Suspension system for operator compartment

Abstract

A suspension system for the operator compartment of a mine vehicle suitable for working in underground mines having low head room. A pair of vertically extending guide tracks are rigidly secured to a frame member of the mine vehicle. Each of the track members has associated with it a roller bracket constructed so that all moving contact between the roller bracket and the guide track which guides it is a rolling contact. Each roller bracket includes a projecting stud member of substantial construction which passes through an opening in the rear wall of the operator compartment, the two stud members providing the only points of support for the operator compartment. The operator compartment normally rests on and slides over the floor of the mine and by this arrangement is free to move vertically up and down as the elevation of the mine floor changes or when the bottom of the operator compartment encounters obstacles or debris on the mine floor. One of the openings in the rear wall of the operator compartment is elongated to permit either end of the compartment to move in an arcuate path with respect to the other end so that the compartment may tilt from end to end as required and to prevent binding and sticking of the roller brackets as they move vertically on the guide tracks. Stop means and shock absorbing means are provided to limit movement of the roller brackets in the guide tracks and to cushion the shock transmitted to the operator when the roller brackets impact the stop means.