US2002743A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

May 28, 1935. F. A. LINDGREN MINING MACHINE Filed DeC. 5, 1932 44 Sheets-Sheet l ,W LV @my m Wr/M QP@ Y gigli/@f May 28, 1935. F. A. L ;'NDGEN 2,002,743

MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 28, 1935- F. A. LINDGREN 2,002,743

MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 0 JI fog May 28, 1935- F. A. LINDGREN 2,O0?,743

MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l Patented May 28, 1935 1 l UNITED `,sTA'rlzs PATENT OFFICE Frank A. Lindgren, Western Springs, Ill., assigner to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois i Application December 5, 1932, serial Nc. `staats 25c1eims. (ol. 2oz-3o) l This invention relates to improvements in min-4 with parts broken away and in section to more ing machines and more particularly to impro-Veclearly show the details thereof; ments in mining machines of thetcombination AFigure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of th longwall and shortwall type particularly adapted rearward portion of the device shown in Figure 1, for use in pitching seams of ooaL ,l r with parts broken away and in section to more 5 When cutting coal in pitching seams, either on clearly show the details thereof;

t the longwall or shortwall system, much difficulty Figure 6 is 'a sectional View taken substantially is encountered in holding the machine up to the along line 6-5 of Figure 4; face Whilesumpingthe cutter bar into the coal l Figure'l is an enlarged side elevation of the l and in preventing the machine from getting away rearward portion of the device shown in Figure 1, 1Q

from the operator during the cutting operation. with certain other parts broken away and in sec- Furthermore, it has heretofore been very diiiition than are broken away in Figure t0 ShOW cult to sump the cutter bar of a longwall ma- Certain other details of my inVCltiOIi; chine into the coal on a pitching seam by pivot- Figure 8 is an enlarged detail Sectional View 1.5 ing the cutter bar about the axis cf its cutter 0f the locking and shifting arrangement for one 15 chain sprocket due to the fact that the feed rope of the feed drums; and t l must be used for pivoting the `cutter bar `and Figure 9 iSen enlarged detail View of the latch some other means must be provided foiholding et'means for controlling one of the feed drums.V the mining machine up to the face, Like numerals refer to like parts throughout Y The device of my invention is so arranged as the Various figures. 20 to eliminate these diiculties and has as one of Referring 110W tothe details Shown in the drawits objects to provide e new and improved mim ings, theembodiment of. my invention 'comprises ing machine of the longwall type of alow com- @min-lug meollile IU of the type adapted to Slidpact arrangement which may also cut in the ably move along the mine'bottom on its own botmanner of Shel-ewan machine Another objeei; tom during the cutting operation. Said mining 25 of my invention is to provide suon e, maohine machine includes a motori l, the height of which having a pair of feed drums independently driven Substantially determines the height of the matfrom the mining machine motor in an improved Chino, Cutting mechanism disposed OIWoIdly manner and automatically held from rotation theleof, and generally iudioatod by ofoionoe in a direction other than desired and controlled Character Al2 including a Divotelly Supported Cut- 30 by suitable independent braking means when tot bei i3 Wliioh may `be looked in Various DoSidisconnected from the motor. Still another tiouSWth I'eSlJoot t0 kSolid mining meollioe, Which object of my invention is to provide auxiliary cutter bar has a cutter chain I4 movable there- 4 y means operable independently of the feed drums about in a CloSod orbital path, and feeding mechv at. either a high positioning of a 10W feeding amsm disposed rearwardly of said motor includ- 35 speed for pivoting the cutter bar forpositioning nig food CllumS- i5, i5 disposed adjacent opposaid cutter bar or feeding it into. the coal face. Sme sldes, of Sa1d-mmmg machme Whlch drums' Other objects of my invention will appear from have exlbl? feedmg member? I s i6 Wound there time to time as the following specification on .and are independently.dnven-fr0m the motor proceeds. p H in `a manner which w1ll hereinafter be more 40 My invention may be more clearly understood fully descmbed' with reference to the accom an .n dr .n The cutter bar i3 is carried by a cutter ba p yi. g am gs support member l'l in a suitable manner, which Wldrem: 1 t, f b d, cutter bar support member in turn has a bored 15 lgure ISL a' pelspef Weylew o (me em 0 I" portion which is journaled on a hub I8 depending 45 ment of my Inventum from a cutterrframe member I9 secured to and Flgure' 2 1S al@ enlarge@ plan View of @he for extending forwardly of the motor li. An annu- Ward portlon 01 the devl Shown m Figure 1 lar bearing member 29 is formed integral with the with parts broken away and in section to more ,Cutter frame member la and hee bearing engage- Clearly SlloW the deteilS thereof 3 ment with a recessed portion formed in the upper 50 Figure 3 iS a Dortil enlarged fragmentary surfaceof the cutter bar support member Hin longitudinal Seotlo'nal VCW of the forward D01*- a suitable manner. An annular ring 2l is secured tion of the device Shown in Figure 1; to the cutter bar support member Il adjacent its Figure l is an enlarged plan View of the rearupper surface by means of suitable securing 59 Ward portion of the` device shown'in Figurel 1, means in a well known manner and has bearing e engagement with the upper surface of the annular bearing member 20 for supporting the cutter bar I3 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. Suitable means (not shown) are provided for locking the cutter bar I3 in Various positions of adjustment with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine, which means are of an ordinary construction and are no portion of my present invention so are not herein shown or described in detail. When the cutter bar I3 is locked so as to extend longitudinally of the machine, said machine may operate as a shortwall machine being fed into and across the coal face and controlled by means of the flexible feeding members I6, it in a usual manner, and when said cutter bar is free to be pivotally moved about its axis of pivotal connection to the cutter frame member i9 and locked so as to be positioned at right angles with respect to the machine, said machine may operate as a longwall machine in a usual manner, being fed along the coal face by either one or both of the flexible feeding members I5 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. f

The cutter chain i4 is driven from the motor il about the cutter bar I3 by means of a suitable selective geared connection which comprises a pinion 22 secured to the forward end of a shaft 23 of the motor II, which pinion meshes with and drives a spur gear 24 keyed on a longitudinally extending shaft 25. The longitudinally extending shaft 25 is journaled in the cutter frame member i5 in a suitable manner and has a bevel pinion 2l freely mounted thereon, and disposed rearwardly of the bearing support means for the forward end of said shaft.

The bevel pinion 27 is selectively connected with the longitudinally extending shaft 25 by means of a suitable clutch member 29 splined on said shaft and having forwardly extending clutch jaws 35 formed integral therewith and engage- 'able with suitable clutch jaws formed integral with said bevel pinion in a usual manner. A suitable clutch collar 3| is provided for shifting the clutch member 29, which clutch collar in turn is operated by a clutch fork 32 and a suitable system of levers in a usual manner.

The bevel pinion 2 meshes with and has driving engagement with a bevel gear 33, which bevel gear is keyed on the upper end of a vertical shaft 34. The bevel gear 53 is journaled on its hub in a suitable ball'bearing supported in the hub I8 of the cutter frame member I9 and the vertical shaft 34 is journaled adjacent the lower end of said hub in a suitable ball bearing in a usual manner. A cutter chain sprocket 35 is keyed on the lower end of the vertical shaft 55 and meshes with and drives the cutter chain Id .about the cutter bar I3.

Referring now in particular to the details of the feeding mechanism and several of the novel features of my invention, a spur pinion 35 is `'keyed on the rearward end of the motor shaft 23 and meshes with and drives a spur gear 31 keyed on the forward end of a longitudinally extending shaft 33. The longitudinally extending shaft 39 is journaled in a suitable bearing memt ber secured'to a frame member 4I for the feed mechanism and has a worm t3, herein preferably shown as being formed integral therewith, intermediate its ends, which worm meshes vided with pinions l'l, 41 adjacent its opposite ends, which pinions are in turn adapted to be selectively meshed with internal gears 138, 't8 in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described. The internal gears 48, 58 are in turn secured to the inner peripheries 0f inwardly extending flanges 4Q, 49 formed integral with the feed drums I5, I5 for driving said feed drums. The transversely extending shaft i5 is in turn adapted to be driven from the worm gear M at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed through a frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction device coaxial therewith and generally indicated by reference character 50.

The frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction device 5U is of an ordinary construction and includes a casing 5I freely mounted on the sleeve 45 and journaled on its hub in a suitable bearing member formed integral with the frame member 4I. A sun gear 53 is formed integral with the sleeve 45 adjacent the inner end thereof within the casing 5I and meshes with and drives planetary pinions 51%, 54 freely mounted on suitable shafts 55, 55 carried by a cage 55. The planetary pinions 55, 55 mesh with an internal gear 57, which internal gear is secured to the inner periphery of the casing 5I. Planetary pinions 59, 5i) formed integral with the planetary pinions 54, 54 are of smaller diameter than said pinions and mesh with and drive an internal gear 50 mounted for free rotation within the casing 5I and provided with a spider Iii within which are formed integral clutch jaws 62.

A suitable friction band, generally indicated by reference character 53, is adapted to engage the outer periphery of the casing 5i to hold said casing from rotatable movement or to allow said casing to slip therein for varying the speed of the planetary gear reduction device 5I) and for preventing overload on the parts therein and driven thereby in an obvious manner.

A suitable clutch member t is feathered on the transversely extending shaft l5 and is provided with clutch jaws 65, which clutch jaws are adapted to mesh with the clutch jaws 52 formed integral with the spider 5I for driving said shaft at a low frictionally controlled speed, or suitable clutch jaws (not shown) formed integral with the cage 55 for driving said shaft at a higher frictionally controlled speed in an obvious manner.

With reference now in particular to the novel means for selectively connecting the internal gears i8 with the pinions fi? so that either of the feed drums I5 may be independently driven from the transversely extending shaft llt, said mechanism is the same for each drum, so the mechanism for one drum only will herein be described.

The feed drum I5 is freely mounted on a sleeve member 66 for rotation with respect thereto, which sleeve member is bored eccentrically of its center and carried by a sleeve 5l mounted on a transversely extending shaft 59 and journaled within a bearing support it integral with and extending upwardly from the bottom of the frame member 4I.

A groove 'il is formed in the outer end of the sleeve member 65 and extends thereacross. The groove 'II is adapted to be engaged by arms 'I2 extending outwardly from the center of a member 'I3 carried within the sleeve 6l and keyed on the outer end of the shaft 59. Suitable means are provided for holding the member 'i3 and in the prongs of said bifurcated upper end of said lever arm. Another parallel arm 19 is spaced rearwardly from the lever arm and carried in the frame member 4| for pivotal movement about an axis in alignment with the axis of pivotal movement of said lever arm. The parallel arm 'I9 is likewise provided with a bifurcated upper i end in which is carried a shaft 88.

The .shafts 'il and 80 are transversely bored intermediate their ends, and the surfaces of said shaftsv adjacent the ends of said bores and between the prongs of said bifurcated portions are flattened. The bores of the shafts il and 80 are adapted to be aligned and receive a rod 8| passing therethrough so movement of said rod in one direction or another will move the lever arm 15 and parallel arm 'I8 in parallel relation with respect to each other.

Suitable collars 82, 82, having tongues extending inwardly therefrom, are"r disposed adjacent opposite ends of the bifurcated portion of the lever arm 15 and their tongues extend within said bifurcated portion and abut the fiattened portions of the shaft The collars 82, 82 are held in place by means of a locking member 83 which abuts the outer ends of said collars and is secured to the rod 8| by means of suitable pins 84 so that pivotal movement of said rod will pivctally move said locking member about the axis thereof and longitudinal movement of said rod will pivotally move the lever arm l5. The lockingmember 83 is provided with forward and rearward beveled engaging surfaces 85, one of which surfaces is adapted to engage the forward engagingsurface of a stop 88 and the other of which engaging surface is adapted to engage the rearward engaging surface of said stop to hold the rod 8| from longitudinal movement in one direction or another.`

Collars 8l, 8l', having inwardly extending tongues, are likewisedisposed adjacent opposite ends of the bifurcated portion of the parallel arm 19 and the tongues of said collars extend within said bifurcated portion and are adapted to abut the forward and rearward flattened surfaces of the shaft 80. A suitable collar 88 is secured to the rod 8| by means of a pin in an ordinary manner and abuts the forward surface of the forwardmost collar 8l. The rearward collar 8l has a suitable recess formed therein which is adapted to receive an end of a tension member, such as a tension spring 89, encircling the rod 8| and enclosed by a sleeve memberk 80. The opposite end of the tension spring 88 passes through a suitable recess in the sleeve member 98 and is adapted to engage a suitable recess in a collar 9|` secured to the rod 8| by means of a suitable pin and abutting the rearward end of said sleeve l rod 8| must be turned against said tension spring when it is desired to disengage said locking `member from said stop. The rod 8| is in turn turned todisengage the locking member 83 from the stop 86 and shifted longitudinally with respect to the machine by means of a handle 93 on the rearward end thereof.

Suitable stops 94, 94 are provided on the frame member 4|`to engage the lever arm l5 at the extreme ends of its Vforward and rearward movement and react against the engaging surfaces 85 of the locking'member 83 and stop 86 to positively hold the feed` drum i8 from movement when locked in an engaged or disengaged position with respect to the shaft 88 when exceptional loads are placed on said feed drum.

It may thus be seen that when the rearward engaging surface 85 of the locking member 83 is` in engagement with the forward engaging surface of the stop 86, that theinternal gear 48 is meshed with the pinion il so the feed drum I5 may be driven from the shaft 45 and rotated about the center of the sleeve member B8 at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed. When the rearward engaging surface 85 is olisengaged from the stop 85 and the rod 8| is moved rearwardly with respect to the machine, and the forward engaging surface 85 is engaged with the rearward engaging surface of the stop 85,. the feed drum 5 and internal gear 48 is moved rearwardly with respect to the machine a distance sufficient to throw the pinion 4l out of mesh with 'said internal gear and hold said internal gear in such a position by means of the locking member 83 and stop 86. Y

It is thus apparent that a simplified and positive means has been provided for selectively connecting either of the` feed drums I5 with the transversely extending shaft 48 so that either of said drums may be independently driven therefrom at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed in a simplified manner which utilizes a minimum amount yof space in the machine proper, thus eliminating the use of the clutches for selectively connecting said drums to said shaft.

Suitable means are provided for holdingthe feed drums i5, `|5 from rotationwhen disengaged from thetransversely extending shaft 46, for retarding travel of one side or the other of the machine, or forlholding said machine adjacent'the face when cutting along a pitching face, which means may be of any ordinary type but are herein preferably shown as being friction brake bands 95, 95 engageable with the outer peripheries of the inwardly extending flanges 48 of said feed drums. The friction brake bands 95 are engaged with or disengaged from the inwardly extending flanges 49 by means of a suitable system of levers in an ordinary manner (not shown). Safety means are further provided to prevent rotation of the feed drums i5, l5 in a direction opposite to which they are being driven from the motor and thus to hold the machine while cutting along a pitching seam in cases where there might be breakage of the parts driving said feed drums, or in cases where said drums might accidentally be disconnected from the transversely extending shaft 48 so as to be free to rotate about their axes of pivotal connection to the frame member 4|, which means may be of any type but which are herein preferably shown as being pawl and ratchet devices, generally indicated by reference character 96. The pawl and ratchet devices 96 are of the reversible type so as to beoperative in whichever direction the feed drums |5, |5 are rotating and each of said pawl and ratchet devices includes ratchet teeth S1 cut inextending guide frames M93,

tegral with the inner end of the inwardly extending flanges is of each feed lrum i5. A member 98 has a pair of pawls Q9, 99 formed integral therewith, each of said pawls being at opposite ends of said member. The member 98 is pivotally connected to a portion of the frame member il intermediate the pawls Si) and has an outwardly extending arcuate shaped engaging member lil secured thereto, the concave face of which is adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed plunger lill pivotally connected to the frame member li in such a manner that said plunger may engage either end of the concave face of said engaging member and engage either of the pawls Se with the ratchet teeth 9i in an obvious manner.

It is thus apparent that the pawl and ratchet devices 26 may be adjusted to hold the feed drums i5 from rotation in any desired direction. Thus when the machine is being fed along a pitching coal face and the feed drum l5 feeding the machine is disconnected from the motor li, said drum will hold the machine from movement along the pitching bottom without engaging the brake band 95 therewith.

Referring now in particular to the means for pivotally moving the cutter bar i3 about the axis of the vertical shaft 3% for feeding said cutter bar into the coal face or for positioning said cutter bar in its various positions of adjustment with respect to the mining machine lil, suitable means driven by the frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction device 5&3 independently of the feed drums i5 are provided for so pivoting said cutter bar which include longitudinally HB3 disposed on each side of the frame member di. Each longitudinally extending guide frame H33 is secured adjacent its forward end to the outer side of the forward portion of the frame member ii and adjacent the rearward end of the motor il by means of a suitable bracket likt pivotally supported on the outer side of the frame member M for pivotal movement about an axis spaced downwardly from said guide frame. Each guide frame idd is supported adjacent its rearward end on a pin ESE secured to the end of a lever arm |96, which lever arm in turn is secured to a transversely extending shaft itil disposed rearwardly of said guide frame.

A rack m9 is slidably mounted in each longitudinally extending guide frame w3 for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, and is held from vertical movement with respect to its associated guide frame by means of a gibbed member lii engaging a shouldered portion on said rack. Pinions iid, it@ are keyed on the outer ends of shafts lil, i il journaled adjacent opposite sides of the frame member lil. The pinions iid, i itl are adapted to mesh with the racks its, E09 for translationally moving said racks upon rotation thereof. Spur gears i i2, i l2 are keyed on the opposite end of the shafts lli, Hl and are meshed with and driven by the pinions 4i', iil on opposite ends of the transversely extending shaft lii.

Suitable operating levers H3, H3 are secured to the transversely extending shafts lil?, lill for pivotally moving said shafts and moving the guide frames tilt, M93 about their axes of pivotal connection to the frame member di, and raising or depressing the rearward ends of the racks M19, H39 for engaging the teeth of said racks with the pinions im, lill or disengaging said racks therefrom. The operating levers H3, H3 are provided -with suitable spring pressed pins i tibi li adapted to register with suitable apertures in members H5, E55 integral with the frame member Lll for holding the racks itil, E69 in an engaged or disengaged position with respect to the pinions l i, i li) in such a manner that said racks may be retracted or extended independently of each other and independently of the feed drums i5, i5.

Upwardly extending apertured connecting members IE5, liti are provided on the forward ends of the racks M9, its and the apertures in either one of said members are adapted to be engaged by a hook Hl on the rearward end of a flexible cable Hd (see Figs. i, 4, and 5). The pposite'end of the exible cable H8 is provided with a suitable hook H9 which is adapted to engage a suitable recessed portion l2@ formed in the outer periphery of the cutter bar support member il for pivotally moving said cutter bar support member upon longitudinal movement of the respective rack 09 to .which the cable H8 is connected (see Figs. l and 2).

it is thus apparent that when the flexible cable H8 is connected adjacent one of its ends to the recessed portion ib and adjacent its opposite end to the connecting member l l S secured to the rack i559, that movement of said rack will pivotally move the cutter bar it in an obvious manner. lt should also be apparent that when pivotally moving the cutter bar i3 in one direction, one rack it?? is utilized and when moving said cutter bar in an opposite direction the opposite rack illS is utilized.

It should be understood that the racks M39, HB9 are moved rearwardly with respect to the mining machine It! when it is desired that either of said racks effect pivotal movement of the cutter bar i3. When it is desired to extend either of the racks lili), mi) to an operative position after they have been moved in a rearward position, it is only necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor il, although it should be apparent that suitable reversing mechanism may be provided to reverse the direction of movement of said racks without reversal of said motor if desired.

It may now be seen that a new and improved means has been provided for pivotally moving the cutter bar i3, which means is selectively connectible with and driven from the mining machine motor l i at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed independently of the feed drums l5, i5.

With such an arrangement, the cutter bar i3 may be pivoted about the axis of the vertical shaft 365 at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed while the mining machine is being held to the face by both of the flexible cables M8 wound on the feed drums i5. Thus the cutter bar i3 may be positioned for cutting or sumped into the coal independently of the feed drums i5 while said machine is held from movement along the mine bottom by said feed drums, which means is entirely independent oi said feed rums and permits the mining machine to be safely and efficiently operated where the bottom and coal seam is pitching.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, 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. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the particular form illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

i' I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a motor,-a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a'vertical axis, feeding mechanism for said mining machine comprising a feed drum, a drive connection from said motor to said feed drum including a transverse shaft driven by said motor and having a pinion thereon, and means driven by said pinion and operable independently of said feed drum for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a rack, a pinion meshing with said rack, and a connection from said rack to said cutter bar. i

2. In a mining machine, a motor, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism for said mining machine comprising a feed drum, a drive connection from said motor to said feed drum including a transverse shaft driven by said motor and having a pinion thereon, and means driven by said pinion and operable independently of said feed drum for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a rack, a pinion meshing with said rack, and a flexible connection from said rack to said cutter bar.

3. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor, a

projecting cutter bar extending forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism on said frame comprising a feed drum on each side thereof, a drive connection from lsaid motor to said feed drums including a `frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and means driven by said frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device for pivoting said cutter bar about a verticalaxis comprising a rack, a pinion meshing with said rack and driven by saidfrictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and a connection from said rack to said cutter bar for pivotally movingsaid cutter bar upon movement of said rack.

4. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor, a projecting `cutter bar extendingI forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism on said frame comprising a feed drum on each side thereof, a drive connection from said vmotor to said feed drums including a frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and means driven by said frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a rack, a pinion meshing with said rack and driven by said frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and a flexible connection from said rack to said cutter bar for pivotally moving said cutter bar upon movement of `said rack.

5. In a mining machine, a frame, amotor, a projecting cutter bar extending forwardly of said motorand carried for pivotal Vmovement about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism on said frame comprising a feed drum on each side thereof, a drive connection from said motor to said feed drums including a frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and means driven by said frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a rack extending along and on each side of said frame, pinions meshing vwith said racks and driven by said frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and connections from said racks to said cutter bar whereby either of said racks may pivotally move said cutter bar..

6. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor, a projecting cutter bar extending forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement-about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism on said frame comprising a feed drum on each side thereof, a

drive connection from said motor to said feed drums including a frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, and `means driven by said frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising arack extending along and on each side of said frame, pinions meshing with said racks anddriven by said frictionally controlled plural 4speed gear reduction device, land a fiexible connecting member adapted to connect either of said racks to said cutter bar.

'7 In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a horizontal plane chain carrying cutter b ar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including 8l feed drum and a transversely extending shaft operably connected with said Vfeed drum adjacent its outer end selectively driven by said motor, and other means driven from said shaft independently of said feed drum for pivotally moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a rack adapted to have connection withi said cutter bar, a pinion meshing therewith, and a drive connection from said shaft to said pinion, l d

8. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a horizontal plane chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine, a shaft extending transversely thereofY and independently driven by said motor, a selective drive connection from .opposite ends of said shaft to said feed drums and other means driven from said shaft independently of said feed drums for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a rack arranged on each side lof said mining machine, each of said racks being adapted to have selective connectionV with said cutter bar, a pinion meshing with each of said racks, and drive connections from said shaft to said pinions.

9. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar-,pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a shaft extending trans:- versely of said mining machine, and means driven by said shaft for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical 'axis comprising a retractable member arranged on. each side of said mining machine, each of said retractable members being adapted to have selective connection with said cutter bar, and drive connections from said transversely extending shaft to said retractable members including inter-engaging rotating members cooperating with said retractable members'.

l0. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged atop-posite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a plural speed gear reduction device, a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine driven by said plural speed gear reduction device and having selective connection with. said feed: drums, and means driven by said shaft independently of said feed drums for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a retractable member arranged on each side of said mining machine, each of said retractable members being adapted to have selective connection with said cutter bar, and drive connections from said transversely extending shaft to said retractable members including interengaging rotating members cooperating with said retractable members.

11. In a mining machine, a motor, -cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor ncluding a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a shaft extending transversely of said ymining machine, and means driven by said shaft for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising an extensible and retractable member arranged on each side of said mining machine, each of said extensible and retractable members being adapted to have' selective connection with said cutter bar, and drive connections from said transversely extending shaft to said extensible and retractable members including inter-engaging rotating members cooperating with said retractable members.

12. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a plural speed gear reduction device, a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine driven thereby and having selective connection with said feed drums, and means driven by said shaft independently of said feed drums for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising an extensible and retractable member arranged on each side of said mining machine, each of said extensible and retractable members being adapted ,to have selective connection with said cutter bar, and selective drive connections from said transversely extending `shaft to said extensible and retractable members including inter-engaging rotating members cooperating with said retractable members. 13. In a longwall mining machine, a motor, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and means driven by said motor for pivotally moving said cutter bar comprising a rack connectible with said cutter bar andmovable longitudinally of said machine in a plane parallel to the plane of said cutter bar, a pinion driven by said motor and adapted, to mesh with said rack and a selective connection between' said pinion and rack.

.14. In a longwall mining machine, a motor, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means driven by said motor for pivoting said cutter bar comprising a rack on each side of said machine, said racks being independently movable in a plane parallel to the plane of said cutter bar and adapted to have detachable connection with said cutter bar, and a selective drive connection from said motor to said racks including a frictionally controlled gear reduction device, a pair of pinions driven thereby and selective connections between said pinions and racks.

15. In a longwall mining machine, a motor, a Cutter bar projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and feeding mechanism therefor including a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverseaxes and disposed at opposite sides of said machine, means for independently driving said feed drums from said motor including a frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, a transversely extending shaft coaxial'with and driven by said plural speed gear reduction device, and a selective connection from said shaft to said feed drums, braking mechanism associated with each of said feed drums, and means automatically operable independently of said braking mechanism for holding said feed drums from rotation in a direction opposite to the direction in which they are being driven comprising a pawl and ratchet device engageable with each of said drums.

16. In a longwall mining machine, a motor, a cutting section carried forwardly of said motor including a projecting chain carrying cutter bar Carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and a feeding section rearwardly of said motor 4including a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse axes and disposed at opposite sides of said feeding section, means for independently driving said feed drums from said motor including a frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, a transversely extending shaft coaxial with and driven by said plural speed gear reduction device, means for selectively connecting opposite ends of said shaft with said feed drums, braking mechanism associated with each of said feed drums, and means operable upon disengagement of said braking mechanism from said feed drums for holding said feed drums from rotation in a direction opposite to the direction in which they are being driven comprising a pawl and ratchet device engageable with each of said drums.

17. In a longwall machine, a motor, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and feeding mechanism therefor including a plurality of feed drums rotatable about transverse axes and disposed at opposite sides of said feeding section, means for independently driving said feedv drums from said motor including a frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction device, a transversely extending shaft coaxial with and driven by said plural speed gear reduction device, means for selectively connecting opposite ends of said shaft with said feed drums, braking mechanism associated with each of said feed drums, and means automatically operable independently of said braking mechanism for holding said feed drums from rotation in a direction opposite to the direction in which they are being driven `comprising`-apawl and ratchet device engageable Vwith each of said drums and other means driven from said-transverselyfextending shaft for turning said cutter bar comprising extensible and retractable members on each side of said mining machine, andra flexible `connecting member forconnecting either of said extensible and retractable members with said` cutter bar.

18. ln a longwall mining machine, a motor, a cutter bar for projecting forwardly of said motor and carried for pivotal movement about avertical axis, and feeding mechanism; therefor including a plurality of feed drums'rctat'able' about transverseaxes and disposed at opposite sides of said machine, braking mechanism associated with each of said feed drums, means automatically operable independently of said braking mechanism for holding said drums from rota-l tion in a direction opposite to the direction in 'which they are being driven comprising a paWl and ratchet device associated With each of said drums and means for independently driving said feed drums from said motor at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed including a frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction device, a transversely extending shaft coaxial with and driven by said plural speed gear reduction device, pinions on opposite ends of said shaft, gears on said feed drums, andr eccentric devices for independently meshing said gears With said pinions or disengaging said gears therefrom.

19. ln a mining machine, a motor, a cutter bar disposed forwardly of said motor, feeding mechanism therefor including a feed drum, means for driving said feed drum from said motor including a shaft, a pinion on said shaft, a gear on said feed drum driven by saidpinion and means for meshing said gear on said feed drum with said pinion or disengaging said gear therefrom comprising a sleeve member journaled Within said drum and supporting said drum for rotai tion with respect thereto, said sleeve member being supported for pivotal movement about an axis disposed eccentrically of its center, and means for pivoting said sleeve member and shifting said gear for engagement with or disengagement from said pinion comprising a lever arm having connection With said sleeve member, a parallel arm, means forconnecting said arms together so that horizontal movement of said connecting means will cause pivotal movement of said arms comprising a horizontally extending rod, and means carried by said rod for selectively locking said arms in one extreme position or another and positively locking said gear in an engaged or disengaged position With respect to said pinion,

20. In a mining machine, a motor, a cutter bar disposed forwardly of said motor, feeding mechanism therefor including a feed drum, means for driving said feed drum from said motor including a shaft, a pinion on saidshaft, a gear on said feed drum driven by said pinion and means for meshing said gear on said feed drum with said pinion or disengaging said gear therefrom comprising a sleeve member journaled within said drum and supporting said drum for rotation with respect thereto, said sleeve member being supported for pivotal movement about an axis disposed eccentrically of its center, `and means for pivoting said sleeve member and shifting said gear for engagement with or disengagement from said pinion comprising a lever arm having connection With said sleeve member, a parallel arm,

means for connecting said arms together so that horizontal movement of said connecting means Will cause pivotal movement of said arms comprising a horizontally extending rod, and means carried by said rod for selectively locking said `1 arms in one extreme position or another and positively locking said gear in an engaged or disengaged position with respect to said pinion comprising a stationary abutment and a locking member on said rod selectively engageable with said abutment at its opposite ends.

2l. In a mining machine,` a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine, and means driven `by said shaft for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a longitudinal guide on each side of said mining machine, a retractable member selectively driven by said motor slidably movable in said guide, and a connection from said retractable member to said cutter bar.

22. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bark pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite ides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine, and means driven by said shaft for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a longitudinal guide on each side of said mining machine, a retractable member slidably movable on said guide, said retractable members being adapted to be connected to said cutter bar, and selective drive connections from said transverselyV extending shaft to said retractable members.

23. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes` extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine, and means driven by said shaft for pivoting said cutter bar about` a vertical axis comprising a longitudinal guide on each side of said mining machine, a retractable member slidably movable on said guide, said retractable members being adapted to be connected to said cutter bar, and selective drive connections from said transversely extending shaft to said retractable members including interengaging rotating members driven by said shaft and cooperating with said retractable members.

24. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism disposed rearwardly of said motor including a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other including a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine, and means driven by said vshait for pivoting said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a longitudinal guide on each side of said mining machine, a retractable member slidably movable on said guide, said retractablemernbers being adapted to be connected to said cutter bar, and selective drive connections from said transversely extending sha-ft to said retractable members comprising interengaging rotating members driven by said shaft and means for selectively engaging said retractable members with said interengaging rotating members.

25. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor including a chain carrying cutter bar pivotally movable about a vertical axis, feeding mechanism 'disposed rearwardly of said motor includ'- ing a plurality of feed drums arranged at opposite sides of said machine for rotation about axes extending transversely of said mining machine, means for driving said feed drums from said motor independently of each other' including a shaft extending transversely of said mining machine, and means driven by said shaft for pivoting said cutter bar about a Vertical axis comprising a longitudinal guide on each side of said mining machine, a retractable member slidably movable on said guide, said retractable members being adapted to be connected to said cutter bar, and selective drive connections from said transversely extending shaft to said retractable members comprising interengaging rotating members driven by said shaft and means for selectively engaging said retractable members with said interengaging rotating members comprising means for swinging said guide members in a vertical plane.

' FRANK A. T..Il\IDC-fltEN.a

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