Cutter bar, cutter chain and sprocket assembly

Claim 2

A cutter bar, cutter chain and sprocket assembly for a mining machine and the like wherein said cutter bar comprises an elongated member having longitudinal edge portions, a chaindriving sprocket in association with one end of said cutter bar and a chain guide means affixed to the other end of said cutter bar, an endless cutter chain extending along and supported by said longitudinal edge portions and extending about and supported by said sprocket and said guide means, said cutter chain comprising a plurality of link members some at least of which carry cutting tools, certain ones at least of said link members each having a body and leg means projecting from said body, said leg means engaging said longitudinal edge portions and said guide means, said link members being joined by pintles, said link members and said pintles being positioned beyond said longitudinal edge portions of said cutter bar and beyond the peripheral edges of said guide means, and engagement surfaces on some of said link members to be drivingly engaged by said sprocket.

Claim 3

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said link members which carries a cutting tool has said body, said body being adapted to mount a cutting tool, said body having a single-link extension at one end and a pair of spaced link extensions at the other end, said single-link extension having a transverse perforation therethrough, said pair of link extensions having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, the single-link extension of each of said link members being adapted to be received between the spaced pair of link extensions of an adjacent link member with their respective perforations in alignment, and pintles passing through said aligned perforations of adjacent link members to pivotally connect said adjacent link members.

Claim 4

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said cutter chain comprises a plurality of cutting-tool-carrying link members connected together by alternate single-link members, each of said cutting-tool-carrying link members having a body portion with a pair of spaced link extensions at both ends, the spaced link extensions of each pair having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said single-link members each having a transverse perforation at both ends thereof, the ends of each single-link member being adapted to be received between a pair of spaced link extensions of two adjacent cutting-tool-carrying link members with their respective transverse perforations being in alignment, said pintles passing through said aligned perforations.

Claim 5

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said leg means comprises a leg of inverted T-shaped cross section, said cutter bar having channels in its longitudinal edge portions, each of said channels having an channels having an inverted T-shaped cross section, said legs of saId link members having a sliding fit in said channels.

Claim 6

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said leg means comprises a leg of inverted T-shaped cross section, said cutter bar having channels in its longitudinal edge portions, each of said channels having a U-shaped cross section, wear strips affixed to the sidewalls of said channels giving said channels inverted T-shaped cross sections, said legs of said link members having a sliding fit in said channels equipped with said wear strips.

Claim 7

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said leg means comprises a pair of spaced legs, said pairs of spaced legs being configured to straddle and slidably engage said longitudinal edge portions of said cutter bar.

Claim 8

The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said pintles are freely rotatable in their respective aligned perforations, end portions of each of said pintles extending beyond the exterior surfaces of the spaced pair of link extensions through which it passes, means in association with said end portions of said pintles for maintaining said pintles in said aligned perforations through which they pass.

Claim 9

The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said leg means comprises a pair of spaced legs, said pair of spaced legs being configured to straddle and slidably engage said longitudinal edge portions of said cutter bar, said drive sprocket having a peripheral edge with a plurality of spaced teeth, each of said link members adapted to pass about said sprocket with its pair of legs stradling said peripheral edge of said sprocket between said teeth, and said engagement surfaces comprising the rear surfaces of the link member body portions which are engaged by one of said teeth, said last-mentioned tooth being located between said pair of link extensions on said link member body portion ahead of the single-link extension of the adjacent link member.

Claim 10

The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said pintles are freely rotatable in their respective aligned perforations, end portions of each of said pintles extending beyond the exterior surfaces of the spaced pair of link extensions through which it passes, means in association with said end portions of said pintles for maintaining said pintles in said aligned perforations through which they pass.

Claim 11

The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said guide means comprises a member having a peripheral edge a portion at least of which is substantially semicircular, said peripheral edge having a channel therein of inverted T-shaped cross section comprising a continuation of said channels in said cutter bar, said legs of said link members having a sliding fit in said guide means channel.

Claim 12

The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said guide means comprises a member having a peripheral edge a portion at least of which is substantially semicircular, said peripheral edge having a channel therein of U-shaped cross section, wear strips affixed to the sidewalls of said guide means channel giving said channel an inverted T-shaped cross section, said guide means channel and said guide means wear strips comprising a continuation of said channels and wear strips of said cutter bar, said legs of said link members having a sliding fit in said guide means channel equipped with said guide means wear strips.

Claim 13

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said cutter bar has wear strip means along both sides of each of said longitudinal edge portions, the free ends of each of said pairs of link member legs being inturned toward each other, said pairs of spaced legs being configured to straddle said wear strip means and to be slidably hooked thereabout.

Claim 14

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said drive sprocket comprises a disk like body having two faces and a peripheral edge, said sprocket having a plurality of lugs on at least one of said faces near said peripheral edge and extending transversely thereof, said cutter chain passing about said sprocket with said link member legs straddling the peripheral portion of said sproCket body, said engagement surfaces being located on said legs and engaged by said lugs.

Claim 15

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said guide means comprises a member having a peripheral edge a portion at least of which is substantially semicircular, said peripheral edge comprising a continuation of said longitudinal edge portions of said cutter bar, said pairs of link member legs being configured to straddle and engage said peripheral edge of said guide means.

Claim 16

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said guide means comprises an idler sprocket affixed to the forward end of said cutter bar, said sprocket comprising a body portion having two faces and a peripheral edge, said sprocket having a plurality of lugs on at least one of its said faces near said peripheral edge, said cutter chain passing about said sprocket with said link member legs straddling the peripheral portion of said sprocket body and located between adjacent ones of said lugs, said engagement surfaces being located on said legs and engaged by said lugs.

Claim 17

The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said guide means comprises a member having a peripheral edge a portion at least of which is substantially semicircular, said peripheral edge of said guide means comprising a continuation of the longitudinal edge portions of said cutter bar, said peripheral edge of said guide means having wear strip means on both sides thereof comprising continuations of said wear strips on said cutter bar, said pairs of link member legs being configured to straddle said wear strip means on said guide means and to be slidably hooked thereabout.

Claim 18

A sprocket for engaging the cutter chain of a mining machine or the like, comprising a rotatable disk like body having two faces and a peripheral edge, said sprocket having a plurality of lugs on at least one of said faces near said peripheral edge and extending transversely thereof.

Claim 19

A sprocket for engaging the cutter chain of a mining machine or the like, comprising a rotatable disk like body having two faces and a peripheral edge, said sprocket having a plurality of lugs on at least one of said faces near said peripheral edge and extending transversely thereof.

Claim 20

A cutter bar for a mining machine and the like comprising an elongated member having a top and a bottom surface and longitudinal edge surfaces, each of said longitudinal edge surfaces being planar, normal to said top and bottom surfaces and extending from said top to said bottom surface.

Claim 21

A cutter bar for a mining machine and the like comprising an elongated member having a top and a bottom surface and longitudinal edge surfaces, each of said longitudinal edge surfaces being planar, normal to said top and bottom surfaces and extending from said top to said bottom surface.

Claim 22

The structure claimed in claim 18 including wear strips affixed to said top and bottom surfaces adjacent said longitudinal edge surfaces.

Claim 23

A link member for a cutter chain and the like comprising a body portion adapted to mount a cutting tool, said body having a single-link extension at one end and a pair of spaced link extensions at the other end, said single-link extension having a transverse perforation therethrough, said pair of link extensions having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said single-link extension and said pair of link extensions being so configured that the single-link extension of one such link element may be received between the pair of link extensions of another such link element with said perforations in said single and said pair of link extensions being coaxial, said body portion having at least one leg projecting therefrom adapted to slidably engage the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 24

A link member for a cutter chain and the like comprising a body portion adapted to mount a cutting tool, said body having a single-link extension at one end and a pair of spaced link extensions at the other end, said single-link extension having a transverse perforation therethrough, said pair of link extensions having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said single-link extension and said pair of link extensions being so configured that the single-link extension of one such link element may be received between the pair of link extensions of another such link element with said perforations in said single and said pair of link extensions being coaxial, said body portion having at least one leg projecting therefrom adapted to slidably engage the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 25

The structure claimed in claim 20 wherein said body portion has a leg of inverted T-shaped cross section adapted to slidably engage channels of inverted T-shaped cross section in the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter boar.

Claim 26

The structure claimed in claim 20 wherein said body portion has a pair of spaced legs extending therefrom, said pair of spaced legs being configured to straddle and slidably engage the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 27

The structure claimed in claim 22 wherein said pair of spaced link extensions are of sufficient length to permit the tooth of a sprocket to enter therebetween and engage the rear surface of said body portion ahead of the single link extension of the adjacent link member.

Claim 28

The structure claimed in claim 22 wherein the free ends of said spaced legs are turned inwardly, and said intUrned ends adapted to be slidably hooked about wear strips on the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 29

A link member for a cutter chain and the like comprising a body portion having a pair of spaced link extensions at both ends, the spaced link extensions of each pair having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said link member adapted to be connected to a similar link member by a single-link member having perforated ends adapted to be received between adjacent pairs of spaced link extensions with said perforations in said nested parts being coaxial, said body portion of said link member having at least one leg adapted to slidably engage the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 30

A link member for a cutter chain and the like comprising a body portion having a pair of spaced link extensions at both ends, the spaced link extensions of each pair having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said link member adapted to be connected to a similar link member by a single-link member having perforated ends adapted to be received between adjacent pairs of spaced link extensions with said perforations in said nested parts being coaxial, said body portion of said link member having at least one leg adapted to slidably engage the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 31

The structure claimed in claim 25 wherein said body portion has a leg of inverted T-shaped cross section adapted to slidably engage channels of inverted T-shaped cross section in the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 32

The structure claimed in claim 25 wherein said body portion has a pair of spaced legs extending therefrom, said pair of spaced legs being configured to straddle and slidably engage the longitudinal edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 33

A cutter chain for a mining machine and the like comprising a plurality of link members joined by pintles, each of said link members having a body adapted to mount a cutting tool, said body having a single-link extension at one end and a pair of spaced link extensions at the other end, said single-link extensions having a transverse perforation therethrough, said pair of link extensions having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, the single-link extension of each of said link members being located between the spaced pair of link extensions of an adjacent link member with their respective perforations in alignment, said pintles passing through said aligned perforations of adjacent link members to pivotally connect said adjacent link members, the ends of said pintles extending beyond the exterior surfaces of said pairs of spaced link extensions, means in association with said ends of said pintles, to hold said pintles in place, each of said pintles being freely rotatable within its respective coaxial perforations, each of said link members having at least one leg projecting from said body and adapted to slidably engage the edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 34

A cutter chain for a mining machine and the like comprising a plurality of link members joined by pintles, each of said link members having a body adapted to mount a cutting tool, said body having a single-link extension at one end and a pair of spaced link extensions at the other end, said single-link extensions having a transverse perforation therethrough, said pair of link extensions having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, the single-link extension of each of said link members being located between the spaced pair of link extensions of an adjacent link member with their respective perforations in alignment, said pintles passing through said aligned perforations of adjacent link members to pivotally connect said adjacent link members, the ends of said pintles extending beyond the exterior surfaces of said pairs of spaced link extensions, means in association with said ends of said pintles, to hold said pintles in place, each of said pintles being freely rotatable within its respective coaxial perforations, each of said link members having at least one leg projecting from said body and adapted to slidably engage the edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 35

The structure claimed in claim 28 wherein said pair of spaced link extensions of each link member is of sufficient length to permit entrance therebetween of one of the teeth of a drive sprocket and engagement by said tooth of the rear surface of the body portion of said link member ahead of the single-link extension of the adjacent link member.

Claim 36

A cutter chain for a mining machine and the like said cutter chain comprising a plurality of cutting-tool-carrying members connected together by alternate single-link members, each of said cutting-tool-carrying link members having a body portion with a pair of spaced link extensions at both ends, the spaced link extensions of each pair having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said single-link members each having a transverse perforation at both ends thereof, the ends of each single-link member being adapted to be received between a pair of double-link extensions of two adjacent cutting-tool-carrying link members with their respective transverse perforations being in alignment, said pintles passing through said aligned perforations and being freely rotatable therein, the ends of said pintles extending beyond the exterior surfaces of said pairs of spaced link extensions, means in association with said ends of said pintles to hold said pintles in place in their respective coaxial perforations, each of said cutting-tool-carrying link members having at least one leg to slidably engage the edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 37

A cutter chain for a mining machine and the like said cutter chain comprising a plurality of cutting-tool-carrying members connected together by alternate single-link members, each of said cutting-tool-carrying link members having a body portion with a pair of spaced link extensions at both ends, the spaced link extensions of each pair having coaxial transverse perforations therethrough, said single-link members each having a transverse perforation at both ends thereof, the ends of each single-link member being adapted to be received between a pair of double-link extensions of two adjacent cutting-tool-carrying link members with their respective transverse perforations being in alignment, said pintles passing through said aligned perforations and being freely rotatable therein, the ends of said pintles extending beyond the exterior surfaces of said pairs of spaced link extensions, means in association with said ends of said pintles to hold said pintles in place in their respective coaxial perforations, each of said cutting-tool-carrying link members having at least one leg to slidably engage the edge portions of a cutter bar.

Claim 38

A cutter chain for use with a cutter bar and sprocket assembly and the like, said cutter chain being comprised of a plurality of link members, pintles for joiniNg adjacent link members, certain of said link members at least having leg means to engage a chain guide surface on the periphery of the cutter bar, and said pintles being located outside of the periphery of the cutter bar chain guide surface when said chain is mounted on the cutter bar, at least some of said link members being adapted to receive cutter bits which extend away from the chain guide surface.

Claim 39

A cutter chain for use with a cutter bar and sprocket assembly and the like, said cutter chain being comprised of a plurality of link members, pintles for joiniNg adjacent link members, certain of said link members at least having leg means to engage a chain guide surface on the periphery of the cutter bar, and said pintles being located outside of the periphery of the cutter bar chain guide surface when said chain is mounted on the cutter bar, at least some of said link members being adapted to receive cutter bits which extend away from the chain guide surface.

Claim 40

The cutter chain of claim 31 in which said leg means comprises a pair of members adapted to straddle the chain guide surface.

Claim 41

The cutter chain of claim 31 in which said leg means comprises a generally T-shaped member adapted to engage a similarly shaped channel constituting a part of the chain guide surface.

Claim 42

The cutter chain of claim 31 in which said pintles are freely rotatable with respect to said link members.

Claim 43

The cutter chain of claim 31 in which the ends of said pintles extend beyond the surfaces of the link members they join.

Claim 44

The cutter chain of claim 31 in which said leg means are provided with surfaces to be engaged by the sprocket.

Claim 45

An assembly including a cutter bar, a chain and a sprocket, said chain being comprised of a plurality of link members, said cutter bar having a chain guide surface at its periphery, certain at least of said link members having leg means to engage said chain guide surface, pintles engaging adjacent link members, said pintles being located beyond the chain guide surface, some of said link members being adapted to receive cutter bits, and engagement surfaces on some of said link members to be engaged by said sprocket.

Claim 46

An assembly including a cutter bar, a chain and a sprocket, said chain being comprised of a plurality of link members, said cutter bar having a chain guide surface at its periphery, certain at least of said link members having leg means to engage said chain guide surface, pintles engaging adjacent link members, said pintles being located beyond the chain guide surface, some of said link members being adapted to receive cutter bits, and engagement surfaces on some of said link members to be engaged by said sprocket.

Claim 47

The assembly of claim 1 including chain guide surfaces on said longitudinal edge portions, said leg means engaging said chain guide surfaces, and said pintles being beyond said chain guide surfaces.

Claim 48

The assembly of claim 37 wherein said leg means comprises a depending member having at least one lateral extension, and said cutter bar chain guide surface comprising a channel in the longitudinal edge portion of said cutter bar, said channel having a configuration which conforms with said leg means, said leg means having a sliding fit in said channel.

Claim 49

The assembly of claim 39 including a chain guide means fixed at one end of said cutter bar, said chain guide means comprising a member having a peripheral edge a portion at least of which is substantially semicircular, said peripheral edge having a channel therein of a configuration which comprises a continuation of said channel in said cutter bar, said leg means also having a sliding fit in said chain guide means channel.

Claim 50

The sprocket of claim 17 in which said body is provided with a relief in said peripheral edge between each of said lugs.

Claim 51

The cutter bar of claim 18 in which said cutter bar is designed to receive a chain comprised of a plurality of link members joined by pintles, some at least of said link members having leg means to engage said cutter bar, the thickness of said cutter bar being less than the thickness of said link members.

Claim 52

The link member of claim 20 in which said pair of spaced link extensions is set inwardly from the lateral sides of said link member sufficient that a pintle may be passed through said coaxial perforations whereby to join said pair of link extensions with a said single-link extension with the ends of said pintle stopping short of or at the lateral sides of said link member.

Claim 53

The cutter chain of claim 31 in which said leg means comprises a depending member having at least one lateral extension, and said cutter bar chain guide surface comprising a channel on the periphery of said cutter bar, said channel having a configuration which conforms with said leg means, said leg means having a sliding fit in said channel.

Claim 54

The link member of claim 20 including a pair of cutting tools mounted on said body portion, the axes of said cutting tools being substantially coplanar and substantially normal to the cutter bar, said cutting tools being disposed about 180* from one another and each extending outwardly from said body portion, the axes of said cutting tools being in substantially the same plane as the said coaxial perforations in the said pair of spaced link extensions.

Claim 55

The assembly of claim 37 in which a said link member adapted to receive cutter bits is provided with a pair of cutter bits, the axes of said cutter bits being substantially coplanar and substantially normal to said cutter bar, said cutter bits being disposed about 180* from one another and each extending outwardly from said link member, the axes of said cutter bits and the axes of said pintles being in substantially the same plane.