elevated railway system according to a first embodiment. The segment assembly 10 comprises an elevated beam 20, and three (3) sets (in this embodiment) of legs 30 for supporting the beam 20 in its elevated position above the ground. At least one diagonal brace 50 extends between each leg 30 and the beam 20 to provide strength and rigidity.

[0050] Each leg 30 comprises at least a pair of telescoping segments 30a and 30b of rectangular hollow section to provide length adjustment, and a base assembly 40 pivotally attached to the lower leg segment 30b to compensate for uneven ground.

[0051 ] Each base assembly 40 comprises a foot 42 (see Figure 2) and an anchor arrangement 44 for anchoring the foot 42 to the ground. In this embodiment, each anchor arrangement 44 comprises a pair of screw piles 46, each of which is securable with respect to its respective foot 42.

[0052] The beam 20 comprises a triangular (equilateral) hollow section with three sides 22, and a space frame structure of high specific strength. Each side 22 of the beam comprises a track 60, which extends along the beam 20. Each track 60 comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart rails 62. A pipeline segment (not visible) extends through the triangular hollow section of the beam 20.

[0053] The elevated railway system comprises carriages 100 and 150. Each carriage 100 and 150 is free to run along its respective track 60, but is retained by the track 60 so as to prevent departure of the carriage 100 from the track 60.

[0054] Each carnage 100 and 150 comprises a body 102 ( 152 in the case of carriage 150) of a generally rectilinear planform, and an undercarriage 104. Bodies 102 and 152 are interchangeable.

[0055] Carriage 100 is configured to carry ores, and so the body 102 comprises an enclosed ore container comprising a top hatch via which the container can be loaded and unloaded.

[0056] Carriage 150 is configured to carry objects of irregular shape, such as lengths of material (such as pipe or structural members), which can be passed through and secured (such as by lashing) to its cage body 152.

[0057] In alternate, non-illustrated embodiments, a carriage may be configured to carry passengers, or even cargo of a different type.

[0058] The undercarriage 104 comprises a wheel assembly 1 10 located at or near each corner of the body 102 planform. Each wheel assembly 1 10 is free to run along its respective rail 62, but is retained by the rail 62 so as to prevent departure of the wheel assembly 1 10 from the rail 62.

[0059] Each wheel assembly 1 10 depends from a strut assembly 120 which extends between the body 102 and the wheel assembly 1 10. Each strut assembly 120 comprises telescoping portions providing suspension for the body 102, and a motor and brake assembly 130 for its respective wheel assembly 1 10.

10060] Each carriage 100 and 150 may comprise means via which it can be remotely and wirelessly controlled to run along its respective track 60. This means may comprise one or more of a control system, sensors, such as cameras or proximity sensors, and means for receiving control signals.

[0061 ] Each carriage 100 and 150 can be physically linked to a carriage 100 or 150 on an adjacent track (i.e. a track on another side of the beam) so that these travel together (e.g. as a group of three as illustrated in Figure 1 ), and/or linked with other carriages on the same track (i.e. a track on the same side of the beam) to form a train of carnages.

[0062] In use, the track segment assemblies 10 may be manufactured, transported to an installation site, and a rail system formed by joining a plurality of the track segment assemblies 10 end to end. In this respect, ends of the beam 20 and pipeline segment are adapted to effect such a connection. They may be so adapted by way of comprising male and female portions which are adapted to interlock.

[0063] When a segment assembly 10 is to be set in position, its screw piles 46 are driven into the ground, and then the legs 30 are secured to these (such as by bolting or welding). The length of each leg 30 is adjusted and set as required, and then the leg 30 is filled with concrete (the legs 30 are hollow prior to this for ease of transport). To this end, a carriage comprising a cement batching plant with a concrete mixer and pump may be employed to facilitate this.

[0064] Referring now to Figures 3 through 5, where there is illustrated a segment assembly 200 of an elevated railway system according to a second embodiment. The segment assembly 200 comprises an elevated beam 20, and two (2) sets (in this embodiment) of legs 30 for supporting the beam 20 in its elevated position above the ground. At least one diagonal brace 50 extends between each leg 30 and the beam 20 to provide strength and rigidity.

[0065 ] The beam 20 comprises a rectilinear hollow section of a strong but lightweight triangulated space frame type construction, and supports a first track extending along an upper side of the beam, and a second track extends along an underside of the beam. Each track 60 comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart rails (not shown), but similar to those of the embodiment above. A pipeline segment extends through the rectilinear hollow section of the beam 20.

[0066] When a segment assembly 200 is to be set in position, its legs 30 are anchored to the ground via concrete support pads (not illustrated).

[0067] Where a plurality of segment assemblies 200 are joined together, these are connected by vibration dampening couplers (not visible).

[0068] Figures 3 through 5 further illustrate a carriage 160 comprising an undercarriage 104 configured to support an ISO container 162 by releasable means, such as means adapted to engage the corner fittings of the ISO container 162.

[0069] It will be apparent from all of the above that the elevated railway system disclosed herein is a useful alternative to known transport systems, which is relatively quick and easy to install, which facilitates quick change of worn or damaged segments, and which is relatively quick and easy to remove if it is no longer required. Moreover, the multi-track configuration means that even if one track is unserviceable or undergoing maintenance, at least one other track may remain in service. [0070 ] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0071 ] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0072 ] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substi tutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.