US1968107A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1934. E w VQDOZ 1,968,107

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l z m a? cmQ-Z July 31', 19 34. w. VODOZ 1,968,107

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNETED STATES FATE MINING MACHINE Frederick W. Vodoz, Wilmette, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois 7 Application August 11, 1930, Serial No. 474,411 Renewed November 22, 1933 17 Claims. (01. 262-28) T FECE This invention relates to improvements in min- Patent No. 1,891,719, and will not herein be deing machines and has for its principal object to scribed in detail: excepting as to the parts which provide a new and improved means for efficiently particularly pertain to my invention. The minremoving the cuttings from the path of the cuting machine 3 is only partially shown in the drawter chain, which may be applied either to a ings and includes a depending cutterhead 4 vermachine of the truck mounted type adapted to tically adjustablein guides 5 and having a cutter cut an arcuate kerf at or near the mine bottom, bar 6 projecting forwardly therefrom, which cutor to a machine of the longwall or continuous ter bar has a cutter chain '7 movable thereabout cutter type. in the usual manner.

A companion application, filed herewith, dis- Referring now to several of the novel features 65 closes a portable hand controlled device parof my invention, an arcuate cuttings deflector 8 ticularly adapted for removing cuttings from the depends from the cutter head 4. The arcuate path of the cutter chain, but in which the device deflector 3 extends from the forward advance is mounted on wheels for movement on the portion ofthe cutter head 4 rearwardly and ground. While the general principle of the dearound said cutter head and opens to the retreat- 70, vice in my present application is similartothat ing side of said cutter head. Said deflector subof my companion application, the device of my stantially conforms to the path of the cutter present application is directly supported on the chain? to deflect the cuttings discharged from mining machine and is movable thereon to evensaid cutter chain from the retreating side of said ly distribute thecuttings on the mine floor and cutter head and is held to said cutter head by to regulate the angle of the conveyor with respect means of a bolt 9 and clips 10 secured to said cutto the cutter chain in order that a maximum ter head. L a ount of outtingemay be gathered in all P A bracket 11 is fastened to'the cutter head 4 on tions of the cutter bar with respect to the minthe retreating side thereof by means of bolts 12 25' ing'machine proper. and extends upwardly therefrom forming a sup- My invention may be more clearly understood port for the forwardend 01 a cuttings gathering with reference to the accompa y d awi gs and conveying device generally indicated at-l3. wherein A hook 14 depends fromthe outer end of the Figure 1 is a fragmentary PerspectiVe Vi w O bracket 11 and has a collar 15 thereon abutting 301 a mining m h having the device of my inthe top portion of said bracket which abuts a nut vention attached e e o W Parts Of e d 16 threaded on said hook to hold said hookin vice mbo y n my inv n i n br k n away and position on the bracket 11 and allow for vertical in section; adjustment of said hook. v

F ure 2 is a fragmentary p p View Of 'The cuttings gathering and conveying device 351a ning machine Showing the device y- 13 includes a trough 1'7 having a spiral conveyor 9 i s my i v n connected thereto and i a d f- 1s rotatable therein. The forward end of the f n p s t s s w n i ur I trough 17 is shaped like a shovel so as to engage Fig 3 is a p plan View Of the device the mine bottom and scoop up cuttings from the b dv s my invention s w t uttin s path of the deflector 8. A strap 19 extends across 40 gathering means Supported in an inoperative D 7 the sides of the trough 17 and has an eye piece.20 9 sition on the mining machine for movement ext din upwardly therefrom which may be, about the m hooked on the hook 14 for supporting the forward Fi ure 4 i a sectional view taken on line portion of said trough and the cuttings gathering of Figure and and conveying device 13. A rearward portion 21 45, F u e 5 is a fragmentary perspective v ew of of the trough 17 is shaped so as to deflect cuttings the forw d end of the v y trellghgathered by the spiral conveyor 18 away from the In the em d of y invention illustrated, cutter chain 7 and opens on the left hand side ofmy invention is shown as applied to a mining ma- Said t chine 3 of the truck mounted slabbing type which s t m means are provided for d i n th 50 is adapted to Cut kerf in the mine Wall at the spiral conveyor 18 in the troughfl'l, which means mine bottom or at various elevations with respect herei'ncdmprises an 1 6 -1 t r 23 n cted thereto; The mining machine herein illustrated t th e ward end of the spiral conveyor 18 by is Simi a to that Shown in a Prior pp n means of a universal coupling 24 in a usual man bearing Serial filed y William ner. The motor 23 is fixed to the trough 17 by 55 i McCullough, on December 25, 1926, which is now means of a T iron 25 extending rearwardly 'irom said trough and straps 26 which extend around said motor and are fastened to said T iron. Handles 27 and 28 are provided on the motor 23 to form a means for controlling the position of the cuttings gathering and conveying device 13 with respect to the cutter head 4 and a push button control 29 is provided in the handle 2'? for controlling operation of said motor in a usual manner.

Means are provided for adjusting the angle of inclination of the cuttings gathering and conveying device 13 with respect to the cutter head 4 and for supporting the rearward portion of said cuttings gathering and conveying device on the mining machine which herein comprises a bracket 30 attached to the mining machine in a usual manner and having a rod 31 detachably connectible thereto at one end, which rod has a chain 32 connected to its opposite end. The chain 32 is connectible with a slotted bracket 33 fixed to the rearward end of the motor 23 and extending upwardly therefrom. The chain 32 is made up of a number of links so that any of said links may be connected to the slotted bracket 33 forming a means for adjusting the angle of the trough 17 with respect to the cutter head 4.

Suitable means are provided 'to hold the spiral conveyor 18 in the trough 17 when said conveyor is being driven by the motor 23, which means herein comprise retaining strips 35 fixed to each inner side of the trough 17 and adapted to abut said spiral conveyor.

The cuttings gathering and conveying device shown in my invention is so arranged that it may be operated from the rearward end thereof or from a position remote from said rearward end. In order to operate this device in a position remote from the rearward end thereof, a hooked rod 37 is provided which may be hooked in one of the links of the chain 32. This rod may be of any length to enable the operator of the mining machine to control the movement of the cuttings gathering and conveying device 13 or to enable another man to control the movement of said cuttings gathering device. This makes it possible for the operator of said cuttings gathering chute to be out of the way of the cutter'bar andoperating end of the mining machine where conditions are such that it might be dangerous to operate the device close to the cutting end of the mining machine; as, for instance, where the face is overhanging or top conditions are bad, or cutting conditions are such that the cutter bar is liable to jump out of the coal during the cutting operation. When it is desired to move the mining machine 3 about the mine, the cuttings gathering and conveying device 13 may be hinged forwardly on the cutter head 4 and held in a forward position with respect to said cutter head by means of the rod 31 which may be connected to a bracket 38 on the opposite side of the mining machine from the bracket 30 as is illustrated in Figure 3.

- During the cutting operation the cuttings gathering and conveying device 13 is moved backwardly and forwardly about the axis of the hook 14 to efficiently gather the cuttings discharged from the cutter chain 7 in various positions of the cutter bar 6 with respect to the mining machine and to control the distribution of saidcuttings to prevent accumulation of the cuttings in one large pile and evenly distribute them on .the mine fioor. Said movement of the cuttings gathering and conveying device 13 may be controlled by the handles 27 and 28 on the motor 23 or the rod 37.

It may thus be seen that a simple and efficient power driven hand controlled means has been provided for gathering the cuttings discharged from a cutter chain; that this means is connectible with a mining machine and movable with respect thereto so as to gather a maximum amount of cuttings and distribute said cuttings evenly along the mine bottom; and that this means is so arranged that it may be supported in an inoperative position along the cutter head and cutter bar and take up a minimum amount of room when the mining machine is being moved from cutting place to cutting place.

Although I have herein shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the broad idea of a machine mounted conveyor may also be applied to types of mining machines other than that specifically disclosed, and that the construction and arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific form illustrated, excepting as it may be specifically limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a track mounted mining machine having a depending cutter head a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine bottom, and means wholly supported by said mining machine for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising a spiral conveyor supported on said mining machine and attached to said cutter head adjacent the retreating side thereof for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis.

2. In' combination with a mining machinega cutter head having a "cutter bar projecting therefrom, a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine bottom, conveying means for clearing the cuttings from the;

path of said cutter chain comprising an inclined trough having a the mine bottom and having a conveyor therein, means for supporting the'forward end of said trough on said cutter head for pivotal movement with respect thereto, and means for adjustably supporting the rearward end of said trough on said mining machine.

3. In combination with atrack mounted mining machine having a depending cutter head, a;

cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom having a cutter ch'ain movable thereabout adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine bottom, convey-jing means wholly supported by said mining machine for clearing the cuttings from the .path of said cutter chain having a forward end engageable with the mine bottom adjacent the path of said cutter chain and having a conveyor supporting said trough in an inclined position with respect to said mining machine for pivotal movement with respect thereto.

4. In combination with a track mounted mining machine having a depending cutter head, a

cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom hav-' ing a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to out a kerf adjacent the mine bottom, conveying means wholly supported by said mining machine for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising bottom adjacent the path of said cutter chain forward end engageable with comprising an inclined trough therein, and means for an inclined troughhaving a forward end engageable with the mine 2 ing machine to and having a conveyor therein, and means 'for supportingsaid trough in an inclined' position with respectto said-mining machine for pivotal movement with respect thereto comprising supporting means'supported on said cutter head and engageabl'e'with the forward end of said trough. 5. In combination with a track'mounted mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom having'a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut" a'lrerf adjacent the mine bottom, conveying means for clearing'the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising an inclined trough having a forward end engageable with the mine'bottom adjacent the path of said cutter chain and having a conveyor therein, and means for-supporting'said trough in an inclined position with'respectto said mining machine for pivotal movement with respect thereto comprising supporting means supported on said cutter head and engageable with the ing means for clearing the cuttings from the path from said mining machine to said conveying of said cutter chain comprising an inclined trough having a forward end engageable with the mine bottom adjacent the path of said cutter chain and having a spiral conveyor therein, and means for supporting said trough in an inclined position with respect to said mining machine for pivotal movement with respect thereto comprising supporting means supported on said cutter head and engageable with the forward end of said trough, and connecting means extending from said minsaid conveying means rearwardly of said trough and having adjustable connection with said conveying means for varying the angle of inclination of said trough with respect to said mining machine.

7. In combination with a track mounted mining machine adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine bottom having a chain carrying projecting cutter bar, an inclined trough supported on said mining machine adjacent the retreating side of said cut- I. ter bar for pivotal movement with respect thereto and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the mine bottom, means cooperating with the cutter chain on said cutter bar for deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a spiral trough for discharging the cuttings thereirom beyond said mining machine.

8. In combination with a track mounted mining machine having 9. depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout, a trough supported on said cutter head adjacent the retreating side thereof and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the mine bottom, means cooperating with said cutter chain for deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a spiral conveyor in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefrom beyond said cutter head.

9. In combination with a track mounted mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout, an inclined trough supported on said cutter head adjacent the retreating side thereof for pivotal movement with respect thereto and having a reforward' end oisaid trough, and connecting means extending 'ing cutter bar having a ceiving'end disposed adjacentthe mine bottom,v means'cooperating with said cutter chain forv deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a spiral conveyor in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefromibeyond. said cutterhead.

10. In combination with a track mounted mining machine having a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout, an inclined troughsupported adjacent its forward end on said cutter head adjacent the retreating side thereof for pivotal movement with respect thereto and hav'nga receiving end disposed adjacent the mine bottom, said-trough being supported adjacent its rearward end by pivotally movable supporting means connected with said'mining machine, means cooperating with said cutter chain for deflecting the cuttings into the receiv ing end of said trough and a spral conveyor'in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefrom beyond said cutter head.

11. In combination with a track mounted mining machine havin a depending cutter head, a cutter bar projecting forwardly ofsaid cutter head having a cutter chain movable thereabout;

inclined trou h supported adjacent its 1 an forward end on said cutter head adjacent the retreating side thereof for pivotal movement with respect thereto and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the mine bottom, said trough being supported adjacent its rearward end by pivotally movable supporting means connected with said mining machine, means cooperating with said cutter chain for deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, a conveyor in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefrom beyond said cutter head, and means connectible with said trough for pivotally moving said trou h with respect to said cutter head and controlling the point of discharge of said cuttings from a point remote from said cutter head.

12. In a mining machine adapted to be mounted on and cut from the track, a forwardly projectcutter chain movable thereabout for cutting a horizontal kerf in the mine wall, and means wholly supported by said mining machine for clearing'the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprisin a spiral conveyor supported on said mining machine and attached thereto adjacent the rearward retreating side of said. cutter chain for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis.

13. In a mining machine, a horizontally disposed cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall, conveying means for clearing the cuttings from the path of said cutter chain comprising an inclined trough having a conveyor therein, said trough having a lower receiving end in alinement with the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar, said inclined trough being adjustably supported on said mining machine for pivotal movement with respect to said cutter bar about a vertical axis disposed adjacent the lower end of said trough and about an axis inclined with respect thereto for varying the angle of inclination of said trough and being adjustably supported adjacent its upper end on said mining machine.

14. In a track mounted mining machine, a truck, a cutter bar projecting therefrom, a cutter chain movable about said cutter bar for cutting a horizontal kerf in the mine wall, an inclined trough supported on said mining machine adjacent the retreating side of said cutter bar for pivotal movement with respect thereto and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the mine bottom, means cooperating with said cutter chain for deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a spiral conveyor in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefrom beyond said mining machine.

15. In a mining machine, the combination of horizontal cutting mechanism including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout and a cuttings collecting and distributing device associated with said cutter bar including a trough wholly supported by said mining machine and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar, means cooperating with said cutter chain for deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a spiral conveyor in said trough for discharging thecuttings therefrom beyond said cutter bar. K

16. In a mining machine, the combination of horizontal cutting mechanism including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout and a cuttings collecting and distributing device associated with said cutter bar including a trough wholly supported by said mining machine for pivotal movement with respect thereto in both horizontal and vertical planes and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the rearward re-' treating side of said cutter bar, means cooperating with said cutter chain for deflecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a spiral conveyor in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefrom beyond said cutter bar.

17. In a mining machine, the combination of horizontal cutting mechanism including a cutter bar and a cuttings collecting and distributing device associated with said cutter bar including a trough wholly supported by said mining machine for pivotal movement with respect thereto in both horizontal and vertical planes and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the rearward retreating side of said cutter bar, means cooperating with said cutter chain for defiecting the cuttings into the receiving end of said trough, and a conveyor in said trough for discharging the cuttings therefrom beyond said cutter bar, and means connectible with said trough for pivotally moving said trough with respect to said cutter head and controlling the point of discharge of said cuttings from a point remote from said cutter head.

FREDERICK W. VODOZ.

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