US1470572A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

oct. S9, 1923.

1,470,572 M. P. HOLMES Y MINING MACHINE Original Fi d March 30, 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet l Octa 9 1923.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 50, 1918 s sheets-sheet 2 Uct. 9 1923.

1,470,572 M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 30, 1918 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented @et 9, 19.23..

Iren sr'iEs ia'zasiz e PATENT oFFicE.

`Monnis r. HOLMES, 0E creniiiiioivr, NEW naivirsiiinii, Assieivon To sULLivnN lMLK-1CHINERY COMPANSZ', A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE.

Application filed March 3G, 1918, Serial No. 225,774. Relievved` April 14, 1922. Serial No. 552,595.r

To all whom, #may aannam:

Be it known that I, Monats l. Heisman citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Machines, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact specification. i

My invention relates to mining machines. It has for its ob-ject to provide an improved feeding mechanism for such a machine. A `further objectis "to provide an improved feeding `mechansim adapted to use in connection with flexibly fed mining machines of the type slidable on a minepbottom. still further object of the invention is to provide an improved feeding mechanism having provision whereby the machine may be fed in either direction at a slow orcutting speed or at any one of a plurality ofdifferent speeds, my invention including yimproved friction mechanism operatively7 connected inan im proved manner to the `feeding mechanism and controlled by improved controlling n'iechanisin whereby these objects may be obtained. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.l

4.ln the accompanying drawings, l. have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume iii practice. y i f ln these drawingsf Fig.` 1 is a plan view, partly broken away', of'a mining applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an irregular transverse vertical section, taken substantially on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is au irregular vertical section,`

taken substantially on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 detail'vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the reversible friction device.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5 5, Fig. i Y

\ Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of a machine embodying the` invention.

The invention is herein illustrated, as

embodied in a mining machine `of the. fa-` miliar room and pillar type,said machine, as usual in machines of this type, coinprisf` especially y o' machine having my invention` ing a bodyfrom the forward end of which projects a lined cutter bar 10 (Figs. 1 and 6) carrying a cutter chain 11 provided withv out.

, Within the motor casing y13 is` an elec-i` tric or other motor 16 (Fig. l) which operates, through transmission mechanism heref. inafter d escribed., to actuate the cutter chain and tliefeeding means, for the apparatus, said feeding nieansl including a feed cliainl' secured at. its ends to suitable jacks `or other securing devices at opposite endsof the path of travel of the machine, as shown, for lexaiifiple, at A. and B in Fig. 6. Said@ ,chain passes over suitable guide rollers or sprockets 18 on the machine body and is actuated by a feed sprocket 19 inthe casing y 1&1, said feed sprocket being actuated by mechanism, except as hereinafter pointedV transmission mechanism, hereinafter more fully described, from the motor 16. The` parts thus far referred to, as to their gen#` eral organization, arrangement, and func-` tion, are well. known in the art, and, except as hereinafter pointed out,v require no furf ther description in detail.

Also, except as to certain importantnovel features hereinafter more fully described, the. mechanism for `actuating the cut-ter chain 11. from the motor 16, as also the transy mission mechanism for operatively connect! ing said motor with the feed sprocket 19, may be of any usual or suitable form. Asl

herein shown, `the shaft 20 (Fig. 1) of the motor 16 has fast thereon a bevelledgear 21 which meshes with a bevelled gear 22 fast on an upright shaft QBsuitably joui;`

naled in theframe-work. Also fast on the shaft 2S is a pinion 24 whichmeshes with a;

gear 9.5 V(Figs.` 1 and `2) keyed or otherwise secured .to a second shaft 26,' suitably jouinaled inthe framework, and which may be the usual friction shaft of the machine. 'llie gear 25is provided` with a liub 27 on `which is mounted a sprocket 28 for driving the cutte;` chain 11, sprocket adapted if to be clutched to said hub by means of a suitable clutch mechanism indicated by the numeral 29. Such clutch mechanism, being usual in machines of this type, is not illustrated in detail herein.

'Loosely mounted on the shaft 26 is a hub 30 adapted to be operatively connected with said shaft 26 for rotation thereby in either direction by a reversible friction device con-- stituting an important feature of the present invention and hereinafter more fully described. The hub 30 is formed with a pinion 31 which meshes with a gear 32 (Figs.

, relatively fast feed.

2 and rotatably mounted on a fixed vertical shaft 33 suitably supported in the framework. Slidably and rotatably mount ed on the shaft- 33 is a sleeve 34 having at its end a clutch face 35 adapted to engage av cooperatingclutch face 36 on the gear 32. The sleeve 34 is formed with. a toothed portion constituting a pinion 37 whichmeshcs with a gear 38 (Fig. 3) keyed or otherwise fast uponthe hub of the feedsprocl-:et 19,

l 41 (Figs- 1 and 2) rotatably mounted on a fstud shaft 42, suitably supported in the site the clutch face 35 with a second clutch in the framework.

framework. The gear 41 has a pinion Tpor1i tion43 which meshes with a gear 44 figs. 1 and 3) fast on a sleeve il'rotatably mounted on an upright shaft 46, also fixed The end of the sleeve 45 has secured thereto a pinion 47 which mesheswith a gear 48 rotatably mounted on the shaft 33. n

The sleeve 34 is provided at its end oppoface 49 adapted to engage a` cooperating clutch face 50 on the gear 48. By moving the sleeve 34 longitudinally `to cause one or theother of the clutch faces or 49. to

, engage the cooperating clutch faces 36 or 50, the pinion 37 on said sleeve, which pinion drives the feed sprocket 19 through the gear 38, may be rotated either at fast speed, directly by the gea-r 32, as above explained,

, or atslow speed from said gear 32 through to the framework.

the gearing 40, 41, 43, 44, 47, and 48.

In order that the clutch sleeve 34 may conveniently shifted, said sleeve is formed with ay circumferential, groove which is engaged by a clutch fork 51 Figs. 1 and 2) formed on a lever o2 (Fig. 1) pivoted at t rllhe lever 52 is pro vided with av slotwhich receives any eccenvtric pin or stud 54 on a shaft 55 journaled in the framework and provided at its op posits end with a -bevelled gear 56 which meshes with a bevelled gear segment 57 on a hand lever 58 rotatably mounted on a stud 59 projecting from the framework. By turning the lever 58 in one direction or the other, the clutch fork 51 is operated to conneetv the sleeve 34 with either the gear 32 or the gear 48.

As shown in Fig. 4, the reversible friction device above referred to for operatively connecting the hub 30 and shaft 26 is, in accordance with the present invention, preferably constructed and arranged substantially as follows: Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 26,. is` asleeve 60 adapted te be alternatively clutched to the hub 3.0 or to an annulus 61, loosely surrounding said sleeve, by mea-ns of friction disk clutches 62 and 63, respectively. The clutches 62 and 63 are rendered alternatively operative to connect the hub 30 or the annulus ,61 with the sleeve 60, by means 'of a clutch controller comprising a sleeve 64 slidably mounted on a sleeve or bushing 65 on the usual threaded upper end 66 of the shaft 26, said sleeve 64 having arms 67 which slide in longitudinal grooves in the sleeve 60 and carry at their lower end an annulus or ring 68 interposed between the clutches 62 and 63. Downward Vmovement of the sleeve 64 and ring 68 renders operative the clutch 62 to connect the sleeve 60 with the hub 30, while `upward movement of said vsleeve and ring disengages the clutch 62 and renders operative they clutch 63 to connect the sleeve 60 with the annulus 61, the latter being held against longitudinal movement by an annular stationary gear casing 69' held against rotation by suitable .stops 69.

When the hub 30 isl directly lconnected to the sleeve 60 by the clutch 62, it will be seen that the pinion 31 will be rotated by the shaft 26 and in the same direction. The annulus 61 carries a beveled gear 70 which meshes with a series of beveled gears 71` (Figs. 4 and 5) rotatably mounted on inwardly projecting studs .72 carried by the gear casing 69, said gears 71 meshing with a beveled gear 73 carried by or forming a part of the hub 30. When the annulus 61 is clutched to the'sleeve 60, it will be seen that the hub 30 and pinion l31 will be rotated from the shaft' 26 through the gears 70, 71, and 73, and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said shaft.

.For convenience in assembling the parts. the gear casing 69. is preferably formed of two telescoping shells 74 and 75, secured together by means of screw plugs 76 seated in registering threaded` openings in the of saidzshells. said plugs being preferably formed integralV with the, studs 72,

clutch controlling sleeve 64, there is provided a sleeve 77 slidably mounted on the exterior of said sleeve 611, said sleeves 77 and 6-1 having, respectively, internal and external shoulders 78 and 79 which, when the parts are in the normal or neutral position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, register with one another.` The outer end of the sleeve 77 is interiorly threaded to receive a bushing 8O which, when the parts are in neutral or normal position, registers with a nut 81 on the exteriorly threaded outer end of the sleeve 64. Engaging the bushing 80 and nut 81 is a washer 82, while engaging the shoulders 78 and 79 is a similar washer 83, and between said washers 82 and 83 is interposed a spring8t located in a recess between the sleeves 641 and 77. i As will now be seen, downward movement of the sleeve 77 will cause, through the bushing 80 and washer 82, a compression o-f the spring 811-, which will be communicated through the washer 83 and shoulder 79 to the sleeve 64, causing downward movement of said sleeve and of the clutch controlling annulus 68, thereby renderingoperative the clutch 62 to connect the sleeve 60 and hub 30. Similarly, upward movement of the sleeve 77, acting through the shoulder 76 and washer 83, will compress the spring 84, the tension of which will be transmitted through the washer 82 and nut 81 to the sleeve 64, causing upward movement of said sleeve and of the clutch controlling annulus 68, thereby rendering operative the clutch 63 to connect the sleeve 60 and annulus 61. It will be seen that movement of the sleeve 77 in either direction is yieldingly transmitted to the Sleeve 64 through the spring 84. i

For moving the sleeve 77, there is provided a trunion ring 85 interposed between an annular flange 86 on thetsleeve 77 and a nut 87 in threaded engagement with ythe exterior of said sleeve. rlhe ring 85 is provided with trunnions 88which areengaged by the forked endof a lever 89 (Figs. 1 and 2) pivoted at 90 to anupright 91 carried by the framework, which' lever 89 may be the usual frictionloading lever of the machine. Intermediate its ends, the lever 89 is provided with a slot 92 which receives an eccentric pin 93 on the end of a shaft 911 journaled in the framework and provided at its opposite end with a beveled gear 95 (Fig. 1) meshing with a beveled gear segment 96 (Figs. 1 and 3) carried by a lever 97 fulcrumed on the upper end of the shaft 39. By moving the lever 97 in one direction or the other, it will be seen that, through the connections de-` scribed, the pinion 131 may be connected with the shaft 26 for rotation in either direction, causing, through the transmission connections described, a rotation of the feed` sprocket 19 in either direction.

Vhile the reversibility of the feed sprocket may be utilized in a number of ways in the y operation of the machine, there is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6 the use of the feed` mechanism in the operation of sumping. The position of the machine at the beginning of the sumpingcut is indicated in broken lines. d The feed chain 17, being anchored at one end by the adjacent jack A, after passing about one or more of the guide sprockets 18, is passed in a counterclockwise direction about the feed sprockety 19,'the opposite end of said chain being connected atB. The cutter chain being now started, the feed sprocket 19 is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby drawing in upon the feed chain 17 and causing the machine to move from the4 broken line position into the full line position, thereby` producing the sumping cut. Thereafter, without disturbing the anchorage of the chain 17 at A or B the direction` of rotation of the feed sprocket 19y is re,- versed, causing said sprocket to rotatein a clockwise direction to cause the machine to travel across the face and cut the same in the usual manner.

As a resultof my improvement, it will ber observed that itis made possible not only to obtain as heretofore described reverse feeds including areverse slow feed and a reverse fast feed greatly facilitating and eXpediting the various steps in the cutting and moving operations, but, by reason of my improved construction, to provide an improved feeding mechanism of altype well adapted to meet the demands of service. Further, it willbe noted that this improved feeding mechanism includes improved reversible friction `mechanism comprising a plurality of friction devices so located relative to the other elements of the feeding mechanism as toproduce an improved and effective reversible mechanism'having in each feed a friction mechanism of increased capacity, while the whole friction mechanism is of `such improved` and simplified form as to be exceedingly compact and adapted to cooperate with its improved operating mechanism and supplemental controlling mechanism in various forms in various combinations. n

As will be seen by those familiar with the art, the double or reversible friction device herein shown and describedmay be readily and directly substituted, without changing any of the other working parts, for the sin-` gle friction device usually employed in mining machines of a well` known type. A machine of this type includes a transmission shaft kof substantially the form, location, and function of the shaft 26 herein shown;

which shaft carries at its upper end the usuali friction adapted to be loaded by mechanism of which the lever 97 and connections herein shown constitute a representative example. lt willi therefore be seen ythat the reversible friction device per se,

may be conveniently substituted for the regular friction in such a machine and operated by the regular loading mechanism, and when so substituted, said device not only performs the function of the friction device which it has replaced, but also constitutes reversing" means for the fee-ding mechanism, the friction yclutches 62 and 63 providing for asuitable fielding drive in either direction.

T his friction device may therefore be produced as a separate article of manufacture for application to any existing mining machine of the type referred to in substitution for the regular friction t ereo'f, said device, when so applied', converting' the unidirectional feeding mechanism of such a machine into a reversible feedingr mechanism, while preserving; the yielding character of the drive, the same forming the subject matter of a divisional application, Ser` No. 605,501, filed Dec. 7, 1922. l do not, however, herein claim the friction device per se.

ln connection with the appended claims it is to be understood that inthe use of such expressions as a transmission shaft. transmission member thereon, etc., l mean a shaft which transmits power and a iii/einher thereon whose function it is to transmit power received from the shaft to some other element, and that by such terms l do not intend to designate an arrange-- ment which a member on a shaft constitutes the driving` member for the shaft.

`this application it is not my intention to claim broadly the multiple friction feeding mechanism, such subject matter being covered by the claims of my copendiner ap'- plication Ser. No. 225,840 tiled March 28, 1918, nor is it my intention herein to claim in its broadest phases feeding means including` a pai-r of friction clutches respectively operating to edect rotation in opposite directions of a transmission member and controllimJT means for said clutches including a. controlling member for selectively connecting said clutches, an operating member, and operative connections between said controllingjand operating' members inc-luding resilient means, thisl subject matter being claimed in my copending application Ser.. No. 552,594, led Mar. 30, 1918, which is issuing simultaneously with this present application. 1

`Whille l have in this application specifically described one form which my 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 other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I cla-im as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. ln a mining machine, feedingmechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, and means for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotationr in the same or opposite directions automatically operating to connect them for rotation at equal angular rates irrespective of whether the connection be for rotation both in the same direction or one opposite to the other.

2. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, and means for yieldingly connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions automatically operating` to connect them for rotation at equal angular rates irrespectivey of whether the connection be for rotation both in the same direction or one opposite to the other.

3. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including' a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, and a plurality of friction clutches for respectively connect-ing,` said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions automatically operating to connect them for rotation at equal angular rates irrespective of whether the connection be for rotation both in the same direction or one opposite to the other.

et. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon,'means for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions, automatically Y operating to connect them for rotation at equal angular rates irre spective of whether the connection be for rotation both in the same direction or one opposite to the other and supplementary reversing mechanism cooperating therewith. 5. ln a mining machine, feedingmechanism including a y transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means for operatively Vconnecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions, automatically operative to connect them for rotation at equal angular rates irrespective of whether thek connection be for rotation both in the same direction or one opposite to the other` and supplementary speed changing' mechanism cooperating therewith.

6. ln a mining machine, feeding` mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon1 means for operatively .connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions, automatically operating `to connect ice them for rotation at equal angular rates irrei spective of whether the connection be for rotation both in the same direction or one opposite to the other, and supplementary reversing and speed changing mechanism cooperating therewith.`

7. In a. mining machine, including a motor, motor driven feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions, and supplementary reversing mechanism cooperating therewith arranged beyond the same with reference to said motor and controlling the application of power therethrough.

8. In a mining machine, including a motor, motor driven feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a` transmission member thereon, means for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions, and supplementary speed changing mechanism co` operating therewith arranged beyond the same with reference to said motor and controlling the application of power transmitted therethrough.

9. In a mining machine, including a motor, motor driven feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions, and supplementary reversing `and speed changing mechanism cooperating Atherewith arranged beyond the same with reference to said motor and controlling the application of power transmitted therethrough.

10. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, `a transmission member thereon, and means including a plurality of alternatively operative coaxial friction disc clutches for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation through a yielding drive in the same or opposite directions. i

11. In a mining machine, feedingmec-hanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means including a plurality of alternatively operative coaxial friction disc clutches for operatively connecting said member and shaftfor rotation through a. yielding drive in the same or opposite directions, and supplementary reversing mechanism cooperating therewith.

12. In a mining machine1 feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means including a plurality of alternatively operative coaXial friction disc clutches for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation through a yielding drive in the Isame or opposite directions, and supplementary speed changing mechanism cooperating therewith.

18. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a"

transmission member thereon, and means forl operatively connecting said member 'and` shaft for rotation in the same' or opposite directions at equal angular rates including a plurality offrictioii` clutches alternatively operative during driving in opposite directions, and yielding means controlling the` of friction clutches alternatively operative,` Vduring driving in opposite directions, and i a single yielding means controlling the operation of both clutches.

said member andshaft for rotation in the same or opposite directions at equal-angular rates, a sleeve movable longitudinally of said shaft, and an aniiulus carried `by said" sleeve for `rendering said clutches alternatively operative. i

16. In a mining machine, feeding mech-` anism including a transmission shaft, a

transmission member thereon, and means for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same `or opposite directions at equalangular rates, said means including a plurality of friction clutches, a sleeve secured to said shaft and provided with longitudinal grooves,` a second sleeve movable longitudinally of said shaft, an annulus for rendering said clutches alternatively operative,and arms connecting said last named sleeve and annulus and guided in the grooves in said first named sleeve.

17. In aminiiig machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means including a plurality of `coaXially disposed friction clutches for operatively connecting said member and shaft for rot-ation in thesame or opposite directions, and means for said connecting means including a member selectively operable to actuate` either clutch `but not both simultaneously.

` 18. In a mining machine, feeding mecha" msm including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, means including a plurality of coaXially disposed disc clutches for operatively connecting said memberand shaft for rotationy in the same or opposite directions, and controlling means for said connecting means including a member extending `Vbetween said clutches land operative to compress one and release the other.

friction iio controlling izo 119. .In la mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, mea-ns for operatively connecting said member and shaft for --rotation in the same or opposite directionswand yieldingly actuated contr lling means for said connecting means automatically opera-ting upon actuation to cause said cennectingmeans to connect said shaft and `a spring connecting said controlling member and operating member.

' 21.In a miningmachine, feeding mechanism `including a transmission sha-ft, a transmission member thereon, means for oaieratively*connecting said member and shaft-for rotation in the same or opposite directions, said means comprising plurality of friction clutches, a controlling member for render-ing said clutches alternatively operative, an operating member, and a spring connecting said controlling member and operating member for movement ia plural-ity of directions. y

22. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including :a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon, vmeans for operatively connecting said ymember and shaft-for rotation in the same or lopposite directions, a longitudinally -movable sleeve on said shaft for controlling said connecting means, 'an :operati-ng sleeve on said controlling sleeve, each of said sleeves having a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders arranged respectively adjacent the corresponding shoulders on the other sleeve, a pair of washers each engaging a shoulder on each of said sleeves, and a spring interposed between said washers.

28. In a min-ing machine, feeding mechanism including a power driven transmission shaft, Aa transmission lmember thereon provided with a. beveled gear, a second transmission-member on said shaft also .provided with la beveled gear, one or more beveled pinions connecting said beveled gears, .and means for .alternatively connecting said transmission members to `said shaft for retation therewith.

24. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon provided with a beveled gear, a second transmission member on said `shaft `also provided with a beveled gear, a gear casi-ng inclosing said beveled gears, one or more beveled pinions carried in said gear casing and connecting said beveled gears, and means for alternatively-connecting said transmission members to said shaft 4for rotation therewith.

25. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft, a transmission member thereon provided with a beveled gear, a second transmission member on said shaft also provided with a beveled gear, a gear casing inclosing said beveled gears and comprising a pai-r of telescoping shells having registering threaded apertures, screw plugs seated in said apertures and having inwardly projecting studs, beveled pinions ournaled on said studs and connecting said transmission members to said shaft for rotation therewith.

26. ln a room and pillar mining machine having a frame provided with projecting cutting mechanism and slidable on a mine bottom, a drivin@- motor operatively connected yto the cutting mechanism, machine feeding and guiding `mechanism including a plurality of flexible feeding portions each 'having a. free extremity connectible to a Xed point during feeding of the machine and extending laterally7 from opposite ends of frame, and means driven by said motor for winding in either of said portions including pover transmission connections including a plurality of friction clutches selectively operable to reverse direction of feed, feed controlling mechanism including mechanism for selectively actuating said ldifferent clutches, and supplementalclutches for lchanging the direction and rate of feed located in said power transmissionconnections at the opposite side of said iirstmentioned clutches from the motor.. l

27. A. mining machine slidable on a mine bott-om comprising a frame, vcutting mechanism thereon including a projecting cutter bar disposed Vlong-itudi-na-lly of said frame and rigidly connected thereto throughout. the cutting operations, :and a circulating Cutter chain on said bar, flexible feeding means and guiding-meansfor said feedingmeans about which .saidV flexible feeding means may be directed to enable a lateral cut in a face in 4either direction providing advance and receding portions during lateral cutting inone direction entendi-ng laterally in opposite vdirections from the opposite ends 4of Said :trameand having provision whereby said portions may be reversely disposed respectively Ias receding and advancing portions during lateral cutting in the opposite direction, a motor operatively connected with said :cutter chain, and driving connections between said motor and lsaid flexible feeding means including a feed operating member operatively engaging the latter, anddriving connections between themotor and said feed operating member operative to effect operation of said member by said motor at a plurality of speeds: and in opposite directions at cach of said speeds having speed change' gearing including a plurality of clutches and also having a plurality of selectively operable friction clutches between said first mentioned clutches and said motor.

28. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame, cutting mechanism thereon including a projecting cutter bar disposed longitudinally of said frame respectively as receding and advancing por-` tions during lateral cutting in the opposite direction, a motor operatively connected with said cutter chain, and driving connections between said motor and said flexible feeding means including a feed operating member operatively engaging the flexible feeding means, and driving connections be tween the motor and said feed operating member operative to effect operation of said member by said motor at a plurality of speeds and in opposite directions at each of said speed-s including speed changing gearing including a plurality `of clutches operative when engagedboth to change the speed and the direction of rotation of the feed operating member and a pluralityof selectively operative friction clutches between said first mentioned clutches and said motor. y

29. A. mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame, `cutting mechanism thereon including a projecting cutter bar disposed longitudinally of said frame and rigidly connected thereto throughout the cutting operations, and a circulating cutter chain on said bar, fiexible feeding means, and guiding means for said feeding means about which said flexible feeding means may be directed, in order to enable a lateral cut in a face in either direction, to provide advance "and receding portions during lateral cutting in one direction extending laterally in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and having provisions whereby said portions may be reversely disposed respectively as` receding and advancing portions during lateral cutting in the opposite direction, a motor operatively connected with said cutter chain, and driving connections between said motor and said flexible feeding means including a feed operating member operatively engaging the latter, and driving con nections between the motor and said feed operating member operative to effect operation of said member by said motor at a plurality of speeds and in opposite directions at c each of said speeds including speed changling gearing including a plurality of clutches between the motor and feed operating member and a plurality of friction clutches selectively operable to reverse the direction of feed and arranged between said first mentioned clutches and said motor.

30. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame, cutting 1nechamsm thereon including a projecting cutter bar disposed longitudinally of said frame and rigidly connected thereto throughout the cutting operations, and a circulating cutter chain on said bar, flexible feeding means, and guiding means for said feeding means about which said flexible feeding means may be directed, in order to enable a lateral cut in a face in either direction, to provide advance and receding portions during lateral cutting in one direction extending laterally in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and having provision whereby said portions may be reversely disposed respectively as receding and advancing portionsduring lateral cutting in the opposite direction, a motor operatively connected `with said cutter chain, and driving connections between said motor and said flexible feeding means including a feed operating member operatively engaging said flexible feeding means, and driving connections between the motor and said feed operating member operative to effect operation of said member by said motor at a plurality of speeds and in opposite directions at each of said speeds including` speed changing gearing including a plurality of clutches. operative `when engaged both to change the speed and the direction of rotation of the feed opera-ting member and a plurality of friction clutches selectively operable to reverse the direction of feed and arranged `between said first mentioned clutches and said motor,

In testimonywhereof I affix my signature.

i MORRIS P. HOLMES.

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