US1968054A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

July 3l, 1934.

Filed Oct. 29. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 31, 1934, Q F OSGOQD I 1,968,054

MINING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 31, 1934 TATES l1,968,054. MINING "MACHINE Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. H., assigner to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts v 'e Application october 29, 1930, serial No. 491,971

35 Claims.`

'Ihis invention relates to mining machines and more particularly, but-not exclusively, tomprovements in coal mining machines of the flexibly fed, continuous cutter, bottom cutting type.

' An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining machine. Another object is to Aprovide an improved coal mining machine of the room and pillar, low-vein type. A further object` is toprovide an improved flexible feeding means for such a machinewhereby the machine may be fed and guided in an improved manner. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, continuous cutter, bottom cutting type wherein the driving motor rests directly upon and slides over the mine oor and drives from its forward end the feeding and cutting mechanisms, the feeding mechanism being arranged on the machine in a transverse zone intermediate the motor and cutting mechanism, thereby rendering the machinel extremely compact both vertically and longitudinally.` A further object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the room and pillar, low-vein type having feeding andguiding mechanism arranged in an improvedl manner on the machine and wherein separate relatively rotatable power operated and controlled feed operating andvcontrolling members respectively cooperative with separate fiexif ble feeding elements, are employed for feeding and guiding the machine for sliding' movement over the mine floor, the said members and the driving mechanism therefor being arranged in the machine Ais rendered extremely compact. Yet another object is to provide in a exible feeding meansofthe aforesaid character im-r or at relatively high speed and having associated therewith improved control mechanism' whereby the said members may rotate in a direction to pay out their respective exiblefeeding elements under various degrees` of operator-controlled as conditions may require.Y `A further object is to provide in such a feeding means, improved mechanism including a separate anddistinctfast` and slow v.speed .gear train for each member whereby the said members may be rotated inimproved an improved manner on' the machine whereby frictionalresistance, or withoutsuch resistance,v

dependently in winding direction at either a relatively high speed or a relatively low speed, each gear train for each'member having a separate friction controlling clutch whereby either member may be driven at either speed at will. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. e

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved 'mining machine, a part of the machine frame being removed to show a portion of the internal mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinally extending vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view 5 taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1'; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In this illustrativey embodiment ofthe inventionthere is shown a coal mining machineof the lroom and pillar, continuouscutter, bottom cutting type having flexible feeding means for feeding and guiding the machine during its movement` over the mine floor. The machine generally comprises a machine frame 1 of gen- 85 erally rectangular yshape having a smooth plane bottom surface 2 which rests and slides upon the mine oor during operation of the. machine.' The machine frame consists of a rear motor sectionk3 and a front cutter and feed sectionL Li,- 90 the motor section housing al horizontal motor 5` of a low compact design. A Rigidly secured'within the front frame section4 and rprojectingv forwardly 'lengthwise of the machine isk ajhorizontal plane cutter bar 6 about the outer edgesA 95 of which an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 7 is adapted to be circulated. The top and bottom plane surfaces of the cutter bar 6 lie in horizontal planes intersecting the motor, and thevertical dimension 'of the motor'is only f 100 that requisite to its'po-vvery producing function and substantially determines the height of thev machine'. Feeding-and guiding of the machine are effected by means of relatively 4rotatable feed operating and controlling members 8 and 9 herein 'in the formof cable winding or haulage drums, respectively cooperating with flexible feeding' elements N10 and l11, herein in the form o-f cablesor ropesg The feed operating and controlling-members in the present instance rotate in opposite directions and are arranged in an improved manner on the machine in coaxial relation with their axes extending transversely of the machine. The feeding mechanism is disposed in a transverse zone between the motor and the cutting mechanism, thereby materially decreasing the length of the machine without increasing the vertical, and lateral limits thereof. When the machine is cutting from right to left the feed cable l0 is extended from the bottom of the feed drum 8 around a guide sheave 12 carried by a vertically swingable swing arm.' 13 supported by a bracket 14 attached.y toy the` side of the front frame section 4. The feed cable 10 passes around this; guide, sheave and extends laterally from thezmachine to a suitable anchor located adjacent the coal face at the lefthand rib of the room. heicontrolling cable 11 is extended from beneath the control drum 9 in a rearward direction and passeswaround horizontal rguide sheaves 15 and 16, the latter being carrierv by aV swingable bracket 17 pivoted on the motor. frame section3 about a vertical.

axis. coincident, with the axisl of the guide sheave 15. The controll cable 11. passes around the guide sheave. 15,. laterally rearwardlyl fromthe machine toa suitable anchor located at the right hand rib of the room. When the machinev is. cutting in the opposite direction, i. e., from left. to right, the motor 5 is reversedgthe cutter bitsfturned in their respective links, and' thev cables are re-Wound on the drums and extended from the machine inan opposite manner. VA guide sheave 18, similar. tothe guide sheave 12 and mounted in a similar manner on. the ma.-v

chine, is providedfor the feed cable during. feeding inthe left` to rightt direction While horizontal guide sheaves` 19 and 20, similar to the4 guide.

sheaves 1.5 and 16,- are arranged at the. opposite rear corner, of the motorv frame to guide the control cable during this feeding operation. The swingable brackets for the guide sheaves 16 and 20 areprovided-,with suitable lockingmeansv engageablewith apertures 2,1 formed. in a bottom ledge 22. integral withl the motor frame section.` for locking the guide sheaves intheir innermost. portion. Arrangedv at the longitudinal vertical` center, of the machine is a horizontal guidesheave 23.

Asmentioned above, the motor 5, which may be of. the reversible electric type, isA ofy a` low,

compact design and. inthe present instance has4 its power. shaft 24 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally. of the machine. Fixed, to. the forward-endof the powerl shaft .24 ofY ther motor isa spur pinion` 25.meshing with` a spur gear 26- xedtoa. shaft 27 arranged in planes y above and,V parallel. with the motor shaftv and suitably, journaled Within the front frame section4. Fixed to the.v forward end of the shaft 27 is a bevel pinion 28 meshing with a largebevel gear 29enclosed. Within the forward end of the frame section 4 and` suitably yjournaled.`

Within. theframefor rotation abouty a vertical f, axis. Bevel gear. 29.` is connectible by a cutter chain clutch 30; of-a usual design, tov the-hub of a cutter` chain drive sprocket 31' which engages. and, drives the. cutter chain 7.' in a.l Wellknovvn. manner. This. chain sprocket isv arranged in a. chamber 32 extending completelyA across; the machine and arranged kbetween* the.

rear end of the cutter, bar. 6 and thel portion of, the frame housingz they drive gearing of.. the

feeding mechanism, and this chamberforms a passage for the-cuttings brought back, from they Vat' either a relatively high or a relatively low speed, itwill be noted. that secured to the shaft 27 adjacent thespur gear 26 is a worm 36 meshing at its-oppositesides with worm wheels 37 and 38-arranged on parallel vertical axes, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and respectively keyed to parallelvertical shafts 39 and 40 arranged at opposite sides of the. longitudinal vertical center of the machine and suitably journaled within` the` machine frame.. `A separate and distinct fast,

and slow predetermined` transmission mechanism is provided for each of the drumsV 8 and 9, and, as

the structure of each of, these transmission mechanisms is. substantially identical a detailedde scription. of. one will.v suffice for both. Nowreferring lto the fast` and slow predeterminedspeed` driving mechanismy between. the worm wheel 37,

and. the feed drum. 8, it Will bev observed that.I

keyed. tothelower end or" the shaft. 39 yis a spur gear 41meshingwith a spur gear 42, the gears 4l and 42 rotating in planes adjacent the bot.-

tomof the machine and the gear. 42 being keyed to a vertical shaft 43 arranged parallel with, the shaft 39 and likewise suitably journaled, Withinthe front frame section4. Herein, keyed.

tofthe vertical shafts 39 and 43 respectively.

are worms'44, and 45, the Worm 44, havingteeth. of steeper leadj thanthe teeth of the worm`;` the worm. 45 being. a slow speed driving, Worm. while. the worm 44, is a high speed driving worm.

The worm 44 meshes` with a` fast. speedworm Wheel 46, whilethe worm 45 meshes with a slowv speed worm- Wheel47; these .Wormwheels being.

arranged inv coaxial relation on a. horizontal axis eXtendin'gtransversely of the machine, and

in 'the presentfinstance,parallel with the axis..

of.` the drurn.. These worm Wheels .aresuitably journaledI in ball. bearings supported'ina. suit-jy able mannerwithin the machine frame and` have mounted centrally therewith. a shaft. 48VV like,- wise journaled in ball, bearings.

ially shiftable. clutch` applying` member. 53,`

mountedfon the adjacent hubs ofthe worm'.v

wheels and, slidable in opposite directions to effect application o f one clutch, or. the other. The means for sliding the clutch applyingV member 53` consists of a shipper yoke 54` pivoted at 55 within the machine frame and'having a forwardly projecting lever vportion 56v ,extending within a notchor recess 57 formed in a transversely movable horizontal actuating rod 5.8. The means. for shifting the rod 58 backand forth to effect swinging of theshipper yoke` about; its pivot consistsl 'of' a rotatable' nut l59;.-

connected. togthe threaded end/6.0 of.l the rod;

Y This shaft 48- has fixed thereto, at its outer. end 'a spur gearf 49 meshing with an internal gearv 5,0l herein, formedv integralV with the feed` drum., 8. .The worm Wheels 46 and 47 are selectively. connectible to the. shaft 4.8bymeans of multiple` .disc.. clutches 51 52.. respectively. The operating means. for the-.clutches 51, 5.2 comprisesan ax.-

rit

The means for turning the nut consists of miter gears 61 actuated by arod 62 extending longitudinally rearwardlyofthe machine andV having a suitable operating handle 63 conveniently arranged at the rear end of the motor frame section 3. It will thus be seen that when clutch 51 is applied and clutch52 released the winding drum 8 may be driven in `winding direction at a relatively high speed through spur gearing 25, 26, worm gearing 36, 37, vertical shaft 39, worm gearing 44, 46, shaft 48 and the spur gear 49 meshing with the internal gear 50 secured to the, drum. 1t will also be seen that when clutch 51 vis releasedand clutch 52 applied the winding drum 8 may be driven in winding d irection at a relatively slow speed through the reduction gearing. 41, 42 and worm gearing 45,

yAs previously mentioned, the transmission mechanism for the winding drum 9 is substantially identical to that for the winding drum 8 and consists of fast and slow speed worms 65 and 66 meshing with , worm wheels 67 and 6 8 respectively, these worm wheels being arranged in coaxial relation on horizontal axes alinedwith the axes `of the worm wheels 46, 47. These worm wheels are connectible by similar multiple disc clutches 69 and 70 respectively in driving relation with the winding drum 9. The clutches 69 and 70 have operating mechanism similar tol the operating mechanismu for the clutches 51 and 52 and including a clutch applying member 71, shipper yoke 72, `rod 73 for swinging the shipper yoke, miter gears 74 and rod l75 extending rearwardly of the machine and having c an operating handle 76. These worm wheels arel selectively connectible bythe clutches 69 and 70 to a coaxial shaft 77 having secured thereto at its outer end a spur gear 78 meshing with an internalgear v79, herein formed Yintegral with the drum 9. Whenone of the friction clutches 69, is applied and the other r leased, the drum 9V may be rotated in winding direction at either a relatively high speed or a relatively low speed, depending upon which one of the clutches is applied. A, c

Both of the drums 8 and-9 are journaled upon the machine frame in asimilar manner, and, as shown in Fig. 3, the drums are each journaled on ball bearings 80 and 8l arranged within a chamber 82 formed within thedrum and supported by a stub shaft 83 vformed integral with a plate 84 suitably attached .to the vertical side wall of the front frame section 4. The internal' gear is secured to Vthe drum by bolts 85 and dowel pins 86 and the drum and gear are retained on'the shaft 83 by means of suitable retaining means 87.

. It will be noted that the drums may rotate separately or simultaneously inwinding direction at relatively low speed 'or at relatively high that the friction clutches may be so speed and released as to permit the drumsto rotate in unwinding direction under variousl degrees of frictional resistance. Upon full release ofthe clutches the drums mayl rotate freely. Vari-v ous modes of operation of the improved machine will be clearlyapparent to those skilled inthe art,- and as the method of use of a room and pillar mining machine is well known, further description of the operation of the machine is thought unnecessary. j f As a Lresult of this' improved arrangement of the feeding mechanism on the machine, it will be` observed vthat an extremely# low, comparatively short, compact machine is produced and onefwhich is accordingly adapted to use in even the lowest commercially-workable veins of coal. Furthermore, this improved construction enables an lextremely compact machine tobe obtained wherein the length thereof is reduced to a minimum while still retaining the low compact motor construction, the improved feeding mechanism and the novel compact arrangement of the driving gearing and feed drums on the machine reducing the dimensions of the machine rto a minimum. Furthermore by arranging the feed andcontrolling drums in the novel manner disclosed, and by providing the improved arrangement of the transmission mechanism for driving the drums, the machine is not only rendered extremely compact but is also exceedingly flexible in operation and easy to handle, especially during the various maneuverings of the machine to position the same to eect its sumping, transverse, and withdrawal cutsin accordance with the room and pillar system of mining. It will also be noted that the improved feeding mechanism is extremely well balanced and symmetrical in design, the driving mechanisms for the drums being substantially identical in construction, thereby reducing the number of different parts with the resultant decrease in the cost of manufacture and replacement. These and other uses and advantages of the improved mining machine rwill be clearly apparentto those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which this invention may assume in practice, `it-will be understood that this `form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration andthat the invention may be modied and embodiedin various vother forms witho ut departing from its-spirit or the scope of the appended claims. ,i

What 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining machine, a rearwardly located horizontalmotor having its casing resting directly upon and slidable in any direction over the mine floor andv itsv power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the vertical dimensionof said motor being only that requisite to its powerproducing function and substantially determining the height of the machine,

cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism drivenfrom the forward end of said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for rotatingn rectly upon and 'slidable in any'direction overl the ,Amine floor andY itsr power lshaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the vertical dimension of said motor being only that requisite tol.its ypower` producing function and substantially .determining the. heightof the machine,

cutting mechanism driven from the' forward end! ofsaid motor poweitshaft including a forwardly projecting cutter.y bar., and feeding mechanism driven from the forwardendlof'said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable*l feed operat-I ing and controlling members ar-rangedin coaxial' relation on: horizontal axes in advancel ofi the motor and each adapted* to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for rotating said members either separatelyor simultaneously at' similarfast and slow speeds in a direction to draw inV their respective flexible feeding means including a separa-teand distinct fast and' slow speed transmission mechanism for each member and all the elements of each trans` mission` mechanism rotatingv onxedy axes during drive at either speed.

3. In a mining machine,` a rearwardly` located horizontal.' motor having its: casing resting di-V rectly upon and slidable inany direction over the mine :door and-its power shaft extendinglongitudinally ofY the machine, the Vertical di-Y mension of said motor being only that requisite to its power producing function and substan tially determining the height of thel machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism driven; from the for-ward end of said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operate. ing and controlling members arranged in coaxial relation on horizontal'- axes extending transversely of the machine, and each` adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andi mechanism for rotating said members either separately or simultaneously at similar fast and slow speeds in a direction todraw in theiz` respective flexible feeding means including a separate and. distinct fast andiv slow speedtransmission mechanism for eachv member and all the elements of each transmissionmechanism rotating on fixed axes during drive at either speed. Y

t. In a` mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirectionover the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft chine, cutting mechanism. driven fromy the for-- ward end offsaid motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding` mechanism. driven from the forward end-ofsaid and each adapted to cooperate directlyI with fiex-ible feeding means, and mechanism for ro tating saidy members either separately or simul-A taneously at similar fast and slow speeds in a .direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding meansincluding a separate and distinct fastV and slow. speed transmission mechanism for each member and all, the elements of each transmission. mechanism rotating on fixed axes during` drive at either speed'. i

5. Inwa mining machine, a. machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine iioor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said. frame and having its.

vpower shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism. driven from ythe for-- wardV end, of said motor power shaft including aV forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism driven from. the forward' end of said` power,v shaft, including: relativelyV rotatable feed extending longitudinally of' the maasado-efr operating andi controlling membersl arranged oirA horizontal axesextending transversely of the; machinefand each adapted to cooperate directly withA exible feeding means, and mechanism for rotating said members either separately orv simultaneouslyI at similarfast and slow speeds in a directionA to draw'inrtheir respective flexible feeding means including a separate and distinct fast and slow speedtransmission mechanism for each! memberand all theelements of each transmission mechanism rotating on fixed axes dur-ing drive at either speed.

6a A miningv machineadapted to be moved" laterally along the face of a mine wall comprising al motor contained iny a casing adapted to-rest directly'upon the mine floor, said machine having av cutter carrying end, a feed driving` mechanism disposed between the cutter carrying 4 end of' thevmachine and the motor casing and included substantially within the vertical limits thereof, said feed driving mechanism including a plurality off variable Yspeed transmission devices alll of theelements of which rotate on xed axes during drivev at any speed, a pair of feed drums disposedv on transverse axes, one driven through one transmission device and the other driven throughv the other device, said drums driventhrough said transmission devices at similary speeds, and means for selectively engaging either of said feed drums with their respective variable speedA devices.-

7; In alow'vein'rccm and pillar mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of themachine andcomprising a low compactv frame housing power producing means and providing a smooth bottom surfaceA slidably engageable with the mine floor during cutting, the vertical dimension of' said motor frame beingY substantially only that requi-- site to the power producing function of the motor and substantially determining the height ofv the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven from theV forward end ofsaid motor and including a kerf' cutter projecting forwardly lengthwiseofthe machine during lateral cutting, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said motor and disposed whollywthin the vertical limits thereof, said feeding meansincluding a plurality ofV relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperateV directly with flexible feeding meansy and disposed onA horizontalraxes at opposite sidesV of' the machine', and driving and controlling mechanism'for said4 members for effecting rotation ofA saidl members leither-separately or simul-A taneously inv a directionto draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed and includingA a fastv and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member wherebyY one member may be rotated at a low speed' while said other member is rotated simultaneously at a high speed and vice versa, each transmissionV mechanism including a fast speedV friction controlling clutch and a`sl0w speedY friction controllingV clutch.

8; In a lowvein room and pillar miningy mac'liineja` horizontalr motor having its axis extending longitudinally ofthe machine and comprisingV a low compact frame housing power Vproducing means and providing a smooth bot-- tom surface slidably eng'ageable with the mineV iioor during cutting, the vertical dimension of said' motor frame being substantially onlyI that requisite to the power producingl function of the motor and substantially determining the height o'f the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven from the forward 'end of said motor and including a kerf Vcutter projecting forwardly lengthwise of the machine during lateral cutting, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said motor and disposed wholly within the vertical limits thereof, said feeding means including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine and driving' and controlling mechanism for said members for effecting rotation of said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said iiexible feeding means under various degrees of frictional resistance, and including a fast and "slow speed( transmission mechanism for each member whereby one member may be rotated at a low speed while said other member is rotated simultaneously at a high speed and vice versa, each transmission mechanism including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and'a slow speed friction controlling clutch.

9, In a lowvein room and pillar mining machine, a horizontal motor having vitsaxis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a low, compact frame housing power producing means and providing a smooth bottom surface slidably engageable with the" mine oor during cutting, the vertical dimension of -,said motor frame'being substantially only that fr means including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling kmembers each'A adapted to cooperate directly with-exible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes at opposite sidesof the machine, and Vdriving andv controlling mechanism for A said members for effecting rotation of said members either separately or Vsimultaneously in -a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means Aat relatively low speed or atrelatively high speed or -to permit said members torotate in a' direction to pay out said fiexible feeding `meansunder various degrees of'frictional resistance or toA permitsaid membersto rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means without such vfrictional resistance, `and'fincluding a fast' and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby one member maybe rotated at a low speed while said other member is rotated'simultaneously at a high speed and "vice versa, each transmission 'mechanism including a fast speed friction controlling clutch' l at either speed.

andfa'slowspeed friction controlling clutch.

l0. In a mining machine, a rearwardly lo-l. cated horizontal motor having its casing rest-v 'in'gidirectly'upon and slidable-in any. direction fstantially,determining the. height of the ma chine, cutting mechanism driven'from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism2 driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft and arranged in advance of the motor and including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for rotating said' members either separately or simultaneously at similar fast and slow speeds in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means including an individual fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member and all the elements of each transmission mechanism rotating on fixed axes during drive at either speed.

11. Int al mining machine, a rearwardly located horizontal' motor having its casing resting directly upon and slidable in any direction over the mine floor and its power shaft extending' longitudinally of the machine, the vertical di-v mension of said motor being only that requisite to its power producing'function and substantially' determining the -height of Ythe machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of saidY motorl power shaft including a forwardly projecting kerf cutter, and feeding mechanism' driven from lthe forward end vof said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on horizontal axes in advance of the motor and' each adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for effecting ro` tation of said members feither separately or simultaneously'at similar fast and slow speedsl including for each-member fast andl slow predetermined speed transmission mechanism through which it, but 'not the other member, -is driven and all thel elements of each transmission mechanism rotating on fixed axes during drive at either speedi 12. Inv a mining' machine, a rearwardly located horizontal motor having its casing resting directly upon andslidable in anyv direction over the mine floor and its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the verticalk dimension of said motor being only that requisite to its power producing function and substantially determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting kerf cutter, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating 'and controlling members disposed on horizontal `axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directlyv with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for effecting rotation'of said members either separately or' simultaneously at similar fast and slow speeds including for each member fast and slow predeterminedk speed transmission mechanism through which it, but not the other member, is driven and allthe elements of each transmission mechanism rotating on fixed axes during drive 13. In a mining machine, cated horizontal motor having its casing resting directly upon and slidable in any direction over the f lmine rfloor and its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the vertical di-l mension'ofsaid motor being only that requisite to its power producing function and substantiallyl determining the height of the machine, cutting" a rearwardly lo- 'Mie mechanismdriven ifrom vthe forward end of said motor power -shaft .including -a 'forwardly jprojecting kerf cutter, and .feeding :mechanism driven from the .forward end .of said motor 4lili rately .or .simultaneously in a direction 4to draw power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and vcontrollinigimembers arranged fon horizontal axes .extending transversely of -the machine and each adapted toi-cooperate Adirectly with flexible feeding means, andmechanism forv effecting rotation of said members feither .separately orsimultaneously at relatively -low speed or fat :relatively .high Yspeed Vincluding -for each member fast and slow .predetermined Yspeed transmission mechanism through which it, Vbut not the other zmember, is driven, Ieach `transmission mechanism including a-fastspeed worm gear train and a slow speed worm gear train.

14. In a umining machine, a rearwardly located horizontal motor .having its `.casing resting directly upon andslidable in any -directionover the .mine floor and its power shaft extending longitudinally of the '.machine, the vertical dimension of said motor :being lonly'that.requisite to its power producing function 1 and `substantially j; determining the fheight -.of the "machine, 4cutting mechanism driven from the :forward end Aof said motor `power -shaft .including a forwardly projecting kerf cutter, and feeding mechanism driven from .the forward end -zof `said motor power shaft including relatively Irotatable .ffeed operating rand controlling :members arranged fon horizontal Aaries extending transversely ,of fthe machine 'and each adapted to `cooperate ldirectly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism .'-for effecting 4rotation of said `:members feither sepain ztheir ,respective .flexible .feeding means :at relatively flow speed Ior at relatively .high .speed including :for veach member fast :and slow :predetermined `,speed transmission fmechanism 4 horizontal motor having itscasing 'restingdirecti through .which it., ibut not the other membeig is driven, each transmission mechanism including a .ast `speed worm gear train :and -a slow speed `worm egear train.

15. :In :a .mining machine, .a `rearwardly located jecting lierf 1cutter,-.-and feeding :mechanism driven :from :the :forwardend of :Saidfmotor :power shaft including relatively rotatable feed :operating and controlling members arranged .on horizontal axes :extending transversely .of the machine and .each adapted to cooperate :directly with iexible .feeding means, :and mechanism .for

eflecting .rotation of Isaid members yeither :separatelyor simultaneously Ain a .direction Yto draw -in their zrespective flexible feeding means at rielatively flow rspeed :or .at relatively .high lspeed vincluding :for reach ymember ifast .and zslow predetermined speed transmission mechanism `through which it, but .not the other member, .is driven, each transmission mechanism :including Aa Afast 4 speed tworln :gear etrain :and fa slow `speed vworm 4 frictional resistance.

, 16. :Ina mining machine, "-a :rearwardly .located horizontalfmotorfhavingitsfcasingiresting-directly upon and slidable ein .any direction overthe mine floor iand :its power shaft F'extending longitudinallyfof .the machine, the vertical dimension of said `-motor :being l.only that requisite .to ,its power producing functionand substantially determining the height of `the *machina cutting mechanism driven 'from .theiforwardfend of said motor power shaft including Va forwardly fprojecting kerf cutter, Iand .feeding mechanism driven from ythe forwardend of -said motor-power shaft vincluding relatively :rotatable lfeed operating and'controlling members arranged onhori- Zontal .axes extending ltransversely -of `the ma chine and each adapted to .cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and -mechanism for effecting rotation of .said members feither sepa rately for simultaneously .ina-direction to draw. in-their respective flexible feeding means at relatively low:speed oratfrelativelyhigh speedincluding for each `member :fast land `slow vapre`de-` termined speed transmission. mechanism .through which it, :but inot the other member, is driven, each vtransmission :mechanism including :a fast speed worm fgear l,train -and a :slow speed Worm gearv train, rand :control .mechanism included in each :transmission mechanism to ,permit reach member torotate :in a -direction tto pay 'out its flexible lfeeding means aunder various fdegree's -of frictionalresistance or without such resistance.

1.7. ,In a `mining Fmachine, :a @machine .iframe adaptedto liest upon :and slide .sin .any :direction over the .amine floor, .-a horizontal .motor Icarried Ten at vthe rear `end Vof `said .fr-ame and having its power shaft'extending:longitudinallyfof the machine, ;cutting lmechanism -driven :from the forward send .of said -lmotor ,power -shaft incluthnga :forwardly projecting cutter .bar, and *feeding mechanism -driven-from =the forward e.end of :said

power :shaft including :relatively r'otatable lfeed operating and 'controlling members Aarranged :on

horizontal axes :at oppositesid'es :of the machine and eachfadapted :to Icooperate fdirectly -with fiexs iblelfeeding means, and mechanism for rotating .1

saidrmembers -eith'er separately .or simultaneously in .a Idirection to Kdraw in their respective exible feeding .means fat `relatively low :speed for at'rela-v tively high :speed including 'a separate :and distinot .-fast and slow speed transmission .mecha. msm for each ."member, leach. transn'ii-ssionA mechanism vincluding a .transverse 'shaft operatively connected to .its respective member, and fast .and slow speed worm wheels `.coawial 'with said -shaft `and .connectible thereto.

v18. :In a mining machine, 'a macliine frame adaptedto :rest iupon and slide in .any -direction over fthe ymine floor, :a horizontal `.motor fcarried at the :rear 4,end of lsaid frame .and :having :its

power .shaft :extending Alongitudinally of the mat chine, rcutting .mechanism ydriven :from tt'he forward rvend fof 'said .motor power `shaft including a forwardly projecting :cutter tbar, :and .feeding mechanism drivenfrom .the forward :end of :said

power fshafit .including melati-vely irotatable feed operating land 'controlling members arranged :on horizontal axes :at opposite sides :of the machine and :each adapted to :cooperate directly with flexible 5feeding zmeans, zand :mechanism for ro tatifng -said members :either .separately nr :simul-.

mechanism .for zeach member, each transmission 3 power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven fromthe forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for rotating said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including a transverse shaft operatively connected to its respective member, and fast and slow speed worm wheels coaxial with said shaft and connectiblethereto, and worms meshing with said worm wheels respectively and rotating on parallel vertical axes.

20. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and cutter driving means including a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feeding members arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feed-4 ing means, and mechanism operativelyconnected to -said longitudinally extending shaft for rotating said members either separately -or simultaneously at similar fast and slow speeds in a direction kto draw in their respective flexibleV feeding means including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, all the elements of each trans-v mission mechanism rotating on fixed axes during drive at either speed. Y

21. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and cutter driving means including a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, and feeding means driven from the'forward end of said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feeding members arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedsimultaneously in a direction'to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, said transmission mechanisms each including a gear element andy said gear elements meshing with a gear element fixed to said longitudinally extending shaft.

22, In a miningrmachine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the m'ne floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and cutter driving means including a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, andk feeding means driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feeding members arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine and each adapted tol ycooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism operatively connected to said longitudinally extending shaft for rotating said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in vtheir respective fiexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, said transmission mechanisms each including a gear element and said gear elements meshing with va gear element fixed to said .longitudinally extending shaft between said motor power shaft and the connection of said longitudinal shaft with said cutterV driving means. n Y

23. In a mining machine, a rearwardly located horizontal motor having its casingy resting directly upon and slidable in any direction over the mine floorv and its power shaft extending longitudinally-of the machine, the vertical dimension of vsaid motor being only that requisite to its power producing function and substantially determining the height of the machine, cutting'rnechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and cutter driving means including'a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, and feeding mechanism driven from said longitudinally extending cutter driving shaft lincluding relatively rotatable feed operating and' controlling members `disposed on horizontal Yaxes at opposite' sides of the machine vand each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for rotatingvsaid members either separately or simultaneously at similar fast and slow speeds in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, and a common driving'element fixed to said longitudinally extendingshaft between the motor and the cutter driving means and through which both of said transmission mechanisms are driven.

24. In a Vmining machine, a machine frame adapted `torest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaftextending longitudinally vof the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively `rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged adjacent the. rearward portion of the cutter bar and in advance of said motor, said members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism forrotating said members either separately or simul- 10 taneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means lat relatively low speed or at relatively high speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, each I5 transmission mechanism including a .transverse shaft operatively connected to its respective member, and fast and slowspeed driving means for each shaft, all the elements of said driving means rotating on xed axes during drive at either speed.

25. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its Zpower shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of Bsaid power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine adjacent the rearward portion of the cutter bar and in advance of said motor,

35,', said members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for rotating'said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively tfiljlow speed or at relatively high speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including a transverse shaft operatively connected to its respective iimember, and fast and slow speed driving means for each shaft, all the elements of said driving means rotating on xed axes during drive at either speed.

26. In a mining machine, a machine frame djadapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end'of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged on lhorizontai axes at opposite sides of the machine adjacent the rearward portion of the cutter bar and in advance of said motor, said members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmechanism for rotating said members either separately or .Simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed including a separate and distinct fast and slow speed 'Z0 transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including a transverse shaft operatively connected to yits respective member, said shafts being arranged on alined axes, and fast and slow speed driving means 'Z5 lfor each shaft, all the elements of said driving means rotating'on fixed eitherxspeed.

27. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried.

at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feedv operating and controlling members arranged at the forward endof the machine in advance of said motor on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine, 'and mechanism for driving said members in a direction to draw in said. flexible feeding means either separately or simultaneously at a relatively low cutting speed or at a relatively high machine moving Speed including separate fast and slow speed gear trains for each of said members and a plurality. of manually controllable friction controlling clutches, one individual to each gear train for each member, for controlling the connection of said members to their respective gear trains.

28. Ina mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine `floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and lhaving its power shaft extending longitudinally of the ma chine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward end of the machine in advance of i said motor on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine, and driving and controlling mechanism for said members including for each member a separate fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train and av plurality of manually controllable friction con-- power shaft extending longitudinally of theY machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feedv operating andcontrolling members arranged at the forward end of the machine in advance of said motoren horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine, and plural speed drivaxes during drive ati ing means for said members including separate fast and slow speed gear trains 'for each member, and a plurality of manually operable friction controlling clutches, one individual to each gear train for each member.

30. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine oor, a horizontal motor carried at the vrear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cuttingmechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward end of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed gear trains for each member, said four .gear trains including four final transmission gears coaxially arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine in advance of said motor.

31. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally ofthe machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including k a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward end of the machine, and plural speed driving means for said members including separate fast and slow speed gear trains for each member, said four gear trains including four final transmission gears coaxially arranged on axes extending transversely of the machine in advance of said motor and a sep-- arate friction controlling clutch for each gear.

32. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the for ward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including-relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward end of the machine in advance of said motor on axes parallel to a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine, and separate and distinct fast and slow speed transmission means for each member each including a horizontal drive shaft, said shafts arranged in axial alinement, and driving connections between each of said shafts and its respective member, said members being driven at either speed through said shafts and al1 the elements of said transmission means rotating on fixed axes during drive at either speed.

33. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward end of the machine in yadvance of said motor, and a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be rotated either separatelyl or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low sped and including fast 4and slow speed terminal gears for each transmission mechanism, a terminal gear of one transmission mechanism arranged coaxially with a terminal gear vof said other mechanism, and manually controllable Vfriction controlling clutches, one individual to each terminal gear,

,for connecting said members in driving relation with their respective terminal gears.

f 34. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine iioor, a horizontal motor carried at ythe rear end of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine,y

cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven' from the forward end of `said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward kend of the machine in advance of said motor,

and a separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be rotated either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, said transmission mechanisms including alined shafts, driving connections between said shafts and said members, respectively, a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train for each shaft having fast and slow lspeed terminal gears, and connections between said gears and their respective shafts.

35. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a horizontal motor carried at the rear end-of said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of saidmotor power shaft including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, and feeding means driven from the forward end of said power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members arranged at the forward end of the machine in advance of said motor, and driving means for said members including alined shafts one for each member, driving connections between said members and their respective shafts, and a separate and distinct fast and slow speed worm gear train for each shaft including a fast speed worm wheel and a slow speed worm wheel, said worm Wheels arranged coaxially with said shafts.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

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