Advancer for coal mining system

Abstract

A mining system for advancing and retrieving a miner and, optionally, material transfer units and shields for the units into and out of mines. The system includes a beam structure with inner and outer beams. One beam is advanced while the other is held stationary. Once the advancing step is complete, the second beam is pulled forward to its original position. This system optionally advances material transfer units into the mine as well. If desired, shields for the units may also be simultaneously advanced into the mine in the same manner. To retrieve the miner, the system is reversed and the miner is pulled from the mine. This process may also be used to retrieve shields or material transfer units.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for advancing mining equipment into mines, comprising: 
 an outer beam;    an inner beam slidably disposed within the outer beam to form a beam structure;    an advancing means for advancing the outer beam and inner beam independently;    at least one actuating means connected to the beam structure; and    a gripping means attached to and actuated by the actuating means.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beam structure is substantially rectangular in cross section.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the beam structure is constructed from steel.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the outer beam includes at least one opening through which the actuating means can extend.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the advancing means is a hydraulic cylinder.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the cylinder propels the outer beam as it extends and pulls the inner beam as it retracts.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the actuating means is at least one pair of cylinders.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the actuating means comprises: 
 one pair of roof stab cylinders;  
 one pair of floor stab cylinders; and  
 one pair of wall steer cylinders.  
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the gripping means is a plate connected to each cylinder.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the gripping means comprises; 
 a roof grip plate connected to each roof stab cylinder;  
 a floor grip plate connected to each floor stab cylinder; and  
 a wall steer grip plate connected to each wall steer cylinder.  
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the mining equipment is selected from the group consisting of a miner, a material transfer unit and a shield.