Abstract: The pans of a scraper-chain conveyor are interconnected by way of a dog-bone type connector with enlarged end regions and a central shank which fits into shaped compartments in the side walls of adjacent pans. A hook-like projection on one of the end regions engages in a recess adjoining one of the pockets and a complementary web-like projection on the other end region lies in an opening adjoining the other of the pockets. A swivelling locking plate is fitted to the side wall to overlap the web-like projection and retain the connector in place.

Abstract: A composite floor plate assembly for locating between side walls of a pan of a scraper-chain conveyor has an access plate fitted into an aperture in a floor plate proper. A locking bar secures the access plate in position. The access plate has the same thickness as the floor plate but lies wholly flush with the floor plate as does the locking bar and the fixings to prevent collision with the scraper-chain assembly.

Abstract: A transfer station assembly is provided for transferring mineral material from a longwall scraper-chain conveyor to a roadway scraper-chain conveyor. The transfer station includes a box frame, in which the upper run of the roadway conveyor is guided between the upper and lower runs of the longwall conveyor. Guide bars are provided for guiding the scrapers of the scraper assembly of the roadway conveyor within the box frame. The guide bars for the roadway conveyor are detachably secured to the box frame so as to be readily releasable and replaceable by other guide bars, whereby roadway conveyors of different types and/or widths can be connected to the box frame.

Abstract: A conveyor channel section or pan is composed of upper and lower components each having U-shaped rolled side walls with inwardly-directed flanges and floor plates. Additional side plates fixed to the exteriors of the side walls of the lower component project upwardly alongside the side walls of the upper component. Recesses in the side plates mate with fittings on the side walls of the upper component and upstanding nuts and bolts secure the fittings in the recesses. The end regions of the pan can be provided with inclined deep pockets formed within welded-in shaped joining pieces which receive toggle-like coupling pieces used to connact adjacent pans together.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor channel section comprises a pair of side walls and a floor plate extending between the side walls and connecting the side walls together. Each of the side walls has upper, lower and intermediate inwardly-extending flanges. The floor plate is connected to the intermediate flanges of the two side walls. Each of the side walls is constituted by an upper profiled bar and a lower profiled bar, each of the profiled bars being a generally U-shaped rolled section. Each of the lower profiled bars has a bottom flange and a top flange parallel to the bottom flange. The top flange of each lower profiled bar forms a support surface for the associated upper profiled bar, and constitutes part of the intermediate flange of the associated side wall. Each of the side walls is provided with a connecting bar for laterally supporting the associated upper profiled bar.

Abstract: Connection means for connecting two components such as conveyor channel sections or guide sections includes an elongate connector. The connector is insertible into laterally-open recesses formed in coupling elements attached to the two components. The laterally-open recesses define an elongate aperture which is slightly longer than the connector so that the connector is received within the aperture with a predetermined amount of axial play. A retaining element prevents axial movement of the connector within the aperture by filling up the space available for said predetermined amount of axial play. The retaining element is an annular disc made of corrosion-resistant, resiliently deformable plastics material. That portion of the resilient element which, in use, is positioned at the mouth of the aperture is, at least partially, of reduced wall thickness when compared with the wall thickness of the remaining part of the retaining element.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor is constituted by a plurality of channel sections joined together end-to-end in such a manner as to permit limited articulation therebetween in the horizontal and vertical directions. Each channel section has a pair of side walls connected together by a floor plate. The floor plate of each channel section comprises an upper plate and a lower plate. The lower plates of the channel sections overlap one another, with vertical play, at the interfaces between adjacent channel sections. The upper plates of the channel sections abut one another at said interfaces.

Abstract: A channel section for a scraper-chain conveyor is constituted by a pair of sigma-shaped side walls, and a floor plate welded to the central flanges of the side walls. The sigma-shape of the side walls define V-shaped grooves in the side walls, each of these grooves being defined by a pair of outwardly-divergent inclined wall portions. Each end zone of each side wall is provided with a coupling element for coupling the channel section to an adjacent similar channel section. Each of the coupling elements is welded into a cut-away part formed at the adjacent end zone of the respective inclined wall portions. The coupling elements are provided with recesses for the reception of a connector such as a toggle bolt connector. Each of the side walls is provided with elongate stiffening members welded thereto adjacent to the upper and lower flanges respectively. The coupling elements protrude outwardly beyond their side walls as far as the outer edges of the stiffening members.

Abstract: A drive frame for a scraper-chain conveyor comprises a pair of generally parallel side plates. A pair of aligned bearing bushes rotatably support a drive shaft of a chain drum. The bearing bushes are mounted in apertures in the side plates. The bearing bushes are welded to their respective side plates, thereby strengthening the drive frame.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation comprises a longwall conveyor, a plough movable to and fro along a guide fixed to the face side of the longwall conveyor, and a drive station at one end of the longwall conveyor. The drive station includes a drive frame supporting drive means for driving the longwall conveyor. A support beam is provided at the goaf side of the drive station. The support beam extends substantially parallel to the drive frame. A floor plate extends beneath the drive frame. The goaf-side end portion of the floor plate is supported on the support beam by means of a lifting device, whereby the goaf-side end portion of the floor plate can be moved up and down relative to the support beam by the lifting device.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor sprocket drum is rotatably mounted in a drive frame by means of roller bearings at each end of the sprocket drum. A respective slide ring seal is provided between each bearing and the adjacent end of the sprocket drum. Lubricant is supplied to both bearings and both seals, a respective lubricant path being provided for the bearing and seal at each end of the sprocket drum. Each lubricant path includes a lubricant supply passage leading to a bearing space surrounding the respective bearing, and a lubricant discharge path leading from a seal space surrounding the respective seal, each seal space being connected to the associated bearing space.

Abstract: A curved section and guide assembly is provided for a scraper-chain conveyor. The assembly comprises a curved conveyor section and a guide for guiding the scraper assembly of the conveyor round the curve. The curved conveyor section has a curved inner wall, a curved outer wall and a floor panel which define upper and lower runs for the scraper assembly which is constituted by a chain and a plurality of scrapers secured thereto. The guide is constituted by two pulley wheels which are independently rotatably mounted on a vertical axle extending upwardly from a base plate arranged beneath the pulley wheels. A cover plate is arranged above the pulley wheels. The pulley wheels extend through the inner wall of the curved conveyor section, both the base plate and the cover plate being attached to said inner wall. Both the floor panel and the cover plate extend towards the axle. The upper end of the axle is supported by a carrier plate which extends over the cover plate and is detachably connected thereto.

Abstract: Connection means for connecting two adjacent channel sections of a scraper-chain conveyor comprises two coupling elements fastened to the outer sides of the adjacent ends of the channel sections, and a coupling member for connecting the two coupling elements. The coupling member has a shank provided at each end with an enlarged head portion. The coupling elements are provided with laterally open recesses for receiving, with a predetermined amount of axial play, the coupling member. One of the coupling elements is provided with a projection which mates, with an all-round clearance, with a recess in the other coupling element. One head portion of the coupling member is provided with an axially extending locking member which extends behind a complementary locking member fastened to one of the channel sections. The other head portion of the coupling member is provided with at least one locking projection which co-operates with a corresponding locking recess in the adjacent coupling element.

Abstract: A channel section for a scraper-chain conveyor is reinforced on one or both of its side walls by means of an assembly which may be a one-piece component with elongate members mounted one above another and secured to the associated side wall to lie flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the latter. The members are connected by means of transverse brackets provided with slotted recesses which are shaped to receive the heads of bolts and the members themselves are also provided with recesses for receiving the heads of bolts or attachments. The bolts can secure attachments such as plates or guides to the channel section. Connectors which enable the channel section to be connected to other channel sections are provided at the ends thereof. These connectors and the brackets engage within a V-shaped longitudinal groove at the outside of the side wall.