Fiber optic cable protection in a mining system

- Joy MM Delaware, Inc.

A chain link assembly, a cable chain assembly and a mining system. The cable handler individual links may include an enclosed section for the fiber optic cable separate from other services for the machine. A flexible material or other structure may assemble the fiber optic cable in the cable handler in a manner in which it “snakes” about the centerline to provide ample slack in the fiber optic cable to, for example, prevent over tension.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of prior-filed, co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/013,627, filed Jan. 25, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to longwall mining and, more particularly, to a cable handler chain in a longwall mining installation.

SUMMARY

A longwall shearer traverses along an armoured face conveyor (AFC) pan line to win material from the face. The operation of the shearer requires electrical power for cutting and tramming as well as water for cooling machine components including electric motors and gearcases. These services are provided out-bye the longwall face and must travel along the AFC to reach the shearer. Typically, these services lay statically along the AFC until the mid point of the face where the services typically enter the cable handling system which runs in a trough to the shearer towing bracket. The towing bracket is attached to the shearer and pulls the cable handler, with services inside, along the trough. The cable handling system is designed to withstand tension caused from the weight of the system and friction as it is being towed down the cable trough, protecting the services which are not designed to withstand these forces.

The services provided to the shearer typically include only electric cables and water hoses. However, fiber optics is becoming increasingly appealing as a way to, for example, provide an unmanned face in low seam longwall mining installations or even in high seam mining. Fiber optic cores are used for high speed single- and two-way communication between the shearer and the off-face equipment. The information consists of system I/O, diagnostic information, radio control and video transmission. If fiber optic cables are used for such communications, reliability of the fiber optic cores is important. The maximum tensional load for the fiber optic cores is considerably lower than all other cables being routed to the shearer.

The illustrated constructions may provide a reliable means of transmitting the data by protecting the fiber optic cable from over tension and failure. Reliability is important as significant downtime results in lost production and revenues of the mine, and, because of difficult ergonomic conditions associated with low seam longwall mining, repairs are difficult.

In order to ensure the reliability of the fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable may be placed in a separate compartment within the cable chain. This separate compartment may be formed by adding a divider to the chain link to create two different compartments, one for the electrical power cable/water hose and a much smaller one for the fiber optic cable. A compressible material may provide a means to assemble the fiber cable in such a way to ensure adequate slack exists over the entire length of the cable chain to prevent over tension and failure.

The separate compartment may ensure that the other larger lines cannot damage the fiber optic cable by sliding up against and over tensioning and wearing the fiber cable due to friction. The separate compartment may also provide means of constraining the compressible material in all degrees of freedom.

In one independent embodiment, a chain link assembly may generally include a chain link having a plurality of walls cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis, a fiber optic cable being supportable in the compartment, a service line (e.g., a power cable, a water hose, etc.) being supportable in the compartment, and a flexible member supported in the compartment and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward one of the plurality of walls.

In some constructions, the flexible member may include a compressible member supported on an opposite one of the plurality of walls. The compressible member may include a substantially solid member formed of compressible material. The compressible member may include a hollow member having a first portion engageable with the fiber optic cable and a second portion spaced from the first portion and engaging the opposite one of the plurality of walls. The hollow member may have a substantially tubular cross section. The compressible member may include a leaf spring. In some constructions, the flexible member may be connected to the one of the plurality of walls and extends at least partially around the fiber optic cable, the flexible member being in tension towards the one of the plurality of walls.

In some constructions, the chain link may further include an internal wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supportable in the first compartment, the service line being supportable in the second compartment. The internal wall may extend between the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls to define the first compartment on one side of the internal wall and the second compartment on the other side of the wall. The internal walls may be formed with the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls.

The internal wall may be separate from and connected to the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls. One of the plurality of walls may define a first groove, and the opposite one of the plurality of walls may define a second groove. The internal wall may include a first projection engageable in the first groove and a second projection engageable in the second groove to connect the internal wall to the one of the plurality of walls and to the opposite one of the plurality of walls. The internal wall may include a connecting member, a portion of the flexible member being captured between the connecting member and an opposite one of the plurality walls.

The flexible member may have a surface engageable with the fiber optic cable, the surface including a low friction material. The surface may be coated with the low friction material. The flexible member may have a surface engageable with the fiber optic cable, the surface having curved edges.

In another independent aspect, a cable chain assembly may generally include a plurality of chain links each having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis, a fiber optic cable extending through the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links, the fiber optic cable extending generally along a wave-shaped path, a service line supportable in the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links, a first flexible member supported in the compartment of one of the plurality of chain links and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the first flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward the top wall of the one of the plurality of chain links, and a second flexible member supported in the compartment a second one of the plurality of chain links and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the second flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward the bottom wall of the second one of the plurality of chain links.

In some constructions, a third one of the plurality of chain links may be connected between the one of the plurality of chain links and the second one of the plurality of chain links, the third one of the plurality of chain links not having a flexible member in the compartment. Each of the plurality of chain links may include a pair of forward projections and a pair of rearward projections each defining an opening, and the assembly may further include a first pin connecting the rearward projections of the one of the plurality of chain links to the forward projections of the third one of the plurality of chain links, the first pin defining a pivot axis between the one of the plurality of chain links and the third one of the plurality of chain links and a second pin connecting the rearward projections of the third one of the plurality of chain links to the forward projections of the second one of the plurality of chain links, the second pin defining a pivot axis between the third one of the plurality of chain links and the second one of the plurality of chain links.

In yet another independent embodiment, a mining system may generally include an armoured face conveyor extending along a face to be mined, the conveyor defining a cable trough, a shearer supported by and for movement along the conveyor, the shearer being operable to mine material from the face, and a cable chain assembly extending along an axis generally parallel to the face, the assembly being partially supported in the trough. The assembly may include a plurality of chain links each having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis, a fiber optic cable extending through the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links, the fiber optic cable extending generally along a wave-shaped path, the fiber optic cable being connected to the shearer, a service line supportable in the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links, the service line being connected to the shearer, a first flexible member supported in the compartment of one of the plurality of chain links and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the first flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward the top wall of the one of the plurality of chain links, and a second flexible member supported in the compartment a second one of the plurality of chain links and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the second flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward the bottom wall of the second one of the plurality of chain links.

Independent aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a longwall mining system including an Armoured Face Conveyor (“AFC”).

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the longwall mining system shown in FIG. 1 including the AFC, a shearer and a cable chain.

FIG. 3 is a profile view of a portion of the longwall mining system shown in FIG. 1 including the AFC, the shearer and the cable chain.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cable chain of the longwall mining system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cable chain of a longwall mining system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cable chain of a longwall mining system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cable chain shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the cable chain shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an alternative construction of the cable chain shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another alternative construction of the cable chain shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of yet another alternative construction of the cable chain shown in FIG. 4.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any independent embodiments or independent constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

A longwall mining system 10 is illustrated in the FIGS. 1-3. The system 10 may be used in mines having a low seam or a high seam. The system 10 generally includes an Armoured Face Conveyor (AFC) 14 extending along a face F to be mined (e.g., a coal block). A shearer 18 is supported on and traverses on the pan line 22 (see FIG. 3) of the AFC 14 to win material from the face F. Head and tail drives 26, 30 (see FIG. 1) move the conveyor of the AFC 14 to convey mined material (e.g., coal). The length of this system 10 is typically around 1000 feet.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the AFC 14 includes a cable trough 30 extending along an axis A generally parallel to the face F. A cable chain 34 is positioned in the cable trough 30 and extends generally along the axis A. As shown in FIG. 4, service lines (e.g., electrical power cables 38, 42, water hose 46) and a fiber optic cable 50 are supported in the cable chain 34.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the cable chain 34 is formed from a plurality of chain links 54a, 54b, 54c . . . 54n. Each chain link 54 generally includes (see FIGS. 4-5) a plurality of walls (e.g., a top wall 58, a bottom wall 62 and opposite side walls 66, 70) defining a link compartment 74 opening in the direction of the axis A. Each chain link 54 also includes (see FIGS. 5-6) a set of forward and rearward projections 78, 82, each defining an opening 86 for receiving a pin (not shown) to connect the chain links 54 into a chain (see FIGS. 5-6).

In the illustrated construction and in some independent aspects, each chain link 54 also includes an internal divider wall 90 dividing the link compartment 74 into a first compartment 94, for the fiber optic cable 50, and a second compartment 98, for the service lines (38, 42, 46). Each compartment 94, 98 is generally rectangular with the first compartment 94 being relatively narrow in a horizontal direction (see FIG. 4). In other constructions (not shown), the compartment(s) 94, 98 may have a different shape (e.g., square, round, oval, etc.) and/or size.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 4-6 and 9, the divider wall 90 is formed with the other walls (58, 62) of the chain link 54. In other constructions (see, for example, FIGS. 4B and 5-8), the divider wall 90 is separate from the chain link 54 and connected to the top and bottom walls 58, 62 by inter-engaging connecting members (FIG. 4B) such as, for example, keying projection(s) and groove(s) on the divider wall 90 and on the walls 58, 62. The connecting members cooperate to retain the divider wall 90 in position. In such constructions, the walls 58, 62, 66, 70 of the chain link 54 may also be formed separately from one another and connected by inter-engaging connecting members with a friction fit, pinned, etc.

In the illustrated construction and in some independent aspects, in at least some of the chain links 54, a flexible member 102 is provided in the first compartment 94 and engages the fiber optic cable 50. Flexible members 102 are arranged along the cable chain 34 to provide a non-linear (e.g., wave-shaped) path P for the fiber optic cable 50 such that there is slack in the fiber optic cable 50 (the length of the fiber optic cable 50 in the cable chain 34 is greater than the length of the cable chain 34).

The flexible member 102 may support and locate the fiber optic cable 50 in the first compartment 94. The surface 106 of the flexible member 102 engaging the fiber optic cable 50 includes a low friction material (e.g., the flexible member 102 may be formed of low friction material and/or the surface 106 may be coated with low friction material (e.g., a slippery coating)) to limit the coefficient of friction between the flexible member 102 and fiber optic cable 50 thereby limiting the extension of the fiber optic cable 50 along its axis as the fiber optic cable 50 is tensioned. Also, the surface 106 and the edges/corners 110 of the flexible member 102 in the area of the fiber optic cable 50 are sufficiently curved/rounded to prevent damage to the fiber optic cable 50 when relative motion occurs between the flexible member 102 and the fiber optic cable 50.

In some constructions (for example, in FIGS. 4-6, in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8), the flexible member 102 includes a compressible member such that, when the fiber optic cable 50 is pulled, compression is induced in the flexible member 102. Applying tension T on the fiber optic cable 50 causes the fiber optic cable 50 to compress the compressible member 102 in the direction of arrow D (see FIG. 6).

In the construction shown in FIGS. 4-6, the flexible member 102 includes a solid compressible member 102a formed of, for example, foam. The compressible member 102a generally occupies the majority of the first compartment 94 (e.g., the remainder of the first compartment not occupied by the fiber optic cable 50). The compressible member 102a is constructed to position the fiber optic cable 50 toward one wall (e.g., the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c).

In other constructions (FIG. 4A), the compressible member 102a may be constructed to at least partially encompass the fiber optic cable 50. For example, the compressible member 102a may also include a portion (FIG. 4A) between the fiber optic cable 50 and one or both of the adjacent side walls (70, 90) of the first compartment 94 and/or a portion (FIG. 4A) between the fiber optic cable 50 and the one wall (e.g., the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c) to at least partially fill space around the fiber optic cable 50 (see FIG. 4). In constructions in which the compressible member 102a at least partially encompasses the fiber optic cable 50, the compressible member 102a may also be sufficiently rigid such that a divider wall may not be provided to separate the fiber optic cable 50 from the service lines (38, 42, 46).

The compressible member 102a is positioned against the opposite wall (e.g., the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54a, the top wall 58 of the chain link 54c). In the illustrated construction (see FIG. 6), the surface of the opposite wall is curved to match the shape of the adjacent surface of the compressible member 102a. However, in other constructions (not shown), the surface of the opposite wall may have a different shape (e.g., linear).

In other constructions, the flexible member 102 includes a hollow compressible member, such as a hollow tubular member, that will allow the fiber optic cable 50 to deflect inwardly when subject to tension. As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible member 102 includes a hose section 102b (a short length of rubber hose). In a similar construction (see FIG. 8), the flexible member 102 includes a leaf spring 102c. The leaf spring 102c may be made of a number of materials to achieve the desired stiffness.

In the illustrated construction (see FIGS. 7-8), the divider wall 90 includes a connector 114 (e.g., a cantilevered protrusion), and the hose section 102b or the leaf spring 102c is retained by the connector 114 (e.g., between the connector 114 and the opposite wall (e.g., the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54a, the top wall 58 of the chain link 54c)).

In a further construction, the flexible member 102 includes a tension member, such as an elastic band 102d. The band 102d is connected to the one wall (e.g., the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c) and extends around the fiber optic cable 50. When the fiber optic cable 50 is tensioned, taking up the slack, the band 102d will be pulled in tension as well.

The band 102d can be an open loop for easy assembly/disassembly and be fastened to the wall 58 or 62 of the chain link 54. The walls 58, 62 are provided with recessed connecting portions 118 such that the band 102d is within the outer periphery of the chain link 54 (e.g., below the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, above the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c). Connecting the band 102d below flush on the outer surface of the wall 58 or 62 may protect the band 102d from becoming damaged, dislodged, etc. by external debris.

The flexible member 102 may provide one or more functions. For example, the flexible member 102 may provide a means of assembling the fiber optic cable 50 inside the cable chain 34 with a predetermined amount of slack. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the fiber optic cable 50 may be forced by the flexible members 102 into a “sine wave” to “snake” about the neutral axis of the cable chain 34 around the flexible members 102. The fiber optic cable 50 is assembled in the manner over the entire length of the cable chain 34. FIG. 5 shows a peak-to-valley of the fiber optic cable 50 assembled in this manner over three chain links 54a, 54b, 54c. This frequency can easily be adjusted depending on different requirements in the system 10 as each chain link 54 will be able to accept and retain a flexible member 102. Adequate slack in the fiber optic cable 50 accommodates the stretching of the cable chain 34 as it is subject to tension from the shearer 18.

The flexible member 102 may provide a buffer, or cushion, when the fiber optic cable 50 is subject to tension. When the fiber optic cable 50 is subject to tension, the resilient property of the flexible member 102 will allow the “snaked” cable 50 to compress the material and deflect inwardly (see FIG. 6), providing a means to limit over-tension and premature failure of the fiber optic cable 50. The flexible member 102 may fill a void in the first compartment 94 that could otherwise be occupied by debris (which may accelerate wear or cause failure of the fiber optic cable 50).

Various independent features and independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A chain link assembly for a cable chain assembly in a mining machine, the cable chain assembly extending along an axis, the chain link assembly comprising:

a chain link having a plurality of walls cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis, a centerline being defined between the plurality of walls and extending parallel to the axis, the chain link including a first projection and a second projection extending opposite the first projection, the chain link defining a length measured between the first projection and the second projection and parallel to the direction of the axis, a fiber optic cable being supportable in the compartment, a service line being supportable in the compartment; and
a flexible member supported in the compartment and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the flexible member having a length that is shorter than the length between the first projection and the second projection, the flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward one of the plurality of walls and away from the centerline at least when the fiber optic cable is in a slack state.

2. The chain link assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible member includes a compressible member supported on another of the plurality of walls opposite the one wall toward which the fiber optic cable is biased.

3. The chain link assembly of claim 2, wherein the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engageable with the fiber optic cable and a second portion engaging the opposite one of the plurality of walls.

4. The chain link assembly of claim 3, wherein the hollow member has a substantially tubular cross section.

5. The chain link assembly of claim 1, wherein the chain link further includes an internal wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supportable in the first compartment, the service line being supportable in the second compartment.

6. The chain link assembly of claim 5, wherein the internal wall is formed with the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls.

7. The chain link assembly of claim 5, wherein the internal wall is separate from and connected to the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls.

8. The chain link assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a surface engageable with the fiber optic cable, the surface including a low friction material.

9. The chain link assembly of claim 8, wherein the surface is coated with the low friction material.

10. A chain link assembly for a cable chain assembly in a mining machine, the cable chain assembly extending along an axis, the chain link assembly comprising:

a chain link having a plurality of walls cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis, the chain link including a first projection and a second projection extending opposite the first projection, the chain link defining a length measured between the first projection and the second projection and parallel to the direction of the axis, a fiber optic cable being supportable in the compartment, a service line being supportable in the compartment; and
a flexible member supported in the compartment and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the flexible member having a length that is shorter than the length between the first projection and the second projection, the flexible member positioning the fiber optic cable toward one of the plurality of walls,
wherein the chain link further includes an internal wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supportable in the first compartment, the service line being supportable in the second compartment,
wherein the internal wall includes a connector, a portion of the flexible member being captured between the connector and an opposite one of the plurality of walls.

11. The chain link assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible member includes a compressible member supported on another of the plurality of walls opposite the one wall toward which the fiber optic cable is biased.

12. The chain link assembly of claim 11, wherein the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engageable with the fiber optic cable and a second portion engaging the opposite one of the plurality of walls.

13. The chain link assembly of claim 12, wherein the hollow member has a substantially tubular cross section.

14. The chain link assembly of claim 10, wherein the internal wall is formed with the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls.

15. The chain link assembly of claim 10, wherein the internal wall is separate from and connected to the one of the plurality of walls and an opposite one of the plurality of walls.

16. The chain link assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible member has a surface engageable with the fiber optic cable, the surface including a low friction material.

17. A cable chain assembly for a mining machine, the cable chain assembly extending along an axis, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of chain links each having a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis;
a fiber optic cable extending through the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links, the fiber optic cable extending generally along a wave-shaped path relative to the plurality of chain links;
a service line supportable in the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links;
a first member supported in the compartment of one of the plurality of chain links and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the first member positioning the fiber optic cable toward one of the walls of the one of the plurality of chain links; and
a second member supported in the compartment of a second one of the plurality of chain links and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the second member positioning the fiber optic cable toward one of the walls of the second one of the plurality of chain links;
wherein the first member and the second member cooperate to position the fiber optic cable along at least a portion of the wave-shaped path.

18. The cable chain assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is flexible.

19. The cable chain assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the first member and the second member includes a compressible member supported on an opposite one of the first plurality of walls.

20. The cable chain assembly of claim 19, wherein the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engaging the fiber optic cable and a second portion engaging the opposite one of the first plurality of walls.

21. The cable chain assembly of claim 17, wherein a third one of the plurality of chain links is connected between the one of the plurality of chain links and the second one of the plurality of chain links, the third one of the plurality of chain links not having a member in the compartment.

22. The cable chain assembly of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of chain links further include an internal wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supported in the first compartment, the service line being supported in the second compartment.

23. The cable chain assembly of claim 17, wherein the first member has a surface engageable with the fiber optic cable, the surface including a low friction material.

24. A chain link assembly for a cable chain assembly in a mining machine, the cable chain assembly extending along an axis, the chain link assembly comprising:

a chain link having a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, and a third wall extending between the first wall and the second wall, the first wall, second wall, and third wall cooperating to define a compartment opening in the direction of the axis, a centerline defined between the first wall, second wall, and third wall and extending parallel to the axis;
a fiber optic cable supportable in the compartment;
a service line supportable in the compartment;
a connector coupled to the third wall; and
a resilient member supported by the connector and engageable with the fiber optic cable, the resilient member having a portion engageable with the fiber optic cable, the resilient member positioning the fiber optic cable toward one of the first wall and the second wall and away from the centerline at least when the fiber optic cable is in a slack state.

25. The chain link assembly of claim 24, wherein the resilient member is hollow and has a substantially tubular cross section.

26. The chain link assembly of claim 24, wherein another portion of the resilient member is captured between the connector and the other of the first wall and the second wall.

27. The chain link assembly of claim 24, wherein the third wall includes an internal wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment portion and a second compartment portion, the fiber optic cable being supportable in the first compartment portion, the service line being supportable in the second compartment portion.

28. The chain link assembly of claim 24, wherein the portion of the resilient member has a surface engageable with the fiber optic cable, the surface including a low friction material.

29. The chain link assembly of claim 24, wherein the chain link includes a first lug for coupling the chain link to an adjacent chain link and a second lug for coupling the chain link to another adjacent chain link, the chain link defining a length measured between the first lug and the second lug and parallel to the direction of the axis, and wherein the resilient member has a length that is shorter than the length between the first lug and the second lug.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1384153 July 1921 Roos
1940701 December 1933 Shope
1940702 December 1933 Shope
2034267 March 1936 Nydegger
3197954 August 1965 Merker et al.
3590854 July 1971 Cork
3779003 December 1973 Boissevain et al.
3811731 May 1974 Sann
4104871 August 8, 1978 Moritz
4570437 February 18, 1986 Moritz
4669507 June 2, 1987 Moritz
4711520 December 8, 1987 Bernardini
4769985 September 13, 1988 Moritz
4799760 January 24, 1989 Beatty et al.
4804252 February 14, 1989 Betzler et al.
4812003 March 14, 1989 Dambach et al.
4815810 March 28, 1989 Betzler et al.
4815812 March 28, 1989 Miller
4819273 April 1989 Gordon
4824198 April 25, 1989 Anderton
4833876 May 30, 1989 Kitao et al.
4834489 May 30, 1989 Betzler et al.
4944568 July 31, 1990 Danbach et al.
4962639 October 16, 1990 Blase
4988838 January 29, 1991 Kirtland
5048283 September 17, 1991 Moritz et al.
5094552 March 10, 1992 Monroe et al.
5110189 May 5, 1992 Haines
5115260 May 19, 1992 Hayward et al.
5138678 August 11, 1992 Briggs et al.
5151962 September 29, 1992 Walker et al.
5220779 June 22, 1993 Tatsuta et al.
5243814 September 14, 1993 Hart
5244256 September 14, 1993 Howard et al.
5295733 March 22, 1994 Le Begue
5321784 June 14, 1994 Cubukciyan et al.
5347603 September 13, 1994 Belenkiy et al.
5425119 June 13, 1995 Lee et al.
5515465 May 7, 1996 Olin et al.
5528712 June 18, 1996 Belenkiy et al.
5550944 August 27, 1996 Van Woesik et al.
5553186 September 3, 1996 Allen
5566268 October 15, 1996 Radliff et al.
5566269 October 15, 1996 Eberle, Jr. et al.
5611012 March 11, 1997 Kuchenbecker
5617501 April 1, 1997 Miller
5642612 July 1, 1997 Hughes
5667279 September 16, 1997 Christopher et al.
5710851 January 20, 1998 Walter et al.
5727097 March 10, 1998 Lee et al.
5745633 April 28, 1998 Giebel et al.
5758004 May 26, 1998 Alarcon et al.
5778656 July 14, 1998 Hart
5781681 July 14, 1998 Manning
5804765 September 8, 1998 Siemon et al.
5829243 November 3, 1998 Hughes
5839476 November 24, 1998 Blase
5845026 December 1, 1998 Lee et al.
5892871 April 6, 1999 Dahan et al.
5894536 April 13, 1999 Rikin et al.
6029437 February 29, 2000 Hart
6134370 October 17, 2000 Childers et al.
6176072 January 23, 2001 Weber
6226973 May 8, 2001 Wehler
6262373 July 17, 2001 Dagley et al.
6340249 January 22, 2002 Hayes et al.
6361360 March 26, 2002 Hwang et al.
6387002 May 14, 2002 Gunter
6390688 May 21, 2002 Lutzen et al.
6434315 August 13, 2002 Grois et al.
6434316 August 13, 2002 Grois et al.
6464310 October 15, 2002 Burns et al.
6496625 December 17, 2002 Falkowich et al.
6558046 May 6, 2003 Griffis et al.
6567601 May 20, 2003 Daoud et al.
6600858 July 29, 2003 Lutzen et al.
6644753 November 11, 2003 Mraz
6672774 January 6, 2004 Theuerkorn et al.
6729773 May 4, 2004 Finona et al.
6741784 May 25, 2004 Guan
6925795 August 9, 2005 Komiya
6983095 January 3, 2006 Reagan et al.
6983796 January 10, 2006 Bayne et al.
7000698 February 21, 2006 Mayeu et al.
7001081 February 21, 2006 Cox et al.
7137742 November 21, 2006 Theuerkorn et al.
7146090 December 5, 2006 Vo et al.
7176375 February 13, 2007 Utaki et al.
7200317 April 3, 2007 Reagan et al.
7244066 July 17, 2007 Theuerkorn
7308175 December 11, 2007 Jackman et al.
7310936 December 25, 2007 Saiki et al.
7354202 April 8, 2008 Luger
7451589 November 18, 2008 Howard
7484896 February 3, 2009 DeCusatis et al.
7641398 January 5, 2010 O'Riorden et al.
7668426 February 23, 2010 Livingston et al.
7677024 March 16, 2010 Utaki
7785017 August 31, 2010 Barnes et al.
20010043778 November 22, 2001 Griffis et al.
20020067894 June 6, 2002 Scanzillo
20020150376 October 17, 2002 Lutzen et al.
20020191939 December 19, 2002 Daoud et al.
20030145575 August 7, 2003 Mendenhall et al.
20040086238 May 6, 2004 Finona et al.
20040234209 November 25, 2004 Cox et al.
20050105873 May 19, 2005 Reagan et al.
20050129379 June 16, 2005 Reagan et al.
20050281510 December 22, 2005 Vo et al.
20060045428 March 2, 2006 Theuerkorn et al.
20060045430 March 2, 2006 Theuerkorn et al.
20060193562 August 31, 2006 Theuerkorn
20070140621 June 21, 2007 DeCusatis et al.
20070241239 October 18, 2007 Utaki et al.
20070280621 December 6, 2007 Livingston et al.
20080226237 September 18, 2008 O'Riorden et al.
20080251291 October 16, 2008 Kadmoska et al.
20090087147 April 2, 2009 Barnes et al.
20100003002 January 7, 2010 Bernard et al.
20100074587 March 25, 2010 Loeffelholz et al.
20100209067 August 19, 2010 Beck
Foreign Patent Documents
199935108 January 2000 AU
202011004784 September 2011 DE
0725228 August 1996 EP
0789167 August 1997 EP
2257492 January 1993 GB
2284033 May 1995 GB
2481690 January 2012 GB
95/23310 August 1995 WO
01/48885 July 2001 WO
03/095797 November 2003 WO
2007/065201 June 2007 WO
2010/132936 November 2010 WO
Other references
  • Second Examination Report from the Australian Intellectual Property Office for Application No. 2011235962 dated Feb. 17, 2014 (4 pages).
  • Australian Patent Examination Report No. 1 for Application No. 2011235962 dated Aug. 22, 2013 (3 pages).
  • GB1200902.3 British Search Report dated Mar. 16, 2012 (4 pages).
  • Search Report from the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland for Application No. P-397900 dated May 21, 2012 (2 pages).
  • http://www.actaustralis.com/scorpion—tripull.html.
  • http://www.actaustralia.com/scorpion—centrepull.html.
  • http://www.actaustralia.com/scorpion—twinpull.html.
  • http://www.actaustralia.com/aconda.html.
  • http://www.actaustralia.com/scorpion—multipull.html.
Patent History
Patent number: 8950822
Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 20, 2013
Date of Patent: Feb 10, 2015
Patent Publication Number: 20140077042
Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Inventors: Edward F. Niederriter (Fryburg, PA), Shawn W. Franklin (Emlenton, PA), James E. Haughey (Butler, PA)
Primary Examiner: David Bagnell
Assistant Examiner: Michael Goodwin
Application Number: 14/085,516
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Material-handling Means (299/43); Conduit (59/78.1)
International Classification: E21C 35/04 (20060101); F16G 13/16 (20060101); E21C 27/20 (20060101); E21F 17/06 (20060101); G02B 6/44 (20060101); E21C 29/14 (20060101); E21F 13/06 (20060101);