Abstract: A rail assembly for supporting the wheels of underground wheeled coal-getting machines, in combination with a coal conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor pans interconnected end-to-end in the direction of movement of the machines with the central axes of adjoining pans being angularly related, the assembly comprising a rail section mounted on each pan with each section including at least three rail elements having adjoining ends interconnected for relative movement along such direction, so that the upper surfaces of the rail sections lie parallel to the central axes of the pans and the rail assembly is thereby made to follow the undulations of the conveyor when mounted in place.

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: A haulage system for a mining machine comprises a mining machine mounted on and/or guided by a conveyor and reciprocable with respect thereto, the conveyor being provided with a rack having plural rows of teeth of identical pitch, with the teeth of one row staggered with respect to an adjacent row(s), and the machine being provided with at least one power driven haulage sprocket comprising plural sets of peripherally arranged teeth of identical pitch, one set being angularly staggered with respect to an adjacent set(s), whereby one set is engageable with each row of teeth of the rack. The invention also includes a mining machine provided with such a power driven haulage sprocket, and a rack as above described and provided with end fittings for securing in articulated manner to an adjacent rack.

Abstract: A rack assembly for a mine winning machine drive arrangement is described. The rack assembly is associated with a longwall conveyor along which a mine winning machine is movable by the drive arrangement. The rack assembly is constituted by a plurality of rack sections and a plurality of support members for connecting the rack sections to the longwall conveyor. Each of the rack sections has a respective downwardly-extending coupling pin at each end thereof, each of the coupling pins extending through an elongate slot in a respective support member with a predetermined amount of play. Each of the coupling pins is provided with a retaining member for preventing that coupling pin from moving out of the associated slot. The rack assembly is such that the rack sections of each adjacent pair of rack sections are relatively pivotable in vertical and horizontal directions, and are relatively movable to a predetermined extent in the longitudinal direction of the rack assembly.

Abstract: A mining machine comprises a body, drum-type cutting heads, a gantry coupled with the body, adjustable hydraulic supports disposed inside the body, grippers hinge-connected to the body by means of levers located in parallel to one another and adapted to permit moving the machine in a vertical direction, and links, each coupled with the respective top lever and with the respective hydraulic support.

Abstract: The drive gearbox comprises an in-line primary box, a right-angled primary box and a nose module which can be coupled to one or both primary boxes. Each primary box has an open-ended interface which exposes gearing and the nose module has two open interfaces which expose gearing when the primary boxes are coupled to the nose modules, the gearings mesh with the gearing.If only one primary box is coupled to the nose module, a cover (not shown) is placed over the open interface.A gearbox formed of nose module and one or both primary boxes are advantageous in several ways, such as adaptability, power capacity, shape and size and design.

Abstract: A link component is adapted for interfitment with like link components to form a flexible chain free of hinge pins and cooperable with a drive sprocket. The link component has complementarily-shaped end parts (10, 11; 10' 11') whereof each is the true or inverted image of the other. Each end part comprises a transverse recess (20) located between transverse walls (21, 22) of which the longitudinally outer wall (22) is shorter than the inner wall (21). The shorter end of the outer wall (22) and the recess (20) have complementary rounded formations so that when the end part of one link (10 or 10') interengages with the end part (11 or 11') of an adjacent link, the respective outer walls (22) locate in the corresponding recess (20). Parallel side braces (12, 12') space the end parts (10, 11; 10' 11') apart through integration therewith and have external surfaces spaced laterally beyond the width of the end parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral mining machine, such as a plow, guided for movement along a guide, employs inclined piston and cylinder units connected between connectors at the ends of elongate beams or rods guided on support units and brackets on a conveyor supporting the guide. The units have cylinders coupled via ball-and-socket joints to the brackets and these joints are disposed above pivot joints linking the conveyor to the connectors. The piston rods of the units are received in pockets in the connectors and flexibly and pivotably coupled thereto.

Abstract: A trough-shaped travelling bracket of a retracting and guiding arrangement of a mine roof support has fixing elements at its mine-face end for releasably coupling with an abutment, wherein the fixing elements are exchangeable, but fixedly connectable with a web of the travelling bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning supply connections such as cables or connecting hoses into operative association with a mining extractor machine which is movable against a working space along a mining longwall by a longwall conveyor and in a mine between adjacent adits and to the stowage side comprises a connection winding and unwinding drum positionable in an adit and having a supply connection thereon which is unwindable from the drum guided to a supply connection conveyor which moves along the longwall with the extractor.

Abstract: A chain drive system (10) wherein the chain (12) includes a plurality of interconnected links (14) is provided. The chain drive system (10) includes a drive gear (28) for driving the chain (12). A rack (20) is provided and includes a plurality of spaced apart teeth (22) for engagement with the links (14) of the chain (12). Idler gears (38, 40) are provided for causing engagement between the chain (12) and the rack (20).

Abstract: A mining apparatus comprises a planing device which is movable along a longwall to the drift and has a longwall conveyor which extends alongside it and is deflected into the drift for the removal of the cutaway material. A cutter is operable in the transition between the longwall and the drift and includes a rotatable shaft which is rotatable on a conveyor in the transition between the longwall and the drift and includes an outer arm which carries a rotatable cutting wheel which is moved by the swivel arm through the cutting zone at the transition between the longwall and the drift. The swivel arm is pivotable on a bearing shaft which carries a chain wheel which is driven from a chain drive which operates a plane cutter which is movable along the longwall. The chain drive includes a chain wheel which is rotatable with the bearing shaft and is connected by a separate cutter chain drive which extends through the swivel arm to a chain wheel affixed to the shaft of the cutter wheel.

Abstract: A guide for mineral mining machines is composed of assemblies each secured to the mineral face side of a conveyor. The assemblies have angle plates secured to the side walls and structures formed with spacers separating upper and lower passages for a drive chain. Covers are detachably and pivotably mounted to the structures. The covers can be secured in a closed position covering the upper passage or swung outwardly to an open position on push-in hinge joints formed at their lower regions by interengaging components of the covers and the structures. The hinge joints have complementary projections and recesses which interengage when the covers are closed.

Abstract: A fixing bridge for attachment to the goaf side of a channel section on a scraper-chain conveyor, is provided with connectors for the attachment of anchoring devices. A first connector is provided adjacent to one end of the fixing bridge, and a second connector is provided adjacent to the other end of the fixing bridge. The second connector is vertically off-set with respect to the first connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the cutting horizon of a mineral winning plough comprises means for pivoting the guide along which the plough moves. The guide is fixed to the face side of the conveyor, and said means acts on the goaf side of the conveyor. Said means comprises a plurality of control devices, each of which has an upstanding plate fixed to the goaf side of the conveyor, an abutment member pivotally connected to the base of the upstanding plate, and an actuator arranged between the abutment member and the upstanding plate. The actuators are effective to pivot the conveyor relative to the abutment members. Each actuator comprises a hydraulic ram and a toggle linkage which magnifies the working stroke of the ram.

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 device for extending supply lines to winning machines in mining operations comprises a traction chain housing which includes a covered guide for a traction member such as an endless conveyor chain. The traction member rides in the housing and is preferably covered thereby both in respect to its upper and lower reaches. A supply line support bar is secured to the traction members at spaced locations along its length for movement therewith and has a forked support extending outwardly from the housing which has one leg portion defining a support over which the supply lines are laid and another leg portion covering the supply lines. The device may be made with an endless chain conveyor which has upper and lower reaches as well as a chain conveyor having side by side reaches and in each case the housing or a cover for the housing provides for the lateral extension of the forked portion of the supply line support bar.

Abstract: An excavating machine, e.g. for the recovery of coal and its removal from a coal seam comprises a rotary excavating tool which consists of a plurality of neutrally articulated coal augers which are driven and are disposed against the face to be excavated. The coal augers are provided with nozzles for spraying water or some other fast settling and spark-inhibiting liquid, the nozzles being controlled by a valve which opens flow to the nozzles only when at least one auger is disaligned from an adjustive auger as is required for coal cutting operations with such tools.

Abstract: A coal-mining machine is advanced along a face conveyor by providing a rack extending along the conveyor and a plurality of advancing units. Each advancing unit includes a hydraulic motor to rotate a drive wheel while meshing with the teeth of the gear rack. The advancing units arranged side-by-side along the mining machine have curved end faces to abut against one another. Runners are provided on the advancing units at the opposite ends of the mining machine which extend partially around the rack for guiding and maintaining the drive wheel engaged with the teeth of the rack.

Abstract: A track and gear rack disposed on one side of a face conveyor for a longwall mining machine and adapted to be engaged by a driving gear and guide wheels on the mining machine, the track and gear rack being of generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having a horizontal arm resting on the mine floor and a vertical arm secured to the face wall of the conveyor. Driving pin extensions extend outwardly from the vertical arm in cantilever beam relationship near the upper edge of the vertical arm and have vertical widths less than the height of the vertical arm. One of the arms of the L-shaped configuration is provided with studs which engage guide block means on the mining machine for guiding it along the track and gear rack. The invention facilitates good guidance of the mining machine along the track and gear rack without impeding the flow of mined material onto the face conveyor.

Abstract: An "in-web" mineral winning machine 1 for reciprocation along a mineral face, comprises an elongate machine body 2, adapted, in use, to be located beyond the face side sidewall 14 of an armoured conveyor 16 extending along the mineral face, at least one bridge 10 extending rearwardly from the machine body 2 and adapted, in use, to overlie the conveyor 16 and to engage slidingly a trapping means 19, 20, 21 located at the goaf side 15 of the conveyor 16, the or each bridge 10 housing a machine haulage unit 34, and the or each bridge 10 being connected to the machine body 2 by at least one joint 9 providing for articulation along an axis 11 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine body 2.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a tunnel of an underground mine being worked by an excavating machine comprises a lamp housing with a light-transmissive vaulted cover snap-fitted thereto and with a fluorescent tube horizontally disposed inside that cover, the housing being suspended by a resilient mounting from a horizontal flange of a wall member of the machine shielding it from the mine face. The cover penetrates the flange and raises the tube to a level at which its light radiates upward as well as horizontally toward and away from the mine face; a flared peripheral zone of the cover enables the housing to be repressed against the spring force of its mounting by an object passing across the flange so that the top of the housing lies flush with the flange surface.

Abstract: A mine system comprises at least one mining machine 4 adapted to haul itself, in a reciprocable manner, along a mineral face 3, and a control box 17 housing means to control the various electrical elements of the machine(s) 4, the box 17 being located in a mine roadway 2 at one end of the mineral face 3 along which the machine(s) 4 is reciprocable, and the box 17 being electrically connected to a terminal box 15 housed in a body of the machine(s).

Abstract: A hauling and shaving plant for underground mining of a mining face particularly a coal face which is adjacent a rock face disposed at an angle thereto comprises a longwall conveyor section which is adapted to be positioned alongside the coal face and a rock face section extending at an angle to the longwall conveyor section. A plane guide is associated with the conveyor and a plane is movable along the guide. A shaving chain guide is associated with the plane guide in the conveyor. A plane chain is connected to the plane and is movable along the plane guide. The hauling chain has a pulling strand and a return strand and is guided along the longwall conveyor. The shaving chain and the hauling chain are driven by drives which are located adjacent the rockwall section. The conveyor includes at least one deflecting pulley over which the pulling strand is directed and at least one return pulley over which the return strand is directed. The return strand is also guided adjacent the rock face in a return channel.

Abstract: A mining machine 1 of the shearer type comprises an elongate machine body 2 housing inter alia a power unit 11 for powering at least one rotary, mineral cutting head 10, and at least one haulage unit 12 mounted on the outside of the machine body. The haulage unit includes a variable speed motor 16, such as an electric AC motor. The motor is connected via speed reduction gearing 19 to a machine haulage sprocket 13 adapted to progressively engage rack bars 14 or a chain extending along the mineral face 5. A brake unit is also provided in the haulage unit. By locating one or more haulage units outside the machine body, the units can be located at appropriate locations, on either the goaf or face sides of the machine, or both sides, to suit particular operating conditions.

Abstract: A guide for mineral winning machines is composed of assemblies secured to the mineral face side of a conveyor. The assemblies have angle plates secured to the side walls of the conveyor pans and structures, integral or otherwise, which provide spacers at least partly defining elongate upper and lower passages for accomodating a drive chain. Covers are detachably and pivotably mounted to the structures to close off the upper passage. The covers are provided with substantial flat upper surfaces which serves to support and guide a machine. An upper guide rail formed by ribs at the edges of the upper surfaces and a lower guide rail formed by webs or web plates on the structures serve to locate with guide means of a plough supported on the inclined walls of the angle plates and driven by the drive chain. Where the flat support surfaces are not needed, or otherwise in case of need, the covers can be removed or replaced by covers of different design.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method of, and apparatus for, winning mineral material from the pillars left by the bord-and-pillar mining process. An arcuate longwall face, which may be convex or concave, is formed along a row of pillars. The mineral material in the pillars is won by mechanical winning means such as a plough, the pillars in each row being won in a non-uniform manner. Some of the mineral material won from the longwall face may be used to fill the stalls left between the pillars behind the longwall face.

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 longwall mining system includes a bidirectional shearer and a roof supporting structure. The shearer includes a pair of angled floor drums, a pivotable roof drum and a loading conveyor. Each drum has a plurality of picks disposed about the drum surface for cutting a material to be mined and a plurality of vanes disposed on the drum surface for carrying the cut material to the loading conveyor. The roof supporting structure includes a load carrying shield which is braced by a pair of supports. The supports are located under the shield in a position between the shearer and a face conveyor. The face conveyor, which is fed by the loading conveyor, carries the mined material to main conveyor for haulage to the outside.

Abstract: A conveyor trough for a scraper conveyor is used as a way or track for an underground mining machine. The conveyor trough includes a trough base with lateral section members welded thereto along the longitudinal sides and form at each side a V-shaped space that extends from the plane of the trough base to the height of the section member. A lateral section member descends toward the floor at each side of the trough base where it extends to a flange parallel to the mine floor and projects from the lateral section from the lateral section member. The flange has a width and thickness to form a machineway or track. Divering arms at each side of the trough base extend to a flange which projects from the arm to extend parallel to the floor and forms a machineway or track by the width and thickness dimensions thereof.

Abstract: Hauling and cutting equipment includes a conveyor trough having a longitudinal side wall on each side with a support rail structure on at least one side having a chain guide groove therealong through which a endless link chain extends. A cutting machine overlies the trough and is guide on the rail structure and includes a drive on one side with a sprocket or chain wheel which has teeth which engage in horizontally disposed links of the link chain. The space between the teeth accommodates the vertically disposed links of the chain. The link chain comprises long horizontal links and short vertical links which are shorter than the horizontal links. The clear division of the vertical links correspond to the double link diameter of the horizontal links except for a mall clearance for movement play. The engagement division of the chain wheel is matched to the length of the vertical links.

Abstract: A mining installation includes a self-advancing roof support unit with which is associated a forward base part which is independent of the floor-engaging member of the unit. The forward base part is connectible to the floor-engaging member and movable relative thereto. An elevated track is carried on the forward base part and in use supports a mining machine which can travel reciprocally therealong.

Abstract: A coal planer control device for a coal planer connected to a longwall conveyor having a waste side comprising, a bracket connected to the conveyor, a skid rest pivotally mounted to the bracket for pivotal movement against a mine floor to raise the bracket and tilt the coal planer at a selected angle to a longwall of a coal mine. A lifting mechanism is connected between the bracket and rest for pivotally moving the rest with respect to the bracket and a locking mechanism is connected between the bracket and rest for fixing the position to which the rest was moved by the lifting mechanism. The bracket and rest are pivotally connected to each other substantially along the entire length thereof and both extend substantially along the entire length of the longwall conveyor.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor comprises a series of pans joined end-to-end and a scraper-chain assembly circulated along the pans in upper and lower runs. Each of the pans is sub-divided into upper and lower sections of especially reinforced construction. The upper section of each pan is composed of shaped side pieces connected by a floor plate while the lower section is composed of smaller side pieces connected to a base plate. The side pieces of both the upper and lower sections combine to form sigma-shaped profiles with upper and lower flanges and inwardly-extending V-shaped intermediate portions. The lower section is built up vertically with side structures overlapping the side pieces of the upper section and bolted connections are established between the side structures and the upper section and with lateral accessories, such as barrier plates and guides.

Abstract: An air diversion and dust control system for primary use on longwall shearer mining machinery, consisting of directional fluid sprays and passive curtain barriers. The air moving characteristics of fluid sprays are combined with the splitting and blocking characteristics of passive curtain barriers in order to produce an air stream splitting and diversion system which acts to keep dust away from the breathing zone of the machine operator and contained in the area of the coal face until beyond the mining machine. The fluid sprays have a double function in that they both divert and suppress the dust generated during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A longwall mineral mining installation comprises a scraper-chain conveyor having a scraper assembly, a first straight conveyor portion extending along the longwall working, a second straight conveyor portion extending along a roadway positioned at one end of the longwall working, and a curved conveyor section connecting the two straight conveyor portions. A guide assembly is provided for guiding the scraper assembly around the curved conveyor section. A guide is fixed to the face side of the first straight conveyor portion, and a winning machine is reciprocable along the guide. A drive station is mounted on the goaf side of the first straight conveyor portion in the region of the curved conveyor section. A drive sprocket is rotatably mounted on the face side of the first straight conveyor portion in said region. The drive sprocket drives the winning machine via a drive chain. A drive shaft drivably connects the drive station and the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A hauling and cutting assembly of the type having a conveyor trough and a scraper chain conveyor bridging the conveyor trough includes a roller member radially mounted for rotation on the end of a bearing pin which supports a sprocket wheel and a guide member operatively connected to the conveyor trough overlaps the roller member to provide radial support therefor.

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: A support arm for a cutter drum carried on a longwall mining machine characterized in being formed from two telescoping parts, at least one of which is movable axially relative to the other to change the length of the arm. This enables the mining machine to cut material from a coal seam with one support arm length and roadways at opposite ends of the seam face with longer support arm lengths without the necessity for raising the mining machine on its support tracks in the roadway areas or otherwise adjusting the vertical heights of the support arms.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral winning machine, such as a plough, movable along a guide at one side of a scraper-chain conveyor employs cantilevered beams extending between the conveyor and roof supports as known per se. Brackets are provided at the goaf side of the conveyor and these brackets are pivotably coupled to the cantilever arms by way of flat pan-like components. Upstanding piston and cylinder units are positioned close to the conveyor goaf side wall preferably within protective walls of the brackets. These units are pivotably connected at their upper ends to the brackets and to extensions of the pan-like components so that the beams are effectively pivotably coupled to the units at positions offset towards the conveyor relative to the pivot connections with the brackets. The space between the conveyor and the supports is relatively unrestricted. The units are extended or retracted to tilt the conveyor and the guide whereby to control the cutting position of the machine.

Abstract: A rack for mounting on a segmented mine wall face conveyor and for assisting the movement of a drum mining machine along the conveyor, the rack comprising a series of rack segments aligned substantially in an end-to-end relationship, each rack segment provided with a plurality of equidistantly spaced pins adapted for driving engagement with a pinion of the drum mining machine, each segment rotatably mounted on the conveyor, and adjacent rack segments rotatably joined together by a connection link. Means are disclosed for extending and contracting the connection link relative to each adjacent rack segment, and means are disclosed for maintaining the rack at a relatively constant position relative to the pinion in the region of engagement with the pinion.

Abstract: A conveying trough for use in a coal mining seam which has a coal winning sidewall with a waste sidewall, disposed opposite to the coal winning sidewall, which comprises, a guide plate adapted to be secured to the waste sidewall and a base frame adapted to be adjacent the winning sidewall. A gantry-like cutter spans the space between the waste side wall and the winning sidewall and has one side with a track wheel with a running surface associated with the guide plate. An angle bar has a first substantially horizontal fixing leg portion secured to the base frame and also has an upright guide leg portion affixed to the fixing leg portion. The tracking bar is carried by the cutter and has an edge in cooperative engagement with the guide leg portion. The tracking bar and the guide leg portions have substantially vertical slide surfaces which cooperatively interengage during the running of the cutter.

Abstract: A conveying trough for chain scraper conveyors, comprises a plurality of trough sections for the conveyance of the material each having side walls including a guide plate which has a portion adjacent an end thereof with a recess forming a pocket on the interior side of the guide plate. The guide plate has at least one projection extending into the pocket and a link plate is disposed in the pockets of adjacent plates and has eyelets into which the respective projections extend with a clearance between the guide plates and the link plate. A locking plate is arranged to overlie the link plate. Each guide plate is provided with a guide rail at its top which forms a surface defining a trackway for a wheel of a cutter or similar machine which runs over the conveying trough. The cutter has a hold-down member which engages beneath an inwardly extending claw portion of the guide rail and it has a slide surface which engages with a similar slide surface on the underside of the claw portion.

Abstract: Mining equipment adapted for repeated traversing to and fro adjacent to a conveyor arranged along a longwall face in an underground mine, has a mining machine support structure which bridges the conveyor and which has a curtain for guiding airborne dust arising during cutting of mineral by a rotary cutting head mounted on the machine. The air flow passage defined by the curtain has an air flow inducing means therein, such as a fan or water spray.

Abstract: A gear rack for a longwall mining machine characterized in having a width permitting the arms which carry the cutter drums of the mining machine to move to lower positions relative to a face conveyor such that low seams of coal may be mined. The rack comprises a plate extending along the face conveyor and has driving pin extensions which extend from one face of the plate to engage a driving gear or gears on the mining machine.

Abstract: A conveyor chute for chain scraper conveyors, comprises, a plurality of chute sections joined together with a clearance therebetween for free motion. Each of the sections includes a guide plank having a reinforcing plate portion adjacent a respective end thereof and a pin extending outwardly from the reinforcing section. A common connecting plate interconnects the separate sections and it has spaced apart eye openings therethrough into which a respective pin segment extends. The plates have a web between adjacent pins of adjacent sections and the eye openings and the segments are spaced to provide the clearance therebetween. Each guide plank comprises an auger thread plank for coal which is made of a box-like section construction. Each box-like section has an exterior wall covering the pin segments and an inner wall spaced from the exterior wall forming a locking pocket therewith, which receives the locking or connecting plate.

Abstract: A longwall mining machine comprises a rotatable cutting head having a configuration in the form of an equilateral triangle viewed along its axis of rotation and formed with a continuous auger along the outer surface of the head. Cutter bits are located on apexes of the auger. The cutting head is mounted on a boom adjacent the longwall and is geared to produce an eccentric Cardan motion to the head causing the cutter bits to follow a substantially square trajectory in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the head. Production of coal dust is minimized by deep linear vertical and horizontal cuts extending downwardly from roof to floor. During rotation of the head, cut coal is augered outwardly from the longwall and dropped into a conveyor for removal to a collection area.

Abstract: A conveyor chute for chain scraper conveyors which are adapted to overlie a floor of a mining seam, comprises, at least one chute section which has laterally spaced apart upright sidewalls located on a filling and forehead side of the conveyor. The bottom plate extends between the sidewalls and divides the chute section into upper and lower stringers. A forehead side of the chute has a chute foot which has a lower portion which extends laterally outwardly from its wall and has a male hinge portion on its inside face which engages with a female hinge portion which is attached to a baseplate which extends between the two sidewalls and rests on the mining seam floor. The opposite side of the baseplate may be fastened to the opposite sidewall either directly by use of an extension plate and fastening elements or with an intermediate shim therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus facilitates the transfer of material from the discharge zone of one mine conveyor onto another conveyor extending perpendicularly to the first conveyor. The transfer apparatus can take the form of a rotatably driven disc disposed beneath the elevated discharge zone of the first conveyor so that the material falls onto the disc. The disc extends over the other conveyor. A scraper lies across the disc to scrape and guide the material into the other lower conveyor. Alternatively, the disc or a modified equivalent component is made stationary while a single scraper or several such scrapers rotate over the disc. The transfer apparatus can also take the form of a curvilinear trough or chute onto which the material falls from the elevated discharge zone of the first conveyor and is guided to the other conveyor. Several driven rollers or paddles or a scraper-chain assembly then impell the material along the chute.

Abstract: A conveyor and guide assembly comprises a conveyor and a plough guide attached to one side of the conveyor. The conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyor sections joined end-to-end, and the guide comprises a plurality of guide sections positioned end-to-end. Each guide section is associated with, and extends substantially along, a corresponding conveyor section. The guide section has a generally L-shaped guide plate and a ramp-like cover plate which define therebetween upper and lower chain ducts for receiving a plough drive chain. Each section of the cover plate is curved over at the top towards the guide plate thereby delimiting the upper portion of the upper chain duct. Each adjacent pair of cover plate sections overlap in a first zone which extends over at least the curved-over portions thereof. Each pair of adjacent sections of the guide plate overlap in a second zone which adjoins said first zone.