Apparatus for continuously conveying coal from a continuous miner to a remote floor conveyor

摘要

Apparatus for use in conveying coal from the conveyor of a continuous miner to a spaced floor conveyor comprising first, second and third cooperating elongated scraper conveyor assemblies each having a coal receiving end and a coal discharging end. The receiving end of said first conveying assembly has a connection with the miner providing for limited tilting movement and for generally horizontal swinging movement with respect thereto in a position to receive the coal discharging from the conveyor of the miner. First and second mounting members extend in cantilever fashion from the receiving end of the second conveyor assembly and the receiving end of the third conveyor assembly respectively. First and second crawler units are disposed below the first and second mounting members respectively. Each crawler unit includes a frame structure, a pair of longitudinally coextensive parallel power driven endless track assemblies connected with the frame structure and a connection for supporting the associated mounting member on the frame structure for limited tilting movement and for horizontal swinging movement about a vertical axis disposed between the associated pair of endless track assemblies and intermediate the longitudinal extent thereof. A carriage assembly and articulated joint serves to mount the discharge end of the first, second and third conveyor assemblies on the receiving end of the second conveyor assembly, third conveyor assembly and floor conveyor respectively for longitudinal movement thereabove for limited tilting movement with respect thereto and generally horizontal swinging movement with respect thereto.