US1538684A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

ay g, 1925.

F. CARTLIDGE MINING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES:

May 1 9, 1925.

F. CARTLIDGE MINING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 By from/Ens May 19, 1925. 1,538,684

F. CARTLIDGE MINING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1916 A4: Sheets-Sheet v5 Ilz/y. 11.

May E9, Al925.

F. CARTLIDGE MINING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 5, 1916 and nia-de rig. e il Patented May 19, i925..

FRANK CARTLIDGE, oF TERRE HAUTE,

F ECE.

INDIANA, ASSIGNOB T SU'LIV'JIVAN MA- CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPQRATION' MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING momma.

Application led June 5,

To all 107mm t may concern: v

Be it known that LFRANir CARTLIDGE, a citizen of the United States, 4residing at Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo. and State of Indianmhave invented a new and useful Mining Machine, of which the following is a s ecification. v

It is the o ject of my invention to provide an improved feeding mechanism, par. ticularly for mining machines2 whereby great flexibility in feeding is obtainable, and whereby the machine being fed may be moved at any desired speed in any direction i to move with a straight or 4turning movement as desired; and to obtain this exible feeding from a single source of power, which 'also drives the cutting' or other operating mechanism of the machine.

The accompanying drawings illustrate two embodiments o f my invention. Fig. 1 is' a plan view, partly in section, of a mining machine embodying one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such mining machine, with some parts in section; a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig.. is a plan view showing the gear connections for the`feeding mechanism; Fig. 5' is an enlarged section through the p aying-out drum shown at the right of Figs. 3 and 4.-, and is taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an elevation vof the winding drum shown.l at the right of Fig. 3, illustrating how it is thrown into and out of action; Fig. 7 is a planlview similar to Fig.I 1 showing the mining machine equipped for feeding by means of a feed chain, this being the form elected for `prosec ution in the present case; Figs. 8, 9, 10

` and 11 are diagrammatic views showing the flexible connections for diileren't feedingvoperations, the machineI shown inv these views being of the cable type andthe views ,re-u spectively showing the machine unloading from a truck, sumping, cutting across a face, and moving back to the truck after the cut is finished; and Figs. 1.2, 13 and 14 are diagrammatic views showing the feed chain form 'of mining machine illustrated iny Fig.- 7 in variouspositions which may fbe assumed for dilferent reasons during cutting across -a face. The` proportions of parts may obviously varyanduniformity of dimension has not beenadhered to rigidly in all the views.

The main frame l5 conveniently has a 1916.. Serial No. 101,687. v

flat bottom for sliding on the 'mine floor, and is provided with a"- projecting arm 16 which carries and gui es the cutter chain 17 provided with the cutters 18, in the usual manner This cutting chain is driven b a driving sprocket 19 mounted on a vertical shaft at the opposite end of the frame from that from which the arm 16 projects. Fixed on the same shaft is a gear 20, the upper face of which is cup-shaped for economy of space, and this gear 20 meshes with a pinion 2l on the lower end of a vertical shaft22 on the upper end of whichis fixed a bevel gear 23 meshing with the bevel driving pinion 24 on the shaft of the operating motor 25, which is most conveniently an electric motor. The upper and lower ends of the shaft 22 are supported in two bearings, beyond the gears 21 and 23.

worm 26 is fixed on the shaft 22 between the gears 21 and 23, and meshes with a worm wheel 27 on a horizontal shaft 28, from which the feeding mechanism is driven. The shaft 28 carries a pair of driving pinions 29Q which` mesh with a pair of gears 30 mounted on sleeves 31 and 32 respectively, which sleeves are co-axial with and rotatable relatively to a horizontal shaft 33, the sleeve 31 fitting directly on a bushing on the shaft 33. The two gears 30 are spaced apart, but are connected to rotate together by bolts 34, on each of which bolts are mounted two planet gears 35 and 36 of slightly different size but rigid with each other so as to rotate together. The `gears 35 are shown as slightly larger` than the gears 36. rlhe planet gears 35 mesh with a s un gear 37, and the planetfgears 36 with a. sun gear 38, larger `than the sun gear 37 to correspond with the difference in size of the planet gears 35 and 36'. The reason for having the pinions 29 and gears 30 eliminate'all tendency to twist in the lanet gears 35 and 36 and the sun. gears 3 and 38.k The sun gear 38 is fast on the shaft 33. The sun gear 37 forms part of a sleeve 39 rotatably mounted on said shaft 33 and located between such shaft and the sleeve 32.

A sliding sleeve has slidable toothed engagement with the sleeve 39, and is slidable in either direction along such sleeve by a 'finger-t1 which may be operated by a shift lever 42. The sleeve 40 is provided with clutch teeth at both axial ends, so that when the sun gear 38 being duplicated is merely to ldriving pinion 52, which meshes 4from neutral position the teeth 45 on the other end of such sleeve 4() engage teeth` 46 on a brake wheel 47 loosely mounted on the shaft 33 and co-operating with a brake band 48 which may be set or released by an operating handle 49 to hold stationary or permit any desired slipping of the brake wheel vThe shaft 33 drives both a feed operating member herein in the form of a Winding drum 5() and aY co-operating 'feed operating or controlling,r member herein in the form of a paying-out drum 51, shown at the left and` right hand sides of Fig.. 3 respectively. For driving the Windingr drum 50, it is provided at its left hand end (Figs. 3 and 4) with a with `an internal gear 53 on such winding drum. The winding drunris mounted on an eccentric bushing 54'in turn mounted on a stub rshaft, 55,

around which it is adiustable by an operating handle 56 to shift the gear 53 into` and out of mesh with the pinion 52.

, For driving the paying-out drum 51, the shaft 33 has keyed on its righthand end (Figs.` 3, 4, and 5) a sleeve 57 which at its inner end is provided with gear teeth to provide a sun Vgear 58 and at its outer end forms a bearing surface for a rotatably mounted sleeve 59 which carries a plurality of planetary gears 6() which mesh with the sun gear 58 and with an internal gear 61 on the inside of such paying-out drum 51.v The pins 62 on which the planet gears 6() are mounted are carried at their right hand ends in the sleeve 59. and on their left hand ends carry a brake wheel 63. with which co-oper! ates a brake band 64 which may be set or released by an operating handle 65 to hold stationary or permit anv' desired slipping of the brake Wheel 63. The sleeve 59 has an outer annular portion 66 between which andA 4the main portion of the sleeve is an annular space into the inner portion of which projects an inner annular member 67 of the paying-out drum 51. the member 67 having a bearing on the sleeve 59 and thereby furnishing the support for such paying-out drum. The outer surface of the annular member 67 and the inner face of the annular portion 66 are toothed to engage with alternate ones of a seriesof clutch disks 68 which are located betweenV the parts 66 and 67. The outer end of lthe sleeve 59 is threaded` and has mounted thereon a clutch-setting nut 69 provided `with an operating ring 70 by which it may engage with greater or less pressure the be moved annularly to web by which Vthe paying-out drum 51 is mounted on the annular member 67, so as to cause more or less irm interengagement of the clutch disks 68. It should be noted that the teethcf the internal gear 61 are of such length and the parts of such construction that a certain degree of movement of the druml 51 longitudinally 4ofthe shaft 33 is permitted.

At this point it should be noted that the drum 51 is smaller than the drum 50, but by reason lof the reduc-tion occasioned by the driving of the drum 50 throughI the pinion 52 and internal gear 53, the drum 51, `when the operating ring 70'is moved to effect the locking of the parts as later explained so that the drum 51 rotates at the same angular rate as the shaft 33, will have a greater peripheral speed than the peripheral speed of the drum 50. On the other hand. when the drum 51 is driven at the re duced rate which is accomplished by driving the internalgear 61 'through the planet gears 60 andV sun gear 58 the peripheral speed, of the drum 51 will be less than that of the drum 50 and, moreover', the drum 51 up on the drums for storage and the two y cables 72 and 73 are preferably entirely separate; or may be equipped for winding chains 74 and 75 respectively, as shown in Fi s. 7, 12, 13 and 14 in which case there is y or inarilybut a fractional turn of the chain on each feed operating member and the two chains may be interconnected by a bight 76 having sufficient slack to permitthe necessary independence of action ofl the feed operating members 50 and 51. The cables or 'chains may be carried through suitable guide blocks 77, at the desired locations, and over pulleys 78, 79, 80, and 81, or someV of them, at the four corners of the frame swivel mounting, as clear from Fig. l. By meansl of these various pulleys, the ropes or cables maybe carried from the drums in any direction from the frame 15, as exempliiied in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, for getting different directions of movement.;

In ordelr to keep the parts properly vlubricated, and free from the dust which always exists in a mine, the gearing connecting the motor 25 to the shaft v33 is enclosed in a dust-proof, oil-tight casing 84, which completely encloses such gearing. The under side of this casing, beneath the gears 30, 35, and 36, projects into the hollow upper .15, and over a pulley 82 between the pulleys I ,78 and 79. These various pulleys, or such of them as desired, may have swinging or a in Fig. 3,

51; because the .ing the machine from carrying such drum and by the brake wheel 63,' as clear from Fig. 5.

In operation, the motor 25 drives the cutting chain 17 continuously through the driving connection already set forth, as long as the motor is supplied with the current. The motor 425 also drives the gears 30 continuously, through. the bevel pinion' 24,.

bevel gear 23, wo-rm26, worm wheel 27,

shaft 28, and pinions 29, and the rotation ofl the gears 30 causes theplanet gears 35 and 36 to travel around the axis of 33. .If the parts are in the position shown and 36 is without eii'ect on the shaft 33,- andproduces no movement of either the winding drum 50 or the paying-out drum gear 37, which may be called the main reactlon gear, is free to rotate, and so there can be no reaction against it tocause a movement of the shaft 33, which is subjected to the resistance offered to the feeding of the machine ,by eitherof the drums 50 and 51.

If a quick feeding is desired, as for movsetting it, the shift'lever 42 is thrown to cause intermeshing ofthe - teethl 43 and 44,

thus locking together the sleeves 32 and .39, and causing the unit, and such shaft 33 to rotate at the `same speed asthe gears 30.'

The actual feeding at a rapid rate may now be obtainedvfrom either the ldrum 50 or the drum 51, but th more rapidI feeding-'Jean be obtained froxfg the drum 51, since by reasonl of the gearing 52--53 the drum 56 must rotate more slowly than the shaft 33, while if the nut 69 is tightened sofas to clamp together the clutch disks 68 (the brake band 64 being released) the drum 51 rotates at the same speed Under these circumstances both drums ro tate -in the same direction as the shaft 33. Illustrations of this rapid feeding from the drum 51 are shown in Figs. 8 and 11. Fig. 8 shows the cable 73 from the drum 51 extending from such drum overthe pulley 78. behind the pulley 81, andbehind the pulley tov a dead man 86. so that by the` operation of the motor and the winding of the drinn 51' the .whole machine is drawn directly forward to the desired position,

being first slid olf the truck 87 on which the shaft this travel of the planetgears 35v .opposite directions;

place to place orsun and planet mechanism connecting the pinions 29 and the shaft 33 to rotate as a as the shaft 33.

lit is conveniently transported from place to place in the mine and then slid over lthe mine ioor. `Fig. 11 shows the cable 73 from the drum 51 extending from such drum over the ulley 78I and around the pulley 82 to a deadJ man 88, ofthe motor and the winding of the drum '51 the whole machine is drawn directly backward, first over they mine floor andthen on to the truck 87. When this rapid feeding is beingdone by thedrum 5l, the operatlng handle 56 may be turned to the other position from that in .which it is shown in Fig. 6, so as to shift the gear 53 out of mesh with the necessaryy for the motor to move the drum 50. In the same way ,'if the rapid feeding .is being obtained by the drum 50, the nut so that by the operation gear 52, thus making it un- 69 may be loosened to release the clutch.

63,`and the-handle 65 operated to release thel brake wheel 63 from the brake band 64, so as to'relieve of drivingr the drum 51.

If la slow feeding is desired, the shift lever 42 is thrown to cause yintermeshing of the'teeth 45 and 46. Then the travel of the planet-,gears- 35 and'36 tends to produce movement ofthe sun gears 37a1id 38 in thesun gear 38 tends to drive the shaft 33;' which vis the main reaction gear, tends to drivev the brake wheel 47. The speed 0f the shaft 33 may nowbecontrolledby the setting of the brake band 48 b v its operating handle 49, the maximum slow speed of the shaft 33 beingobtained whenl the brake band 48 holds the brake wheel 47 stationary. The direction of rotation of the shaft 33 at this slow speed is -in the same direc tion as it was at thehigh speed, and a slow speed feeding may now be obtained by either drum 50 or 51, as before, for instance, the final setting of the Inachine for, starting operation. The feeding by the drum 51 may be obtained with the cable 73 wound in either -direction thereon, the nut 69 being set and the brake band 64 released if the cable-73. is wound on the drum 51 in nut 69 being released andthe brake band 64 set if such cable is wound on the drum 51 in the opposite direction. The feeding with this latter setting of the parts, and the cable 73. wound in the opposite direction from that shown, may also be obtained with the shaft 33 turning at high speed, as already described, which will produce a relatively high speed feeding, though slower than the quick feeding first described.

The actual cutting operation of vthe machine may now be considered. Sumping may be accomplished by means of either or both' cables 72 and 73, depending upon the conditions encountered. When the cathe motor of the necessity and the sungear 37, i

the direction "shown, and the.

to produce,

movement across the face angle to the rib withthe end of the bar the corner formedby the rib and face. If

will be observed that the motor need not be reversed from its direction of operation during the unloading of the machine and that with the elements of the friction clutch 68 clamped tightly together there will be a sumping movement of the'mining vmachine at a speed greater than its speed of during cutting due` to the fact-that' the winding speed of the drum 51 is at this time greater than that of the drum 50 when the latter is moving the machine across the Jface.l If conditions indicate `the desirability of such a. procedure, the cable 72 may be employed simultaneously with the cable 7 3 during' sumping, this cable being extended about a jack 91adjacent the vrib and thence later- 'ally across the face to a jack 89. It will be understood that with the lever 56 in the position shown -in Fig. 1, the drums 50 and 51 will both. be winding in and, depending upon the angle of the machineto the face, it may be necessary to slip the friction 68 because the drum 51 is winding in the cable 73 fasterthan the drum 50 isfwinding in the cable 72. It' will be noted, however,

that the higher winding lspeed of the drum 51 will enable the machine to be straightened up relative to the face as the sumping progresses. Sumping would also be possible by the use ofthe cable 72 and drum 50 alone, the sumping speed then being slower than that which could be accomplished `when lthe dr-um 51 is used together with the cable 7 3 as the sumping agency. Under still further circumstances, the cable 7 3 might pass' inside the ,sprocket 81 during sumping and thence to a iack 90. Still a `further mode of s'umpingis possible by reversing the direction in which the rope 72 is wound upon the drum 5 0 so" that the rope 72 is paid out as the rope 73 is wound in. Under such circumstances, the machine would be initially inclined at a substantial the cable 73 is wound in and the cable 73 paid out, `the machine will simultaneously sump in and straighten up to the face. A further obvious mode of sumping which is possible is to rely mainly upon the drum 51 and rope 73, but to have the rope 72 and drum 50 available for, and under certain conditions using it for, effecting certain angling movements of the machine during sumping. This method also has the substantial advantage of permitting the tail rope 73 to be fixed to its jack or take-up member and the rope 72 to be fixed to its jack '89 at the beginning of the sumping cut and the machine at the completion of vshown in Fig. 9, w

'shown in the sumping cut to go across the face without any necessity for changing the position of the jacks. In sumping"` according to this method, the tail ro e 73 is connected as i iiile the eedrope 72, instead of passing about the member 91 as .thereby angling the machine slightly, the

frequency with which this operation takes place depending entirely upon the particular circumstances and perhaps being wholly unnecessary. In any event, however, at

thc completion of the Asumping cut, by throwing in the member 56l and releasing the lfriction 68 while tightening the brake band 64, the operator may cause the machine to proceed across the face without any change in the position of the extremities of the flexible feed operating members. Other modes of sumping will readily present themselves to those who are skilled in this art.

After the cutter chain has thus penetrated the wall for its :full working distance, it must be fed along the wall so as to produce the desired cutting, as clear from Fig. 10. The cables 72.and 73 are connected in the same manner as for the arrangement shown in Fig. 9, save that as the cutting advances the dead men 89 and 90 must of course be shifted if the cut is passes directly :from the 4 i la long one. For this operation, however,"

the cable 72 is wound up on the winding drum 50. and the cable 73 is paid out from the paying-'out drum 51. For doing this, the shaft 33 is driven at the slow speed, as explained above, -its actual speed being determined by the setting of the brake band 48. The winding drum 50 isthus operated at a correspondingly slow speed, in the same direction as is the shaft 33. The clutch-setting nut 69 is released so as to render the clutch 68 inoperative, and the operating handle 65 is turnedto set the brake band 64 more or less firmly. By reason of the setting of the brake band 64, `the rotation of the sha-ft 33 acts through the- 'the arm 16 a,

pulley 80 is mounted, and the backward pull by the cable 73 is at the rear outer corner of the frame, where the pulley 78 is mounted, so that by the reaction of the two cablesv the -cutter chain may be advanced through the coal toward the dead man 89. The speed at which the cable 73 is paidout may beV varied by changing the settingof the handle 65, to allow more or less slipping .of the brake wheel 63. By making this paying-out of the cable 73 slower than the winding up of the cable 72, which can be done by properly adjustingth'e handle 65, the mining machine may be given a fanlike movement with the projecti'n end of vancing' more 'rapidly` than does the frame 15. This fan-like move- 'f tends to vmore such ment is found in practice to be -very ad.- vantageous. The extent of the turning .to produce this fanlike movement iscontrolled by thev forward movement is controlled b dle 49. The pull of thecable paying-out drum 51 under these the han'- 3 onI the conditions drumrin the same direction as the shaftI 33 tendsto move itfso .that the pull of the cable 73 acts through the drum .5 1 and its. connectedpartvon` the shaft 33 to aid in driving such shaft, thuseconomizing 'in energy by relieving the motor 25 from part of t e pull ofthe cable .72.. By releasing the brake band.64,the'outer end of the frame 15 ma be made lto advance more rapidly, thus engthening` the radius of the fan-like movement, or even causing the turning to be in -the outer direction; so that by alternately tightening 4and loosen-y ing such brake band, -a series ofthe Lfanlike movements may be obtained.` -In fact,

by adjustment of such brake band the charl` acter of the movement may be made practi,

cally anything desired. Thel paying-out operation of the lcable 73 from-the drum 51- may be controlled by either the clutch 68 or the brake band 64, with the cable 73 wound in either 1flirection on the druin- 51 in either case. f the cable is wound in the direction shown, the use of the brake band 64 to control the paying-out operation makes the pull of the cable 73 @assist the motor 25 to drive the the use of the clutch 68 .to ing-out operation ,makes cable an additional load on the motor. If the cable ris wound in the opposite direction the reverse is the case, the use of the brake band 64 to control the paying-out operationl making the pull of such cable an additional' load on the motor, and the use of the clutch 68 to control such payingout operation making the pull of the cable 73 assist the motor 25 to drive the shaft 33.

lt will be understood during all the various operations described that where a chain or single continuous ilexible feeding mmcontrol such paythe pull. ofsuch handle 65, and the yfeed o f shaft 33, While oftwo separate must be observed ber is employed instead ropes, the 'only pointthat is the necessity` of loop in the chain' between the point at`which4 f` it leaves the feed operating Vmember 50 and An inspection of Figs. 12,13 `and 14 will illustrate this lf'eatur In Fig. 12 -there vis seen a machine shown diagrammatically with the bar perpendicular to the face and cutting across the face and itl will=be noted that thereis a substantial bight 76 inthe' is shown with the cutter bar in advance of the rear end of the stantial amount, 'a being shown for clarity of illustration. Here machine by quite a subit w11] be notedthat more chain has been taken .inby the feed operating member 50 i than. has been paid out by the take-up member '51 so that the loose chain in the bight providing an adequate .1o winds on to the feed operating member 51.

somewhat extreme case v has been increased, thereby increasing the l lengthof the portion of. the chain between` thepoints at which the chainv leaves the machine frame at its oppositel ends. Of course it will -be understoodthat a corresponding position of the machine relative to the Working face. maybe secured in various other ways, for example, by releasing the drum 50 by means of the-.handle 56 :and connecting the drum 51 directly to the shaft 33 and vvpulling the rear end of the-machine around by the drum 51 and.the'portion 75 ofthe chain, after which the drum 51 might again be run in. its original )throwing the handle' 50' to become active and so that the machine will move ahead as previouslyv described. Also this position could be secured from a position perpendicular to the face by'simply connecting druin 51 directly to shaft 33 while drum 50 still winds in. It may be \.noted moreover, that by reasonof the fact that the member 51 tendsto payout lthe portion 75 more slowly than the 'portion 74 is wound in by the member 50, a positionnerresponding to that shown in F ig. 13 would be reached automatically unless the friction band 64 Were allowed to slip. Fig. 14 shows a position of the machine in which the rear end of the machine has been allowed` to get ahead of the cutter bar, this being accomplished, for example,v by slackening up on the brake band 64 so that the portion 75 of. the chain is paid out more rapidly than the portion 74 is woundin. 4In this operation of the parts it will be noted that the slack bight has been substantially diminished and that there is less chain between the points at which the feed operating memdirection, 'the operator 56 to causethe drum lcopending divisional application,

722,372, filed member tygie, may be orming sired, this I divisional application, Ser.

copending 744,521,1iied Oct. is, 1924.

- cally described different ein after the present application antedate f 25 same andthe I do not herein claim certain of the broader hases of the feed so broadly as to inclu e the inventions of one Morris P. Holmes covered bhis applications Serial No. 555,- 916, filed ov. 10, 1916, and Serial No. 224,- 072, filed Mar. 22, 1918, which though filld t e divisions of the present application', Serial.Nos.'722,372 and 744,521, las to the features referred to.

While I have in this ap lication specifiodiments which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood'that these forms of the same have been described for illustrative purposes and that my invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the a pended claims.

I claim as my invention: l

l1. The combination with a. mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor coinrising a driving motor, a shaft, a variale speed connection between said motor and said shaft, two -druins driven from said shaft, and a variable speed connection been said shaft andone of said drums.

2.. The combination with a mining m9,-, chine, of feeding mechanism therefor comrising a driving motor, a shaft, a variale'speed connection between. said motor and said shaft, two drums driven 4from said shaft, a variable speed connection between said shaft and one of said drums, and

means for connecting and disconnecting the other of said drums and the shaft.

3. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism'therefor com- Erising a driving motor, a shaft, a variale 'speed connection between -said motor and said shaft, two 'drums driven from said shaft, and a reversible and speed-varying connection between. said shaft and one .of said drums.

4. The combination -with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor com- Erising a driving motor, a shaft, a variale speed connectionbetween said motor and said shaft, two drums driven from said prising a driving d shaft.

connecting and disconnecting said shaft, and

. Lessa-eea shaft, and a reversible connection between said shaft and one of said drums.

'5.v The combination wi h a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor commotor, a shaft, a variable speed connection between said motor and said shaft, two drums shaft, a reversible and speed-varying connection between vsaidI shaftand one of said drums, and means .for connecting and disconnecting the other.

6. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a variable speed connection between said vmotor and said shaft, twov drums driven from said. shaft, 'a reversible connection between said shaft and one of said drums, and means for said drums and the shaft.

7 The combination with a mining ina chine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, al shaft, a connection 'between said motor and said shaft for driving the latter. at either high or` low speed, the low speed drive including a friction device which ma be adjusted for varythe other of driven from said of said drums and the ing slipping to pro uce variations in they slow speed drive, two drums driven from a variable speed connection between said shaft and one of said drums.

8. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor coinprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft for` driving the latter at either high or low speed, the low speed drive including a fricv tion device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, a variable tween said shaft and one of said drums, and means for connecting and disconnecting the 1other of said drums and the shaft.

9.1The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft forv driving the latter at either high or low speed, the low speed drive including a friction device which may adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, and a reversible and s eed-varying connection between said sh and one of said drums.

10. The combination with a mining niachine, of feeding mechanism therefor cornprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between sai motor and said shaft for driving the latter at either high or low speed, two drums driven from said shaft, and a reversible. connection between said shaft and one of said drums.

ios A speed connection be 11. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft` fordriving the .latter at either highor low speed, the low speed drive including a friction device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow vspeed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, a reversible and speed-varying connection between said shaft and one of said drums, and means for connecting and disconnecting the other of said drums and the shaft. l

12. The combination'with a mining machine, -of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft for driving the latter at either high or low speed, two drums driven from said shaft,

a reversible connection between said shaft andone of said drums, and means for connecting and disconnecting the other of said drums and the shaft.

13. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprisinga driving shaft, two drums driven from said shaft, a variable speed driving. connection for said shaft, and a reversible and speed-varying connection between said shaft and 'one of said drums.

14. The combination with a mining ma? chine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a .driving shaft, two drums driven from said shaft, a variable' speed driving connection for saidshaft, and a reversible connection between said shaft and one of said drums. l

15. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor cornprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft for driving the latter at' either high or low s eed, the low speed drive including a friction device which may be adjusted for valging slipping to produce variations'int slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, and a connection between said shaft and one of said drums for producing high forward and low backward speeds of said drum, said last-named connection for high-speed drive including a. friction device which may be adjusted to produce variations speed, the low speed drive including a friction device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow speed drive', two drums driven from,

said shaft., and a connection between` said shaft and one of sai-d drums for producing high forward and low backwardV speeds of said drum, said'last-named connection for low speed drive including ya friction device which may be adjusted to produce variations in 4the speed of such drive.

17. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor coniprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft for driving the latter at either hi h or low speed, the low speed drive inclu ing a friction device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variatidns in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, and a connection between said shaft and one of said drums for producing high forward and low backward speeds vof said drum, said last-named connection for both speed dri-ves including a friction device which may be adjusted to produce variations in the speed of such drive.

18. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between sai-d motor and said shaft for driving the latter at either high or low sie speed, the low speed drive including a fric-I tion device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, and a connection between said 'shaft and one of said drums for producing hign'and low speeds of said drum. said lastnamed connection for high speed drive including a friction device which may be adjusted to produce variations in the speed of such drive.

19. The combination with a mining ma chine, of feeding mechanism therefor coinprising a driving motor, ay shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft for driving the latter at either high or low speed, the low speedrdrive including a friction device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the e, slow speed drive, two drums driven from` said shaft, and `a connection between said shaft and one of said drums -for producing cluding a friction device which may be adjusted to produce variations the speed of-such drive.

. 20. Thev combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft for driving the latter at-eitlier high orlow speed, the low speed drive including a fric-- tion device which may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, and a connection between said shaft and one of said drums for producing high and low speeds of said drum, said lastnamed connection forboth s eed drives including afriction device which may be adjusted to produce. variations in the speed of such drive."

21. In a mining machine, a frame, cutting mechanism carried thereby, a winding.

drum, a tension member operated by said windingd-rum and extending forward from said frame near vthe end toward the cutter, a paying-out druin,.a tension member operated by said paying-out drum and extending backward from said frame ata point farther away from the cutter end than is said first tension member, a motor fpr operating said two drums to feed the vframe forward, a member drivenby said motor for driving said cutting mechanism,'an intermediate power-transmitting member, a oonnection from said first named member to sa'id intermediate member, said connection e n n o n lincluding a friction device which may. be

tion device which may .be adjusted for varying slipping to .produce variations in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft, a variable speed connection ylietween said shaft and one of said drums, and

a reversible connection between said shaft` and one of said drums.

23.. Thecombination with va mining inachine, a feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a connection between said motor and said shaft fordriving the latter at either high or low speed, the low speed drive including a friction device which .may be adjusted for varying slipping to produce variations in the slow speed drive, two drums driven from said shaft,` a variable speed connection between said shaft and one of said drums, a reversible connection between said. shaft and one of said drums. and means for connecting and disconnectingr `the other of said drums and the shaft.

24. In a .mining machine, a frame having` Y a forwardly projecting cutter bar, feeding mechanismincluding a rotating member .rotatable on a transverse axis and disposed atv one side of said machine at the rear thereof and a`cooperating winding member likewise disposed on a transverse axis at the opposite side of the machine and at the rear thereof, and means adjustable at will to rotate said rotating member and windingat one side of said machine at the ieai` thereof and a cooperating winding member likewise vdisposed on a transverse axis at the opposite side of the machine and at the rear thereof, and friction controlled means adjustabley to control |the direction of rotation Aof said winding member, i

26. In a mining machine, a frame having a forwardly projecting cutter bar feeding mechanism thereon including iiexible feeding portions acting on the opposite ends of said frame, a feeding member rotatable on a transverse axis and disposed at one side of saidframe, a cooperating take-up member likewise disposed on a transversek axis at the opposite side of said frameand power driven means for rotating said inembers having provision for rotating said take-up member to wind in ata plurality of predetermined speeds. i

27. In .a mining machine, a frame havingl a forwardly projecting cutter bar, feeding mechanism thereon including iexible feeding portions acting on the opposite endsof said frame, a feeding member rotatable on a transverse axis land disphsed at one side of said frame, a cooperating take-up member likewise disposed on a transverse axis "at the opposite side of said frame, and power driven meansfor rotating each of said members having provision for rotating each of said members to wind in at a plurality of predetermined speeds.

28. Ina mining machine, a frame having a forwardly projecting cutter bar, feeding mechanism thereon including a feeding member rotatable on a transverse axis and dispo'sed'at one, side of said frame and a cooperating feedingr member likewise disposed on a transyerse aXis at the opposite side of said frame, power driven means for rotating each of said members ata pluralv,ity of speeds independently ofthe other, and

a frictional .brake member for 'controlling fthe rotation of each of said members.

29. In a. mining machine, a frame having a forwardly projecting cutter bar, a motor on the front end of said frame, a feeding member disposed ona transverse axis at one side of said framel and a cooperating feeding member disposed ona transverse axis on the opposite side of said frame, and operative connections between said members and said motor including transmission mechanism and independently operable brake members controlling the rotation of said members.

30. In a mining machine, a frame having a forwardly projecting cutter bar and a cutter chain movable on the latter, a motor on the front end of said frame operativelyconnected to said cutter chain, a transverse feed shaft operatively connected to said motor and disposed in rear thereof, a feeding member disposed on a transverse axis at one side of said frame and driven by said shaft, a cooperating feeding member disposed on a transverse axis at the op site side of said frame and driven by said shaft, a clutch controlling the rotation of each of said members, and independently operable brake members controlling said members.

31. In a mining machine, a frame having a forwardly projectingcutter bar and a cutter chain movable on the latter,'a motor on the front end of said frame operatively connected to said cutter chain, a transverse feed shaft operatively connected to said motor and disposed in rear thereof, a feeding member disposed on a transverse axis at one side of said frame and driven by said shaft, a cooperating feeding member disposed on a transverse axis atthe opposite side of said frame and driven by said shaft, a clutch controlling the rotation of each of said members and located between the same, and brake members disposed on opposite sides of said clutch and controlling said feeding members.`

32. A mining machine including a frame slidable on a. mine bottom, cutter mechanism projecting therefrom, a driving motor therefor, and flexible feeding mechanism operated by said motor including flexible portions. disposable" laterally in opposite d1- rections from opposite ends of said frame, feed operating and take-up members acting respectively on the advance and receding portions and rotatable on-parallel axes and disposed adjacent opposite sides of said frame to the rear of the front end of said motor, and means operative to effect rotation of said feed operating andV take-up members to wind in the advance and lengthen the receding portions and having provision for rotating' each of said members by powerand without reversing` the motor to Wind iii-its associated flexible portion at a plurality of predetermined speeds including a predetermined speed duringcutting.

33.!A mining machine including a frame slidable on a mine bottom, cutting mechanism projecting therefrom, a motor for actuating said cutting mechanism, and flexible feeding mechanism driven by said motor and including flexible feeding portions disposed laterally in opposite directions fr om opposite ends of the frame, feed operating and take-up members acting respectively on the advance and receding portions, and means operative to Wind in the former portion and lengthen the latter having proviysionl effective without reversal of the motor to cause rotation of said members by power in opposite directions-t0 each other and each at a plurality of predetermined speeds including al predetermined speed during cutting, and a predetermined speed in excess of the maximum potential cuttin speed of said machine under normal wor ting conditions,

34. A mining machine including a frame slidable on a minevbottom and having cutting mechanism projecting therefrom, and

flexible feeding means including a plurality. of flexible feeding portions having free extremities, feed operating and take-up members cooperating with said portions, a motor so disposed .thatl its/forward end is iii ad- /vance of said feed operating and take-up members,'and feed operating and controlling niechanisn'i operatively' connected to said motor and including a frictionalcontrolling device, said mechanism having provision'for 555 causing said fee-d operating and take-up members to Wind iii simultaneously byl power both of said .portions at predetermined cutting speeds during cutting and also having,

provision for effecting Winding in one porf tion While lengthening the other.

35. A mining machine includinga frame slidable on a mine bottom and having cutting mechanism projecting therefromVand flexible feeding means including a` plurality of flexible feeding portions having, free extremities, feed operating and take-up members cooperating With said portions and rotating on transverse axes, a motor on said frame forward of said axes, and feed-operat- 1"" ing and controlling mechanism operatively connected to said motor and including africtional controlling device, said vmechanism having provision for causing said feed operating and take-up members to Wind therefrom, of flexible 'feeding means hav- U5 ,ing a plurality of flexible feeding portions,"

having free extremities, feed .operatin and` take-up members cooperating with sai portions, Ia motor on said frame disposed in a position thereon vwherein its forward side is nearer the front end of said frame than said feed operating' and take-up members, and operating and controlling mechanism operatively connected to said motor'and in- 1 cluding a frictional controlling device, said '135 mechanism having rovision for Winding in either. of said members by power at a predetermined speed and at a higher'speed and having provision for Windin in one at a cutting speed while lengthening the other. 30

in one portion while UQ and operating and controlling mechanism operatively connected to said motor and including a Africtional controlling device, s aid mechanism having provision for winding in eitheror both of said members by power y at a predetermined speed andl at 'a higher speed and having provision for winding in one at a cutting speed while lengthening the other, all without changing the 'mode of operative vconnection between said members and portions or reversing said motor.

3S. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a fiexible feeding portion, a transmission shaft, a winding member on said transmission shaft adapted to cooperate directly with said flexible feeding portion, and means for`operatively connecting said member to said shaft for rotation in the same direction with the latter or oppositely thereto.

39. In 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. c 40. In a mining machine, feeding mech.- anism including a transmissionshaft, a transmission member thereon, and a yplurality of friction devices' for respectively connecting said member and shaft for rotation in the same or opposite' directions.

41. 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, and supplementary speed changing mechanism cooperating therewith.

42. A mining machine slidable on its bottom over a mine bottom during cutting comprising a driving motor, a cutter bar,v operative driving connections between said motor and said bar, and feeding mechanism including ashaft, a variable speed connection between said motor and said shaft including a plurality of cooperating gears one i of which is a friction controlled reaction gear and ada ted to be held stationary or Vreleased to di erent extents, two drums each tom over a mine 'bottom during cutting comprising a driving motor, a cutter bar, operative connections between said vmotor and said bar, and feeding mechanism including a shaft, multi-speed driving connections between said motor and said shaft whereby the former may drive the latter at a plurality Aof predetermined speeds, said connections including at one of said predetermined speeds a friction controlled reaction gear and an orbitally moving gear cooperatingA therewith, two drums each adapted to, be driven by said shaft, and flexible feeding portions cooperating respectively one witi each of said drums.

44. A mining machine slidable on its bottom over a mine bottom during cutting comprising a driving motor, a cutter bar, operative connections between said motor and `saidbar, and'feeding mechanism including a transversely extending shaft, multi-speed driving connections between said motor andl said shaft whereby the former may drive the latter at a plurality of predetermind speeds, two drums each adapted to be driven by said shaftin a manner to wind in a flexible feeding portion cooperatingtherewith,

cluding a transversely extending shaft,

multi-speed driving connections between said motor and said shaft whereby thev former may drive the latter, at a plurality `of predetermined speeds, two drums each adapted to be driven b said shaft, means under manual control or operatively connecting either of said drums in driving relation to said shaft, and flexible feeding portions cooperating respectively one with each oif said drums.

46. A mining machine slidable on its bottom over a mine bottom during cutting comprising a driving motor, a cutter bar, operative driving connections between said lmotor and bar,- and feeding mechansm including a shaft, means actuated by said motor for driving said shaft at a plurality of predetermined s eeds, two drums `each adapted to be driven by said shaft, one of saidl drums constituting a feed operating drum and the other a paying-out drum during cutting across a face, means for connecting and disconnecting said feed operating drum with said shaft, friction controlled means for retarding the rotation of said paying-out drum, land iiexible feeding portions cooperating respectively one with each of said drums.

y erative driving connections between said motor and bar, and feeding mechanism including a shaft, means actuated by said motor for driving said shaft at a plurality of predetermined speeds including at the slower of said speeds a friction controlled reaction member, two drums each adapted to be driven. by said shaft, one of said drums constituting a feed operating drum and the other a paying-out drum during cutting across a face, means for connecting and disconnecting said feed operatingdrum with said shaft, friction controlled means for retarding the rotationv of said paying-out drum, and flexible feeding portions cooperating respectively one with each of said drums.

48. The combination with a mining machine, ofV feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft,l a plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of predetermined speeds by the former, two drums operatively connectible with said shaft, and -Imeans for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a plurality of predetermined speeds while rotation of said Shaft remains constant.

49. The combination with a mining machine,of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a plural speed bonnection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of predetermined speeds ,by the former, two drums operatively connectiblel with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in onel direction and atf a different predetermined speed in the opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains constant.

50. The combination with a mining machine, of ifeeding mechanism therefor ,comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a plural speed connection. between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of predetermined speeds by the former, two drums operatively connectible with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed inone direction and at a different redetermined speed in the opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains constant, the4 angular rate of oneof said predetermined speeds bcing equal to the-angular rate of. rotation of said shaft-2.

. 5];The combination with a, mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comvprisimg' a driving motor, a shaft, a plurat speed connection between said'motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven ata plurality of predetermined speeds by the former, two drums operatively connectible with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for vdriving thereby at a plurality of predeter- Cit ing one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and at a different predetermined speed in the opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains constant, said means for connecting said drum to said shaft including friction mechanism controllable to vary the rotation-of said drum 4from said predeterminedspeeds.

53. The combination with a mininginachine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a drivingJ motor, a shaft, a plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of ypredetermined speeds by the former, two drums operatively connectible with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and at a different predetermined speed in the opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains constant, the angular rate of one of said predetermined speeds being equal to the angular rate of rotation of said shaft, said means for connecting said'dium to said shaft 'including friction mechanism controllable to vary the rotation of 'said drum from said predetermined speeds. j

54.The combination with a mining ma-' .,chine, of feeding mechanism therefor com- 'prisi'ng-a'drlving motor, a shaft, a plural speedconnection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a Eplurality of predetermined speeds by the former, said connection including fric-' tion mechanism adjustable to variably diminish the speed of saidishaft from one of said predetermined speeds, two drums, oper-- atively connectible with said shaft, and means-for connecting one of said drums to said lshaft for driving thereby at a plurality of predetermined speeds while rotation of said shaft remains 'constant.

55. The combination with a mining ma- `chinel of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor,V a shaft, a plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of, predetermined speeds the former, said connection including fric tion mechanism adjustable to variably diminish the speed of said shaft from one of said predetermined speeds, two drums `operatively connectiblc with said shaft, and

` means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and at a difremains constant.

ferent predetermined speed in the o posite direction while the rotation of sai shaft 56. The combination with a mining luachine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a plural speed connection b'etween said motor'and said shaft `whereby the latter may be drivenI ata plurality of predetermined speeds by the former, said connection including frictionV mechanism adjustable to variably diminish the speed of said shaft from one of said predetermined speeds, two drums operatively` connectible Vwithsaid` shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and at a different predetermined speed in the opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains constant, the angular rate of one of said predetermined speeds being equal to the angular rate of rotation of said shaft.

57. The combination witha mining machine, of feeding mechanismtherefor comprising a driving motor, a-shaft, ya plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby Vthe latter may be driven at a.. plurality of predetermined speeds by the former, said connection including friction mechanism adjustableto variably diminish the speed of said shaft from one of said predetermined speeds, two drums operatively connectiblc with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a plurality of predetermined speeds while' rotation of said shaft remains constant, said p means for connecting said drum to said shaft tively connectible-with said shaft, and means for connecting one of' said drums .to saidV yshaft for. driving thereby at a predeterremains constant2 said means for connecting said drum to said shaft including friction mechanism controllable to vary the rotation of said drum from one ofr said .predeter-` mined speeds.

59. The combination with a mining machine., of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a drivingemotor, a shaft, a plural speed connection tweensaid motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of predetermined Vspeeds by the former, said connection including friction mechanism. adjustable to variably diminish the speed of said shaft from one of said pre- `determined speeds, two drums operatively connectible with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and at a different predetermined speed in the "opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains 'conL v stant, the angular rateA of one of said predetermined speeds being equal to the angular rate of rotation of said shaft, said means for connecting said drum to said shaft including friction mechanism controllable to vary the rotation of said drum from one of said predetermined s eeds.

60. The combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of -predetermined speeds byy the former, two drums-operatively connectible with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereb at a plurality of predetermined speeds while rotation of said shaft remains constant, said means for connecting said drum to said shaft includingfriction mechanism icontrollable to; vary the rotation of said. drumfrom one 4of' said predetermined speeds.

' 61. The combinationwith a mining ma'- chine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprising a driving motor, a shaft, a plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at a plurality of predetermined speeds byv the former, two drums operatively connectible .with'said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and 4at a `different predetermined speed in the opposite direction while the rotation of said shaft remains constant, said means for connecting said drum to said shaft including friction mechanism controllable to vary the rotation of said drum from one chine, of feeding mechanism therefor comprisingr adriving motor, a shaft, a plural speed connection between said motor and said shaft whereby the latter may be driven at al plurality of predetermined speeds by the former, two drums operatively connecti'ble with said shaft, and means for connecting one of said drums to said shaft for driving thereby at a predetermined speed in one direction and ata different predetermined speed in the opposite -direction while the rotation of said shaftremains constant, the angular rate of one of said predetermined speeds being equal to the angular rate of rotation of said shaft, said means for connecting said drinn to said shaft including` friction mechanism controllable to vary the rotation of said drum from one of said predetermined speeds.

63. In a mining machine, a frame having a forwardly projectinglr cutter bar, a motor on said frame, a feed voperating member rotatable onl a transverse axis at one side of said frame, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, operative connections between said feed operating member and said motor including intermeshing elements respectively coaxial with said feed operating member and fixed as to relative rotary movement With respect thereto, and constituting a driving member for said. lastA mentioned element, and means for supporting said feed operating member permitting interruption of' said drive including a laterally projecting shaft.' an eccentric sleeve rotatably mounted thereon and providing a bearing for said feed operating member whose axis is offset from the axis of said laterally projecting shaft, and means for rotating said eccentric sleeve to bring said first mentioned element int-omesh with saidsecond mentioned'element and to move it out of mesh.

G4. ln a mining machine, a frame'having i .a forwardly projecting cutter bar, a motor on said frame, a feed operating member rotatable on a transverse axis at one side of said frame, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, operative connections betwcfcn said feed operating member and said motor including intermeshing elements respectively coaxial with said feed operating member and fixed as to relative rotary move-- ment with respect thereto, and constituting a driving member for said last mentioned clement, and means for supporting said feed ouer'ating member permitting interrupf said drive including a laterally projecting shaft, an eccentric sleeve rotatably mounted thereon and providing a bearing for said feed operating member whose axis is offset from the axis of said laterally projecting shaft, and means for rotating said eccentric sleeve to bring said first mentioned t element into meshiwith ysaid second mentioned element and to move it out of mesh arranged at the opposite side of said feed operating member with respect to lthe longitudinal center line of the machine frame u and including an element manually movable to move the eccentric sleeve, and means providing a plurality' of stationary abutments at appropriate places.-

65. In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the floor of a mine, a motor carried by the main frame, an endless chain cutting mechanism' projecting horizontally from the main frame a Winding drum mounted on the main frame, a rope Windable thereon, a train of gearing operative to connect the drum and the motor to cause the drum to Wind in the rope at a relatively loW speed,'mechanism operative 4to break the train of gearing adjacent the drum to allow the free unwindingof the rope, a

second winding drum mounted upon the main frame, a rope windable thereon, a gear train including a friction clutch adapted to connect the second mentioned drum with the motor to Wind the second mentioned rope at a relatively higher speed, and means for interrupting the driving connection between said drum and said motor.

66. The combination with a mining machine including a frame slidable on a mine bottom and a projecting cutter bar, of means for feeding said frame laterally during cutting including a plurality of flexible feeding portions disposable in opposite directions .from the op-posite .ends thereof, and feed operating and controlling means including a motor and a plurality of elements disposed to the rear of the front end of said motor and simultaneously rotatable by power transmitted directly thereto from the latter respectively to Wind in the advancing portion and to pay out the receding portion, said feed operating and controlling means also including means for rotating said paying out element to wind in said receding portion at a predetermined speed in excess 4ment bodily laterally along motor and simultaneously rotatable bypower from said motor respectively to wind in the advancing portion and pay out therelceding portion, said feed operating and controlling means also'including means for rotating said paying out element ito wind in said receding portion at a predetermined speed in excess of the speed at. which said advance portion is wound in while said winding in element is stationary as regards rotation.

68. The combination with a mining machine including a frame slidable on a mine bottom and a projecting cutter bar, of means for feeding said frame laterally during cuttin`g including 'a plurality of flexible feedingv members disposable in opposite directions from the opposite ends thereof,- and feed operating and controlling means inwinding in'element is either winding in 0rV stationary as regards. rotatlon.

69.y A room and pillar mining machine including a motor having its armature shaft rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine', a bevel driving pinion upon the rear end of said shaft, a bevel gear rotating on a vertical axis to the rear of said armature shaft and disposed above and meshing with'said-driving pinion, a

Vcutter chain driving sprocket, a driving connection between said bevel gear and Asaid drivingsprocket, and mechanism forl feed-V ing said machine over the mine bottom and guiding the same during its feeding moveincluding a' plurality of flexible feeding porl tions extendin in o losite directions from g Pl? the opposite ends of t e machine frameV and constituting during transverse feeding ad: 4vance and recedlng portions, a worm coaxml with and rotated by said bevel gear, a trans yverse shaft carrying a worm wheel driven by said worm, afeed operating member co-' operating with said advance portion and rotating on a transversely extending axis offset from saidstransverse shaft, and a mem.

ber rotating coaxially with said ,transverse shaft and cooperating .witl said receding l portion. v

70. A room and pillar mining machinel Y including a motor having its armature shaft,

rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a bevel driving pinion upon-the rear end of said shaft, a bevel the mine face gearlrotating lon a vertical axis to the rear of said armature shaft and disposed above and meshing with' said driving pinion, Va. cutter chain 'driving sprocketa driving connection between said bevel gear 'and said driving sprocket, and mechanism forl feed- 4ing said machine over the mine bottom and' gu1ding the same during its feeding movement bodily laterally along the mine face including a plurality of flexible feeding portions extending in opposite directions from theI opposite ends of the machine frame and constituting during transverse feeding advance and recedingl rtions, a worm coaxial with and rotated y said bevel gear, a'transverse shaft carryin a worm `wheel driven by said worm, a f operating member cooperating with said advance portion and rotating on a transversely extending axis offset fromjsaid transverse shaft, a member rotatin coaxially with said transverse shaft an vcooperatinglwithsaid receding rtion, and means for frictionally controlling the rotation of said members during cutting.

71. A. yroom and pillar mining machine including a motor having its armature shaft rotatable on an axis extending4 longitudinally of the machine, a bevel driving pinion upon the rear end of said shaft, a bevel gear rotating on a vertical axis to the rear of said armature shaft and `disposed above and meshing with Saiddriving pinion, a cutter chain driving sprocket, a drivlng connection between said bevel gear and said driving sprocket, and mechanism for feeding said machine over the mine bottom and guiding 1 the same durin its feeding movement bodily laterally a ong amine face including a plurality of flexible feeding portionsY ex-v tending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the machine frame and constit-uting during ytransverse feeding advance and receding portions, a worm coaxial with and rotated by said bevel gear, a. transverse' shaft carrying a worm wheel driven byl said worm, a feed operating member cooperating with said' advance portion and rotating on a' transversely extending axis' offset from said transverse shaft, a member rotating coaxially with said transverse shaft and coopcrating with said receding portion, and

lmeans for frictionally-controlling the rotation of said members including friction mechanism coaxial with said transverse shaft. t l

72; Alroom and pillar mining machine including"a motor having its armature shaft rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, abevel driving pinion upon therear end of said shaft, a bevel gear rotating on a vertical axis to the rearof said armature shaft and disposed above and meshing with said driving pinion, a cutter chain driving sprocket` a driving connect-ion between said bevel gear and said driving sprocket, and `mechanism for feeding said machine over the mine bottom and' guiding the same during its feeding movement bodily laterally along the mine face including a plurality of flexible feeding 'portions extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the machine frame and constituting during transverse feeding advance and receding portions, a Worm coaxial With and rotated by said bevel gear, a transverse shaft carrying a Worm Wheel driven by said worm, a feed operating member cooperating with said advance portion and rotatmg on a transversely extending axis offset from said transverse shaft, a member rotating coaxially with said transverse shaft and cooperating with said receding portion, and means .for frictionally controlling the operation of said :second mentioned member includingV a friction clutch coaxial therewith.

'73. In a mining machine, a machine frame, flexible feeding means therefor including advanceand receding flexible feeding portions, feed operating means including a "feed operating member adapted to act on said advance portion, afeed operating member adapted to act on said receding portion, a motor on said frame, andvariable speed driving connections driven by said motor and operable to rotate said feed operating members including a differential gearing selectively operable to drive either of said feed operating members.

74. In a mining machine, a machine frame, flexible feeding means therefori including advance and receding flexible. feeding portions, feed operating means including a feed operating member adapted to act on said advance portion, afeed operating member adaptedto act on said receding po'rtion. a motor on said frame, and-variable speed driving connections .driven by said motor and operable to rotate said feed operating members including a differential gearing selectivflyoperable to driveeither of said feed op rating members at different speeds.

Y 75. In a mining machine, a machine s frame, Hexible feeding means therefor 111-' cluding advance and receding flexible feeding portions, feed operating means including a feed operating member acting on said advance portion, a feed operating member acting on said receding portion, a motor on said frame. and variable speed driving connect ions driven by said motor and o erable to rotate said second mentioned'fee operating member including a differential gearing selectively operable .to drivesaid last mentioned feed operating member at different predetermined speeds while disconnected from said 'first mentioned feed operating member, said predetermined speeds including a speed in excess of the maximum potential cutting speed of the' machine undernordrive said feed operating member at differ-i ent predetermined speedsto effect Winding in ofv a flexible feeding portion cooperating therewith at ydifferent predetermined'speeds one of whichsubstantially exceeds the maximum potential cutting speed of said machine under normal Working conditions.

77. In a mining machine, al machine frame, flexible feeding means thereon including advance and receding flexible .feed- .ing portions, feed operating means including a feedl operating member yacting on said receding portion, av motor on said frame,

and variable .speed driving connections frictionallv` controlled at all speeds and driven by' said motor and operable-to rotatesaid feed operatingmember including an epicyelic gearing Whose elements are. included in the driving connections during rotation 'of said feed operating member at each .speed thereof and selectively opera-ble to loo j drive said feed operating member atdifferent predetermined speeds the greatest of which is faster than the maximum potential cutting' speed under normal conditions..

78. In a" min-ing machine,- a machine frame,flexible feeding means therefor inlcluding advancea-nd receding flexible feed` v ing portions, feed-.operating*means including a feed operating member adapted to act on said receding portion, a feed operating member adapted to act on' said advance portion,A a motor on said frame, and variable speed driving connections driven by-said motor and operable to rotate said fccd operatingl 4members including a differential gearing selectively operable to drive eitherof said feedI operating members at different speeds and a friction device'disposed in said variable speed driving mechanism.

'79. The combination with a mining machine including a frame slidablel on a lnine bottom andhaving a rigid longitudinally projecting cutter bar and means for feeding said machine including flexible feeding portions extending from thel opposite sides of said frame, and4 feed operating mechanism including a plurality of Winding members one cooperating with each of said flexible feeding portions and operative to draw in either one of said portions separately at a plurality of predetermined speeds one 4of which isgreater than the maximum otential cutting speed under normal conditions, said mechanism also having provision for drawing in oneof said portions at a prede` tcrmined speed While permitting lengthennism thereon including` a rotatable cutter.`

ing of the other at substantially the same speed.

S0. A mining machine slidab'le on a mine bottom comprising a frame, cutting mechachain, a plurality of flexible feeding portions disposable laterally in opposite directions in advance of and receding from the opposite ends of said frame, cutter chain driving means including a motor, and feed opera-ting means driven by said motor in-` cluding a plurality of rotatable feed o erating members one operative to Wind in said advance portion while the other pays .out said receding portion to effect feed of said machine at a predetermined low speed across a face as said cutter chain ,is rot ted in one direction, said means having pr vision whereby either of said rotatable members may wind in its associated flexible feeding portion at a plurality of speeds o f which one is in excess of the maximum potential cutting speed u-nder normal conditions, all while the motor propels the cutter chain in one direction and with the flexible speed to effect sumping and thereafter to feed said machine along said advance portion at a substantially equal cutting speed while paying out said'receding portion and continuing'to drive said cutter chain in the saine direction to make a cut across aface,

'said feed operating means including a luralit-y of rotatablefecd operating mem rs one cooperating with saidI advance and one with said receding portion, said feed operating members being disposed ad'acent opposite sides of said frame and bot to therear of the front of said motor.

82. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottoni comprisino` a frame, a motor disposed longitudinally thereof, cuttin mechanism driven by the rear end of said motor including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar disposed v longitudinally of said machine throughout the sumping and lateral cutting operations, and mechanism for sumping said bar into and thereafter feeding it laterally across a face including a plurality of lflexible feeding portions adapted to form advance and receding portions and driven by Ithe rear end of said motor and operative to effect sumping and lateral feeding, said winding means including connections for efl'ecting the drawing in of either portion at a cutting speed without reversing the vcutting mechanism or changing the operative connection between said port-ions an their cooperating winding elem'ents.

' 83. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame, a motordis posed longitudinally thereof, cutting'niechanism driven by the rear end of saidmotor including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar disposed longitudinally of said machine throughout the sumping and lateral cutting operations and mechanism for sumping said bar into and thereafter feedin it laterally across a face including a plurality of flexible feeding portions 4adapted to form advance and receding portions, means for disposing said receding portion during sumping substantially longitudinally of the receding side of said machine and during lateral cutting disposingv said advance portion longitudi nal y of the advancing side of the machine frame and laterally therefrom and said receding portion reversely laterally therefrom, and winding means including winding elellfl ments respectively cooperatingiwith said advance and receding portions and driven by the rear lend of sald motor and operative to efl'ect sumping and lateral feeding, said Winding `means including .connections for effecting the drawing in of either portion at a cutting speed without reversing the cutting mechanism or changing the operative connection between said portions and their cooperating winding elements, or drawing in one portion at a higher speed.

84.V A mining machine slidable o n a mine bottom comprising a frame, a' motor disposed longitudinally tliereof, cutting mechanism driven by the rear end of said 4motor including a cutter chain carrying cutter har disposed longitudinally of said machine throughout the sum ing andv lateral cutting operations, and inec iaiiism forsumping said bar into and. thereafter feeding it laterally

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