US2601978A - Cutter chain - Google Patents

Description

l.. E. slMMoNs July l, 1952 CUTTER CHA'IN Original Filed Jan. 5, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet Il July 1, 1952 L. E. SIMMONS CUTTER CHAIN Original Filed Jan. 5, 1946 July 1, 1952 l.. E. SIMMONS 2,601,978

CUTTER CHAIN Original Filed Jan. 5, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 mi MI5" MI M 22 @D muli, u (0 any Patented July 1, 1952 CUTTER CHAIN Leon E. Simmons, deceased,vlayte of Claremont, N. H., by Gladys L. Simmons, administratrix,

Claremont, N.

H.; said Leon E. Simmons assignor4 to Joy Manufacturing Company, a cor-- poration of Pennsylvania Continuation of application Serial No. 639,344,

January 5, 1946. This 1951, Serial No. 209,74

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cutter chains and to kerf-cutting devices ofthe cutter chain type, and more particularly to improvements in kerfcutting devices including a cutter-bit-carryingcutter chain designed for use in the mining of coal. Y Y In cutter chains used for mining purposes, it has been found that guiding of the chain blocks along parallel inner and vouter guide surfaces on the cutter bar is desirable. In chain con-A structions heretofore provided, it was found practically impossible to guide the chain blocks along parallel inner and outer guide surfaces Without considerable loss Iof efficiency due to binding. Also, frequently kbut one of the inner and outer guide surfaces-functioned, resulting in inadequate guiding of the chain. Further, in previous known devices considerable diculty has been encountered in the proper clearing away of the cuttings, causing the latter to pack in between the cutter chain and the cutter bar, resulting in a great loss in efficiency. In known types of cutter chains, the chain blocks are usually made up in a single piece, so that the cost of replacement is comparatively high. Also, to change the lacing of the cutter bits it is necessary completely to detach the blocks from the strap links. l

An object of the present invention is to provide animproved cutter bar-cutter chain arrangement which, to a substantial extent, overcomes the disadvantages of previous known structures. Another object is to provide an improved cutter chain-cutter bar combination wherein the load stresses "transmitted to the chain guides are evenly distributed over a relatively wide area.

v'Still another object is to provide an improved cutterbar-cutter chain combination wherein the chain blocks', as they pass around the curved outer end 'of the cutter bar, tend -to scrape off the cuttings, instead of digging into and pocketing'the cuttings, thereby serving to clear its own path.

A further object is to provide an improved cutter chain incorporating a trailer link structure wherein the lug which carries the cutter bit trails along with respect to the base of the chain block in engagement with the outer surface of the cutter bar both during movement along the straight advancing side and during movement around the curved forward end of thebar.

How these and other objects are accomplished, and the advantageous features of the invention, will be bestunderstood from the following detailed description wherein a preferred and illus application February 7, 6

trative embodiment is disclosed, reference for the purpose being had to the accompanying drawings, inwhich: s

Fig.v 1 is a fragmentary plan'view-of thefrward end of a cutter bar equipped with an illustrative form of the improved cutter chain.

Fig. 2 is a detail' sectional'view taken substantially on line 2'-2 of Fig. 1. v' f I i Fig. 3 is a'view partially in lelevation and'par tially in longitudinalsecti'on illustrating details of the improved cutter chain.

Fig. 4 is across-sectional View tially on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. n

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken substan tially on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. A

Fig. 6 isa longitudinal sectional viewltaken substantially on line Al`l of Fig. 3.

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the side parts of one of the chain blocks. y

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the pivotedblock lug.

Fig. 10 isa perspective View of one of the strap links.

Fig. v11-1is ahorizontalsectional View taken through the rearward portion o f the cutter chain and showing the chainl drive sprocket. n 'f Y Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view takenH substantially on line I2-v-l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional View taken substantiallyon line l3-l3 of Fig. 1 1.

This application is a continuation of my co pending application, Serial No. 639,344, led January 5, 1946 as a continuation of my earlier application Serial No. 466,994, filed November 26, 1942, and now abandoned. n

InA the illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a cutter bar I having a guide taken substanchannel 2 extending about its margin inv which guide channel a cutter chain, generally designated 3, is guided for circulation in an orbital path. Arranged at the rear end of the cutter bar' is a chain drive sprocket 4 of a novel design, which engages and drives lthe cutterr chain in a manner to be more fully explained, v,and this sprocket is driven by a shaft 5 to which itis keyed. The cutter bar I has a straight advancing side A and an arcuate forward end F, the

latter conforming to an arc of a radius equalv to one-half the width ofv the barin the arrangement illustrated. ,Y

The cutter chain 3 comprises-a seriesof chain blocks 6 pivotally connected by hinge pinsT to connecting or strap links 8. `Each of the chaink blocks has pivotallfr` mounted on its base, on'a transverse hinge 0, a trailer lug Hl havlnga' socket II. The hinge axes are parallel to the axes of the hinge pins 1. Arranged in the lug socket is a detachable holder I2 for a cutter bit I3 of ther double-ended throwaway type. A set screw I4 arranged at the rear side of the lug engages the holder for clamping the cutter bit in cutting position with its front face resting against a front abutment surface I5 on the trailer lug. The specic cutter bit and its mounting and holding means need not be described in detail, as any suitable bit and mounting therefor on the trailer lug may be employed. The trailer lug hinge 9 includes a rivet I6 arranged midway between the block hinge pins 1, and surrounding this rivet is a bushing I1 (Fig. 4) extending between separate side parts K I8, I8 of the base of the block. The block parts I8, as shown in Figs. '1 and 8, have lateral gibs I9 which are slidably received in the guide channel 2 of the cutter bar, and each block part has'a rearwardly projecting portion 20 adapted abuttingly to engage at 2| vfrontabutment surfaces on the pivoted block part I0. The cooperation of these surfaces will prevent the `vturning over ofthe `lugs when the chain is reversely driven in freeing the latter. The g pivotedl lug part of each block has lateral guide flanges 22 having wide inner guidesurfaces 23 which slidingly engage at 24 the straight outer peripheral surface of the cutter bar. `Due to the pivotal mountings for the ftrailer block lugs, the guide flanges 22 will not have any binding engagement with the peripheral barsurface, this resulting from the provision of-soxnefreedom of movement of the outer guide surfaces ofthe block with respect to the inner `guide surfaces. It will thus be seen that by pivotally mounting the block parts which carry the outer guides 22, the chain load stresses are more'evenly distributed over a relatively wide area, and undue canting cf-the blocks, as the chain travels around the cutter bar, is substantially prevented, thereby decreasing to a substantial extent the possibility of binding'or jamming of the chain. Also,further vto reduce binding, the pivoted cutter carrying lugs as they tend totilt backwardsvtend to raise the side parts lI8, I8 of the blocks in their guides. As the cutter chain passes around the curved outer end of the cutter bar, in the manner shown in Fig. 1, the lugs rest, as at a: in Fig. 1, on the bases of the blocks, with the forward ends of the inner surfaces 23 of the guide flanges 22 on the lugs engaging the outer surfaces of the cutter bar at 25, so that the cuttings are-scraped off the bar by the chain, instead of the latter digging into and pocketing the cuttings. `Thus the -novel cutter chain serves to clear its own Apath as it passes around the curved end of the cutter bar and around the chain drive sprocket.

Asabove described, each chain .block includes three main parts, namely the separate side parts I8, I8 and the pivoted trailer lug part ID which carries-the cutter bit, andthese parts are,. in part, held in assembled relation by the hinge pins 1. These hinge pins have suitable releasable locks-2,.which are fully described in a patent of I-I. H. Vanderzee, No. 2,365,229, granted December 19,1944. The hinge rivets I6, as Vshown in Fig. 4 are headed over as at 21 within conical bores in the outer sides of the blocks, and these rivets also aid in holding the block parts together. The strap links 8 are arranged between the side parts of the chain blocks in the manner shown in Fig. 6, and the trailer lugs have depending portions 28 projecting into the barv channel at the opposite sides of the strap links. Thus the trailer lugs straddle the strap links and may, at times, rest at the points 29 on the strap links to prevent buckling of the chain. The portions .28 are curvedvat their inner sides at 28 for engagement at s: with the side parts I8 of the blocks as the chain passes around the curved outer end of the bar and around the chain sprocket.

Now referring to Figs. 11, 12 and 13, it will be noted that th'e chain drive sprocket 4 is made up of three main parts comprising side plates 3U, 30 and an intermediate plate 3I, and these plates areheld together as by rivets 32. Each of these plates has sprocket teeth, and the side plates have sprocket teeth 33 which are shaped to engage the curved ends 34 of the chain blocks. Thev intermediate plate has sprocket teeth 35 staggered with respect to the side plate teeth and shaped to engage the curved end surfaces 36 of thel strap links. Thus certain of the sprocket teeth concurrently engage both thevstrap linksV andthe blocks, resulting in a more efficient chain drive; The curved surfaces 28' of the portions 28vof the lugs are shaped to conform to the curved end surfaces 34 of the side parts of the chain blocks and are adapted to rest against the surfaces34 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 11 as they pass around the curved end of the bar and around the chain sprocket. l

As the cutter chain is driven by the sprocket andis rapidly circulated in its orbit about the margin of the cutter bar, the trailer block lugs as they pass around the chain drive sprocket in a curvedV path are positioned, in the manner shown infFig. 1l, so that the cuttings are eiectively thrown outwardly' with a shovel-like action,there by reducing the possibility of clogging. VAs the cutter chain travels about the cutter bar, the gibs I9 on the bases of the chain blocks and the guide surfaces on lthe guide anges 22 of the pivoted trailer lugs concurrently engage the inner and outer guide surfaces ofthe cutter bar, sodthat gthe chain load stresses are distributed overa relatively wide area. By pivotally mounting the-trailerf lugs on the bases of the chain blocks, binding ofthe chain is substantially prevented. By pivotally arranging the trailer lugs as herein disclosed, with the lateral guide anges 22 located wholly-to the rear of the pivots 9, and

positioning the pivots at a proper elevation withy respect to the bottoms of the base portions or chain blocks 6,-.the full areas ofthe surfaces 23 may contact as at 24. with the straight advancing side of the bar as the blocks move outwardly of` the bar along the latter, and, as clearance is provided as the blocks pass around the arcuateA end of the bar, the guide flanges may drop inwardly slightly and engage with their forward ends the curved end surfaces on the bar while engagement at a: between the surfaces 28 and the curved ends 34 of the side parts I8 provides support for the lug I0 when the flanges 22 are in scraping relation to the cutter bar. Also, by pivotally mounting the trailer lugs which carry the cutter-bits on the bases of the chain blocks, it is possible, simply by removing the rivets I6, to rearrange the trailer lugs on the different blocks, thereby facilitating lacing ofthe cutter bits in an obvious manner. l

As a result of this invention it will that an improved structure is provided resulting in the more eicient cutting of coal.v It will also be noted that by particular arrangement of the, guide surfaces on the chain blocks and by pivotalbe noted ly mounting the trailer block lugs on the bases of the vchain blocks, the chain load stresses are more evenly 'distributed over a relatively wide area. Further, by constructing'the chain blocks inthe ymanner disclosed; the cuttings are eiectively cleared away; thereby reducing the possibility of clogging. Other advantages of the imbase portion, and a cutter bit carrying lug pivots ally mounted onsaid base portion for swinging movement with respect thereto and projecting rearwardly with respect to said base portion, said lug carrying a cutter bit in a cutting position near the rear end of said block and having forwardly facing abutment surfaces located a substantial distance rearwardly of the lug pivot, said block base portion having projections at the opposite sides of said lug and extending outwardly and rearwardly with respect to the lug pivot, said projections providing rearwardly facing abutment surfaces on their rearward extremitieswith which said forwardly facing abutment surfaces on said pivoted lug are engageable to limit outward swinging movement of said lug, and means for maintaining said lug in a position relative to said base portion in which said bit is in a cutting position.

2. In a cutter chain, a chain block comprising a base portion, and a cutter bit carrying lug pivotally mounted on said base portion for swinging movement with respect thereto and projecting rearwardly with respect to said base portion, said lug carrying a cutter bit in a cutting position near the rear end of said block and having forwardly facing abutment surfaces located a substantial distance rearwardly of the lug pivot, said block base portion having projections at the opposite sides of said lug and extending outwardly and rearwardly with respect to the lug pivot, said projections providing rearwardly facing abutment surfaces on their rearward extremities with which said forwardly facing abutment surfaces on said pivoted lug are engageable to limit outward swinging movement of said lug, said abutment surfaces being so arranged and positioned that when they are in engagement said cutter bit is in cutting position with respect to said block-base-portion.

3. In combination, a cutter bar having a straight, advancing side and straight guide surfaces extending along said side and also having a curved forward end with curved surfaces thereon in the same series of planes as said straight guide surfaces, said curved surfaces conforming to arcs struck with radii equal to one-half the width of the cutter bar at its forward end, from points midway between the sides of said bar, a cutter chain guided on the said bar, and means for effecting circulation of said cutter chain upon said cutter bar, said cutter chain including a plurality of chain blocks each having a base portion and a bit-carrying lug pivotally mounted on said base portion in trailing relation thereto for swinging movement with respect thereto, said bar having surfaces between and inwardly disposed with respect to said straight-,guide surfaces and said curved surfaces engaged by said base portions' during circulation of the' chain, and said lugs having laterally spaced guide surfaces disposed whollyto the rear ofthe pivotal connection between said lugs' and said base portions and engaging said straight guide surfaces throughoutv their own lengths as they traverse said straight guide surfaces and engaging said curved surfacesbut only at their own forward ends, while-passing around the forward lend of said bar, vsaid lugs and the rearward ends of said base portions with whichthey are pivotally'con'- nected having'surfacesv mutually engaged with each other and supporting said lugs in the position in which only the forward ends of the guide surfaces on said lugs engage said'curved surfaces. i 4. In combination, a cutter bar having a straight, advancing side and straight guide surfaces extending along said side and also having a curved forward endwith curved surfacesthereon in the same series of planes as said straight guide surfaces, said curved surfaces conforming tolarcs struck, with radii equal to one-half the width of the cutter bar at its forward end, from points midwaybetween the sidesof said bar, a cutter chain guided on the said bar, and'means for effecting circulation of said cutter chain upon said cutter bar, sai-d cutterehain including a plurality of` chain blocks each having a base portion and a bit-carrying lug pivotally mounted on said base portion in trailing relation thereto for swinging movement with respect thereto, said bar having surfaces between and inwardly disposed with respect to said straight guide surfaces and said curved surfaces engaged by sai-d base portions during circulation of the chain, and said lugs having laterally spaced guide surfaces disposed wholly to the rear of the pivotal connection between said lugs and said base portions and engaging said straight guide surfaces throughout their own lengths as they traverse said straight guide surfaces and engaging said curved surfaces, but only at their own forward ends, while passing around the forward end of said bar, said lugs and the rearward ends of said base portions with which they are pivotally connected having surfaces mutually engaged with each other and supporting said lugs in the position of the latter in which only the forward ends of the guide surfaces on said lugs engage said curved surfaces, said f mutual engagement being to the rear of forward ends of said guide surfaces on said lugs.

5. In combination, a cutter bar having a straight, advancing side and straight guide surfaces extending along said side and also having a curved end with curved surfaces thereon, the straight guide surfaces lying in planes tangent to the curvedsurfaces, a cutter chain, and means for effecting circulation of said cutter chain upon said cutter bar, said cutter chain including a plurality of chain blocks each having a base portion and a bit-carrying lug pivotally mounted on said base portion for swinging movement with respect thereto, said lugs having elongated guide surfaces slidingly engaging said straight guide surfaces with extended surface contact during movement of said lug along said straight side of the cutter bar and engaging said surfaces only at their own forward ends during movement of said lug over the latter, and said base portion and said lug having surfaces spaced to the rear of the axis of pivotal mounting of the lug on the base portion and to the rear of the forward ends of said guide surfaces on the lug engaged with each otherwhen said guide surfaces on said lug overlie said curved surfaces and supporting said guide surfaces on said lug with their forward ends only in contactwith said curved surfaces.

6. In combination, a cutter bar having a straight, advancing side and straight guide surfaces extending along said side and also having a curved end with curved surfaces thereon, the straight guide surfaces lying in planes tangent to the curved surfaces, a cutter chain, and means for effecting circulation of said cutter chain upon said cutter bar, said cutter chain including a plurality of chain blocks each having a base portion and a bit-carrying lug pivotally mounted on said base portion in trailing relation thereto for swinging movement with respect thereto, said lug having guide surfaces slidingly engaging said straight guide surfaces with extended surface contact during movement of said lug along said straight side of the cutter bar, and said base portion and said lug having surfaces spaced to the rear of the axis of pivotal mounting of the lug on the base portion engaged with each other when said guide surfaces on said lug overlie said curved surfaces and supporting Said guide surfaces `on said lug with their forward ends only in Contact with said curved surfaces.

7. In combination, 'a cutter bar having an arcuate forward end and a straight advancing edge providing surfaces successively acting as guides for chain elements traversing the bar, and a cutterchain including a plurality of chain blocks each having a base portion and a bit-carrying lug pivotally mounted on said base portion in trailing relation to the latter for limited swinging movement with respect to it, each of said lugs having an elongated straight guide surface lying to the rear of its pivotal connection with the base portion to which it is pivotally connected and successively engaging, (a) with contact only at its own forward end, the guide surface provided by said arcuate portion, and (b)A with extended surface contact along its length, the guide surface provided by said straight advancing edge, and said chain blocks each having mutually engaging surfaces adjacent the rear end of said base portion and formed respectively on the latter anden said lug for supporting the lug with respect to the base portion during engagement (a) above.

' GLADYS L. SIMMONS. Administmtri of the Estate of Leon E. Simmons,

Deceased.

No references cited.

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