US 11,725,512 B2
Method for removing material from a rock wall
Russell P. Smith, New South Wales (AU); Andrew D. Hunter, New South Wales (AU); Peter A. Lugg, Queensland (AU); Ian B. Schirmer, Queenland (AU); Geoffrey W. Keech, Queensland (AU); Christopher Coates, Queensland (AU); and Bradley M. Neilson, New South Wales (AU)
Assigned to Joy Global Underground Mining LLC, Warrendale, PA (US)
Filed by Joy Global Underground Mining LLC, Warrendale, PA (US)
Filed on May 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/745,561.
Application 17/745,561 is a continuation of application No. 16/678,656, filed on Nov. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,371,346.
Application 16/678,656 is a continuation of application No. 15/266,386, filed on Sep. 15, 2016, granted, now 10,472,961, issued on Nov. 12, 2019.
Application 15/266,386 is a continuation of application No. 14/028,511, filed on Sep. 16, 2013, granted, now 9,470,087, issued on Oct. 18, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/701,256, filed on Sep. 14, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0349306 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. E21C 25/16 (2006.01); E21C 41/16 (2006.01); E21C 25/06 (2006.01); E21C 35/00 (2006.01); E21C 27/16 (2006.01); E21C 31/02 (2006.01); E21D 9/10 (2006.01); E21C 35/24 (2006.01); E21C 35/23 (2006.01)
CPC E21C 25/16 (2013.01) [E21C 25/06 (2013.01); E21C 27/16 (2013.01); E21C 31/02 (2013.01); E21C 35/00 (2013.01); E21C 35/23 (2013.01); E21C 35/24 (2013.01); E21C 41/16 (2013.01); E21D 9/102 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for removing material from a rock wall, the method comprising:
moving a cutting edge through the rock wall to create a first slot in the rock wall;
moving the cutting edge through the rock wall to create a second slot in the rock wall, the second slot being separated from the first slot by an uncut portion, the uncut portion defining a base surface attached to the wall;
cutting a notch into the base surface of the uncut portion; and
applying a force on the uncut portion to break the uncut portion away from the wall,
wherein applying a force on the uncut portion includes contacting the uncut portion with a vibrating mass in order to induce the uncut portion to break away from the rock wall, and
wherein the vibrating mass is a cutter head supporting the cutting edge.