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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Reference is now made to
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.
With specific reference to
As can be seen from
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
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
In use, and with reference to
Once latched into position, as shown in
According to a further aspect of the disclosure, and with reference to
The pod 10 may also be modular in construction. For example, as shown in
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.
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.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62151713 | Apr 2015 | US |