US5338102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of mining
Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
•
Filing: 1993-06-28
•
Granted: 1994-08-16
•
Expires: 2013-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of mining includes striking the surface of friable to brittle, essentially homogeneous mineral materials with a plurality of concave-faced cutting tools rotating about a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel with the surface of the mineral material. Segments of the mineral material are cleaved by the cutting tools as the tools strike the surface and then pass along a predetermined path completely through the mineral material.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin C. Lent
- 👤 Brad L. Holsapple
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:11
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/28; E02F9/2866; E02F9/02; E21; E21C; E21C25/00; E21C25/06; E21C35/00; E21C35/18; E21C35/183; E21C35/1837
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of mining a mineral material, comprising: rotating a plurality of cutting tools having a concave facial surface about a longitudinal axis, said axis being disposed substantially parallel with a surface of said material; sequentially impacting said surface of the material with said cutting tools; moving said cutting tools along a predetermined path through said material, said path beginning at said surface of said material and continuing to a preselected depth below said surface and returning to said surface; cleaving segments of said material during the moving of said cutting tool through the material, a portion of said segments having at least one generally curvilinear surface; and removing said segments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of mining a mineral material, comprising: rotating a plurality of cutting tools having a concave facial surface about a longitudinal axis, said axis being disposed substantially parallel with a surface of said material; sequentially impacting said surface of the material with said cutting tools; moving said cutting tools along a predetermined path through said material, said path beginning at said surface of said material and continuing to a preselected depth below said surface and returning to said surface; cleaving segments of said material during the moving of said cutting tool through the material, a portion of said segments having at least one generally curvilinear surface; and removing said segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of mining a mineral material, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal axis is moved transversely along a path generally parallel to said material surface simultaneously with rotating said cutting tools about said longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of mining a mineral material, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said longitudinal axis is maintained at a preselected distance from the surface of said material during movement along said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of mining a mineral material, as set forth in claim 1, wherein subsequent to removing said segments of the material, said segments are moved along said longitudinal axis to a predetermined position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1370084A
Cited
US3746101A
Cited
US4186968A
Cited
US4222446A
Cited
SU1029841A1
Cited
US4738291A
Cited
US4783123A
Cited
US4838729A
Cited
US5078219A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |