US1888868A - Loading machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2.2, 1932. R. E. scHRoDER LOADING MACHINE Filed March l2, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

ha NA @A Nov. 22, 1932. R, E, SCHRQDER 1,888,868

` LOADING MACHINE Nov. 22, 1932. R. E. SCHRQDER LOADING MACHINE Filed March l2 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet www eP/EMM Nov. 22, 1932. R. E. scHRoDER LOADING MACHINE Filed March l2. 1930 4 Sheets-Snead 4 III. r

Patented Nov. Z2, 12932 'PTENT OFECE 0F if-i610, LLEQIS, ASSIGNOR TO GOODMAN MANUFAC- ifGC, lll-LINO S, A. CORPORATION OF LLINOIS LOADING lfTl-CHINE Application filed 'March 12, 1930. Serial No. 4357064.

This invention relates to improvements in loading machines of the type adapted to he moved into the material to he loaded and about the mine on track wheels on the mine rails or on traction thread devices, and has among other objects to provide a loading machine which may readily gather and loa-d loose material such as coal in relatively low narrow working places which is provid-ed rwith a new and improved form of gathering mechanism having a loading action similar to that of the ordinary hand shovel for increasing the efflici-ency of loading and gathering with a minimum hrealrage of material gathered. y

n carrying out my invention l provide a new and improved form of gathering mechanism including a plurality of scoops adapted to have a forward horizoi al scraping or digging movement and a. rearward angular conveying movement so to engage and carry the loose material onto a conveyor with iinproved means for continuously operating said scoops in a manner similar to that of an ordinary hand shovel.

@ther objects of my invention will appear from time to time as this specification proceeds.

My invention may he more readily understood with Areference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan View of the device embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial fragmentary plan view of the device shown in Figure i with parts hrolren away and in section to more clearly show the details of my invention;

Figure i is a partial fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4 4- of Figure l;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial fragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Figure l with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details of my invention 5 Figure G is an enlarged partial fragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Figure l with different parts broken away and in section than in Figure 5 to show other details of my invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the front portion of my machine with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details of the gathering mechanism;

Figure 8 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the front portion of the machine to more clearly show the details of the gatherin mechanism; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the rearward portion of the drive means for the gathering mechanism to more clearly show the details of the gathering mechanism.

Lilie numerals refer to like parts throughont the various figures,

`eferring now in particular to the drawings, the device embodying my invention includes a hase frame l having a gathering element 2 projecting forwardly therefrom and a storage and conveying element 8 mounted thereon rearwardly of the gathering element 2 for pivotal movement with respect thereto. rlhe base frame l is supported on a plurality of vlaterally spaced continuous tread devices l-il for movement about a mine.

A motor 5 is supported on the rearward portion of the base frame l and has driving connection with the continuous tread devices l through a suitable geared reduction; as, for instance; an armature pinion 7 on a motor shaft 8 which drives spur gears 9-9 on longitudinal shafts 10-10 spaced on each side of said motor shaft and parallel thereto. A worm ll is freely mounted on each shaft 10 and is driven thereby through suitable clutch means generally indicated at l2, said clutch means being herein shown as a friction cone clutch of an ordinary construction. The worms 11 mesh with and drive worm gears 14 on a transverse shaft 15. The worm gears 14 each have driving connection with a continuous tread device l through a usual drive sprocket in an ordinary manner not herein shown. Thus. the continuous tread devices 4; may he independently controlled to facilitate turning of the machine; as, for instance; by applying power to one continuous tread de- 'i keyed on the shaft 27 for driving` said s. aftvice and releasing power from the opposite continuous tread device.

The storage and conveying element 8 comprises a conveyor' frame 17 pivoted at its forward end on a base plate 18 to move about the axis of a transverse shaft 1G. The base plate 18 is mounted on the base traine 1 for rotat able movement thereabou 'Balls 19 are interposed between the base plate 18 and a circular supporting member 2O of the base frame 1. A shoulder 21 c spending irom the base plate 18 abuts the outer periphery of the circular supporting member 2O for guiding said plate as it is rotated about said circular supporting member.

A shaft 223 is fixed to the base plate 18 an d depends therefrom and is journalier in a. boss 24 integral with the supporting member 20. A Worm gear 25 is lined to the lower end of said shaft and is driven by a Worm 2U on a shaft 27. A suitable gearing arrangement is provided for driving` the Worm 2G in opposite directions from the motor 5 vitliout reversing said motor which herein comprises a pinion 28 on the forward end of the motor shaft 8, Which motor shaft entends iorivardly beyond the armature pinion 7. Vlhe pinion 28 meshes with and dri gear on a shalt 80. yll`he shaft 8O is journaied in the base frame 1 and has spur gears 31 and 82 freely mounted thereon. The spur gear 31 messes with an idler gear 83, which idler gear meshes With a spur gear 84e keyed on the shaft 27. The spur gear 32 meshes with a spur an opposite direction than the gear Elfi. able clutch means, herein shown as jaw clutciV means generally indicated at 36, are provide to operatively connect either the gear 31 o 32 to the shaft 30 for rotating the base plate 18 and storage and conveying element about the axis of the shaft 23 Without reversing the motor 5.

Suitable conveying means are carried on the conveyor trame 17, which means herein comprise a belt conveyor 37 having` a p i-rality of flights 38 attached thereto. The belt conr-g fici veyor 37 is driven from a motor 38 attached to the conveyor trame 17 through an armature shaft a0, worm 41, Worm gear 4t2, and chain and sprocket drive generally indicated at 43.

The motor besides driving the conveyor 37 also provides a means for vertically moving the conveyor trame 17 about the axis of the shaft 16. A Worm is "reely mounted on the rearward end ot the armature shalt Ll-O and may be selectively connected therewith by means of suitable clutch means herein shown as a pin clutch 116 of an ordinary construction. A. Worm gear 4:7 on a transverse shatt 18 meshes with and is driven by the Worm 15, rlhe trans erse shaft 4-.8 is journaled in the base plate 18 and extends transversely of said base plate on lessees 4. in n 553 and are driven from the transverse shaft 48. Each drive chain 56 has connection with the conveyor trame 17 at opposite sides of said conveyor framey said connection herein comprising a lint; 37 pivotally connected to a depending portion 58 ot said trame. rThus mf y'ement the chains 56 in one direction er the ctr raises cr lowers the conveyor rr me 17 to accommodate said conveyor Ji of mine cars and The Worm and self loclrino 'type may be locked in positions with respect to various heights y root conditions. Worm 17 are oi' the so the conveyor trame 17 its various desired to the mate 18.

i ons are provided l gathered by the Jfor guiding the magatnering element 2,

is operative and the conveying eleed to gatlier material and there are yavailatle in which to gather saidA Said means herein comprises a hopper generally indicated at 59.

rlhe hopper slidably mounted on the conveyor trame 17 to compensate for vertical and horizontal movement of said conveyor frame with respect to the gathering element 2, and includes a detlecting pan 60 adjacent the rearward end of the gathering element 2 havin@ G1 thereon adjacent the inner por Vn oi side frame members 62 of the gathering element 2 inwardly extending side members 63 are pivotally connected to he sides (S1 or the detlecting pan 60. rlhese iide members are in turn connected to hinged supports 64 nf'hich are connected to the forward end oin sine pieces 67 slidable in longitudinal guides adjacent each side of the conveyor 37. The side pieces 67 are each provided With a "lshaped foot (Se which foot is slidable in the guides 65 as is shown inY detail i The pieces 67 extend inoperative; as, for instance, When itv ill l Ylo and horizontal movement of the conveyor frame 17 and belt conveyor 37 during the loading operation.

Referring now in particular to the gathering element 2 forming one of the principal features of my invention, a continuous material gathering device has been provided of a novel construction which is moved under the loose material along the mine bottom in a substantially horizontal plane with an action similar to that of the ordinary hand shovel and which raises said loose material and conveys it rearwardly into the hopper 59 and conveyor 37, which conveyor loads the material into a mine car or other suitable receptacle.

The gathering element 2 includes the side frame members 62, which members are connected together' by means of a transversely eX- tending girder 71 and a transverse plate 69 near their lower forward ends. The top portion of the transverse plate 69 forms a guide for the gathering means while the bottom portion of said transverse plate is adapted to act as a shoe to engage the mine bottom and slide therealong as the machine is moved into the loose material by the continuous treads 4. (See Figure 7.)

The side frame members 62 are mounted on sleeves 70 extending outwardly from opposite sides of the base frame 1. The sleeves 70 are fixed in the base frame 1 and their outer surface which projects beyond said base frame serves as a bearing support for the side frame members 62. Lever arms 72 extend rearwardly from the side frame members 82 and are integral therewith. Crank arms 73 are keyed on opposite ends of a transverse shaft 74. The forward end of each crank arm 73 is forked `and has a block 75 supported between the prongs of the forked portion by means of a pin 76. The block 75 engages aguide 77 in the rearward end of the lever arm 72 so that movement of 'A the crank arms 73 about the axis of the shaft 74 pivots the lever arms 72 about the axis of the sleeves 70 which in turn raises or lowers the forward portion of the gathering element 2.

A lever arm 79 is keyed on the shaft 74 intermediate the ends thereof and is so arranged that it may be engaged by a threaded shaft 80 threaded within a worm gear 81. It may be here noted that a space is left between the lower port-ion of the shaft 80 and lever l which friction band is engaged with or disengaged from the brake drum by means of a suitable system of levers in an ordinary manner. Rotation of the worm gear 81 rotates the threaded shaft 80 and sleeve 84. When the sleeve 84 is held from rotation by the friction band 86, the threaded shaft 80 is moved 'vertically through said sleeve to engage or disengage the lever arm 79 depending upon the direction of rotation of the worm gear 81 and move the end lof said lever arm downwardly or allow said end to raise to move the transverse shaft 74 about its pivotal axis. Tlius pivotal movement of the transverse shaft 74 causes movement of the crank arms 73 which raises or lowers the forward end of the gathering element 2. The worm gear 81 is driven by the motor 5 through a worm 87 on the longitudinal shaft 30.

It may thus be seen-that a simple means has been provided for raising or lowering the forward portion of the gathering element 2 to compensate for a rough or uneven mine bottom and to allow the loading machine to be readily moved about the mine from one working place to another.

Referring now in particular to the details of the continuous gathering mechanism, details of which are shown in Figures 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9, a pair of parallel spaced drive chains `88-are provided for driving the continuous gathering mechanism. These drive chains are on opposite sides of the gathering element 2 near the outer ends thereof, and are driven from the motor 5 through sprockets 89 and drive shaft 90. rThe drive shaft 90 is journaled within the sleeves 70 and the base frame 1, and is driven from the motor 5 through a longitudinal shaft 93 and a worm and worm gear drive generally indicated at 92. The longitudinal shaft 93 is driven from the motor shaft 8 through the pinion 28 and spur gear 94 fiXed on a clutch member 95 freely mounted on the shaft 93. The forward face of the clutch member 95 is provided with depressions to receive balls 96. A sleeve 97 is freely mounted on the shaft 93 and has a rearward face 98 adjacent the forward face of the clutch member 95, which rearward face has depressions therein for receiving the balls 96. Suitable compression means are provided to engage the depressions in the face 98 of the sleeve 97 with the balls 96, which means as herein shown includes a member 99 surrounding the sleeve 97 and abutting a shoulder 100 on said sleeve. The member 99 is held in engagement with the sleeve 97 by means -of cap screws 101 and compression springs 102. The cap screws 101 are threaded in a flange 103 integral with the clutch member 95. A clutch sleeve 105 feathered on the shaft 93 and having suitable clutch jaws thereon engageable with corresponding jaws on the forward end of the sleeve 97' is provided to drive the shaft 93 from the sleeve 97 and spur gear' 94. It

may thus be seen that the shaft 93 is rotated by means of the spur gear 94, clutch memprises a plurality of scoops or blades109 ac-' l tuated by drive chains 110, 110 and 111, 111

having connection with said scoops at opposite sides thereof. The drive cha-ins 110 are located adjacent the inner sides of the drive chains 88 in the side frame members 62. Each drive chain 110 is threaded under and around idler sprockets 112 and 113 near the lowerrearward portion of the gathering' element 2, an idler sprocket-1111 near the lower forward portion of the gathering element s, under idler sprockets 115 and 116 and over a driving sprocket 118, which sprocket is driven from the drive chain 83 by `means of a stub shaft 119 and driven sprocket 120. See Figures 3 and 7.

The drive chains 111 are located adjacent the inner sides of the drive chains 110 in the side frame members 62 and each drive chain 111 is threaded around a drive sprocket 121 near the forward lower'portion of the I@gathering element 2, over an idler sprocket 122 near thetop portion of said gathering element and around a guide shoe 123 near the lower rearward portion of saidv gathering element.

rllhe driving sprockets 121 are keyed on opposite ends of a drive shaft 1.21 and are driven from said shaft by means of driven sprockets125 on said shaft. Drive chains 126 are threaded over the driven sprockets 125 and are driven from a transverse drive shaft 127 by means of driving` sprockets 128. The drive shaft 127 is in turn driven from the driving chains 88 by means of driven sprock-v a pin 137. The arm 136 extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the scoop 109 and has a slot 133 extending' longitudinally thereof for a portion of its length, which slot is engaged by a pin 140 fixed to the inner side of a linl 141 of the drive chain 110. See Figures 3 and 9.

lt should here be noted that the scoops 109 Vare pivotally supported at opposite ends on l Leaasee the drive'chains 111 and are thus vmoved around the orbital path of the drive chains 111 as said chains are driven by the chains 88. The scoops 109 also have slidable connection with the drive chains 110 at opposite ends thereof, which slidable point of connection is rearwardly of the point of connection of the scoop to the drive chains 111.L Thus the scoops 109 are supported on the drive chains 111 and 110 and are guided by the drive chains 110 as they are moved about the path of the drive chain 111. 'lhe relative speeds of. the drive chains 110 and 111 may be varied but said chains ar preferably driven at the same rate ol speed. The path of the drive chain 110 is so arranged with' respect to the path of the drive chain 111 as to move the scoops 109 into the loose material in a substantially horizontal plane and pivot thei u iwardly, raise them and move then rea. Lly and upwardly along` the gathering; c.. ent to discharge the material into the hopper 59 and conveyor 37. The scoop: 109 are then moved downwardly and pivoted v in a position to again enter the loose i lt may thus be seen that i i scoop 109 is similar to that Y lated shovel, which action promeans for loading and causes muni amount of breakage of material. in 1-12 supported on the girder 71 in u manner and extends between the drive c rains 111 and follows the contour of said ciains from the lower forward portion of tne gathering element 2 to the upper rearward portion thereof. T he contour of this pan may be clearly seen in Figure 6 and it should be noted that the distance from the 'transverse plate 69 to the forward end of the pan 142 is such as to allow the scoop 109 to pass therethrough and prevent loss of loose material. as said scoop is raised and that the rearwa 1d portion of said pan is so arranged with respect to the deiiecting pan as to prevent loss of loose material as it is expelled from said scoop to the deflecting pan 60 and hopper 59.

lt may thus be seen that a new and improved loadino machine has been provided which comprises a gathering` element and a storage and conveying element and is a mobile unit readily movable about a mine. rlhe gathering element is provided with a plurality of continuously movable scoops movable longitudinally forward into the loose material in a substantially horizontal plane, and pivoted vertically and moved rearwardly and upwardly to raise the loose material and discharge it into a hopper and conveyor. The scoops are then moved vertically downwardly and pivoted forwardly to again enter the loose material adjacent the mine bottom and substantially parallel thereto. The gathering element may be moved into the loose map 1 or a il duces an a infn terial on the continuous tread devices 4 and lessees Q may slide freely on the mine bottom and be adjuster to uneven mine bottoms or raised above the mine bottom for travelling about the mine, while the conveyor frame l? may be vertically and horizontally adjusted to accommodate various heights of mine cars and varying roof conditions and load material into said mine cars when the gathering element is at varying angular positions with respect to the mine car.

l'Vliile l have herein shown and described one embodiment of my invention., it will be understood that the construction and arrangement of the various parts may be altered or changed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and that l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise form illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

l. ln a loading machine, base frame, and a gathering element supported thereon including a frame member pivotally supported on said base frame and extending forwardly therefrom and having a transversely extending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground and a plurality of continuously movable scoops extensible longitudinally forwardly of said base frame beyond the forward end thereof to penetrate a. pile of loose material along the ground and then pivotally movable upwardly and rearwardly to move said material into a conveyor.

2. In a loading machine, abase frame, and a gathering element extending forwardly therefrom including a frame member pivotally supported on said base frame and eX- tending forwardly therefrom and having a transversely extending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground and a plurality of continuously movable scoops suppoited by saidV frame member for movement in a vertical orbital path to engage a pile of loose material along the ground forwardly of said base frame and raise and convey lsaid loose material into a conveyor.

3. ln a. loading machine, a base frame, agathering element including a forwardly eX- tending frame member pivotally mounted on said base frame to move about a horizontal transverse aXis and having a transversely extending bottom surface adapt-ed to slidtbly engage the ground during the loading operation, and Igathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops successively movable forwardly along the ground beyond said. base frame to longitudinally penetrate a pile of loose inaterial adjacent the ground., and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to raise said loose material and discharge it into a conveyor.

l. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element including a forwardly ei;- tending frame member pivotally mounted on said base frame to move about a horizontal transverse airis and having a transversely extending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground during1 the loading operat n d g boring mecnaiiisni carried by ement comprising a plurality y le in s vertical orbital path to penet .t ng, udinally pile of loose material adjacent and parallel to the ground f and elevate and disnatcrial into a conveyor.

.in loading machine, a base frame, a clement icluding a forwardly eX- ing .frame member pivotally mounted on said fr? e to move about a horizontal trzrnsverse ai s having a transversely exte fing bottom surface adapted to slidably o the ground during the loading operation, and gathering mechanism carried by gatheri element comprising a scoop support-ed on orbitally movable drive chains at opposte ends th 1eof, and movable forwardly along the ground beyond said base frame to penetrate a pile of loose material ent the ground and tuen pivotally uploose s.) tend t: n n wai\y ant rearwardly to raise said loose material and discharge it into a conveyor.

G. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gatho g ele nent including avforwardly eX- teiidiiig frame .member pivotally mounted on said base frame to move about a horizontal transverse an. and having a transversely eX- tending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground during the loading operation, and, heriiig mechanism carried by L element comprising a scoop f aported on vertically disposed drive members movable in non-circular orbital paths at opposite ends thereof for moving said scoop forwardly along the ground beyond said base frame to penetrate a pile of loose material. adjacent thel ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to raise said loose material and discharge it into a conveyor.

Y. ln loadingh machine, a base frame, a gathering el ement pivotally mounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extending forwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gathering` element comprising a scoop having piv- ,tal connection with a vertically disposed orbitally movable non-circular drive member, and hac-:fing slidable connection with another vertically disposed orbitally movable noncircu'ir drive member for moving said scoop forwardly along` 'the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the mine u then pivotally upwardly and o raise said loose material and llS ing element comprising a scoop having pivotal connection at opposite ends thereof with vertically disposed orbitally movable noncircular drive members, and having slidable connection with other vertically disposed orbitally movable non-circular drive members at opposite ends thereof, said drive members each being driven at relative speeds with respect to each other to move said scoop forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it into a conveyor.

9. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotally mounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extending forwardly therefrom, and gatheringl mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops having pivotal connection at opposite ends thereof with vertically disposed orbitally movable non-circular flexible drive members, and having slidable connection with other vertically disposed orbitally movable noncircular flexible drive members at opposite ends thereof, said drive members each being driven at relative speeds with respect to each other to move said scoops successively forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

10. In a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotally mounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extending forwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a. plurality of scoops having pivotal connection at opposite ends thereof with vertically disposed orbitally movable non-circular drive chains and having slidable connection-with other vertically disposed orbitally movable non-circular drive chains at opposite ends thereof, said second mentioned drive chains being movable in another vertical orbital non-circular path and said drive chains each being drivcn at relative speeds with respect to each other to move said scoops successively forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

ll. In a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotally mounted thereon to move about a horizontal transve 1se axis and extending forwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a scoop having pivotal connection at opposite ends thereof with drive chains movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and having slidable connection with other drive chains movable in a different vertically disposed noncircular orbital path, said slidable connection with said second mentioned drive chain being rearwardly of said scoop and said point of pivotal connection with said first mentioned chain.

l2. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotally mounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extending forwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a scoop having pivotal connection at opposite ends thereof with drive chains movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbita-l path, and having slidable connection with other drive chains movable in a different vertically disposed nonircular orbital path, said slidable connection wfth said second mentioned drive chain being rearwardly of said scoop and said point of pivotal connection with said rst mentioned chain, and means for driving said chains at relative s Deeds with respect to each other to move said scoops successively forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

i3. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a conveyor thereon and pivot-ally movable with respect thereto about a vertical axis, a gathering element pivotally mounted on said base frame forwv rdiy of said conveyor to move about a horizontal transverse axis so as to be moved into and out of engagement with the ground and having a transversely extending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground during the loading operation, and gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops successively movable forwardly along the ground beyond said base frame in a plane parallel to the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto said conveyor.

lll. ln a loading machine, a base frame supported on a. pair of laterally spaced continuous tr ad devices, a motor, a conveyor supported on said base frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertif cal axis, means connectible with said motor for moving said conveyor about its axis of pivotal connection to said base frame, a gathering element pivotally mounted on said base frame forwardly of said conveyor to move about a horizontal transverse axis so as to be moved into and out of engagement with the ground and having a transversely extending bottom surface adapted to slidably engageithe ground during the loading operation, means connectible with said motor for moving said gathering element into and out of engagement with the ground, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops, and means for driving said scoops from said motor for successively moving said scoops forwardly along the ground beyond said base 'frame in a plane parallel to the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground, and then upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto said conveyor.

l5. ln a loading machine, a base frame supported on a pair of laterally spaced con tinuous tread devices, a motor, a conveyor supported on said base trame for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis, means connectible with said motor for moving said conveyor about its airis of pivotal connection to said base trame, a gathering element pivotally mounted on said base frame forwardly of said conveyor to move about a horizontal transverse airis so as to be moved into and out of engagement with the ground and adapted to slidably engage the ground during the loading operation, means connectible with said motor tor moving said gathering element into and out of engagement with the ground, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality et scoops, and means for driving said scoops from said motor for successively moving said scoops forwardly along the ground in a plane parallel to the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground, and then upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto said conveyor comprising a plurality orn drive chains connected to each o't said scoops and movable in different vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths.

16. ln a coal loading machine, a base frame, a motor, a gathering element forwardly of said motor and movable into and out of engagement With a mine bottom, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and means for driving said scoops from said motor in said vertically disposed noncircular orbital path comprising a plurality of drive members connectible with said scoops and movable in dinerent vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths.

17. ln a coal loading machine base frame, a motor, a gathering element forwardly of said motor and movable into and out of engagement with a mine bottom, gathering mechanism. carried by said gathering element comprising` a plurality7 of scoops movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital. path, and means for driving said scoops from said motor in said vertically disposed noncircular orbital path comprising a plurality of flexible drive n'iembers counectible with opposite sides of said scoops and movable in a plurality of vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths.

18. ln a coal loading machine, a base frame, a motor, a gathering element forwardly of said motor and movable into and out of engagement With a mine bottom, gathering` mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and means for driving said scoops trom said motor in said vertically disposed non-circular orbital path comprising flexible drive members connectible With opposite sides of each of said scoops near the rear-Ward end thereof andv movable in a ver tically disposed non-circular orbital path, and other flexible drive members connectible with opposite sides or" each of said scoops rearwardly of the point of connection of each of said scoops to said first mentioned flexible drive Vmembers and movable in a dilinerent vertically disposed non-circular orbital path than said first mentioned ilexible drive members.

19. ln a coal loading machine, a base trame, a motor, a gathering element forward ly of said motor and movable into and out or" engagement with a mine bottom, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a vertically disposed noncircular orbital path, and means for driving said scoops from said motor in said vertically disposed non-circular orbital path comprising drive chains pivotally connectible With opposite sides ot each of said scoops near the rearward end thereoil and movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and otaer drive chains having sliding connection With opposite sides of each of said scoops rearwardly of the point of connection ot each of said scoops to said first mentioned drive members, said last mentioned drive chains being movable in different vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths than said first mentioned drive chains, all of said chains successively moving said scoops 'forwardly alon the ground in a plane substantially parallel with the ground to penetrate a pile oi loose material adjacent the ground, and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

20. ln a coal loading machine, a base frame, a motor, a gathering element forward ly of motor and movable into and out of engagement with a mine bottom, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and means for driving said scoops from motor in said vertically disposed non-circular orbital path comprising a drive chain pivotally connectible With each side of each of said scoops near the rearward end thereof and movable in a vertically disposed non-Circular orbital path, and a guiding chain having slidable connection with each side of each of said scoops rearwardly of the point of connection of each of said scoops to said first mentined drive members, said guiding chains being movable in dillerent vertically disposed noncircular orbital paths than said driving chains, and means for driving said driving chains and said guiding chains simultaneously at relative speeds With respect to each other for successively moving said scoops forwardly along the ground in a plane substantially parallel With the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois.

ROBERT E. SCHRODER.

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