Abstract: A deployable crowd control barrier comprises a first barrier wall and a second barrier wall, both adapted to be affixed to opposing sides of a vehicle. The first barrier wall comprises a first vertical pivot post adapted to be affixed to the vehicle and a first base wall portion pivotably affixed to the first pivot post. The second barrier wall comprises the second barrier wall comprising a second vertical pivot post adapted to be affixed to the vehicle and a second base wall portion pivotably affixed to the second pivot post. The first base wall portion is adapted to selectively pivot relative to the vehicle when the first barrier wall is affixed to the vehicle. The second base wall portion is adapted to selectively pivot relative to the vehicle when the second barrier wall is affixed to the vehicle.

Abstract: A loading apparatus and method including a stacker conveyor having paired crawler tracks, an inclined conveyor, and an intake end and a discharge end. A wide apron is positioned at the intake end of the conveyor. The apron includes a left-hand side and right-hand side load receiving area that are arranged on opposing sides of the feeder conveyor. Two double hinged feeder blades are positioned at a rear edge of the apron. The feeder blades are arranged to operate asynchronously. Each feeder blade includes a main blade and a wing blade. A straight mechanical drive unit including an engine and two planetary gearboxes that generate the torque required to drive the conveyor. The drive unit includes a torque converter and two planetary gearboxes with planetary sprockets. A chain extends between each planetary sprocket and a corresponding head shaft sprocket on a main head shaft which drives the conveyor.

Abstract: A loading apparatus and method including a stacker conveyor having paired crawler tracks, an inclined conveyor, and an intake end and a discharge end. A wide apron is positioned at the intake end of the conveyor. The apron includes a left-hand side and right-hand side load receiving area that are arranged on opposing sides of the feeder conveyor. Two double hinged feeder blades are positioned at a rear edge of the apron. The feeder blades are arranged to operate asynchronously. Each feeder blade includes a main blade and a wing blade. A straight mechanical drive unit including an engine and two planetary gearboxes that generate the torque required to drive the conveyor. The drive unit includes a torque converter and two planetary gearboxes with planetary sprockets. A chain extends between each planetary sprocket and a corresponding head shaft sprocket on a main head shaft which drives the conveyor.

Abstract: An excavating and loading apparatus and method. The excavating and loading apparatus includes an excavator and a stacker conveyor. The excavator includes paired crawler tracks and an articulated boom with a bucket. The excavator further includes an inclined feeder conveyor with an intake end and a discharge end. A wide apron is positioned at the intake end of the feeder conveyor. The apron includes a left-hand side and right-hand side load receiving area that are arranged on opposing sides of the feeder conveyor. Two double hinged feeder blades are positioned at the apron. The feeder blades are arranged to operate asynchronously. Each feeder blade includes a main blade and a wing blade. The stacker conveyor is on paired crawler tracks and includes an intake end and a discharge end. The excavator includes a control cabin that is turreted to the crawler tracks.

Abstract: An excavating and loading apparatus and method. The excavating and loading apparatus includes an excavator and a stacker conveyor. The excavator includes paired crawler tracks and an articulated boom with a bucket. The excavator further includes an inclined feeder conveyor with an intake end and a discharge end. A wide apron is positioned at the intake end of the feeder conveyor. The apron includes a left-hand side and right-hand side load receiving area that are arranged on opposing sides of the feeder conveyor. Two double hinged feeder blades are positioned at the apron. The feeder blades are arranged to operate asynchronously. Each feeder blade includes a main blade and a wing blade. The stacker conveyor is on paired crawler tracks and includes an intake end and a discharge end. The excavator includes a control cabin that is turreted to the crawler tracks.

Abstract: A mining sled with a movable bed. The movable bed nests within the sled and is slidable with respect to the sled. Stops are located on the sled to limit the distance the movable bed can travel with respect to the sled. The movable bed includes brackets at a first end for attachment to the pull-out rope of a pull-out winch. The second end of the movable bed includes a mount for attachment of a pulley. The pulley on the movable bed facilitates attachment to a pull-in rope that is connected to a pull-in winch for transporting the sled toward the continuous miner.

Abstract: A mining system for advancing and retrieving a material transfer unit, such as a car, sled, beam or other vehicle commonly used in the mining industry to transport ores or minerals from a mine, into and out of a mine. A single material transfer unit is connected to a winch system which is actuated to advance the unit into the mine. A winch system is actuated to retrieve the unit from the mine with its load of mined product. The load is then removed from the transfer unit outside the mine so that it may be advanced back into the mine to retrieve another load.

Abstract: A mining system for remotely mining ores and minerals which protects against falling rock and allows evacuation of a miner and conveying system in the case of a cave in. A shield is advanced into a mine. Within the shield, the miner and conveying system are also advanced into the mine independently from the shield. The shield may be used with miners and conveying systems in common use. The cover of the shield protects the miner and conveying system from falling rock. In the event of a cave in, the shield provides a cavity for safely removing the conveying system and miner from the mine.

Abstract: A mining system for advancing and retrieving a material transfer unit, such as a car, sled, beam or other vehicle commonly used in the mining industry to transport ores or minerals from a mine, into and out of a mine. A single material transfer unit is connected to a winch system which is actuated to advance the unit into the mine. A winch system is actuated to retrieve the unit from the mine with its load of mined product. The load is then removed from the transfer unit outside the mine so that it may be advanced back into the mine to retrieve another load.

Abstract: A mining system for remotely mining ores and minerals which protects against falling rock and allows evacuation of a miner and conveying system in the case of a cave in. A shield is advanced into a mine. Within the shield, the miner and conveying system are also advanced into the mine independently from the shield. The shield may be used with miners and conveying systems in common use. The cover of the shield protects the miner and conveying system from falling rock. In the event of a cave in, the shield provides a cavity for safely removing the conveying system and miner from the mine.

Abstract: A mining system for advancing and retrieving a mining vehicle such as a miner, material transfer units or, shields into and out of mines. The system includes a platform from which the vehicle is advanced into a mine by means of a pusher. Subsequent vehicles are placed onto the platform, connected to the preceding vehicle and then advanced into the mine. If desired, shields and a miner or material transfer unit may be simultaneously advanced into the mine in the same manner. To retrieve the vehicle, the pusher is reversed and pulls each vehicle from the mine in reverse order. If desired, the shields may remain in the mine and the miner and transfer units may be pulled from within the shields. The platform further includes a system for removing the mined ore from the transfer units as it is delivered from the mine.

Abstract: A mining system for advancing and retrieving a miner and, optionally, material transfer units and shields for the units into and out of mines. The system includes a beam structure with inner and outer beams. One beam is advanced while the other is held stationary. Once the advancing step is complete, the second beam is pulled forward to its original position. This system optionally advances material transfer units into the mine as well. If desired, shields for the units may also be simultaneously advanced into the mine in the same manner. To retrieve the miner, the system is reversed and the miner is pulled from the mine. This process may also be used to retrieve shields or material transfer units.