Abstract: A rack assembly for allowing movement of a winning machine utilized in underground, long-wall mining operations. The rack assembly is comprised of a plurality of rack sections positioned end-to-end and suitable for attachment to trough sections of a face conveyor. The rack sections correspond in a one to one relationship to the trough sections and have lengths slightly greater than the associated trough sections. Toggles connect adjacent rack sections and maintain the adjacent rack sections such that end faces of the rack sections are maintained contiguous to one another, preventing relative longitudinal movement between the adjacent rack sections. The toggle, however, allows limited, relative vertical and horizontal movement between adjacent rack sections to allow positioning of the rack sections along a mine floor.

Abstract: A rack device for advancing a drum cutter mining machine used in underground mining operations. The rack is comprised of a plurality of rack sections positioned end-to-end wherein the discrete sections are held together by brackets which connect two adjacent rack sections. The bracket contains a bracket wall which has a top surface positioned directly beneath the end pins of the discrete rack sections. Force exerted on the rack pins during the translation of the drum cutting mining machine bears upon the bracket wall thereby diminishing damage to the rack structure caused by tilting forces created during translation of the mining machine.

Abstract: A device for interconnecting two sections of a longwall mining machine secured to the side wall of a face conveyor, characterized in that lugs project outwardly from the sides of adjacent end portions of the respective track sections and receive an oval chain link securing element which extends around the lugs and bridges the joint between the respective track sections.The chain link element has horizontally-extending portions interconnecting semicircular end portions which extend around the lugs, the horizontally-extending portions being such that elongation of the interconnecting device is limited as is the separation between adjacent end portions. This insures that the clearance between ends of adjacent track sections is sufficient to provide for the correct tooth spacing on a drive rack to accommodate the driving wheel of a mining machine.

Abstract: Track sections are attachedto the working face side of a face conveyor to form a track for a mining machine. The track sections have a rolled profile forming an L-shaped cross section with upright limbs pivotally interconnected at their ends by projecting sections of coupling plates facing the mine face to receive a chain link. A bead projects toward the mine face on the top of the upright limb to prevent collisions between the mining machine and the parts for pivotally interconnectng the track sections. The bead overlies the major part of an inclined surface of a transition section extending from the upright limb to a thickened lateral limb projecting toward the mine face for supporting the mining machine.