US2353051A - Loading machine - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N. D. LEVIN LO'ADING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 22, 1937 w N O I T 0A T M A v n H v D wm om. 3N wmm s F Q v I v bw. v vmu N Y v d B E r .wu 8Q ll mu 7. a nnlflruvlvrdiawidii .1... N8 N UHI. wdnwmu on. FN MW 5 NR Mom MMM\H o m8 rm 4 y 1944. N. D. LEVIN V LOADING MACHINE OpiginaLFi'led Oct. 22, 19:57v

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [WE/Woe N lLs D LEVIN.

Now 0 3 y 9 N. D. LEVIN 2,353,051

' LOADING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BYMM' M the gathering conveyor.

Patented July 4, 1944 Nils D. Levin, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Jeflrey Manufacturing Company, acorpora'tion of Ohio Original application October 22, 1937, Serial No.

170,426. Divided and this application January I 17, 1941', Serial No. 374,823 I I 1 Claim.

, This invention relates to loading machines and one of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved and eificient frontal attack type of loading machine adapted for the loading of coal in a coal mine particularly while still standing in a semi-compact mass at the coal face after having been shattered or dislodged from the solid of the. mine vein by blasting charges.

Another object of the invention is the provisio of a. main frame so combined with a gathering conveyor unit and a discharge conveyor unit as to provide for a, minimum of stress and strain during operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a loading machine adjusting, operating and controlling means all driven from a common motor.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the overall height of a. loading'machine, byproviding improved and efilcient adjusting,.operating and controlling means all driven by a single electric motor on the main ,or'supporting frame. Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claim.-

In the accompanying drawings, V Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the loading machine comprising my invention with the swinging boom of the discharge conveyor. cut short; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectionalview of the loaderwith the rearend of the discharge conveyor cut off and with the forward end of the gathering conveyor cut ofi; j l r Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view showing the tarward endv of the truck, the drive means. for the gathering conveyor, and. the truck propelling mechanism at the rear end of thetruck;

Fig. 4 is a-transverse sectional elevational view taken on the line d- -d ofv Fig. .2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

ing my invention is primarily a frontal attack machinebut provision is madewhereby a gathering conveyor, cannot become wedged Iinto' tl e material being loaded in that',the"attacl islnot confined to .a frontal attack but a sqgmema lateral attack at both sides ofthe forward end" of chain to insure their movement in'uni son.

The said loading machine comprises a track mounted truCk 40 gp nwhich is mounteda gathering conveyor M and a. discharge conveyor 42, the former hein'g'adapted to digf lntfi and gather looseor semi-compact coal and to convey it to thelatter= by which it isdis'oharged' into track mounted coal cars. I

Power means is provided to train the loading machine along a mine trackat' a relatively fast speed, and to operate it alon'g'said track at a feeding oroperating speed while at the same time operating the gathering and dischargefconveyors to gather and-load coal into coal cars.

The-truck 40 comprises a main frame formed by longitudinally extending side members M rigidly attached together at theinforward ends byjan arcuate front cross-piece formed by spacedmembers 45. Adjacent its forward end, th'e'main frame cornprises a; bed plate "49 (Fig; 2) rigidly attached to the tops of the side members 44 andiront cross-pieces 45, as by' weidingzf The gathering conveyor 4| and the drive means therefor are supported from this bed plate 49 Adjacent its rear end the main frame is'pr'ovided with a bed plate 50 (Fig. 2) which is'rigidly attached to'the'bottoms ofthe sidemembers 44. The bed plate 50 supports the single'driye-motor 224 which'drives all of the apparatus on the loading machine, and-supports most or" the gear mechanism for controlling 'said loading machine. The truck 40 is mounted upon a pair of forward track engaging flanged wheels; 5-}, 5 l keyed on axle 52 which is journaled in ad'ju's't'able bearing boxes 53, 53 slidably supported upon guideways 54, 54. Gearing mechanism 55 is provided for adjusting-the bearing boxes 53, 53 .inunison longitudinally along the guideways 54;? 54 from truck 40. I I

The truck 40 is alsoprovided with'frearward track engaging flangewwheels 56,; 55 mounted upon axle 51 journaled' in bearing boxes 58," 58 (see Fig. 3) *slidable' longitudinally in guideways. Gearing mechanism 6| readily accessible from the side of the truck '40, as best seen in liig; 3, is provided for adjusting the bearingboxes. 58, 58 longitudinally in unison" along' thagui ays 6B. The axles-Hand 5l'are provided'wi' a Y which are connected together byfaiiontihuous a convenient position adjacent the 'side, of." the Axl 51 alsocarries ,a drive sprocket 59 'bywhich it is driven. 'It'is'thusevidcntfthat,d'rivingpower will be app ied to a lot, the track engaging'w ec I of turntable 68.-

The construction of the gathering conveyor 4| comprises a turntable 58 formed by a bottom plate 69 provided at its rear end with a circular opening adapted to receive a journal bearing 1|) (Fig. .2) which is reinforced by a plate H and a ring 12, all rigidly attached together, as by welding. The journal bearing is journaled to a casting 13 which is removably attached to the front bed plate 49 by virtue of screws 14 which:

..10. said front bed plate 49, as clearly seen in Figf2 thread into a ring 15 welded to the bottom of of the drawings. It is thus evident that the turn;- table 68 is journaled to the truck about an upright axis provided by the casting 13 thereby providing for lateral swinging1 movement of the V the truck to through the casting 13 and thus this casting and the. journal bearing 10 associated therewith ismadeofvery rugged construction.

As clearly illustrated iriFig. 2 of the drawings, the bottom plate 69 is removably attached to the casting l3 by a threaded ring [6 threaded to the top of said casting 13 andheld locked by a set screw 11. r l

The turntable 68- also includes upright, side plates 18 and intermediate front plates 19 which cooperate to support atop plate 80, which plates co-operate to provide a gearing housing and :support, as hereinafter explained in full detail.

Side plates-I? of the turntable 68 carry side brackets 8|, 8| provided with pivot pins-82 upon which-is pivotedthe gathering boom 83- of the gathering conveyor 4| by means of brackets 84 V (Fig. 1) having apertures to receive the vpins 82,

. 85 and, at-its rear end, is substantially parallel with and forms anextensionof the top plate-8O l5 carries a pair of gather- 'The bottom plate a ing chain guides each formed by an'outer grooved track member groovedat itsouter surface to receive theside bars and retaining-:gibs ofthe gathering conveyor chains designated generally 9|. That is, the track members are providedwith grooves and retaining flanges tokeep the gatheringconveyor'chains-M in proper position. 1

The track'members extend substantially the full length of thegathering conveyor=4| and thus the gathering; conveyor chains operate substantially through the entire length of said gathering.

' h ,track member sf'w'must be broken; at-this pivot point; A lus tratedfin Fig. -2 of thedrawi an extension for, the track members is me vided at 91 to guide the conveyorchainfil mat movement over the turntable 6'8. Tl'i txillimhs 91, 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 9B for which there will be one for each of the chains 9|. The extensions 55'? will, of course, terminate the guide track for the chains 9| adjacent the drive sprockets 98.

Each of said extensions 9'! is provided with a 'Iirounded nose 99 (Fig. 2) adapted to extend into a pocket in the frame of the boom and slightly spaced therefrom. This, of course, permits limited movement of the boom 83 about the horizon- -'tal axis provided by the pins 82. It is also to be noted that protecting cover plates itt are provided adjacent and above the top plate Bil of the turntable 68, which cover plates 5% overlap the cover plates 95. (Fig. 2.)

To provide for the swinging of the gathering conveyor 4| about the vertical axis of casting "i3 ;I provide a very simple and compact arrangement in the forrnof a hydraulic piston motor 3%, best seen in Fig. 3of the drawings, comprising a cylinder |35,"pivotally attached at its rear'end to a bracket I36 formed rigid with the main frame ,of the truck 40, and a piston carrying a rod l3? pivotally attached to a bracket formed rigid with the turntable 68 of the gathering conveyor 4|. The piston motor |34 is of'the double'acting. type. That is, it may be moved under power in reversedirections-and With the system comprising my invention, may be locked in any adjusted position, as hereinaiterdescribed. It is to be noted that this hydraulic piston motor |34 is entirely within the confines of the loading machine truck 4|) and thus does not increasejthc width of said machine. It is furthermore to be noted that it is highly protected and therefore cannot be easily damaged. I, pivotallyattach to every sixth main linka gathering flight I43. interspersed with'alternate fgatheringflightslfl, II'he essential difi'ere'nce be- 'tween the gathering flights M3 and .l44lies in the fact that the former carry removable. bits or picks |45which are particularly effective to dig into and'break down a semi-compact mass of material'while the gatheringfiights 144 are devoid of such bits orpicks.

Attentionis now directed particularly to the construction of the discharge conveyor 42 -as. illustrated in Figs. ,1 and 2. Saiddischargev conveyor, 42 comprises three articulated parts includ- ,ing a stationary hopper I supported upon the "front bed plate 49 of thetruck 40'by spaced side brac kets seen at I56 in Fig. 5 of the drawings. fIhe hopper I55 is removably attached to the'side brackets I56 by nuts and bolts I51. I Thehopper I55 comprisesv spaced side members. |53and a downwardly inclined ,rear chute |5 9 (Fig; 2) formed integral with said side plates J58. .The 60'chute I5!) is adapted toreceive coal as'it discharges from the rear end oflthe gathering conveyor 4| over the top plate 80. A guiding farcuate apron Hill is carried by the top plate Bil in overlapping relation with the chute 159 to insure the propenrecept'ion of coal b saidhopper I55 with- ,outany loss thereof. The chute I55 is. of generallywconical form thus permitting free rotation of the apron I60 with respect thereto, r

It, may also be pointed out that the side-plates .18 of the turntable 68 have. rearwardly extend- ,ing deflector wings -|"6|, |6| whichextend over @and partially into the arcuate chute. ass of the ,hopper.,|:55 th1is {gui-dingthe material disch g by the'g athering'conve'yor, to the hopperyIES. (Fig. 2.) The hopper"|55 'isprovi'ded with a chain guiding bottom plate I62 (Fig. '2) which is thus be noted that the gear 221 and the gear 23:6

primarilyadapted to-guide the return flight of the conveyor chain. associated with thed ischargeconveyor 42. A feed plate I 63 is provided adjacent the forward end of the chute I 59 in the hopper I55 and feeds the material onto a material supporting; false. bottom plate I54 of the hopper I-55 over which. bottom plate I54 the upper run of the flight. carrying conveyor chain I65 of the discharge conveyor 42 travels to convey the coal rearwardly and dischargeit. into the mine cars.

Pivotally attached to the hopper I55 by means of spaced side brackets I66, I165 (Fig. 2) carried by side members I61 and. journaled on pins I58 is a discharge boom I63.- It. is evident that the boom I53 is. pivoted about a horizontal axis "formed by pins I68 for vertical swinging movement with respect to the: hopper I55 and the truck 40; At the forward end of thedischarge conveyor 42 (see Fig. 2) I- provide within the hopper I55. acentrally-di'sposed guide sprocket I88 (for said chain 1'55.

To effect a. driving of the chain I65 I provide a drive sprocket I89 mounted. on. a shaft I95 which is. journaled' in the. rear end of the side members I58rof the hopper I55. To maintain the chain H55 in meshing relation with the drive sprocket .1 89 I provide acurved wear shoe I92 mounted' on the falsebottom plate I64.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 of. the

drawings, the chain I-65- carries a plurality of spaced flights. P93 which, during the, upper run of, the chain I65 are adapted to scrape: over the false bottom plate I64, thereby to convey material rearwardly from the hopper I55 and dis-- charge; it into thermine cars.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 2 and 4 and to the drive means for the various devices to be driven. At the outset it maybe stated; that only a single or common electric motor 22-4 is relied upon. as the primary source of power to effect a driving of all of the devices of the loadfor an improvement in a loading machine. Due to this positioning. of the electric motor 224 itis possible to provide a very large and. powerfulmotor which is capable of effecting an 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 225 (seev Fig. 2) carrying a drive pinion 226 meshing'witha bevel ring gear 221 which is rigidly attached to thehousing 228 of a friction clutch mechanism 229; The housing 223 is keyed to a vertical shaft 230 which is mounted 1 at its top in a. bracket 23I rigidly attached. to the main frame of the truck 40', there being an antifriction ball bearing 232 interposed between the bracket 23I and the shaft 230 which is held in place by a removable. cap 233. The bottom of theshaft'230 is supported i'n'a-bracket. 234 (Fig. 4)

port being through an anti-friction ball bearing 235. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 230 and above the bearing 235, isa bevel gear 236. It may being both keyedto the shaft 230*, will be driven together atall times from the motor 224.

J'ournaled loosely on the central portion of the shaft23I1-is a clutch member 231 (Fig. 4). Splined on the interior of the housing 228 and on the To effect a compression of the clutch plates 238 I (Fig. 8) and thus to effect an engagement of the clutch elements 228 and 231', I provide av compression ring" 24I within the housing 228 having a flange which bears against said plates 238. Downward movement of the ring 24I to effect the aforementioned compressing action is effected by a plurality of pins 242 which extend through apertures in the housing 228 and are carried by a ring 243 operable through an anti-friction ball bearing 244 operable by a trunnion collar 245 which is controlled by a shipper 246 keyed on a shaft 241 (Fig. 4) which shaft 241 is journaled at one endin an upwardly extending plate rigid- Iy attached to the main frame of the truck 40.

Adjacent its other end the shaft 241 is supported in a pair of downwardly extending apertured plates 250", 250 (see Fig. 4) which are bolted to the bracket 231.

It will be evident that rocking movement of the shaft 241 to urge the collar 245 (Fig. 4) downward will cause an application of the friction clutch 229 to drive the gear 245 and when the shaft 241. is released the clutch 229' will automatically become disengaged due to lack of sufficient clamping pressure on the plates 238.

It may be stated that the gear 240 which is controlledby the clutch 229 is individual to a gear train for driving the gathering conveyor chains 9|. The gear 240 'meshes with idler gear 25? mounted upon an anti-friction supported shaft 252 journaled in a cup 253 rigidly and removably attached to front bedplate 49, which gear 25I in turnmeshes with a large gear 254 carried by a shaft 255 on anti-friction hearings in the-previously described casting I3.

It is to be-particularly noted that since the vertical axis about which the gathering conveyor V 41 swings is along the axis of the shaft 255, power formed rigid with the, bottom plate 53, said supcan be transmitted tosaid 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 intermeshing large gears 255, 256 (Fig. 3) which arejourn-aled in the bottom plate 59 and top plate 50 of the turntable 53 and which drive the previously mentioned sprockets 98- through shafts 25?. 251. It is thus seen that the two drive sprockets 28 are driven in reverse directions and at the samespeeds, thereby to drive the gather ing chains M at the same speeds and in reverse directions, with: the flights on one chain in fixed relation to the flights on-the other chain.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 2, Liand- 4 and tothe gear train which is operative to drive the truck 43 either forward-1y or reversely and at either a fast tram-ming or transportation speed or at alowfeeding or sum-ping speed. This gear train includes the previously described gear 236 which, as above pointed out, is driven directly from the motor 224. Gear 235 meshes on opposite sides with bevel gears 258, 258 of reversing friction clutches 259 and 250, respectively, as

shown in Fig. 4. 5

Except in a respect hereinafter described in full detail, the clutches 259 and 250 are similar and thus a detailed description of clutch 259 will sufilce for both. Said clutch 259 comprises a housing 25| to which the bevel gear 258 is keyed. The housing 23! is loosely journaled on a longitudinally extending hollow drive shaft-2G2 to which is keyed the clutch member 263. Housing 25| and clutching member 263 carryalternate stacked friction clutch plates 254 which may be compressed into clutch engaging position by an operating ring 255 adapted to be engaged by the opposed heads of an operating key 256 which extends through an elongated slot 251 in the drive shaft 252 and through an elongated slot 258 in an operating shaft 259 and is removably held in place by said end heads, one of which is formed by spaced bars 265' rigidly and removably attached by rivets 266'. It will be evident that the bevel gears 258 rotate the housings of the clutches 259 and 265 in reverse directions. Consequently, when clutch 259 is applied shaft 252 will rotate in one direction and when clutch 250 is applied it will rotate in the reverse direction.

The elongated slots 258 are so spaced with respect to the operating shaft 259 that both of said clutches 259, 250 may be in released condition at the same time and when the shaft 259 is shifted to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, the clutch 260 will be applied and when shifted to the left, the clutch 259 will be applied.

The reverse ends of the shaft 252 are mounted in appropriate journal bearings one of which is shown at 21! (Fig. 4) both bearings being forme rigid with the false bottom plate 249.

Keyed to the shaft 252 is a drive pinion 212 which drives a variable speed reduction mecha nism comprising a gear 213 constantly in mesh therewith, which is keyed to a pinion 214 both of which are journaled loosely upon a countershaft 215 mounted for free rotation in spaced journals and a thrust bearing carried by the false bottom plate 229, the latter of which prevents axial movement of shaft 215. Pinion 214 meshes with a gear 218 keyed to a pinion 219 and mount ed upon a shaft 280 (Fig. 3) journaled in bearings 23|, 28|. Pinion 219 meshes with a gear 232 which is also loosely journaled on countershaft 215.

The gears 213 and 282 are provided with cl utch jaws 283 and 285 respectively, which cooperate with clutching elements 285 and 285, respectively, having appropriate cooperating jaws. A shipper 281 is provided for the clutching elements 285 and 285, which shipper is adjustably mounted on a shifta-ble shaft 238 slidable at one end in a journal 235 carried by side plate 44 and at the other end pivoted to an operating lever.

If the shaft 288 is moved in one direction, clutching element 285 will be moved to engaged position which will effect a high speed connection between the drive shaft 262 and the countershaft 255. When th clutching element 286 is moved into engaged position by moving the shaft 283 in the opposite direction, a low speed connection will be effected between the drive shaft 232 and the countershaft 215.

Keyed to the countershaft 215, is a drive sprocket 233 which drives the sprocket 59 (see .Fig. 3) through a drive chain 293'.

As was previously pointed out, the drive sprocket 59 drives the axle 51 and the wheels 56, 56 of the truck 40, which axl 51 in turn drives the axle 52 through the chain 65 to drive the wheels 5|, 5| of the truck 40. It is thus manifest that the loading machine may be driven through the traction wheels 5|, 5| and 56, 55 from the motor 224 either forwardly or reversely at either a high transportation speed or a low feeding speed without requiring reversal of the direction of rotation of said motor 224. It [is also obvious that the motor 224 may be operated without requiring movement of the loader along the mine track.

Attention isnow directed particularly to Figs. 2, 4 and 5 and to the gear train for driving the conveyor chain 65 associated with the discharge conveyor 42. This gear train includes a novel arrangement in which the housing 25| of the clutch 259 is employed as a direct tubular drive element. This arrangement is described and claimed in my co-pending application S. N. 445,834, filed June 5, 1942, for an improvement in Loading machines. As clearly seen in Fig. 4

of the drawings, the housing 25| has rigidly attached to it a cover plate 295 having a neck 296 which is journaled loosely'on the drive shaft 252 to which neck 255 is keyed a drive sprocket 291. The cover plate 295 is removably attached to the housing ZBI by machine screws 298. It is thus evident that motion of the gear 259 associated with clutch 259 will be transmitted directly to the sprocket 291 through the housing 26| and cover plate 295.

The drive sprocket 291 drives a sprocket 30| through a chain 302 (see Figs. 4 and 5) which sprocket 30| is rigidly attached to a friction clutch housing 303 which drives the clutch member 394 through stacked friction plates 305 operable by clamp ring 306 by a shipper ring 301 operating through a ball thrust bearing 308 and controlled by a shipper cooperating with trunnions 309 on the ring 301. The said shipper comprises spaced top and bottom bars 3|0, 3|0 pivoted to the trunnions 309, 309.

It is also to be pointed out that a single electric motor is provided for operating the entire loading machine including the providing of fluid pressure for the hydraulic control system. No auxiliary electric motor of any kind is required on the loading machine comprising my invention.

A general review of the construction and operation of the mining and loading machine shown in the accompanying drawings will show-,more clearly the flexibility of adjustmentsto obtain the most efficient operation in mining and loading coal by attacking. a semi-compact mass of coal shot down from the face of a coal vein. When the gathering conveyor is in the full line position shown in Fig. -1, the whole machine may .be transported along the mine track under the control of the operator who may start or stop the electric motor 224 of Fig. 2 By means of a lever the operator mayreverse the electric motor 224 and thereby control the direction of travel of any of the conveyor chains should they become stuck. 5

The truck propelling means comprises power transmission mechanism between the electric motor 224 and all of the wheels 5| and 56 of the truck, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This power transmission mechanism is under the control of the clutch 229 shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The operator may apply or release the clutch 229 by means o f.a1ever. Thetruck propelling power transmission mechanism also includes reversing clutches 259 and it dshown in Fig. 4, eith'erof jwh'ichf may be applied the operator. actuating 'a leverih one direction orthe other, and cqnsfiquently the, loading. machine during, operation may be moved: along the mine track either direction without.

reversingthe' electric motor 224.

When-the shaft c2, fF'g..4;.'s ro tated in ites;- directionv or the other, .tlie,lpinion 2721thereon drives the reduction gearing shown in. Fig.3, which is under the control of the clutches 185 and 285 for. the purpose ,of' securing relat ly.

low speedland.relativelyfhigh speedlof tra mission to the transverse shaft"2.'I 5 ls howfri. n.

of the gathering 'nveyo adjustedpo'sition when the loading machine is to be slim-pea or thdrawnre'ctilihearly parallel to the mine t butl'it shouldbe understood that t e 'recipr' catihgfhydrfaulic' motor I34 is sufficientl powerful, to swr the, forward portion lateral attack one j" eini Fig.-3; A sprocket chain drive comprising the" 2 sprocket 293 on the shaft 215, connects the shaft 275 with the axle 5? shown in Fig. 3. It will thus be seen that the electric motor 224 may be continuously operated in the same direction while by means of the clutches 259 and 260 in Fig. 4 the gathering mechanism may be moved forwardly or rearwardly under the control of the operator, and such forward or rearward movement may be at relatively fast speed or at relatively slow speed under the control of the clutches 235 and 285 of Fig. 3. A slow powerful sumping movement into the semi-compact mass of shot down coal may thus be effected, and whenever desired a slow, powerful withdrawal movement of the gathering mechanism may also be effected. The power transmission mechanism connected between the motor 224 and the pair of endless conveyor chains on the gathering device 4I, comprises the gear 240 on the vertical shaft 230 of Fig. 4, The gear 240 meshes with the gear 25I which in turn meshes with the gear 254, and the latter is in mesh with one of the gears 256 as shown in Fig. 3. Since the gears 256 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. The starting and stopping of the pair of endless chains of the gathering conveyor are controlled by the clutch 229 shown in Figs. 2 and 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. Should a lump of coal get caught between the rear end portion of the gathering conveyor and the roof of the mine chamber, the crowding and wedging action will be downward against the upwardly extending serrations of the flights I43, I44 and against the points of the cutter bits I45, thereby effecting a crushing of the unusually large lump of coal so that delivery of the coal to the discharge conveyor need not be interrupted. If there is an overload on the gathering conveyor chain 95 due to contact between flights I43 or I44 and solid or irremovable coal the friction clutch 229 will slip, whereupon the proper clutch 259 or 250 will be operated to cause the machine to move rearwardly thereby causing the conveyor flights I43 and I44 to release the contacted coal and relieve the overload.

Under the control of a lever, the operator may control the swinging of the gathering conveyor laterally on its vertical pivotal connection at 255 (Figs. 4, 5) to the truck frame 44, and during such lateral swinging movement of the gathering conveyor its supporting frame 68 rests at its forward end on the rollers I28, as shown in Fig. 3. A single reciprocating hydraulic motor I34, pivotally connected at its ends to the truck frame clutch 229 power "transmission mechanism is connected between the motor and the sprocket 291 to drive the sprocket chain 302 directly from the motor 224 independently of the operation of the truck propelling mechanism. By applying the clutch 303, 304, 305 (Fig. 5) the sprocket chain 302 will be connected to the discharge conveyor. It will thus be seen that the motor 224 may drive both the gathering conveyors and the discharge conveyor always in the same direction while the entire loading machine may be reciprocated along the mine track during loading operations by applying the clutches 259 and 260 (Fig. 4) alternately,

The general combinations including various adjustments of the gathering and discharge conveyors, and the extension control for the discharge mechanism from two points, are covered by claims in the parent application S. N. 170,426, filed Oct. 22, 1937, for an improvement in Loading machines. The gathering conveyor including the specific gathering flights is described and claimed in my .copending application S. N. 305303, filed Nov. 24, 1939, for an improvement in Loading machines. The apparatus for propelling the loading machine and for reciprocating the same during loading operations including reverse friction clutch mechanism is disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application S. N. 377,349, filed Feb. 4, 1941, for an improvement in Loading machines. The hydraulic system of operation and control including the extensible hydraulic motors is described and claimed in my co-pending application S. N. 379,475, filed Feb. 18, 1941, for an improvement in Loading machines. The structure embodying the threepoint support is disclosed and claimed in my copending application S. N. 380,880, filed Feb. 27, 1941, for an improvement in Loading machines. The apparatus for effecting operation of the cable reel in connection with the reciprocations of the loading machine and in connection with the rope drum propelling mechanism is described and claimed in my co-pending application S. N. 370,204, filed Dec. 14, 1940*, for an improvement in Loading machines.

Each of the aforesaid co-pending applications S. N. 305,803; S. N. 377,349; S. N. 379,475; S. N. 380,880; and S. N. 370,204, was filed as a division of the parent application S. N. 170,426.

In the present application I am directing the claims to combinations including the power transmission mechanism for operating the conveyor apparatus.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and itner di ec ion-for,

scopelofjthe invention as definedby the claim hereto appended, and I therefore Wish not to be restricted to the precise construction herein dis-' Closed. I

' Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, What Ide'sire'to secure Letter Patent of the United States is:

, A loading machine comprising the combina-- tion with ja'base frame, of a discharge conveyor mounted'fo'nj said frame, ajgathering conveyor Iiiourited'bhsaidIramB} a motor on said base frame, a vertical" power transmitting shaft, two

gears connected tojsaid shaft itomtate therewith, mechanismconnecting sai'di motor directly to said shaft through one'of 'aid'gears, a third gear-[loose on said shaft, a gear -train between the third gear and said'gathering conveyor, a

' charge conveyor, the construction and arrangement being such that by means of said clutches the said conveyors may each be operated independently of the other from the same vertical power transmitting shaft by a single motor connected thereto.

' NIIS D. LEVIN.

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