US1645653A - Method and machine for loading coal - Google Patents

Description

18,1927. N D LEVIN 1,645,653

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR LOADING COAL Original Filed Nov. 27. 19 0 2 Sheets-Shut 1 WITNESSES qf W Oct.

19.27 N. D. LEVIN METHOD AND MACHINE FOR LOADING COAL Original Filed Nov. 27, 1920 2 Shouts-Sheet 2 D O DD W! TNESSES @241 %6.)

Patented on. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NILE D. LEVIN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE JEFFEBY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR LOADING COAL.

Application flled liovember 27, 1920, Serial No. 426,829. Renewed March 10, 1927.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in method and machines for loading coal and particularly to a machine adapted to use in the rooms of a mine and the method of its 0 eration for gathering the broken down coal rom the floor of the mine and. expeditiously and convenientl loading the same into cars for transportation from the mine.

The especial object of this invention is to provide a portable loadin conveyor with improved means for gathering the coal from the floor of the mine onto the receiving end of said conveyor.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the class referred to adapted to e conveniently transferred from one working place to another.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the class described having improved means for adjusting the position of the pit cars relative to the loading apparatus durin the process of loading coal.

A irther object is to provide a method of operation whereby the devices above referred to may conveniently and effectively gather the broken coal from the floor of the mine and load it into suitably positioned cars for transportation from the mine.

These and other objects will appear in the following specification reference being had to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus forcarrying into operation 3' the method of loading hereinafter set forth. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the parts adjusted to a position for travelingfrom one working lace to another. a

Fig. 3 1s a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 when adjusted to operating position.

Fi 4 is a cross section along the line IV%V of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a lan view of the truck element with the loadlng apparatus removed.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the power elements of the machine.

Fi 7 is a cross section taken along the line %IIVII of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the longitudinal central verticgl plane of the conveyor at its forward en Fig.9 is a section taken along the line IX-IX of Fig. 3.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

The preferred apparatus for carrying into practice my improved method of loading coal comprlses, primarily, a conveyor of the well known chain and scraper ty e, having a horizontal receiving portion a apted to rest upon the floor of the mine during the loadng operation, an upwardly and rearwardly m inclined central part, and a horizontal part adapted to extend above a conveniently placed car to deliver material thereto, a supporting truck adapted to facilitate the positioning of said conveyor for loading coal, and for movingjt from place to place, and certain auxiliary devices adapted and arranged to co-operate with the above described conveyor to gather material from the floor of the mine and distribute it in the car for transportation from the mine.

The conveyor element consists of an elongated trough com osed of the side plates 1 and the bottom p ate 2 along which travel two endless chains 3 which are joined together at spaced intervals by the scraper gated trough composed of the side plates 1 are angle bars 5'the flan es of which extend above the chains 3 to shield them from contact with the material traveling along the B5 trough. Other longitudinal angle bars 6 are fixed to the side plates 1 and to these are attached the bottom plate 7 which serves as a slide way for the return strand of the conveyor chains 3 and scrapers 4. Extending transversely of the conveyor structure at its rearward end is a head shaft 8 around which passes the conveyor chains 3. The shaft 8 is su ported in journal bearin s 9 adapted to adjustment longitudinally o the conveyor to regulate the. tension of the chains 8 in the manner common in conveyor practice. At the lower, or receiving, end of the conveyor the chains 3 pass around a stationary cross bar 10 to which is attached two guide bars 11 adapted to engage the rollers of the chains 3 to guide them from the lower to the upper run of the conveyor. Attached to the side plates 1 of the inclined and the upper horizontal portions of the conveyor trough. by means of the straps 12, are flaring side plates 13 which serve to prevent the overflow of material along the sides of the conveyor trough.

To facilitate the movement of coal from the mine floor to the lower horizontal part of the conveyor, I have provided an inclined plane over which the coal may be moved in a manner which will hereinafter appear. This inclined plane comprises a steel plate 14 which is reinforced by stiffening bars 15 connected by the hinges 16 with the lugs 17 adapted to engage the sockets 18 attached to .the side plates 1 at either side of the com veyor frame. The plate 14 may thus be positioned, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, with its free edge engaging the mine floor during the operation of loading, or it may be folded over upon the conveyor, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to be out of the way while the machine is traveling along the mine tracks. I have provided an extension plate 19 adapted to form a continuation of the plate 13 at the side of the machine opposite the inclined lane 14 to prevent the coal from over flowmg along the lower horizontal portion of the conveyor. The late 19 is provided with stifienin bars 20 t e lower ends of which project ownwardly to engage the sockets 18 to hold said plate in position. By this arrangement the extension side plate 19 and the inclined plane plate 14 may be attached at either side of the conveyor to adapt the machine to gather material from either side of the mine working.

Attached to the conveyor trough, equidistant from its ends, is a structural framework 21 forming a housing for the power elements of the machine, the side sills 22 of which serve as a supporting base for the conveyor. Mounted within the housing 21 is an electric motor 23 the armature pinion 24 of which engages the spur ear 25 mounted upon the cross shaft 26 and connectible thereto by a friction clutch 27 of the well known multiple disk type. The clutch 27 is provided with a controlling hand wheel 28 by which the friction elements may be readily enga ed and disengaged in the manner well 111MB! stood in the art. Attached to the shaft 26 is a pinion 29 which engages a spur gear 30 fixed to a second shaft 31. The shafts 2G and 31 are journaled in bearings 32 and 33 formed in the extending arms 34 of the motor casing. Attached to the shaft 31, between the bearings 33, is a sprocket wheel 35 which is connected by a chain 36 with a similar sprocket wheel 37 attached to the cross shaft 38. To the projecting ends of the shaft 38 are fixed two rope winding winches 39 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The shaft 38 is also connected to the conveyor driving shaft 40 throu h the spur gears 41 and 42, and these sha ts are supported in the bearings 43 and 44 secured to the structural steel frame work of the machine. To the driving shaft 40 are fixed two sprocket wheels 45 the rims of which project through convenient slots in the bottom plate 7 and engage the chains 3 to drive them. The bottom plate 7 is curved downwardly at 46 to form loops in the chains 3 to afford a suflicient contact with the sprocket wheels 45 to cause them to satisfactorily drive said chains. In order that the movement of the conveyor chains 3 and scrapers 5 may be controlled independently of the other elements of the machine I have interposed a clutch 42 between the gear 42 and the shaft 40, and this clutch is controlled by an operating lever 42 positioned convenient to the hand of the operator. As the details of these clutch elements form no part in the resent invention and are well understood in the art, more complete description is not thought to be required at this time.

47 is a conductor cable which extends from the motor 23 to a suitable controlling switch 48, and thence to a receptacle 49 connectiblc with suitable flexible conductor cable through which current may be received from any convenient source of electrical supply. The conveyor member as above described, constitutes a self-contained structure, which when used in conjunction with the supporting truck to be hereinafter described, may be easily positioned with its receiving portion in convenient relation to the material to be loaded while its delivery end is above a car adapted to receive said material for transportation from the mine.

The supporting truck comprises a main frame formed of longitudinally extending side sills 50 which are rigidly joined together by cross members 51. Bolted to the side sills 50 are journal bearings 52 in which are mounted the truck axles 53 and 54. To the truck axles 53 and 54 are attached traction wheels 55 and 56 upon which the truck is supported on the rails 57 of the mine tracks. Positioned between the side sills 50 is a rectan ular supplemental frame 58 to which is b0 ted the ournal bearings 59 journaled upon the forward truck axle 53 constituting a hinge support for the forward end of the supplemental frame 58. The rearward end of the supplemental frame 58 is adapted to engage the rearward cross member 51, or to be elevated upon a block 60 inter osed between it and the side sills 50 to e ect the vertical adjustment of the rearward end of the conve or. Supported in apertures of the upwar y extending flanges 61 of the supplemental frame 58 is a. hinge t ll rod 62 upon which is pivotally supported two bearing castings 63 which are secured to a flat plate 64 adapted to engage the side sills 22 of the conveyor housing. The plate 64 is provided with an aperture 65 through which projects a pivot pin 66 extending downwardly from the conveyor, and WlllCll serves to prevent lateral displacement of the conveyor while permitting it to be angular-1y adjusted relative to the longitudinal lines of the truck preparatory to the loading operation. The pivot pin 66 is fitted with a nut arranged to engage the under side of the plate 64 to prevent its accidental withdrawal from the aperture 65. By lifting the rearward end of the conveyor the operator can rock .the supplemental frame 58 about the axle to permit the insertion of the block 60 beneath the supplemental frame 58 thereby holding the rearward end of the conveyor in the desired relation with the car 67 during the operation of loading coal as shown in Fig. 3, and by pressing downwardly on the conveyor he may rock the side sills 22 about the hinge rod 62 to permit the positioning of the block 60 between the supplemental frame 58 and the side sills 22 to hold the forward end of the conveyor clear of the track rails 57 during the movement of the machine from one working place to another, as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be seen that this arrangement of support, that is, the truck, conveyor frame, and the intermediate supplemental frame which connects them pivotally, as described, forms what may be termed a lazy tong connection which permits vertical adjustment and tilting of the parts, and, by reason of the vertically dis posed pivot connection between the conveyor frame and the intermediate supplemental frame, angular adjustment of the conveyor frame in horizontal planes. The truck axles 53 and 54 are connected together by a suitable sprocket chain 68, and the forward axle 53 is fitted with a sprocket Wheel 69 adapted to be connected through the chain 70 with the sprocket wheel 71 by a chain 70 which may be removed during the loading operation and replaced when the machine is to be 'moved from one working place to another.

The wheel71 is rotatably mounted upon the projecting end of the cross shaft 31, and a clutch member 72 splined to the shaft 31 is arranged to connect the sprocket wheel 71 with the shaft 31 so that the power of the motor 23 may be transmitted to the traction wheels to propel the machine along the mine tracks 57.

Auxiliary to the above described conveyor I have rovided a convenient means for moving tlie dislodged material over the floor of the mine and onto the conveyor, comprising a V-shaped scoop 73 to the diverging walls 74 of which there are attached bridle chains 75. ,The bridle chains 75 are connected with a towing line 76, formed of a manila rope or other equally flexible material, by which said scoop may be drawn over the floor of the mine. At the rear end of the scoop there is provided a handle 77 for its convenient manipulation.

In the practice of my improved method of loading coal the machine above described is brought into the mine room and is positioned upon the mine tracks 57 near the working face. The conveyor is then adjusted, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, with its horizontal receiving portion resting upon the floor in convenient proximity to the material to be loaded. The apron which constitute the inclined plane 14 is adjusted to its working position atthat side of the conveyor towards the material which is to be loaded. and the pit car 67 is placed under the delivery end of the conveyor in position to receive the coal therefrom. By the manipulation of the block 60 between the side sills 50 of the truck frame and the supplemental frame 58 the pivotal supporting member 63 may be so adJusted as to effect the adjustment of the delivery end of the conveyor between the top of the pit car 67 and the roof of the mine to attain the most convenient proportioning of the available space for handling relatively large fragments of coal and for distributing the load in the car. A jack post 78, of a construction well known in mining machine practice, to which is attached a. snatch block 9, 1s placed in position at the side of the conveyor opposite the inclined plane 14, and securely anchored between the floor and roof of the mine.

The scoop 73 is then carried away from the receiving portion of the conveyor, placed behind the loose material which is to be loaded, and the towing line 76 is passed around the snatch block 79 and given a few turns around the winch 39. When the motor 23 is started and tension is applied to the free end of the towing line 76 the scoop 73 will be drawn over the floor of the mine towards the conveyor and up the inclined plane 14 to move the material included between its flaring sides 74 onto the conveyor by which it will be quickly transferred to the pit car 67. The tension upon the free end of the towing line 76 is then released permitting the scoop 73 to be returned to the pile of loose material upon the mine floor, and the operation may be repeated until the car 67 is entirely filled. \Vhen the material at one side, as for example the right hand side, of the conveyor is entirely loaded the inclined .plane apron 14 and the auxiliary side plate 19 will be transferred to opposite sides of the conveyor. the jack post 78 readjusted and the coal at the left hand side of the conveyor loaded in the manner above described. When the scoop 73 encounters a pile of material upon the mine floor, or other similar obstruction, the tension of the towing line 76 tends to move the truck forwardly along the track, and I have provided extensions 7 at each side of the bottom plate 7 which may be engaged by the jack 78 to securely anchor the forward end of the conveyor in the preferred loading position, and thereby prevent movement of the machine during loading operation.

In order that the material loaded into the car 67 may be evenly distributed over its entire length said car, is preferably placed close to the conveyor supporting truck to allow the first material loaded to fall into its rearmost end. A second towing line 80, having a hook 81 adapted to engage the end wall of the car, is placed in engagement with the winch 39 opposite that to which the tow line 76 is connected, and is passed over the guide sheave 82 mounted at the rear end of the conveyor frame. The hook 81 is then engaged with the forward end wall of the car 67 and, when tension is applied to the free end of the tow line the car will be moved away from the machine. By properly manipulating the tow line 80 to move the car 67 in the manner above described, the material may be distributed to effect the proper trimming of the load. It is of course understood that the car may be moved either forwardly or backwardly according to which end wall is engaged by the hook 81. After the car 67 has been fully loaded it must be removed and another car placed in loading position under the delivery end of the conveyor, necessitating frequent interruptions of the loading operations. By the manipulation of the clutch 42" the conveyor chains 3 may be alternately stopped and started thereby moving the material delivered by the scoop 7 3 along the conveyor and accumulating a considerable mass of material thereon which can be quickly transferred to the car as soon as it is placed. by such manipulation suspension of the operation of the scoop is commonly entirely revented and the efliciency of the mac ine very largely increased.

After the coal has been entirely loaded out of a room, the jack post/T8 may be disengaged from the mine roof, the block 60 adjusted between the supplemental frame 58 and the side sills 22 of the conveyor raising the gathering end of the conveyor clear of the track rails 57. The apron 14 may be folded over onto the conveyor and the scoop, jack post and other accessories loaded onto the conveyor and the machine proceed to the next working place.

Due to the approximate e uilibrium of the conveyor structure upon t e hinge rod 62 the vertical adjustment of the conveyor can be accomplished by the miners helper pressing downward or lifting upward upon the rearward end of the conveyor frame while the miner himself adjusts the block 60 relative to the truck members to retain the parts in the desired working position.

What I claim is- 1. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a supporting truck, an elongated conveyor frame mounted upon said truck and adapted for adjustment in vertical planes whereby its receiving end may be placed in operative position in contact with the mine floor and may be elevated to traveling position, conveyor devices within the frame, and an apron hinged to said conveyor frame and adapted when in operative osition to form an inclined plane over w ich material may be moved from the mine floor to the conveyor and which may be folded in traveling position upon the conveyor.

2. In a machine for loading coil in mines, the combination with a supporting truck, an elongated conveyor frame mounted upon said truck and adapted for adjustment in vertical planes whereby its receivin end may be placed in operative position in contact with the mine floor and may be elevated to traveling position, conveyor devices within the frame, and an apron hinged to said conveyor frame and adapted when in operative osition to form a laterally extendin inc ined plane over which material may e moved from the mine floor to the conveyor and which may be folded in traveling position upon the conveyor.

3. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a supporting truck, of an elongated conveyor frame mounted upon said truck and adapted for adjustment in vertical planes whereby its receiving end may be placed in o erative position in contact with the mine iibor and may be elevated to traveling position, conveyor devices within the frame, and an apron removably hinged to said conveyor frame and adapted when in operative position to form a laterally extending inclined plane over which material may be moved from the mine floor to the conveyor and which may be folded in traveling position 11 on the conveyor.

4. In a maciiine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a supporting truck, an elongated conveyor frame mounted upon said truck and ada ted for adjustment in vertical planes where y its receiving end may be placed in operative position in contact with the mine floor and may be elevated to traveling position, conveyor devices within the frame, and an apron removable hinged to said conveyor frame and attachable at either side thereof and adapted when in operative position to form a aterally extending inclined plane over which material may be moved from the mine floor to the conveyor and which may be folded in traveling position upon the conveyor.

.5. In a machine for loading coal in mines,

the combination with a supporting truck, of an elongated conveyor frame mounted upon said truck and adapted for adjustment in vertical planes whereby its receiving end may be placed in o erative position in contact with the mine oor and may be elevated to traveling position, conveyor devices with in the frame, power devices connected with said conveyor devices, a laterally extending inclined plane attached to said conveyor frame, a scoop adapted to engage loose material upon the mine floor, a winch upon the conveyor frame connected with said power devices, a flexible draft member attached to said scoop and windable upon said Winch, and means to guide said draft member to cause said scoop to move said loose material over the mine floor and inclined plane onto said conveyor.

6. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a wheeled truck adapted to travel over the mine tracks, a self con tained conveyor ,comprising an elongated frame mounted upon said truck and adapted for adjustment in vertical and horizontal planes whereby its receiving end may be placed in operative position incontact with the mine floor at either side of the mine track and may be elevated to traveling position in the central plane of said track, conveyor and power devices within the frame, a laterally extending inclined plane attached to said conveyor frame, a scoop adapted to engage loose material upon the mine floor, a winch upon the conveyor frame connected with said power devices, a flexible draft member attached to said scoop and windable upon said winch, and means to guide said draft member to cause said scoop to'move said loose material over the mine floor and inclined plane onto said conveyor.

7. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support adapted to be moved over a mine floor, an elongated conveyor frame mounted on said support and having a floor engaging section, and an elevated car loading section, means for adjusting said frame vertically to bring its receiving end into contact with the mine floor and into elevated position for transportation, conveying means carried by said frame, and a hinged apron detachably secured to the floor engaging end of said frame and extending lengthwise thereof a substantial distance to provide a shiftable and automatically adaptable incline for the delivery of gathered material to the conveyor at different points in its length.

8. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support adapted to be moved over a mine floor, an elongated conveyor frame mounted on said support and having a floor engagin section, conveying means carried by said rame, and an apron hinged to said frame and extending lengthwise thereof a substantial distance to provide an automatically adjustable incline for the delivery of gathered materal to the conveyor at different points in its length.

9. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support adapted to be moved over a mine floor, a conveyor frame mounted on said support and having a floor engaging section, apron supporting means on either side of said floor engaging section, and a detachable hinged apron adapted to be mounted on either side of said conveyor and extending lengthwise thereof a substantial distance to provide an automatically adjustable incline for the delivery of gathered material to the conveyor at different points in its length.

10. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a wheeled truck adapted to travel over the mine track, a self contained conveyor comprising an elongated frame supported upon said truck and extending rearwardly thereof, conveyor and power devices within said frame adapted to discharge material into a suitably positioned car beneath said frame extension, a winch upon said conveyor frame connected with said power devices, a flexible draft member windable upon said winch and attachable to said car, and guide devices upon said frame extension adapted to guide said draft member to cause the movement of said car in the preferred direction relative to said truck.

11. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support adapted to be moved over the floor of a mine, conveyor mechanism comprising an elongated frame mounted on said support and extending rearwardly thereof, conveyor and power devices carried by said frame and adapted to dischar e material into a car from the rearwar ly extending portion of said frame, winding means on said conveyor frame, driving connections between said windin means and said power devices, a flexible dra t member engageable with said winding devices and adapted to be attached to a car, and guiding means for said draft member mounted on the rearwardly extending end of said conveyor frame.

12. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a wheeled truck adapted to be moved over a mine track, a self-com tained conveyor comprising an elongated frame mounted on said truck and having an elevated and rearwardly extending portion, conveyor and power devices carried by said frame and adapted to discharge material into a car beneath the elevated and rear- Wardly extending portion of said frame, a winding drum on said conve or frame, driving connections between sai windin drum and said power devices, a flexible dra t member engageable at one end with said winding drum and adapted to be attached at its other end to a car, and a guide sheave for said draft member mounted at the end of said elevated and rearwardly extending frame section.

13. In an apparatus for loading coal in mines, the combination with a self contained conveyor comprising an elongated frame havin a substantially horizontal portion adapte to rest upon the mine floor, conveying and power devices within the frame, an apron adapted to be positioned at either side of said conveyor, and a material engaging scraper connected with the power devices of the conveyor ada ted to propel loose material over the mine oor and apron onto the conveyor. 1

14. In an apparatus for loading coal in mines, the combination witha self contained conveyor comprising anelongated frame having a substantia ly horizontal receiving section adapted to rest upon the mine floor,

conveying and power devices within said frame, an apron adapted 'to be sitioned at either side of saidconveyor an connectible thereto by hinged supports, and a material e aging scraper connected with the power evices of the conveyor and adapted to ropel loose material over the mine oor and apron onto the conveyor.

15. In an a paratus for loading coalin mines, the com ination with a self contained conveyor comprisng an elongated frame and conveyor and Wet devices within the frame, a truck, a pivoted support upon said truck upon which said conve or is supported for angular adjustment in 0th horizontal and vertical planes, and means to vertically adjust said pivotal su port.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a structure comprisin an inclined elongated conveyor frame rigi 1y attached to a centrally disposed sufpporting frame which includes the center 0 gravity of the structure, of a conveyor mounted within said conveyor frame, power devices within said supporting frame arr d to actuate said conveyor, and a supporting truck comprising a ertically adjustable supporting frame and a pivot member attached to said supporting frame and to said conveyor structure upon which said conveyor structure is angularly adjustable in both vertical and horizontal planes.

17. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a wheeled truck adapt ed to travel over the mine tracks, a self contained conveyor comprising an elongated frame supported upon said truck and extending rearwardly thereof, conveyor and power devices within said frame a apted to dischar material into a suitably positioned car oath said frame extension, a scoop adapted to engage loose material upon the mine floor, a much upon the conveyor frame connected with said ower devices, a flexible draft member attac ed to said scoop and windable upon said winch to cause said scoop to propel said loose material onto said conveyor, and means to control the actuation of the conveyor independently of the other elements of the machine.

18. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a supporting truck, of an elongatedconveyor frame mounted upon said truck, conveyor devices within the frame, power devices connected with said conveyor devices, a scoop adapted to engage loose material upon the mine floor, a winch upon the conveyor frame connected with said power devices, a flexible draft member attac ed to said scoop and windable upon said winch, anchoring devices adapted to prevent movement of the conveyor relative to the material to be loaded, and guiding devices" associated with said anchoring devices adapted to engage said flexible draft member to cause said scoop to move said loose material over the mine floor and onto the conveyor.

19. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a sup orting truck, of an elon ated frame mounte upon said truck and a a bed for adjustment in vertical planes w ereby its receivin end may placed in operative position in contact with the mine floor and may be elevated to traveling position, conveyor devices within the frame, power devices connected with said conveyor devices, a scoop adapted to engage upon the convey frame connected with said power devices, flexible draft member attached to said scoop and windable upon said winch, and means to guide said draft memher to cause said scoop to move said loose material over the mine floor onto said conloose material n the mine floor, a winch veyor.

20. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a wheeled truck adapted to travel over the mine tracks, a self contained conveyor comprising an elongated frame mounted u on said truck and adapted for adjustment in vertical and horizontal planes whereby its receiving end may be placed in o erative osition in contact with the mine oor at' either side of the mine track and may be elevated to travelin position in the central plane of said truc con veyor and ower devices within the frame, a scoo apted to engage loose material upon t e mine floor, a winch upon the conveyor frame connected with said power devices, a flexible draft member attached to an inclined elongated conveyor frame rigidly attached to a centrally disposed supporting frame which includes the center of gravity of the structure, of a conveyor mounted within said conveyor frame, power devices within said supporting frame arranged to actuate said conveyor, a truck having a pivotal supporting member which is attached to said supporting frame adjacent to and m the rear of said center of gravity, upon whlch said conveyor structure is rotatably supported.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a structure comprislng an inclined elongated conveyor frame rigidly attached to a supporting frame which includes the center of gravity of the structure, of a conveyor mounted within the conveyor frame, power devices within said supporting frame and arranged to actuate said conveyor, a supporting truck having a pivotal su porting member which is attached to sai supporting frame adjacent to and in the rear of said center of gravity upon which said structure is rotatably adjustable in vertical planes.

23. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a wheeled truck, of a bolster adapted for rocking movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said truck, and an elon ated conve or frame supported upon said bo ster and a apted for angular horizontal adjustment about a vertical axis extending throu h said bolster.

24. In amachine for loa ing coal in mines, the combination with a wheeled truck, of a bolster adapted for rocking movement about a horizontal axis extendin transversely of said truck and vertically adjustable relative thereto, an elongated conveyor frame supported upon said bolster and! adapted for angular horizontal adjustment about a vertical axis extending through said bolster.

25. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a. wheeled truck, of a bolster extendin transversely of said truck and vertically a justable relative thereto, an elongated conveyor frame supported upon said bolster and adapted for angular horizontal adjustment about a vertical axis extending through said bolster.

26. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support adapted to be moved over a mine floor, a conveyor frame so mounted on said support that its center of gravity is substantially in line with the center of gravity of the support, a means connecting said frame and support to permit relative vertical adjustment, and a connection between said frame and said connecting means to permit relative horizontal adjustment.

27. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support adapted to be moved, over a mine floor, a conveyor frame mounted on said support, means for adjusting said frame vertically relative to said support, a rocking connection between said parts to permit tilting of said frame, and a connection between said frame and snid adjustin means to permit angular adjustment of said frame in a horizontal plane.

28. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a support, of a conveyor frame, a supporting frame between said conveyor frame and said support pivotally connected at one end to said support, and a pivotal connection between said supporting frame and said conveyor frame.

29. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination with a support, of a conveyor frame, a supporting frame between said conveyor frame and said support pivot ally connected at one end to said support, a horizontally disposed pivot element connecting said conveyor frame with said supporting frame, and a vertically disposed pivotal connection between said conveyor frame and said pivot element.

30. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support, a conveyor frame, and an intermediate frame pivotally connected at one end to said support and having a vertically disposed pivotal connection with said conveyor frame at a point removed from its pivotal connection with said support.

31. In a machine for loading coal in mines, the combination of a support, a conveyor frame, a lazy tong connection between said support and said conveyor frame, and a vertically disposed pivotal connection between said conveyor frame and said lazy tong element to permit horizontal angular adjustment of said conveyor frame relative to said support.

' 32. In a machine of the class described, an elongated conveyor frame and draft devices operable therealong, an under supporting frame rigidly connected to said conveyor frame intermediate the ends of the latter, motive means for said draft devices disposed in said supporting frame, a truck, and a pivotal connection between said supporting frame and said truck.

33. In a machine of the class described, an elongated conveyor frame and draft devices operable therealong, an under supporting frame rigidly connected to said conveyor frame intermediate the ends of the latter, motive means for said draft devices housed in said supporting frame, a truck, and pivotal connections between said supporting frame and said truck to permit horizontal and vertical swinging movement of the conveyor frame relative to said truck.

34. In a machine of the class described, an elongated conveyor frame and draft devices operable therealong, an under supporting frame rigidly secured to said conveyor frame and including the center of gravity of the III latter, motive means for said draft devices disposed in said supporting frame, and a pivotal connection between said supporting frame and said truck to the rear of said cen- 5 ter of gravity.

35. In a machine of the class described, an elongated conveyor frame and draft devices operable therealong, an under supporting frame rigidly secured to said conveyor frame and including the center of gravity of the 1 latter, motive means for SiLld draft devices disposed in said supporting frame, a truck, and pivotal connections between said supporting frame and said truck to permit horizontal and vertical swinging movements of the conveyor frame relative to the truck.

In testimony whereof, I allix my signatur N ILS D. LEVIN latter, motive means for said draft devices and including the center of gravity of the 10 disposed in said supporting frame, and a latter, motive means for said draft devices pivotal connection between said supporting disposed in said supporting frame, a truck, frame and said truck to the rear of said com and pivotal connections between said sup- 5 ter of gravity. porting frame and said truck to permit hori- 35. In a machine of the class described, an zontal and vertical swinging movements of elongated conveyor frame and draft devices the conveyor frame relative to the truck. operable therealong, an under supporting In testimony whereof, I aflix my signatur frame rigidly secured to said conveyor frame NILS D. LEVIN Certificate of Correction.

Patent No. 1,645,653. Granted October 18,1927, m

NILS D. LEVIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abovenu'mbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 81, strike out the words gated trough composed of and insert instead cross bars .4. Attached to page 4, line 84, claim 2 for the word coil read coal; same pa line 122, claim 4, for the word removahle read 'remo'mbly; and that the sai Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of J anuary, A. D. 1928.

' [SEAL] i M. J. MOORE,

Acting C'ommz'ssioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

Patent No. 1,645,653. Granted October 18, 1927, to

NILS D. LEVIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abovenu'mbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 81, strike out the Words gated trough composed of and insert instead cross bars '4. Attached to; page 4, line 84, claim 2 for the word coil read coal; same pa e, line 122, claim 4, for the word removahle read removably; and that the sai Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Oflice,

Signed andsealed this 17th day of January, A. D. 1928.

[ M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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