The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 1990
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1988
J Scott Martin, Lexington, KY (US);
Other;
Abstract
A mining apparatus for utilization in recovering coal includes a series of four cooperating legs: a right fore leg, left fore leg, right rear leg and left rear leg. Each leg is formed from a box-like shield. An inflatable bag is provided in each leg. When a particular bag is inflated, the bag expands extending the leg between the floor and roof of the mine. When deflated, the leg retracts. A series of hydraulic rams connect the legs together. These rams may be expanded and retracted as desired to move the support legs relative to one another. In this way the apparatus may be moved in substantially any direction about a 360.degree. arc. A microprocessor controller controls the operation of the apparatus. In accordance with further aspects of the invention, a number of mining apparatus of the type described may be connected together in series to form a line for roof support. In addition, one or more of the apparatus may be connected to a coal conveyor or other mining equipment such as a pneumatic breaker to provide propulsion.