US1116356A - Coal-mining apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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COAL MINING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED 110mm, 189e.

E. C. MORGAN.

GOAL MINING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 11017.10, 189e.

Patented Nov.` 3, .1914.

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E. C. MORGAN.

GOAL MINING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATNN HLED 11017.10, 189e.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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E. C. MORGAN.

GOAL MINING APPARATUS. AIPLIGATION FILED NOV.10,1896. 1 1 16 356. Patented N0v.3,1914. y 7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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COAL MINING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 1o, 1896.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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COAL MINING APPARATUS. APPLIOATION FILED 1101210.11198;

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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COAL MINING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.1u, 189s.

1,116,356. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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EDIVIUND C. MORGAN, OFV CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN MORGAN COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION F SOUTH DAKOTA.

COAL-MINING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 10, 1896.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

Serial No. 611,603.

' T0 all who/n it may concern.

Be it known that I` EDMI'ND t. Mouais, a citizen of the United States.V residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in CoaLMiiiing A\pparatus, of which the following is a specification.

' This invention relates to apparatus for miniii coal. i

The object of the invention is to provide a novel, eiiicient and economical apparatus for mining coal.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, relative location and arrangement', all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as indicated in the accompanying drawings and finally specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and tothe various views and reference signs appearing thereon-Figure 1 is a general view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, of an illustrative forni of operative apparatus for mining c'oal embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a' vertical central longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken on the line 2, 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation and partially diagrammatically, .illustrating the method of removing the pillars between adjacent or contiguous rooms. Fig. l is a detached detail view, in side elevation, illustrating an arrangement for automatically snubbing or enlarging the cut made by the cutter preparatory to blasting out the under-cut coal. Fig. 5 is a detached detail view in plan ofthe frame in which the chain cutter is mounted, showing said frame made in sections for convenience in moving the machine from one part of the mine to another. Fig. 6 is a detached detail view in side elevation, illustrating a slightly modied arrangement for loading the coal on the mine cars. Fig. 7 is a plan viewlof the construction and arrangement shownl in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating my improved system of mining. Fig. 9 is an enlarged general and partial plan view similar to Fig. l. Fig. 9a is a View in detail showing the `gearing for moving the shovel carrying frame backward and forward. Fig. lO is a top planview on linevIO--lO of Fig. 11.. Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line 11-11 of Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is an end eleration on line 12-12 of Fig. 11` with parts removed. Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical section of the machine taken on line 13-*13 of Fig. 9.

The same part is designated by the saine reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

I will first describe the construction, function and mode of operation of my improved I coal mining a paratus, particular reference being hadV to ugs. 1 and 2, wherein- Reference sign A designates the frume- 'work upon which is mounted the several 'opera-tive parts of the apparatus, as will positively driven in any suitable or conven-4 ient manner or by any suitably arranged mechanism adapted to such purpose, and I will presently describe more fully an illustrative arrangement for accomplishing this purpose.

Suitably mounted upon the framework ot the machine is a motor, C. arranged vand adapted to operato the several mechanisms hereinafter to be referred to, as will presently be more fully described. The motor,

l, may be of any suitable or convenient type ot' motor, adapted to the purpose required. In the forni shown and as merely illustrative of an operative means, the motor comprises an electric motor` the current being sup lied thereto through a suitable electric con uctor, D, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.`

A gear, E, arranged to be driven by the motoris arranged to engage and drive a gear, F, mounted on a shaft, G, arranged to extend transversely across the machine, and which carries suitable gears,.H, by which, through sprocket. or other suitable form of' gearing, J, the traction wheels, B, B, are driven, see particularly Figs. 1 and l0. The gearing J is shown between the shaft and the traction Wheels in Fig. 10, Any suitable, well l'rii'ow'iil form or arrangen'ient of clutch,

K, see Figs. 9 and 11 may be employed for throwing-the driving gearing o the Vtraction wheels into and out of operation at will,

and this clutch may be controlled by a suitable operating levcr .'Kl, which issuitably located so as to be readily accessible, as

- shown more clearly. in Fig. 10. By suitably i suitably manipulating the clutch, K, the

fashion, each arm being in turn pivotally driving gearing for the traction wheels may 1 be thrown into or out of action. It will be understood that by means of the traction wheels, the machine is only .fed up to the point where the cutters, hereinafter to be described, are ready to begin to cut into the coal, for, obviously, the resistance oered to the cutter during the operation thereof is too great to be overcome by the traction .wheels When this point is reached, there-. fore, it becomes important and necessary to 'brace the machine against the resistance oered by the coal to the cutter, and to provide lmeans for advancing the cutter into the coal. In order to accomplish this purpose, I mount upon the frame, A, in any suitable or convenient manner, a pair of screw rods, M, each being pivoted at one end thereof to a pair of arms, N, in toggle-joint connected to an ancho-r shoe, O, the members of each pair of shoes, O, being, if desired, suitably serrated on theiil engaging faces, and respectively arranged to engage the floor and roof of the Walls of the room, as

of the room respectively, thereby securing and rmlyi anchoring the entire machine.'

" If the pressure is continued to` be exerted longitudinallyof the fscrew rods, the. machine is advanced or fed forward away from the anchor shoes and inl a direction to adva'nce the cutter into the coal. In practice, and when the anchor shoes are arranged to engage the floor and ,roof of the room, l prefer to employ two;l or more screw rods, and hence, also,- two or more pairs of toggle arms, N, and shoes, 0,.'for the reason that by suitably arranging one pair of these anchoring and feeding devices on one side of the machine and another pair on the opposite side, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1, I am enabled to straighten the machine vin case its feed departs from a straight line. rllhis can be easily accomplished by throwing the one aliases or the-other set of anchoring land feeding devices into or out of action, as occasion may require. i

I will now describe a suitable and ecient construction and arrangement for exerting the pressure above-mentionedlongitudinally upon the screw rods, M, whereby the inachine is first anchored and then fed forward to advance the cutter to its work. In the particular form shown, I provide a gear, P, arranged to be -driven from motor, C, and to engage and drive-a train of-gears, L, Q. The gear Q is mounted on to rotate with and adapted to drive a shaft R, suitably mounted inthe frame of the machine. A shaft, S, is suitably mounted in the frame of the machine to extend transversely thereacross and carries a gear, T, arranged to engage a suitable gear U., mounted on shaft, R. An internally threaded sleeve or nut, 14, is mounted on each screw rod, M. By lrotating said nuts or sleeves in one direction or the other, the desired pressure is exerted upon the Iscrew rods in one direction or the other to effect an anchoring ofthe machine and the feed thereof, or else, to ed'ect a release of the machine. As the arrangement of gearing for rotating the nuts is the same for all the screw rods I will specifically describe the arrangement for only one screw rod. Thel nut is idle and gear 18 is acting, the sleeve 14 will be slowly rotated irry one direction, namely in'a direction to eect a longitudinal pressure on the screw rod M in a direc tion to cause the` anchor shoes, O, to grip the roof and Hoor or side walls of the room and to'eect a feeding of thex machine vforlward, wliile if gear 18 is idle and gear 19 is acting, said sleeve 14 is more rapidly revolved in the opposite direction, and an endwise movement of the screw rod in the opposite direction is edected, thereby releasing the anchor shoes, 0. -Any suitable or well vknown form of clutch,21, Figs. 1 and 11,

may be employedto throw either gear 18 or 1120 19 into or out of action at will. A-gear, 22, mounted on .shaft 17 is arranged to engage a gear 23 on Vshaft S, whereby `the train of gearing above referred to is driven. By means of a suitably'and conveniently ar- BME ranged clutch, 24, the mechanism for actu- Y ating the anchoring and feeding means on thrown into or out of action at will. "Fr/om one side or other of the machinevemay i e v the foregoing description it will beseen that4 13o when the cutter is advanced` to the limit of the feed screws, M, by suitably manipulating the clutch, 21, the said screws may be moved in the opposite direction to advance such Vrelation that the chain cutter, 26,

mounted to operate thereon will operate in a horizontal plane to cut the fioor kerf, as clearly indicated in Figs. l, 2 and 11. The cutter fraine- 25 may be supported in any suitable manner, preferably by means of the bottom of theV frame A, as shown more clearly in Fig. l1. Any of the usual or well known types of sprocket chain cutters employed in the art may be used. This chain cutter 26 is actuated from shaft R through a gear 27 mounted on said shaft R and arranged to engage and drive a gear, 28, mounted o-n a vertical shaft 29, suitably mounted in the framework, said vertical shaft carrying a sprocket gear, 30, arranged to engage and drive the chain 26. The shaft 2l) may be thrown into or out of operation at. will by means of any suitable, convenient or well known form of clutch, 3l, carried by shaft R. I

I-t will be observed that I arrange the horizontal cutter 26 to cut a kerf extending the entire |Width of the room and that as the machine advances farther and farther into the vein or wall of coal, the cutter cuts all the way across to form the floor for the room. In order to cut the side walls of the room at the same time. and in order to facilitate the breakingV down of the coal, thereby after breaking down leaving the sich` walls smooth and regular to permit `the machine to advance and also requiring small l'ilasting charges, I provide the side cutters, B2, 33 arranged to operate in a vertical plane. In the form shown, and preferably, l employ chain cutters for cuttingthe side walls. A suitable frame, 34, is provided upon which the side cutters, 32, 3?), operate. The side cutters are actuated in the following' manner: A short horizontal shaft, indicated at 35, Figs. 2 and l0. carries a suitable sprocket at the outer end thereof upon which the side cutter chain 32 is mounted and at the inner end of said shaft is carried a gear, 36, ar-

kerf in which they are operating, that is,

when it is desirable or necessary, for in# stance, to withdraw the entire machine from the room 1n which 1t is operating, and also,

`for the purpose of facilitating the transportation of the machine from place to place or pointl to point, it is desirable to make provision for so collapsinv the cutters that undue friction againstl tie wallsof the kert' in case of the horizontal cutter, or of the Walls of the kerf and room in the case of the side cutters will not be opposed to the ready or easy withdrawal of the machine. In order to accomplish this purpose l construct thc frames, 34 and upon which the cutters operate, in detachable sections. I have shown in Fig. 5 an embodiment ot this idea, as carried out in the case of the frame 25, upon which the horizontal cutter 26 operates, and while'I have not'shown the frames 34, for the side cutters, 32, 33 specifically and in the same degree ofdetail, it will be sufficiently clear from the specific descripvtion and illustration of frame 25 to enable persons skilled in the art to apply the same principles to said frames, 34. In Fig. 5,1 have shown the frame 25 upon which the cutter 26 operates, as composed of three sections, 41, 42, 'l'l. detachably bolted together. as shown -at ell. By removing some of thcy links of thc chain cutter in a manncr well understood by persons skilled in the art. any one or more or all of the sections, 41,

43 may be removed.

ln the operation of miningr coal. after the cuttersy have been advanced to the desired depth of cut, it has heretofore been the custom to withdraw thc machine in order to effect a tweaking' down of the undercut bodv of coal. This necessitated an arrestingr of the action of the machine for a considerable time to withdraw it and again advance it to its work. I have made an arrangement wherein the withdrawal of the machine is unnecessary during the breaking down op eration, and I will now describe the construction and arrangement wherein I attain the desired object. Suitably journaled in thc fran'iework of the machine is a Shaft. i5 arranged to extend transversely across the machine and carrying a gear, 46, arranged to mesh with and be. driven from a gear, 4T, carried by shaft 29. Through this gear ing" rotation is imparted to said shaft 45. By means of any ordinary or well known form of clutch 48,'the rotation of shaft 45 may-be arrested or effected at will. A sheet metal plate 49, preferably extending entirely across the machine is journaled upon to swing about` shaft 45, and carries depending arms 50, in which are mounted short shafts carrying at onev end a socket, 5l, and at the other end a gear, 52, arranged to be engaged and driven by a gear 53 mounted on shaft 45. From this construction it will be seen that the plate or shield 49 may swing about shaft Li'and the mesh of gears 52, 53 will always be maintained. A suitable and conv venient form of boring or other type of tool, 54is provided for forming the holes which the blasting charge is placed, ,an

which latter in the present exempliication of the invention constitutes thebreaking down means for the coal. tools are arranged to be detachably secured in the sockets` 5l, as by means of thel pins, From this construction it will be seen that when the machine is advanced to its work the angers or tools, 54, eect a boring of the holes for the breaking down means at the same time that the side and undercuts are made. has been made and it is desired to'break down the body ofthe undercut coal, the pins, 55, are removed, and without withdrawing the entire machine the boring or other form of tools, 54. are withdrawn by hand and in4 the holes formed thereby are placed the breaking down means. iliflhen the shanks of tools, 54, are detached from the sockets, 5l,

the entire sheet or shield. 49,is permitted to rock about shaft 45 until the surface of said shield is presented toward the holes in whichy perform its functions without withdrawing' the side and undeucutting cutters. lt will be seen that by cutting the coal on three sides a ccmpalativel'iv small blasting charge is allthat is required to effect a blasting down ofthe coal and, as above explained, this blasting may he effected without the loss of time incident to. the withdrawal of the entire machine. as it is a matter of but a moment to detach the tools 54 and withdraw the same.

ln the operation of mining machines, as heretofore carried out and whereas provision is not made for automatically removing the coal when broken down, and while the machine is still withdrawn from the cut, operators remove the broken down coalwhich has fallen upon the floor of the room, either The Shanks of the When a sufficient depth of cut' by hand or else manually by shovels before the machine can again be advanced to its. work. This has consumed valuable time, which might otherwise -be employed ineiecting another cut preparatory to making another breakingdown. l have devised an arrangement whereinl this'time may be saved and wherein instead of removing the broken down coal by hand this work may be accomplished lautomatically and without in the least interfering with the continuous action of the machine Iin making the next cut. l

will now describe my construction and arrangement for securing thesedesirable ends and objects :-The frame, 25upon which the cutter 26 operates, is arranged in the form of a platform, as clearly indicated in the drawing, and receives the coal which is detached by thebreaking down operation. As this platform is carried by the machine,

it will be readily 'seen that no obstruction is` odered impeding the progress of the Inachine as it is advanced to the next cut. The

detached coal carried by the platform, 25, removed therefrom in the iollowing manner :MMounted upon frame A ofthe machine is a supplemental frame, 57which I shall hereinafter designate the carrler frame,

Suitably mounted on the carrier frame 57 at the front end thereof is a-shovel, 58, having the toe thereof presented forwardly and arranged to gather'up'the coal from the platform 25 and remove the same. The shovel may be operated in any suitable manner, but a simple and efficient meansfor accomplishing this end will now be described. ln the form shown, l pivotally mount the shovel, 5S on horizontal gudgeonsor pintles or the like, as indicated at 59, whereby said. shovel may be rocked about a'horizontal axis, as indicated in dotted lines, Figs. 2 and ll. By this consti-notion it will be seen that when the shovel has scooped upa quantity of coal. as will more fully appear hereinafter, such coal is dumped from the shovel.

I will now describe means for tilting the shovel, particular reference being had to Figs. l and 1Q. One of the gears of the train of gears, L is mounted on a short shaft, (i0, suitably journaled in the framework. This short shaft 60 is fiexibly connected in any ordinary or well known manner with a hollow shaft 61, as indicated at G2 and is provided with suitable bearings' (32y (see Fig. l0), preferably secured to the trough or way S7. The flexible connection 62 permitting said trough or Way to turn uponk its pivot 56, as hereinafter set forth. Arranged within the hollow shaft to slide longitudinally therein but adapted to rotate therewith is a shaft, 63, carrying loosely upon the forward end thereof a pair of op-. positely faced bevel gears 64C, 65, either of which may be clutched to rotate with the said shaft at will in any suitable or well known manner, as by means of an ordinary form of clutch, 6G. arranged to intermesh with and be driven by the gears, G4, (S5. This gear, (i7, is mounted on and rotates with the axle or pivot, 5S), of the shovel. From this construction it will be seen that when one or the other gears 64, 65, is clutched to rotate with shaft (i3, the shovel is tilted or swung about .its pivots or axle, as above explained.

It is important that the shovel be advanced and retracted independently ot the machine in order that the detached coal may be scooped up. I will now describean operative form of means for accomplishing this purpose. The pintles or gudgeons 59, upon which theshovel is mounted and by which it is supported are mounted in bars, G8, mounted to slide longitudinally in guides 69 in supplemental frame, 57. These bars are provided with rack teeth, as clearly indi-- catedin dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 11. Upon shaft 70, suitably mounted in the supplemental frame, 57 are mounted gears 7l arranged to intermesh with the gear teeth on rack bars, 68. From this construction it will be seen that when shaft 7() is rotated in one directionor the other, the rack bars 68 may be slidl forward or back, longitudinally carrying with them the shovel, and hence it will be seen that the shovel -will be advanced to Scoop up the coal from the platform, 25, and then withdrawn to the point where the dumping is to be made. The longitudinal movement of shaft 63 with respect to the hollow shaft permits the gearing for tilting the shovel to remain in mesh during such movement of the shovel, as will be readily understood.

I will now describe a convenient arrangement of gearing for effecting a rotation of shaft 70, in either direction at will reference being had to Fig. l0. The hollow shaft Gl is provided with a suitable gear, 72, arranged to engage and drive a gear, 73, mounted upon a shaft 74, suitably journaled in the supplemental frame, 57. Loosely mounted on shaft'f4 are the oppositely arranged bevel gears, 75, 76. A. suitable clutch,j77. of ordinary or usual construction, may be employed to engage either of the said gears, 75, 76, with shaft 74. A bevel gear, 78, is mounted on shaft 70 and is arranged to intermesh with the gear, 75, 76. From this construction it will be seen that the shaft 70 may be revolved in either direction at Will, thus advancing the shovel to scoop up the coal or retracting it after the coal is scooped up to the point where the dumping is to be made.

It is desirable that the shovel shall be mounted so as to m'ove transversely across the machine in order that the entire width of the room may be commanded thereby, to the end that all the coal detached or broken A bevel gear, 67, is-

down may be removed and loaded in the mine cars, A suitable and elicient means for causing the desired transverse movement will now be described. In the particular form shown I pivotally mount the supplemental frame, 57, to swing upon a vertical step or pivot, A suitable bearing, 79, carried by the supplemental or carrier frame is arranged to engage a bearing tiange, 80, carried by the main frame, (see Figs. l, 9 and ll) whereby the thrust of the shovel advancing mechanism is resisted, and the supplemental frame is guided in its swinging movements. For the same purpose I arrange a bearing, 8l, upon the main frame, upon which the forward end of the supplemental frame bears, in order to steady and guide the same in its movements. 1f desired, and as shown, the bearings, 79 and 81, may be anti-friction rollers. in order to reduce friction.

I will now describe an arrangement of gearing for effectin a swinging movement of the supplementa frame upon the main frame and above the upright pivot 56. Reference sign, 82, designates a segment rack bar, suitably mounted ,in the supplemental frame 57, and arranged to be engaged by a gear, S3, and which is also arrangedto intei-mesh with gears, S4, 85, loosely mounted on shaft 74. Any ordinary or suitable forni of clutch indicated at. 86, may serve to couple either of said gears, 81, 85. to the shaft 74, whereby the gear S8 may be rotated in either direction at will, and hence, the supplemental frame 57 may be swung or moved in either direction at will, thereby enabling the shovel 58 to command the entire area of the room.

In order to obtain the highest degree of efficiency and speed in mining coal and in the operation ot the apparatus as above described, it is important that the Work of loading the coal into the mine cars be carried on automatically, and if desired concurrently and simultaneously with the operation of the machine. In the arrangement, as above described, this can be most conveniently and. expeditiously effected by arranging the shovel to deliver the coal therefrom to the mine car and a suitable and efficient means for accomplishing this end will now be described.- In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2 and l1, I mount in the supplemental frame, 57, a trough or way, 87, upwardly inclined from the forward end thereof, said forward end being so relatively arranged with respect to the shovel as to receive the coal therefrom when said shovel is tilted as above explained, and the rear end of said trough or chute being arranged in suitable position to deliver into a mine car, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 11. In the chute or trough, 87, I mount a suitable form of carrier. As illustrative of @z rimase through the engagement of gear 91, (see Fig. 10) mounted thereon with a gear, 92, mounted upon a shaft 93, suitably mounted in the supplemental frame and arranged to receive rotation through the engagement of gears, 94, 95, respectively, arranged on said shaft 93 and on shaft T4. A suitable or any ordinary form of clutch, 96 may be employed to clutch or unclutch at will said gear 95 to or from said shaft 74, whereby the actuation of the carrier belt, S8, may be started or arrested atwill. In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form and arrangement for effecting a loading of the coal from the shovel to the mine car. In this form the lchute or way, 87, is not arranged upon an incline, but the shovel 58a is arranged to slide longitudinally with respect to said chute, as indicated by dotted lines in said figure. Suitably mounted in the supplemental frame is a rack bar, 97, having pivotally mounted upon the forward end thereof an ejector, 98. .Any suitable or convenlent arrangement of gearing for positively swinging said ejector at will may be provided, but as my invention does not reside in the specific form or arrangement of such gearing, I have not deemed it necessary to specifically show any gearing for this purpose. The rack bar, 97, is mounted to move in a direction opposite to that in which the bar 68a moves. A convenient arrangement for accomplishing this purpose is to drive both rack bars, 68a and 97, from the same drive shaft 70, and which shaft 70 corresponds with the shaft 70 in lFigs. 2 and 11 b y mounting said rack bars on opposite sides of said shaft, as shown. "1 he operation of this form of arrangement will be clearly understood from the foregoing description. Suppose the shovel, 58a, hasv been advanced to scoop up a load of coal from platform 25, and has then been retracted to the point shown in full lines in Fig. 6. The ejector, 98, is then lowered to the position shown in said Fig. 6, in full lines, and the gear 71a is actuated to again advance the shovel to scoop up another load of coal. Simultaneously with such movement the rack bar 97 is moved in the opposite direction. The apron 98 not only prevents the coal from. being advanced with the shovel by acting as a stop or scraper, but also sweeps the coal rearwardly through the chuteand into. the mine car, 100, as clearly shown. In this arrangement the shovel is open ended and the coal is loaded onto the car through onev side thereof, as clearly indicated. rllhis ar,-

where a particularly low framework is necessary.

In the case of a mining machine wherein the undercut is made with a chain cutter, itis desirable to snub off the lower corner of the wall of the undercut coal, in order that when the breaking down operation is edected the coal may have suflicient room to fall and properly disintegrate. Heretofore this snubbing has been performed by hand. In such case it was necessary to first withdraw the machine from the cut in order to give -proper access to the wall of coal. I have 4devised an arrangement wherein this snubbing may be accomplished automatically and during the operation of the apparatus.- In carrying my invention into practical operation, I provide two or more snubbing cutters, 101, adapted to be detachably bolted to the front edge of theshovel, 58. When the proper time to effect a snubbing of the wall of coal is reached in the operation of the machine, an attendant bolts the snubbing cutters, 101, in position upon the shovel to project forwardly therefrom. The shovel is then advanced by thel gears 71 and the snubbing is effected as clearly indicated in Fig. 4 and Without withdrawing the machine from the cut. After the proper snubbing has been accomplished, the shovel is withdrawn in a manner which will be readily understood fro-m the foregoing de vscription and the snubbing cutters, 101, de-

tached and slid back into the floor of the shovel, as clearly indicated in Figs 1 and 2.

It will be understood that the snubbing requires the expenditure of but a small amount of power, which can be readily and easily applied through the shovel advancing mechanism. rIhe means for snubbing the coal may be'used to break down as much of the coal .above the undercut as may be desired, and therefore, the snubbing means may also constitute hreakingdown means for the coal.

In case I employ an electric motor, C, for operating the several parts of the machine,

as above described, and such a form of*I motor,'for many practical reasons, I prefer to use,` it becomes a .matter o-f importance to supply the operating current thereto` 1n a manner that will permit of the advancement of the machine farther and farther into the bed of coal. operative means Vfor accomplishing the desired object, I have shown a suitable conductor, D, leading from the motor to a reel, 102, suitably mounted to rotate upon the mainframe. A flexible conductor, 103, is

As an illustrative form of I arranged to be A.wound upon the reel, 102,

reference being had to Fig. 2, or to be unwound therefrom, as the case may be, and electrical connection in any suitable or well known manner, as will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, may be made from conductor, 103,1 to reel 102, and

`from said reel to conductor, D, whereby current .may be supplied to thelmotor, C. 0f course, it will be understood that the conductors, 103 and D are of the ordinary type of insulated conductors, whereby short-circuiting is prevented. By providing means for Winding or unwinding the conductor 103 from reel 10:2 synchronously with the advancing or reti-acting movements of the machine, the current is supplied to the motor for actuating the several parts of the apparatus. as "above-explained. The reel 102 may be conveniently rotated in the following manner: A gear, 104, mounted on the axle of the reel engages and is driven by .a worm, 105A` mounted on shaft R. From thls construction andv arrangement it Will be readily-seen that when t e motor C is actuated in one direction or the other, the conductor, 103 is correspondingly reeled up or paid out accordingly.

In order to carry out the general systeml of removing the coal from the room as it is mined and to accomplish such removal automatically, it is desirable to make provision for the automatic Withdrawal of the loaded cars and the coincident advancement of empty cars from and to the point Where the coal is delivered by the delivery devices above described.v As -an illustrative practical arrangement for accomplishing the desired object, 1 have shown a system of tracks, 150, upon which the cars, 100, run. A are shown as arranged after the fashion of a turnout in a street-ear line, upon one branch of which the empty cars are run, and upon the other *part of which the loaded cars are l run, it being understood that inthe general operation of a mining system a mine locomotive will be employed to run a train ot' empty 'cars down the mine tracks to the particular room ir. which the machine is at work and thence onto the side or turnout track and then remove from the other branch of the Side or turnout track the loaded cars. It is not desirable, however, to depend upon the mine locomotive to remove .the loaded cars from the point where the coal is loaded thereon, nor to advance the next succeeding empty car into place to be loaded. I will now describe an auto- :natic arrangement wherein as fast as the cars are loaded, they are temporarily removed to one side of the switch or turnout and an empty car is advanced to take its place. Referring to Fig. 1. reference. sign 106 designates an endless bell or cable suitably mounted upon guide pulleys 10T. 108, 109, 110, conveniently arranged. The pulleys 10T and 110 are mounted on an arm or bar 111, adapted to be detachably connected in any suitable manner to any suitable support, such as a portion of the frame` as indicated by the connections 112. The bar 111 is arranged to extend transversely across The tracks the room andthe pulley 107 is mounted on one end thereof and pulley 110 is mounted -to extend transversely across the room. In

order that the bars 111 and 113 may not obstruct or interfere with the movement of the cars upon the" tracks, 105, I preferably arrange sa1d bars underneath the tracks, as shown. A coupling link or connection, 114, having a hook shaped extremity is adapted to be detachably connected at one end to a car, and at the-opposite end is adapted to be clamped to the belt or cable, 106. An attendant may readily attach or detach the connection 114 to or from the car or cable, as occasion may require. From the arrangement as above described, it will be readily seen that one run or leg of the cable is a1'- ranged to extend alongside 'of or in the direction of the tracks of one side of the turnout, and that another run or leg of the cable is arranged to extend in the direction of the tracks on the other side of the turnout, and that since the cable is arranged to lform a loop, the one leg or run is moved in one direction and the other leg or run moves in the opposite direction and therefore, if, as fast as the cars are loaded, they are connected to one of the runs above-mentioned and an empt car is connected to the other run of the cab e, a removal of the loaded car and an advancement of the empty car V is effected when the cable is actuated. The -100 cable may be actuated in any suitable or convenient manner. I have shown as illustrative of the idea involved an arrangement of gearing for accomplishing the desired purpose, wherein I mount a gear upon 105 the axle of one of the cable cuide wheels say,

for instance, the axle of puley 110, and arranged to be engaged and driven by gear 116 mounted on a shaft 117, driven through suitable gearing 118 from the motor axle. 110

removal of the cars as fast as they are loaded and the advancement of the empty cars into position to be loaded. It will be understood that as fast as the machine advances into the bed of coal, the tracks must be lengthened. This is mentioned, although it 120 is a matter otl common knowledge in the art, for the reason that as fast as the track is lengthencd, just so fast can the bar, 113, be advanced to propel relative position with reference to bar 111. ()'l course. it will be 125 understood that the machine is not being advanced during the operation of the loading mechanism.

In the ractical operation of my invention it is important to form rooms parnii-rasee allel Withgeach other and a distance apart about equal to the width of the rooms, thus leaving'intervening walls or plllars of coalA i of substantially the same thickness as the width of the room as a support for the roof. After the particular portion of the mine being Worked is exhausted, itis desirable to.

such blasted coal `is prevented from beingstrewn over the adjacent rooms? lln other respects, the operation of the apparatus continues substantially in the lmanner as above f explained.

As has already been described, theframe 25 upon which the under cutter' or-kerf'cutter operates, is@ constructedin detachable sections, and Withthis structure it will ybe manifest that if-desired the cutter 26 may be removed as well as the frame 2,5. When thus removed the cutters 101 may be employed for performing the 'under cuttingor kerf cutting operation, as wellV as the breaking down operation, and this may'be accomplished by reciprocating the support upon which 'the cutters are`mounted, and also moving the cutter support in a vertical plane about the horizontal pivot of their support. From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of the machine will be fully and clearly understood bypersons skilled in the art.

l do not herein claim any of the subjectsmatter specifically` claimed in my application No. 210,174, filed Mlay 28, 1904, or application No. 293,004, tiled December 22, 1905, or application No. 607,753, filed February 10, 1911. Y

l have herein shown a ymining mechanism together with means for receiving and taking up the coal that is broken down during the mining operation and conveying it away from, the place where it falls; the mechanism herein shown also being'intended to carry the broken down coal to a vehicle such as a' mine car, for taking it out of the mine. But the specific features of construction and mode of operation incident to the particular devices for receiving, picking up and conveying away the coal I do not herein claim; preferring to have the claims herein relate to the devices which pertain to min-y ing, and to the combination with a mining lmachine capable of performing; the functions of that herein described, of a receiving and carrying away mechanism for Telearing away the bro-ken down material coming Awithin the claimsherein.

The v novel and patentable features of structure which are incident to the specip Aform of mechanism for picking up the coal 'and carrying-it away l have made the subject-matter of claims in my aforesaid application, Serial No. 607,753, filed February 10, 1911.. f'

Nor do l herein present speciic cl ims for amining mechanism combined witV means for taking away the mined coal comprising a conveying apparatus, which is situated directly below the mining mechanism, having resented claims for the novel features thereor in my aforesaid application No. 293,004,

filed 'December 22, 1905. And, again, I have herein illustrated two forms of devices for getting down the loosened coal', one being the cutters at 101V adapted to be thrust .against the coal by mechanical devices connected with the power mechanism, and the other being the rotary drills for forming .holes that can be used'hin the way now well known for gettingdwi coal in loosened form; while in saidother applications No. 210,174, of May-'28, 1904, and 293,004. filed December 22, 1905, ll have shown and described, and presented specific claims for breaking down mechanisms of the sortv known to the mining engineer as pick machines, these being devices capable of giving rapid, powerful, percussive blows produced by one of several well known agencies, and, under many circumstances, preferable to the breaking down means herein shown and described because of their wider range of eiiiciency, the possibility to have them operate simultaneously with the conveying mechanism which takes away the brokenA down material as fast as it is dislodged by the'pick mechanism, and their susceptibility of being mounted in such way as to have not only a horizontal and a Nertical adjustment, but so that they can be carried on inclinedlines relatively to the vertical and the horizontal.

ln order that the invention might b'e fully understood, the details of an embodiment lEhereof have been `thus specilically described,

lut

What l claim is:

1. In a mining apparatus, an undercu'tting cutter, means for actuating the same, a hinged shield carrying a socket, gearing for rotating said socket, and havin a tool adapted to be detachably connecte to said socket, whereby said tool may be Withdrawn without withdrawing said cutter; as and for the purpose set forth.

2. ln a mining machine, a framework, an

under-cutting cutter and side cutters larranged to cut the side walls of the cut made by the undercutting cutter and a boring tool arranged to bore the blast holes, in combination with a shield pivotally mounted on said framework and arranged to be'received in front of lthe blast holes when a blast is made; as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a mining apparatus, a framework, an undercutting cutter and side cutters arranged to cut t e side walls. of the cut made by the undercutting cutter, and means for f actuatin ythe same, a boring tool, means for detachab y connecting said boring tool with the actuating means of said cutters whereby said boring tool may be withdrawn without p withdrawing said cutters, in combination with a shield pvotally mounted on said vframework and ada ted to be received in front of the holes ormed by said boring tool; as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a mining apparatus, an undercutting cutter, a driving shaft therefor, atransvversely arranged shaft arran ed to be driven therefrom, a shieldpivotal y mounted on said transverse shaft, boring tools, gearing for actuating said boring tools from said transverse shaft and means for detachably connecting said boring tools with their actutin gearing; asy and for the purpose set ort f 5. In a mining apparatus, an undercutting cutter, a driving shaft therefor, a transverse shaft arranged to be driven by said driving shaft, a protecting shield pivotally mounted on said transverse shaft and carrying sockets, gearing for rotatin said sockets 4from said transverse shafts, an boring tools adapted to be detachably connected to said sockets; as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a mining apparatus, means for removing thc wall or pillar separating adjacent rooms, comprising a machine carrying a chain cutter at the front end thereof and plates or casings mounted at the sides of said `cutter and arranged to confine the coal blasted from said wall or pillar; as and for the purposeset forth.

' 7. In a mining apparatus, a main frame, coal cuttin and removing devices carried 'bly said mam frame, feed screws mounted on t e opposite sides of said main frame, a pair of toggle arms'connected to each of said feed screws, clamping jaws carried by said pairs of arms and respectively arranged to ,engage opposite walls of the room and means fox;- actuating vsaid feedscrews endwise,

Awhereby themain frame is fed; as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a, mining machine, a. framework, cutters mounted thereon on opposite sides and at the front end thereof and arranged to project in -advance of said framework and operating in vertical planes, in combination.

with 4an under-cutting cutter also mounted on the front end and rojecting in advance of said framework and arranged to operate in an horizontal plane to undercut the body of coal between the vertical kerfs made by the side cutters, means for advancing said framework and means for snubbing the kerf made by the undercutting cutters, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a mining machine, a framework, a horizontally arranged cutter mounted on the front end thereof and operating in advance of said framework to undercut the body of coal, a boring tool, detachably mounted on said framework above said cut` ter and projecting forwardly from the front end of said framework, gearing for operating said boring tool, in 'combination with a shield pivotall mounted on said framework in advance o said gearing, whereby said shield may be moved into or out of position to protect said gearing when a blast 1s made,

said several cutters without the withdrawal of said cutters from their kerfs, and means for actuatlng said cutters and advancing -said framework, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a mining machine, a framework, cutters mounted on opposite sides of the front end thereof and operating in a vertical plane in advance of sai framework, a horizontally arranged platform also carried by the front end of said framework, a cutter ar ranged around the edge of said platform and operating in advance thereof to underout the body of coal between the kerfs made b `said side cutters, boring tools also carrled by said framework for forming blast holes in the body of coal, means for actuat ing said several cutters and tools, and means for advancing said framework, whereby the body of coal blasted from between the kerfs made by said cutters may be received upon said platform, as and for the purpose set forth.

I 12. In a mining machine, a framework, cutters mountedI on opposite sides of the front end thereof and operating in a vertical plane in advance of said framework, a horizontally arrangedplatform carried by said 20 front end thereof and operating in a vertical framework and projecting forwardly from the front endthereof, a cutter arranged to operate in advance of the front edge of said platform to undercut the body of coalv between the vertical kerfs made by said side cutters, boring tools mounted on said framework and projecting forwardly from the front end thereof above said horizontal cutter for forming blast holes, means for actuating said several tools and cutters and advancing said framework whereby the coal blasted from between the kerfs made by said cutters is received upon said platform without withdrawing said cutters from their kei-fs, and means also mounted on said framework for removing the blastedcoal from said platform, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a mining machine, a framework, cutters mounted on opposite sides of the plane inv advance of said framework, a horizontally arranged platform carried by said framework and projecting forwardly from l ters, as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In a mining apparatus, the combination of an endless cutter, arranged to'underI cut the coal to be mined, a frame upon which E:

said cutter is carried, said frame comprising t detachable sections, endless side cutters, and; frames` for carrying said side cutters, thel last said frames comprising detachable sections.

15. A mining'machine, embodying means for under cutting the coal, and receivin means adapted to project into the kerf, an means to convey awa the broken down coal.`

4'16. Afmining mac ine, embodying means for undercutting the coal, and a receiving means adapted to extend into the kerf made by the undeigiitter to receive the coal when it is broken, own, and means for conveying the coal away. Y

17. A,mining machine, embodying means for under-cutting the coal, a platform adapted to extend into the under-cut to receive the coal, I' when broken down, and means associated with the latform for vconveying the coal away there rom. f L18. In a minin machine, the combination of means for un er-cutting the coal, means Limena for' forming a cut or incision in the coal above the under-cut to facilitate the breaking down of the coal, and means arranged lto receive the coalwhen broken down, and

means to convey it away.

19. In mining apparatus, the combination with cutting mechanism, of0 devices for boring holes in the breast Wall of a mine preparatory to blasting, and a shield in an upright position in front. of said holes for protection while blasting.

20. In miningA apparatus, the combination with cutting mechanism, of means for boring holes preparatory 'to blasting, and a hinged shield associated with said boring means and capable of being swung into position in front of the holes for protection while blasting. 9 l

21. In mining apparatus, the combination with cutting mechanism, of means for actuating the same, a boring tool, means for detachably connecting said boring tool with said actuating means, and a pivotally mounted shield capable of being turned to a position in front of the holes formed by said boring tool.

22. The combination with a Imining :machine, ofbracing mechanism, two longitudinal screw rods between said bracing mechanism' and said machine, one at or near each side of said machine,l and means connected to said screw rods to edect the feeding forward of the machine at both sides simultaneously or at either side alone to eect the forward movement of the machine in a straight line or in a curve.

,23. A mining machine comprisin means for'making a cut across the wall o a mine chamber, means arranged to break down the section severed, and a device in position to receive the material as it is broken down. i

24:. A mining machine comprising'a cutting mechanism for Inakinr a cut l'across the wall' of a mine chamber, breaking means arranged to follow the cutting `mechanism to break down the section severed, and loading means connected with the cutting mechanism and breaking means. i Y

25. A. mining machine comprising cutting means .to make a cut across the wall of a mine chamber, breaking means following 'said cutting means, and loading apparatus arraiged to extend into a kerf at the base of the wall and'thereby receive the ,ma-y

terial as it is broken down. j

26. A mining machine comprising cutting means for making a cut across the wall of a mine chamber, simultaneously operable iio breaking means following the'path of the cutting 'means to break down the coal, and loading means connected with said cutting means and breaking means to move therewith. y i 27. In a mining machine, the combination "with cutting mechanism, of apparatus for boring one or more holes preparatory t0 blasting, means for slowly feeding forward said cutting mechanism, apparatus for removingand conveying away the material broken down, and connections for operating all of the aforesaid parts from a single source of power.

28. 'The combination with a chain cutter,

of a platform Within the boundary of said chain cutter, means for operating said chain cutter, and loading apparatus for removing the material broken down onto said platform.

29. The combination with an undercutter, of the platform Within the boundary of said undercutter, means for operating said undereutter, and apparatus for scooping up the S. E. DARBY, M. I. CAVANAGH'.

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