US 4,415,051 AGranted

Multiple personnel transporter vehicle for low vein mines

AssigneeMine Equipment Company

InventorJerry F. Taylor

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Abstract

An improved, low height, electrically powered mine car is provided for transporting an entire crew (up to eleven persons) in a low vein mine shaft which includes strategically located and sized personnel and driver compartments for maximum load capacity. The main crew compartment is oriented to hold up to eight individuals who lie in a substantially supine position with their limbs intertwined; the forward end of the car has a central driver compartment allowing the operator to steer and control the car in a generally supine position, as well as two additional personnel compartments respectively ahead of the front wheels where the passengers may ride in a reclined position. The motor, main differential and drive shafts are substantially encased within a housing structure in order to prevent fouling of these components by dirt or the like encountered in a mine shaft. Spring structure for the car combines low profile, rugged characteristics and minimum space requirements. In addition, a pair of disc brake assemblies are respectively coupled to the two output shafts of the main differential for braking purposes, and these assemblies are likewise encased within the housing structure.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A mine car, comprising:

an elongated, personnel-carrying body;
surface-engaging means supporting said body;
and
electric power means drivingly coupled to said surface-engaging means for propelling said car,
the maximum height of said body supported on said surface-engaging means being as low as about 26 inches,
said body including
structure defining a first personnel compartment for accommodating at least two persons in a generally horizontal position, said structure comprising a bottom wall, a pair of upstanding, opposed end walls spaced apart a distance greater than the length of an average man's legs and less than an average man's height, and means defining an access opening between said end walls permitting entry into said compartment by said persons;
means defining a compartment forwardly of and separate from said personnel compartment and configured for accommodating a driver in a substantially horizontal position;
means defining second and third personnel compartments respectively disposed on opposite sides of said driver compartment and forwardly of the first compartment and also configured for accommodating individuals in substantially horizontal positions;
electric battery means operatively coupled to said power means and situated rearwardly of said first personnel compartment.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.