US1778298A - Coal-mining machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1930. N. D. I EvlN COAL MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l oct. 14, 1930.

N. D. L EvlN COAL MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 oct. 14, 1930.

N. D. LEVIN COAL MINING MACHINE Filed NOV. 16,

192e s sheets-sheet 3 VVVYY Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT omen NILS D. LEVIN, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO,v ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY COAL-MINING HACHIVHE Application flied November 16, A1.1926. Serial No. 148,699.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inv coal cutting machines, and particularly to machines ofthe class having a supporting frame adapted to be moved relative to the coal body, and cutting devices projecting therefrom adapted to engage the coal to form a kerf therein preparatory to blasting down the coal above the kerf.

Itis the especial object of this invention to provide, in a machine of the class described, means to form a single kerf in the coal body yat the level of the mine floor, to form such a kerf in the coal body spaced above said Hoor, or to simultaneously form a plurality ot` spaced apart kerfs at the option of the operator.

The means whereby I attain this object are fullyv set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawingof which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of invention, the cover plates being broken away to reveal certain 'parts below.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, the side plates being broken away to reveal the interior mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, on a reduced scale, illustrating the manner of manipulating the Vcutting mechanism to simultaneously cut a plurality of spaced apart kerfs.

Fig. 4; is a vertical sectional View ytaken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the machine,

illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, showing its relathe coal body during the cuttinggof a tion to kerf spaced above the floor of the single mine.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic figure illustiat ing the manner of operating the machine to cut a lrerf in the coa-l body preparatory to 'blasting down the coal above the kerf.

Fig. 't' is a diagrammatic view showing thel method of using the machine to gather they dislodged coal onto a conveyor for transportation.

`Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

In the drawings, I have sho'in the ferred embodiment of my invention wherein the main frame 1 comprises an elongated, rectangular structure adapted to rest upon and slide over the floor of the mine. Within thel frame 1 is mounted a motor 2 by which,

the operative elements of the machine are actuated. The motor 2 may be of any preferred type suitable to the conditions under which themachine operates. For purposes of illustration, I have here shown an electric motor adapted to receive its actuating current through a suitable flexible conductor cable and to be controlled by the customary controlling "mechanism, but as such devices are well understood in the mining machine art and as they form no part in the present invention, their illustration and description are not thought to be required at this time.

The motor 2 is provided with an armature shaft 3 which projects at bath ends of its..

casing and is provided with power transmitting'devices at both ends.

At its forward end, the main frame 1 contains the feeding mechanism by which the machine'may be moved vover the floor of the mounted uponthe shaft 7, by means of a..

friction clutch contained within the drum a, and controllable by the manipulation of a hand wheel 9 positioned convenient to the hand of the operator. The spur gear 8 meshes with a pinion 10 attached to a vertical shaft v11 journaled in suitable bearings of themain frame. Attached to the shaft 11 is ya ratchet wheel 12 adapted to be engaged hya pawl 13 carried by the rocker arm 14. The rocker arm 14 is connected through the connecting 'rod 15 with a crank 16 fixedv to vthe shaft 17', and the shaft 17 carries a worm gear 18 which engages the worm 19 upon the forward end 'of the armature shaft 3.

pre-

Te'dat the forwardcorners of the main frame 1,.serve to guide the' feed cable 5 in-the Vde-v -sired direction from the winding drum 4'.

' From the rearward end o-f the main frame 1 there projects two brackets 21`and 22l having journal bearings 23, 24'and 25 in'which the verticalshaft 26 is rotatably supported.

Y'lliepbracket 21 is shaped to form fa gearcase v27 wthinwhich is mounted afworm wheel 28 which is secured to the shaft 26 by gear a suitableykey. -The worm gear `wheel 28 is 'engaged by a worm 29 mounted upon the armatureshaft extension 30 which is supportedk in suitable journal bearings formed f on the bracket-'21. The armature shaft eX-,

y nected thereto by a suitable clutch 31.

tension 30'extends in axialalinementwith the armaturev shaft 3 and is adapted to be con- Mechanism is provided for the controll of the clutch 31 Ibut as such devices are well under- .y fstood in the art, and as itfforms no part' of the present inventiom its illustration. and

description is not thought to be requiredy atL th-istime. "A sleeve 32, freely mounted upon the lower portion` of the shaft 26, extends through the `journal bearing 23 and to its lower end is fixed a sprocket wheel 33. At

.the upperend'ofthe sleeve 32 are formed clutch teeth adapted to engage the corre-- spending teethhof a -jaw clutch member 34 whichis slidably attached to the shaft 26." A shifting lever 35 is arranged to move the,

1 clutch member 34 into or out of engagement f with thesle'eve 32 to operatively connect the -V sprocket wheel v33 with the shaft 26, or to disconnect it therefrom as `condition may re-` quire; Arrock shaft 36 vmounted upon the bracket 21 engages the clutch shiftingk lever.,

V '35, and this' rock shaft is provided with a handlev 37 lpositioned convenient to the hand of the operator, by the manipulation of which the clutch 34 may be controlled.

'Formed' on the bracket 21 is a circular 'liange 38fwhich lrotatably supports a turn table 39; Projecting horizontally from thev turn table 39 'is avcutter arm' 40 upon the edges of which are formed guideways wherel `zintravels the cutter chain 41 ofthe type comlmonly used in coal mining machines Vto .cut vthe coal.' Provision is made at 42 whereby .Qthe'free end of the feedcable 5 may beV attached to thelcutter arm 40, and agroove 43 formed in the periphery of the turn table 30 Yserves to guide said'cableftowards the guide sheave 2O so that, bythe winding of the i' Cablei5up'ongthe winding drum 4 the cutter arm 40 may be caused to rotate about the of only two ofthe cutter arms. Q

terbar 48 which is rotatable in a plane parallel to the planepof the cutter arm 40. A third vcircular lliange 49 is formed upon the bracket 22 of the main frame and upon this flange is mounted a third turntable 50 from whichprojects a third cutter arm 51 also rotatable in a plane extendingparallel Vto the Vplanes of the cutter arms 40 and 48. ln' every respect the turn tables 47 and 50 and the cutter'arms 48 and 51 are substantially similar to the corresponding part of the 'cutter arm 40. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 26 are sprocket wheels 52 and 53 arranged in alinement with lthe guideways of thecutter arms 48 and 51 and these sprocket wheels engage the cutter chains 54 and 55 respectively.

YUpon the hub of each of the sprocketwheels 52 and 53 are formed clutch teeth adapted to engage with theclutch members 56Yand 57 slidably attached to the shaft 26', and these clutches are provided with suitable mechanism for their control lso that either or all of the sprocket wheels 33,52, and 53 may be connected to or disconnected fromgthe shaft 26 to drive their respective 4.cutter chains. Bolts 58 and 59 similar'to the bolt 44 are arranged to lock the cutter arms 48 and 51 in the desired position of angular adjustment.

Upon each side ofthe main frame 1 are mounted guide sheaves60, 61 and'62 adapted to engage the feed cable 5 to lead it to turn tables 39 or 47 of, the turn table 50 to cause their respective rotation about the common axis.v I

In Fig. 3 of the drawing'l have shown an arrangement by which all three lof thevcutter arms.r40, 48 and 51 may besimultaneously rotated to cut spaced apart'kerfs in the coal face. As here illustrated the end of the feed Ui cable 5, is attached to a ring 63 from which extends three branch cables 64, 65 and 66 which are led around the guide sheaves 60, 61 and`62 appropriate tothe turn tables 39, 47 and 5,0 to simultaneously cause the cutter arms 40,'484and 51 to form spaced apart parallel kerfs"y in the coal face. It is apparent that eitherof the branch cables .64, 65 or 66 maybe omitted so as to cause the rotation By the devices above described, lldhavey providedv a machine adapted to form a kerf at the base of the. mine vein,r to. forma kerf spaced above the mine floor, .orf to simultaneously form a plurality of kerfs extending in parallelism across the face of the vein. It is apparent thatthe machine here shown may be subject to wide variation as to details, that either of the cutter arms may be omitted, or that any preferred number of additional cutterkarms may be added without departure from the spirit of my invention.

In operation, my improved mining machine is brought to the working place with all three of the cutter arms projecting longitudinally of the machine and locked in that position. The machine is then positioned adjacent the coal face, extending longitudinally therealong. The feed rope 5 is drawn out from the winding Vdrum and attached, in the manner above described, to the cutter arm or arms which are appropriate to form the kerf or kerfs desired. The cutter chains of the appropriate cutter arms are then actuated, the-chains remaining idle uponl any arm which is not in active use at the time, and the winding drum is actuated to cause rotation of the appropriate cutter arm or arms to form the lerf or kerfs desired. After the cutter arm or arms have swung through the Vpreferred angle it or they are locked in that position, the feed cable disconnected therefrom, conducted around the guide sheave 2O and attached to an anchor jack 6 positioned adjacent the coal face in advance of the machine. By the winding of the cable 5, the machine will be moved bodily along the coal face to produce a. kerf or kerfs extending longitudinally thereof.

rIhe dia-meter of sprocket wheels 33, 52 and 53 is such that the distance between the ends of diametrically opposite bits on the chain--l will be substantially equal to the widt i of the main frame. In this manner, the cutter chains will discharge to points beyond the path of advance of the machine, so that the machine may be returned over the same path without obstruction.

j In Figs. 6 andi' of the drawing, I have illustrated one method of operating my improved coal cutting machine in combination with a longwall conveyor of well known design to effect the mining and reclaiming of the coal.

d less chain As here illustrated, the coal cutting machine is positioned adjacent the coal face 67 with the lowermost cutter arm l() turned at right angles to the longitudinal lines of the machine and inserted beneath the coal. The feed rope 5 extends along the coal face and is atl tached toa suitably positioned anchor jack 6 in advance ofthe machine. Positioned upon the mine floor, immediately adjacent the outer side of the coal cutting machine, and extending parallel with the coal face 67, is a longwall conveyor comprising an elongated frame 68 and a laterally projecting plate 69 which extends along the frame in contact with the mine floor. Within the frame 68, and consequently not visiblel in the drawing, is an endto which is attached the conveyorv flights 7 0 which project across the plate 69 in contact therewith and are adapted, when said chain is actuatedyto propel material along said plate. The construction of the frame 68 is such that it forms one side of a conveyor trough, the bottom of which is the plate 69. The opposite wall of the trough is formed by the loose coal lying upon the mine Hoor adjacent the plate 69. lVhen the coal cutter is actuated to undercut the coal, the cuttings produced by the lrerf cutter 40 are delivered thereby onto the plate 69 and are transported by the scraper-s 70 longitudinally of the conveyor to the discharge point, where they are delivered to a suitable receptacle for further disposition. After the coal cutting machine has advanced to the full length of the coal face, the ,coal above the kerf is dislodged from the body of the vein, by blasting or other suitable methods. All of the cutter arms 4:0, 48 and 5l are then turned to the position at right angles to the longitudinal lines of the machine and locked in that position. The feed rope is adjusted over the guide sheaves E20, 60 and 62 and is attached to an anchor jack 7l suitably positioned at the rearward side of the machine. The electric motor 2 is then actuated in such manner that the cutter chains ll, 54 and 55 will travel around the cutter frame 40, Li8 and 51 in the direction opposite to that of the cutting operation. As the machine travels along the coal face, the cutter bits of the three cutter arms will engage the dislodged and broken coal and move it outwardly onto the plate 69 to be transported by the conveyor flights 70 to the delivery i end of the conveyor. After all of the dislodged coal has been removed, the coal cutting machine will be repositioned adjacent the newly formed coal face, the longwall conveyor repositioned adjacent the coal cutting machine, and the operation repeated ad libitum. y

Vhat I claim is:

l. In a machine of the class described, the g able about a common vertical axis, and means z r.'

to bodily move the main frame or to swing either or all of said kei-f cutters as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a main frame, of a pluf ralit,7 of elongated lrerf cutters projecting horizontally therefrom, said korf cutters being spaced apart vertically and swingable about a common vertical aXis in low-lying planes, and means carried by said main frame to bodily move the machine or to swing either or all of said kerf cutters as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a machine of the class described,-the combination with a main frame, of a pluna'lityj'of elongated korfv cutters projecting Ahorizontally ytherefrom said kerf cutters being spaced apart vertically and swingable about a common vertical axis in low-lying planes',-means to lock each kerf cutter in the .preferred position of angular adjustment,

and means to bodily move the main frame or to swing either` or allof said lrerf cutters about saidaxis as el.' In axmachine of the class described, the lcombination with amain frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the floor of a mine,

and for the purpose set forth.v

of a plurality of elongated lrerfV cutters proljectingy v,horizontally from said frame and swing'able about av common vertical axis in low-lying planes, means toy lock each kerf cutter in thepreferred angular relation to f the longitudinal lines of said frame, and fmeans to bodily movethe machine over the mine floor or to swing said kerf cutters either simultaneouslyfor separately about said axis as and for the purposel set forth.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the iioor of a mine',

of a plurality of elongated kerf cutters proi jecting horizontally fromr one end of said fframe and swmgable 1n low-lying planes about' a common' vertical axis positioned in the Vcentral,longitudinal plane thereof, means to lockeach lierf cutter in the preferred angular relation relative to said plane, and means to bodily'movel the machine over the mine floor or to swing said lrerf cutters either simultaneously or yseparately about said axis as and for the .purpose set forth.

a combination 'with a main frame adapted to,

.6; ln a machine `of the class described, the

rest upon and. slide over the licor of the mine, a plurality of vertically spaced apart cutter arms projecting horizontally from one end of said frame and adapted to be swung in lowslying planes from a position progectmg .laterally at one side of said frame to a cor-- responding positionat the other side thereof,

Y and means upon the frame to move the machine bodily over the mme floor or to rotate yeither or all of said cutter arms about their common axis as and for the purpose set forth.

Y 7.' In a machine of the class described.. the combination withV a maml frame adapted to rest upon and slide over thefloor of the mine,

.. a cutter arm pivota-lly mounted at one end of said frame and adaptedrto be swung from a position extending laterally at one side of the frame to a corresponding position at the other side thereof,a second cutter bar projecting horizontally .from said frame above the first mentioned cutter bar and adapted4 ytoy be similarly yswung in low-lying planes concentrically therewith, means upon the frame to bodily move the machine'over the' mine 'floor'4 to engage thecutter bars singly `or together in a working face or to move said cutter arms about their floor between said conveyor `and said coal face, means upon the main frame to cause it to travel along the mine ioor, and a plurality of superposed kerfcutters carried Vby said main frame adapted to engage the coal face to cut a kerf or plurality of kerfs therein or to engage loose material at a plurality of levels adjacent the minevfloor and move it onto said conveyor as and for the purpose set forth. A

9. In' an apparatus ofthe class described7 the combination with an elongated conveyor adapted to extend along a. coalface and to receive loose material from the floor of the mine along substantially its entire length, of a coal cutting` machine comprising a main frame adapted to be supported upon the mine floor between said conveyor and said coalV face, means upon the main frame to" cause it to travel along the mine floor, and a plurality of superposed lerf cutterscarried by vsaid mam frame adaptedV as the Vmachine lcutting VVmachine comprising va main frame adapted to be supported upon the mine iioor between Y said conveyor and said ycoal face, means upon the main frame toj'cause it to travel along the mine floor relativeto the conveyor, a kerf cutter carried bysaid main frame and adapted as the machine travels in one direction to engage the coal face to cut a lrerf therein or as the machine travels in the opposite direction to engage loose material upon the mine vfloor and move it directly onto said conveyor as and foruthe purpose set forth.; Y y

1l. vIn an apparatus of the vclass described, the combination with" an elongated conveyor adapted to extend along the coal face and to receive material from the floorof the'mine along substantiallyits entire length, of a coal `cutting machinecomprising la main frame `adapted to be supported upon the mine floor f UI travel along the mine floor relative to the conveyor, an elongated'cutter frame carried by said mainframe, and a cutter chain supported in guide ways of said cutter frame adapted as the machine travels in one direction to engage the coal tace to cut a kerl therein fr the machine travels in the opposite di rect-ion to engage loose material upon the mine floor and move it directly onto said cz. iveyor as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with an elongated conveyor adapted to extend along a coal 'lace and to receive material from the mine floor along substantially its entire length, oi a coal cutting machine comprising a main frame yadapted to travel longitudinally of said coal face, means upon the main frame to cause it to travel along said coal face relative to the conveyor, a hert cutter rcarried by said main `trame adapted as the machine travels in one direction to engage the coal tace to out a hert therein and as the machine travels in the opposite direction to engage loose material upon the mine floor and move it directly onto said conveyor as and for the purpose set forth.

13. Inr an apparatus ot the'class described,

the combination with an elongated conveyory adapted to extend along` a coal face and to receive material from the mine floor along substantially itsentire length, of a coal cutting machine comprising a main frame adapted to travel longitudinally of said coal i' ltace, means 'upon the Vmain frame to cause it'to travel along said coal face relative to the conveyor, an elongated cutter ramecarried by said main frame, a cutter cha-in supported in guide ways of said cutter frame and adapted as the machine travels in one direction to engage the coal tace to cut aI kerf therein or as the machine travels in the opposite direction to engage loose material upon the mine floor and move it directly onto said conveyor as and Jlor the purpose set forth.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main trame, of a plurality of horizontallyL projecting elongated kerf cutters swingably mounted thereon, each of said kerl cutters including a cutter chain, power means carried by said mainframe, and power transmission means in connection with said power means and connectible selectively y with said hert cutters to swing any or all of the latter to form a kerf or ka plurality of kerts, and means for selectively driving lsaid cutter chains from said power means. K

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main trame, ot a plurality ot verticallyspaced horizontally projecting elongated kerf cutters swingably mounted thereon, each yof said kert cutters including a cutter chain, power means carried by said main frame, and power transmission lmeans in connection with said power means and connectible selectively with said kerf cutters to swing any or all of the latter to 'form a hert or a plurality of superposed kerfs, and means for selectively driving said cutter chains from said power means.

i6. In a. machine ot the class described, the cennbination with a main trame. of a plurality of horizontally projecting kerf cutters mounted thereon, each of said kerf cutters incir-.ding a cutter chain, and swingable about a common vertical axis, power means mounted on said main frame,I and power transmission means connection with said ow'er means and connectible selectively wit any or all oi' said hert cutters to swingI the latter to form a kerf or plurality of kerfs, and means tor selectively driving said cutter chains from said power means.

17. In a machine ot the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a plurality of horizontally projecting elongated kerf cutters swingably mounted thereon, power means carried by said ymain frame, power transmission means in connection with said power means and connectible selectively with said kerf cutters yto swing any or allofV the latter to form a kerf or a plurality of kerfs, and a power shaft connectible with the selected kerfcutter or cutters to actuate the cutting elements thereof.

18. In a machine of he class described, the combination with a main frame, of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally projecting elongated kerf. cutters swingably mounted thereon, power means carried by said main frame, power transmission means in connection with said power means and connectible selectively with saidkerf cutters to swing any or all of the latter to form a. kerf or a plurality of superposed kerfs, and a. power shaft connectiblefwith the selected kerf cutter or cutters to actuate the cutting elements thereof. y

19. In a machine of the class described, the

i combination with a main trame, of a plurality of horizontally projecting kerf cutters mounted thereon, and swingable about a. common vertical axis, power means mounted on said main trame, power transmission means in connection lwith said power means and connectible selectively with any or all 0f said kerf cutters to swing the latter to form a kerf or aplurality of keris,- a power shaft coinciding with said vertical axis, and means to connect said power shaft with the selected kerf cutter or cutters to actuatethe cutting elements thereof.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a plu# rality of horizontally projecting elongated kerf cutters swingably mounted thereon, La power shaft mounted on said main frame, transmission means in connection with said shaft and selectively connectible with any or all ot' said kort cutters to swing the Vlatter lill) v thereof, and a common ably supportedin bear-ings of saidl frame, said armslbeing mounted for swinging movement about said shaft, cutting elements traversable along said' arms, a second drive shaft, transmission means 1n connection with said second pdriveshaft andselectively connectible with any. or all of said arms to swing the latter to .form a kerf or kerfs, a common prime mover for said shafts, and means foractuating thecutting elements of the 'selected arm orarms fromhsaid vertical drive shaft.

5 22. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a main frame, of a plurality of cutter arms, a vertical drive shaft rotatably supported in bearings of said frame, said arms being mounted for swinging movement about said shaft, a Vcutter chain traversable on each of said arms, ai, sprocket on said shaft engaging each of`said.chains, a'secon'ddrive shaft, trans-. mission means in 4connection with said'sec- 30 yond drive shaft and selectively connectible with any or all of said armsY to swing the latter to form a kerf or kerfs, a common prime moverfor said shafts, vand means for y connecting with, said vertical shaft the sprockets engaging the chains of selected` arms 4for driving said chains.

23.. In a machine ofthe class described, the combinationwith a main frame, of aplural- .,ityhoffturn tables :mounted thereon, cutter j 40 arms.'I projecting from said turn tables, a

' winding'drum, a rope windable thereon, and

means for connecting said rope to any one Vor all'of said turn tables to swing the latter and thefassciated cutter arms upon winding movement of said drum. Y

.724. a longwall mining system, a sta-V tionary conveyor extending along the lmine wall, andspaced therefrom, a keriingmachineftraversable .intermediate the vconveyor wall, anda cutteriarm supported'on said machine 1n positionftofform a kerf `in the mine wall during such traversing movement,

' saidmachine being returnable along the same y dragout-the kerfed material its.breaking down.. Y Y V26. Ina machinev of the class described, a'y

path subsequent to' breaking down the kerfed material to engage'the cutter arm with the latter to drag it out longitudinally of the arm and deliver it directly to said conveyor. l

I 25.` In a machine of the class described, a

lplurality of ycutter arms superpos'ed in low 'lyingplan'es and selectively movable to form a kerf in a c orrespondingplane, said cutter arms being movable in unison to disrupt and subsequent to of said machine.

plurality of cutter arms movable in different low-lying vertical planes, selective means for moving any single arm to form akerf and to move any or all of the arms to disrupt and drag out the kerfed material subsequent to its breaking down. Y

27, In a mining system,'an elongated stationary conveyor spaced from a mine wall, al mining machine traversable between the conveyor and wall and havingV a cutter arm adapted to form a kerf in said wall, said machine being returnable along the same path and having other arms adaptedto cooperate with saidl first arm to drag out the kerfed ,materiah subsequent to its breaking down,

and deliver it to said conveyor. Y

28.y In a .mining machine, a movable base frame, and a cutter. bear adapted to extend substantially entirely across one end of said base frame to project therebeyond in, operative position at either side thereof, wherebysaid cutter bar is adapted to engage 'disrupted material at either side of said base frame to `drag itout and deposit it outside of the path of advance of said machine.

29. In a mining machine, a movable 'base frame, and aswingable cutter bar adapted to extend substantially entirely across one end of said base frame to project therebeyond in operative Aposition lat eitherv side Vvthereof, whereby said cutter bar is adapted to engage disrupted material at either side of said base frame to dragit out and deposit it outside of theV path of advance of said machine.

30. In a miningmachine, a' movablebase frame, anda plurality of cutter bars, each or all of said cutter bars being` adapted to extend ysubstantially entirely across one `end of said base frameand'to project therebevond in operative positionv at either side thereof, whereby said cutter bar'or bars is or are adapted to engage ydisrupted material at eitherside of said base frame to 'drag it out and deposit'it outside of the path of advance 3l.. In a mining machine, a: movable base frame, vand a plurality of swingable cutter bars mounted atv one end of said base frameQV each or all of, said cutter Vbars being adapted to extend substantiallyy entirely across one end of said baseframe and to project therebeyond in operative position at either side thereof, wherebyr saidwcutter bar er is or are adapted to engage .disrupted material at either side of said base'frame todrag it out of saidmachine. Y l

-32.l In a mining machine, .a movable base and deposit it'outside; of the path of advance frame, an elongated arm projecting from one endl of saidbase frame, an endless cliainfen said cutter bar,cutter bits on said chain; and' adrivesprocketfor saidl chain at the frame end of said Vcutter bar, rsaid sprocket ,being rotatable about an' axis lyingsubstantially in the central vertical longitudinal plane-'of'-l lll - chine the cutter bar is adapted to engage and remove material in the path of the machine.

33. In a mining machine, a movable base frame, an elongated arm pivoted at one end to said frame atone end ofthe latter, said arm being swingable about its pivot point to project from said frame at either sidethereof, an endless chain 'on said cutter bar, cutter bitsV on said chain, and a drive sprocket for said chain at the frame end of said cutter l "bar, said sprocket being rotatable about an axis lying substantially in the central vertical longitudinal plane of said frame, the distance between the ends of the cutter bits diametrically of said sprocket being substantially equal to the width of said frame, whereby upon movement. of the machine the cutter bar isadapted to engage and remove material inthe path of the machine.v

34. Ina mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine face, an elongated hori- Zontal kerf cutter supported by and projecting from said machine at a cutting angle to the line of movement thereof to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine floor during movement of the machine, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage the kerf cutter with the lrerfed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, said kerf cutter having a portion effective to move such material across the path of travelof the machine to the outer side thereof, and an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine wall adjacent the path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floor and convey it away, said cutter being disposable to project Vfrom either side of the machine to perform the described operations.

35. In a mining system, a mining machine movable along a mineface, an elongated horizontal kerf cutter supported by and projecting from said machine at a cutting angle to the line of movement thereof to form a lterf in the mine wall at the mine floor during i movement of the machine, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage the lerf cutter with the kerfed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, said kerf cutter having a portion effective. to move such material across the path of travel of the machine to the outer side thereof, and an elongated stat-ionary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine wall adjacent the path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floor and convey it away, said cutter being swingable to project from either side of the machine to perform the described operations.

36. In a mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine face, an elongated horizontal kerf cutter supported by and projecting from said machine at a cutting angle to the line of movement thereof to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine lloor during movement of the machine, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage the kerf cutter with the kei-fed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, said lrerf cutter having a portion effective to move such material across the path of travel of the machine to the outer side thereof, an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine wall adjacent the path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floor and convey it away, said cutter being swingable to project from either side of the machine to perform the described operations, and power actuated mea-ns onthe machine to swing the cutter.

37. In a mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine wall., an elongated hori- Zontal kerf cutter supported on said machine in position to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine lioor delivering such movement, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage said kerf cutter with the kei-fed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine face adjacent the path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floor and convey it away, and a second cutter in low-lying planes above the first adapted to participate in the kerfing and dragging out operations.

38. In a mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine wall, an elongated horizontal kerf cutter supported on said machine in position to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine floor delivering` such movement, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage said korf cutter with the kerfed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor. an elongated stationary' conveyor disposed parallel to the mine face adjacent the path. of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floorand convey it away, and a second cutter in low-lying planes above the first adapted to participate in the lie-fling and dragging out operations, said cutters .Icing swingable to project from either side of the machine to perform the described operations.

39. In a mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine wall, an elongated horizontal kerf cutter supported on said machine in position to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine floor delivering such movement, said machine being movable again along the lill) llo same path to 'engage said ker-f' cutter with the kerfed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, an elongated Stationary conveyor disposed'y parallel to the mine face adjacent the path of movement of said machine and adapted to receivethe dragged out material at the mine lioor and convey it away, a second cutter in low-lying planes above the first adapted to participate in the kerfing and dragging lout operations, said .cutters being swingable to project from either side of the machine `to perform the described operation, and power actuated means on the machine to swing the cutters reither singly .or together. l

40. In a mining system, a mining machine movable'along a mine face, an elongated horikzontal kerf cutter supported by and pro! j ecting from said machine at a cutting angle to theV line of movement thereof to form a lrerf in the mine wall at the mine floor during movement of the machine, said machine b eing movable again along the same lpath to engage the kerf cutter with the kerfed materia-l subsequent to its breaking down to dragV it out along the mine floor, said kerf `cutter having a portion effective to move such mate# rial across the vpath of travel of the machine to the outer` side thereof, an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine Wall adjacent the path of movement ofk saidv machine and adapted to receive v the dragged out material'at the mine iioor and convey it away, and a second cutter in lowlying planes above the first adapted to participate in the kerlingand dragging out, operations. f

41'. In a mining system, a; mining machine vmovable along amine face, an elongated horizontal kerfcutter supported by and projectingi from said machine at a cutting angle to the line of movement thereof to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine Hoor during movement of the machine, said machine being movable again along vthe same path to engage the kerf cutter with the kerfed mate- -rial subsequent to itsbreaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, said kerf cutter Y having a portion elective to movevsuchmatef rial across the path of travel of the machine.

to the outer side thereof, an elongated stationary conveyor disposedparallel tothe mine y Wall adjacentthe-path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged outmaterial atvthe mine floor andconvey it away, and a second cutter in low-lying planes above the first adapted to participate in the 1 rherring and `dragging out' operations, .said cutters beingswingable to project from either side of the machine to perform the described operations. v Y" Y v A4t2. In a` mining system, 'a mining machine having a portion effective to move such material across the path of travel of themachine to the outer side thereof, an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine wall adjacentthe path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the draggedV out material at the mine floor and convey it away, a second cutter in Ylow-lying planes above the first adapted to participate in the kering and dragging outvoperations, said cutters being swingable to project from either side of the machine to perform the de-V scribed operations, and power actuated means on'the machine to 'swing the cutters either singly or together. f

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand'. Y

, Y NILS D. LEVIN.

movable alonga'mine` face, an elongated Y,

i horizontal kerf cutter supported by andv pro-I jecting from said' machine at a cutting angle CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,778,298. Granted October 14, 1930, to

NILS D. LEVIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as foilows: Page I, Iinc 71, for the word "bath" read both; page 2, line 108, for "of" read or; page 3, line 122, claim 2, after "therefrom strike out the comma', page 5, line 96, claim I8, for "he" read the; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of December, A. D. 1930.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images