Abstract: A cutting bit assembly for a mining machine includes a holder having a first surface, a second surface, and a bore extending therebetween, and a bit having a first end and a second end. The bit further includes a tip, a shank, and a shoulder positioned between the tip and the shank. The shank is positioned in the bore of the holder and defines a shank axis. The shoulder engages the first surface of the holder. The shank includes a projection adjacent the second end. The cutting bit assembly also includes a retainer having a groove and a resilient member. The groove engages a portion of the projection. The resilient portion engages the second surface of the holder and biases the retainer along the shank axis and away from the holder.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly for a mining machine includes a holder having a first surface, a second surface, and a bore extending therebetween, and a bit having a first end and a second end. The bit further includes a tip, a shank, and a shoulder positioned between the tip and the shank. The shank is positioned in the bore of the holder and defines a shank axis. The shoulder engages the first surface of the holder. The shank includes a projection adjacent the second end. The cutting bit assembly also includes a retainer having a groove and a resilient member. The groove engages a portion of the projection. The resilient portion engages the second surface of the holder and biases the retainer along the shank axis and away from the holder.

Abstract: A cutting bit for a bit assembly secured to a cutter head includes a cutting end, a shank extending along a bit axis, and a shoulder positioned between the cutting end and the shank. The shoulder includes an outer edge defining a perimeter, a shoulder end surface defining a shoulder plane, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is positioned between the outer edge and the shoulder end surface. The first inclined surface extends along the perimeter and is oriented at a first acute angle relative to the shoulder plane. The second inclined surface is positioned between the shoulder end surface and the first inclined surface. The second inclined surface is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the shoulder plane, and the second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle.

Abstract: A cutting bit for a bit assembly secured to a cutter head includes a cutting end, a shank extending along a bit axis, and a shoulder positioned between the cutting end and the shank. The shoulder includes an outer edge defining a perimeter, a shoulder end surface defining a shoulder plane, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is positioned between the outer edge and the shoulder end surface. The first inclined surface extends along the perimeter and is oriented at a first acute angle relative to the shoulder plane. The second inclined surface is positioned between the shoulder end surface and the first inclined surface. The second inclined surface is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the shoulder plane, and the second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle.

Abstract: A cutting bit for a bit assembly secured to a cutter head includes a cutting end, a shank extending along a bit axis, and a shoulder positioned between the cutting end and the shank. The shoulder includes an outer edge defining a perimeter, a shoulder end surface defining a shoulder plane, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is positioned between the outer edge and the shoulder end surface. The first inclined surface extends along the perimeter and is oriented at a first acute angle relative to the shoulder plane. The second inclined surface is positioned between the shoulder end surface and the first inclined surface. The second inclined surface is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the shoulder plane, and the second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle.

Abstract: A bit assembly for a cutting drum includes a sleeve and a bit. The sleeve includes shank portion, a flange positioned, and a bore extending through the flange and the shank portion. The flange includes a first end surface, a second end surface, and a sleeve outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface. A portion of the sleeve outer surface positioned adjacent the first end surface defines a sleeve profile. The bit includes a cutting end, a shank, and a shoulder positioned between the cutting end and the shank. The shank is positioned within the bore, and the shoulder is positioned adjacent the first end surface of the sleeve. A bit outer surface extending between the cutting end and the shoulder. A portion of the bit outer surface positioned adjacent the shoulder defines a bit profile that corresponds to the sleeve profile.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (2) for installing bolts into a mine entry, said apparatus including: a frame (8) having a forward end (20), a rearward end and lateral sides; at least one bolting rig (140, 142, 144, 146) operatively mounted to said forward end of said frame; at least one roof support member attached to said forward end of said frame (8) separate from said bolting rig (140, 142, 144, 146) for selectively supporting said mine entry as bolts are installed therein; and an operator station (990) on said frame for supporting an operator thereon during operation of said at least one roof support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage pod for storing equipment and parts for use in underground mining operations, said storage pod being self supporting and removable from a transport or operational vehicle whereupon said pod is carried in use, said pod comprising a generally rectilinear body which forms an open topped upper compartment having a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a floor, and a lower compartment located below said floor, said lower compartment being divided into a series of elongated storage slots, said slots being accessible from the front and/or rear of the pod. The invention also provides an underground mining machine in assembly with a pod of the type described above, the vehicle and pod having cooperating locking formations thereon for releasably locking the pod the vehicle for the duration of a mining operation and adapted to allow removal of the pod from the vehicle and replacement thereof with another pod as and when required in use.

Abstract: A protective shield for machines having an operator station protects an operator located on the operator station during operation of the machine. The protective shield defines a flexible curtain of elongated members which covers an exposed side of the operator station, but yet is also of a construction that allows the operator to reach and see through the curtain when desired. The protective shield has an adjustable height to accommodate a variety of machines and to adjust to underground mines having different sizes and shapes. The protective shield is easily removable from and reattachable to machines without the use of additional tools, thereby enhancing its versatility and usefulness. In a preferred embodiment, the protective shield comprises a somewhat stretchable chain mesh, which hangs from a roof canopy extending along side the operator station.

Abstract: A mining machine that has a chassis that defines an operator area thereon and has a mining assembly attached thereto. A vertically extending shield assembly is supported on the chassis to prevent material that is dislodged during the mining process from inadvertently entering the operator area. The shield assembly may be selectively vertically extendable and may be equipped with a ventilation duct assembly to withdraw dust and gases away from the operator area. The mining machine may be equipped with a mining assembly that extends the entire width of the chassis and that can be advanced forwardly of the chassis and swung down across the seam face during mining. The present invention may also be equipped with a quick disconnect assembly for detachably mounting the mining assembly or other mining implement to the mining machine.

Abstract: A yieldable confined core mine roof support including a container and a filler placed within the container. The container is yieldable and the filler is compressible. The combination of a filler within a container produces a mine roof support which is yieldable under a substantially axial load and which increases in load carrying ability as it yields, impeding any decrease in the distance between a mine roof and a mine floor, minimizing or preventing mine roof collapse and mine floor heave, buckling or punching.

Abstract: After compressive shrinking, moist (15% to 25% moisture by weight of fabric), preshrunk fabric is directed into a drum-type drier in which it is restrained while being dried to a moisture content of say 5% to 14%. Thereafter, the fabric is completely dried in a loop-type drier and additionally preshrunk while the fabric is in a relaxed state.