Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral mining machine, such as a coal plough, guided for movement back and forth along a guide employs inclined piston and cylinder units coupled via ball-and-socket joints to brackets on a conveyor supporting the guide and to connectors which are pivotably connected to the conveyor. Assemblies have parallel elongate beams which are guided on roof supports and linked to the connectors. Each connector is of multi-part construction with a main skid resting on the floor of the working and connected to the conveyor and to the associated beams. A further complementary component fits onto the main skid and the parts of the connector have curved recesses which combine to form a socket for receiving a ball of the associated unit.

Abstract: A cutter bit assembly comprises a holder and a cutter bit. The holder is formed with a pocket into which the cutter bit can be inserted. The cutter bit is retained within the pocket by means of an arcuate wedge inserted into a tapered gap formed between respective curved support faces formed on the cutter bit and the holder.

Abstract: A plough for winning material (such as coal) from a face has a plough body which supports a carrier for roof-level cutters. Means are provided for adjusting the vertical position of the carrier with respect to the plough body. The adjustment means comprises a worm mounted on the plough body, and a toothed rack associated with the carrier. The worm meshes with the toothed rack. The worm is driven through a reduction gear which is located on the goaf side of the carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral winning machine, such as a plough, movable along a guide at the mineral face side of a scraper-chain conveyor employs a connector bracket at the goaf side of the conveyor to which a floor-engaging skid plate is pivotably linked. A beam extends from a roof support and is also pivotably connected to the skid plate remote from the conveyor. A pair of piston and cylinder units are pivotably connected at their upper ends to the bracket. One of the units is pivotably connected to the skid plate and the other is pivotably connected to the beam. By operating the units together the skid plate can be held against the floor over part or all of its lower face while the conveyor goaf side is raised or lowered accordingly.

Abstract: A cutter bit assembly comprises a holder and a cutter bit. The holder is formed with a pocket into which the cutter bit can be inserted. The cutter bit is retained within the pocket by means of an arcuate wedge inserted into a tapered gap formed between respective curved support faces formed on the cutter bit and the holder.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation comprises a longwall scraper-chain conveyor, and a mineral winning plough. The plough is drivable to and fro along the face side of the conveyor by means of a plough drive chain and a three-part sword plate. The plough drive chain is housed in a chain guide attached to the goaf side of the conveyor. The sword plate is attached to the plough, and passes underneath the conveyor. Each pair of adjacent sword plate parts is detachable joined together by a pair of detachable pivot joints positioned respectively adjacent to the face and goaf sides of the conveyor.

Abstract: A mineral winning plough, such as a coal plough, has a plough body adapted to be moved to and fro alongside a mineral face on a plough guide. The plough body is provided with a pair of vertically-adjustable carriers, each of which is provided with floor cutters. The plough body is provided with setting means for raising and lowering the carriers into rest and working positions respectively. The setting means comprises a slide plate, and an intermediate member. The slide plate is mounted in an aperture in the plough body for limited movement relative thereto. The slide plate is attachable to a plough drive chain. The intermediate member forms a mechanical operative connection between the slide plate and the two carriers. The intermediate member is rotatably mounted on the plough body, and is positioned between the two carriers.

Abstract: A coupling device for connecting a mineral mining machine, such as a plough, to a drive chain. The coupling device is intended to locate within a channel inside a slotted guide containing the drive chain. The device is composed of coaxial tubular members secured together axially. The inner tubular member supports a swivel-mounted shackle connecting with the chain and a rigidly-mounted shackle connecting with the machine. One or both tubular members are shaped or relieved at the end nearest the swivel shackle to provide a cleaning nose which forces dust or the like from the channel as the chain draws the machine along the guide. A lateral projection on the outer tubular member engages in the slot and co-operates with the nose to guide the material away through the slot.

Abstract: An L-shaped device constituting a side or barrier plate for attachment to the side wall of the channel section or pan of a longwall scraper-chain conveyor has connectors at the end regions of a main plate-like body beneath a welded-on upper flange. The connectors have an interengageable projection and recess and possess bores extending parallel to the main plate for receiving fixing bolts. A row of non-circular shaped apertures is provided in the main body and is aligned with the connectors. The row of apertures receive bolts used to secure the device to the channel section or pan. A pair of upstanding webs is fixed to the main body beneath the flange and serve to receive a mounting pin for mounting a guide or shifting ram for example.

Abstract: A coal plough which is movable to and fro in a mine working alongside a coal face, has floor-level cutters mounted on a carrier. The carrier is pivotable in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the coal face. The carrier is pivotable between a working position, in which it bears against a first stop, and a non-working position, in which it bears against a second stop. The cutters bear against the floor of the working when the carrier is in the working position and are lifted clear of the floor when the carrier is in the non-working position. The first stop defines the level of cut of the cutters, and the second stop limits the upward pivotal movement of the carrier. The first and second stops are provided on the plough.

Abstract: A plough for winning material from a mineral face comprises two plough bodies connected together in a tension-proof manner. The two plough bodies are provided with detachable cutters at each end thereof. A rigid beam, also provided with detachable cutters, connects the two plough bodies at a predetermined height. The beam carries a plough upper part for each of the two plough bodies. Each plough upper part is provided with detachable cutters and is pivotably mounted on the beam by means of a parallelogram linkage. Each plough upper part is guided and supported on the beam by means of a keyed connection.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation has a longwall conveyor provided with a guide at the face-side thereof. A drive frame is provided at each end of the conveyor, and a plough is movable along the guide to win material from the longwall face. The plough is driven by a chain passing round a pair of end sprockets associated with the drive frames. The plough is constituted by a pair of plough bodies joined together by an intermediate member pivotally connected therebetween. Each of the plough bodies is provided with cutter bits and the intermediate member may also have cutter bits. The two ends of the plough driving chain are connected to the intermediate member, and the plough is of sufficient length to enable material to be won at least as far as each end sprocket.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor is composed of a series of channel sections arranged end-to-end with shaped components on one side defining a guide for a machine such as a plough. Each component has a tubular track or rail at its upper end and these rails are spaced apart to receive coupling devices. Each device has a cylindrical body matching the rail profile and located between adjacent rails. Spigots engage with clearance in these rails; one spigot being integral with the body and the other spigot being slidable within the body so as to retract or extend therefrom. A recess in the body receives a block which is detachably secured to the body to prevent the slidable spigot from retracting.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor is composed in known manner of a series of channel sections or pans arranged end-to-end and interconnected to restrain relative longitudinal displacement. Cover members and spacers are detachably secured to the side walls of the pans with the aid of bolts anchored to the pans so as to define upper and lower guide passages for a chain. The connection between the pans includes projections at the ends of the pans and conveniently provided on inserts on spill plates attached to the pans, which projections extend laterally outwards from the pan side walls. Oval links or loops are inserted onto the projections and are retained by the spacers which extend partly across the projections and the links when assembled.