Rock cutting apparatus

Abstract

A rock cutting assembly of the type mounted to a machine capable of exerting downward force includes a plurality of cutters. Each cutter is connected with one of a plurality of separate cylinders for distributing the downward force provided by the machine evenly to each of the cutters.

1 . A rock cutting assembly of the type mounted to a machine capable of exerting downward force, said assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of cutters;    a plurality of cylinders, each of said cylinders supporting at least one of said cutters;    wherein each of said cylinders comprise a hydraulic cylinder for distributing the downward force exerted from the machine.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including: 
 an assembly frame pivotally supporting each of said cylinders; and    a caster pivotally affixing said assembly frame to the machine for allowing said assembly to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane.    
     
     
         3 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said assembly frame includes a plurality of pins affixed thereto for pivotally attaching said cylinders to said frame and allowing the cylinder to pivot in a substantially vertical plane.  
     
     
         4 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said cutters includes a cutter wheel.  
     
     
         5 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein each of said cutters includes a cutter frame for pivotally supporting said cutter wheel.  
     
     
         6 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said assembly includes a plurality of support arm pairs, each of said support arm pairs having one of said cutter frames fixedly attached therebetween.  
     
     
         7 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein each of said support arm pairs is pivotally attached to said assembly frame at an opposite end thereof from said cutter frames.  
     
     
         8 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of support arm pairs include at least first pair and a second pair, said first pair disposed between said second pair.  
     
     
         9 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said first support arm pair and said second support arm pair include an identical pivot axis.  
     
     
         10 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said first support arm pair pivots independently of said second support arm pair.  
     
     
         11 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said cylinders is in communication with a hydraulic fluid circuit, said hydraulic fluid circuit supplying hydraulic pressure evenly to each said cylinder.  
     
     
         12 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cutters is arranged in a sequential pattern oriented longitudinally with the machine cutting path.  
     
     
         13 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each of said cutter wheels is arranged in an offset spatial relationship for altering the distance between the cutter paths.  
     
     
         14 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said assembly includes a single cylinder independently supporting each of said plurality of cutters.  
     
     
         15 . A rock cutting assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of cutters;    a plurality of cylinders, each supporting at least one of said cutters;    an assembly frame supporting said cylinders; and    said cylinders being in communication with a hydraulic circuit for providing downward force to said cutters.    
     
     
         16 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , further including: 
 a caster pivotally supporting said assembly frame allowing said assembly frame to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane.    
     
     
         17 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said at least one cutter includes a cutter wheel.  
     
     
         18 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said assembly includes at least one support arm pair, said at least one support arm pair having at least one of said cutters fixedly attached therebetween.  
     
     
         19 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said at least one support arm pair is pivotally attached to said assembly frame.  
     
     
         20 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said at least one support arm pair is disposed between a second support arm pair.  
     
     
         21 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said first support arm pair and said second support arm pair include a common pivot axis.  
     
     
         22 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said cutters are arranged in an offset spatial relationship along a longitudinal cutting path.