Mining lacing pattern

Abstract

A continuous miner drum ( 10 ) comprises a cylindrical body ( 11 ) having an outer cylindrical surface ( 12 ). Extending from the surface ( 12 ) are “start” vanes ( 13 ), with each vane extending angularly and longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis ( 15 ) of the drum. Positioned on each vane is a plurality of picks ( 16 ), each pick having a leading face, a trailing face and side faces between which the leading and trailing faces extend. Upon rotation of the drum each pick follows a cutting path with picks of adjacent paths being spaced by a longitudinal distance of between 30 mm and 100 mm measured between adjacent side faces of the picks of adjacent cutting paths.

1 . A continuous miner drum including: 
 a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis which the drum rotates in a predetermined direction;    a plurality of start vanes fixed to the body so as to extend outwardly therefrom away from said axis, each vane also extending longitudinally and angularly with respect to said axis;    a plurality of picks fixed to each vane so as to be stationary with respect thereto, each pick having a leading face, a trailing face and said faces between which the leading and trailing faces extend, the leading and trailing faces converge away from said axis to a cutting edge, and wherein upon rotation of the drum each pick follows a cutting path which picks of adjacent paths being spaced by a longitudinal distance of between 30 mm and 100 mm measured between adjacent side faces of the picks of adjacent cutting paths.    
   
   
       2 . The continuous miner drum of  claim 1 , where in the drum is configured to mine coal, with the picks having a spacing of 50 mm to 90 mm.  
   
   
       3 . The continuous miner drum of claims  1  or  2 , wherein each pick has a cutting edge of a length of about 30 mm.  
   
   
       4 . The continuous miner drum of  claim 1 , wherein there is only one pick per cutting line.  
   
   
       5 . The continuous miner drum of  claim 1  wherein there is at least two picks per cutting line.  
   
   
       6 . The continuous miner drum of  claim 1 , wherein the vanes extend angularly about said axis at an angle between 10° and 30°.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)