U.S. patent application number 15/153390 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for materials pod for mining machine and related methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is J.H. FLETCHER & CO.. Invention is credited to Timothy D. BURGESS, William Garnet KENDALL.
Application Number | 20170247181 15/153390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59679380 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170247181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BURGESS; Timothy D. ; et
al. |
August 31, 2017 |
MATERIALS POD FOR MINING MACHINE AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a
mining machine and for being transported to or from the mining
machine by a vehicle. The apparatus may comprise a pod including a
base portion having a floor for supporting the materials. The pod
may further include a connector adapted for connecting with the
vehicle for transporting the pod to and from the mining machine. A
vehicle having a receiver for receiving a portion of the pod
includes a latch for latching with the connector. The pod may also
have a tapered lower portion for creating a space with the floor
for receiving a lifter, such as a bucket on a hauler or the
like.
Inventors: |
BURGESS; Timothy D.; (South
Point, OH) ; KENDALL; William Garnet; (Chesapeake,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
J.H. FLETCHER & CO. |
Huntington |
WV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59679380 |
Appl. No.: |
15/153390 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62151713 |
Apr 23, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21F 13/00 20130101;
E21F 13/006 20130101; E21D 20/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/12 20060101
B65D088/12; E21F 13/00 20060101 E21F013/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a
mining machine and for being transported to or from the mining
machine by a vehicle, comprising: a materials pod including a base
portion for supporting the materials and an open upper end for
providing access to the materials in the pod, the materials pod
further including a connector projecting therefrom, the connector
adapted for connecting to the vehicle for transporting the
materials pod to and from the mining machine.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a lifter
having a bucket, and the pod comprises a tapered portion adapted
for engaging the bucket.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pod comprises spaced arms
adapted for supporting the connector.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a receiver adapted
for receiving the materials pod, the receiver including at least
one open side for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end
wall for engaging the materials pod in a nested condition.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a hinge for moving
the connector from an operative position to a retracted
position.
6. An apparatus for holding materials for use in a mining
operation, comprising: a mining machine having a support; and a
materials pod supported by the support, the materials pod having an
overhang for extending beyond a perimeter of the support in an
operative position.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the materials pod comprises a
tapered portion adapted for engaging a bucket associated with a
lifter.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the materials pod comprises
spaced arms projecting from a wall thereof and supporting a
connector extending transverse to the wall.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support comprises a
receiver including at least one open side for receiving the
materials pod and an opposing end wall for engaging the materials
pod in a nested position.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the open side is bounded by
flared sidewalls of the receiver for guiding the materials pod to
the nested position.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mining machine includes a
latch for latching to the materials pod.
12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mining machine comprises
a bolter.
13. The apparatus of claim 6, further including a hinge for moving
the overhang from the operative position to a travel position.
14. An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a
mining operation, comprising: a materials pod including a base
portion for supporting the materials, the materials pod further
including a connector; and a vehicle having a receiver for
receiving a portion of the materials pod, the vehicle including a
latch for latching with the connector.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vehicle comprises an LHD
and the receiver comprises a bucket.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein materials pod comprises a
tapered portion for engaging the bucket.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the materials pod comprises
spaced arms supporting the connector.
18. An apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a
mining machine in a mine passage having a floor, comprising: a
materials pod having an open upper portion for receiving the
materials and a tapered lower portion for forming a space between
the materials pod and the floor of the mine passage.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further including a lifter adapted
for positioning in the space.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the materials pod comprises
a plurality of arms extending from the pod, the arms supporting a
connector for connecting the materials pod to a lifter.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/151,713, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application relates to the mining field and, in
particular, to a materials pod for use in connection with a mining
machine, such as an underground roof bolter, and related
methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various proposals have been made for material handling and
storage in connection with underground mining machines. An example
may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,148, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference. While the --148 patent mentions
using a load-haul-dump, or LHD, vehicle, to install the pod in
place, this may be easier said than done given the bulky nature of
the disclosed pod. Efficiency is a paramount consideration in
mining, and especially in the case of bolting the faces of mine
passages (or "roof" bolting), which needs to be done as the mining
process is completed and could serve as a limitation on progress if
not done efficiently.
[0004] Accordingly, a need is thus identified for an improved pod
for holding or storing materials that contributes to the enhanced
efficiency of the mining operation. The pod would be above to be
efficiently and effectively installed on or removed from a mining
machine without extensive retrofitting, and using existing
equipment in the mine environment. Overall, a significant savings
of time and money would be realized through utilization of the
disclosed concepts.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is
disclosed for holding or storing materials for use in connection
with a mining machine and for being transported to or from the
mining machine by a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a materials
pod including a base portion for supporting the materials, and
having an open upper portion for providing access to the materials.
The materials pod further includes a connector projecting
therefrom, the connector adapted for connecting to the vehicle for
transporting the materials pod to and from the mining machine.
[0006] In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a lifter having a
bucket, and the pod comprises a tapered portion adapted for
engaging the bucket. The pod may comprise spaced arms adapted for
supporting the connector. A receiver may be adapted for receiving
the materials pod, the receiver including at least one open side
for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end wall for
engaging the materials pod in a nested condition. A hinge may also
be provided for moving the connector from an operative position to
a retracted position.
[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus
for holding materials for use in a mining operation is provided.
The apparatus comprises a mining machine having a support. A
materials pod is supported by the support. The materials pod
includes an overhang for extending beyond a perimeter of the
support in an operative position.
[0008] In one embodiment, the materials pod comprises a tapered
portion adapted for engaging a bucket associated with a lifter. The
materials pod may comprise spaced arms projecting from a wall
thereof and supporting a connector extending transverse to the
wall. The support may comprise a receiver including at least one
open side for receiving the materials pod and an opposing end wall
for engaging the materials pod in a nested position. The open side
may be bounded by flared sidewalls of the receiver for guiding the
materials pod to the nested position. The mining machine may also
include a latch for latching to the materials pod, and may comprise
a bolter. A hinge may also be provided for moving the overhang from
the operative position to a travel position.
[0009] Still a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an
apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining
operation. The apparatus comprises a materials pod including a base
portion for supporting the materials, the materials pod further
including a connector. A vehicle includes a receiver for receiving
a portion of the materials pod, the vehicle including a latch for
latching with the connector.
[0010] In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises an LHD and the
receiver comprises a bucket. The materials pod may comprise a
tapered portion for engaging the bucket. The materials pod may
comprise spaced arms supporting the connector.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, an
apparatus for holding materials for use in connection with a mining
machine in a mine passage having a floor. The apparatus comprises a
materials pod including a tapered lower portion for forming a space
between the materials pod and the floor, as well as an open upper
portion for providing access to the materials. The apparatus may
further include a lifter adapted for positioning in the space. The
materials pod may comprise a plurality of arms extending from the
pod, the arms supporting a connector for connecting the materials
pod to a lifter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0012] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and
forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of
the pod for storing materials and, together with the description,
serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing
figures:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a mining machine;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the mining machine of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the mining machine including a
materials pod according to the disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the mining machine of FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a materials pod and
associated receiver according to one embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 6-11 are progressive side views illustrating a
procedure for associating the pod first with a vehicle including a
lifter and then with a mining machine; and
[0019] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating an alternate embodiment
of the materials pod.
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the materials pod, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-4, which illustrate a
mining machine M for which the materials pod 10 of the disclosure
may have utility. The machine M may be any type of mining machine,
but the pod 10 is especially useful in connection with a machine in
the form of a bolter having bolting rigs R for installing anchorage
in the roof, ribs, or other faces of a mine passage, as well as
automated temporary roof support(s) (ATRS) (see, e.g., U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2012/0247836 and U.S. Pat. No.
8,342,267, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference). Such a machine M is typically adapted for moving around
the mine passage, such as on wheels Z, and thus may be considered a
vehicle.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the bolter serving as the
machine M includes an operator's station O, which is positioned
adjacent the location of the materials pod 10. The station O may
also be associated with a walkway W for allowing the operator to
exit the machine M from the rear. An adjacent support S may also be
provided for supporting the pod 10 in use on the machine M.
[0023] With specific reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the details of
the pod 10 can be understood. The pod 10 may include a tray or base
12, which may be rectangular, but could have other shapes. The base
12 may include a substantially planar floor 14 and at least three
upstanding walls 16 for confining any materials within the pod 10,
and forming an open upper end or portion for allowing ready access
to the materials by the operator of the machine M. One or more of
the walls 16 may also include openings 16a, which may be adapted
for receiving a lifting device, such as a forklift.
[0024] As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the pod 10 may be sized
such that it partially overhangs the perimeter or periphery of the
machine M, or the portion forming the support S in particular. This
overhang 18 of the pod 10 may include a connector 20 (such as an
elongated cylindrical or square bar) for connecting with a lifting
machine, such as an LHD (see FIG. 11), or other type of forklift,
scoop, or the like, in a manner further described herein. The
overhang 18 may extend from the rear end E of the machine M when
the pod 10 is thereon, but could also extend from the lateral side
L as well, or both.
[0025] The overhang 18 may also include a tapered portion 24. This
portion 24 creates a space with the floor F (such as of a mine
passage) to allow a lifting device (such as an LHD bucket B or the
like) to get at least partially under the pod 10 for purposes of
lifting it (see FIG. 7), as well as to maintain the pod in a
substantially horizontal condition once lifted and as the bucket B
is manipulated to deliver the pod to the machine M. The tapered
portion 24 may comprise a plurality of arms 26 extending from the
pod 10, which arms may support the connector 20.
[0026] As can be appreciated, the overhang 18, and the entire pod
10 in particular, preferably has a low profile. For instance, in
the illustrated embodiment, the height H of the pod 10 is less than
the distance D spanning the mouth or opening of the bucket B, as
shown, and only minimally enters the bucket itself when associated
therewith. Advantageously, this low profile allows for the pod 10
to be raised to the roof in an underground mine (where vertical
space is usually severely limited) and placed onto the mining
machine M (see FIG. 11 and note roof or ceiling C).
[0027] In use, and with reference to FIGS. 6-11, the pod 10 may be
initially resting on a floor F, such as along a mine passage, and
may be provided with materials, including for example drill steels,
bolts, tools, cutters, or other associated parts. In this position,
it can be appreciated that a lifting device having an undersized
portion, such as the toe T of bucket B, may be positioned below the
overhang 18 to engage the arms 26 of the tapered portion 24.
Continued forward movement of the lifting device then causes the
pod 10 to climb until the connecter 20 encounters a retainer, such
as a latch 28 associated with the lifting machine, such as LHD,
which latch may be hydraulically actuated, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0028] Once latched into position, as shown in FIG. 8, the pod 10
may be lifted and transported to the machine M. The pod 10 may then
be placed onto the support S of machine M (FIG. 10) and latched
into position (such as using a spring latch 29). The retainer of
the lifter, such as the latch 28, may then be released and the pod
lowered into position (FIG. 10). The procedure may simply be
reversed for removing the pod 10.
[0029] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, and with
reference to FIGS. 5, 10, and 12, the machine M may also include a
receiver 30 for positioning on the support S for receiving the pod
10. The receiver 30 may include an open end 34 corresponding to the
overhang 18, and an endwall 32 defining a stop for the pod 10 and
also perhaps supporting the latch 29. Sidewalls 34 of the receiver
30 may also connect to the endwall 32, opposite to which is the
open end 34, adjacent to which the sidewalls may flare outwardly to
facilitate insertion of the pod 10 and guide it into position onto
the machine M.
[0030] The pod 10 may also be modular in construction. For example,
as shown in FIG. 12, the overhang 18 may be hingedly secured to the
tray or base 12, such that it may be retracted (note position 18')
when not needed. The hinge is shown as being located along an axis
where the taper commences, but could be anywhere along the overhang
18, which may thus move between an operative positon and a
non-operative position. The overhang 18 could also be made
removable from the base 12, such as through the use of fasteners
(bolts, pins, etc.). In any case, the retraction may aid with the
maneuverability of the machine M throughout the mine passage.
[0031] The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. These
descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments described
provide the best illustration of the inventive principles and their
practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in
the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
* * * * *