US1700294A - Loading machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 29, 1929.

N. D. LEVIN LOADING MACHINE Original Filed July 21, 1921 2 slams -sneet 1- Jan. 29, 1 929.

original Filed July 21. 1921 1,700,294 N. D. LEVIN LOADING MACHINE 2-..Sheets-Sheet 2 Fatented Jan. 29, 192355.

PATET OFFICE.

NILS I). LEVIN, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LOADING MACHINE.

Application filed July 21, 1921, Serial No. 486,651.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in loading machines adapted to gather the dislodged coal from the floor of a mine and load it into suitably disposed cars for transportation from the mine.

The usual method of mining coal comprises the drilling of holes into the body of the vein, and the explosion therein of suitable explosive to blast out fragments which are afterwards loaded into cars for transportation from the mine.

It is a common, though not universal, practice to form kerfs in the coal body, usually as near the mine floor as possible, to facilitate the breaking down of the coal above the kerf. These kerfs are commonly formed by mining machines having supporting devices positioned in a somewhat lower plane than the cutting devices by which the kerfs are produced, resulting in an uneven floor composed of a succession of off-sets, or steps. Numerous attempts have been made to adapt loading machines, comprising conveyors associated with gathering devices of various sorts, to the mechanical taking up of the loose, broken coal from the floor of the mine and loading it into suitably positioned cars for transportation from the mine. The irregularities of the mine floor produced by the action of the mining machine above referred to, or to the irregular breaking of the coal when, no under kerf is formed, have constituted obstructions which seriously interferewith the economical operation of loading machines such as have been heretofore constructed. Frequently the force of the blast is expended without thoroughly disrupting the coal which is left standing in con'iparatively large fragments interlocked. in a mass too compact to be handled by the gathering devices of the machine heretofore constructed. in such cases these interlocked fra unents must be manually dislor ed, materially increasing the labor of leading and correspondingly reducing the eliiciency of the machine.

It is the especial object of this invention to provide improved machine adapted to expeditiously and conveniently remove broken coal from the floor of a mine chamher and load it into suitably disposed cars for transportation from the mine.

further object is to provide a machine Renewed January 5, 1827.

of the class described having gathering devices adapted to engage the masses of coal which have been partially shattered by the blast and complete its disruption to render possible the gathering and loading of the fragments for transportation.

A further object is to provide a machine of the class described having means to dislodge the bottom coal which adheres to the sub stratum and thereby provide an even floor over which the machine may be advanced.

A further object is to provide a machine of the class described having means to vertically adjust the bottom coal dislodginnj mechanism to cause itto follow the inclinations of the strata.

The devices by which I attain these objects are fully set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which 1 is a general plan view of one em bodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view having certain parts broken away to disclose the power devices by which the machine is actuated.

Fig. 4': is a section taken along the line IVIV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail partly in sections showing the method .of supporting the inner end of the gathering bar.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one method of operating the machine.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

Preferably my improved loading machine is mounted upon a base plate 1 adapted to rest upon and slide over the floor of the mine.

Extending longitudinally of the base plate 1 is a main conveyor which may be of any preferred construction. For purposes of illustration I have shown a conveyor 2 of the type illustrated in Patent 1,34%],953 issued to me on September 7th, 1920, which comprises an elongated trough 3 along which travels a plurality of spaced scraper cross bars 4 attached to and propelled by a pair of endless which are not shown. the draw on the counter shaft 2%.

ings. As conveyors of this type are well known in the art and as its details form no part in the present invention further description is not thought to be required at this time. This conveyor has a receiving portion disposed in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor, and an inclined elevating portion adapted to lift the coal to a suitable elevation above the mine floor. The trough 3 is provided with side plates 5 and 6 to prevent the overflow of material along the sides of the conveyor.

1 have also provided a transversely extending delivery conveyor 8 adapted to receive material from the main conveyor and discharge it over the side of a mine car 9 suitably positioned upon a track 10 which extends parallel to the working face of the coal. This delivery conveyor-maybe of any preferred type. For purposes of illustration I have shown a conveyor of the same general class as that illustrated in Patent No. 1,246,762, issued to me on November 13th, 1917 and comprising two parallel troughs 1'1 and '12 positioned in the same horizontal plane one each side of the guide frame 13. Around the guide frame 13 travels a suitable endless chain, not shown in the drawings, which propels the laterally extending scraper flights i l 'by which ma terial is propelled along the trough 11. As such conveyors are well known in the art, and as its details form no part of the present invention, further description is not thought to he required at this time.

hlounted .upon the base plate 1 is a motor 15 by which the several elements of the machine are actuated. This motor may be of I any preferred type suitable to the conditions under which the machine is operated. For purposes of illustration '1 have shown an electric motor which may receive electric current in ,any convenient manner from any convenient source of supply, and which may be controlled through any suitable controlling devices. but as such devices are well known in the art and form no part in the present invention their illustration and description is not thought to be required at this time.

'Ihe-motor 15 is provided with a pinion 16 connected through a train of gears 17. 1S and 1'9 with a power shaft 20 su 'iportcd in suitable bearings of the main frame. To the power shaft 20 is attached a sprocket wheel 21 which is connected by a suitable chain with a similar sprocket wheel 22: The counter shaft 24: is supported in suitable journal bearings of the main frame and is connected through a pair of spur gears 25 and 26 with. the conveyor driving shaft 2'? upon which are mounted two sprocket wheels 28 adapted to engage the chains of the conveyor 2 to drive them. Power is transmitted from the the feed shaft 39.

he required at this time.

counter shaft 2% through the sprocket wheels .29 and 30 and the driving chain 31 to the driving shaft 32 of the auxiliary conveyor. The shaft 82 carries a bevel gear 33 which es a similar bevel gear '34: upon the vertical head shaft '35 of the auxiliary conveyor to actuate it.

Fixed to the power shaft 20 is an eccentric 36 having an eccentric rod 37 connected with a rocker arm '38 adapted to oscillate about the feed shaft 39. The feed shaft 39 is supported in suitable journal bearings of the main frame and carries a ratchet wheel lO arranged to be engaged by a pawl ll mounted upon the rocker arm 38. When the power shaft '20 revolves the eccentric 36 causes the oscillation of the rocker arm 38 and, through the engagement ofthe pawl $1 with the ratchet a0 causes the revolution of A second pawl 42 mount ed upon the frame work of the machine is arranged to engage the ratchet wheel to prevent retrograde movement thereof.

'hlounted for free rotation upon the feed shatt 39 is'a winding drum 43 which is connectable with said shatt by suitable clutch mechanism of-any n'e'lerred type, but as-such clutches are well understood in the art and form no part in the prescnt invention further description and illustratoin is not thoughtto Suitable means, such as the operating lever 44, is provided for t-hecon'trol of said clutch mechanism and the engagement or disengagement of the winding drum with the feed shaft. VVindable upon "the drum 43 is a feed rope 45 the free end of which adapted to be connected with a suitable anchor jack 46 positioned in advance of the machine. When the winding drum 4:3 is caused to revo veto windthe rope 4L5 the tension upon said rope tends to draw the machine bodily towards the anchor jack t6 and thereby feed the apparatus to its work. The reaction of the gathering'1necha nism upon the material which is to be loaded tends to crowd the rear end of the anachine outwardly from the coal face and I have provided a strut 47 having a sliding shoe 48 adapted to engage the rails of the mine track 10 to counteract such tendency and maintain the machine in proper working relation.

As shown in the drawings, the gathering mechanism comprises a rotary cut-tor bar ell) which consists of a s it 50 to which is keyed a plurality of spider ections 51. The spider scctii'ins are formed with sockets 52 in which are secured renewable cutter bits 53 of the type commonly used in coal mining machinery. The cutter bar 49 extends horizontally across the forward end of the main .-onveyor and projects perpendicularly inward tllil'GflOHl. At is outer end the shaft is supported in ournal bearings 54 formed on the forward end of a longitudinally extending arm 55 positioned outside of the main conveyor. At its inner end there is formed a longitudinally extending aperture into which projects the stud shaft 58 formed on. the forward end of a similar longitudinally extending arm 57. The arn'is and 57 are keyed to the shaft 58 which is supported for rotation in a journal hearing 59 attacheiil to the base plate 1 and in a journal bearing 60 attached to the supplemental base plate (31 which rests upon and is slidable over the mine floor. The siuiipleinental base plate 61 is rigidly connected with the main frame of the machine by a diagonal brace bar (59;. Keyed to the shaft 58 is an upvardl y extending arm 63 to which is pivotally connected a nut 64 having an adjusting rod 65 screw threaded therein. The adjusting rod extends rearwardly of the machine through a suitable bearing 66 attached to the main frame, and is provioed with a hand wheel 6? by which it may be rotated to cause the arms 55 and 57 to rock about the axis of the journal bearings 59 and 60, to vertically adjust the rotary cutter bar 49. A sprocket wheel 68 keyed to the shaft 50 is connected. by a suitable chain 69 with the sprocket wheel 70 upon the counter shaft 2a to rotate the cutter bar.

Extending perpendicularly inward from the forward end of the main conveyor 2, is an auxiliary gathering conveyor 71 the forward. sid of which lies parallel with and in close proximity to the rotary cutter bar 49. The conveyor 71 is preferably of the same type as the conveyor 2. At its outer end the gathering conveyor 71 is supported upon the frame work of the main conveyor, and at its inner end upon the supplemental base plate 61. Along its forward side there is a downwardly and forwardly projecging plate 72 which forms a shield to prevent loose material passing under the supplemental conveyor, and along its rearward edge there is an upwardly extending plate 73 which serves to prevent material spilling along the rearward. side of the conveyor. The head shaft of the supplemental gathe ing conveyor is provided with a miter gear 74 which engages with a similar gear 75 attached to a suitable cross shaft to which is attached. a sprocket wheel 76. The sprocket wheel 76 is coni'iecteul by a chain '77 with the sprocket wheel 78 on the countcr shaft 24 to drive the gathering conveyor. The construction of the conveyors 2 and 71 is such that their vertical dimensiions may he confined within extremely narrow limits, greatly facilitating the gathering of material into their troughs.

During the operation, of the machine the. rotary cutter bar 49 revolves in such a direction that the cutter bits ,53 along the ad.- vancing side of the bar will travel upward to engage material on the floor of the mine and throw it by centrifugal force onto the conveyor. Normally the cutter bar 49 is so adjusted that the lowermost points in the path of travel of its cutter bits is at the line of the mine floor, and bottom coal adhering to the sub stratum will be engaged hy these cutter bits and cut or torn loose to form an even floor over which the machine may be conveniently advanced.

Should the coal above the kerf be little shattered by the force of the blast that it fails to fall down upon the mine floor in suitable condition for loading, the cutter bar 49 may, by the manipulation of the hand wheel 67, be adjusted upwardly to engage the partially severed coal and tear it apart, after which the cutter bar may be rez-stored, to its initial position to load the dislodgei coal from the mine floor.

Machines such as are above described are especially adapted to use in mines operating upon the longwall system of mining. In such a mine the coal is undercut and blasted down, or otherwise prepared, along a face of considerable length, and the track 10 is arranged in suitable relation parallel to the Working face. The loading machine is initially positioned at one end of the face, the strut shoe 4-7 is arranged to engage the track rail 10, and the feed rope 45 sufiiciently unwound from the Winding drum 43 and attached to the anchor jack 46 positioned adjacent the pile of dislodged material and in advance of the machine. The mine cars 9 may be arranged in a continuous train upon the track 10 with the first car in suitable position rceneath the delivery conveyor 8. As the machine advances along the coal face material is taken up by the gathering mechanism from the end of the pile, is carried rearward and upward by the main conveyor, and loaded by the delivery conveyor into the cars. Commonly a minelocomotive is provided to move the train relative to the loadmachine at such a speed that the coal will be distributed throughout the entire length of the train without interrupting the operation of the machine. It is obvious however that the cars may be handled separately, but wit-h a less efficient use of the apparatus.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor and a delivery portion extending laterally at an angle to said receiving portion, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal bar extending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of the receiving portion of said conveyor, cutter bit-s attached to said bar and adapted to engage material at'the level of the mine floor, and means to cause the revolution of said barabeut its ice lill

longitudinal axis to cause said bits to engage said material and lift it onto the receiving portion of said conveyor.

2. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extendin in herizontal planes adjacent the mine floor and a delivery portion extending laterally at an angle to said receiving portion, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal bar extending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of the receiving portion of said conveyor, cutter bits attached to said bar and adapted to engage material at the level of the mine floor, and means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal axis to produce upward and rearward movement of said bits on the advancing side of said bar to cause them to lift said material onto the receiving portion of said conveyor.

3. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a supporting frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the door of the mine, of conveyor mechanism mounted upon said frame having a receiving portion extending in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor and a delivery portion adapted to discharge material into a suit ably disposed receptacle for transportation from the mine, devices upon the frame dapted to bodily move and guide the machine relative to the material to be loaded, a rotary bar parallel with and adjacent the side of the receiving portion of the conveyor, a plurality of cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal axis, and means to vertically adjust said rotary bar to cause said bits to engage material at the level of the mine floor or at levels above said floor and lift it onto said conveyor.

4. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending ally from said conveyor in horiaontal planes adjacent the mine floor, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal bar extending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of said conveyor, cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal axis, and means to vertically adjust said rotary bar to cause said bits to engage material at the level of the mine lioor or at levels above said lloor and lift it onto said conveyor. 7

In a machine for loading c )tll in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending in herizontal planes adjacent the mine floor, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, arms extending transversely of said conveyor and pivotally supported inthe rear thereof, a horizontal bar in advance of said conveyor extending parallel to and adjacent the side thereof and supported in journal bearings at the forward end of said arms,-cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal axis, and means to rotate said arms about their pivotal supports to cause said cutter bits to engage material at the level of the mine floor or at levels above said floor and lift it onto said conveyor.

6. in a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an. elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending laterally from said conveyor in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal bar extending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of said conveyor, cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longn idinal axis to cause said cutter bits to engage material in advance of the machine and lift it onto said conveyor, and means letween said bar and he receiving portion of said conveyor to prevent loose n'iaterial passing beneath said conveyor.

7. ln a machine tor loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending laterall from said conveyor in horizontal planes adjacent the mi re floor, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal bar extending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of said conveyor, cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the involution of said i ar about its longitudinal axis to cause said cutter bits to engage material. in advance of the machine and lift it onto said conveyor, and a scraperbetween said bar and the receiving portion of said conveyor.

8. in a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a. receiving portion extending laterally i'rom said conveyor in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor, means to move said conveyor laterally over s'aid floor, a horizontal bar ex ending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of said conveyor, cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal axis to cause said cutter bits to engage maerial in advance of the machine and liit it :to said conveyor, and a scraper carried by he conveyor frame bet-ween said bar and the ving portion of said conveyor.

n a machine for loading coal in mines, ll 0 combination with a supporting frame apiied to rest upon and slide over the floor of the mine. of conveyor mechanism mounted upon said frame having a receiving portion extendin in horizontal plane-s adjacent the mine floor and a delivery portion disposed at angle to said receiving portion adapted to discharge material into a suitably disposed receptacle for transportation from the mine, devices upon the frame adapted to bodily move and guide the machine relative to the material to be loaded, and a plurality of coal engaging elements arranged adjacent the side of the receiving portion of the conveyor and adapted to upward and rearward movement whereby the coal will be lifted from the floor of the mine onto the receiving portion oi said conveyor.

10. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a supporting frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the floor of the mine, of conveyor mechanism mounted upon said trame and having a receiving portibn extending in horizontal plane-s adjacentthe mine floor and a delivery portion disposed at an'angle to said receiving portion adapted to discharge material into a suitably disposed. receptacle for transportation from the mine, devices upon the frame adapted to bodily move and guide the machine relative to the material which is to be loaded, a retary bar parallel with and adjacent the side of the receiving portion of said conveyor, a plurality of cutte bits attached to said bar, and means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal axis to cause said cutter bits to engage said material and lift it onto the receiving portion of said conveyor.

11. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending laterally from said conveyor in horizontal planes adjacent the mine foor and a delivery portion at an angle to said receiving portion, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally of said conveyor in advance of and parallel to its advancing side, a plurality of teeth attached to said shaft and adapted to engage material upon the mine floor as said conveyor advances, and means to cause the revolution of said shalt about its longitudinal axis to produce upward and inward movement oi? said teeth whereby said material will be transferred from said mine floor to the receiving portion of said conveyor.

12. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion laterally from said conveyor extending in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor, of

means to move said conveyor laterally over' said floor, and a gathering mechanism extending along the advancing side of said conveyor comprising a plurality of teeth adapted to engage material at the level of ihe mine floor as the conveyor advances, and means to impart upward and mward movenient to said teeth whereby said material will be transferred from said floor to said conveyor. 7

13. In a machine for. loading coal 1n mines, the combination with a conveyor having a receiving portion extending laterally from said conveyor in planes adjacent the mine floor, means to move said conveyor transversely over said mine floor, a gathering mechanism comprising a plurality of coal engaging elements adapted to initially contact with the coal along lines transversely of the conveyor, and means to actuate said coal engaging elements to cause them to engage the coal in advance oil? the machine and transfer it to said. conveyor.

14. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with an elongated conveyor having a receiving portion extending laterally from said conveyor in horizontal planes adjacent the mine floor, means to move said conveyor laterally over said floor, a horizontal bar extending parallel to and adjacent the advancing side of said conveyor, cutter bits attached to said bar, means to cause the revolution of said bar about its longitudinal to cause said cutter bits to engage material in advance ot the machine and lift it onto said conveyor, a downwardly projecting apron at the forward side of said conveyor arranged to prevent material passing under said conveyor, and an upwardly projecting apron attached to the rearward side of said conveyor arranged to prevent material being thrown beyond the conveyor.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a suitable supporting frame, a main conveyor mounted on'said frame and adapted to receive material at a low level and deliver it at a higher level, a receiving conveyor extending laterally from the lower end oi said main conveyor and adapted to lie in close proximity to a mine floor, and a material gathering device in front of said receiving conveyor to lift and deliver material thereto. I

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a suitable supporting frame, a main conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material at'a "l and deliver it at a higher level, a rccoivii g on voyor extending laterally from the lower end oi said main conveyor and adapted to lie in close proximity to a mine floor, and a rotary material gathering device in front of said receiving conveyor to lift and deliver material thereto.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a suitable supporting frame, a main conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material at a low level and deliver it at a higher level, a receiving conveyor extending laterally from thelower end of said main conveyor and adapted to lie in close proximity to a mine floor, and a rotary cutter bar in front of said receiving conveyor to lift and deliver material thereto. v

18. In a machine of the class described,

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the combination of a suitable supporting frame; an elongated, inclined, main conveyor mounted on said frame, a receiving conveyor extending laterally at right angles from the lower end of said main conveyor in close proximity to the mine floor, a material gathering device in front of said re ceiving conveyor to lift and deliver material thereto, means for raising and lowering said device, a delivering conveyor extending from the upper end of said main conveyor at right angles thereto and in an opposite direction from that of said receiving conveyor, means for advancing said machine, and means to prevent the machine turning under thrusts against said gathering device.

19. In a machine ot the class described, the comb'nation or a suitable supporting frame; an elongated, inclined, main conveyor mounted on said frame, a recelving conveyor extending laterally at r1ght angles from the lower end of said main conveyor in close proximity to the mine floor, a rotary material gathering device in front oi said receiving conveyor to lift and deliver material thereto, means for raising and lowering said device, a delivering conveyor extending from the upper end of sa1d ma1n conveyor at right angles thereto and in an opposite direction from that otsaid rece1ving conveyor, means for advancing said machine, and a thrust resisting bar extend ng from said machine to prevent the machine turning under thrusts against said gathering device.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support adapted to slide over the floor of a mine, an elongated inclined main conveyor, mounted on said sup port, a receiving conveyor extending laterallyat right angles from the lower end of said main conveyor in close proximity to the mine floor, a rotary cutter bar in front of said receiving conveyor to gather and lift material thereto, manually operable means tor raising or lowering said cutter bar, a delivering conveyor extending from the upper end of said main conveyor at right angles thereto and in an opposite direction "from that of said receiving conveyor, a motor on said support to drive said conveyors and cutter bar, and motor operate means for advancing said machine over the mine floor.

21. In a machine oithe class described, the combination of a support adapted to slide over the floor of a mine, an elongated inclined main conveyor mounted on said support, a receiving conveyor extending laterally at right angles from the lower end of said main conveyor in close proximity to the mine floor, a rotary cutter bar in front of said receiving conveyor to gather and lift material thereto, manually operable means for raising or lowering said cutter bar, a delivering conveyor extending from the upper end of said main conveyor at right angles thereto and in an opposite direction from that of said receiving conveyor, a motor on said support to drive said conveyors and cutter bar, motor operated means for advancing said machine over the mine floor, and a thrust resisting bar extending froni the rear of the machine in a direction 0pposite to the direction of said cutter bar to prevent the machine turning under thrusts against said cutter bar.

22; In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support adapted to slide over the floor of a mine, an elongated inclined main conveyor mounted on said support, a receiving conveyor extending laterally at right angles from the lower end of said main conveyor in. close proximity'to the mine floor, a rotary cutter bar in front of said receiving conveyor to gather and lift material thereto, manually operable means for raising or lowering said cutter bar, a delivering conveyor extending from the up per end of said main conveyor at right anthereto and in an opposite direction from that of said receiving conveyor, a motor on said support to drive said conveyors and cutter bar, motor operated intermittent mechanism for advancing said machine step by step, and a thrust resisting bar extending from the rear of the machine in a direction opposite to the direction of said cutter bar to prevent the machine turning under thrusts against said cutter bar.

23. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a supporting. frame, a

main conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material at a low level and deliver it at a higher level, a material gathering device extending laterally from the lower end of said main conveyor, a receiving con veyor extending laterally from the lower end 0t said main conveyor and in position to receive material "from said gathering device and. deliver it to said main conveyor, and a delivering conveyor extending laterally from. the upper end 01 said main conveyor and adapted to receive n'iaterial from the upper end of said mainconveyor.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a main conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material at a low level and deliver it at a higher level, a material gathering device extending laterally from the lower end of said main conveyor, a, receiving conveyor extending laterally from the. lower end of said main conveyor and parallel to said gathering device to receive material and deliver it to said main conveyor, and a delivering conveyor extending laterally from the upper end of said main conveyor in a direction opposite to the direc-' tion of said receiving conveyor and adapted to receive material from the upper end of said main conveyor.

25. in a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a main conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material at low level and deliver it at a higher level, a rotating material gathering device extending laterally from the lower end oi said main conveyor, a receiving conveyor extending from the lower end of said main conveyor in rear of and parallel said gathering device to receive material therefrom and deliver it to'said main conveyor, a receiving hopper at the upper end or said main conveyor to receive material therefrom, and a delivery conveyor in said hopper to deliver material laterally therefrom.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a main conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material at a low level and deliver it at a higher level, a receiving conveyor extending laterally from the lower end of said main conveyor, a gathering device extending across the frontoi said main convcyor and parallel with said receiving conveyor to gather material and deliver it to said conveyor, means for adjusting said gathering device vertically, and a delivering c0nveyor at the upper end of said main conveyor to receive material therefrom and deliver it laterally of said main conveyor.

27. In a coal-mining machine, a horizontally extending keri' cutter comprising a body portion and a cutter bar projecting there from adapted for forming a kerf out under a pile of loose coal, an endless conveyor secured to the body portion of said kerf cutter and having a portion projecting in spaced parallelism with said cutter bar whereby when the latter is forming said kerf the projecting portion or said conveyor will be moved through saio irer'f and will carry away the coal ilalling thereupon, and a vertically inclined JOZUCl carried by the inner side of the projecting portion of said conveyor and extending laterally with its free edge underlying the pathor travel of the cutters on the cutter bar for scraping up coal between the cutter bar and the conveyor as the same are moved laterally through said kerf.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

NILS D. LEVIN.

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