Patent ID: 11885221
Assignee: JOY GLOBAL SURFACE MINING INC
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E | IPC E

Claim 12:
13. A mining machine comprising:
a base having two drive tracks configured to rest on a ground surface;
a carbody that extends between the two drive tracks, wherein the carbody includes a turntable, wherein the turntable is coupled to a frame, and defines an axis of rotation of the frame relative to the two drive tracks;
a boom coupled to the frame;
a dipper coupled to the boom, wherein the frame, the boom, and the dipper are configured to rotate about the axis of rotation, wherein the rotation of the dipper about the axis of rotation defines a swing profile of the dipper; and
a stabilizer appendage coupled to the carbody and extending forwardly from the carbody and toward the dipper when the dipper is in a fully tucked position and contacting the ground surface, wherein the stabilizer appendage is configured to contact the ground surface at a location behind the dipper and provide stabilizing support during a digging operation; and
wherein the two drive tracks and the stabilizer appendage are positioned relative to the dipper such that the swing profile is uninterrupted by the drive tracks and the stabilizer appendage when the dipper is in the fully tucked position and is rotating about the axis of rotation, wherein the fully tucked position is a position wherein the dipper is pulled back toward a rear of the mining machine, wherein the shape and size and height of both the drive tracks and the stabilizer appendage are such that the dipper remains spaced from and does not physically contact the drive tracks or the stabilizer appendage when rotating about the axis of rotation in the swing profile;
wherein the stabilizer appendage is spaced from the frame, such that a position of the stabilizer appendage is independent of a position of the frame;
wherein the stabilizer appendage includes two link arms and a support element that extends between the two link arms;
wherein the support element is configured to swivel about a bearing that is coupled to the two link arms;
wherein the axis of rotation is a first axis;
wherein the support element is configured to rotate on a second axis spaced forward of the drive tracks; and
wherein the second axis is a swivel axis.