US3639004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunneling machines
Assignee: Greenside Machine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-01-02
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A tunneling machine has a radially extending arm mounted at its center to a rotatably torque shaft. Each half of the arm mounts a respective rotary cutting head which is traversable over that half. In use, the cutting heads are equally spaced from the torque shaft axis, and the torque shaft is rotated through 180* to remove mineral from a face. The arm is then returned to its original position, equally spaced radial positions and a further cutting movement performed. Other cutting procedures may be employed.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Lockwood
- 👤 Gerald R O Pentith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:24
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/10; E21D9/1006; E21D9/1013; E21D9/1033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A tunneling machine for cutting cylindrical tunnels comprising: a. a support platform and means associated therewith for propelling said support platform forwardly and rearwardly; b. a frame mounted on said platform and movable relative thereto about substantially horizontal and vertical axes; c. a torque shaft mounted in and extending forwardly of said frame; d. a piston and cylinder unit operable to rotate said torque shaft through 180*; e. a piston and cylinder unit operable to axially advance and retract said torque shaft relative to said frame; f. an arm mounted on the forward end of said torque shaft and having two arm sections extending radially from said torque shaft at a 180* respective angle; g. a slideway provided on each side arm section; h. a carriage slidably mounted in each said slideway; i. a motor-driven rotary pick-mounting cutting head supported in each said carriage; and j. drive means for traversing said carriages along said slideways at equal distances from the axis of said torque shaft thereby ensuring that said cutting heads remain counterbalanced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A tunneling machine for cutting cylindrical tunnels comprising: a. a support platform and means associated therewith for propelling said support platform forwardly and rearwardly; b. a frame mounted on said platform and movable relative thereto about substantially horizontal and vertical axes; c. a torque shaft mounted in and extending forwardly of said frame; d. a piston and cylinder unit operable to rotate said torque shaft through 180*; e. a piston and cylinder unit operable to axially advance and retract said torque shaft relative to said frame; f. an arm mounted on the forward end of said torque shaft and having two arm sections extending radially from said torque shaft at a 180* respective angle; g. a slideway provided on each side arm section; h. a carriage slidably mounted in each said slideway; i. a motor-driven rotary pick-mounting cutting head supported in each said carriage; and j. drive means for traversing said carriages along said slideways at equal distances from the axis of said torque shaft thereby ensuring that said cutting heads remain counterbalanced.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for cutting a cylindrical tunnel in a mineral face utilizing a tunneling machine having two rotary cutting heads on parallel axes, said method comprising the following steps: a. axially advancing the cutting heads into the mineral face to remove material therefrom; b. revolving the cutting heads 180* about an axis parallel to and in the plane of the cutting head axes and equidistant therebetween, said revolving action removing additional material from the mineral face; c. radially traversing the cutting heads perpendicular to the revolution axis, the cutting heads remaining equidistant from the revolution axis, said traversing action removing additional material from the mineral face; and d. revolving the cutter heads 180* about the revolution axis, said revolving action removing additional material from the mineral face.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for cutting a cylindrical tunnel in a mineral face utilizing a tunneling machine having two rotary cutting heads on parallel axes, said method comprising the following steps: a. axially advancing the cutting heads into the mineral face to remove material therefrom; b. revolving the cutting heads 180* about an axis parallel to and in the plane of the cutting head axes and equidistant therebetween, said revolving action removing additional material from the mineral face; c. radially traversing the cutting heads perpendicular to the revolution axis, the cutting heads remaining equidistant from the revolution axis, said traversing action removing additional material from the mineral face; and d. revolving the cutter heads 180* about the revolution axis, said revolving action removing additional material from the mineral face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein after each mineral-removing revolving step, the cutting heads are counter revolved 180* without removing material from the mineral face.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |