US1884692A - Mining apparatus - Google Patents

Description

M. P. HOLMES 1,884,692

MINING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 18, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l l Oct. 25, 1932.

fw W r .Q W M o n o o o l @www \nnv.\ Nv o o E@ n A 1w] n o o o \\\1///// @QN o o a Ik 0| O O lq lll L O @u 0 o o o M o o O o O 0 ||I"`|||L o /|l.\ @www o www L@ N .Q @u w m www N a@ QQ .T mmwmm m@ N w o M o A o Q .mmdndumnmw l oo o o o o o ONNN Q o o @o M s N o o N N Q @NN @w u@ Qt. 25, 1932. M. P. HOLMES 1,384,692

MINING APPARATUS l X Filed Dec. 18, 1929 5 sheets-sheet" 2 @Q flzzvewfor. jlfarrz's gli Zr/1,656'

y M A'W Qlj.

Oct. 25, 1932. Ml p, HOLMES 1,884,692

MINING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 18, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 J6 Z1 l Z 536964 j o o HI i A 03 i H k@ HMIII l I t@ 0 IKL fil Z I @o 4 64 4 'f ll-/i//ll J`\ a l "Vini 'i iff/7? 1 f/ lr li l CJ .Q ,J1 .lli-:r l: j\\\\\\\\\\ t 10 12 C Q Y 0f 5" 1 I H@ LU j l J 1 l i Q Q 00 1 G Q ii 39 Z5 100 1098i m l 55 107 .03 57 107 80 11052 10 100 l" t l 6 100 l is, o Q

- li /Z w 106 4 100 105 livww: 91 ZYfriSlz-fozwzes Oct. 25, 1932. M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS .5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18. 1929 L22@ Mfr-6 Oct. 25, 1932. M p. HOLMES 1,884,692

MINING APPARATUS Filed Deo. 18, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. Z5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MORRIS 1. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEIN` HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING APPARATUS Application led December 18, 1829. Serial No. 415,050.

This invention relates to mining apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively, to coal mining apparatus of theV open or y strip pit type adapted to cut downwardly disposed vertical kerfs in the coal strata.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus adapted to cut downwardly disposed vertical lrerfs in the coal strata in accordance with the strip or open pit method of mining. A further object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for such a coal mining apparatus. These and other subsidiary objects of this invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

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

In these drawings,

Fig. l is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved mining apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedtransverse sectional view taken substantially on line BH3 of Fig. 2.

` Fig. le is an enlarged si de elevational view of the front cutter head, parts being shown 30 in section to illustrate details of construction.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 545 of Fig. 2, parts being shown in plan to facilitate i illustration.

35 Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figs. 2 and 5. y v

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig.8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1() is a diagrammatic view illustrating l the apparatus operating to make a dowir wardly disposed vertical sumping cut in the coal strata.

In this illustrative construction there is Y shown a coal mining apparatus of the open '5 or strip pit type adapted to cut downwardly disposed lrerfs in the coal in accordance with the open or strip pit method of mining and generally comprising a low compact hori- Zontal, generally rectangular frame or body 1 supported on shoes or skids 2 for sliding 55 movement over the top surface of the` coal strata. Supported on the rearward end of the frame is kerf cutting mechanism generally designated 3, while carried at the front end of the frame is the improved feeding mecha- 6U nism generally designated 4. Housed within the frame 1 is a motor 5 operatively connected through improved transmission mechanism to the kerf cut-ting mechanism 3 and the feeding mechanism 4 as will later bede- 65 scribed. The motor 5 is herein preferably of the reversible electric type having its armature shaft 6 horizontallydisposed and eX- tending longitudinally of the apparatus and provided with any suitable electric control T: apparatus 6a including a usual controller handle 7 for controlling the iow of electrical energy to the various electrical circuits of the motor in a well known manner.

Now referring to the improved kerf cutting mechanism 3, it will be noted that se! cured as by a keyto the rearward end of the motor armature shaft 6 is a coupling member 7a (see Fig. 3) connected as by interlocking teeth 8 to a longitudinally extending shaft 9 alined with `the motor shaft. This coupling member and the shaft 9 are suitably journaled within the machine frame and secured to the rearward end of the shaft is a bevel pinion 10 meshing with a bevel gear 11 rotatable in a vertical plane and secured as by a key to a transverse horizontal shaft 12. The shaft 12 is suitably ournaled within the cutter head frame 13 and has secured thereto. and rotatableV therewith a spur pinion 14 meshing with a spur gear 15. 'As shown inV Fig. 3, the spur gear 15 is rotatably mounted on anti-friction bearings supported by a transverse horizontal main cutter driving shaft 16. The hub of the spur gear 15 is 95 clutched or otherwise connected at 17 to aclutch member 18 journaled on a bearing sleeve supported by the shaft 16. This clutchv member has clutch teeth which are connect` ible by a shiftable toothed clutch member 19 with clutch teeth 20 formed on the shaft 16. Any suitable operating means is employed for shifting the `clutch member 19 and herein includes a pivoted cam actuated shipper yoke having a suitable operating handle 21 conveniently located at the top of the cutter head frame. The clutch member 19 is guided for axial Vmovement within a bore 22 formed within a cylindrical bearingvsupport member 23 secured in a suitable mannerto a cut ter supporting frame 24. K Securedas vby a key 25 to the shaft 16 is a chain sprocket 26 which engages and drives an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 27 mounted for orbital movement on the margin of an elongated plane cutter bar 28. It will thus be seen that when the clutch member 19is in its 'connected position as shown in Fig. 3, the cutter chain may be rapidly circulated about the margin ofthe Vcutter Vbar from thelmotor through bevel gearing 10, 11', spurgearing 14, 15, shaft 16v and the chain sprocket 26 driving the cutter chain. As illustrated, the cutter bar 28` is mounted` for vertical swinging movement about a transverse horizontal axis and as shown inAFig. 3 is carried by the supporting member 24. This support member is mounted' on the cutter frame for rotative movement about the axis of the horizontal Vshaft 16 andhas secured thereto as by screws 29 an annular bearing member 30 having anv inwardlyxdirected flange31. Secured as by screws 32to projecting ,brackets or lugs 33 preferably formed integral with the cutter head frame 13 isY athrust ring 34, while engaging'a shoulder on the support 24 andthe flange 31 on the Ibearing member 30 are'thrust washers 34, engaging the opposite side sur faces of the'thrust ring 34. The hub of the frame member 2 4 is rotatably mounted at 35 on the cylindrical bearing supportv member 23. vIt will thus be seen that the cutter bar 28 is pivotally mounted for `vertical vswinging movement about'a transverse horizontal axis on the cutter head frame. y Y

Mechanism is .provided for swinging the cutter bar 28'about its pivotal axis and here-v inincludes a spur pinion 36 meshing with the spur gear 15r (seeF ig. 4) and secured to va transverse horizontal shaft 37. Also secured to and rotatable with the shaft 37 is a worm 38 meshing with a fast speed worm wheel 39. This worm wheel is connectiblelby a friction disc clutch 40 to a vertical shaft 41 suitably journaled'within the cutter frame section 13.

"I Secured to the shaft 4l isa worm 42 meshing with a worm wheel 43 journaled as shown in Fig. 3 on a transverse horizontal shaft 44 suitably journaledwithin the cutter head frame. Secured as by akey to the shaft 44 is a toothed clutch member 45 connectible by a shiftable toothed clutch member'46to clutch teeth 47 formedon the worm wheelA 43. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3 the wormlwheel 43 is clutched to the shaft 44,.

The operating means for the clutch member 46 includes a pivoted shipper yoke 48 secured to a vertical operating rod rotatably mounted within the cutter head frame, and secured to the upper end of this rod is a usual operating handle 49. Secured to the shaft 44 is a spur pinion 50'meshing with an internal gear 51 herein formed integral with the annular bearing member 36 foi` the cutter bar. At will thus be evident. thatvwhen the friction clutch 40 is'. applied, the cutter bar may be swung upwardly about its pivotal axis at a relatively fast bar positioning speed. As shown' in Fig. 4, a spur pinion 52 also meshes with the spur gearl and is secured to a transverse horizontal shaft 53.*A Also secured to and rotatable with this shaft is a worm 54 meshing with a slow speed worm wheel 55. kThe teeth of this worm wheel areoppositely inclined from and of less inclination'than the teeth of the worm wheel 39. e The worm wheel 55 is connectible bya friction disc clutch 56, similar to .friction clutch 40 above referred to, to the vertical shaftf41.'y lt will be evident that when the friction clutch 40 is released and the friction clutch 56 is applied, the cutter bar may be swung downwardly about its pivotalaxis at a relatively slow speed, appropriate for cut ting, in the opposite direction. Any suitable operating means is employed for alternatively applying the friction clutches and herein includes a pressure plate 57 for each clutch having a suitable operating rod 58 threadedly connected at 59 to the shaft 41 and extending centrally through the shaft and having secured thereto its upper end an operating handle 60.` Yrlhe cutter head frame 13 is provided with a vertically disposed rectangular provided .vith'similar depending bosses 69 to whichV arev connected the front shoes or skids 2. Suitable tie rods connected to the front and rear shoes maintain the latter in proper relation and prevent swinging thereof about their supports on the machine frame as the apparatus is fed over the mine surface.

blow referring to the improved feeding mechanism 4, it will benoted that connected to and alined with the motor shaft 6 is a lon gitudinally extending shaft 71 (see Fig. 5) having fixed thereto a spur pinion'72. This spur pinion meshes with a spur gear 73 suit ably secured to a horizontal longitudinally ext-ending shaft 7 4. rihe shaft 74 issuitably journaled within the feed `frame section 7 5 and has secured thereto a spur pinion 7 6 i meshing with a spur gear 77 suitably vsecured to a longitudinally extending shaft 78 arranged parallel with the shaft 74. Secured to the shaft 74 is worm 79 meshing with a fast speed worm wheel 80. This worm wheel is connectible by a friction disc clutch 81 to a horizontal shaft 82 extending transversely of the feed frame section and suitably ournaled therein. Secured to the shaft 78 is a worm 83 meshing with a slow speed worm wheel 84 connectibleby a friction clutch 85 to the shaft 82. It will thus be seen that when the clutch 81 is applied and the clutch 85 released the shaft 82 may be driven through the worm gearing 79, at a relatively fast speed, and upon release of the clutch 81 and application of the clutch 85 the shaft may be driven in the same direction at a relatively slow speed through the worm gearing 83, 84. The mechanism for effecting alternative application of the friction clutches 81, will hereinafter be described. As shown in Fig. 6, keyed to the shaft 82 is a bevel. pinion 86 meshing as shown in Fig. 5 with reverse bevels 87 and 88. These reverse bevels are selectively connectible by friction clutches 89 and 9 0 respectively to a horizontal shaft 91 suitably jcurnaled within the frame section and extending longitudi nally of the apparatus at one side of the feed frame section. Alternative application of the friction clutches 89 and 90 thereby effects rotation of the shaft 91 in either of opposite directions. Connected, as by a coupling 92, to the shaft 91 and alined with the shaft 91 is a shaft 93 likewise suitably journaled Within the feed frame section. Secured to the shaft 93 is a bevel gea-r 94meshing with a bevel gear 95 secured as by a key 9G to a transverse snaft 97. This shaft is suitably journaled within bearing brackets 98 carried by the feed frame section and has secured thereto a feed operating member, herein a feed drum 99. found upon the feed drum 99 is a flexible feeding cable 100. Arrange-d at one side of the feed drum 99 at the opposite sides of the feed frame section are guide rolls or sheaves 101 rotatable about upstanding axes for guiding the feed cable 100. It will thus be seen that when the friction clutch 90 is applied and clutch 89 released, the feed drum 99 maybe driven in winding direction at either a relatively high speed or a relatively low speed. Upon release of the clutch 90 and application of the friction clutch 89 the drum 99 may be driven in the opposite or unwinding direction at either a fast or a slow speed.

The mechanism for effecting alternative application of the friction clutches 89 and 90 in cludes a shiftable clutch applying member 102 slidably mounted on the hubs of the ren verse bevels 87 and 88. The means for shifting the member 102 includes a pivoted shipper yoke 103 having an operating rod 104 slidably mounted within the feed frame section. The operating means for the friction clutches 81 and 85 includes shiftable clutch applying member 105, 106 respectively, each having a pivoted operating yoke 107. These operating yokes are pivotally connected as by links 108 to the frame and by pivot pins 109 to a. transversely reciprocable operating rod 110 supported within the feed frame section. A pivoted lever 111 is provided for shifting the rod 110 axially. The mechanism for controlling the operating rod 104 for the clutches 89, 90 and the pivoted operating lever 111 for the clutches 81, 85 herein includes a two part trunnion 112 pivotally connected at 113 to the bifurcated end of the lever 111. Housed within the trunnion 112 is a suitable ball thrust bearing 114 which engages an actuating shaft or rod 115, the latter being horizontally disposed and extending transversely of the apparatus. The outer end of this rod 115has keyed thereto at 116, a toothedclutch member 117, the teeth of which are adapted to cooperate with internal clutch teeth 118 formed within a hand wheel 119. The hand wheel surrounds the clutch member 117 and is slidable axially relative thereto. As shown in Fig. 7, the teeth 118 are connectible with clutch teeth 120 formed on the end of a pressure screw 121 threadedly connected at 122 to a nut 123 herein preferably formed integral with a bracket 124 secured to the side of the feed frame section. lnterposed between the hub of the clutch member 117 and the pressure screw 121 is a ball thrust bearing 125, while a similar ball thrust bearing 126 is interposed between the pressure screw and a shoulder on the rod 115. It will thus be evident that when the clutch teeth 118 and 120 are connected, and the hand wheel 119 is rotated the pressurescrew 121 moves axially relative to the stationary nut 123 and as a result, the rod 115 is shifted axially, effecting swinging of the lever 111 and applying one or the other of the friction clutches 81, 85. Herein preferably formed integral with the rod 115 are cranks or arms 127 pivotally and slidably connected at 128 (see also Fig. 8) to a toggle arm or link 129, the latter in turn being pivotally connected at 130 to a rocker arm 131 keyed at 132 to a horizontal actuating shaft 133 arranged parallel with the shaft 115. The shaft 133 is rotatably mounted within the feed frame section and secured to one end of the shaft 133 is a bifurcated arm 134 havingl its projecting ends disposed between spaced collars or abutments 135 secured to the actuating rod 104 for the clutch shipper yoke 103. From the foregoing, it is evident that when the hand wheel 119 is shifted outwardly and the clutch teeth 118 connected to the clutch teeth on the clutch member 117 and the hand wheel is rotated the rod 115 is rotated and this rotative movement is transmitted through the crank, toggle link and lli.)

rocker arm tothe transverse shaft133, and as a result, the arm 134i is swung laterally, shifting the rod 104; axially and applying one or the other of the clutches 89, 90. It will thus be seen that but a single manual control element is employed for controlling all ofthe feed controlling and reverse clutches.

The general mode of operation of the improved mining apparatus will now be described. The apparatus may be fed about the mine at arelatively high haulage speed by applying the fast feed control clutch 81 and the friction clutch 90 to effect rotation of the feed drum in winding direction by power. W hen the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig.2 with the cutter bar 28 in its longitudinal position, the operator moves theclutch member 19V into its connected position and theY motor is started, causing the cutter chain 27 to be rapidly circulated about the margin of the cutter bar 28. The slow bar swing control clutch 56 is. then applied, thereby causing the cutter bar to swing downwardly about its pivot at a relatively slow cutting speed from the dotted line position shown at A in Fig. 10 to the full line position indicated at B in that figure to effect the vertical sumping cut in the coal. The clutch is then released, disconnecting the `bar swinging mechanism from the motor, theworm gearing of the bar swinging mechanism automatically locking the cutter bar against swinging movement relative to the machine body. The feed cable 100 is' then extended to a suitable anchor in advance of the apparatus and upon application ofthe slow feed control clutch 85 and the reverse controlling friction 90 the feed drum 99 is rotated Vin a direction to wind in theV feed Vcable 100 Vat a relatively slow cutting speed, moving the apparatus bodily over the surface of the coal strata,thereby causing the cutter bar to cut aivertical downwardly disposed lrerf in the coal strata over whichjthe apparatus moves. 1When a rectilinear cut of the desired length has been completed, the feed control clutches 85 and 90 are released and the fast bar swing control clutch applied'toeffect upward swinginc' movement of the cutter bar from the coal to its initial position shownin Fig. 2. rllhe feed cablelOO can be wound in at will at a relatively fast speed simply by applying the fast feed controlling clutch 81 to eifect'rotation of the feed drum in winding direction at relatively fast speed. It will also be noted that by applying the reverse friction 89 the feed drum 99 may be 'rotated in un-r winding direction at either a relatively fast speed'or a relatively slow speed. Ifit is desired toangle the machine, for instance'to turn the machine around to effect aout in the opposite directioirfrom that shown in..

guide rolls 101 laterally from the side of the apparatus to a suitable anchor and as the feed cable is wound in by the feeding drum the forward end of the machine is swung.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus is provided adapted to cut downwardly disposed lrerfs in the coal strata in accordance with the open or strip pit7 system of mining. It will further be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus is provided having improved flexible feeding means including a feed drum and cooperating cable and improved motor ldriven transmission meansfor effecting drum rotation in either of opposite directions selectively at a relatively high speed or at a relatively low speed. It will still vfurther be evident that an improved mining apparatus is provided of an extremely low compact character, the machine body being mounted in an improved manner on shoes or skids for sliding movement over the' surface of the coal strata, thereby eliminating the necessity of auxiliary guides or tracks. These and other uses and advantages of this invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there-is 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 ofillustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim as new 'and desire to secur by Letters Patent is: 1. In a mining apparatus, a'portable support, cutting mechanism carried thereby, a motor carried by said support, and feeding means driven by said motor including a feed operating member arranged on a horizontal transversely extending aXis and vadapted to `cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and driving means for said member including' a fast and slow predetermined speed transmission means disposed generally on a horizontal axis, and a reversing mechanism disposed generally on a horizontal aXis in the drive between said transmission means and said feed operating member whereby the latter may be driven in either of opposite directions at a relatively low cutting speed and at a relatively high moving speed.

f 2. In a'mining apparatus, a portable support, a motor'carried by said support, cutting mechanism carried by said support and driven by saidV motor, and feeding means driven by said motor including a feed operating member arranged on a horizontal transversely extending aXis and adapted to coopcrate directly lwith flexible feeding means, driving mechanism for said feed operating member including fast and slow predeterminedv speed transmission means disposed generally on a horizontal axis, and a reversing mechanism disposed generally on a horlzontal axis in the drive between said transmission means andsaidfeed operating member whereby the latter may be driven in either of opposite directions at a relatively low c utting speed and at a relatively high moving speed.

3. In a mining apparatus, a supporting frame mounted for sliding movement over the surface of the material to be cut, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and including a cutter bar swingable vertically to cut a vertical kerf, a motor carried by said frame,

`and feeding Vmechanism *including a feedV drum mountedV on said frame for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis, mechanism driven by said motor and disposed generally on a horizontal axis parallel with the drum axis for rotating said drum in the same winding direction at relatively low speed and a relatively high speed without reversing the` motor, and means for effecting reversal of said feed drum at either speed without reversing said cutting mechanism.

4. In a` mining apparatus, a supporting frame mounted for sliding movement over the surface of the material to be cut, cutting mechanism carried by said frame and including a cutter bar swingable vertically to cut a vertical lzerf, a motor carried by said frame, and feeding mechanism including a feed drum mounted on said frame for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis, mechanism driven by said motor and disposed generally on a horizontal axis parallel with the drum axis for rotating said drum in the same winding direction at relatively low speed and a relatively high speed, and means for effecting reversal of said drum at either speed without reversing said motor.

5. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cutting means, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member arranged on a horizontal transversely extending axis and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said member in either of opposite directions at a. relatively high speed or at a relatively low speed including a fast and slow speed transmission mechanism disposed generally on a horizontal axis parallel with the axis of said feed operating member, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member.

6. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cutting means, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member arranged on a horizontal transversely extending axis and adapted to cooperate directly with fiexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said member in either of opposite directions at a relatively high speed or at a relatively low speed including a fastV and slow speed transmission mechanism disposed generally on a horizontal axis parallel with the axis of said feed operating member,` said transmission mechanism including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train and separate controlling clutches for each gear train, and a `reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member.

7. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cutting means, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said member in either of opposite directions at a relatively high speed or at a relatively low speed including a fast and slow speed transmission mechanism arranged generally on an axes parallel with the axis of said feed operating member, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member, said reversing mechanism including oppositely rotating gears and clutches for selectively connecting said gears in driving relation with said feed operating member.

8. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cutting means, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with iiexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said member in either of opposite directions at a rela-tively high speed or at a relatively low speed including a fast and slow speed transmission mechanism arranged generally on an axis parallel with the axis of said feed operating member, said transmission mechanism including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train and separate controlling clutches for each gear train, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member, said reversing mechanism including oppositely rotating gears and clutches for selectively connecting said gears in driving relation with said feed operating member.

9. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cutting mechanism, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member disposed on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the apparatus and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for rotating said member in either of opposite directions at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including a plural speed transmission mechanism arranged generally on a transversely extending axis, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member.

`lO. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cutting mechanism, of feeding ioo l a horizontal aXisand clutches for selectively connectlng said gears 1n driving relation with means therefor including 'a feed operating means therefor including` a feed operating member disposed on a horizontal aXis Yextending transverselyv of the apparatus andY adapted to cooperate directly with exible feeding.

. said feed operating member, and areversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanismand said feed operating member, said reversing mechanism including coaxiall opposltelyrotatmg gears arranged ony -a longitudinally extending axis and clutches for selectively connecting said gears inlsd'riving relation withsaid feed operating member.

'11', In a mining apparatus, the combination with'kerf cutting mechanism, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member 'disposed on a horizontal axis ex-V tending transversely of the apparatus and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for rotating said member in either of opposite directions at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including a plural speed' transmission mechanism arranged generally 'on a horizontal axis,an d a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanismand said feed operating member, said reversing mechanism including coaxial oppositely rotating gears disposed on said feed operating member. Y,

` l2. In a mining apparatus, the combination with kerf cuttingv mechanism, of feeding member disposed on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the apparatus and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for rotating said member in either of opposite directions at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed and including a plural speed transmission mechanism arranged. generally on a horizontal axis, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feedoperating member. said reversing mechanism including coaxial oppositely rotating gears disposed on a horizonta'l axis 'extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and clutches for selectively connecting said gears in driving relation with said feed operating member.

l 13. `In a mining apparatus,.the combination with lerf cutting mechanism, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member arranged on a horizontal transversely extending axis'and adapted to kcooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motory operateddevices for rotating said member in either of oppositey directions at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed including a plural'speed transmission mechanism including afastrspeed terminal gear and a slow speed terminal gear disposed in coaxial relation Yon ahorizontal axis arranged transversely of the apparatus and separate clutches controlling said gears, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and, said feed operating member. a

lfl. In a mining apparatus, the combination with lerf cutting mechanism, of feeding means therefor including a feed operating member disposedon a horizontal axis and adapted to cooperate ldirectly with flexible feeding means, and Vmotor operated devices for rotating said member in either of opposite directions at relatively high speed or at relatively lowspeed including a plural speed transmission mechanism including a fast speed terminal .gear and a slow speed terminal gear disposed in coaxial relation on a horizontal'transversely extending axis and separate clutches controlling said gears, and a reversing mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member, said reversing mechanism including coaxial reverselyrotating elements disposed on an axis perpendicular to the axial line of said fast and slow speed terminal gears.

l5. Ina mining apparatus, the combination with lrerf cutting mechanism, of feeding means therefor including ar-feed operating member disposed on a horizontal axis and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andV motor operated devices for rotating said member in either of opposite directions at'rrelatively high speed or at relatively low speed including a plural speed transmission mechanism including. a fast speed terminal gear and a slow speed terminal gear disposed in coaxial relation on a horizontal axis arranged transversely of the apparatus and separate clutches controlling said gears, and a reversing'mechanism in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member, said reversing mechanism including coaxial reversely rotating elements disposed on an axis perpendicular to the axial line of said fast and slow speed in the drive between said transmission mechanism and said feed operating member and disposed generally on a. horizontal axis eX- tending longitudinally and at one side of the apparatus.

l?. In a mining apparatus, the combination of a horizontal machine body, front and rear skids slidably engaging the surface of the material to be mined and supporting said body, a frame rigidly secured to the rearward end of said horizontal machine body and having a vertically disposed portion projecting downwardly between the rear skids, said downwardly projecting frame portion supporting devices for connecting said body to said rear skids, and kerf cutting mechanism including a cutter head frame disposed in a substantially vertical position and rigidly secured to said vertical fra-me portion, and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said cutter head frame to sving vertically in its plane relative thereto to cut a vertical downwardly extending kerf in the material over which the apparatus moves during the cutting operation.

18. In a mining apparatus, the combina.- tion of a horizontal machine body, front and rear skids slidably engaging the surface of the material to be mined and supporting said body, a frame rigidly secured to the rearward end of said horizontal machine body and having a vertically disposed portion projecting downwardly between the rear skids, said downwardly projecting frame portion supporting devices for connecting said body to said rear skids, said machine body having depending frame portions supporting devices for attaching said body to said front skids, and kerf cutting mechanism including a cutter head frame disposed in a substantially vertical position and rigidly secured to said vertical frame portion, and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said critter head frame to swing vertically in its plane relative thereto to cut a vertical downwardly extending kerf in the material over which the apparatus moves during the cutting operation.

19. In al mining apparatus, the combination of a horizontal machine body and a portable base therefor, a frame having a horizontal portion rigidly secured to the rearward end of said horizontal machine body and having Ia vertical portion disposed at substantially right angles to said horizontal portion, kerf cutting mechanism including a cutter head arranged in a substantially vertical position and rigidly secured tosaid vertical frame portion, and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head to swing vertically in its plane relative thereto, and devices for propelling said portable base bodily along the mine surface to effect rectilinear feeding movement of said cutter bar and including a feed operating member and cooperating flexible feeding means connectible to an extraneous abutment in advance of the apparatus.

20. In a mining apparatus, the combination of a horizontal machine body including a front motor housing, front and rear members supporting said body, a motor in said motor housing, a frame having a horizontal portion rigidly secured to the rearward end of said horizontal motor housing vand having a vertical portion disposed at substantially right angles to said horizontal portion, kerf cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter head frame 'arranged in a substantially vertical position and having a vertical portion rigidly secured to said vertical frame portion and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head to swing vertically in its plane relative thereto, and devices for propelling said body bodily along the surface of the mine to effect rectilinear feeding movement of said cutter bar and including a feed operating member and cooperating eXible feeding means connectible to an eX- traneous abutment in 'advance of the ma chine.

2l. In a mining apparatus, the combination of a horizontal machine body, front and rear skids supporting said body, a cutter head secured to the rearward end of said body and having a vertically disposed portion projecting downwardly between the rear skids, said downwardly projecting frame portion supporting devices for attaching the rear skids to said body, and kerf cutting mechanism carried by saidcutter head and including a plane cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head frame to swing vertically in its plane relative thereto to cut a vertical downwardly extending kerf in the material over which the 'apparatus moves.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

MORRIS I). HOLMES.

Images