US2612363A - Mining apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30, 1952 A. LLEE MINING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 23, 1946 E E. 7 N .NN J W E M Nw. G. rm. 3L. 4 Nm m MW- T fm. o9 e v mm. A @M .VU- ww. om Mi Nm UQ Q wm. U 4 w: im; hm m J m mm. u m- G o \H\W Q o. n ow. wm. D E* /\H om. N n Q W NU. S. f a m Nw. e@ G. Q m? D r@ N fha@ m@ EL. s., m wm. wmf E mm T m w Nv rv am 5 Sheets-sheet 2- Filed Jan. 25, 1946 .ws ms N@ Nv.

AE1-HU@ L, LEE,

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Sept. 30, 1952 Filed Jan. 25

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m4 e m A. L. LEE

MINING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Imc/lm; ARTH une L. LEE,

sept. 3o, 1952 A. L. LEE 2,612,363

MINING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gmc/vm; ARTHUR L. LEE,

w, M4K/m @muy Sept. 30, 1952 `A. l.. LEE 2,612,363

MINING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1946 5 sheets-sheet 5 ARTHUR L. LEE,

Patented Sept. 30, 1.952

2,612,363 MINING APPARATUS Arthur L. Lee, Upper Arlington, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application January 23, 1946, Serial N o. 642,862

(ci. 26e- 30) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a mining machine and in the specific embodiment disclosed in detail and in its most specific aspect it relates to a mining machine of the shortwall type. It is to be understood, however, that a great many of the features, aspects, combinations and subcombinations are applicable to different types of mining machines including, by way of illustration but not limitation, longwall, longwallshortwall, or arcwall mining machines.

One object of my invention is to provide a mining machine with an improved gummer or cuttings removing mechanism, demountable in character, in which there is -a power take-olf provided on the mining machine, both while the demountable cuttings removing mechanism is in place and when it is removed.

It is another object of my4 invention to provide a, mining machine with a gummer or cuttings removing mechanism which is either removable as a unit from the machine or is built into it as a permanent part and in which a pump unit including a pair of spaced rotating devices, having a throat between them, is provided to effect removal of the cuttingsfthe apparatus preferably being operable for reverse directions of travel of the cutter mechanism.

In carrying out the foregoing object, it is a further object of my invention' to provide an improved cuttings guide means positioned to receive cuttings propelled by the spaced rotating devices or pump unit and to convey said cuttings to a mine conveyor, the discharge end of the guide means being mounted to translate and pivot with respect to the mine conveyor during operation of the mining machine. A further and more'speciflc object of the invention is to provide an improved means for connecting a cuttings directing guide means, chute, or conveyor to a second conveyor whereby said cuttings conveyor may translate and pivot with respect to the second conveyor.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide interlocking means between the gummer or cuttings removing mechanism of a mining -machine, the cutter of which is reversible, and

a reversing switch for the cutter drivingv motor,

thereby insuring that the gummer or cuttings removing mechanism will always operate in the same direction for reverse operation of the driving motor.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an improved, compact and highly efficient gummer or cuttings removing mecha- Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.-

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of vashortwall type machine which incorporates features of my invention and wherein a, portion of the machine is broken awayv to enhancethe showing of the cuttings removing or gummer thereof, the cuttings guide means, chute, f or conveyor being mounted upon a mine' conveyor;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational vifiw'of a portion of the apparatus shown inFig; 1';

Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional Yview of therear portion of the machine taken substantially through the center thereof, showing particularly the machinery frame compartment and the gummer or cuttings lremoving mechanism, some parts being eliminated inA the interest ofclearness; ,l

Fig. 4 is a rear end elevational view of the mining machinepwith parts broken away and shown invertical section; Y I

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view, with various parts omitted, showing particularly the gummer or cuttings removing yunitA and its association with the cutter chain and cutter chaindrive sprocket; i

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an electrical control portion of the machine showing operating parts of electric control switches thereof, the view being taken on the line 6 6 of Fig.- '7

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional viewc'f` the apparatus of Fig. 6, certain sections 'being taken in different planes so as to illustrate all of the operating parts; and'-v Y f Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan View of a detail of the machine whichl is shown in dottedrlines in nism particularly adapted for a machine of the shortwall type.

Fig. l.

This application isla. continuation inpart of my application for a Mining Machine, Serial No. 586,979, filed April 6, 1945. 1 1

It is to be understoodthatVthrQughOut, the disclosure of this applicationA follows that of my parent application above identified, unless a contrary fact is distinctly indicatedin the drawings or specification. f v l.

Referring particularly -to the drawings and to the shortwall machine'whi'ch is therein disclosed and in which there is incorporated A'the various combinations, sub-combinations, features and aspects of .my invention, it may be pointed out first that one ofthe important considerations which dictates some of the structure is the overall height of the mining machine.

Referring rst to Figs. land 2 ofthe drawby a person facing it.

, after pointed out more completely is optionally employed or omitted.

` Extending forwardly from the motor y section 4l is a kerf-cutting mechanism-44 including an elongated cutter bar 45 which is of substantially standard construction upon which there 4 and 49 and the lubrication system for all of the machinery is described in detail in my parent application, above identified, and need not again be described here.

Extending from the motor section ii into the machinery section 42 is the end of a hollow drive shaft `,.'Q-.vvhich i s supported atgitsI outer end on anlanti-frictionbearing E vvhich in turn is supported on a web or integral bracket formed on the frame 42 which provides a substantially total- Y ly enclosing housing for the machinery or gears frame or therein.

Keyed adjacent the end of the shaft 59 is a [pinionBlfwhiclimeshes with a larger pinion is mounted an endless cutter chain 4'provided with removable and reversible cutter bits4l .-As y is well known, the shortwall type of mining machine is adapted to be fed as a unit over the mine `iioor while cutting a kerf, the kerf being cut by nrst sumping'the'cuttei" bar'into the' solid coal and then feeding the machine laterally or vacross the coal face, allthe'while the kerf cutting mechanism 44 is in operation. Q

VTo eiect the" feeding of the mining machine asa unit, both at a kerf cutting speed and at a `handling or higher speed'land in reverse directions, the machine includesl a pair of feed cable orrope drums` 48 and '49 mounted on horizontal axes which ,are preferably inalignment, one on one side of the machine, the other on the other, `as clearly illustrated Vin ligflof the drawings.

. Drums 48 and dgareprovided with feed ropes ,v

or cables 50 and5 l ,respectively, which are adapt- `ed to bereeved about'the'shea'ves of similar right and left hand rear sheave assemblies 52 and 53, respectively, and/or similar right and left hand front sheave assemblies 54 and 55, respectively.

Herein it need onlybe vpointed out that the driving motor which drives the drums 48 and 49 tends to drive them alwaysgin the same direction, `regardless of the direction ofwrotationl of the mowtor, and that direction issuch that it tends always `to Wind or pull in said ropes 5B. and 55|. That is, idrum A4 8 ytends, always to be rotated by its driving `motor in a clockwise direction, as viewed by a :personv facing it, and drum 49 tends always to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed In Fig. ,1 of the'drawings the machine is illustrated with the ropes' 50 and 5| reeved about the fpulleysvij and 55 toeffectua lateral feeding of `the machine to the left, as viewed from the rear thereof, or upward, as viewed from the drawings.

`By the mere expedient of reeving rope 5l) about `the sheave of front assembly 54 and reeving rope A 15l about the sheave of sheave assembly 53 and lmaking the necessary operating `adjustments on the machine, it may be fed to the right, reversely v `of that illustrated in said Fig. 1 of the drawings. Theshortwall mining machine illustrated is adapted to rest on and slide over the mine floor E3 of the drawings-and to some of the machinery `or gearing which is contained within the machin- `ery section 42 which includes the drive gearing leading to the cutter chain 46 'and tothe drums ,48 and 49.

The drive mechanism leading'to'vthe `drums 48 l `bearings within the housing or frame 42.

keyed .to a shaft 63 lhaving an integral bevel pinion 64, the vshaft 63 being mounted in spaced Pinion l$4 meshes with a large bevel ring gear E5, the hub of which is mounted in a roller bearing 56 carriedin a bearing cup in a removable top plate 61, 4which is removably.attached"to'the'frame 42 and forms a part 'of the e'nclo'sizrecr'housing'provided thereby. lThe hub of ring-ge'aris also mounted on' spaced `needle bearings", 5B by which it is mounted forf free rotation o n'av vertical or upstanding shaft I69, to:the"bijttmof'wliich`a drive slpro'cketull forthe cutter "chain'fl .prvided.A f f The drivevv shaft B5 extends through `a lolein ah elevatedI integral: bottom plate TT l' df'` the' 'frame or A)section 42, ispreferablyf'forniedas a single steel casting,` and isfll'l'ported principally on a roller'beari'n as by machinesfcre'ws.' Y.,

YSince the sprocket. 'ill is, the atmospher'eand is llytsid vided by the enclesingfraine r sectl e" attenesentient, vthat 4the shaft 695 is supportednin Athe frame, Qr section 42 by the bearing 7 2 'at the bottornandby the combined actions vof the top bearing Se andthe needlei-.bearnesi-S .through the intermediary of the hub 0f -1111g-fge155-f 1t *flllhll 'eli/ident from the` above.p description that there. is nota permanent 0r direct 4driving cennetioniirom the fins gear 65.110, the Shaft .69feet `@n the, Contrary :the vring seal' 65 is. free t0 rotate Qaidshaftt To support thering gearv ongthegshaft i69 against downward axial movementftherelis -a thrust ball bea-ring 8 I interposed betweenashoul-` der on the shaftgqand theibottom of the hubv Mounted concentric with lthe v ring:l gear 55 `Vand Ithe shaft 69 and keyed fontdthe ,hub of ySaid ring gear is a bevel gear-,82. Gears and 82 therefore alwaysi rotate;F together randieach Aisi directly At its bottom portion thegcar'formsf-a driving portion of. a, jaw vclutch andris provided with ciutch dogs'3.vk Providing the driven* portion of said clutch-is a shiftable lcollar'r84:havingdogs adapted to be @engaged "with 'or-"disengaged" from the dogs 83. Collar 84 is shiftable`^upwarclly and downwardly Aon the shaft 69 and'is -splinedtor keyed thereto so that whenever it:is-fdriven',"a driving relation is effected to said shaft SQ. A bifurcated shipperl mounted on 'a rotary horizontal clutch shaft Bfis -provided for' operating the clutch:s3-'1311,'whichf cmtchfbviiisiy; is'tne clutch for effecting a driving or non-"driving'relaalways ro- 'asia-sca tion with the driving motor shaft 59 to the kerf cutter chain 4t.Y

The operating shaft 86 is carried in appropriate bearings and is operatively connected to a transversely extending operating shaft (not shown) which extends through the upright side walls of the frame 42 andv is provided with an operating lever and handle y9| on each side of the mining machine so that the clutch for engaging and disengaging the cutter chain 46 may be operated from either side of the machine. I

Meshingfwith the bevel gear 82 is a bevel gear 92 mounted on a horizontal longitudinally extending shaft 93 provided with an integral power take-olf head 94, thus providing a power take-off mechanism whereby the driving motor of' the mining machine may be employed to drive a supporting truck in a manner well understood in the art, whenever the gummer or cuttings removing mechanism 43 is not attached to the machine. `When said gummer or cuttings removing mechanism 43 is attached to the machine, it isprovided with mechanism to derive power from the power take-off 94 and in turn is provided with an extended power take-off so as still to provide for the truck drive.

The shaft 93 is mounted on spaced anti-friction ball bearings, one of which is held in a receiving cup'or socket 95 attached to and forming in fact a part of the enclosing frame or housing section 42. This recessed cup or socket 95 provides a protecting enclosure for the power take-off head 94 and prevents this continuously rotating part being freely exposed where it might harm an individual when rotating,

It is obvious that the head 94 is directly and permanently connected to the drive shaft 59 so that it'always rotates -with said shaft 59 and in a direction determined by the direction of rotation thereof. The power take-off head 94 in'- cludes' a plurality of spaced bores or holes 96 adapted to receive coupling pins 91 .of an associated power receiving mechanism which may be that for driving the supporting truck for the mining machineor, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, coupling pins 91 provide a connecting means to the gummer or cuttings removing mechanism 43 by way of a drive shaft 98 mounted clutching sleeves |93 and |94, respectively, each mounted on a pair of spaced ball bearings which are carried by a driven shaft |95 which is in turn mounted on a pair of spaced ball bearings, one of which is seen at |96, said spaced ball bearings being supported on spaced brackets of the gummer frame 99.

Splined on the shaft |95 for sliding movement'thereon is a driven clutch sleeve or member |91 which is provided with cooperating dogs on opposite sides or faces adapted to cooperate selectively with the clutch dogs of clutching sleeves |93 and |94. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the clutch sleeve |91 is in its central or neutral position where the gummer is disengaged, but by shifting it in opposite directions the gummer may be driven in opposite directions relative to the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 59. It may be stated that in operation, the gummer is designed alwaysto rotate inthe same direction, but since the driving shipper |98 is employed which is-mounted on a pivot shaft |99 carried in the gummer frame 99. As illustrated in Fig; '3 of the drawings, the shipper |98 Ahas an larm carryingarcuate plate ||9 rhaving a central detent-cooperating with a centering spring-pressed ball the function of which is vto insure centering and thus disengaging of the clutchfmember |91 whenever the clutch operating mechanism is moved to its neutral position.

The two' reversely rotating gears |9| and |92 mesh with a bevel gear |2 that includes a stub shaft thatl interts with vand is keyed to shaft v| I3. Shaft ||3 is mounted on spaced ball bearings on a power take-off socket or receptacle H4 formed integralv with the gummer casing 99. The

shaft ||3 is provided with a power take-olf head ||5 which is of generally' similar construction to the head' 94 and is of similar function. That is, it provides a power take-olf by which a supporting truck for the mining machine may be driven whenever the gummer is attached to the mining machine. The gummer 43 is removable as a complete unit, by removing a plurality of machine screws Illy (see Figs. 4 and 5) which removably attach the gummer frame 99 to the frame 42. Obviously, the coupling provided by the power take-off head 94, pins 91 and shaft 99 provides av readily disconnectible driving connection from .the shaft 93 to said shaft 98 of the gummer mechanism.

It may rfurther be pointed out that there is a continuous or permanent drive between the shaft 59 and the power take-off 94 which, when the gummer is attached, also continues to the power take-off |I5, and this gear train is uninterrupted by any clutches whatever so that when the gummer is attached the power take-off ||5 always rotates with the motor shaft 59.

Reverting toa consideration of the operating structure of. the gummer clutch, the shipper |93 is pivotally connected at its upper end (see Figs. 3 and 4), to a connecting box provided at the center of a: spring centered shaft |29 carried in a laterally shiftable frame |2| to' which an adjustable operating rod |22 is adjustably but rigidly connected. The spring held shaft |29 is normally held at a predetermined position with respect to the frame |2| by a pair of spaced centering springs |23 and consequently when the frame |2| is shifted to the right or left from its neutral or clutch disengaging position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the operating shaft |29 will normally move with it to effect either of the reverse driving Aconnections to the gummer shaft|95.

vThe dogs of the clutch members |93, |94 and |91 are .preferably beveled and thus provide a safety throw-out mechanism in case of any over--y yloading of the gummer and this safety throw-out' vmechanism is eected by compressing one of thel springs |23 and thus moving the shaft |29 with respect to the frame I2 l, even though said frame unl .isihgela inf-ennemi iheclutch .eneaeine..;rei

The operating roV |22isV pivotallyf connected to a pivoted gummer clutchoperatingfleven |24 (seelr'iefs-V landl.. which iS ,pr0vi.dd;.lV.th a spring-pressed ball or pin adaptedto V cooperate with any one of three dentsin ra dent plate- |25 and thus frictionally holdthe operating lever |24 in its clutch disengaging position or. .either of its Vreverse clutch I engaging positions.`|- Ijhere is an interlock mechanism also connectedtothe pivoted lever |24 which is described in detail hereinafter and which yI Jrovides aninterlock between said lever `and the reversing switch ofthe driving motor of the.mining.niachinef The preyiouslyjd'escribed shaft |05 ,drives a pair of reversely rotating'sweeping, conveying, pumping or feeding devices 'whichare laterally spaced apart and substantially equidistant onoppos'ite sides of the longitudinal centralaxsof the machine, the two sweeping devicesbeingof similar construction, one of them being shown in section in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the otherbeing partly shown in elevation therein. Likewise, in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings, 'one of these, devices is yshown. in section andthe ,otherlin plan.

Since the two sweeping devices'are similar, a detailed description Aof one will apply to bothand similar 'reference characters are employedfor the detailed parts. For ,identification purposes the one on the right, asviewedfromthe rear of the machine, is designatedwl'26 and the one onthejieft |21.. Each. sweeping .device 12.6.1121 isdriyen bevel in spaced anti-friction bearingson' appropriate portions of the frame 99 of the gummer 43;

At its lower end the shaft is provided with an integralA disc-shaped head I3| which is the head or top plate of a sweeping mechanism |26 or |21, as the case may be. Extending downwardly from each head |3| is a cylinder or drum |32 which is preferably yopen at the bottom and the axis of which is substantially along the axis of the shaft |30 and is vertical.`

The gummer frame 99 4includes a bottom plate |33 whichvat the back is provided with an upwardly curved edge and which at the front terminates just behind the path of travelV of the cutter bits 41. Extending upwardly from and rigidly attached to the bottom plate |33 is a post or shaft |34 for each of the sweeping devices |26 and-|21, the axis of the post or shaft |34 beingeccentric with respect to the axis of the drum |32 and shaft |30. Mounted for free rotation on each post or shaft |34 is a plurality of blades |35, each provided with an integralbracket |36 which provides the aforesaid pivotal connection to thepin or post 34.

The periphery of each drum |32 is .provided with a plurality of vertical slots |31, there being one for each blade |35. A bladeV projects through each of the slots |31 and as the drums It is thus vevident that by rotating the two drumsY |32 of the sweeping mechanism |26 and |21 so that sweeping mechanism |26 rotates counter-clockwise and sweeping mechanism" |21 i8 rotatesclockwise, as viewed iii-Fig. 5 of the drawings, the cuttings which are delivered-Lto the rear of the machine by the cutter chain 46 and bits- 41 f will be swept through the throat formed between the two sweeping devices bythe combination rotating and reciprocating blades |35 and be swept, conveyed, pushed, pumpedforimpelled out ofthe rear of the gummeror of the. mining machine and thus entirely out of yits path of-travel. As best seen in Fig-dofv the drawings, alongitudinal axis through the mining machine will pass down the center of the machine-throughthe shaft-63 and the cuttingswwill bey guidedinta the paths .of -theblades 4|35 `byguide members |38 whichare formed rigidlwith the gummer frame 99 andact to Adirectzthe cuttingsgintothe path of the sweeping. mechanisms .|26 and'l21. Guide members |38 are provided with slots|39v in their outerv` upright-plates so'` that the gumrner may be slid forwardly andgu'idedinto place, with a pin v4|4|l`being received by'ea'ch'slot |39, the'two pins |40 on opposite sides of the machine being rigidly attachedto an uprightpartition of the'frame member 42. .1,

'As clearlyA illustrated also in Fig. 5 ofthe draw.- ings', each blade |35 reciprocat'es relative to its associated drum |32 between maximum Vand minimum extensions beyond theface'of'the drum, the minimum extension' being when th'c'eplate' has justlpassed itsrearmost position relative tolthe gummer 43; The maximum position ofthe 'blade |35 is substantially that illustrated for the forw'ardly` extendingA blade |35 of' the.. sweeping mechanism |21jand this, of course,occur`s when the central vertical plane of the blade .passes through the axes of the post V|34'and the shaft |30. It is'further evident by reference to Fig. 5 that theblades of the 'sweeping devices |26 and |21 are staggered; that is, a blade |35 of each sweeping device |26 and |21 is positioned substantially midway between two blades of the other so 'that blades |35 of the sweeping devices |26 and 21 successively sweep over the central or sweeping pathway between the drums'of the sweeping devices |26 and |21. Because 'of this fact, they can overlap or, in other words', 4sweep over at least some common portion of theplate |33'.

A spreviously mentioned, thesweeping devices |26 and |21 are always'intended to rotate in the same directions so as to sweep the cutting-s by positive action from the front to the rear, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5. This gummer, however, acts with equal facility. regardless of the direction of rotation of vthe chain 46 and the bits 41. In Fig. 5 arrows indicate a counterclockwise rotation of the drive sprocket 1|).v However, in operationv the bits 41 maybe reversed and the chain 46 likewise reversed whenever the lateral feeding direction of the mining machine is changed.y

Obviously, due to the symmetrical arrangement of the gummer, including the guide members |38, it will operate with equal facility regardless of the direction of rotation of the sprocket 10 and the `direction of travel of the cutter chain 46. Sincev the same motor drives both the sprocket 1|) andthe gummer, it is, of course, necessary to provide the gummer reversing clutch |03, |04, |01, above described, and interlocking mechanism, hereinafter described, is provided te insure that the gummer sweeping devices |26 and |21 willy always rotate in the proper direction. i It may be further pointed out that as the ten.. sion and slack runs of the cutter chain 46 travel rearwardly along the bottom of the mining machine, as described more completely hereinafter, the cuttings will be guided largely by a pair of similar guide ribs |4|. These ribs |41 areactually integral parts ofthe frame -sections 4| and 42 and the parts integralwith-eachof said sections 4| and 42 act as continuations of the partsof the other. As a matter of fact, reverting-to Fig. 5, the portions of the -frame 42. to which the pins |40 are connected,vare parts of .the-guide ribs |4|, as there indicated. 1- Y As wasy previously mentioned, an interlock is provided between the reversing switch of the motor |54 4and the gummer 43 to insurel that said gummer will always discharge thecuttings rearwardly through its central throat for reverse operation of said motor. Figs. 6 and 7 show certain portions of the motor control and reversing mechanism which suffice for an understanding of the operation thereof and the above mentioned interlock. I f

Mounted man appropriate compartment'on the rear right hand side ofthe motor section 4| is a motor reversing drum/M6 which is provided with an operating shaft 4|1andyreversinglever 4| 8. Positioned below the drum.4|.6 is a motor switch 4|9 provided with an operating cam 428 which may :be operated .from one side of themachine by a switch lever 42| and shaft 422, or from the opposite side of the machine by a similarly located lever which is connected by way of a crossrod 423 lwhich in turn is connected to the shaft 422 by a linkage mechanism 424.

Carried by the shaft 422 is a swinging arm 425 which extendsinto an opening of a latch pin 428 which extends slightly through a guide v42'! carried on a switch mounting plate 428. The vlatch pin 426 cooperates witha cam 429 whichfis'attached rigidly with the shaft `4| 1 and it prevents rotation-of` sa'id'shaft 4|'| and thus prevents'operation of the reversing drum 4|6, except when the motor. switch cam y42|) isv swung to motor switch opening position, inI which case the latch pin 426 is moved out of the path of ,the cam--429 and permits it to be moved to a reverse'position.

Also mounted on the drum operating shaft 4H drawings, it will be seen that connected to the vis inone of its reverse operating positions.A

With the rod 438 in this one position, it-isonly possible to move the gummer clutch lever |24 in a; clockwise position as this is permitted byv a notch 44| in rod 438 into which one projection of a U-shaped yoke 442 may freely extend. Re-

` verse'operation'of the lever |24 from its neutral is an upwardly extending,v arm 43|)fwhlchA at its upper end carries aroller` 43 received in-v an.` elongated opening in an operating clip 432 which is carried on a transversely extending `rod 433 which extends to the opposite sideof the machine and is operated b'yvafleverv generally similar in position and construction to lever 4|8.

Also extending lthrough the wall or plate through which shafts `4|?y and 422 extend, there is an operating shaft 434vwhich on its inner end carries a rigidly ,attached downwardly extending arm435 which is bifurcatedat its'bottom and extends about a roller 435 mounted on a pivot pin carried :by the arm 430. Outside ,said casing the shaft 434 is provided with a rigidly attached lever 431 connected to ai transversely extending rod 438 (see Figs. 1, 3, 7 'and 8) ofthe interlock mechanism betweenv the" reversing switch including drum 4|.8, andthe gummer 43. l i

It is obvious that if the operating shaft 4H is rotated to one position to cause rotation ofthe motor |54 inrone-direction,therod 438iwil1 be shifted to one position through the interconnection provided by arm 430, roller'436, arm 435, shaft 434 and lever 431. If the motor reversing switch is moved to a reverse directionbyrotation ofthe shaft. 4 a responsive swinging movement of the'lever'431 will take place to shift the rod 438. y

Referring particularly toFigs. 1 and 8 ofthe -position is prevented, for if attempted the left hand arm of yoke 442 would contact the adjacent side of rod 438 and prevent such clutch engaging movement. On the otherl hand,- if the motor switch isv reversed, this will produce upwardmovementof the rod 438 from theposition .illustrated in Fig. 8, whereupon a notch 443 there.-

ofwill only permit counterclockwise or .reverse movement of the clutch operating lever |24 from the neutral position.

Furthermore, the interlock provided: by the structure of Fig. 8 will prevent reversal of the motor reversing switch 4|6, 4|'| exceptwhen the .gummer clutchI is in its neutral position, for when said gummer clutchis ineither of its operating positions, there will be one arm of the yoke442 received in a notch 44| or 443 which will lock the rod 438 and thus'lock said motor reversing switch inposition.

Fromthe above description, it is evident that the disclosed machine is of low overall height and thus meets requirements of thin seammining. Furthermore, the machine is one which meets the requirements :of conveyor mining, particularly wherein a face conveyor is employed directly behind the mining machine. The controls'for the machine are located on the sides vand-'are substantially duplicated on each side. The location of the controls at the sides is` also desirable, particularly where the gummer' or cuttings revmover is attached and this device may either be attached or detached, or, in other words, the machine may be built with or without it and if built with it, lit may be subsequently removed.

,Interlock mechanism is providedfso that the gummer or cuttings remover will always discharge cuttings to the rear, regardless of the direction of rotation of the motorv or of the cutter chain. Sincethe machine is designed to cut by movement either to the right or to the left, this -is an important feature.

The gummer or cuttings removing device acts to gather cuttings vdeliveredto the rear of the machine by the cutter chain 48 and to convey said cuttings rearwardly with equal facilityv for reverse directions of travel of said .cutter chain. This gummer acts to convey the vcuttings rearwardly through a restricted throat by positive or pumping action; thus itvwllcreate a force-or pressuresuflicient to impel or move the material rearwardly from the machine.

Referring again to Figs. land 2, an important part of my invention resides in the cuttings removal mechanism for conveying cuttings from the mining machine and discharging theml linto a mine conveyor for removal from the'mine. In the lembodiment of my invention illustrated,` the cuttings conveyor mechanism includes a funnel or material directing chute |50'that is 'secured to upright members which are' formed Yas an integral part of the bottom plate I 33 of the glimmer or cuttings removal mechanism. y A The funnel or! material directing chute |50 is formed to include a rearwardly extending lip |52 to which a generally horizontally extending flexible tube, conduit-or cuttings directing guide |53 of a follower conveyor |55 issecured'. '-The''exible tube |53 maybe formed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner, but herein I have shown it as being-formedffa resilient corrugated material which is reinforced Vby a helical metal coil |54 which causes it to-retain its shape. The rear or discharge' end"ofAthe'-tube |53 of the follower conveyor |55 is mounted upon a truck or rack |56 which in turn is mounted upon and follows or translates along a mine con- -veyor |51` during operation of the min-ing- --machine; Whilethe truck. orrackv. |56 -of vtl'iefol- -`lower conveyor-.155 may-be secured tothe-mine conveyor '-in. any -suitable lmanner to translate -therealong, I preferably--formmhe sidewalls |58 of themine' conveyor |51 -to include'a-pai-rof outwardly extending lips ori flanges 59 one of lwhich extends alon'geach 'side and/throughout the length thereof. These flanges are adapted to receive rollers` |60 and -|6| of Ifthe truck or 41a(;1{4|56,1....L' 1 l i l .M'Ihe Ytruck or rackA |56 Lin cludes'abcd plate'v or slide .|62ffrom whicha ba'ror beam=| 63-1 extends across' :the-` openitop ofdi thefmine conveyor @and 4upon -the A end of whiclris 'mountedlthe roller- |160. Roller |60 isa doublelanged spool that fits and -rolls along a lip |59 ofthe mine fconveyor. The bed plate or slide |62 rides uponitheupper 'sur- -Yfaceofthe other 'lip. |59 of tha-mine" conveyor hand carries-a pair of spaced-rollersinlthe for-m .of- 'single iianged spools 1| 6| vwhich-are' adapted -to :engage a lip |59 of the conveyor, as-herein'after Udescribed. A ring lvor mount |64 on the endof 'the tubev |53 -is secured to fthe'top of'thebed-plate |62fand centrally thereofz f if w1: FIn operation,l the' bed `plate Ior slide- |62-rests -upon..a top-edge of the'mine conveyorandis retained thereon bythe pull offthe exible -tube |53 and the roller |60 on the end of the bar or beamv |63 which engages the lip |59 over-which the bar-|63 extends. vThe mining machine in cutting' akerf moves substantially parallel tothe mine conveyor and pulls or cau'ses the follower conveyor |55 to' translate alongthe mine'fconveyor |51. The rollers 'liiengage the 'adjacent flanges |59 tof the mine conveyorfto limit the Vpivotal movement of thetru'ck or rack |56 about the roller |60 and to securethe' truck to the mine conveyor. i i I The cuttings that are ejected from themining machine bythe gummer or cuttings removing mechanism are thrown, forced or pumped rearwardlythrough the tube |53 ofthe follower conveyor and are deposited in the mine conveyor |51... `The tube |53 may -be comprised of two or more sections .joined together to'accommodate it to' various mining conditions and positions of the .mine` conveyor with respect to the mining machine. The internal diameter of the tube |53 also preferably tapers or progressively increases outwardly.v slightly from `the mining machine to prevent material from becoming packed therein. In the past, the practice prevalent in disposing of the cuttings from such mining machines was to station a miner adjacentthe exhaust port of the machine to shovel the cuttings out of the 'path of the 'mining operations, and from the foregoing it will be' seen that I have provided an improved cuttings directing mechanism that connects the cuttings removing means of the mining 5 machine wi-thf'a'mne conveyor for directing and yconveying the cuttings propelled from the positive acting cuttings vpumping mechanism. The mechanism is of extremely simple construction and requires little or no attention from the mining machine operator since the truck or rack |56 follows the mine conveyor |51 and is moved or Vpulledtlierealoig by the 'mining machine.

' The follower conveyor is readily removed from the' mine cor,iveyo'r without the use of tools by pivotingtljie bed, plate |62 about the roller |66 'untilfthe rolle'r'il6l becomes disengaged suhiciently fromv the flange |59 that it is adapted to engage and then by moving the follower conveyor to disengage the roller |60 from the ange |58 with which it is associated and then lifting the follower conveyor upwardly from the mine conveyor. Itfv'villlo'e'^'see,nV that the follower conveyor may ,be installed 'upon the mine conveyor from either side thereof, since'the mine conveyor is symmetrical bin cross section.

Obviously those skilledl in the art may make various changes'J in thedetails and r`arrangement of parts without departing from' the spirit and scope of theinvyention"as'ldened by the claims hereto' appendedpand Ithereforewish notto be restricted to the'precle construction herein disclosed.y Y

Having .thus described and Vshownan embodiment of myjnvention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. `In`a miningmachina the combinati-on with a frame, of a reversible motor mounted thereon, kerf cutting mechanism' connected tosaid frame including lan endless cutter chain and drive sprocket, cuttingsremoving mechanism located adjacent said cutter chain and drive vsprocketinycluding a pair oflaterally spaced rotating drums having Ablades which reciprocate relative to said drums ands'weep the cuttings rearwardly, reversing gearing'intercionnecting said reversible motor `ands'aidL cuttings removing mechanism to drive it including reversing gearing'whereby said cuttings removing mechanism will always be driven in the same direction for reverse directions of rotation of said motor,r reversing switch mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor,l and interlocking mechanism between said motor reversing'm'echanism and said cuttings removing mechanism reversing gearing to require that the cuttings removing mechanism be always driven in the samedirection, as aforesaid.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of a reversible motor mounted thereon, kerf cutting mechanismgconnected to said frame including van endless cutter chain and drive sprocket, cuttings removing mechanism located adjacent said cutter chain and drive sprocket, reversing gearing interconnecting said reversible motor and said cuttings removing mechanism to drive it including reversing gearing whereby said cuttings removing mechanism will always be driven in the same direction for reverse directions 70 of rotation ofA said motor, reversing switch mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation of said'motor, and interlocking mechanism between said motor reversing mechanism and'said cuttings removing mechanism reversing gearing to require that the cuttings removing mechanism be always driven in the same direction, as aforesaid. A

3. In a mining machine, the combinati-on with a reversible motor, reversiblev control mechanism for said motor, a driven cuttings removing member adapted to be driven inl one direction' only, gearing interconnecting said-motor anddriven cuttings removing member including reversing gearing, reverse operating means for said reverse gearing, means interlocking said reversible motor. control mechanism and said reverse operating means whereby said driven cuttings removing member is always driven in the samefdirection lwhen operated, said interlocking means including a rod having spaced notches on opposite sides and operated by said reversible control mechanism, and a cooperating forked member connected to said reverse operating means for said reversing gear, said forked member fitting said notched rod and being insertable selectively into said spaced notches by reverse movements thereof.

4. In aminingl machine, the combination with operated by said reversible control mechanism, vand a cooperating forked member connected to said reverse operating means for said reversing gear, said forked member tting said notched rod` and being insertable selectively into said spaced notches by reverse movements thereof..

5. In a mining machine, the combination with a reversible motor, reversible control mechanism for said motor, a driven cuttings removing member adapted to be driven in one direction only, gearing interconnecting said motor and driven cuttings removing member including reversing gearing, reverse operating means for said reverse gearing, and means interlocking said reversible motor control mechanism and said reverse operating means whereby said driven cuttings removing member is always driven in the same direction when operated.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a reversible motor, reversible control mechanism for said motor, a driven member adapted to be driven in one direction only, gearing interconnecting said motor and driven member including reversing gearing, reverse operating means for said reverse gearing, and means interlocking said reversible motor control mechanism and said reverse operating means whereby said driven member is always driven in the same direction when operated.

7. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of an endless kerf cutting chain mechanism mounted to run on said frame,` a sprocket for driving said chain, a removable cuttings removing attachment positioned adjacent said sprocket and chain for removing cuttings from said frame, said attachment including a pair of spaced rotatable devices constructed and arranged to gather cuttings from said chain as it travels around said sprocket and convey the cuttings between said devices and eject them from said machine, and spaced cuttings guides on said y14 frame adapted to guide cuttingsv to said rotatable devices, said guides also cooperating with said frame to guide said, attachment into position for attachment thereto.

8. In a, mining machine, the combination with a frame, of an endless kerf cutting chain mechanism mounted to run on said frame, a spocket for driving said chain, means positioned adjacent said spocket and chain for ,removing cuttings from said frame, said means including a pair of spaced rotatable devices constructed and arranged to gather cuttings from said chain as it travels around said sprocket and convey the cuttings between said devices, a flexible tubular guide means disposed to receive cuttings from between said rotatable devices, and carriage means supporting the discharge end of said guide means and mounted to follow a. mine conveyor whereby said guide means translates along and discharges cuttings into said mine conveyor during operation of the mining machine.

9. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of an endless kerf cutting chain mechanism mounted to run on said frame, a spocket for driving said chain, means positioned adjacent said sprocket and chain for removing cuttings from said frame, said means including a pair of spaced rotatable devices constructed and arranged to gather cuttings from said chain as it travels around said sprocket and convey the cuttings between said devices, a guide means disposed to receive cuttings from between said rotatable devices, a mine conveyer, and truck means pivotally mounting the discharge end of said guide means on said mine conveyer and riding said mine conveyor whereby the discharge end of said guide means may translate along said mine conveyor and pivot with respect theretoduring operation of the mining machine.

10, In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of an endless kerf cutting chain mechanism mounted to run on said frame, a spocket for driving said chain, means positioned adjacent said sprocket and chain for removing cuttings from said frame, said means including a pair of spaced rotatable devices constructed and` arranged to gather cuttings from said chain as it travels around said sprocket and convey the cuttings between said devices, a resilient longitudinally extendable tubular guide means disposedto receive cuttings from between said rotatable devices, a mine conveyer, and truck means pivotally mounting the discharge end of said guide means.

on said mine conveyer and riding said mine conveyor whereby the discharge end of said guide means may translate along said mine conveyor and pivot with respect thereto during operation of the mining machine.l

11. In apparatus of the class described, a cuttings removing mechanism including a pump mechanism constructed andarranged to gather cuttings from a kerf cutter, a tapered longitudinally extendable cuttings guide tube arranged to receive cuttings pumped by said pump mechanism and direct and discharge said cuttings into a mine conveyor as conveyed solely by said pump mechanism, and truck means pivotally mounting the discharge end of said guide tube on said mine conveyer and riding said mine conveyor whereby said guide tube may translate along and pivot with respect to said mine conveyor as said kerf cutter cuts a kerf.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

(References on following page) le lof this 'patenti UNITED lsTA'ljEs lATENTs y Jaggard k v Oct. 31, 1933 Number Number Name f f Date Beck Apr. 2, 1935 Philip Sept. 1.9, 1939 Mashon .f Feb, 9, 1943 AMcCullough May. 25, 1943 Saville May 2 5, 1943 Jelrey Oct. 3, 1944 Osgood Feb. 5, 1946 Simmons Aug. 31, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Sept. 16, 1931 Germany' f Mar. 14, 1934

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