Vertically movable operator's compartment for a self-propelled mine vehicle

Abstract

A self-propelled vehicle for transporting dislodged material out of a mine includes a mobile body supported on driven wheels and vertical side walls that define a material haulage compartment. The vehicle is controlled from an operator's compartment that is positioned adjacent the outboard side of one of the mobile body side walls. The operator's compartment is movable relative to the side wall by a pair of vertically extending guide rails that are rigidly secured to the side wall of the operator's compartment opposite the side wall of the mobile body. A pair of vertically extending guideways are secured to the body side wall and slidably receive the guide rails. The guide rails move in the guideways to permit movement of the operator's compartment on the body side wall as the bottom portion of the comparment contacts the mine floor as the vehicle travels over the uneven undulating mine floor. A stop mechanism on the compartment prevents the guide rails from sliding out of the guideways. With the operator's compartment resting on the mine floor additional vertical clearance is provided for installation of a protective overhead canopy above the compartment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.