Oscillating disk thin seam mining machine with steering

Claim 2

A mining machine having a drilling head and a carrier, means pivotally mounting said head to the forward end of said carrier; fluid operated means for arcuately reciprocating said drilling head about said pivot means; said carrier having a first portion and a second portion, said portions being laterally pivotable with respect to each other about a veratical axis which is capable of limited travel both lengthwise and laterally of said machine; a pair of laterally spaced hydraulic props mounted on one of said portions, one of said props being on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said machine, each of said props having extensible legs extending both above and below said carrier to provide floor and roof engagement; at least one hydraulic prop mounted on the second of said portions and having extensible legs extending both above and below said carrier to provide floor and roof engagement; a pair of extensible and retractable cylinders interconnecting said first and second portions, said cylinders being independently operable to pivot said portions with respect to each other and about one of said props by extension or retraction of said cylinders to enable said machine to execute a turn of 90° substantially about its midpoint.

Claim 3

A mining machine as described in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic prop mounted on said second portion independently of said cylinders is movable longitudinally of said machine with respect to said first section.

Claim 4

A mining machine as described in claim 1 wherein said carrier is selectively movable lengthwise of said props to adjust the vertical position thereof with respect to the floor and roof surfaces.

Claim 5

A mining machine as described in claim 1 wherein each of the props extending from said carrier toward the mine floor are extensible and retractable independently of the props extending toward the mine roof.

Claim 6

A mining machine as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are offset with respect to each other lengthwise of said machine.

Claim 7

A mining machine as described in claim 5 wherein means are provided for urging said front and rear portions apart for biasing said drilling head into the rock ahead of said machine.

Claim 8

A mining machine as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are vertically superimposed one above the other.

Claim 9

A mining machine as described in claim 7 wherein said first portion is a laterally extending beam and said pair of props are mounted thereon, one adjacent each end; said second portion being a longitudinally extending member; a pivot pin interconnecting said first and second portions substantially at their geometric centers; a slot-like opening in said beam receiving said pivot pin for permitting lateral displacement of said beam with respect to said pin; a longitudinal slot in said second portion receiving said pin for permitting longitudinal displacement of said second portion with respect to said pin.

Claim 10

A mining machine as described in claim 7 wherein said first portion is a laterally extending beam and said pair of props are mounted thereon, one adjacent each end; said second portion being a longitudinally extending member; a pivot pin interconnecting said first and second portions substantially at their geometric centers; said first portion being laterally movable with respect to said pin and said second portion being longitudinally movable with respect to said pin.

Claim 11

A mining machine as described in claim 9 wherein a fluid operated piston means in secured to said first portion and acts lengthwise thereof to shift said first portion laterally with respect to said second portion.

Claim 12

A mining machine as described in claim 9 wherein a pair of fluid operated piston means are secured to said first portion, one on each side of said pin and acts lengthwise of said first portion to shift said first portion laterally with respect to said second portion.

Claim 13

A mining machine for mining ores of non-ferrous metals from narrow reefs in hard rock, said machine having a drilling head and a carrier; said carrier having a front portion and a rear portion, means pivotally mounting said head to said front portion; hydraulic means for arcuately reciprocating said drilling head about said pivot means; a pair of laterally spaced independently operable, fluid operated extensible and retractable cylinders interconnecting said front and rear portions and providing the only hinge connection between said portions; a pair of fluid operated props on said front portion, each of said props having extensible and retractable legs projecting both above and below said front portion to provide floor and roof engagement; said leg means being laterally spaced, one on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said machine; at least one fluid operated prop on said rear portion offset laterally to one side of said longitudinal centerline, said portions with respect to each other being pivotal in incremental steps at least 90° to either side about one of said props by selective extension and retraction of said cylinders and of said props whereby said machine may be made to execute a turn of 90° about its approximate midpoint.

Claim 14

A mining machine for mining ores of non-ferrous metals from narrow reefs in hard rock, said machine having a drilling head and a carrier; said carrier having a front portion and a rear portion, means pivotally mounting said head to said front portion; hydraulic means for arcuately reciprocating said drilling head about said pivot means; a pair of laterally spaced independently operable, fluid operated extensible and retractable cylinders interconnecting said front and rear portions and providing the only hinge connection between said portions; a pair of fluid operated props on said front portion, each of said props having extensible and retractable legs projecting both above and below said front portion to provide floor and roof engagement; said leg means being laterally spaced, one on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said machine; at least one fluid operated prop on said rear portion offset laterally to one side of said longitudinal centerline, said portions with respect to each other being pivotal in incremental steps at least 90° to either side about one of said props by selective extension and retraction of said cylinders and of said props whereby said machine may be made to execute a turn of 90° about its approximate midpoint.

Claim 15

A mining machine as described in claim 12 wherein said head mounting pivot means is on said longitudinal centerline of said machine and said head has a plurality of drilling tools, said head in combination with said forward portion having an arc of lateral pivotal movement such that said tools have a cutting arc in excess of 180°.

Claim 16

A mining machine as described in claim 12 wherein said cylinders are adjacent the lateral side edges of said machine and said prop means on said forward portion are substantially aligned with said cylinders, one on each side, said prop means on said rear portion being offset laterally inwardly of said cylinders whereby actuation of said cylinders can result in rotational movement of said rear portion about one of said props on said rear portion.