US1863865A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

L. A. MAXSON MINING "MACHINE June 21, `1932.

. 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 20. 1927 `lune 21, 1932. A. MAXSON 1,863,865

MINING MACHINE Filed June 20. 1927 2 SheeLS-Sheer, 2

M 76 I5 g Y .4 z8 V 4 L /z f fif/Z 6X8 71 70g ,4 V' wwf 6 63:61/ 66 73 7(5) 61 @Z6 w Y fm .ZW A J9 N/ l (u 074 77 79 l\ \\\\\\m\I I f l 39 a 45 i j y d. ci' 720677/ 07 "'f "la 14 Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT ojfI-"icE LOUIS A. MAXSON, OF CLAREMONT', NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR-ATO SULLIVAN MA- CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION F MASSACHUSETTS MINING i MACHINE Application filed June 20,

This invention pertains to mining machines and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved feeding mechanism for a coal mining machine'of the longwall type.

An'object of this invention is to provide an improved mining machine feeding mechanism which is of an exceedingly simple, rugged, and compact character. StillV another object of this invention is to provide an improved mining machine having a pressure fluid actuated driving motor of the intermeshing rotor type and improved and simplified feeding mechanism driven by said motor. A further object is to provide an improved mining maof the rotors is taken advantage of to obtain a substantial speed reduction. Still another object of this invention is to provide a coal mining machine having a fluid actuatedl driving motor of the intermeshing rotor type andv an improved feeding mechanism driven thereby including planetary gearing whereby the Inachine is fed at different speeds, one feeding speed being effected when the planetary gearing isconnected t0 one rotor and a different speed effected when both rotors are utilized in driving the planetary gearing.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will subsequently appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shownV for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,- r Fig. l is a plan view of the improved mining machine showing the cutter bar in a plurality of operative positions', parts vbeing shown in section to illustrate fdetails offconstruction. i f i Fig. 2 is a longitudinally extending vertical sectional view taken substantiallyV on ligne 2,-2ofFig1. l

`Fig is a fragmentary horizontal sectional 1927.` Serial `No. 200,096.

view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, parts being shown in plan to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 4 is a central longitudinally extending TBertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a detail sectional line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

In accordance with this illustrative' embodiment of the invention there is shown al mining machine of the flexibly fed continuous cutter longwall type having a generally rectangular machine frame l slidable on its bottom 2 on the mine floor: The frame l comprises a motor section 3, a feedsection 4 and a cutter section 5, said motor section 3V being interposed between said feed and cutter sections and suitably rigidly connected thereto.

view taken on The sections when connected, form a smooth bottom shoe on which the'machine is slidable. i

As shown, pivotally mounted at 6 on a vertical axis at the rear end of the machine frame l is an elongated plane cutter bar 7 about the margin offwhich an endless cutter bitA carry .Y

ing cutter vchain 8 is adapted to be circulated. Asis usual in mining machinesiof'the type disclosed, the cutterbar 7 is adapted Vto be; swung or slued to either side of the frame at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the machine or to be disposed lengthwise of the machine. rlhe cutter b-a-r 7 is adapted t-o be locked in its dierent operative positions by means of a locking pin 9 which is adapted to be inserted in any one of a plurality of apertures 10 formed in the frame section 5to lock the cutter bar to the frame. In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the invention the motor section 3 has housed therein a pressure fluid actuated motor comprising intermeshing spiral toothed motor rotors 1l and l2 disposed on parallel horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine. A usual reversing mechanism is interposed between the rear end of the motor and the cut-V ting mechanism and this reversing mecha.V nism isfadapted toconnect the cutter chain 8 alternatively to the rotors l1 and 12 to effect movementqofthe cutter chain selectively in known manner. j

Y opposite directions during cuttingV in a well, 7. 100

sie

As shown in the drawings, the improved feeding mechanism specifically comprises a spur pinion 13 rotatably mounted on a forwardly projecting portion 14 of the supporting shaft for the rotor 11. The spur pinion 13 meshes with a spur vgear 15 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 1 6 suitably rigidly secured within the frame section 4, the shaft 16 being disposed parallel with the rotor shafts. As illustrated, the gear 15 meshes with a larger spur gear 1 7 havinga` hub; 18 rotatably mounted on a bearing sleeve 19 supported on a Jforwardly projecting reduced portion 2O of the supporting shaft for the rotor 12. Fixed, as at 21, to the reduced portion 2Q of the rotor shaft isa spur pinion 22. which' meshes with e plurality 'Of Planetary gears 23 rotatably mounted' on horizontally disposed stub shafts24disposed parallel with the'rlLOrShafts. The shafts 24 are herein preferably formed integral with a spider member or planet carrier V25 keyedv at 26 to a horizontal shaft 27 alined with the supporting shaft 'for the rotor 1 2.l The planetary gears', 23 also. mesh with an internal gear 23 formed within the spur gear 17. As shown in Fig. 2 thfeshaft 27 is journaled at itsopposite ends in ball bearings 2 9. and 30, respectively, the latter bearing being carried by a detachable bearing bracket -31 suitablybolted to a detachable cap member 32 carried by the frame section 4 eferring more partifcularly tofF ig. 3 it Will be noted that the spur pinion 13. is held in positiony on the portion 14 ofthe supporting shaft for the rotor 1 1 by means of a split ring. 33, whilethe spur gear15 is positioned on the shaft 16 by a similar ring 34. It will also benoted that the forward endv o f the shaft 16` is secured by. a key'35. withina supporting bracket 36, while the rear end of the shaf t 1.6 is fixed by a key ber 39.isprovided withclutchteeth 42 which' 37to the frame section 4. Keyedgfor sliding movement on the reducedportion 143onithel supportingA shaft of the rotor 11: andf on the shaft 16.are jaw clutch members 38 andv 39, respectively. lThe clutch member 33 has formed onthe rear face thereof clutchE teeth 4Q which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding clutch `teeth 41 formed'on the for-v wardface of the pinion 13. The clutchmemare adapted to cooperate Vwith clutch teeth-43 formedon the Gear 15. The clutchmembers 3 8 and` 39 are adapted to-be shifted to connect alternatively the gears 13, 15to their respectivershafts and the mechanismy for shifting thesey clutch members .comprises a. double shipper yoke 44k (see Eig. 5) having inwardly projecting lugs 45. which cooperate` with peripheral grooves 46 formedinlthe clutch members.' The shipwer oke 44-ispiyotecl',at`

4 7 on aniipstanding rac et'48 carried bythe.

framesection 4.Y The outerendgofthe shipper `yoke 44 .isi pivotally connected at= 4 9. lto;a\,

horizontally disposed shipper 5,0eiitending longitudinally ofand guided by the machine frame. The rod 50 has suitably secured thereto at its forward end a grasping handle 51. Thus it will be evident thatwhen the operator grasps the handle 51 and slides the rod 50 rearwardly, the teeth 40 on the clutch member 3 8 are connected to vthe teeth 41 on the pinion 13 while the clutch member 39 is released from the gear 15. When the rod. 50 is mored in the opposite direction, the teeth 42 on the clutch member 39 are connected to the teeth 43 on the gear 15 while the clutch member 38 is released from the pinion 13. It is therefore evident that the gears 13 and 15 are alternatively connected to their respective shafts.

Again referring to the specific feed gearing it will be observedthat the: s haft27 has suitably fixed theretolintermediate its endsa worm 52 which meshes. with a horizon-tally disposed worm gear. 53vrotatably mounted on.

a vertically disposed shaft 54, the latter being located in the longitudinal center of the machine in. advance of thegearingY 1 3, 15,17. The shaft 5 41s journaled at itsupper end in ballbearings 55, suitably carried by-theframe by the frame, section 4.. YAsi illustrated, the

wormv gear- 53` is. adapted to. be. frictiona-lly connected to the; shaft, 5411335 means. of a fricL tion, disc c lutchcomprising aclutch housing 59 keyedv at 60.110 the hub-of theworm. gear 53. 'lhehousing 59icar1iesiaseries of clutch discs 61 which are interleaved with. corresponding series of clutch discs 62,-canried by a. clutch. member 6 3 keyed at` 64' to-thefshaft 54i En.- circling. theyshafty 54.- is; a. clutch; applying member 6.5, having depending fingers 66 which engagei the upper. disco the seriesv of clutch.' discs' 6,1., 6,2.. Engaging the pla-ne upper surface: ofY theL lclutch member 65, are. rollers; 67 ca rr-iedrbyy a shippen yoke l68 Ipivot. ally mounted at 69on.the f eedframe section., The shipper yoke68fhas fixed thereto anlarm. 701projecting. forwardly throughv anl opening,- 711- inthe machine frame and, this arm ,is pivotally connected atits front end; at 721 to alink 73. The link, 73.; in, turn pivotally conrnected'R at 7.4{to a .member 75 suitably fixed.. to, a` horizontal.. rod- 7.6 extendinglongitudinally of and guidedrbythe k machinf-i frame. Theouter end` ofthelrod, 7.6.is threadedly con.- nected at 77 to a rotatable` nut 78mounted within a;boref79fformedf in the .frame section 4. The nut 73` has preferably formedinte.- gral therewith; an operating handle 8O.- It is clearly evident that when the handlel 80 is` suitably manipulated the rod 76 is moved. forwardly, thereby-causingthe; link 7,3i'to swin the arm 70 upwardly; thereby swing ing t e shipper yoke 68 aboutitspiyot Aandg depressing', the- 01utch;,applyingmember'z :"3

to apply the clutch. As clearly shown in Fig. 4 the spur pinion 57 meshes with an internal gear 81 herein vformed integral with a horizontally disposed feed operating member, herein a winding drum 82. The hub 83 of the drum 82 isrotatably mounted on `ball bearings 84 supported on a vertically disposed stud 85 suitably secured to the machine frame. The hub 83 has an upper cylindrical portion 86 mounted within a depending flange 87 formed on the machine frame.` Cooperating with the winding drum 82 is a usual flexible feeding element herein in the form of a feed cable 88, while disposed at the opposite forward corners of the machine frame are guide rolls 89 rotatably mounted on vertical studs 90. f

The proportions between the sizes of the various gears necessary to obtain the desired ratio between the high and low speeds may be calculated by the use of any standard epicyclic gear formula found in mechanical engineering handbooks. As an illustration, it mayY readily be ascertained that by providing a ratio between the teeth on thehpinion 13 and the gear 17 of 9 to 30 and providing a ratio between the teeth on the pinion 22 and internal-gear 28 of 3 to 1, there will be obtained a fast speed ten times as fast as the cutting speed, the fast speed being obtained when the integrally connected gears 17 and 28 are held stationary and the slow or cutting speed being obtained when these gears are rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the pinion 22. It will further be evident that by making the ratio between the teeth on the gears 13 and 17 large enough the slow speed drive could be made opposite in direction to the fast speed drive, an arrangement which would be desirable if a chain and sprocket feed instead of a cable and drum feed were to be employed.

The operation of the improved mining machine will be clearly apparent from the description given. l/Vhen it is desired to move the machine rapidly about the mine, for instance during positioning of the machine relative to the working face, the feed cable 88 is extended from the winding drum 82 and is anchored at its free end to a. suitable roof jack adjacent the coal face. When the machine is being moved in this manner the cutter bar 7 is swung to a position lengthwise of the machine and rigidly locked to the machine frame -by the pin 9. The operator then grasps the handle 51 and slides the rod forwardly thereby connecting the gear 15 to the stationary shaft16 and releasing the pinion 13 from the supporting shaft for the rotor 11. Consequently the gear 15 is held against rotation and due to its mesh-V ing-engagementwith the spur gear 17 the' latter is also held immovable.A Upon admis-V` sion of pressure fluid to the motor the rotors 11, 12 revolve in opposite directions and consequently the pinion 22 is rotated, thereby rotating the planetary gears 23, causing the latter to roll around the stationary internal gear 28 as a trackway, thereby effecting movement of the planet carrier 25 and shaft 27 at a relatively high speed. The operator then grasps the handle 80 and` the clutch 61, 62 is applied, connecting the worm gearing to the driving pinion 57 ,thereby causing the feed drum 82 to wind in the feed cable 88 at a relatively fast or machine moving speed. After the machine is suitably positioned at the working face, the clutch members 38, 39 are moved to their neutral position andthe clutch 61, 62 released. Thefeed cable 88 is then extended around the guide roll 89 nearest the face and rearwardly as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and suitably connected to the cutter barv 7. The operator then shifts the rod 50rearwardly connecting the pinion 13 to the reduced portion 14 of the supporting shaft of the rotor 11, the gear 15 being disconnected from theshaft 16 and freely rotatable relative thereto. The gear 17 is then rotated by the gearing 13, 15 simultaneously as the gear 22 rotates and consequently as the planetary gears 23 roll around the then rotating internal gear 28 the spider 25 and shaft 27 are rotated at a relatively reduced speed. It is obvious that the internal gear 28 rotates in a direction reverse to the direction of orbital movement ofthe planetary gear 23 due to the reverserotation of the motor rotors thereby substantially decreasing the speed of rotation of the planet carrier 25. The operator then applies the clutch 61, 62 connecting the feedk drum 82 to the motor and consequently the feed cable88 is wound in at a relativelyslow orcutting speed and the cutter bar swung from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 to the full line position, the cutter bar thereafter being locked to the frame by the pin 9. The

clutch 61, 62 is then released and the feed cableextended forwardly of the machine and anchored at its free end to a suitable roof jack. The clutch6l, 62 is then again applied and the feed cable wound in by the `feed drum 82 and the machine moved relative to the coal face at a relatively slow rcutting speed. Itis obvious that'when it is desired to cut at an opposite face or in the opposite direction at the same face the cutter bar may be swung to the opposite side of the machine, the cutter chain reversed and the cutter bits yturned in their respective linksv and the feed cable reversely wound on the feed drum and extended from the opposite side of the machine'.Y These and `other uses and advantages of my improved mining machine will be clearly'apparent to those skilled in this art. f

l/Vhile I have in this application specically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be underica stood that this forinof the sameV is used for purposes of illustrationand that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

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

l. I'n a mining machine, feeding mechanism comprising a plurality of driving members disposed on parallel axes'in the same transverse plane and simultaneously rotatable at equi-angular rates in opposite directions, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means to move the machine towards an extraneous point to which said flexible feeding means extends, and plural speed driving gearing for said feed voperating member including a pair of coaxial gear elements arranged to be simultaneously driven respectively by said driving members in opposite directions at different speeds, and one drivable by its 'respective driving member while the other is not driven by its respective driving member.

2. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members simultaneously rotatable at equi-angular rates in opposite directions, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and plural speed driving gearing between said driving members and said feed operating member including a spur gear driven only by one of said driving members, an internal gear driven only by the other of. said driving members, and .planetary gears connecting said spur gear and said internal gear. i

3.r In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members simultaneously rotatable at equi-angular rates in opposite directions, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feeding means, and plural speed driving gearing between said driving members and said feed operating. member including a spur gear driven onlyby one of saidv driving members, an internal gear driven onlyby the other of said driving members, planetary gears connecting said spur gear and said internal gear, means for disconnecting said internal gear from its driving member, and means for holding said internal gear stationary .when the same is disconnected from its respective driving member. n Y

4. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members simultaneously rotatable in' oppositedirections, a feed operatingmember adapted to cooperate directly withy flexible feeding means, and plural speed driving gearing between said. driving members and said feed operating member including a spur gear driven konly by one of said driving members, an internal geardriv'en only by the other of said drivin-g members, planet gears connecting,

said Spur gear and saidi'internalgear, said feed operating member -beingdriven at one feeding speed when saidV spur gearand said internal gear are simultaneously driven by their respective driving members, means for disconnecting said internal gear fromr its driving member, and means for holding said internal gear stationary when disconnected from its driving member to effect drive of saidY feed operating member -at a different feeding speed. i

- 5. In a mmmgmachine, a driving'motor having rotors rotatingin opposite directions, and feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and driving gearing for said feed operating membersimultaneou'sly operatively connected toboth rotors Aand including a gear elementA driven by only one of said rotors, a gear element. driven only by the other of said rotors and cooperating gear elements simultaneously driven by said gear elements. at different speeds.

6. In a mining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motorhaving intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanismrincluding a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with exible feeding rmeans, and driving gearing for said feed operating member simultaneously operatively connected to both rotors and 'including a gear element driven by only one of said rotors, a gear element driven only by the other of said rotors, and cooperatinggear elements simultaneously driven by said gear elements at diderent speeds;

7. In amining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving'motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in oppositedirections, and feeding mechanism inclu'dinga feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and planetary driving gearing for said feed operating niember simultaneously operatively connected to both rotors and including a gear element driven by only one of said rotors, a gear element driven only'b the other of said rotors, and cooperating gear elements simultaneoiisly driven by said gear elements at different speeds. f

8. In aV mining machine,la pressurel fluid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted tov cooperate directly with flexible feedingk means and including driving gearing for said feed oplea erating member', said gearing when connectf ed to onl'yone rotor and disconnected-from the other rotor effecting rotation of saidfeed operating member at one feeding speed and when connected simultaneously to bothrotors effecting rotation'of said feed operating member at a Vdierent feedingy speed, and lmeans for effecting suchconnectiona I 9. In a mining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating Vin opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and driving gearing for said feed operating member, said gearing when connected to only one rotor and disconnected from the other rotor effect-ing rotation of said feed operating member at a relatively'high speed and when connected simultaneously to both rotors edecting rotation of said feed operating member at a substantially reduced speed, and means for e'ecting such connections.

l0. In a mining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,`and planetary driving gearing for said feed operating member, said planetary gearing when Vconnected to only one rotor and disconnected from the other rotor effecting rotation of said feed operating member at a relatively high speed and when connected simultaneously to both rotors effecting rotation of said feed operating member at a substantially reduced speed, and means for` effecting such connections.

l1. In a mining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and driving gearing for said feed operating member including a rotatable member, and planetary gearing associated therewith, said rotatable member when connected to only one of said rotors and said planetary gearing connected to only the other rotor effecting rotation of said feed operating member at one feeding speed and when said rotatable member is disconnected from its driving rotor and vheld stationary effecting rotation of said feed operating memberV at a different feeding speed directly from said other rotor through said planetary gearing, means for effecting rotatable member stationary. i

l2. Ina mining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating inopposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and driving gearing for said feed operating member, said driving gearing including a spur gear driven only by one of said rotors, an internal gear driven only by the other of said rotors, and planet gears connecting said spur gear and said internal gear.

13. In a mining machine, a pressure fluid such connections, and means for holding'said actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and driving gearing for said feed operatin@ member, said driving gearing including a spur gear driven only by one of said rotors,

an'internal gear driven only by the other of said rotors, planet gears connecting said spur gear vand said internal gear, means for disconnecting said internal gear from its respeotive driving rotor, and means for holding said-internal gear stationary whenV the same is disconnected from its respective driving rotor.

14. In a mining machine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motorhaving intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism drivenv thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and driving gearing for said feed operating member, said driving gearing includinga spur gear driven only by one of'said rotors, an internal gear driven only by the other of said rotors, planet gears connecting'said spur gear and said internal gear, saidfeed operatingA member being driven lat one feeding-speed when said spur gear and said internal gear are simultaneously driven by their'respective drivingv rotors and driven at a differentfeeding speed when said inof said driving members, said gearing when v115 connected to only one of said driving members and disconnected from the other eiecting rotation of said feed operating member at one feeding speed and when connected ternal gear is disconnected Vfrom its rotor simultaneously to both of said driving members effecting rotation of said feed operatingV memberat a different feeding speed,`and means for effecting such connections.

16..In a mining machine, feeding mechanism comprising a plurality of driving mem` y bers simultaneously rotatable at equi-angular rates in opposite directions, a lfeed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means to move the machine towards an extraneous point'to which said flexible feeding means extends, and driviso ing" gearing Ybetween said driving members and said feed operating member, said gearing when connected to only lone of said drivlng members land disconnected from the other fi`5 effecting rotation of said feed operating member at a relatively high speed and when connected simultaneously to both of said Vdriving members effecting rotation of said feed operating member at a substantially reduced speed, and means for effecting s uch connections. Y Y

- 17. In a mining machine, feeding mecha- ,nism comprising a plurality of driving members simultaneously rot-atable at equi-angular VVrates in opposite directions, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and'planetary driving gearing between said driving members and said feed operating member, said.

a feed operating member adapted to 'cooperate directly With flexible feeding means, driving gearing between said motor and said feed operating member comprising a gear driven only by one of said rotors and a gear driven only by the other of saidrotors,vand planet gears connecting said gears.

Y 19. In a' miningmachine, a pressure fluid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly With flexible feeding means, driv- .ing'gearing vbetween said motor and said feed `operating* member comprising a gear driven only by one of said rotors andv a gear driven only by the other of said rotors, planet Vgears connecting said gears, means for disconnecting one of said gears from its driving rotor, and means for holding said gear stationary when the same is so disconnected. A 20. Ina mining machine, a pressure fiuid actuated driving motor having intermeshing rotors rotating in opposite directions, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted tol cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, yand driving connections between said motor and said feed operating member including a gear rotatable with one rotor, a gear rotatable with the other rotor, and vplanetV gears connecting said gears, said feed .operating member ybeing driven at one feeding speed when 4Lacasse saidlgears are simultaneouslydrivenby both of said rotors land drivenat a*dif'f-erentfeed-V ying speed When vone of said gears is disconnected from its rotor tand-held stationary,

means for disconnecting said latter gear from its rotor, and means for holding said latter gear stationary.

1 2li-In a mining machine, a motor comprising-a pair of intermeshing toothed rotors rotating at equi-angular rates in opposite rections, a feed operating member adapted -to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,and plural speed driving connections between said motor and said feed operating member including a gear connected to each of said rotors and adapted to be simultaneously driven thereby,and`planet gears meshing with fsaid gears. i U

22. In a mining machine, feeding means including a plurality. of driving members simultaneously rotatable at equi-angular. rates in opposite directions, a feed operating memberv adapted to cooperate directlyv with flexible feeding means and plural speed driving gearing for said feed operating-.member in- 7" cluding 'gear elements simultaneously driven directly by "said driving members, a gear element Adriven by one of said gear elem-ents, and Vorbitally movable gearing connecting the other of said first mentioned gear elements and said second mentionedV gear ele- `ment in driving relation. i l

23. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members simultaneously rotatable at equi-angular rates `in opposite directions, a feed operating-member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and plural speed drivingv gearing for said feed operating member .including gear elements driven directly by said driving members, an internal gear driven by one gear element, and planet gears meshing `with said other gear elementand said internal-gear.

' 24. In a mining machine, a: machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over-the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism lincluding a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means-for-the machine including a rotatable feed member andV a cooperating flexible kfeeding element, andl plural? speed driving connections between said motor and said feed member including a plurality ofV concentrically 4arranged driving gears, the inner gear being continuously driven, a driven member operatively connected to said feed member, planet gears operatively connected to said driven member andl meshingv with 4said drive gears, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said drive gears simultaneously or' one independently of ytheother. f

25. In a mining ,l machine,A a machine frame adapted kto rest upon and slide in `any -130 'fios direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for the machine including a rotatable feed member and a cooperating flexible feeding element, and plural speed driving connections between said motor and said feed member including a plurality of concentrically arranged driving gears, the inner gear being continously driven, a driven member Voperatively connected to said feed member, planet gears meshing with said drive gears, and mechanism for effecting simultaneous rotation of said drive gears in opposite directions.

26. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried Vby said frame, cutting mechanism including a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for the machine including a rotatable feed member and a cooperating flexible feeding element, and plural speed driving connections between said motor and said feed member including a plurality of concentrically arranged driving gears, the inner gear .being continuously driven, a driven member operatively connected to said feed member, planet gears meshing with said drive gears, and mechanism for effecting simultaneous rotation of said drive gears in opposite directions or for holding one of said drive gears stationary while the other gear is driven. Y

27. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and plural speed driving gearing for said feed operating member including gear elements driven directly by said driving members, one of which is continously driven at all speeds, an internal gear driven by one gear element, and planet gears meshing with said other continuously driven gear element and said internal gear.

28. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with iiexible feeding means, and plural speed driving gearing between said driving members and said feed operating member including a spur gear driven only by one of said driving members and continously driven at all speeds, an internal gear driven only by the other of said driving members, and planetary gears connecting said continuously driven spur gear and said internal gear.

29. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members, a feed operating member adaptedto cooperate directly with fiexible feeding means, and plural speed driving gearing between said driving members and said feed 30. In a mining machinefeeding mechanism including a plurality of driving members, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and plural speed driving gearing between said driving members and said feed op- @rating member including a spur gear driven only by one of said driving members, an internal gear driven only by the other of said driving members, planet gears connecting said spur gear and said internal gear, said feed operating member being driven at one feeding speed when said spur gear and said internal gear are simultaneously drivenby their respective driving members, means for disconnecting said internal gear from its driving member, and means fork holding said internal gearstationary when disconnected from its driving member to-eifect drive of saidfeed operatngmember at a different feeding speed.

3l. In a mining machine, a driving motor having a pair of motor rotors, and feeding mechanism including a feed `operating member adapted to cooperate directly -with flexible feeding means, and driving gearing for said feed operating member simultaneously operatively connected to both :rotors and including a gear element driven by only one of said rotors, a gear element driven only by the other of said rotors and cooperating gear elements simultaneously driven by said gear elements at dierent speeds.

32. In a mining machine, a pair of driving members, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly Vwith flexible feeding means, and driving gearing for said feed operating member, saiddriving gearing including a spur gear driven only by one of said driving members, an internal gear driven only by the other of said driving members, planet gears connecting said spur gear and said internal gear, means for disconnecting said internal gear from its respective driving member, and means for holding said internal gear stationary when the same is disconnected from its respective driving member.

33. In a mining machine, a pair of 'driving members, and feeding mechanism driven thereby including a feed operating member adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and driving gearing for said feed operating member, said driving gearing including a spur gear driven by only one of iis said driving members, an internal gear driven only by the otherY of said driving members,

planet gears connecting said spurgear and said internal gear, said feed operating member being driven at one feeding speed when said spur gear and said internalgearare simultaneously driven .by their respective driving members and drivenv at a Vdifferent feeding speed when said internal gear is disconnected from its drivingmember and held stationary, means for disconnecting said internal gear from its respective driving member, and means for holding said internal gear v 35. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly With iexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said memberrincluding. parallel shafts, spur gears driven by said shaftsrespectively, a spur gear meshing with one of said gears, an internal gear driven by said last mentioned spur gear, planet gears meshing With said internal gear and the other of said first mentioned spur gears, and driving connections between said planet gears and said feed Voperating member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' LOUIS A. MAXSON.

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