Connection arrangements for mine conveyor sections

#The present invention relates generally to the mining arts and, more particularly, to improved arrangements for coupling adjacent mine conveyor sections.

#Highwall mining is a form of surface mining, in which spaced apart tunnels (sometimes called holes or entries) are cut into an exposed face of the seam at predetermined intervals to create the pillars for supporting the overburden. A typical highwall mining system is comprised of a cutter (or miner module), a conveying system and a main miner (or launch module). The cutter cuts into a mineral seam and is forced into the cut by pushing a series of conveyor sections, also called “push beams” or “conveyor pans.”

#It is common in the art of highwall mining to use push beams to form a part of a highwall mining system. Generally, push beams are essentially boxes that contain a type of conveying mechanism, such as augers, that move the minerals out of the mine. The basic approach is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,574 to Todd.

#The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects described herein and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a exploded view of one embodiment of a proposed latching mechanism forming one aspect of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the latching mechanism of FIG. 1 in the unlatched condition;

#In the following detailed description of the drawings, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosed innovations may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to understand and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of coverage is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

#Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates in exploded form an improved latching mechanism 10 for interconnecting conveyor sections used in a mining system, such as a highwall mining system. The mechanism 10 is comprised of a pivotally mounted coupler 12 for interconnecting a first conveyor section, such as push beam 34, and a second conveyor section, such as push beam 36. The coupler 12 is generally of the “dog-bone” type, having a first oversized end 22, a oversized second end 20 and an elongated shank 24 connecting the two ends.

#One of the conveyor sections, such as the first push beam 34, includes a first receiver 38 for receiving the first end 22 of the coupler 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 22 of the coupler 12 includes an enlarged semi-circular profile with a hole 32 within a middle portion thereof. A pin 26 is positioned transverse to the conveying direction and perpendicular to the coupler 12 and extends through the hole 32. The first end 22 of the coupler 12 may be firmly held into place by the pin 26 in connection with a retainer 28 for associating with a peripheral notch therein and a pair of fasteners 30, and remains securely held within the receiver 38 throughout the mining operation to thereby substantially eliminate the risk of loss.