US1565811A - Loading apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 15, 1925- 1,565,811

J. w. MORRISON LOADING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet l aw; M. mm cw 4! IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1 I v a.

J. W. MORRISON LGADING APPARATUS Dec. 15, 1925. 1,565,811

Filed Aug. 4, 1919 2 Shets-Sheet 2 WWW/WW7 5/ Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE.

JOE woon Monmson, or AK on, oHio, assronon TO. SULLIVAN MACHINERY COM- PANY, A conPona'rroN on MASSACHUSETTS.

LOADING APEARAIUS.

Applicati on'filed August 4, 1919'. Serial No. 315,313.

To ail tc/zomit may ("OTZCQWWJ Be it known that I, Jon VVoon MORRISON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State 5 of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loading Apparatus, of

which the following is a full, clear, and.

exact specification.

This invention relates to loading appa- Ja ratus, andmore especially to means for loading material onto a car from a low vein in a coal mine.

I-Ieretofore it has been proposed to load free coal from a vein whichis toolow to 3 permit the use of a track-mounted loading mechanism by running a scraper over a predetermined path, the scraper, during a part of its movement, coming in contact with the imateria l to be loaded, and'in another part of its movement carrying this material into a mine car. The means heretofore proposed had serious limitations in that it required practically as many men to operate the loading apparatus as to shovel material directly. into a car, and in that, unless'labor and time consuming readjustments of the apparatus were made, the scraper was moved over a straight path through the material to be loaded, with the result that, after the scraper was filled with loose material, as coal, needless energy was wasted in continuing the movement of the scraper through the coal, and the coal was scattered about the mine lloor, necessitating a separate operation of 2573 shoveling the coal back into the path of the scraper.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved loading apparatus which overcomes the defects pointed out ea above, which requires aminimum amount of manual labor for its operation, which may be easily controlled to cause the scraper to follow any suitable path according to circun'ista-nces, which is capable of handling material of any size, and whose capacity is relatively great in proportion to that of similar apparatus heretofore employed. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

The accompanying drawings show certain forms of the invention and various ways in which it may be used, it being understood thatthe particular constructions and arrangements shown have been chosen for illustrative purposes merely, and that the invention, as defined by the claims hereunto appended, may be otherwise practiced without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. i

In these drawings,-

Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are diagrammatic views showing different stages of loading coal from a room, the loading apparatus being shown in successive positions in the different figures.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are diagrammatic views similar to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but illustrating a different method of using the apparatus.

Figs. 7 and 8 are enlargedperspective and plan views, respectively, of the scraping unit.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the scraper, showing modified meansfor connecting the same with its operating cable. I

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of a preferred form of guide block.

Figs. 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views illustrating a modified form of apparatus.

Figs. 13. and 14 are similar views showin a. further modification.

Fig. 15 is a detail elevation of alternative means for supporting the guide blocks shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

The drawings show a mine room bounded by side walls 2 and. face 3 which is being worked, entrance to the room being had through a roomfneck 4, as is usual in room and pillar work. Suitable means are also provided within the room to support the roof, which means may be of any well known form. Thus, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, l3, and 14, pillars 5, formed of the material being mined, are left; as shown in F'gs. 1, 5, and 6 a crib 5 is provided; while as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the usual mine timbers 5 are employed. It will be understoodthat, as the face 3 is advanced, more supports will be left or built.

The material which has been loosened from. the face 3 must be removed through the room neck 4, and for this purpose there is, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, provided a scraper 6 to the forward end of which is attached. a cable or drag line 7 for pulling the scraper across. the face 3 and out the room neck, a. return or outhaul cable S be ing provided? to return the scraper to the working end of the room. The cable 8 is passed aroui'id a guide p lley 9 at one end llii) til) of the face 3, this cable being held free from the pillar and the walls of the room by pulleys disposed at any suitable and convenient points. The cable 7 is passed around a single snatch block 11 located near the end of the face opposite the pulley 9, but whose position relative to said face and to the adjacent side wall of the room may be varied by suitable means, such as a chain 12 attached to a hook 13, the latter preferably being fastened to the side wall above the level of the material to be scraped.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cable 8 is operated, preferably from outside the room, by suitable winding means (which, being well known in the art, are not shown herein) to pull the scraper to the position shown in Fig. 1. The cable 7 is then operated to pull the scraper G into the loose coal, or other material to be loaded, until said scraper is filled with coal as shown in Fig. To obviate ll e necessity of pulling the scraper further through the loose coal, the position of the snatch block 11 is changed by engaging the chain 12 with the hook 13 at a different point, as shown in Fig. 2, permitting the scraper to swing free from the loose material, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the czble 7 operated to d 'aw the scraper up to the snatch block. The snatch block is then changed from the front end of the scraper to the rear end thereof, and engaged with the cable 8, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the scraper with its load may be pulled by the cable 7 out of the room neck to carry the load of loose material to the mine car. During the return movement of the scraper, the chain 12 is preferably left in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the snatch block being transferred back to the front end of the scraper as the latter passes said snatch block, so that the scraper will pass along one side of the loose material. and one will not have to be wasted in pulling the scraper through the loose material, and said n'iaterial will not be scat tercd about the mine floor.

In Figs. l, 5, and 6 is illustrated a different method of operating the scraper, in accordance with which two hooks 14- and are need to hold the chain and the snatch block in different operative positions. The book 15 is preferably made large enough to receive the. whole chain, so that difficulty will not be experienced and time lost in slipping one of the links of the chain over the free end of the look. The operation of the scraping mechanism illustrated in these figures is substantially the same as that first described, with the exception that when it is desired to change the. position of the snatch block to free the scraper filled with coal from the loose coal, it is only necessary to lift the chain free from the hook 15 to permit the latter to swing about the hook or support 14, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and (3. The latter form is preferable where a large quantity of loosened material has accumulated at the face 3, and it is necessary to move the scraper a considerable distance to free it from this material. As will be obvious, this may be accomplished by the use of a chain which is not substantially longer than the chain shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

It should be noted that in the improved loading apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, it is not necessary to provide a large guiding member to keep the scraper from striking the pillar, especially during the return movement. It should also be noted that during these loading operations, and during the return movement. of the scraper to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4:, the scraper does not scatter the coal about the mine floor as is common in devices heretofore used, and that needless energy is not lost, either in pulling the loaded scraper to the mine car, or in returning the scraper to its loading position. It should further be noted that no shoveling is necessary in order to clean up the mine floor, as the scraper may be reciprocated across the face 3 along different paths to gather the loose material by varying the position of the chain on the hook or hooks.

The improved form of scraper G illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is preferably employed in the apparatus above described. This scraper, as is usual in scraping devices, is V-shaped, with the cable 8 attached to the angle of the V and the cable 7 attached to the two free ends of the scraper by a yoke composed of flexible elements or lines 7, which may comprise integral parts of the cable 7. In this improved form, the elements 7 of the cable are preferably passed freely through guiding members or eyes 16 and passed rearwardly along the sides of the scraper, the ends of the yoke elements 7 being fastened by books 17 each engaging one of a series of spaced holes 18, herein shown as formed in a reenforcing flange 19 at the upper edge of the scraper.

During the normal operation of the scraper, the hooks 17 will preferably be fastened near the angle of the scraper, as shown in Fig. 7, so as to bring the cable T as near the scraper as possible. However, when it is necessary to remove a large lump of coal or other material, the members 7 of the yoke are paid out through the eyes 16 until the yoke elements encircle the lump, and the hooks 19 are again attached to the scraper at points nearer the forward open end thereof, as shown in Fig. 8. This construction obviates the necessity of swinging a heavy sledge to break up a large lump in a very low vein. whew the. men have to work on their knees, as is now the common practice. These hnnps' are often so large that, even the largest scrapers used will not remove them from the room- This'construo lion makes it possible to remove the lumps from the mine where they can then be broken up by coal crushers, and to, do the work more economically than can a miner, especially when the miner has to work in a vein. some times only 18 or 20 inches thick.

In order to. avoid the necessity of shifting the snatch block from the front to the rear of the scraper, and vice versa, when said scraper passes said block, the drag and outhaul lines may be replaced by a single cable or drag line which is connected with the scraper by a smaller cable or line, and the snatch block may be replaccdby a block or sheave of such construction as to guide the main cable while permittin the passage of the line from said main cab, e tothe, scraper. Thus, as shown in Fig. 9, a cable is substituted for the cable 7and 8 of the apparatus first described, said cable being connected with the yoke lines. 'Z by a smaller line 26. spliced or otherwiseconnected thereto. Cooperating with the cable 25: is a block or sheave having separated portions adapted to guide said cable but to permit the passage between them of the line 26. Thus, as shown in Fig. 10,, said guideblock may comprise a pulley formed in two axially alined but separated sections 27, supported respec: tively by the arms of a U-shaped holder 28, the latter having a reenforcing flange 9-9 to hold the members 27 properly spaced, said flange having an opening 30 for the attachment of a chain, cable, or other means Qr supporting said block. The main cable 25 passes over and isguided by the pulley sections 27, while the line 26 is. free to pass between them.

In the form of theinvention illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, means are provided for facilitating the shifting of the movable guide member or block, said means comprising a single fixed sheave 31 supported by the mine wall, preferably near the roof, and a line or cable 32 which passes about said sheave and carries at one end the guide block 33, which may preferably boot the form shown in Fig. 10. The op osit-e end of the line or cable 32 is; connected to a winding drum 35 of any suitable or well known type having a controlling lever 36, and a. brake lever 37. By suitable iperation of the vleversfiifi and 37 the drum 35 may be operated to draw thegu d block 33 intothe p sition shown in Fig.1} or" to permitthe te s oa n themain ca le- 25. to move said block into the position shown in F ig; .12.;Theoperationiof this form of theinveation will, itis thonghu-be, otherwise fully understood from the forege inn description of that shown in Figs-d It is .to be noted that where powermeans is used in connectionwith paying out and polling in control line 32' it would be posible to place the winding mechanism 35. at any location desired. It is to be noted that the single flexible control member 32, w-hibh cooperates with the drum35 to move the single sheave 33, constiti ites the sole means, aside of course trom. the dragline, for controlling the path of movement of the scraper along the face 3 during loading as indicated in Figs. 11 and 1:2, and that this means by itself is equallyel'ficient in controlling the return path of the scraper along the face after the same has been returned substantially adjacent thereto after the unloading operation. It will thus be seen that the member 32 and its asseciated elements are able to eftect two distinct operatTdnsof the scraper without the aid of any additional control tines such as have always been deemed necessary in a type of loader mechanism similar to the applicants. It will be seen, by making the member 32 solely perform the control of the return and forward path of the scraper along the face, that the number of lines in the mine room are re duced to a minimum, it being obvious that, where a large number of: lines are running along the mine floor, danger to the workmen and costv of maintenance is very mate riall-y increased, which features mine operatorsare constantly striving to reduce.

In order to avoid the loss of time incidein tal to the return of the empty scraper to the mine face after delivering'itsload to the mine car, the arrangement shown in Figs. 13 and 14 may be employed, In this arangement the ma n. cable or d g line 25 is provided, at opposite sides of the pulley 9, with two scrapers 6., 6 located at such; a distance apart that when one of said scrapers is in the position to deliver its load to a mine car 38,, the other of said scrapers will; be in the position to receive its lead at the end of the mine face, so that as one of said scrapers is conveying its. load to the car, the other scraper will be sinmltaneously returned to the mine face, thereby doubling the efficiency ofthe apparatus. In order properly to control the movements of both of said scrapers, the portions of the cable 25 to which said scrapers are connected are guided, respectively, by blocks 33- and 33 corresponding to the block 3.3 shown in 11 and 12, said blocks 33. and 33 being car riefil and; suitably spaced by a rigid bar 39 connected at its opposite ends by lines 407' and 40" with the cable or line 32, the line 40 being shorter than the line 40" so as to mainain the b r-39 in proper position and cause the block3-3 to be conveniently lifted over the loose material at the-mine face when the blocks are moved from the position shown Fig. 13 into thatshow-n in Fig. 1.4.

In a mine whose roof is sufficiently strong for the purpose, the bar 39 may, as shown in Fig. 15, be suspended from wheels or rollers 41 arranged to run upon a track lQsupported by said roof, thereby holding the blocks 33 and 33" at an elevation which will permit their being readily moved into either of their operative positions without interference with the loose material at the mine face.

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

1. In a drag line scraper apparatus for use in removing material from a face extending in a direction transverse to the path of a scraper during its movement when loaded to a point of discharge, a scraper, flexible means for operating the same, guiding means for said operating means adjacent the end of the face remote from the point of discharge, a guiding member adjacent the other end of said face, and means including a flexible member and means for adjusting its free length for supporting said guiding member in a plurality of positions to cause said scraper to travel in a plurality of substan tially predetermined paths one of which is a continuation of the other substantially along the face to allow said scraper to recede therefrom when the same is loaded, said guidingvmember, flexible member and adjusting means therefor constituting the sole meansfor influencing the path of movement of said scraper while the latter is being moved in either direction along the face by said flexible means.

2. Ina drag line scraper apparatus for use in removing material from a face extending in a direction transverse to the path of a scraper during its movement when loaded to a point of discharge, ascraper, flexible means for operating the same, guiding means for said operating means adjacent the end of the face remote from the point of discharge, a block adjacent the other end of said face, and means including an extensible flexible connection between said block and a fixed point and means for varying the length of said connection for supporting said block in a plurality of positions differing both in distance from the face and in position transversely thereof, said block, flexible connection, and means for varying the latter constituting the sole means for influencing the return path of said scraper along the face by said flexible means and its associated elements after being unloaded and returned substantially adjacent said face.

3. In a loading apparatus, in combination, a plurality of scrapers, a drag line to which said scrapers are secured, a plurality of guide blocks for said drag line, a bar by which said guide blocks are carried, and a line connected with said bar for moving the same.

1-. In a loading apparatus, in combination, a scraper, a drag line, a line connecting said scraper and drag line, and spaced cooperating pulley forming means for guiding said drag line while permitting free passage of said connecting line between said cooperating guiding means and adapted to vary at will and maintain throughout movement of said line the relative relation between different. portions of said line.

In a loading apparatus, in combination. 'aoer, a drag line, a line connecting said scraper and drag line. and a block having separated portions adapted to guide said drag line but to permit passage between them of said connecting line.

(3. In aloading apparatus, a scraper. a drag line therefor, and means connecting said drag line and scraper for 'arying the capacity of said scraper.

7. In a loading apparatus, a scraper and means for operating said scraper and for incrcasin the normal capacity thereof.

'8. In a loading apparatus, a scraper for transporting small loose material, flexible means for operating said scraper, and means connecting said flexible means and scraper for increasing the normal capacity of the scraper to permit the latter to operate on relatively large material to be moved.

' 9. In a loadingapparatus, a scraper for transporting small loose material, flexible means for operating said scraper, and means including a yoke between said flexible means and scraper for increasing the normal capaeity of the scraper to permit the latter to operate on relatively large material to be moved.

10. In a loading apparatus, a scraper, and operating means therefor comprising a flexible member terminating in a yoke and means for detachably securing the ends of said yoke to said scraper at different points to vary the relative position of said yoke and scraper to increase the latters capacity.

ll. A loading apparatus comprising. in combination, a V-shaped scraper ha ring guiding means on the opposite sides of the openend thereof. a flexible operating member therefor comprising a yoke the elements of which are guided by said guiding means, and adjustable means for securing the ends of said yoke in adjusted position to said scraper.

12. In a loading apparatus, in combination, a plurality of scrapers, a drag line to which said scrapers are spacedly secured. a

block about which. said line passes, guide blocks for the portions of said drag line on opposite sides of said block, a bar by which said second mentioned guide blocks are can ried, and means for supporting said bar permitting shifting thereof to cause a variation in the spacing between the portions of said line.

13. In a drag line scraper apparatus for use in removing material from a face extending in a direction transverse to the path of the scraper during its movement when loaded to a point of discharge, a scraper, a flexible drag line for operating the same, guiding means for said drag line adjacent the end of the face remote from the point of discharge, an adjustable guiding member adjacent the other end of said face, said adjustable member having operative connection with said drag line between the loading position of said scraper and the point of discharge to control movements thereof along said face independently of any lateral pull on the rear end of said scraper, power means for causing opposite movements of said drag line, and means for adjusting said adjustable guiding m mber by power during move ment of said drag line to cause the scraper to recede from the face when the same is loaded.

14. In a loading apparatus, in combina tion, a scraper, a drag line, a line connecting,

said scraper to said drag line, and means having separated guiding rolls overlapped by the drag line but permitting passage between said rolls of said connecting line.

15. In a loading apparatus, in combination, a scraper, a drag line, a line connecting said scraper to said drag line, and means having separated aligned guiding rolls separated at such a distance as toallow passage of said connecting line between them but to I support the drag line.

It. In a loadingapparatus, a scraper, means for operating said scraper, and flexible means for varying the capacity thereof.

17. In a loading apparatus, in combination, a scraper, a drag line having a forward and rearward portion, and means to adjust said portions operative to change their relative positions, said means including only a single connection to said drag line.

18. In a loading apparatus, in combina tion, a plurality of scrapers, a drag line to which said scrapers are secured having a plurality of angularly disposed portions, a plurality of adjustable guide blocks adapted to guide said drag line and arranged at the vertices of said angularly disposed portions, and means for varying the positions of said blocks to change the angles and to adjust said drag line away from and towards the work.

19. In a drag line scraper for use in removing material from a face extending in a direction transverse to the path of a scraper during its movement When loaded to a point of discharge, a scraper, flexible means for moving the same, guiding means for said moving means adjacent the end of the face remote from the point of discharge, aguide block for guiding said flexible moving means, a flexible member by which said guide block is carried and constituting the sole flexible member to influence the path of travel of said scraper while being moved by said flexible means, a fixed sheave near the opposite end of the face over which said flexible member passes, and power means for pulling said flexible member about said sheave.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOE WOOD MORRISON.

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