Abstract: An endless chain for carrying cutting elements for a mining machine comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected link elements, some of which are constructed to mount outwardly projecting cutting tools. The link elements are pivotally interconnected so as to provide sprocket openings along the two outer edges of the cutting chain. A pair of axially spaced sprockets secured to a driving drum engage the sprocket openings provided along the two longitudinal edges of the cutting chain. The sprocket teeth are dimensioned to be of less peripheral width than the sprocket openings and the pitch of the sprocket openings slightly exceeds the pitch of the sprocket teeth, thus insuring that the driving force imparted to the cutting chain by the sprockets is imparted only by the two leading sprocket teeth as they approach their point of exit from the chain openings.

Abstract: A plastic chain has a link which includes two sections formed of molded thermoplastic material. One end of each link section includes a first opening and is shaped so that when the link sections are joined, the ends will be spaced apart and the first openings aligned. The other end of each section includes a second opening. First and second mating means cooperate to join the other end to form a link. The ends with the first openings are spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate at least a portion of the joined other ends of an adjacent similarly-shaped link so that the first openings can be aligned with the second openings in the adjacent link to receive a link pin which is in the form of a hollow tube with a manually releasable resilient latch.

Abstract: The invention is a unique connector for joining the juxtaposed ends of the shafts of two adjacent conveyor idler rolls. The shaft ends are provided with diametrically extending pivots. The connecting link comprises a continuous or endless loop of relatively rigid high strength material folded over to form two pairs of spaced but parallel gudgeons, each pair of gudgeons forming a clevis. One clevis loopingly or pivotably engages the pivots attached to one idler shaft, and the other clevis similarly engages the perpendicularly aligned pivots attached to the other shaft. In one embodiment, a trunnion nut having colinearly extending pivot stubs and a threaded central opening, is screwed onto the end of each shaft. Optionally, a flexible grease tube can be passed from one shaft end through the connector to the other shaft end to provide flow-through lubrication capability.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus for collecting sludge off the bottom of settling tanks such as used in water treatment systems. The collector includes a carriage or bridge which travels on tracks along the tank wall. A siphon tube is suspended in the tank from the carriage and includes two or more sludge intakes spaced across one dimension of the tank proximate to the sludge layer. The tubes are connected to a common header, which in one embodiment also serves as a structural member of the bridge. The header is closed at one end and connected at the other end to an arched section of the tube which extends up and over the tank wall to a sludge discharge channel. A discharge section is supported in the sludge channel in association with the free end of the arched section, and can be adjusted to regulate the flow through the siphon pipe. Except for the arched section, all of the siphon tube and preferably part of the carriage are submerged in the water.