National Mine Service Company

Barry R Kelley

Maurice K LeBegue

Earl C Michael

An operator's compartment for a mobile machine, such as a machine used in underground mining operations, is pivotally connected to the machine frame for positioning at a preselected elevation above the ground or in contact with the ground to follow the contour of the ground in a 'free floating' condition. The first overhead canopy is supported above the operator's compartment at a fixed elevation. Positioned beneath the first overhead canopy is an operator's seat securely positioned on the platform to provide an operator's station from which the machine is operated. Positioned in underlying relation with the first overhead canopy is a second overhead canopy that extends forwardly from the operator's station. The first and second canopies provide for complete overhead protection of an operator. The second overhead canopy is pivotally connected at one end to the machine frame and includes at the opposite end a control panel which is suspended downwardly from the second overhead canopy to a position opposite the operator's seat. Suitable height adjustment means, such as a fixed length or piston cylinder assembly, is connected to the second overhead canopy to permit adjustments in the elevation of the second canopy and the control panel. With this arrangement not only is the second canopy adjustable relative to the first, but the control panel may be repositioned on the platform to allow a change in the position of the controls to suit the operator.

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Ashland, KY, United States of America

Barry R Kelley