Abstract: A material handling system has a shuttle car attached by an extension element either directly to a supply car or to a staging car attached to a supply car. An object manipulator moves an object into place for acquisition by the shuttle car which is brought into position by retraction of the extension element. The extension element extends and moves the shuttle car away to draw the object most of the way from the staging car. A second object manipulator opposite to the shuttle engages the object before the object is pulled completely from the supply car. The shuttle car and the second manipulator lower the object. Objects may also be retrieved and placed on the supply car. In some embodiments, a track on the staging and supply cars may allow a manipulator to travel along the cars to acquire objects.

Abstract: A material handling system has a shuttle car attached by an extension element either directly to a supply car or to a staging car attached to a supply car. An object manipulator moves an object into place for acquisition by the shuttle car which is brought into position by retraction of the extension element. The extension element extends and moves the shuttle car away to draw the object most of the way from the staging car. A second object manipulator opposite to the shuttle engages the object before the object is pulled completely from the supply car. The shuttle car and the second manipulator lower the object. Objects may also be retrieved and placed on the supply car. In some embodiments, a track on the staging and supply cars may allow a manipulator to travel along the cars to acquire objects.

Abstract: A mobile and elevatable train is used in an underground mine to extend, or shorten, a roof-mounted conveyor system. A train is comprised of a plurality of cars, each of which has independent jacks adapted to raise, or lower, each car with respect to the roof. The plurality of cars is linked together by a mechanism which allows the cars to travel together, yet allows them to pivot with respect to another and also assume different elevations with respect to another. Each one of the plurality of cars carries at least one detachable roller structure which is elevated to the position it should have in the conveyor system, after the roof supports have been attached. Each car may also carry at least one permanently attached roller structure so that the mobile and elevatable train can temporary function as the support for a moving conveyor belt, prior to its next move. The mobile and elevatable train is equally adapted to either an advancing, or retreating, belt line.