US1953326A - Method of mining coal - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1934. E. c. MORGAN 1,953,326

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Patented Apr. 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT 4OFFICE METHOD OF MINING COAL Original application June 23, 1913, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 4, 1931, Serial No. 520,071

42 Claims.

This application is a division of the co-pending application Serial No. 775,173, filed June 23, 1913.

This invention relates to method of and appamore particularly to such as are characterized by the cutting of a plurality of kerfs for the purpose of enabling the coal or other materials to be removed in blocks of substantially regular and uniform masses.

One of the objects of the invention is to generally improve and simplify the mining of coal or other materials and to generally simplify and improve the apparatus for carrying on such methods.

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

Referring to the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a general view in side elevation of a mining machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 1EL represents a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in central vertical section, of Fig. 1 to show the pivotal connection between the turntable and the truck;

Fig. 2 is a general top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is a plan view of a portion of Fig. 2 to show the power transmission between the motor and the main frame and the advancing and retracting beam;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation View of a cutting mechanism or cutter bar embodying the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of th cutting mechanism on the line 3*'1--3a of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a rear end elevation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6 of the mechanism for transmitting power to the cutting mechanism and for actuating the cutting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for retaining the control levers in their various positions;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in side elevation similar to the corresponding portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, but illustrating a modified construction.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 1, similar to Fig. 5 but showing the details of the modif-led construction illustrated inl Figs. 8 and 9;

Figs. 12 and 13 are diagrammatic views illus- 60 trating a method of mining coal;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the present mining machine may be employed for cutting kerfs in the coal;

Fig. 15 is a View similar to Fig. 14 showing the vertical kerf cut by the present machine;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view in section showing a number of vertical kerfs angularly disposed with relation to each other and cut in the manner shown in Figs. 14 and 15; and

Figs. 17 to 24, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating several modifications of the present method of mining.

In mining various materials, and particularly coal, it is extremely desirable and important that the coal be mined with as little waste as possible and that it be mined in large regularly shaped blocks or masses so that it may be conveniently handled, not only in removing it from the mine but for shipping it and transporting it. The desirability and advantage of taking coal out of the mines in as large blocks as possible is apparent when it is realized that the transportation of coal is not only greatly facilitated by the ease and convenience with which the large blocks may be packed for shipment in the cars, but because of the fact that large unbroken masses of pal retain their efciency much longer than lcoal which is broken into relatively small particles when exposed to the influences of the weather. In the drawings, and particularly in Figs. 12, 13, and 17 to 22, inclusive, there is diagrammatically illustrated the improved method of mining coal by which all of these advantages are obtained. Fig. 13 illustrates diagrammatically a longitudinal vertical section through a vein of coal, and Fig. 12 diagrammatically illustrates the forward end of the vein, that is, the end of the vein at which the mining operations take place.

In carrying out the improved method it is preferred, first, to make a plurality of vertical parallel cuts or kerfs X which preferably extend in vertical planes from the lower faces Xl of the vein to the upper faces X thereof. That is, vertical kerfs or cuts extend between what is generally known as the points of cleavage between the stratum or vein of coal and the earth or ground, between which the vein of coal is confined. These cuts or kerfs X are preferably as thin as possible so as to avoid any more coal cuttings than is necessary, and they extend longitudinally into the vein at a distance which is found suitable or advisable under the particular circumstances and requirements. The kerfs X are likewise spaced apart at such distances as found to be best adapted to the particular conditions and requirements. There are also made a plurality of long horizontal kerfs X3, X31 preferably extending from one side of the vein of coal to the other side thereof so as to divide the vein into a plurality of large blocks X4, X5, X6. These horizontal kerfs, as shown in Fig. 13, lie in planes which are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vein. They preferably begin at points X7, X11 below or above the longitudinal center of the vein and extend angularly upwardly and downwardly from said respective points preferably to the roof and floor of the mine entry, although it has been found that these horizontal kerfs need not extend all of the way to the roof or oor of the mine entry under certain circumstances. For instance, ln Figs. 17 and 18, it will be noted that the horizontal kerfs X3, which incline upwardly toward the roof of the mine entry, may terminate short of the roof and leave an uncut portion X3 which must be broken when blocks of coal are dislodged, while the kerfs X31, which incline downwardly toward the floor of the entry, may, if desired, extend all the way to the oor or line of cleavage. These uncut portions X3, however, are preferably not sufllciently thick to prevent blocks of coal being readily dislodged or broken away after the kerfs are cut.

As shown in Figs. 13 and 18, the series of horizontal kerfs X3 are preferably parallel with respect to each other, and likewise the series of horizontal kerfs X31 lie in planes parallel with respect to each other. In consequence there are left uncut portions X10 and X11 between said kerfs along the lines of cleavage both at the roof and floor of the mine, and after the kerfs have been .made these blocks may be dislodged or broken away from these lines of cleavage in any suitable manner under the particular circumstances or they may be severed by horizontal kerfs.

In practice, it is preferable to make a series of vvertical kerfs rst and after these vertical kerfs are cut then cut the horizontal kerfs because it can readily be seen that if the horizontal kerfs X3 were made first there would be a large mass or long slab of coal suspended from the roof of the mine which, under the conditions in some mines, would be likely to fall owing to the fact that the adhesion of the slab of coal to the roof of the mine along the cleavage line X10 would not be suflicient to support the slab of coal. Often this is true even when the vertical kerfs are made rst and the horizontal kerfs afterward but in such cases, as the horizontal kerf advances across the vein intersecting the vertical kerfs and forming the complete blocks X4, it is preferred to jack up or support the blocks X4 until the horizontal kerfs are completed clear across the vein.

Any suitable means for supporting these cut blocks may be employed, such, for instance, as jacks X13 of the character illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. These jacks are provided with broad bases X13 and with standards which are inclined substantially parallel to the planes of the horizontal kerfs, and the heads X1*1 of these jacks are formed as supporting members, as shown in Fig. 13, for engagement with the lower corners of the blocks. These jacks are preferably provided for each block X4 of coal as the block is cut and when the complete series of blocks have been formed the jacks may then be removed and the blocks allowed to drop or be dislodged for removal from the mine.

The advantage of supporting the blocksX'l in position until all of them have been cut is that the machine, if the machine is used, which cuts the kerfs may be moved out of the Way in order to permit the convenient removal of the blocks. The cutting of the horizontal kerfs X3 and X31 is preferably done alternately with respect to each other. That is to say, after the vertical kerfs are cut a horizontal upwardly inclined cut X3 is cut. Then the blocks X4 may be dislodged and removed from the mine entry, thus leaving the face of the coal clear so that the next horizontal cut X31 which begins at point X13 and inclines downwardly, may be cut, thus leaving the lower blocks X5 in condition to be broken along the lower cleavage X11 and removed from the mine.

It has not been found necessary to support the lower blocks X5 by means of jacks or otherwise, because they are -resting upon the oor of the mine. so to speak,and there is not the tendency for them to fall away or break along their lines of cleavage without the aid of a slight additional dislodging force being applied to them. Of course, the vertical kerfs X should be made deep enough in advance of the cutting of the horizontal kerfs so that the blocks will be cut on all sides except along the lines of cleavage and at the portions X9 (Fig. 18) when the kerfs X3 are not extended all the way to the roof of the mine. It is to be understood, however, that the horizontal kerfs may be made before the vertical kerfs because in some mines there is found no tendency of the slabs of coal to fall of their own weight, but this, of course, is to be determined by the conditions in the particular mine in which the coal is being cut. Figs. 20 and 22 diagrammatically illustrate a modification in the angular relations of the cuts. In these figures it will be noticed that the horizontal kerfs X3 and X31 begin at points X15 above and below the longitudinal center of the vein; that is to say, the cuts X3 and X31 are disposed entirely above and below the longitudinal center of the mine respectively. It will also be noted that these kerfs X3 and X31 do not incline at as great an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mine as they do in Fig. 13. In consequence, it follows that center blocks X16 `are cut on all sides except for a small portion X17 at the ends of the blocks which must be broken to dislodge the blocks, but, of course, this portion X1l should not be of suflicient thickness to prevent the blocks being readily broken by relatively slight force. In Fig. 20 the horizontal cuts X3 and X31 do not reach entirely to the lines of the cleavage as is the case with the kerfs X31 of Fig. 18, but as shown in Fig. 22, these cuts may extend entirely to the line of cleavage, if desired. In Fig. 22 it will be noticed that the center blocks are completely cut on all sides; that is to say, the kerfs X3 and X31 are extended into the center blocks X16 until they intersect or meet at the point X13, thereby making complete cuts on all sides of the blocks. Figs. 23 and 24 are diagrammatic views illustrating the present improved method wherein is cut a plurality of horizontal parallel kerfs X19. These kerfs lie in planes spaced apart but substantially parallel with the longitudinal center of the vein. Any number of these kerfs may be cut, depending, of course, upon the size of the vein and the particular operat- Y considerable amount of cuttings.

ing conditions, although in the drawings there is illustrated only three horizontal kerfs, one being located at the upper line of cleavage of the vein, another being located at the lower line of cleavage and a third substantially in the center of the vein. There is also cut a plurality of preferably parallel upright kerfs X2o extending longitudinally into the vein and intersecting the horizontal kerfs X19 so as to cut the blocks of coal on all sides except at their inner end portions X21, which portions are left uncut. Under ordinary circumstances these uncut portions X21 will be'broken by the weight of the blocks themselves and the blocks will drop one upon the other in stacks, so to speak. In the event that the conditions in the particular mine are such that the uncut portions will not be broken by the' weight of the blocks themselves, then they may be broken in a suitable manner by applying a suitable force thereto to break along the uncut positions. It will be noted that the upright kerfs X20 are inclined at a small angle with respect to a vertical line, and the object in doing this is to facilitate the cutting of the kerfs by mining machines. By inclining the upright kerfs to a small degree it will be noted that the breaking of the uncut portions X21 by the weight of the blocks and the dropping of the blocks will not interfere in any way with the cutting mechanism of the mining machine. In other words, the blocks will drop directly away from thecutting mechanism and allow the cutting mechanism to be withdrawn after the kerfs are made. In the method shown in Figs. 23 and 24, the horlzontal kerfs X19 are preferably cut first and then the upright kerfs are cut one by one in sequence beginning with the right-hand kerf X211 and proceeding with the cutting of these kerfs entirely across the end of the vein.

In Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, vthere is shown a mining machine by means of which the cutting of the various kerfs at the various angles as above described, may be readily and conveniently accomplished.

In the structure which is shown in the drawings, it is preferable to use a at elongated cutting bar or cutting mechanism A, shown best in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and in detail in Figs. 3 and 32, because it is thereby enabled to cut comparatively thin kerfs or cuts without producing any The details of the present preferred cutting mechanism structure will be described hereinafter. It is sufcient at this time to say that the cutting mechanism is in the form of a long at comparatively thin structure having a cuttingchain B traveling preferably in one direction around its lperiphery so as to form a peripheral edge, so to speak. This cutter bar is preferably comparatively narrow in width and is preferably made of such length as to meet the desired requirements as to depth of cut, etc. This cutter bar or cutting mechanism is mounted and arranged so that it may be bodily shifted or positioned so as not only to present it edgewise and enter it at any angle with respect to the material to be cut, but it may also be rotated bodily in such adjusted position so as to rotate it bodily in either direction in such adjusted position so that it may sweep through a large area in a given plane. There will now proceed, therefore, .a description of a mechanism by which these positions and cuttingmovements are brought about.

The entire machine is preferably mounted upon'a wheeled truck C, the wheels 1 of, which are preferably mounted upon suitable axles 2 and adapted to run on rails 3 laid along the floor of the mine or entry or other line of movement along which the machine is to operate. The rails 3 are preferably supported by metal ties 4 transversely arranged at intervals and having upturned ends 5. The rails are laid lon the ties adjacent the upturned ends 5 of the ties and are prevented from spreading or shifting by means of blocks 6 disposed between the rails and the upturned ends of the ties and by means of spikes or other suitable fastening devices 7 arranged to engage the base of the rails, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 4. The truck is shown as having a large flat platform or table 8 upon which the mining machine is mounted.

This truck platform has a large depending socket or dish-shaped depression 9. l Above the platform, and preferably disposed parallel with respect thereto is a large circular table or platform 10 which serves as a table and which has a central vertically disposed shaft or bearing member 11 (Fig. l) rotatably sunk into the socket or bearing member 9 of the truck platform, whereby the turntable 10 may be rotated about the vertical axis of its shaft or pivot member 11. The entire mining machine is preferably mounted upon or supported by this turntable so that it may be bodily swung or rotated about a vertical axis to position the cutting mechanism with respect to the material to be cut.

It is preferred that the turntable with the mining machine mounted thereon shall be capable of bodily vertical adjustment, and for this purpose any suitable mechanism may be provided. In the drawings (Figs. 1 and 4) there is illustrated a screw member 12 threaded through the bottom of the bearing member 9 and operating against the lower end of the shaft or pivot member 11 whereby the turntable may be raised or lowered with respect to the truck, as desired.

The turntable is provided with power-actuated means comprising the worm gear 15 and the large gear 16, and for the sake of simplicity in illustration the worm gear 15 is shown operated by a hand wheel 17, although it should be understood that it may be operated by means of any desired mechanism. As shown in Fig. 4 the 1worm gear 15 is connected to a shaft 13 which is suitably journaled in an upstanding arm or bearing 14 on the truck and having at one end a worm wheel 15 which meshes with gear ,teeth 16 on the periphery of the turntable 10, and having at its other end a suitable hand wheel 17 (as shown in Figs. l and 4) by which the shaft may be conveniently rotated by an operator or attendant standing at the side of the machine.

A pair of open, preferably rectangular, frames D arerigidly mounted upon the turntable 10 in any suitable manner. These frames are parallel and are spaced apart. The upper and lower bars or members D1, D2 respectively, of each of these frames, are parallel and are adapted to form guides or tracks for a pair of sliding standards 19 and 20, respectively. These sliding standards are suitably formed at their upper and lower ends to embrace the track bars D1 and D2 of the frames to prevent displacement of the standards in any direction except along the track members of the frame. These standards are rigidly connected together at their bases by a platform member 2l so that they, in conjunction with the platform 21, constitute a sub-frame which may be rigidly shifted horizontally in the main frames D, as above described, and by means of this arrangement the entire cutting mechanism may be bodily shifted to any position Within the limits of this shifting or sliding adjustment.

The shifting of this sub-frame and the mechanism supported thereby may be accomplished in any suitable manner consistent with the conditions and requirements. In the drawings there is shown power-operating mechanism for this purpose. On the sub-frame platform 21 is mounted an electric motor 22, the electric connections for which may be brought to the motor in the usual manner and which need not be described. The motor shaft is supported in an outer bearing 23 and carries at its end a pinion 24 which drives a larger spur gear 25, this spur gear being mounted to drive a counter-shaft 26 supported in bearing standards 27. This countershaft carries a rotatable sleeve 28 which is provided with a worm gear 29 and which may be connected with or disconnected from the counter-shaft 26 by any suitable clutch mechansm such, for instance, as is shown in the draw- It will be seen that the inner end 30 of the sleeve is provided with notches or teeth so as to' form one member of a clutch. The other member 31 of the clutch is mounted upon the shaft 26 to rotate therewith and to slide longitudinally thereof, and this member 31 may be thrown into or out of engagement with the clutch member 30 by the hand-operated lever 32 pivoted at one end to the platform 21. Hence, by operating this hand lever the Worm wheel may be connected with the shaft' to be driven thereby or disconnected from said shaft at will.

The worm gear 29 meshes with and drives a worm gear 33 which is mounted upon a vertical shaft journaled in a bearing mounted upon the platform 21. The shaft carries a horizontally disposed winding drum or capstan 34, and as this capstan may be used as a means for shifting the sub-frame in the main frame, as shown in Figs. 2 and i4, a jack 35 may be placed at a proper position in the mine entry and a rope or cable 36 hooked thereto and run to the capstan or drum 34 so that by permitting the cable to wind upon the drum the sub-frame may be shifted in the main frame. Any suitable anchor may be used forthe end of the rope, but it is preferred to use a jack 35, such as shown in Fig. 4, because it may be conveniently handled and moved about from place to place.

The upper portions of the standards 19 of the sub-frame carry a large heavy bar or member 40 preferably of rectangular cross-section and arranged to slide or shift longitudinally in suitable bearing members 41 of the sub-frame standards. This bar is preferably of considerable length so that it will have quite a long range of movement. It will be noted that the line of movement of this bar 40 is disposed at right angles or transversely to the line of bodily movement of bar or member 40 is provided with a series of gear teeth 42 thereby constituting a rack bar. A driving pinion 43 meshes with these rack teeth for imparting longitudinal movement to the shifting bar 40, and the pinion 43 is mounted upon a shaft 44 which is journaled in bearings 45 depending from one of the rack bar bearings 41.

One end of the shaft 44 carries a large worm wheel 46 which meshes with and is driven by a worm gear 47 similar to the worm gear 29, and which is carried upon a rotatable sleeve 48 on shaft 26 similar to the sleeve 28. This sleeve 48, like sleeve 28, forms one member of a clutch, the other member 49 of which is rotatable with shaft 26 -but slidable thereon, and this clutch member 49 is adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the sleeve 48 and by the hand lever 50. Thus the movement of the shifting rack bar` 40 may be controlled at will, and by reason of the worm gearing just described the rack bar will remain locked in any position to which it is moved. without the necessity of additional locking means. Y

At one end of this rack bar 40 is provided an arm or member 51 which is disposed downwardly for a portion of its length and then turned horizontally into substantial parallel relation with the longitudinal axis of the rack bar 40. The longitudinally disposed portion of this depending arm forms a pivot member or stud 52 upon which a forked support E is rotatably mounted. By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that the forked member E has a centrally disposed bearing portion or stem E1 which is rotatable upon the pivot member 52, and it may be held in place upon this pivot member by means of an annular shoulder 53 on the arm 51 and a removable cap 54 which is fastened to the end of the stud member 52 by means of a screw or bolt 55. Thus by this construction the forked support E is capable of rotary movement upon an axis which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of movement of the rack bar 40, such axis being substantially transverse to the vertical axis of rotation of the turntable upon which the machine is mounted.

For the purpose of rotating this forked support E about its axes in a convenient manner, there is provided a worm wheel 56 on the bearing portion E1 of the support E and this worm wheel is driven by a worm 57 which is mounted upon a shaft 58 supported in a suitable bearing 59 outstanding from the end of the rack bar 49. The shaft 58 has a hand wheel 60 by which it may be conveniently actuated by the operator to adjust the position of the support E. It will be noted that by reason of theworin gear arrangement the support E will be automatically locked in any position to which it is rotated without the need of additional locking mechanism.

An electric motor F is rotatably supported in this forked support E. In the drawings, there is shown a pair of brackets 61 bolted to the motor casing F on diametrically opposite sides thereof, and these brackets carry outstanding trunnion members 62 arranged in alinement and suitably journaled-in the outer or free ends of the arm members E2 of the support member E so that the motor may be rotated about an axis which, as will be noted. is disposed substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the trunnion members 62.

It will be noted that the arms E2 of the support E are curved as shown in elevation in Fig. 1

so that the trunnion axis of rotation of the motor` at 62 is offset to a considerable extent with respect to the axis of rotation of the support E at 52. This construction is of advantage in that it will enable the cutting mechanism to operate through a greater range than otherwise.

One of the brackets 6l carries a rigid segmental worm gear 63 which meshes with and is driven by a worm 64. The worm is mounted upon a small shaft 65 which is carried in a journal bearing 66 extending from one of the arms E2 of the support E, and the shaft 65 also carries a hand wheel 67 by which it may be manipulated to rotate the motor F about its axis 62. The worm gearing 63, 64 as in the other cases heretofore mentioned, makes it possible to eliminate special locking means for holding the motor in any position in which it is rotated.

The cutting mechanism or cutter bar A is carried by a frame or casing member which is rotated on an axis transverse or at right angles to the axis 62 of rotation of the motor, whereby the cutting mechanism may be rotated in the plane of itself through a considerable range and thus permit a much wider cut or kerf to be made than if the cutting mechanism were fixed with respect to the motor which drives it. As shown in the drawings, the frame or casing 70 has an internal peripheral groove '11 formed at its edge and this groove fits an annular flange 72 on the motor casing so that a bearing is provided upon which the casing 70 may rotate. A removable flange or cap ring '73 is bolted to the casing 70 to permit the parts to be readily disassembled. This casing, together with the motor casing, as will be noticed, forms a complete enclosure for the various gears and operating parts contained therein, leaving none of these operating parts exposed to the grit and dust which necessarily results from the cutting operation.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it is to be understood that F1 represents the field magnets of any standard or suitable motor, and F2 the armature thereof, the armature being mounted upon the motor shaft F3 and journaled in ball-bearings F4 .in the head or end of the motor casing F. The motor shaft F3 projects beyond the bearing and carries a spur pinion 75 which drives a larger spur gear 76 carried by a shaft 77, the shaft having its bearings 78 in a bracket preferably formed integrally with the casing 70. This shaft also carries a spur pinion 79 which drives the large spur gear 80, which latter gear is mounted upon and adapted to drive a shaft 81 journaled in the frame or casing 70. The purpose of operating this train of gears thus described is to reduce the relative speed of the shaft 81.

The shaft 81, as will be noticed, is lined up with the motor shaft F3 and carries at its outer end a sprocket 82 around which the cutter chain travels and by which said cutter chain is driven, as will be hereinafter described. The inner end of the shaft 81 carries a beveled gear 83 which is adapted to drive two small radially disposed shafts 84 and 85 through the medium of two small beveled pinions 86 which are carried by the shafts 84 and 85 and which mesh with the beveled gear 83. The other ends of the shafts 84 and 85 carry beveled pinions 87 and 88 respectively, which are mounted upon sleeves so that the gears may rotate with respect to their shafts. These sleeves are notched at their ends 89, 90 to form clutch members and are arranged to be connected with their shafts for rotation therewith by means of sliding clutch members 91 and 92, respectively.

The beveled gears 87 and 88 mesh with corresponding beveled gears 93 and 94 carried at opposite ends of a shaft upon which the worm gear 95 is mounted, the shaft which carries this worm gear being suitably journaled in bearings in the casing 70. This worm gear 95 meshes with an annular series origear teeth 96 formed upon the motor casing F.

Hence by driving the worm gear 95 in either direction the casing 70 may be rotated relatively to the motor on an axis 81 which in this case is co-incident with the axis of rotation of the motor shaft, and since the cutter bar A is mounted upon this casing 70 the cutter bar will be given a bodily rotation about said axis 81. Thus by rea.- son of this construction the cutter bar of the cutting mechanism may be rotated in the plane of itself while the cutter chain is traveling around the cutter bar. By simply shifting one or the other of the clutch members 84 and 85 it is obvious, of course, that the gear 87 or gear 88 may be thrown into or out of operation to drive the worm gear 96 in whichever direction is desired.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a device by which either of these clutch members may be shifted from either of two different points. There is provided a rigid lever which is centrally pivoted at 97 to the casing 70 and which has two bent arms which are connected to the clutch members 91 and 92. These bent arms project through openings 99 in the casing or frame 70 in position to be actuated by an operator for controlling the clutches. The advantage of providing two points of control for either of these clutches lies in the fact that in case one of the arms 98 is not in convenient position for the operator to manipulate, the other arm will be.

One of the edges of each of the openings 99 in the casing 70 has three depressions 100 (see Fig. 7) corresponding to the differentpositions to which the respective arm is shifted, and the arms are each provided with a slight enlargement 101 adapted to enter these notches or depressions in the edges of the casing and hold the arms in the positions to which they are shifted, the arms being made to spring slightly so that they will be held in the notches by the tension thereon.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3 and 6, the details of the cutting mechanism or cutter bar A will now be described. This cutter bar has a flat elongated frame 105 around the edge or periphery of which the cutter chain travels. The cutter frame 105, as will be noticed, lies in substantially the plane of the sprocket 82 so that the sprocket and frame will be properly lined up to accommodate the chain. The end of the cutter frame 105 nearest the sprocket 82 has an offset tailpiece or extension 106 which is disposed substantially parallel with the frame itself but is adapted to slide in the guideway 107 formed in the frame or casing '70, this tailpiece or extension being provided with a slot 108 for the accommodation of the bearing portion or journal 109 for the shaft 81; the purpose of this construction being to allow the frame 105 to be adjusted longitudinally in either direction relatively to the sprocket 82, for the purpose of tightening or loosening the cutter chain or for the purpose of shortening or lengthening this chain, as will be hereinafter described.

The journal or bearing portion 109 of the frame 70 carries a headed bolt or screw 110, the head 111 of which is positioned in a slot in the hub portion 109 so as to prevent movement of the bolt in either direction. This bolt extends through an opening in the end 112 of the tailpiece 106 and is provided with two nuts 113, the purpose of the bolt and nut being to hold the cutter frame 105 in any position to which it is longitudinally shifted.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 3a it will be seen that the cutter chain is composed of a plurality of middle or center links 115 and a plurality of intermediate side links 116. The middle or center links 115 are preferably provided with removable cutting knives or cutters 117, and are adapted to slide along the peripheral edge 118 of the cutter frame. The side links 116 project beyond the middle of center links so as to form, in a sense, a continuous channel on the inside of the chain, and the cutter frame has shoulders 119 formed near its edge to accommodate the side links 116. In this manner the chain is, in a sense, interlocked with the cutter frame 105 and may travel around the edge of said cutter frame without danger of being displaced laterally. It will be noted that the faces of the cutter frame 105 are substantially flush with the outer faces of the side links 116 so as to provide a structure of uniform thickness capable of entering the kerfs. Of course the cutting knives 117 on the chain are slightly wider than the thickness of the frame and chain. It is found desirable to allow the cutter chain to travel around the outer end of the cutter frame, this being a sufcient support for the chain without adding any undue friction, but, if desired, a sprocket wheel 120 may be provided at the outer end of the cutter frame, as shown in Figs. 3 and 3a.

In Figs. 8, 9, and l1, there is illustrated a modification of the present improved machine wherein has been eliminated the motor F which is positioned in the forked support E in Fig. 2, and gearing has been substituted therefor, which gearing is driven by the motor 22 mounted upon the sub-frame. This arrangement enables one motor of a larger capacity to be used for the purpose of driving and actuating a cutting mechanism and also for bodily shifting the parts.

The shaft of the motor 22 carries a pinion 125 which drives a large gear 126 mounted upon a suitable shaft which is supported in the bearing standards 127 on the sub-frame platform 21. This large gear 126 in turn meshes with and drives one of two inter-meshing gears 128 of equal size. these gears 128 being mounted on separate parallel shafts 129 and 130 which are supported in suitable bearings 131 on the platform 21. These shafts also carry worms 132 and 133 which drive two large worm gears 134 and 135, respectively, mounted to rotate upon the shaft 44 which carries the pinion 43 for shifting the rack bar 40, the shaft 44 being supported in suitable bearings which are altered in accordance with the changes of construction in this modification.

The gears 128 rotate in opposite directions and in consequence drive the large worm wheels 134 and 135 in opposite directions, these gears being free to rotate upon the shaft 44. Between the two gears 134 and 135 is provided a shiftable clutch member 136 which may be shifted on the shaft in either direction in the usual manner to connect one or the other of the gears 134 and 135 with the shaft 44 to drive said shaft in either direction and thereby reciprocate or shift the rack bar in either direction without reversing the motor.

The shaft 140 upon which the large gear 126 is mounted, is preferably of substantially the length of the shifting or reciprocating rack bar 40 and parallel therewith. This shaft is arranged so that it will slide longitudinally with respect to its bearings and the gear 126 in accordance with the movement of the rack bar. It is preferably squared or otherwise formed, however, so that it will be rotated by the gear 126 at any position into which it is shifted. This shaft 140, which is round at its right-hand end, extends through a bearing formed in the horizontal or pivot portion 52 of the depending arm 51 and projects into the space between the two arms or parts E2 of the rotary forked support E, and carries a beveled pinion 141 on this projecting end. It also carries a collar 142 which takes the place of the cap member 54 of Fig. l to prevent the support E from being displaced with respect to the pivot portion 52 but to allow it to be rotated about its axis in the same manner and preferably by similar hand-operated means to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The beveled pinion 141 meshes with and drives a larger beveled gear 143 which is rotatably mounted upon a fixed shaft 144, the longitudinal axis of which lies at right angles to the axis of rotation of the rotary support E' in the same manner that the axis of rotation of the motor F of g. 1 bears with respect to said axis 52.

This shaft 144 has its bearings 145 in the ends of the arms E2. Between the beveled gear 143 and one of the journals 145 is an arm 146'having its hub 147 pivotally mounted upon the shaft 144 so that the arm may be swung or rotated about the axis of the shaft 144. This arm 146 and its manner of mounting may be said to correspond to the motor F (Fig. 1) insofar as the movements thereof are concerned. The outer end of this pivoted arm 146 has ya bearing 148 and a large head or flange 149 which may be said to correspond to the flange 72 of the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The casing is mounted to rotate upon the flange or head 149 in the same manner as in the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and the details of this casing and its cutter mechanism carried thereby are similar to the construction previously described and the descriptions thereof need not be repeated. The shaft 81 which carries the cutter chain sprocket 82' is similar to the corresponding shaft of Figs. 5 and 6 except that it is not driven from a series of reducing gears within the casing '70 but instead it passes directly through the head 149 and is journaled in the bearing 148. On its inner end it carries a beveled pinion 150 which meshes with and is driven by the large beveled gear 143 and in this way receives its motion direct from the main motor 22 on the sub-frame platform 21.

The arrangement of the beveled gears 141, 143 and 150 thus permits the cutter chain shaft 81' to be rotated, regardless of the angle or position in which the arm 146 is rotated about its axis. A hand Wheel 67 and worm and segmental worm gear 64 and 63 respectively, of the construction shown in the preceding figures for rotating or positioning the arm 146, is employed except that the segmental gear in this case is mounted upon the hub 147 of the arm 146. The operation of the mechanism for rotating the casing 70 and the cutter mechanism about its axis is identical in principle and the arrangement of the parts to the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, except that worm and spiral gearing is employed on the shafts 8l', 84' and 85' instead of the beveled gears 83, 86, 87, 88, 93 and 94. The annular series of gear teeth 96, with which the worm gear 95 meshes, is mounted on the face of the head of the ange member 149; this gearing is self -locking.

It has been previously mentioned that the above described apparatus or machine is capable of and adapted to cut the various kerfs at their various angles in order to carry out the improved method of mining above described. In Fig. 14 is diagrammatically illustrated the manner in which the machine may be manipulated to produce the horizontal kerfs X19 of Fig. 24 or the vertical kerfs X of Fig. l2 heretofore described. When it is desired to cut a vertical kerf in the vein of coal the cutter bar A, by reason of its numerous adjustments, may be positioned so that it will lie in a vertical plane. Since the height of the vein of coal is generally considerably greater than the width of the cutter bar, it is preferred to start the kerf by positioning the cutter bar so that it lies in a vertical plane but inclined upwardly at such an angle that its outer end coincides with the roof of the entry or the upper line of cleavage. A

The cutter bar is diagrammatcally illustrated in Fig. 14 by the dotted lines Y. The outer end of the cutter bar in this position is presented to the end of the face of the Wall or end of the vein into which it is to operate and the cutter mechanism advances into the vein in the direction of the arrow Y1, while in its angularly adjusted position. The advancement of the cutting mechanism is preferably accomplished by shifting the rack bar 40. as previously described. The advancement in this direction is continued until the cutter bar has entered the vein to the required depth or distance, and since its chain is traveling during this advancement it cuts along the upper line of cleavage.

When it has reached the limit of its advancement the cutter bar may be swung or rotated downwardly in the direction of the arrow Y2 but still in the plane of itself until its outer end reaches the lower line of cleavage, whereupon with a suitable cutting speed, it may be withdrawn from the vein while in this last-mentioned adjusted position, the direction of withdrawal being that indicated by the arrow Y3. In other words, to cut a vertical kerf of greater height than the width of the cutter mechanism, the cutter mechanism may be moved in three or more directions all in the same plane. It will be observed vthat a mining machine construction is provided wherein the cutting mechanism is universally movable or adjustable; that is to say, it may be placed in any position at any angle at which it is desired to cut a kerf.

It should also be understood that when the trunnion arms E2 are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, the casing may be swung on the trunnions 62 by operating the wheel 67. In this way, the cutting mechanism or cutter bar A may be swung around so as to occupy a position in a horizontal plane at or near the floor of the mine. After the cutter barhas been brought to this position in the horizontal plane, it may be swung on its pivotal connection with the casing '70 by operating the electric motor within the cas ing F. Power may be transmitted from this motor to swing the cutter bar in one direction or the other on its pivotal connection with the casing 70 by operating the lever 98 at one side or the other of the casing 70, as shown in Fig. 5.

It is also evident that the feeding mechanism for moving the ti'unnion arms E2 operates independently of the mechanism for controlling the lateral swinging movements of the cutter bar A. By throwing in the clutch 49, the electric motor 22 may be connected to the feed mechanism at will, and by reversing the electric motor the feed mechanism may be reciprocated whenever desired. Obviously, therefore, the cutter bar A, while occupying a horizontal position, may be swung at an angle and then moved bodily `forward by the feed mechanism while the cutter chain is in operation, thereby producing a cut in the mine wall. Furthermore, after this cut has been produced to the required depth, the cutter bar may be swung laterally while the cutter chain is operating, and at the same time the rear por* tion of the cutter bar may be retracted until the cutter bar occupies a position substantially at right angles to the body of the truck on which the mining machine is mounted. Upon continued /swinging movement of the cutter bar, the feed mechanism may be reversed so that the rear portion of the cutter barwill be fed forward during continued operation. By means of this operation, the forward portion of the cutter bartravels over a path which is approximately a straight line.

After the cutter bar has been swung in the opposite direction as far as desired, the swinging movement may be discontinued, and, while the cutter bar still occupies the position at an angle to its pivotal connection to the casing 70, the mo tor 22 may be reversed so as to cause the feeding mechanism to be drawn back while the cutter bar is still operating. It will thus be seen that a square or rectangular cut can be produced in the mine wall. each side of which is approximatelya straight line, as well as the base of the cut. The forward end of the cutter bar, during the swinging movement, tends to move over an arc of a circle determined by the angle of the swing, but the reciprocation of the pivot of the cutter bar causes a resultant movement of the outer end of the cutter bar along the chord of such arc of a circle.

The cut at or near the floor of the mine has been referred to merely by way of illustration, and it should be understood that a similar cut can be made at or near the roof of the mine and also at each side wall of the mine, or even at any angle to such cuts, with the exception that whenever such cuts are produced each must be in a plane parallel to the line of the path of travel of the feed bar 40, so as to prevent binding of the cutter bar in the out.

It should be noted that the mining apparatus above described and shown in the drawings is track mounted and when the rails are extended up to a position near the facs of the mine wall the l mining apparatus may be swung around by the turntable mechanism to a position where the cutter B may cut a horizontal kerf extending across the front of the mining apparatus from one side of the track to the other. The truck frame 8 constitutes a rigid base frame having supporting wheels which rest upon and are braced by the track, as shown in Fig. l.

The base frame carries a laterally movable cut ter arm which extends from the base frame in elevated horizontal planes above the other parts of the apparatus. When the frame E is swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l, the kerf -cutter may easily be swung to horizontal position in a plane elevated with respect to the other parts of the apparatus. There may be a plurality of such elevated horizontal planes because the screw/threaded bolt 12 may be used to lift and lower the frame D on the truck frame 8. When the kerf-cutter is in such horizontal planes its plane.

endless cutter chain is movable along the cutter arm in a path horizontal throughout. Furthermore, when the korf-cutter is in its highest position, the motor F is a chain driving motor positioned below the cutter arm and xedly connected thereto to move bodily therewith whenever the adjusting mechanism 63, 64, is operated. Also. when the kerf-cutter is in its uppermost position the power transmission between the kericutterand the motor constitutes power-actuated means below the arm or frame of the chain cutter for causing such arm and the chain cutter to move laterally to cut a horizontal kerf in the elevated plane extending transversely from one side to the other of the track.

Although the track mounted mining apparatus cuts a horizontal kerf extending across its front from one side of the track to the other, the sup-V porting wheels l which rest upon the track are braced by the track by means of the tendency of the feed to twist the frame. Thevflanges of the wheels however', resist this twisting tendency and therefore the feeding operation can be effected. Of course the kerf -cutter B may be moved to a horizontal position from its full line position shown in Fig. 1 so as to occupy its lowermost But whether the kerf-cutter is in a relatively low cutting plane or in a relatively high plane, the screw member 12 constitutes means for adjusting the cutter arm vertically in parallelism, and such screw member 12 in combination with the gearing mechanism 63, 64, 56, 57. constitutes means for bodily adjusting the cutter arm vertically in parallelism to move the cutter chain from one set of relatively low cutting planes to another set of relative high cutting planes.

It is alsol obvious that the power-actuated means shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is constructed and arranged to cause the arm and the chain to move laterally to cut a horizontal kerf at any one of several elevations and extending transversely from one side to the other of the track. When the korf-cutter is in its uppermost horizontal plane or in its lowermost horizontal plane the screw member 12 may be relied upon for vertically adjusting the motor and the cutting mechanism in horizontal parallelism and to hold it either where it will form a. kerf in relatively low horizontal planes or where it will form a kerf in other horizontal planes relatively higher than those aforesaid. In other words, the screw member l2 constitutes means for adjusting the motor and the cutter frame vertically for the forming of horizontal kerfs in either of several different. horizontal planes. The forward feed of the mining machine along the track to new positions may be effected by the power driven reel shown at 34 in Fig. 4, this reel being then movable horizontally with the cutter frame. The cable 36 when anchored, as shown in Fig. 4, and connected to the reel, is adapted to cause the forward movement, bodily, of the cutting apparatus.

It should also be observed that the mining machine illustrated in the drawings may make horizontal kerfs X19 (Fig. 24) intermediate the floor and roof as well as horizontal kerfs at the oor of the mine chamber and horizontal kerfs at the roof of the mine chamber while being moved along the track in a long wall mining operation, the parts being arranged as shown in Fig. 1 to produce the kerfs X19 of Fig. 24, except that the cutter bar A occupies a horizontal position. When the intermediate kerf Xwof Fig. 24 is desired, the frame is moved to an upside down position by means of the wheel 67 and the gearing connected thereto and while this is being done the cutterframe 105 may be swung on the axis 81 so that when the said upside down position is reached the cutter will still extend outwardly from the machine and occupy a position intermediate the floor and roof where it can cut the kerf X19 of Fig. 24 intermediate the oor and roof. In this position, as well as at the floor and at the roof, long wall operations may be carried on or the operation illustrated in Fig. 14 may be carried out in a horizontal plane. Such operations as those illustrated in Fig. 14 may be carried out on either side of the mine track or in advance thereof.

It should also be understood that when the modifications shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are substituted for the motor F and its connections in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, a self -contained mining machine results because the operations illustrated in Fig. 14 may be carried out without any extraneous anchorage connections.

If the framework of the machine be jacked in stationary position by means of roof jacks in a well-known manner, the rope-winding mechanism may pull the rope 36 while the free end thereof is hooked to the roof jack 35 as shown in Fig. 4, whereupon the cutter may be fed rectilinearly along the frame D by sliding the frame 19 along the ways D and D2 in a long wall operation.

In a similar manner the cutter A may be located lat on the floor in advance of the mine track and the bar 40 fed forward to feed the cutter into the mine vein to produce a straight line sumping cut. A out may then be made transversely of the longitudinal length of the mine track by using the roof jack 36 and the mechanism connected thereto. Then by adjusting the cutter bar and retracting the rack bar 40 a withdrawal cut may be made. In this manner a straight line cut may be eiected at the inner end of the kerf produced in the mine wall. In the same manner a kerf may be produced at the rooi and intermediate the oor and the roof, both with straight inner walls at right angles to the longitudinal length of the mine track.

Kerfs may also be made spaced back from the face of a long wall by adjusting the plane of the kerf-cutter to a vertical plane. The machine may also be operated by making vertical kerfs at right angles to the face of the mine wall in which horizontal kerfs and kerfs spaced back 'from the mine wall have already been produced, thereby cutting out large blocks of material from the wall each in its entirety.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the turntable 10 and the framework mounted thereon constitutes a body which is turnable horizontally by means of the wheel 17 and the gearing operated thereby. The tool support E is rotatable on the horizontal axis of the cylindrical bearing 52. Such rotation may be effected by the wheel 60 which drives the worm gearing 56, 57. It should also be noted that the axis of rotation of the support E on the bearing 52 constitutes an axial line for the rotatable support E. By referring to Figs. 8 and 9 it will be seen that certain members support the cutting tool on the rotatable support E for movement toward and from the axial line of support. I'he wheel 67 and the gearing 63, 64 actuated thereby constitute means on the rotatable support for actuating the supporting members for moving the tool toward and from the axial line of the rotary support.

The motor 22 being mounted on the platform 21 is connected to means comprising the shaft 140 extending along the axis of the rotatable support E for actuating the cutting tool. That is to say, the motor 22 being connected to the shaft 140 to rotate the latter and this shaft being connected to the sprocket wheel 82', the motor 22 may be mounted on the platform 21 or on the supporting framework and the driving connections relied on to operate the cutting tool, including swinging feeding movement thereof. After the adjustments have been made by the wheels 60 and 67, the motor 22 may be started to drive the chain of the chain-cutter and then one of the levers 98 shown in Fig. 10 may be actuated to throw in either of the clutches 91, 92 to effect swinging feeding movement of the cutter on the axis of the shaft 81. Therefore, in the construction shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, the adjustments, operations and controls are the same in Figs. l, 5 and 6, but instead of having two motors 22 and F as shown in Fig. 1, only one motor is used in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, namely, that designated 22 on the frame 21, the driving connections between this motor 22 and the cutting tool being such as to enable the elimination of the motor F of Fig. 1.

In the structure shown in Fig. 1, the motor F is carried by the rotatable support E, but in both the form shown in Fig. 1 and in the form shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, the control of swinging feeding movement by means of the clutches 91 and 92 is such that when the cutter is parallel to the axial line of the rotatable support E, the cutter may be swung to cut a kerf in a plane parallel to such axial line.

When the turntable 10 is swung by means of the wheel 17 to a position where the axial line of the rotatable support E is parallel to the mine track with the cutter at on the floor in advance of the mine track, the cutter may be adjusted at an angle so that when the whole machine is moved along the mine track by means of the rope-winding mechanism shown in Fig. 2 while the free end of the rope 36 is anchored to the coal face, a rectangular sumping cut may be made at the base of the mine vein. If the framework of the machine is held stationary by means of the roof jacks, the rack bar 42 may be operated to effect a similar rectilinear feeding movement. After such sumping cut has been made, the cutter may be swung on the axis of the shaft 81 or 81 so as to secure an arcuate cut, as illustrated in Fig. 14 by the arrow Y2, considering this view as a plan view. After such swinging feeding movement is effected, a withdrawal cut may be made, as indicated by the arrow Y3, either by the rope-winding mechanism shown in Fig. 4 or by retracting the bar 40, as above explained. Similar operations may be carried lon at the roof and also intermediate the vfloor and roof.

Whether operating at the floor or at the roof or intermediate the floor and roof, to secure one of the horizontal kerfs shown in Fig. 24, accuracy of adjustment in elevation of the cutter-bar may be obtained by means of the elevating screw 12 shown in Fig. 1 which may be designed to have sufficient power to lift the framework of the mavent the same from running out of mesh with the worm 15 shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

It should be particularly noted that the worm gearing illustrated in the accompanying drawings is all of the automatic locking type. Such locking worm gearing is particularly useful in connection with the holding of the cutter-bar at an adjusted angle while being fed rectilinearly parallel to the mine track for either the making of a sumping cut or for the making of a withdrawal cut, and during such sumping and withdrawal cuts the worm gearing 15, 16 automatically locks the turntable against swinging movement relatively to the truck.

When the shaft 81 or 81' occupies a vertical position, the gearing l5, 16 constitutes means for shifting the vertical axis 81 or 81' laterally relatively to the main frame while maintaining this axis upright. The worm gearing 15, 16 being of the locking type holds the cutting element rigid relative to the main frame in its various positions to which it is shifted laterally. The worm gearing 95, 96 is also of the locking type so that the cutter-bar will also be held rigid when the clutches 91, 92 are released.

The connections between the bar 40 and the cutting tool constitute an overhanging arm when the cutter is parallel to the floor and adjacent thereto. It often occurs in coal mines that the entries are narrow and therefore it may be desirable to produce a sumping cut with the cutter substantially at the floor while the overhanging arm supports the cutter bar so that the rear end thereof will be between the mine wall or rib and the ends of the ties of the track. In this narrow space the cutter may be located and adjusted to extend forward for a rectilinear cut in continuation of the lateral walls of the entry. Thus a kerf may be made, the lower surface of which will be in continuation of the floor on which the track is laid and the kerf cut will have its lower surface below the upper surface of the rails of the mine track. Such kerfs may be cut on both sides of the mine track and connected by a kerf in advance thereof, thus completing a continuous kerf extending across the area in front of the mine track.

By means of the screw 12 the cutter bar may be elevated sufficiently to clear the rails `of the mine track during transportation.

It should also be noted that by connecting an electric motor to the wheel 17 or substituting such motor for such wheel and positioning the kerfcutter at the floor, a kerf may be cut in advance of the truck through an arc of 180 on a radius extending from the center of the turntable to the outer end of the cutter-bar. Such a radius may be still further increased by extending outwardly the rack bar 40 and holding it locked in adjusted position by the worm gearing 46, 47 shown in Fig. 1. Very wide entries of varying widths may thus be advanced by mining operationsl including kerfn cutting followed by shooting down the coal in the usual manner leaving straight ribs on both sides of the entry. In making all such arcuate cuts through 180 the full effective length of the cutter-bar is employed.

It is also important to note that in advancing all entries of relatively narrow widths, the full effective length of the cutter-bar is used and consequently a rapid advance of the entries is always maintained. This may be understood by reference to Fig. 14 considered as a plan view. When advancing entries of intermediate widths, the turntable mechanism may be employed to secure the arcuate feed between the rectilinear sumping and withdrawal cuts, but when relatively narrow entries are to be advanced, it is preferred to adjust the bar 40 to a longitudinally central position and rely on the feed of the cutter on the axis 81 or 8l to secure the arcuate cuts. Whenever the cutter-bar is fed rectilinearly, either for sumping or withdrawing, it is locked at an acute angle. Then when the chain cutter is fed into the face of the mine vein, it is presented edgewise to the coal and projected into the latter to its full depth which is taken advantage of in making the arcuate cut. Therefore, for all arcuate cuts, whether the kerfcutter is fed through 180 for the widest entries or is fed arcuately through lesser angles between the rectilinear cuts, the arcuate feed is obtained while the kerf-cutter is extended into the coal to its full effective length. The distance the entry is advanced by blasting after each cut is therefore substantially the same for the entries of various widths from the widest to the narrowest and for all entries the rib cuts as illustrated at X1 and X2 in Fig. 14 are along straight lines to facilitate the production of straight walls at the sides of the entries.

While the foregoing refers to mining operations to extend entries in advance of the truck or in advance of the mine track, the method illustrated in Figs. 17 to 24 inclusive, is used in a long wall system of mining, the upright or shearing cuts X being made as illustrated in Fig. 14. By swinging the cutter-bar toward or from the axial line of the neck it may` be positioned for the making of the slanting kerfs X3 and X3' and the cutter may be fed rectilinearly by increment by sliding the sub-frame 21 along the main frame D while the end of the rope is anchored at 35 and the truck is jacked in stationary position on the mine track. It should be observed that the rope 36 may be anchored to the truck frame 8 for this operation, and therefore when the frame 21 is fed along the frame D, the machine is entirely self-contained. The machine is also entirely self-contained when operating to produce kerfs in advance of the truck and in advance of the mine track as above explained.

The kerfs X3 and X3 along the mine wall may also be produced by moving the whole machine along the mine track after the position of the kerf-cutter has been adjusted by swinging the same toward or from the axial line of the neck.

In view of the foregoing explanation it is obvious that the great flexibility of the machine illustrated enables a single kerf-cutter to perform arc wall operations at the oor, at the roof and intermediate the oor and roof by producing horizontal kerfs; also arc wall operations in upright or shearing positions; and furthermore, the same machine may be used to carry out either long wall operations or breast operations to rapidly advance entries of varying widths while the full length of the cutter is always employed for the arc wall feeding movements.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended and it is therefore desired not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully disclosed an embodiment of the invention, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. The method of mining coal which consists in making long wall cuts in the face of the mine vein by means of kerfs in intersecting planes, and cutting upright spaced-apart kerfs to effect the dislodgment of the coal in large blocks.

2. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting slanting kerfs in the face of a mine vein some extending upwardly and others downwardly and all started from the face of the mine vein intermediate the floor and the roof and all extending rectilinearly along the face of the mine vein in intersecting planes.

3. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting along the face of a mine vein a rec` tangular kerf slanting upwardly toward the roof, dislodging the cut coal and following such dislodgment with the cutting of a slanting rectangular kerf in the mine vein extending downwardly toward the floor and dislodging the coal below such downwardly slanting kerf.

4. The method of mining coalwhich consists in cutting along the face of a mine vein rectangular kerfs slanting .downwardly and upwardly in intersecting planes, dislodging the coal between such kerfs and following such dislodgment with the cutting of additional rectangular kerfs slanting upwardly and downwardly in diverging planes and dislodging the coal above and below such additional kerfs.

5. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting slanting inter'secting kerfs from the face of a mine Vein to completely cut out the intermediate section of the coal between the floor and the roof and following such cutting out of the coal with` the production of kerfs slanting upwardly and downwardly in diverging directions toward the roof and floor and dislodging the coal above and below such diverging kerfs.

6. The method of mining which consists in cutting plane kerfs in slanting directions relative to the floor level, and producing spaced-apart upright kerfs by rectilinear and arc wall feeding movements.

7. The method of mining which consists in making longwall cuts in the face of the mine vein to produce kerfs all spaced from the floor and roof of the mine chamber and located in intersecting planes, and then eiecting dislodgment of the cut material from the mine vein.

8. 'Ihe method of mining coal which consists in cutting slanting kerfs in the face of a. mine vein some extending upwardly and others downwardly, said kerfs extending into the mine vein from the face thereof intermediate the floor and the roof and continued along the face of the mine vein in intersecting planes by longwall operations.

9. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting kerfs in the face of the mine vein in intersecting planes extending into the vein from the face thereof and lengthening said kerfs by continuous and uninterrupted cutting operations lengthwise of said mine vein face.

10. The method of mining which consists in cutting along the face of a mine vein a kerf slanting upwardly to the plane of the roof of the mine chamber, dislodging the cut material from the mine vein, and following such dislodgment with the cutting of a kerf slanting downwardly to the plane of the floor of the mine chamber, and dislodging the material from the mine vein below such downwardly slanting kerf.

11. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting a pair of intersecting kerfs along the face of a mine vein, dislodging the coal between said kerfs while some coal still remains at such face, and following such dislodgment by the cutting of another pair of intersecting kerfs along the remaining faceof coal, and then dislodging the coal above and below the last-named kerfs.

12. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting a pair of intersecting plane kerfs along the face of a mine vein, dislodging the coal between the kerfs, then cutting another pair of intersecting plane kerfs along the remaining face, and dislodging the remainder of the cut coal at the face.

13. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting a plane kerf along the face of a mine vein in a longwall operation such kerf extending upwardly to the plane of the roof of the mine chamber and dislodging the coal onto the bottom wall of the kerf to cause such bottom wall to act as an inclined plane to facilitate movement of the coal from the unmined mass and forwardly into the mine chamber.

14. The method of mining which consists in forming a face slanting upwardly relative to the mine floor, and dislodging successively sections of the mine vein below such slanting face.

15. The method of mining which consists in forming a face slanting upwardly relative to the mine floor, removing a section of the mine vein from the lower portion of such face, and then removing a section of the mine vein from the upper portion of such face.

16. The method of mining which consists in forming an inclined face in a plane extending upwardly from the mine floor, dislodging a section of the mine vein from the lower portion of said face at the oor, and then dislodging a. section from the upper portion of said face up to the roof of the mine chamber.

17. The method of mining which consists in forming a face in a plane extending upwardly from the mine oor over and above the mine vein, cutting a kerf in the face of the mine vein in an inclined plane extending downwardly below and under the mine vein, and removing the portion of the mine vein below said last-named kerf.

18. The method of mining which consists in forming by a longwall operation a slanting kerf in a plane extending upwardly from the mine floor and over and above the mine vein, and dislodging a portion of the mine vein from such face to form a new face in a plane parallel to said lrst-named face.

19. The method of mining which consists in cutting kerfs in a. mine vein successively in intersecting planes and alternately extending upwardly and downwardly, and dislodging a section of the mine vein after each kerf has been cut.

20. The method of mining which consists in cutting kerfs in a mine vein alternately in intersecting planes and each extending to or near the planes of the roof and iloor of the mine chamber, and removing sections of the mine vein alternately in accordance with the formation of the kerfs. n

21. The method of mining which consists in cutting by a longwall operation a slanting kerf in a mine vein in a plane extending over and above the mine vein, removing the section of the mine vein above such kerf leaving a slanting face in such plane, cutting a kerf in such face in a plane intersection said first-named plane and extending under and below the mine vein, removing the section of the mine vein below said second kerf, cutting a third kerf parallel to the first-named kerf, and removing the section of the mine vein above said third kerf thereby leaving a slanting face parallel to said first-named face.

22. The method of miningwhich consists in cutting kerfs in a mine vein in intersecting planes, removing a section of the mine vein between said kerfs, then cutting additional kerfs in intersecting planes, and removing sections of the mine vein above and below said additional kerfs.

23. The method of mining which consists in cutting kerfs in intersecting planes which alternately converge and diverge relative to the working face, and removing sections of the mine vein above and below such kerfs.

24. The method of mining which consists in cutting a pair of kerfs into the face of a mine vein intermediate the iloor and roof of a mine chamber and in intersecting planes converging from the working face to the intersection, removing the mineral between said kerfs, then cutting a pair of diverging kerfs from the working face intermediate the floor and roof toward the planes of such iloor and roof, and removing the sections of the mine vein above and below the second pair of kerfs.

25. The method of mining which consists in dislodging a section from a mine vein by the cutting of a pair of converging kerfs in intersecting planes, and effecting the dislodgment of additional sections of the mine vein by the cutting of a pair of diverging kerfs.

26. The method of mining which consists in cutting pairs of converging and diverging kerfs alternately into the mine vein intermediate the floor and roof of the mine chamber, and electing dislodgment alternately of an intermediate section of the mine vein and sections at the door and roof.

27. The method of mining which consists in cutting by a longwall operation a kerf into the mine vein in a plane sloping upwardly relative to the mine floor an extending over and above the mine vein, and dislodging the material to slide along such inclined face away from the unmined mass, then cutting another kerf also inclined upwardly relative to the mine oor but at a higher elevation and dislodging the material about the last-named inclined face to slide along the latter away from the remaining unmined mass.

28. The method of mining which consists in cutting by a longwall operation kerfs into a mine vein to form inclined faces in stepped relation and dislodging the material to slide successively along said inclined faces into the mine chamber away from the unmined mass.

29. The method of mining which consists in cutting pairs of kerfs intermediate the oor and roof of a mine chamber alternately in diverging and converging relation, and dislodging the material above and below and between such kerfs.

30. The method of mining which consists in cutting by a longwall operation a kerf in a. relatively low position in a plane slanting upwardly relative to the floor and extending` over and above the mine vein, dislodging some of the material above such kerf. then cutting another kerf in a relatively high position in a plane slanting upwardly relative to the floor and extending over and above the mine vein, and dislodging the remaining material above said second-named kerf.

31. The method of mining which consists in cutting a. kerf in a relatively low position in a plane slanting upwardly relative to the iloor ot the mine chamber` and extending over and above the mine vein, dislodging some of the material from the mine vein above such kerf to leave an inclined face in said plane, cutting another kerf in a relatively high position in a plane also inclined upwardly relative to said iloor and extending over and above the mine vein, and dislodging the material in the mine vein above the secondnamed kerf to slide first over the lower face of the second-named kerf and then over the aforesaid inclined face into the mine chamber away from the unmined mass.

32. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting a plurality of kerfs in a mine vein alternately slanting in intersecting planes, each by a continuous longwall operation rectilinearly along the face of the mine vein.

33. The method of mining coal which consists in cutting by one continuouslongwall operation a slanting kerf extending from the face of the mine vein intermediate the floor and the roof of the mine vein, dislodging the coal above such kerf, and by another continuous longwall operation rectilinearly along the face of the mine vein cutting another slanting kerl in a plane intersecting the plane of the rst kerf cut.

34. The method of mining which consists in cutting into the upright face of a mine vein by longwall operations a plurality of kerfs at different elevations above the mine floor, and cutting a plurality of spaced-apart upright kerfs in such face, each upright kerf being produced in three steps, rst by cutting a kerf rectilinearly into the upper portion of the mine vein, second by cutting downwardly and arcuately in the same plane, and third by cutting outwardly rectilinearly from the mine vein for the formation of a parallel ribbed kerf4 extending between the upper and lower limits of the mine vein.

35. The method of mining which consists in dislodging successive inclined portions of material presenting inclined faces extending in parallel planes and each sloping upwardly from the lower portion to the upper portion of the body of material to be removed.

36. The method of mining which consists in forming and removing successive inclined portions of material presenting like inclined faces each sloping downwardly and forwardly toward the base of mining operations.

37. The method of mining which consists in forming and removing successive portions of material alternately inclined upwardly and downwardly relative to the horizontal and each successive portion farther removed from the initial base of mining operations.

38. The method of mining which consists in dislodging by longwall operations successive inclined elongated portions of material presenting inclined faces extending in parallel planes longitudinally of the mine vein and each sloping upwardly.

39. The method of mining which consists in forming by longwall operations successive inclined elongated portions of material presenting like inclined faces each sloping downwardly and forwardly toward the base of mining operations.

40. The method of mining which consists in forming by longwall operations successive elongated portions of material with faces alternately inclined upwardly and downwardly relative to the horizontal, and alternating the removal of the upwardly and downwardly extending elongated portions.

41. The method of mining which consists in cutting rectilinear plane kerfs into the upright face of a mine vein in planes slanting relative to the horizontal, and intersecting such kerfs with spaced-apart upright kerfs to facilitate dislodgment of the kerf-cut material.

42. The method of mining which consists in cutting rectilinear plane kerfs into the upright face of a mine vein by longwall operations in intersecting `planes each slanting relatiye to the horizontal, and intersecting such kerfs with spaced-apart upright kerfs to facilitate dislodgment of the kerf-cut material.

OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN, Executrix, Estate of Edmund C. Morgan,

Deceased.

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