US1433906A - Conveyer - Google Patents

Description

R. PEALE.

CONVEYER. I APPLICATION FILED MAR 12. 1920-. 1,433,906. Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

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CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 1920.

Patented. Got. 31, 1922.

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CO NVEYER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, I920.

1,433,90 Patented. 0ct.31,1922.

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I CONVEYER. APPHCATION FILED MAR, 12 1920.

Patented Oct. 31, 192 2.

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R. PEAL'E. ,4 CONVEYER. APQLI CATIQN FILED MAR, 12, I920.

Patented Oct. 3 1, 192 2.

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RICHARD PEALE, ST. BENEDICT, PENNSYLVANIA.

convnana.

Application filed March 12, 1920. I Serial No. 365,208.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD PEALE, a citizen of the United States, residingat St. Benedict, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyers, of which the following is a specification.

other means for conveying the coal through or from the mine.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be further set forth in part hereinafter,

and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention,

the same being realized and attained through the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a art hereof, illustrate one embodiment of t e invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the princi les of the invention.

()f, the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan, with parts broken away, and omitting the bottom reach of the endless conveyer, of a machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, looking at Fig.

1 from its bottom or near side, and further showing somewhat diagrammatically the machine operating in an undercutting or bottom kerf,with the'overhanging coal in position to drop on the conveyer;

M Fig. 3 is an elevation similar to Fig. 2, and showing somewhat diagrammatically the machine applied to entry driving or work, where the bottom is shot up or excavated to receive a car track'and the material is dumped into a car thereon;

Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary The invention relates to devices and elevation, with the motor and associated parts omitted, corresponding generally to the central and left hand portions of Figs. 2 and 3, and showing in detail the device for lifting the conveyer clear of the floor to maintain the conveyer mechanism stationary and to operate the endless conveyer to convey the coal or other loose material;

Fig. 5 is an isometric perspective detail of the intermediate truck shown in the preceding figures in connection with the conveyer in the kerf or undercutting;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional detail taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional detail taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 1.; l

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail elevation with parts in section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in elevation, with parts in section, corresponding to F ig. 8, but with the section taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

F ig, 10 is a top plan of a somewhat'different form of the invention; wherein the machine is provided with motive power additional to the conveyer;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation looking at Fig. 10 from its bottom or nearest side; r

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 12-42 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section, taken on line 1313 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of the right hand end of Fig. 11 with a part of the gear casing cut away to show the gears and clutches within;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan corresponding to Fig. 14, and showing the driving connections with the top casing removed;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentarytop plan of the upper right corner of Fig. '10, showing the opposite ends of the shafts and rollers from those shown in Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 17-'-17 of Fig. 15.

An object of the invention is the expeditious and economical conveyance awa from the working face of entries or hea ings, rooms, and other working faces of mines, of dislodged coal. With this main object in view, the invention provides a conveyer or conveying means, which in accord ance with certain features of the invention is auto-motived, and is capacitated to run or travel intoa bottom kerf or undercutting prior to the shooting-down or other dislodgment of the coal and is also capacitated for loading and conveying away dislodged c oal lying upon the mine bottom, that is, which has been shot down or otherwise dislodged without preliminarily placing the conveyer therebeneath. in connection with the foregoing, there is provided a plurality of attachable and detachable trucks or buggies adapted in succession to be attached to the conveying machine in order to receive a load or filling of coal therefrom, then to 1 be detached or pushed away to a place of is at rest.

dischar e another truck or bu comin 9 1' 1 into such receiving relation with the con-- veyer, the operation of the conveyer being thus maintained or preserved in continuity. One feature of the invention consistsin the endless conveyer belt being capacitated to constitute not only the conveying means for the coal or. other loose material, but also the auto-motive means of the conveyer mechanism.

In accordance with one feature of the invention an endless conveyer is provide-d adapted to operate by engagement with the floor-or ground as a traveling or conveying means for the entire machine, or to operate as a conveyer when the machine The invention has also in view auto-motive means for quickly and easily turning and maneuvering the machine within small compass, and also provides one embodiment of the invention, Figs. 1"

means for controlling independently of each other the starting, stopping and direction of motion of the conveyer and theseparate auto-motive devices.

Other objects and features of the invention other than those referred to above will appear "hereinafter without particular mention at this point. It will be understood also that certain features-of the invention are adapted for use independently from other features with which they are herein shown and described as in cooperation or combination, and other features of the invention which are separately shown herein may be used together in cooperation "01" combination.

Referring now to the accompanying drawlngs, illustrating by way of example to 9 illustrate a form of mechanism in' which the endless conveyer constitutes the auto-motive means or traveling means for the machine. The device or machine in acvcordance with certain features of the invention, is capacitated to enter a bottom kerf or under-cutting, so that when the coal is dislodged from the vein, it will fall upon the conveyer and thus be in position to be naeenoe directly carried away. With this in view, the conveyer mechanism is shown with a low, flat and somewhat extended construction, and of such rugged and strong construction as to bear the impact and load of the dislodged and falling coal without injury to or impairment of the mechanism. In connection with the foregoing, and in accordance with certain features of the invention, the endless conveyer is adapted to travel the machine into the undercutting, and cooperating means are provided? for governing or' determining the action of the conveyer so that it may so travel the ma chine or that it may simply convey away the coal when the machine is at rest.

Referring to the, general construction of the machine, and referring for the present more particularly to "Figs, 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the frames of the-conveyer mechanism comprise low, vertically disposed plates 1 and 2, constituting the sides of the frame. The side plates 1 and 2 are suitably connected and tied together by a sufficient number of cross plates 3 to constitute a strong and rigid structure. The side plates 1 and 2 are preferably formed with inwardly extending horizontal lips or flanges 4L at the top and 5 at the bottom thereof, which flanges serve to-back up and support the elements or members 8 of the endless conveyer, both in the work of traveling the machine and of convtleying away the coal or other loose materia The embodied form of endless conveyer.

comprises a plurality of transversely disposed barsS, lying closely side by side and preferablyextending quite across the conveyer.- The series of side by side bars 8, which constitutes the conveying surface and also the auto-motive or traveling surface or element of the machine, extends in a continuous endless belt over the top and along the bottom and about bot-h ends of the machine (Figs. 1, 4, 8 and 9). Suitable projections 7 may be formed on the ex terior face of the bars '8 to assist in engaging the floor in traveling or the loose material in conveying. Suitable fastening or "connecting means between the bars 8 are v;.prov1ded, and as herein embodied a plu-g ve er.

'fhe embodied form comprises additional ill belt engages the floor, or ground and is operating as the traveling means for the machine. in such embodied-form, a plurality of supporting bars 18 are arranged transversely to the bars 8 and longitudinally within the machine frame, and preferably parallel with the side plates 1 and 2, the bars 13 serving as a support or reinforcee ment for the bars 8 in the upper reach of the endless conveyor. -A similar set of bars 14 are preferably provided as a backing or reinforcement for the lower reach of the bars 8, and find their chief use and advantage in keeping the bars 8 from yield ing or springing when the endless conveyor acts as the traction means for the machine. The bars 13 and 1 1 are supported in a suit able manner, and as embodied blocks 15 are provided mounted upon shafts orrods 16, which rods are disposed transversely within the conveyor frame and are supported or journaled at their ends in the side plates 1 and 2 of the machine frame. The bars 13 and 14 are attached to the supporting blocks 15 by suitable means, suchas screws 17.

Other or additional supporting devices are preferably provided for the bars 8 of the endless conveyor, and as embodied comprise rollers 18 which are loosely journals-d upon the shafts or rods 18 at various points between the bars 13 and 1 1. The rollers 18 are preferably a. trifle larger in diameter than the distance between the exterior or operativesurfaces of the bars 13-and 14.

Thus the bars 8 and consequently the entire endless conveyor will run freely, sup,-

ported on the rotable rollers 18 without contact with the bars 13 and 14:, the'bars in such case acting as the reserve reinforcing means when a heavy load or strain is put upon the conveyer. I x

' Suitable driving means are providedfor the conveyer, and as embodied the bars 8 have formed on the inner side thereof, at

each end thereof, and if desired at other on the shaft or rod 16 and are idlers. sprocket wheels upon shaft 26 (Figs. 8

- The embodied points intermediately of the ends (this latter not being shown), a series of recesses 21, which are. adapted to engage with the teeth 23 of a plurality of sprocket wheels 25. Wheels 25 are journaled on the rear'shaft 16- and on a shaft 26 at the forward end of the machine. The sprocket wheels 25 at the left in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8-are loosely journailfid.

and 9) are fixed to the shaft, and are rotated by power applied to'shaft 26 to drive the endless conveyor 8.

form of driving'means for shaft 26 comprises a gear wheel 27, fixed on shaft 28,v and meshing with said gear 27 is a gear wheel 28. Meshing with gear wheel 28 is a gear wheel 29, which is fixed on a shaft 30. Fixed also on shaft 30; is a worm wheel 31. Meshing with worm wheel 31 is a worm 32, fixed on a shaft38. .Splined on shaft 83 is a pair of sleeved-together beveled gears 34: and 35, and theseare shiftable alternatively into mesh with a bevel gear 38, which is fasten theshaft of'ai motor 3?. Suitable means, such as a lever 38, may be employed to shift the beveled gears 34: and. 35 to change the direction of drive and of consequent travel of the endless conveyer 8.

Means are provided, as previously mentioned, for causing the endless conveyor if; to travel or progress the machine or to operate as an endless conveyerwhen the machine is stationary. means operate to lift the entire machinefree of the floor to secure the conveyer'action while the'machine is stationary, or to permit it to rest upon the door with the endless conveyer 8 in contact with the floor and acting as the automotive means when the machine is to travel itself. it will be un derstood that the endless conveyor 8, if desired,'will also act as a conveyor while the machine is traveling.

In the embodied form of such means, and having. in mind the capacity of the machine for entering an undercutting or bottom kerf of a mineworking, said means are operable from the exterior end of the machine. Referring to said embodiment in detail, pairs of trunnions l5 and 46, are formed on and project outwardly from the frame plates 1 and 2, respectively. Cooperating with these trunnionsare a pair of longitudinally slidable cam bars 47, en ported in brackets or boxes t8 and d9, whlch boxes are lined As embodied, said Till down so that the endless conveyer 8 is inengagement with the floor, and by sliding f the cam bars in the opposite direction the illicit machine may be lifted'slightly so that'the:

endless conveyor 8 will run clear of the floor.

In the former position, the endless conveyor will travel the machine, and in the latter position it will .actasa conveer with the machine stationary or at rest. s embodied, the cam bar 47 has a recess 50 in its forward end and an inclined end 51 at its rear end, and an operating flan e 52 at the forward or outer end thereof. y engaging the. flange 52 witha proper tool, such as a crowbar, or by striking it with a sledge to'the left in the various figures, it will be brought with relation to the trunnions and to into the position shown in Fig. 4.- This lifts ltllll the frame and conveyer clear of the floor, and may be termed the conveying position. If the cam bar 47 be moved to the right in the various figures, it Will be brought with respect to the trunnions and 46 to the position shown in Fig. 2. The trunnions .will now be in alinement, respectively, with the depression 50 and the inclined part 51 of the cam bar, and the machine will be lowered and the endless conveyer rest upon thefloor, in what may be. termed the automotive position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to the cooper-' ating trucks or buggies, in the drawings but one such truck or buggy 54 is shown as cooperating at one time with the conveyer, although it will be clear that two-or more trucks 54 could be operated side by side. With one such truck receiving the product of the conveyer, inwardly inclined vertically disposed side guide or baflie plates 55 and 56 are provided, and cooperating therewith floor or bottom plates 57 and 58, adapted to receive the coal from theconveyer and to direct it into the truck 54. l I Suitable means are provided whereby the trucks 54 will cooperate with the conveyer, including means for attaching the truck in material receiving position with respect to the conveyer and detaching it therefrom. As embodied, an apron 59 is provided hinged to the truck 54, which apron is swingable into a horizontal position to receive the coal from the conveyer 8 into the truck 54, and is swingable into vertical position to retain the coal within the loaded truck. Suitable hooks 60 and 61 are pivoted to the sides of the truck 54, and they are adapted to catch over edges or lugs 62 and 63 upon the structure of the conveying machine. Lugs or supports 64 and 65 are provided beneath the apron 59 when in receiving osition. The truck 54 is preferably provided with a tail gate 66 having fastening means 67. The truck 54 is especially adapted to run over the mine bottom Without a track, and to operate in very thin seams or veins, and for this purpose is preferably provided with swiveled trucks or rollers 68 having a relatively broad tread, Pins 69 are shown for holding the apron 59 in vertical position.

In Fig. 3 the machine is diagrammatically illustrated as applied to entry work, one or more of the trucks 54 running between the conveyer and an entry or heading car 70, running on a track 71. This figure illustrates the system in which. the bottom-rock of the entry is blasted to give proper head room, the truck 54 operating between the working face 72 and the head 73 of the blasted out bottom, thereby permitting the working face of the entry or heading to advance with 8. eat deal of freedom or independence of t e blastin, out of the bottom, and at the same time avoiding laborious, expensive and troublesome shovling and reshoveling of the coal between the workin faceof the heading or entry and the head or inner end of the blasted out bottom.

In accordance with certain features of the invention, independent auto-motive meansin addition to or in place of the endless conveyer belt are provided. Thereby the machine may be traveled and the conveyer belt simultaneously. run each independently of the direction ofthe other. With such independent auto-motive means, the machine is able to turn and maneuver easily and quickly, and within a very small area or radius, and is especially capacitated for attacking and conveying away piles of loose material resting upon the floor. That is, the machine is 'capacitated to be run into the under-cutting andtoreceive the falling coal thereon, or to attack a pile of coal resting on "the fioor or bottom. Means are provided in connection with the foregoing for controlling the movement of, and for starting and stopping and reversing the direction of movement of both the conveyer and the traction or auto-motive means each independently of the others.

Referring now more in detail to the embodied form, the endless conveyer 8 is pro vided supported in the machine frame very much as already described in connection with the preceding figures of the drawing, and the details thereof, so far as applicable to this form need not be re-shown or re-described. The endless conveyer may also be of generally similar construction although it isonly conventionally shown in Fig. 10. The traction or auto-motive means as embodied constitute two endless traction treads 80 and 81 at either side of the endless conveyer 8, the conveyer and each of the treads, respectively, having its own driving connections and motion and direction controlling devices, all operable by the attendant of the machine.

In the embodied form thereof (see especially Fig. 15, and also Figs. 10 to 17), a motor 82 is suitably mounted on the machine frame, and has a bevel gear 83 fixed upon its shaft, Loosely journaled on a shaft 84, mounted in the machine frame, are two bevel gears 85 and 86, which mesh with the gear Wheel 83 on opposite sides thereof, so as to be driven thereby in opposite directions. These serve to drive both the treads and the conveyer. Means are provided-for driving shaft 84 in either direction, and as embodied a clutch member 87 is splined on the hub 91 of a gear wheel 92, which hub is loosely sleeved on the shaft 84. Clutch member 87 is movable into and out of clutching engagement with the hub of bevel gear 85. An actuating handle or lever 88 is provided therefor (Figs. 10, 15

massages -connection with bevel gear 86 and a gear wheel 96. That is, a clutch member 93 is splined on the hub 95 of a gear wheel 96, the hub being sleeved loose on shaft 84.

7 Clutch member 93 is movable into and out of engagement with the hub of bevel gear 86. An actuating lever 94, like lever 88, is provided for throwing the clutch member 93 in and out. Thus when clutch member 93 is moved into engagement with bevel gear 86, gear wheel 96 will be driven in the opposite direction from that in which gear wheel 92 will be driven through clutch 87.

The endless conveyor 8 is preferably driven from one end thereof, and may have a drive and driving connections the same or similar to those already shown and de-' scribed, although a plain conveyer and driving and guiding rollers are shown in Figs. 15 and 16 for the sake of clearness and simplicity. The driving means, shown here .merely as a roller 98, journaled in the side plates 1 nd 2 of the frame, has its shaft 99 fitted wi h driving connections which cooperate selectively or alternatively with the gear wheels 92 and 96 already described.

As embodied, a gear wheel 100 is loose .on shaft 99 and meshes with gear wheel 92. A clutch member 101 is splined on shaft 99 and is movable into and out of engagement with the hub of gear wheel 100. A lever 102 operates clutch member 101 (Figs; 10 and 15).

On the opposite side a. gear wheel 103 is' loose on shaft 99 and is in mesh with gear wheel 96. A clutch member 104 is splined on shaft 99 and is movable into and out of engagement with the hub of gear wheel 103. A lever 105 operates clutch member 104 (Figs. 10 and 15).

Withthe foregoing-described mechanism, by alternatively throwing in clutch 87 or 93, the motor will either drive gear wheel 92 in one direction or gear wheel 96 in the opposite direction. Through the alternative operation of clutches 101 or 104, the conveyer 8 may be driven in either one direction or the other, as desired, and when both in, or whether they are both out. This provides means for running the conveyor in either direction, or for keeping it at rest while the motor is driving the traction means.

Means are provided for driving the caterpillar treads 80 and 81 either together, or in opposite directions from one another, or to drive either tread in either direction while the other is at rest, or to leave both treads at rest, and to operate the treads as just described either with or independently of the operation of the endless conveyer 8.

In the embodied form, and referring first to the construction of the treads themselves as here embodied. the treads 80 and 81 comprise plates or treads proper 110,- running on plates or supports 111, formed in the side frames 1, 2 and 112 of the machine. The plates 110 are connectedtogether in suitable manner, as by one or more endless cables 113, which are fastened to the plates by suitable means such as clamping plates 113, bolted to the inside of the plates 110.

At each end the caterpillar treads run respectively over sprocket wheels 114, the teeth 115 of which engage with depressions 116 formed in the inner side of the plates 110. The sprocket wheels are shown in Fig.

'13 formed double at each end of each of the treads. At one end of the machine, the sprocket wheels 114 are preferably or conveniently idlers, and those at the opposite end of the machine are driven. I

In thev embodied form of drive .for the caterpillar tread, having the functions and capacities described in a preceding paragraph, a shaft 120 is loosely journaled in-a hub 121 of one of the pair of sprocket wheels 114 (Fig. 13), the hub 121 serving as a journal for the sprocket wheel 114 in the frame 1. A stub shaft 122 is'within and is fastened to the sprocket wheel and has a bearing in the frame plate 112 at the opposite side.

On the hub 1211 of the sprocket wheel 114 (shown in Fig. 13) is formed one clutch member 123 and the cooperating clutch member. 124 is splined on shaft 120 to turn 11a fee therewith while being slidable therealong into and out of engagement with clutch member 121. The opposite end of shaft 120 (Fig. 16) has the sprocket wheel 114 at the opposite side of the machine fixed thereto, the shaft being journaled in the machine frame.

A shaft 128 is journa'led in the machine frame (Figs. 15 and 16) while being longitudinally slidable. On one side, shaft 128 has fixed thereto a gear wheel 130 which, as shaft 128 is moved longitudinally, passes into and out of mesh with a gear wheel 131, which is fixed on shaft 120. At its opposite end, shaft 128 is journaled in the machine frame and in a. bracket 132. Fixed on shaft 128 is a gear wheel 133 which passes into and out of engagement with gear wheel 100, as shaft'128 is moved longitudinally.

The control for clutch 121, 124, as em-liae a messes annular groove 140 formed in clutch member 124. Thus as shaft 128, is moved longitudinally in one direction or the other, clutch 121, 124 is thrown in or out.

Shaft 128 is longitudinally moved .to and fro by suitable means, and for this purpose, the hub of gear wheel 133 is annularly grooved, and an operating lever 140 is connected thereto to so move the shaft.

Supported in the machine frame (Fig. 15) is a stub shaft 141, and loosely journaled thereon is a gear wheel 142, the hub thereof,

having an annular groove 143 formed therein, a shifting lever 144 coo crating therewith. A gear wheel 145 is xed on the exterior end of shaft 122. By means of lever 144, gear wheel 142 is moved into' and out of mesh with both gear wheel 103 and gear wheel 145, acting when in mesh as an idler or intermediate therebetween, and making a through or continuous drive from gear wheel 96 to gear wheel 145.

Referring now to the operation of the shown and described mechanism:

It will be recalled that gear wheel 100 and gear wheel 103 may be alternatively rotated rotation of the motor.

or driven from the motor 82 by means, respectively, of clutches 87 and 93; also that the conveyer drive may optionally remain at rest or be driven in either direction from the gears 100 and 103, respectively, by means of clutches 101 and 104. The four clutches just referred to are operated by their respective levers'88, 94, 102 and 105.

When gear wheel 133 is thrown into mesh with gear wheel 100 by actuating lever 140, gear wheel 130 is also thrown into mesh with gear wheel 131.

The manner of o eration of the foregoing is substantially as Follows:

To travel the machine forward:

When gear wheel 142 is in mesh with gear wheels 103 and 145, and clutch 124 is in mesh, the machine willtravel forwardly or backwardly dependent on the direction of That is, with the connections as described, by running the motor in one direction or the other, the ma chine may be run either forward or backward as desired. If it is desired to run the conveyer when the machine is traveling forward, as in attacking a pile of coal resting on the mine bottom, this may be done by throwing in clutch 101 or clutch 104, depending-on the direction of rotation of the motor.

To turn the machine by operating the caterpillar treads in opposite directions When gear wheels 133 and 130 are in mesh and clutch 124 is open and at the same time gear 142 is in mesh, the caterpillar treads will travel in opposite directions and turn the machine. By reversing the motor the treads may be operated in the opposite direction.

To drive one caterpillar tread while the other is at rest Gear wheel 142 is moved out-of mesh, and gear wheel 130 is moved into mesh, thus throwing clutch 124 out of engagement and clutch 87 is thrown in. Tread 81 will then be driven in either direction, dependent on the direction of rotation of the motor, while tread 80 is at rest. If clutch 87 be thrown out, and gear 142 is moved into mesh with gears 145 and 103, and clutch 93 is thrown in, tread 80 will be driven in either direction, dependent on the direction of rotation of the motor, while tread 81 is at rest.

Various other combinations including changes in the direction of drive or state of rest or motion of the conveyor and of the treads are possible and available, but need not be described in detail.

The invention is not limited to the precise forms of construction herein shown and described, but-changes may be made therein without departing from the principles of the invention.

What I claim is 1. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, and an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest.

2. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame adapted to enter an ordinary undercut kerf, a motorcarried thereby, and an endless belt adapted to travel the machine into the kerf or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest.

3. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame adapted to enter an ordinary undercut kerf, a motorcarried by a portion of the frame exterior to the kerf, and an endless belt adapted to travel the machine'into the kerf or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest.

4. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, and an endless belt adapted to act a1- ternatively as a traveling means for the ma-' combination a horizontal frame, an en less'lBO belt arranged about the frame on the top and bottom sides thereof, means for driv-- ing the belt, and means for lowering and raising the belt into and out of contact with the floor to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer belt when the machine is at rest and amotor carried by the frame for driving the belt.

7. A coal'handling machine including in combination a horizontal frame, an endless belt arranged about the frame on the top and-bottom sides thereof, means for driving the belt, and means for lowering and raising the frame to move the belt into and out of contact with the floor to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer belt when the machine is at rest.

8. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, and an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the ma-' combination a horizontalframe,-an endless belt arranged about the frame on the top and bottom sides thereof, means for driving the belt, and means for lowering and raising the belt into and out of contact with the floor to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer belt when the machine is at rest and material and floor engaging projections upon the belt.

11. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, and means within the conveyer and within the frame for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels engaging the conveyer on its inside.

12. A coal handling machine including in.

combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed'frame, an'endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, and

means within the conveyer and within the frame for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels engaging the conveyer on its inside and a motor carried by the frame and driving said conveyer through the sprocket wheels.

13. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running,

over'the bottom and top of said frame, said is at rest and supporting means within the frame and supporting the upper reach of the conveyer to reenforce it for its load.

15. A coal handling machine including in 'combinationa frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to act alternatively as a traveling means for the machine or as a conveyer for loose material when the machine is at rest and supporting means within the frame and supporting the upper geagh of the conveyer to reenforce it for its 16. A coal handling machine including in combination a horizontal frame, an endless belt arranged about the frame on the top and bottom sides thereof, means for driving the belt, means for lowering and raising the belt into and out of contact with the floor. to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer when the machine is at rest and supporting means within the frame and supporting theupper' reach of the conveyer to reenforce it for its load.

17. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, and means within the conveyer and within the frame for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels engaging the conveyer on its inside and supporting means within the frame and supporting the upper reach of the conveyer to reenforce it for its load.

18. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively fiat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer comprising a pluralityv of transversely disposed, joined together elements, means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said elements, and supporting means within the frame and supporting the upper reach of the conveyer to reenforce it for its load.

19. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, and an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest and a plurality of supporting rollers supporting the u per reach of the conveyer to reenforce it or its load.

20. A coal handling machine. including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to act alternatively as a traveling means for the machine or as a conveyer for loose material when the machine is at rest and a plurality of supporting rollers supporting the upper reach of the conveyer to reenforce it for its load.

21. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively fiat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, means within the conveyer and within the frame for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels engaging the conveyer on its inside and a plurality of supporting rollers supporting the upper reach of the conveyer to reenforce it for its load.

22. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer comprising a plurality of transversely disposed, joined together bars, and

means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer,'comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging saidbars.

23. A coal handling machine including in combination .a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer comprising a plurality of trans versely disposed, joined together elements,

means within the frameand conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said elements and supporting means for the upper reach of said elements located within the frame.

24. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame,

said conveyor comprising a plurality of transversely disposed, joined together bars, means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said bars and supporting means for the upper reach of said bars located within the frame.

25. A coal handling machine including in combination a relativelyfiat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer comprising a plurality of transversely disposed, joined together elements, means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said elements and supporting means comprising supporting rollers forthe upper reach of said elements located within the frame.

26. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top 'of said frame, said conveyer comprising a plurality of transversely disposed, joined together bars, means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said bars and supporting means comprising supporting rollers for the upper reach of said bars located within the frame. 27. A coal handling machine including in combination arelatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer runnin over the bottom and top of said frame, sai conveyer comprising a plurality transversely disposed, joined together elements,-means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said elements and supporting means comprising longitudinally disposed elements for the upper reach of said elements located within the frame.

28. A coal handling machine including in combinationv a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer com rising a plurality of transversel dispose joined together bars, means within the frame and conveyer reach of said bars located within the frame.

29. A coal handling machine including in combination a. frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom. a l

30. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the, coal when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer attachable .to and detachable from the frame and receiving the coal therefrom.

31.- A coal handling. machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to act alternatively as a traveling means for the machine or as a conveyer for loose material when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom.

32. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to act alternatively as a traveling means for the machine or as a conveyer for loose material top'and bottom sides thereof, means for driving the belt, means for lowering and raising the belt into and out of contact with the floor to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer belt when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom.

34:. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest and a car at the'rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom and means for directing the coal from the conveyer into the car. I

35. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame adapted to enter an ordinary undercut kerf, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine into the kerf or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest and means operable from the outside of the kerf for causing the conveyer to operate in either way described.

36. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the goal when the machine is at rest and means for causing the conveyer to operate in either way described.

37. A coal handling machine including in combination a horizontal frame, an endless belt arranged about the frame on the top and bottom sides thereof, means for driving the belt, and means operable from one end of the frame for lowering and raising the belt into and out of contact with the floor to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer belt when the machine is at rest. v

38. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest, a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom and means for discharging the material from the other end of the car.

39. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to travel the machine or to convey the coal when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom and means for directing the coal from the conveyer into the car and means for discharging the material from the other end of the car. a

40. A coal handling machine including in combination a frame, a motor carried thereby, an endless belt adapted to act alternatively' as a traveling means for the machine or as-a conveyer for loose material when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom and means for discharging the material from the other end of the car.

41. A coal handling machine including in combination a horizontal frame, an endless belt arranged about the frame on the top and bottom sides thereof, means for driving the belt, means for lowering and raising the belt into and out of contact with the floor to cause the belt alternatively to travel the machine or to act as a conveyer belt when the machine is at rest and a car at the rear of the conveyer and receiving the coal therefrom and means for discharging the. material from the other end of the car.

l2. A coal handling machine including in combination a relativel flat, horizontally disposed frame, an en less conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer cdmprising a plurality of transversely disposed, joined together elements, and means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said elements, and a plurality of endless cables joining said conveyer elements together.

43. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatively flat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running, over the bottom and top of said frame. said conveyer comprising a plurality" of transversely disposed, joined together bars, means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said bars, and a plurality of endless cables joining said bars together. I

4A. A coal handling machine including in combination a relatlvely 'tlat, horizontally disposed frame, an endless conveyer running over the bottom and top of said frame, said conveyer comprising a plurality of transversely disposed, joined together elements, means within the frame and conveyer for driving the conveyer, comprising sprocket wheels having teeth engaging said elements, supporting means for the upper reach of said elements located within the frame and a plurality of endless cables joining said elements together. I

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

RICHARD PEALE.

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