Shield structure

US4020640A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke - Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft · AT

Inventors

• Siegfried Sigott · Ferlach, AT
• Alfred Zitz · Zeltweg, AT
• Heinrich Suessenbeck · Zeltweg, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 1976
• Grant date: May 3, 1977
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21D23/066
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

The invention relates to a shield structure particularly adapted for longwall mining providing a protected area that effectively insures operator safety even if total collapse of the mine roof should occur. The prop supporting the load-bearing cap of the shield is inclined rearwardly with respect to the mine face, and a pair of tension links that are pivotally connected to each other and are acted upon by a hydraulic cylinder in a direction transverse to the tension links, provide a structure which will ensure a widened (though shorter) protected area in which an operator may reside even upon complete roof collapse. The widening of the area helps insure that any fallen material from the roof will not harm an operator in the protected area.