Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2003-08-05
Keenan, James W. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Conveyor
C414S521000, C414S539000, C414S723000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06602040
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting materials, such as longwall mining shields and other equipment and material, in an underground mine, and more particularly, to a self-propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine to unload and load equipment and materials onto a solid deck for transporting to a desired location in the mine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Self-propelled vehicles for moving equipment and materials into and out of an underground mine are well known in the art, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,199,299; 4,411,583; 4,799,850; 4,995,783; and 5,076,749. With each of these devices a self-propelled vehicle transports the mine material and equipment into and out of the mine. Preferably, the vehicle is propelled by a pair of endless tracks. The vehicle is maneuverable to safely and efficiently transport equipment or materials into and out of the mine and to any desired location in the mine up to the mine face.
The traction vehicle is equipped with a selected materials handling and transporting device. The track propelled vehicle is particularly adapted in the assembly and disassembly of of longwall mining systems that include various components such as shields, pans, cribbing, roof supports, conveyors, and the like.
The machines disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,199,299 and 4,799,850 feature a boom assembly that extends from the body of a track propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine. A pivot arrangement supports the boom assembly for lateral movement from the rear end of the vehicle. One or more piston assemblies are used to raise and lower the boom assembly and swing the boom assembly horizontally. Housed within the boom assembly is a single piston cylinder connected to telescoping sections which allow for longitudinal extension and retraction of the assembly from the free end of the vehicle for movement of a material engaging device.
With the above-described vehicle, the preferred material engaging device connected to the free end of the boom assembly is a hook member rotatably positioned within a socket connected to the end of the boom assembly. The hook member is operable to assist in performing a number of lifting and moving operations, such as moving the components of a longwall mine system into and out of position at the mine face. The mining machine component is connected to the hook member by a chain at the end of the telescoping boom. As the vehicle is trammed, the mining machine component is towed behind the vehicle. The machine component is not loaded onto the vehicle for hauling.
The above-described self-propelled mine vehicle is modifiable from operations of moving longwall mining machine components to conducting materials handling operations, such as bulldozing, grading, transporting, and unloading operations. This is accomplished by removing the hook member from the telescoping boom and attaching a multi-purpose bucket as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,583. The multi-purpose bucket is connected to the end of the boom assembly for pivotal, lateral, and vertical movement relative to the vehicle frame.
The conversion from a hook member to a multi-purpose bucket on the end of the boom is readily accomplished through a quick release pin connection. The multi-purpose bucket extends rearwardly from the machine frame and is movable relative thereto by operation of the telescoping boom. The telescoping operation of the boom is performed by a single piston cylinder assembly housed within the boom.
The above-identified material handling mine vehicles perform material handling and transporting operations removed from the vehicle. The telescoping boom member engages the equipment or material, depending upon the type of attachment connected to the boom member, positioned on the ground behind the vehicle. The equipment is towed from behind the vehicle to the desired location in the mine. The equipment or material is not loaded onto the mobile frame.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,995,783 and 5,076,749 disclose a material transport vehicle having a material handling platform for carrying equipment and material on the vehicle, as opposed to towing the equipment positioned on the ground behind the vehicle. The material handling platform is pivotally attached to the front of the transport vehicle for vertically raising and lowering the platform, as well as tilting the platform horizontally forwardly and backwardly. A turntable is mounted on platform.
To position a piece of equipment on the material handling platform, a winch cable is extended from the vehicle over the handling platform and attached to the equipment to be carried on the platform. The platform is lowered on the ground and tilted to form an inclined surface for pulling the equipment, such as a mine roof support, from the ground onto the surface of the platform.
Once the equipment is loaded onto the platform, the platform is tilted to a horizontal position and raised out of contact with the ground. The vehicle is trammed to move the equipment to the desired location in the mine. At the desired location, the turntable is rotated so that the equipment is in the desired position when it is unloaded from the vehicle. Unloading is accomplished by lowering and tilting the platform in contact with the ground. The equipment is then slid from the material handling platform onto the ground.
The material handling platform disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,783 extends forwardly from the vehicle frame. It is connected at one end to the vehicle frame for vertical movement relative to the ground as well as a tilted position relative to the ground. The material handling platform opposite the machine frame is unsupported. There is no provision for retracting the material handling platform with the load positioned thereon onto the body of the vehicle. The platform must be securely connected to the vehicle frame to support the equipment when the platform is elevated during tramming. The equipment extends forwardly from the vehicle and is not supported by the body of the vehicle. Consequently, the ability of the vehicle to transport equipment into and out of the mine is limited by the capacity of the handling platform that extends forwardly of the vehicle.
While the above-described material transport vehicles are suitable for carrying out a number of material handling operations in an underground mine, including the transportation of longwall mining components into the mine and maneuvering the components into position adjacent to the mine face, the current vehicles are limited in their capacity to transport mine equipment. There is a need for a materials transport vehicle capable of moving equipment weighing over 30-tons. Transport vehicles having a material handling platform extending forwardly of the vehicle cannot accommodate equipment of this size. Also, to tow a 30-ton longwall shield attached to a telescoping boom extending from a transport vehicle through the mine and into position adjacent to the mine face presents substantial difficulties and hazards to the equipment and operating personnel. This is particularly evident in towing and moving into position large shields when attached to the end of a telescopic boom. The boom is in an extended position when towing the shield through the mine. Once the shield has been moved to the desired location, it must be maneuvered into position by pivotal movement of the boom in either an extended or retracted position.
The load capacity of a conventional materials handling boom is limited to the single piston cylinder assembly encased in the boom. At the very most, the piston cylinder assembly is a multi-stage jack in which multiple cylinders extend one from another. With both arrangements, the entire load is applied to a single cylinder. The single cylinder must withstand substantial tortional forces tending to twist and bend the boom when pulling and pushing against the load. While it has been suggested, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,475, to reinforce hydraulic cylinders by guide plate
Keenan James W.
Petitto Mine Equipment, Inc.
Price & Adams
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