US2640690A - Cuttings removing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1953 A, HAYWARD 2,640,690

CUTTINGS REMOVING MECHANISM Filed July 12, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 MW 27 WW If ,6 M

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June 2, 1953 J A, HAYWARD 2,640,690

CUTTINGS REMOVING MECHANISM Filed July 12, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 6 65 67 5 55 ii 56 29 I 52 60 6/ 62 63 77 J J I 43 64 L3 v4 1 Huh,

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CUTTINGS REMOVING MECPANISM Filed July 12. 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ya @7222 a. Wayward.

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' CUTTINGS REMOVING MECHANISM Filed July 12, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 l v Y EL /J [3206???02: Joim Z/Vaywam.

zyww mz dZZorzzey Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUTTINGS REMOVING MECHANISM John A. Hayward, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania 15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cuttings removing mechanism and more particularly to cuttings removing mechanism especially designed for use with a conventional room and pillar type coal cutting machine.

In conventional coal cutting machines, particularly those of the modern, high capacity, room and pillar type, the cuttings created by the cutter chain of the machine during the cutting operation rapidly accumulate and pile up at the rear end of the machine, and in order to prevent a substantial portion of the cuttings from being carried back into the kerf by the return run of the cutter chain, the cuttings must be rapidly removed from the vicinity of the cutter chain. Several known types of mechanisms have been used for mechanically removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the cutter chain of a coal cutting machine and for ejecting the cuttings from the machine; and the present invention contemplates improvements over such known mechanisms in that the cuttings are eiiectively removed from the vicinity of the cutter chain and forcibl ejected rearwardly from the machine while reducing to a minimum movement of the cuttings back toward the cutter chain. The cuttings removing mechanism of the present invention may be embodied in a coal cutting machine and driven by the machine motor, and embodies desirable features whereby ruggedness, compactness and efficiency are attained. Due to the particular arrangement and construction of the cuttings removing devices, not only are the cuttings efiectively removed from the vicinity of the cutter chain and ejected from the machine but also the carrying back of the cuttings toward the cutter chain is greatly reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cuttings removing mechanism. Another object is to provide an improved cuttings removing mechanism especially designed for use with a room and pillar type coal cutting machine for mechanically removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the kerf cutter. A further object is to provide an improved mechanism for mechanically removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the cutter chain of a coal cutting machine and for positively ejecting the cuttings rearwardly out of the machine path and into the bottom of the pile of ejected cuttings. Yet another object is to provide an improved cuttings removing mechanism embodying a horizontally movable cuttings engaging and moving element and having improved supporting and driving means for said element whereby when the cuttings have been moved outwardly and discharged, the cuttings engaging and moving element is moved into an inoperative position and maintained there during retraction thereof. A still further object is to provide an improved cuttings removing mechanism embodying oscillatory cuttings engaging and moving elements and improved driving mechanism for efiecting oscillation of said elements. Still another object is to provide an improved cuttings removing mechanism embodying oscillatory paddles or bladelike scoops and improved driving means for oscillating the same together with means for moving the paddles or scoops into an inoperative position and maintaining them there during retraction thereof whereby movement of cuttings toward the cutter chain of the coal cutting machine is reduced to a minimum. Still another object is to provide an improved oscillatory paddle or bladelike scoop for pushing or scooping out the cuttings from the vicinity of the cutter chain, and improved means for actuating the paddle or scoop during operative movement thereof together with means for turning the paddle or scoop to an inoperative edgewise position during retraction thereof. A further object is to provide a pair of improved coacting paddles or bladelike scoops mounted for movement in out of step relation in a novel manner and having improved supporting and driving means. A still further object is to provide a pair of coacting paddles or bladelike scoops arranged and constructed in a novel manner. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a coal cutting machine having an illustrative form of the improved cuttings removing mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the coal cutting machine and cuttings removing mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary rear end elevational view of the coal cutting machine and cuttings removing mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line d4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. v

stantially on line 6-4: of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a detail vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line ll of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on the planes of line 3-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a developed vertical sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the curved line 99 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a developed detail view showing the cam surfaces for actuating the locking plungers.

Fig. 11 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line lI--Il of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 12-42 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views taken on the plane of Fig. 6, respectively showing the moving parts of the cuttings removing mechanism in different positions.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the improved cuttings removing mechanism, generally designated l, is associated with a coal cutting machine, generally designated 2, herein of the flexiblyfed, room and pillar, floor cutter type. Evidently, the cuttings removing mechanism may be associated with coal cutting machines of other types.

The .coal cutting machine disclosed herein may be similar to that disclosed in'the J. F. Joy and L. 'E. Simmons Patent No. 2,131,178, patented September 27, 1938, and comprises a machine frame 3 slidable on its bottom 4 on the floor of a mine. Extending longitudinally throughout the length of the lower portion of the machine frame is a chamber having arranged therein and secured to the machine frame a rearward portion of an elongated kerf cutter 6 comprising a horizontal plane cutter bar '5, the latter having guided for circulation about its margin an endless cutter chain 8. The machine may be fed and guided, both during maneuvering and the kerf cuttin operation, by feeding and controlling drums 9 and lil, arranged on horizontal axes at opposite sides of the machine frame and having respectively wound therein feeding and controlling cables II and I2. Carried by the machine frame is a motor l3 having its power shaft operatively connected to the cutter chain, and the feeding and controlling drums for effecting drive thereof are fully described in the patent above referred to. The feeding and controlling cables H and 12 may beextended from the drums 9 and i0 around appropriately located guide sheaves on the machine andmay be led from opposite sides of the machine to suitable anchor jacks located at the ribs ofuthe room of a mine. The cutter chain may then be connected in driven relation with the motor [3 to effect rapid circulation thereof about the margin of the cutter bar I, and the drums 9 and iii may be operatively connected to the-motor to cause rotation thereof in a direction to wind in the cables to sump the cutter bar beneath the coal at the right hand rib and the cutter bar may thereafter be fed by the feed cable II transversely across the coal face, under the guidance of the controlling cable 2, to cut a horizontal kerf beneath the coal, and finally the cutter bar may be withdrawn by the feed cable from beneath the coal at the left hand rib to complete .the cut. The feed drum 9 effects feed of the machine, and the controlling drum Hl serves to guide the machine with respect to the coal face during the kerf cutting operation in manners well known to those skilled in the art. During the kerf cutting operation, the cuttings created by the cutter chain are carried back from the kerf by the cutter chain through the chamber 5 extending through the lower portion of the machine frame to discharge at the rear end of the machine. Since the mode of operation of a room and pillar coal cutting machine is well known and is fully described in the patent above referred to, further description thereof is herein unnecessary.

The improved cuttings removing mechanism 1 is herein suitably attached to the rear end of the coal cutting machine and is arranged in such a manner that it receives the cuttings discharged from the machine frame chamber 5 and removes the cuttings from the vicinity of the rear portion of the kerf cutter and eject the cuttings rearwardly from the machine out of the machine path. The cuttings removing mechanism comprises a casing I5 secured to the machine frame and having a horizontal chamber 15 which forms a continuation of the chamber 5 within which the rearward portion of the kerf cutter is arranged, as shown in Fig. 5, and the cuttings are discharged from the chamber 5 into the casingchamber I6. The casing-chamber is open at l! at the rear side of the casing. Arranged in the casing-chamber 56 are coacting cuttings removing devices 18 and i9, herein preferably identical in design and arranged to oscillate about parallel upright axes spaced equi-distantly from the iongitudinal center of the casing near the opposite sides of the latter, and each including a paddle or bladelike scoop 20 mounted to oscillate horizontally about a vertical axis and to oscillate in a vertical direction about a horizontal axis which extends radially from the vertical axis. The paddles or bladelike scoops are mounted at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the casing in the casing-chamber, and their ends swing in elternation across the longitudinal center of the casing chamber with the lower edge 2| of the paddles, when the latter are in upright efiective position, running close to the bottom of the casing-chamber it, as shown in Fig. 4. Each paddle or scoop has a horizontal shaft 22 journaled in spaced bearings 23, 23 supported within a cylindrical member 2d, the latter in turn having a vertical shaft 25 (Fig. 4) journaled in spaced bearings 26, 26 respectively supported in bearing brackets 27 and 2B, the latter formed integral with the lower portion of the casing H as shown in Fig. 4, and the upper bracket formed integral with a detachable top cover 29. Keyed to the vertical shafts 25 are spur gears 31 and 32, with which mesh gear segments 33 and 34 (Fig. 8) formed at the opposite sides of an oscillatory drive member or rocker 35 journaled to turn horizontally on a bearing 36 supported by a vertical stub shaft 3'! integral with a horizontal plate 38. The plate 38 is arranged between the top cover 29 and the casing 15 and is rigidly-secured to the latter and provides a top closure for the chamber 16. The gears 3| and 32 and the gear segment member 35 are arranged in a horizontal chamber 39 between the top cover 29 and the plate 38. The casing I5 has spaced horizontal projections ill, 40 providing curved sealing surfaces 4! which fit closely against the opposite sides of the exterior surfaces of the cylindrical members 24, as shown in Fig. 6, to prevent entry of dirt into the spaces t2 which may contain a lubricant. A spur gear 63 is secured to a vertical shaft- 34 iournaled within bearings 45 and '48, respectively supported within the top cover 29 and a detachable upper housing 41 secured to the top cover. The gear 43 has an integral crank pin-48 received in an elongated slot 49 in the oscillatory gear segment. member 35 for oscillating the latter as the gear 43 is rotated. Meshing withand driving the gear 43 is a spur gear 5| (see Fig. 5) secured to a vertical shaft 52 likewise journaled in bearings supported within the top cover 29 and the .upper housing 41. Journaled on a bearin sleeve 53, supported by the shaft 52, is a bevel gear 54; and a sliding jaw clutch member 55, splined at 56 to the shaft 52, serves to connect thebevel gear 54 to the shaft. A shipper yoke 51 engages the clutch member 55 and is fixed to a shipper rod 58 provided with a handle 59 arranged exteriorly of the upper housing 41. Meshing with and driving the bevel gear 54 is a bevel pinion 88 secured to a longitudinal shaft 6| suitably journaled in bearings supported within the upper housing 41. The shaft 6| is connected by a releasable coupling 62 to an aligned drive shaft 63 suitably journaled within a bearing supported within a bearing bracket 64 secured to the'rear end of the machine frame. Secured to the shaft 63 is a clutch member 85 journaled within the machine frame and provided with a conical bore, in engagement with which a clutch cone 66 is held by a spring 61. The clutch cone 66 is clutched at 68 to a shaft 69 driven by the machine motor IS in a manner described in the above mentioned patent.

In this illustrative embodiment, the paddles or bladelike scoops 28 have curved scoop portions 1|, preferably formed with a concave front face 12 and a convex rear side 13, and these scoop portions have hubs 14 keyed at to the horizontal shafts 22. The shafts 22 are arranged with their axes at right angles to the vertical axes of oscillation of the members 24, and these shafts have portions l6 extending within bores 11 in the members 24 and journaled within the bearings 23, 23 supported within the members 24. Arranged on the shafts 22 between the plate hubs and the adjacent bearings are spacing sleeves 18; The inner ends of the shaft portions 16 have bevel gears 19 secured thereto, and these bevel gears are located in the sealed spaces 42 and mesh with bevel teeth or bevel gear segments 88 formed on cylindrical members 8|, arranged in bores 82 formed in the sides of the casing. The members 8| are journaled on bearings 83 supported by the vertical shafts 25 above the members 24, as shown in Fig. 4. The members 8| each has a lateral 111g 85 movable horizontally in an arcuate recess 86 in the casing and engageable with the ends 81 of the recess to limit turning movement of the member 8| in opposite directions. Each member 24 has spaced vertical bores 88 located at opposite sides of the bevel gear 18 (Fig. 6), and received in these bores are vertically reciprocable locking plungers 89 and 98 formed With right angle horizontal stems or projections 9| guided in vertical slots 92 in the member 24 (see also Fig. 11). Springs 93 in the bores urge the plungers upwardly to maintain the stems 9| in engagement with oppositely inclined cam surfaces 94 and 85 on the bottom of an arcuate ledge 96 (see also Fig. 10) integral with the casing l5. The members 8| have spaced openings 91 and 98 for receiving the upper ends of the locking plungers 89 and 90- in certain positions of the latter. When the members 8|, are locked by the plungers 86 to the members 24, the paddles are locked in their upright operative position so that when the members 24 are rotated, the parts all turn together; and when the members 8| are locked by the plungers 89 to the members 24, the paddles are locked in their inoperative horizontal retracting position;"- and when both plungers are held released by. the. cam surfaces from the apertures in the members 8|, the members 24 are free to turn relative to the members 8| to cause the bevel gears and racks to swing the paddles about their horizontal axes from one position to the other, i. e., from an up right operative position to a horizontal retracting position, and vice versa. Thus, as the members 24 are oscillated, the bevel gears and ear segments and the plungers and cam surfaces cause the paddles to move horizontally while held rigid against turning about their horizontal axes, and. near the ends of their horizontal strokes cause the paddles to swing upwardly or downwardly about their horizontal axes. As shown, the casing I5 may have side openings 99 so that some of the cuttings may be discharged laterally from the casing-chamber 6.

The mode of operation of the improved cuttings removing mechanism is as follows: During operation of the coal cutting machine, while cutting a horizontal kerf in the coal near the floor level, the cuttings created by the cutter chain are moved rearwardly in the chamber 5 in the lower portion of the machine frame and as the cutter chain moves through the rear portion of its orbit, the cuttings are discharged into the chamber |6 of the casing |5 of the cuttings removing mechanism. When the clutch member 55 is connected, the members 24 are oscillated by the machine motor [3 through the shaft 69, clutch 68, cone clutch 66, 65, shaft 63, coupling 62, shaft 6|, bevel gears 60, 54, spur gears 5|, 43, the crank pin 48 and slot 49, the oscillatory gear segment member 35, gears 3| and 32, and vertical shafts 25. The paddles oscillate in out of step relation so that when one of the paddles is being retracted, the other paddle is moving outwardly to eject the cuttings from the casingchamber l6, and when a paddle approaches its innermost retracted position in adjacency to the cutter chain orbit, the lug 85 on the member 8| engaging the end wall 81 of the arcuate slot 86 prevents further turning of the member 8|; and as the member 24 continues to turn, the bevel gear 19 rolls along the then stationary rack to turn the shaft 22 to swing the paddle from its inoperative horizontal retracting position downwardly about the horizontal axis of the shaft 22 to its upright operative position. The plunger- 80 is then permitted to moveby the cam surfaces under the influence of its spring 83 into the aperture 98 in the member 8| to lock the members 8| and 24 together; and as the oscillatory gear segment member 35 swings in the opposite direction, the paddle is rigidly maintained upright and swings rearwardly and outwardly'about the axis of the member 24 to move the cuttings in the casing-chamber l6 and to eject the cuttings from the casing-chamber. When the paddle approaches its outward discharging position, the lug 85 on the member 8| engaging the end wall 81 of the arcuate recess 86 prevents further turning of the member 8| and the locking plunger is released by the cam surface so that the member 24 may turn relative to the member 8| to cause swinging of the paddle as a result of the relative movementof the bevel pinion l9 and rack 88 from its upright, position rearwardly andupwardly to its horizontal inoperative position. The plunger 88 then moves into the aperture 9T so that the parts 24 and 8| are locked together during retracting movement ofthe'paddle, A I

Referring-to movements ofathe "paddle or scoop structureqmore in detail, it will be noted: that in'Fig; .6 the. left. hand paddle A is shown approaching its innermost retracted. position, and as it continues to .move inwardly, the paddle is swungxdownwardlyabout the axis of the horizontal; shaft 22 to its upright operativeposition shown in Fig. 13 and it is locked in such position .byone of the locking plungers, connecting the ,members 81 and :24 together. I The paddle A; while maintained-in its upright scooping position, .is then swung horizontally about the axis of its members24 to move the cuttings rearwardly in the casing chamberand to eject the cuttings from the casing-chamber. When the paddle A reaches .the position" shown in Fig. 14, and it approaches its outermost position, the plunger lock is released by the cam surface and the-member BI is held against further turning so that the paddle is swung through the-bevel gear and gear segment about the axis of the shaft 22 rear wardly-and upwardly to its horizontal inoperative position shown in Fig. 15. The members 8! and 24 are then locked-together by one of the locking plungers, and as the oscillatory gear segment member swings-in the opposite direction, the paddle A is swung horizontally inwardly about the axis of the member 24 back to the position shown in Fig. 6. The right hand paddle BhaspinF'igs. 6, 13, Hand 15,. the-same sequence of movements but in out of step relation with the paddle A. In Fig. 6, the paddle B is moving outwardly to move the cuttings rearwardly in the casing-chamber I6 and to eject the cuttings from the casing-chamber; and in Fig. 13, the paddle B has reached the end of its outward travel and has turned' upwardly on its horizontal pivot to its inoperative retracting position. In Fig. 14, the paddle B is approachingthe end of its inward travel; and in Fig. 15, the paddle B has swung on its horizontal axis downwardly to its upright scooping position and is ready to again move outwardly to move and eject-the cuttings. The lugs 85 on the members 8!, engaging the ends 81- of the arcuate recesses '86, limit the range of horizontal movement of the paddles while held in either upright operative position during outward movement or in inoperative horizontal position during retracting movement, and during such horizontal movements, the parts 8! and 24 are locked to turn together by the looking plungers. When the lugs 85 engage one end or theother of the arcuate recesses 86,-and the cam surfaces have depressed the locking plungers so that the members 24 may turn relative to the members 81, the bevel gears 19 roll along the then stationary racks 88, swinging the paddles about the axes of the horizontal shafts 22 near the end of each horizontal stroke. It is accordingly evident that the paddles swing rearwardly and outwardly to move and eject the cuttings and are then automatically folded into an inoperative horizontal edgewise position so that during their retracting movement, the tendency to move the cuttings rearwardly toward the cutter chain is reduced to a minimum, and just as soon as the paddles approach their innermost retracted position, they are automatically again turned into their upright operative position ready to again move and eject the cuttings.

As a result of'this invention, an improved cuttings removing mechanism is provided which may be associated with and driven by a conventional coal cutting machine for effectively removing the cuttings from the vicinity of the cutter chain and for ejecting the cuttingsrearwardly out of the machine path. By the provision'oi the improved oscillatory paddle structure... the cuttings are effectually moved rearwardlyand ejected; and when .the paddles approachtheir outermost positions, they are automatically foldedinto a relatively narrow space so thatduning retracting strokes of the paddles, the tendency of moving the cuttings rearwardly toward the cutter chain is reduced to a minimum. The improved oscillatory paddle structure isv relatively compact and rugged in design, and, due .to the novel paddle arrangement disclosed, efificientremoval of the cuttings is efiected. Other manners of use and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

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

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

1. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a horizontal chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for movingthe cuttings rearwardly therein andior ejecting the cuttings therefrom, said moving and ejecting means comprising a cuttings moving member which is normally upright when in its cuttings moving and ejecting position, meansfor pivotally mounting said cuttings moving member on .said casing for horizontal oscillatory movement about a vertical axis and for up and down oscillatory movement about a horizontal axis, said member movable into a horizontal inoperative position about said horizontal axis, and motor. driven mechanism for effecting actuation of said memher during its operation including means connected to said cuttings moving member for oscillating said member about said vertical axis, and means connected to said cuttings moving member for positively turning said member. from its upright operative position to its horizontal inoperative position near the end of its horizontal movement in one direction and from its inoperative position to its upright operative position near the end of its travel in the opposite direction.

2. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for'moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom, said moving and ejecting means comprising a relatively narrow paddle which is normally upright when in its cuttings moving and ejecting position, means for mounting said paddle on said casing to swing horizontally outwardly in said casing-chamber when in said upright position about a vertical axis and to turn into a horizontal inoperative position, and motor operated mechanism for efiecting actuation of said paddle during its operation including means connected to said paddle for swinging said paddle about said vertical axis inwardly when in said horizontal inoperative position to retract said paddle and outwardly when in said upright position, and means connected to said paddle for positively turning said paddle near the end of its outward movement into itshorizontal inoperativeposition wherein it occupies a relatively narrow vertical space and for maintaining said paddle in such position during horizontal retraction of the paddle, said last mentioned means also positively turning the paddle into its upright effective position as it approaches the end of its inward travel in said casing-chamber.

3. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom, said moving and ejecting means comprising a member mounted for horizontal oscillatory movement about an upright axis, a, horizontal support mounted at its inner end on said member to turn relativethereto about a. horizontal axis at right angles to said vertical axis, a paddle secured to the outer end of said turnable support, and motor operated mechanism for efiecting actuation of said paddle during its operation including means connected to said member for oscillating the latter, a releasable locking device for securing said horizontal support against turning movement about said horizontal axis relative to said member during a portion of the oscillatory movement of said member and releasable during the remaining portions of such movement, and means efiective when said looking device is released for turning said horizontal support about said horizontal axis relative to said member during the remaining portions of said oscillatory movement of said member.

4. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom, said cuttings and ejecting means comprising a pair of cooperating paddles which are normally upright and arranged for horizontal swinging in out-of-step relation in said casingchamber, bearing mountings for supporting said paddles in said casing for such horizontal swinging movement and for turning movement into a horizontal inoperative position, and motor driven mechanism for effecting actuation of said paddles during their operation including means for swinging said paddles inwardly and outwardly in said casing-chamber, locking devices for maintaining said paddles in an upright operative position during outward swinging movement of said paddles in said casing-chamber and automatically releasable as said paddles approach the ends of said horizontal swinging movement in either direction, and means effective as said paddles approach their outward position and when said locking devices are released for turning said paddles from their upright operative position into said horizontal inoperative position wherein they occupy a relatively narrow vertical space and to maintain them in such inoperative position during inward swinging movement of said paddles.

5. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom, said cuttings and ejecting means comprising a pair of cooperating paddles which are normally upright and arranged for horizontal swinging movement in out-of-step relation in said casing-chamber, bearing mountings for supporting said paddles in said casing for such horizontal swinging movement and for turning movement into a horizontal inoperative position, and motor driven mechanism for effecting actuation of said paddles during their operation including means for swinging said paddles inwardly and outwardly in said casing-chamber, releasable locking devices for maintaining said paddles in an upright operative position during outward swinging movement of said paddles in said casing-chamber and automatically releasable as said paddles approach the ends of their horizontal swinging movement in either direction, and means effective as said paddles approach their outward position and when said locking devices are released for turning said paddles from their upright position into said horizontal inoperative position wherein they occupy a relatively narrow vertical space and to maintain them in such inoperative position during inward swinging movement of said paddles, said last mentioned means also effective when said paddles approach their innermost position to turn said paddles back into their normal upright operative position.

6. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a cuttings moving and ejecting device when in upright operative cuttings moving position occupying substantially the full height of said casing-chamber and arranged in said casing-chamber to swing horizontally rearwardly therein to move the cuttings outwardly in said casing-chamber and for ejecting the cuttings from said chamber, mounting means on said casing for said cuttings moving and ejecting device for supporting the latter for such horizontal swinging movement and for movement into an inoperative position, and motor driven mechanism for effecting actuating of said cuttings moving and ejecting device including means for swinging said cuttings moving and ejecting device inwardly and outwardly, and means for moving said cuttings moving and ejecting device when the latter approaches its outer ejecting position in said casing-chamber into an inoperative horizontal position wherein it occupies a relatively small portion of the height of said casing-chamber and for maintaining the same in such inoperative position during inward swinging movement of said device in said casing-chamber.

7. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a chamber for receiving cuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber for moving the cuttings rearwardly therein and for ejecting the cuttings therefrom comprising a cuttings moving and ejecting device when in upright operative cuttings moving position occupying substantially the full height of said casing-chamber and arranged in said casing-chamber to swing horizontally outwardly therein to move the cuttings rearwardly in said casing-chamber to eject the cuttings from said chamber and to swing horizontally inwardly toward retracted position, mounting means on said casing for said cuttings moving and ejecting device for supporting the latter for such horizontal swinging movement and for movement into an inoperative position, "and motor driven mechanism for effecting actuation of said outtings moving and ejecting device including means for swinging said cuttings moving and ejecting device inwardly and outwardly, and means for moving said cuttings moving and ejecting device when the latter approaches its outer ejecting :position in said casing-chamber into an inoperative horizontal position wherein it occupies a relatively small portion of the height of said casingand cuttings moving and ejecting means comprising an upright bladelike scoop when in operative cuttings moving position occupying substantially the full height of said chamber, means for mounting said scoop on said casing for horizontal swinging movement in said casing-chamber and for movement intoa horizontal inoperative position, and motor driven mechanism for effecting actuation of said scoop-during its operation including means for swinging said scoop horizontally outwardly in said chamber to move the cuttings rearwardly in said chamber to eject the cuttings from said chamber and for swinging said scoop horizontally inwardly to retract the latter, and means for moving said scoop into an inoperative horizontal position wherein it occupies a relatively smallportion of the height of .said chamber assaid scoop approaches the end of its outward travel in said chamber and for maintaining the scoop in such position during swinging retraction thereof.

:9. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a cuttings receiving chamber, and cuttings moving and ejecting means comprisinganormally upright bladelike scoop, bearing means for mounting said scoop on said casing forhorizontal swinging movement in said casingchamberand for turning movement into a horizontal inoperative position, and motor driven mechanism for effectingactuation ofv said upright scoop-zduring its operation including means for swinging said scoop horizontally outwardly .to move the cuttings rearwardly in said chamber to eject the vcuttings from said chamber and for swinging said scoop horizontally inwardly to retract the latter, and means for turning said scoop from its upright operative position into its inoperative horizontal position as said scoop approaches the end of its outward travel in said chamber and for maintaining the scoop in such horizontal position during swinging retraction thereof,said-last mentioned means also turning said scoop back to its upright operative position when said scoop approaches the end of its inward swinging retractive movement.

'10. A cuttings removing mechanism comprising a casing having a cuttings receiving chamber, andcuttings moving and ejecting means including a normally upright cuttings moving and ejecting member arranged in said casing-chamber'to swing horizontally in and out thereby to move the cuttings rearwardly in said chamber and for ejecting the cuttings rearwardly from said chamber, bearing means for mounting said member at one end thereof on said casing for horizontal swinging movement and for turning movement into a horizontal folded position, and motor driven mechanism for efiecting actuation of said cuttings moving and ejecting member including means for swinging said member inwardly and outwardly, means operatively connected to'said end of said member for turning saidzmemberas the latter approaches the end of 112 its outwardmovementzinto its folded.inoperati,ve horizontal position and for maintaining -it;insuch, horizontal position-during inward swinging movement of. said member insaid chamber.

11. A cuttings removing :mechanism :comprising a casing having a cuttings receiving chamher, and cuttings moving zandejecting :means :including a cuttingsrmoving and ejecting :member arranged insaid .casingmhamber to c swinghorizontally outwardly when in :upright position thereby to move the cuttings rearwardly-in said chamber and for ejecting the cuttings rearwardly from said chamber, means "for mountinsmsfiid member at one end thereof =onxsaid casing-vim horizontal swinging movement andwfor movement intoan inoperativehorizontal position,:-and mechanism for efiecting actuation :of :said scuttings moving and ejecting member. including means for ,moving" said upright :memberinwardly and outwardly, and means:cperatively-connected to said endof said member for movingv said memher as said member approaches the .end ofsits outward swinging movement intoits horizontal inoperative position and fonmaintaining-it'dn such position during inward swinging ;movement of said member, said last mentioned means also for returning said member to its operative position-as said member vapproaches the end-act its inward swinging movement.

12. A cuttings removing mechanism comprisinga casing having achamber for receivingcuttings, and cuttings moving and ejecting means in said casing-chamber-ior :movingthe -,cuttings outwardly therein and for ejecting the :cuttings therefrom, said cuttings moving and ejecting means-comprising a pairofcooperatingrelatively movable paddles adapted to assume :upright operative positions and arranged .for -v=horizontal swinging movementinsaid casing-.member.'t.bearing mountings at the sides of-saidmasing rior pivotally mounting said paddles :at onezendato swing horizontally outwardly gand. inwardlyr-in said chamber, said paddlesgprojecting freely horizontally partly across said casing-chamber with their free ends in adjacency to the longitudinal center ofsaid casing, said paddles when intheir upright operative cuttings moving rand'ielecting position extending'substantially the iullaheight of said casing-chamber, motor drivenrmeans for swinging said paddles outwardlyaboutgtheirrpivots when in ,their :upright tcperative 'zcuttings moving and ejecting position, amounting gmeans for pivotally mounting said paddlesptoturnaabont horizontal axes wherebyisaid paddles mayturn into an inoperative horizontal 'positionwherein they occupy only a relatively small :,-p0rtion":of the height of said casing-chamber -.during=:inward swinging-movement'of said paddles, thereby to reduce the moving back .of" cuttings: ;in said chamber, and zmeans effective :durmghorizontal swinging of said paddles for 'turningysaid paddles about said horizontal .axesizinto either said rupright operative'position: or said inoperative3h0rizontal position.

13. A cuttings removing mechanismacomprising .a casing :having a cuttings receivingchamher, and cuttings moving and ejecting 1 means carried by said casing comprisingaan'n oscillatory paddle which when :in operative cuttings :moving and ejecting position issubstantially. uprightzand occupies substantiallythe full height of :said chamber, a bearing mounting for supportingsaid paddle, for horizontal swinging movement insaid chamber about a vertical axis-and for turning movement between :its upright. operativelposition and a horizontal inoperative position about a horizontal axis, motor driven gearing for swinging said paddle horizontally on its bearing mounting, a cam operated locking device for auto matically releasing said paddle from said driving gearing when said paddle is swung horizontally a predetermined distance in either direction, said cam operated locking device locking said paddle against turning movement about said horizontal axis during horizontal swinging of said paddle and including cam means for releasing said locking device as said paddle approaches the end of its horizontal swinging movement in either direction, and gearing driven by said first mentioned gearing and efiective when said locking device is released for turning said paddle about said horizontal axis into either its upright operative position or its horizontal inoperative position.

14. A cuttings removing mechanism as set forth in claim 13 wherein said motor driven gearing and bearing mounting include coaxial members, one carrying said paddle and with which said paddle is swingable horizontally and on which said paddle is mounted to turn on a horizontal axis and constituting a driven member driven by said motor driven gearing and said other member adapted to rotate with said driven member or remain relatively stationary, and said locking devices acting to lock said coaxial members together to efiect horizontal swinging movement of said paddle and automatically releasable near the ends of the horizontal swinging movement of said paddle in either direction,

and said coaxial members having relative rotation when said locking devices are released, and said second mentioned gearing being operatively associated with said other member and having an element driven by said driven member and effecting relative rotation of said coaxial members to turn said paddle about said horizontal axis when said locking devices are released.

15. A cuttings removing mechanism as set forth in claim 14 wherein said motor driven gearing includes an oscillatory gear segment swingable about a vertical axis and a gear meshing with said gear segment and connected to said driven member for intermittently rotating the latter in opposite directions as said gear segment is oscillated, and a motor driven crank for oscillating said gear segment.

JOHN A. HAYWARD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 245,155 Gochnauer Aug. 2, 1881 899,987 Jeffrey Sept. 29, 1908 1,372,137 Haverly Mar. 22, 1921 1,599,819 Joy Sept. 14, 1926 1,616,597 Pray Feb. 8, 1927 1,635,262 Donnelly July 12, 1927 1,692,862 Pray Nov. 27, 1928 1,990,745 Moore et a1 Feb. 12, 1935 2,201,959 Schmidt May 21, 1940 2,359,422 Jefirey Oct. 3, 1944 2,448,057 Simmons Aug. 31, 1948

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