GB497840A - Improvements in or relating to coal-cutting and like machines, or combined cutting and loading machines - Google Patents

Abstract

497,840. Coal &c. cutting-machines. LEWIS, O. F., and NEWTON, CHAMBERS, & CO., Ltd. June 24, 1937, Nos. 17589/37, 10018 /38, and 10251 /38. [Class 68 (i)] A coal-cutting or like machine comprises a body portion containing driving mechanism for a cutter chain and haulage mechanism, the body having rigidly projecting at right-angles from one side an open, substantially rectangular frame on which is guided a cutter chain having cutting picks projecting from one side to cut out a core of coal as the machine is hauled along, one end of the frame having a replaceable section and the other end being supported on the body by a telescopic structure, whereby the size of the frame may be varied. The machine frame 1, Figs. 1 and 3, has at its ends sockets 13 in which columns 12 may be adjusted vertically by screws 14. The cutter chain jib 2, which has a removable part 10 adapted to be replaced by a part of different length, is removably attached to either end of the frame 1 by projecting bars 7 held in sockets 8 by locking pins 9; by removing one pin 9 at top and bottom, the jib, after removal of the cutter chain, may be swung into line with the frame 1 for transport. At each end of the frame 1 is a cutter-chain driving sprocket 18 adapted to be driven through dog clutch 20, gears 23, 24, shaft 25, and gears 26 ... 28, 30, 31 from the motor 33 ; the outer end of the shaft 22 of the sprocket 18 may be adapted to drive loading mechanism. The haulage drive is effected from the gear 28 through bevel gears 34, 35, spur gears 37, 38, disc or internal expanding clutch 40 isolated in a chamber 41, shaft 43, and sliding gear 44 which drives a shaft 46 directly through gear 45 or reversely through gears 45a, 48 ; shaft 46 drives the haulage chain sprocket 63 through variable-speed gearing 49 ... 54, and reducing gearing 55 ... 62. A high-speed drive to the sprocket 63 may be effected through gears 65, 66, 59 ... 62. Variations in length of the cutter chain may be taken up by an idler sprocket 66<1> carried by a bracket 68 adjustable in guides 69 by a screw 70. Alternatively, such variations may be taken up by adjusting the sprocket 18 which may then be driven from shaft 74, Fig. 4, through bevels 75, 76, clutch 79, gears 78, 82, sliding bevel 88, bevel 89, pinions 91, 92, and internal gear 94, or from a shaft 107, Fig. 5, through spur gears 106, 105, 103, and internal gear 102, the gears 105, 103, being supported by an angularly adjustable plate 114 adapted to be secured by clamps 116 ; the sprocket 18 is held, after adjustment, by bolts 98, Fig. 4, or 111, Fig. 5. By means of an internal shaft 100, Fig. 4, acting through gear 91, the cutter chain may be moved by hand. The cutter chain comprises pick boxes 4, Figs. 6 to 8, in two parts welded at 129, and links 117 connected by pivot pins 125 with one end 130 enlarged and provided with a locking lug 131, and the other end provided with an annular groove 134 adapted to receive a locking ring, extensions 135, 136, on the pick boxes and links riding on the face of the jib 2. The loading means preferably comprises small conveyers behind the jib 2 and delivering to a variable length face conveyer preferably placed along the new face. The idle part of the cutter chain may be encased, and cuttings removed by a conveyer delivering to the main conveyer.