Pinless haulage drive chain and rack-form link for use seriatim in forming same

摘要

A rack form link component (10) has at its opposite ends complementary shaped parts one of which has a projection (11) of T-shape in plan view and the other of which has a recess (12) of T-shape in plan view to receive as a clearance fit the projection (11) of an adjoining link component (10). The link component (10) also has a central spine of upstanding rack formation and integral therewith on either side thereof two walls (26,27) of the same length but one (27) vertically deeper than the other (26) thus forming a saddle. The wall (26) of lesser depth is to be used as trapping means for a mineral mining machine on its traverse along a conveyor, and the deeper wall (27) is to be econompassed by trapping means for the link itself via a shoulder (28) extending from this wall. Locating means on the link component (10) is situated within the saddle and is in the form of a block (31) positioned on the underside of the rack formation spine.;A pinless haulage drive chain co-operable with a drive roller means comprises a series of like rack form link components (10) each as above and loosely interfitted seriatim.;A scraper chain conveyor comprises conveyor line pans and a mining machine moveable therealong. The pans (35) have attached thereto elongate box sections (36) each approximating to the length of a conveyor pan (35) and carrying on its top surface a spine (37) of rectangular cross section secured to and extending longitudinally of the box section. The spine (37) has along the length of its top surface a series of cavities (38,39,40) of which one (40) is positioned approximately midway of the length of the spine (37) and is dimensioned to be a locating fit for the block (31) at the underside of the upper wall of a rack form link component (10) of a pinless haulage drive chain as above set forth and of which the others (38,39) are symmetrical about the cavity (40) and are clearance fits in the first case for the remaining blocks (31) within the set of successive link components (10) co-operating with the spine (37) and in the second case for the lower part of the interfitting formations at the ends of the successive link components (10) of the set. The summation of the clearances between projections (11) and recesses (12) in the set of successive link components (10) is at least equal to the total movement obtainable between any pair of conveyor pans (35).