Abstract: Universally mounted wheelset where an axle housing suspension utilizes a rocking hinge principle to absorb shocks with limited up and down movement. A pair of swivel blocks are connected by trunnions to fore and aft ends of the axle assembly enabling rocking movement of the axle assembly about a longitudinal axis extending generally longitudinally of the direction of movement of the vehicle. One of the swivel blocks is hinged to the vehicle frame. This enables the axle housing to tilt up and down about the hinged swivel block in addition to rocking about the longitudinal axis. Cushioning springs are provided between the vehicle frame and the opposite, tiltable end of the axle assembly.

Abstract: A mine haulage vehicle comprising a body having front and rear sections which are pivotally interconnected at adjacent ends enabling them to swing freely in a horizontal plane relative to each other about a vertical pivot axis. The body has a pair of ground-engaging wheels on each of the body sections. The vehicle is steered by hydraulic cylinders connected between the body sections for swinging them about the pivot axis. The body sections have aligned trough-shaped compartments extending substantially its full length and containing a horizontally flexible, center strand, orbital, chain conveyor. The rear body section has a load-carrying compartment above the conveyor and has upstanding push blades on opposite sides of the conveyor with power cylinders to move the blades inwardly and to transfer material onto the conveyor during unloading.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed is a conveyor roll having a cylindrical shell with integral end caps and axial sleeves extending inwardly from the end caps. The shell, end caps and sleeves are rotatably journalled about the shaft by roller bearings between the sleeves and the shaft. An internal labyrinth is provided in each sleeve between the bearing and the end of the shell, this internal labyrinth including a rotatable collar and a non-rotatable bushing carried respectively by the shell and shaft and having a series of facing cylindrical and annular surfaces providing a labyrinthine passageway of restricted cross-section extending from the bearing means to an annular outlet at the end of the shell. An external labyrinth is provided outside the end cap. This includes first and second annular flanges carried respectively by the shaft and shell and axially spaced from the annular outlet and from one another. These two flanges provide inner and outer radial passages.

Abstract: An axle housing has a longitudinal pivotal connection to the frame enabling it to rock about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the direction of movement of the vehicle. One of the fore and aft sides of the axle housing has a transverse pivotal connection to the frame enabling the axle housing to tilt up and down, in addition to rocking about the longitudinal pivotal connection. Spring means support the frame at the opposite side of the axle housing. The combination of rocking about the longitudinal pivotal connection, and up and down tilting about the transverse pivotal connection, absorbs shocks due to irregularities in the track or ground. The invention is applicable to non-railway vehicles, as well as the railway-type vehicles shown.

Abstract: A mobile conveyor system having a series of articulately interconnected mobile conveyor units arranged in cascade relationship for conveying mined material from a movable mining machine to a remote stationary floor conveyor. The series includes inbye and outbye units which are bridge conveyors, and at least one intermediate unit. The discharge end of the inbye unit has a carriage supported for movement along the receiving portion of the adjacent intermediate unit. The articulated interconnection between the receiving end of the outbye unit and the discharge end of the adjacent intermediate unit has a fixed lapped relation, a bottom-engaging skid, and springs urging the adjacent units into alignment. Each intermediate unit has a pair of self-powered tram wheels, and a mine-bottom-engaged receiving end providing a stable three-point ground support both when moving and stationary. An automatic control powers the tram wheels in response to relative movement between adjacent units.