US1741132A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

C. F. OSGOOD MINING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed July 16. 1325 a w w m mm ww fi E N 1%? $1 v 1 1 1 1 E m 1 11 u m 1 U 1 R 1 Q & N Qg wfil Q 3% w my Dec. 24, 1929. c F QSGQOD 1,741,132

MINING MACHINE Original Filed July 16, 1923 2 Sheets-She8t 2 IIIIIIII Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES I. OSGOOD, OF CLABEMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS SULLIVAN MINING MACHINE Application filed July 16, 1923, Serial My invention relates to mining machines.

An object of my invention is to provide an .improved mining machine. Another object of my invention is to provide a mining machine of the flexibly fed type of improved and compact construction especially adapted to use in low vein room and pillar work. A

further object is to provide an improved feeding and feed controlling mechanism for such a machine whereby the machine may be operated with facility. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

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

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partially in section, of a mining machine of the flexibly fed type embodying my improved mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine in a room making a cut from right to left.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine in a room making a cut from left to ri ht.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine of the room and pillar type which consists of a main frame or casing, generally designated 1, which in turn comprises a motor frame section 2 and a feed and cutter frame section 3, both of said sections being rigidly connected together and adapted. to slide on their bottoms 4 and 5 on the mine bottom. As shown, they are movable relative to a feeding means adapted to provide advanceand receding flexible feeding portions, herein in the form of wire ropes or cables 6 and 7. Herein, the section 3 has a cutter bar 8 rigidly secured within the front end thereof, and this cutter bar as usual is provided with an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 9. This feeding mechanism including a feed operating member and a takeup member, herein in the'form of drums 10 and 11 disposed on horizontal transverse axes No. 651,830. Renewed July 19, 1928.

and projecting laterally from the sides of the machine frame 1, and the cutting mechanism including the cutter bar 8 and chain 9 and a cutter chain driving sprocket 12 rotatable on a vertical axis beneath the front end of the machine, are both driven from a suitable motor 13, herein longitudinally disposed and indicated by dotted lines, suitably carried within the motor frame section 2, and controlled by suitable controlling and reversing mechanism, generally designated 14, carried on the rear end of the machine frame, through driving connections hereinafter described.

In describing my improved construction, I will first describe the cutter chain driving mechanism. It will be noted that the armature shaft of the motor 13 is provided with a spur pinion 15'which in turn meshes with a spur gear 16 suitably secured to a longitudinally extending horizontal shaft 17 journaled in bearings 18 and 19 carried by the frame section 3. The forward extremity of the shaft 17 is provided with a bevel pinion 20 which meshes with a bevel gear 21 journaled in bearings 22 on a vertically disposed stud 23 secured within the forward end of the machine frame 1. This bevel gear 21 is adapted to be connected at will to the cutter chain driving sprocket 12 by means of a clutch mechanism, generally designated 24, operated by a shipper mechanism 25, in a well known manner. Here it will also be observed that the frame section 3 is provided with a transverse passageway 14' open at both sides of the frame to discharge the cuttings brought rearward by the cutter chain.

Cooperating with this mechanism is the feeding mechanism. This mechanism is herein connected to and driven by a worm 26, suitably secured to the shaft 17 intermediate its 90 ends, which in turn meshes with a worm gear 27 disposed on a transverse horizontal axis, herein, as preferably, parallel with the axes of the drums 10 and 11. As shown, the worm gear 27 is adapted to drive a shaft 28 suitably journaled on the machine frame through a planetary change speed mechanism, generally designated 29, of any approved form comprising for instance a central jaw clutch member 56, longitudinally slidable on and keyed to the shaft 28, adapted when in one extreme position of movement to engage a mating clutch member 57 keyed to an annular frame member 58 carrying sets of coaxial 5 planet gears 59. One of the latter gears engages an internal gear 60 fixed to a rotatably mounted drum 61 while the other gear meshes with a second internal gear 62 fixed to a rotatably mounted member 63 having jaw clutch teeth 64 adapted to beengaged by the clutch member 56 when moved to its other extreme position. A. friction band is adapted to hold the drum 61 against rotation when desired. In operation of the device, when high speed is desired members 56 and 57 are engaged to thereby cause the worm to drive the planet gears 59 around the gear 60 which is held stationary by the friction band. Movement of the gears 59. thus causes rotation of the gear carrying frame 58 which, being connected to the member 56-, will directly drive the shaft 28 without in any way using the right hand planet gear. When a low speed is desired members 56 and 64'are engaged and 5 by holding the drum 61 the member 63 is rotated due to the difl'erent diameter of the planet gears. It will thus be seen that the shaft 28 may be driven at a predetermined fast or a predetermined slow speed under the 30 control of a shipper mechanism 30. and at a variation of those speeds under the control of a brake band 31, adapted to be operated by suitable brake applying mechanism 32, in

a well known manner. Driven by the shaft 28 and adapted to be connected thereto by means of jaw clutches 33 and 34, suitably controlled by shipper mechanisms 35 and 36,

are spur pimons 37 and 38. The spur pinion 37 meshes with an internal gear 39 suitably secured to the drum 10and which internal gear is providedon its external periphery with a friction surface 40 under the control of a brake band 41 which is in turn operated through suitable controlling mechanism by means of a lever 42. The pinion 38, which is oppositely disposed relative to the vshaft, meshes with an internal gear'43, similar to the internal gear 39, suitably secured to the drum 11 and which is provided with a friction surface 44 under the control of a brake band 45 adapted to be operated by a lever 46. Lubricant is supplied to these different mechanisms from oil reservoirs 47 and 48 formed in the bearing members 18, and 19.

Cooperating with the feeding mechanism and engaging the drums 10 and 11 are the flexible feeding members 6 and 7. Herein, the machine is shown adapted to cut from right to left and in this disposition of parts, it will be noted that the advancing cable 6 extends from beneath the drum 10, then forwardly towards the front end of themachine and around an idler sheave 49 laterally "to the left hand rib, while the receding cable 7 ex- 65 tends from the top of the drum 11, then left hand rib, to make a left hand cut, the

forwardly and downwardly beneath a guide roll 50 and around guide rolls 51 and 52 laterally to the right hand rib. A guide roll 53 is provided in the longitudinal center line of the machine around which the cables may pass when the machine is being hauled around the mine or loaded upon its transport truck. Obviously by reversing the motor, the cutter bits, and the arrangement of the cables, the machine may cut from left to right.

' In the operation of my improved construction the machine is, when unloaded from its transport truck (not shown), brought up to the face adjacent a rib, as, for example, the right hand rib, to a position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3. The cable 6 is then connected at the left hand rib to an anchor jack A while the cable 7 is connected at the right hand rib to an anchor ack B, then by throwing in the jaw clutch 34 and throwing out the jaw. clutch 33'the cutter bar is sumped in under the coal at a cutting speed under the control of the brake band 31, to the position indicated in dotted lines at the right in Fig. 3, the drum 11 winding inthe cable whilethe drum 1O slowly pays it out under the control of the brake band -41. When in this position theclutch 34 is thrown out and the clutch 33 thrown in and the machine is straightened up and then cuts transversely across the face of the room, as indicated by the next dotted line position. When the machine reaches the left hand rib it may be inclinedand backed out, in a well known manner, by suitable manipulation of the clutches 33, 34 and the brake bands 41, 45, and returned to its truck at a high or haulage speed under control of the brake band 31. In Fig. 4 the machine is shown in position at the face adjacent the operation being generally the same as that described above in Fig.3.

In the operation of my improved mecha nism, it will be noted that by means of the jaw clutch 24 the cutter chain may berotated or caused to remain idle while the motor is running and also by suitable manipulation of the shipper 30, the brake band 31, and the jaw clutches 33, 34, the drums may be driven simultaneously or independently at a plurality of predetermined speeds and at a variation of those speeds, thereby increasing the facility of operation of the machine. As a result of my improved construction it will be also noted that a'machine of improved compactconstruction is obtained especially adapted for use in low vein room and pillar mining. It will also be noted that an exceedingly low machine of the drum type is produced which is adapted to out either to the right or to the left in accordance with the room and pillar system of mining. These and other advantages of my improved construc- 130 tion will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing-from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor comprising a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of said motor and substantially determining the height of the machine, said motor having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor and comprising a cutter bar whose uppermost and lowermost portions lie in planes parallel to a plane parallel to said bottom engaging frame surface and intersecting said motor, and feeding mechanism including a plurality of relatively rotatable winding drums driven by said motor.

2. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with a mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor and substantially determining the height of themachine, and variable speed feeding mechanism including a plurality of relatively rotatable winding drums driven by said motor.

3. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with a mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor and substantially determining the height of the machine, and feeding mechanism driven by said motor including a plurality of relatively rotatable drums and means to drive said drums from said motor at a plurality of predetermined speeds.

4. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical d1mension of said motor frame being substantially I only that requisite to the power producing function of said motor and substantially determining'the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor and comprising a cutter bar whose uppermost and lowermost portions lie in planes parallel to a plane parallel to said bottom engaging frame surface and intersecting said motor, a feed operating member, and a relatively movable take-up member driven by the motor.

5. In a mining machine, a horizontalmotor having its, axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of said motor and substantially determining the height of the machine, and feeding mechanism including a feed operating member and a relatively rotatable takeup member and means to drive said members from said motor at variable speeds.

6. In a room and pillar mining machine,

a horizontal motor having its axis extending and at the receding side of the machine,- and feeding means for the machine driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and each operable by power to draw in its respective flexible feeding means.

7 In a room and pillar mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and a frame providing a surface adapted to engage a mine bottom and to support the motor for sliding movement thereover during cutting, cutting mechanism driven by said motor and comprising a cutter bar projecting rigidly longitudinally of the machine during lateral cuttingand having its uppermost and lowermost portions lying in planes parallel to the frame surface and intersecting the motor, and supporting means for said cutting mechanism provided with a cuttings discharge channel opening both at the advancing and at the receding side of the machine at the end of the latter, and feeding means for the tending longitudinally of the machine and a motor casing disposable directly on the mine bottom, said motor casing substantially determining the height of said machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a transversely disposed cuttings dischargm channel and a horizontal plane cutter bar whose top and bottom surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor, and feeding mechchine, the height of anism including a plurality of coaxial relatively rotatable winding drums driven by said motor. v

9'. In a mining machine, a substantially v horizontal motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the mathe motor substantially determining the height of said machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a rigid horizontal plane cutter bar whose top and bottom plane surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor and a transversely disposed cuttings discharge channel, and feeding mechanism including a plurality of coaxial transversely disposed relatively rotatable winding drums driven by said motor.

10. In a mining machine, a substantially horizontal motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom and having i'ts'power shaft extending longitudinally of the ma chine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor power shaft from one end thereof and including a horizontal plane cutter bar disposed "in planes which intersect said motor, feeding mechanism including a feed drum and a relatively rotatable take-up drum driven by the same end of said motor and driv- .ing mechanism for said drums and cutting mechanism, and means to disconnect said cutting mechanism and said drums from said driving mechanism.

11. In a mining machine, a motor having a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor, feeding mechanism driven by said motor including a plurality of relatively rotatable winding members, and means to drive said members at variable speeds including planetary gearing rotatable on a transverse axis driven by said motor.

12. In a mining machine, a motor having a frame housing power producing means and providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor, feeding mechanism driven by said motor including a feed drum and a relatively rotatable take-up drum, and means to drive said drums at variable speeds including frictionally controlled planetarygearing driven by said motor.

13. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine and a motor frame housing power producing'means providing a bottom surface slidably engageable with the mine bottomduring cutting, the vertical dimension of said frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a horizontal plane cutter bar whose top and bottom plane surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor, and feeding mechanism driven by saidv motor including two flexible draft devices, a plurality of relatively rotatable winding means therefor rotatable in one direction by means of two clutches, and means whereby each winding means upon cessation of being driven may be controlled by a retarding device.

1 1. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine and a motor frame housing power producingmeans providing a bottom surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a horizontal plane cutter bar whose top and bottom plane surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor, and feeding mechanism driven by said motor including a feed operating member and a take-up member rotatable ing a plurality of relatively rotatable drums,

and means to drive said drums from said motor including a unitary two speed mechanism having means for efiecting different speeds and also frictional controlling means operable at each speed.

16. In a mining machine, a motor having a frame housing power producing means providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the verticaldimension of said frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and take-up members. and means to drive said members from said motor including a two speed mechanism having means for 1 effecting different speeds and separate variable speed mechanism operable at each speed without disconnecting said members from said motor.

17. In a mining machine, a horizontal motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine and a motor frame housing power producing means providing a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor, cutting mechanism driven from the front end of said motor and including a forwardly projecting kerf cutter, and feeding mechanism driven from the same end of said motor including a feed operating member and a relatively rotatable take-up member each operatively connected to said motor, and means to speed up or slow down said members without disconnecting them from the motor.

18. A mining machine having a substantially horizontal motor, the height of said machine being determined by the vertical dimension of said motor, a cutter bar projecting from said machine, feed operating mechanism including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed controllingelements disposed between said motor and the end of the machine from which said bar projects, and flexible feeding means cooperating with said elements having advance and receding flexible feeding portions extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine, and means whereby each of said elements is adapted to serve as a take-up member and a power operated feeding member.

19. A miningmachine having a substantial- 1y horizontal motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine and directly slidable on its bottom on a mine bot tom, a cutter bar rigidly connected to and proj ecting from one end of said machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed controlling elements, and flexible feeding means cooperating directly with said elements having advance and receding flexible feeding portions extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine, and means whereby each of the same is adapted to serve as a take-up member and to be power operated from theend of the cutting mechanism disposed at the front end of said frame and driven by said motor from i a point between said end and the remote end of said motor, a power operated take-up member disposed on an axis located between said motor and the rear end of said cutting mechanism and driven from the end of said motor nearer thereto, and flexible feedin means includinga flexible element engagea le with said take-up member and having a freeend portion connectible to an extraneous abutment.

21. A mining machine havin a frame carrying a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and cuttin mechanism projecting from'the front end of said frame and driven from the end of said motor nearer said end, relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on axes located between the motor and the rear end of said cuttin mechanism, said members being adapted to be independently driven by said motor,'and flexible I feeding means cooperating directly with said members and having free end portions connectible to extraneous abutments.

22. A mining machine having a frame carrying a motor whose vertical dimension substantially determines the height of the machine and cutting mechanism including a plane cutter bar whose uppermost and lowermost plane surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor, and relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members disposed on axes located between said motor and mechanism on the sides of said frame, said feed operating and controlling members each being adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means having free end portions extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine and connectibleto extraneous abutments.

23. A mining machine havin a frame slidable on its bottom on the mine botton'r during cutting and carrying a motor and cutting mechanism comprising a rigid cutter bar carrying orbitally moving cutting ele-- ments driven in their orbits in opposite directions during cutting in opposite directions, relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each be'in ada ted to cooperate directly with flexib e fee 'ng means and disposed between said motor and mechamsm, and means whereby said machine may be fed to cut in either direction at the same cutting speed.

24. A mining machine havin a frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom during cutting and carrying a motor and cutting mechanism comprising a rigid cutter bar carrying orbitally moving cutting elements driven in their orbits in opposite directions during cutting in opposite directions, and flexible feeding means mcluding advance and receding flexible feeding portions whereby said machine may be'fed and guided for cutting in either lateral direction and including feed operating and controlling means cooperating directly with said flexible feeding means and disposed wholly between said motor and mechanism.

25. A mining machine having a frame carrying a motor and reversible cutting mechanism, means including a pair of relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and respectively serving as traction members during feed in opposite directions whereby said machine may cut in either lateral direction, said means also including power transmission means disposed between said motor and said cutting mechanism, and means whereby slack created by the cutting mechanism may be laterally discharged through the sides of said frame in either direction of cutting.

26. A mining machine havingv a frame carrying a motor and reversible cutting mechanism, means including a pair of relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and respectively serving as traction members during feed in opposite directions whereby said machine may cut in either lateraldirection, said means also including power transmission means disposed between said motor and cutting mechanism,

and means whereby slack created by the cutting mechanism may be discharged in either direction of cutting including a passage disposed adjacent the inner end of said cutting mechanism opening "at its opposite ends through the sides of the frame.

27. In a room and pillar mining machine having a motor whose axis of rotation is horizontal and extends longitudinally of the machine, a feed operating member driven by said motor and adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding means, a relatively rotatable feed controlling member also adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and disposed on a horizontal axis at and 'driven from the end of said motor nearer the face, and guiding means disposed at the opposite end of said motor to permit a flexible member to cooperate with said controlling member.

28. A milling machine having a motor whose axis of rotation is horizontal and extends longitudinally of the machine, a feed operating member driven by said motor and adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding means, a take-up member disposed at and driven from the front end of said motor and also adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,and guiding means for said flexible means disposed at the opposite end of said motor and at the front of said machine whereby a flexible means may extend from either member in a plurality of directions.

29. A milling machine having a frame carrymg a motor whose axis of rotation is horizontal and extends longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism carried by and projecting from one end of said frame and driven from the end of the motor adjacent said end,feeding means therefor including a horizontal shaft disposed transversely of said frame and between said motor and cutting mechanism, and a plurality of relatively rotatable feed controlling elements associated with said shaft and each adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding element.

30. In a mining machine, a motor having a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom and an axis of rotation disposed substantially perpendicular tothe working face during cutting along the face, feeding mechanism driven by the end of said motor nearer the face and including a plurality of relatively rotatable winding members, and means to drive said members at variable speeds including planetary gearing rotating on a transverse axis driven by the motor.

31. In a mining machine, a motor having a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom and an axis of rotation disposed substantially perpendicular to the working face duringcutting along the face, feeding mechanism driven by the end of said motor nearer the face and including a feed drum and a take-up drum, and means-to drive said drums at variable speeds including frictionally controlled planetary gearing driven by the motor.

32. In a mining machine, a motor having a surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom and an axis of rotation disposed substantially perpendicular 'to the working face during cutting along the face, feeding mechanism driven by the end of said motor nearer the face and including a feed drum and a take-up drum, means to drive said drums at variable speeds including frictionally controlled planetary gearing driven by the motor, and cutting mechanism driven by the same end of the motor including a cutter chain driving sprocket rotatable on an axis disposed nearer the face than the axes of rotation of said drums.

33. In a mining machine, a motor comprising a frame providing a bottom surface slidably engageable with the mine bottom during cutting and housing power producing means including a power shaft whose axis is disposed longitudinally of the machine midway between the top and bottom surfaces of said frame, the vertical dimension of said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of said motor and substantially determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor and comprising a horizontal plane cutter bar whose uppermost and lowermost plane surfaces lie in planes parallel to a plane parallel to said bottom engaging frame surface and intersecting said motor, and feeding mechanism driven by said motor power shaft including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to wind in flexible feeding means by power. j

34. In a mining machine, a substantially horizontal motor slidable on the mine bottom determining the height of said machine and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a rigid horizontal plane cutter bar disposed in planes intersecting the motor and a transversely disposed cuttings discharge channel, and feeding mechanism for feeding the machine laterally relative to the coal face during the cutting operation including a plurality of transversely disposed relatively rotatable wi ding fdrums driven by said motor and cooper ing flexible feeding means including advance and receding flexible feeding portions extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the machine. 35. A low vein room and pillar mining machine adapted to cut in oppoiste directions comprising a machine frame including a rearwardl'y located motor casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, said casing housing a motor, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine and having a power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine. reversible cutting mechanism' driven from the forward end of said motor including a rigid horizontal plane cutter bar projecting forwardly from the machine frame and whose top and bottom surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor and adapted to feed the machine laterally over the mine bottom during either direction of cutting.

36. A low-vein room and pillar mining machine adapted to cut in opposite directions comprising a machine frame including a rearwardly located motor casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, said casing housing a motor, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine and having a power shaft horizontally'disposed and extendinglongitudinally of the machine, reversible cuttingmechanism driven from the forward end of said motor in-.

cluding a rigid horizontal plane cutter bar projecting forwardly from the machine frame and whose top and bottom surfaces lie in planes intersecting said motor, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of machine frame.

said motor and adapted to fecdthe machine laterally over the mine bottom during either direction of cutting and including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means.

37. A low vein room and pillar mining machine adapted to cut in opposite directions comprising a machine frame including a rearwardly located motor casing slidable directframe during cutting, and feeding mecha-' nism driven from the forward endof said motor for-feeding the machine laterally over the mine bottom duringeither direction of cutting including a feed operating member disposed on an axis in advance of said motor and adapted to cooperate with flexible feedmg means.

38. A low vein room and pillar mining machine adapted to cut in opposite directions comprising a machine frame including a rearwardly located motor casing slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, said casmg housing a horizontal motor, the height of the motor substantially determining the height of the machine and having a power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, reversible cutting mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor including a rigid cutter bar projecting forwardly from the machine frame, and feeding mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor for feeding the machine laterally over the mine bottom during either direction of cutting and including relatively rotatable feedopcrating members disposed on axes in advance of the motor and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means. i

39. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a cutter chain carrying cutter bar extending longitudinally thereof during lateral cutting, a horizontal motor whose height substantially determines the height of the machine located in rear of the rear end of said chain and operatively connected thereto, and means for feeding said machine laterally including relatively rotatable feed operating members disposed on horizontal axes in front of said motor and operated thereby, and flexible feeding portions cooperating with said feed operating members and acting on the opposite ends of the 40. A mining machine slidahle on a mine bottom comprising a cutter chaln carrying cutter bar extending longitudinally thereof I side thereof in front of said motor,-a relatively rotatable take-up member driven by said motor, and flexible feeding means including flexible feeding portions operated and controlled by said feed operating memher and take-up member and acting on the opposite ends of the machine frame.

41. In a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a front frame portion, cutting mechanism including a cutter bar disposed longitudinally of said portion during lateral cutting, lateral feeding mechanism including a feed operating member carried on the advancing side of said frame portion on a transverse axis, and a relatively rotatable take-up member, a plurality of flexible feeding portions adapte to be wound in by power and paid out by said feeding mechanism, directing means for said portions including a guide rotatable on a. vertical axis in front of said feed operating member, and a horizontal motor disposed in rear of said bar and said feed operating member and connected to said cutting mechanism and both said feed operating and take-up member, said motor and bar being so disposed that the height of the former substantially determines the height of the machine.

42. The combination with a mining machine slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom, of cutting mechanism includinga cutter carrying bar projecting at one endof said machine. lateral feedin mechanism including a feed operating mem er rotatable on an axis extending transversely of and at the same end of the machine, and a relatively rotatable take-up member, cooperating flexible feeding means including advance and receding flexible feeding portions acting on the opposite ends of the machine, and a horizontal motor operatively cdnnected to said cutting mechanism and said feed operating member and take-up member and disposed at the opposite end of the machine. 4

43. The combination with a mining machine slidable on itsbottom on a mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter carrying bar projecting at one end of said machine, lateral feeding mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis extending transversely of and at the same end of the machine, and a relatively rotatable take-up member and cooperating flexible feeding means including advance and receding flexible feeding portions acting on the opposite ends of the machine, and a horizontal motor operatively connected to said cutting mechanism and said feed operating and take-up members and disposed at the opposite end of said machine, said motor and said feed operating member being so disposed that the axis of the latter is below the top of the motor.

4%. The combination with a mining machine slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter carrying bar projecting at one end of said machine, lateral feeding mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis extending transversely of and at the same end of the machine, and a relatively rotatable take-up member, cooperating flexible feeding means including advance and receding flexible feeding portions acting on opposite ends of the machine, and a horizontal motor operatively connected to said cutting mechanism and said feed operating and take-up members and disposed at the opposite end of said machine, said motor and said feed operating member being so disposed that the top of said feed operating member is substantially within the vertical limits of said motor.

45. The combination with a. mining machine, of an elongated machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, cutting mechanism including a cutter carrying bar projecting from one end of said frame, feeding mechanism including a feed Operating member rotatable on a transverse axis at one side of said frame and adjacent the front end thereof, and a relatively rotatable take-up member, a driving motor towards the rear of said frame from said feed operating member, cooperating flexible feeding means including flexible feeding members cooperating with said feed operating and take-up members, and guiding means on said frame cooperating with said flexible members and directing the same laterally from opposite ends of said frame.

46. The combination with a mining machine, of an elongated machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, cutting mechanism including a cutter carrying bar projecting from one end of said frame,a horizontal cutter driving motor carried on the rear end of said frame and having its axis of rotation extending longitudinally of the machine, feeding means including a feed operating member rotatable by said motor on a transverse axis at one side of said frame and adjacent the front end thereof, and a take-up member rotatable by said motor, cooperating flexible feeding means including flexible feeding members cooperating with said feed operating and take-up members, and guiding means on said frame cooperating With said flexible members and directing the same laterally from opposite ends of'said frame.

47. A mining machine comprising a feed erating member cooperating with one of said flexible feeding portions and rotatable by said motor on a transverse axis disposed below the top of said second mentioned section,

a relatively rotatable take-up member rotat able by saidmotor and cooperating with an other flexible feeding portion, and cutting mechanism driven b said motor and disposed at the same en of the machine as said feed operating member including a cutter bar disposed in horizontal planes intersecting the motor.

48. A mining machine comprising a feed and cutter frame section, and a low compact motor carrying frame section located in rear thereof, said sectionsbeing operatively conneoted to form a rigidkstructure slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom the maximum height of which is substantially the height of said motor frame section, lateral feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including advance and receding flexible feeding portions acting on the opposite ends of the machine, and a feed operating member cooperating with one of said feeding portions and rotatable by said motor on a transverse axis and disposed below the top of said second mentioned section, a relatively rotatable takeup member cooperating with said other flexible portion and also rotatable by said motor, and cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar disposed during lateral cutting longitudinally of said sections in a horizontal plane above the machine bottom and rigidly connected between said first mentioned section and the machine bottom.

49. The combination in a mining machine slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter carrying bar projecting at one end of said machine, of lateral feeding and guiding mechanism operative to feed said bar transversely, said mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis extending transversely of the machine and a relatively rotatable take-up member, a cooperating guiding member disposed closely adjacent the front end of the machine and to the face being cut, and cooperating flexible feeding means acting on the opposite ends of the machine including an advance flexible feeding portion extending from said feed operating member around said guiding member and laterally therefrom, and a receding flexible portion extending from said take-up member rearwardly from the machine, and of a horizontal motor operatively connected to said cutting mechanism and saidfeed operating and take-up members and adapted to operate all of said flexible portions by power, said motor being disposed between both said cutting mechanism and said feed operating member and the opposite end of the machine.

50. The combination in a mining machine slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar projecting atone end of said machine, and a cutter chain sprocket at the inner end of said bar, of lateral feeding and guiding mechanism operative to feed said bar along a face, said mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis lying substantially-in a plane parallel with the face and not nearer the face than the sprocket axis, a cooperating guiding member disposed closely adjacent theyfront end of the machine and to the face being cut, a relatively rotatable take-up member, and cooperating flexible feeding means acting on the opposite ends of the machine including an advance flexible feeding portion extending from said feed operating member around said guiding member and laterally therefrom, and a receding flexible portion extending from said take-up member rearwardly from the machine, and of a horizontal motor operatively connected to said sprocket and said feed operating and take-up members and adapted to operate either of said flexible portions by power, said motor being disposed be tween both said cutting mechanism and said feed operating member and the opposite end of the machine. 51. The combination in a mining machine slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar projecting at one end of the machine, and a cutter chain sprocket at the inner end of said bar, of lateral feeding and guiding mechanism operative to feed said bar along a face, said mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis lying substantially in a plane in rear of a plane including the axis of said sprocket, a cooperating guiding member disposed closely adjacent the front end of the machine and to the face, a relatively rotatable take-up member, and cooperating flexible feeding means acting on the opposite ends of the machine including an advance flexible feeding portion extending from said feed operating member around said guiding member and laterally therefrom, and a receding flexible feeding portion extending from said take-up member rearwardly from the machine, and of a horizontal motor operatively connected to said sprocket and said feed operating and take-up members and adapted to operate either of said flexible portions by power, said motor beingdisposed between both said outoperating with ting mechanism and said feed operating and take-up members and the opposite end of the machine.

52. The combination in a mining machine slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar projecting from the front end of the machine, and a cooperating cutter chain driving sprocket, of feeding and guida 111 mechanism operative to feed said machine along a face when said bar projects into the face, said mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable during cutting along the face on an axis not nearer the face than the axis of said sprocket and a relatively rotatable take-up member, a flexiblemachine and so cooperating with the advance flexible feedin portion between said feed operating member and the point of fixation as to direct the advance portion along the face from substantially the point from which the bar projects from the machine and to its oint of fixation in a path extending substantially parallel to and closely adjacent the face, and of a horizontal motor operatively connected to said sprocket and said feed operating and take-up members and disposed between the rear end of the machine and the ortion thereof carryin said sprocket and said feed operating mem er.

53. The combination in a mining machine slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom, of cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar projecting at one end of the machine, and a coo erating cutter chain driving sprocket, of ceding and guiding mechanism operative to feed said machine along a face when said bar projects into the face, said mechanism including a feed operating member rotatable during cutting along the face on an axis parallel to the face and the plane of said bar, and a relatively rotatable take-up member, flexible feeding means comprising an advance flexible feeding portion cooperating with said feed operating member and disposable in a single strand connection to a fixed point in juxtaposition in advance of the machine, a receding flexible portion cooperating with said take-up member and disposable to a fixed point in rear of the machine, and guiding means for said advance flexible portion including a guiding member so disposed relative to said feed operating member and so cooperating with the advance flexible portion between the feed operating member and its point of fixation as to direct the advance portion along the face to its point of fixation substantially in a plane parallel to and adjacent the face and including the point from which the bar projects, and of a horizontal motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine frame and operatively connected to said sprocket and said feed operating and take-up members, said motor being so disposed and all of said previously mentioned elements being so disposed within the vertical limits of the motor so that the height of the machine is substantially the height of said motor.

54. A mining machine adapted to be moved laterally along the face of a mine wall, comprising a motor contained in a casing adapted to rest on the mine floor, feed driving mechanism disposed between the forward or cutter carrying end of the machine and the motor casing and included substantially within the vertical limits thereof, said feed driving mechanism including a variable speed transmission device, a pair of feed drums disposed on transverse axes, and means for selectively engaging either of said feed drums with said variable speed device.

55. A mining machine adapted to be moved laterally along the face of a mine wall, comprising a motor contained in a casing adapted to rest on the mine floor, feed driving mechanism disposed between the forward or cutter carrying end of the machine and the motor a casing and included substantially within the vertical limits thereof, said feed driving mechanism including a variable speed transmission device, a pair of feed drums disposed on transverse axes on opposite sides of said frame and each associated means, means for selectively engaging either of said feed drums with said variable speed device,and means independent of the feed driving mechanism for retarding each of said drums when disengaged from said variable speed device.

56. A mining machine adapted to be moved laterally along the face of a mine wall, comprising a motor contained in a casing adapted to rest on the mine floor, feed driving mechanism disposed between the forward or cutter carrying end of the machine and the motor casing and included substantially within the vertical limits thereof, said feed driving mechanism including a'variable speed transmission device, a pair of feed drums disposed on transverse axes on opposite sides of'said frame and each associated with flexible draft means, means for selectively engaging either of said feed drums with said variable speed device, and means independent of the feed driving mechanism for retarding each of said drums, when disengaged from said variable speed device and adapted to control the movewith flexible draft.

ment of either drum when the drum is rotated in a direction opposite to that in which it is driven. v

57. In a low vein room and pillar mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a low compact frame housing power producing means and providing a smooth bottom surface slidably engageable with a mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimensionof said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor and substantially determining the height of the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven by said motor and including a kerf cutter projecting for- Ward lengthwise of the machine during lateral cutting, and feeding means driven from said motor and disposed wholly within the vertical limits thereof including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each ada ted to cooperate directly with flexible feedmg means and driving and controlling mechanism for said members for effecting rotation of said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed.

58. In a low vein room and pillar mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a low compact frame housing power producing means and providing a smooth bottom surface slidably engageable with a mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of'said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the ower producing function of the motor an substantially determining the height of the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven by said motor and including a kerf cutter projecting forward lengthwise of the machine during lateral cutting, and feeding means driven from said motor and disposed Wholly within the vertical limits thereof including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and driving and controlling mechanism for said mem-' bers for effecting rotation of said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictional resistance.

59. In a low vein room and pillar mining machine, a horizontal motor having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a low compact frame housing power producing means and providing a smooth bottom surface sliclably engageable with a mine bottom during cutting, the vertical dimension of said motor frame being substantially only that requisite to the power producing function of the motor and substantially determining the height of the machine, kerf cutting mechanism driven by said motor and including a kerf cutter projecting forward lengthwise of the machine during lateral cutting, and feeding means driven from said motor and disposed wholly within the vertical limits thereof including a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and driving and controlling mechanism for said members for efifectingrotation of said members either separatel or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictional re sistance, or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means without such frictional resistance.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES F. OSGOOI).

Images