US1735583A - Apparatus for mining coal - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN APPARATUS FOR MINING GOAL Original Filed July 5,1915 6 Sheets-Sheet km. N Q m m N Nbv.'12, 1929. E. c; MORGAN APPARATUS FOR MINING COAL ori inal Filed July 5,1915 6 she ts-s 2 Nbv. 12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN A APPARATUS FOR MINING GOAL Original Filed July 5,1913 6 Sheets-Sheet fis MW I \m Nov. 12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN APPARATUS FOR MINING COAL Original Filed July 5,1915 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q mm Nov. 12, 1929. ,E. c. MORGAN I APPARATUS FOR MINING COAL Original Filed July 5,1915 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q QR Qw IIIIIIIKILIIILNIIIIIFII IRIIIIK p Nov. 12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN APPARATUS FOR MINING GOAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed July 5,1913

m AW? KKV/ Patented Nov. 12, 1929 EDMUND c. MORGAN, or, CHICAGO," ILLINOIS; onrvnnuennn MORGAN :n xncnrnix F SAID EDMUND C.

MORGAN, DECEASED APPARATUS non MINING ooAL' Original application filed July 5, 1913, SerialNo. 777,436. Divided and this application 1916. Serial No. 76,911.

j My invention relates to improvements in.

\ for mining coal and other materials, arranged to as to be efficient, reliable and rapid in operation particularly when it is desired to remove comparatively large blocks of material from a mine wall.

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

' Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of an improved mining machine"; Y Fig. 2 is a plan view. of Fig. 1; e

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on line 2 -2' ofFig.1; I

' Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional vlew substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2 illustrating the adaptability of the parts to the various positions of the kerf-cutting devices;

Fig. 4 is a detail View of a rolling mill olnt 7 used between the cutter'heads and the driv- 30 ing mechanism therefor Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the parts by which the cutting mechanism may be removably attached to the driving mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical'view substantially on'the, line 7 of Fig. 2, this view being partly in section and illustrating details.

of the balancing supportsfor the kerf-cuttin g devices; 1 Fig.8 is a sectional view substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1; a g I V Fig. 9 is a plan view of loop chain cutters connected to horizontal kerf cutters; Fig. 10 is an elevation ofthe construction showninFig.9; 1,7. 1 Fig. '10 is adetail sectionalview. on the line lo -10 of'Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows Fig. 11 is a detail transverse sectional View on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

filed February 8,

Fig. 12 is a view in diagram illustrating a vein or seam of coal in its native .bedin the mine, into which a plurality of kerfs have been cut in accordance with the principle of operation of my improved miningmachine disclosed herein; Fig. 13 is an elevation of Fig. 12; I i

ig. 14 isa diagramatic'sectional viejw of the vertical kerfs,' on theflline 14 ,14 of Fig.v 15 is also a; diagrammatic sectional view of Fig. 13 but taken onthe, line 15515, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

In the miningof coal, it-fis'particularly. def

sirable toremove the coal from-the mine wall i in large, regular anduniform blockspso that not only may they be conveniently removed from the mine and packedfor transportation but the efficiency of thecoal inl-large blocks will be retained much better than if broken into comparatively..smallparticles. In the drawings, particularly in Figs. 12 .to 15 inelusive, I havediagrammatically illustrated an improved method of mining coal in large blocks,.which can be carried out by the improved mining machine disclosed herein.

Referring to Figs.- 12 .to 15 inclusive,.A indicates a vein or seamofcoal which maybe representativefof any vein or: seam from which coal is to be mined. 1 Theseviews show the operations in the progress of running an entry into the vein. A plurality of ,kerfs spaced apart, as shown, arefc utintothevein or seam a substantial distance horizontally, in accordance with the requirements and'condi tions of the particular vein which ,is tobe mined. As shown in the drawings; these .kerfs lie in planes disposed at angles with respect to each other so that thecoal willbe divided up'into a plurality ofblock s of convenient and practical size. The horizontal kerfs B lie preferably in substantially' hori.-.

zontal planes with respect to the pitch or I inclination of the vein, and preferablyexten'd from one side of the. mine chamber to'the other. These kerfs also extend into thevein v f longitudinally whatever distance is found to be practicable under the particular condi tions. In the diagram in Figs. 12 and 13, the horizontal planes in which these kerfs' Bare co- 7 In the v,drav'zin'gs,'I have shown three horiout are preferably parallel and arranged one above the -other,'and there may be as many of such kerfs as the conditions require, preferably at least three. In the diagrams designated Figs. 12 to inclusive,- I'have.

illustrated threesuch horizontal kerfs, one along the roof of the mine chamber, one along the floor of the mine, and one intermediate the upper and lowerzkerfs and'preferablyequally spaced therefrom. The thickness of theyvein and the size of the blocks to be removed will determine the number of such kerfs to be made. v

' The verticalker'fs G preferably lie in substantially vertical planes and approximately at right angles to; the horizontal kerfs. Furthermore, such vertical kerfs are spaced apart at intervals and across thewidth of the 'room. These vertical kerf s may extend into the vein any desired-distance, but the bestresults are obtained'by extending them slightlybeyond the inner edges of the horizontal kerfs, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15and illustrated in dotted lines in Figs. 12 and 13.; While the vertical kerfs C may be cut so as to intersect the horizontal kerfs. and

thereby completely sever thetblocks of coal from the mine wall except at the rear end I thereoflI find it des irableto leave small uncut portions C adjacent thehorizontal' kerfs, as shownin Fig. 14, particularly when the vertical kerfs are cutfirst, and a kerf-cuttmg or mining machine is usediin making all the kerfs. Theseluncut portions C, although relatively thin, serve to hold. the blocks against lateral displacement when a strain comes upon them during the cutting of the horizontal'kerfs That is'to say, as the cutting .ofthe horizontal kerfs progresses from one side of the room to the other, strains or pressure exerted the cutting mechanism along the line of the horizontal kerfs' will not operate to break loose the blocks and move themlaterally even though the vertical ker'fs C .have already been ,cut, for the reason that .the uncut portions 'C serve to hold the blocks in position against thislateral pressure. The uncut portions'C do not-resis't toany appreciable extent the breaking loose of the'blocks of coal and the movement thereo'fin a substantially vertical direction when the blocks drop orbrea'k loose by reason of 'their own weight, or when, as mavfbe necessary in some'cases,'a slight force is used to dislodge them. I

In additionto the vertical kerfs .C,"I also cut a continuous.verticalfkerf'D in therear of the horizontal kerfs Band the verticalkeris C. "T he number of these. vertical kerfsD Ede-Q pends upon'the-number 'oii horizontal ker'fs zontal kerfs B as previously described, in'consequence'l out only one kerf D between the upper and lower horizontal kerfs B. The

I rear ivertical kertD lies in a general plane .kerfs B -but-stops:-s'hort of these last-menwhich is substantially transverse tojthe planes of both the horizontal kerfs B and the vertical kerfs C. 'In the drawings, the rear vertical kerf D' is shown'intersecting the intermediate horizontal kerf B and also all of the vertical-.kerfs C. Prete rablygthe rear vertical kerf I) does not extend either upwardly or downwardly a suflicient distance to intersect the upper and lower Zhorizontal 5 tioned kerfs. This leaves the uncut por- 7 tions 1) along-the rear ends of the blocks of coal,..and thepurpose of the kert D is simply to weaken the portions or ends or theb'lo c'ks or slabs of coal which are attached to the body of the vein or mine wall, so tl-1at-; the blocks may be readilybrokenloose'from.Zthe mine Wall, either by gravitylwhich will cause them to drop downwardly,orfby reason f a slight additionalv force, if ;.such itiona'l force is found to'be necessary.

In Fig. 12 I have shown thee idportions1D of the kerfD and the .enrl p, tionsoflthe horizontal kerfsv B as 'beingcut upgna curve or arc; although this is preferable, not necessary, as thesaid end portionsmay given any configuration The 1 3, shaped ends shown, however,:are..of radvan tage for certain typeset miningmachine,

son that it enablesthe cuttingn echanism.to start into a the veinqat the ,frontends-or ,front portions of the wall oflmateri-ahand ithese arc-shaped end portions also serve to :determine the Width of the room anditojiiorm the side wallsithereo't, r

In mining coal in the mannerlillustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, I prefer to cnt the, vertical kerfs C first and thenrcut ithe orizontal kerfs B .andithe rverticalikgerfs D means .of the apparatus herein The horizontal kerfs and i the :vertical ,lieris D may be cutsimultaneously. cutting the kerfs B andD, I preferto start-the cutting mechanism into the-mine wall.;s uhs ta1 1 tially at the pointDhatoneesideaofitheroom, and carry onthe cutting operationgra from this pointacross themine wall -ito the other side of themine chamber. theicutting of the :kerfs :and D p-rogre'ssesacross .11 the mine .Wall, there is tendency iforth-e blocks thus formed to drop of :thgeinv Weight, but to prevent these blocks from dropping, and binding :the cutting gmechanism, I support the blocksain .theirapositions' until at last the :cutting :mechanism 'i'has passed each block. The blocks mayabe :LSlIlP-T ported in any desired mannerra-nd-theqsupports left in place, if desired, un'tiL-all of-jthe blocks areboundedby'gkerfsyorEthe supports may be removed as soon 'as- 'the cutting mechanism passes the vertical kerfs .and the blocksallowed"totdrop;successively. I

In the machine illustrated Jdl jigo v 'ings and described hereinafter, I'providc a support for the blocks which trails along in the kerfs immediately following the cut ting mechanism and temporarily supports the blocks from which the kerfs have been cut, this supporting mechanism gradually moving from under the blocks and allowing them to drop if the condition of the coal is such that they will break loose of their own Weight, or at-least leaving the blocks in such condition that they may be broken'loose by the application of acomparatively slight force.

It should also be understood that if desired the machine hereinafter disclosed may first cut the horizontal kerfs B and the rear vertical kerfs D, after which thevertical kerfs C could be cut by means of any well known Vertical kerf-cutting machine and the blocks of coal thus dislodged fromthe mine wall by gravity loaded on mine cars by means of a loading machine. 7

Referring now to the views ofthe drawings which illustrate my improved mining machine, it willbe seen that the mining ma-' chine properis mounted upon a'suitable truck E, having wheelsl so that it may travel along suitable rails or tracks 2 laid in the mine chamber. These wheels 1 are mounted upon axles having ournals rotating in bearings of the truck frame E, each axle carrying a bevel gear 4. A shaft 5 extends longitudinally of the truck and carries at its ends the bevel gears 6, which mesh with the bevel gears 4 and through the medium of which "and the shaft 5 the truck maybe'propelled along the track. One of the gears 4 is disposed at one side of the shaft 5 and the other bevel gear 4 is disposed at the opposite side of'the shaft 5, so thatthe latter will rotate both sets of wheels 1 in'the same direction, and power will thus be applied toall of the wheels of the truck, so that the tractive effort will be well distributed. In order to lock the truck to the track and at the same time permit the truck to travel along the track, provide a set of angularly disposed flanged wheels or rollers 13, the flanges of which, as shown in Fig. 1, engage theunder side of the ball of the rails 2 and thereby prevent the block from being tilted or raised relatively to the track by any strains or undue loads which may come upon the mining machine and which might have a tendency to overbalance it. These locking wheels or rollers 13 are mounted at the lower ends of the'depending arms 14, which arms are rotatably mounted upon the short shafts'15 outstanding from the frame of the truck so that the locking wheelsmay be swung inwardly, away from the track rails, to permit raising of the truck from the track, in the event that it'is desired to do so on such an occasion as when the-machine is to be taken out of the mine or the track relaid in other parts of the mine.

locking wheels to be readily thrown outof engagement with the track and at the same time the worm gearing serves to look the arms in any rotated.

The truck frame E is shown 1n the form positions to which they "are The bearing portions of these "rbmyarms, 14

of a flat platform which has an upstanding annular rim or flange 21'of comparatively large diameter. The varlousparts of the driving and cuttmg'mechamsm are pr1mar1ly supported upon a. broad fiat platform 25', V which has an under-hung parallel or sub-plat;

form 26 rigidly fastened thereto, as shown in Fig. 1; This sub-platform 26' has a depending annular flange or rim 27 telescoping into the upstanding circular flange 21 of the truck. The flange 27 is of such diameter that it telescopes within the flange 21, and the two together in conjunction with theplatform' 25 constitute a turntable, the two flanges 21 and 27 being relatively rotatable.

A motor M ismounted upon the'platform 25 atone side thereof so as to assist in balancing' the machine against the weight'of the cutting mechanism, which is in general disposed at the opposite side of the platform25.

The motor shaft, asshown in Fig.2, carries I a pinion 28 which drives a large gear 28?, which is mounted upon a shaft 29 supported in bearing standards 30 on the platform 25.

The shaft 29 carries the pinion 31, which is connected to a train of gears 32 and 33. i The shaft 29 may be said to constitute the main shaft of the machine, because from it the various mechanisms'are driven. I The gears ion 28 and 28 are of such ratioas to properly reduce the speedof the motor. The gear33 is comparatively large in diameter 'andis mounted upon a countershaft 34;, which is ournaled in bearing standards 35 rising from the platform 25. The intermediate gear 32 is mounted upon ashaft which is suitably journaled in a bearing 36 mounted upon platform 25, and is interposed between the gears 31 and 33 for the purpose of'securing the proper direction of rotation of thecountershaft which is mounted in the bearing 35.

This countershaft 3 l carries loosely'two bevel gears 37, which mesh with a similar bevel gear 38 interposed between-them. The bevelgears 37 may be connected with or disconnected from the shaft 34 by means of an intermediate two-way clutch member 39, so that the shaft 34 may be arrangedto drive either of these gears. The clutch mechanism may beofany suitable kind for the purpose. Inthe drawings]: have shown the clutch member 39 as being. a' longitudinally slidable' sleeve splined nonthe shaft 34 to rotatetherewith, and being v,adap tedto be{shifted}longitudinally ineither directionbymeans of a manuallyoperated lever 40. Thus, by shifting the clutchjmeim rber 39 into .engagement with eitherzonerof the gears 37,, the latter maybe connected .With

the shaft 34 to he driven thereby. The gears 37 and the, clutchemember39 have correspond- ,ing teeth for interlocking the two together.

Thelpurpose of this arrangement is to permit the shaft 42 (Fig. 1).,,upo n vwhich the gear 38 is mounted, to be driven in either direction. The shafti42 is mounted in the bearing 43 (Fig. 2) rising from .the platform ;.tand

earrie-s'a bevel gear 44 at its other end which lmeshes withasimilarbevel gear 45, the latter beingmountedtupon ,a verticalshaft 46 ;j ournaledin a bearing outstanding from the'platform 25. The shaft 46 projects below the platform 25 Fig. 1)., and carries at its lower end apinion t? which meshes with. and. drives the large spurgear .48 disposedbetweenthe main platform 25 and the sub-platform 26.

i The large gear 48fis mounted. uponthe upper endof a Vertical shaft whiehis journaled at its upper endportion in the subplatform 26.

The shaft 49,.asshown in Fig2, is journaled in the subsplatform 26 and extends vertically. downwardthrough the center of the, flanges 21and27. Below its upper bearing the shaft 49 is perfectly square i n-cr ossse'ction and is adapted to slide Vertically Within a correspondingly; squarejholed ibush ing 50. Thisbushing is rotatablyjournaled in'the rotary bushing E so that a, sliding bearing is thus formed ,for the lower :end

" portion of thes haft49, permittingthe shaft power of the ,.motor is transmitted through the variousv shaft clutches of theIgearsabove described to the wheels 1 of thetruelecto propelIthe latter along-the track, the direction of movement ofthe truck'being controlled: by

a "the clutchmember 39 -(Fig. .2) whichispositioned. intermediate the bevel gears 37 on the counter-shaft '34. ItWill be noted, however,

that since the large horizontal gear 48 is carried, generally speaking, by. the truck, and

lt hepinioni l'f which meshes Withthis large gear is carried, generally speaking, by the rotary platform or turntable25, thereis a tend ;ency for the-pinionAJ to walk around-the large gear48 instead of actually-.rotating'or assesses driving the large gear, provided that. there- .sistance olferedby the .wheels tot he:movement of the truck along the traek is greater than that-whichis offered by theiplatformflfi to the rotary movementabo t-its axis. In other words, if the --truek-.offers greater resistance to being propelled along the-track than the platform 25 does to heing rotated,

the pinion 47 will travel around :the large gear 48 and thereby rotate the platform, rather than actually rotate the ;large lgea'r itself to propel 'the'truck along the traek. This planetary gear arrangement is use dain combination with brake .mechanEm pplied 'to the truck wheelshich in nee-use jloeks -the:tru ek to the-track. gl thenxfihe-brakes are appli d, :the larg rig-ear 18 is'spraetieally flocked, agains rotation, =.and inaeonsequenee w en the :pinion 47 is drive -i ,will-trave around 1the-p eriphery,otthe tlwrge gear4'8 and theflplatform will ;thereb be :given a Irotal'y movement. This condition of; the;meehformer turntable. :to -heingaotfl ed is greater than 'ofteredwby thestruekatoz e ng p opelled along the track, the, j-resultwil lbe that the large gear, 48. will She actually rotat d 'bythe pinion -;-4l7, and the result vpo r will he applied '-to' prqpel the :truckzaleng ithetraek- In order, :itherefor'e, --.t0 iaffvordyresistance .ito

the rotary movem nt ofthe lplatfonmgpro vide ,Emeansihy which :the splatform mayxbe positively looked against:irotatien upon the truck frame. c T 'f I *In :Fig. 1' is. shown 5a boss i-j53sproj ecti-ng from one side of the ;cyli-ndri;cal--tru .k flange '21. :Thisfbossi-fit is screw-thr aded and :ear-

rIflQS a pin 54 which may be screwed into or out oflany one of atheseriest ofaelongated openings 55 distributed around the inner eywith a hand wheelj56 at -its touterend, by whieh it vmay be operated, J This pin in conjunction withthe .hole'sqor openingsr55 serves to lock the; two flanges against relative; rotation, :and thus Zlock; theplatform 25 against rotation relatively to ;t,he truek. ;Tl 1e;.pin .54 may be withdrawn from Wh21llQYI;Qpgn

ing :55 1 it happens to be iny by-ittirni-ng the hand Wheel 56. when il i desired :to rotat the platformbr z-turntable.

Upstanding from:thevpl atform or; turntable -251is a pairofsbearingsi60,;in-awhioh is jour- :naled a-sha-ft' 6 1,,-.asshownrinfFigpZ; This shaftcarries andisdriven by a gear; 62,;which meshes :withthe, gear 7-63 on Ethe counter shaft 34. The ropedrumfi: is frotatablymou te upon; the-shaft :61andrisaadepted togbe eonn d'with or fclisconneetedifromithe shafthy means 10 sliding clut himeni erz 6:5 illa ing teeth :66. arrangetlto interl ek wi h correspending teeth-on zthe'd-rurn -64.-

The eluteh :member'65. may hereadil-y shiftedbyirmeens of ahand leverfi't. .llhexropezdrum fiitmayhh 7 required for reciprocating the members 71.

used independently 'of the previously described truck propelling mechanism, or it be used is to fasten thereto and wind thereon a cable 68, anchored at a point 69 in the mine distant from the mining machine, and then actuating the drum by throwing in the clutch 65. The cable may be anchored at any point in the mine, and in conjunction with thewinding drum 64 may be used to pull the machine along the track whether the said track be laid .incurves or ina straight line, asris the usual practicein mining operations.

The platform 25 carries at one side thereof a rigid upstandingcasing or member 70, as shown in Fig. 1. which forms a guideway or supporting'member, for two vertically reciprocable or sliding members 71, 72, which are bifurcated as shown in Fig. 7, so as to leave an openspace 7 3between their respective bifurcations.v These reciprocable members 71, 72 support the upper and lower kerf cutters at theirupper and lower ends respectively, and

by reason of their vertical slidability the kerf. cutters may be raised andlowered to vary the height of the mine chamber.

. In order to reduce to a mlnimum the power and 72 together with thekerfcutters carried thereby, I arrange the mechanism so that the weight of the upper member 71 together with the kerf cutter connected thereto will assist in raising the lower member 72 together with the kerf cutter carried thereby. One of the bifurcations of each'ofthe'members 71 and 72 is provided with gear teeth 74 and 75 to form racks, the two sets of teeth or racks being disposed on oppositesides of the opening 7 3, as clearly shown'in Figs.7 tween the two racks and meshin therewith is abroad-facedpinion or gear. 76, the hub portions of which are rotatably journaled in the upstanding guide member 70 as shown in Fig. 8, so that these journalswill take the entire Weight of the cutting mechanisms. At one end, the hub member 77 of the pinion 76 is provided with a worm gear 79 which is driven by a worm 78, the latter being mounted upon a shaft 80 which is journaledin a bracket 81 on the. guideway member 70 and has at its other end a hand wheel 82 for the convenient operation thereof. 'It-will thus be seen that by rotating the hand wheel 82. the

pinion 76 may be rotated'and the members 71' and 72 ,reciprocated vertically relatively to each other and to the pinion'7 6. It will be particularly notedalso that the weight of themember 71 and the cuttinglmechanism mounted thereon, in moving downward, will assist 'in the rotatingof the pinion 76 and cause the pinionrto exert, through the rack and 8. Be-- 75, a lifting action upon the member 72,. or]

vice versa. 7 When the cutting mechanisms are to be adjusted farther apart, the weight of the member 72 and its cutting mechanism, in T moving downward, will assist in rotating the 'pinion through the medium of the rack 75 and the pinion will, inturn, operate upon the.

rack 7 to assist in raising the member; 71 and its cutting mechanism. Thus it will be seen that the weights of the members 71 and'72 and their cutting mechanisms balance each other, and very littlepower will be required to rotate the pinion to adjust the cutting mechanisms any desired distance apart. It

will be noted also that the worm gears 78 and 7 9serve asan automatic locking mechanism a to. hold the parts in any position to which they are adjusted. The pinion 76 and its hub 77 are hollow. and form a bearing for the main shaft 29 which extends through its brackets beyond the hub and carries 'atjits outer end a bevel pinion 83. Itwill be noted, however.

that the shaft 29. is relieved of the weight of the cutting mechanisms, since this weightis taken up by the bearings for ,th'ehub 77 .inthe guideway member 70. The pinion 83f meshes with and drives a large horizontally disposed bevel gear 8 f (Figshl, 2, 3 and 8),

which gear 84 is carried-byand preferablyformed integrallywi-th an elongated sleeve 85, andit is'through this mechanism that the driving power is tr ansmited to the cutting mechanisms. The sleeve 85 is journaled in-the bearings 86which are formed inan extension 87 of the main platform 25, asshown in Figs.

1, 2 and 8.- The sleeve 85 carries a removable collar 88 at its lower end, which normally prevents it from being shifted upwardly out of-itsbearings, and the gear 84 forms a collar for this same purpose at the upper endof the sleeve.

The sleeve 85is adapted to drive the two:

shafts 89 and is hollowed for its entire length so as to form rolling mill joints for the ends 90 of the shaft 89, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The rolling mill oints'between the shafts 89 and the sleeve 85 permit universal movements of said shaftsto take care of any inequalities which would be likely-to bind the shafts in theevent that they-were rigidly mounted in the sleeve85, and they also permit the shafts to movevertically in the'sleeve 85 j to accommodate the raising and loweringof the upper and lower kerf cutters. These roll ing mill joints also permit the, upperand' lower kerf cutters to'be slightly inclined upwardly or downwardly, as will be later eX- plained; In the machine shownin the draw ings, I have provided three sets of kerf cut ters, an upper, a lowerand'an intermediate kerf cutter. These kerf cutters are in the form of flat elongated frames, comparatively thin, and arranged to cut relatively thin kerfs. Each kerf cutter has'an elongated other to tighten or loosen thechaincutters:

151 Each of the central blocks- 98 has journaled" Cuttingchain travels, The frames of the lierf cutters each comprise twomai npartsor mem bers-95and 96; as shownin Figs l and 2 1 The member 96, as shown in Fig. 2, isprovided with a slotinto which fits a block 98' which has two threaded bars-99"ex'tending longitudinally of the slot in opposite directions.

These threaded bars'ext'en'd through end por-' tions of the tail pieces 97; and each carries at its outer end a nut 101. This mechanism forms a convenient and simple means by which the frame members of the cutting mechanism maybe adjusted relatively to each therein a Saar-r102 to theuppe'r end of which is ke'yed atspro'cket Wheel 103 around which the cutter chain extends and by which the latte-r isdriven- The shafts 102 are carried upon cu-pfsliapedmembers 1041 as shown in F igl 3. These members are hollow and er rangedto form rolling mill joints in connec-- tion With the other ends 105 and 90 of the shafts 893.. solthat' there are i'iniv e'rsal dri'viiig connectionsbetween the shafts89 and the;

sfhzittslOQi The cup shapediiiembers 104 are journalfed in members 106 extending from the framemembe'r's 96., .Thelatter are supported in cup' shaped me mbers lm, and the connections" between the members 106 and .107 are preferably in the form' of bayonet joints; so that the upper andlonir kerfcuttersinay be bodily removedvfrom' their supports in the event that it is desired to replace them or rcmove" any of their. arts -These' bayo iet joints, as' shown in igs. 3, 4, .S'and 6 are formed by proyidingf the cup-shaped menihers 1 06 With laterally extending segmental flanges 1O8,"whichfare adapted to engage in the undercut grooves 109 in the cup-shaped I supports 107, the rims of the cup-shaped sup supports 107 ha veicams 1111 as shown par-' ports 107 being provided with cutaway portions or notches 110 to permit tl'ie insertion or Withdrawal of the flanges 108.. It will thus be seen that by entering" the flanges rosin.

the notches 110 and rotating: the cup-shaped member 106 a portion of a turn, the cutting mechanism may be rmova'bly attached to the supports 107. j The rims of the" cup-shaped ticl'ilarly' at therlo iver end of Fig. 3. These cams 111 are located adjacent the notches 110 cutting mechanisms and areadapted to act upon the segmental 1 flanges 108 to force the {1W0 members tightly, together. The direction of rotation necessary to fasten the 'ke'rf cutters in place these bayonet joints is opposite to that in which they rotate With the platform 25, so that the cutting operations will act to tightly set the in position on their suppo'rtsi; a

It is-desi'rablc in a machine of this character that the cutting mechanisms be capable ofheiiig inclined slightly with respect to their supports, so thatthey'may' be accurately adjusted,- and to this-end I have mounted the Supporting' memb'ers 107 upon: the ends of the levers or arms 112, which are pivoted at 113 in extensions 11 1 of the vertically recipe rocable members 71, 2, and: the other ends of the levers'or' arms 112 are formed as seg mental gears'115 Which mesh with the Worms 116. (See/Figs. 1 andx7). The l atter arec mounted upon shafts inthe endssof the mem here 71, 7 25'and these shafts are provided with:

hand Wheels 117 by the rotation of'Wh'icli the;

arms 112 may be rocked about theirpivots to vary the angular positions of'the: cutting mechanisms} The mechanism for adjusting. 36

the inclination of the lowermost'ke'rf cutters diiiers from that for the uppermost kerf cutte'r only" in the fact that the lever 112 is formed as a: bell crank lever, so that the hand: Wheel llZ-and the wormfwhich itd rives' may beentirely' clear from the floor otgthle mine and thus not interfere with the operation-not the lowermost kerf cutter; a The cutting chains need no" particular de-= scription except to say that they travel around the peripheryot' the frame. member 95 and are provided With side :li'nks1 l8-to guide them on their frame and prevent. the chains from becoming displaced. Eachch'ain has a series of cutters or cutting t'ools-119 at spaced intervals; The intermediate kerf cutter is similar to the upper and lower ker't' 'cut ters except that itis not attached toits support by a bayonet joint; It has, however; means similar to that o-f-the upper and lower keri cutters for tightening and loosening? the iiio chain, and the description thereof need not" 'be'repeated. Its parts196 and 9?,as shown;

in Fig; 3, are Wider than-the corresponding parts of the upper and low-er kerf cutters; so

as to allow room for the driving sleeve 851i Thisintermediate kerf cutter also is not'i n-j angles, as is the case of the otherkert cutters.

be far Ihave described onlythe-cutting mechanism for cutting horizontal ke'ris, which mechanism isdescribed and claimed in. my co-pending application. Serial Yo.- 777,436, filed July 5 1913,.f0r' an improve 'ment in apparatusior' mining coal. The roll-.

" a character that they are notintended toreacli tended to be inclined or-adj-ustedat different all the way to the'upper and lowerhoriz'ontalkerfs to completely sever the blocks ofcoalat their rear ends, I utilize a cutter heel such as that indicated at 140 in Figs. 1 and2, but Where the rear vertical kerf D is to be made wide or high enough to intersect the upper and lower horizontal ker-fs and completely sever .the blocks from the vein or from the mine wall, the structure shown inFigs. 9 and 10 is preferably forthe reason thatin-the latter case a cutter wheel 140*ofsuiliciently large diameter to completely sever the rear ends of the blocks of coal would be too cumbersome to handle, especially when the curves D (Fig. 12) at theends of the lrerf {areto be made. The cutter wheel 140 is mountedin a suitable frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and. 2, and is operated by the gear 33' which is mounted on the shaft 34'. .Provision maybe made for oscillatingthe vertical cutter .140, but since the details of such construction are disclosed and claimed in my aforesaid copendingapplication, Serial No. 777 ,436, a brief mention thereof hereis suiiicient. I

The conditions and 1 grades ofv coal vary different, mines. Coal in some mines is more likely to break loose of its own weight than in other mines. Consequently,,inoperating a machine of the character herein. disclosed in some grades of coal the latterfis likely to drop immediately behind the cutters, and per haps tend to bind the cutting mechanism. As a protection therefor, I provide an additionalsupport which trails immediately be hind the vertical cutter 140 and thelower horizontal cutting mechanism, as 7 shown in Fig. 1. This support is preferably constructed as alever which is suitably pivoted at 170 upona bearing upstanding from the platform extension 87. The flatc plate17l is of sufficient length to-extend almost to the ends of the kerf cutters, and is preferably in the form shown in Fig. 2,. and is preferably slightly thinner than the thickness of the lrerf cutter frame. This supporting plate is positioned to follow immediately behind the horizontal kerf cuttersand to thereby support the coal above the same immediately after thekerf cutters have passed. In order that this sup porting plate may be constantly urged ups wardly and may yield to the inequalities of i the kerfs'and at the same time be sufficiently rigid to support the coal above it, the aforesaid lever hasa short arm 172 upon which a stiff spiral spring 173 passes, thereby tending to raise the plate 171 upwardly. This spring 173 is confined between the ends of'the lever arm 172 and the head 17% (Fig. 1) of a vertical bolt 175. This bolt passes through a lug 17 6 outstanding from the platform extension 87,'andcarries a'nut 177 at its lower end by V which the tension'of theispring may be regulated' as desired. The supporting device which is associated with theintermediate cuttingmechanism is mounted upon the platform extension 87 and-is' positioned immediately behind the casing 143, which carries the vertical cutter 140. The lower supporting device 'associated'with the lower horizon-' tal kerf cutter, is identical in all respects to the one above described, and the description thereof need not be repeated except to say that it ismounted upon the member 96 of the kerf cutter frame. It may be desirable, under some conditions, to cut the vertical kerfs D all the way'to the upper andlower horizontal kerfs, so as to completely sever or separate the blocks of coal from the body of the vein, and in Figs. 9 and 10 I have illustrated the'mechanism embodying my invention for cutting the rear vertical kerfs D to completely sever the blocks of coal from the mine wall; I have illustrated, and will describe,,this mechanism as operating inconjunction with the above described horizontal kerf cutters to completely. sever theblocks onall-sides, but it will be observed that this additional mechanism isgof such construchorizontalkerfs all in the same operation.

Although it is preferableto use both the horizontal kerf cutting mechanisms and also the loop chain cutters operating III vertical planes as hereinafter ClQSCIlbBd, particularly when exceptionallyhard material is to be cut from a mine wall, it should be understood that the horizontal kerf cutters may be omitted. and

the loop chain cutters, either one or 'botli,used alone for producing the :horizontal kerfs spaced apart as well as the.verticaLJkerfcon-:

necting the rear endsof the horizontal kerfs. Referring to Figs. v9 and'lO, it will be observed that the horizontal kerf cutters are in general the same as those aboveidescribedso far' as their construction-,operation land adjustments are concerned. Some ofth'e details have been slightlymodified sothat the machine may be adapted tothe mounting of thefloop chain cutting "mechanism; For instance, it will-be noted that the upper and lower horizontal kerf cutters are mounted di-f rectlyupon the lateral extensionsjll l of the vertically reciprocating members 71 and 72,

instead of being mounted upon the pivot arms 112 for adjustment. The hand wheel 82 and the parts which 'it operates to raise and lower the upper and lower horizontal 'kerf cutters is disposed, as shown in Fig. 9, upon the other side of the p'uideway 70, but its operation is substantially the same. 7 1

The main shaft 29, shown'in Fig.2, carries a large bevel'pinion 200, as shown in Fig. 9. This pinion meshes with the'bevel gear 201 mounted upon a transverse countershaft 202 which is journaled in bearings 203, twoof which are mounted at intermediate portions of the large massive arms 204:,which incline backwardly from the platform; The countershaft 202 carries a pinion 205 at its outer end, which through the medium of the gears 206,

207 and 208-and the short shaft 209, drives the countershaft 34, from which shaft, as

above described, the various propelling movements of the truck and the rotary movements of the platform are accomplished in the same frame is preferabl in advance of the plane of the upper frame in the direction of movement of the loop chain cutters. The lower reach. or length of the upper frame and the upper reach or length of the lower frame are coincident with eachother in a horizontal plane, as shown in Fig. 10, so that they will both enter and move in the intermediate hori= zontal kerf which has already been cut by the intermediatekerf cutter or which may be cut I by the chain 211 when the horizontal kerf cut-' ters are omitted. The upper horizontal dimension or reach of the upper frame and the lower horizontal dimension or reach of the lower frame are coincident witli'the upper and lower horizontal kerf cutters respectively, so that theym-ay travel or move in the up per or lower horizontal kerfs cut by such horizontal kerf cutters or in the upper and lower horizontal kerfs made by the chains 210 and 211 where the uppermostand lowermost horizontal kerf cutters are omitted.

The upper frame U'is provided with an extension or arm 212 which forms a horizontal guideway for a horizontal extension 216 integral with the intermediate arm 1,and the relatively sliding parts 212 and 216 support the frame U in such a manner that it may be shifted bodily horizontally to properly adjust it in this direction. The lower frame L is also equipped with a similar extension 214, which forms a similar guideway for the hori-- zontal extension 213 which is integral with the platform and the sub-platform 26, as shown in Fig. 10. These constructionspenmit the frames U and L to be bodily adjusted horizontally, and in order that this adjustment may be conveniently accomplished it will be seen that the guideway constructions 212 and 214: have slots or openings 217 in their faces and also outstanding lugs 218 at their outer ends. The horizontal extensions 213 and 216 have outstanding lugs 219 which move in the openings 217-. The lugs 219'have openings through which adjusting bolts 220 extend, and these bolts carry nuts 221 on opposite sides of the lugs 218 and nuts 222 on opposite sides of the lugs 219, so that by manipulating the said nuts the frames U'and L may be adjusted horizontally and secured firmly in their adjusted positions. The frames U sections of each frame are formed as bearings which are adapted to telescope with or slide vertically in the vertical guides 226 of the other sections of each frame, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and the vertical guides 226 are pro:

vided with slots or openings 227 which ac commodate lugs 228 movable therein" and mounted upon the flat vertical bars 225. The

vertical guides 226 havecorres'poi'i'ding lugs 229 which carry adjusting bolts 230' and a djusting nuts 231, which are similar to the bolts and nuts previously described for, ob

taining the horizontal adjustment of the frames. ,The outer vertical di'mensions or vertical reaches 23 3iand 234'respectiv'ely of the sections of the two frames also telescope with each other, 'as clearly shown in Fig. 11.

which is a section on the line 14?, 14 of Fig. 10. No adjusting parts are required'at the outer ends or reaches of the frames, since the adjusting bolts 230 and nuts 231 at the inner ends of the frames are sufficient, as shown in Fig. 10.

The upper, lowerand outer end reaches or sides ofthe frames U and L have grooves formed therein for guiding the cutting chains 210 and 211. The corners of the frames and the grooves are preferably rounded, as shown in Fig. 10, o that the chains will'travel free-. IV. The chains may be guide'chas' shown'in Fig. 11, and constructed of side links 235 and intermediate or center links 236 suitably 1 connecte'dtogether by hinges 237. It will be noted, however, that the central links 236 have lugs 286" outstanding laterally there from and preferably formed integrally therewith. These lugs project beyond the faces of the side links 235 and are provided with suitable sockets into which the tools 238 will be inserted, the tools being held in such sockets by means of set screws or by any other suitable means. Thus it will be seen that although the chains may travel in the usual manner of, operating chains of this character, the cutting tools 238 project laterally from the grooves in the frames in which said chains run. In other Words, the cutting portions or parts 238 of the chains are dis posed laterally with respect to the vertical plane of the entire loop chain both in the frame U and in the frame L, and when these frames are swung or moved in a horizontal the horizontal kerf cutters above described are omitted, or they Will move freely in the horizontal kerfs if such kerfs have already been cut by the above described horizontal kerf cutters shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Although itis preferable to use the loop direction they will cut horizontal kerfs when chain cutters mounted on the frames U and L in combination'with the above described horizontal kerf cutters so as to minimize the strains on the frames U andL, it should be understood thatvsuch frames together with their connections with the platform 25'may be made of sufficient strength to operate ef-' ters-shown in Fig. 1 are'used in conjunction chain cutter units.

with the loop chain cutters shown in Fig. 10, the supporting structure for the framesU and L need not be made as strong, and therefore cheaper and lighter material maybe used because the only cutting strains to which the frames U and L will then be subjected will be that which is necessary to cut the inner vertical lrerfs to entirely sever the blocks of material from the mine wall or to finish the kerfs D if the cutter 140 is also used. In other words, only the vertical "portions'or outer ends of the frames U and L and the corresponding reaches of the cutting chains lowermost kerf cutters shown in Fig.1 could be used for cutting the inner vertical 'ke rf, and the intermediate kerf cutter shown in Fig. 1 relied on to produce the intermediate horizontal kerf,'the double loop chain cutter shown in Fig. 10 is preferable because it distributes the cutting strains between two loop Any suitable mechanism may be employed for driving the chains 210 and 211. "In the drawings, I have shown the chains 210 and 211 looped around and driven by two sprockct wheels 240 'as shownin Fig. 10.- These 1 t wheels are mounted upon shafts 241 1 an 1.42. The shaft 242 is journaled at one sproclqe in a bearing 243 formed atV-the" point wherethe extension 213 j oins the supporting arm 204; at its other end the shaft 242 is.

journaled in a bearing 244 at the upper end of a standard'mounted on the platform 25. The upper shaft 241 is journaled in a single bearing 245 which is formed at the pointwhere the extension 216 joins the upper sup-, porting arm 204.. These two shafts 241Jand 242 receive power fromja'countershaft202 bymeans of suitable gearingythe shaft 241- havin a large gear 248 meshing with the gear 205 on the count'ershaft202. [The lower'shaftcarries a. similar large gear 246 which is driven by the gear 247L011 thecountershaft 202. j n W111 a noted alarms driving arrangement is such that the chains21O and 211 travel in the same direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 10. The lower length ofthe in opposite directions in the intermediate hor- V izontai kerf, but this is not objectionable because the rear length is not required to do any cutting.

I find it advisable under certain conditions* to employ the supportin gplates 171 to operate in the intermediate and lower horizontal kerfs when the loop chain cutters are used in combination with-the horizontal kerf cutters V or when such loop chain cutters are used separately or'without the horizontal kerf cutters shown in Fig. 1. InlFig. 9 I have indif cated such supportingidevices in dottedoutline 171 pivoted to bearing rod 250-extending I backwardly from the lower portion of the.

frame U and connected toresilient cushionlng mechanism mountedon the bracket 251 also extending rearwardly from the lower length of the upper frame U." The 'support ing devices 171 maybeidentical in construc tion and mountings with those described-in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the'bracket 251fbeing relied on 9 to support the adjusting bolts 174 and the springs 173 and the bearing rods 250 corre sponding with'the mechanism adjacent-the.

pivot 170 in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be obvious, from theforegoing d es scription and comparison of Figs. 1, 2ian'd3 with Figs. 9 and 10, that the cutter140 shown in Fig. 1 and its supporting and operating means may be. omitted tomake room fo-rthe double loop chain cutting mechanism'without interfering with the three horizontal kerf cutters mounted as shownin' Figs. 1, 2fand- 3.

When the electric motorMis started, power is immediately transmitted to the gears246 and 248, as shown in Fig. 9, and the loop chain cutters are operated as well asthe three hQI'il-J through the gears 206, 207 and 208 to the shaft? zontal kerf cutters. "Power is transmitted 34, so'that whenthe clutch 39. is operated in Y one directionor the other the turntable to.-'

gether with the cutting mechanism mounted thereonmay be rotated-,inthe proper direc': tion. In order to accomplish. the feeding motion of the cutting apparatus, the brake le-v ver 12, shown in Fig. 2, is operated to setigthe toggle mechanism 9, 10, so as to va'pp'lythe brake shoes 7 'firmly' to the wheels of [the truck.

Therefore while'the cutting mecha--' nism, both horizontal andvertical, is started by the starting of the motor, the feeding-ope eratiou does not begin until the clutch 89,i s

thrown inand the parts are in properv posi-j tion to secure the turning of the platform 25'. When the clutch 39 is thrown-in, theshaft;46; is operated and because thebrakes shown in the truck. instead of the cup 21. 20

' is's crew-threaded on its interior and is thread- I form or turntable 25.

Frigq2 i are applied thelarge gear 48 willbe held: stationary or locked in fixed position,

and consequently the pinion47 will travel around'the gear 48 and thus swing the cuttingmechanism during operation. l/Vhen the platform is thus rotated the pin 54, of course, inust be held withdrawn from the notches 55 so. as topermit free rotation of the cylindrical flange 27 in the cylindrical cup 21.

In order. toadjustthe height of the cutting mechanism, I have provided mechanism showiiin Fig. 2 for lifting and lowering the platform on the truck. A shaft E is mounted in bearingssupported by the truck and carriesa worm E meshing with a worm wheel E3 mounted onthe cylindrical extension E of a rotatable: bushing provided with a circular flange E resting on the upper surface of The annular shoulder E holds the hushingE in'position in a' circular opening in the upper side of the truck platform. 1 The sub-platform 26 rests upon and is supported by a large nut Ff which ed upon a hollow upstanding portion E of 'the rotary bushing Thus by turning the hand wheel 310 the worm gearing E, E may be operated to turn the bushing E on the cir cular' bearing E and the rotation of this bushing causes the threaded upstanding portion E thereof to screw into or out of the large nut'E, thereby lifting or lowering the plat- In order to lock the 7 large nut E against rotation,it maybe firmly secured to the sub-platform 26 or it may be provided with 'a'depending pin E which slides 1 through an opening in the truck frame r a The motor M, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted upon the' platform 25 at one side thereof so as 'to assist-in'balancing the machine against the Weight of the cutting mechanism which is disposed, at the opposite side of the platform. In some instances, the balancing weight of the motormay not be sufficient, and it may therefore be desirable .to lock the truck tothe tracks while at the same time permit ting thetr-uclr to travel along the track. I I

I therefore provide another-set of angularly disposed flanged wheels or rollers 13, the

flanges of which, as shown in Fig. 1, engage the'under side of the .ball' of the rails 2 and .thereby prevent the truck from being tilted orraised relatively to the track'by any strains or unusualloads which may come upon the i machine". and which might have a tendency to overbalance it. I These locklng wheels or rollers '13, are mounted at the lower ends of r the depending arms 14, which are rotatably mounted upon short shafts 15 outstanding from the frameof the truck, so that the lock- ,ing wheel's may be swung inwardly away V from therails to. release the truck from the track in-the event that it is desired to do so on such an'foccasion as when the machine is to be taken out offthemine or the track re-laid in other parts of" the 'mine. The bearing portions-"of these rotary arm's l4 have gear teeth 16 which mesh with and are driven by worms 17 which are in turn mounted upon i the ends of short shafts1'8 gournaledin' bear- In order to operate the mining machin Fi 2 are first applied to the truck wheels to old the truck stationary, and the pins 54 are moved to, releasing position. The sup plem'en-tal wheels 13 are also brought into position against the rails so as to keep the truck and mining machine from tipping of? the track. By turning the wheel 310. shown in Fig. 2 the cutting mechanism may be adjusted to the proper elevation. Assuming that the cutting mechanism has already been moved to a position extending rearwardly from the truck platform 25, as shown in Fig.

1, the motor may be started by means of well knownmain line and reversing switch mechanlsm to secure the operation of theloop chain cutters in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10. Now, bythrowing in the clutch 39, as shown in Fig. 2, motion will be transmitted from the gearingshown in Fig. 9 to theshaft 34 and thence to the gearv47 which will travel around the gear 48 now held stationary. When the frame carrying the cutting mechanism hasswungto. a position where the double loop chain'kerf cutter is substantially at right angles to the mine wall, the clutch 39 is thrown to neutral position to stop the feeding operation I of the cutting mechanism by stopping the swinging motion ofthe frames thereof. Now,by thrusting inwardly the pin54, the flange27' may be locked to the flange 21, as shown in Fig. 1,. soasto lock the platforms 25 and 26 on thetruck.

locking position. The clutch 39 is then again operated to rotate the pinion 47. This'time,

however, the large gear 48 will be free to rotate while the shaft 46, being mounted inv the platform 25, will remain in one position relatively to the truck. Therefore the gear 48 will be rotated to transmit motion to the 'The'brake mechanism is'now released while the supplemental wheels 13 may be left in v j iii-J bevel gears 51, 52, (S and 4, shown i Fi 8 torpropel the truck together with the entire mining machine along the. track; 1 The movement of the truck now becomes the feeding movement of the cuttin'ginechanism which may be continuedunti'l itis desired to with draw the cutting mechanism from the mine wall, whereupon thetruck is stopped, the

brakes applied, the pin 54 released and the blocks of coal of uniform size and also to re lieve the weight-of the coal on the cutting mechanism in the intermediate and lowermost kerfs. It is obvious that if the vertical kerfs'C are produced at frequent intervals, as shown in Fig. 13, the blocks of coal will each fall a short distance one after another and as soon as cut, and in this waythe weight on the cutting mechanism is greatly relieved aside from the supporting devices 171, because they will not usually break down until almost entirely severed and then substantially half the weight is taken by the floor'of the mine at the other ends of the respective blocks. v a

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a trailer 171 back of the floor kerfcutter and another back of the intermediate kerf-cutter. The trailer plates 1-71 are provided with springs 17 3 so that such plates may yield to the inequalities of the kerfs and at thesame time be sufficiently rigid to properly support the coal above it to keep the same from binding the kerf-cutter thereby keeping the kerf wide open and affording freedom of feeding movement for the kerf-cutter.

The upward pressuresexertedby the trail- I er plates 171 may be varied by varying the tensions of the springs 17 3. These trailers plate 143 and the yielding supporting devices operate in upward directions to yieldingly support the cut coal which projects rear-. wardly over the plate 143 shown in Fig. 2. The yielding supporting devices K also operate to assist in supporting the material above the kerf'cut by the-kerf-cutter. It will thus be seen that the yielding supporting devices K coact with the yielding trailers 171 in supporting the projecting cutcoal duringthe operation of the kerf-cutting mechanism for the purpose of preventing the coal above the kerf-cutter from sagging to such an extent as to tend to-bind the kerf-cutter below. Iii other words, the'yielding devices K and the trailers171 keep the kerfs spread apart so that the kerf-cutters in advance thereof will have ,freedom of feeding movement.

' It should be understoodthat when the cutter 140 of Fig. 1 is omitted to make room for the loop chain cutter shown in Fig. 10, the

K and also the-"trailing devices .171 are mount ed on the bearing rods 250 corresponding with I 1 the mechanism adjacent the pivot 17 O in Figs. 1 and 2. It should also be noted that the uppermost and lowermostruns of the multiple loop chain cutter shown in Fig.10 are each independently adj usted in elevation so that kerfs may be cut in spaced-apart parallel planes in accordance with the lines of cleav age at the upper and lower limits of the coal vein. z

It should be understood that those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts herein disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims 7 hereto appended. I desire, therefore, not to be restricted to the exact construction herein 7 disclosed.

Having thus fully disclosed an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a mining machine, the combination with a multiple loop chain core cutting mechanism having adjacent unobstructed core openings therethrough, of means for feeding said core cutting mechanism transe versely of the planes thereof, andmeans for actuating said cutting mechanism 7 transversely to the direction of feeding movement. thereof. t

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of loop chain core cutters each having an unobstructedcore opening therethrough, means for supporting said core cutters on said frame; in position to cut adjacent cores in a mine wall, means for driving said core cutters, and means for swinging'said core 'cuttersrelatively to said-frame-to effect arcuate feeding of said core cutters.

3.- Ina mining machine, the combination with asupporting frame, of a multiple loop 5 chain cutter for producing joining kerfs in a mine wall, each sectionof said multiple loop chain cutter having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, means for supporting said multiple loop chain cutter on said frame I in position to out multiple cores spaced from c said frame, and means for operating said thereof to produce such kerfs and such cores. j

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of loop chain corecutters each having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, means multiple loop chain cutter including feed for supporting said loop chain core cutters on said supporting frame to eiitend laterally therefrom relative to .the path of travel of said supporting frame,and me ans for operating said core cutters including rectilinear movement of said supporting frame to secure rectilinear feeding movement of core cutters to cut a plurality ofv cores from an up'f};

right mine wall spaced laterally from the pathiof travelof said supporting frame.

cuttinglmec'hanism to cut an E-shaped kerf in 5'. "In a mining machine, the combination with multiple loop chain cutting mechanism,

having adjacent unobstructed core openings therethrough, ofmeans for operating said amine wall, and adjacent cores bounded by such lrerfs andotihe" face of the mine wall, and

means for supporting the aforesaidstructure in position for operation on material in its native-bed. or

6. In a mining machine, with a supporting frame, of multiple loop chaincore-cutting mechanism, means for supporting said core cutting mechanism on said frame in. position to out superposed. U-shaped 'with aplurality of loop chain core cutters.

each having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, of means for supporting said chain cutters in different planes of operation, and means for operating said chain cutters to cause each'of them to out a core of material in aiminewall. V V

8. In a mining machine, the combination with two loop chain kerf cutterseach having unobstructed core openings therethrough for i the passage of cut material, of a frame for supporting said chain cutters to cause ad acent runs thereof to travel in an intermediate lreriand means for operating said kerf cutters including the feed thereo'ftocut kerfs in a mine wall including such intermediate lierf.

9. The combination with two loop chain cutters each I having an unobstructed core opening thereth'rough, of mechanism for sup porting said chain cutters in superposed positions with predeterminedlengths thereof in the same-plane, and neans for operatingsaid chain: cutters to produce a plurality of kerfs in a mine wall around cores respectively pro-V j'ecting through said cutters.

V 10. In a mining mach ne, the combination with supporting framework, of a multiple loop chain core cutter having ad acent unobstructed core openings extending therethrough, means for supporting said multiple loop chain core cutter on said framework for arcuate feeding'movement relatively thereto, meansfor driving said multiple loop chain core cutter, and: means for swinging the coco multiple loop chain core cutter relatively to said framework to secure arcuate feeding movement of'saidchain core cutter to cut adjacent cores spaced from saidframework. 7 1i. Ina machine, the GOIIlblllELlllOll with a plurality ofloop chain core cutters each the combination having an unobstructed core opening them? through, of framework fOl'" supporting; saidloop chaincore cutters in different planes-but in such relation toeach other as to produceimmediately acent cores respectively eX'-- tending through said: unobstructed oore'openr; ings, and means for operating said loop chain. core cutters t'oscut communicating kerfs hack' oftheac'oresi T a i V 12 In a: mining machine, the combination with supporting framework,, of a multiple core cutter each section, having an unobstructed core opening therethrough,means:

for pivot'ally" supporting said multiple core cutter on said framework for feeding movea,

ment relatively thereto, and'means for opera.

ating said multiple core cutter including,

swinging feeding movement thereof. relative 1y to said framework to simultaneously cut adjacent cores respectivelyextendingithrough the unobstructedcore openings of saidsec-v-i t ionsr v 13. In a mining machine,,the: combination with. a portable, frame, .of: a;- supplemental frame rotatably mounted" thereon, asmultiploloopcutter having; adjacent unobstructed; core openings therethrough, said cut-terbe v ir mounted on said-supplemental frame to? move bodily therewith, and means-foroperating said multiple loop cutter to produce continuous kerfs; in armine'wall around adjacent cores respectively extendingthrough,

said unobstiiuoted core openings, 1

p 1:41. Inea'ininingmachinathe combination with a main supporting frame,of a double:

cutter frame having unobstructed core-open}; ings-t-herethrough; inclose proximity to each. other with theintermediate portion of said double framein fixed relatioiizto saidsupport-i ing frame, travelling chain "cutting mech'-;

anism mounted onsaid double frame, means: for operating said chainpcutting mechanism including the f'eedthereof by movement of said double frame to cut ju-irtaposed cores; Off Hmteflalill a mine-wa1l, and means for 1ndividually adj ustin'g, thespaci-ng of; the runs. of said chain; cutting mechanism i on 'botli vsidesof the intermediate run along/thatportion of 1 saiddouble frame mounted in fixed relation to :s'aidsupport ngframe; v

15. Ina mining machine, the combinatio with a pluralityof'loop-chain cutters, of a frame for each of saidlfoop'chaincutters, each:

of said frames having an; unobstructed core opening therethrough, a main' SUPPOIHIIQ;

frame, connections between said loop cutter,

frames and saidniai'n su* ortinm frame tosupport said chain cutters for" operationv in;

different but adjacent upright planes With-a. runof one of saidloopcuttm frames back of a run'of the other loop; cutterv frame lIltEIE- mediate the floor and ro'ofof: the mine'chamber, means'for actuating-sa d chain cutters,

and mechanismforfeedingasaidfchainicutter-r l frames to cause said chainicutt rs pr uceing the width of said frame and decreasing i EllC.

a plurality of horizontal kerfsconnected by vertical lrerfs at their rear ends. 7 16, In a mining machine, the combination with two 10 p chain cutters, of a main supporting frame, a frame foreach of said loop cutters, each of said frames having an unobstructe: core opening therethrough, supzework for supporting said loop arms on said main supporting frame w i lengths of said loop chaincutters between co:es in substantially the same plane, tl e planes of said chain cutters transversely of the cores being in different but adj accnt planes, means for actuating said chain i, itteis, and means for feeding said chain cutters together with their frames to form a double Ushaped kerf in'a mine wall and produce juxtaposed cores.

17. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck, of a main frame mounted'on said truck for arcuate movement on an upight axis, brake mechanism for holding said truck stationary, a multiple loop core cutting having a plurality of immediately adjacent unobstructed core openings therethrough and mounted on said main frame to move bodily therewith, mechanism for propelling said truck to secure feeding movement of said core cutter along the mine wall to cut parallel cores respectively extending through said unobstructed core-openings, and means for effecting arcuate movement of said main frame on said truck to secure swinging feeding movement of said multiple core cutter in an 18. The combination with a loop chain cuttor, a guide frame therefor, means for adjusting the width of said guide frame, means for adjusting the length of said guide frame, and means for operatlng said chain cutter to produce'a U-shaped kerf in the mine wall in accordance with the adjustments of said frame.

' 19. The combination with a chain cutter, of a guide frame therefor, means for increasits length or decreasing the width of said frame and increasing its length to adjust the dimension of the cut without substantially varying the length of the path of travel of said chain cutter, and-means for operating said chain cutter to produce a U-shaped kerf in a mine wall in accordance with the adjustments of said frame.

20. In mining machine, the combination with a loop chain cutter, of a frame therefor having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, means for operating said loop chain utter including the movement of said frame to feed said cutter while the core cut thereby extends through said unobstructed core openfra1nc work for supporting the aforesaid parts, a predetermined length of said chain cutter being adapted to extend in a plane substantially level withthe mine floor for feed 21. In a mining machine, the combination" with loop chain cutter, of a frame therefor having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, means for supporting said loop chain cutter and said frame in a substantially'vertical plane with the lower length of said chain.

cutter in a plane parallel to the floor of the mine and adjacent thereto, means for adjusting the elevation of such lower length of said chain cutter relatively to the remainder of the cutter to operate substantially in the plane of the floor or in planes substantially above the plane of the mine floor, and meansfor operating said chain cutter including the feed thereof by movement of said chain cutter frame for the various adjustments of such lower length. 22. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame,of a supplemental frame rotatably mounted on said supporting frame, a plurality of spaced-apart plane kerf cutters on said supplemental frame, a loop chain core cutter comprising a cutter frame 1 having an unobstructed core opening there through and means detachably connecting,

said cuttercframeto saidsupplemental frame in position to cause theupper and lower runs of said core cutter to extend along theikerfs produced by saidkerf cutters, and to cause the outer upright run of said core cutter to ly relatively to saidsupporting frame to effect arcuate feeding movement of said plane kerf cutters when said core cutter is detached,

and to effect feeding movement of said kerf cutters and said core cutter when the latter is connected tosaidsupplemental frame.

23. In a mining machine, the combination with main supporting frame, of a plurality of loop chain core cutters each comprising a rectangular frame Idetachably connected to said main supporting frame, each of said rectangular frames having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, and means for operating said chain cutters including the feed thereof to out immediately adjacent cores in a mine wall or a single core when one of said frames is detached.

24.111 a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of spaced apart plane kerf cutters mounted on said supporting frame, a loop chain core cutter comprising a cutter frame having an unobstructed core opening therethrough and having spaced apart runs in the planes of movement-of the respective plane kerf cutters, a connection between said cutter frame and said supporting ios frame topermit said cutter frame. together with said chain core cutter to be readilyde- 't-acfhed fromsa id supporting frame, means for operating said plane lrerf cutters. including the feed thereof, and means for operating sa1d loop chain core cutter including the feed thereof to follow the feeding movement of said plane kerf cutters.

25. In a mining machine, the combination with a main supporting frame, of loop kerf cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core-opening therethrou-gh and comprising a "cutter frame,'a connection between said cutter Z frame and said main supporting frame to per- "mit said cutter frame to be detached from said supporting frame, an additional loop ker'f cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core opening therethrough adjacent the first named core opening and comprising an additional cutter frame connected to said main supporting frame, and means for operating said first named kerf cutting mechanism y' and said additional lzerf cutting mechanism including the feed thereof to cut cores immediately ad acent to each other in a mine wall. 26. In a mining machine, the comb nation 'with afloop chain core cutter comprising a frame having an-unobstructed core opening therethrough, of framework for supporting said chain cutter in-a substantially. vertical plane, a trailer connected to the lower horizontal portion of said cutter frame and extending back therefrom to assist in support ing the materialabove the lower horizontal 'kerf produced by said cutter, and means for operating saidcutter including feeding movefment thereof while the movement of said cut ter frame drags along behind itsaid trailer.

27. In a mining machine, the combination with a ,multlpleloop chain cutter comprlsing .a frame having uxtaposed unobstructed core ,openings therethrough, of means for operating said multiple loop chain cutter to produce a plurality of horizontal spacedapart kerfs and upright connecting kerfs, and trailing j mechanism following the lowermost and intermediate lengths of said frame for assistingin supporting material above the kerfs below the uppermost'kerf.

v 28. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of spaced apart kerf cutters mounted on said frame, means for operating said kerf cutters to produce spaced apart kerfs in a mine wall,

a multiple loop cutter having adjacent unobstructed openings therethrou-gh for the passage of cut material, means for operating said multiple loop cutter'to'produce kerfs spaced back from the face of the mine wall and connectingthe inner ends of the said spaced apart kerfs, and connections for mounting the aforesaid parts cooperatively on sa d supporting frame. I 7

29. The combination with a plurality of 'lrerf cutters substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart, of a multiple loop cutter extending through the lrerfs produced by said parallel her-f cutters, and means for operatingsaid herf cutters and said multiple loop cu'tters'to produce communicating kerfs in a mine wall and entirely sever a plurality of sections of material therefrom.

30. The combination with a plurality of kerf cutters each horizontal in elevation, a

loop cutter extending through the kerfs pro duced by said first named kerf cutters, a frame for supporting said first named lrerf cutters for operation ahead of said loop cutter, means for rectilinearly adjusting the elevation of said cutters and means for operat-- ing said kerf cutters and said loop cutters simultaneously to produce a U-shaped' kerf in a mine wall.

31. The combination with a plurality of kerf cutters, of means for supporting said kerf cutters in positions spaced apart but substantially parallel to each other, mechanism for operating said kerf cutters to simultaneously produce a pluralityof spaced apart parallel kerfs in a mine wall, a multiple loop chain cutter having unobstructed openings therethrough for the passageof cut material,

and means for operating said multiple loop cutter toproduce connecting kerfs between the inner ends of the first named 'kerfs spaced" back from'the face of themine wall.

mined relation and while maintaining said first-named cutters horizontally.

The combination with a plurality of horizontal 'kerf cutters substantially parallel to each otherand spaced apart, of means for actuating said kerf cutters, a plurality of loop chain cutters for producing vertical connecting lrerfs at. the rear ends of said horizontal' kerfs, means for supporting saidloop chain, cutters to extend through the kerfs produced by said first named kerf cutters, means for actuating said loop chain cutters, a main frame for supporting all of the aforesaid parts, and means for moving said frame to fitthe lrerf cutting mechanism and said loop chain cutters to effect the production of communicating U-shaped kerfs in a mine wall.

34. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck, of a loop chain core-cutter having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough and comprising an upper run adapted to occupy a position in an upper horizontal plane, of a supporting frame

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