Ormerod self-detaching hook

Ormerod self-detaching hook

The detaching hook was patented by Edward Ormerod in 1867. The detaching hook was a safety device that was designed to prevent the miners' lift cage being drawn past the landing stage and over the headgear wheels in the event of an overwind. If an overwind occurred, the hook was made so that it released itself from the winding rope and engine. In doing so it safely located itself in a bell-mouthed cylinder secured in the pit head frame work. Once in place, it held the miners' cage firmly underneath thereby preventing it from falling back down the mine shaft.