US2777681A - Mining and loading machine with upper and lower relatively movable disintegrating head portions - Google Patents

Description

c. F. BALL 9 5 MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH UPPER AND LOWER RELATIVELY Jan. 15, 1957 MOVABLE DISINTEGRATING HEAD PORTIONS 5 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1951 NW vmxmb 6izar2es i? ZaZZ.

Jan. 15, 1957 c. F. BALL 2,777,681

1: WITH UPPER AND LOWER RELATIVELY MINING AND LOADING MACHIN MOVABLE DISINTEGRATING HEAD PORTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1951 i, x i

c. F. BALL Jan. 15, 1957 MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH UPPER AND LOWER RELATIVELY MOVABLE DISINTEGRATING HEAD PORTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 15, 1951 C. Fr BALL Jan. 15, 1957 MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH UPPER AND LOWER RELATIVELY MOVABLE DISINTEGRATING HEAD PORTIQNS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 15, 1951 0/ m a J y W w m H A: w H@ a fl/I U I z 6 r 2 a /Z47 VH7 Jay.

Jan. 15, 1957 c. F. BALL 2,777,681

MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH UPPER AND LOWER RELATIVELY Filed 11 1111111 s1 United States V V MINING AND LOADWG MACHINE WITH UPPER This-"invention relates toa mining and loading 1 apparatus'-'and'-moreparticularly to a" mining andloading apparatus'for disintegrating-the mineral of a'soiid mine vein and for gatheringtand loading the disintegrated n'iineral wherebyproduction of mineral may -be'eiiectedin a'suhstantially continuous manner;

In the continuous mining 'of'mineral, snch 'as coal, from asolid' seam'or vein, it has heretofore been-common practice'to-employi a rotarybc-ring'h'ead' embodying? aplurality of coacting rotary boring-instruments for dis-i integrating the solid-veimsand such known types of appalratus are relatively inflexible and usually cperate alonga=si1bstanfially'rectilinearpath to effect the formation'of straight passageways or entries; While, in known in stances, such apparatus are capableof making-wide lateral turns, theyare' relativelyi unwieldy: and cumbersome in operation; and the conveying means is necessarily relatively: Wide in order to obtain the desiredloading-etli ciency. Also, such-know'ntype's of apparatus lacklthe desired-readiness of control and flexibility in vertical ad justment, preventing-the machine fiom readily following an"une'venor= rolling seam as miningI progresses and-the mean-e is advanced. Further, such known types" of rotary boring head machines;.due-to their: particular designgpresent' space restrictions whereby" relatively:- free flow of the disintegrated mineral to the conveyingsmeans of the: machine is prevented thereby impeding operation of" the machine: The present invention contemplates improvements 'over such known rotary'boring head types ofa paratus 'inthat extreme flexibility i11 adjustment, .both' vertically? and laterally, is provided Moreover;

rel'ati-vely'wide' fiow spaces or openings are' provided through which-theidisintegrated mineralmayflow toward the conveying means of"the* apparatus therebyfacilitating movement of the disintegrated mineral toward the" conveyin'g im'ea'ns and greatly improvingtheoperatingrefiicie'ncy of'the' machine 'as-wellas reducing clogging-rand increasing the lump size obtainable. Furthermore; in ordef'to' attainthe desired flexibility, a-'nar'row "-conveyiifg nieans' niustbe provided, and with such anarrow conveyingm'eansitis' necessary; to provide auxiliary conveying rn'e'an's associated E With'- the" relatively Wide disintegrating head mechanism for moving the disintegrated mineral received within'the head laterallyonto'theconveying means The' apparatus'of' the present invention is-relatively compact; is relatively" rugged in design and has relativelygreat flexibility; well adapted for-its" intended purpose. I

An" object of the" present in'v'ntion is to "provide an improved mining and loading apparatus whereby mineral such F as coal may be-mined' in a substantia'ltya continuous matitrerfronia solid v'ein anc l' rapidly gathered a'nd'loaded intothe' conventional haulage means of: the 'min'e Another object is' topiovi'de an improved continuons'mine'r whereb -"me minemi of a minevein may berapi'dly mined and loaded out with the necessity"v of onlyafewpositionifrg movernentsof the" apparatus dnrin g 'its' operation. K further object is=to=provide an im'proved continuous ice miner of' the rotary boring head type having improved adjustable supporting structure for the boring head whereby: the latter maybe readily adjusted laterally with respect to'thebase of the machineandembodying'in the head, improved adjustable means whereby the machine may operate on mi-ne' veins of'widely varying heights. A further object is to provide an improved continuous I miner having an improved-disintegrating head, improved conveying means, and improved gathering and collecting, means whe'reby the disintegrated mineral may: be rapidly gathered and collected within the machine and moved onto the con-veying'means. A-furtherobject is to providean improved disintegrating head mechanism providing a relatively large zone'of accumulation for the dis integrated mineral within-= the head together with improved means'for moving the mineral accumulated within the head onto the conveying means. A still further object isto provide I an improved disintegrating mechanism for a continuous miner whereby a lower disintegrating head portion" cooperates with an upper disintegrating head por-- tion and=wherein improved means-is prow'ded for rapidly movingthe upper disintegrating head portion relative to the" lower head portion during the disintegrating opera tion; Still :another object is to provide an improved-ad justah'lemeansassociated with the. moving means'tor the upper headportion-whereby mine vein's 'o'f-widely; varying heights may be disintegrated. A-further object is to provide an improved adjustable disintegrating; headstructure whereby; the latter-m'ay readilyfollow a rolling'or uneven sea'm or vein? still another 'objectis to providean im proveddisintegrating:mechanism emoodying alower bor ing headportion and" an upper cutting portion, together with improved means for adjusting-the upper cutting zpor tion'in a vertical direction relative to the lower boring head portion to vary-theoperatingheight of the mecha-' nismr A further object isto-p'rovide an improved disintegrating head mechanismtor a continuousminer embodying mineral disintegrating mechanism-and improved driving means for the disintegratingmechanism; Yet another object is to provide an improved continuous miner-of the rotary bori'nghead type having improved supporting and adjusting; means for the boring head whereby the range of operationofthemachineis greatly increased; These and other objects and advantages of the'invention will, however, hereinafter more fully-appear inthe course-0f the ensuing description.

In the'acc'ompanyin'g drawings thereis shown for purposes of illustration one formwhich the' invention may assume in practice.

lnithese drawings:

Fig. 1 isa plan View ofam'ining and'loading apparatus constructed'in accordance witha' preferred illustrative enibodiment of the invention.

Fig; 2 is a side elevational view ofthe-apparatusshown in'Fig. 1;

Fig-.ISis' a front endelevational-view of'the'apparatus shown inFi'gs'; l and 2, showing'theupper disintegrating portion ofthe disintegrating headin'its lowered position.

Fig'.-4'is"a' cross sectional view taken in the planes: of line 4*--4' of Fig. 1, illustrating'f the rotary" conveyor devices;

Fig. 5 is"-across sectiona1 viewtaken in the'pla'nes of line s -s f'Fig. 2. V

Fig. dis a longitudinal vertical section: taken in the planes of line 66 of Fig. 1, showing the disintegrating head in its operating position at thefioor'level.

Fig." 7 isa central longitudinal vertical section taken on line 7"7 of Fig. 1'.

Fig; 8 is an enlarged horizontal detail section" taken on line 8-8"0f Fig. 3, showing a portionof the drive' for the upperdisi'ntegrating chain.

Fig. 9 an enlarged longitudinal vertical section Patented Jan. 15, 1957 taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 1, showing the drive for one of the rotary boring devices and illustrating a portion of one of the rotary conveyors.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 1111 of Fig. 6 and showing a portion of the drives for the rotary boring devices.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail vertical section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10, illustrating a portion of the control means for the moving means of the upper disintegrating chain.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the hydraulic fluid system.

' Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view and Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic side view, showing the continuous miner in operating position in a mine.

' Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken through a cut formed by the disintegrating head mechanism.

The mining and loading apparatus of the present invention constitutes an improvement over that disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 191,004, filed October 19, 1950, now abandoned and which has been replaced by continuation application Serial Number 594,339, filed June 21, 1956 in that an improved disintegrating mechanism together with improved gathering and collecting means for the disintegrated mineral are provided within the machine whereby the mineral of a solid mine vein may be efficiently and rapidly mined and loaded out in a substantially continuous manner.

The mining and loading apparatus disclosed herein generally comprises a mobile base generally designated 1 having a horizontal swingable supporting structure 2 pivotally mounted thereon and the frame structure carrying a vertically swingable support 3 for a disintegrating head mechanism generally designated 4. The disintegrating head mechanism embodies a lower boring head portion 5 and an upper adjustable cutting head portion 6 which desirably has vertical operating movement relative to the lower head portion during the disintegrating operation. Rotary gatherers 7 cooperate with rotary conveyor devices 8 for gathering and collecting the disintegrated mineral within the head mechanism and for moving the mineral so collected onto a front conveying means, generally designated 9, of the machine. Motors 10 and 11 are mounted on the horizontally swingable supporting structure 2 at its opposite sides and one motor serves to drive the upper cutter head portion 6 while the other motor serves to drive the other lower boring head portion 5, the rotary gatherers 7, the rotary conveyor devices 8 and the conveying means 9. A conventional, independently driven, rearward conveying means 12 cooperates with the conveying means 9 in the moving of the disintegrated mineral rearwardly away from the face of the mine vein. to a convenient point of delivery at the rear end of the machine to the conventional mine haulage means. The disintegrating head mechanism 4 is mounted on the vertically swingable support 3 for rectilinear guided movement relative to the swingable frame structure and the base irrespective of the horizontally swung position of the swingable supporting structure relative to the base, whereby the disintegrating head mechanism may be thrust forwardly into the mineral of the vein and may be retracted from the vein during the disintegrating operation regardless of the angular position of adjustment of the swingable supporting structure thus enabling a face of substantial width to be mined out.

Specifically, the mobile base 1 of the improved continuous miner constitutes a crawler tread device, al though, evidently, the machine may be mounted on any suitable type of base structure. This crawler tread device may be similar to that disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 86,516, filed April 9, 1949,

now matured into Patent No. 2,705,626, dated April 5, 1955, and comprises a base frame 15 having side frames 16 providing guideways about which endless crawler tread chains 17 are guided for orbital circulation. These crawler tread chains may be driven by individual motors whereby the treads may be operated and controlled to effect propulsion and steering of the apparatus as it travels over the mine floor, both during tramming about the mine and positioning of the machine with respect to the mine face during the disintegrating operation. The horizontally swingable supporting structure 2 is mounted on and overlies the base frame with its forward portion overhanging the base frame and is pivoted at its rearward portion at 18 on an upright axis located at the rear end of the base frame. As shown in Fig. 7, a vertical pivot pin 18 is rigidly secured to the base frame midway between the sides of the latter and is pivotally engaged by a bearing carried by the rearward portion of the swingable frame structure 2 thereby to provide such upright pivot 18. The frame structure 2 is guided by an arcuate guide member 19 on the base during its horizontal swinging movement about the pivot 18. The vertically tiltable support 3 comprises an elongated longitudinally extending frame 20 arranged intermediate the parallel side members 21 of the frame structure 2 and this tiltable support is pivoted at 22 (Fig. 2) on a horizontal transverse axis on the rearward portion of the swingable supporting structure 2 to tilt in a vertical direction relative to the latter. A pair of by draulic jacks 23, shown in Figs. 1 and 6, operate between the swingable frame structure 2 and the tiltable support 3 for efiecting tilting of the latter to vary the elevation of the disintegrating head mechanism 4, in-a manner fully disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 191,004, above referred to. Mounted at the sides of the horizontally swingable frame structure 2 are parallel, longitudinally extending, hydraulic jack cylinders 24 which have pulleys 25 carried by the forward ends of their piston rods and a pair of cable sections 26 are fastened at one end at 27 to the cylinders and pass around rearwardly located guide sheaves 28 carried by the frame structure near the rear ends of the jack cylinders, as shown in Fig. 2. These cable sections extend forwardly and inwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and pass around a pair of guide sheaves 29 on the swingable frame structure (see Figs. 1 and 5 and are fastened at their opposite ends at 30 to opposite ends of the guide member 19 at the outer sides of the base frame. Thus, as the pistons are moved within the jack cylinders the frame structure 2 may be swung horizontally with respect to the base in a manner generally similar to that disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 191,004, mentioned above.

As shown in Fig. 7, the conveying means 9 is in the form of an endless flight conveyor having endless side. drive chains 35 suitably guided for circulation withinappropriate guideways on the tiltable support 3 and to which cross flights 36 are secured at spaced intervals, and the flights of the top run of the conveyor move along a bottom plate 37 so that the disintegrated mineral received by the conveyor, in a manner to be later explained, may be moved rearwardly along the tiltable frame to discharge onto the rearward conveyor means 12 which will be later referred to. The intermediate portion of the lower run of the conveyor passes around upper drive sprockets 38 and lower guide sprockets 39, as shown in Fig. 7, and the guide sprockets 39 are suitably guided for rectilinear movement and are urged rearwardly along their guides by coil springs 40 to apply the desired tension to the conveyor side chains. 'The forward portion of the conveyor passes around chain sprockets 41 secured to a cross shaft 42 suitably journaled within the lower frame portion of the disintegrating head mechanism, and the rearward portions of the conveyor chains pass around guide sprockets 43 earnest,

5 securedto acrossshaft 44 see Fig.7) suitablyljournaledt witlfinlthe rearwarduportioni.ofithevtiltabltsuppjortGB.

Ndwireferringto'the specific structure of meannegtatingheadimechanis'm t4, it will be noted that the forwardTportion "of "the frame 29Yof thcltiltable support 3' carries a relatively wide transversehead frame'portion 497e'xtending across the forwardsendlof.the-machine and offa widthgreaterthhnih rearwardly located -parts.lof thElsuPPorting.frametstructure, asshown in :Figs. 1 and 3. This "frame has -a bottom, ,forward, nose portion .50 -engageable' with lthetfloor .and providingia transverse penetra'ting; edgeadisposed at-thet floor-level. This transverse: fdrward iframe .portion carries suitable-bearing supports 51 finliwhiche are amounted suitably axially t spaced bear ingsl-52l in; which parallelllongitudinal shafts 53 are journald (seeFig. 9 andsecured, as bytkeys, to the: forward-end portions .of. theseshafts are rotary boring instruments or devices 54'havin g hubs 55.formed-with' laterals arms 56.which carry appropriate :cutting or disintegrating elements 57; The hubs .of-the boring instruments are retained axially in position on the shafts -by nutsfl58fthreadedz on the shaft-ends for holding the hubs rearwardly against. spacing-sleeves abutting the outer; bearings, in 1 the imanneri shown. Tubular housings? 59: are :secured to ."the .front bearing supports of the head frame. and are. arranged I--I1C1OSCF the bearings eandv these carry, suitable sealing- ,rings: 60 which engage the arm-hubs55 to prevent-entry ofdirt to the :hearings.- Babs longitudinal shaft is. formed at its forwardend; withla:conical'recess or socket 61 whichreceives-thei conical shank of a central-boringttool: or bit 62 and these. boring tools cooperate with the.-boring-;instruments- 54 in thetdisintegration .of the mineral The tools 62 have lateral lugs 63 2 (Fig.9) engaged in radialslots in flanges: 64 integralfwithlthe= hubs 55 .of "the boring instruments, so thatthebits. are interlocked with theboring-iinstru-w ments for rotation. therewith;

The lmotors' and 11- are desirably electric motors and havertheirhousings.suitably supported at the outer sides off-the longitudinal frame members 21 of the hrizontally swingable-frame structure 2, asshownlin' Fig; 5." These motors each has 1 its powershaft =con-'= nccted to. a-speed reducer, as disclosed in my above mentioned application, Serial vNo. 191,004. Th'eumotor llldrives throughits speed reducer a universal coupling 65' connected to-a telescopic :shafting-ofiwhichris in turn-connected through. a. universal :couplingfil to-a longitudinally extending shaft 68-suitably-journaled--with--' in.a'housing ;or gear box .69. carried atone side of the headframe (Fig. 9). This shaft 68 isvsuitably journaled in: bearings .supported Within the. gearbox :69 and hasfixedlthereto a spur gear 70 which drives through-an intermediate or reach spur gear 71, a spurv gear- 72 secured to a parallel shaft 731 Spur gear-'71 is rotatable relative toand. has its hub surrounding the coaxial boringhead-shaft53; as shown-c The gear 70 and the shaft 73'. are likewise suitably journaled-in bearingssupported within the gear case 69 and secured to and driven bythe shaft 73'is a bevel gear 74 meshing with and dn'ven byabevelvgear75 l secured to a transverse shaft-76; Thisshaft extends transversely of the head frame and is suitably, journaled in bearings supported. within the: gear. box 69' and the. inner end of this shaft is con-'- nected by afiexible coupling 76 (see Fig. '10) toa crossishaft76' which extends transversely beneath the head -framel(see also Figs 6 and 7). Thiscross -shaft' is in-sturn-connected by-a fiexible coupling 76 to a transverseshaft76 suitably journaled in bearings sup-- por-tedtwithin a housing or gear box 69* carried at theopposite Sid6.0flih6 head frame: (see Figs. 1 .and- 10'). The elements '76, 76 and 76 of thecrossshafting revolve .as a unitxand thisucross shaftinga has secured r thereto, near-its oppositeends, worms 77 having teeth oft oppositepitch and tat-ranged. within the gear boxes 69ind695'5 These :worms respectively mesh with vwormwheels z7 8 havingltheir hubssecured torthe twospar-allel outer shafts SS -of"thel boring h eade fSecu red t c and; driven b ylthe two outer boring head shafts 53 respectively are. spur gears. 79 (seelFig. 11) which. drive through intermeshingjintermediatespur gears 1 80 and 81, spur gears 82 respectively secured to the two innerrbor-ing, head. shafts T53: These spur gear' trains are-arranged Within gear chambers formed in the head frame sin the. manner-shown. Thus, whenithe cross-shafting- --is driven bytth e motor 11 through thespur and-bevelj gearings, the two outer boring instruments 54 rotate in relatively opposite-directions whilethe two inner boring; instruments.concurrently rotate inrelatively; opposite directions which. are r opposite to the: directions of rotation .of the. two outer boring; instruments 1 Desirab ly the first and third boring instruments 54;. as viewed; from left to right in Fig-3, revolve inacounterclockwise direction, whilethe second and fourth boring; instruments revolveina clockwisedirectiom lDrivenalso by theshaft 68 (Fig. 9) is a chainsprocketf 85: which is connected by an endless drive chain 86 (Fig. .10) to a chain sprocket 87 secured to 'alongitudinal shaft 88 suitably: journaled at one side of V the tiltable support 3, as shown in Fig.1.- This shaft is connected by 1 a universalcoupling .89 to a longitudinally extending? shaft -90'which is-in turn connected througha universal= coupling 9110 a longitudinal shaft 92 (Fig. 5) suitablyf journaled withina gear housing-93 secured to the side of -the tiltable-support 3. Secured to this longitudinal shaft'is anworm 94-meshing witha worm wheel:95 secured to a cross shaft 95* towhich'the sprockets 38' which drive the front conveying means 9'are secured; Thus, during operation of the boringhead the-frontconveying means-9 is concurrently driven.

As shown rmost clearly in Fig. 3 there-"is a-relatively large space or opening 96 between the two inner boring instruments above the receiving end of theconveying; means 9 and similar relatively largelaterally-located. spaces or openings 97 and 98 are 'arranged'intermedi'ate thepairsof rotary boringinstruments above "the'rota'ry gatherers -7. The rotarygatherers'are each in the form' of toothed drums 99 which are journaled within the head frame intransverseaxial alignment with andare 'cou pled to the cross shaft 42 of the conveying means' 9: Thus, the rotary gathering drums aredriven by the front cross shaft which is driven by the front conveyor. The teethof these rotary gathering drums move through suitable slots formed in comb members 100 suitably-i mounted within the lower portion of the head frame so that as the disintegrated mineral is gathered by the 10- tary gatherers and moved rearwardly over the tops of the drums, the mineral is deflected from the" drum 'teetlr by these'combs and the disintegrated mineral so-defiected moves rearwardly into relatively large chambers" llll-formed within the head frame rcarwardly of the "ro-' tary=boringinstrurnents. The rotary conveyor-devices- 8 are arranged within these chambersasshowriin Fig. 4, and each comprises a rotary member or impeller hav-' ing a hub 102 secured to a shaft-103 suitably'journaled' in bearings supported within the head frame, as shown in Fig. 6. These rotary impeller members have paral'-' lel longitudinal arms lM'and astherotary members are driven they turn. in relatively opposite directions in'such manner as to cause the arms thereof to engagethe disintegratedmaterial received in the chambers 101 and move the disintegrated material laterally inwardly along thecurved bottom walls 101 of the chambers (Fig.l4') onto the conveying means 9.

Thus, it will be seen that the machine has a relatively: large zone of accumulation within'the head 'rearwardly of the rotary boring instruments 'so that the disintegrated? mineral may flow, with the aid'of the rotary gather'ers' 7, relatively freely through the large front openings into:

such zone of accumulation and the -rota'ry:conveyor 'd vices 8 withinthe head-engage:the'disintegrated'inirieralf accumulated within the head and move it laterally over the sides of the front conveyor 9. By the provision of the large openings across the lower portion of the head frame, the disintegrated mineral may flow relatively freely rearwardly into the head where it is received by the conveyor and the latter rapidly moves the mineral away from the head thereby substantially reducing the possibility of clogging. Moreover, by rapidly removing the disintegrated mineral from the operating zone of the boring instruments in the vicinity of the working face efiiciency is greatly improved as well as resulting in an increase in the lump size of the mineral being loaded out. These rotary conveyor devices 8 are driven through chain sprockets connected by conventional slip clutches 106 to the parallel outer shafts 53 of the boring head and these sprockets are connected through endless drive chains 107 to chain sprockets 198 secured to the shafts 103 of the rotary conveyor members. Thus, during the disintegrating operation the disintegrated mineral may move into the centrally located space or opening 96 directly onto the forward portion of the conveying means 9 and the disintegrated mineral at the sides of the head is engaged by the rotary gatherers 7 and is moved rearwardly through the side openings 97 and 8 into the chambers 161 where it is engaged by the rotary conveyor members 8 and moved laterally inwardly onto the conveying means 9 over the sides of the latter. Thus, relatively wide open flow spaces or openings which promote the free flow of the disintegrated mineral within the frame of the disintegrating head are provided, and as the boring instruments are rapidly rotated and the upper chain portion is operated to effect disintegration of the mineral, the disintegrated mineral is directed toward these open spaces. The lower head frame 49 has curved deflectorportions 139 at its sides rearwardly of the side boring instruments, and these deflector portions substantially fit the side walls of the outer bores to prevent passage of the disintegrated mineral rearwardly of the head.

Now referring to the upper adjustable cutting head portion 6 of the disintegrating mechanism, it will be noted that the motor 10 has its power shaft connected through'its speed reducer to a universal flexible coupling connected to a telescopic shafting 111 which is in turn connected by a universal flexible coupling 112 to a longitudinalshaft 113 suitably journaled with a housing 114, as shown in Fig. 8. Secured to the shaft 113 is a spur gear 115 which meshes with a spur gear 116 secured to a parallel shaft 117 likewise suitably journaled within the gear housing. 117 is a spur pinion 118 meshing with a spur gear 119 secured to a parallel shaft 12!) likewise suitably journaled within the gear housing. The shaft 120 projects forwardly from the gear housing and has secured to its projecting end a chain sprocket 121 which engages and drives an endless loop type, face cutter type cutter chain 122 having an elongated open center and guided for orbital circulation in a gnideway 123 on an upper adjustable frame 124 by which the housing 114 is carried. At the end of the cutter frame opposite from that at which the drive sprocket 121 is located is a conventional chain idler sprocket 125 about which the cutter chain passes. This idler sprocket may be adjusted in a conventional manner relative to the cutter frame to vary the tension of the cutter chain. Thelinks of this endless cutter chain carry suitable forwardly projecting cutting or disintegrating elements 126. As shown in Fig. 6, the upper cutter frame 124 is pivoted at 127 (see 'Fig. 6) on a horizontal transverse axis at its rearward end to swing in a vertical direction relative to the lower boring head frame and arranged between the boring head frame and the adjustable upper cutter frame are hydraulic jacks 128. These jacks comprise cylinders 129 pivotally mounted at 130 on the lower portion of the boring head frame and contain pistons 131 hav- Secured to the shaft ing upwardly projecting piston ter chain carried thereby when in lowered position move.

downwardly with its lower portion disposed in a transverse space 133 between the forward portion of the head 7 frame and the rear surfaces of the rotary boring instruments, in an extremely low compact manner. Evidently,

the cutting means of the upper disintegrating portion 6' may assume other known forms and the form disclosed is merely exemplary for illustrative purposes.

The horizontally swingable frame structure 2 has parallel longitudinally extending guides 135 at the inner sides of the parallel side frame members 21, as shown in Fig. 5, and the tiltable support 3 is mounted on members providing guideways in which these guides are received whereby the support 3 together with the disintegrating head mechanism 4 may be moved rectilinearly back and forth relative to the frame structure 2, also in a manner similar to that disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 191,004, mentioned above. It will be noted that the guides 135 of the frame structure 2 remain substantially horizontal irrespective of the tilted position of the support 3. For effecting such longitudinal adjustments of the head mechanism 4 there are provided longitudinally disposed hydraulic feeding jacks 136 having cylinders pivotally connected at their forward ends at 137 to brackets 138 rigidly secured to the inner sides of the frame side members 21, as shown in Fig. 1, and contained in these cylinders are pistons 139 having rearwardly projecting piston rods 140 which are pivotally connected at 141 to guide members 142 slidingly engaging the guides 135 on the swingable frame structure 2. The rearward portion of the tiltable support 3 carries stub shafts 143 (Fig. 1) which are pivotally mounted on the guide members 142 to provide the support pivot 22. Thus, when liquid under pressure is properly supplied to these jack cylinders, the support 3 together with the disintegrating head mechanism may be moved rectilinearly back and' forth along the guides 135 relative to the frame structure 2, and by trapping liquid in these cylinders, the head mechanism may be held rigidly in adjusted position. These feed cylinders are employed to thrust the disintegrating head mechanism forwardly into the mine vein during the sumping operation and to retract the head mechanism from the vein, and the head mechanism may be moved back and forth rectilinearly along the support 3 irrespective of the tilted position of the head frame or the angular position of the frame structure 2. v

The loop ty-pe face cutter chain 122 of the upper disintegrating portion 6, if held stationary as regard to vertical movement, as the disintegrating head mechanism is advanced toward the face, would form an attached core of mineral at its open center in an obvious manner and, therefore, it is advantageous to effect movement of the cutter chain up and down as it circulates in its orbit relative to the cutter frame during its cutting function so that the mineral above-the rotary boring instruments may be completely dislodged and disintegrated. By causing the cutter chain 122 to move bodily up and down as it travels its orbital path, the cutting elements 126 travel relative to the mineral in oblique pathsdownwardly inclined, upwardly inclined, and consisting of portions, varying inversely in length, of each inclinationin'a generally crisscross pattern, whereby the mineral is dislodged in a most effective manner. Also, it is desirable to adjust the cutter chain vertically relative to the boring instruments so that scams or veins of widely varying heights may be mined out. While, evidently, the elevating jacks 128 may be under manual control, it is desirable to render such up Q anddownmovement otthe cutter chain completely automatic irrespective ofany given height. of vertical adjust+ ment. To accomplishthis highly desirable function a pump 150 (Fig. 13), suitably driven-by one of the motors 1G or 1I, has its suction side connected by conduit 151- to a liquid tank 152' and the discharge side of the pump is connected by conduit 153 toa manualicontrol. valve device 154 containing a conventional slide valve 155 of the spool type. Thedischarge passage, of this valve device is connected bya return conduit156 backto the tank. The pressure passage of this valve device is connected by conduit ISTto an automatic control valve mechanism 158' and the. usualdischarge passage of this valve mechanism is'connected by a return condnitr159" past a conventional check valve. 169' toi-the. return cond'uit. 156 leading back. to the tank. The usu-al pressure passages of this valve mechanism are connected by pairs of conduits 161 and 162 to the oppositeends of. the elevating jack cylinders. The valve. mechanism 158, as shown in Fig, 12', includes aconventional' spool typeslide valve 163" having its stem.164 pivot-ally connected to a link 165;. to a lever 166 pivotally' mounted on .a. pivot shaft. 167."carried' .by the, lower boringhead frameand which in turn carriesa suitable. counterweight. 168. A lever 169, also pivotally' mounted on the shaft 167; to swing relative to the lever 166, has one orlits. arms 169 provided with'spaced lugs 170 and 171, and the. other lever ar1n169 is pivotally connected at17-2 to the lower end of an upright shifter rod. 173.. This. rod extends axially within and. is adiustably secured to a sleeve or tube 174' which extends upwardly. throughan opening 175. in the lower wallof the cutterframe 114.. This tube has a flange 176 atits upper end and the. tube passesthrongh an opening, in a plate 177"secnred' to the lowersurface ofithecutter frame and. engaging thisplaterisranadjust able collar 178' clamped. to thetube 17.4; Thus,- the upper tube flange176 and the tube=collar.178" provide spaced abutments engageable by the. cutter. frameasathe latter is moved up. and down toefiectrshiftingmfr the automaticslide valve thereby to. control the-.reversemovements of the elevating jacksfor the. cutterframe. The lever. 169has gear teeth on itshuh whichmeshwithgear: teeth on a lever 18(Ipivoted at 181$ on..the.lower. head frame, and a spring182 is. connected. between. the-outer end of this. lever. and the outer. endof a lever arm 169 formed integralwi'th the-lever.169.- Thus; asthe lever 169' is swung back and. fortlnthe .lever L8!) and-the spring 182 provide a quick-operating, snap actiondevice sorthat the lever I69 may be quickly thrown .as its .passes center. inone directionor the other, thus. eliminating; thepossibility of, dead centenngotthemechanism. Thetube174 is adjustably secured to therodi173l by asplitclamp184 which may be'contraete'd by awedge=like nutlfiitocifect gripping of the. rod173l. Thus,.the.tube may beadjusted axially relative to: the. rodand-the collan178 may-be adjusted axially relative to the tube to vary thedistance.

apart of the flange 176 and the collar 178; 'therebyato' permit variation of the time of shifting of the automatic valve mechanism;. The adjustable upper flange '17 serves to regulate" the upper limit of movement .of the upper cutterframe so as' to accommodate the headmechanism' tocoal scams or mine veinsof varying-heights; whilethe adjustable collar 17 -servesto regulate the operating range or amplitude of up and down movementof the cutter frarne: Thus the'cutter' frame may havezidiiferent predetermined operating movements. in a .vertical' direction as the" cutter chain circulates'in its: orbital path along thefra'me'guideway;

The. hydraulic fluid system rassociatedwithbthe: various other. hydraulic jacks. of. the apparatus above described; may: be essentially similar to that disclosed: in my applia cation, Seria1.-Number'19l',-004, mentioned above; and therefore a. description: thereof is herein: unnecessary:

The rear.tconveying; mechanism 12- may. assumeany, conventional formxand herein maybe. generally similar .to-

that disclosedinthecopending.RusselLand Sibley appli; cations, .Sei'iaLNumhe'rs [022995 and 102,996} both filed on July 5', 19149. Inthis. instance, the conveyinggm'ech' anism..12 has-a.frame.1'90"along which anendless conveyor is guided. for. orbital circulation'an'd as shown in Fig. 7, theforward portionof this conveyor underliesthe rearwardportion of. the front conveying means 9 in. suchmanner that the latter may discharge thereon irrespective of the. longitudinal position of the support 3' and the disintegrating head'mechanism 4 relative to the frame structure 2 during the. forward sumping and retract? ingj. movements of. thehead. The conveyor frame 'is pivoted. at 191 to tilt in a verticaldirection-and the tiltable frame. portion. is also pivotedv at 192, on an axis sub stantially coincident withthe frame pivot axi 18; to swinglaterally. Thus, the front conveying means 9 and the rearward conveyingirneansm may be independently swunghorizontally about azsubstantially common upright axis relative to the: base. Hydraulic jack-s1 193 are providedfor. tilting. therearwardframe portion of the conveying.v means .12. and. conventional. hydraulic jacks 194' pivotallymounted at 195 on. the forwardportion of-the conveyor. frame. are-.providedfor swinging the rearward conveyor frame portion laterally in manners. fullydisclosedmin. the Russell. and.- Sibley applications above referred to.-

The general. mode of operation. of the improved. mining andloading-aapparatus is as follows: The apparatus may be-trarnmed about .the mine and. positioned with'frespect to.theworkingfaceof themine vein by-the crawler treads. 17 of .the.mobile crawler. baseandwhen theapparatusis properly positioned with respectto the working face, as shown in Fig, 15, thetreads may besuitably locked. to hold..the basestationary. Thehydraulic jacks 23 may thenbe. operatedto eifectswinging of. the tiltable support- 3. downwardly. about its pivot.22 to bringthe nose 50 of thev disintegrating: head mechanisnr down to. the floor level. As the boringinstrurnents-54 revolve and. the. loop. cutter chain .122 isv orbitally-ci'rculated, the feed jacks 136-maybe-operated.to move. the support 3 together with. the head mechanism forwardly along the guidewaysof the frame. structure 2. to sump the disintegratinghead mechanism into the material of thernine vein to the lateral position.indicatedinfull lines .at. A in Fig. ,14; As the.

} disintegratingv head. mechanism is advanced the trans verse .penetratingedge ofthe'front. nose 5i serves to. leveLthe floor, breaking off the points P ofmineralleft ontthefioor by the.seriesaofoverlapping bores formed .by the boring. instruments, asshownin Fig 16. As the disinte rating.headrmechanismis thrust into the minevein, the. fourrotary. boringinstruments form a series of -overlapping. bores. designatedB', in Fig. 16, while the upper. loop. cutter. chain forms an. elongatedopening. O extending. transversely above. the tops. of and communicatingwith the bores BI Thus, a relatively large cut generally rectangular inoutline is formedin theveinw As. the miheralisfdiSlodged. from? thensolid vein mars disintegrated, itfalls downwardlyand passes -rearwardly :through. the front. openings 36, 97. and .98 intothe zone of accu-- mulation within the head. The disintegrated mineral-may passrearwardly.throughthe central opening .96 dire'ctly' ontothefront receiving portion-of the conveying means '9 Whilethe rotary gatherers 7 gather-(the loose mineral. from tliefloorlat thesides -of the headiand move it rearwardly through-the =side openings 97 andw98 into the -large= chambers fill-where .it is engaged by the rotaryconveyor' devices or. impellers, 8- and. moved laterally onto theconveying. means..9-. As theudisintegrating:head mechanism. is advanced as-miningprogresses, the support. 3 may be-tilted by-the jacks;23 .to. vary the elevation- 0f: the: lower. disintegrating portion 5. andzthenpper disintegrating.portion..- 6 may-be adjusted in a vertical direction by the jacks. 128 to enable-the.-disintegratinghead. mech-. anismcreadilya toafollowv a rolling seamoravein; -audvim the eventthe-height ofthe -mine vein varies;- the -uppep V. 11 disintegrating portion 6 may be readily moved up and down to the desired elevation. When this lateral out has been completed the head mechanism may be retracted by the feed jacks 136 and the swing jacks 24 may then be operated to swing the frame structure 2 horizontally about its pivot 18 to the opposite side of the base to bring the head mechanism into the angularly disposed position shown in dotted lines at C in Fig. 14. The head mechanism may then again be sumped into the mine vein to the position indicated at D in Fig. 14, and thereafter the head mechanism may be swung horizontally to its position centrally of the base as indicated at E in Fig. 15, and the sumping operation may again be repeated, as indicated at F in Fig. 14, thereby to complete the disintegration of a wide section of mineral extending completely across the face. The base of the apparatus may then be operated to propel the apparatus forwardly to a new disintegrating position with respect to the mine vein and the operations above described may be repeated. Evidently, by properly positioning the apparatus by the crawler treads and by swinging the frame structure 2 laterally with respect to the base, the head of the apparatus may be turned relatively sharply to out along a curved path either to the right or left as desired.

It is desirable to make the two lateral cuts first and the central cut last, as above described, to balance the disintegrating loads on the head mechanism and to improve floor clean-up. Evidently, if desired the head mechanism during the disintegration of a relatively high vein may be first tilted up to operate at a high level near the roof, and thereafter may be tilted down to operate at a lower level near the floor, thereby completely to disintegrate the mineral of the high vein in a manner known as shelf cutting. Obviously the tiltable mounting for the head mechanism and the adjustable upper cutter frame enables the apparatus to meet a wide range of operating conditions. 7 it will further be noted that normally the upper cutter frame is adjusted to the roof level while the lower boring head portion is positioned at the fioor level, and such adjustment is maintained during the dislodging operation, and the entire head is tilted up and down by the hydraulic jacks 23, so as to enable the head to follow a rolling or uneven bottom. Also, if desired, the crawler treads of the crawler base may be employed to sump in the head during the central cut. The travel of the feed pistons of the feeding jacks 136 is desirably greater than the normal sumping feed so that the head mechanism, upon completion of a cut, may be retracted a substantial distance from the working face, as shown in Fig. 15, thereby to provide the necessary clearance between the head and face during lateral adjusting movements of the head. Such clearance is also desirable since some dis- 7 integrated mineral remains on the floor near to the face which might impede proper lateral adjustments of the head.

As a result of this invention an improved mining and loading apparatus is provided whereby the face of a mine vein may be rapidly disintegrated and loaded out with the need of but a few repositioning movements of the apparatus thereby to elfect substantially uninterrupted mining and loading of the mineral. By the provision of the novel adjustable mounting structure for the upper and lower disintegrating portions of the disintegrating head mechanism, the apparatus may readily follow a rolling or uneven mine vein or coal seam and may readily be adjusted to accommodate itself to mine veins of widely varying heights. The novel disintegrating head, structure embodying the large flow openings for the disintegrated mineral, together with the large zone of accumu lation of the disintegrated mineral within the head, the rotary gatherers, the novel disposition of the conveying means within the head, and the rotary conveyor devices within the head, enable the disintegrated mineral to flow relatively freely toward the conveying means thereby substantially to reduce the possibility of clogging and enabling a substantial increase in the production of large lumps. The apparatus is not only readily vertically adjustable but also has a relatively wide range of lateral adjustment, thus, affording a flexibility in operation highly desirable to meet a wide range of mining conditions. By the provision of the laterally swingable boring and cutter head mechanism and the mobile base, the apparatus may readily travel along sharply curved paths such as are frequently encountered in an underground coal mine. By the provision of the narrow conveying means together with the large capacity flow of disintegrated mineral to the conveying means, greater flexibility is provided, as well as a substantial increase in the overall efiiciency of the apparatus. The apparatus is not only extremely flexible and efficient in operation but is also relatively simple and rugged in design. These and other 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. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a mobile base, a frame structure swivelly mounted at the rear end of said base to swing horizontally relative thereto into positions wherein the outer portion of said frame structure overhangs the sides of said base, an elongated centrally located support pivotally mounted at its rearward portion on said swingable frame structure for tilting movement relative thereto, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism carried at the outer end of said tiltable support in advance of said outer portion of said swingable frame structure and embodying a lower disintegrating head portion extending transversely the full width of said frame structure and a cooperating relatively adjustable upper disintegrating head portion, said head portions cooperating to form an opening in a solid mine vein of such dimensions as to receive said outer portion of said frame structure and said outer end of said sup port, and means for mounting said tiltable support on said frame structure for rectilinear guided movement back and forth relative thereto whereby said disintegrating head mechanism may be sumped forwardly into the mineral of the vein or may be retracted from the vein.

2. A mining apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein motor operated mechanism is mounted on said frame structure for driving said upper and lower disintegrating head portions of said disintegrating head mechanism, and power operated means is provided for varying the elevation of said upper disintegrating head portion relative to said lower head portion.

3. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein means is provided which is actuated by the movement of said upper disintegrating head portion for automatically controlling the operation of said power operated means whereby said upper head portion may be continuously moved up and down relative to said lower portion during the disintegrating operation.

4. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower disintegrating head portion comprises a series of coacting boring instruments arranged side by side in a common transverse zone on parallel longitudinal axes.

5. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said upper disintegrating head portion comprises a guide frame providing a guideway and an endless face type chain cutter is guided for orbital circulation along said guideway of said guide frame, said chain cutter having cutting elements projecting from its forward side whereby when said upper head portion is moved up and down the mineral -acted on-by said cuttingeelements'is dislodged.

and disintegrated;

6. A mining apparatus of the character set.forth.,in

claim 1 wherein saidlowerdisintegrating head portion is formed with -a transverse space -forreceiving the-lower portion of said'upper head-portion when the. latter isanism for disintegratingthe mineral.of a solid minevein to form an opening in the mine vein of such dimensions as to receive the apparatus as miningprogresses, said disintegrating head mechanism comprising; in. combination, a lower disintegrating-head portion for completely disintegrating the lower portion of the vein and 1, a cooperating adjustable upper disintegrating head portion fordisintegratingthe upper portion of the vein near the' roof level, said head portionstboth'having movable disintegratingelements and cooperating toforrn said open-,

ing, motor operated mechanism for concurrently driving said. disintegrating elements of both of said head portions, and power operated means for continuously mov ing said upper head portion up and down relative-to said lower head'portion during the disintegrating operation completely to disintegrate said upper portion of the ruine'vein.

9. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein powertoperated means is provided for thrusting said dis-- integrating head mechanism forwardly into the mineral of the mine -vein' while said upper'hea'dportion continuously moves up and down relative to said lower head.

portion to effect complete disintegration of the mineral at'said upper portion of the mine vein asaforesaid.

10; A mining apparatus as 'set forth' in claim 8 wherein means is provided embodying a shiftablecontrol-device which' is actuated by the up and down movements of said'upp'er head portion for automatically controlling said power operated means whereby said upper head portion is continuously moved up and down relative to said'lower'portion during the disintegrating operation.

11. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said lower head portion comprises a series of coacting' rotary boring instruments arranged side by sidein par-- allel "overlapping relation and cooperating'completely to disintegrate said lower portion'of the mine vein'as'aforesaid.

12. A mining apparatus asset forth in claim'8 wherein saidupperhead'portion comprises an endless'chain type fa'cecutter guided for orbital circulation in upright planes and'carrying' forwardly projecting disintegrating elements for completely disintegrating the mineral of the solid min'e veinas' said upper head portion is movedup and down' as aforesaid; said endless cutter chain having parallel'superimposed runs traveling in relatively opposite directions.

13; In a mining and loading apparatus, a disintegrat ing head mechanism comprising in'combination a lower head frame, a series of coacting rotary boring instruments mounted on said head frame in parallel overlap ping relation, said head frame carrying bearing supports in'which said boring instruments are journaled, said head frame having a series of openings therein located beneath said bearing supports between the axes of rotation of said boring instruments comprising a central opening'and a pair of sideopenings, said head frame having chambers therein rearwardly' of said side openings to provide a zone of accumulation for the disintegrated mineral within saidhead frame, a centrally located conveying means extending into said zone of accumulation within said head frame with its vforward'receiving portion extending into said--central r opening, disintegrated mineral i flowingthrough said. 'siddopeningsirL-to said "chambers, .,andTc on-t, veying, means within said I chambers rearwardly', of said side openings for engagingihe' disintegrated 'mineraljini said zonev of'accumulation and for rnovingsuch mineral a pair of vcooperating rotary conveyor devices arranged" 'm said chambers and journaled on longitudinal parallel axes at the opposite sides of 'saidcentrally located'conveying means with the latter located intermediate said axes of said rotary conveyor devices.

15. A miningand loading apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein a pair of cooperating rotary'gatherers are arranged on'horizontal'transverse axes in'said side openings at' the opposite sides .of saidforwardreceiving i portion of said centrally located conveying means for gathering disintegrated mineral on the floor and'for mow ing such mineral rearwardly through said'side' openings into'said chambers:

16"; Ina miningandloadingapparatus;the combination'tcomprisin'g a mobile' base, 'ahorizontal framestructureiswiveliy mounted "on said base to -swing horizontally relative thereto, 1 an elongated centrally located supportpivotally mounted-on said frame structurestortiltina vertical directionrelative'thereto; a mine vein dis'integrating head mechanism carried'at tl'reouterportion of said tiltablesupport in advanceof said base-and compris inga; lower disintegrating head"portion and a cooperating-relatively adjustable upper" disintegrating lieadportion; motor op'erated' mechanism-on said supporting structurefor concurrently driving said upper and lower-head portions, 'and means for moving said support" back and forth longitudinally relative to' said frame structure for sumpi-ng said head mechanisririnto-the-mineral of a solid "mine veinand 'foriretracting-said head'- mechanism from thevein:

17. A miningand loading apparatus as' set forth in claim 16 wherein; said motoroperatedmechanisrucom prises motors mounted at the opposite sides of said frame structure; dr'iv-ing connections are provided between one of-saidmotorsandsaid lower disintegrating head' portion; and driving connections are :provided' between-said othee motor and said-upper headp ortioni:

18'. A-minin'g and loading: apparatus as..set forthin claim 17 wherein said! drivingconnections are: extensible whereby said head portions may: be continuously driven: irrespective of the position of: saidheadmechanisnrlongitudinallynbacki and forthzrelative to: said-framesstructureu 19. In'a miningapparatug a'disintegrating head-mechannism for disintegrating-themineral of' azsolid mine-vein to-form an opening in the mine vein of such/dimensions as to: receive the: apparatus as. mining progresses; saiddisintegrating head mechanism comprising, in combina-i tion, a head framega series of four coactin'grotary'bor-i'ng instruments mounted in parallel: overlappingrelation on said frame, each :of said boring instruments: having a co'-- axial' drive shaft; armotor; driving connections be'tweerr said motor and-said coaxial-drive shafts=including a trans verse' shaft operatively connected directly to the two outer coaxial drive shafts, and driving connections: between said two outercoaxial 'shafts and thetwo-inner'coaxia'l drive shafts respectively whereby. the'two inner' boring instru ments are driven by saidtwo outer, coaxial: drive shafts respectively-Wholly independently of eachfother;

20. In a mining and loadingapparatus, a disintegrating head mechanism for disintegratingthemineral ofr asolid' mine vein to-form an opening in the' mine vein of -such dimensions as to receive the' apparatus as mining progresses, said disintegrating head-mechanismcompris struments having a coaxial drive shaft, a motor, driving connections between said motor and said four coaxial drive shafts including a transverse shaft operatively connected directly to the two outer coaxial drive shafts, and driving connections between said two outer coaxial shafts and the two inner coaxial drive shafts respectively where by the two inner boring instruments are driven by said two outer coaxial drive shafts respectively wholly inde-- pendently of each other, rotary conveyor devices arranged on parallel axes parallel with the axes of said four drive shafts, and driving connections between said two outer coaxial drive shafts respectively and said conveyor devices.

21. In a mining and loading apparatus, a disintegrating head mechanism comprising, in combination, a head frame, a series of coacting rotary boring instruments arranged in overlapping relation on parallel longitudinal axes, bearing supports carried by said head frame in which said boring instruments are journaled, said head frame having a series of openings below said bearing supports comprising a central opening and a pair of side openings, a conveyor extending longitudinally into said head frame with its forward receiving portion lying within said central opening, and gathering and conveying means within said head frame for gathering loose mineral on the floor and for moving such mineral rearwardly through said side openings and laterally onto said conveyor.

22. A mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said gathering and conveying means comprises a pair of rotary conveyor devices journaled within said head frame on longitudinal axes at the opposite sides of said conveyor, said conveyor devices engaging the disintegrated mineral moved rearwardly through said side openings and moving the same laterally onto said conveyor as aforesaid.

23. A mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said gathering and conveying means comprises a pair of rotary gatherers arranged on aligned transverse axes within said side openings for moving the disintegrated mineral rearwardly through said side openlugs.

24. In a mining and loading apparatus, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism comprising, in combina tion, a head frame, a centrally located conveyor extending forwardly into said head frame, a series of four coacting rotary boring instruments mounted on said head frame on parallel longitudinal axes, said conveyor having its forward receiving portion located intermediate the two inner parallel axes, chambers arranged in said head frame at the opposite sides of said conveyor for receiving mineral disintegrated by said boring instruments, and rotary conveyor devices arrangedvin said chambers for engaging the disintegrated mineral therein and for moving such mineral laterally onto said conveyor over the sides of the latter.

25. In a mining and loading apparatus, the combination comprising a mobile base, a horizontal frame structure swivelly mounted at its rearward portion at the rear end of said base to swing horizontally relative thereto into positions wherein the forward portion of said frame structure projects beyond the sides of said base and in advance of the latter, an elongated intermediate frame pivotally mounted at its rear end on the rearward portion of said frame structure to tilt in a vertical direction relative thereto and projecting in advance of said frame structure, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism carried at the forward end of said'tiltable frame for disintegrating the mineral of a solid mine vein, said mechanism having a head frame which is interiorly open to provide a chamber for receiving the disintegrated mineral discharged from said head mechanism, and conveying means on said tiltable frame and extending forwardly and downwardly with its forward receiving portion disposed within said chamber provided by the interior opening of said headmechanism for receiving the disintegrated mineral 16 discharged into said chamber and for conveying such mineral in said chamber rearwardly away from said head mechanism.

26. A mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein longitudinal guiding means is provided by said supporting structure for guiding said tiltable frame for back and forth movement longitudinally relative to said frame structure thereby to effect forward sumping and retracting movements of said head mecha- 1113111.

27. A mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein a rearward conveyor is provided on said frame structure for receiving the disintegrated mineral discharged from said front conveying means and means is provided for swivelly mounting said rearward conveyor to swing horizontally about an axis substantially coincident with the axis of horizontal swing of said frame structure relative to said base.

28. In a mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the disintegrating elements of both head portions are orbitally movable.

29. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a mobile base, a horizontal frame structure swivelly mounted on said base to swing horizontally relative thereto, a supporting structure adjustably mounted on said swingable frame structure for movement in a vertical direction relative thereto, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism carried at the outer portion of said adjustable supporting structure in advance of said base and adapted to disintegrate the mineral of a solid mine vein, said head mechanism comprising a lower disintegrating head portion and a cooperating relatively adjustable upper disintegrating head portion, motor operated means for swinging said frame structure and for adjusting said supporting structure to vary the operating position of said head mechanism with respect to the face of the mine vein, motor operated means for concurrently driving said upper and lower head portions, and means for moving said adjustable supporting structure back and forth relative to said swingable frame structure for sumping said head mechanism into the mineral of the mine vein and for retracting said head mechanism from the vein.

30. In a mining apparatus, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism for disintegrating the mineral of a solid mine vein to form an opening in the mine vein of sufficient dimensions to receive. the apparatus as mining progress es and comprising a relatively wide lower head portion for completely disintegrating the mineral at the lower portion of the mine vein in planes at and above the floor level and a cooperating relativley adjustable upper disintegrating head portions movable up and down relative to said lower head portion for completely disintegrating the mineral at the upper portion of the mine vein in planes at and below the roof level, said head portion cooperating to form a cut of substantial width extending the full height of the mine vein between the floor and roof, and continuously operating motor operated mechanism connected between said head portions for automatically continuously moving said upper head portion up and down relative to said lower head portion.

31. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 29 wherein conveying means is provided for receiving the disintegrated mineral from said head mechanism and for conveying the same rearwardly of the apparatus, said conveying means having a rearward conveyor portion swingable horizontally about an axis substantially coincident with the axis of horizontal swing of said horizontal frame structure.

32. In a mining and loading apparatus, a disintegrating head mechanism comprising, in combination, a head frame, a series of coacting rotary boring instruments arranged in side-by-side overlapping relation on parallel longitudinal axes, bearing supports carried by said head frame in which said boring instruments are journaled, said head frame having a series of openings below said hearing supports comprising a central opening and a pair of side openings, conveying means extending longitudinally into said head frame between said side openings with its forward receiving portion lying within said central opening, and conveying means within said head frame for receiving loose mineral flowing rearwardly through said side openings and for moving such mineral laterally onto said first mentioned conveying means.

33. A mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said second mentioned conveying means comprises a pair of rotary conveyor devices journaled within said head frame at the opposite sides of said first mentioned conveying means.

34. A mining and loading apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein an upper disintegrating device cooperates with said series of coacting rotary boring instruments in the disintegration of the mineral and arranged at the roof level above said boring instruments, and said head openings also receiving the mineral disintegrated by said upper disintegrating device.

35. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a base, a frame structure mounted on said base, an elongated support pivotally mounted at its rearward portion on said frame structure for tilting movement in vertical planes relative thereto, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism carried at the outer end of said tiltable support in advance of the outer portion of said frame structure and embodying a lower disintegrating head portion extending transversely the full width of the outer portion of said frame structure and a cooperating relatively adjustable upper disintegrating head portion extending transversely of said frame structure substantially the full width of the latter and operating in planes above said lower head portion, said lower and upper head portions operating when concurrently advanced into a solid mine vein to dislodge and disintegrate transverse superimposed sections of mineralfrorn the vein and cooperating to form an opening in the mine vein of such dimensions as to receive said outer portion of said frame structure and said outer end of said support as mining progresses, and means for mounting said tiltable support on said frame structure for rectilinear guided movement back and forth longitudinally relative thereto concurrently to sump said upper and lower portions of said disintegrating head mechanism forwardly into the mineral of the vein or to retract said head mechanism from the vein.

36. A mining apparatus of the character set forth in claim 35 wherein motor operated mechanism is mounted on said frame structure for driving said upper and lower disintegrating head portions of said disintegrating head mechanism, and power operated means is provided for varying the elevation of said upper disintegrated head portion relative to said lower head portion to increase the height of the section of mineral dislodged and disintegrated by said upper head portion thereby to vary the height of the roof level of said opening.

37. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a base, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism carried by said base and embodying a tiltable frame carrying a lower disintegrating head portion extending transversely the full width of said base and a second frame tiltably mounted on said first frame and carrying a cooperating upper disintegrating head portion extending transversely of said base substantially coextensively with said lower head portion and adjustable in vertical planes relative to said lower head portion, said lower and upper head portions operating when concurrently advanced into a solid mine vein to dislodge and disintegrate transverse superimposed sections of mineral from the vein and cooperating to form an opening in the mine vein of such dimensions as to receive said base as mining progresses, motor operated mechanism carried by said base for driving said upper and lower disintegrating head portions, power operated means for varying the elevation of said upper head portion relative to said lower head portion 18 to increase the height of the section of mineral dislodged by said upper head portion thereby to vary the height of the roof level of said opening, and means for concurrently advancing said upper and lower head portions into the mineral of the mine vein.

38. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 37 where in said lower disintegrating head portion carried by said first tiltable frame comprises coacting boring instruments arranged side by side in a common transverse zone on parallel axes extending longitudinally of said tiltable frame.

39. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising a base, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism carried by said base and embodying a tiltable frame carrying a lower disintegrating head portion extending transversely the full width of said base and a second frame tiltably mounted on said first frame and carrying a cooperating upper disintegrating head portion adjustable in vertical planes relative to said lower head portion, said upper disintegrating head portion comprising a guide frame providing a guideway and an endless face type, loop chain cutter guided for orbital circulation along said frame guideway and having parallel superimposed runs traveling in relatively opposite directions, said loop chain cutter having cutting elements projecting from its forward side whereby when said upper head portion is moved up and down the mineral acted on by said cutting elements is dislodged and disintegrated, said lower and upper head portions cooperating to form an opening in a solid mine vein of such dimensions as to receive said base as the apparatus is advanced, motor operated mechanism carried by said base for driving said upper and lower disintegrating head portions, and power operated means for varying the elevation of said upper head portion relative to said lower head portion thereby to vary the height of the roof level of said opening.

40. A mining apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said tiltable frame of said upper disintegrating head portion is pivotally mounted at its rearward portion with its pivot located a substantial distance rearwardly of said lower head portion and above said base, said upper head portion comprising orbitally moving cutting elements which are carried at the forward portion of said second tfltable frame for dislodging and disintegrating a transverse section of mineral in planes above the top of said lower head portion, and said power operated means for varying the elevation of said upper head portion embodies a power device for'tilting said second frame.

41. in a mining apparatus, a mine vein disintegrating head mechanism for disintegrating the mineral of a solid mine vein and comprising a relatively wide lower head portion for disintegrating the mineral at the lower portion of a mine vein, said lower head portion comprising coacting rotary boring instruments mounted to revolve on parallel longitudinal axes to form parallel overlapping bores in the mine vein, said head mechanism also including a cooperating relatively adjustable upper disintegrating head .portion extending in horizontal planes transversely of the upper portions of said boring instruments substantially coextensively with said lower head portion and tiltable up and down relative to said lower head portion for dislodging and disintegrating a transverse section of mineral at the upper portion of the mine vein, the axis of tilt of said upper head portion being located a substantial distance rearwardly of said lower head portion so that said upper head portion swings through a wide are as said upper head portion is tilted, said upper and lower head portions concurrently operating to form a cut of substantial width extending the full height of the mine vein between the floor and the roof, motor operated mechanism for tilting said upper head portion up and down about its pivotal axis relative to said lower head portion to vary the height of the cut, and means for concurrently advancing said upper and lower head portions into the mineral of the mine vein.

42; A mining:=apparatusz as' set'fo'rth in: claimii t li -where in said lower head :portioiI-is mounted 'ioriadjustment in vertical FPIBHGS tO vary itsielevati-o'm withl respect toothe mineffioor and said adjustable? upper" head: portion; is

mounted for adjustment in' vertical planes in' unison with said lowerhead'portionz 1 43:1na mining app'aratugthe combination comprising coacting rotary" boring instruments-"arranged mover-' lappingrelation"on parallel'longitudinal axes for forming parallel-overlapping bores in a solid mine 'vein between a horizontal'portion extending substantiallyin parallelism with a horizontal line tangential "to thefitops of the circu 'the roof and floor, orbitally moving cutter means having.

lar paths 'of said rotary'bcbringdnstruments"and a parallel portion ata higher elevation, said' parallel-'portions co-' operating to rernove" a transverse section of mineral from the min'e'vein to provide an elongated recess in the'mine veinfnea'r the roof level in" planes above said over{ lapping "bores with 'said recess' in i communication with w the i latter; and-means foradjusti'ng said cutter means 'in upright planes relative'to said boring instruments'to vary a the height of the section"ofmineral'removed thereby.-

44L-A mining apparatus asset forth in claim43"wherein said cutter "means 1 is in the form of an endless- 100p cutter chain and said cooperating parallel portions of said cutting me'ans are constituted 'by' the bottom and topruns of "said cutter chain.-

45; A miningapparatus as set-forth in claim43 Wherein means is'providedfor adjusting the elevation of said rotary"boring instruments," and said cutterj means is mounted for adjustment'in unison'with said boring inmineral removed by said upper'he'adportion thereby 'to" vary the'hei ght' of the opening 'in'i'the mine -ve'in,"said" upper head portion when in'raised positi'on'having' its bottom dispose'd'in' proximity td' a-ho'rizon tal'plane lying at the" top of said lowerhead "portion, 'said'upper head portion when in'lowere'd position having 'its' lower portion disposed rearwardly of and overlapping with said lower' head portion, said lower head portionhaving' a transverse space located rearwardly thereof for receiving" the lower 'for continuously moving said upper headt po'rtionn up and dOWH relative to said lower head portion during, the disintegrating'operation, saidtpow'er operated means including'means embodying'a p'oiver actuated oscillatory element operatively connected to said upper head portion and means for-oscillating said elem ent' to'cau'sesaid up and down movement of"said"uppe'r" headportion;

, andmeans. fofmourlting saidupper head portionfoi" tilting'adjustment up'and down relative to saidlower head portion to vary the height of th'e'i transverse section 'of" 20' 485A miningapparatusasset-fdrt-hinaclaim 47-wherein= adjustable "means is provided for: =varying -athe range; of-2 oscillationof saidt'oscillatory elementathereby =10: vary: the: 1 range ofi up-and down movement of said aup'per" head'. portion;

'49. 'In combination, '-'a frame structure: =movabl'e over the floor oft a mine; a dislodging' anddisintegrating Lhea'd 1 mechanism carried at theforwardwportion ofsaid frame" structurefor dislodging- Land disintegrating athe mineral of a solid mine ='vein; --said frame 1' structure providing" chambers "into whichvthet'disl'odged anddisintegrating mineral-*is discharged from said -head -mechanism; said chambers opening forwardly toward'ltheiorward'portion of said head mechanism near the flobr =level, a conveying means extendingz centrallyflengthwise oxsaidframe" structure betweemsaid chambers ne'ar thef lower portions of thelatter," conveyordevices 'on said frame structures rearwardly -of -said *dislodg-ing and "disintegrating head mechanism? and 1ocated' within' the longitudinal projem *tion of the outer boundaries' of -said headme'chani'smg said conveyor deviee's- "disposed" in vei'ti'alplane's extending transversely of saidframe structure' and movable" rela tive to eachother "and tdsaidt frame structure -di1'rin'g' theifoperationwsaid chambers having clos'ed outer sides andopenin'g at their inner sides' -toward"isaid conveying means, ;-'said conveyor "devices actingonthe mineral dislodged and"discharged reaiit'ardly by said headimecha nism 'to mov'e su'eh. mineral laterally toward andinwa'rdly" beyond the side's-of" said conveying meansg-and meanw for concurrently: mo'ving said conveyor: devices 1 as afore said to' efiect their conveying functio 1 5 0'. A combination asi: set forth m' claim: '49-": wherein:

said c'onve'yor devices comprise rQtaIy'impeIlerSIdiSposed insaid -ehambers on parallel axes'zextending longitudinally-z: "of said frame-structure; one impellerzateachzsidesoi "said 5 l: A 'combination as set forth 1 in 'claim 50' whereim; 7'

said dislodgin'g' and disintegrating head mechanismfcom-i of rotation 'parallelism with lines parallel" with th'e' axes of: said rotary disintegrator's; -said rotary impellers being centrally open: for receiving the dislodged-minerah discharged rearwardly -from asaid rota'ry disintegrators:

52. A combinationas set:fdrth'in claim' 49 whereinzsaid movement of said conveyordevices is a rotary movement.

References Cited in the file ofthis patent-=- 1 UNIT-E13 STATES PATENTS 346,328 Tacy Iuly27f188 6 550,152 Barr Now-19,1895" 1,143,897 Fle'nner June'22,'1915c 1,347,332 Hopkinson IulyI20," 1920" 1,351,040 James Aug. 31;-192:0I' 1,567,329 Pealejiuu Dec. 29; 1925 1,603,621" McKinla'y Oct; 19,1926 1,680,386" Levin; Au'g.', 14, 192 8 "f 1,726,963" McKiiilay' Sept. 3,"1929" 1,915,001 McKinnoni"; i w June" 20; 193"3- 2,269,781 Osgood Jan. 13'; 1942 2,281,503 Levin Apr; 28,1942 2,329,875 Cartli'cl'gev Sept. '2I 19'4*3'-" 2,520,040 Levin Aug. 122 ,'1950" 2,63 6,722" Fielding Apr; 28; 1953' 2,672,332 Wiebe Ma'r. 16/1954" 2,694,563

Graham Nov; '16, 195i

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