Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a drum cutter mining machine of the type traversed along a track device extending over the distance traversed by the mining machine for movement thereof along the face of an underground mine, said drum cutter mining machine including a prime mover coupled to rotate a drive gearwheel about a first axis, the combination therewith of apparatus to couple said drive gearwheel with a rack device at the side of the mining machine opposite the mine face, said apparatus including a hollow gearwheel including internal gear teeth drivingly coupled to said drive gearwheel for rotation by said prime mover about a second axis spaced from said first axis, said hollow gearwheel further including external gear teeth to mesh with teeth of said rack device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a drum cutter mining machine of the type traversed along a track device extending over the distance traversed by the mining machine for movement thereof along the face of an underground mine, said drum cutter mining machine including a prime mover coupled to rotate a drive gearwheel about a first axis, the combination therewith of apparatus to couple said drive gearwheel with a rack device at the side of the mining machine opposite the mine face, said apparatus including a hollow gearwheel including internal gear teeth drivingly coupled to said drive gearwheel for rotation by said prime mover about a second axis spaced from said first axis, said hollow gearwheel further including external gear teeth to mesh with teeth of said rack device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plate member supported for pivotal movement about the rotational axis of said drive gearwheel to close the side of said hollow gearwheel facing toward said mining machine, bearing means carried by said plate member for rotatable support of said hollow gearwheel, and means to retain said plate member at a desired pivoted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a housing rigidly mounted onto said mining machine for surrounding a portion of said hollow gearwheel, said housing having an opening in the bottom wall thereof for meshing engagement of the external teeth of said hollow gearwheel with the teeth of said rack device, said housing further having a slot-like recess in the side wall facing outwardly from the mining machine, said slot-like recess extending centrally with respect to the rotational axis of said drive gearwheel, and a carrier including bearing means connected to said housing at a desired location within said recess to rotatably support said hollow gearwheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said hollow gearwheel includes an arbor shaft supported by said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 further including means forming a lubricant and dust impervious seal between said hollow gearwheel and said plate member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said lubricant and dust impervious seal includes an annular projection extending into an annular recess to form a labyrinth between mating face surfaces on said hollow gearwheel and said plate member.