US2415217A - Mining apparatus - Google Patents

Description

HIRING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1943 4 Shoots-Sheet 1 lt-aia l k N3 n 9 Q g E 8 mm w mm M a Q8 rn F fi m m am hm g m w n M mm 6% r%i.. a nil H 5; mm m a m a N No N g Q R.

Feb. 4, 1947.

unmm APPARATUS F11! Au. 6, 1943 4 Shuts-Shut 2 mm m IIIIIII'III/A'II/l/II/l n. .9 mm a mm mm 0 my M a ma n0 9. II 4 g "W m Q mw r um b s no a a MEN a v s a Q co bu h.-- m NM h J m w Q m .r S n MM W J Flhlift3 w. 3 aw Q S m N6 0 0 a 8 at w wpw a a m 8 a 8 Feb. 4, 1947. c. F. 056000 2,415,217

MIN ING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor: Ckarles'fi fld'qood- 3/ L A; 4' Wm any.

Feb. 4, 1947. c. .F. 056000 MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6. 194:

4 Shoots-Shut 4 925%; 135W g 3 m M a w :7 Z a i 93 5 5 g V v @i g M 5 v a mm C 9 mm a w\\ 8 QNQ R. 3

Patented Feb. 4, 1947 MINING APPARATUS Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. 11., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation oi.

Application August 6, 1943, Serial No. 497,698

Pennsylvania 16 Claims. 1 This invention relates to mining apparatus and more particularly to improvements in a coal mining apparatus for cutting the solid coal, dislodging the cut coal from the solid and loading the dislodged coal, without the use of explosive or other blasting means.

In coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting, dislodging and loading type it has heretofore been proposed to cut parallel kerfs or slots in the solid coal to form parallel projections or cores of coal between the kerfs. The cores so iormed were periodically dislodged as cutting progressed and the dislodged coal was conveyed away from the coal face and loaded into a suitable receptacle. In one known form of mining apparatus the parallel keri's or slots were cut in the solid coal by endless cutter chains and the coal projections or cores were dislodged by means of core breakers mounted on the cutter chains for circulation therewith, for periodically delivering impact blows to the cores to dislodge the latter. In another known type of mining apparatus, an endless conveyor was arranged to move with the endless cutter chains at the same speed as the cutter chains, and this conveyor carried core breakers for dislodging the cores oi coal. In such mining apparatus the core breakers moved at a speed at least as great as the speed of the endless cutter chains so that dislcdging blows were struck against the cores before the latter had a y substantial projection from the solid coal, there by greatly reducing eiiiciency and increasing the consumption of power. Moreover, the conveyor circulating at the same high speed as the endless cutter chains moved too rapidly tor the desired purpose, and if the conveyor were operated at the proper speed the endless cutter chains would move'too slowly for efllcient cutting.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting, dislodging and loading type having core breakers circulating at a speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of the endless cutter chains so that cores having substantial projection from the I solid are formed prior to the dislodging of the cores, thereby increasing eiliciency and reducing power consumption over previous known apparatus. It is also an object to provide endless conveyors arranged between a series of parallel endless cutter chains and circulating at a speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of the cutter chains so that the coal loading function is improved and a relatively high cutting speed is maintained. Still another object is-to provide core breakers which are carried by the relatively slowly moving conveyors so that disiodging blows are struck against the cores only when the latter project a substantial distance from their points of attachment with the solid coal. A further object is to provide a cutting and conveying mechanism wherein by reducing the speed of the dislodging and loading cycle with respect to the cutting cycle, improved dislodging and loading of the coal are attained. A further object is to provide a conveyor which is driven by one of the endless chain cutters so that the conveyor and cutter circulate at substantially difierent speeds, there being provided reduction gearing between the cutter and the conveyor. A still further object is to provide an improved endless conveyor means arranged between series 01 parallel endless cutter chains and circulating at an orbital speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of the cutter chains. Yet another object is to provide improved core breakin devices carried by the conveyor means and moving with the conveyor means at a speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of the cutter chains. Still another object is to provide an improved coal dislodging means. A further object is to provide a coal mining apparatus having novel arrangements and combinations of parts. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however. hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the ensuing description.

, In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration several forms and modifications which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a coal mining apparatus constructed in accordance with an iilustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, with parts shown in plan, taken longitudinally through the cutting, dislodging and loading mechanism substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3-4 of Fig. 2, and showing a portion of the tractor base.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing one of the roller core breakers.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modified form of core breaker.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with parts shown in horizontal section to illustrate structural details.

Fig. 'l is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating another illustratlve embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the cutting. dislodging and conveying mechanism shown in Fig. 7. with parts shown in section to illustrate details of construction.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of the conveyor drive.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a further modified construction.

In the illustrative embodiments of the invention, there is shown a self-propelled base I having a frame 2 mounted thereon. Pivotally mounted at the forward end of the base frame at 3 is a cutting, dislodging and conveying mechanism, generally designated 4. Mounted on the base frame 2 and projecting rearwardly therefrom is a. discharge conveyor 5. The cutting, dislodging and conveying mechanism 4 is operative to cut parallel kerfs or slots in the solid coal to form parallel projections or cores of coal between the slots, and the dislodging mechanism breaks down or dislodges fragments of the cores as cutting progresses. The dislodged coal is conveyed rearwardly to discharge onto the discharge conveyor 5. The discharge conveyor receives the dislodged coal and moves the dislodged coal rearwardly of the apparatus to discharge into a. suitable receptacle, such as a mine car. In these illustrative embodiments, the self-propelled base is in the form of a tractor. and endless tracklaying treads 6 are provided for propelling the apparatus both during movement of the apparatus about the mine and during the cutting, dislodging and loading operations. It will be evident that the improved cutting, dislodging and loading mechanism may be incorporated in mining apparatus of various types other than that disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the improved cutting, disiodging and loading mechanism 4 may comprise a forwardly projecting frame or boom I pivotally mounted at 3 on the tractor base to swing in a vertical direction with respect thereto, the swingable frame or boom having bearing hubs 8 at its rear end pivotally journaled on bearings 9 supported by trunnions i projecting from the sides of the frame 2 of the tractor base. Mounted at the outer portion of the vertically swinging boom is a series of parallel vertical cutter bars ll having guideways I2 in which are mounted endless chain cutters l3. These endless chain cutters are guided in the cutter bar.guideways for circulation in orbital paths about the margins of the cutter bars. Also guided for circulation on the verticallyswinging boom and arranged intermediate the endless cutter chains are endless conveyors [4 which carry core breaker devices I5.

. The means for driving the endless cutter chains and the endless conveyors at substantially different speeds may assume various forms, but herein such driving means may include a motor I which may also drive the tractor treads to propel and steer the apparatus in a well known manner. The motor 16 is mounted in a relatively low position on the tractor base between the tractorlaying treads 6 and has its power shaft l'l horizontaliy disposed and extending longitudinally of the base. Fixed to the forward end of the motor power shaft is a beveled pinion ll meshing with a bevel gear l0 journaled on a. bearing 20 supported by a shaft 2|. The shaft 2| is horizontally disposed and extends tranlverleiy of the tractor base and is suitably Journaled within bearings supported in the frame of the tractor base. The bevel gear II is connectible to the shaft 2! by a sliding jaw clutch I2 having suitable operating means 23 including a conveniently located operating handle 24. Fixed to and driven by the shaft 2| is a spur pinion 25 meshing with and driving a large spur gear 26 supported on a horizontal shaft suitablyjournaledp-in the frame of the tractor base. Rotatable with the gear 28 is a spur pinion 21 which meshes with and drives a large spur gear 28 keyed to a horizontal shaft 28. The shaft 29 is arranged parallel with the shaft 2| and is likewise suitably journaled within bearings supported within the tractor base frame. Keyed to the shaft 29 is a chain sprocket 30 connected by an endless drive chain II to a chain sprocket 32 keyed to a horizontal shaft 33. The shaft 33 is arranged with its axis coincident with the pivotal axis 3 of the cutting, dislodging and loading mechanism 4, and is suitably journaled in bearings 14 supported within the trunnions ill of the base frame. Keyed to and driven by the shaft 33 are double chain sprockets 85 which ge and drive the endless side chains 36 or the conveyors II. It will thus be seen that when the jaw clutch 22 is connected the endless conveyors ll may be driven from the motor 16 at a relatively slow speed through the bevel gearing I8 and I8, spur reduction gearing 25. 26, 21, 2! and the chain and sprocket connections III, II and. Keyed to one end of the shaft 2| at the outeruside of the base frame is a chain sprocket. which is connected through an endless drive chain SI to a chain sprocket I0 Journaled on a bearing" supported by the shaft 33. Rotatable with and driven by the sprocket ll is a chain sprocket ll connected by an endless drive chain 42 to a chain sprocket l3 keyed to a horizontal shaft 14. The shaft H is suitably ioumaled in bearings 45 supported within bearing bosses l6 integral with the swingable frame or boom I, and keyed to and driven by the shaft 45 44 are chain sprockets 48 which engage and drive the endless cutter chains l3. It is accordingly evident that the endless cutter chains may be driven from the motor Ii through the bevel gearing l8. l9, chain and sprocket connection 31,

50 38 and 39, and chain and sprocket connection 4!,

l2 and 43 at a speed substantially greater than the rate of orbital movement of the endless conveyors.

Now referring'to the specific structure of the cutter chains and conveyors, it will be noted that the cutter chains l3 each comprise a series of chain blocks 50 having usual sockets forthe reception of cutter bits 5!. The chain blocks are pivotally connected together by usual strap links 52 joined to the chain blocks by hinge pins 63.

The chain blocks and strap links have inner guide surfaces which engage the inner surfaces ofthe cutter bar guideways 12. The outer cutter bars II have outer side plates 54 integral with the outer sides of the boom frame and inner plates 55 preferably secured by welding 'to the boom frame. as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The two inner cutter bars Ii preferably have both their inner and outer plates 58 welded to the boom frame.

0 If desired the cutter bars may be of a fabricated 76 transverse scraper bars 51 secured to certain so eho thereby.

Quasi? links of the endless side chains 8| oi the conv'eyors. These scraper bars move along the upper surface ota transverse plate 58 extending between the outeri'bar plates 54 on the boom irame and weldedto the bars, 5 This plate is preferably arcuately formed or curved 'at 58 at its forward end to provide a curved outer guide 60 for the conveyor chains, asthey move about the outer endofthe boom frame. Q The curved outerend I! of the conveyor plate extends partly about ;a tubular member Til [arranged coaxial with" the pivotal point about which thecutter chains and conveyors turn aththev outer end of the boom frames This tubular mfim l 6i extends'completely across the boom' iframe and is rigidly secured theoutr harplates 5! in themanner 5110mm Ii desirefl siiitable 'guide members may be .journaled s tne, tub'iilar' member '61 to guide the i-Qi ilitlwr; in lieu pf. the curved guide platesa. -Extending transversely tietween ithe sldesoi', the boon ;fra m at fpbints spaced longid l ottnehbein a sve rse traeememha e 1.52. fto x v g ne s at thelrgir ei wi h portions by a curved rear end portion" 63 "81 the transverse plate 158, as shown in Fig.3, The cutting'fdislodglngrand loading mechanism 4 is swlng a'blein' a'vertlcal direction bout its ,niyotfa'witnrespect to the gtractor base, and' the means for efle'cting 'vertipal swinging. thereof";comfirises hydraulic cylinders i s pivotally, m unt b ai?""66-'at their lower 'ttnetrtet r bsee:ineclt ee bie withln thecylto the outer sides 'ortiie boom'lr'ame are suitably ,shaped deflectorplates for retaining the dislodged cos; onith: boom and'ior directing the i coal t'owards the outer conveyors; Formed on the boom frame intermediate the endless conveyorsiare upstanding deflector frames 16 for directingthe coal brought back by the two in- ,termedia te"cutter hains, towardthe conveyors.

U; The core bre kerdevices' lion the endless con- =veyors l4 arrange :periodically'to strike diso the-sides orthe=cores of coal some is down thefcores'as cutting progresses.

ifsinee the conveyors'dirculate in their orbits at .l

a speed substantially: slower than thew rate of orbltal movementof the cutter chains. cores of substantial projection from the solid are iormed beiore the dis lodglng' blows are struck thereon, 4 to? iacilitatfdislodgment of 'the coal. llnd'erxcertaln "conditions, 'the endless cutter may circulate'at'a speed'eight or ten times acts-stats the'conveyors', although these relative speeds may'bevaried sis-desired. The core vbreaker devices 15 on the conveyors may assume various f rms and herein for illustrative pur- ,posescornprise'roller' wedges -18 Journaled on {bearings lsjsupported by'boltlike shafts 80 a mounted 'in transverse bores 8| in bearing brackets 82 secured to the sidechains 36 of the conveyors. These rollers'have tapered'or irustol conicalwedgeishfiaces ll which'are adapted to engage the sides or the cores to apply lateral dlslodslng pressures to the In the modification shown 5; the wedglatter spring outwardly against the adjacent side lates orthe' cutter bars into the position shown in full linesin Fig. 5 so that an extremely eiiective wedging action on the sides of the cores is attained. Alter the wedging rollers move out of contact with the cores of coal, they spring ba'ckinto their. inward positions. This spring mounting arrangement for the wedging rollers permits the latter to move into an efiective wedging "position and to move inwardly after they leave the coal so as to clear the cutter chains as they cross the paths of the latter. In the preferred form as shown in Fig. 4, the wedglng rollers are permanently locatedinwardly so that they always clear the cutter chains.

In another embodiment of the invention, as will later be described, the wedging rollers are arranged completely within the orbits oi the chain cutters so that t' the provision. of clearance between the 'rollersand thecutter chains is unnecessary. In this latter arrangement, it is possible permanently-tolocate the rollers in their most effective dlslodsing position on the conveyors in the manner shown. 1 r

the-endless cutter chains operate to cut parallel keris or slots in the solid coal to form parallel cores of coal, the core breaker devices periodically strike against the sides of the cores to dislodge the latter. and the endless conveyors ll receive the dislodged coal and move the dislodged coal rearwardly along the boom frame to discharge on the rear discharge conveyor 5. This rear discharge conveyor comprises endless side conveyor chains 50 guided within suitable guideways on the frame of the tractor base, and the forward portion of the discharge conveyor slopes downwardly beneath the rear discharge ends of the conveyors It, as shown in Fig. 3. The discharge conveyor maybe driven from the motor l6 by a chain sprocket 9| keyed to the end of the shaft 2| opposite from the sprocket 31 (Fig. 6). This chain sprocket is connected by an endless drive chain 92 to a chain sprocket 93 keyed to a horizontal shaft 8| suitably Journaled within bearings supported within the sides'oi the frame oi. the tractor base. Keyed to the shaft as are chain sprockets 85 which engage and drive the conveyor side chains l0. Extending transversely between the conveyor chains are scraper bars 96 v which move along an upper plate Bl secured to a vertically tiltable'rear portion 98 of the conveyor frame. This tlltable rear portion of the conveyor frame ispivotally mounted at 99 to swing in a vertical direction about an axis coincident with the axis of the drive shaft 94. Hydraulic cylinders I00 are plvotally mounted at llll on brackets I02 secured to the rear end of the tractor base frame. These cylinders contain reciprocablc pistons 103 having their piston rods llll projecting upwardly through the top cylinder heads and pivlll5 to brackets Hi6 secured It will thus be pressure is supplied discharge end of the seen that when fluid under to these cylinders, the rear discharge conveyor may be raised or lowered as desired.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the endless conveyors I4 are arranged entirely within the projections of the orbits of the endless cutter chains. In this construction the vertically swingable boom frame I has at its rear end bearing hubs IIII iournaled in bearings III supported within inwardly directed trunnions III formed on the outwardly projecting side portions N3 of the frame of the tractor base. Extending longitudinally in parallelism along substantially the full length of the boom frame are elongated cutter bars I I4 having guideways Iii about their margins in which endless cutter chains IIB are guided for circulation in orbital paths. The endless conveyors I4 are arranged between these cutter bars and are mounted in a manner similar to that above described in regard to the other embodiment of the invention. Also as described in the other embodiment. the conveyor chains carry core breaker devices Ii. The endless conveyors I4 are driven from the motor it through the bevel gearing I8,

II, spur gearing 25, 26. 21, and 28 and the chain and sprocket connection 30. II and 32. The driving means for the cutter chains comprises chain sprockets III keyed to the opposite ends of the shaft II and these sprockets are connected by endless drive chains III! to chain sprockets H9 keyed to tubular shafts I20 respectively. These tubular shafts are iournaled within the trunnions III on' the base frame and have secured thereto chain drive sprockets I II which engage and drive the endless cutter chains on the outer cutter bars.

At the outer end of the boom frame are tubular shafts I22 journaled on bearings I21 supported by a transverse shaft I24. The shaft I24 is nonrotatable and is fixed at-its opposite ends to outer bar plates I25. The cutter chains of the outer cutter bars engage and drive chain sprockets I26 keyed to the shafts I22, and driven by the shafts are chain sprockets I21 which engage and drive the cutter chains on the inner cutter bars. It is accordingly evident that the inner cutter chains are driven through the outer cutter chains. As in the embodiment of the invention above described, the endless cutter chains cut parallel kerfs or slots in the solid coal to form parallel cores, and the core breaker devices I5 on the conveyors periodically dislodge the cores between the slots as cutting progresses, and the dislodged coal is conveyed rearwardly along the boom by the endless conveyors I4. The dislodged coal discharged by the conveyors I4 is received by the rear discharge conveyor 5 and conveyed rearwardly of the apparatus in the manner above described. Suitable deflector plates I28, direct the coal discharged from the conveyors I4 onto the rear discharge conveyor. Other than the novel manner of driving the cutter chains and the novel arrangement of the conveyors and breaker devices within the projections of the orbits of the cutter chains. this embodiment is similar to the other embodiment.

In Fig. 9 a modified form of the conveyor drive is shown. In this construction an endless cutter chain engages and drives a chain sprocket I30 suitably iournaled within side plates Iii, I32 of the cutter bar. This sprocket has an annular sleevelike portion or hub which is received at its outer sides within annular grooves at I13 in the inner sides of the bar plates to provide a sealed chamber I14 within the sprocket. Formed on the sprocket is an internal gear I15 which meshes with planet gears I86 iournaled on stub shafts I31 formed on a rotatable carrier IIB. These planet gears mesh with the teeth of a stationary sun gear I39 keyed to the shaft I24, shown in Fig. 9. The hub I40 of the carrier I38 is iournaled on a hearing I supported by the shaft I14, and keyed at I42 to the carrier hub is a double chain sprocket I43 which engages and drives the endless side chains 36 of the conveyor I4. It will thus be seen when the cutter chain is driven the conveyor is driven by the cutter chain at a relatively low speed through the planetary gearing. The other two conveyors may be driven from other cutter chains in this same manner. The endless cutter chains may carry on certain of the blocks thereof lateral cutters I45. as shown in Fig. 9; there being one or more lateral cutters at the sides of each cutter chain. These lateral cutters may serve to notch the sides of the cores as at I46 near the points of attachment of the cores with the solid coal. thereby to weaken the cores and facilitate dislodgement thereof by the core breaker devices I5.

While there are shown in'both embodiments four parallel cutter bars and three endless conveyors between the cutter bars, it will be evident that more or less may be employed as desired. Under certain conditions the cutter bars and conveyors may extend clear across the front of the tractor base to provide an opening in the coal seam of sufllcient width to receive the base. Also when the cutter bars I I are arranged in closely spaced relation as shown in Fig. 10, the conveying function of the endless chains 38' may be omitted and these chains then may serve only as core breaker chains. with the conveying function omitted the cutter chains act to convey the dislodged coal away from the coal face. The wedging rollers of the chains 36' are designated I8 in Fig. 10. and the roller brackets are 'designated 82'.

The general mode of operation of the improved mining apparatus is as follows: The motor I! may effect drive of the endless track-laying treads 6 of the tractor base in any well known manner, and the apparatus may be propelled about the mine at a relatively high speed by these tracklaying treads. By regulating the relative speeds of the track-laying treads, the apparatus may be steered also in a well known manner. when the working face is reached and the cutting. dislodging and loading mechanism 4 is disposed in the position shown in full lines In Fig. l. the cutter chains and conveyors may be rapidly circulated in their orbits on the boom frame through the connections driven by the motor It. The apparatus may then be fed forwardly toward the coal face under the propulsion of the track-laying treads at a relatively slow speed suitable for cutting to effect sumping of the endless cutter chains within the solid coal to cut parallel vertical keris or slots in the coal to form parallel projections or cores of coal between the slots. when the sumping operation is completed, the tractor base may be held stationary and fluid under pressure may be supplied to the cylinders 85 to eflect upward swinging of the boom about its pivot l with respect to the tractor base to move the cutter chains upwardly in an arcuate path. thereby to form vertical kerfs or slots extending upwardly to the top of the coal seam. when the swinging cut is completed the cutter bars are held rigidly in position with respect to the base by the hydraullc cylinders, and the apparatus may be moved rearwardly away from the coal face under the propulsion of the track-laying treads to withdraw the cutter bars from the coal to complete the forming of the vertical keris or slots. As the cutter chains are sumped into the coal, swung upwardly in an arcuate path and withdrawn from the coal' in the manner described, the core breakers IS on relatively slowly moving conveyors periodically strike blows on the sides of the cores to dislodge the cores as cutting progresses. As the coal is dislodged it is received by the endless conveyors l4 and is conveyed rearwardly along the boom frame between the cutter bars to discharge at the rear end of the boom on the rear discharge conveyor 5. The rear discharge conveyor moves the dislodged coal in a direction rearwardly of the apparatus and discharges the coal into a suitable receptacle.

In each of the foregoing embodiments of the invention it will be observed that the linear speed at the pitch line of the orbits of the cutting devices. is greater than the linear speed at the pitch line of the orbits of the dislodging devices.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting. dislodging and loading type is provided. whereby the solid coal may be cut. the cut coal dislodged and the dislodged coal loaded in an improved manner without the useof explosives or other blasting means. It will further be noted that by the novel conveyor arrangement disclosed and by circulating the conveyors in their orbits at a speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of the cutter chains. the coal is loaded in a more efilcient manner. Further by mounting the core breaker devices on the relatively slowly moving conveyors, cores of substantial projection from the solid are i'ormed prior to the engagement of the disiodging device with the cores so that dislodgement of the cores is facilitated. Other advantages of the invention and other modes of use, will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described several forms and modifications which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms and modifications of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and further embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

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

1. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a series of parallel cutter devices movable orbitally to cut parallel spaced vertical kerfs in the material to be mined, conveyors arranged between and movable relative to said cutter devices for conveying away the material cut by said devices, and dislodging means carried by said conveyors for breaking down the material.

2. In a mining apparatus. an endless cutter chain, means for rapidly circulating said cutter chain in its orbit, a conveyor, and driving connections between the outer ends of said cutter chain and said conveyor for driving the latter directly by the former at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said cutter chain.

3. In a mining apparatus, a pair of endless chain cutters arranged in parallel relation to move in non-circular orbits. an endless conveyor arranged between said cutters within the projections oi the orbits of the latter. means or rapidly circulating said cutters in their orbits includ- 10 whereby one cutter drives the other, and means for driving said conveyor at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said cutters.

4. In a mining apparatus, a pair of endless chain cutters arranged in parallel relation, an endless conveyor arranged within said cutters and within the projections of the orbits of the latter. said cutters and said conveyor being pivotally mounted to swing in unison about a common pivotal point, means for rapidly circulating said cutters in their orbits, and means for driving said conveyor at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said cutters, said cutter circulating means and said conveyor driving means including cutter circulating and conveyor driving elements arranged in coaxial relation with said pivotal point.

5. In an apparatus for continuously cutting solid coal and dislodg'ing the cut coal from the solid, means moving in an orbit continuously advanced relative to the coal face for forming a plurality of spaced, relatively narrow and deep slots in the solid coal to form elongated cores of coal between the slots. means moving in an orbit at a speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of said slot-forming means for moving the dislodged coal away from the coal race. and means movable orbitally with said coalmoving means for periodically exerting laterally directed dlslodging pressures onsaid cores only when the cores have attained substantial projections from the solid.

6. In an apparatus for continuously cutting solid coal and dislcdging the cut coal from the solid;means moving in an orbit continuously advanced relative to the coal race for forming a plurality of spaced, relatively narrow and deep. parallel slots in the solid coal to form elongated cores of coal between the slots, means moving in an orbit with respect to said slot-forming means for periodically exerting laterally directed dislodging pressures on the cores only when said cores have attained a substantial projection from the solid, and conveyor means movable relative to said slot-forming means for moving the dislodged ooal away from the coal face, said conveyor means including endless continuously moving carrier-means in adjacency to the cutters, and said pressure-exerting-means including core dislodging devices carried by said carrier-means.

7. In a mining and loading apparatus, a series of parallel endless chain cutters for cutting parallel slots in the solid coal to form parallel cores of coal between the slots, guides for guiding said cutters for orbital movement in non-circular paths, endless conveyors arranged intermediate said chain cutters for moving the dislodged coal away from the coal face, guides extending between and projecting a substantial distance rearwardly or said cutter guides for guiding said conveyors for orbital movement in non-circular paths. and core breakers carried by said conveyors and movable orbitally therewith for periodically dislodging said cores as cutting progresses.

B. In a mining and loading apparatus. a series of parallel endless chain cutters for cutting parallel slots in the solid coal to form parallel cores of coal between the slots. means for guiding said chain cutters in non-circular orbital paths, conveyor means arranged intermediate said chain cutters for moving the dislodged coal away from the coal face, means for guiding said conveyor means in elongated non-circular orbital paths of substantially greater extent than the orbital paths ing a driving connection between said cutters 76 of said chain cutters, and core breakers carried 1 1 by said conveyor means for periodically dislodging fragments of the cores as cutting progresses.

9. In a cutting and loading apparatus, parallel cutter devices movable in elongated non-circular orbits disposed in parallel spaced apart vertical planes for cutting parallel kerfs in the material to be mined to form projections of material between the kerfs, conveyors arranged intermediate said cutter devices and movable orbitally with respect thereto at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said cutter devices for conveying away the dislodged material cut by said devices, and means on said conveyors and movable orbltally therewith for exerting breaking down pressures on said projections to break down fragments thereof as cutting progresses.

10. In an apparatus for continuously cutting solid coal and dislodging the cut coal from the solid, means moving continuously in an orbit continuously advanced relative to the coal face for forming a plurality of spaced. relatively narrow and deep slots in the solid coal to form elongated cores of coal between the slots, means moving continuously in an orbit at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said slot-forming means for periodically exerting laterally directed dislodging pressures on said cores only when said cores have attained a substantial projection from the solid, each of said orbits having portions in which the movement of the means moving thencin is substantially translational except for changes of direction produced by bodily advance of the orbit as aforesaid, and the linear speeds of said moving means along such portions of their respective orbits being substantially different so that cores of substantial projection shall be formed before they are subjected to dislodging forces by said dislodging pressure exerting means, and means extending along said slot-forming means and moving in an orbit at a speed substantially slower than the rate of orbital movement of said slot-forming means for conveying the dislodged coal away from the coal face.

11. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, a series of parallel cutter devices movable continuously in elongated, non-circular orbital paths for cutting spaced parallel kerfs in the working face of the material to be mined to form projections of material between the kerfs, and dislodging devices arranged intermediate said parallel cutter devices and movable continuously in elongated non-circular orbital paths with respect thereto at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said cutter devices for periodically applying at predetermined intervals lateral dislodging pressures to the sides of said projections to dislodge fragments thereof as cutting progresses, said cutter devices and said dislodging devices having driv. ing means so constructed and arranged that the linear speed at the pitch lines of said first mentioned orbital paths is greater than the linear speed at the pitch lines of said second mentioned orbital paths, and said orbital paths being of such relative forms and dimensions that said cutter devices traverse the complete circuits of their orbits while the dislodging devices traverse less than the entire circuits of their orbits.

12. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, a. series of parallel cutter devices. including cutting elements traversing orbital paths as they cut, for cutting spaced parallel kerfs in the working face of the material to be mined to form pro- .iections of material between the kerfs, dislodging devices including orbitally moving dislodging lements and arranged intermediate sai arallel cutter devices and having said dislodging elements movable continuously with respect to said cutting elements at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said cutter devices for periodically applying at predetermined intervals lateral dislodging pressures to the sides of said projections to dislodge fragments thereof as cuttin progresses, said cutting elements being more numerous than said dislodging elements and said cutting elements and said dislodging elements having respectively such orbital paths of movement and such velocities in said orbital paths that the unit time required by each of said cutting elements completely to traverse its path is substantially less than the unit time required by the dislodging elements to traverse their paths. whereby said cutting elements may form projections of substantial depth before such projections are subjected to dislodging forces. and means arranged intermediate and extending along said parallel cutter devices and movable continuously relative thereto at a speed sllbstantially slower than the speed of said cutter devices for moving the dislodged material rearwardly between said cutter devices away from the working face,

13. In an apparatus for continuously cutting solid coal and dislodging the cut coal from the solid. means moving continuously in a non-circular orbit continuously advanced relative to the coal face for forming a plurality of spaced. relatively narrow and deep slots in the solid coal to form elongated cores of coal between the slots, and means moving continuously in a non-circular orbit relative to said slot-forming means at a speed substantially slower than the speed of said slot-forming means for automatically periodically exerting at predetermined intervals laterally directed dislodging pressures on the sides 01' said cores only when said cores have attained a substantial projection from the solid, the linear speed at the pitch line of said first mentioned orbit being greater than the linear speed at the pitch line of the second mentioned orbit and the angular velocity during curvilinear movement in said orbits also being greater in the case of said slotforming means than in the case of said dislodging-pressure-exerting means, whereby cores of substantial depth are formed before they are subjected to dislodging pressures by said dislodgingpressure-exertlng means.

14. In an apparatus for continuously cutting solid coal and dislodging the out coal from the solid, means moving continuously in a, non-circular orbit continuously advanced relative to the coal face for forming a plurality of spaced, relatively narrow and deep slots in the solid coal to form elongated cores of coal between the slots, means moving continuously in an orbit for periodically notching the sides of the cores to weaken their points of attachment with the solid coal, and constantly effective means moving in a. non-circular orbit relative to said slot-forming means at a speed substantially less than the rate of orbital movement of said slot-forming means for automatically periodically exerting at predetermined intervals laterally directed dislodging pressures on the sides of the notched cores to break on the cores as cutting progresses, said several means having driving means for causing the orbital movements aforesaid and said driving means for said slot-forming means and for said dislodging-pressure -exerting means being constructed and arranged to cause said slot-forming means completely to transverse its orbit while 13 said dislodging-pressure-exerting means only partially traverses its orbit so that the notched cores are of substantial size before they are broken on.

15. In a mining apparatus, parallel cutter devices including cutting elements moving continuously in elongated non-circular orbits for cutting parallel slots in the solid coal to form cores of coal between the slots, and breaker devices movable continuously relative to said cutter devices for periodically engaging at predetermined intervals the sides oi. the cores to dislodge the cores as cutting progresses. and means for automatically operating said cutting devices and breaker devices causing the cutting elements to move in their orbits at speeds, both linear and angular, substantially greater than the speeds of movement. both linear and angular, or said breaker devices, to cut substantial cores bei'ore said breaker devices come into action.

16. In a mining apparatus. cutter devices movable continuously in non-circular orbits for cutting parallel slots in the solid coal to form a core or coal between the slots, and a breaker movable continuously in a non-circular orbit relative to said cutter devices for periodically exerting, at predetermined intervals, dislodging pressures upon the core to dislodge fragments of 14 the core as cutting progresses, and means for automatically moving said devices and said breaker in their orbits so that the former operate to linear and angular speeds both substantially higher than the corresponding speeds of the latter, to out cores of substantial projection from the solid coal between the times when said breaker comes into action.

F. OSGOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,415,217;

February 4, 1947.

CHARLES F. oscoon It is hereby certified that errors appear in the numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

14, line 4, claim 16, for to before linear" read at; and that should be read with these corrections therein that the same read explosives; column the said Letters Patent rinted specification of the above olumn 1, line 5, for explosive may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 1st day of July, A. D. 1947.

LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

13 said dislodging-pressure-exerting means only partially traverses its orbit so that the notched cores are of substantial size before they are broken on.

15. In a mining apparatus, parallel cutter devices including cutting elements moving continuously in elongated non-circular orbits for cutting parallel slots in the solid coal to form cores of coal between the slots, and breaker devices movable continuously relative to said cutter devices for periodically engaging at predetermined intervals the sides oi. the cores to dislodge the cores as cutting progresses. and means for automatically operating said cutting devices and breaker devices causing the cutting elements to move in their orbits at speeds, both linear and angular, substantially greater than the speeds of movement. both linear and angular, or said breaker devices, to cut substantial cores bei'ore said breaker devices come into action.

16. In a mining apparatus. cutter devices movable continuously in non-circular orbits for cutting parallel slots in the solid coal to form a core or coal between the slots, and a breaker movable continuously in a non-circular orbit relative to said cutter devices for periodically exerting, at predetermined intervals, dislodging pressures upon the core to dislodge fragments of 14 the core as cutting progresses, and means for automatically moving said devices and said breaker in their orbits so that the former operate to linear and angular speeds both substantially higher than the corresponding speeds of the latter, to out cores of substantial projection from the solid coal between the times when said breaker comes into action.

F. OSGOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,415,217;

February 4, 1947.

CHARLES F. oscoon It is hereby certified that errors appear in the numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

14, line 4, claim 16, for to before linear" read at; and that should be read with these corrections therein that the same read explosives; column the said Letters Patent rinted specification of the above olumn 1, line 5, for explosive may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 1st day of July, A. D. 1947.

LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

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