Mining or in situ disintegration of hard material – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-12-04
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Mining or in situ disintegration of hard material
Miscellaneous
C299S012000, C299S029000, C405S291000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325460
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to machines used in connection with underground mining, and more particularly, to machines having an operator station for supporting an operator. Specifically, the present invention relates to a protective device to protect the operator during operation of a machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many known machines used in connection with underground mining for coring, drilling, mining, or the like. One particular type of machine used in connection with underground mining is commonly referred to as a bolting apparatus. An example of one such bolting apparatus is described in PCT International Application No. PCT/AU99/00014 (WO 99/36671), which is incorporated herein by reference. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, underground mining involves the need to prevent the collapsing of overhead ceilings or roofs and side walls or ribs of underground mines in order to prevent injury to personnel and damage to mining equipment. Roof bolting and rib bolting are those processes that secure the roofs and sidewalls of underground mines to other stable strata. Generally, bolting apparatuses include an operator station for supporting one or more operators during operation of the machine. The operator station typically serves to define a support platform upon which the operating personnel can stand and walk as needed Some machines include adjustable platforms or deck extensions so as to increase the size of the operator working station.
It is also known to provide machines used in connection with underground mining with a roof canopy in order to cover the operator station so as to protect the operator from debris or the like which may fall from an entry roof of an underground mine. It is also known to provide machines with vertically extending rigid steel rib components adjacent to the operator station so as to protect the operator from material which may fall from the walls of the mine.
Bolting apparatuses generally follow continuous mining equipment that advances into an underground seam and, as material is won therefrom, an entry or opening is formed in the underground seam. The size of the entry is dependent at least in part on the type and size of the continuous mining equipment used to cut the entry. Although the known vertically extending rigid steel rib components are capable of protecting an operator during operation of the machine, their usefulness is limited because they are not adjustable to accommodate the various different types of machines having various sizes, nor are they adjustable to accommodate changes in the size and shape of the entry of an underground mine. As known, the overall height of an operator station may vary depending on the size and shape of the entry formed in an underground mine. The known vertically extending rigid steel rib components are not particularly suitable for use with machines used in connection with underground mining of varying types and sizes, nor are they particularly suitable for use in those situations where the size and shape of the entry of an underground mine changes, because the nonadjustable rigid rib components may limit the location of a roof canopy with respect to an operator platform, may limit the height range on the folding deck extensions if such extensions are utilized, and may not provide full height protection for an operator. Another problem with the known rigid rib components is that the inflexibility of the rigid ribs makes it somewhat difficult for personnel to reach through the rigid ribs, thereby adversely affecting the overall efficiency of the underground mining operation. It was also not possible to temporarily remove the rigid ribs should the operator need to access the side of the machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a protective shield that substantially covers an exposed side of the operator station to protect the operator during operation of the machine. The protective shield solves the above noted problems and other problems of the prior art. More particularly, the invention provides an adjustable protective shield, which is usable with different types of machines having various sizes. The shield is adjustable to accommodate various changes in the size and shape of the entry of an underground mine to better protect the operator during operation of the machine. The shield is also flexible and is easy to handle and is removable from and reattachable to the same machine or a variety of different machines, if desired
One of the principal features of the protective shield is that it is adjustable to cover the exposed side of the operator station with no particular regard to the height of the exposed side of the operator station as such may change from time to time. Another feature of the protective shield is that it is flexible to allow the operator to easily reach around and see through the shield, as needed. Another feature of the protective shield is that it is easily and efficiently removable from and reattachable to the same or multiple machines all without the use of additional tools. Another feature of the protective shield is that it has a somewhat elastic nature.
Preferably, the protective shield includes a set of elongated members. The set of elongated members defines a flexible curtain, which advantageously enables the operator to reach and see through, but which also, at the same time, protects the operator from harm from flying debris or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated members are chains such that the protective shield comprises a chain mesh extending between the canopy and the operator-working platform. Preferably, the roof canopy is designed to support the protective shield such that the protective shield is suspended from the canopy, thereby substantially covering an exposed side of the operator station. In a preferred embodiment, each chain includes an extension spring for additional flexibility as needed.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3943723 (1976-03-01), Evans et al.
patent: 4290490 (1981-09-01), Barthe et al.
patent: 4531776 (1985-07-01), Laws et al.
Alpine Breaker Line Support operator's manual, selected pages; Voest-Alpine Bergtechnik; 1996.
Bagnell David
Joy MM Delaware Inc.
Kreck John
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