US1808858A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

E. c. MORGAN June 9, 1931.

MINING MACHINE' i Filed June 7, 1920 :Lgina Patented June 9, 1931 @ATENE QFFEQ EDTJUND C. MORGAN, DECEASED, LATE OF NEW YORK, 1\T. `Y., BY OLIVE EUGENIE IvIORGAN, EXECUTRIX, OF NEVI YORK, N. Y. v

MINING MACHINE original application filed .Tune '7, 1920, Serial No. 387,137. Divided and this application filed September 28, 1927. Serial lo. 222,479.

The invention relates to mining machines particularly adapted for mining coal, and one of its objects is the provision of breaking down mechanism combined with lerfcutting mechanism to move intothe lrerf cut by the latter and operate in such lrerf to break down the material.

A further object of the invention is the provision of breaking down mechanism combined with an upright shearing lrerf-cutter to move into the lrerf cut by the latter and operate in such lrerf. i

Another object ofthe invention is the provision of fluid-pressure breaking mechanism combined with lrerf-cutting mechanism.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an expansible pressure-exerting device combined with a kerf-cutter to move into the lerf cut by the latter and exert pressure on the walls of the korf.

Another object of the invention is the provision of pressure-exerting mechanism mounted on the lrerf-cutter within the boundary thereof to move automatically with the korf-cutter during the operation of the latter and to operate independently thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of pressure-exerting mechanism for collapsible erf-cutting mechanism.

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

This application is a division of co-pendapplication, Serial No. 387,137, filed J une .7, 1920, granted November 227 1927, No. 1,650,027, for an improvement in mining and loading machines.

in the accompanying` drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of an improved mining and loading machine;

Fig.2 is an elevational view of the mining and loading machine with the uppermost parts folded into their lower positions and mounted on a mine car for transportation in a. mine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. l is a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line li-c looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 1 on the line 6 6 looking in the direction of the -'lOlVS.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the mining and loading` machine is mounted in a pan 7 which is rectangular in plan view and is provided with vertical side plates 8 and 9 which act as guideways for the main frame 10. The mechanism for sliding the main frame 10, together with the mining and loading mechanism mounted thereon7 longitudinally along the pan, will be hereinafter described.

Secured to the sides of the frame 10, as shown in Fig. 5, are two electric motors 11 and 11 which are connected together to act in unison. rlhese electric motors are located intermediate the ends of thel machine, as shown in Fig. 1. It is preferred to use two electric motors at opposite sides of the machine so that each may occupy a comparativelv low position and each may be made smaller than if one elect-ric motor alone were used. In other words, by the use of two spacedapart electric motors the required operating power may be secured while at the same time the height of the machine is materially re'- duced. thereby7 enabling the construction of a mining machine, or of a combined mining and loading machine, which requires little ieadroom and can therefore operate in minechambers having comparatively low roofs.

The motor shaft 12 is provided with a bevel gear pinion 13 which meshes with a bevel gear 14 on the transverse shaft 15, as shown in Fig. 1. In the same manner the motor shaft 16 on the opposite side of the machine is provided with a bevel gear pinion 17 meshing with a bevel gear 18 on the transverse shaft 15. The latter is provided with a bevel pinion 19 which meshes with the horizontal bevel gear 20 loosely mounted on a vertical shaft 21; to the hub of the gear 2() to rotate therewith is secured the sprocket 22 in mesh with the chain kerf-cutter illustrated at 23 in Fig. 1. It will thus be seen that when the spaced- ,apart elect-ric .motors l1- and ll er@ @Pew/@d power will be transmitted to the undercutting chain cutter 23 to drive the same.

The undercutter comprising the cutter chain 23 is mounted on a cutter frame 24 detachably connected to the supporting framework so that when desired the frame 24 may be removed after two adjacent links of the chain 23 have been disconnected.

rlhe cutter frame 24 may be supported from the side pieces 25 and 26 by means of the bolts 27 and 28 extending through 'the slots 29 and 30 and provided with nuts 31 and 32, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to adjust the slack in the chain 23, the cutter frame 24 may be moved forwardly or rearwardly after the nuts 31 and 32 have been loosened so that the bolts 27 and 28 may slide along the slots 29 and 30. rIhis adjusting mechanism comprises a screw-threaded rod 33 threaded through the rear end of the cutter frame 24, as shown in Fig. 3. The rod 33 is mounted in a bearing in the cross-piece 10 which is secured to the main frame 10. A collar 34 secured to the rod 33 holds the latter in the cross-frame 10 so that when the bevel gear 35 on the rod 33 is rotated the cutter frame 24 maybe moved forwardly or rearwardly relatively to the frame 10 and the main frame 10. The bevel gear 35 and consequent-ly the rod 33 may be rotated by means of a manually operated socket wrench applied at the squared end 36 of the shaft 37, there being a bevel gear 38 at the end of the shaft 37 in position to mesh with the bevel gear 35.

lt should be understood that the parts designated 25 and 26 in Fig. 1 are rigidly connected to the main frame which is shown at 10 in `ldig. 3. By referring to Fig. 6, which is a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 6 6 looking in the direction of the arrows, it will be seen that the cutter frame 24 is supported in a low position relatively to the positions of attachment of the upright side cutters to the main frame. n other words, the supports 25 and 26 shown in Fig. 1 are located in horizontal planes below the supports for the upright side lierf-cutters.

The upright side korf-cutters 39 and 40 are each mounted on the main frame 10 for operation in upright position and for folding to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 during transportation of the mining and loading machine. Inasmuch as the means for connecting the upright side korf-cutters to the main frame is the same at both sides of the machine, the details of the supporting mechanism at one side only will be described and are as follows: Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be seen that the upright side herfcutter comprises a cutter frame 41 for receiving the cutter chain 42 which is connected to the sprocket y43. The cutter frame 41 is mounted on the supporting frame 44, the rear end of which is provided with a rod 45 proi jecting through the bearing 46 which is rigidly secured to the frame 10. This rod 45 projects through the rear end of the bearing 46 and is adapted to receive a collar 47 which may be connected to the rod 45 by a pin 48 so that the cutter supporting frame 44 cannot be moved longitudinally relatively to the main frame 10 but may be turned to folded position on the aXis of the rod 45. In order to hold the cutter supporting frame 44 in upright position a bolt 49 may be provided to pass vertically through the supporting frame 44 and screw-threaded into the main frame 10. When the upright korf-cutter is adjusted to operating position and held in adjusted 1Josition by the bolt 49 screw-threaded into the main frame 10, the clutch element 50 will be in alinement with the clutch element 51 so that when the latter is moved into engagement with the former, power may be transmitted through the shaft 52 carried by the supporting frame 44. When the shaft 52 is rotated motion will be transmitted' to the bevel gears 53 and 54 to rotate the sprocket wheel 43 and thus drive the sprocket chain 42. A housing may be provided for the protection of the bevel gears 53 and 54. It

will also be seen by referring to Fig. 1, that the clutch element 51 is mounted on a shaft 55 the rear end of which is provided with a bevel gear 56 meshing with a bevel gear 57 on the transverse shaft 15.

Therefore, when the spaced-apart side electric motorsll and 11 are operated' the undercutting chain cutter, as well as both of the upright side chain kerf-cutters, will be driven simultaneously.

In order to advance the mining machine to effect rectilinear feeding movement of the undercutting hert-cutter and the spacedapartside lrerf-cutters, a rope winding device is provided at 58 for exerting a pull on a rope 59, the free end of which is anchored at 60 to the inner face of the vertical side plate 9 of the pan 7.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the transverse shaft 15 is provided with a worm 61 which meshes with the worm gear 62 on the longitudinal shaft 63. The rear end of the latter is provided with a worm 64 which meshes with the worin gear 65, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

By referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the worm 65 is mounted on vetrical shaft 66 and that on the latter is also mounted the rope drum 58 for receiving the rope 59. Power' may be transmitted from the worm gear 65 to the rope drum 58 by operatingthe friction clutch 67. Such operation of the clutch 67 may be effected by grasping the handle 68 and turnin e' the pressure finger 69 in the bearing 70.

Limit stop mechanism for automatically limiting the forward feeding movement of the kerf-cutters may be arranged by providing the handle 68 with a lateral projection 71,

as shown in Fig. 4, in position to strike against the limit stop 72 on the forward portion of the vertical side plate 9 of the pan 7. Therefore, after the clutch 67 has been thrown in manually it may be left in applied position but when the kerf-cutting mechanism reaches the desired limit of its forward stroke, the limit stop 72 will effect an automatic release of the clutch 6.7 and the-rch automatically stop the forward fcedin movement of the kerf-cutting mechanism.

In order to retract the kerf-cutting mechanism along the pan 7, another rope winding mechanism 73 is provided at the opposite side of the machine as shown in Fig. 1v, the free end of the rope 74 being adapted to be anchored at 75 to the inner face of the vertical plate 8 near the rear end of the latter.v The mechanism for securing the forward feeding movement may be geared so as to be slow in accordance with the feeding movement desired, whereas the retracting movementl may be much more rapid in order to save time in restoring the machine to its initial position in readiness for another cut-ting operation. The gearing for operating the rope winding mechanism 73 is similar to that already described in connection with the rope winding mechanism 58.

The rearward movement of the mining machine on the pan 7 may be automatically stopped by limit stop mechanism comprising a. vertical hinged stop block 76 projecting upwardly from the side plate 8 at the rear portion of the latter, as shown in Fig. 1, and in position to be engaged by the projection 77 of the lever for operating the clutch similar to that shown at 67 in Fig. 4 but controlling the winding drum 73.

Attached to the pan 7 and extending rearwardly therefrom are supports 78 and 79, as shown in Fig. 1. These supports are provided, respectively, with direction pulleys 80 and 81 for receiving the rope 74, the free end of which is adapted to be anchored in suitable positions in the mine. By extending the rope 74 around the direction pulley 80 and anchoring the free end of the rope in the mine, the pan 7, together with the mining and loading machine mounted thereon, may be slid laterally over the mine floor by operating the rope winding apparatus 73. In order to slide the apparatus in the opposite direction the rope 74 may be extended around the pulleys 80 and 81, its free end anchored in the mine, and the rope winding mechanism 73 operated. By extending the rope 74 around pulleys 80 and 83 to an anchorage the machine may be slid back longitudinally.

Then it is desired to pull the pan, together with the mining and loading machine thereon, onto the mine car 82 shown in Fig. 2, the rope 74 may be disconnected from its anchorage 7 5 and extended around the pulley 80 and thence around the pulley 83 which is mount-ed centrally at the rear end of the main frame l0, the free end of the rope being anchored at 84, to the rear end of the truck 82. Now, upon operation of the rope-winding apparatus 73, the main frame will be pulled toward the truck, and by reason of the stop pins at 85 and 86 the pan 7 will be moved rearwardly with the main frame along the upper surface of the truck to the rear end thereof to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Mounted on the forward portion of the framework is a receiving conveyer 87 occupying a position in an approximately horizontal plane within the boundary of the forward portion of the undercutter and between the upright side cutters, as shown in Figs. l and 3. This conveyer comprises a frame 88 which is detachably mounted upon the main supporting framework in position to permit the driving sprockets 89, 89 to engage the sprocket chains of the endless conveyer 90, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The conveyer extends upwardly on an incline from the forward horizontal receiving portion and has an upper horizontal delivery portion as shown in Fig. 3, and the direction of rotation of the driving sprockets 89 is such as to provide for the slack portion of the conveyer to extend in advance of the driving sprockets 89, thereby increasing the length of engagement of the driving sprockets with the sprocket chains and keeping taut the carrying portions of the conveyer, as well as that portion which extends from the rear end of the conveyer to the sprockets 89. inasmuch as the space above the conveyer 87 is entirely free and unobstructed this conveyer is entirely detachable and when in operating position it may be retained in place by its own weight resting on the main frame 10 at 91 and 92 and on the cutter frame 24 at 93.

- The sprockets 89 are mounted on the transverse shaft 94, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and the latter is geared at 95 to an electric driving motor 96.

Pivotally connected to the rear end of the main frame 10 is a hopper 97. This hopper is mounted on the main frame 10 for swinging movement on an upright axis. A conveyer frame 98 extends rearwardly from the hopper, as shown in Fig. 3, and three parallel endless conveyers 99, 100 and 101 are mounted on the conveyer frame 98 for simultaneous operation vby the electric motor 102 which is connected to the driving sprockets 103. The parallel conveyers 99, 100 and 101 extend into the hopper 97 but the central conveyer 100 is longer than the conveyers 99 and 101 so as to extend farther forward, as shown at 104 in Fig. 1, so as to be in position lto more readily receive the cuttings from the conveyer 105 whentheconveyer frame 98 occupies a longi- Y However, even when the conveyer frame 98 is swung from one side to the other, the hopper 97 will maintain delivery communication between the conveyer 37 and the rear swinging multiple conveyer.

The slack conveyer or the conveyer for receiving the cuttings from the undercutter is detachably mounted on an inclined intermediate portion of the frame 10. The slack conveyer may be self-contained and detachably mounted on the incline so that when the conveyer 38 is tipped up or removed the slack conveyer may be removed in its entirety.

The slack conveyer comprises an endless chain provided with flights movable over a plate 106 on which is mounted an electric motor 107 connected by the gearing 108, 109 and 110 to the sprocket 111 for driving the chain ofthe conveyer 105. Provision may be made. as shown at 112, for regulating the tension of the chain of the conveyer 105.

From the foregoing it will be seen that while the two sp aced-apart side motors 11 and 11 are relied upon to transmit power to the undercutter, to the side cutters and to the rope drums 58 and 7 3, separate motors are used for operating the conveyers, one for operating the conveyer 87, another for operating the conveyer 105, and still another for operating the rear swinging multiple conveyer. These various motors may be separately controlled and operated in a well-known manner. Each of the upright side kerf-cutters may be provided with hydraulic breaking devices 113 and 114 connected by means of pipes to pumps which are operated by eccentrics on the transverse shaft 15. inasmuch as the pumping mechanism and the connections between the same and the hydraulic breakers are the same for both of the upright side kerf-cutters, a description of the mechanism located at one side will be suiiicient. Referring to Fig. 1, an eccentric is shown at 115 for operating a pump 116 connected by means of the pipe 117 extending through the supporting frame 44, to the pipe 118 shown in Fig. 3.

Tf desired the pumps 116 may be pneu* matic and the transmission of fluid therefrom to the breakers controlled by a valve 119 shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the pumps may run idly durino the operation of the undercutter and the side cutters until it is desired to effect the operation of the fluid pressure breakers 113 and 114. Then the valves 119 may be operated to direct the fiuid pressure from the pumps to the fluid pressure breakers to eect relative expansion of the two parts 120 and 121 shown in Fig. 6. The part 120 will then press against the wall of the unmined mass and the part 121 kwill effect breaking down of the coal between the side cutters and above the undercutter. A contractile spring 122 is provided between the parts 120 and 121 to restore the same to their initial positions vby drawing them together when the fluid pressure is released.

In some instances the nature of the coal is such that the fluid pressure breakers 113 and 114 will be sufiicient to break down the coal in pieces of such sizes as are capable of being handled by the conveyer 37, but when desired the breaking of the coal may be assisted by means of the operation of one or more pick machines mounted on the frames of the motors 11 and 11. Such pick machines are also useful to trim off the roof or to complete the mining of the coal vein and to provide suiiicient clearance for continued passage of the machine into the mine.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper sides of the frames of the motors 11, 11 are provided with longitudinal inverted T-shaped grooves 123 and 124 to receive a dove-tailed connection of the supp-ort 125 which is connected by a universal joint 126 to the frame 127 of the pick machine.

The pick machine is provided with operating handles 123 by means of which the direction and operation of the pick machine may be controlled. Such pick machine is preferably of the reciprocatory type and may be slid along the guideways 123 and 124 independently of each other and driven by compressed air through the pipes 129 in any position to which the pick machine is adjusted. By reason of the adjustment forwardly and rearwardly along the guide grooves 123 and 124 and by reason of the universal joint 126 the pick machines may each be used to command a large area of the mine wall or of the cut material between the side cutters and above the undercutter, as well as at the roof above the range of operation of the side cutters.

By comparing Fig. 3 with Fig. 2, it will be seen that when the pick machine is in position to slide along the groove 123 it occupies an elevated position in planes above the conveyer 87. Therefore, when the picks are operated they may command a wide area at the mine wall without interfering with the operation of the conveyer. The rear ends of the guideways 123 and 124 are provided with pivoted sections illustrated at 130 in Fig. 2. This rear section is pivoted at 131 so that it may occupy a downwardly inclined position after the support 125 has been moved into the extension 130. In other words, by the provision of the rear pivoted section 130 the pick machine may be moved; into Vthis pivoted section and then let down into a lower or folded position where it will fit between the motor frame and the conveyer S7. The pick machine frame 127 maybe provided with a forwardly extending angle-iron frame 132 for receiving the plunger rod 133 of the pick and therefore when the pick machines are 4 lowered to their folded positions these angleiron frames 132 and the'rods 133 will occupy lao the positions illustrated in Fig. 5 between the frames of the motors l1 and 11 and the conveyer 87. lt will thus be seen by reference t0 Figs. 2 and 5, that when the pick machines are in their lower or folded positions they are approximately level with the upper surface of the frames of the motors 11 and 11 and also approximately at the same elevation as the rear upper horizontal portion of the conveyor 87. This folding feature of the pick machines is particularly desirable during transportation of the mining and loading machine on a mine car from one part of the mine to another.

The upright side critters may also be folded to lower positions during transportation by loosening the bolts 49 and turning the side cutters on the pivot pins 45. This is illustrated at the right-hand portion of Fig. 6. It should be understood that both of the side cutters may be moved to such folded position and occupy such space as to adord approximately the same headroom as is afforded when the pick machines are folded to their lower positions. F ig. 2 represents both of the side cutters and the pick machines folded to their lower positions so as to reduce the height of the mining and loading machine to a minimum, thus making provision for transportation on a mine car through very low roof mine chambers.

It should be particularly noted that all of the operating parts of the mining and loading machine hereinbefore described, and as shown on the drawings, ,are symmetrically arranged so as to well balance the operating parts and the weights thereof as well as the weight of the entire mining and loading machine. This is true not only with respect to the side cutters and the parts mounted thereon and connected thereto, but also with respect to the spaced-.apart side motors 11 and 11, the rope winding devices and the slack conveyer which is centrally located. lt should also be observed that two guide grooves 123 and 124 are provided, one on top of each of the motors 11 and 11, so that when two pick machines are employed one on each side of the machine, the weights due to the pick machines will also maintain balanced weight of the entire machineand its operating parts.

The hinge stop block 7 6 is preferably mounted on the upper portion of the side plate 8 to swing on a longitudinal axis 1311, as shown in Fig. 4, so that when ydesired this stop block may be manually grasped and moved laterally out of the way of the projection 77, thus permiting the application of theV friction clutch of the rope winding mechanism 7 3 to effect the operation of the latter when desired. After the mining and loading machine has been moved rearwardly along the pan 7 and automatically stopped by the stop motion mechanism comprising side of the the parts 7 6 ,and 77, it may be desired to extend the rope 74 to anchorages in the mine as hereinbefore described so asv to shift the pan 7 together with the mining and loading machine thereon, to a desired location. By providing a hinge for the stop device 7 6 the clutch for the rope winding mechanism 73 may be applied without lirst moving the mining and loa-ding machine forwardly along the pan 7 because as soon as the stop 76 is moved laterally, it is freed from the projection 77 and the clutch may then be applied.

lt should also be noted that the space below the slack conveyor 105 may be provided with a closed compartment 135 for receiving compressed air for operating the pick machines. The compressed air stored in the compartment 135 may be conveyed to the pick machines through the outlet pipe 129 and the flexible pipe 129. The use of this compartment 135 for the storage of compressed air for operating the pick machines,

does not interfere with the arrangement or operation of the other parts of the mining and loading machine. It is preferable to use the compartment 135 for such purpose to secure compactness and economy of available space.

By referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the cylinder 120 and plunger 121 are so mounted in the cutter frame 4:1 as to be both movable relatively thereto. By operating the valve 119 of lig. 1 to introduce a limited amount of compressed ,air into the cylinder 120, the pressure-exerting device will be expanded only to a limited degree in which event the expansion will be insuiicient to break down the material but will act only to keep the walls of the kerf spaced apart. rl`hat is to say, when the pressure-exerting device is operated only to a limited extent, it will act as a spacer to yieldingly hold the korf open and prevent the kerf-cutter from binding in the kerf.

It should also be noted that when the valve 119 is operated to connect the air pump 116 to the pneumatic breaker 113 or 114, the latter will expand and can act to break down the coal independently of the feed of the machine. That is, whether the machine is being fed or not, the breakers may be operated.

By having a separate valve 119 at each machine, the breakers may be caused to operate individually and independently of each other. When a body of coal has been undercut and sheared by the spaced-apart side cuts, the breakers may be operated alternately to secure a. prying action on the coal and thus facilitate its being cracked considerably before being broken down. By this alternate operation the coal may be broken down more efficiently for handling by the conveyor 87.

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

Having thus shown and described an embodiment of this invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the Unite-d States is l. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercutting kerf-cutter mounted on the forward end thereof, an upright shearing kerf-cutter, means for mountingl said upright shearing kerf-cutter for adjustment to a horizontal position in folding relation to said under cutter for transportation, a fluid pressure breaking crevice mounted on the shearing kerf-cutter, power transmission mechanism for operating said undercutter and said shearing kerf-c'utter, and means associated with said power transmission mechanism for operating said fluid pressure breaking device when said shearing kerf-cutter is in upright operative position.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright kerfcutter mounted thereon, means for supporting said kerf-cutter in folded relation to said frame, a fluidpressure breaker on said kerf-cutter, and means for operating` said breaker when said kerf-cutter is in upright position.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercutting kerf-cutter mounted on the forward end thereof, an upright shearing kerf-cutter comprising a cutter frame, means for supporting said shearing kerf-cutt-er for a tilting movement to a folded relation with said undercutter and said supporting frame, expansible pressure exerting mechanism carried by said shearing kerf-cutter and movable bodily therewith to its folded position, power transmission mechanism between said supporting frame and said shearing kerf-cutter to drive the latter when in upright position, and means for operating said pressure exerting mechanism in the kerf produced by said shearing kerf-cutter.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame, of an upright kerf-cutter, means for driving said kerf-cutter, mechanism for supporting said kerf-cutter in upright position relative to said main frame during operation of said kerf-cutter and for permitting the folding of said kerf-cutter on a longitudinal axis parallel to the center line of the machine but spaced laterally therefrom so that said kerf-cutter may occupy a relatively low position when out of operation without disconnecting said kerf-cutter from said frame, a breaker carried by said kerf-cutter and bodily movable therewith to folded position, and means on said main frame connected to said breaker to operate the same when the kerf-cutter is in operative position.

5. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright kerfcutter comprising a cutterr frame, means for pivotally connecting said cutter frame to said supporting frame for movement relatively thereto on a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise of the machine to permit movement of said kerf-cutter to a low folded poition, means for securing said cutter frame to said main frame to occupy an upright position while in operation, a fluid pressure breaker carried by said cutter frame for movement into the kerf cut by said kerfcutter, and means for operating said breaker in such kerf to break down the material adjacent the kerf-cutter.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame, of spaced-apart side kerfcutters each pivotally connected to said main frame to swing relatively thereto on longitudinal parallel axes from upright position to approximately horizontal folded position, a breaker on each kerf-cutter in position to act in the kerf cut thereby to break down the cut material, means for operating said kerfcutters when in upright position, and mechanism for operating said breakers in said kerfs.

7. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a kerf-cutter mounted thereon, a pneumatic breaker caried on said kerf-cutter, and an air pump connected to said breaker to operate the same.

8. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a kerf-cutter mounted thereon, an expansible pressureexerting device carried by said kerf-cutter, and pneumatic means for operating said device to a limited extent to cause it to act as a yielding spacer in the kerf cut by said kerfcutter.

9. In a mining machine, the combination Vwith a supporting frame, of a kerf-cutter mounted thereon, an expansible pneumatic breaker on said kerf-cutter, a pump for supplying rcompressed air to said breaker, and a valve for connecting the pump to the breaker to effect the operation of the latter at will.

10. In a mining machine, the combination with a plane kerf-cutter comprising a cutter chain, of a iiat fluid pressure breaker on said kerf-cutter within the boundary of said cutter-chain, means for operating said kerf-cutter including the feed thereof, means for operating said fluid pressure breaker at will independently of the feed of said kerf cutter, and connections for supporting the kerf-cutters in folded relation for transportation in the mine.

11. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plane kerf-cutter mounted thereon, a fluid pressure breaker on said kerf-cutter, means for supporting said kerf-cutter in an upright operating position and in a low-down folded position, a. source of fluid pressure on said frame, and connections between such source and said breaker maintained for the various positions of said kerf-cutter.

12. 1n a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a tert-cutter mounted thereon, means for supporting said kerf-cutter in vertical and horizontal positions, and an expansible breaker carried by said kerf-cutter in position to move into the kerf cut thereby and operable to break down the material independent-ly of the feed of said korf-cutter.

13. 1n a mining machine, the combination With a supporting frame, of a kerf-cutter mounted thereon for folding movement toward a horizontal position, and an expansible breaker on said kerf-cutter mounted for movement from a higher to a lower eleva.- tion when said kerf-cutter is thus folded and operable independently of the feed of the kerf-cutter to break down material when said kerf-cutter is upright.

14. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a korf-cutter mounted thereon, an expansible breaker Ion said kerf-cutter in position to break down material, means for feeding said korf-cutter while said breaker is released and free to move along' the kerf cut by the kerf-cutter, and means for support-ino' said kerf-eutter for adjustment with said breaker on an axis extending longitudinally of said frame to positions in varying planes.

15. In a mining machine the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercutting kerf-cutter, an upright kerf-cutter, a hinged connection between said upright kerf-cutter and said supporting frame, and an expansible pressure exerting device on the upright kerfcritter in position to move into and along the kerf cut by the latter.

16. 1n a mining` machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercut-ting kerf-cutter, spaced-apart upright korf-cutters, hinged connections between said upright kerf-cutters `and said supporting frame, and eipansible pressure exerting devices one on each of said upright korf-cutters in position to move into and along the kerfs cut by the latter.

17. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercutting kerf-cutter, an upright kerf-cutter, a hinged connection between said upright kerf-cutter and said supporting frame to enable said upright kerf-cutter to be swung on a pivot extending longitudinally of the length -of the machine, and pressure exerting mechanism mounted on said upright kerf-cutter in position to have all portions thereof enter the kerf cut by said upright kerf-cutter in adif'ance of the rear end of said kerf.

18. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercutting kerf-cutter mounted thereon, upright spaced-apart kerf-cutters at the sides of said undercutting korf-cutter, mechanism for supporting said kerf-cutters for folding thereof on longitudinal aries parallel to the longitudinal length of the machine, means for securely holding said upright kerf-cutters in upright kerf-cutting positions, duid pressure breakers on said upright korf-cutters, loading apparatus extending rearwardly from said undercutter and between said upright kerf-cutters, and means for operating said breakers in the kerfs cut by said upright kerf-cutters to break down the mineral onto the forward end port-ion of said loading apparatus.

19. ln ay mining and loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an undercutting kerf-cutter, `spaced-apart upright kerf-cutters, loading apparatus extending rearwardly from the forward receiving position at said undercut-ter and between said upright kerf-cutters, expansible pressure eX- erting devices on said upright kerf-cutters in position to move into a-nd along the kerfs cut by the latter, and means for supporting said upright hert-cutters on axes extending longitudinally of said supporting frame to afford folding of said upright kerf-cutters for transportation of the machine.

1n testimony where-of 1 have signed 1n name to this specification on this 24th day of September, A. D. 192'?.

OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN, Eecutrz'x of Edmund 0. Morgan, Deceased.

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