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CLASS 299,	MINING OR IN SITU DISINTEGRATION OF HARD MATERIAL
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class provides for (a) the obtaining of valuable, naturally occurring minerals from the earth in a solid state (the phrase "solid state" including a state in which the minerals are in the form of particles of larger size than colloidal), (b) the obtaining of ice from a naturally occurring bed of ice, (c) the obtaining of naturally occurring, nonhydrocarbon, solid, valuable, minerals from the earth in a fluid state (the phrase "fluid state" including a dissolved state or a state of colloidal dispersion or suspension) or (d) the obtaining of any naturally occurring valuable material from the earth in a solid or fluid state when this is accomplished by the claimed use of a substantially horizontal tunnel providing a working space for human beings.

This class also provides for cutting, severing or breaking up of naturally occurring solid, hard material. Such cutting, severing or breaking up of solid, hard material generally comprises, (a) recovering valuable material in desirable shapes or specific sized chunks, (b) forming an opening or cut in native material of larger cross-sectional surface area than the effective cutting area of the cutting means by movement of the means parallel to the exposed surface, or (c) forming a large horizontal passageway into the earth by continuously advancing a cutting device by means of a vehicle or the like which is limited to substantially horizontal operation, the cutting means forming the entire passageway in an uninterrupted advance movement as the vehicle or the like follows the cutting means into and along the passageway.

This class further includes miscellaneous subject matter which does not meet the criteria of the above, but which relates to forming or using a large underground passageway in the earth and is not elsewhere classifiable.

This class was partially formed from an unofficial classification that had been used by the Examiners for many years. While the schedule and definitions are intended to be employed as completely consistent with present rules of classification, the claims of the patents at the time of the formation of this class have not been analyzed to the degree necessary to guarantee exact technical, original or cross-reference classification of all patents.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

References To Other Classes, below, contain information about lines with other classes.

SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SUBCLASSES

1.05	AUTOMATIC CONTROL; SIGNALING, OR INDICATING:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Process or apparatus comprising (1) sensing a condition which may or may not occur and initiating, modifying, or terminating the operation of a power operated means or (2) providing a visual or audible manifestation or representation of the operation of a device for the benefit of an observer. (1) Note. The sensing means may comprise a cutter and may be integrally connected to the control means. (2) Note. A valve which senses and controls with the same surface (i.e., a check valve) is not included as a sensing and control means under this definition. However, a valve which senses with one surface and controls the flow of motive fluid to a motor with a separate surface is included as a sensing and control means. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 173,  Tool Driving or Impacting,   subclasses 2+ and the search there noted for automatic control of a tool driving or impacting device and subclasses 20+ for indicating or signaling means. 175,  Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   subclasses 24+ for automatic control of an earth boring means, subclass 39 for bit wear signal generating, and subclasses 40+ for an earth boring means or process with signaling, indicating, testing, or measuring. 340,  Communications: Electrical,   subclass 690 for geophysical position responsive indicating systems. 700,  Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications,   subclasses 1 through 89for generic data processing control systems.

1.1	Ore/rock interface determination during cutting:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.05.  Process or apparatus where cutting means are adjusted to remove a mineral in response to the detection of a point where the mineral ends and the nonvaluable material begins.

1.2	On cutter head:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.1.  Process or apparatus where the sensor is located at or near the mineral contacting point.

1.3	Of tunneling apparatus having a wall temporary support:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.05.  Process or apparatus where a subterranean corridor is formed by an earth penetrating machine with a wall engaging means, where the machine is adjusted to follow a predetermined path. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclasses 141+ for boring a tunnel with the cutting device including a shield.

1.4	Of hard material disintegrating machine:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.05.  Process or apparatus where power operated means drives or advances a cutting means.

1.5	Floor working:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.4.  Process or apparatus in which the cutter breaks up material on the lower limit of a working location as distinct from a sidewall, endwall, or roof.

1.6	Sidewall working:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.4.  Process or apparatus in which the cutter breaks up material which forms a substantially vertical wall as the cutter advances parallel to the wall.

1.7	Of advancing material handling means or roof support:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.6.  Process or apparatus where a conveying means or an upper wall supporting means are moved with the cutter.

1.8	Of rotary cutter with advance direction coincident to rotary axis:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.4.  Process or apparatus in which the cutter is continuously moved unidirectionally about an axis and is caused to translate along said axis.

1.9	Of material handling means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.05.  Process or apparatus where a means for moving or carrying material away from the position at which it is broken up is controlled in response to the sensed condition. (1) Note. See SEARCH CLASS notes of the class definition, for distinction between this subclass and Classes 198 and 405.

2	TUNNEL RECOVERY OF FLUID MATERIAL
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Process or apparatus comprising recovering valuable material in the fluid state from the earth and including (1) process steps involving the construction or use of a horizontal passage in which a human may work or (2) the structure of a horizontal passage in which a human may work. (1) Note. Valuable material which is recovered from or through a tunnel is included under this definition even though the material may not be fluid in the native state (e.g., leached copper recovered in solution or coal gas formed by burning are included). SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   appropriate subclasses for a process or apparatus for recovering fluids from the earth in which a tunnel is not involved, and particularly subclass 50 for a well with a lateral conduit.

3	IN SITU CONVERSION OF SOLID TO FLUID
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Process or apparatus including a step or means for changing the physical state of a material from solid to liquid or gaseous in a location in the earth where it naturally occurs. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 17, for a process of obtaining valuable solid material from the earth as solid particles in a fluent state. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   appropriate subclass for a process or apparatus for converting solid hydrocarbon to a fluid in situ and recovering the valuable hydrocarbon through a well solely in the fluid state. If any of the valuable material is recovered through a well as a solid, or a valuable material other than hydrocarbon is converted to fluid and recovered, classification is in Class 299. 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclass 58 for subject matter relating to the construction of an underground fluid storage cavity by dissolving earth material; and subclass 131 for a process or apparatus for thawing the earth.

4	Input and output wells
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter directed to a plurality of cooperating wells, one of which receives a fluid for insertion into the earth, the other of which produces a fluid from the earth. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   subclasses 269+ and see the search there noted, for a process comprising the use of input and output wells, especially subclasses 272.1+ for such wells including heating and subclass 52 for plural wells.

5	Dissolving or chemical reaction
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter in which the state of the material is changed by (1) undergoing chemical change (e.g., entering into combustion or other chemical change) or (2) passing into solution in another material (e.g., salt in water). (1) Note. A state of colloidal dispersion or suspension is considered a dissolved condition of material.

6	Melted material recovered
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter in which the material that is commercially desirable is converted to a fluid for recovery. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   subclasses 302+ for a well process involving heating and subclasses 57+ for well apparatus including heating means.

7	WITH SEPARATION OF MATERIALS
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Process or apparatus including a step or means for separating matter mined or excavated from the earth into at least two different components. (1) Note. This subclass includes an excavating step or means as provided for in Class 37, Excavating, when combined with a step or means to separate components of the excavated material. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 37,  Excavating,   appropriate subclass for a step or means for recovering alluvial or soft material from an in situ location. Class 37 includes selectively picking up materials, (e.g., using a screen in the intake of a suction nozzle), but excavation which includes any separation after the material is picked up is classified in Class 299. 171,  Unearthing Plants or Buried Objects,   appropriate subclass for process or apparatus for removing nonmineral objects close to the surface of the earth or from the earth and separating into constituent parts and subclass 16 for railroad ballast removal and assorting or separating. 172,  Earth Working,   subclass 32 for an earth working means combined with a means for separating parts of the earth from each other. 209,  Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,   appropriate subclass for a process or means to separate solid materials into component parts, and including means to convey material to or from the excavating or separating means.

8	Separation below surface of earth or water
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter in which the components of the material are separated without first conveying the mined or excavated material above the surface of the earth in which it is naturally located or above the surface of a body of water beneath which it.

9	Material mined or excavated underwater
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter which the material is removed from a submerged location. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 37,  Excavating,   subclasses 307+ for dredgers.

10	PROCESSES
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Processes. (1) Note. Processes for the subject matter of subclasses 1-9 are excluded from this definition. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 37,  Excavating,   subclass 195 for a process of recovering alluvial or soft material. 166,  Wells,   subclasses 244.1+ for a process of recovering valuable fluid material through a well in the earth. 175,  Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   subclass 61 and see the search there noted for a process of boring or penetrating the earth. 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   appropriate subclasses for processes for treating or controlling earth formation, or for forming a structure therein.

11	Stabilizing underground structure
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Process in which a step is included for preventing a mining shaft or tunnel sidewall, roof or floor from caving, shifting or heaving. (1) Note. This subclass includes for example, a process including a step of constructing mine prop means, filling mine workings, controlling pressures in the mine to prevent dislocation of matter, removing pillars or other roof supports, etc. However, a process including a mere step of removing material to leave roof supporting sections or columns of material in place is classified on other features. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclasses 132+ for a process or apparatus for making a shaft or tunnel. Class 405 provides for (1) excavating a tunnel or shaft and lining it, or (2) preventing a tunnel shaft or sidewall, roof, or floor from caving, shifting, or heaving if not combined with an excavating step or means.

12	Mine safety
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Process in which a step is included for preventing injury to a human working in a mine or mining operation. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 11, for a process including a step for stabilizing the mine roof, sidewall or floor. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 169,  Fire Extinguishers,   subclass 45 for a process of preventing fire, and subclass 64 for apparatus for preventing or extinguishing a fire in a mine. 454,  Ventilation,   particularly subclasses 168+ for a process or apparatus for ventilating a mine for the safety and comfort of workers, including mine safety doors and means for supplying entombed miners with air.

13	Explosive
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Process in which material is disintegrated by means of a violently expansive chemical reaction. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 102,  Ammunition and Explosives,   subclasses 301+ for apparatus and methods of blasting. 175,  Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   subclasses 2+ for a process of boring in which an explosion in the bore hole is utilized.

14	Directly applying heat or vibration
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Process in which a step is included for breaking up hard material in which (1) heat energy is directed into the material or (2) vibrational energy is applied to the material. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3+, for a process of apparatus for in situ conversion of solid to fluid and usually involving the use of heat energy. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   subclasses 177.5 and 177.6 for vibrating or fracturing apparatus in a well, subclass 249 for well processes comprising vibrating the earth. 175,  Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   subclasses 11+ for boring by directly applying heat to fluidize or comminute, subclass 17 for boring comprising heating within the bore and subclass 56 for vibration boring.

15	Forming blocks (e.g., quarrying)
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Process in which hard material in situ is removed as a relatively large, integral block of a predetermined shape.

16	Breaking down by direct contact with fluid
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Process in which a source of fluid at above atmospheric pressure is applied directly to material to mine or disintegrate the material. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 13, for a process of mining or disintegrating material by a violently expansive chemical reaction. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   subclasses 305.1+ for a well process relating to placing fluid into or fracturing the formation. 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclass 248 for a method or apparatus for installing a pile in the earth utilizing fluid jets.

17	Jetting (e.g., hydraulic mining)
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Process in which direct fluid action is impacting against the material. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 175,  Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   subclass 67 and see the search there noted for a process of boring by fluid erosion. 239,  Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,   subclasses 1+ for a process involving a fluid jet.

18	With material-handling
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Processes in which a step is included for carrying the material away from the position at which it is mined or disintegrated.

19	MINE LAYOUTS
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus comprising the structure or arrangement of an opening into the earth which is utilized to recover a valuable material. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 11, for a mine layout involving a process of stabilizing underground structure. 12, for a mine layout involving a process relating to mine safety. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclasses 132+ for the structure of a shaft or tunnel, per se, including means to support shaft and tunnel walls, etc. 454,  Ventilation,   subclasses 168+ for mine structure relating to providing proper air supply and circulation for workers in a mine.

20	EXPANSIBLE BREAKING-DOWN DEVICES
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus comprising a device which is inserted into an opening in hard material and is described as operated to apply such expansive pressure to the walls of the opening as to relatively move and break up the hard material. (1) Note. A means which is sealed into an opening and is described as supplying fluid pressure into the opening to break down material by expansive pressure, even though the fluid directly engages the material, is included under this definition. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 16+, for a process of breaking down material by direct fluid pressure. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 102,  ,   subclasses 301+ for a process or apparatus for rendering a heavy mass by the sudden release of gases under heavy pressure, such as an explosion. 166,  Wells,   subclass 177.5 for a means for fracturing a formation traversed by a well, and subclasses 179+ and the subclasses there noted for expansible packers or plugs, and subclasses 206+ and the subclasses there noted for expansible anchors.

21	Fluid-pressed element
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Apparatus in which one element of the device is expanded relative to another by the application of fluid pressure to the elements. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   subclass 187 and the subclasses there noted for a packer or plug expanded by fluid pressure and subclass 212 and the subclasses there noted for an anchor expanded by fluid pressure.

22	Piston
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Apparatus in which one fluid pressed element comprises a piston.

23	Wedge
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Apparatus in which the device comprises relatively movable elements, and an inclined face on one element cooperates with a face on another element to generate expansive pressure. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 166,  Wells,   subclass 217 and the subclasses there noted for a wedge operated expanding anchor. 254,  Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force,   subclass 104 for a wedge type pushing device of general utility. 411,  Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed or Lock-Threaded Fastener,   subclasses 15+ for expanding core and sleeve type fasteners.

24	ICE-WORKING DEVICES
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus comprising a machine or cutter which is described as for the purpose of disintegrating or cutting ice. (1) Note. This subclass provides an art group search for machines or cutters for a specifically disclosed use of working on ice. While in some cases the claimed device is not structurally limited to such function and the search must be continued in other subclasses, many features are found in these patents which are of limited use such as sled runner mounted and floating machines, ice block forming guides, and cutters which do not appear to be efficiently adaptable to the working of a material as hard as rock. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3, for a process of apparatus for converting a solid such as ice to a fluid. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 114,  Ships,   subclasses 40+ for a vessel having means to break an ice flow or open a harbor or the like. 175,  Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   subclass 18 for a process or apparatus for boring or penetrating a hole in ice.

25	Relatively moving cutter
	This subclass is indented under subclass 24.  Apparatus in which the machine is provided with a cutter which, in addition to being advanced, has another movement (e.g. rotational) to accomplish the cutting or disintegrating action. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 114,  Ships,   subclass 42 for a vessel having a relatively driven cutter to break an ice flow or open a harbor or the like.

26	Reciprocating
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Apparatus in which the additional motion of the tool is reciprocatory. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 30,  Cutlery,   subclasses 164.5+ for ice pick or chipper type cutlery.

27	Block-cutting type
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Apparatus in which the function of the cutting is described as for the purpose of cutting out blocks of ice. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 15, for a method of forming blocks of ice or other material in situ. 26, for a reciprocating cutter that is described as for the purpose of cutting out blocks of ice.

28	Plural blades
	This subclass is indented under subclass 27.  Apparatus including separate cutting blades. (1) Note. Separate cutting blades which are integrally connected are included under this definition.

29	HARD MATERIAL DISINTEGRATING MACHINES
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus comprising a cutting means and a power operated means to drive or advance said cutting means to cut, sever or break up hard material. (1) Note. For classification under this definition more of the machine must be claimed than a cutter tooth, plural cutter teeth or their immediate supporting or driving means, such structure merely comprising a cutter head. A cutter head or tooth is defined in subclass 79 of this class. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 1.05+, for a mining machine having an automatic control, signaling or indicating feature. 20+, for an expansible device for breaking down material. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 173,  Tool Driving or Impacting,   appropriate subclass for an apparatus of general utility for driving a tool.

30	Remote control
	This subclass is indented under subclass 29.  Apparatus including a device to control the operation from a distant point such that an operator does not have to be located in the immediate area where the machine is working. (1) Note. A control that is specifically described as "remote" from the machine is included under this definition and includes control from a position in a tunnel of a machine located in a stop or drift, for example, as well as control from a location completely outside of an underground mine. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 1.05+, for a mining device having automatic control, signaling or indicating means and which may be remotely controlled.

31	Stepper-type advance-causing means
	This subclass is indented under subclass 29.  Apparatus in which the advance causing means comprises a device having feet or plate type anchors which alternately engage and disengage the ground or the sidewalls of a tunnel to cause the apparatus to move forward. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 180,  Motor Vehicles,   subclasses 8.1+ for a stepper type motor driven vehicle. 254,  Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force,   subclass 134.6 for a step by step type tractor for pulling cable in wire or stand placing. 305,  Wheel Substitutes for Land Vehicles,   subclasses 1+ for a stepper type wheel substitute. 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclasses 299+ for a walking roof support for use in a mine, and which may be utilized for advancing a mining machine.

32	Planer-type cutter
	This subclass is indented under subclass 31.  Apparatus in which a cutter, that comprises a blade which shaves off material layer by layer by advance motion only, is moved by the advance-causing means.

33	With mine roof-supporting means
	This subclass is indented under subclass 29.  Apparatus including means to prevent material which comprises the upper wall of an underground mine chamber from descending into the chamber. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 11, for a process of stabilizing underground mine structure, including supporting the mine roof. 31+, for a stepper type advance causing means which may also function as a walking roof support. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 248,  Supports,   subclasses 351+ for a prop or brace of general utility. 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclasses 132+ for shaft and tunnel linings, per se, or combined with excavating means; and subclasses 288+ for temporary mine roof supports (props).