US1544074A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

- June 30, 1925.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed June.13, 1921 Patented June 30, 1925.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFIcE.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, 0F CLAREMQNT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNQIE; TD SULLIVAN MACHINERY CDMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE;

Application filed June 13, 1921, Serial No. 477,042,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Momns P. HoLMns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to mining machines.

It has for its object to provide an improved take-up mechanism for such machines. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved take-up mechanism adapted to be applied to machines utilizing a continuous flexible feeding member. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved take-up mechanism wherein the take-up mechanism is exceedingly compact and adapted to be disposed upon a standard type of mining machine in such a manner as to maintain the desired limited over-all dimensions thereof and at the same time be conveniently located for an operator. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the. accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration, one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mining machine equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a mining machine so equipped in use in a mine room. 4

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine of the general type described and claimed in my (JO-pending application, Serial No. 312,3i6, filed July 21, 1919, it being suflicient herein. to say that the same comprises a machine framel'carl'ying a cutter bar 2 having a cutter chain 3 thereon and a feed operating member 4 rotatable on a transverseiaxis and adapted to cooperate with' a flexible feeding member 5, the machine being moved relative to the flexible feeding member when the latter is suitably'fixed and thefeed operating memher is rotated in the desired direction under the control of suitable con'tro-llingand reversing mechanism, as for instance a plurality of controlling Wheels 6; Inasmuch as the feeding mechanism within the ma hine does not specifically enter into the present invention, a detailed description of the same herein 1S believed to be unnecessary.

In my mproved construction, it will be noted that an improved take-up member 7 4 is pivoted at 8 on the side of the machine frame and in rear of the feed operating member, the take-up member herein being rotatable on an axis parallel to that of the feed operating member and cooperating therewith and with a small idler 9 located on a parallel axis in rear of the feed operating member and between the latter and the pivoted take-up member. Herein, the

take-up member is located on a pivot substantially directly in rear of the axis of the feed operating member and is provided with a long upper arm 10 and a relatively shorter lower. arm 11, the end of the upper arm carrying an idler 12 and the end of the lower arm carrying an idler 13,, and each of the idlers being of the same size as the feed operating member 4. As shown, the flexible feeding member 5 during cutting across the face preferably extends from the left hand rib to and around the adjacent front idler of the machine, herein rotatableon a vertical axis and indicated at 14, rearward to the idler 13, around and over that idler,

under and over the feed operating member t to the idler 12, around and below that idler to the idler 9, around and below that idler rearwardly to the adjacent rear idler 15 of the machine and from that idler to the righthand rib, the idler 15 being herein rotatable on a vertical axis in a plane above the plane of rotation of the idler 14:, As shown herein, the member 7 is also adapted to move about its pivot from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position shown therein and thus vary the slack in the flexible feeding member. To hold the memher 7 in its various positions, I have also provided improved means herein including a rod 16 which maybe suitably connected pivotally to the member 7, herein at the axis of the idler 12, and have its rear end thefull line to the dotted line position in Fig. 1. I

In the operation of my improved construction, it will be understood that, prior to sumping, the take-up mechanism occupies the full line position shown in Fig. 1 and that one end of the flexible member 5 is connected to a jack 19 at the rib as, shown in Fig. 2. Thus when the feed operating member 4 is rotated the machine will be caused to travel along the flexible feeding member 5 toward the face, from the position shown at the right in Fig. 2. When the bar has been sumped andthe oppositeends of the flexible feeding member havebeen connected to the left hand and right hand ribs, as to jacks 20 and 21, the machine may be straightened for the transverse cut by simply rotating the feed operating member and re leasing the set screw 18, the pull of the flexible feeding member straightening the machine and the take-up parts moving from their full line to their dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, and being locked in that oosition by again tightening the set screw.

hen for any reason it is desired to angle the bar during a transverse cut, this may be readily accomplished by simply reversing the feed operating member to create slack and permit a resetting of the take-up member 7 at the desired angle, the machine then being free to beoperated again as heretofore described. v

In all take-up operations of the mechanism it will also be obvious that due to the movement of the idler 13, the feed is eased in such a manner as not to load the machine excessively, the movement of the member 13 toward the member 4 tending to insert slack in the advance or tight portion of the flexible feeding member and thereby slow down the feed as the member 12 takes up the slack in the receding or loose portion of the member 5. V 7

As a result of my improvement, itxwill be observed that an exceedingly simple construction is produced which, during straightening the machine, is operated by the pull on the flexible feeding member and without any effort on the part of the operator, although the mechanism is entirely under his control from his usual position at the left hand side of the machine as it makes its cut.

It will also be -noted that the mechanism is extremely rugged and is also compactly disposed within the usual lines of a machine and in such a manner as not to in any way interfere with the movements of the operator;

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the same has been chosen for illustrative purposes and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y K

1. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guiding mecha nism for said frame including flexible feed ing means including flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacent opposite ends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull of one of said portions while both are under tension to shorten the then receding portion; f 2. A' flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guiding mechanism for said frame including flexible feeding means including flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacent opposite ends of said frame, takeup means operable by the pull of one of said portions while both are under tension to shorten the then receding portion, and operator] controlled means for freeing said takeup means for operation asspecified and for holding the same against operation.

3. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guiding mechanism for said frame including a single con tinuous flexible feeding member providing flexible portions extending oppositelyfrom points adjacent oppositeends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull of one of said portions while both are under tenslon.

4. A flexibly fed mining machine'having a frame and feeding and guiding mechanism for said frame including a single continuous flexible feeding member providing flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacent opposite ends of said frame, take up means operable the pull of one of said portions while both are under tension, and operator controlled means for freeing said takeup means for operation as specified and for holding the same against operation.

5. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feedingand guiding mechanism for said frame including a. single flexible feeding member providingflexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacent opposite ends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull of the advance one of said portions While both are under tension to shorten the then receding portion.

the same against operation...

7. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guiding mecha-.

nism for said frame including a single continuous flexible feedmg member providlng flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacent opposite ends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull of the advance one of said portions while both are under tension.

8. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guiding mechanism for said frame including a single continuous flexible feeding member providing flexible portions extending oppositely from pointsadjacent opposite'ends of said frame, takeup means operable by the ull of the advance one of said portions \vhi e both are under tension, and operator controlled means for freeing said takeup means for operation as specified and for holding the same against operation.

9. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon at one side of said machine, and a take-up member thereon at the same side of said machine adapted to take up and remove slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member.

10,. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith and a take up member on said frame cooperating with said flexible feeding memb er adapted to insert and remove different quantities of slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member and operable by the pull on said flexible feeding member while the portions at opposite sides of said feed operating member are both under tension.

11. In a mining machine,a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, and a take-up mechanism thereon operative simultaneously to" insert and remove slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member'and including a pivoted member oscillatable in a vertical plane parallel to the major dimension of-the machine frame.

12. In a mining machine,a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member, and a take-up mechanism said 'frame opera tive simultaneously to insert and remove different quantities of slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member and including a pivoted member oscillatable in a vertical plane parallel to the major dimension of the machine frame.

13.. In a mining machine, a machine frame, afeed Operating member thereon, and takeup mechanism thereon operative simultaneously to insert and remove slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member at different rates and including a pivoted member oscillatable in a vertical plane parallel to the major dimension of the machine frame. i

14. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flc-Xible feeding member cooperating therewith, and take-up mechanism operating on said flexible feeding member and controlled by an operator and operated by the pull of said flexible feeding member when completely re leased.

15, In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and take-up mechanism operating 011 said flexible feeding member and operated by the pull of said flexible feeding member and operative to take up and insert slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member While the portions of said flexible feeding member at the opposite sides of said feed operating member are both under tension.

16. In a mining machine, a machine frame, feeding means thereon including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a feed operating member, and take-up mechanism operated by the pull on one of said flexible portions and operable to take up and insert different quantities of slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member while both of said portions are under tension.

17. In amining machine, a machine frame,

a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and a horizontally pivoted take-up member on said frame adjustable to take up slack in the loose side of the flexible feeding member and insert slack in the tight side thereof.

18. In a mining machine, a machine frame,

a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and a horizontally pivoted take-up member on said frame adjustable to take up slack in the loose side of said flexible member while inserting a smaller amount of slack in the tight side thereof.

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame, I

a feed operating member rotatable upon a horizontal axis on the side thereof, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and a take-up member on said frame adjustable to take up slack in the loose side of the flexible feeding member and insert slack in the tight side thereof and adapted to be held in fixed position irrespective of the rotation of the feed operating member, 17

when desired.

20. In amining machine, a'machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and a take-up member on the same side of said frame as said feed operating member adjustable to take up slack in the loose side of the flexible feeding member and insert slack in thetight side thereof.

21. In a mining machine, a machine frame,

a feed operating member thereon, a flexible.

-- In having idieis engaging said flexlble feeding member on the tight and slack sides of the latter and movable in the plane of said feed operating member. a

23. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexiblefeeding member cooperating there with, and a take-up member horizontally pivoted on said frame adjacent one of its ends and engagable with said flexible feeding member on OPPOSilIGiSlClGS of said feed operating member. a

24. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism including flexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism including a pivoted lever moving in a vertical plane having provision for relieving the load on said advance portion during the take up operation.

25. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism including flexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism operable while said portions are "under tension toshorten-said receding portion and havingprovision for relieving the load on' sald advance portion duringthe take up operation and operated by the pull on said advance portion.

26. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism including flexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism operable while said portions are under tension to shorten said receding portion and having provision for relieving the load on said advance portion during the take up operation and releasable by an-oper- 27. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism including a continuous flexible feeding member having flexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism including a pivoted lever moving in a vertical plane having PIOVISIOII for relieving the loadxon said advance portion .during the take up operation.

under tensionand-hzivingprovision for relieving the load onsaid advance portion during the take up operation and operated by the pull on said advance portion. 7

29. A mining .machine having flexible feeding mechanismincluding a continuous flexible feeding member having flexible advance and receding'portions,and take-up mechanism operable while said portions are under tension and having provision for relieving the load on said advance portion during the take up operationand releasable by an operator or adapted to be held stationary as desired, i a

.30. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism including flexible advance and receding portions, and manually controlled take-up mechanism operative to vary the angular position. of said machine and having provision for automatically relieving the load on said advance portion during the take up operation, said take-up mechanism including alever pivotable in a plane making an angle with the plane of angular adjustment of said machine frame during its movementsat a working face.

31. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, a take-up member pivoted on said frame adjacent one of its ends and engagable with said flexible feeding member on 0pposite sides of said feed operating member, and means for holding said take-up member in different positions irrespective of .continued rotation of said feed operating memberrotatable upon a horizontal axis.

32. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewitlntake-up mechanism operated by the pull of, said flexible feeding member and operative to take up and insert slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member while the portions of said flexible feeding member at'opposite sides of said feed operating member are under tension, and means for holding said mechanism in different positions as long as desired during operation of said feed operating member. 5

.33. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a

flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, a cooperating idler rotatable on a fixed axis on saidframe, a pivoted idler carrying member pivoted adjacent one of its ends on all) said frame and in rear of said feed operating member and its cooperating idler, idlers on the ends of said pivoted member, and means for holding said member in different angular positions.

34. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, a cooperating idler rotatable on a fixed axis on said frame, a horizontally pivoted idler carrying .member pivoted on said machine frame in rear of the axis of said cooperating idler at a point adjacent the lower end of said pivoted member, idlers carried on the opposite ends of said pivoted member, and means for holding said pivoted member in different positions of adjustment as long as desired while said feed operating member operates.

35. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating there with, a cooperating idler rotatable on a fixed axis on said frame, a pivoted idler carrying member pivoted on said machine frame in rear of the axis of said cooperating idler at a point adjacent the lower end of said pivoted member, idlers carried on the opposite ends of said pivoted member, and means including a rod connected to the upper end of said pivoted member and slidably connected to said frame for holding said pivoted member in different positions of adjustment.

36. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and having flexible lateral feeding means including flexible feeding portions extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said machine, and feed operating and take-up mechanism cooperating with said portions and disposed on the advancing side of said machine and including a feed operating member rotatable on a transverse axis and an adjustable take-up member rotatable on a parallel axis to effect its function.

37. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and having flexible lateral feeding means including a continuous flexible feeding member presenting flexible feeding portions extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said machine, and feed operating and takeup mechanism cooperating with said portions and disposed on the advancing side of said machine and including a feed operating member rotatable on a transverse axis and an adjustable take-up member rotatable on a parallel axis to effect its function.

38. The combination with a mining machine slidable on its bottom upon a mine bottom during cutting, of flexible feeding and machine guiding means therefor including a flexible feed member, a feed operating member cooperating therewith, and means cooperating with said flexible feed member and operated by the pull of the latter to angle the machine relative to a face in a direction opposite to that in which the pull on said member tends to turn the machine about the cutter bar as a pivot.

39. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guiding mechanism including flexible feeding means including flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacentopposite ends of said frame, and takeup means operable while both portions are under tension by the pull on the portion in advance of said frame to shorten the other of said portions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

Certificate of Correction,

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,544,074, granted June 30, 1925, upon the application of Morris P. Holmes, of Claremont, New Hampshire, for an improvement in Mining Machines, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 12, claim 10, after the word therewith insert a comma; same page, line 6.1, claim 12, after the word mechanism insert the Word on; page 1, line 102, claim 31, after the word thereon and before the comma insert the Words rotatable upon a horizontal axis, and line 111, strike out the Words rotatable upon a horizontal axis and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of August, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] v KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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