Chain drive arrangement for a mining machine
First Claim
1. In an apparatus for securing and guiding a chain-like means which is normally positioned to extend in a longitudinal direction along the path of travel by a mining machine for underground mining operations, a portion of the chain-like means being continuously displaced from its normal position into an engaging relation with a drive output member of a driven winch on the mining machine to thereby propel the mining machine along the chain-like means, guide members spaced apart in relation to the length of the mining machine to retain and then return the chain-like means to the normal position as the mining machine is propelled along such that the guide members generally bound between them the displaced portion of the chain-like means for engagement with the drive output member, the improvement comprising:
- holding means engaging said chain-like means at spaced-apart intervals to restrain the chain-like means along the length thereof, each holding means resisting the tension load imposed upon the length of chain-like means lying ahead of the mining machine in relation to the propelled movement thereof by the driven winch on the mining machine; and
guide means distinct from said guide members and spaced apart in relation to the length of said mining machine at opposite sides of said drive output member to releasably retain said chain-like means by successive ones of said holding means until displacement of the chain-like means toward the drive output member and to engage again the released chain-like means passed from the drive output member with the holding means as the mining machine is propelled along said chain-like means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure relates to a mining machine of the type having a driven winch which has its drive output sprocket engaging a displaced portion of a chain which normally extends along the entire length of the mine face. The displacement portion of the chain occurs between guide rollers on the mining machine. The chain is secured by a plurality of holding devices such as catches clamps or locking devices which are distributed at closely, spaced-apart locations along the length of the chain. As the mining machine propels itself along the chain, the guide roller or an associated member at the forward end of the mining machine releasably retain the chain in the holding devices until the chain is deflected toward the drive output sprocket of the winch. A guide roller or an associated member at the trailing end of the mining machine engage again the returned portion of the chain with the holding device as the chain is passed from the drive output sprocket.
10 Citations
29 Claims
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1. In an apparatus for securing and guiding a chain-like means which is normally positioned to extend in a longitudinal direction along the path of travel by a mining machine for underground mining operations, a portion of the chain-like means being continuously displaced from its normal position into an engaging relation with a drive output member of a driven winch on the mining machine to thereby propel the mining machine along the chain-like means, guide members spaced apart in relation to the length of the mining machine to retain and then return the chain-like means to the normal position as the mining machine is propelled along such that the guide members generally bound between them the displaced portion of the chain-like means for engagement with the drive output member, the improvement comprising:
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holding means engaging said chain-like means at spaced-apart intervals to restrain the chain-like means along the length thereof, each holding means resisting the tension load imposed upon the length of chain-like means lying ahead of the mining machine in relation to the propelled movement thereof by the driven winch on the mining machine; and guide means distinct from said guide members and spaced apart in relation to the length of said mining machine at opposite sides of said drive output member to releasably retain said chain-like means by successive ones of said holding means until displacement of the chain-like means toward the drive output member and to engage again the released chain-like means passed from the drive output member with the holding means as the mining machine is propelled along said chain-like means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification