Tool system and tool for mining machine

Abstract

A tool system for a mining machine. The tool comprises a tool holder ( 12 ) and a cutting tool pick ( 14 ) with a cutting tip ( 16 ). The mounting end of the tool comprises a tapered shank ( 18 ) in a corresponding tapered socket ( 20 ) of the tool holder ( 12 ). There may be a wear plate ( 24 ) situated between the tool holder ( 12 ) and the tool ( 14 ). There may be further removable wear plates ( 30 ) positioned between the tool holder and the tool in the shank region, these wear plates may have lateral projections ( 29 ) engaging corresponding recesses ( 32 ) in the shank region of the body ( 12 ). All these wear plates may be sacrificial and are able to be replaced upon wear, thus less damage will occur to the shank region of the tool or the holder body. The tool assembly may further include a pin ( 42 ) which can engage both the tool and holder by extending through aligned openings, opening ( 40 ) in the tool holder and opening ( 38 ) in the tool. The pin may be resiliently held in place. A spray unit ( 25 ) extends through the wear part ( 24 ) and has an outlet ( 25 a ) to direct fluid toward the cutting tip ( 16 ).

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A tool for a tool system for a mining machine, the tool comprising:
 a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body,   a mounting end comprising a shank complementary with and engageable in a socket of a tool holder,   a laterally extending flange between the mounting end and the cutting end, the flange being engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder, and   a line of weakness in the tool defining a predetermined failure point, the line of weakness being positioned on the cutting end side of the flange, such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the flange intact.   
     
     
         66 . A tool according to  claim 65 , wherein the line of weakness extends laterally across the tool. 
     
     
         67 . A tool according to  claim 65 , wherein the line of weakness is in the form of a groove in the tool. 
     
     
         68 . A tool according to  claim 65 , wherein the tool has a streamlined shape. 
     
     
         69 . A tool according to  claim 65 , wherein the tool is non-circular in transverse cross section. 
     
     
         70 . A tool according to  claim 69 , wherein the tool comprises a front end and a heel end, and opposite sides extending between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the cross section of a portion of the tool on the cutting end side of the line of weakness defines a shape having a width between the opposite sides and a length between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the width is less than the length. 
     
     
         71 . A tool according to  claim 70 , wherein the width reduces from a point of maximum width near the front end to a point of reduced width near the heel end. 
     
     
         72 . A tool according to  claim 65 , wherein the tool is connected to a rotatable head on a mining machine or is integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine. 
     
     
         73 . A tool system comprising:
 a tool holder including a body having a socket therein;   a tool comprising:   a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body,   a mounting end comprising a shank complementary with and engageable in the socket of a tool holder,   a laterally extending flange between the mounting end and the cutting end, the flange being engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder, and   a line of weakness in the tool defining a predetermined failure point, the line of weakness being positioned on the cutting end side of the flange, such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the flange intact.   
     
     
         74 . A tool system according to  claim 73 , wherein the tool comprises an abutment surface adapted to engage a corresponding abutment surface on the tool holder when the tool shank is fully engaged in the socket, and wherein the laterally extending flange is spaced apart from the abutment surface of the tool toward the cutting end of the tool. 
     
     
         75 . A tool according to  claim 73 , wherein the line of weakness extends laterally across the tool. 
     
     
         76 . A tool according to  claim 73 , wherein the line of weakness is in the form of a groove in the tool. 
     
     
         77 . A tool according to  claim 73 , wherein the tool has a streamlined shape. 
     
     
         78 . A tool according to  claim 73 , wherein the tool is non-circular in transverse cross section. 
     
     
         79 . A tool according to  claim 78 , wherein the tool comprises a front end and a heel end, and opposite sides extending between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the cross section of a portion of the tool on the cutting end side of the line of weakness defines a shape having a width between the opposite sides and a length between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the width is less than the length. 
     
     
         80 . A tool according to  claim 79 , wherein the width reduces from a point of maximum width near the front end to a point of reduced width near the heel end. 
     
     
         81 . A tool according to  claim 73 , wherein the tool is connected to a rotatable head on a mining machine or is integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine. 
     
     
         82 . A tool system according to  claim 73 , wherein the tool holder is connected to a rotatable head on a mining machine or is integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine.