US2303372A - Loading machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1942. N. D. LEVIN LOADING MACHINE Originai Filed Oct. 22, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l VE/V TOR NILS D LEViN BY C11. 714. M,

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ATT'Y Dec. 1, 1942. Y N. D. LEVIN 2,303,372

LOADING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 22. 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 1, 1942.

Original Filed Oct. 22, 1937 V N. D. LEVIN LOADING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 [wax 70R N": D. LEV N,

Patented Dec. 1, 1942 I r 2,303,372

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOADING MACHINE Nils 1). Levin, Columbus, Ohio. assignor a The Jefl'rey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Original. application October 22, 1937, Serial No. 170,426. Divided and this application November 24, 1939, Serial No. 305,803

21 Claims. (01. 198-8) This invention relates to a loading machine Fig. 11 isa detail sectional view showing the and more particularly to a frontal attack type of mounting of removable bits or picks carried by loading machine adapted for the loading, of coal the flight; g r g in a coal mine. Fig. 12 is a side view of a form of conveyor An object of the invention is to provideian ini- 5 flight which does not carry a bit or pick; showing proved type of frontal attack loading machine in the side adjacent and attached to the chain; and which continuous flight carrying gathering chains Fig.1 3 is a rear view of the flight of Fig. 12. are employed to sweep the flights both laterally This application is a division of my co-pending and in front of the forward portion of the gather-e application Serial No. 170,426, filed October 22, ing conveyor which is preferably of substantially 10 1937, for an Improvement in a loading machine.

uniform width thereby providing for both frontal As illustrated generally in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the and lateral attack of the gathering conveyor on drawings, the loading machine comprising my inthe material to be loaded. vention is primarily a frontal attack machine but Still another object of the invention is to proprovision is made whereby a gathering conveyor vide'agathering conveyorin which the front por- 15 cannot become wedged into the material being tion is formed substantially horizontal when in loaded in that the attack is not confined to a its mine floor contacting position with tightly frontal attack but also includesalateral attack at coupled chain links formed to articulate about both-sides of the forward end of the gathering right angle axes whereby the coal may be very conveyor. I emciently gathered. The said loading machine comprises a track Still another object of the invention is to promounted truck l0 upon which is mounted a wide an improved chain for a gathering conveyor I gathering conveyor 4| and a discharge conveyor tinuous chain and connected flights of thegathere' carrying improved gathering flights, 42, the former being adapted to dig into and .Another object of the invention is to provide gather loose or semi-compact coal and toconvey an improved gathering flight. I. it to the latter by which it is discharged into Other objects of the invention will appear heretrack mounted coal cars, one of which is illusinafter, the novel features and combinations betrated at 43. (Figs. 2 and 3.) a

ing set forth in the appended claims. As will be hereinafter describedin complete In the accompanying drawings, I detail, power means is provided to tram the-load Fig. 1 is a planview of theloa'dingmachine 9 ing machine along the mine tracks at a relatively comprising my invention with the swinging boom' fast speed. and .to operate it along saidtracks of the discharge conveyor cut short; at a feeding or operating speed while at the same Figs. 2 and 3 placed end to endcomprise a side time operating the gathering and discharge conelevational view of the device of Fig. 1; veyors to gather and load coal into coal cars 43.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectionai view 36 As .best seenby reference to Figs. 2, 4' and 5, V

of the loader comprising my. invention showing the truck'lll comprises a mainframe formed by particularly the rear end portion thereof; longitudinally extending side members 44 rigidly Fig. 5, comprises an extension, of Fi'g.,4 and attached together at their'forward ends by an shows the operating mechanism for theforward arcuate frontcross-piece formed by spaced memend of the device, the extreme forward end o'i' .40 bjersjl preferably welded to the side members the 'gatheringconveyer being cdt oif; a 1 3 j tt andrigidlyattached at their rear ends, as by weldin'g,j t'o arcuate cross-.piec e 46 (Fig; 4)

having removably' attached thereto an arcuate Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the Hot Fig. 5 looking in thedi'rection or the p v plate 41 held in place by nuts and fb ltsill.v

arrows; v Fig. 7 is, a transverse sectional view taken along the line 1-1! of Fig. I looking in the'directionf Adjacent itsforward'endpthe main frame comv of the arrows;

g U ".pijises.ab edplate l9 5) rigidly'attachedto Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion ,'oi the ooh--1- lthetops of thesi de members 44 and front crossieces .45.. as byrweldin'g. 'I'he gathering con- -vey'or 4i ridthe'drive means therefor are suping conveyor;

F18. 9 is a rear elevational view, diiyeyer v "this bed iilfl-t'e 4a,,as will be hereinflight s wing the conveyor. ch mlh settle 3; aiterleitplainedin complete detail. my a rig. 1o is a side elevationalview ohthe night" gadiacent its're'ar end. -.the ma n m s proshowing particularly the side attached and 9.6- f'vflided late to (Fig, 4) which 1; r g d, Jacen' "t the conveyor chain" 1U dtm 9 the m n f the S members trolling said loading machine.

As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings,

the truck ll is mounted upon a pair of forward.

track engaging flanged wheels II, Ii keyed on axle I2 which is lournaled in adjustable bearing boxes It, It slidably supported upon guideways I, I4. Gearing mechanism II is provided for.

adjusting the bearing boxes It, It in unison longitudinally along the guideways 54, 54 from a convenient position adjacent the side of the truck ll. The truck ll is also provided with rearward track engaging flanged wheels I, It

mountedupon axle ll Joumaled in bearing boxes 88, N slldable longitudinally in guideways I, I. Gearing mechanism Cl readily accessible from the side of the truck I is provided for adjusting the bearing boxes I8, 58 longitudinally in unison v along the guideways Cl.

The axles l2 and II are provided with sprockets which are connected together by a continuous chain to insure their movement in unison. Axle II also carries a drive sprocket by which it is driven, as described in full detail in the above mentioned patent application. It is thus evident that driving power will be applied to all of the track engaging wheels'il, Bi and ,ll.

The construction of the gathering conveyor 4| is best seen by reference to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 'l of the drawings and comprises a turntable 88 formed by a bottom plate I! provided at its rear end with a circular opening adapted to receive axis provided by the pivot pins .2. The gathering boom 88 comprises a bottom plate ll welded to a cross channel III which said bottom plate I! is welded rigid with the side members II, II and, at its rear end, is substantially parallel with, and forms an extension'ofthe top plate 0| oi turntable ll.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

the bottom plate as is provided with a flat work- This construction is particularly desirable to the end that the bottom plate I. may work under all of the coal during the attack on the shotdown or semi-compact mass of coal.

. As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 'l of the drawings, the bottom plate 86 carries a pair of gatha Journal bearing in (see Figs. 4 and 5) which is reinforced by a plate II and a ring 12, all rigidly attached together, as by welding. The journal bearing "is iournaled to a casting, 13 which is .removably attached to the front bed plate It by virtue of screws 14 which thread into aring ef: ll weldedto the bottom of said front bed plate 1: 0, as clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 5 of the draw- "ings. It is thus evident that the tumtable.

1 -is. journaled to the truck 40 about an. upright axis provided by the casting-l3 thereby providing conveyor 4|.

the truck 40 through the casting I3 andthus this for lateral swinging movement of the gathering erlng chain guides 88 and 8! each formed by an outer grooved track member 8. grooved at its outer surface to receive the side bars and retaining gibs of the gathering conveyor chains designated generally 8|, 9|. That is, the track members I. are provided with grooves and retaining flanges to keep the gathering conveyor chains 0|, II in proper position. Cover plates .2, I! extend between the opposite sides of each track member 90 to prevent any material accumulating therebetween. Reinforcing bars 93, II are provided inside each of the track members ll casting and the journal bearing II associated therewith is made of very rugged construction.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the :drawings, the bottom plate 69' is removably attached to the casting 13 by a threaded ring 16 threaded to the top of said casting I3 and held locked by a set screw 'l'|.

The turntable I also includes upright side plates '18 and an intermediate front plate 19 which cooperate to support a top plate 80, which plates cooperate to provide ,a gearing housing and support, as hereinafter explained in full detail. v i

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, side plates I8 of the turntable .68 carry side brackets II, I] provided with pivot pins 82' upon .which is-pivoted the gathering boom 83 of the gathering conveyor ll by means of brackets l4, I having apertures-to receive the pins 82, which brackets 84,- are welded rigid with side memand all of said members comprising bottom plate 16, track members ll, ll, cover plates 02 and reinforcing bars 93 are rigidly attached together by appropriate rivets.

- As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the track members" extend substantially the full length of the gathering conveyor II and thus the gathering conveyorchains operate substantially throughout the entire length of said gath-' ering conveyor. As a consequence, there is only one re-handling of the gathered material from the time it is first gathered by the gathering conveyor to the time it is discharged into the mine cars and this is during the time it is discharged from the gathering conveyor to the discharge conveyor.

It is furthermore to be noted by particular reference to Fig. 1, that the inner portions of the track members 90 are substantially parallel bers OI, I! of said gathering boom 83. It will,

be evident that the boom 83 is swingable with respect to the turntable is about a horizontal through the entire length. As a consequence,

.there is no progressive squeezing action on the coal being loaded which can produce undesirable stresses and strains.

As was previously pointed out, the width of the bottom plate 80 is substantially constant through the entire length but at the front end rattacking portion thereof it is curved rearward- "the rearward portion of the travel of the conveyor chains I in their progress towardthe front endioi' the gathering conveyor, the flights are spaced inwardly of the, sides of the bottom plate i0 and are within the confines of the side members I! which are provided with appropriate cover plates 95, 95 (Fig, 1) attached to inner side wall cover plates 95', 95' (see Fig. However, adjacent the forward end of the gathering conveyor 4| the cover plates 95, 95 and the side members 85 are cut away and the outside track members 90 diverge progressively as the front end is approached. As a consequent, the flights of the gathering conveyor chains 9| progressively move laterally beyond the edges of the bottom plate 88 adjacent the flat working portion 81 thereof. These flights also, in moving around the front curved ends of the guide members 80, extend beyond the front extremity of the curved portion 94 of the bottom plate 88 to dig into, break down and gather the coal either in shotdown condition or in a semi-compact mass. This operation is described in more complete detail hereinafter..

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, I also preferably provide a pair of electric lights 98, 98 on the gathering conveyor 4| to illuminate the material being worked.

Since the gathering boom 83 of the gathering conveyor M is pivoted about a horizontal axis 82 with respect to the turntable 88 of said gathering conveyor II, it is, of course, evident that the track members 90must be broken at this pivot point. As illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, an extension for the track members 80 is provided at 91 to guide the conveyor chain 9| in its head I08 provided with an appropriate packing gland or stuffing box I I3. It will be evident that fluid under pressure may be admitted either above or below the piston III to move it either upwardly or downwardly.

As described in complete detail in the above mentioned parent application, the piston 'I I I may also-be sealed and locked in any adjusted position. The upper end of the piston rod H5 is provided with an upset head I20 received fixedly but loosely in a channeled cross member I2I provided at its opposite ends with downwardly exmovement over the turntable 88. The extensions 31, of which there will be. one for each of the two gathering conveyor chains, provide guide paths on each side thereof leading both to and from drive sprockets 98 for which, there will be one for each of the chains SI, 9|. The extensions 91 will, of course, terminate the guide track for the chains SI, 9| adjacent the drive sprockets 98, 98. I 7

Each of said extensions 81, 91 is provided with a rounded nose 90 (Fig. 5) adapted to extend into a pocket in the frame of the boom 83 and slightly spaced therefrom. This,- of course, mrmits limited movement of the boom 83 about the horizontal' axis provided by the pins 82, 82. It

is also to be noted that protecting cover-plates I00 are provided adjacent and above the. top plate 80 of the turntable 88, which cover plates I00 overlap'of the cover plates 95. (Fig. 5.)

To provide for the vertical swinging movement of the boom83 about ,the axis of pivot pins 82- I provide a double acting type of hydraulic piston by a plurality of elongated clamp bolts I99, pro,-

videdwith appropriate nuts, is a cylinder IIO. Within the cylinder H0 is a piston III formed byapair of opposed sealing rings I I2, I I2 pgen erably made of leather or a composition to effect a perfect seal and carried upon ,a ring I I3 and clamped between clampplates I I4 clamped rigid ly to a piston rod II5 by a keyed nut II8. The head casting I03 is provided with aninlet Ill and the cylinder head I08, is. Provided-with tending L-shaped hanger plates I22, I22'forming a yoke.- The connection between the head I20 and the cross member I2I permits relative movement between them while insuring their attachment together.

The hanger plates I22, I22 have their horizontal portions provided with apertures through which extend rods I23, I23 pivotally attached at their tops by pins I25; I25 to a transversely extending bar I24 welded rigidly with the bottom plate 88 of the boom 83. Between the horizontal portions of said hanger plates I22, I22, I provide compression coil springs I28, I28. The bottom. ends of the rods I23,I23 are threaded and receive adjusting and lock nuts I21, I21.

It will be evident, particularly by reference to Fig, 6 of the drawings, that the boom' 83 is supported upon coil springs I28, I28. "When the loading machine, with the gathering conveyor 4I elevated, travels along the track about the same weight is carried on the axles 52 and 51. When at the face, the front end of the gathering conveyor 4| is lowered until it rests on the. mine floor. This takes a great amount of weight off the front axle and, except for springs I28, I28, would throw the machine out of balanceto such an extent that the front wheels 5|, 5| might raise off the track and derail the machine. Also, sometimes the front end ofthe gathering. conveyor 4| climbs up a. roll in the mine bottom.

, The springs I28, I28 insure sufilcient load on front wheels 5|, 5| to keep them'on the track rails under all normal conditions and prevent" derailment..

13 r" ference particularly to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that adjacent the forward end of the truck Y40 and extending upwardly throughth'e frdnt bed plate 49 thereof, is-a plurality of rollers I28 mounted upon stub shafts I20 carried by the spaced plates ofthe front cross-piece 45. These rollers I28 bear against anarcuate .bearing plate I30, carried on the bottom plate 8301f the turntable and thus pro'-. vide an, anti-friction support for the front end" of the turntable 8 8 of said truck 40, In other words, the turntable 88 will be supported upon the truck 40 by the journal bearing 10 and by the rollers I28 and bearing plate I30. To iiisure upward movement of, the truck 40 in case inlet port I I8. The piston rod "5 1 and 5 of the, drawings, comprising acylthrough an appropriate opening in the cylinder [6 inder I35, pivotally attached at its rear end to a bracket I" formed rigid with the main frame of the truck ll, and a piston carrying a rod III pivotally attached to a bracket formed rigid with the turntable ll of the gathering conveyor II. The piston motor I is of the double acting type. That is, it may be moved under power in reverse directions and with the system comprising my invention, may be locked in any adjusted position. It is to be noted that this hydraulic piston motor is entirely within the conflnes of the loading machine truck ll and thus does not increase the width of said machine. It is furthermore to be noted that it is highly protected and therefore cannot be easily damaged.

' Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 8 to 13, inclusive, and to the construction of the gathering conveyor chains II and the gathering flights which they carry. Each of said gathering chains ll comprises a plurality of main axis so that the chain can travel over the irregular surface of the bottom plate ti, and also free to pivot about "a vertical axis so the chain can travel around the continuous generally orbital path provided by the'track members 90. For any other movement the chain will be relatively rigid which is particularly desired in carrying out the rather heavy work required of the gathering chains II.

As illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, I

' pivotally attach to every sixth main link I a gathering flight I of the construction illustrated in detail in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 interspersed with alternate gathering flights I of the type illustraied in detail in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings.

The essential difference between the gathering flights land I lies in the fact that the former carry removable bits or picks III which are particularly eifective to dig intov and break down a semi-compact mass of material while thegathering flights I are devoid of such bits or picks.

Each of the gathering flights I 43 comprises a body having an upstanding serrated rib or comb I which forms a scraping face and extends generally at right angles to the path of travel of the chain OI with the free outer end concavely curved forward and terminating in a bottom point Ill which extends beyond the forward edge of plate It as it passes around it and rides rearwardly on said plate 66 during its return movement. The rib I46 progresses in height from a minimum adjacent the point I" to a maximum adjacent the opposite side thereof where it terminates at a position on the opposite side of the chain II. That is, the serrated rib I extends laterally from both side runs of the chain SI to a position above said chain 9|. As a consequence, there is ,a'positive movement of material by the flights Ilj over a very-extensive area including the area above the chain II. Each flight III is pivotally attached to a main link It! bya pin-Ila to permit pivotal movement with respect thereto. Extending rearwardly from the main body of the flight Ill adaptedtoabutagainstacam Ifl'onthefoilowing main link Ill and provided with a bit receiving socket III adapted to receive the bit or pick III which extends upwardly and outwardly in trailing relation to rib I".

In view of the fact that the entire gathering flight I, as well as the gathering flight I, are made of a casting of extremely hard material, it is not possible to form threads in said flight and thus I provide a set screw III to hold the bit I in place, having in cooperation therewith a removable threaded nut I". As a consequence, a receiving aperture for the set screw III is cast during the formation of the gathering flight I 43.

To prevent rotation of the nut III a holding ledge I is provided adjacent one of the flat faces of the nut. As previously stated, the construction of the gathering flight I is substantially the same as that of the flight I except the socket Ill and the bit or pick! is eliminated. A detailed description of the gathering flights I appears unn is an arm I provided with an abutment Ill 1s By referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 13, it will be seen thatthe lower leading edge of each of the flights I and I is curved when viewed in plan although such leading edge occupies a single plane when viewed in elevation because such edge of each of the flights Ill and I is a scraping edge adapted to slide along the bottom of the conveyor trough that is located between'the adjacent lengths. of the conveyor chains. as shown in Figs. 1 and '1. The upper serrated rib, I is also curved as viewed in plan so that it will meet the outer end of the lower curved scraping edge at Ill. It will thus be seen by referring to Fig. 8 that the gathering surface between the lower leading scraping edge and the upper serrated rib I is an approximately concave surface so that the flight has a wedge formation transversely thereof or parallel to the chain and also a wedge formation longitudinally of the flight to facilitate frontal attacks by moving the whole machine along the mine track.

The upward and lateral extensions of the serrated ribs not only increase the size of the V'- shaped kerfs produced at the base of the standing shattered mass of coal but also serve as extensions of the gathering faces of the flights. The cover plates Ii, it have inner side walls Ii, II, as shown in Fig. 1, these inner side walls being vertical and parallel and spaced from the edges of the trough along which the conveyor flights scrape, as shown in Fig. 7. The upper ends of the serrated ribs extend over the adjacent lengths of the conveyor chains to positions closely adiain Fig. 7. It will thus be seen that when the flights move along in closely adjacent pairs Ill, I, as shown in Fig. 1, the scraping and flight actions for transferring material extend entirely across the space between the vertical parallel inher side wallsli', OI. Such arrangement serves to materially crease the capacity of the pair of endless gathering conveyors.

As clearly seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 7 of the drawings. the' opposite gathering conveyor chains I are so placed in operation that the bit carrying flights I of one conveyor chain I are directly opposite the free flights I 44 of the other conveyor chain II during the movement of said conveyor chains II while conveying material from the front end of the gathering conveyor II mam to the rear end thereof. It has been found in practice that this is the best and most efficient arrangement of parts.

As clearly seen by reference to Fig. '7 of the drawings, there will be no binding of the conveyor chains 9| by coal particles because a pick or bit I45 on one chain M is never opposite a bit or pick I45 on the opposite conveyor chain.

It will also be evident, particularly by reference to Fig. 7 of the drawings, that the inclining of the serrated ribs or combs of the flights I43 and I44 will prevent any binding due to the fact that large coal lumps will be moved upwardly and free themselves should any binding start to take place.

Attention is now directed particularly to the construction of the discharge conveyor 42 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Said discharge conveyor 42 comprises three articulated parts including a stationary hopper I55 supported upon the front bed plate 49 of the truck 40. by spaced side brackets. The hopper I55 is removably attached to the side brackets by nuts and bolts. The hopper I55 comprises spaced side members I58 and a downwardly inclined rear chute I59 (Fig. formed integral with said side plates I58. The chute I59 is adapted to receive coal as it discharges from the rear end of the gathering conveyor 4I over the top plate 80. A guiding arcuate apron I60 is carried by the top plate 80 in overlapping relation with the chute I59 to insure the proper reception of coal by said hopper I55 without any loss thereof. The chute I59 is of generally conical form thus permitting free rotation of the apron I60 with respect thereto.

It may also be pointed out that the side plates 18 of the turntable 68 have rearwardly extending deflector wings I6I, I 6| which extend over and partially into the arcuate chute I 59 of the hopper I55 thus guiding the material discharged by the gathering conveyor 4| into the hopper I55. (Figs. 1 and 5.) The hopper I55 is provided with a chain guiding bottom plate I62 (see Figs. 4 and 5) which is primarily adapted to guide the return flight of the conveyor chain associated with the discharge conveyor 42. A feed plate I63 is provided adjacent the forward end. of the chute I59 in the hopper I55 and feeds the material onto a material supporting false bottom plate I64 of the hopper I55 over which bottom plate I64 the upper run of the flight carrying conveyor chain I65 of the discharge conveyor 42 travels to convey the coal rearwardly and discharge it onto the cars 43. Pivotally attached to the hopper I55 by means of spaced side brackets I66, I66 (Fig. 4) carried by side members I61, I61 and journaled on pins I68, I68 is a discharge boom I69. It is evident that the boom I69 is pivoted about a horizontal axis formed by pins I68 for vertical swinging movement with respect to the hopper I55 and the truck 40. The discharge boom I69is formed in two parts comprising the forward part I and the rearward part I1I which are pivotally attached about a vertical axis, the rearward part "I being swingable horizontally about said vertical axis. The forward part I10 of the boom I69 comprises a bottom plate I12 which acts somewhat as a continuation of the bottom plate I62 of the hopper I55.

Positioned above the bottom plate I12 is a material supporting false bottom plate I13 which forms a continuation of the material supporting false bottom plate I64 of the hopper I55. LExtending successively along the false bottom plates I64 and I13 is a pair of'spaced guiding and re- As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, these angle members I14 and I15 cooperate with retaining gibs on the conveyor chain I65 to retain it in place while permitting longitudinal movement thereof, at the same time guiding it properly along the center or, the troughway formed by the false bottom and side plates of the discharge conveyor 42. I

Extending downwardly from the false bottom plate I13 and in alignment with the angle members I14, I14 I provide angle members I16 which form a guide and support for the return run of the chain I65 during its travel along the forward part I10 of discharge boom I69. Opposite the angle members I16 and carried on top of the bottom plate I12 is a wear strip I11 which also aids to support the return strand of the chain I65.

As clearly indicated by reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, the rearward part "I of the discharge boom I69 comprises spaced side plates I18, I18 between which extends a bottom plate I19 above which is positioned a material supporting false bottom plate I which is a continuation of the false bottom plate I13 and over which the conveyor chain I65 travels and conveys the material. The forward end of the rearward part "I has attached to the false bottom plate I80 contacting plate means I8I which is pivotally attached by a pivot I82 to the rear end of the false bottom plate I13.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, the rear end of the false bottom plate I13 and of the bottom plate I12 are formed on the arc of a circle, the center of which is along the axis of the pivot I82. Likewise, the forward end of the bottom plate I19 and the false bottom plate I80 are formed on the arcs of slightly larger circles than those of plates I12 and I13, respectively, whereby a continuous surface is provided in each case for any swinging position of the rearward part I" of the discharge boom I69.

It is also to be noted by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings, that angle members I83 are provided on the bottom of the plate member I8I to form a guide for the return strand of the chain I65 leading up to the pivot point provided by pivot I82.

Adjacent the break between the bottom plates I12 and "91 provide a lower wear plate I84 on plate I19 and laterally spaced guide plates I85. on member I8I. These plates I84 and I85 serve to guide and direct the return strand of the chain I65 so that their gibs' enter the guideways of the angle members I83.

Adjacent the rearward arcuate end of the bottom plate I12 I provide an arcuate bearing plate I06 upon which rolls a pair of rollers "I (see Fig. 2) carried at opposite sides of the front end of the rearward part I of discharge boom I89, by brackets 382, which, with the pivot I82, support the rear part'I1I of the discharge boom I69. Adjacent its rearmost end the rearward part "I will be provided with a centrally positioned discharge sprocket mounted upon an adjustable shaft I81 (see Fig. 3) upon which sprocket the conveyor chain I65 will ride. At the forward end of the discharge conveyor 42 (see Fig. 5) I provide within the hopper I55 a centrally disposed guide sprocket I88 for said chain I65.'

To effect a driving of the chain I65 I provide -a drive sprocket I89 (seeFlg. 4); mounted on 'a taining angle members I14'and I15, respectively. 78

shaft I90 by 'a hollow sleeve which shaft I80 is jcurnaled in the rear end of the side members IIO of the hopper Ill. To maintain the chain It! in meshing relation with the drive sprocket I82 I provide a curved wear shoe I22 mounted on the false bottom plate I2l.-

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the chain It! carries a plurality of spaced flights I22 which, during the upper run of the chain II! are adapted to scrape over the false bottom plates I24, I12 and Ill successively thereby to convey material rearwardly from the hopper I" and discharge it into the cars 42.

'tachedtobracket 2IIisarod2I2 therear'end ing ring 202 which makes a leak-proof sliding flt,

within which cylindrical piston I22 is a guide cylinder 22I within which extends a coil spring 222 mounted upon a pivoted coupling member 222 having an upstanding guide rod 2 which extends into the coil spring 222 and into the guide cylinder 2III, the coupling member 222 being pivotally attached to a bracket 22! formed integral with the rear bed plate II and the bumper plate 41 of the truck 42.

It is evident that the coil springs 222 will provide a flexible support for the discharge boom I 22 for any position of adjustment thereof, thus relieving any strain caused by a large lump of coal on the boom striking the top of the mine roof or for any other similar cause. The "guide rod 224 provides a guide and retaining means for the coil spring 222.

-It will be evident that by admitting fluid under pressure to the port I22 or discharging it by said port, the piston I may be adjusted in the cylinder I22 to expand or contract thehydraulic piston motor mechanism I 24 thus swinging the discharge boom I22 about the horizontal axis provided by the pins I", By locking the fluid in the cylinder I, as hereinafter deof which ispivoted to a sliding head 2I2 of a hydraulic piston motor 222. Said hydraulic piston motor 222 comprises a cylinder rigidly attached to a side plate of rearward part "I of discharge boom I22 within which is a piston attachedto'a pistonrod2l4.

It is evident that upon operation of the hydraulic piston motor 222 the rearward part "I of discharge boom I" will swing about the axis of pin I22. The motor 222 may be locked in any desired position of adjustment to lock the rearward part "I of discharge boom I" in position. In actual practice this angleof swing is made approximately eighty degrees. It may also he mentioned that the angle of swing of the gathering conveyor ll is also approximately eighty degrees.

This ability to swing the discharge boom by fluid pressure motor operated mechanism provides for the loading of cars on tracks adjacent the track which supports the loading machine and, in addition, provides for the loading of cars while the loading machine is on a curved track. It is also useful in travelling around curves while tramming the loading machine to an operating scribed, the boom I" may be locked in any elevated position.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, and to the construction of the means for swinging the-rearward part I1I of the discharge boom I 62 with respect to the forward part I10 thereof. It may be mentioned that to provide continuous side walls for the discharge conveyor 42 for any position of adjustment of the rearward part "I with respect to the forward part I12, each of the side plates I12 carries a pivoted arcuate extension side plate 202, the free end of which is urged into contacting relation with the side plate I21 by a coil spring 221 coiled about an extensible rod pivoted at one end to a bracket rigid with the:

plate 222 and extending through a bracket 2" formed rigid with the side plate I12. As the rearward part "I of the boom I22 swings about the axis of pin I22, the free end of the plate 222 will move forwardly and rearwardly in contacting relation with the side member I21 thus forming continuous sides for the discharge boom 42. Y

To cause swinging movement of the rearward part In of the boom m, with respect to the podtion.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, and to the drive means for the various devices to be driven. At the outset it may be stated that only a single or common electric motor 222 is relied upon as the primary source of power to effect a driving of all of the devices of the loading machine. Bald electric motor 222 is mounted upon the rear bed plate ll of the truck 42 and compactly positioned below the discharge conveyor 42 which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the hopper III. Due to this positioning of the electric motor 224 it is possible to provide a very large and powerful motor which is capable of effecting any and all of the drives required at any time while maintaining a machine of low height to permit its use in a relatively low head coal mine. Said electric motor 224 is provided with a forwardly extending armature shaft 222 (see Fig. 4) carrying a drive pinion 222 meshing with a bevel ring gear 221 which is rigidly attached to the housing 222 of a friction clutch mechanism 222. The housing 222 is keyed to a vertical shaft 222 which is mounted a at its top in a bracket 22I rigidly attached to the main frame of the truck ll, there being an antifriction ball bearing 222 interposed between the bracket 22I and the shaft 222 which is held in place by a removable cap 222. The bottom of the shaft 222 is supported in a bracket 224 formed rigid with the bottom plate ll, said support being through an anti-friction ball bearing 22!. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 222 and above the bearing 22!, is a bevel gear 222.

' It may thus be noted that the gear 221 and the forward part I12 thereof about the axis of pin (5 gear 222 being both keyed to the shaft 222, will gadriven together at all times .from the motor Journaled loosely on the central portion of the shaft 22l-is a clutch member 231. Splined on the interior of the housing 228 and on the exterior of the clutch member 221, which members 222and 221 comprise cooperating clutch memhers, is a plurality of overlapping stacked friction plates, alternate ones of which are connected to the housing 222 and the clutch member 221, respectively. Adjacent its bottom the clutch memees?! her 231 is provided with an integral extended flange to which is keyed a gear 240. The flange, in addition to supporting the gear 249, also acts as one compression member for; the friction clutch plates. J

To effect a compression of the clutch plates and thus to effect an engagement of the clutch elements 228 and 231, I provide a compression ring 24| within the housing 229 having a flange which bears against said clutch plates. Downward movement of the ring 2 to effect the aforementioned compression action is effected by a plurality of pins 242 which extend through apertures in the housing 228 and are carriedby a ring 243 operable through an anti-friction ball bearing operable by a trunnion collar which is controlled by a shipper 246 keyed on a shaft 241 which shaft 241 is journaled at one end in an upwardly extending plate rigidly attached to a false bottom plate 249 which, in turn, is rigidly attached to the main frame of the truck 40.

It will be evident that rocking movement of the shaft 241 to urge the collar downward will cause an application of the friction clutch 229 to drive the gear 240 and when the shaft 241 is released the clutch 229 will automatically become disen gaged due to lack of sufficient clamping pressure on the clutch plates.

It may be stated that the gear 240 which is controlled by the clutch 229 is individual to a gear train for driving the gathering conveyor chains 9|. This gear train will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The gear 240 meshes with idler gear 25l mounted upon an anti-friction supported shaft 252 journaled in a cup 253 rigidly and removably attached to front bed plate 49, which gear 25I in turn meshes with a large gear 254 carried by a shaft 255 on anti-friction bearings in the previously described casting 13.

It is to be particularly noted that since the vertical axis about which'the gathering conveyor 4| swings is along the axis of the shaft 255, power can be transmitted to said gathering conveyor through the gear 254 while the gathering conveyor is in any desired position of adjustment. The large gear 254 meshes with one of a pair of inter-meshing large gears 256, 256 which are journaled in the bottom plate 69 and top plate 7 89 of the turntable 68 and which drive the previously mentioned sprockets 98, 98 through shafts 251,.251. It is thus seen that the two drive sprockets 98 are driven in reverse directions and at the same speed, thereby to drive the gathering chains 9|, 9| at the same speed and in reverse directions, with the flights on one chain in fixed relation to the flights on the other chain.

The gear train which is operative to drive the truck 4|] either forwardly or reversely and at either a fast tramming or transportation speed or at a low feeding or sumping speed is notcompletely disclosed herein as it forms no part of the invention herein claimed. It is disclosed in full detail in the parent application.

In the interest of clearness, many of the details of the loader which'are disclosed in full in the parent application are not herein disclosed because they are not, per se, a part of the invention herein claimed. For example, the aforedescribed clutch'operating shaft 241 is operated baa, handle 455 (Fig. 2). adjacent an operator's station at one side of the machine. said handle biased to clutch disengaging being spring tion.

' I addition, there is a gear tra n between the beveled gear 233 (Fig. 4) and the truck axles 52 and 51 including a pair of alternately engageable clutches operable by "a handle I (Fig. 2) to effect selectively reverse driving of the loader. This gear train also includes speed ratio varying gears so that'the drive may be either at a tramining or at a working speed.

Still further, there is a gear train extending from'said beveled gear 236 .to transverse shaft I99 (Fig. 4) which drives chain I 65 through sprocket I89 as above described. This gear train includes a friction clutch operable by a lever 3|! (Fig. 2) located adjacent the operator's station,

from which extends a cable to a handle 324 adjacent a trip riders station near the rear end of the loader, whereby both the loader operator and trip rider can control the operation of conveyor chain I65.

The loader is also provided with an electric feed cable 329 (Fig. 1) mounted on a power driven reel 325. 7

Also, the loader includes a hydraulic system having as a part thereof the four aforedescribed hydraulic piston motors I02, I34, I94 and 222. There is an individual control valve for each of these motors adjacent the operators station. These four valves are seen at 3", 314, 315 and 318 in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The two valves 315 and 318 which control the swinging of part |1| of boom I69. are also operable from the trip riders station by virtue of extensions to handles 423 and 424.

In the operation of the loader comprising my invention, it may be trammed along a trackway in a mine to the place where the loading operation is to take place. During this tramming operation. the drive wheels of the truck will be driven at their fast speed and the electric cable will be paid out freely. The gathering conveyor will be elevated with its front end above the tracks and both the gathering and the discharge conveyors may be controlled by the operator who rides on a small platform on the truck 40 adjacent the above described controls, to swing.

said gathering and discharge conveyors, as required by the travel of the loader along a curved track. I

When the loading machine has reached the place where the coal is to be loaded, which coal has been. previously cut and shot, with part thereof formedas loose coal and part formed as a semi-compact mass, the driving'gears will be changed to drive it at a slow or sumping speed. The operator will then adjust the gathering conveyor 4| and the discharge conveyor 42, the former by lowering it in contacting relation with the mine tracks or, if the first operation is to take place adjacent the side of the mine tracks to lower it into'contact with themine floor with the discharge conveyor 4| positioned to discharge into a mine car 43.

With the conveyor mechanisms of the discharge and gathering conveyors set into operation, and with the front end of the gathering unit resting on the mine floor in advance of the mine track, the entire machine may be fed forwardly providing a frontal attack of the gathering conveyor 4| on the coal at the bottom of the mass of material to be loaded. "The flights I43 and I44 .will dig into the loose or semi-compact I coal and feed-it to the gathering conveyor 4|.

Onespecial feature of operation, of my dvice lies in the fact that thegathering flights I43 and |44 of the gathering conveyor 4| at ck h al at'the 'same time and in opposite'directions to secure a balancing effect, thereby reducing to a minimum any tendency for the loader to jump off the tracks during the operation of the gathering mechanism.

A further very important feature of the operation of the flights I43 and I also lies in the wedging action which they have due to the inclined serrated rib or comb I 48. Due to this construction the flights tend to wedge under the coal, particularly when in a semi-compact mass, thereby breaking it down and at the same time providing a minimum of degradation due to the lack of a striking action comparable with a ham mer blow.

It may also be mentioned that a low degradation is realized with my loader due to the fact that there is only a single rehandling of the coal by the loader, namely, at the hopper I55. This, of course, is realized by virtue of the fact that the gathering conveyor unit comprises continuous gathering mechanisms which operate through substantially the entire len th thereof.

It is also to be noted that due to the fact that flights I43 and I extend laterally over the opposite edges of the flat working portion 81 of the bottom plate 86 there is no tendency for the gathering conveyor to become wedged in the pile of coal, particularly when it is in the form of a semi-compact mass. Furthermore, a swinging or side attack on the coal may be carried out due to this particular construction. This is particularly useful in a final clean-up for, in generai, I prefer to operate the device as a frontal attack loading machine.

The power transmission mechanism connected chine to move rearwardly thereby causing the between the motor 224 and the pair of endless.

conveyor chains on the gathering device ll, comprises the gear 240 on the vertical shaft 230 of Fig. 4. The gear 240 meshes with the gear which in turn meshes with the gear 254, and the latter is in mesh with one of the gears 258. Since the gears 258 mesh with each other, the flights of the gathering conveyor are in such fixed relation to each other that they travel in pairs, in opposite directions, as illustrated in Fig. l. The starting and stopping of the pair of endless chains of the gathering conveyor are controlled by'theclutch 229 shown in Fig. 4. During normal operation of the gathering conveyor the flights move in pairs towards the discharge conveyor 42 and therefore the motor 224 should be continuously operated in the same direction.

The hopper I55 is capable of storing coal when the discharge conveyor 42 is discontinued while changing mine cars. That is to say, the hopper I" enables the gathering mechanism to be kept continuously in operation even when mine cars are being changed. The rear end of the gathering mechanism is extended to a relatively high elevation to efllciently deliver the gathered coal to the hopper.

Should a lump of coal get caught between the rear end portion of the athering conveyor and the roof of the mine chamber, th crowding and wedging action will bedownward against the upwardly extending serrations of the flights I43, I (Fig. '7) and against-the points of the cutter bits I", thereby effecting a crushing of the unusually large lumps of coal so that delivery of thecoal to the discharge conveyor need not be interrupted. If there is an overload on the gathconveyor flights I and I to release the contacted coal and relieve the overload.

Under the control of the lever 214 shown in Fig. 2 the operator may control the swinging of the gathering conveyor on its pivotal connection at 2" to the truck frame 40, and during such swinging movement of the gathering conveyor its frame II rests at its forward end on the rollers III, as shown in Fig. 5. A single reciprocating hydraulic motor I34, pivotally connected at its ends to the truck frame and the gathering conveyor frame, is relied on to swing the forward end of the gathering conveyor to various angular positions relative to the mine track. The gathering conveyor may be locked in its angular adjusted position when the loading machine is to be sumped or withdrawn rectilinearly parallel to the mine track, butit should be understood that the reciprocating hydraulic motor I is suflicie'ntly powerful to swing the forward portion-of the gathering conveyor in either direction for lateral attack on a semi-compact mass of shot down coal, and .at various elevations illustrated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 2.,

After a mine vein has been undercut and shot down it may remain standing for several feet back from the face in a semi-compact mass termed a "standing shot. Some of this may be tight at various elevations but the frontal attack of the gathering unit may be relied on to effect dislodgment of such semi-compact mass onto the receiving end of the gathering unit. The outer ends of the flights reach out beyond the gathering head and move along the mine bottom, the rearwardly and upwardly extending serrations tending to form a V-shaped kerf at the base of the upstanding mass so that the picks following the flights can easily tear the coal loose to cause it to fall forward onto the gathering head plate. The coal thus loosened sometimes falls from the standing mass in large quantities necessitating retraction of the loader in readiness for another forward gathering movement to load the loosened coal. While in some instances by reason of the serrated flights and the picks mounted thereon, the coal may be dislodged from a mine vein without drilling and blasting, the main purpose of such flights and picks on a gathering conveyor is to attack semi compact masses of coal to loosen the same while loading'operations are being carried on. I prefer to mount the bits or picking fingers or tools I45 on alternate flights so that two spaced serrated flights will move in advance of each picking tool. This can readily be seen by referring to Fig. i. It will also be seen by referring to Figs. 7 and 9 that the picking tools extend diagonally upwardly considerably above the path of the serrations of the flights. Consequently the picking tools are able to penetrate the upper inclined wall of the V-shaped kerf sufllciently to tear loose the standing shattered coal and cause it to fall forward toward the gathering head plate.

The discharge conveyor comprisestwo sections I10 and ill (Fig. 4), with the rear section I'll movable laterally on the upright pivot I82. Hydraulically operated mechanism comprising the hydraulic motor 222 is controlled by the valve 4 lever 315 to effect power swinging of the rear ering conveyor chain 9! due to contact between flights I" or I and .solid or irremovable coal the friction clutch 22! will slip, whereupon the proper clutch will be operated to cause the masection of the discharge conveyor. By means of the mechanisms 208, etc., the continuity of the sides I81, I" and I18, ill of the discharge conveyor 42 is maintained notwithstanding the fact that the discharge conveyor comprises a single endless chain" I65- having links pivot 'jally eonnected on vertical and horizontalaxeathis chain being'similar in construction to the chain; iilf, as

shown in Fig. 8;.

The cable reeirzsj Fig. 1) may; beoperated by power to wind up the cable #29 which contains the insulatedwires connecting the motor 224 to the ply. It is preferred that a main loader operator should be in a position to operate all of the condistant source of electric power suptrolling levers'and that another operator should be able by means of extended actuating. connections, to. control adjustmentsof the discharge conveyor independently'of the operation of the gathering conveyor. As the mine cars are brought up, loaded, and replaced by empty cars, a rear operator or trip rider may start and stop the discharge conveyor and adjust the elevation of the rear end thereof as well as its lateral position. The main operator will know when the discharge conveyor stops without looking backward and thus stop the gathering conveyor to prevent overflow from hopper I55.

It should be understood that when the gathering conveyor unit is swung laterally the hopper I55 of the discharge conveyor apparatus remains stationary; The rearwardly extending wings IGI, ISI' shown in Figs. 1 and 5 have their lower edges in overlapping relation to the upper semicircular'edge of the semi-funnel shaped chute I59. Such wings IBI, I6I' move bodily with the gathering conveyor unit. As the flights leave the rear, edges of the plate 80 they move away from each other and any material thrown laterally will be deflected by the wings IBI', IISI' into the hopper I55. Furthermore, such wings extendupwardly from the lateral edges of the chute I59 to co-operate with the latter to deepen the hopper I55.

Obviously thoserskilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined'by the claims hereto appended, and I therefore wish not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A gathering conveyor chain'flight comprising a body having a leading serrated rib and a trailing tearing down tool mounted in spaced relation to said rib.

2. A gathering chain flight conveyor comprising flights each pivoted to the chain and each having a body forming an inclined serrated rib at the top which rib extends both above and laterally of said chain when in operation.

3. In a loader, the combination with a main frame, of a gathering conveyor mounted thereon on one chain aligned with a non-bit-carrying v flight on the other chain.

4. A combination mining and loading machine comprising the combination with a supporting frame, of a supplemental frame mounted thereon, a pair of chain flight conveyors mounted on said supplemental frame for operation in reverse directions, each of said chain: flight; conveyors comprising serrated flights with alternate-flights carrying dislodging bits, a; conveyor trough ex-' tending, rearwardly. along said. supplemental frame, and means jfor operating said chain flight conveyors in fixed: relation to.- each other with the dislodging bits of, one conveyor arranged in staggered relationwith the dislodging bits of the other conveyor; v v

5. ma conveyor, the combination-witha frame having a plate over which material is scraped having a material receiving front edge adapted to: be fed into a'pile of coal, of a pair of gathering conveyors thereon'adapted to gather material and feed it onto said'plate and convey it conveyors comprising an; endless tight jointed:

chain, a guide therefor, jibs onsaid chain for retaining it in said guide, pivoted flights attached to said chain, saidflights each having a serrated top edge which slopes upwardly from the bottom joint which, point is adapted to extend beyond the plate at the front thereof and to ride on saidplate as the flight is conveyed rearwardly thereover, said flight top edge extending upwardly from said point at one side of said chain to a position spaced above said chain.

6. In a conveyor, the combination with a frame having a plate over which material is scraped having a material receiving front edge adapted to be fed into a pile of coal; of a pair of gathering conveyors thereon adapted. to gather mate'- rial and feed it onto said plate and convey it rearwardly therealong, each of said gathering conveyors comprising an endless tight jointed chain, a guide therefor, jibson said chain for retaining it in said guide, flights attached to said chain, said flights each having a serrated top: edge which slopes upwardly'from the bottom point which point is adapted to extend beyond the plate at the front thereof and to ride on said plate as the flight is conveyed rearwardly thereover, breaking down devices comprising adjacent pairs and said breaking down devices in staggered relation. 1 l

'7. In a conveyor, the combination with a frame having a plate over which material is scraped having a material receiving front edge adapted to be fed .into a pile of coal, of a pair of gathering conveyors thereon adapted to gather material and feed it onto said plate and convey it rearwardly therealong, each of said gathering conveyors comprising an endless tight jointed chain, a guide therefor; jibs on said chain for retaining it in said guide, pivoted flights attached to said chain, said flights each having a serrated top edge which slopes upwardly from the bottom point which point is adapted to extend beyond the plate at the front thereof and to ride on said plate as the flight is conveyed rearwardly thereover, breaking down devices comprising picks mounted on some of the flights of both conveyors, and means for driving said conveyors in fixed relation to each other with the serrated flights in closely adjacent lateral alined pairs and said picks in staggered relation.

8. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a hardened metal body, a bit receiving sockettherein, a set screw extending loosely through a hole leading to said socket, and a retaining nut on said set screw.

9. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having,a leading material scraping face formedas a concave curve terminating in a leading point at its outer end, said point being adjacent thebottom thereof and forming the tip of a serrated rib, the top of which is inclined upwardly therefrom, said body having a trailing arm carrying a bit extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in trailing relation with respect to said rib top. 1

10. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having a leading material scraping face formed as a concave curve terminating in=a leading point at its outer end, said point being adjacent the bottom thereof and forming the tip .bit by turning the same in said nut. v

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a hard metal holder having a'bit socket, of a nut within said holder, and a bolt threaded through said nut into position to engage a bit in said socket. n

13. In a chaincutter for mining machines, the combination with a chain link, of a bit holder mounted thereon, a cutting bit extending into a socket in said holder, a nut within said holder, a bolt threaded through said nut into position to engage said bit to hold the same in said socket, and means to prevent said nut from turning relatively to said holder when said bolt is being tightened against said bit.

14. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a gathering conveyor pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis, a resilient support connected to the underside of said gathering conveyor, and means comprising a fluidpressure motor connected to said resilient support to effect therethrough the adjustment of' said gathering conveyor on said horizontal axis. 15. A chain flight. conveyor comprising a chain having a link with an individual projecting cam face, a conveyor flight pivoted to a link in advance of said link having the cam face, a trailing arm extending rearwardly from said flight, an abutment on said arm in position to engage said cam face, and dislodging mechanism mounted on said arm in spaced relation to said flight.

16. A gathering flight for a chain conveyor comprising a 'body having leading gathering means and a support mounted on the gathering means for carrying a tearing down tool trailing the gathering means in spaced relation thereto.

17. A gathering flight for a chain conveyor comprising a body having a leading gathering face connecting a scraping edge and a serrated rib and a support projecting rearwardly for rated rib in spaced relation thereto.

18. A gathering flight for chain conveyors comprising a body with a gathering face having carrying a tearing down tool trailing the sercomprising a body having a curved lower scraping edge" connected by a concave gathering face to a curved'serrated rib inclined upwardly and extended laterally over the top of the conveyor chain when connected thereto in operation.

20. A gathering flight for chain conveyors comprising a body adapted to be pivotally connected to a link of the chain, a trailing arm extending rearwardly from said flight in position to engage another link of the chain, and dislodging mechanism mounted by said trailing arm in spaced relation to said body.

21. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of gathering conveyor mechanism mounted on said frame, said conveyor mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely traveling laterally spaced conveyor chains each carrying flights in spaced relation along the chain, means for driving the chains with the flights of one chain in flxed relation to the flights of the other chain so that the flights on the separate chains can attack the coal substantially at the same time, and means for moving said frame to feed the conveyor mechanism for frontal attack into the mass of coal, said flights tapering downwardly to picking fingers at their outer ends and having gathering faces leading fromlower scraping edges upwardly to lateral extensions over the tops of the chains, the construction'and arrangement being such that the flights can wedge under the mass of coal in the frontal attack and gather such coal for transfer along a path between the chains by said scraping edges and enable such lateral extensions to transfer coal along and over the tops of the chains along additional paths at upper levels.

22. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame having a conveyor trough extending rearwardly from a receiving end, of a pair of chain scraper flight conveyors on said frame, dislodging bits mounted on alternate scraper flights of each conveyor, and means for driving said chain flight conveyors with the flights thereof in closely adjacent pairs when scraping material along said trough with the' dislodging bits of one conveyor in staggered relation with the dislodging bits of the other conveyor.

23. In a loadingmachine, the combination .ed to extend beyond the outer end of said receiving plate in position to penetrate the mass of material to be loaded and each having a gathering face slanting upwardly and rearwardly from a curved lower scraping edge to said downwardly extending serration, and mechanism for connectdirections and in flxed relation to each other so that the flights of one conveyor will be closely associated with the flights of the other conveyor for operation in adjacent pairs along said conveyor trough.

24. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame having a trough extending rearwardly from the receiving end thereof, of a pair of endless chain flight conveyors each provided with spaced flights each having lower edges adapted to scrape along the bottom of said trough, mechanism affording lateral guideways spaced above the level of the bottom of said trough, and extensions on said flights projecting laterally over said guideways to scrape material along the same during operation of said scraping edges along the bottom of said trough.

25. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having a concave gathering face receding upwardly from a curved scraping edge which terminates in a leading picking finger at its outer end.

26. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having a leading material gathering faceformed as a concave curve between a lower scraping edge and a top rib which is inclined upwardly from a picking finger at its outer end.

27. In a loading machine, the combination

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