Combination panline and utility drilling or bolting unit
AssigneeJ.H. Fletcher & Co.
InventorsTimothy D. Burgess, William G. Kendall, Jr., David L. Morris, Steven Payne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drilling or bolting unit for selective use with either a vehicle or a panline of a face conveyor associated with a longwall miner or mining machine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the unit comprises a base adapted for engaging the panline and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver may be adapted for receiving one of the pair of forks of the vehicle, such that the unit may be used as either a panline drilling or bolting unit or as a utility drilling or bolting unit with the vehicle apart from the panline. Related methods are also described.
Claims24
A drilling or bolting unit for selective use with either a vehicle having a pair of forks or a panline of a face conveyor associated with a longwall miner or mining machine, comprising:
- a base adapted for engaging the panline;
- a drill head carried by the base;
- means for engaging the vehicle associated with the base;
- wherein the means for engaging comprises first and second spaced tubular receivers, each receiver comprising a retractable pocket adapted for slidably receiving one of the forks associated with the vehicle in an actuated position.
In combination, a vehicle and a drilling or bolting unit adapted for engaging a panline of a face conveyor, wherein the unit includes a plurality of receivers, each adapted for receiving a part of the vehicle, whereby the unit may be used as either a panline drilling or bolting unit or a utility drilling or bolting unit with the vehicle apart from the panline;
- wherein two tubular receivers are provided for slidably receiving the vehicle part, each having a direction of elongation generally perpendicular to the conveying direction of the panline when associated therewith;
- and
- wherein at least one of the receivers includes a pair of pockets movable between a stowed or retracted position and an actuated position for receiving the part of the vehicle.
A method of drilling in an underground mine having a longwall miner or mining machine including a panline, comprising:
- (a) associating a drill unit with the panline;
- (b) drilling with the drill unit associated with the panline;
- (c) associating the drill unit with a vehicle;
- and
- (d) drilling with the drill unit associated with the vehicle.
A drilling or bolting unit, comprising:
- means for engaging a panline of a face conveyor;
- means for engaging a vehicle apart from the face conveyor;
- wherein the means for engaging the vehicle comprises at least one pair of receivers, each receiver of said pair adapted for receiving an elongated lifting structure associated with the vehicle;
- and
- wherein at least one of the receivers comprises a pair of pockets movable between a stowed or retracted and an actuated position.
A drilling or bolting unit for use in association with a trapping shoe associated with a guide rail of a panline forming part of a face conveyor having a conveying direction, as well as in connection with a lifting portion of a lifting vehicle, comprising:
- a base supporting a drill head for use in drilling boreholes and installing roof bolts in the mine passage;
- means for receiving the lifting portion of the lifting vehicle, said means being associated with the base;
- and
- a removable retainer for insertion in the receiving means for connecting the unit to the guide rail.
A method of associating a drilling or bolting unit with a panline of a face conveyor, comprising:
- placing the unit on the panline;
- associating a trapping shoe with both the panline and the unit to provide a holddown function by inserting at least a portion of the trapping shoe or an extension thereof within a receiver forming part of the drilling or bolting unit;
- drilling using the drilling or bolting unit associated with the panline;
- removing the trapping shoe or extension from the receiver;
- and
- inserting a fork of a forklift in the receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.