Abstract: A cutting tool assembly including a bit holder having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a generally planar mounting surface between the forward and rearward portions. The forward portion defines a front aperture having an axis inclined relative to the mounting surface, and the rearward portion defines a rear aperture open to the front aperture. A cutting bit is mounted in the front aperture and includes a rearward end accessible through the rear aperture of the bit holder rearward portion.

Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes. The chain has a piece extending between the plates to reduce the likelihood of a pin extending further outside of one side plate or the other. A shoulder on the pin further reduces the likelihood of this happening.

Abstract: A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.

Abstract: A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.

Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes. The chain has a piece extending between the plates to reduce the likelihood of a pin extending further outside of one side plate or the other. A shoulder on the pin further reduces the likelihood of this happening.

Abstract: A pair of semi-cylindrical segments adapted to be connected to form a center drum of a cutter head of a mining machine. The split line between the semi-cylindrical segments is not continuous, but lies on more than one plane.

Abstract: A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.

Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes. The chain has a piece extending between the plates to reduce the likelihood of a pin extending further outside of one side plate or the other. A shoulder on the pin further reduces the likelihood of this happening.

Abstract: A cutting element including a shank portion and a conical cutting portion. The conical cutting portion has a narrow end and a broad end connected to the shank portion. The conical cutting portion narrow end has an insert receiving recess, and an insert is secured in the insert receiving recess. The insert has an outer layer made of tungsten carbide, and an inner core made of a material with a greater hardness than the outer layer.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a cutter bit on a driven mechanism, the assembly comprising a bit having a bit tip, a bit sleeve including a holding portion adapted to receive the bit, a bore through the holding portion, and a bit holder. The assembly further includes a mounting base having a forward portion and a mounting base rear portion having an internal water passageway in communication with an upper opening for receiving an ignition control unit. The assembly further includes a rear surface having a spray nozzle cavity in the rear surface and open in a rearward direction. The spray nozzle cavity has an internal spray nozzle cavity water passageway-in communication with the mounting base rear portion internal water passageway. The assembly further includes a dust reduction unit including a spray nozzle comprising a base received in the spray nozzle cavity, the base having a spray nozzle base water passageway through the spray nozzle base and in communication with the spray nozzle receptacle water passageway.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a cutter bit on a driven mechanism, the assembly comprising a bit having a bit tip, a bit sleeve including a holding portion adapted to receive the bit, a bore through the holding portion, and a bit holder. The assembly further includes a mounting base having a forward portion and a mounting base rear portion having an internal water passageway in communication with an upper opening for receiving an ignition control unit. The assembly further includes a rear surface having a spray nozzle cavity in the rear surface and open in a rearward direction. The spray nozzle cavity has an internal spray nozzle cavity water passageway in communication with the mounting base rear portion internal water passageway. The assembly further includes a dust reduction unit including a spray nozzle comprising a base received in the spray nozzle cavity, the base having a spray nozzle base water passageway through the spray nozzle base and in communication with the spray nozzle receptacle water passageway.

Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes.

Abstract: A mining bit holding system is provided which includes a bit holder which attaches to the rotatable drum of a mining machine. The bit holder includes a base portion and a body portion. The body portion has an aperture therethrough, to receive a sleeve. The sleeve has an aperture therethrough for rotatably receiving a cutting bit. The sleeve and bit holder are constructed such that the position of the sleeve may be fixed axially with respect to the body portion by an interference fit in such a manner that it may be easily removed from the body portion.

Abstract: A mining bit holding system is provided which includes a bit holder which attaches to the rotatable drum of a mining machine. The bit holder includes a base portion and a body portion. The body portion has an aperture therethrough to receive a coaxial sleeve. The sleeve has a bore therethrough for rotatably receiving a cutting bit. The sleeve and bit holder are constructed such that the angular position of the sleeve may be fixed relative to the common axis of the aperture in the sleeve in any one of a plurality of discrete positions. Additionally, the sleeve and bit holder are constructed such that the sleeve may be rotated with respect to the axis of the aperture the body portion to another position and then fixed in that position.

Abstract: A mining bit holding system is provided which includes a bit holder which attaches to the rotatable drum of a mining machine. The bit holder includes a base portion and a body portion. The body portion has an aperture therethrough to receive a sleeve. The sleeve has an aperture therethrough for rotatably receiving a cutting bit. The sleeve and bit holder are constructed such that the position of the sleeve may be fixed axially with respect to the body portion by an interference fit in such a manner that it may be easily removed from the body portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a cutting bit having an extended shank on a rotatable cutting drum is provided. The support apparatus includes a bit holder having an upper body portion and a shank portion and a generally rectangular mounting base having rear, side and front members. The upper body of the bit holder includes a bore for receiving the cutting bit shank and upper rear abutment surfaces perpendicular to the bit axis. The shank of the bit holder has a lower rear abutment surface having horizontal and vertical areas and a threaded bore which extends into the shank intermediate the upper and lower abutment surfaces. The rear portion of the mounting base includes upper abutment surfaces perpendicular to the bit axis and a lower abutment surface having horizontal and vertical areas. A draw bolt passes through the rear portion of the mounting base and serves to draw the upper and lower abutment surfaces of the bit holder and mounting base, respectively, into engagement.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a cutting bit having an extended shank on a rotatable cutting drum is provided. The support apparatus includes a bit holder having an upper body portion and a shank portion and a generally rectangular mounting base having rear, side and front members. The upper body of the bit holder includes a bore for receiving the cutting bit shank and upper rear abutment surfaces perpendicular to the bit axis. The shank of the bit holder has a lower rear abutment surface parallel to the bit axis and a threaded bore which extends into the shank intermediate the upper and lower abutment surfaces. The rear portion of the mounting base includes upper abutment surfaces perpendicular to the bit axis and a lower abutment surface parallel to the bit axis. A draw bolt passes through the rear portion of the mounting base and serves to draw the upper and lower abutment surfaces of the bit holder and mounting base, respectively, into engagement.

Abstract: A cutter bit holding assembly is disclosed. The cutter bit assembly contains a cutter bit having a shank portion and a cutter bit holder having a socket for receiving the cutter bit shank portion. Also included is a rotary locking element which is associated with the cutter bit holder and a bore adjacent the socket. The bore runs in a direction parallel the direction in which the bit holder cuts. The locking element has an offset locking portion which cooperates with an indented locking surface on the bit shank. The rotary locking element is capable of being rotated completely out of the socket bore and out of engagement with the bit shank locking surface to permit the unencumbered removal or insertion of a bit. An elastomeric element inserted along part of the bore in the cutter bit holder is utilized to prevent rotation of the locking element out of engagement with the bit shank locking surface during operation of the cutting device.

Abstract: A mining machine assembly includes bit supports having primary and secondary cutter bits secured thereto. The bit supports may take the form of bit holders. A drum member may have a plurality of bit holders secured thereto. At least some of the bit holders have two cutter bits secured thereto. A primary cutter bit and a secondary cutter bit are secured to such cutter bit holders. The primary and secondary cutter bits are so positioned as to travel in substantially the same orbital path upon rotation of the cutter drum. The primary cutter bit projects radially outwardly farther than the secondary bit.