Cleat for joining chassis modules

A shearer mining machine comprising:

• a first chassis module having a first mating surface and a first opening spaced from the first mating surface, the first opening defined by a first wedge-shaped module wall positioned adjacent the first mating surface;
• a second chassis module having a second mating surface and a second opening spaced from the second mating surface;
• one or more cleats, each cleat including
• a first projection received by the first opening and including a wedge-shaped cleat wall for engagement with the first wedge-shaped module wall,
• a second projection received by the second opening, and
• a bridge portion extending between the first projection and the second projection;
• and
• means for securing each cleat on the first and second chassis modules, wherein the means for securing applies a clamp force normal to the wedge-shaped cleat wall.

A shearer mining machine comprising:

• a pair of chassis modules, the chassis modules adjoining each other, each chassis module defining a mating surface, an outer surface, and an opening spaced from the mating surface and recessed with respect to the outer surface, the opening defined by a wedge-shaped module wall positioned adjacent the mating surface;
• and
• a cleat, the cleat insertable to the openings, and the cleat including
• two projections, each projection received by the respective opening and including wedge-shaped cleat walls for engagement with the respective wedge-shaped module walls, and
• a bridge portion extending between the two projections, wherein upon insertion of the projections into the openings, the wedge-shaped module walls cooperate with the wedge-shaped cleat walls to clamp the mating surfaces together.