US1875914A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-She et 1 G. BODIN MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15. 1926 mm Wm b Sept. 6, 1932..

fig-apt n, 1932.,

G. BODIN MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. BODIN MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 13, 1926 Se t. 6, 1932.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 6, 1932.

G. Bopm MiNING MACHINE Filed se 't. 13, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES:-

GEORGE Benin, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; AssIGNoRjmo GoonirAn MANuraornmne 7 COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COER ORATIQN ILLINOIS l MINING MACHINE This invention relates to. improvenients'in mining machines of the shortwall type, and has among other objects to provide a new and improved mining machine of the. class-de "5 scribed of a low, compact construction having a novel arrangement of feeding and cutter chain driving mechanism ivlierein the height of the motor substantially determines the height of the machine, and wherein a pair of feeding drums is provided formovin g them achine along the coal face, each of Which drums may be power driven at a high speed or lower variable speed, or' may operate as a retarding device.

My invention may be more clearly under-- stood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view t ama chine constructed in a-ccordancewvith my invention and having the cover plate of the gear casing removed to show the mechanism thereof;

Figure 2 is a View partial side elevation of the machine shown in Figure l with parts: broken away to show portions of the control mechanism;

Figure 3 is a view in partial elevation and in partial longitudinal cross-section as taken on the longitudinal axis oithe machine;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 ofFigure 1; v

Figure 5 is a sectional vieW taken on line- 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the mainframe section taken on line-6'6' of Figure 2 Figure is a transverse section showing the lever arran 'ement of the interlocking clutch mechanism for the rope drums and Figure 8 is sectional view taken substantially on line 88 o'f'Figuro l.

Referring now in particular to the details oi the drawings, the device emhodying'my in venti'on comprises a motor 1(lhaving a main frame- 11 extending forwardly therefrom, which main frame ser es as a support for a forwardly projecting chain carrying cutter bar 12-. The cutter bar 12 is ofan ordinary construction ant. is provided With guides thercaround adapted to guide a cutterchain 16 in an orbital path with respect thereto;

The motor 1560f any construction 12, and means tor expelling the cuttings to Application filed September13f1926. Seria-lno; 135,906.

but is herein p-reterably shown as, being an electric motor of minimum, vertical di-mensions so arranged that it is directly slidable on: its bottomon the mine bottom, that its height substantially determines the: height of the machine. In the form: shown, the motor is provided with an armature 13 supported on a longitudinally arranged a1 mature shaft M having an armature pinion 15 keyed adjacentits-fiorward end for driving: the feed operatingand cutter chain driving. mechanism. Y

The frame 11 is detachably connectiblewith. theuiiorward endof the motor so it.- may readily be removed therefrom for repair and inspection of parts, and is provided with asubstantialily horizontally disposed parti ti-onf2r1 dividing said fire-me into; an upper-chamber '25 for supporting: and hens-- ing the gear trains for driving the feeding and cutter driving mechanism from the-- motor 10, and a lower chamber 26 which isprovided With a support. 20 depending from v, thepartition: 21 for supporting the cutter bar the: retreating side of the machine during. the cutting operation. 7

l/Vithreference toFigu-resQ to 6, inclusive, it beseen that inasmuchas the cutter bar 1-2 intersects the motor 10:, the; cuttings; must be expelled to one side or the other 0t saidmotorto'prevent the cutterchaim from carrying the cuttings back intoxthe kerfl Various mechanicalr'means may he provided for expel-ling the cuttingsfrom thechamhe-r 26'but I' herein prefer to expel the cuttings from saidchamber'bythe'aetion'of the cutter chain 16 itself. In order to expel the-cuttings, the chamber 26 is" provided With-a side; Wall 17 closing the advance side thereof; The side wall 17 extends rearwardlya'long' the chamber 26parallelto the path of the'cutter chain '16 and spaced therefrom a sufiicient distanceto' permit clearance of' the" hits; in: said cutter chain. The side Wall 1''? is curved in' corn formancewith thepath of the cutter chain 16 and is flared outwardly towards the retreat ing side o-f the machine and Withz'b sidewall 18; on the advance side of the machineforms an opening 19 for the expulsion of the out:- we

tings from the chamber 26. Thus the cuttings expelled from the kerf by the cutter chain 16 will be drawn into the chamber 26 by said cutter chain along the side wall 17 and will be expelled through the opening 19 in said chamber by the action of said cutter 7 chain beyond the retreating side I of the machine.

Referring now in particular to the details of the feed operating and cutter chain driving mechanism and several of the novel features of my invention, a longitudinallyextending shaft 27 is provided. The longitudinally extending shaft 27 has a spur pinion 28 keyed on its rearward end which meshes with and is driven from the armature pinion 15.

The longitudinally extending shaft 27 is 'arranged centrallyof the chamber and is supported in spaced bearings 29, 30, and 31 ina usual manner. I;

A'bevel pinion 32 is freely mounted on the longitudinally extending shaft 27 adjacent the rearward end of the bearing 30. The

face of the bevel pinion 32 extends towards the rearward end of the machine and said bevel pinion is provided with a rearwardly extending hub 33 provided with clutch jaws 34 adapted to be engaged by clutch jaws 35 carried b a slidin clutch member 36 feathered on t e shaft 2 Means are provided for shifting the clutch 7 member 36 along the shaft 27 for selectively connecting the pinion 32 thereto, which means comprise a collar and fork shifting arrangement, indicated by reference character 37 operated by a suitable hand lever 38 on the end of a transversely extending shaft 39 man obvious manner.

vThe bevel pinion 32 meshes with and drives abevel gear 40 secured to a'vertically extending shaft 41. The lower portionof'the bevel gear 40, has suitable bearing engagement with Jcutter bar 12 in a usual manner.

The feed operating mechanism is driven from a worm keyed on the longitudinally extending shaft 27 between the bearing members 30 and 31 and meshing with and driving 1 a worm gear 51 keyed on a longitudinally extendingsleeve 52, which sleeve,'in turn, is

freely mounted on a transversely'extending hollow shaft 53. The sleeve 52 is journaled in suitable bearing supports adjacent opposite sides of'the worm gear 51 and in a suit- The a casing 56 controlled by a suitable friction band 57 in a usual manner.

Clutch jaws 58 are provided on the end of the sleeve 52 within the casing 56. The clutch jaws 58 are adapted to be connectible with the hollow shaft 53 for driving said hollow shaft at the speed of rotation of said sleeve in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described. Clutch jaws 59 are provided on a casing 62 rotatable within the casing 56 and driven from the sleeve 52 at areduced frictionally controlled speed by means of a sun gear (not shown) keyedthereto and plane tary pinions meshing with an internal gear connected with the casing 56, and an internal gear connected withthe casing 62 in a usual manner well known to those skilled in the art and not herein shown nor described in detail. The clutch jaws 59 are adapted to be connectible with the hollow shaft 53 for driving said hollow shaft at a relatively low speed controlled by the friction band 57 The clutch jaws 58 and 59 are selectively V connectible to the hollow shaft 53 for driving said shaft at either a high speed or a lower frictionally controlled speed by means of a sliding clutch member 60 freely mounted on the shaft 53 and provided with suitable clutch jaws thereon adapted to engage either the clutch jaws 58 or 59. The sliding clutch member 60 is operatively connected with the. hollow shaft 53 for driving said shaft by means of a driving member 61 connected to' opposite sides thereof and extending through slots 64, 6-1- in opposite sides of the hollow shaft 53 extending longitudinally thereof. The driving member 61 also extends through and is operatively connected with a shifter rod 63 carried within the hollow portion of the hollow shaft 53 for slidable movement with respect thereto. The shifter rod 63 is slidably moved with respect to the shaft 53 by .means of a shifter collar 65 slidably mounted on the hollow shaft 53 beyond the end of the sleeve 52 and carrying a pin 66 extending through suitable slots ext-ending longitudin ally of said hollow shaft in opposite sides thereof and operatively connected with the end of said shifter rod opposite from the driving member 61 (see Figs; 2 and 5). The

collar 65 is, in turn, controlled in a suitable manner by means of a shifter member 68 connected with levers 69, 69 carried on a vertiw cally extending rocking shaft 7 O, which rocking shaft is, in turn, opera-ted'by means of a suitable hand lever indicated at 71.

It may thus be seen that when the clutch jaws 58 are engaged by the clutch jaws on the sliding clutch member 60, the shaft 58 is driven at a high rate of speed by means of said sliding clutch member and the d 'iving member 61, and that when the clutch jaws 59 are engaged with the clutch jaws on the sliding clutch member 60, the shaft is driven at a lower rate of speed in a similar manner.

Referring now in parti alar to the means for applying the friction band 57 to the casing 56 for controlling the speed of rotation of the casing 62, one end of said friction band is engaged by a suitable lug integral with the main frame 11, as may clearly be seen with reference to Figure 2, while the opposite end of said friction band is connected with a rear wardly extending connecting rod 96. The connecting rod 96 has its opposite end pivotally connected to a lever arm 97 intermediate its ends. One end of the lever arm 9'? is pivotally connected to the main frame 11 while the opposite end of saidlever arm is pivotally connected to a rearwardly extending connecting rod 98 which extends through a portion of the casing for the motor 10 adj acent one side thereof and which has a hand wheel 99 threaded on its rearward end. Thus rotation of the hand wheel 99 in one direction or another engages the friction band 57 with, or disengages said friction band from the casing 56 in an obvious manner for permitting the shaft 53 to be driven at a plurality of relatively low variable speeds.

A spur pinion 7 2 is keyed on the end of the transversely extending shaft 58 and meshes with and drives an idler gear 73 on a stud 74, which idler meshes with and drives a spur gear 7 5 provided with a hub 77, which hub, in turn, is keyed on a transversely extending shaft 76. The spur gear 75 is provided with a web portion 78 having aper-' tures 79, 7 9 extending therethrough. A. feed drum 86 is freely mounted on the hub 77 and its rearward portion abuts the web portion 7 8 of the spur gear 7 5. Suitable means are provided for holding the feed drum 86 on the nib 77 of the spur L5 which may be of any construction, but which is herein shown as being a plate 87 held to the end of the transversely extending shaft 76 by means of a suitable cap screw indicated at 88.

Means are provided for connecting the feed drum 86 with the gear 75 so said feed drum may be driven tiereby, which means herein comprise a. clutch member 82 mounted within the inner periphery of the spur gear '4" and having jaws 83 integral therewith and extending outwardly therefrom. The jaws 83 are adapted to register with the apertures 7 9 in the web 78 of the spur 75 and in corresponding apertures the portion the feed drum 88 which abuts the web 78 of the spur gear 75 (see Fig 8). The clutch member 82 is shifted by means of suitable shifting mechanism which, as herein shown, comprise a. shifting member 84: having. an annular guide formed therein adapted to engage an inwardly extending shoulder on the clutch member 82 so said clutch member may be freely r0- tated with respect to said shifting member (see Fig. 8). The shifting member 8a is adapted to be engaged by a forked member 90 keyed on a longitudinally extending rock shaft 107. The rock shaft 107 is, in turn, operated by a lever 110, which lever is oper ated by a suitable system of levers in a man ner which will hereinafter be more fully described. As the clutch member 82 is moved longitudinally with respect to the shaft 76, the clutch jaws 83 may engage the apertures in the web. of the feed drum 86 for driving said feed drum at either a high speed or a lower variable speed, and when said clutch ,member' is moved in an opposite direction the clutch jaws 83 are disconnected from the apertures in the web of said feeddrum to permit said feed drum to freely rotate about the axis of the shaft 76.

A feed drum 100, constructed in a manner similar to the feed drum 86, is provided with an inwardly extending hub 101, which hub is freely mounted on the opposite end of the transverse shaft 76 and supported on itsouter periphery in suitable bearing supports formed integral with the, main frame 11. The drum is held on the shaft 76 in the same manner that the drum 86 is held on said shaft; as, for instance, a plate abutting the end of said shaft and hub" 101 of said drum and a suitable cap screw for holding said plate to the end of said shaft, 7 v

Means are provided for selectively connectthe feed drum 100 to the shaft Y6 so said feed drum be driven therefrom, which means comprises clutch aws 102 formed integral with the inner end of'the hub 101 for said feed drum, which clutch jaws are adapted to be engaged by clutch jaws 103 formed integral with a sliding clutch member 10%: feathered on the transversely extendin g shaft 78. The sliding clutch member 10% is moved longitudinally with respect to the transversely extending shaft 76 by means of a shifting collar 105 and a forked shifting lever 106 secured to a longitudinally extending rock shaft 108. The rock shaft 108 is operated by a suitable system of levers which will hereinafter be described and is interlocked with the rock shaft 107 so only one drum may be d 'iven at a time.

The mechani m for operating the rock shafts 107 108 comprises a connecting rod 111 connecting the lever arm with alever arm 109 keyed to the rearward end of the rock shaft 107. The position of the lever arms 110 and 109 with respect to each other is such that as the connecting rod 111 is drum 86 for driving said drum and the clutch jaws 103 are simultaneously disengaged from the clutch jaws 102 and vice versa. A suit' able crank and link mechanism, indicated at 112 in Figure 7, operatively connects the lever arm with a rock shaft 113. The rock shaft118 extends rearwardly from the crank and link mechanism 112 through the casing for the motor 10 and has a hand wheel 11 1 keyed to its rearward end adjacent the rearward end of said motor casing. Thus as the hand wheel 11% is turned in one direction or another, either the drum 86 or 100 is operatively connected with the drive shaft 76, and the opposite drum is disconnected therefrom so as to be free to be moved thereabout as its respective feed rope is being paid off.

Inasmuch as the drums 86 and 100 are both adapted to act as either feeding devices or retarding devices, both of said drums are provided with suitable braking means so the rotation thereof may be retarded when disconnected from the drive shaft 76 and when its respective feed rope is being unwound. therefrom as the machine is being pulled across the face of the coal by the opposite feed drum. These means comprise suitable brake bands 115, 115' adapted to engage suitable brake drums formed integral with the inner sides of the feed drums 86 and 100, respectively. Each of these brake bands are operated in a similar manner so the operation of one only will herein be described in detail.

One end of the brake band 115 is adapted to engage a suitable lug integral with the main frame 11 while the opposite end of said brake band is adapted to be engaged by an actuating rod116. The actuatin rod 116 extends rearwardly from the brake band 115 through the casing for the motor 10 and is provided with a forked nut 11? adjacent its rearward end. The forked nut 117 has pivotal connection with one end of a leverarm 118. The lever arm 118 is so shaped as to be depressed adjacent its center and has its ends extending outwardly therefrom and is pivotally connected at its center to'a fulcrum member 119. The other end of the leverarm 118 is forked and is provided with suitable means proved type of mining machine has been thereon for engaging a collar 120 formed integral with a controlhandle 121. The control handle 121 is threaded on a threaded stud 122 so that rotation of said control handle in onedirection or another will tighten or loosen thebrake band 115 on its respective brake drum in an obvious manner. 7

It may now be seen that anew and improvided which is especially adaptedfor use in thin seams ofcoal, which machine is of av rugged and compact construction and is so arranged as to provide means for adequate disposal of the cuttings and provide a means whereby the machine may be fed or retarded byeither one of a plurality of feed drums,

the imposition of undue strains on the feed ropes andvarious parts of the machine and that the device of my invention may be easily operated by means of conveniently located feed operating and controlling levers and is so constructed as to provide a machine having a maximum amount of efficiency which is operable in a minimum amount of vertical height. 7

While I have herein shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the arrangement and construction of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the particular construction illustrated, excepting as it may be specifically limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 7 1. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor rearwardly of said frame, a cutter bar having a cutter chain thereon, a sprocket operably connected with said motor for driving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed feed driving member, at one end of said frame, a

, pair of feed drums disposed on opposite sides provided with a longitudinally projecting.

cutter bar from the forward end'thereof, said housing being included substantially within the vertical limits of said motor casing, feed driving mechanism disposed in said housing and comprising a centrally disposed drive shaft extending longitudinally of the machine above the plane of said motor shaft and operably connected thereto, a worm carried by said drive shaft, a driving member transversely disposed at the forward end of said machine and having a variable speed transmission device concentric therewith, a worm gear on said driving member engaging said worm, a second transverse shaft disposed in a plane below said drive shaft intermediiio ate said motor and first mentioned transverse driving member and operably driven thereby, and a pair of feed drums disposed at opposite ends of said last named shaft, each as sociated with flexible draft means.

3. In a mining machine of the class described, the combination of a motor having a horizontally disposed shaft, a casing fdr said motor adapted to rest on the mine floor; a housing located forwardly of saidm'otor provided with a longitudinally projecting cutter bar from the forward end thereof, said housing being included substantially Within the vertical limits of said motor easing, feed driving mechanism disposed in said housing and comprising a centrally disposed drive shaft extending longitudinally of the machine above the plane of said motor shaft and operably connected thereto, a Worm carried by said drive shaft, a driving member transversely disposed at the forward end of said machine and having a variable speed transmission device concentric therewith, a Worm gear on said driving member engaging said worm, a second transverse shaft disposed in a plane below said drive shaft intermediate said motor and first mentioned transverse driving member and operably driven thereby, a pair of feed drums disposed at opposite ends of said last named shaft, each as sociated with flexible draft means, and interlocking means for selectively engaging either of said. drums.

4; In a mining machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, a motor at the rear of said frame adapted to rest on the mine bottom, a chain carrying cutter bar in ending from the forward end of said 4 frame, and a feed driving mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor and included substantially Within the vertical limits thereof, said feed driving mechanism including a longitudinally disposed drive shaft driven said motor andhaving means at the forward end thereof for driving a transverse driving iember disposed at the forward end of said frame at a plurality of speeds through a planetary gear reduction device monnted'at one end of said driving member, a driving sprocket for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis forwardly of said motor ope'rably driven by gearing connections with said drive shaft, a pair of feed drums disposed on transverse axes on opposite sides of said frame intermediate said first mentioned transverse driving member and said drive sprocket axis, means operably connecting said feed drums with said transverse drivmg' member, and interlocking mechanism disposed rearward of the drive sprocket axis and adapted to selectively engage either of said feed drums with said last mentioned means.

5. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor, a chain carrying cutter bar driven said motor, feed driving mechanism including a we, r

pair of vvinding devices each being associated With flexible draft means, said winding de: vices being mounted on opposite ends ofa transversely disposed shaft; a centrally dis posed drive shaft extending ldngitudinally of the machine and cpcrably driven by said motor and having gearing connections With a transversely disposed feed driving member at the nest ofsaid frame, a planetary gear reduction device concentric with said driv ing n' ien'i'ber and forwardly of fine of said- Winding devices and adapted to selectively drive said feed driving member at a plurality (if speeds, gearing connections from the 0pposit-e end of said driving member for driving' said transverse shaft, said gearing be disposed adjacent the other Winding de v1ce.- a v r 6'; In coinbination with a mining machine adapted to be moved 0n its bottom n a mine bottom, a motor including' a motor" casir'ig adapted to rest on a mine bottoima-"franre forwardly of said mot-or having a c'utte'rb'ar projecting forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain on said cutter bar, driving means for said cutter chain including a drive sprocket on a Vertical axis forwardly of said motor and selectively connc-tible' therewith, feeding" mechanism for said minin achine, for wardly of said niotorand Within" the vertical limits of said motor includin a variable.

speed transmission device on the forward end of saidframe andhalving riving connection With a single transverse shaft forwardly of the vertical axis of said ciitter chain sprocket nism'; and a feed'druni on each end of said last mentioned transverse'shaft. p

" 7. a mmm'g nacnmaa fr" e, a motor rearwardljf cf said frame, motor said motor adapted to rest on the mine new; a cutter bar projectin forwardly of said frame, cutter chain for said cutter bar; driving means for: said cutter chain including" a cn'tter'chain s substantially the 7 central portion of said fr inaa bevel gear on saidshaft and a bevel pinion selectively 'c'onnectib'le with said mater casing far for drivin said bevel gait-1+,feedingmedia b. IIISHT for said mining machine forwardly of said frame and Within the vertcica'l limits of said motor including a" variable speed trans-' mission device driven from saidm'oto-r and rotatable about an axis disposed transversely,

of'said frame on the forward portion of ,said frameand a feed- ,drumhaving flexible feeding means connected thereto on each end of a' single transverse shaft selectively connectible vvith said variable speed transmission device, said transverse shaft being forwardly: of the vertical axisqrsaid c itte'r chain sprocket and beneath said bevel terchain sprccket. W

8- I I am ningi fiad rearvv' rdly of said frame,

,af rim as a motor casingfor procliet on; a vertical shaft at gear its driving and cut .100 and rearwardlyof said variable speed mechasaid motor adapted to rest on its bottom on a mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said frame, a cutter chain for said cutter bar, a longitudinal shaft connected with said motor and extending substantially the length of said frame, a bevel pinion on said shaft and having selective connection therewith, a bevel gearconnected to said bevel pinion and having driving connection with a cutter chain sprocket for driving said cutter chain, a worm on the forward end of said shaft for driving a worm gear on a transverse shaft at the forward end of said frame, variable speed transmission gearing driven by said worm and having geared connection with a'transverse shaft rearwardly of said variable speed transmission gearing and beneath said bevel gear, said transverse shaft having a feed drum at each end thereof and selectively connectible thereto, said feed drums being substantially within the vertical limits of said motor casing.

9. In a mining machine,'a substantially horizontal motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor shaftfrom one end thereof and includinga horizontal plane chain carrying cutter bar disposed in planes which intersect said motor, feeding mechanism including a feed drum and a relatively rotatable retarding drum driven b the same, end of said motor and driving mechanism for said drums and cutting mechanism comprising a cutter chain drive sprocket rotatable about a vertical axis spaced closer to said motor than rotation of said drums, and a planetary geared reduction device rotatable about a ttransverse axis disposed forwardly of said drums. V

10. In a room and pillar mining machine, a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height og said motor substantially determining the height of the machine, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chaincarrying cutter'bar extending forwardly therefrom, feed operating mechanism 011 opposite sides of said main frame comprising a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse axes, and cutter chain and feed operating driving mechanism driven 7 from the forward end of said motor comprising a longitudinally extending shaft driven by said motor, cutter chain driving mechanism driven by said shaft comprising a cutter chain drive sprocket rotatable about a vertical axis spaced closer to said motor than the axis of rotation of said feed drums, and feed driving mechanism driven from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a planetary geared reduction device rotatable about the axis of a transverse axis disposed forwardly "of said drums. v y

11. In a room and pillar mining machine, a-motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of said motor substantially determining the height of the machine, said motor having a power shaft'extending longitudinally of' the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, feed operat ing mechanism on opposite sides of said main frame comprising a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse'axes, and cutter chain and feed operating driving mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor comprising a longitudinally extending shaft driven by said motor, cutter chain driving mechanism driven by said shaft comprising a cutter chain drive sprocket rotatable about a vertical axis spaced closer to driven from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a frictionally controlled planetary geared reduction device rotatable about a transverse axis disposed forwardly of said drums.

12. In a room and pillar mining machine, a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of said motor substantially determining the height of the machine, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly .of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, feed operating mechanism onopposite sides of said main frame comprising a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse axes, and cutter chain and feed operating driving mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor comprising a longitudinally extending shaft driven by said motor, cutter chain driving mechanism driven by said shaft comprising a cutter chain drive sprocket rotatable about a vertical axis spaced closer to said motor than the axis of rotation of said feed drums, and feed driving mechanism driven from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a planetary geared reduction device rotatable about a transverse axis disposed forwardly of said drums, and means for operatively connecting either of said drums with said planetary geared reduction device whereby either of said drums may be driven therefrom or rotate freely with respect ISO tor having a chain carrying cutter bar ex tending forwardly therefrom, feed operating mechanism 011 opposite sides of said main frame comprising a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse axes, and cutter chain and feed operating driving mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor comprising a longitudinally extending shaft driven by said motor, cutter chain driving mechanism driven by said shaft comprising a cutter chain drive sprocket rotatable about a vertical axis spaced closer to said motor than the axis of rotation, of id feed drums, and feed driving mechanism driven from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a planetary geared reduction device rotatable about a transverse axis disposed forwardly of said drums, and means for operatively connecting either of said drums with said planetary geared reduction device whereby either of said drums may be driven therefrom or rotate freely with respect thereto and means for independently retarding the rotation of either of said drums when disconnected from said planetary gear reduction device.

. 14. In a room and pillar mining machine, a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom,the height of said motor substantially determining the height of the machine, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, a

main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar ex' tending forwardly therefrom, feed operating mechanism on opposite sides of said main frame comprising a plurality of feed drums rotatable about a common transverse axis, and cutter chain and feed operating driving mechanism driven from the forward end of said motor comprising a longitudinally extending shaft driven by said motor, cutter chain driving mechanism driven by said shaft comprisinga cutter-chain drive sprocket rotatable about avertical axis spaced closer to said motor than the axis of rotation of said feed drums, feed driving mechanism driven from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a frictionally controlled planetary geared reduction device rotatable about a transverse axis disposed forwardly of said drums, and means for selectively connecting either of said drums with said planctary geared reduction device whereby either of said drums may be driven thereby or allowed to freely rotate with respect thereto.

15. In a room and pillar mining machine, a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, the height of said motor substantially determining the height of the machine, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar ex tending forwardly therefrom, feed operating mechanism onopp'osite" sides-:ofsaid main: frame: comprising; aplurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse axes, and cutter chain and feed operating driving mechanism driven from the forward end ofsaid' motor comprising a longitudinally extending shaft driven by said motor, cutter chain driving mechanism driven by said shaft comprising acutter chain drive sprocket rotatable about a vertical axis spaced closer tosaid motorthan the axis of rotation of said feed drums, and feed driving mechanism driven from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising frictionally controlled planetary geared re duction device rotatable"- axis disposed forwardly means for selectively connectingeither of" said drumswith said planetary geared reduction device whereby either of said drums may befldriventhereby or allowed to freely rotate with respect thereto, and means for independentlyretarding the rotation; of either of said drums when disconnected from said planetary gear reduction device I 16 In combination with a roomand pillar mining machine having a motor slidablel directlyon its bottomon the mine bottomwh-ose height substantially determines'the' height of the machine, a main frame'fdisposed forward ly of said motor having achaincarryin-g cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom,- a vertically disposed shaft driven by said motor and a sprocket on said shaft for driving said cutter chain about" said cutter bar, a" transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly ofsaid vertically dispo-s'edsh'aft having a coaxial feed drumarrangedateachendthereof for free rotation'wfth. respectthereto, and means for driving said shaft and feed drums from said motor comprising tr -planet ary gear reduction device. 7

,17. In combination with a room and pillar mining machine; having a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the height of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carryingcutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a vertically disposed shaft driven by saidmotor and a sprocket on said shaft for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically disposed shaft having a coaxial feed drum arranged at each end thereof for free rotation with respect thereto, and means for driving said shaft and feed drums from said motor comprising a shaft disposed forwardly of said transversely disposed shaft and having driving connection therewith, and a planetary gear reduc-' tion device arranged coaxially with said second mentioned shaft and having driving engagement therewith.

18. In combination with a room andpillar' i nnning machine having a motor slidable' di about a transverse m of said drums, and

thereto, and means for driving and feed drums from said motor comprising rectly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose" height substantially determines the height of the machine,a-ma1n frame disposed forwardly of said motor havinga chain carrying outter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a

a shaft disposed forwardlyof said transversely disposed shaft and having driving connection therewith, and a frictionallycontrolledplanetary gear reduction device arranged coaxially with said second mentioned shaft and having driving engagement therewith. I

19. In combination with a room and pillar mining machine having a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantiallydetermines the height of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying outter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a longitudinally extending shaft supported in said mainframe, said motor havinga power shaft extending longitudinally thereof and having driving connection with said longitudinally extending shaft, vertical shaft disposed intermediate theends of said longitudinally extending shaft, means for driving said vertical shaft from said longitudinally extending shaft and a sprocket on said ver tical shaft fordriving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically disposed shaft having a coaxial feed drum arranged at each end thereof for free rotation with respect thereto, and means for driving said'shaft and; feed drums from said longitudinally disposed j shaft comprising a planetary gear reduction device.

v20. 7 In combination with a room and pillar mining machine having a motor slidable di rectly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the he ght of the machine, a main frame disposed forward- 1y of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a longitudinally extending shaft supported. in said main frame, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally thereof and having driving connection w said longitudinally extendingshaft, a vertical shaft disposed termediate the ends of said longitudina extending shaft, means for driving saidvertical shaft from longitudinally extend-- ing shaft and a sprocketron said vertical shaft for driving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically l disposed :shaft having a coaxial 21. in combination with a room and pillar min machine having a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the height of the machine, amainframe disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a longitudinally extending shaft supported in said main frame, said motor having a power shaft extendii 3' ion itudinally thereof and hav'ng driving conne l n with said longitudinally extendir 't. cal shaft dispose-d intermediate the ends of said lone gituui iy extending shaft, mean's for driving said vertical shaft from said longitudinally extenrl' shaft and sprocket on said vertical shafor driving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically disposed shaft having a coaxial feed drum arranged at each thereof for free ro ion with respect thereto, and means for rl ring said shaft and feed drums from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a shaft disposed forwardly of said transversely arranged sl1aft,ineans for driving said transversely disposed shaft from said second mentioned shaft, and means for driving sale second mentioned shaft from said longitudinally extending shaft comprising a frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction device.

22. In combination with a room and pillar mining machine having a motor slidable di-' rectly on its bottom on the mine cottom wnose i. .1

height substantially determines the height of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor and having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a longitudinally extendin shaft supported in said main frame, said motor having a power shaft extending longrtudihah ly thereof and having driving connection with saidlongitudinally extending shaft, a vertical shaft di posed intermediate the ends of said longitudinally extendin shaft, means for driving said vertical shaft. from lid longitudinally extending shaft and a sprocket on said vertical shaf" for driving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said-vertically disposed shaft" having a coaxial feed drum arranged at each one thereof for free" rotation. with respect thereto, and -means for driving said shaft and'feed drums from said longitudinally dis T from,

' having a coaxial feed posed shaft comprising a shaft disposed forwardly of said transversely arranged shaft, means for driving said transversely disposed shaft from said second mentionedshaft, and means for driving said second mentioned shaft from said longitudinally extending shaft comprising a worm and worm gear drive and a planetary gear reduction device.

23. In combination with a room and pillar mining machine having a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the height of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therea longitudinally extending shaft supported in said main frame, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally thereof and having driving connection with said longitudinally extending shaft, a vertical shaft disposed intermediate the ends of said longitudinally extending shaft, means for driving said vertical shaft from said longitudinally extending shaft and a sprocket on said vertical shaft for driving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically disposed shaft drum arranged at each end thereof for free rotation with respect thereto, and means for driving said shaft and feed drums from said longitudinally disposed shaft comprising a-shaft disposed forwardly of said transversely arranged shaft, means for driving said transversely disposed shaft from said second mentioned shaft, and means for driving said second mentioned shaft from said longitudinally extending shaft comprising a worm and worm gear drive and a frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction device arranged coaxially with said second mentioned shaft.

24. In combination with a room and pillar mining machine having a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the height of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a longitudinally extending shaft supported in said main frame, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally thereof and having driving connection wit said longitudinally extending shaft, a vertical shaft disposed intermediate the ends of said longitudinally extending shaft, means for driving said vertical shaft from said longitudinally extending shaft comprising a bevel gear and pinion drive and a sprocket on said vertical shaft for driving said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically disposed shaft having a. coaxial feed drum arranged at each end thereof for free rotation with respect thereto, and means for driving said shaft and feed drums from said longitudinally disposed shaft; comprising a shaft disposed forwardly of and parallel Wlth said transverseshaft, a drive connection from said shaft to said transverse shaft, means for selectively connecting either of said feed drums withsaid transverse shaft, and

nally extending shaft forwardly of said bevel gear and pinion dr1ve, a worm gear driven therefrom and a planetary gear reduction device interposed between-said worm gear and said second mentioned parallel shaft.

25. In combination with a room and pillar mining'machin'e having a motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the height of the machine, a main frame disposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a longitudinally extending shaft supported in said main frame, said motor having a power shaft extending longitudinally thereof and having driving connection with said longitudinally extending shaft, a vertical shaft disposed intermediate the ends of said longitudinally extending shaft, means for driving said vertical shaft from said lon gitudinally extending shaft comprising a bevel gear and pinion drive anda sprocket on said vertical shaft for driving: said cutter chain, a transversely disposed shaft arranged forwardly of said vertically disposedshaft having a coaxial feed drum arranged at each end thereof for free rotation with respect thereto, and means for drivingsaid shaft and feed drums from said longitudinally disposed gear driven therefrom and a frictionally con- V trolled planetary gear reduction device driven by said worm gear and means for connecting said planetary gear reduction device with said second mentioned parallel shaft for driving said shaft at either a high speed or a low variable frictionally controlled speed.

26. In combination with a room and pillar mining machine having motor slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom whose height substantially determines the height'of the machine, a main framedisposed forwardly of said motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a vertically disposed shaft driven by said motor and a sprocket on said shaft for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, 1

conforming to the path means formed integral with said frame and of said cutter chain: for closing the advance side of said mining: machine and permitting the retracting side: thereof to remain open fordischarging the cuttings therefrom, a transversely disposed shaftarranged forwardly of said Vertically disposed shaft having a coaxial feed dlllllll arranged at each end thereof for free rotation:

with respect thereto, and means for driving:

said shaft and feed drums from said motor" comprising a planetary gear reduction dev ce. 1 Signed at Chicago, and State of Illinois, this 9th day of Septemin the county of Cook her A. D. 1926.

GEORGE BODIVN.

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