US2007900A

US2007900A - Mining apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2007900A
Application number: US432541A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles F Osgood
Original assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Current assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Priority date: 1930-03-01
Filing date: 1930-03-01
Publication date: 1935-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 1952-07-09

Description

July 9, 1935. c. F, osGooD M1NING-APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l c. F, osGooD Ew@ MINING APPARATUS Filed March l, 1930 6 sheets-sheet 2 .nuly 99 1935..

w E Q rv A M \%&N u mwN NNN @QN am @N EN SN@ m L .DI M 1/ A 1 A @E A N Filed March 1, 1930 6 sheets-sheet 5 July 9, 1935. C, F QSGOQD 2,007,900

MINING APPARATUS Filed March l, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 @9M IMM/whmy 193,5. c. FosGooD ZU'LQUU MINING APPARATUS Filed March l, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IOZ Gini..

July 1935. c. F. osGooD A 2,007,9

MINING APPARATUS Filed Maron 1', 195o e sheetssheet e` F 7W 777W f4 61 65555 5 i737 56v 95 70 o I |7 Patented `luly 9, 1935 l Y MINING APPA A'IUS Y Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N121., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company,`a""corporation of `Massachusetts Application March 1, 1930, Serial No. 432,541`

19 claims. (c1. 262428) This invention relates to mining apparatus and is to providefan' improved coal mining apparatus more particularly has reference to improvements of the wheelmounted track supported and guided in coal mining apparatus oi the Wheel mounted type havingimproved motor driven devices for universal type adapted to operatewhile sup'- swinging the kerf cutting mechanism relativeto ported and guided by a mine trackway. the truck, for adjusting the cuttingmechanism `5' l An object of thisinvention is to providean iminto different elevated positions relative Yto the proved coal mining apparatus. Another object truck and for` tilting the cutting mechanism, for is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus rotating the cutter head, for adjusting the cutof the wheel mounteduniversaltype havingimting device bodily toward and from the head axis, 101 proved adjustable kerl" cutting mechanism opandffor swinging the cutting device about its 10 erative to cut kerfs in parallel planes either horipivot. These and other objects of this invention zontally or vertically. Another object is to prowill, however, hereinafter more fully appear in vide an improved coal mining apparatus of the the course of the following description and as Wheel mounted type adapted to operate while supmore particularly pointed out in the appended ported and guided bya mine trackway and havclaims. Y i Y p ing improved adjustable kerf cutting mechanism Infthe accompanying drawings there is shown whereby a keri maybe cut at or near the level for purposes of illustration one form which the of the mine bottom outside and below the level invention may assume in practice. Y ofthe mine trackway. Still another object is to In these drawings,- i Y 2Q. provide in a mining apparatus 'of the aforesaid Fig. lis a plan view of the illustrative embodi 20- character improved adjustable kerf cutting mechment` of Y the improved mining apparatus.

anism whereby the cutter bar may be positioned Fig. 2is a side elevational view of the mining to cut a horizontal keri ator` near the levelof apparatus shownrin Fig. 1 j y the mine bottom outside the mine trackwayor to Fig. 3 is. an enlarged fragmentary plan view of cut a vertical kerf. Yet another object is tol the apparatus shown in Fig.` 1 with parts` shown 25- provide in a mining apparatus of the aforesaid in horizontalsection to illustrate structural decharacter improved adjustable kerf cutting mech" tailsl 1 j anism whereby the cutter barV may be positioned Fig. fi` is a central longitudinally extending to cut a horizontal kerf at or near the levelv ofvertical sectional view taken substantially online the mine bottom or at or near the level of the 4-4 `of Fig. 3. 30

mine roof, thereby enabling the apparatus fto i Fig."5 is Va central longitudinally extending operate either asamounted bottom cutter oratop verticalsectional View taken substantially on cutter to suit varying mining conditions. Still lineA 5`5 of Fig. 1. `another Objectis to provide an improved topv l Figiv Vis a transverse vertical sectional View 35,y cutter mining apparatus Vwherein a plurality of taken substantially on line lof Fig. 4.

adjusting mechanisms for the cutter mechanismA Fig. '7 is a detail sectional View taken substan` is provided for adjusting the cutting device. rA tially on line T-l of Fig. 3. further object is to provide an improvedfmecha` d Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on a plane core' nism for adjusting the cutting mechanism into responding to the 1in@ s of Fig 5 40 different elevated and angular positions relative 'Fig 9 s a transverse Verf-,ical Sectional yView 40 to the truck and driven fromv the same motor as that which drives the truck Wheels to propel the apparatus along the mme trackway Another. ing details ofthe mechanism shown in Fie. 9. @meet is t provdelan improved oal'mning ap'. Fig. l1 isfa diagrammatic side elevational view SSOQ amdig illus-faim thenining apparatus in a mine with.

tramway having Supports extremely flexiblem thefcutltrtig devlce operating atrthe level of the adjustment Vwhereby the cutting device may be mmf? o Om .y positioned at or near the level of the mine bottom' Flg- 12 1s a' dlagramma'tlc plan View Illustrattakeri substantially on line 9 9 of Fig. l. Fig. l0 is ahorizontal sectional view illustratoutside the mine trackway, at or near the level of ing the apparatusV making an aTCWaH Cut all? 'Of 50L themine roof, or may be adjusted into positionsy new 1311619161 0f the mine bottomtnmake vertical or shear Cuts, it'also beingjpos# 13 isaI diagrammatic Side elevational VeW sible to tilt the cutting mechanismabout a trans-4 of the apparatus operating as a mounted top` verse axis to vary the angle oi the cuttingdevice cutter;

" 55. relative to the horizontal. Yet another object Fig: 14 iS a diagrammatic Side elevational View 55- illustrating the apparatus operating as a shear or vertical cutter.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a coal mining apparatus of the wheel mounted track supported and guided type generally comprising a self-propelled truck I mounted on wheels 2 adapted to travel along a mine trackway 3. Mounted on the truck for adjustrnent vertically relative thereto is a horizontal turntable i which in turn has supported thereon for horizontal swinging movement therewith relative to the truck, a frame 5. Supported on the forward end of the frame 5 for rotation about a longitudinal axis is a cutter head E3 having adjustably mounted thereon a cutter bar 1. Suitable motor operated devices are provided for driving the truck wheels, for adjusting the turntable 4 relative to the truck, for swinging the frame 5 relative to the truck, for rotating the cutter head 6 about its axis, and for adjusting the cutter bar 1 relative to the cutter head as will hereinafter be described:

Suitable mechanism is provided to propel the truck in either direction at a transporter at a cutting speed. Carried on the rear, end of the truck frame is a motor I0 which may be of the reversible electric type having its armature shaft I I connected by a coupling I2 to a longitudinally extending shaft I3 (see Fig. 9). Fixed to the shaft I3 is a worin I4 meshing with a worm wheel i5 rotatably mounted on a transverse shaft I6 suitably journaled within a base frame I1 suitably secured to the truck frame. This Worm wheel I5 may be operatively connected to the shaft I6 by means of a multiple disc clutch I8 of a usual design having suitable cam operating mechanism including avhand lever I9. Fixed to this transverse shaft i8 is a brake drum 20 which is engaged by a brake band 2I also arranged to be controlled by the hand lever I9. When this hand lever is swung in one direction the clutch I8 is applied and the brake 2l released and in the opposite direction the brake is applied and the clutch released, although it is obvious that l separate operating means may be employed for the clutch and brake if desired. Journaled on the shaft I is a spur gear 22 connectible with the shaft by a jaw clutch 23 splined to the shaft and this gear meshes with a spur gear 24. The spur gear 24 is connected to a transverse shaft 25 suitably journaled within the base frame I1. Keyed to the shaft It is al spur pinion 26 meshing with a spur gear 21 secured to a transverse shaft 28 arranged parallel with the shaft I6. Splined to the shaft 2B is a slidable pinion 29 adapted to mesh with a spur gear 33 keyed to a sleeve 3l herein formed integral with the spur gear 22. If desired, operating mechanism may be provided for the clutch 23 and the sliding pinion 29 so that when one is connected the other is released. As illustrated, secured to the shaft 25 is a chain sprocket 32 connected by an endless chain connection 33 to a chain sprocket secured to the rear truck axle. The front and rear truck axles are connected together by a chain and sprocket connection 34. From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the jaw clutch 23 is shifted to connect the spur gear 22 to the shaft I5 and the pinion 29 is out of mesh with the gear 3i] the truck wheels may be driven at a relatively high speed from the motor Ill through worm gearing I4, l5, friction clutch I 8, shaft I5,

spur gearing

22, 24 and the chain and

sprocket connections

32, 33 and 34. It will also be evident that when the jaw clutch 23 is in its released position and the spur pinion 29 is slid into meshing engagement with the gear 3S, the truck wheels may be driven at a relatively slow speed appropriate for cutting through the reduction gearing 2S, 21, 29 and 3. Upon reversal of the motor I the truck wheels may be driven to propel the apparatus in a reverse direction at either a relatively high or a relatively low speed.

Now referring to the turntable mounting for the cutting mechanism, it will be noted that supported for vertical adjustment relative to the truck frame is a supporting frame in the form of an annulus or ring 35 adapted to support the kerf cutting mechanism as will hereinafter appear. To this ring are attached a plurality of, herein three, depending brackets 33, the lower ends of which are shaped to engage respectively with upstanding guide members 31 which are secured to the truck frame and which serve to prevent lateral movement of the ring and attached parts relative to the truck frame. Sen cured to thesedepending brackets 36 are screw nuts 38 (see Fig. 1) which are threadedly engaged with vertical screws 39 supported at their upper ends by the upstanding guide members 31 and at their lower ends in step bearings 43 formed in bearing brackets 4i attached to the bottom of the truck frame. It will be noted that the screw nuts are so connected to the feet of the depending brackets as to permit a slight relative rocking movement between the parts. The three sets of screws and guide members constitute upright supports for the annular supporting frame or ring 35 and the latter can be adjusted vertically in parallelism or angularly by suitable rotation of the screws. Rotatably mounted upon each of the screws 39 at its lower end is a chain sprocket 42 and these sprockets are driven by an endless chain 43. Idler sprockets 44 and 45 serve to guide the chain 43 relative to the chain sprockets 42, the sprocket 45 being adjustable to vary the tension of the chain 43. As shown in Fig. '7, the chain sprockets 42 have formed thereon clutch teeth 46 adapted to engage with similar teeth on clutch members 41 splined to the lower ends of the screws. The screws extend downwardly through openings in the top plate 4B of the truck frame. The clutch members 41 are each provided with a groove 49 in engagement with an arm 5l] attached to a vertical operating shaft 5I. The shafts 5I extend through the top plate 48 of the truck and are each provided with a conveniently located handle 52 by which the movement of the clutch member 41 may be controlled. It will thus be seen that when all the clutches 41 are in a position to connect the chain sprockets to the screws the latter may be simultaneously rotated to move the turntable li together with the cutting mechanism supported thereby into different elevated positions relative to the truck frame. It will also be noted that by releasing certain of these clutches and connecting certain others the screws may be so rotated as to eifect tilting movement of the turntable about a horizontal axis. The mechanism for driving the screws 39 from the motor IQ herein comprises a bevel pinion 53 (see 9) journaled on the shaft i6 and connectible to the shaft by the jaw clutch 23. This bevel pinion meshes with a bevel gear 54 fixed to a vertical shaft 55 suitably journaled within the base frame I1. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 55 is a chain sprocket 5G which engages and drives the endless chain 43.

The turntable 4 supported by the annular supi A supporting frame 35 for reducing the friction porting frame or ring 35 is in the form of; a circular casting which constitutes the ymain base frame of the cutting mechanism.` 'This casting forms the turntable rotatable aboutV the center of the ring and is guided for'rotative. movement in the ring by a depending annular flange 5l fitting thexinterior periphery of the ring and by aradial flange 58.0ver1yingthe top' surface of the ring. If desired, suitable anti-friction rollers of any conventional design maybeprovided between the turntable and the annular between the turntable and ring. `In the outer edge ofthe turntable casing is formed a series of notches 59, and cooperating with these notches isla slidable locking plate mounted in a guideway formed Vwithin a bracket 6| secured tothe annular supporting frame 35. This locking member'` when in its innerposition is adaptedto engage` certain of the notches 59 to lock the turntable against rotation 'relativeto 'the annular supporting frame 35. Motor operated devices are employed for rotating the turntable relative to the annular supporting frame and herein comprises a motor 55, herein preferably `of the reversible electric type, suspended beneath the turntable and having its armature shaft 66 horizontally disposed and lextending transversely across the turntable. Fixed tothe armature shaft is a bevel pinionl meshing with a bevel gear 5S `keyed to a vertical shaft 59 suitably journaled Within the turntable casting. Fixed to the'shaft 59 isa spur gear 'Illand meshing as shown in Fig. `3 with spur gears 'Ii and '12. Rotatable with the spur gear 'II is a .worm 'i3 meshing with av slow speed worm wheel T4. This wormwheel is` connectible by a usual multiple disc clutch 15 having any suitable type of operating means, to a transverse shaft 76 likewise suitably journaled within the turntable casting. Fixed to this shaft is a worm il meshing with a worm wheel 'I8 keyed to a vertical shaf-t` 'I9 suitably journaled Vwithin the turntable casting. Fixed to the lower end of this' shaft is a spur pinion Bilmeshing with internal gear teeth 8| herein cut in the inner wall of the annularsupporting frarnejt5` for the turntable. Rotatable` with the spur gear 'l2 is a Worm 83 meshing with a fastspeed worm wheel 84 having its teeth oppositely inclined from' means of `vertical webs 89.

` retaining and bearing sleeve Sii having an inthe teeth of the worm wheel 14 and operative upon application of a multiple disc clutch 85 to effect drive of the shaft 'I6 at a fast speed in a direction opposite'from the slow speed drive. It will thus be seen that upon application of one or the other of the clutches l5, 85 the turntable may be rota-ted relative to the annular supporting frame 35: at a relatively high speed in one direction or atv a relatively low speed appropriate for cutting in the opposite direction.`

Now referringto the cutting mechanism supported by the turntable it will be observed that the turntable casting is provided with an integral box-like extension or arm 86 rigidly braced with respect to the turntable by horizontal webs 8'! and overlying the ring 35 and the forward end of lthe truck. Formed integral with this extension or arm at its outer end is a circular flange 88 arrangedl in a substantially vertical position and rigidly braced with `respect tothe arm by As shown in Fig. 4 secured to this circular flange 88 *is` an annular wardly directed flange 9|. Between `the flange 9i and a shoulder 92 formed on the circular iiange 88 there is rotatably mountedl asl/eeve l93,

which herein forms a rotatable neck for the cutter head 5 as hereinafter described. This sleeve- 93.is fastened to` a projecting neck member 94 by;fwhich the cutter head 5 is supported. The member 94 alsol has herein formed integral therewith a pair of parallel portions to which guideways hereinafter described are secured, these members being connected adjacent their lowerl ends by a transverse web 95 and being connected by webs 91 to the neck memberyid, while curved webs-93 serve to connect them with a generally circular. frame member or housing 99 which will be `more fully described. To thernembers 95 there are secured parallel guideways |00 exten-ding perpendicularly to the neck axis and in which there are slidable cross-head or guide members I 0|, Ythese being secured to members |52 which are fastened to a cutter supporting frame m3., It will be observed that the frame I |l3 has secured thereto an annulus |04 which, .together with an annular shoulder IE5 upon the framei 53,.; 310- vides `an annular guideway'for a rotatable frame member |56. Secured to'this frame member M35 is a frame IU! which carries the cutter bar l.

The mechanism for effecting rotation of the cutter head Al5 about the neck axis herein comprises a beveled gear |98 fixed to the vertical shaft 59 (see Fig.` 4). Meshing with this` bevel gear is a Vbevel gear |09 xed to the rear end ofra horizontal longitudinally extending transmission shaft III) suitably journaled within the `turntable casting. Keyed to this `shaft is a spur pinion I I I` meshing with a spur gear H2 xed to aparallel shaft 3 likewise suitably jour.- naled within the turntable casting. Formedintegral with this shaft I|3 is a bevel pinion VIIl meshing with reverse bevels I I5, I I 5 (see also Figi` 6). These reverse bevelsr` `are alternatively connectiblefby multiple disc clutches I I 'i and I I8 respectively of a usual designto a transverse shaft i As shown horizontal |23' arranged the shaft lli).

Fixed to the forward end of the shaft 23 is a spur pinion Ile meshing with an internal gear |25 herein formed integral with the sleeve 93. It will thus beseen that upon suitable application of the clutches I I l, I I8 the cutter head 5 may beY rotated about the neck axis in one direction to positionv the cutterbar 7 Yinto a plurality of intersecting planes. The worm gears I2I, |22 have self -locking teeth and when the clutches I Il, ||8Vare released automatically lock the cutter head 6 against rotation about its axis thereby maintaining the cutter bar in its different adjusted positions about the head axis.

The driving mechanism for the cutting mechanisrn, `and the mechanism-for adjusting the cutter bar 'I into parallel planes toward and from the neck axis will now be described. Referring to Fig. 4 it will be observed that keyed to the forward end of the shaft |||l is a spur pinion |30 meshing with a spur gear |3| keyed to a longitudinally extending shaft |32 alined with the neck axis and suitably journaled within the circular iange` 88 and the cutter head frame. As shown Secured to the shaft IIB is arworm u or the other f This bevel gear is connected in non-rotative rela.- tion to a sleeve-like nut element |35. Coaxial with the nut element is a splined sleeve |36 which, at its upper end, is keyed to a sleeve member |31. This sleeve member is alternatively connectible by a sliding clutch device |38 to a rela.- tively stationary member |38 secured to the frame 99 or to the nut member |35. Suitable clutch operating mechanism including a pivoted shipper yoke |40 is secured to an operating shaft |4|. Also secured to this shaft externally of the cutter head frame is an operating lever |42 (see Fig. 1). Threadedly engaging the nut |35 is a screw shaft |43 having splineways ||4 therein cooperating with splines |45 upon the member |36. This screw shaft |43 has a collar |46 thereon engaging a suitable combined bearing and supporting means |41 for the housing or frame |03 and the mechanism supported thereby so that the screw shaft |43 is adapted to effect adjustment of the cutter bar supporting frame |01 along guideways |00 toward and from the neck axis. It will thus be seen that when the clutch device |33 is moved into a position to connect the sleeve |36 to the stationary member |39, the'screw shaft |43,vdue to its splined connection with the sleeve |36, is held against rotation and that upon rotation of the nut member |35 the screw shaft is moved axially to effect adjustment of the cutter bar 1 toward or from the neck axis, depending upon the direction of motor rotation. It will also be noted that when the clutch device |33 is shifted into its opposite position, connecting the sleeve |36 to the bevel gear |34, the sleeve |36 and screw shaft |43 may be rotated together at the same angular speed with no axial adjustment of the shaft, and at that time the screw shaft acts only as a transmission shaft. J ournaled on the lower end of the screw shaft is a cutter chain drive sprocket |48 which engages and drives an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain |59 mounted on the margin of the cutter bar 1. The screw shaft |43 drives the cutter chain and the cutter chain drive sprocket |48 is connectible to the shaft by means of a sliding clutch device |50 having any suitable operating means including a pivoted shipper yoke |5| connected through a crank |52 to an operating shaft |53. Secured to this operating shaft externally of the frame |63 is an operating lever |54 (see Fig. 8)

Mechanism is also employed for effecting swinging movement of the cutter bar 1 relative to the frame |03 and herein comprises a spur gear |55 (see Fig. 5) secured for rotation with the shaft |43 and meshing as shown in Fig. 8 with spur gears |56 and |51. Rotatable with the spur gear |56 is a worm |58 meshing with a slow speed worm wheel |59. This worm wheel is connectible by a usual multiple disc clutch |60 to a transverse shaft |6| having fixed thereto a worm |62 meshing with a worm wheel |63 suitably journaled within the frame |63. vThis worm wheel, as shown in Fig. 5, is keyed to a shaft |64 having secured thereto a spur pinion |65 meshing with an internal gear |56 formed on the annular supporting member |06 for the cutter bar. Rotatable with the spur gear |51 is a worm |61 meshing with a fast speed worm wheel |68 having its teeth inclined oppositely from the teeth of the worm wheel |59 and operative upon application of a multiple disc clutch |69 to drive the shaft |6| at a fast speed in a direction oppo-Y site from the slow speed drive described above. It will thus be seen that upon application of one or the other of the clutches |60, |69 the cutter bar 1 may be swung about a pivotal axis coincident with the axis/of the screw shaft |43 at a relatively high bar positioning speed in one direction or at a relatively slow speed appropriate for cutting in the opposite direction. The worm gearing is of the self-locking type and therefore, when disconnected from the motor, automatically maintains the cutter bar in its different angular positions of adjustment.

Electrical energy may be conducted to the electrical controlling apparatus for the motors |0 and 65 through a usual flexible conductor cable |10 wound upon a cable reel |1| supported on the truck. This cable reel is driven by the motor I0 through the following connections: As mentioned above, journaled on the shaft I6 is a sleeve 3| integral with the spur gear 22 (see Fig. 9) and rotatable therewith at either a fast or a slow speed. Splined to this sleeve is a suitable jaw clutch |12 having clutch teeth engageable with clutch teeth |13 formed upon a driving pulley |14 journaled on the sleeve 3|. This pulley |14 is connected by a belt |15 to a pulley |16 secured to the cable reel. It will be evident that as the truck wheels are driven to propel the apparatus in either direction along the mine trackway, the cable reel may be also rotated to wind in or pay out the conductor cable.

The preferred mode of operation of the improved mining apparatus will now be described: The apparatus is propelled about the mine forwardly along the mine trackway at a relatively fast transport speed through the truck driving gearing I4, l5, 22, 24 driven by the motor l0. When the apparatus is traveling about the mine the turntable 4, cutter head 6, and cutter bar 1 are disposed in their transport position with the cutter bar above the level of the trackway as shown in Fig. 2. When the working face is reached the fast truck wheel drive is disconnected from the motor l0 by releasing the friction clutch I8 and the jaw clutch 23. If it isv desired to make a swinging cut at or near the level of the mine bottom in front of the end of the trackway, the operator first applies the friction clutch |69 controlling the fast speed bar swinging mechanism and the cutter bar 1 is swung about its pivot relative to the cutter head at a relatively fast bar positioning speed from the position shown in Fig. 1 laterally to a position adjacent the right hand rib of the entry, the friction clutch |69 thereafter being released. The operator then shifts the clutch device |33 to a position to connect the sleeve |36 to the relatively stationary member |39 and upon starting of the motor 65 the cutter bar may be moved rectilinearly along the guideways |30 downwardly away from the head axis until it occupies a position at or near the level of the mine bottom as shown in Fig. 1l; the adjusting mechanism being driven from the motor 65 through bevel gearing 51, 66, 98, |09, shaft ||0, spul` gearing |39, |3l, shaft |32 and bevel gearing |33, |34. The clutch device |33 is then shifted downwardly to disconnect the sleeve |36 from the relatively stationary member |39 and to connect the sleeve to the gear |35 and the clutch device |50 moved to a position to connect the cutter chain drive sprocket |43 to the shaft |43, and as a result, the cutter chain |49 is rapidly circulated about the margin of the cutter bar 1, the screw shaft |43 then acting only as a transmission shaft with no axial adjustment. The friction clutch |60 controlling the slow speed bar swinging mechanism is then applied and the cutter bar 1 is swung transversely in its plane flo across the front end of the trackway to make an arcuatecut beneath thecoal. When the cutter bar reaches a position adjacent the left hand rib, the friction clutch |53 is released. After the completion of the swinging out, the cutter chain M9 is disconnected from its drive, the clutch device |38 shifted to connect the sleeve |36 to the relatively stationary member |39 and upon reversal of the motor 65 the cutter bar is moved upwardly rectilinearly along the guideways toward the neck axis tothe position shown in Fig. 2, the clutch device |38 thereafter being movedto its neutral position. The motor lil is thenreversed, the clutches I8 and 23 connected and the apparatus is then propelled rearwardly at` a high speed along the mine trackway tothe mine entry.

If it is desired to cut a horizontal kerf` at or near the level of the mine bottomoutside of and below thelevel of the mine trackway, the operator slides the locking member 60 for the turntable into its released position, starts the motor 65 in the proper direction, and upon application of the clutch 85, the turntable 4, vtogether with the cutting mechanism supported thereby, is swung horizontally from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the full line position indicated at A inFig. 12. During horizontal swinging movement of .the turntable4 relative to the truck `the cutter bar l may be swung simultaneously about its pivot relative to the cutter `head in theopposite direction under the control of the slow speedbar swingY clutch |53 until the parts assume the posi# tion shown. When the parts are thus disposed with the bar pivot lying outside of the mine trackway, the operator releases the friction` clutches-35 and |33 and then locks the turntable by sliding the locking member 60 into one of `the notches 59 on the turntable. The clutchdevice |38 isthen shifted to a position to connect the sleeve |33 to the relatively stationary member I 39 and upon actuation of the driving gearing |33, |34, the` cutter' bar is moved rectilinearlydownwardly along the guideways lil@ Aaway from the head axis until it loccupies a position at ornear the level of the mine bottom,` the cutter barbeing positioned relative to the mine bottom as shown `in Fig. ll at that time.' The` clutch device |33 is then moved to connect the sleeve |36` and the nut |35v andtheclutch device lconnected, thereby effecting circulation of the cutter chain about the margin of the cutter bar l. The motor I0 is then started in the proper direction and the apparatus propelled forward bodily along the mine trackway at a relatively-slow cutting speed, sump-v ing thecutter bar beneath the coal from position A shown in Fig. i3 toposition B indicated'in dot' ted lines in that figure. The friction clutch I8 is then released and the brakeZl set. The operator then releases the locking member 3D for the turntable and upon application of frictionclutch 'I5 the turntable ll, together with the cutting mechanism supported thereby, is swung horizontally at a low cutting speed to effect horizontal swinging movement of the cutter bar Vin its plane.

During the initial swinging movement of the turntable the cutter bar 'i is swung about its pivot in a reverse direction under the control of the friction clutch |69 until the parts Vassume a straight line position wherein Vthe cutter bar 'l extends parallel to a line including the bar pivot and the turntable axis as indicated at C in Fig. 12. After the cutterbar has reached the left hand rib as indicated at D in Fig. 12 and the swinging cut been completed, the cutter bar l is again swung about itspivot rearwardly under the con-- 5 trolof thefriction clutch '169. while 'rotation of the Aturntable 4 is continued, the turntable and cutter bar swinging simultaneously in opposite directions at that time until they assume the position indicated at E inFig; .12. The turntable 4.is then locked against rotation and the brake 27|ireleased,andY upon reversal of the motor I0 andapplication of the friction 'clutch I8 the apparatus isV propelled bodily rearwardly'along the mine trackway at a slow cutting speed, moving the cutter bar from the position E in Fig. 12 to position F in that gure. As a result, it will be evident that-a Vhorizontalfplane kerf may be out at o r near-'the level of the mine bottom in accordance with the arcwall method of cutting. After the completion" of the cut Abeneath the coal the parts areagainfreturned to their transport position shown in Aliigj2. v *W f `A4 horizontal kerf may be cut` ator near the level of Ythe mine roof by connecting the elevating screws 39 to the motor it, thereby elevating the turntable 4,`together` with the cutting mechanismsupported'thereby bodily relative to the truclilto theposition showninFig. 13. The cutter head 6 4is then rotated about the neck axis to a position wherein the cutter -bar l occupies its topfcutting position. Thecutter bar-is then adjusted vertically 'rectilinearly along the guideways lil away from the head axis until the same assumes a position as ir'idicatedin` Fig.V 13. The cutter bar is then surnped in,- swung transversely in'V its plane and withdrawn 4from the coal in accordance with-the usual arcwall method of cutting.` It -will"herein `be notedthat during any of thehorizontal cutting operations described above, for instancewhen it is desired to cut on a rolling bottom, the `cutting mechanism may be tilted about a transverse axis simply by disconnecting certain of theelevating screws V39 from themotor while others are rotatedrvthereby causing the turntable to be tilted relative to the horizontal. For instance, if it is desired to tilt the tip end of the cutter bar downwardly, this may be accom` plishedly disconnectingjthe clutches for the iront elevatingscrews 39 while the rear elevating screw is connected to the motor lil, thereby causing the rear edge of the turntable to be elevated. Conversely, if it isdesired to tilt the tip end of the cutter bar upwardly, the rear elevating screw may be disconnected from the motor while the front elevating screws arerotated, thereby causing the forward edgeof the turntable to be tilted upwardly; It willY also be noted that upon certain adjustment of the elevating screws, the turntable may be tilted into diierent angular positions about transverse4 or longitudinal axes or any intermediate Vaxes desired, therebyv enabling the cutter bar to be positioned to suit diierent mining conditions;

A shear for vertical cut may be inserted in the coal face simply by applying *one or the other Yoi? the reverse frictions H'LI i3 `controlling the reverse bevels |I5,"||'` respectively thereby enabling the cutter head 5to be rotated about the neck axis by the motor 65 through the gearing El, 69,108, |09, shaft lill, gearing IH, H2, the bevel pinion H4, one or the other ofthe reverse bevels H5,` H6, worm Vgearing |2|, |22, shaft |23, and pinion |24 meshing with the internal gear |25 secured to the cutter head to bring the cutter bar 'l into a position to `svv'ing vertically asshown in Fig. lll. During the shearing operation the cutterbar Vis rst sumped in, then swung downwardly in its plane and thereafter withdrawn" from the coal ina manner similar to that described above in regard to horizontal cutting in accordance with the arcwall method. It will further be noted that the cutter bar may be moved bodily toward and from the neck axis into diierent parallel planes in any of its positions about the neck axis, thereby enabling the apparatus to cut parallel horizontal kerfs and parallel vertical kerfs and kerts in a plurality of intersecting planes.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus is provid-ed which is adapted to cut horizontally at or near the level of the mine bottom outside the mine trackw-ay and below the track rails and also to make shear or vertical cuts, thereby facilitating the shooting of the coal from the solid and increasing the quantity of lump coal obtainable. It will further be noted that under certain conditions, the cutter bar may be adjusted to-cut at or near the level of the mine roof; or if desired in parallel planes between the mine roof and mine bottom. It will still further be noted that an improved universal coal cutter is provided having improved adjustable kerf cutting mechanism whereby the cutter bar may be positioned to cut in parallel planes either vertically or horizontally within a comparatively wide cutting range. It Will further be noted that antimproved coal cutter is provided wherein the adjusting mechanism for the kerf cutting mechanism is extremely flexible, it being possible to operate the apparatus as a mounted bottom cutter, top cutter, shear cutter and slabbing machine, thereby enabling the apparatus to accommodate itself to practically every mining condition encountered wherever the use of mounted track cutters is possible. These and other uses and advantages of the improved mining apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it Will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms Without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a trackway, a horizontal turntable mounted thereon for rotation 'about a vertical axis, an annular supporting frame for said turntable, a frame on said turntable having an arm overlying said annular frame and projecting outwardly beyond said annular frame and a drop support mounted on said projecting arm and having a depending neck extending downwardly below the annular frame, kerl? `cutting mechanism mounted on said turntable including a cutter carrying head mounted on said depending neck for rotation about a horizontal axis disposed below the top surface of said annular frame and extending radially from said turntable axis and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said cutter head, a motor carried by said turntable., mechanism driven by said motor for driving said cutting mechanism, mechanism driven by said motor for rotating said turntable relative to said annun lar supporting frame, mechanism driven by said motor for rotating said cutter head about its axis relative to said turntable, mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot relative to said cutter head While said turntable remains stationary. and motor operated de vices for adjusting said annular supporting frame vertically relative to said truck.

2. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a trackway, horizontal turntable mounted on said truck for adjustment vertically in parallelism relative thereto and for tilting movement relative to said truck about a horizontal axis, an annular supporting frame for said turntable, kerf cutting mechanism mounted on said turntable including a cutter bar swingable with said turntable to cut a horizontal kerf, a motor carried by said turntable, a direct intermeshing gear drive between said motor and said annular supporting frame for rotating said turntable about its axis to effect swinging movement of said cutter bar and including an internal gear on the inner periphery of said annular frame and a gear on said turntable meshing with said 1nternal gear, mechanism driven by said motor for driving said cutting mechanism, and motor op-l erated devices on said truck for adjusting said annular supporting frame vertically relative to said truck and for tilting said frame about a horizontal axis.

3. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a trackway, a horizontal turntable thereon rotatable relative thereto about a vertical axis, motor operated devices for adjust-f ing said turntable bodily into different elevated positions'relative to said truck and for tilting said turntable about a transverse horizontal axis relative to said truck, kerf cutting mechanism carried by said turntable, a motor carried by said turntable, and mechanism including a direct intermeshing gear drive connected to said turntable and driven by said motor for rotating said turntable about its axis relative to said truck, said rotating mechanism including a relatively stationary internal gear arranged adjacent the outer periphery of said turntable and relative to which said turntable is rotatable and a gear on the turntable meshing with said internal gear.

4. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a traclrway, a horizontal turntable thereon rotatable relative thereto about a vertical axis, motor operated devices for adjusting said turntable bodily into dii'erent elevated positions relative to said truckl and for tilting said turntable about a transverse horizontal axis relative to said truck, kerf cutting mecha nism carried by said turntable, a motor carried by said turntable, and mechanism including a direct intermeshing gear drive connected to said turntable and driven by said motor for rotating said turntable about its axis relative to said truck, said intermeshing gear drive including a relatively stationary internal gear arranged adjacent the outer periphery of said turntable and relative to which said turntable is rotatable, and a gear on the turntable meshing with said inN ternal gear and a manually controllable reversing device operable at will to eiect rotation of said turntable gear to effect rotation of said turntable in either of opposite directions without reversing said motor.

5. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a trackway, a support mounted thereon for vertical adjustment relative thereto, a horizontal turntable carried by said support and rotatable relative iereto about a vertical axis, said turntable being tiltable relative to said truck into diderent angular positions relative to the horizontal, a drop frame supported on said turntable and extending downwardly below the top ofthe turntable and support in advance of said truck, a support mounted on said drop frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis dis?. posed below the top surface of said turntable support, aframe mounted on said second support for adjustment toward and from the axis of said second support, and a cutter bar carried by said adjustable frame andiswingable relative thereto..

6. In a mining apparatus, kerf'cutting mechanism including a swingableV kerf cutter, a motor mounted to swing with said kerf cutter, and means driven by said motor for actuating the cuttingelements `of the kerf cutter including a vertical driving shaftgand mechanism `for Vswinging said kerf cutter at a high positioning speed in one direction and at a relatively low cutting speed in the opposite direction including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, each gear train including intermeshing transmission gears and means for driving said gear trains from said driving shaft.` i i 7. In a-mining apparatus, a Y,wheeled truck adapted-to runalong a mine trackwaypa horizontal turntable on said truck, devices for adjusting said turntable into different elevated `posii tions relative to said truck, an arm fixed to the turntable and .projecting horizontally therefrom, a cutter head mounted on the outer extremity of said arm for rotation about a horizontal axis disposed below the top surface of the turntable 1 and-extending radially from the axial line of the table and supporting `the latter, an arm xed to said'tu'rntable and projecting horizontally therefrom beyond the outer edge of said annular supporting frameand having a `depending portion at` its outer extremity extending `downwardly below the bottom of said annular supporting frame, a support mounted on said depending portion of said arm for rotation about an axis extending radially from theaxial line of the turntable and having spending guideways,` a frame mounted on said support for adjustment along said guideways toward and from the axial line of `said support, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted onsaid adjustable frame for swinging movement relative thereto about an :axis perpendicular to the axial kline of said supportp` means operable to rotate said support about its axis, means operable` to adjust said frame toward and from the axis of said support, and means operable to said kerf cutter about its pivot.

9. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck adapted `to run alonga trackway, a horizontal turntable thereon, motor operated devices for bodily adjusting said turntable into different `elevated positions relative to said truck and for tilting said turntable about a transverse axis relative to said truck, a drop support on said l, turntable including a horizontal frame portion projecting outwardly from said turntable in ad- Vance of the forward edge of the turntable and a depending neck frame on the outer extremity ortis-aid horizontal frame ,portion andv extending downwardly in advance of the forward end ofthe truclnkerf cutting mechanism mounted on said turntableincluding a cutter head mounted on said depending neck frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis disposed below the` top surface of'said turntable and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head for Aswinging movement'relative thereto, and motor operated devices for rotating said cutter head aboutits axis relative to said turntable and for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot relative to saidcutter "Lhead while said turntable remains stationary, the mechanism for rotating said cutter head about its axis including gearing including aV gear element fixed to said cutter head and rotatable therewith on said longitudinal axis and a gear element meshing with said first mentioned gear element and rotating on an axis fixed as tomovement relative to said longitudinal axis.

10. In a machine of the class described, a

for said support and on which said support is rotatablyfmounted, said frame being tiltable with said support, asubstantially horizontally extending cutter bar,` mounting means for. the cutter bar in `connection with the support whereby the barV is movable relative to the support about a plurality of i reotangularly related axes of which one is substantiallyon the horizontal and disposed outside and below the top surface of said supportsupporting frame, means operable to tilt the'support, means operable to swing the support, and means operable to move the cutter bar about said plurality of axes including a pair of gear elements one rotatable on each of said axes and each rotating during movement of the bar about its respective axis at the same angular rate as the cutter bar.

1l. In a machine ofthe class described, a truck adapted to travel over a mine'track, a turntable,

means supporting turntable on said truck for vmutation relative to the truck ona normally vertical, and also for universal `tilting movement relative to the truck, an arm xed to the turntable and projecting horizontally therefrom and a depending neck carried by said arm and extending downwardly below the top of said turntable supporting means in advance of the latter and saidtruck,` akerf cutter 4supported by said depending' neck for movement relative thereto about a plurality of rectangularly related `axes of whichfone is substantially on the horizontal, the horizontal axis beingdisposed below the top surfaceofpsaidturntable supporting means, means operable to tilt the turntable, means operable to swing the turntable, and means operable to' move turntable and projecting horizontally therefromV a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of said arm ,in a horizontal plane below the top ofthe turntable, a hea-:l mounted on said arm' and rotatable about an axis in.. the same straight line its with the axis of said shaft, a shaft iournaled in said head at right angles to the first mentioned shaft, a cutter bar supported by said head for swinging movement about the second-named shaft, a cutter chain drive sprocket on said second-named shaft to be driven thereby, a motor on said turntable, means driven by the motor to swing the turntable, to drive the sprocket shaft, to rotate said head relative to said arm, and to swing the cutter bar relative to the head, and means operable to tilt the turntable.

13. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a trackway, a horizontal turntable mounted on said truck for rotation about a vertical axis, an annular supporting frame for said turntable, a frame on said turntable having an arm overlying said annular frame and projecting outwardly beyond said annular frame and a drop support mounted on the outer extremity of said projecting arm and having a depending portion extending downwardly below the annular frame, kerf cutting mechanism carried by said turntable including a cutter bar pivotally supported on the depending portion of said drop support to swing in horizontal planes about an axis parallel to said turntable axis, said turntable, drop support and cutting mechanism being adjustable relative to said truck to position said cutter bar to cut a horizontal kerf at the level of the mine bottom outside and below the level of the trackway and in advance of the trackway, a motor carried by said turntable, mechanism driven by said motor for rotating said turntable relative to said annular supporting frame, mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot while said turntable remains stationary, and motor operated devices for adjusting said annular supporting frame vertically relative to' said trunk.

14. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a trackway, a horizontal turntable mounted thereon for rotation about a vertical axis, an annular supporting frame for said turntable, a frame on said turntable having an arm overlying said annular frame and projecting outwardly beyond said annular frame and a drop support mounted on said projecting arm and having at its outer extremity a depending neck portion extending downwardly below the annular frame, kerf cutting mechanism mounted on said turntable including a cutter carrying head mounted on the depending neck portion of said drop support for rotation about a horizontal axis disposed below the top surface of said annular frame and extending radially from said turntable axis and a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said cutter head, said turntable, drop support and cutter head being adjustable relative to the truck to position said cutter bar to cut a horizontal kerf at the level of the mine bottom outside and below the level of the trackway and in advance of the trackway, a motor carried by said turntable, mechanism driven by said motor for driving said cutting mechanism, mechanism driven by said motor for rotating said turntable relative to said annular supporting frame, mechanisin driven by said motor for rotating said cutter head about its axis relative to said turntable, mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot relative to said cutter head while said turntable remains stationary, and motor operated devices for adjusting said annular supporting frame vertically relative to said truck.

15. In a machine of the class described, a movable base, a support mounted on said base for swinging movement relative thereto about a normally vertical axis and also for universal tilting movement relative thereto, a substantially horizontally extending cutter bar, mounting means for the cutter bar in connection with the support whereby the bar is movable relative to the support about a plurality of rectangularly related axes of which one is substantially on the horizontal, the horizontal axis being disposed below the top surface of said rotatable and tiltable support, means operable to tilt the support, means operable to swing the support, and means operable to move the cutter bar about said plurality of axes.

16. 1n a machine of the class described, a truck adapted to travel over a mine track, a turntable, means supporting said turntable on said truck for rotation relative to the truck on a normally vertical axis and also for universal tilting movement relative to the truck, an arm fixed to the turntable and projecting horizontally therefrom and having a depending neck, a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of said arm, a shaft parallel with said shaft and disposed below the top surface of the turntable, a head mounted on said depending neck and rotatable about a line including the axis of said parallel shaft as an axis, a third shaft journaled in said head at right angles to the first mentioned shafts, a cutter bar supported by said head for swinging movement about the third named shaft, a cutter chain drive sprocket on said third named shaft to be driven thereby, a motor on said turntable, means driven by said motor to swing the turntable, to drive the sprocket shaft, to rotate said head relative to said arm and to swing the cutter bar relative to the head, and means operable to tilt the turntable.

17. Ina mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a mine trackway, a horizontal turntable on said truck, an arm secured to the turntable and projecting outwardly beyond the forward edge of the turntable and in advance of said truck, said arm having at its outer overhanging extremity a depending neck frame extending downwardly below the bottom surface of the turntable, a cutter head rotatably mounted on said depending neck frame to rotate about a" horizontal axis extending radially from the turntable axis and disposed below the top surface of the turntable, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing about an axis at right angles to the head axis, and motor operated devices for actuating the kerf cutter including a horizontal shaft journaled on said arm above the top surface of the turntable, a parallel shaft journaled in said depending neck frame and arranged with its axis coincident with the cutter head axis, intermeshing gears on said shafts, a shaft arranged with its axis coincident with the kerf` cutter pivot axis and journaled in said cutter head, and intermeshing bevel gearing on said two last named shafts.

18. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a mine trackway, a horizontal turntable on said truck, an arm secured to the turntable and projecting outwardly beyond the forward edge of the turntable and in advance of said truck, said arm having at its outer overhanging extremity a depending neck portion extending downwardly below the bottom surface of the turntable, a cutter head rotatably mounted on said depending neck portion to rotate about a horizontal axis extending radially from the turntable axis and disposed below the top surface of the turntable, Va kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing about an axis at right angles to the head axis, and motor operated devices for actuating the kerf cutter including a vertical shaft journaled on said'turntable, a horizontal shaft journaled on said arm above the top surface of the turntable, intermeshing bevel gearing on said shafts, a parallel shaft journaled on said depending neck frame and arranged with its axis coincident with the cutter head axis, intermeshing gears on said two last named shafts, a shaft arranged with its axis coincident'with the kerf cutter pivot axis and journaled inl said cutter head, andintermeshing bevel gearing on saidtwo last named shafts.

19. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to run along a mine trackway, a horizontal turntable on said truck, an arm secured to the turntable and projecting outwardly beyond the forward edgeiof the turntable and in advance of said truck, said arm having at its outer overhanging extremity a depending neck frame extending downwardly below the bottom surface of theturntable, a cutter head rotatably mounted on said depending neck frame to rotate about a yhoriaontal axis extending radially from the turnon said cutter head to swing about an axis at Y right angles to the head axis, and motor operated devices for actuating the kerf cutter including a horizontal motor shaft on the turntable, a bevel pinion on said motor shaft, a vertical shaft journaled on said turntable, a bevel gear xed to said vertical shaft and driven by said bevel pinion, a horizontal shaft journaled on sai-d arm above the top surface cf the turntable, intermeshing bevel gears on said two last named shafts, a parallel shaft journaled on ysaid depending neck frame and arranged with its axis lcoincident with the cutter head axis, intermeshing gears on said two last named shafts, a shaft arranged with its axis coincident with the kerf cutter pivot axis'and journaled in said cutter head, and intermeshing bevel gearing on said two last named shafts.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.