US1706962A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1929. E. c. MORGAN MINING MACHINE Original Filed July 5, 1915 3 Sheets-Sh t 1 March 26, 1929. E, MQRGAN 1,706,962

MINING MACHINE Original Filed July 5, 1915 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 26, 1929. E. c. MORGAN MINING MACHINE 1915 3 sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July 5 Patented Mar. 2%, TQZQ.

UhllTh EDMUND C. MORGAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN EXECUTBIX d1 SAID EDMUND C. MORGAN DECEASED.

MINING MACHINE.

original application filed July 5, 1913, Serial No. 777,436. Divided and 11, 1922. Serial No. 587,556.

My invention relates to improvements in mining machines particularly adapted for mining coal and one of the objects of my invention is to provide improved and simplified apparatus for adjusting the elevation of mining mechanism and preventing the same from tilting during operation thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision-0t a mining machine mounted on a traveling truck combined with a motor and means operated thereby for edecting operation of the mining mechanism or propulsion of the truck along the track according to whether the truck is held stationary on the track or whether the mining mechanism is locked against movement relatively to the truck. I

A further object of the invention is the provision of means carried by the truck and engaging the rails of the mine track to prevent tipping of the truck and the mining machine mounted thereon without preventing movement of the truck along the track.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

This application is a division of m copending application, Serial No. 777 ,436, filed July 5, 1913, apparatus for mining coal.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a general view in elevation of a mining machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a general top plan view of the mining machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the details of the truck and the mechanism by means of which various adjustments and movements are imparted to the mining mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a/ vertical sectional view substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2, illustrating the driving connection of the horizontal kerf cutter for cutting a horizontal plane kerf to afford moving space for the support for the vertical kcrf cutter.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 6.

this application filed September Renewed December 20, 1928.

Fig. 6 is a detail fragmentary sectional view on the line 1111 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view substantially on the line 10-1O of Fig. 1.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the entire machine is mounted upon a suitable truck E having wheels 1 so that it may travel along a suitable mine track comprising rails 2 laid in the mine room or chamber. These wheels 1 are mounted upon axles 3 having journals in the truck frame E, and each axle carrying a bevel gear 4. A. shaft 5 extends longitudinally of the truck and carries at its ends bevel gears 6, as shown in Fig. 3. These gears mesh with the bevel gears 4, and through the medium of the latter and the shafts 3 the truck may be propelled along the track. One of the gears l is disposed at one side of the shaft 5 and the other bevel gear 4 is disposd on the opposite side of the shaft 5 so that the latter will rotate both sets of wheels in the same direction. Power may therefore be applied to all of the wheels of the truck so that tractive efi'orts will be distributed to all these wheels.

One of the wheels of each pair is provided with a brake shoe 7 hinged or pivoted at 8 to the truck frame E, and adapted to be operated by means of the links 9, which are connected to the brake shoe and to a lever 10 centrally pivoted upon a depend ing bracket 11 on the frame E. This lever 10 has an'upstanding arm or handle 12 by means of which it may be rotated to throw the brake shoes into and out of engagement with the wheels and thereby brake or release the wheels as desired.

In order to lock the truck to the track and at the same time permit the truck to travel along the track I provide another set of angularly disposed flanged wheels or rollers 13, the flanges of which, as shown in Fig. 1, engage the under sides of the balls of the rails 2 and thereby prevent the truck from being tilted or raised relatively to the track by any strains or unusual load which may come upon the machine and which might have a tendency to overbalance it. These locking wheels or rollers are mounted at the lower ends of the depending arms 14, which are rotatably mounted upon short studs 15 outstanding from the frame of the truck so that the locking wheels may be swung inwardly away from the rails to release the truck from the track in the event that it is desired to do so on such an occasion as when the machine is to be taken out of the mine or the track relaid in other part-s of the mine.

The bearing portions of these rotary arms 14 have gear teeth 16, which mesh with and are driven by worms 17, the latter being mounted upon the ends of short shafts 18. The shafts 18 are journaled in the bearings 19 on the truck frame and carry hand wheels 20, by means of which they may be operated. This construction permits the locking wheels to be readily thrown out of engagement with the rails and at the same time the worm gearing serves to lock the arms into any position to which they are rotated.

The truck frame E is, as shown in the drawings, in the form of a platform which has an upstanding annular rim or flange 21 (Fig. 3) of comparatively large diameter. The various parts of the driving and cutting mechanism are primarily supported upon a broad flat platform 25, which has an underhung parallel or sub-platform 26 rigidly secured thereto. This sub-platform 26 has a depending annular flange or rim 27 similar to the upstanding flange 21 on the truck. The flange 27 is of such diameter that it telescopes within the flange 21 and the two together, in conjunction with the platform 25, constitute a turn-table, the two flanges 21 and 27 being relatively rotatable. At the same time these flanges constructed in this manner permit the main platform 25 to be lifted and lowered with respect to the truck frame E, so that the cutting mechanism hereinafter described may be adjusted to various heights.

The truck platform E carries a large bushing or member E rotatably mounted therein and centrally disposed with respect to the I flanges 21 and 27. This bushing has an annular arm or shoulder E which holds it in position against the upper side of the truck platform. The bushing E projects through the truck platform and on its lower end has a collar E provided with worm gear teeth on its outer periphery, and this collar is driven by means of a worm E to rotate the bushing E The worm E is mounted on the shaft E journaled in bearings depending from the platform of the truck. The shaft E is provided with a hand wheel E by means of which it may be rotated.

The sub-platform 26 rests upon and is supported by a large nut E; This nut is screwthreaded on its interior and is threaded on a hollow upstanding portion E of the rotary bushing E. Thus by manipulating the hand-wheel E on the shaft E the bushing E may be rotated in either direction and the rotation of this bushing causes the threaded upstanding portion E thereof to screw into and out of the large nut E", thereby lifting or lowering the platform or turn-table 25.

In order to lock the large nut E against rotation it has a depending pin E, which slides in an opening in the truck frame E.

A motor M is mounted upon the platform 25 at one side thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to assist in balancing the machine against the weight of the cutting mechanisn'i, which is in general disposed at the opposite side of the platform. The motor shaft carries a pinion 28 upon its end, which pinion drives a large gear 28 which is mounted upon shaft 25) supported in hearing standards 30 on the platform. The shaft 29 carries a pinion 31, which pinion drives a train of gears 32 and 33. The shaft 29 may be said to constitute the main shaft of the machine and from it the various mechanisms are driven, the gears 28 and 28 being of such ratio as to properly reduce the speed of the motor. The gear 33 is comparatively large in diameter and is mounted upon a counter-shaft 34, (see also Figs. 5 and 6) which countershaft is journaled in bearing standards 35 rising from the platform 25. The intermediate gear 32 of the train is mounted upon a shaft which is suitably journalcd in a bearing 36 mounted upon the platform 25 and is merely an idler interposed in the train for the purpose of securing the proper direction of rotation of the countershaft 34, as will hereinafter appear.

The counter-shaft 3 1 carries two bevel gears 37, which are rotatably mounted upon the shaft 34: and which mesh with a similar bevel gear 38 interposed between them. The bevel gears 37 may be connected with or disconnected from the shaft 34: by means of an intermediate two-way clutch member 39 so that the shaft 34 may be arranged to drive either of these gears. The clutch mechanism may be of any suitable kind f or the purpose. In the drawings 1 have shown the clutch member 39 as being a longitudinally slidable sleeve feathered on the shaft to rotate therewith and being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in either direction by means of a hand lever 40. Thus by shiftingthe clutch 39 into engagement with either one of the gears 37 the gear may be connected with the shaft to be driven thereby. The gears 37 and the clutch member 39 have corresponding teeth for interlocking the two together. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the shaft 42, upon which the gear 38 is mounted, to be driven in either direction. This shaft 42 is mounted in a bearing 43 rising from the platform 25, and it carries a bevel gear 44 at its other end which drives a similar bevel gear 45, which latter gear is mounted on a vertical shaft 46 jonrnaled in a bearing outstanding from the platform 25. The shaft 46 projects below the platform 25 and carries at its lower end a pinion 47, which meshes with and drives a large spur gear 48 disposed between the platform 25 and its sub-platform 26, as shown in Fig. l. The large gear 48 is mounted upon the upper end of a vertical shaft 49, which is jonrnaled at its upper end portion to the sub-platform 26, as shown in Fig. 3.

The shaft 49 is disposed in the center of the telescoping flanges 21 and 27. Below its upper bearing the shaft 49 is preferably square in cross-section and is adapted to slide vertically in a corresponding bushing 50. The bushing 50, however, is rotatably journaled in the rotary bushing E, so that a sliding bearing is thus formed for the lower end portion of the shaft 49, permitting the shaft-to adapt itself to the various positions to which the platform 25 is lifted or lowered wtih respect to the truck. The shaft 49, however, on account of its being square with respect to the bushing 50 will drive the bushing at any position to which the shaft is adjusted. The bushing 50 has a bevel gear 51 on its lower end. which bevel gear meshes with and drives a similar gear 52 on the shaft 5 beneath the truck. This shaft 5 transmits power, as before described,through the bevel gears 4 and 6 to the wheels of the truck.

By means of the construction described, the power of the motor M may be transmitted through the various shaft clutches of the gears described, to the Wheels 1 of the truck to propel the latter along the track, the direction of movement of the truck along the track being controlled, as above intimated, by the clutch member 39 which is positioned intermediate the bevel gears 37 on the counter-shaft 34. It will be noted, however, that since the large horizontal. gear 48 is carried, generally speaking, by the truck, and the pinion 47 which meshes with this large gear, is carried, generally speaking, by the rotary platform or turn-table 2:), there is a tendency for the pinion 47 to walk around the large gear 48 instead of actually rotating or driving the large gear, provided that the resistance offered by the wheels to the movement of the truck along the track is greater than that which is offered by the platform 25 against rotary movement about its axis. In other words, if the truck offers greater resistance to being propelled along the track than the platform 25 does to being rotated, the pinion 47 will travel around the large gear 48 and thereby pin 54, which may be screwed into rotate the platform, rather than actually rotate the large gear itself to propel the truck along the track. I utilize this very condition for intentionally rotating the platform or turn-table on its axis by simply setting the brakes 7 (Fig. 8) against the wheels and thereby, in a sense, locking the truck to the track. This has the effect then of practically locking the large gear 48 against rotation, and in consequence when the pinion 47 is driven it will travel around the periphery of the large gear and the platform will thereby be given a rotary movement. This condition of the mechanism also holds good in the other way; that is to say, if the resistance offered by the platform or turn-table to being rotated is greater than offered by the truck to being propelled along the track the result will be that the large gear 48 will be actually rotated by the pinion 47 and the resultant power will be applied to propel the truck along the track. In order, therefore, to insure the resistance to rotary movement of the platform being the greater I provide means by which I may positively lock the platform against rotation by the truck frame.

Fig. 1 shows a boss 53 projecting from one .side of the cylindrical truck flange 21.

carries a or out of any one of a series of elongated openings 55 distributed around the inner flange 27. This pin has a hand wheel 56 at its outer end by means of which it may be manipulated. This pin, in conjunction with the holes or openings 55, serves to lock the two flanges against relative rotation and thus lock the platform against. rotation. This pin may be withdrawn from whichever opening 55 it happens to have been inserted into by turning the hand wheel 56 when it is desired to rotate the platform or turn-table. The openings 55 are elongated vertically so as not to interfere with the limit of adjustment in elevation of the platform 25, together with the cutting mechanism mounted thereon, relatively to the truck frame.

Upstanding from the platform or turntable 25 is a pair of bearings 60, in which is jonrnaled a shaft 61. This shaft carries and is driven by a gear 62, which meshes with a gear (33 on the countershal't 34. A capstan or winding druni '64 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 61 and is adapted to be connected with or disconnected from the shaft by means of a sliding clutch member 65 having teeth 66 arranged to interlock with correspomling teeth at one end of the drum 64. The clutch member '65 may be readily shifted by means of a hand-lever 67. The winding drum may be used independently of the previously described truck propelling mechanisnuor it may be used in conjunction therewith where the resistance ofiered to the This boss isserew-threaded and bevel pinion 83, as shown in Fig. 2.

cutting mechanism is too great to be overcome by the tractive effort of the truck. wheels alone. The manner in which this winding drum may be used is to anchor a cable (58 at a point 69 in the mine distant from the machine and wind the able upon the drum. The cable may be anchored at any point in the mine, and in conjunction with the winding drum may be used to pull the machine along the mine track, whether the said track is laid in curves or in a straight line, as is the usual practice in mining operations.

The kerf-cutting mechanism hereinafter described may thus be fed rectilinearly parallel to the track or along curves parallel to the l-zerf, by operating the rope winding mechanism comprising a rope, the free end of which is anchored at a point such as that designated 69 in Fig. 2.

The outer end of the shaft 29 carries a This pinion 83 meshes with and drives a large horizontally disposed bevel gear 84, which is carried by and preferably integral with an elongated sleeve 85, as shown in Fig. 4, and it is through this mechanism that the driving power is transmitted to the kerf-cutting mechanism. The sleeve 85 is journaled in the bearings 86 which are formed in an extension 87 of the main platform 25. This sleeve carries a removable collar 88 at its lower end which normally prevents it from being shifted upwardly out of its bearings,

' and the gear 84 forms a collar for this same purpose at the upper end! of the sleeve.

This sleeve 85 is adapted to drive the sprocket wheel 96. This sprocket wheel is adapted to receive the chain 118 of a chain kerf cutter comprising the cutters 119. The frame of this kerf cutting mechanism comprises two main parts or members 96 and 97. Themember 96 forms a guideway for an offset extension 97 so that the members 95 and 96 may be adjusted longitudinally relatively to each other for the purpose of tightening or loosening the cutting chain, as desired. The offset extension 97 is in the form of a slotted tailpiece which embraces a fixed block 98 on the member 96, which block is positioned in the slot of the tailpiece 97 and has two threaded bars 99 extending longitudinally of the slot in opposite directions. These threaded bars extend through the end portions 100 of the tailpiece 97 and each bar carries at its outer end a nut 101. This mechanism forms a convenient and simple means for adjusting the cutter frame 95 relatively to the sprocket 9G in order to vary the slack in the chain 118 or to vary the length of the chain kerf cutter as a whole.

The central block 98 has journaled therein the sleeve 85 as shown in Fig. 4, and the sprocket wheel 96' is secured to thissleeve to rotate therewith. It will thus be seen that when the motor M is operated to drive the shaft 29 power is transmitted through the bevel gears 83 and 84 to the upright sleeve shaft 85 to impart rotary movement to the sprocket wheel 96 and thus drive the chain cutter 119. While the chain kerf cutter is thus driven it may be fed rectilinearly to cut a kerf parallel to the main track, by operating the winding mechanism comprising the drum 64 and the rope (38 anchored at 69, as shown in Fig. 2. The kerf cutter may be given an arcuate feed across the front end of the mine track by releasing the pin 54 from the slots 55 shown in Fig. 1 and applying the brake shoes 7 to the wheels shown in Fig. Then by rotating the pinion 47 the turntable 25 together with the horizontalkerf-cutter will be swung around the gear 48 on an. upright axis from the center of this gear. When the machine is being fed rez'tilinearly the clutch member 39 will be in central position, thus permitting the rope-winding mechanism to move the truck freely along the track. During such rectilinear movement the pin 54 may be inserted in one of the slots 55, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to lock the platform 25 against rotary movement relatively to the truck. Therefore, when rectilinear movement is effected the brakes 7 are released and the pin 54 is in locking position, but when arcuate feeding movement is efl'ected the brakes are applied to the Whrels to hold the gear 48 stationary, and the pin 54 is moved to unlocking position. to permit the pinion 47 to freely walk around the gear 48 and thus swing the kerf-cuttcr for an arcuate movement on an n Jri ht axis. I b

As hereinbefore described, the mechanism operated by the wheel E may be used to adjust the elevation of the kerf cut by the horizontal kerf-cutter. Simultaneously with the cutting of the horizontal kerf a rear vertical kerf may. also be cut by means of mechanism which will now be described.

While the kerf-cutter 140 shown in Fig. 1 is particularly adapted for cutting an upright kert' which is not intended to completely sever blocks of coal between roof kerfs and floor. kerfs produced in the same or separate machine, it should be understood that this vertical kerf-cutter 140 may be of sut'ticient diameter to completely sever such blocks of coal from the body of the vein when desired. The cutter wheel 140 is, as may be clearly seen by referring to Figs. 5 and G, mounted upon and driven by a horizontal shaft 141, which projects beyond the extension 87 of the platform 25 to a point substantially in line with the outer ends of the horizontal cutter bar 95. The shaft 141 is journaled at its ends in bearings 142 in a flat elongated casing 143, which is mounted upon the extension 87. The vertical cutter ,hollow and its inner since cutter wheel, and to this end I mount the elongated casing 143 in guideways 144 on the platform extension 87 so that this casing may be reciprocated longitudinally and thereby oscillate or reciprocate the cutter wheel 140 transversely of the plane thereof.

In order that the shaft 141 may be rotated or driven during the oscillating or reciprocating movement of itself and the casing and cutter wheel, I key the large gear 33 upon the end of the countershaft 34. and I extend the hub 34 of this gear and provide it with a square bore 34 into which the correspondingly squared end portion 141 of the shaft 141. is inserted. Thus the shaft 141 may be given a reciprocating movement and it will, at the same time, be driven by the countershaft 34. It will be realized that on account of the large diameter of the cutter wheel 140 the cutting tools 140 on the periphery of the wheel are somewhat removed 7 from the driving shaft 141 and'on account of the great leverage this creates the torsional strain on the central shaft 141 will be considerable.

To preclude any possibility of the shaft 141 or other parts breaking under the cutting strains, I provide a supplemental driving mechanism for the cutter wheel which will exert its power upon the cutter wheel close to the periphery thereof. In the present machine this supplemental driving mechanism is preferably in the form of two additional shafts 145 disposed within the casing 143 and parallel with but spaced from the central shaft 141. These shafts are journaled in bearings 146 at the ends of the casing 143 so that they will oscillate with the central shaft. The cutter wheel 140 is made periphery provided with gearteeth 147 to form a hollow gear, and the outer ends of the supplemental shafts 145 carry gears 148 which mesh with the teeth 147 and thereby drive the cutter wheel at points adjacent its outer or cutting periphery.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the large gear 33 is also made hollow and formed as a hollow gear and this hollow gear drives the supplemental shafts 145 by means of the gears 149 carried by the in nor ends of the shaft 145. The gear teeth 150 of the hollow gear 33 are, however, it will be noticed, of sufficient length to enable the gears 149 to remain in mesh and be driven thereby during the oscillation of the shafts. The shafts 141 and 145 all lie in the same plane, and the casing 143, which preferably com pletcly encloses the shafts, is made as flat and thin as is necessary to completely enter and move in the kerf produced by the horizontal plane chain kerf cutter.

It will be observed that the oscillating or reciproacting movement of the vertical cutter 140 is not really necessary during the time that this cutter is being fed rectillnearly or in a straight line, and I prefer, therefore, that the oscillating movement of the cutter be subject to the control of the operator so that he may start and stop this oscillating movement as required. In the machine shown in the drawings I obtain this result as follows. The hub 34* of the gear- 33 has a pinion 152 formed at its outer end and, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6, this pinion drives a larger gear 153 positioned-above it and mounted upon a shaft 154. One end of this shaft is suitably journaled in a hearing standard 155 rising from the platform extension 87, and the other endis journaled in ahorizontal bearing bracket 156 mounted at the side of the platform extension, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. This shaft 154 carries a cam 157 for oscillating the casing 143, and spaced from this cam is a disk or flatcollar 158 which, in conjunction with the control boss hereinafter described, operates to hold the casing 143 against oscillation. The casing 143 carries is positioned between the cam 157 and the collar 158. On the casing 143 is a relatively slidable member or bar 160, which may be readily shifted by the handle 161 and which carries spaced rollers 162 and 163. This sliding bar 160 is intended to be shifted to either of two positions, depending upon whether the cutter is to be oscillated or remain still, and it may be locked to the casing in either of its positions by means of a removable plug or pin 164, which passes through an opening in the sliding bar 160 and is adapted to enter one of two openings 165 in the casing according to whichever position the bar is shifted. When the bar 160 is placed in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6, it will be noted that the collar 158 is confined between the two rollers 159 and 163, and since the plane of this collar is transverse to the axis of the shaft 154 no oscillating movement will be imparted to the casing 143 and the cutter.

However, this position of the bar 160 and roller 162 will not be affected by the earn 157, but when the bar 160 is shifted to the right so as to bring the roller 162 closer to the roller 159 the cam 157 will be confined between said two rollers and will impart an oscillating movement to the casing and cutter. It will be noted that when the oscila roller 159, which lating movement is stopped byshifting the sliding bar 160 by the handle 161 the cutter wheel will always stop at the outer leaves the curve and is also ready to start the other curve the moment it is thrown into oscillating movement.

The conditions and grades of coal, as is readily understood, varies in different veins in different mines. The coal in some veins is more likely to break loose of its own weight than in other mines, consequently in designing the machine the diameter of the upright kerf cutter may be as large as is consistent with the nature of the coal. If deemed desirable to prevent dislodgment of the coal until after the kerfs have been cut so as to prevent retardation of the feed of the kerf cutters, the diameter of the upright kerf cutter should be such as to leave the coal of sufficient strength to be self-sustaining relative to the unmined mass. After the horizontal kerf'and the upright kerf have been cut the floor and roof .kerfs may be produced, or such floor and roof kerfs may be formed before the kerfs are cut intermediate the floor and roof. In any event, by making the diameter of the upright kerf cutter 1&0 sufliciently large the coal may readily be broken down because it is greatly assisted by its own weight in doing so.

The feeding operation of the vertical kerf cutter is, of course, the same as that for the horizontal chain kerf cutter and, as before stated, when the cutters are fed rectilinearly parallel to the mine track the cutter 1 10 need not be reciprocated or oscillated, but when the cutters are fed angularly or arcuately across the face in advance of the mine track the pin 164, shown in Fig. 6, is placed in the right-hand opening 165 so asto hold the rollers 159 and 162 in contact with the cam 157 and thereby effect lateral-reciprocation of the cutter 140 to produce the wider kerf and permit the upright kerf cutter to be fed arcuately.

The cutting mechanism may be presented edgewise to the coal and power operated mechanism relied on to move the cutting mechanism bodily rectilinearly of the track ,way, about the pivot on the truck in the same plane of operation of the rectilinear movements, and then the cutters may be moved reversely rectilinearly of the trackway to insert a parallel rib kerf in the face in front of the end of the trackway and also an upright kerf connected to the horizontal kerf but spaced back from the face of the mine wall. The mechanism for effecting rectilinear cuts comprises the rope 68 anchored at 69, as shown in Fig. 2. The mechanism for securing the arcuate feeding movements is entirely self-contained and it is solely supported by the truck and comprises the pinion 47 for traveling around the gear 48 when the latter is held stationary.

It should also be noted that the cutter 140 is detachably connected to the driving shaft 141, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and this cutter 140 may be removed and a cutter of larger diameter substituted, with the gear teeth 147 in proper position to mesh with the geai's 148. The cutter 140 may be removed and the horizontal chain kerf cutter used alone even though the frame 143 remains in position because the horizontal kerf cutter cuts a kerf in advance of such frame. However, since the bearing 155 and the bracket 156 are detachably connected to the extension 87, as shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 154 may be removed and the frame 143 slid out of the uideways 144, together 'with the upright erf cutter 140.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Claims:

1. The combination of a traveling truck, a rotary turntable mountedupon said truck, a common driving mechanism normally connected to both the truck and the turntable for operating them, and means under the control of the operator for locking either of said connections to shift the effect of the driving mechanism to the other connection.

2-. The combination with a traveling truck, of a rotary support mounted upon said truck for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, cutting mechanism carried by said support and rotatable therewith, common driving mechanism controllable by the operator for propelling the truck and rotating said support, said driving mechanism comprising extensible power transmission mechanism connected to the truck, and means for raising and lowering said support upon the truck.

3. .The combination of a traveling truck, a rotary support mounted upon said truck, a driven gear mounted upon and connected withthe wheels of said truck for propelling the same,- a driving gear meshing with said driven gear and carried by saidrotary support, a source of power connected to said driving gear, means for holding said driven gear ina relatively fixed position to cause it to drive said driven gear, and means for holding said driven gear against rotation to cause the driving gear to travel around it as a planetary gear and thereby rotate the support.

4. The combination with a traveling truck, of a rotary support mounted on said truck, telescoping guides between said truck and said support, a mining machine mounted on said support, a source of power, a singl train of gearing between said source of power and said truck, and means to effect the propulsion of said truck while said support remains stationary relatively thereto and to rotate said support relatively to said truck while the latter remains stationary.

5. The combination with a traveling truck, of brake mechanism for holding the trucle stationary, a support movab-ly mounted on said truck, a mining machine mounted on said support, means for locking said support and mining machine against movement relatively to said truck, a motor, and gearing connected between said motor and said truck to effect movement of the support or propulsion of said truck.

6. The combination with a truck, of brake mechanism for holding the truck stationary, a movable mining machine mounted on said truck, telescoping guide bearings between said truck and said mining machine, means cooperating with said guide bearings to prevent said mining machine from moving relatively to said truck, a motor mounted on said mining machine and gearing partly mounted on said mining machine and partly on said truck to effect the propulsion of said truck when said brake apparatus is released, and movement of said mining machine relatively to said truck when the brake apparatus is applied and said preventing means is released.

7. The combination with a truck, of brake apparatus therefor, a mining machine rotatably mounted on said truck, a turntable gear connected to said truck, driving mechanism mounted on said mining machine and comprising a pinion meshing with said turntable gear, and means for preventing rotation of said mining machine relatively to said truck.

8. The combination with a truck adapted to travel on the rails of a track, of a mining machine mounted on said truck, means carried by said truck and engaging said rails to prevent tipping of said truck and min ng machine of either rail without preventing movement of said truck along the track, and mechanism for releasing said engaging means by moving the same away from the rails.

9. The combination with a truck adapted to travel along rails of a track, of a mining machine carried by said truck, levers pivoted to said truck and engaging the balls of said rails to prevent tilting of the mining machine without preventing movement of the truck along the track, and means for adjusting the positions of said levers.

10. In acoal cutting machine, the combination of a movable base frame, supports ing track wheels therefor, means for preventing movement of the wheels along the track, a cutter apparatus movable as a unit with respect to the base frame about a normally vertical axis and comprising a motor and a continuously acting kerf-cutting mechanism driven by the motor and extendmg outward beyond the base frame along normally horizontal lines near the uppermost plane of the machine, the said cutter mechanism being movable across one end of the machine about the said vertical axis through an are extending at each side beyond the vertical plane of the corresponding track wheels, means for locking the cutter apparatus to the base frame at any of several angles, and continuously operable devices connected with the said motor for turning the cutter apparatus about the said vertical axis while in operation, or for moving the machine bodily on its wheels while the cutting apparatus is in operation and locked against turning.

11. In a coal cutting machine, the combination with a movable base, of a rin mounted on said base, a supporting table, a ring on said supporting table telescoping with the ring on said base to prevent lateral movement of said supporting table relatively to said base, coal cutting mechanism mounted on said supporting table, means for adjusting the elevation of said supporting table together with said coal cutting mechanism, and means for operating said coal cutting mechanism including rotary feed of said supporting table and rotary motion of the ring of the latter relatively to the ring of said base while said rings remain in telescoping engagement.

12. in a wheel-supported coal mining machine adapted to be transported over mine tracks to cut a horizontal kerf while supported on a track extending longitudinally toward the face of the coal, the combination with a base frame, of track wheels supporting said base frame, a supplemental frame, cutter apparatus supported by and projecting horizontally from said supplemental frame, said cutter apparatus being movable laterally with said supplemental frame in relation to the base frame while supported thereby to cut a kerf extending transversely across the track on which the machine stands but permanently confined against movement relatively to said supplemental frame, mechanism for operating the cutting apparatus including movement laterally in relation to the base frame and for rotating the track wheels to transport the machine from one working place to another,

and mechanism located a 'iproximately at the center of said base frame for adjusting the elevation of said cutter apparatus.

13. In a mining machine, the combination with a wheel-supported rigid base frame adapted to run upon and be braced by the rails of a mine track, of an upright support mounted directly on the base frame and extending upward from the central portion thereof, a rigid cutter frame comprising a widely expanded turntable and an elongated cutter arm projecting laterally from said table and from said base frame but permanently confined against .lateral mm ement relatively to said turntable, means associated with said upright support to form a bearing support for said turntable, an endless chain cutter mounted on said cutter arm, propelling mechanism mounted on said base frame, and means mounted on said turntable for operating said chain cutter including lateral feed thereof to form an elongated horizontally extended kerf.

14. In a coal cutting mechanism, the com- 15. In a coal cutting machine, the combination with a truck having axles and wheels connected thereto, of a vertically adplstable frame on said truck, mechanism for confining said frame against up or down tilting movement relatively to said truck, horizontally projecting coal cutting mechanism on said frame in position when fed against the coal to cut a horizontally extending kerf, a motor on said frame, a power transmitting element on the frame, means for operatively connecting the power transmittmg element to effect propulsion of said truck torfeed the cutting mechanism rectilinearly, and selfcontained means for arcuately feeding the cutting mechanism.

16. In a system of coal mining apparatus comprising a ground-supported track and a portable mechanism adapted to be transported over and remain permanently upon and be braced by said track, and also adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in a coal face while supported on a section of track extending longitudinally toward said face, the combination with a rigid base frame, of wheels secured to said base frame and resting upon and braced by said track section, a supplemental frame rotatably mounted on said base frame, mechanism for premanently confining said supplemental frame against tilting adjustment up or down relatively to said base frame but permitting bodily rotary movement relatively to the base frame and bodily up and down linear movement relatively to said base frame, a narrow elongated cutter arm carried by said supplemental frame and movable bodily with said supplemental frame horizontally and laterally across the front of said base frame, the forward end of said cutter arm extending horizontally to points outside and remote from the vertical bounding lines of the base frame, supporting connections between the rear ends of said cutter arm and said supplemental frame to hold said cutter arm in fixed relation to said supplemental frame while the latter is held in fixed relation to said bas frame, a chain cutter moimted to move in a horizontal path and around the periphery of said arm, power mechanism for driving said chain, power mechanism constructed and arranged to rotate said supplemental frame on said base frame to move the cutter arm laterally from points at one side of the track to points at the other side thereof, and a motor carried by said supplemental frame for actuating said power mechanisms.

17. In a system of coal mining apparatus comprising a ground-supported track and aportable mechanism adapted to be transported over and remain permanently upon and be braced by said track, and also adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in a coal face while supported on a section of track extending longitudinally toward said face, the combination with a rigid base frame, of wheels secured to said base frame and resting upon and braced by said track section, a supplemental frame mounted on said base frame for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, mechanism for permanently confining said supplemental frame against tilting movement up or down relatively to said base frame, a narrow elongated cutter arm carried by said supplemental frame and movable therewith horizontally and laterally across the front of said base frame, the forward end of said arm extending horizontally to points outside and remote from the vertical bounding lines of the base frame, a cutter chain mounted to move in a horizontal path around the periphery of said arm, power transmission mechanism carried by said supplemental frame and connected to said cutter chain, a motor connected to said power transmission mechanism, and means operated by said motor for feeding said cutter chain while being actuated to effect the cutting of an elongated horizontal kerf in an upright mine wall adjacent said supplemental frame.

18. In a track-mounted mining apparatus adapted to cut a horizontal kerf extending across its front from one side of the track to the other, the combination with a rigid base frame, of supporting wheels therefor resting upon and braced by the track, a supplemental frame mounted for vertical adjustment on said base frame, a cutter arm rigidly connected to said supplemental frame to move therewith and extending therefrom in elevated horizontal planes above the other parts of the apparatus, an endless cutter chain movable along the cutter arm in a path horizontal throughout, a motor mounted on said supplemental frame below the plane of said cutter chain and fixedly connected to said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith, power transmission mechanism between said motor and said cutter chain for actuating the latter by causing the same to travel around said cutter arm, means for adjusting the elevation of said supplemental frame to vary the plane of action of said cutter chain, mechanism for permanently confining said supplemental frame to u or down movement relatively to said base rame by preventing at all times any relative tilting movement between said frames, means for moving said supplemental frame in an are relatively to said base frame to feed said cutter chain in an arc in advance of the track on which said apparatus is mounted, and propelling mechanism mounted on said base frame and connected to said supporting wheels for feeding said chain cutter rectilinearly before and after such arcuate feed to cut an elongated kerf in ad- Vance of said track and extending beyond the track on both sides thereof.

19. In a coal mining machine, the 001m bination with a wheel-supported rigid base frame, of a supporting frame vertically adjustably mounted on said base frame, a cutter frame on the supporting frame and held rigidly connected thereto during operation, an endless chain cutter mounted on said cutter arm in a plane above the other parts of the machine, a motor on said sup porting frame, gearing for transmitting the power of the motor to drive said chain cutter, means for adjusting the supporting frame together with the cutter frame vertically with respect to the base frame, telescoping guides between said base frame and said supporting frame for permanently confining said supporting frame against tilting movement up or down relatively to said base frame, and means for effecting the feed of said chain cutter during the actuation thereof.

20. In a coal cutting machine, the com bination with a movable base frame, of supporting track wheels therefor, a cutter apparatus movable as a unit with respect to said base frame about a normally vertical axis and comprising a motor and a continuously acting kerf-cutting mechanism driven by the motor and extending outward beyond the base frame along normally horizontal lines near the uppermost plane of the machine, said cutter apparatus being movable across one end of the machine about said vertical axis through an are extending at -cutting mechanism carried by each side beyond the vertical plane of the corresponding track wheels, mechanism for permanently confining said cutter apparatus from tilting movement as a unit up or down with respect to said base frame, means for locking the cutter apparatus to the base frame in any one of several angular positions, means for moving the machine bodily on its wheels while the cutter apparatus is in operation and locked against turning, as a unit relatively tosaid base frame, and mechanism operated by said motor for turning the cutter apparatus as a unit about said vertical axis while in operation.

21. In a wheel-supported coal mining machine adapted to be transported over mine tracks and to cut a horizontal kerfwhile supported on a track extending longitudinally toward the face of the coal, the combination with a base frame, of track wheels supporting said frame, a supplemental frame carried by said base frame and mounted thereon to turn in relation thereto in normally horizontal planes, continuously acting said turning supple-mental frame and adapted when said frame turns to cut a horizontal kerf extending transversely across the track on which the machine stands, means for turning said supplemental frame, mechanism between said base frame and said supplemental frame for permanently confining said supplemental frame against tilting movements up or down relatively to said base frame, a motor for actuating the turning means, said motor being mounted to move bodily with said supplemental frame, and mechanism for rotating the track wheels to transport the ma chine.

22. In a wheel-supported coal mining machine adapted to be transported over mine tracks and to cut a horizontal kerf while supported on a track adjacent a face of the coal, the combination with a base frame, of track wheels supporting said frame and adapted to maintain it in alinement with the track, a supplemental frame rotatably mounted on. said base frame, a horizontally extending kerf-cutter carried by said supplemental frame, a motor mounted on said supplemental frame and movable bodily therewith, power transmission mechanism between said motor and said kerf-cutter, means for adjusting the elevation of said kerf-cutter relatively to said supplemental frame: mechanism driven by said motor for rotating said supplemental frame on said base frame to feed said kerf-cutter in an arc in its adjusted position, and mechanism connected between said motor and the track wheels to propel the machine on the track to secure rectilinear feed of said kerf-cutter parallel to the track while said kerf-cutter extends angularly forward from said supplemental frame.

23. In a system of coal mining apparatus comprising a ground-supported track and a portable mechanism adapted to be transported over and remain permanently upon and be braced by said track, and also adapted to cut a. horizontal kerf in a coal face while supported on that portion of said track extending longitudinally toward said face, the combination with a rigid base frame, of wheels secured to said base frame and resting upon and braced by said track, a supplemental frame rotatably mounted on said base frame, a narrow elongated cutter arm carried by said supplemental frame and movable horizontally and laterally with said supplemental frame across the front of said track, the forward end of said cutter arm extending horizontally to points outside of and remote from the vertical bounding lines of the base frame, said supplemental frame comprising supporting connections between the rear end of said cutter arm and the base frame to form an extended rotary brace structure disposed directly above the wheel base of the base frame, a cutter chain mounted to move in a horizontal'path around the periphery of said arm, mechanism spaced from the axis of rotation of said supplemental frame on said base frame for locking the supplemental frame against rotary movement relatively to said base frame, mechanism comprisinga motor on said supplemental frame for driving the chain cutter, mechanism operated by said motor for rotating said supplemental frame on said base frame to move tlle chain cutter laterally from points at one side of the track to points at the other side thereof, and mechanism connected to the wheels of the base frame and operated by said motor for moving the machine along said track to effect rectilinear feed of said chain cutter forward and backward against lateral movement relatively to said base frame and while said elongated cutter extends laterally relative to the track.

24. In a system of coal mining apparatus comprising a ground-supported track and a portable mechanism adapted to be transported over and remain permanently upon and be braced by said track, and also adapted to cut a ihorizontal kerf in a coal face while supported on that portion of said track extending longitudinally toward said face, the combination with a rigid base frame, of wheels secured to said base frame and resting upon and braced by said track, a. supplemental frame rotatably mounted 011 said base frame adjacent the wheel base thereof, a narrow' elongated cutter arm carried by said supplemental frame and movable horizontally and laterally across the front thereof, the forward end of said arm extending to points outside and remote from the vertical bounding lines of said base frame and its rear end terminating near such bounding lines, supporting connections between the rear end of said cutter arm and said supplemental frame, means for adjusting the cutter arm vertically, a cutter chain mounted to move in a horizontal path around the periphery of said arm, means for locking the cutter arm against lateral movement, power mechanism comprising a motor on said supplemental frame for driving the cutter chain when said cutter arm is in any of its vertically adjusted positions, power mechanism driven by said motor for moving said arm laterally from points at one side of the track to points at the other side thereof by swinging said supplemental frame relatively to said base frame, and

power mechanism driven by the same motor for feeding the cutter arm and chain bodily forward and backward toward and from the coal face when said arm is locked against lateral movement and is held in a position extending laterally relative to said track.

25. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck having wheels adapted to run on a track in a mine, of a supplemental frame mounted for vertical adjustment on said truck, a kerf-cutter mounted on said supplemental frame to' move bodily therewith, a motor mounted on said supplemental frame, power transmission mechanism between said motor and said kerf-cutter for driving the latter, means comprising gearing concentric with the axis of rotation of said supplemental frame on said truck for adjusting the elevation of said supplemental frame to vary the elevation of said kerfoutter, telescoping cylindrical guides between said truck and said supplemental frame for permanently confining the supplemental frame against tilting movement up or down relatively to said truck, means associated with said telescoping guides for locking the supplemental frame against rotary movement relatively to said truck, propelling mechanism on said truck connected to said motor for operation when said supplemental frame is locked against rotary movement relatively to said truck, such propelling mechanism eil'ecting rectilinear feed of said kerf-cutter, and mechanism connected to the motor for propelling the machine when said rotary frame is locked to said truck, when unlocked the truck remaining stationary and said supplemental frame then being free to be rotated relatively to saidtruck to effect arcuate feed of said kerf-cutter.

26. In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame, of a truck therefor, a supplemental frame mounted on said main frame for swinging movement relatively thereto on an upright axis located intermediate the ends of said frame, a cutting element for cutting a plane kerf extending in a general horizontal direction, means for lll) holding said cutting element rigid relative to said supplemental frame in its various positions to which it is shifted laterally, means comprising a motor on said supple? mental frame for swinging said cutting element laterally about such upright axis to effect arcuate feeding movement of said cutting element, and propelling mechanism on said main frame and connected between said truck and said motor to be driven thereby to feed said cutting element rectilinear-1y.

27. In a mining apparatus, the combination with. a truck on a mine track, of a supplement-al frame mounted on said main frame for swinging movement relatively thereto on an upright axis intermediate the ends of said truck, an elongated cutting element mounted on said supplemental frame for lateral swinging movement therewith in position to cause the outer end of said cutting element to travel on a long are with said upright axis as a center, means in advance of the forward end of said track comprising a motor on said supplemental frame for operating said cutting element including the feed thereof by swinging said supplemental frame on said upright axis with the outer end of said cutting element moving over such long arc, and propelling mechanism betweensaid truck and said motor to secure rectilinear feed of said cutting element when extending laterally relative to said track.

28. In a coal cutting machine, the combination with a movable base, of coal cutting mechanism, a supporting table for the coal cutting mechanism and mounted on said movable base, a single continuous ring rigidly connected to said base to permanently occupy a vertical position, means on said supporting table for slidably engaging the inner surface of said ring to prevent horizontal movement of said table With respect thereto, means for adjusting said table vertically relatively to said base to adjust the height of said coal cutting mechanism, while said ring remains permanently in position on said base and the said means engaging the inner surface thereof moves bodily up or down with said table, and means for operating said coal cutting mechanism at its adjusted elevation.

29. In a coal cutting machine, the combination with a movable base, of a single continuous ring mounted on said base to permanently occupy a vertical position, a supporting table, a single continuous ring permanently connected to said supporting table to move bodily therewith and telescoping with the first-named ring to prevent lateral movement of said supporting table relatively to saidbase and confine relative movements of said supporting table up and down to rectilinear vertical movement, coal cutting mechanism mounted on said supporting table, means for adjusting the elevation of said supporting table together with said coal cutting mechanism while said rings compel such adjustment in elevation to be rectilinear, and means for operating said coal cut-ting mechanism including rotary feed of said supporting table and rotary motion of the ring of said supporting table relatively to the ring of said base while said rings remain in telescoping engagement.

30. In a mining machine, the combination with a wheel-supported rigid base frame adapted to run upon and be braced by the rails of a mine track, of an upright support mounted directly on the base frame and extending upwardly from the central portion thereof, a rigid cutter frame comprising a widely expanded turntable and an elongated cutter arm projecting laterally from said turntable and from said base frame, means associated with said upright support to form a bearing support for said turntable and confining movements of said turntable relatively to said base frame to rotary movements and vertical rectilinear movements and thereby preventing tilting movements of said turntable relatively to said base frame, an endless chain cutter mounted on said cutter arm, propelling mechanism for said base frame, and means mounted on said turntable for operating said chain cutter including lateral feed thereof to form an elongated horizontally extended kerf.

31. In a coal-cutting machine, the combination with a movable base, of a cylinder projecting vertically from said base and fixed to the latter against movement relatively thereto, coal-cutting mechanism, a. supporting table for said coal-cutting mecha nism, a guiding device extending from said table into engagement with said cylinder for rotary movement relative thereto, said guiding device having a plurality of re cesses, means mounted on said cylinder for engaging any one of said recesses to prevent horizontal movement of said table with respect to said base, means for driving said coal-cutting mechanism, and propelling mechanism to move the said base to effect feeding of said coal-cutting mechanism.

32. In a coal-cutting machine, the combination with a linearly moving base, of a cutter frame mounted on said base for movement about a vertical axis substantially atthe center of said vertical base and having an elongated cutter arm extending horizontally from said base in planes near the top of said frame, an endless cutter chain on said arm, a motor on said frame below the planes of the chain cutter, gearing for transmitting the power of the motor to drive the chain cutter, means for swingin the chain cutter on said axis in advance 0 said base, telescoping cylindrical guiding, devices concentric with said axis and located between said base and said frame to confine said frame against tilting movements relatively to said base but free to rotate rela feed of said cutter before and after arcuate feed thereof.

In a coal-cutting machine, the combination with a truck having axles and wheels connected thereto, of a vertically adjustable frame on said truck, mechanism for confining said frame against up or down tilting movement relatively to said truck, horizontally projecting coal-cutting mechanism on said frame in position when fed against said coal to out a horizontally extending kerf, a motor on said frame, powertransmitting mechanism between said motor and said cutting mechanism for driving the latter, means for operatively connecting said motor to said truck to effect propulsion thereof, and means coacting with a portion of said connecting means for effecting arcuate movement of said cutting mechanism while the propelling mechanism is held against operation.

34.111 a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable on a trackway, cutter mechanism thereon comprising a motor and a pivotally mounted cutter chain-carrying bar adapted to swing across the end of the truck, mechanism solely supported by said truck for moving said bar angularly relative to said trackway, and power operated means solely supported by said truck to propel the latter for feeding said bar longitudinally of the trackway and transporting the same thereover at different speeds.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 7th day of September A. D. 1922.

EDMUND C. MORGAN.

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