US1710801A - Long-wall mining and loading machine - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1,929 v E. c.l MORGAN LONG WALLA MINING AND LDING MACHINE Filed July 2,- 1921 4 sheetsrs'neex Ef. MORGAN April 30, 1929.

Fileauly 2. 1921 4' sheets-sheet Q2 April 30, 1929.

E. c. MORGAN LONG wALL MINING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed July 2. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet April 30,1929. E C, MORGAN 1,710,801

LONG WALL MINING AND LADING MACHINE Filed July 2. 1 921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ."'wmmnnm www... 79

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:al l Y a' I 46 www Patenten Apr'. 3o, i929.-

- inem vEDMUND cmoneAN, oF NEW YORK, N. Y.;

OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN EXECUTRIX OF SAID EDMUND C. MORGAN, DECEASED.

LONG-WALL MINING AND LOADING MACHINE.

Application filed. .uly 2, 192i.

' M invention relates to long-Wall mining and oading machines, and one of its objects is the provision of improved and eficient apparatus of this type.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a mining machine having an upright series of spaced-apart dislodging tools on which powerful pressure may be concentrated, and means for feeding such tools bodily along an approximately rectilinear pathpf travel.

Another object of the invention is the provision of Y an upright series of spaced-apart dislodging tools, combined with an elongated conveyor having a stationary frame adapted to abut against an unmined mass along which frame such tools may be fed bodily to dislodge the material in position to be received by said conveyor.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an elongated sectional conveyor adapted to be anchored in position to receive material dislodged by a mining machine fed along said' conveyor.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combina tion being set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of my improved system of mining embodying the anchored sectional conveyor, together with the mining machine, and the mechanism for adjusting the positions thereof; y

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the mining machine and loading mechanism along which the mining machine is fed;

Fig. 3 is a right-hand end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing details of the mining machine and the cooperative parts of the anchored section of the conveyor.

Fig. 5 is a Vsectional elevation of Fig. 4 on the line 5 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view ofthe mining machine shown in Fig. 4, showing particularly the dislodging tool mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a rear side View of the joint between the sections of the conveyor shown in Fig. 1, but-broken away and enlarged.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of Fig. 7 on the line 8 8 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation on the line Serial No. 482,164.

9-,9 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

I Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevation of a port1on of Fig. 4 on the line 10-10, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional plan view of a portion of Fig. 5 on the line 11-11, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Inasmuh as the vconveyor frame constitutes tlie'slipporting framekfor the mining machine, I will first describe the conveyor mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 9, it will be seen that the conveyor frame 13 is adapted to rest in stationary position on the floor of the mine chamber. At the rear end portions of the conveyor frame 13 are located hydraulic roof jacks as shown at 14- 15, Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 9, each roof jack comprises a cylinder 16 having a shoe 17 at its lower end. This cylinder may be free to slide up and down in a cylindrical extension 18 of the conveyor frame 13; the cylinder 16 is provided with a supply pipe 19 and the usual valve mechanism for controlling the supply of liquid pressure medium to the cylinder 16 to force the plunger 20 upwardly and the cylinder 16 downwardly. By having the cylinder 16 movable relatively to the conveyor frame, the latter will more readily adapt itself to the irregularities of the floor level when the roof jacks are in anchored positions.

The elongated conveyor comprises a plurality of sections, as shown at 13, 21, 22, 23 and 24, in Fig. 1, each section being anchored at its rear end portions, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

Furthermore, in order to permit the elongated conveyor frame to be anchored between the loor and roof, which may extend somewhat'irregularly in elevation, the conveyor frame is not only made sectional, but also pivotally connected, as shown vin Figs.

1, 7 and 8. ln Fig. 1, pivotal connections are shown at 25, 26, 27and 28. Fig. 7 is an enlarged rear view of a portion of Fig. 1. Extending from the cylindrical guide 18 is an arm 29, which is bifurcated, as shown at the upper right-hand ortion of Fig. 4, to receive the arm 30 of t e next adjacent conveyor section. Fig. 7 shows the pivot 25 of Figs. 1 and 4. and Fig. 8 shows the cylinder 3l. shown at the left-hand portionof Fig. 1."

'lhe adjacent frames 13 and 2l are pivotally connected together by a bolt 32 which passes through interlooping tubular extensions 229 and 30 from the arms 29 and 30, respect ively, in the nature of the well-known door hinge. 'lhe botti-l2 has a head 33 at one end, aud ay nut. 34 at the, other end, for securely fastening the bearing hub 35 in the position shown in Fig. 8. '.lhis bearing hub is en larged to strengthen the pivotal'conneet ion between t-he. rear trame sect-ions, while the pivotal mechanism between the sides of the conveyor is of smaller diameter, so as to provide sutiieient space for the travel of thel niovable element of the conveyor mechanism.

The conveyor preferably comprises s1n1ced-a1mrt endless chains, with crossfiights arranged between them at intervals to slide along a stationary bed or way as shown at 36, in Figs. 4 and 5. 'lhe conveyor may be driven by a motor, as shown at 37 in Figs. 1 and 2. The rear end of the conveyor may be located at 38, as shown in Fig. 5, rearwardly of the starting position of the mining machine shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. .9, the mining machine frame 39 rests on and slides along guideways 4() and 41, which are located longitudinally of the conveyor at the sides of the slideway 36 along which the cross-flights 42 travel. The upper horizontal surface, as well as the forward vertical face of the conveyor guide-frame 4l is engaged by the mining machine frame, which is made angular in shape for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 9.

A portion of the bottom of the mining machine frame is adapted to slide over the mine tloor, but in order to decrease the friction of feeding travel of the mining machine, I prefer to provide. a track 43 to be engaged by a roller 44 pivotally connected to the mining machine frame, as shown in Fig. 9 in full lines, and in Fig. 4 in dotted lines. An additional guide roller is shown at 98 engaging the inside of the eonveyer frame.

Each of the conveyor frame sections is provided with a rack and when the sections are pivotally connected together as shown in Fig. 1, these racks are located in alinement with each other. The rack on the frame 13 is illustrated at 45 in Figs. 4 and 5. These racks are for the purpose of being engaged by a j)ower-o])erated gear 46 on the mining machine, to eifect feeding of the mining machine rectilinearly along the conveyor framework while the latter is held stationary by the series of roof jacks.

The coal dislodging mechanism comprises an upright series of pointed coal-splitting tools shown at 47 and 48, in Fig. 6, with a series of intermediate trimming dislodging members 49 connected to the tool 47, and :mothenseries 5() connected to the tool 48. In Fig. 6, ll have shown the pointed piercing and wedging tools 47 and 48, each advanced forwardly beyond the auxiliary trimming tools 49 and 50. The series 49 and 5() are jn'eferably in vertical alinement in position to t-rim ofi' the mine wall between the iioor and the roof.

It should be noted that the pointed clawlike fingers 47 and 48 extend in advance of the intermediate trimming dislodging tools 49 and 5() and also in advance of the floor trimming dislQdg-ing device 57. 'lhe pointed claw-like lingers 47 and 48 are positioned adjacent the roof and floor, respectively, and are pointed and wedge-shaped so as to penetrate the coal in its native bed and by wedging action due to a Continuous forward movement of the pointed piercing tools 47 and 48 the coal is ripped and torn from the unmined mass so as to fall to the floor in the patti of the scoop 58. The auxiliary trinnning tools 49 and 50 are also in position to dislodge the native coal over an area extending between the advanced piercing tools 47 and 48. The upper claw, comprising the advanced finger 47 and the trimming tools 49,

is in position to actalong the roof to dis' lodge the coal from the face of the mine vein immediately below the roof. The lower claw, comprising the advanced piercing tool 48 andthe piercing tools 50 and the piercing tools 47, are in position to plow along the floor to'dislodge the coal from the working face above the floor and direct such coal immediately onto the conveyor 36. The continuous rectilinear Vmovement of the dislodging apparatus will cause such dislodging actions to slice or strip a layer of coal from the upright working face along a path illustrated by the dotted lineflOO in Fig. 1, and by reason of the Hoor tools 48 and 57 an approximately fiat floor will be extended, and by reason of the upright series ot' dis-v lodging tools 47, 49 and 5() the wall will be left approximately in an upright plane to facilitate subsequent adjustments of the entire apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

The uppermost pointed coal splitting device 47 is mounted on an. arm 51, which is pivoted at 52, on a standard 53, secured to the mining machine frame 39. The rear arm 54 is pivoted at 55 to piston rod 56 of a hydraulic motor, which may be operated in a well-known manner to adjust the elevation of the pointed coal-splitting tool 47 and lock the same at adjusted elevation.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the frame 39 at its forward end portion is provided with a downwardly and forwardly extending floor trimming device 57 and a. scoop 58, so that the ioor will be properly trimmed or leveled and the dislodged material deflected onto the conveyors which are arranged end to end 36 is shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

with the single set of conveyor iiights moving along the entire length of the sectional conveyor frame.

The mechanism for rotating the gear 46 so as to effect rectilinear feeding movement of the splitting tools and the movement ot' the dislodged material onto the conveyor bed A motor 59 is mounted on the rear end of the mining machine fra-me 39 and coupled at 60, to speed reducing gearing shown diagrammatically at 61. `A bevel pinion 62 extends from the right-hand end ot' the speed-reducing gearing casing and meshes with a horizontal bevel gear 63, which. is mounted loosely on the vertical shaft 64, the latter being in turn j ournaled in the bearings 65 and 66 connected rigidly to the frame ot' the mining machine. At the lower end of the shaft 64 is a pinion 67, which meshes with a large, gear 68 on a vertical shaft 69, which is journaled in the bearings 7() and 7l, connected rigidly to the mining machine frame. Secured to the vertical shaft 69 is a pinion 72, which meshes with the gear 46, as shown in Fig. 4.

By means of a handle 73 for operating a lever 74, the clutch 75 may beoperatcd on the pivot mounted on the bracket 76, secured to the front side of the speed-reducing gear casing as shown in Fig. 4. lVhen the clutch 75 is thrown in and the motor 59 is operating, power may be transmitted through the gearing 62, 63, 67, 68'to the pinion 72 to drive the gear 46 and thereby cause the whole mining machineI to travel along the sectional conveyor. When this operation takes place the resistance due to the dislodging operation is counter-acted by the series of roof jacks and also by reason of the fact that the left hand end of the conveyor Jframe 13 may abut against the mine wall as indicated at 77 in Fig. 1.

ln order to retract the mining machine along the conveyor to the initial position shown in Fig. 4 I provide rope winding mechanism comprising a rope 77 with its free end adapted to be anchored at 78 to the rear end of the conveyor section 18. 'llhe other end of the rope 77 is connected to and wound on the rope Winding drum 7 8 mounted on a vertical shaft journalled in the crosspiece 79 rigidly connected to the mining machine fram'e. By means of a lever 80 pivotcd to one side of the gear casing 61 a cone clutch 8l may be operated to connect or disconnect the Winding drum 78 to the beveled gear 63 ythrough the gears 82 and 83 as shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

After a mining operation has been et-A ected as by moving the mining machine along the dotted line 100 of Fig. 1 the roof jacks are all released and then the motors 85 and 8G operated to operate the rope winding apparatus 87 and 88 to exert pulls on the ropes 89 and 90 to move the entire mining and loading apparatus forwardly to 'a new location. During this operation the frames 91 and 92 ma be anchored between the floor and the roo' by means 'of the roof jacks shown'diagrammatically at 93 and 94 in Fi". 1. When this adjustment of the mining apparatus is made to a new location the supplemental conveyor 95 may likewise be moved to proper position to receive the dislodged material from the conveyor 36 for deliver-,y into a mine car 96 on a track 97 in the entry shown at the right hand portion of Fig. l.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the left hand end of the conveyor frame engages the mine wall and the latter therefore affords an end abutment to receive the rearward thrust of the feeding mechanism of the mining`1naehine during the operation thereof. While the roofjacks hold the conveyor frame stationary and prevent lateral movement thereof the mine wall may be relied upon to resist the backward thrust so that sufficient force may be exerted to move the dislodging mechanism forward along the path indicated by the dotted line 100 in Fig. 1. By referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 9, it will be seen that the rack 45 of the feeding mechanism is connected rigidly to the frame 86 on which the conveyor is mounted, and this frame extends rearwardly to a position where itmay abut against the mine wall as indicated at 77 in Fig. 1.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully described and shown an embodiment of my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

1. A long Wall mining and loading ma* chine comprising an elongated traveling conveyer having sectional frames arrangedin tandem in alinement with each other, a series of roof jacks for individually holding the sectional frames in predetermined position, a mining machine connected to and guided along said sectional frames, and means for feeding said mining machine to eiiiect dislodgement of material from the mine wall onto said eonveyer.

2. A longwall mining and loading machine, comprising an elongated traveling conveyor having sectional frames pivoted together and arranged in alinement, a series of roof jacks for -individually holding the sectional frames in stationary position, a mining machine mounted on said conveyor by being guided along said sectional frames, and means for operating said mining machine, inclnding rectilinear :feed thereof along said conveyor to dislodge the material from the, mine wall and direct it onto said conveyor.

8. ln mining and loading apparatus, the` combination with a sectional supporting frame pivotally connected and arranged in alinement to constitute an elongated frame for a traveling conveyor, of an endless conveyor mounted on said frame to.reeeive material from one side substantially throughout its length, a series of anchoring devices for said sectional supporting frame, and means Jfor operating said conveyor while. said l'raxne remainsstationary in predetermined position.

4. ln conveyor apparatus, the coirnbination with an elongated i'rame comprising a plurality of sections pivotally connected end to end to form au elongatei'l conveyor bed, oi spaced-apart endless chains with cross flights connected betweenl them in position to move along said bed, and a plurality of spaced-apart roof jacks connected to the :trame sections to hold the conveyor bed in stationary position during the operation of said scrapers.

5. In loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated conveyor frame adapted to rest on a mine floor, of traveling conveyor mechanism mounted on said conveyor frame, and anchoring mechanism comprising a roof jack connected to said frame to permit the latter while said jack is in anchored position to have freedom of up and down movement to adapt itself to irregularities of the Hoor but preventing lateral movement of said frame relative to said roof jack.

6. In loading apparatus, the combination with a conveyor having a frame adapted to rest 011 the ioor of a mine chamber in stationary position, of anchoring mechanism comprising a roof jack and a sliding connection between the latter and said frame while said ack is in anchored position for permitting relative up and down movements of said conveyor frame While confining the latteigagainst lateral movements, and means for operating said conveyor while being held stationary by said anchoring mechanism.

7. In loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated sectional conveyor frame, of pivotal connections on horizontal axes between the conveyor sections, an endless conveyor on said elongated conveyor frame, a plurality of spaced-apart roof jacks for each of said conveyor sections to hold the conveyor frame in predetermined position during the operation of said endless conveyor, and means for driving said endless conveyor.

8. In loading apparatus, the combination with a conveyor comprising a frame, of a plurality of upright tubular extensions connected to said frame, and spaced-apart roof jacks having sliding engagement with said extensions respectively when said roof jacks are. in anchored positions to hold the trame against lateral movement but to permit l'elative up and down movement at all times both when said jacks are anchored and when they are released. l

9. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with an elongated convevor -comprising a frame adapted to be held sitationary with one end abutting against the mine wall, ot' a `series of spaced-apart anchorages for the conveyor frame between the ends thereot` and at one side thereof, a mining machine adapted to travel along the other side ot said conveyor in position to dislodge material from the mine vein di rectly onto said conveyor, and means comprising a longitudinal rack on said conveyor frame for feeding the mining machine along the conveyor, whereby the back thrust due to the mining operation is resisted by the said anchorages and the rear end of the conveyor frame abutting against the mine wall.

10. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with a conveyor having a stationary frame, of a mining machine having mechanism for penetrating the solid face of a mine vein and by wedging action split the mineral therefrom, and mechanism comprising a rack on said frame for feeding said miningfmachine along said conveyor to effect a translating movement of said penetrating wedging mechanism along vthe face of the mine vein.

11. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame adapted to have one end abut against an upright mine Wall to resist backward thrusts exerted on said i'rame, of a mining machine movable along said frame and comprising penetrating Wedging mechanism adapted to split the coal from the face of the mine vein, and power transmission gearing connected between said mining machine and said supporting frame for effecting feeding movement of the mining machine relatively to said supporting frame to operate said penetrating wedging mechanism in a direction away from the said abutting end of said frame.

12. In mining apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a supplemental frame connected to said supporting frame to move relatively thereto, dislodging means mounted on said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith and comprising penetrating Wedging mechanism adapted to strip coal from the face of a mine vein While partaking of the same translating movements as those of the supplemental frame when moved relatively to said supporting frame, a rack on said supporting frame, a motor on said supplemental frame, and power transmission gearing on said supplemental frame connecting said motor to said rack for moving said supplemental \frame along said supporting frame to effect bodily feeding movement of said dislodging mechanism by imparting such translating movements to said penetrating wedging mechanism.

13. In mining apparatus, the combination with an elongated supporting frame, of a,

longitudinal rack thereon, a supplemental frame mounted on said supportlng frame, longitudinal guides for confining said supplemental frame for longitudinal movement along said elongated supporting frame, means comprising a motor and power transmission gearing on said supplemental frame and connected to said rack for moving said supplemental frame longitudinally along said supporting .,frame, and mining mechanism comprising spaced-apart penetrating wedging claw-like' fingersrigidly connected to said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith to. split the mineral from lthe face of the mine vein in large pieces.

14. In mining apparatus, the combination with an elongated supporting frame adapted to'rest 011 the floor of a mine chamber and have one end thereof abutting against an upright mine wall, of a mining machine comprising means for penetrating the mine vein and by wedging action dislodge the mineral from the face thereof, and power transmission gearing connected directly between said mining machine and said supporting frame for effecting feeding movement of the mining machine in a direction away from said upright mine wall and relatively to said supporting frame to operate said penetrating wedging means while the backward thrust exerted on said supporting frame is resisted by said upright mine wall.

15. A. long wall mining machine comprising an elongated supporting frame adapted to abut against an upright wall in a mine, of roof jack mechanism for anchoring said frame with one end thereof abutting againstsaid upright mine Wall, a mining machine comprising means for digging into and stripping coal from the face of the mine vein, and power transmission gearing connected directly between said mining machine and said supporting frame for effecting feeding movement of the mining machine in a direction away from said upright mine wall and relatively to said supporting frame while the latter remains anchored by said roof jack mechanism.

16. ln mining and loading apparatus7 the combination with an elongated conveyer comprising a supporting frame, of a mining machine guided along said frame and comprising non-rotatable penetrating and digging mechanism extending in advance thereof to dislodge coal from its native bed in a mine vein and direct it onto said conveyer, means for impartinga translating movement to said penetrating and digging mechanism, and adjusting mechanism comprising spaced-apart haulage apparatus connected to the end portions of said supporting frame to move the latter together with vsaid mining machine bodily in a direction extending transversely of said conveyer for adjusting the mining and loading apparatus to a new location for another operation along the mine vein.

17. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated conveyer comprising' a supporting fra-me, of spacedapart roof jacks for said supporting frame, a mining machine guided along said conveyer in position to dislodge material from a mine Vein onto said conveyer, and separate and independent means connected to the end portions of said supporting frame for moving the latter together with said roof jacks and said mining ma.- ohine in a direction extending transversely of said conveyer to adjust the mining and loading apparatus for another operation along a mine vein. i

18. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated conveyer comprising a supporting frame, of a plurality of roof jacks for said supportineI frame, a mining machine guided along sai( supporting frame, and spaced-apart separate operator-controlled self-contained haulage mechanisms connected to the end portions of said supporting frame to drag the latter together with said roof jacks and mining machine to a new location for. another operation along the mine vein.

19. ln conveyer apparatus, the combination with an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections pivoted together end to end to form an elongated conveyer bed, of an endless traveling conveyer mounted for operation along said conveyerbed, and a plurality of anchoring devices spaced along said sections to hold the same against lateral and endwise movements while permitting relative upright movements to enable said elongated frame to adapt itself to the irregularities of the surface on which it is supported.

20. lin a mining and loading machine, the combination with an elongated traveling conveyer having sectional frames pivoted together and arranged in alinement, of a series of roof jacks for anchoring said sectional frames against lateral or endwise movements but permitting upright relative movements, a mining machine guided along said conveyer, and means for operating said mining machine including feed thereof along said conveyer to dislodge material from the mine wall and direct it onto said conveyer.

21. lin a mining and loading machine, the combination with a conveyer comprising a frame adapted to abut against a mine wall,

of a plurality of roof jacks for anchoring said rame, a mining machine adapted to travel along one side of said frame 1n position to dislodge material from the mine vein directly onto said conveyor, and means .extending to said frame for feeding said mining machine along said conveyor while the back thrust due to the mining operation Ais resisted by the said mine wall abutment and said main frame is held stationary by said anchoring means.

22. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with a conveyor having a stationary frame, of a supplemental frame connected to said conveyor f rame for movement relatively thereto, dislodging mechanism mounted on said supplemental frame stationarily relative thereto to move bodily therewith along lines parallel to the lines of movement of said supplemental frame, and means for operating said dislodging mechanism by such movement of said supplemental frame to cause said dislodging mechanism to penetrate the coal and by wedging action split such coal from the mine vein and direct it onto said con veyer.

23. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated conveyer comprising a supporting frame, of roof jack lnechanism for said frame and connected thereto t0 move bodily therewith, a mining machine guided along said frame and comprising dislodging mechanism, and adjust ing means comprising separate and independent haulage devices connected to end portionsof said frame to move the latter together with said mining machine bodily in a direction extending transversely of said conveyor for moving the mining and loading apparatus to a new location for another operation along the mine vein.

24. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a supporting framework, of dislodging mechanism mounted thereon and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart non-rotatable pointed wedging tools each adapted to penetrate the coal in its native bed and split the same in large pieces from the unmined mass, means for operating said dislodging mechanism by moving the same rectilinearly relatively to said framework, a conveyor for transferring dislodged material toward loading position, and means movable With said dislodging mechanism to direct dislodged coal onto said eonveyer.

25. In a mining and loading machine, the Colnbination with supporting framework, of conveyor mechanism mounted thereon, coal cleavage mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced-apart non-rotatable pointed wedging dislodging tools arranged in an upright series and adapted to penetrate the solid face of a coal vein and tear the coal therefrom in large pieces over a wide area, means for operating said coal cleavage mechanism including rectilinear feed thereof, and means for directing dislodged coal onto said conveyer mechanism. I

26. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with supporting framework, of conveyor mechanism mounted thereon, an upright series of non-rotatable pointed wcdging coal splitting devicesl arranged in spaced relation and each adapted to penetrate the solid face of the coal vein and dis' lodge the coal therefrom in comparatively large lumps, means for operating said coal splitting devices by direct action on the solid face ot' the coal vein, and means movable along a path parallel to the movement of said coal splitting devices for engaging the dislodged coal and directing the same onto said conveyer mechanism.

27. In mining mechanism, the combination with a supporting frame, of coal cleavage mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced-apart non-rotatable pointed wedging coal splitting tools in position to dislodge the coal from the face of a mine vein extending between the floor and the roof of a mine chamber, and means for imparting a rectilinear movement t-o said coal cleavage mechanism along the mine wall to dislodge the coal therefrom by one continuous movement along such mine wall.

28. In a mining machine, the combination with an elongated frame adapted to rest on a mine floor, of' coal mining mechanism connected to said frame to more along the lat ter and comprising a pointed penetrating wedging tool extending diagonally forward toward the working face and away from said frame in position to split large pieces of coal from the coal vein, and means for moving the mining mechanism along said frame to cause said splitting tool to operate along a path parallel to said frame but spaced therefrom laterally.

29. ln mining and loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated main frame, ot' a conveyor extending along said main frame, a series of spaced-apart roof jacks with which said main -frame has an up and down sliding engagement while said main frame abuis against the face of the mine Vein to resist; the backward thrust exerted during the operation of the mining'apparatus, a supplemental frame movable along said main frame adjacent said conveyor, non-rotatable penetrating and splitting n'iechanisn'i on said supplemental frame and movable therewith for dislodging the coal from the uprightl face of a mine vein by wedging action and directing the dislodged coal to said conveyer, and means for oper- -ating said dislodging mechanism by moving said supplemental frame and said nonrotatable penetrating and splitting mechanism along said mai-n .frame and along said conveyer While saidN main frame abuts against themine wall and'is held against swe-rvi-ng thrusts by said spaced-apart roof jacks. v

30. In a mining and loadin machine, the combination with a-n elongate main frame, of a supplemental frame connected thereto for traveling along the same, a conveyer extending along the niain frame, multiple penetrating wedging coal-splitting mechanism stationary relative to said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith along rectilinear paths in position to penetrate the solid face of a coal vein and by wedging action produce upright clcavages spaced back mine vein sufiiciently to dislodge the mine -al in large pieces over a Wide area, means for moving said supplemental frame rectilinearly along said main frame to operate said coal-splitting mechanism to dislodge the mineral in comparatively large pieces and direct such dislodged mineral to said conveyer, and mea-ns for anchoring said main frame with one end abutting against the mine wall while.intermediate its ends it is held against-lateral swerving movements.

31. In a mini-ng and loading machine, the combination with an elongated frame adapted to abut a mine wall at one end, of a series of roof jacks for anchoring said main frame to prevent the same from swerving laterally, dislodging mechanism movable along said frame and comp-rising a penetrating tool adapted to reach angularly forward toward the face of the mine vein to penetrate the solid material and by wedging action split the same from the mine vein over a wide area, a deflector co-operating with said tool to direct the dislodged material onto said conveye'r, and means for moving the dislodging mechanism along said frame while said penetrating tool extends forward diagonally relative to the path of travel of said dislodging mechanism and outwardly from said frame to engage the working face.

32. In a'mining and loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated conveyer comprising a frame having one end adapted to abut against a mine wall, of a series of spaced-apart roof jacks for holding the conveyer frame against lateral movement, a mining machine comprising spaced-apart pointed penetrating wedging tools adapted to penetrate the solid coal face and split the coal therefrom in large pieces over a wide area with a minimum productionof fine particles of coal, a motor on the mining machine, power transmission mechanism operated by said motor and comprising rack gearing on the conveyer frame to effect operation of the dislodging mechanism by feeding the mining machine along said conveyer frame, and means for operating said conveyor to transfer toward loading from the upright face of theY position the material as it is dislodged from the mine vein.

33. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with 'an elongated conveyor comprising an elongated stationary supporting fi'ame, 'of a supplemental frame movable along said conveyer frame rectilinearly, a plurality of pointed piercing wedging dislodging tools comprising one located at the roof of the mine chamber and another Vat. the floor, thereof and mounted on said supplemental frame to extend in advance thereof to move' bodily therewith rectiline'arly with a translating movement corresponding to .that of said supplemental frame and 'adapted to penetrate the solid face of the native coal at the floor and at the roof and by wedging action rip and tear the coal over a *Wide area from the face of the mine vein and in large pieces, trimming dislodgingtools between said pointed dislodging tools and spaced back therefrom, means for moving said supplemental frame rectilinearly along said supporting frame to effect the operation of all of said dislodging tools by concentrated pressures thereon,

means for scooping up from the floor dislodged material between the working face and said conveyer, and a deflector for directing the scooped up dislodged material onto said conveyer.

34:. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with an elongated supporting frame, of a traveling conveyor mounted on said supporting frame to receive dislodged coal from one side thereof and transfer such coal to the delivery e-nd thereof, a supplemental frame guided along said supporting frame to travel along said conveyor, dislodging mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced-apart piercing wedging tools on said supplemental frame in position to penetrate the solid coal fare and'by wedging action split the coal from the mine vein, means for moving the lsup]{ lemental frame along said supporting frame to secure operation of said dislodging tools, and means comprising a scoop for directing the dislodged coal from the floor between the working face and the conveyor onto the latter.

35. In mining and loading apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a traveling conveyor thereon for receiving dislodged material at one side thereof and delivering it to one end thereof, a supplemental frame guided along said supporting frame, dislodging'mechanism mounted on said supplemental frame and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pointed penetrating wedging tools extending in advance of the supplemental frame in position to penetrate the solid coal face and dislodge the coal from the mine vein, means for effecting feed of said dislodging mechanism by movement of said supplemental framealong said supporting frame toward the delivery end of said conveyor, and means comprising a scoop and a dellector for seoopmg the dislodged material from the Hoor between the `coal therefrom in large pieces over a wide area and trimming ott' the ragged projections due to such dislodgment over the upright tace ot the mine vein, means for moving the dislodging mechanism along said supporting trame to ett'eet dislodgment of the coal from its native bed and such trimming of the working face while said traine ahuts against said unmined mass to resist the rearward thrust due to the n'lovement of the dislodging mechanism along said frame, a traveling conveyor mounted ont-he supporting frame separately from said dislodging mechanism but adjacent thereto, and means for directing dislodged material trom the space. between the coal vein and said conveyor onto the latter.

37. ln mining and loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated supporting trame adapted to have one end abut against an upright mine wall, of a traveling conveyor mounted on said frame, a mining machine guided along said supporting frame, said mining machine comprising spacedapart penetrating dislodging tools adapted to attack the solid face and split coal therefrom hy penetrating wedging-action, means (,fomprising a motor on the mining machine and'a rack bar on said supporting frame with power transmission mechanism intervening tor moving the mining machine along said trame to operate said dislodging tools, root jack mechanism for holding said elongated frame against lateral movement and with one end thereof abutting against said upright mine wall, said abutment against the mine wall serving to resist end thrust during the operation of said dislodging tools. and rope winding mechanism adapted to be connected between said mining machine and an anchorage. in the mine for retracting said mining machine to restore the same to initial position while said `trame is held stationary by said roof jack mechanism.

38. A long wall mining and loading machine comprising pivotally connected sectional trames arranged in alignment with an elongated conveyor travelling longitudinally ot such alined sectional trames, a series ot roof jacks for anchoring said sectional trames a mining machine guided along said conveyor, and means for operating said minlits length, a series of anchoring devices for anchoring said sectional supporting frame, and means for operating said lconveyor while said frame is held in stationary position by said anchoring devices.

4t). In conveyor apparatus, the combination with an elongated frame comprising a 'plurality ot' pivotally connected sections adapted to be arranged end-to end to formv an elongated conveyor bed, of an endless traveling conveyor mounted for operation along said conveyor bed, and a plurality of anchoring devices spaced alongsaid sections to hold the latter stationary during the operation ot said conveyor.

41. ln loading apparatus, the combination with an elongated sectional conveyer frame with the sections pivotally connected together so as to adapt the conveyer frame to rest on a non-level mine tioor, of an endless conveyer mounted on said conveyer frame and adapted to travel along the sections thereot irrespective of the inclinations of said sections, a plurality of spaced-apart root jacks for each of said eonveyer sections to hold the conveyor frame in a predetermined position during the operation of 'said endless con veyer, and' means for driving said endless conveyor while said conveyor frame sections -are lying on such irregular mine floor.

42. In a mining machine, the combination with an elongated frame adapted to be located a short distance. from the. working face in a mine chamber with a space between said working tace and said frame free and unobstructed, of mining mechanism comprising a penetrating non-rotatable splitting tool connected to said frame aml movable along the latter in said free and unobstriueted space. and means for operating said splitting tool by a translating movement longitudinally of said elongated trame and along said working `tace to penetrate the solid coal and by wedging action split large pieces of the coal from the mine vein over a wide area into said space.

43. ln a mining andloading machine, the combination with an elongated conveyer spaced a short distance from the mine wall working tace, of coal mining mechanism comprising a pointed-penetrating wedging tool adapted to split large pieces of coal from such working face, the space between said conveyor and said working tace being spaced a short distance from the working face of the minevein to ali'ord a free and unobstructed s ace between such working face and such rame, of mining mechanism connected to said frame to move along the latter in said free and unobstructed space, said mining mechanism comprising a penetrating wedging tool for splitting large pieces of mineral from the mine vein and mounted to have a path of travel Vspaced laterallyjg'rom said frame and parallel thereto with said free and unobstructedspace intervening, and ,operating apparatus comprising a motor on the mining mechanism and a rack gear on said frame for moving the penetrating wedging tool along said space to cause said tool to act on the solid'coal in its native bed to split large pieces from .the mine vein while said. frame abutsl against said mine wall to resist the backward thrust due to the action of said' operating apparatus.

45. Ina mining and'loading machine, the

combination with an elongated conveyer' com risin an elonvated frame and a traveling conveyer mounted thereon, of a mining machine spanning said conveyer transversely and extending laterally from said elongated frame, said mining machine comprising spaced-apart non-rotatable claw-like penetrating wedging tools adapted to act on the coal 'vein in its native state and split large pieces of coal from the mine vein spaced from said frame, a dellector mounted on the mining machine to move therewith along said frame, said delector extending from the dislodging tools to a position above said conveyer, and means for moving the dislodging tools longitudinally of said frame together with said deflector to operate said/ dislodging tools and also said deflector.

46. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with an elongated frame, of a traveling conveyer mounted thereon, a mining machine comprising a frame spanning said conveyer to a position at the rear side of said frame andextending laterally from the other side of said frame toward the working face, said mining machine comprising a vplurality of penetrating Wedging tools movable bodily with thel mining machine frame, means for scooping up the dislodged coal from the space between the working face and said conveyer frame and directing such dislodged coal onto said conveyer, and means connected between the mining machine frame and the rear side of said conveyer frame for operating said dislodging tools vand said directing mechanism by translating movement longitudinally of said conveyer frame. Signed this 1st day of July, 1921, at Washington, D. C.

' EDMUND C. MORGAN.

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