US2053288A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

s ept. s, 1936. Mp. HOLMS MINING MACHINE 5 sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1932v :CLS:

sept. 8, 1936. I M p., HOLMES 2,053,288

MINING MACHINE PHaZm Awb 4' Mmm dii/gy.

Sept. 8, 1936.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE s sheets-sheet 3 Filed Dec. 19, 1952 Yomlaimex n Patented Sept. 8, 1936 usarse UNITED@ STATE-s PATENT- @Price MININGY` MACHINE Morris A1. Holmes, Claremont; N. H., assig'nor to SullivanMachinery Company, a corporation -of f Massachusetts Application rDecember 19, 1932,; Serial` No; 6472945 25 Claims.

This invention relates to' mining machines; andmore particularly to improvements in the feeding mechanism of -a coal .mining-'machine of the lex'- iblyrfed, continuous cutterybottomv cutting type'.

An object of -this invention is toprovide an improved coalmining'machine. Another object is to providean improved-mining machine feeding mechanism. Afurtherfobject is to provide an improved feeding mechanism'ffo'rancoal mining machine of the flexibly fed, continuous `cutter,.

bottomi cutting types'v Anotherobject is'ito provide an improved coal`miningrl machine of theffy combined roomand lpillar andlongwall-type havI inglimproved`` feedingvmeclianism for propellingk thermachine 'during cuttingin accordance with either lthe room and pillar'on longwall systems of mining. Arfurtlier objectl is to'fprovide, in a machineof i thel abovecharacter; an improved'feecl'-v ing mechanism i wherein relatively'rotatable Vfecoling `members each adapted-tocooperate withfflex-A ible feeding means are employed-for feeding the machine laterally Aacrossthe coalifa'ce during cutting in accordance-with the room and pillar-'sys-v f tern; and for: rfeeding .the machine in an'\er1ciwiser directionlalong the coal-'face during cutting linac-1H cordance .witli' the longwall system, the machinef loeirigprovided'with a pivoted fkerf' cutter dispos-"- able: inaLposition lengthwise of the machine dur'-v inglroom and 'pillarcutting or infrightang-le positions at eitherrside of the lmachine during longl Wall cutting. Stillanother object is'toprovidegr inamachine `of the above character, animproved feeding 'mechanism wherein iieXible-element-'engaging, feed operating` and controllingfmembers Y are employed for4feedingfand guiding the mai chine duringrcutting. inaccordanceiwith the room and"v pillarrsystem, the i feed" controlling member acting as arsafety member during cutting in` accordance with`v they longwall system, particularly while'V cutting. onY pitching coal. seams wherein there is inherentfda'ngerof breakage or release' ofthe.' feed vmemherr durir'iglthe` cutting operation f as theY machine' moves up .'.thesteeply inclined" seam; rthei control Ymember at' that ltime acting to prevent movementflof "the lmachine downl thepitchfinthefevent of'y breakage orfreleasefof-l the* feed operating member." AIV still further objectis to provide -ii'nproife'dvJ :driving means for vthe feed operatingrand.controlling members of such'a ma- These and other objects and -advantages i of the inventionv will,z however, hereinafter more chine.I

fully appears In the accompanying.drawingsfthereis shown4 for purposesfofl illustration' one form Which/the" invention` mayv assumeA in practice.`

Figfl is a-plan^view of -the illustrative embodi mentV of the improved'coal mining'machine.4

Figi 2 is aside elevational' view' of the mining machine shownin Fig.' 1. 5

Fig.=3 isy an-enlarged horizontal sectional view, with'partsashown inplan; taken substantially `on the Y1ine'3-3 of Figi 2.

Fig; 4 is an `enlarged transverse'vertical section-l al View -taken substantiallyon'r the-'lineft-f-ll of 10 Fig.V 3.

Fig;-- 5isY an enlarged longitudinally extending vertical sectionalview taken substantially on" the line 5 5 ofFig. 33

Fig.- 6 is a fragmentaryI view, partiallyin'ele 15 vationand partially in section; showingportions of Vthe transmission mechanismshown inv Fig; 3:"

Fig. 7 is a transverse''vertical` section substanf'- tially onthe line 1`1 ofFigiG:

FgJS is atransverse` verticalsection takensulo 20.

central motor sectionL 3, al cutter carryin'gsection 35 #and a feed frame sectionA 5; the vmotorsection being' arranged between the cuttenand feedV frame sections, andthese sections when' 'united' forming: arr extremely'low compact' machine frame; PivotallymountedatY 6 onA the cutter v4to framesection' 4 for horizontalswinging move'- ment relative thereto intov positions lengthwise of theemachine; as `shown' in` full'lines in. Fig." l, or inw right' 'angle vpositions 'at either side of the machine, as 'indicated'indott'ed lines'in'Fig." 1, 45-

is *an* elongated plane` cutter" bar V"l carrying on its margin for circulation thereabout anendless cutter "bit carryingcutter chain 8, Mounted'on they cutter bar is a usual lockingA element 9'for lockingthe.cutter bar in its different positions 50 i aboutits'pivot relative to the frame'. Housed withinr the motor section`3 isla horizontal motor, and this'motor 'construction' and theV construction'of the cutterframe section and the partic= ular""driving'connections between themotorand 55" the cutter chain are identical to those described in my Patent No. 1,815,872, granted July 21, 1931, and therefore a more detailed description thereof is herein considered unnecessary. Driven by the end of the motor opposite from the cutter chain drive and carried by the feed frame section at the end of the machine remote from the cutter bar is the improved feeding mechanism generally designated Now referring to the improved feeding mechanism, it will be noted that arranged within a chamber extending transversely through the lower portion of the feed frame is a feed operating member, herein a feed drum |2 of relatively large diameter and disposed on a vertical axis lying midway between the sides of the machine frame inthe central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine as shoWninFig. 1. Dis-y posed at the top of the feed frame in superimposed coaxial relation with the feed drum I2 isa controlling member, herein a controlling or safety retarding drum I3. The bottom surface of the feed drum I2 lies in planes adjacent the bottom plane surface of the machine frame, while the bottom surface of the upper drum I3 lies in planes adjacent the top plane surface of the machine frame. Wound upon the feed drum I2 is a feed cable |4, while wound upon the drum I3 is a feed controlling or safety retarding cable I5. Arranged in transverse planes adjacent the feed drum on parallel vertical axes and in pairs at opposite sides of the feed frame are guide sheaves I6, I6, while arranged in coaxial relation therewith in transverse planes adjacent the upper drum I3 are similar guide sheaves I1, I1, these guide sheaves being adapted to guide the feeding and controlling cables, thereby enabling the cables to be extended in various directions relative to their respective drums. vDetachably secured to the cutter frame section 4 is a hanger mounting I8 carrying a swing arm i9, on the lower end of which is journaled a guide sheave 29 around which the feeding cable I4 is adapted to be extended during lateral feeding of the machine in accordance with the room and pillar system. The cable |4 is connectible in a well known manner to the locking element 9 to effect swinging of the cutter bar 1 about its pivot. During cutting from left to right in accordance with` the room and pillar system, that is in a direction opposite from that shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the swing arm hanger I8 is detached from the left hand side of the cutter frame and is transposed to the opposite side of the frame, and the feeding and controlling cables are extended from the machine in an opposite manner. As the Various arrangements of the feeding and controlling cables relative to their respective drums and guide sheaves to effect feed of the machine in accordance with either the room and pillar or longwall systems of mining are well known to those skilled in the art, and as the feed cablesI may be extended from their respective drums in any preferred direction, further description of the particular arrangements of the cables and the mode of operation of the machine is not deemed necessary.

Now referring to the specific driving connections between the motor and the feed operating and controlling drums I2 and I3, it will be noted that fixed to the motor power shaft 25, as shownV in Fig. 3, is a spur motor pinion meshing with a spur gear 21 keyed to a horizontal longitudinally extending` shaft 28, herein arranged parallel with the motor power shaft and suitably journaled within the feed frame 5. Formed on this shaft at the end thereof opposite from the gear 21 is a spur pinion 29 meshing with a spur gear keyed to a horizontal longitudinally extending shaft 3|, herein arranged parallel with the shafts 25, 28 and likewise suitably journaled within the feed frame. Secured to and driven by the shaft 3| and arranged at the end thereof opposite from the spur gear 3D is a spur pinion 32 meshing with a spur gear 33 keyed to a hori- Zontal longitudinally extending shaft 34, herein arranged parallel with the shaft 3| and preferably in axial alinement with the shaft 28 and likewise suitably journaled within the feed frame. Secured to the end of the shaft 34 opposite from the gear 33 is a spur pinion 35 meshing with a spur gear 33 arranged coaxially with the spur gear 30 and surrounding and journaledon the shaft 3|. Suitably journaled within bearings ycarried within the gears 30 and 36 and arranged coaxially with and surrounding the transmission shaft 3| is a tubular shaft 31 having formed thereon, intermediate its ends, a worm 38. The gear train including gears 26, 21, 29 and 36 constitutes a high speed drive, while these gears and, additionally, the reduction gears 32, 33, 35 and 39 constitute a slow speed drive; and these drives are selectively connectible with the opposite ends of the worm shaft 31 through friction disc clutches 39 and 40, respectively.

The particular clutch mechanism and the actuating and controlling means for the clutch mechanism are similar in design to those described in my copending application, Ser. No. 555,328, filed August 5, 1931, now matured into Patent No. 1,968,769, patented July 31, 1934. The 'clutch actuating and controlling mechanism will now be described. Fast speed rotation of the worm shaft 31 is effected herein by direct connection of the shaft with the high speed gear 36; while continuous rotation of the shaft at a slow speed and intermittent rotation at a number of different still slower mean speeds are effected herein by the following mechanism. A ball-bearing clutchapplying element 4| reciprocably mounted on the shaft 31 is operative to transmit the pressure of a clutch shipper element 42, which is pivotally supported at 43 on the feed frame, to effect loading of the friction clutch 39 and thereby to effect connection between the high speed gear 36 and the shaft 31. A similar clutch-applying member 44 is arranged adjacent the opposite end of the shaft 31 and is movable by a clutch shipper 45 to effect loading of the friction clutch 49 and thereby to effect connection of the low speed gear 33 to the shaft 31. The shipper 45 is pivotally supported at 46 on the feed frame. Formed integral with the low speed gear 36 at one side thereof is a cam surface 41 with which engages a pin 48, and this pin is slidably guided for linear movement in a bore formed in the bearing bracket 49 which supports the bearings for the shafts 3| and 34, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. At its opposite end this pin 48 is pivotally connected at 50 with o-ne end of a lever 5|, whose opposite end 52 is pivotally connected to a threaded member 53 which receives the outer end of a threaded rod 54. The opposite inner end of the rod 54 is provided with an enlargement 55 forming a shoulder 56, and a spring 51 is compressed between a nut 58 cooperating with the threaded outer end of the rod 54 and a collar 59 slidably mounted upon the rod 54 adjacent the inner end of the latter and normally engaging the shoulder 56. The enlarged inner end of moss-gesso the rod-l514fpasses through a trunnion devi'ceit` supported'.A by the shipper.: member 45 which. carries, at its opposite*Y sides'. from its. pivot.' 46,v clutch-applyingY elements 62.

the left of the rod 54 in Figs. 3 and16:..will result.- in antransmission ofi" no pressure `totheclutch shipper member until the slidinggcollar. 59'en-.L- gages the endiofthe trunnion device 6l .butlthat further movement-.to vthe left, in these gures'Vof the rod 54- will thereafterl impart aloadfto the shipper .member v45which will be determinedby thefextent of thevmov-ement. of the-rod--andthey degree of compression vof the spring 51.... The pint 4l-rnay be held against slidingmovement within itsguide when desired byfmeans of any suitable.: device, such as a set. screw .63 threadedly supportedin the top of the bearing. bracket .49 as.

describedin the. above .mentionedapplication and f asshown .in- Fig. '7. A. movablefulcrum for the lever 5I is provided .by trunnion devices64which. are held upon.. a..longitudinally movable rod. 6.5. betweena collar. 56.0n. the latter and theinner. end of..a.sleeve.G1. A key 68 extends through. the sleeveand into the rod.

The inner end of thelongitudinally movable. rod.65 carries .a .nut 69 which,.on movement of the. rod totheright .as Viewed in. Figs...3 and.6,. applies .pressure to trunnion devices 10 .surrounding the rod 55 and pivotally mounted in the. outerv end of the shipper member 42... The-rod extends. through .the sleeve. 61, as indicated above, and sleevel is slidable Within but splined.

by means of .the key 58 .to one hub 1| of alever. 12,1the. opposite hub of this leverheing threadedly connected at 13 within. the. endwall of they feed frame. Threadedly connectedtothe outer huhof this. lever at 14 is a rotatable operating handle 15. The. rod 55 is provided with an enlarged head 16 engageable. with the outer end. surface ofl this. handle. Obviously, collar 66 Vand head 15 holdthe trunnion device 64,-.sleeve 61 andthe Wall of the handle 15 in xed relation, as. regards.. relative longitudinal movement vbetweenthem. The handle.15.is inthe form of a nut, and.l movement of the shaft. `65, trunnion devices 64, and sleeve 61 longitudinally iseiected. by rotationof the..handle -15 relative :tothehub ofthe lever. 12. Rotation of the handle. 15 .in a.l directionitocause movement of the. rod.65. to-

ward the right in Figs. 3 and 6 results invloa-ding of thevfriction .clutch Saand drivingeof lthe worm shaft 31 directly bythe high speedgear 30. Ro-

tation of the handle 15 .in a directionltdeiect.-

movement of the rod-55 toward the left in -Figs;.;3... anddmoves the fulcrum 64 of the lever 5l to ward'the left, and thereby moves the.V pin 48 into engagementwith the cam' surface-41; and-upon movement of the fulcrumsufciently-far tothe left, the other end ofthe lever 5I` willhavefsu cientY throw so that theshoulderv 56 will-passim`` side the trunnion devices 6'! and'permitth'e col-4 lar 5S-to Contact with the trunnion devi-ces` andA the spring-51 to load the friction clutchi-lll.` Ob viously, whenthe spring 51 is underv s'ucient compression vso that-it Willi yield only when aA pressure adequate toefectpower transmissiony through the discs ofthe friction clutch 4i) -is apf plied to the collar 44, the. adjustment ofthey fulcrum device 65 may effect rotation of'theshaft 51 at alow speed by thelow speed'geanB-:for any desired part of each revolution of the'latter;

When 'the -ro'd (55v is moved tothe Vleftv so farthat the collar 59 Acontinuously presses under the presa sure ofthe .springagainst thefulcrum-rdevice 6i,

It will-.be evidenti-f 1 from .the foregoing .description that movement `to-z continuousz rotationfyof the worm:` shaft 31 willi takeiplace;and;the:'spring 51 will. con'lpress-durr-i` ing;.each rotation ofthe/'lowI speedgear 35: an.F` amount: substantially equal to the full throw of i theecam: 41; but since;` the...load:.of" the spring: is desirablyabove the minimum. necessary: to effect power transmission through?. theiriction: clutch. discs;l thereawill be no release even` when the? lowest., point.. in; tliencam' `41 is' opposite the pini 48.5" Howevergwbyfmoving.the rod'65 graduated amounts'towaatd thefright inFg. 3, the periodi'. offsdrivewduringeach rotationof the gear'iimayVV befprogressively:reducedeuntillit is entirely. dis'.-` continued.v It-will be understood'that *thev 'splineelJ connection between member 1|- andztheslfeeve 61. andi roda-65s permitswlongitudinal movement. of: the:.last' two..;elements relative to, andrftlrough', thefmember 1I, butrotation. of member 1I will always be effective toi rock `theshaft or" rod V(i5, While the threaded connectiomat 1'3'hassuch a une lead.l that material longitudinal variationI in: thepositiontof thefrodfB-will not be causedbythenecessaryjrotation ofl `1 I Obviously, if the pin 48risflocked'byrthe set sor'ewffa imposition within its'guidewhereit is not engagedvby'fthe camf'41 at` all, there willdoe` noxva'riation inthe speed transmitted, butztheref" will'be af: de'nitelyl limited? pressure `xapuolied.to

theifriction: clutch 45,' and av predetermined slowfJ speedfldriveir'adaptedto slip 4on overloading will be'z-avalable;l

Novvfreferring tothe improved driving connec tionsl betweenithe tubular worm shaft 31' and-thefrfeed. operating' andv controlling` drums |22.J and E351 arranged' coaxiallywith they-'worm wheel 8B 'and suitably' journal-led? 'Within' the. feed frame.;l The lowervshaf-t .Bltcarries a spur pinion meshing? with:aalargednternalgear iformed on therflower" feed* drumzzl?, whilen` the upper'shaf't 83-7- has" formed". thereon a similar' pinion 81r meshing-,J with fa large internal y"gear" 88 'formedvintegral withf the: upper. controlling; orf' safety. drumY t3.

The.` shaftsrg Bil-are'v separatelyjfor'simultane; ously connectible in drivingfrelation with the:

worm rwheel'd by the interlocking clutch` mechanisms'. 81,* 82, andV these' clutch mechanisms` each'.` comprise interlocking 1' clutchl plungers 89A slidablyf'guidedwithin radial bores' 95 formed:l

infthe'hubfof"thefvvorm-wheel 80, and arenor' mally vheld-z in released position vby coiled ysprings S;Y shipper 92 having; formed. internally;thereonv acamzsurfaceB engageable with correspond-k Each-"mechanismxis' provided with` a clutch ing;sur-faces'-Srl-"formedn on the clutch plungers':

89,: so :thatr4 when' they clutchl members 92 areshovedainwardly toward one another; thev camv surfacesA force: tlieclutch'1 plungers -Vinto interlocking.- engagement withy grooves 95" formedV in`4 the. shafts; VSil,- 841 These 'shipperiamembers are# provided withl shipperV levers 95" andY 91,-' respecf'-v-` tively;- pivotallyfmountedxat S8 on al horizontal. axisf.withinztheffeedframe.' The mechanism for swinging the `'shipper leversv -963 91 aboutm their. re-"lspectivef'pivots comprises: a` cam member: 99S

splineditorthe; rod 55 andha-vingicam slots-l 081" (see'eEigQA) -engageablev with pin-like projections I 0 lwcarriedfon: the :operating :.armsfof the; levers:

It Will thus be seen that when the lever 12 is rotated, the sleeve 61 and the rod 65 splined thereto are rotated therewith, thereby rotating the cam 3S, and as a result, swinging the shipper levers 96, Sl about their pivots. When the cam 99 is in one position, that is, when the projections ride on the cam-like surfaces |02 of the slots, both the shipper levers 95, 91 are held inwardly to connect, through the interlocking clutch mechanisms, the shafts 83, 84| to the worm wheel 80. In another position of the cam member 99, the projections lie at the bottoms of the cam surfaces, and at that time the levers 94, 95 areV swung outwardly with both of the interlockingv clutch mechanisms released. When the cam member 99 is in still another position, the levers are held in their released position with the clutch mechanisms both disconnected. By moving the cam 99 into still other positions, one or the other of the clutch mechanisms 8|, 82 may be connected while the other is released. It will thus be seen that, depending upon the position of the cam 99, the drums |2 and i3 may be separately or simultaneously driven.

Under certain conditions it is desirable to brake rotation of the controlling or retarding drum I3, for instance when the drum is disconnected from its drive and the machine is operating in accordance with the longwall system on a steeply inclined coal seam, it at that time being desirable for the controlling drum to act as a retarding or braking drum to control the downward movement of the machine along the incline or to hold the machine against movement down the incline in the event of breakage or release of the feeding member. This braking means comprises an adjusting screw |95 (see Fig. 5) threadedly connected within a boss |05 integral with the feed frame and forming a bearing support for the upper drum. This screw is provided with a cylindrical head IGI having a transverse opening |93 within which there .is slidably mounted an operating handle |09. The lower surface of the head |01 engages a cylindrical braking plate Ill) supported on the boss |06 and held against rotation relative to the latter by a transverse tongue and groove connection i, and engageable with a braking ring l2 to force the latter into frictional braking engagement with the upper surface of the drum |3. the feed frame in the manner similar to that described in the application mentioned above.

As a result of this invention it will be notedY that an improved coal mining machine of the combined room and pillar and longwall type is provided having improved feeding mechanism whereby the machine may operate in accordance with either the room and pillar or longwall systems of mining. It will further be evident that there is provided an improved longwall coal mining machine of the pivoted bar type having a plurality of feed operating and controlling members arranged in an improved manner on the machine and having improved driving and controlling means therefor. It will further be noted that an improved mining machine feeding mechanism is provided wherein the feed operating and controlling members may be driven at a predetermined high speed, at a predetermined slow speed, or at any desired speed from its maximum slow speed down to zero, as desired. These and other uses and advantages of the improved mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one formwhich the invention may as- The lower drum l2 is journaled within sume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

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

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted Vto rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feed-- ing means and arranged in superimposed relation on verticalV axes, one in horizontal planes aboveV the top of the machine frame and the other in horizontal planes adjacent the bottom thereof.

2. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and arranged in superimposed coaxial relation on a vertical axis, one in horizontal planes above the top of the machine frame and the other in horizontal planes adjacent the bottom thereof.

3. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding and guiding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding and controlling means, and driving means for rotating said members continuously at a fast speed and intermittently at a slow speed including alined relatively rotatable shafts arranged with their axes lying in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the machine, a driving gear therefor coaxial therewith, continuous fast and intermittent slow speed driving means selectively connectable in driving relation with said driving gear, operative driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, and selectively operable clutch mechanisms for connecting said shafts in driving relation with said driving gear.

4. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving means for rotating said members including alined relatively rotatable shafts arranged with their axes lying in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the machine, a driving gear therefor coaxial therewith, continuous fast and intermittent slow speed driving means selectively connectible in driving relation with said gear, operative driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, selectively operable clutch mechanisms for connecting said shafts in driving relation with said gear, and operating means for said clutch mechanisms for separately or simultaneously connecting the same.

5. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from `ing means and arranged in superimposed:coaxial relation .on a lverticall axis, 1'the controlling said frame,` andlmotor operated-devices' for feed- `ing the machine v.including relativelycrotatable feed operating and .controlling -members each adapted `to .cooperate `direc'tlywvith eXible feeding means and arranged insuperimposedrelation, drivingfmeans for rotating. said members at a continuous predetermined .highspeed andintermittent slow .variable speeds, shafts one. Vindividual to each member, means for .selectively connecting said shafts in driving relation .With

.said driving:means,.andbraking means for-one of said members.

6. In a mining machine, a machine Aframe adapted to restuponand slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, .and'motor operated devices .for feed- .ing vthe :machine including relatively rotatable feed operating andv controlling members each .adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding .means and arrange-din superimposed relation, means for independently rotating said. memselectively `at .different predetermined speeds and at variable.. lower speeds including .driving means rotatable to elfectdrive at .such

speeds, driving shafts .one individual rtogeach member, and means for .selectively .connecting sad-fshafts'fordrivefby said driving means, and .braking means 1f or, L-the upper. member.

7.. Inl-a. mining-rmachine, .a .machine frame .adapted torest upon'andl-slide; in.: any direction -over thefmine floor, akerff. cutterprojecting from said frame, andlmotor.operateddevices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding.means and arranged insuperimposed relation, vthe -controlling member arranged .in horizontalplanesabove the'top of the'machine frame and the V feed operating 4member in horizontal :planes iadjacent the bottom thereof.

8. In a mining machine, a machine frame .adapted to rest upon .and slidein any direction over .the mine ,floon- .a kerf cutter-projecting from .said framepandmotoroperated devices for feeding the machine including, relatively rotatable feedoperating and controlling members each adapted.-.to..cooperate directly with exible feed- .ing .means .and .arranged in superimposed c0- axial relation -ona vertical axis, the `controlling memberarranged .in-horizontal planes above the top of .themachineframe and the feed operating Ymember in horizontal .planes adjacent Athe bottom thereof.

9'."In..a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to .rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutterprojecting .from saidf-rame,'..and.motor operateddevices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and .controlling members each adapted to .cooperate directly with .flexible feed- 'ing .means .and arranged in superimposed rela'- tion, the controlling memberarranged in hori- .zont'alfplanes above the top ofthe machine `frame andthe. feed .operating member in horizontal planes adjacent the bottom thereof, .driving means for said members, andmeans .for braking said controlling member when thelatteris disconnected .from its drive.

member arrangedin horizontal planes-above the v'topo'f the machine frame and the `feed operating member in horizontal. planes Aadjacent 'thea-botltomithereof, drivingmeansfon said members,- and .means'forbrakingsaid controlling member when the latter is disconnectedfromits drive.

11. In a mining machine, a machine 'frame adapted to. rest upon andzsli'dein any direction Aover the mineoor, akerfcutter projecting from said frame, andmctor operatedfdevcesfo'r feeding the machineY including relatively rotatable feed operating and'ficontrolling members each adapted to cooperate directly .with flexible .feed- .ing means. and arranged in .superimposed relation on vertical axes, one .in :horizontalwplanes above-fthe. top of the :machinexframe andthe other in horizontal planes. adjacent .the ibottom thereof, and driving .means :for 'rotating said vmembers including fast.and.sloW speed drives, said slow speed drive-includings'elective continuous or intermittent. drivingzconnections.

12. In a mining machine, 'a pmachinev frame adapted to rest upon and slidein. any direction over the mine ifloor, a kerf cutter projecting `from said frame,vand motor'operated devices for.` feed- .ing andA guiding the machine-includingrelatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively. adapted to cooperate directly .with flexible feeding and-controlling means and arrangedin superimposed -relation on vertical axes, one in horizontalk planesabove lthe top of themachine frame and theotherfin horizontal .planes adjacent the bottom thereof-fanddriving means for rotating saidmembers includingfast .and slow speed drives, said slow speed drive .inlcludllg selective continuous or variable wintermittent driving connections through which both .members are drivenafor rotating said members continuously. at al maximumllow speed 'and 4.intermittently through a .Wide rangeof .low speeds between zero andsaidmaximumlovv speed.

13. In a .mining machine, ay machine. frame adapted to` rest upon and slide in any .direction over the mine oonakerf cutter .projecting .from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding and guiding themachine including relatively rotatablefeed .operating ...and controlling .members respectively adapted to .cooperate Qdirectly withflexible feeding and controlling means .and..arranged in superimposed relation on vertical axes, one in horizontal planes above the -top of .the machine frame andthe other fin 'hori- .zontalplanes adjacentithefbottom thereofand driving means for rotating said members continuously at. a maximum low speed and vinter- .rnittently at. alow speed slower."than said' low speedincluding a friction clutch through. which both membersare driven,loading meansfor said .clutch'inoluding ayielding connection and'mean's for intermittently or "continuously tensioning .said yielding connection.

14. In a ,mining machine, a machine -frame .adaptedto rest upon and vslide 'in 'any `direction over .the minefl'oor, akerf cutter vprojecting from said frame, and motor operated'devices'for feediing .the machine including'.relatively rotatable feed operating. and .controlling .members `each adapted .tocooperate directly. withlfle'xible feed- .ing.means,.,and driving means for rotatingsaid ,members including alinedv relatively` rotatable shafts .arranged with their .axes lying .in .a verti- .calplane extending longitudinally of .the machine .frame ,.a driving geartherefor .coaxialltherewitn pluralspeed driving means for said gear, operative driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, and selectively operable clutch mechanisms for connecting said shafts in driving relation with said gear.

15. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving means for rotating said members including alined relatively rotatable shafts arranged with their axes lying in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the machine frame, a driving gear therefor coaxial therewith, plural speed driving means for said gear, operative driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, selectively operable clutch mechanisms for connecting said shafts in driving relation with said gear, and operating means for said clutch mechanisms for separately or simultaneously connecting the same.

16. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with iiexible feeding means, and driving means for rotating said members including alined relatively rotatable shafts disposed on vertical axes, a. driving gear therefor coaxial therewith, operative driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, and selectively operable clutch mechanisms for connecting said shafts in driving relation with said gear.

17. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, driving means for rotating said members including alined relatively rotatable shafts disposed on vertical axes, a driving gear therefor coaxial therewith, operative driving connections between said shafts and said members respectively, selectively operable clutch mechanisms for connecting said shafts in driving relation with said gear, and operating means for said clutch mechanisms for separately or simultaneously connecting the same.

18. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feeding and controlling drums disposed on vertical axes, a driving gear arranged between said drums and disposed on a vertical axis, alined relatively rotatable shafts coaxial with said driving gear, operator-controllable interlocking clutch mechanisms for selectively connecting said shafts to said gear, and driving connections between said shafts and said drums, respectively.

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with nexible feeding means and arranged in superimposed relation on vertical axes, one in horizontal planes adjacent the top of the machine frame and the other in horizontal planes adjacent the bottom thereof, and motor operated driving means for rotating said members at a low speed including a low speed drive, said low speed drive including a selective continuous or intermittent low speed driving connection.

20. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated devices for feeding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and arranged in superimposed relation on vertical axes, one in horizontal planes adjacent the top of the machine frame and the other in horizontal planes adjacent the bottom thereof and motor operated driving means for rotating said members at a low speed including a friction clutch, and means for automatically intermittently loadingsaid friction clutch at predetermined timed intervals.

21. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated means for feeding and guiding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively adapted to cooperate directly with iiexible feeding and controlling means and arranged in superimposed relation on said frame, means for independently rotating said members selectively at different predetermined speeds and at variable lower speeds, shafts one individual to each member, and means for selectively connecting said shafts in driving relation with said rotating means.

22. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated means for feed- Ving and guiding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively adapted to cooperate directly with exible feeding and controlling means and arranged in superimposed spaced-apart relation on said frame, means for independently rotating said members selectively at different predetermined speeds and at variable lower speeds including a driving element arranged in the space between said members, shafts one individual to each member, and means for selectively connecting said shafts in driving relation with said driving element.

23. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated means for feeding and guiding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members. respectively adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and arranged in superimposed, spaced-apart, coaxial relation, one in horizontal planes near the top of the machine frame and the other in horizontal planes near the bottom of said frame, and a plural predetermined speed transmission mechanism arranged in the space between said superimposed members'for driving said members, either separately or simultaneously, at predetermined high and low speeds. Y

24. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a kerf cutter projecting from said frame, and motor operated means for feeding and guiding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means and arranged in superimposed, spaced-apart, coaxial relation, one in horizontal planes near the top of the machine frame and the other in horizontal planes near the bottom of said frame, a plural predetermined speed transmission mechanism arranged in the space between said superimposed members for driving said members, either separately or simultaneously, at predetermined high and low speeds, and a braking means for one of said members for retarding rotation of said member when disconnectedfrom said transmission mechanism.

25. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest-upon and slide in any direction over the mine oor, a kerf cutter projecting from Said frame, and motor operated means for feeding and guiding the machine including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members respectively adapted to cooperate directly with fiexible feeding means and arranged in superimposed, spaced-apart relation adjacent different surfaces of said machine frame, one near the top surface of the machine frame and the other near the bottom surface thereof, and driving means for rotating said members including fast and slow speed drives arranged in the space between said superimposed members, said slow speed drive including selective continuous or intermittent driving connections through which both members are driven for rotating said members continuously at a maximum low speed and intermittently at low speeds slower than said maximum low speed.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

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