US2053259A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

C. P. BALDWIN Sep 1936.

MINING MACHINE Filed- OC'b. 24, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 iw \N b. .w m Q gw: m m Am w @1. N wh@ Sept. 8, 1936.. c. P. BALDWIN MINING MACHINE- Filed Oct. 24, 1932 5 Sheets-'Sheet 2 `@lmlm www Sept. 89 1936. Q p BALDWlN l2,053,259

MINING MACHINE Sept 8, 1936. c. P. BALDWIN 2,053,259

MINING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1932 5 SheetSj-'Shee't 4- i www W hun Sept*- 8, 1936- l c. P. BALDWIN 2,053,259

MINING` MACHINE Filed5 oct. 24, 1932 5 sheetssheet 5 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 ilNi'lED STATES PATENT orgies MINING MACHINE Massachusetts Application October 24,

28 Claims.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly to improvements in the swinging mechanism for the cutter bar of a machine for mining coal.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the longwall type having improved cutter bar swinging mechanism. A further object is.l to provide an improved swinging mechanism for the cutter bar of a longwall coal mining machine whereby the cutter bar may be swung in an 4improved manner wholly independently of the machine feeding means. Yet another object is to provide' an improved cutter bar swinging mechanism having improved driving and controlling means whereby the cutter bar may be swung in either direction about its pivot in an improved manner. Still anotherobject is to provide an improved cutter bar swinging mechanism for a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed. continuous cutter, botto-m cutting floor cutter type, wherein the cutter bar may be swung about its pivot through improved motor opera-lcd mechanism wholly independently of the iiexible feeding means. These and other objects of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown, for purposes of illustration, one form and a modication thereof which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. l. is a plan, view of a longwall coal mining machine with which the preferred illustrative iorm of the` improved bar swinging mechanism is associated.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the mining machine shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a central, longitudinally extending, vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken substantially onA line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 5, 6 and 'l are detail views illustrating the improved control means for the bar swinging mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken. on line S--S oi Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is o. detail sectional View taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Fig. l is an enlarged detail. sectional View of a portion of the bar swinging mechanism sho-w71 in Fig. 3.

Fig. l1 is a. horizontal sectional View taken 1932, Serin No. 639,289(

(c1. 26e-so) substantially on line l l-I l of Fig. 3, with the cutter bar swung into a different position.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line l2-I2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan View 0f the m2- chine cutter head showing the improved bar swing control means, a portion of the bar swinging mechanism being shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional View through the machine cutter head, illustrating a modiiied form of construction. Y

Fig.,15 is a detail view taken on line |-l5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a central, longitudinally extending, vertical sectional View taken substantially on line Iii-I6 of Fig. 14.

Fig. l'l is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line l'l--ll of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a detail View taken on line l8-l8 of Fig. 14. y

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional View taken on line IS-IS of Fig. 14.

In the illustrative form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 13, inclusive, the improved bar swinging mechanism is shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the exibly fed, continuous cutter, bottom cutting type, lherein a longwall machine generally comprising a machine frame l having a plane bottom surface Z on which the machine is slidably supported for movement over the mine oor. As is usual in longwall machines, pivotally mounted on the rear end ofthe machine frame at 3 for horizontal swinging movement relative thereto, is a horizontal plane cutter bar 4 having guided for circulation about its margin a usual cutter-bit-carrying cutter chain 5, the cutter bar being swingable to substantially right-angle positions at either side of the machine frame and to a central position extending longitudinally of the machine frame. The machine is fed overthe mine oor by means of a horizontal feed drum 6 located at the front end of the machine and cooperating with a usual feed cable l anchored to an extraneous abutment located adjacent the coal face in advance of the machine. Arranged intermediate the machine cutter head 8 on which the cutter bar is pvotally mounted, and the feed frame S which houses the feeding mechanism, is a horizontal motor l0 having its power shaft operatively connected to the cutter chain and the feed drum and driving, through improved mechanism to be later described, the improved cutter bar swinging mechanism. In the present construction, connectible to the rear end of the motor power shaft, as by a `Side of the shaft.

usual sliding clutch II, as shown in Fig. 3, is a bevel pinion I2 meshing with a bevel gear I3. Rotatable with and driven by the gear I3 is a spur gear I4 meshing with a spur gear I5 keyed to a vertical shaft I 6. Also keyed to this vertical shaft is a chain sprocket I1 which engages and drives the cutter chain 5 in a well known manner. As the particular construction of the feeding mechanism has no relation to the present invention, and as the improved bar swinging mechanism may be associated with mining machines of various types other than that shown, further illustration and description of the machine structure are considered unnecessary.

In the preferred form of the improved bar swinging mechanism there is shown fixed to the cutter head 8, as by bolts 20, a worm gear segment 2I (most clearly shown in Fig. 11) having the pitch circle of its teeth struck from the bar pivot axis; and meshing with the teeth of this worm gear segment is a transverse worm 22 journaled on a horizontal axis on the cutter bar 4. This worm, as hereinafter described, is connectible to a horizontal shaft 23, herein made hollow to receive a reciprocatory control shaft 24, and the ends of this shaft 23 are journaled within suitable bearing sleeves 25, 25 which also form supports for the worm 22, the sleeves being journaled within a combined bearing bracket and gear housing 26, herein secured to the cutter bar and ywithin which the worm and worm shaft are arranged. This bracket is herein formed with a detachable cover portion for obtaining access to the worm and its associated mechanism, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The Worm 22 may be rotated in either of opposite directions by the motor while the latter runs continuously in the same direction, and this improved worm rotating means comprises an eccentric 21, herein formed on the hub of the chain sprocket I1, as shown in Fig. 3; and surrounding this eccentric is an eccentric strap 28 formed on a reciprocatory rod or bar 29 guided at 30 within a groove on the cutter bar. This rod 29 is provided with a. transverse groove 3| for receiving a cross member 32 guided at its ends within elongated slots 33 formedin the 0pposite vertical side walls of the bracket 26. The transverse member 32 is herein in the form of a trunnion block, and engaging trunnions 34, 34 formed on its opposite ends are forked portions 35 of arms or levers 36, 36 keyed to the opposite ends of the Worm shaft 23. The means for connecting fthe Worm 22 to the shaft 23 comprises an intermittent grip device, herein a reversible cam and roller clutch generally designated 31; and this clutch comprises two sets of rollers, the rollers one set being numbered 38 and the rollers of the other set being numbered 39; and these rollers are arranged within and engage the bore 40 of the worm 22. These rollers are arranged within recesses Y4I formed in the shaft 23, as shown in Fig. 3, and the recesses are formed with inclined surfaces 42 converging outwardly at each These recesses are formed with enlarged chambers 43 which receive the rollers when the latter are in their released or inoperative position. The shaft 23 is also formed 4with a transverse slot 44 having arranged therein 'reciprocable roller releasing plungers or cam release elements 45 and 46, the plungers 45 coact- For projecting the there are formed on the shaft 24, in parallel 1ongitudinal planes, notches 41, 48, 49 and 5D, the

rollers 39 engage the inclined surfaces 42 of the recesses and the bore 40 of the worm with a wedgf ing action, thereby to eifect intermittent rotation of the worm in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3; and as a result the cutter bar is swung from left to right. When the control shaft S4 is moved axially into its opposite or reverse position, the semi-circular projections 52 formed on the roller release plungers 45 drop into the slots 48, 49 while the plungers 46 are projected outwardly, thereby to release the rollers 39 and to render the rollers ,38 effective; and upon oscillation of the shaft 23 the worm is intermittently rotated in the reverse or counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby to eifect bar swing from right to left. When the control shaft 24 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, that is, With all the roller release plungers in their outer projected position, the rollers are held in their released position in the enlarged chambers 43 of the recesses, thereby wholly disconnecting the oscillatory shaft 23 from the worm, the shaft 23 freely oscillating Within the worm when the rollers are thus positioned. When the parts are thus disposed, the cutter bar is rigidly locked against swinging movement by the self-locking teeth of the worm engaging teeth of the worm gear segment. The shape and proportions of the members 45, 4tV will be selected to prevent their coaction with the rollers to Wedge,

and to cause them to serve as mere positioning members.

For limiting swinging movement of the cutter bar and for controlling the roller release shaft 24 at will, there are provided appropri- L ately located abutments 55 and 56, and the opposite ends of the control shaft 24 are provided with buttons 51 for engaging these abutments. When the cutter bar is swung from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position in that figure, and as the cutter bar reaches the dotted line position, the button on the adjacent end of the shaft 24 engages the abutment 56, and upon continued swinging movement of the cutter bar the shaft 24 is shoved inwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6, thereby releasing the roller release plungers and disconnecting the bar swinging mechanism from its drive. When the cutter bar is swung from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 to the full line position in that figure, the abutment 55 acts to effect release of the bar swinging mechanism from its drive in a similar manner. In this instance, the abutments 55, 56 are made adjustable and are provided with suitable operating mechanism to enable connection of the bar swinging mechanism to its drive at will. The abutments 55, 56 are respectively pivotally mounted at 58, 58 on the cutter head frame 8, and each has pivotally connected thereto at 59 a plunger 69 suitably guided within a strap 6I. The inner adjacent ends of the elements 63 are rounded at 62 for engagement with cam surfaces 63 formed on a rotatable cam member 64, herein rotatably mounted at 65 about an axis coincident with the axis of bar swing, as shown in Fig. 3, and located at the top of the cutter head frame. For rotating this cam member there is provided a lever 99 pivotally mounted at 91 on and overlying the top of the machine frame and having its inner end 99 formed to fit a socket 69 on the cam member. The outer end of this lever is provided with a suitable handle 19, and the lever is guided by means of a transverse guide bar 1l attached to the top of the feed frame, as shown in Fig. 1. When the handle 19 of the lever 95 is swung laterally from the position shown in Fig. 1, the cam member 64 is rotated to cause the cam surfaces 93 thereof to project the plungers |59V outwardly, thereby to swing the abutment members 55, 56 inwardly about their pivots. Swinging movement of the abutment 55 causes the roller release shaft 24 to be slid inwardly into its connected position, thereby connecting the bar swinging mechanism to its drive, as a result, the cutter bar may be swung from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position in that figure. When the cutter bar is in the dotted line position in Fig. l, the abutment 59 may be operated in a similar manner to connect the bar swinging mechanism to its drive. When itis desired to swing the cutter bar to the opposite side of the machine, the abutments 55, 59 are detached from the ma.- chine cutter head and are replaced by similar abutments 12, 13, and the abutment swinging parts are correspondingly reversed. Suitably located bolt holes are provided in the cutter head frame for receiving the holding bolts for the abutments 12 and 13 and the guide straps 9| for the plungers 99, as shown in Fig. 13. When it is desired to swing the cutter bar from one extreme position at one side of the machine to an extreme position at the opposite side of the machine, the abutments 55, 55 and their associated swinging mechanism are removed from the machine, and at this time suitable adjustable abutments 19, 15 threadedly secured within bosses 15 integral with the cutter head frame at the opposite sides of the machine, act to release the bar swinging mechanism when the cutter har reaches each eXtreme limit of swinging movement, as shown in full and dotted lines in l1. When it is desired to position the cutter bar in its central position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11, the bar swinging mechanism may be Vmanually released when it assumes its central position. From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the cutter bar may be swung in either direction about its pivot wholly independently of the machine feeding means and while the motor and cutting mechanism operate continuously in the same direction, the improved reversible swinging mechanism being operable at will to eifect power sving of the cutter bar. It will also be evident that by the provision of the improved adjustable abutment mechanism the bar swinging mechanism may be automatically disconnected from its drive when the cutter bar reaches its limit of swinging movement in either direction, and may be connected to its drive at will.

1n the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 14 to 19, inclusive, the cutter chain 5 is driven from the motor power shaft through a spur pinion 99 meshing with a spur gear 9 i, which in turn drives a spur pinion 92 meshing with a spur gear 93 fixed to a longitudinally extending shaft 99. This shaft, as shown in Fig. 14, is connectible by a sliding cutter chain clutch 85 to an alined shaft 96. Fixed to the shaft 86 is a worm 81 meshing with a worm wheel 88 keyed to a vertical shaft 99. Also keyed to this shaft is a chain sprocket 99 which engages and drives the cutter chain in a Well known manner. The improved bar swinging mechanism in this form of the invention comprises a spur gear 9| meshing with the motor pinion 89 and driving a spur pinion 92 fixed to a longitudinal shaft 93 and meshing with a spur gear 99 journaled on a longitudinally extending shaft 95 herein arranged at the opposite side of the machine from the shaft 86. Also fixed to the shaft 93 and driven thereby is a spur pinion 95 meshing with an intermediate gear 91 in turn driving a pinion 98 meshing with a spur gear 99 also journaled on the shaft 95. It will thus be seen that the spur gears 94, 99 rotate in opposite directions and constitute a reversing mechanism for the shaft 95, and these gears are selectively connectible to the shaft 95 by multiple disc clutches |99 and |9|, respectively. Fixed to the shaft 95 is a worm |92 meshing with a worm wheel |93 secured, as by screws |94, to the cutter bar 4, as shown in Fig. 15.

Keyed to the shaft 99 is an eccentric member or f disk |95, and engaging an eccentric groove i942 formed in the upper face of this eccentric member is a roller |95a carried by a lever |99 pivotallj,7 mounted at |91 and connected at |99 to a shiftable clutch applying member |99 slidably mounted on the shaft 95 intermediate the clutches |99 and |9l. The pivotal mounting E91 for the clutch operating lever is made adjustable, and this adjusting means comprises, as shown in Fig. 19, a vertical shaft ||9 having a suitable socket ||i for receiving a suitable turning instrument. Keyed to the lower end of this shaft is a bevel gear ||2 meshing with a bevel gear H3 herein formed integral with a nut member Elfi suitably journaled at ||5 Within the machine cutter head. f.. 'I'his nut member threadedly engages a screw shaft i5, and slidably mounted on this shaft is a trunnion member ||1 to which the clutch operating lever is pivotally connected. The member |1 is yieldably positioned on the shaft by washers ||1e and ||1b engaging shoulders H9 and ||8ih on the shaft and abutting the opposite ends of the member ||1 when the latter is in its central position shown. Coiled springs ||9 and l |9a encircling the shaft and acting on the wash- :i

ers at that time yieldably maintain the lever |95 in the central or neutral position as shown in Fig. 19. The tension of the springs may be adjusted by collars i9b threaded on the shaft. The shaft I9 is guided at |20 within the machine cutter head. It will thus be seen that when the shaf I9 is rotated, the screw shaft i6 is moved asi in one direction or the other to move the pivotal mounting |91 for the clutch operating lever into different positions against the tension of the opposing spring. For instance, when the pivotal mounting |91 is shifted in one direction, the clutch |9| may be operated, while when the pivotal mounting is shifted in its opposite position, the clutch |99 may be operated. As the eccentric member |95 is rotated during drive of the cutter chain, the lever |99 is oscillated about its pivotal mounting |91, thereby to effect intermittent application and release of the desired friction clutch. As a result, the shaft 95 may be intermittently rotated, and through the worm gearing |92, |93 the cutter bar may be swung about its pivot in either direction under the control of the reverse frictions E99, |9i. In this form of the invention the intermittently rotatable worm M12 functions ina manner similar to the intermittently rotatable worm 22 of the preferred form of the invention above described, and when released from the drive acts as a lock for the cutter bar.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved cutter bar swinging mechanism is provided for a coal mining machine of the ilexibly fed, continuous cutter, bottom cutting type, whereby the cutter bar may be swung in either' direction about its pivot wholly independently of the machine feeding means and without reversal of the machine driving motor and cutting mechanism. It will further be noted that an improved cutter bar swinging mechanism is provided which is of an extremely simple nature and which may be operated and controlled in an improved manner. These and other uses and advantages of the improved bar swinging mechanism will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specically described one form and a modication thereof which the invention mayassume in practice, it will be understtod that this form and modication are shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

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

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, and mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively, and an intermittent grip device for eiiecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other, said grip device being arranged within one of said gear elements.

2. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectiveiy and an intermittent grip device mounted to swing with said cutter bar for effecting rotation of said gear element on said bar relative to said gear element on said frame, and means for automatically releasing said grip device upon a predetermined swinging movement of said cutter bar.

3. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively and an intermittent grip device mounted to swing with said cutter bar for effecting rotation of said gear element on said bar relative to said gear element on said frame, and abutment means on said frame for automatically releasing said grip device upon a predetermined swinging movement of said bar.

4. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for swinging said bar abo-ut its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively and an intermittent grip device for effecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other, abutment means for automatically releasing said grip device upon a predetermined swinging movement of said bar, and means associated with said abutment means for actuating the latter to effect connection of said grip device in driving relation with said rotatable gear element.

5. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for. swinging said bar about its pivot in either of opposite directions including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively and a reversible intermittent grip device for effecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other in either of opposite directions, abutment means for automatically releasing said grip device upon predetermined swinging movement of said bar in either of opposite directions, and means associated with said abutment means for actuating the latter to effect connection of said grip device in driving relation with said rotatable gear element.

6. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, and mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively, and means for effecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other including an intermittent grip device, and an eccentric operated mechanism for actuating said device including a rotatable eccentric member arranged with its axis of rotation coincident with the bar pivot axis, a reciprocatory rod actuated thereby and an oscillatory element actuated by said rod.

'7. In a mining machine of the floor cutter type, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slidein any direction over the mine floor, iiexible feeding means for the machine, a kerf cutting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, mechanism independent from said flexible feeding means for swinging saidbar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively and a speed reducing device including a nal driving element rotatable relative to and mounted to swing with said cutter bar forreffecting rotation of said gear element on said bar relative to said gear element on said frame, and means for automatically releasing said device upon a predetermined swinging movement of said cutter bar.

8. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism Vfor swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively and a speed reducing device for eiecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other, abutment means for automatically releasing said device upon a predetermined swinging movement of said bar, and means associated with said abutment means for actuating the latter to eifect connection of said device in driving relation with said rotatable gear element.

9. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot in either of opposite directions including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively and a reversible speed reducing device for eiecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other in either of opposite directions, abutment means for automatically releasing said device upon predetermined swinging movement of said bar in either of opposite directions, and means associated with said abutment means for actuating the latter to eirect connection of said device in driving relation with said rotatable gear element.

10. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements onA said bar and frame respectively, an intermittent grip de-` vice for eiecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other, means for driving said device, and means operable at will for ,connecting said device in or releasing the same from driving relation with said rotatable gear element including a rotatable operating element coaxial with the bar pivot.

11. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements onl said bar and frame respectively and an intermittent grip device for effecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other, and means operableat will for connecting said device in or releasingfthe same from driving relation with said 'rotatable gear element including a rotatable operating element coaxial with the bar pivot and actuating means for said operating element operable from the end ofthe machine remote from the cutter bar.

12. In a mining machine, a machine frame, kerf cutting mechanism thereon including a pivoted cutter bar, cutting elements on said bar and driving means for said cutting elements including a driving gear coaxial with the bar pivot and a co-v axial element driven thereby for engaging the cutting elements, and mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively,

and means actuated by an element of said cutterl element driving means for eiecting intermittent rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other and including an eccentric mechanism arranged between said gear and said cutter element engaging element and intermittent devices actuated by said eccentric mechanism and mounted to swing with said cutter bar.

13. In a mining machine, a machine frame, kerf cutting mechanism thereon including a pivoted cutter bar, cutting elements on said bar and driving means for said cutting elements including al driving gear coaxial with the bar pivot and a coaxial element driven thereby for engaging the cutting elements, and mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively, and means actuated by an element of said cutter element driving means for effecting intermittent rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other and including an eccentric mechanism arranged Abetween said gear and said cutter element engaging element, said eccentric mechanism including an eccentric and a longitudinally reciprocable rod guided within said frame and actuated by said eccentric and intermittent devices actuated by said eccentric mechanism and mounted to swing with said cutter bar.

14. In a mining machine, a machine frame, kerf cutting mechanism thereon including a pivoted cutter bar, cutting elements on said bar and driving means for said cutting elements including a driving gear coaxial with the bar pivot and a coaxial element driven thereby for engaging the cutting elements, and mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively, and means actuated by an element of said cutter element driving means for effecting intermittent 4rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other and including an eccentric mechanism arranged between said gear and said cutter element engaging element, said eccentric mechanism including an eccentric, a longitudinally reciprocable rod guided Within said frame and actuated by said eccentric and an oscillatory element actuated by said rod, said rod and oscillatory element mounted to swing with said cutter bar.

15. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, and mechanism for swinging said bar about its pivot including cooperating gear elements on said bar and frame respectively, and an intermittent grip device arranged within one of said gear elements for effecting intermittent rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other, said device including a member having oscillatory movement about the axis of the gear element within which said device is arranged, grip elements actuated by said oscillatory element for gripping said gear element, and means coaxial with said oscillatory element for connecting the grip elements in or releasing the same from driving relation with said gear element and including a controlling plunger arranged within and movable axially of said oscillatory element.

16. In a mining machine, a frame, a plane cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon to swing in its plane relativeV thereto, motorfoperated means including driving elements mounted to swing -with said cutter bar for swinging the cutter bar about its pivot to form an arcuatekerf in the mine Wall, and means onsaid frame for automatically disconnecting said motor operated means upon a predetermined swinging movement of said bar.

17. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, motor operatedrmeans for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot including bar swing driving connections including a friction disc clutch, and means automatically loading and Yreleasing the discs of said clutch including an eccentric arranged wit' its axis alined with the bar pivot axis, and clutch operating means actuated by said eccentric.

18. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, motor operated devices for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot in either of opposite directions including cutter bar swinging connections including friction disc reversing clutches, and means for intermittently loading and unloading the discs of one of said clutches to effect bar swing in one direction or the other of said clutches to effect bar swing in the opposite direction including an eccentric arranged with its axis alined with the bar pivot axis, and clutch operating means actuated by said eccentric.

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, and motor operated means for actuating said kerf cutter including cutter driving gearing, and motor operated devices for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot including bar swing driving gearing entirely independent from said cutter driving gearing and variable speed driving means adjustable at will during bar swing for intermittently drivintermittent bar swinging mechanism operatively connected to said bar, and associated means for varying the operation of said intermittent mechanism for varying the rate of bar swing, said associated means being adjustable at Awill to obtain a wide range of intermittent swinging speeds between zero and a predetermined maximum and continuous swing at said predetermined maximum low speed.

21. In a mining machine of the iioor cutter type, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slideV in any direction over the mine oor, iieXible feeding means for the machine, a kerf cutting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame, motor operated means entirely independent from said flexible feeding means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot including an intermittent bar swinging mechanism operatively connected to said bar and including a friction clutch through which power is transmitted to eiect bar swing, means for intermittently applying and releasing said clutch at predetermined time intervals, and associated means for varying the intervals of application and release of said clutch to vary the rate of bar swing.

22. In a mining machine of the longwall floor cutter type, a low compact machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction ove1` the mine iioor, flexible feeding means for the machine, a keri cutting cutter bar pivotally mounted on said frame at one end thereof, motor operated means entirely independent from the iiexible feeding means for swinging said cutter barV about its pivot, and means operable from the end of the machine frame remote from the bar pivot for controlling said bar swinging means.

23. In a mining machine, in combination, Inachine feeding means, kerf cutting means includlng a cutter bar pivotally mounted for swinging movement, and motor operated means operable independently of the machine feeding means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot including bar swinging driving connections, said driving connections including a friction disc clutch, and means actuated by an element of said motor operated means for intermittently loading and unloading the discs of said clutch at timed intervals.

24. In a mining machine, in combination, ma-

aofaaeeeV chine feeding means, kerf cutting means including a cutter bar pivotally mounted for swinging movement, and motor operated means operable independently of the machine feeding means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot in either 0f opposite directions including alternatively operable friction disc reversing clutches and means actuated by an element of said motor operated means for intermittently loading and unloading the discs of either clutch.

25. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, motor operated means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot including an intermittent grip device mounted to swing with said cutter bar, and means arranged coaxially with said device for reversing the direction of operation thereof at will.

26. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, and motor operated means for swinging said cutter bar `about its pivot including an intermittent grip device and a plunger arranged coaxially with said device for releasing said grip device at will. 27. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a

cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, and motor ff operated means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot including a driven member having a bore, a ratchet device arranged within said bore, and a plunger arranged coaxially with said ratchet device for releasing the same at will.

28. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon, a driving motor, and mechanism operated by said motor for swinging said bar about its pivot selectively in opposite directions including cooperating gear 5.1.

elements, one on said bar and one on said frame, and means for eiecting rotation of one of said gear elements relative to the other to effect bar swing including in coaxial relation with said rotated gear element selectively reversely effective intermittent-motion transmitting means operative to effect step-by-step bar swing in either direction while said motor operates continuously in a single direction, and means adjustable in a direction longitudinally of the axis of said rotatable gear element for controlling said intermittent-motion transmitting means to determine the direction of rotation of said gear.

CLYDE P. BALDWIN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION,

Patent No. 2,053,259. September 8, 1936.

CLYDE P. BALDWIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring Correction as follows: Page 3, second column, line 62, for the Word "direction" read position: page 5, second column, line 57, claim 1'7, for "releasing" rea-d unloading; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this lst day of December, A, D. 1956.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of' Patents..

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