US1304352A - Appabatus foe mining - Google Patents

Description

E. C. MORGAN.

APPARATUS FOR MINING. Arrucmou mio JULY 5. ma. MNE-win ocr. 4. Isls.

Patented May 20, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

.2 p n N u E. C. MORGAN.

APIAH'ATUS FOR MINING.

Arrucmou msn :uw 5.1913. nsNEwfn ocr.4.191.

Patentd May 20, i919.

5 sntfTs-snin 2 faim/uf E. C. MORGAN.

APPARATus son Mmms.

Patented May 20, 1919.'

APPLICATwN FILED luLY 5. 1913. RENEwED ocT. 4. |915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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E. C. MORGAN,

APPARATUS FUR MINING.

l mou man JULY 5.1913. RENEWED ocr Patented May 20, i919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. `C. MORGAN. APPARATUS FOR MlMNG. APmcATloN FILED nm' 5. 19:3. niufwrn oc. 4.19m,

1,304,352. Patented May 20, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STAS PAFENT OFFICE.

EDMUND C. MORGAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

y APPARATUS FOR MINING.

Application filed July 5. 1913. Serial No. 777,435.

70 all ywhom it may comer/1,

Be it known that I, FmMUNn C. MORGAN, a citizen of the United* States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Mining.

My invention relates to apparatus for mining and has more particular reference to the mining of coal.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a generally improved and simplified apparatus for the removal of the coal or other material from the mine.

Further objects of my invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 illustrates a general view of an improved apparatus embodying my invention, operating upon the blocks of coal or other material in a mine or entry from which the material is to be removed.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

i is a detail sectional view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view in detail on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5A is a fragmentary view of the truck showing the propelling mechanism therefor.

Fig. 6 is a rear end view of the apparatus `shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6^ shows a device to accomplish the same purpose as the branch cables shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged pers ective view of one of the expansible movab e platforms or wedging sleds, by means of which the blocks of coal are dislodged and supported.

Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate in diagram a method of mining coal; Fig. 8 being an enlarged diagrammatic view illustrating these expansible movable platforms or wedging Isleds in position and illustrating the method of dislodging the blocks of coal after the kerfs have gbeen cut; Fi g. 9 being a diagrammatic horizontal sectional side view of the working face of the coal vein, showing a plurality of cuts or kerfs made therein and showing the blocks all ready to be dislodged and removed; Fig. 10 being an enlarged diagrammatic view looking at the working face of the coal vein illustrated in Fig. 9; and Fig. l1 being an enlarged diagrammatic Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 20, 1919.

Renewed October 4. 1918. Serial No. 256,915.

view in longitudinal section taken on the line 11 ot' Fig. 9; Figs. 1Q to 15 being intended to illustrate the cutting of the kerfs in different sequence; and- Fig. 16 being a diagrammati(` view illustrating the cutting of the horizontal kerfs simultaneously, but one lagging behind the other.

Tie advantage of mining materials and particularly coal in large regular and uniform blocks or masses is obvious, not only from the standpoint of the facility and convenience with which these large blocks may be removed from the mine and packed and transported, but from the standpoint of the percentage of eliiciency which can be main tained in large and unbroken masses of coal when they are exposed to the iniuences of the weather, in contradistinction to the great loss in efliciency of the coal which is broken into Vcomparatively fine particles. In the drawings and particularly in Figs. 7 to 16, inclusive, I have illustrated diagrammati cally the manner in which a method of mining coal may be carried out to obtain these desirable results. The mine or entry which is indicated by the letter A in the several views, may be regarded as representative ot any mine or entry from which coal is mined, and in these drawings I have illustrated the operations as having already advanced a distance into the mine, but it will be understood that this is only for the purpose of illustration and description and that my apparatus may be adapted to the conditions and requirements of the particular mine in which the operations are to be carried on. I cut a plurality of horizontal and vertical kerfs in the coal vein, the kerfs being cut so that they intersect each other and thereby divide the mass of coal into a plurality of blocks B. The vertical kerfs C preferably lie in parallel planes suiiieiently spaced apart t0 produce the size of blocks desired under the conditions, and these kerfs preferably ex tend from the floor I) of the mine or the lower line of cleavage to the roof E of the mine or the upper line of cleavage. They also extend into the vein longitudinally to any distance to which it is desirable or practicable to cut them. These cuts or kerfs C, as will be seen, divide the coal to be mined into a plurality of superposed rectangular blocks. slabs or masses of coal. The horizontal kerfs F preferably lie in parallel horizontal planes which are superposed one above the other. I preferably cut the upper and lower horizontal kei-Fs along the upperI and lower lines of cleavage respectively so as Lo sever or cut the blocks of coal on all sides except their rear or inner ends which are left attached to the vein. In the drawings l. have illustrated one intermediate horizontal kerf, but of course it will be understood that any number of intermediate kerfs may be cut, depending upon the thickness of the vein and upon the articular conditions. The blocks of coal as is seen, are thus cut on all of their sides except the rear ends thereof, which I preferably leave to break or be broken when the blocks are to be removed from the mine. These unbroken or uncut portions are usually so thick, however, that if the blocks break oi their own Weight or if force is applied to dislodge them there is a tendency to break along more or less irregular lines, thereby rendering the blocks irregular and nonuniform at their ends. Furthermore, the force required to dislodge the blocks ot' coal is considerable when only horizontal and vertical kerfs C and F are cut, so in order to enable the blocks to break of their own weight or to reduce the necessary force required to dislodge them I prefer to weaken their points of attachment to the body of the vein by cutting short vertical kerfs G at these points. These vertical kerfs G, as seen more clearly in Figs. 8 and 11, lie in planes which are at substantially right angles to both the horizontal kerf F and the vertical kerfs C. They intersect the intermediate horizontal and the vertical kerfs at the rear ends of the blocks and extend from side to side of the mine room. They do not necessarily, however, extend vertically all the way to the lines of cleavage but may do so if desired. In other words, I prefer that they extend upwardly and downwardly from the intermediate horizontal kerfs only to such an extent as is necessary to sufficiently weaken the uncut portions at the rear ends of the blocks, and by weakening these uncut portions in this manner the blocks may readily break or be broken alon more or less regular and uniform lines l, B2, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8, either by their own weight when the support is removed or when force is applied to the blocks for this pur Ose. In some cases owing to the character o the coal or for other reasons, I prefer ito vary the sequence of operation illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive; in this case the lower horizontal kerf is formed first completely across the room and the movable platforms inserted; then the middle horizontal kerf is formed completely across the room and the platform inserted in it; then the top horizontal kerf is formed completelv across the room; then the vertical kerfs C are formed.

In Fig. 16 is illustrated a slightly modilied application from Figs. l2 to l5 but embodying the same principle, that is, instead of starting and finishing one kerf at a time in a room they may be all carried on in the same order but simultaneously in one room, being properly timed apart to get the desired eect. The vertical kerfs (l may be, dispensed with in some cases in carrying out my method depending on the nature of the coal. In some cases also the upper horizontal kei-f may be dispensed with where the coal breaks easily and cleanly from the roof, or line of cleavage. After the various kerfs have been cut I dislodge the blocks B and remove them from the mine so that the next series of cut may be made. I dislodge the blocks B by applying suflicient force preferably at their outer or free ends, so to speak, and tilt them upwardly as indicated by the dotted lines Il". Fig. 8. Any suitable apparatus may be used for this purpose. In the drawings I have shown one forni of apparatus by which this may be conveniently accomplished. I employ what I terni for convenience of description an expansible movable platform or wedging sled, which, as shown more particularly in Figs. 7 and 8, consists of two rectangular complementary plates H, arranged to be superposed one above the other and havin one of their faces preferably flat and smooti. Their adjoinin faces are preferably in the form of a p urality of inclines H1, so that when these two faces of the two plates or members H are placed together and moved or shifted lo itudinally relatively to each other the total thickness of the two plates may be varied. I prefer to form a plurality of inclines on the adjoining faces of these plates, rather than a single general incline from one end of the plates to the other, for the reason that not only is the area of contact between the two plates considerably less and the frictional resistance to the relative movement of the plates thereby correspondingly reduced` but the inclines may be formed, so as to give the proper thickness with less horizontal movement. In order to prevent relative displacement of the plates in any direction except the longitudinal direction, I provide some of the inclines H1, preferably the end ones of one plate, with dove-tail slots H2, and the corresponding end inclines of the other plate with integral or attached keys or projections Il of corresponding shape adapted to fit the slots H2. This interlocking of the plates in this manner permits their relative longitudinal movement, but locks them against relative movement in other directions except for expansion and contraction. In carryingl out my invention I prefer to cut the horizontal kerfs and the vertical kerfs G first and to cut these kerfs just mentioned all at the saine time, but of course it is obvious that the upper and lower horizontal kerfs may be cut first and then the intermediate horizontal kerf and the rear vertical kerf (l out next. In cutting the horizontal kerfs F and the vertical kerf G, l prefer to start them at one side of the room and gradually eut across the entire vein or wall to the other side of the room. This leaves the vein or Wall. as shown divided into two horizontally disposed shelves or ledges.y so to speak, extending from one side of the room to the other. ()n account of the fact that the uncut portions B, B2 are considerably weakened by the vertical lierf G there is a tendency for the shelves or ledges to break loose and drop of their own Weight, and this would not only materially interfere with the cutting mechanism of the mining machine (if a mining machine is used) but it would render it difficult to cut the masses into smaller blocks convenient for removal from the mine, so in order to prevent the whole from dropping before it is desired to remove it I prefer to place the wedging sleds H one by one in the horizontal herfs immediately following the cuttin mechanism and as close to the cutting mec ianism as possible. These wedging sleds are preferably disposed at intervals in the horizontal lierfs in line vertically with a space between them to provide for the cutting of the vertical kerfs. As soon as each Wedge is inserted into the horizontal kerf immediately behind the cutting mechanism their respective plates H are preferably shifted relatively to each other, as above described, in order to wedge them tightly into the kerfs to lill up the space, so to speak. which was madeby the cutting mechanism. This in effect leaves the ledges positively and solidly supported so that after the horizontal kerfs are eut the main ledges or veins cannot drop of their own Weight. After the horizontal kerfs are cut and the Wedging sleds inserted into place and securely wedged therein, I cut the vertical kerfs (l. This operation divides the main ledges into the final blocks B which are attached to the body of the vein onl by their uncut portions B', B2. The b oels are then ready to be dislodged or broken loose along the uncut portions B', B2, and to be removed from the mine so that the next series of kerfs can be cut and blocks thereby formed. As before mentioned, I prefer to break the blocks loose by tilting them upwardly, as indicated by the dotted lines B3 in Fig. 8, but they may be allowed to be severed by breaking off by their own Weight or by cutting the vertical kerfs G so as to meet the horizontal kerfs F thus completely severing the blocks. Any suitable means may be employed for applying the necessary force to tilt the blocks upwardly.

Since the blocks are supported by the wedging sleds I find it convenient to apply the force to the outer ends of the Wedging sled so that the blocks will not be separated movable platform a slidin therefrom, using preferably un ordinary or standard lifting jack J. This jack J is merely shown in diagram in Fig. 8 [or the reason that it is merely representative ot an apparatus 'for this purpose and need not be particularly described except to say that it preferably is of a size so that itsl footpiece D1 and its head-piece D2 may be arranged to engage two of the edging sleds so that two blocks may be broken loose simultaneously. The plates of the wedgingv sled are preferably provided with heads or eyelets H to form convenient places for engagement for the jacks J, the head H* of (he lower plate of each pair preferably having a tail piece or extension H'rl which the foot-piece D1 of the jack may engage. The head or eyelet portion H4 of the upper plate, of each pair is preferably so arranged that the corner B4 of the block of coal will abut said head and prevent the plate from sliding` relative to the coal when the lower plate is driven inwardly to expand the sleds. 'hen the sleds are thus expanded the rxpanding force may be suilicient to break the coal from the mine wall. For the same purpose a pull may be exerted on the head or eyelet portion H1 of the upper plate so as to expand the sled, and in such instance also the expansion may be sufficient to loosen the coal from the mine wall. After the blocks haveJ been formed and loosened in any dcsired manner, the members H serving as convenient movable platforms or sleds by which the blocks may be drawn out of the mine and loaded into cars or otherwise disposed of, it should be noted that when pulling pressure is applied to the lower member H of the movement will take place between the inclined faces Il1 pecially if some pressure is applied to hold the Vupper member H from moving, which will cause the platform to be reduced in height thus removing support from the block and permitting it to break of its own weight.

In the drawings, and particularly in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, there is illustrated a loading mechanism or apparatus of my invention designed to remove the dislodged blocks of coal. For convenience in handling this machine it is preferably arranged to run on rails 1, laid adjacent the blocks of coal to be removed. I also provide another set of rails 2 upon which cars 3 may run, which cars may be arranged to travel along with the removing and loading mechanism so as to receive the blocks of coal therefrom. The entire loading machine is preferably mounted upon a suitable truck 5 having wheels 6 and adapted to be propelled along by an electric motor 7, shown in Figs. 5 and 5a. This motor may be mounted at the end of the truck and arranged to drive the truck through the medium of the intermeshing gears 8 and U. the gear 8 being mounted upon the motor shaft and the gear 9 being mounted upon the axle of one of the pairs of wheels The parts of the loading apparatus are preferably carried by a frame 10 which is rotatably mounted upon the truck 5. The frame has a pivot portion 11 journaled in the platform of the truck 5 and on each side of this pivot portion is a head or collar 12 for maintaining the frame in position. Thus the loading mechanism in addition to having movement along its track may also be swun about the vertical pivot just described and tie mechanism is thereby lven complete freedom of movement in t ese directions whereby it may be readily adjusted to adapt it to the condition under which a machine of this character is likely to operate. On account of the fact that the coal to be taken from the mine lies in different levels, the blocks after being cut may be said to be in horizontal series in different levels one above the other, and of course the number of these series and levels depends upon the number of horizontal and vertical kerfs which have been cut. In order, therefore, to adapt the machine to take blocks directly from these different levels I provide a tilting platform 15 preferably formed of a long flat member slightly wider than the Width of the :block of coal and arranged to extend a considerable distance beyond the machine. This platform is hinged or pivoted near one end of the frame 10 of the machine and its other end is free to be raised or lowered to the different levels of the series of blocks so that the blocks ma be shifted from their positions directly to t is platform and along the platform to the cars 3. The frame 10 carries a transverse shaft 16 journaled at one end in the frame 10 and at the other end in a journal 17 carried b an integral arm 18 outstanding from the rame 10. This shaft passes through and supports the end 18 of the swinging platform 15, being keyed thereto as shown in Fig. 1 so that thc platform may rotate vertically with the shaft as an axis. Any suitable means for swinging this platform to raise and lower its free end may be used, such for instance, as properly proportioned gears driven by a motor 19 conveniently mounted upon a shelf or platform 2() outstanding from the frame 10 of the machine. In the drawings (Fig. 4) I show the platform shaft 16 as provided with a worm wheel .21 which is driven by a worm 2Q carried upon a counter-shaft 23. This shaft is journaled in the bearing 24 at one end which is formed preferably integrally with the frame 10. The journal bearings 25 for the other end of the shaft may 'be formed directly upon the frame 10 or preferably, as I have shown them, formed on the upper part of the casing of the motor 19. This shaft 23 is arranged above the motor so that it may be readily driven by the interineshing gears 26 and 27 mounted upon the motor shaft and the shaft 23, re spectively. The Worin 22 is rotatable upon the shaft 23 se that it may be disconnected from the shaft after the platform has been adjusted to proper position. the reason for this being that I utilize the shaft and motor as power for operating other mechanisms hereinafter described. As a convenient means of connecting' the worin Q2 With and disconnecting it from the shaft 23, I provide the shaft with a longitudinally shiftable collar 28 which is feathered to the shaft to rotate therewith and which forms one member of a clutch. This co-llar has notches 29 which, when the collar is shifted toward the worin engage corresponding lugs 30 on the worm 22, this construction forming a simple clutch for the purpose. 1 have shown a centrally pivoted lover 31, `one end of which engages the collar, the other end of which is provided with a suitable grip for shifting the clutch member or collar 28, as desired. Thus the platform 15 may be raised or lowered to position it with respect to the different levels of the series of blocks to be taken from the mine.` and it forms a guide or chute, so to speak, along which the blocks may be moved and placed upon the cars 3. The upper portion of the pivoted end of the platform is, as will be noted in Fig. 1, preferably substantially flush with the floor of the ear 3 so that the blocks will readily slide from the tiltable platform over the fixed platform 80 to the car Hoor. The free end of the platform 15 should be adjusted to such position that it lies substantially Hush with the bottom of the Wedging sled H, upon which the particular block to be moved rests so that the sled and the block upon it may 'be slid directly from its position in the series to the platform. The platform 15 thus forms a continuous path for the blocks of coal from their resting position to the Hoor of car 3 and, as above described and shown in the full and dotted lines in Fig. l, this continuous path, so to speak, may be raised or lowered to accommodate the different levels in which the blocks lie. In this machine the blocks are pulled or drawn from their position in the series directly along the platform and on to the car 3. I prefer to accomplish this operation by cables and winding mechanism therefor which are attached to the block or the sled and arranged to pull the blocks on to the cars. In the drawings I have shown a cable 35, one end of which is attached to the wedging sleds H by means of a hook 36, or otherwise, as may be convenient, and which passes around sheaves or pulleys to a winding drum or capstan mechanism carried by the frame of the machine. The frame 10 of the machine has a rearwardly disposed arm or extension 37 which extends over and beyond the car 3, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. This arin carries at its outer end a transverse head or member 38 which supports a plurality of pulleys or sheaves around which the cable passes. This head carries a pair of vertically disposed parallel shafts 39, 40, (Fig. 6) journalcd therein and spaced apart. At the lower ends of these shafts are sheaves 41. 42, respec tively, around which the cable 35 passes to a Winding drum 43 for winding up the cable and drawing the blocks and their sleds along the platforln 15 and on to the car 3. B y reason of the disposition of the sheaves on the side of the car opposite to that of the loading mechanism, the blocks may be pulled directly on to the cars in one operation. The Winding drum 43 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 44 Which is supported in bearings 45 rising from the frame 1() as shoivn in Fig. 3, and which is driven from the countenshaft Q3 through the medium of the Worm t5 and worm wheel 46 on shafts 23 and 44. respectively. The Worin 45 is similar to Worm 2Q and is adapted to be connected with or disconnected from the shaft at will b v means of clutch mechanism 47 similar to the clutch mechanism 28, previously described, and it therefore needs no further description except to say that a lever 48, similar to lever 31, is used for controlling the clutch. The winding drum 43 is not fastened to the shaft 4i but is loosely mounted thereon. It may, however, be connected with or disconnected from the shaft by clutch mechanism of which the drum itself forms one member and of which the other member is shown at 50. The clutch member 50 is feathered to the shaft so that it will rotate therewith by sliding along said shaft in the usual or ordinary manner and'niay be shifted by a lever 51, one end of which engages the clutch member 50, and the other end carries a grip 52 by which the lever may be manipulated. The lever is centrally pivoted upon an arm or standard 53 rising from one of the bearings 25 as shown in Fig. 1. The shafts 39 and 40 in the head 38 of the arm 37 may have sheaves 60 and 61 at their upper ends to which the cable 31 may be applied instead of to the lower sheaves 41 and 4Q. It sometimes happens that there is a tendency for the block of coal to slide off of its sled, especially When the platform 15 is inclined, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, and to prevent this I provide a couple of branch cables 63 which are preferably attached to the caible 35 at a oint 64 near the hook 36. These branch cab es carry hooks 57 at their ends which can be arranged to engage the rear ends of blocks, as shown in Figs. 1 and The hook 36 may be eliminated, if desired. and the branch cables used alone, as shown in connection with the upper block Fig. 1, or thevhook 36 and the branch cables used in combination as shown in connection with the lower block in Fig'. 1, in either of which eases the block would be severed by tlnl pul] of the branch cables if it had not already broken of its own weight or by upward pressure applied to the block as def scribed above.

lt should also be noted that it may soun-- limes occur that the blocks of coal may become dislodged before a lsled can `be in- -wrled into :i lierf `under the block of coal. ln .auch event the branch cables 63 together with the hooks 57 may be connected to the rope 35, as shown in Fig. l, and a pull exerted by the winding apparatus so as to pull the block of coal directly onto the platform 15 without the use of the sled. However. the expansible sled is preferable whenever it can be used because the sled can be operated in many instances to effect the dislodginent of the block of coal from the mino u'all after the sled has been inserted into the kerf under such block of coal. lt is obvious` that b v hooking thc rope 35 to the upper member of the sled. the lower ineinber will remain stationary and the thickness of the entire sled increased, with the result that the material will be moved tow-.1rd the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8, and thereby break away the block of material from the mine Wall. If the lower member is pulled forward, the thickness of the sled is decreased and the Weight of the material may then be relied upon to break it an'av from the mine Wall. lf the upper member is pulled forward, a Wedging action is exerted o-n the material above the same. which may have the effect of breaking a block of coal from the mine wall. and when the pull continued the sled with the block of material thereon may be drawn along lhe platform 15 and over the fixed platform 3() onto the mine car. The perforated heads ll* are so located, as shown in Fig. 8, that the dovetail joints H2 vvill not permit the members of the sleds to 'become detached from each other. Forward movement of the upper member of the sled is limited b v the positions of the heads H4, as shown in Figs. l and 8.

Fig. 6A shows a more convenient device 63a than the branch cables 63 and intended to accomplish the same purpose. It consists of a metal loop having hooks 63h at its two outer ends, adapted to hook around the block in the same manner as hooks 57. It is also provided with a pivoted hook 63c for attachment to the cable 35 at hook 36 or behind hook 36.

` If it so happens that the platform l5 cannot be positioned by raising or lowering it to line up With the blocks of coal, especially those Which are next to the Walls of the mine, the entire machine may fbe rotated on its pivoty 11 in the truck to such an extent as is necessary to position the platform properly. The frame may be rotated about its pivot in any desired manner but I. prefer to utilize the power derived from the motor 19 for this purpose, and in consequence I provide a vertical shaft near one corner of the frame, this shaft being jour naled in a bearing formed preferably integrally with the frame itself. The upper end of this shaft carriesl a beveled gear 13V, which also is constructed as one memberJT of the clutch. The beveled gear 6G is: loose on the shaft G5 and it meshes with and is driven by a corresponding beveled gear (Ss on the end of the counter-shaft 23. The other clutch member 69 is feathered to the shaft G5 so that when this member is moved into engagement With the clutch member UT the gear will be connected with the shaft and the shaft Will be driven thereby. A. lever T() pivoted on a standard 71 may be used for the purpose of shifting this clutch member. The lower end of the shaft 65 carries a winding drum 72. This drum operates upon a cable 73 which is Wound several time-i around the drum and which has its ends connected, respectively, to tivo arms 74 out standing from the truck frame 5 of the machine. The cable 73 also passes over a sheave 75 positioned at the other corner of the frame 10 of the machine, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, this Sheavc being carried on an arm 76 outstanding from the arm 18 on the frame.

What I claim is:

l. The combination of a device for supporting a block of coal, a loading machine adapted to be positioned intermediate a car and said device and forming a guidevvay, means associated With said loading machine for pulling the said supporting device along said guidevvay and on the car, and means for adjusting the elevation of the receiving end of said loading machine Without altering the elevation of the delivery end.

2. In a system of mining, the combination of a mine car and a plurality of sleds each for supporting coal to be removed from the mine and adapted to be arranged in different positions relatively to the car, a loading machine adapted to be interposed between said car and said sleds successively, said loading machine embodying a platform adjustable to the various positions of the individual sleds and arranged to form a continuous guidevvay for each of said sleds successively' from their respective positions, to the car, and mechanism for pulling the sleds individually, with their respective loads, along the said platform to the said car.

3. In a system of mining, the combination of a mine car, a plurality of sleds adapted to be arranged at different heights and each for supporting a large block of coal intact,

and a loading machine inter osed between said car and said sleds an arranged to travel with said car and comprising a traveling truck, a platform pivotally mounted on said truck adjacent the car and adapted to be raised and lowered to present its free end to the sleds and lo forni a guidevvay for the sleds to the car, an arm extending from said truck and over and beyond the car, winding mechani;-;m mounted upon said truck, and a cable extending from said Winding mechanism around the end of said arm and thence to the respective sleds to be moved successively, whereby the sleds may each be drawn directly from said platform and onto the ear in one operation.

4. In loading apparatus, the combination with a traveling truck, of a rotary frame mounted thereon, a platform pivoted on said frame and having one end adapted to bo swung up and down on its pivot to various heights. means for swinging up and dovvn the free end of said platform, an arm extending from said frame independently of said platform over a space to be occupied by a mine car, winding mechanism mounted upon said frame, and a cable extending from said Winding mechanism around said arm and to the load to be drawn from a mine Wall over said platform and onto the mine car.

5. In a miningvmachine, the` combination with a support having relatively movable parts, of means for moving one of said parts relatively to the other to break material from a mine Wall, and means for receiving said support with the material thereon upon movement of said support including both parts thereof.

o ln` loading apparatus. the combination with a franie having a platform the upper surface of which is in substantially the sanfie lane as the surface of a mine Hat car ad- ]acent said frame, of a plane guide pivoted to said frame, means for tilting the receiving end of said guide to various elevations close to a mine Wall While maintaining the delivery end thereof in registry With said platform, and mechanism for moving material along said guide and over said platform onto said flat car.

T. In a mining machine` the combinatiton With a sled composed of tivo relatively movable parts having inclined plane engagement With each other, of means for pulling one of said parts relatively to the other to effect dislodgment of a block of material from the mine Wall, and upon continued pulling to efect the movement of said block of material away from the mine Wall, apparatus for operating said pulling means, and mechanism for receiving said sled and block of material and guiding the same to loading position.

8. In loading apparatus, the combination with a sled adapted lo be inserted into a lierf in a mine wall, of a supporting frame, an adjustable guideway on said frame, means for adjusting the elevation of the receiving end of said guideway adjacent the mine wall, and means on said frame for moving' said sled directlyI onto said guideu'ay and along the same and ofi' the same into loading position.

i). In a mining machine, the combination with a sled adapted to carry a large block of material back from its native position in a mine Wall and comprising two parts each having a plurality of inclined planes, of means for moving one of said parts relatively to the other to dislodge a block of material from the mine Wall and then move the same to loading position with the said large block of material thereon.

10. In mining apparatus, the combination with a comparatively thin flat sled adapted to carry n'iaterial back from its native position in a mine Wall, said sled comprising tivo parts interlocked, of means for exerting :i pull on one of said parts to move the same relatively to the other part to vary the thickness of said sled and thereafter' move both parts as a. sled to loading position With such material thereon.

11. In a mining machine, the combination of a comparatively thin sled adapted to carry a large block of material back from its native position in a mine Wall and comprising tWo parts interlocked against lateral movement and having means for limiting the relative longitudinal movement of said parts in both directions, and apparatus for exerting a pull on one of said parts to vary the thickness of said sled and subsequently move the same to loading position.

12. In mining apparatus, the combination with a sled adapted te carry material from its native position in a mine wall, said sled having two parts with stepped surfaces engaging each other, and apparatus for exerting a pull directly on one of said parts to obtain relative movement thereof and subsequently movement of both parts into loading position to effect the loading of said material.

13. In loading apparatus, the combination with a frame having a receiving surface, of rope winding mechanism mounted on said frame to project there-from over a space to be occupied by a mine car, a device adapted to engage the rear portion of a block of material, a rope connected between said Winding mechanism and said device, and means for operating said rope Winding device to pull said block of material over said receiving surface onto said mine car.

14. In loading apparatus, the combination with a frame, of a motor mounted on Said frame a platform pivoted to said frame, gearing* connected between said motory and said platform to effect tilting of said platform to various positions at the mine Wall, a clutch for controlling` said gearing, winding mechanism, gearing connecting said Winding` mechanism to said motor, an additional clutch for controlling the operation of said winding mechanism, a rope connected to .said winding mechanism, an elevated bracket extendingl from said frame in a direction opposite to that of the pivoted platform, rope guiding mechanism mounted on said bracket, and a hook connected to the other end of said rope for engaging a block of material at a mine Wall.

15. In loading apparatus, the combination with a rcceiviing` frame, of rope winding mechanism mounted on said frame, an elevated bracket extending from said fame, rope guiding mechanism mounted at the upper and lower portions of said elevated bracket, and a hook at the free end of said rope.

16. In loading apparatus` the combination with a supporting frame having a surface at an elevation approximately in alinement i with the upper surface of a flat car, of a platform pivoted to said supporting frame in position to serve as a continuation of said supporting frame surface, means for adjusting the elevation of the forward end of said platform, and means for moving material along said platform and supporting frame and beyond the limits thereof onto said Hat car.

17. In loading apparatus, the combination With a main frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a platform pivoted at its rear end to said main frame at a predetermined elevation, means for adjusting the elevation of the free e-nd of said platform adjacent a mine Wall, and mechanism for moving material directly from the mine Wall onto said platform at various elevations and over and off the same into loading position on a mine car.

18. In loading apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of a Supplemental frame pivoted at its rear end to said main frame and comprising a receiving and guiding platform, of means for adjusting elevation of the free end of said plaform, means for pulling material from a mine Wall onto said platform and over the same toward loading position, and a platform on the main frame at the rear end of said su plemental frame to effect a continuation oi) the first named guiding platform from various elevations to a predetermined loading elevation.

19. In loadin apparatus. the combination with a plat .orm comprising a plurality of relatively movable superposed parts, of mechanism for moving said parts relatively to each other to ermit the dislodgment of a block of material from a mine Wall onto saidplatform, and a supporting frame for lOO receiving said platform with its load upon continued movement of said platform after dislodgment of said block of material.

20. A mining and loading machine comprising a. two-part sled adapted to be inserted into a kei-f in a mine wall, means for moving one part of said sled relatively to the other part thereof to effect dislodgment of a block of material from a mine wall onto said sled, a frame for receiving said sled while carrying said block of material, and means for adjusting said receiving frame to an elevation corresponding tothe elevation of said sled.

21. A mining and loading machine, comprising a platform sled comprising relatively movable parts, means for moving one of said parts relatively to the other to effect dislodgment of a block of material from a mine Wall onto said platform and effect the movement of said block of material away from the mine Wall toward loading position, a guide frame for directing the sled with the block of material thereon to a predetermined loading elevation, and means for adjusting the elevation of the receiving end of said guide frame to correspond With the elevation of said sled in its initial position.

22. A mining and loading machine comprising a main frame, a supplemental frame pivoted to said main frame at a predetermined elevation, means for adjusting the elevation of the receiving end of said supplemental frame, a bracket arm extending from said main frame over a space to be occupied by a mine car, a sled comprising relatively movable parts, and moans for exerting a pull to move one of said parts relatively to the other to effect dislodgment of a block of material from a mine Wall and thereafter move the entire sled with the block of material thereon over said supplemental frame onto a mine car.

23. A mining and loading machine comprising a portable frame, a main frame pivotally connected to said portable frame, means for rotating said main frame on said portable frame, a guide platform on said main frame at a predetermined elevation` a movable platform pivoted at its rear end to said main frame near said guide platform, means for tilting said movable platform to adjust the elevation of the free receiving end thereof, a bracket arm extending from said main frame over a space to be occupied by a mine car, a sled comprising relatively movable parts and adapted to be inserted in a lierf in a mine Wall, and means for operating said sled to first effect dislodgment of the block of material :from a mine wall onto said sled and thereafter move said sled With the material thereon over said movable latform and said guide platform olf said main frame onto the mine car.

24. In a system of mining, the combination with a portable frame, of a main frame pivotally mounted for rotary adjustment on said portable frame, a plurality of sleds each comprisingl relatively movable parts and adapted to bc arranged in dilferent positions in a mine Wall under blocks of Inaterial bounded by upper and lower lateral kerfs, a receiving platform pivoted at its rear end to said main frame at a predetermined elevation, means for adjusting the free end of said receiving platform to the elevations of the various sleds, means for successively operating said sleds one at a time to successively elfect the breaking of the blocks of material from the mine Wall and move them successively and individually over said receiving frame toward loading position at a predetermined elevation to clear a predetermined space in the mine Wall of the blocks of material with Which said sleds are initially associated.

Q5. In a loading machine, the combination with a carrier, of means for operating said carrier to receive a load of material, a rearwardly extending frame adapted to eX- tend over the top of a mine car, a guide pulley mounted at the rear end of said frame, a rope engaging said pulley, and means acting on said rope to pull the material andl Said carrier into loading position on the mine car.

Q6. A mining and loading machine comprising a dislodging device adapted to be inserted into a kerf in a mine Wall, a supporting frame, an adjustable guide-Wa on said frame, means for adjusting the e evation of the receiving end of said guideway adjacent the mine Wall, and means on said frame for moving said dislodging device onto said guideway to effect movement of the material from the mine Wall toward loading position.

27. In loading apparatus, the combination with a frame having a receiving surface, of rope Winding mechanism mounted on said frame to project therefrom over a space to be occupied by a mine car, a carrier, a rope connected between said Winding mechanism and said carrier, and means for operatin said rope winding mechanism to pull said carrier from a mine Wall with a block of material thereon and over said receiving surface onto said mine car.

28. Mining and loading apparatus comprsing a supporting frame, a platform pivota ly connected to said frame, means for tilting the forward end of said platform to vary its elevation adjacent a mine Wall, and means for dislodging large blocks of material directly from the mine wall onto the receiving end of said platform and moving said material intact over Said platform toward loading position.

29. In loading ap aratus, the combination of a platform o small thickness compared with its carrying area, said platform comprising an upper section and a lower section and connected together to expand or contract in thickness when one section is moved relatively to the other, and means connected to one of said sections for pulling the same relatively to the other section to effect the breaking of a block of material from a mine wall onto said platform in a kerf under such block.

30. A mining and loading machine comprising a two part carrier adapted to be inserted into a kerf in a mine wall, means for exerting a pull on one part of said carrier relatively to the other part thereof to effect dislodgment of a block of material from a mine wall onto said carrier, and framework for receivin said carrier with said block of material t ereon and guiding such carrier toward loading position.

3l'. In a system of mining, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of carriers each comprisin relatively movable parts and adapted to arranged at different elevations in a mine wall under blocks of material bounded by upper, lower and lateral kerfs, a receiving platform pivoted to said frame, means for adjusting the free end of said receiving platform successively to the positions of the various carriers one after another including the elevations thereof, and means for operatin the carriers individually one after anot er or successively *o successively effect the breakage of the blocks of material from the mine wall and move them individually and successively over said receiving platform toward loading position.

32. In a system of mining, the combination with a portable frame, of a plurality of carriers each comprising relatively movable parts and adapted to be arranged in dierent positions along a mine wall under blocks of material bounded by upper, lower and lateral kerfs,y and means for operating said carriers individually and successively to individually and successively e'ect the breakage of such blocks of material from the mine wall and move them individually and successively onto said frame for loading one after another.

Y 33. In loading apparatus, the combination with a frame having a receiving platform adapted to extend to a receiving position adjacent the mine wall, of dislod ng mechanism adapted to extend into a erf in the mine wall, and winding mechanism connected to said dislodging mechanism to exert a pull on the latter to effect. the dis` lodgment of a block of material from the mine wall and move the saine therefrom onto said platform toward receiving position.

34.` A mining and loading machine coinprising: a carrier having a plurality of arts, means for actuating one o the parts o said carrier relatively to another for effectin the dislodgment of a solid mass of material from a mine Wall, said carrier adapted to be under such mass of material while the latter is being dislodged so as to be in positio-n to rereive such material from its native position upon dislodgment, and means for moving the entire carrier together with the mass of material thereon from the mine wall in a general horizontal direction onto a mine car adjacent the mining and loading machine.

35. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a two-part carrier, of a main frame, means mounted on said main frame for actu'atin one part of said carrier relatively to the otlllier to effect dislodgnient from a mine Wall of a block of material onto said carrier, and by continued actuation of said carrier transferring the block of material away from the mine wall in a general hoi'iaontal direction, and means mounted on said main frame for directing the carrier from various elevations at the mine wall to a mine car adjacent said main frame.

36. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a substantially horizontal carrier having upper and lower continuous fiat surfaces, said carrier being adapted to fit into a horizontal kerf iii a mine wall, of means for operating said carrier to effect dislodgmeiit of a block of material onto said carrier from a position in the mine wall above said carrier and thereafter moving said carrier together with said block of material toward loading position, a main frame, and a supplemental frame mounted on said main frame in position to direct said carrier toward loading position.

37?; In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a carriiei adapted to extend into a horizontal korf in an upright mine Wall, of means for operating said carrier against the bottom of an umnined mass of material previously out by the kerf into which said carrier extends, to elifect dislodgment of such material onto said carrier, a main frame, and means mounted on said frame for directin the carrier with the block of material tiei'eon toward loading position.

.38.. In loading apparatus, the combination with amain frame, of a supplemental frame pivoted to said main frame for upward and diowiivvcardy movement of the forward portion of said Supplemental frame adjacent the uprif ht face of the mine wall, and means a opted to extend into a kerf in said upright naine wall for engaging a block of material above surh lrerf and moving such block of material over said supplemental frame toward loading position- 39. In loading apparatus, the combination with a platform carrier, of a main frame, a supplemental trame comprisinga slideway pivoted at its rear end to said main frame,

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means on said main frame for adjusting the elevation of the forward end of said slideway to positions adjacent the upright face of the mine wall, and means for operating said carrier to move blocks of material thereon over said Slidevvay toward loading position adjacent said mam frame.

40. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a: main frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a slideway piv oted to said main frame and having its forward end adjustable to various elevations adjacent the upright fare of a` mine Wall, means for adjusting the position of said supplemental frame on said main frame to vary the elevation of the forward end of said slideway, and mechanism adapted to eXtend into a kerf to engage a block of material adjacent the forward end of said slidevvay to move said blo-ck of material over said slideway toward loading position, said engaging and moving mechanism comprising a exible element.

41. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a main frame, of a supplemental frame pivoted thereto and comprisin a slideway with its forward end ad- ]ustabe to various positions adjacent the upright face of a mine wall, means for holding said slideway at adjusted elevation, and mechanism comprising a flexible element and adapted to extend into a kerf to engage a block of material to dislodge the same from the mine Wall and move it over said slide- Way toward loading position.

42. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a main frame, of mechanism adapted to extend into a kerf in a mine Wall to engage a block of material to dislodge the same and move such block of material toward loading position near that side of said main frame remote from the mine Wall, said dislodging and moving means comprising a eXible element, a su plemental frame comprising a slidevvay a justable to various elevations to direct said moving means toward loading position from various elevations at the mine Wall, and means for holdin Said slidevvay at adjusted elevation relative y to said main frame.

43. In a loading machine, the combination With a carrier, of a main supporting frame, a supplemental frame mounted on said main frame for movement relatively thereto, means for moving said supplemental frame into a position adjacent one of the kerfs bounding a block of material, and means comprising a rope for operating said carrier to e'ect the dislodgment of the block of material and move the same along said supplemental frame and over a portion of said main frame onto a mine car adjacent said main frame.

44. In loading apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a guidevvay and mounted on said main frame for adjustment to various elevations at its receiving end and extendin to a fixed delivery position, means for dislo ging a block of material from a mine Wall onto the receiving end of said guidevvay and moving such block of material along such guideway to said iiXed delivery position, and means for positioning the receiving end of said guidevvay to form a direct path from various elevations to said fixed delivery position.

45. In loading apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of a platform pivoted thereto, and means for engaging a large block of material adjacent the receiving end of said latform and moving such block of materialpfrom its cut position in a mine Wall onto said platform and slidin such block over said platform toward loa ing position While in direct Contact with said platform.

46. In a loading machine, the combination with supporting framework, of a receiving frame adjustable to various elevations at the mine Wall, and self-acting power mechanism for effecting the transfer of a block of material 4bounded at the top, bottom and sides by kerfs, back from the space occupied thereby in its native bed onto said receiving frame and over the same toward loading osition.

47. In a mining and loading mac ine, the

combination with a, main frame, of a platform mounted thereon, dislodging. mechanism adapted to be inserted in one of the kerfs bounding a block of material in its native position in a mine Wall, and means for operating said dislodging mechanism to effect the breakage of said block of material from the unmined mass and move such block of material onto said platform and over the same toward loading position.

48. In loading apparatus, the combination with a main frame, of a carrier having two relatively movable parts, and means mounted on said frame for moving one of said parts relatively to the other to dislodge a block of coal from its native position 1n a mine and continue the movement of the carrier along said frame to transfer the coal toward loading position.

49. In a system of mining, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of carriers each comprising relatively movable parts and adapted to be arranged to simultaneously occupy positions at different elevations in a mine under blocks of material bounded by upper, lower and lateral kerfs, a receiving platform mounted on said supporting frame, means for adjusting the free end of said receiving platform to the elevations of the various carriers, and means for individually operatin said carriers to successively break the b ocks of material from the mine wall and move them successively over said receiving platform toward loadin position.

50. n a System of mining, the combination with e. portable supporting frame, of a plurality of carriers each comprising rela tively movable parts and adapted to be arranged in different positions along a mine wall under blocks of material bounded by upper, lower and lateral kerfs, and means mounted on said ortable frame for operating said carriers individually to successively break such blocks of material and move them individually and successively onto said frame toward loading position.

51. In loading apparatus, the combination with supporting framework having a platform, of dislodging mechanism adapted to extend into a kerf in a mine Wall, and means mounted on said frame for exerting a pull on said dislodging mechanism to operate the same to dislodge the block of material and move the latter from the mine Wall onto said platform toward loadin position.

In testimony Whereo? I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses, on this 1st day of July, A. D. 1913.

EDMUND C. MORGAN.

Witnesses:

EDGAR FRANCIS BEAUBIEN, CHARLES H. SEEM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for tive cents each, by addressing the Gommiuioner of Patents, Wuhlngtnn, D. C.

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