Abstract: Apparatus and system for loading and unloading a load onto and from a load carrying device mounted on a vehicle which is capable of producing a significant lift of the load and changing the angular position of the load at different load elevations. A bellcrank supports the load carrying device. A first pin pivotally mounts the bellcrank to the vehicle. A second pin pivotally mounts the load carrying device to the bellcrank. A first power device pivots the bellcrank around the first pin and a second power device pivots the load carrying device around the second pin.

Abstract: A friction rock stabilizer includes a center spine, a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, for urging a plurality of friction surfaces into resilient contact with a borehole wall. The friction surfaces are positioned on an arc of a circle measured around the center axis of the borehole, which arc spans a center angle of at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: An open seam friction rock stabilizer having a compressible body with portions alternately in contact with and not in contact with borehole wall, the contacting portions being separated by an angle between 70 degrees and 150 degrees.

Abstract: A battery changing system for electric battery-powered vehicles, particularly for electric battery-powered underground mining vehicles having a main frame and a battery support attached to the main frame, and using several exchangeable batteries, the battery changing system comprising a bellcrank for connecting the battery support with the main frame, a first pin for mounting pivotably the bellcrank to the main frame, a second pin for mounting pivotably the battery support to the bellcrank, an eyebar link for connecting the battery support to the main frame in parallel with the bellcrank, a third pin for connecting pivotably the eyebar link to the main frame, a fourth pin for connecting pivotably the battery support to the eyebar link, and a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the bellcrank around the first pin.

Abstract: A temporary support for a mine roof is mounted on a mobile roof bolter, and includes a main support frame pivotably connected to the bolter, a main support beam and a ground contacting beam, both extending along the same axis in front of the main support frame, and connected to each other and to the main support frame by a scissors pivot joint and a leveling pivot joint, respectively. When the scissors pivot joint opens and closes, the main support beam and ground contact beam raise and lower with respect to each other and with respect to the ground. A cross beam is mounted on the main support beam and transverse to the axis thereof, and raises and lowers in the same plane with respect to the mine face, to contact and support the mine roof.

Abstract: A wheel for a relatively slow vehicle used in industrial applications and incorporating a solid tire formed of dense elastomer material such as cast polyurethane, having a relatively large radial depth, for example six inches, a relatively large width, for example twelve inches, and a deep slot extending circumferentially around the tire and dividing the tire into sections separated by the slot with the ratio of the depth of the slot to the lateral width of each section being in the range of 0.65 to 1.75. The tire is bonded to the wheel rim and includes sidewalls containing concave surfaces terminating in relatively thin lips bonded to the outer edges of the rim, keeping stress in the edge of the tire relatively low which helps reduce tire failures from beginning in the edges of the tire along the rim edges.

Abstract: A lift vehicle for moving mine roof supports has a main drive section with a forward lift platform and a rearward articulated battery section. The articulating connection between the main section and the battery section has a clevis and pin assembly and a rotatable sleeve bearing connection. The sleeve bearing is rigidly connected to the clevis and pin assembly and rotatably connected to the battery section. The lift platform is rotatable about a horizontal axis to give it a tilting capability and is rotatable about a vertical axis to assume angled positions to either side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle including two wheeled sections hinged together in the middle of the vehicle by a universal movement joint enabling relative pivoting about three axes extending at right angles to each other through the center of the vehicle. A hydraulically operated strut extends between the two vehicle sections and is universally pivoted at its ends to the two vehicle sections to control the relative pivoting of the two vehicle sections about a transverse axis while enabling the middle of the vehicle to be raised or lowered for various reasons. The vehicle is steered by a pair of hydraulically operated steering struts extending between the two vehicle sections on the opposite sides of the universal movement joint.