Apparatus and method for continuous mining

A method of continuously mining aggregate material from a seam utilizing a mining means and conveying means, comprising the steps of:

• cutting aggregate material from said seam;
• conveying said aggregate material cut from said seam to a recovery location;
• advancing said mining mans and conveying means into said seam by pulling said conveying means at a forward end and pushing said conveying means at a rearward end;
• and
• extending said conveying means without interrupting conveying of aggregate material.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• belt conveying means for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• and
• separate means for pushing and pulling said conveying means with said mining means into said seam as said aggregate material is being won.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• mean for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• a launch vehicle for receiving aggregate material from said conveying means, said launch vehicle remaining stationary as said mining means and conveying means are advanced into said seam;
• and
• means for advancing said conveying means with said mining means into said seam as said aggregate material is being won without interrupting the flow of aggregate material, said advancing means being a reciprocating drive assembly mounted to said launch vehicle.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• means for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• and
• means for advancing said conveying means with said mining means into said seam as said aggregate material is being won without interrupting the flow of aggregate material, said advancing means including a pusher unit connected to a distal end of said conveying means, said pusher unit including a receiving conveyor for receiving aggregate material from said conveyor means and jacks for smoothly and evenly advancing said conveying means and mining means into said seam.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• self-propelled mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• means for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery coupled to said self-propelled mining means so as to follow said mining means into said seam;
• and
• means for pushing said conveying means with said self-propelled mining means into said seam as said aggregate material is being won without interrupting the flow of aggregate material.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• means for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• means connected to said mining means for advancing said mining means and pulling said conveying means into said seam as aggregate material is being won;
• launch vehicle means for receiving aggregate material from said conveying means, said launch vehicle means remaining stationary as said mining means and conveying means are advanced into the seam during mining;
• and
• means for pushing said conveying means with said mining means into said seam mounted on said launch vehicle.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• a conveying means comprising a train of interconnected conveyor units for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• means for advancing said train and said mining means into said seam as said aggregate material is being won without interrupting the flow of aggregate material;
• a launch vehicle located outside of said seam and including a receiving conveyor for receiving aggregate material from said train;
• and
• means for lifting and positioning additional conveyor units one-at-a-time onto said launch vehicle for addition to a rear end of said train without interrupting the flow of aggregate material;
• said advancing means comprising a drive assembly mounted on said launch vehicle for advancing said train and mining means, with said launch vehicle remaining stationary during such advancement.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• conveying means comprising a train of interconnected non-self propelled conveyor units for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• means for adding conveyor units to the rear end of said train without interrupting the flow of aggregate material;
• and
• means for advancing said train and said mining means into said seam, comprising first drive means carried by said mining means for pulling said train, and second drive means comprising a drive mechanism situated outside of the seam for engaging and pushing one of said conveyor units, said conveyor units being interconnected sufficiently rigidly to enable said train to be pushed.

An apparatus for mining aggregate material from a seam, comprising:

• mining means for winning aggregate material from said seam;
• conveying means comprising a train of interconnected conveyor units for conveying won aggregate material from said mining means for recovery;
• means for adding conveyor units to a rear end of said train without interrupting the flow of aggregate material;
• a launch vehicle where said conveyor units are added;
• and
• advancing means for advancing said train and said mining means into the seam, comprising a drive assembly mounted on said launch vehicle beneath said train and including means for engaging and pushing a lower portion of a conveyor unit;
• said conveyor units being interconnected sufficiently rigidly to enable the train to be pushed;
• said launch vehicle remaining stationary as said train is advanced.