US1811927A

US1811927A - Loading machine

Info

Publication number: US1811927A
Application number: US197951A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank A Halleck
Original assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Current assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Priority date: 1927-06-10
Filing date: 1927-06-10
Publication date: 1931-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1948-06-30

Description

June 30, 1931.. y F. A. HALLECK LOADING MACHINE Filed June l0, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l F. A. HALLECK LOADING MACHINE June 30, 1931.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1927 F. A. HALLECK LOADING MACHINE June 30, 1931.

Filed June l0, 1927 3 Shee\.s-Shee l` 3 Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK A. HALLECK, F MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MA- CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS LOADING MACHINE Application led June 10, 1927. Serial No. 197,951.

This invention relates to loading machines and more particularly to machines for loading coal in mines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal loading machine whereby standing coal may be broken down at the face With facility and loaded in an improved manner. Another object is to provide an improved coal loadin machine having a toothed roller for raking down the coal onto the shovel. Another vobject of this invention is to provide an improved loading machine having a reversible toothed digging and gathering roller, the roller being rotatable in one direction to rake down the loose coal onto the shovel and rotatable in the reverse direction to dig beneath or undermine the coal when large lumps or blocks are encountered. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loading machine having improved means for breaking loose the lumps or blocks of coal standing at the face, and raking the loose coal down onto the shovel. Still another object is to provide an improved loading machine having a toothed roller swingable by power and having improved mechanism for effecting the rotation of the roller in opposite directions.

These and other objects of this invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there 1s shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these draWings,-

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the 1mproved loading machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the loading machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.y 3 is a central longitudinally extending vertical sectional view, parts being shown in elevation to facilitate illustration..

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating the toothed roller and one of the side cutter chains and the driving connections therefQr.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

F ig. 8 is a detail View illustrating the lock for the roller arm.

In this illustrative construction there is 55 shown a coal loading machine of the same general type as that described in my c0- pending application, Serial No. 160,486, filed J an. 11, 1927. and Which generally comprises a frame 1 mounted on endless track laying 60 treads 2. Iivotally mounted on the frame 1 at 3 is a. shovel 4 having a transverse pile penetrating edge 5 and side portions 6 While cooperating with the shovel is a swingable toothed digging or gathering roller or drum 7 pivotally mounted at 8 on the l'tlachine frame. This roller rakes the coal downwardly and inwardly on to the shovel 4. Guided by the shovel 4 and the frame 1 is an endless front conveyor 9 which moves the 70 coal rearwardly from the shovel and discharges onto a usual tail conveyor 10.

Improved mechanism is provided for swinging the toothed roller and for rotating the same in opposite directions and such mechanism comprises a motor 11, herein preferably an electric motor, housed Within the frame 1 and having its armature shaft 12l horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine. As shown in Fig. 3 80 lixed to the forward end of the armature shaft 12 as at 13 is a bevel pinion 14 which meshes with a large bevel gear 15 (see also Fig. 4) secured by a set screw 16 to a horizontally disposed shaft 17 eXtendin transversely of the 85 machine and journaled 1n bearings 18. The bevel gear 15 carries a series of clutch plates 19 which are interleaved With a series of clutch plates 20 carried by a clutch member 21 threadedly connected to a sleeve 22, the 9o latter surrounding the shaft 17 and being jonrnaled in a bearing 23. Slidably mounted on the sleeve 22 is a clutch applying member 24 which is normally maintained in its applied position by means of a coiled spring 25 95 encircling the sleeve 22 and reacting against a flange 26 on the latter. The member 24 is adapted to be released against the tension of the spring 25 by means of a shipper yoke 27 pivotally mounted on the machine frame. ifm

and having an operating lever 28. Pivotally connected at 29 to the lever 28 is an actuating rod 30 extending rearwardly longitudinally of the `machine and suitably. connected through a cross shaft 30a to an operating lever 31 mounted on the opposite side of the machine (see Figs. 2 and 3). In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the invention the sleeve 22 has keyed thereto at 32 'a spur pinion 33 which meshes with a large spur gear 34 fixed at 3 5 to a horizontal hollow shaft 36 extending transversely of the machine parallel with and above the shaft 17. The shaft 36 is journaled in bearings 37 suitably carried by the machine frame and has fixed thereto at 38 chain sprockets 39 which are adapted to drive the front conveyor chain 9 in a manner clearly described in my copending application mentioned above. Fixed to the hub of the spur gear 34 by a key is a spur gear 40 (see Fig. 5) which meshes with an intermediate gear 41 journaled at 42 on a stub shaft 43 suitably fixed to the machine frame 1. The gear 41 meshes with a spur gear 44 fixed to a shaft 45 and journaled in a bearing 46. Connected to the gear 44 as by a semi-permanent clutch 47 is a spur gear 48 meshing with a spur gear 49 rotatably mounted in a bearing 50 on the machine frame. As clearly shown in Fig. 4 the spur gears 40 and 49 have clutch teeth 51 and 52 j' respectively formed on their inner faces while splined at 53 to a shaft 54 and having axial sliding movement relative thereto is a jaw clutch member 55 having `sockets adapted to selectively receive the teeth 51 and 52. The shaft 54 is disposed coaxially with the hollow shaft 36 and is journaled in bearings 56. Cooperating with the clutch member 55 is a pivoted shipper yoke 57 connected through a pull rod 58 extending transversely of the machine to an operating handle 59 disposed adjacent the lever 31 heretofore described. As illustrated, fixed by keys 60 to the ends of the shaft 54 are chain sprockets 61 engaging endless chains 62 (see Fig. 1) housed within hollow radially extending portions 62a of parallel supporting arms 63. These arms 63 have rigidly secured to the hollow radially extending portions 62@ as by rivets 63a, or any other suitable securing means, angularly disposed downwardly inclined portions 635 on the outer ends of which the toothed roller 7 is mounted. The chains 62 engage sprockets 64 rotatably mounted on bearing sleeves 65 supported on a shaft 66 carried by the support-ing arms 63. As shown in Fig. 6 the chain sprockets 64 have secured thereto and rotatable therewith chain sprockets 67 connected through endless chain connections 68 with chain sprockets 69, the latter being fixed at 7() to each end of the roller 7. These chain connections are guided on the downwardly inclined portions 635 of the roller supporting arms. The opposite sides ofthe sprockets 69 have formed therein annular grooves 71 which cooperate with bearing rings 72 fixed to' the supporting arms 63. These bearing rings 72 form journals for the roller 7. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 it will be observed that t e roller 7 has traversing the same a series of staggered openings 73 which receive the Shanks of double toothed bits 74, the bits being lheld in position on the roller by means of set screws 75. In this instance the endless chains 68 each carry a series of reversely positioned cutters 76. The parallel arms have secured thereto at 77 in their inner sides a transverse bracing member 78 and this member maintains the arms 63 in rigid spaced relation. It is accordingly'evident that when the

friction clutch

19, 20 is applied and when the clutch member 55 is suitably connected the toothed roller 7 may be connected in driving relation with the motor 11 to rotate in one direction or the other as desired. In this instance the roller 7 rotates at'the same speed in both directions but it is obvious that the speed of roller rotation may be varied, it being desirable under certain conditions to rotate the roller at a higher speed in 011e direction than in the other.

The mechanism for swinging the toothed roller 7 comprises a clutch housing 79 (see Fig. 4) fixed by a set screw 80 to the shaft 17 The clutch housing 79 carries a series of clutch disks 81 which are interleaved with a series of clutch discs 82 carried by a clutch member 83 threadedly connected to a sleeve 84 surrounding the shaft 17 and rotatably mounted thereon. Mounted on the sleeve 84 andv slidable axially relative thereto is a clutch applying member 85 with which a pivoted shipper yoke 86 cooperates. The yoke 86 is connected through an operating lever 87 and actuating rod 88 extending rearwardly and longitudinally of the machine, the rod 88 being suitably connected to an operating lever 91 disposed adjacent to levers 31 and 59. Again referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the sleeve 84 has fixed thereto at 92 a spur gear 93 meshing with a large spur gear 94 journaled at 95 on the shaft 54 and having secured thereto a chain sprocket 96. The sprocket 96 is connected through an endless chain connection 97 to achain sprocket 98 suitably fixed to a horizontally disposed shaft 99 extending transversely of the machine and supported on forwardly project-ing brackets 100 suitably carried by the machine frame 1. The shaft 99 has suitably fixed thereto at the opposite ends thereof spur pinions 101 which mesh with the teeth of gear segments 102 suitably rigidly secured to the inner sides of the roller supporting arms 63. From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the clutch 81, 82 is applied the toothed -roller 7 may be swung upwardly or downwardly as desired. The toothed roller is iii 'lhe dog 103 is adapted to engage the teeth on the spur gear 94 and consequently the roller arms may be locked against downward swinging movement. lVhen it is desired to move the machine from one working place to l another the shovel 4 may be connected to the roller arms for swinging movement therewith. These connections comprise a member 107 pivotally mounted at 108 on the shovel and having a hook portion 109 engageable with a lug or pin 110 secured to one of the gear segments 102. lt is obvious that when the hook is connected to the lug on the roller arm and when the clutch 81, 82 is applied the shovel may be raised upwardly with the arms 63 by power. The frame 1 has housed therein a. plural speed transmission mechanism driven from the rear end of the motor 11 and this mechanism is adapted to drive the track laying treads 2 forwardly at a slow loading speed and at a fast forward moving speed and also rearwardly at a fast moving speed. As this transmission mechanism is clearly described in my copending application mentioned above, further description is herein considered unnecessary.

In the operation of the improved loading machine the latter is moved up to the working face at a high speed under the propulsion of the track laying treads 2, the roller arms and shovel being held in their elevated position at that time by means of the lock 103. When the working face is reached the hook 109 is disconnected from the roller arm and the shovel 4 is dropped to the mine floor. The clutch 81, 82 is then applied and the toothed roller 7 is swung upwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3. The machine is then fed forwardly until the penetrating edge 5 penetrates the pile of coal a. sufficient distance. The operator then shifts the clutch member 55 into engagement with the clutch teeth 51 on the gear 40 and consequently the toothed roller 7 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (see Fig. 3). Simultaneously the front conveyor 9 is rapidly circulated within its guides. The lock 103 is the-n released and the toothed roller is swung downwardly under the control of the friction clutch 81, 82, the rotating roller 7 raking the loose coal downwardly onto the shovel 4 where it is picked up and moved rearwardly by the front conveyor 9. Heretofore in certain instances it has been found that the coal at the face which has been undercut by the coal cutter often is not shattered by the shots sufficiently to permit the toothed roller to rake down the coal, the coal merely sagging by its own weight in large blocks or lumps to the mine fioor. Vhen such conditions are encountered the operator momentarily throws out the clutch 19, and shifts the clutch member into engagement with the gear 49 and consequently the toothed roller is rotated in a reverse or clockwise direction (see Fig. 3). The toothed roller 7 is then lowered to the position indicated by full lines in Fig. 3 and the machine is fed forwardly at a slow speed, the toothed roller digging beneath the block of coal breaking down the coal at the face and moving the coal in large lumps onto the shovel 4. The side cutters 76 on the chain 68 cut vertical side kerfs of such width as to admit the arms G3 as the roller is advanced in the coal. It is obvious that if desired the toothed roller 7 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 during the undermining operation and after the roller has been fed beneath the coal a suitable distance the roller 7 maybe reversed to break down the coal onto the front conveyor 9. The roller 7 is not adapted to undercut the solid coal but merely digs beneath the coal subsequent to the shooting of the coal from the solid. lVhen the loading at the face is completed the shovel 4 is then again hooked to the roller arms and the latter together with the shovel 4 swung upwardly and locked in their elevated position by the dog 103. The machine may then be moved either forwardly or rearwardly at a high speed to another working place. These and other uses of the improved loading machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in this art.

As a result of this invention an improved loading machine is provided having a reversible toothed digging or gathering roller for raking the loose coal onto the shovel and for undermining the coal when large blocks or lumps are encountered. It will further be noted that improved mechanism is provided for controlling the rotation of the toothed roller which is exceedingly compact and of rugged construction. It will still further be evident that an improved loading machine is provided which is capable of efficiently handling all sizes and grades of coal.

Vhile l have in this application specifically described one form which the 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 by Letters Patent is:

1. In a loading machine, a portable body, a shovel thereon, a reversely toothed gathering roller, parallel arms for supporting said roller for swinging movement relative to said body, said roller being rotatable in one direction to rake down the loose coal onto said shovel and rotatable in the opposite direction to undermine the standing coal at the face, a motor, a conveyor cooperating with said gathering rollcr and shovel and adapted, in either direction of rotation of said roller, to convey material rearwardly from said shovel, and mechanism driven by said motor including endless chains carried by said arms for ef-` anism driven by said motor for adjusting said roller relative to said conveying means, and mechanism driven by said motor for efecting rotation of said roller at will in either of opposite directions without reversing said motor and while said conveying means continuously operate in the same direction.

3. In a loading'machine, a portable body having conveying-means thereon at its forward end and material gathering means cooperating with said conveying means comprising a motor, said motor also `driving said conveying means, a reversely toothed roller pivotally mounted on said body and swingable to a position closely adjacent said conveying means, mechanism for eiecting swingingpmovement of said roller by power and for permitting free swinging movement of said roller, and mechanism driven by said motor for effecting rotation of said roller at will in either of opposite directions without reversing said motor and while said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction.

4. In a loading machine, a portable body having conveying means thereon, and material gathering mechanism on said body and cooperating with said conveying means comprising a motor, a rotary gathering member adjustably mounted on said body and disposable closely adjacent said conveying means and mechanism driven by said motor for efecting rotation of said gathering member at will in either of opposite directions while said conveyor continues to operate in the same direction and without reversing said motor.

`5. In a loading machine, a portable body,

conveying means on said body, and material gathering means on said body cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon including a motor, a reversely toothed gathering roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine, and mechanism driven by said motor for eecting rotation of said roller in either of opposite directions without reversing said motor and while said conveying means continuously operates 1n the same direction,

6. In a loading machine, a portable body having a motor thereon, conveying means on said body and driven by said motor, and material gathering means on said body cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon including a reversely toothed gathering roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine, and mechanism driven by said motor for ef'ecting rotation of said roller in either of opposite directions without reversing said motor and while said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction.

7. In a loading machine, a portable body having a motor thereon, conveying means on said body and driven by said motor, material gathering means on said body cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon including a reversely toothed gathering roller arranged -transversely across the front end of the machine, and mechanism driven by said motor for eecting rotation of said roller in either of opposite directions while said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction, and mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the machine forwardly at a slow loading speed irrespective of the direction of rotation of said roller.

8. In a loading machine, a portable body having a motor thereon, conveying means on said body and driven by said motor, and material gathering means cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon including a reversely toothed gathering roller pivotally mounted on said body for vertical swinging movement relative thereto and arranged transversely across the front end of the machine, mechanism driven by said motor for eiecting swinging movement of said roller about its ,pivotal axis, and mechanism driven by said motor for effecting rotation of said roller in either of opposite directions without reversing said motor or said swinging mechanism and while said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction.

9; In a loading machine, a portable body having a motor thereon, conveying means on said `body and driven by said motor, a shovel adjustably mounted on said body, and material gathering means mounted on said body including a reversely toothed gathering roller mounted on said bodv for vertical swinging movement relative thereto and arranged transversely across the front end of the machine for feeding the material to be loaded onto said shovel and conveying means, and l gathering means on said body cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon including a motor and a reversely toothed gathering roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine, and mechanism driven by said mot-or for eii'ecting rotation of said roller in either of opposite directions Without reversing said motor and While said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction, said roller rotating mechanism including means operable at Will during running of said motor for reversing the direction of roller rotation.

11. In a loading machine, a portable body, conveying means on said body, and material gathering mechanism on said bod cooperating with said conveying means or moving the material to be loaded thereon comprising a reversely toothed roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine, parallel arms for supporting said roller for swinging movement relative to said body, a motor, mechanism driven by said motor for e'ecting rotation of said roller in either. of opposite directions While said conveying means operates continuously in the same direction, and cutting mechanism driven by said motor for cutting vertical side kerfs of such Width as to admit said arms as the roller penetrates the material to be loaded.

l2. In a loading machine, a portable body, conveying means on sai'd body, and material gathering mechanism on said body cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon comprising a. reversely toothed roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine, parallel arms for supporting said roller for swinging movement relative to said body, a motor, mechanism driven by said motor and including endless chains supported by said arms for e'ecting rotation of said roller in eithero-opposite directions and cutters carried fsaid chains for cutting vertical side kerfsat each side of said roller of such Width as to admit said arms as the roller penetrates the material to be loaded.

13. In a loading machine, a portable body, conveying means on said body, and mechanism on said body comprising an elongated horizontally. disposed gathering roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine for moving the material to be loaded onto said conveying means, side cutters at each end of said roller, and supporting means for said roller, said side cutters cutting kerfs for receiving said supporting means as the roller penetrates the material to be loaded, and mechanism for edecting rotation of said roller and said side cutters in either of opposite directions While said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction.

14. In a loading machine, a portable body,

conveying means on said body, and mechanism on said body comprising an elongated horizontally disposed reversely toothed gathering roller for moving the material to be loaded onto said conveying means, and supporting means :tor said roller, endless chain side cutters at each side of said roller, said side cutters being adapted to cut vertical side kerfs in the coal face for receiving said roller supporting means as the roller penetrates the material to be loaded, and mechanism for e'ecting rotation of said roller and side cutters in either of opposite directions While said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction;

l5. In a loading machine, a portable body, conveying means carried'by said body, and mechanism on said body comprising an elongated horizontally disposed reversely toothed gathering roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine for moving the material to be loaded onto said conveying means, parallel arms for supporting said gathering roller for swinging movement relative to said body, endless side cutters carried by said arms at each end of said roller for cutting kerfs to receive said arms as the roller penetrates the material to be loaded, and mechanism for electing rotation of saidroller and side cutters in either of opposite direc-tions While said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction.

16. In a loading machine, a portable body, conveying means carried by said body, and mechanism on said body comprising an elongated horizontally disposed reversely toothed gathering roller arranged transversely across the front end of the machine for moving the material to be loaded onto said conveying means, parallel arms for supporting said gathering roller for swinging movement relative to said body, endless chain cutters. carried by said arms at each end of said roller for cutting kert's to receive said arms as the roller penetrates the material to be loaded, said side cutter chains also constituting means for driving said roller, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said roller and chain cutters in either of opposite directions While said conveying means continuously operates in the same direction.

17. In a loading machine, a portable body having a motor thereon, conveying means on said body and driven by said motor, and material gathering mechanism on said body comprising a movable gathering device arranged transversely across the front end of the machine for moving the material to be loaded onto said conveying means including a gathering device having reversely positioned gathering elements, and mechanism driven by said motor for eifecting movement of said gathering device. in either of opposite directions Without reversing said motor and while said conveyin means continuously operates in the same irectlon.

18. In a loading machine, a portable body,

a shovel supported thereby, conveying means carried by said body and shovel, reversely operable material engaging mechanism disposed above the plane of said shovel for cooperation therewith, means for driving said material engaging mechanism in one direction to move material to said conveyor or to drive it in the opposite direction to dislodge standing material, means whereby said material engaging mechanism is adapted automatically to have similar working engagement with the material irrespective of the direction of movement of said mechanism, and means whereby said conveyor whenever operated is adapted to convey material rearwardly away from said shovel.

19. In a loading machine, the combination with conveying means and driving means therefor, -of material gathering means cooperating with said conveying means for moving the material to be loaded thereon, including a gathering element having its material engaging portion movable in a generally vertical direction in a closed orbit, and motor operated mechanismv for eecting movement of the material engaging portion of said gathering element in its orbit in either of opposite directions while said conveying means operates continuously in the same direction.

20. In a loading machine, the combination with conveying means and driving means therefor, of material gathering means cooperating with said conveying means including a reversible gathering element having its material engaging portion movable in generally vertical planes in a closed orbit, and motor operated mechanism for driving said `material gathering element in one direction to move material to said conveying means or to drive it in the opposite direction to dislodge standing material, said material gathering means including means whereby said material gathering element is adapted automatically to have similar working engagement with the material irrespective of the direction of movement of said gathering element.

Intestimony whereof I aix my signature.

FRANK A. HALLECK.