US1480003A - Machine for mining - Google Patents

Description

Jan. s, 1924. 1,480,003

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Jan. s, 1924. I 1,480,003

` E. c. MORGAN MACHINE FOR MINING Filed Jan. 5, 1916 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 Paten-ted Jan. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND MORGAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN IEXECUTRIX I OF SAID EDMUND C.

MORGAN, DECEASED.

MACHINE FOR MINING.

Application led January 5, 1916. Serial No. 70,341.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDMUND C. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, f residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Mining, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto improvements in mining machines and mining systems and has for its object the provision of a machine of this character which shall be of novel and improved construction and operation. The

invention also contemplates the new system embodying my improved machine.

This invention is exemplified in the combination and arrangement of parts, and the method of operation, illustrated in the ac. companying drawings and described in the following specification, and it is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the arrangement of a mine, illustrating the method of operation forming a part of this invention; f Y

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but 'differing from Fig. 1 in that it `shows only a small port-ion of amine on a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view vof the machine for severing the coal from its native bed which forms a part of this invention;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 3, the 'operating portion of the machine being in itsupper position;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of themachlne shown in Fig. 4, but with the operating part Y in its lower position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of 'the operating mechanism of the machine shown in Fig. 3; v

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the upper end of the supporting standard of the machine shown in Fig. 7';

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 1s an elevational Aview .with parts in section, of the mining machine, showing 4 the construction of the operating engine;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional viewof the upper end of one form of the supporting standard for themining machine;

Fig 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan View of the head for the `supporting standard shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 13-13 of Fig. .7 i

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the planetary gearing used in connection with the mechanism shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of they supply coupling for lthe energizing fluid used to drive the engine of the mining machine;

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional lview of a mine showing a supporting prop used in connection with this invention;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic sectional plan view illustrating the method of shifting the supporting props;

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view of a mine entry illustrating one step in the process forming `a part of this invention;

Fig. 20 is a view of the entry shown in Fig. 19, illustrating a subsequent step to that shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 isa vertical sectional view of one form of mine propused in connection with this invention;

' Fig. 22 is a detail view of one of the valves of the prop shown in Fig. Q21;

Fig. 23 isa horizontal sectional-view of the prop shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a detail view of another valve of this prop; Y

Fig. 25 is a sectional view'of a modified form of mine prop;

Fig. 26 is a bottom plan, and

Fig. 27 is a top plan, of a combined pump and. windlass 4used in shifting lthe mine props as shown in Fig. 18.

In order that the inventionimay be bestand is provided with keyways 5 and keys .6

at the upper end thereof for the purpose of -the mine chamber in which the machine 1s being operated. The nature of these extensions will 'depend upon the conditions of operation. lin the form shown in Fig. 7, theeXtensio-n 7 is given the character of a hydraulic jack having a plunger 10., which may be forced upwardly in a cylindrical portion 11 of the extension by means of a liquid 12 confined within theA cylindrical portion. rllhe hydraulic jack may be of ordinary construction and provided with a stub'shaft 137 to which the handle for operating the jack may be detachably secured.

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rllhe upper end of th-e extension 7 is pro'- vided with keyways 14 to register with keys 15. carried by the head 16 of the jack. By this construction, the head 16 may be forced upwardly relative to the standard 17 but is held from rotation relative thereto. 'llhe head 16 is provided with the laterally radial lexter'iding armsl 17 having projecting lugs 18 arranged to be forced into the upperv surface of the mine chamber. rl`h`ese lugs 18 prevent any rotation of the head 16 and also ofthe standard 1 when the device is secured in operative position. Slots- 19 are pro-vided in the upper end of the extension 7 toreceive the arms 17 when the vhead of the jack is lowered. Theseslots are made deep enough to permit of sufiicient 'clearance abo-ve the upper end of the eXtension 7 to allow the downwardly extending portion 8 to be withdrawn from the upper end of the standardl 1, so that the extension may be removed-from the supporting standard .when it isA desirable to Ado so. lin ver shallow veins a screw-threaded head 16", Fig. 11, operated by hand-wheel 16, is emv ployed.

A framework 20 for carrying the oper- A ating mechanism of the machine -is assoelated with the standardtl and is provided with upper and lower guide portions 21 and 22, which have circular openings, 23 and 24, respectively, which fit over. the standard 1 and are of the proper diameter to slide freely on the'outer periphery of the screw threads carried by the standard. Threaded on the standard 1 and positioned just above the lower guide member 22, is a.nut 25 which is provided with teeth 26 on its periphery, thus forming a worm wheel. Resting on the upper surface of the nut 25 .and splined `to the supporting standard 1 is a .ing best shown in Fig. 13.

,in rig. 15.

neeopoe second worm wheel 27,. free to slide vertically upon the standard but prevented from rotation thereon by keys 28. rllhe upper surface of the worm wheel 27 contacts with the lower surface of the supporting portion 21 of the frame 20, the two worm wheels 25 and 27 thus filling the space between the two portions 21 and 22. Driving worms 29 and 30 are provided for the worm wheels 25 and 27 respectively. rlFhe worm 3() is journaled in stationary bearings 31 and 32 carried by the frame 20, the arrangement for driving this worm and also the worm 29 be- Y As shown in Fig. 13, the worm 30 is journaled for rotation in the bearings 31 and 32 and is provided with a longitudinal circular opening through which a shaft 33 extends. 'llhe shaft v33 is .free to rotate relative to the worm 30 and carries a gear 34 rigidly secured to one end thereof. The gear 34 is provided with two sets of gear t'eet-h, 'the s'et 35 as shown in Fig. 6 being arranged to mesh with the teeth of a gear 36 carried bythe engine shaft. The teeth 37 mesh withthe pinion 38 rigidly secured to the end of the shaft 39, which carries the worm 29.

A clutch 40 operated by a lever 40', is

splined to the end. of the worm 30 and isv `end of the shaft 33 opposite the gear 34 is provided with a pin-ion 41 which meshes with the pinions 42 forming a part of a system of planetary gearing best illustrated rllhe outer gear 43 of the system is rotatably mounted on `)the end of the worm 30 and is provided with brake band 44 and lever 44 for holding it stationary atthe will of the operator. By this arrangement. the worm 30 may be driven directly by the gear 3 4 through the clutch 40, or it may be given a slower and more powerful movement through the planetary gearing. When the clutch 40 is disconnected and the brake band 44 is loosened,

V the gear 35 will run free without driving the worm 30. rllheworm 2,9 is journaled in sliding bearings 45 which are movably mounted o-n slideways 46 and which may be shifted back and 4forthvto bring the worm 29 into and out of engagement with the worm wheel'25. The bearings 45 are shifted by means of couplings 47 carried by eccentrics secured to` the shaft 48, which extends transversely of the machine frame and which is provided with operating handles 49 located one at each side of the machine. The teeth of the gears 37 and 38 are of sutilcient length that they permit of the shifting of worm 29 into and out of operative engagement With the worm wheel 25 withllO Vwill be raised or lowered by the threads v framework will be normally locked from rotation relative to the standard 1 by the worm wheel 27 and the co-operating worm 30. When, however, it is desirable to rotate the frame and operating mechanism relative to the supporting standard, this may be done by driving the worm 30, which will thereby be fed around the periphery of the worm wheel 27, since this wheel is preventedv from' rotation on the standard by means of the key 28. The standard itself is 'prevented from rotating, as previously pointed out, by the construction of the head 16 and the arms 17 carried at the upper end of the standard.

The power mechanism for driving the mining machine is best illustrated in Figs. 6 and 10, and consists of a steam or `compressed air reciprocating engine having two cylinders and 51. The pistons of these cylinders operate cross heads 52 and 53 respectively, which are provided with guides 54 forming a Ypart of the framework 20. The cross heads 52 and 53 are provided-with connecting rods 55 and 56 respectively, which drive cranks 57 secured to the main shaft 58 of the engine. The shaft 58 carriesr the ear 36 for driving the two worms previous y described, and also has loosely mounted thereon the sprocket wheel 59. A clutch 6() is slidably mounted onv the shaft for securing the sprocket wheel 59 for rotation therewith. The clutch is operated by a rod 61 anda handle 62 located att the top of the framework and shown in Figs.'3 and 4. The shaft 58 also carries at each end thereof a pair of'eccentrics 63 and 64 which operate the valves of the engine cylinders by means of eccentric rods 65 and 66 -and reversing link mechanism 67 of well knownV construction. The reversing lever 68 is connected to the shaft 69, which extends transversely of the machine,

as shown in Fig. 6, Iand which is con-- nected to the link mechanism by a pair o f .arms 70 and 7l. The energizing fluid 1s admitted to the cylinders of the engine througha pipe 72 and a fiexible hose 73. A,

detachable connection 74 and a throttle valve 74 are providedbetween the hose 73 and the pipe 72. This connection, shown in detail in Fig. 16, is of well known construction and is provided with a valvel 75 which automatically closes the supplhose hose 73 as the cutter head is rotated.

n 73 when the connection is broken.

l uides 73 are provided to prevent mutilation of the The base portion of the frame 20, upon which the operating parts just described are mounted, is extended as best shown in Fig. 3 to form a rotary table 76 having a is provided, which is in the form of a loop having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, as best shown in Fig. 5. frame 78 is provided at its front edge with a sliding cutter chain 79 which meshes with the sprocket wheel 59 and is driven thereby. A projection80 is provided at the upper portion of the frame 20 for directing the sprocket chain from the wheel 59 onto the frame 78. The chain 79 slides in guides on the frame 78 and is provided with bits 81 `for cutting a kerf in the material to be mined.

Where the edges of the portions 76 and 77 of the swinging table meet, they are beveled .as shown at 82 -to overlap one another lwithout forming an uneven surface on the top of the table. vThe extension 77, as shown in Fig. 7, has an overhanging lug 83 which rests upon a corresponding rim 84 extending outwardly from the periphery of the base portion of the framework20. The exten-` sion 77 is also provided with arms ,85 and 86 which partially encircle the cylindrical por- .tion of the framework; 20 and which are provided attheir extremities wit-h inwardly extending lugs 87 which fit within grooves or guideways 88 in the framework 20. By this The construction the extension 77 is permitted to of the portion 76.

In operation, the machine is positioned in a mine chamber, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and 1s secured in place by forcing the head of the standard 4 upwardly into contact v with the roof of the chamber until the lugs 18 bite into the roof a sufficient distance to prevent rotation of the standard. The upper cut illustrated in Fig. 4 is preferably made first. The operating portion of the machine may be raised into thls position by causing the engine to drive the Worm 29 while it is held in mesh with the worm wheel 25 by means of the links 47 and lhand cranks 49. During this operation, thel worm 30 is disconnected from the engine and prevents-rotation of the operating mechanism and its supporting frame' about the standard 4,' for the reason that the worm of the planetary gearing connected therewith wheel 27 is held from rotation on the standard by means of key 28, but is free to slide vertically thereon. When the operating parts of the machine are properly positioned vertically, thesprocket wheel 59 is clutched to the main shaft 58 and the cutter chain 7 9 is driven on the cutter frame 78.l At the beginning of the operation, the cutter frame 78 is in such an angular position relative to the standard l that the cutting mechanism is properly located for beginning the cut illustrated in Fig. 3. After the chain 79 has been started, the worm 30 is driven by means to slowly rotate the entire framework about the supporting standard in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. This feeds the cutter frame into the material to be mined in such a way as to sever a crescentshaped portion from the face of the mine wall, as will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 3. At the beginning of the rotary movement of the machine, the table 76 will occupy such an angular position in the mine chamber that it may be necessary to have the extension 77 in itsl telescoped position to prevent' its striking the wall of the mine on the side opposite that at which the cut is started. As the cutter frame is fed into the material, it, will draw the table 76 into the bottom kerf formed by the chain cutter, and when the operation has proceeded a sufficient distance the extension 77 may be drawn away' from the portion 76 so that the complete table, when extended, will be large enough to receive the entire section of material severed from the mine wall. 'As the material is cut from the wall, it.may break intoa number of pieces, depending upon the nature of the material being worked, but all of thematerial will be received and retained on top `of the table 76. The material is preventedv from contacting with the driving mechanism by means of an upstanding wall 89 which eX- tends substantially around the periphery of the central portion of the machine and which supports a cover plate 90 resting on the top of the wall 89 and encasing the greater part of the operating mechanism. The wall 89 is provided with suitable dividing lines and detachable sections to permit proper assem- 4 bling of the operating parts.

, When .a out has been completed in thev and-at a very much greater speed. This will cause the cutter head and the table 76 to be Laeopoa swung in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, and the table will carry with it the severed coal and bring it into a position in the rear of the cutter head, as shown in Fig. at, from which it may be moved from the table into a car 91 or other suitable transporting mechanism. llt will be apparent that by a complete operation, the cutter head will be rotated entirely around the supporting axis. Tf the operation were repeated a number of times, the supply hose 73 would be wound around the supporting standard. This is prevented, however, by disconnecting the hose after each cut and reconnecting it after it has been unwound'from the standard. The engine, of course, could be reversed to rotate the cutter head in an opposite direction when the coal is swung into loading position, thus preventing the winding of the supply hose upon the standard. The preferable mode of operation is, however, torotate the cutter head always in the same direction and to disconnect the hose after each cut is made.

After the upper cut has been completed, the machine is lowered onthe standard and the lower cut is made in the same way asthe upper one. After the lower cut has been completed, however, it will be necessary to drive the worm 29 to raise the machine and the severed coal into the upper position so that it may be discharged into the transport-- ing car. The operation, of course, may be reversed and the lower cuttaken first. Tf this is done it will be 'necessary to swing the table with the severed material thereon into position in the rear of' the standard before it is raised into loading position. The machine may be operated in veins of any desired-y thickness, the number of cuts for cach position of the machine depending upon the thickness of the vein. Tf the vein is a shallow one and can be completely 'removed ,by a single cut, an operating head like .that

shown in Figs.A 10, 1l and 12 is used, the head being placed directly in the upper end of the supporting standard and a flat shallow pan being substituted for the4 car 91. Tf the vein is a thicker one, a sufficient number of extension members 7 is used in connection with lthe supporting standard to make the standard of the correct length to correspond to Ithe height, of the mine chamber.

Tn order to carry out t-he system of mining for which the machine described above is especially adapted, it is desirable to have an especially constructed mine support. Supports particularly adapted to this purpose are illustrated in Figs. 17,18 and 21 to 25 inclusive.- Tn' 21 to 2st is shown a' hydraulic mine support or prop especially designed for use in connection with the mining system constituting a part of this invention. This support is provided with a hollow base member 92 in which an operating of the prop. The duct 98 extends downwardlythrough the piston head 95 and communicates with the chamber'in the base 92. The duct 97 has an opening 99 through the wall of the portion 94 into the chamber 96. A passage 98 connects the two ducts 98 and 97 near ythe lower endofthe chamber 96 and a valve 98l is provided' for opening and closing this passage,'as is shown in Fig. 24. The two ducts 97 and 98 are continued outwardly through the lug 100 at the upper end of the prop, where they are provided with nipples 101, best shown in Fig. 22, for connection with an operating pump. The nipple connected with the duc-t 98 is provided with a one-wa)v valve 102 for automatically closing the opening in the duct against outward pressure from the liquid 93 in the interior of the cylinder 92. A detachable pump 103 shown diagrammatically is pro vided with a pair of hooks 104 by means of which it may be held in position adjacent the openings of the ducts 97, 98. The pump 103 is provided with a pair of projecting tubes 105 which make connection with the nipples 101 when the pump is in operating position. The pump is driven by a motor 106 shownI diagrammatically to the upper surface of which it is secured, and which also drives a windlass 107 located at the base of the motor. Extending laterally trom the upper and lower portions of the prop is a pair of arms 108 and 109. rThese arms are pivotally connected to the prop at their inner endsand are provided with heavy springs 110 for forcing them away from one another.I The amount of movement of the arms 108, 109 is very slight and is limited by inwardlyv projecting lugs 111, which fit over corresponding lugs 112 on the mine prop. There is a lug 111 on each side of the lug 112, and they are spaced apart suiiciently to permit of the slight molvement ot the arms 108, 109 which may be desirable.

'The arms 108 and 109 are in the'form of plates extending laterally a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of the props themselves. The lower arm 109 is provided at its extremities with a plurality of upwardly project-ing lugs 113, there being a pair of these lugs located adjacent each lateral edge of the arm. The Ymotor 106 is provided, as shown in Fig. 26, with`a base member 114 having openings 115 therein arranged to t over the lugs 113 and hold the motor `and its windlass in position on the arm 109, as illustrated in Fig. 18. At the inner end of the arm 109 is a boss 116, and the cable 117 carried by the windlass 107 is provided with a ring 118 arranged to tit over the boss 116, as is also shown in Fig. 18. The purpose of the windlass and cable is for moving the props relatively to one another in a way which will be clear from this figure. Between the lugs 113 and the boss 116 and extending transversely of the arm 109, is a pair of 'upwardly projecting ribs 119 arranged to form a continuous track when a series of props are placed sideby side, as illustrated in Flg. 2.

In Fig. 25 is shown a modified form of mine prop, in which a standard 120 is mounted for vertical movement in an opening 121 inthe base member 122. The standard 120 has an internal chamber 123 and is provided with a piston head 124 iitting within the chamber 121. A passage 125,

vextending through the piston head 124, connects the chambers 121 and 123. The passage 125 may be opened Vand closed by means of a valve 126 to permit the flow of liquid from one chamber to the other. The standard 120 is provided with a flange 127 which rests upon a heavy coil spring 128 supported by the upper portion of the base 122. A cap 129 has a screw-threaded connection with the upper portion of the base 122 and an inwardly projecting flange 130, which bears against the lupper surface of the tiange 127 on the standard 120.

The upper end of the standard 120 is provided with screw threads 131, on which a bevel gear 132 is threaded. The head 133 of the mine prop telescopes over the threaded portion of the standard and is provided with openings 134, by means of which a detachable hand wheel 135 maybe held in position to cause a pinion 136 to mesh with the gear 132 to rotate the gear 132 on the standard 120.

The base 122 is provided with a laterally projecting arm 137 which is similar to the arm 109 of the prop previously described, with the exception that it is made rigid with the base of the prop instead of being pivoted thereto. The head 133 is also provided with a laterally projecting arm 138 whichv is rigid with the head and which is provided with an otset portion 139, leaving the upper end of the head proper a little higher than the upper surface of the laterally projecting arm. 4

Vhen a prop'of this form is placed in position in a mine chamber, the head is forced upwardly into contact with the roof of the mine by means of the hand wheel 135. The standard 120 is prevented from settling in the base 122 by the liquid in the chamber 121, the valve 126 being closed.

r`the bevel gear 132 may be easily operated to further lower the head of the prop. As the head is lowered, the spring 128 will again expand and the liquid will return to the chamber 121, after which the valve 126 ma again be closed so that the prop will be in condition for a second operation. A similar result is accomplished in connection with the prop shown in Fig. 21, by opening the valve 98 and permitting the liquid to flow through the duct 98 'from the lower portion to the upper portion of the prop.

'lhe operation of the mining system forv which the above described mechanism is especially adapted will best be understood by Figs. 1, 2 and 17' to 2O inclusive. A shaft a is first sunk from the surface of the earth to a level with the vein of coal which is to be mined. The mechanism and system are especially applicable to deep mines where the pressure is very great, but they may be used for mining coal at any depth. From the shaft a, entries t are made through the vein of coal to any desired vdistance from the shaft, the length of the entries depending upon the conditions ofthe particular field being operated. A pillar c is left between the entries to separate the two in order to provide for better ventilation. The machine shown in Figs. A and 5 is used in driving the entries, the width of the entry being determined by the width of the cut made by the machine. As the entry is driven forward, propslike those shown in Figs. 21

and 25 are placed by the-side of the entry with the arms extending across the floor and the roof forming a lining for both the Hoor and the roof of the entry. 'llhe position of the props in the entry may be understood by reference to Fig. 17.

The ribs 119 on the a track over which cars' may be run behind the machine as it progresses to carry away the excavated material, Practically all the weight of the earth above the entry is borne by the head of the prop, the laterally extending arms 108 being merely for the purpose of preventing dropping of loose portions from Vthe roof of the mine. r)The coil springs which force the arms 108 upwardly will permit the arms to move a sufficient amount to compensate for any unevenness in the roof of the mine chamber and prevent bottom arms 109 form masones undue pressure upon the arms. After the entries b have been driven a sufficient distance, if it is found desirable the props may be removed and permanent timbering and tracks substituted. From the main entries b, laterals d and c are driven to any desired distance from the main entries, and'otherentries 7' are run parallel with the main entries Z) for the purpose of facilitating the mining operation. When this much has been accomplished, a number of machines g are operated in conjunction with one another to completely remove the material from the vem. 'llhe procedure by which the material is removed will best be understood by referring to Fig. 2. The entries parallel with the main entries f b in the preferred method of operation, are only the width of a single cut made by one of the machines. 'llhey may be made of greater width, however, in order to accommodate a double track, as is shown at f, Fig. 2. llwo machines g are set to operate simultaneously from alternate en tries f, and may be moved after each cut by air cylinders n. As the machines progress across the face of the portions of the vein between the entries, props are placed behind the machines and contiguous to one another to form tracks upon which the cars for removing the material are run. rll`he machines will be operated back and forth across the face of the vein, each movement of the machine across the face of the portion of the vein between the entries removin asection of the vein of a width equal to t at Aof a cut made by the machine and contigly drawn from their previous position into aposition directly behind Ithe operating machine. 'll`his is done in the manner illustrated in lig. 18 by means of the motor 106 and windlass 107. As the props are drawn to their new positions, the roof of the mine from which they' are removed is left unsupported and is free to fall into the space from which'they coal has been removed. llt should be noted that the nature of the min'- ing machine especially adapts it to this method of operation, since the machine has no front or rear but may operate in any direction found desirable. 1n driving entries, the machine may work in one direction -until an entry of sufficient length has been made, and then it may continue to operate to drive an entry at right angles to the one already formed, without any turning of thel machine whatever. 1n this way the machine may be turned from one direction to another, in the space made by its own cut.

Illhe track 'used in the entries f is made in sections h of a length equal to the width of the cut made by one of the machines. After each section of material is removed from the face of the vein, a section 7L of the track is taken up and the switching section i of the track is moved to a new position in the entry to correspond to the new position of the machine. If desired, one or more machines y' may be kept in operation driving the various entries used in connection with this systemI of mining. This is not essential, however, and the entriesmay be driven as needed bythe machines used for removing the bulk of the material. Any number of batteries of mining machines may be operated at one time in the mine, the second battery being shown at is, in Fig. 1. As a battery works inwardly toward the main shaft, the roof of the mine being left unsupported will fall and fill the space fromwhich the coal has been removed.

Since the coal is removed right up to the mine entries b, the roof in falling will have a tendency to break down the roof of these entries. To prevent this, it may sometimes be desirable to form a kerf in the rock above and at the edge of the entry b, as illustrated in Fig. 19. This may be one by means of a machine Z-of well known construction. After such a kerf has been formed, the coal m at the side of the entry may be removed and the earth above this coal in falling will not then draw down with it the roofof the entry but will.fa.ll as illustrated in Fig. 2() preserving the'entry for any further use that may be desired of it.

The props used in connection with the machine are of heavy construction and are especially designed for use where the pressure of the earth' is very great. In consequence of this, they are of course ratherexpensive to manufacture. But, by using them in conjunction with the machine described,-

the cost of timbering in a mine is greatly reduced. This is due to the fact that the mining 'operation is concentrated in a small area and only a comparatively small number of props is necessary to produce a given output from the mine. The props, of course, are used over and over again for a period covering a number of years, and thus although the first cost of the props is considerable, a great Savin is accomplished in the ultimate-cost of tim ering, which is becoming more and more expensive as the cost of timber advances. By the use of the machine and process described, the entire vein ot' coal is removed from thel mine without the necessity of leaving pillars or timbers in the mine after working is completed, and the'dangers from insecure timbering and mining operations extending over a large area in order to produce a required output, are practically eliminated.

In my divisional application, Serialv No. 587 ,188, tiled September 9, 1922, for an improvement in roof-supporting mechanism for coal mines, I have described and claimed the system of mining and loading illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings and also the specific form of roof sup- .ports illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, and Figs. 21 to 27, inclusive.

I claim:

1. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame having a supporting standard. of a supplemental frame carried by said standard and rotatable -t'reely about the same, kerf-cutting mechanism comprising a cutter chain mounted on said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith, power mechanism on said supplemental frame for dri-ving said cutter chain, power mechanism on said supplemental frame for moving the latter together with said kerf-cutting mechanism in an arc about said standard to effect arcuate feed of said kerf-cutting mechanism, and power mechanism on said supplemental frame for adjusting the elevation of said supplemental frame together with said kerf-cutting mechanism on said standard.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an anchoring jack extendin 'upwardly from a central portion of sai frame in position to engage the root of a mine chamber, a supplemental frame mounted on said anchoring jack for rotation about the same as an axis, corecutting mechanism mounted onsaid supplemental frame to extend radially relative to said axis and movable bodily with said supplemental frame, said core-cutting mechanismhavin an unobstructed core-opening therethroug i, self-acting power mechanism on said supplemental frame for driving said core-cutting mechanism, and self-acting powermechanism on said supplemental frame for rotating said supplemental trame together with said core-cutting mechanism on said axis to secure arcuate feed of said core-cutting mechanism.

` 3. In a mining machine, the combination with a roof jack to constitute a supporting frame, of cutting apparatus mounted on said roof jack intermediate its ends for a complete rotation about said jack, means for operating said cutting apparatus including feed thereof along an arc on said roof jack as an axis, vand self-acting power' mechanism for adjusting the height of said cutting apparatus comprising means for moving'the cutltgng apparatus rectilinearly along said J 4. In a mining machine, the combination with supporting framework, of core-cutting apparatus mounted thereon and havingan upper run for cutting a kerf in an approximately horizontal plane, and a lower run for cutting a kerf in an approximately horizontal plane spaced from said first-named kerf, means for operating said core-cutting apparatus includingvfeeding movement thereilo of, and means for adjusting the height of saidcore-cutting apparatus in its entirety b-y rectilinear vert1cal movement thereof relacut at the ceiling of the mine chamber and the an approximately horizontal kerf cut at floor of the mine chamber.

Ivaryingthe length of said 5. ln' a mining machine, the combination with a main frame, of a supplemental frame completely rotatable about a central upright axis on said main frame, a. platform on said supplemental frame, core-cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough .for the passage of a core onto said platform, and means for operating` said core-cutting mechanism including arcuate feed thereof on said central upright axis to cut a core of material from a mine wall in position to be received by said platform.

6. fn a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame comprisinganupright standard, of means for securing said standard in a mine chamber, a rotary frame mounted on said standard, kerf-cutting mechanism mounted on said rotary frame and movable bodily therewith, means for adjusting said rotary frame and said kerfcut ting mechanism rectilinearly along said standard, and selfsacting power mechanism for operating said kerf-cutting mechanism including arcuate feed thereof about said standard as an airis. y

7. ln a mining machine, the combination with a supporting standard, of means for standard, means for securing said standard in an upright position in a mine chamber, 'a rotary frame mounted on said standard, kerfcutting mechanism mounted on said rotary frame in fixed relation thereto and for bodily move-- ment therewith, means for adjusting said rotary frame and said cutting mechanism vertically and rectilinearly relatively to said standard, and means for operating said herfcutting mechanism including arcuate feed thereof about said standard as an anis.

8. ln a mining machine, the combination with a base frame having an upright standard, of a supplemental frame mounted to rotate about said standard in substantially horizontal planes, lerf-cutting mechanism mounted on said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith, means on said supplemental frame for adjusting the position of the latter together with said kerf-cutting mechanism rectilinearly along said standard, andv self-acting power mechanism for operating said kerf-cutting mechanism including arenn ate. feed thereof about said lstandard as an axis and along horizontal planes.

9. ln a mining machine, the'comloination with a base frame adapted to rest on the licor of a mine chamber, of an upright standard nesopos on said base frame, an upward extension detachably mounted on said standard and held against rotation relatively to said standard, a roof-engaging device extending upwardly from said extension, means for forcing said roof-engaging device against the roof of the mine chamber to anchor said base frame, said standard and said upper extension firmly in position between the floor and roof of the mine chamber and hold said standard and said upper eXtension against angular rotation, o ou plemental frame adapted to be support/e by said standard or by said upper extension, cutting mechanism carried by said cu plemental frame, and means for lcomplet/elly rotating said supplemental frame together with said cutting mechanism about said standard or about the upper extension thereof at a predeterminedV elevation and along horizontal planes.

10. lln' a mining machine, the combination with a supporting standard, of means for securing said standard in an upright position in a` mine chamber, a rotary frame mounted on said standard for movement longitudinally thereof and Afor rotation about the same, threads on said standard, a nut meshing with the threads on said standard, mechanism on said rotary frame for rotating said nut to move said rotary frame rectilinearly along said standard, korf-cutting mechanism mounted on said rotary frame and movable bodily therewith, a gear splined to said standard to slide along the sameV longitudinally, self-acting power mechanismen said rotary frame connected to said gear to edect rotary feed of said cutting mecha-4 nism in horizontal planes about said standard as an axis, and means on said rotary frame for driving said cut-ting mechanism.

ll. ln a mining machine, the combination with a supporting standard, of threads on said standard, a rotary frame on said standard, korf-cutting mechanism on said rotary frame for movement bodily therewith, means on said frame for driving said cutting mechanism, a nut on said standard, self-acting power mechanism on said frame for rotating said nut to move the frame along said standard.,` means between said standard and said frame to confine such movement along said standard to` rectilinear movement parallel to the axis of said standard and means for rotating said frame an said cutting mechanism about said standard' to feed the cutting mechanism arcuately in planes perpendicular to the axis of said standard.

l2. lln a mining machine, the combination v eoy lll@

d mo

liti@ for rotating said nut to secure adjustment of said frame and said cutting mechanism along said standard, and mechanism between said standard and said frame for preventing relative rotation and compelling said frame and said cutting mechanism to move rectilinearly when adjusted along said standard.

13; In a'mining machine, 'the combination with a supporting standard, of means` for anchorin'g said standard free from obstruc-Y tions in horizontal planes between the ends of said standard, a supplemental fra-me mounted for rotary movement in horizontal planes about said standard and for adjustment 'to various eleva-tions longitudinally of' frame for actuating said core-.cutting mercha-` nism While being ted in an arc by said means .for rotatingl said supplemental frame about said standard.

14.- In `a mining machine, the combination with a main frame having a threaded extension, of a supplemental frame rotatable` aboutsaid threaded extension and comprising spaced-apart ring bearings adjacent said extension, two worm wheels on sald extensiony between said ring bearings of said sup- 'vplemental frame, one-of said worm wheels x being threaded to said extension and the other being splined 'longitudinally thereof,

` meansv connected to the splined worm wheel for .moving said supplemental frame 1n an are relatively to said main frame, cutting apparatus mounted on said supplemental yiframe and movable bodily therewith,`means forv actuating said cutting apparatus while being fed in an arc by arcuate movement of said supplemental frame relatively to said 'main frame, and mechanism for rotating the worm wheel threaded onto said standard to je'ect adjustment of said cutting apparatus along said extension. l

15.'In a mining' machine,"a standard,

v 'means for securing said standard 'inan upright position in a mine chamber, a cutter head mounted on said standard,a nut carried by said cutter head and threaded on said standard, gearing carriedby said` cut-V ter head for rotating said nut to move said -cutter head rectilinearly and longitudinally of said standard, and mechanism for locking said cutter head against rotation on said standard during the rotation of said nut.

1 6. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame having a threaded portion, of a supplemental frame mounted v on said threaded portion for movement longitudinally thereof and for rotation angularly thereabout,l cutting apparatus mounted on said supplemental frame land movable bodily therewith, a pair of gears on said threaded portion, one threaded to said threaded portion and the other slidable longitudinally thereof while 'confined against rotary movement relatively thereto,means for rotating the threaded gear to eti'ect.rectilinear movement of said supplemental frame and cutting apparatus relatively to said, supporting frame, and means for driving said cuttin apparatus, and means for engaging the ot 1er gear to move the supplemental frame and the cutting apparatus around the threaded portion of said supporting frame to secure arcuate feeding movement of said cutting apparatus. x

17 In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame having a threaded extension, of'a supplemental frame having spacedapart rings surrounding said extension, a pair of worm gears between said rings, one

threaded to said extension and the otherl splined longitudinally thereof, kerf-cutting mechanism mounted on said supplemental frame, meansfor actuating said`kerf-cutting mechanism, mechanism' connected to said splined worm gear for moving said supplemental frame in an,arc relatively to said main frameto effect arcuate feed; of saidkerf-'cutting mechanism, and mechanism connected to the threaded worm .gear for adjusting the supplemental frame relatively toA said main frame to vary the position of said kerf-cuttin'g mechanism. r

18.v In a min-,lng machine, the combination 'with a supporting frame having an upright threaded standard, of means for securing said standard in an upright position in a mine chamber, a supplemental frame mounted'on said standard' for movement around 4thesame and longitudinally thereof, cutting cutting mechanism rectilinearly and vertically along said standard while confined against 'rotation relatively to said standard said first-named worm gear and its 'en-

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