Year: 1886

page_text: I
.
We, SAMUEL BASTAIN STINE, and JAMES VALLENTINE SMITH, both residing at
Osceola Mills, in the County of Clearfield, and State of Pennsylvania, one of the
United States of America, gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
.
Our invention relates to mining machines having special reference to that class
of machines which are employed in coal mines for channelling or undercutting the
vein of coal in order to facilitate the removal of the same, the coal being thus
undercut and subsequently blasted down or "dropped" by drilling at the top of
the vein and blasting. The object of our invention is to provide a simple and
efficient machine for this purpose, and it consists, first, in certain improvements in
the construction of the stationary bed and the travelling carriage on which is
mounted the rotating cutter bar or tool, and in the means of mounting the
travelling carriage in the stationary bed whereby friction is overcome and the
apparatus operates with less power.
Second, in certain improvements in the apparatus for feeding out the travelling
carriage during the undercutting operation, and withdrawing the same after the
cut is made. Third, in certain improvements in the cutter bar or tool whereby it
is caused to force the dust or cuttings from the centre toward the sides of the
machine, thus facilitating the removal of the same.
Fourth, in certain improvements in the manner of journalling or mounting this
cutter tool on the travelling carriage. Fifth, in the means of rotating the cutter
tool, whereby strains on the same are overcome and the necessity of separate
cleaner chains is done away with; and lastly, in certain details of construction
hereinafter specifically set forth.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use our invention, we will
describe the construction and operation of the same in which,-
-
Figure, 1, is a plan view of our improved mining machine.
Figure, 2, is a rear view partly broken away of the same.
Figure, 3, is a longitudinal section of a portion of the machine on the line, x-x,
figure, 1...

page_text: Figure, 5, is a perspective view of the cutter shaft and end of the travelling
carriage and,-
Figures, 6, 7, and, 8, are enlarged detail views illustrating the construction of
the machine.
The stationary bed, A, is formed of the two side portions, a, secured to the cross
braces, b, which are securely bolted thereto and so form a rigid and strong bed, the
stationary bed resting on these cross braces, several of which braces are employed
at sufficient intervals to impart the necessary strength to the frame. In order to
raise the bed a sufficient distance above the ground, blocks, b¹, are employed
between, the base of the side portions, a, and the braces, b. The side portions, a,
are cast to shape and have the upright, plates, a1, a2, the outer plate, a², having the
horizontal plate, a³, extending inwardly therefrom this plate, a³, being bolted to
the plate, a, by bolts, a, and in this horizontal plate are secured at suitable
intervals idle rollers, c, these idle rollers pressing against a portion of the travelling
carriage as hereafter described, and so preventing friction between the carriage and
the upper portion of the stationary bed. Between the upright plates, a, a, on the
bed is the track, a', this track having a V-shaped rail or rail of equivalent shape
on which travels a correspondingly formed anti friction roller in the carriage. The
travelling carriage D, is provided with the bars, d, which fit into the longitudinal
seats formed for their reception in the stationary bed between the upright
plates, a, a, thereof these bars, d, having the extensions or side bar, d, running
along the outer side thereof which side bars fit under the horizontal plates, a³, of
the stationary bed and press upwardly against the friction rollers c, secured therein.
These side bars are provided at suitable intervals with the anti friction rollers, d²,
which are mounted in slots within, the bars, d, and which run on the V-shaped or
similarly shaped track, a, of the bed, the rollers, de, corresponding in shape to
these tracks and so supporting the travelling carriage on the stationary bed friction
between the bars of the carriage and the stationary bed being overcome by the
rollers, c, in the bed and the rollers, d?, in the carriage, as the rollers, d support
the carriage on the track, a', and any upward pressure of the carriage comes
"against 'the rollers, c, in the bed which bear against the side bars, d¹.
At the rear portion of the carriage, D, the bars, d, thereof are connected by the
bed plate, e, 'thereof, which is bolted to the top thereof and on' which is supported
the engines and operative machinery by which the carriage is advanced and
'retracted and the cutter bar or tool rotated, and the forward portion of the
carriage is connected by a suitable diagonally extending brace 'rods, c¹,' extending
'across between the bars, d, d.
J'
Extending up from each side of the bed pláte are the upright frames, f, to which
the cylinder, F, of the engines are secured, these cylinders having at the side'thereof
the valve boxes, F¹, & on the outer side of the frames, f,'are the guides, 71, in
which the slides, 'f, connected to 'the piston rods, f³, of the engine move, the pit-
man, f, of the engine being connected to the slides and to cranks, g, of the engine
shaft, g, which is journálled in 'boxes at the ends of the 'frames, f. On said engine
'shaft, g, are mounted the eccentrics, g³, the eccentric 'rods, g³, extending back along
the inner side of the frames, f, to the valve boxes, f¹. The engines are preferably
operated by compressed air, this being found the best means of operating these
mining machines, the air being conducted through suitable pipes and hose to the
valve, F; and through pipe, F³, to the valve boxes, F¹. The engines are arranged
to operate in such manner as to overcome the dead points in their strokes so that
fly wheels are not necessary. Mounted on the engine shaft, g, is the pinion, g,
which gears with the gear wheel, 'h¹, on the intermediate or feed shaft, h, and on
the shaft, h, is mounted the pinion, h, which gears into the gear wheel, k¹, on the
driving shaft, k, from which power is communicated to the cutter bar or tool, L, by
means of chains.
"
The intermediate shaft has secured 'thereto the single thread screw of worms, h³,
by means of which the apparatus for feeding forward the carriage is operated, these
screws, h³, meshing into the screw gears, 2, on the longitudinal shafts, these screw

page_text: gears, 2, running loosely on their respective shafts and being connected thereto by
means of the sliding clutch, 22, on that shaft, the clutches, being operated by
suitable levers, i³.
The longitudinal shafts, i, extend longitudinally below the bed plate, e, along.
each side of the apparatus near the side, portions, a, of the stationary bed, A; being.
mounted in suitable journal bearings, i, and carrying at their rear ends the
double thread screws or. worms, m, these screws or worms meshing with the screw
racks, m¹, secured to the upright plates, a¹, of the side portions, a, of the stationary.
bed, these screw racks extending along the inner faces of the side portions, a, of the,
stationary bed for. the entire length of the bed, &, the carriage being fed forward,
& back by means of these worm wheels, m, meshing, into the screw. racks, m¹.,
Mounted on the same horizontal plane as the intermediate or feed shaft, h, is the
recede shaft, n, this recede shaft carrying the pinion, n', which gears with the gear.
wheel, k', on the, intermediate shaft, and secured to said shaft, n, are the double,
thread screws or worms, n, these screws meshing into the screw gears, n³, mounted
loosely on the longitudinal shaft, i, and the screw gears, n³, being caused to engage.
with said shaft, by means of the clutch, 23, before, referred to. As the shaft, n, is
turned in the opposite direction from the shaft, h, through the gear wheel, h, and
pinion, n, and the threads on the screw wheels, h³, &, n³, run in the same direction,
it is evident that the screw. gears, ¹, &, n³, are turned in opposite, directions, so that
the direction of movement of the longitudinal shafts, 2, is reversed according to the
screw gear, h³, or, n³, with, which the clutches, engage, either set of screws
& screw gear being employed to cause the feeding, forward or withdrawal of the
apparatus according to the desired operation of the machine..
When it is desired to feed forward, the machine the, clutch is thrown into, con- .
nection with the screw gears, i¹ & the power of the engine is communicated,
through the engine shaft, g, through the pinions, gt, and, h₁, to the feed shaft, h,.
thence through the screws, h³, and screw gears, i', to, the longitudinal shafts, i, and
thence through the double thread screws, m, to the, rack, ml, on, the stationary bed,
thus causing the forward movement of the carriage; and when it is desired to
withdraw the carriage the clutches, i, are thrown into connection with, the screw
gears, n³, and the power is then communicated from the engine shaft, g, through
the pinion, g, gear wheel, h, and the pinion, n¹, to the recede shaft, n, and thence,.
through the double thread screws, n³, and screw, gears, n³, to the longitudinal
shafts, i, thus turning the longitudinal shafts in the opposite direction; and through,
the screws, m, meshing with the screw, racks, m¹, drawing back the sliding frame.,
The forward movement of the machine is exceedingly slow, as the feed shaft, h,.
is turned more slowly than the recede shaft, n, and the, screws, hs, have. but, a
slight pitch, the pitch of said screws being less than one-half that of the screws, n²,
so that an exceedingly, slow but powerful forward feed of the travelling carriage, is
obtained.
;
$ 1
As, however, the shaft, n, is turned at about the same speed as the engine shaft, g,.
and much more rapidly, than the feed shaft, h, and, the, screws and gears are double.
threaded screws with a deep pitcb, it is evident, that, all speed necessary, for the
quick withdrawal of the carriage is obtained.
Mounted at the forward end of the, carriage is the cutter, bar or tool, L, which is,
formed of a rectangular bar carrying a series of cutters and mounted in, suitable
bearings, l, these, bearings being supported on suitable brackets, 1, extending out,
beyond the end of the bars, d, of the sliding frame.
The bearings, l, may have any suitable form of bushing to support the cutter.
bar, but the form preferred, is that of a box having a suitable recess within which
are placed idle rolls, t, to overcome the friction of the, bar, the body of the bar,
where it is supported in these bearings being formed cylindrical and the bearings.
being of sufficient width to give proper support to the cutter bar..
The construction of these bearings, is fully shown in figures, 7, and, 8, the annular,
recess, for the reception, of the rollers, t, being formed in; each: half of the
bearing, and a sufficient number of these rollers, being, employed, to fill this
.

page_text: recess around the cylindrical portion of the cutter shaft. It is found that by the
employment of the anti-friction rollers in the bearing, friction in the bearing is
reduced to a minimum. It is evident that the brackets, l', cannot. well be made as
thick as the bearings as this would leave too heavy a body of coal to be broken
away by the bearing, and consequently the brackets are made wide & thin as
shown, so that the knives or chisels on the cutter bar can be brought close to each
other at the bearings & so leave a very thin body of coal opposite the bearing
which can easily be broken away by the knife or chisel points, 13, at the forward
end of the bearings. In the machine as constructed, the brackets, l,.are not over
one inch in thickness, sufficient strength for the brackets being obtained by their
width, the brackets being formed the full width of the bearing while the bearings.
extend out on each side of the brackets about one inch, thus giving a bearing of
about three inches which is sufficient for the purpose. The cutter bar, L, is.
preferably twisted as shown, that is the rectangular bar is given a twist from the.
centre backward in each direction towards the end of about one quarter turn, the
purpose of this being to cause the knives or cutters on the bar which extend out
from the flat faces of the bar to force the cuttings from the centre toward the sides.
of the machine; and by so doing prevent the clogging of the centre of the machine
on account of the gathering of cuttings or coal dust within the carriage & stationary
bed. The knives or cutters, p, on the bar are secured in place by means of their
tangs, pl, which pass through holes in the bars and. are secured thereto by nuts.
screwing on the ends of the tangs and against the opposite face of the bar, and
these cutters, p, are placed at suitable intervals around the bar in such position.
that the end of one cutter comes opposite the end of the adjacent cutter, and while
one cutter cuts away the coal in its course as the bar is fed forward, the next
cutter cuts away the coal along the edge of the course of the first cutter, the
cutters on the bar thus acting to remove all the coal in the course of the bar..
The cutters are disposed in this manner on the different faces of the bar & act to
cut away all the coal in the course of the bar, except where the drive chains
operate & where the bearings, l, are placed, the coal opposite the bearings being
broken away by the chisel faces, 13, of the bearings, while the drive chains carry
the cutters as hereinafter described & cut away the coal in the course of their
movement.
+
'
As the bar is twisted in the manner above described, it is evident that these.
cutters being disposed at intervals in the form of a screw extending back from the
centre of the bar, will act to force the coal toward the outer ends of the carriage,
and thus relieve the centre of the carriage from the large mass cuttings which
have heretofore been found to gather within the carriage of the machine & which
are exceedingly hard to remove.
The twisted form of the bar itself also causes it to act in the same manner as a
spiral conveyer within a box and force the cuttings out toward the ends of the
bar. In the machines as heretofore constructed the cutter. bar or tool has been
generally driven by a single chain extending from the drive shaft, k, in the centre
of the machine forward to the cutter bar, this chain being operated by suitable
sprockets on the driving shaft and cutter bar. We have found that by this
construction heavy strain is brought upon the chains employed and upon the
bearings of the cutter bar often causing the breaking of the parts, and to overcome
this we have arranged the machine with four sets of drive chains; two within
the carriage & two outside the frame, & have thus not only relieved the cutter bar.
and its bearings of this heavy strain, but found that the cutter bar worked with
less friction and such heavy strain on a single chain has been overcome. The drive
chains operate not only to turn the cutter bar but also to carry back the cuttings..
to a point from which they can be removed. We have also provided the drive
chains with cutters at intervals thereon, and have thereby overcome the necessity
of breaking away a portion of the coal opposite the chain, or of providing the
cutter bar with knives working within the chain, such devices being very liable to
become clogged and thus prevent the easy operation of the apparatus, the chains.

page_text: thus acting to rotate the cutter bar, cut a path for themselves in the coal and to
carry back the cuttings.
In order to accomplish this the drive shaft, k, extends out beyond. the carriage
frame at the end of the upright plates, f, the drive shaft being raised sufficiently
to extend above the stationary frame as shown in figures, 2, and, 4. On the drive
shaft within the carriage, are the sprocket wheels, , & at each end of the drive
shaft outside of the carriage are the sprocket wheels, . Opposite the sprocket
wheels on the cutter bar, L, are corresponding sprocket wheels, r, and extending from
the sprocket wheels on the drive shaft to those on the cutter bar are the drive
chains, s, the chains preferably employed by us being what are termed detachable
drive chains, the chains being of a construction well known their exact construction'
being fully shown in the drawing. The links in the chains correspond substantially
to the width of the cutter bar and fit around it as shown, and the sprockets, r, on
the wheels fit up in the spaces of the chains, the chains thus act to carry the power
from the drive shaft, k, to the cutter bar and rotate the same.
-At suitable intervals in the drive chain are employed links carrying knives or
cutters, 8, every third link being provided with one of these cutters and the
cutters, s¹, are the full width of the chain so that they cut a swath or path the full
width required therefor. These chains pass forward above the cutter bar and
backward below the same and the chains and their cutters in their backward force
act to clean away or draw back the cuttings and in that way to leave a free course
for the forward movement of the carriage and thus do away with the necessity of
separate cleaner chain apparatus.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-
The mining machine is provided with suitable jacks or other apparatus for
securing it in place, these jacks being secured to the stationary bed so that it may
be secured in place and held firmly during the cutting operation.
When the bed has been secured in place the apparatus is set in operation and
run at a high speed, the engine shaft being generally rotated at a speed of about,
200 révolutions per minute. The clutches, 23, are thrown into connection with the
worm gear, ', connecting the longitudinal shafts, i, with the apparatus for feeding
forward the travelling carriage. The engine shaft through the gearing, gʻ, h¹³, h², k¹‚·
rotates the feeding shaft, k, and this feeding shaft through sprockets, k³, ³, and.
driving chains, s, rotate the outter bar, l, the cutter bar being thus rotated at a
high speed. At the same time the apparatus through the single thread screws, h³,
and the screw gears, i, on the longitudinal shaft, i, screws, m, and screw rack, m',
feed the carriage forward slowly, the knives or cutters, t, on the cutter bar and the
knives or cutters, 81, on the chains cutting away the coal, while the wedge faces, 1º,.
on the bearings break away the thin walls of coal in front of the bearings, l, and.
the machine thus cuts under the coal channelling out the coal gradually as the
machine is fed forward. On account of the twisted form of the cutter bar and the
position of the knives or cutters thereon they force the coal dust or cuttings.
towards the outer ends of the carriage frame where the drive chains running on the
outside of the frame carry back this coal, thus cleaning away the cuttings and
carrying them back to a place from which they can be removed. At the same time,
any cuttings passing between the side bars of the frame are carried back by the
drive chains within the frame to a point from which they can be removed, the
apparatus continuing to cut away or channel out the coal and carry back
the cuttings as the carriage is fed forward until the apparatus is fed out its entire .
distance, the usual cut being about five feet in length and about four feet in width..
As soon as the cut is made, the operator by means of the levers disengages the.
clutches, , from the screw gears, i', and cause them to engage with the screw.
gears, n³, when through the gearing, g, h, n¹, the recede shaft, n, the double thread
worm, n, and the screw gears, n³, the longitudinal shafts, i, are turned in the
opposite direction, and through the screws, m, working in the screw racks, m², cause
the withdrawal of the carriage the chains and cutter shaft being turned continuously

page_text: in the one direction, and carrying with them any.cuttings which have not been
carried back by the chains during the feeding operation of the machine. The
apparatus is then moved along, a sufficient distance to bring it opposite the next
cut to be made when the operation. before described is repeated.
As the carriage frame is supported on the friction rollers, d, running on the small
track, a, in the stationary bed and any upward pressure of the carriage comes
against the friction rollers, t, on the stationary bed where it extends, above the side
bars, d, of the carriage, it is evident that there is but little friction between the
carriage and the stationary bed in the longitudinal movement of the carriage back
and forward, friction being reduced in this manner to such an extent as, to reduce
the force necessary, to operate the apparatus several horse power.
The friction, between. the cutter bar, L, and its bearings, l, is also greatly reduced
through the idle rollers within the boxes or, bearings, 1,. so that the power necessary,
to rotate the bars is also greatly reduced. The gearing employed is simple in con
struction and can be made heavy and strong. As the machine is fed forward and
back by means of the screw gear, it is evident that a positive feed and recede is
obtained which is not so liable to fracture as where the ordinary cog gearing is
employed. As the cuttings are forced by means of the twisted cutter bar toward'
the outer ends of the carriage frame it is evident that there is not the liability of
the apparatus choking on account of the packing of the cuttings which has hereto-
fore been found difficult to overcome in the machines as heretofore constructed.
As all the apparatus necessary to operate the separate cleaner chains is done away
with, it is evident that in this way the power necessary to operate the machine is
further reduced, and as the power is communicated to the cutter bar at four
different points the strain on the cutter bar and on each of the bearings is over-
come to a great extent.
1:
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim
1..
is
1st. In mining machines, the combination of the stationary bed having side
portions provided with tracks, and the travelling carriage carrying. rotary cutting
apparatus and having longitudinal bars fitting within the side portions of the bed.
and provided with rollers mounted in slots in said bars and travelling, on said
tracks, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2nd. In mining machines, the combination of the stationary bed having the side
portions, a, provided with horizontal plates, a³, carrying rollers, c, and the travelling
carriage carrying rotary cutting apparatus and having the bars, d, fitting in said
portions, a, and provided with side bars, d', extending under said plates, a³, and.
rollers, c, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
.
3rd. In mining machines, the combination of, the stationary, bed having the side,
portions, a, provided with the track, a', and carrying rollers, c, the travelling
carriage carrying rotary cutting apparatus, and having longitudinal bars, d, pro-
vided with side bars, d¹, extending under said rollers, c, and the rollers, d³, mounted
in said bars, d, and travelling, on said tracks, a, substantially as and for. the,
purposes set forth:
4th. In mining machines, the combination of the stationary bed having the screw
rack, m³, the carriage travelling, thereon and carrying rotary cutting apparatus, the
longitudinal, shaft, i, mounted in, the carriage and having the screw, m, meshing in
said screw rack, the screw, gear, , on said shaft, i, the transverse shaft, h, carrying
the screw, h³, meshing with, said screw gear, 23, and means for rotating said trans-
verse shafts, power shaft and. connections between the same and the transverse
shaft, substantially.as and for the purposes set forth.
5th. In mining machines, the combination of the stationary bed having the screw
rack, m¹, the carriage travelling thereon, and carrying rotary cutting. apparatus, the,
horizontal shaft mounted, in the carriage and having, the screw, m, meshing, in, t
said-screw rack, the screw gears, and, n, mounted on said shaft, i, the transverse
4

page_text: shafts, h, and, n³, carrying screws, h, and, n, meshing with said screw gearing, ¹,
and, n³, respectively, clutch apparatus and means for rotating said transverse shafts,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6th. In mining machines, the combination of the stationary bed the carriage
travelling thereon and carrying rotary cutting apparatus said carriage having the
engine shaft, g, feed shaft, h, recede shaft, n, gearing, g', h¹, n¹, and means for
imparting longitudinal motion to said carriage from said feed shaft and recede
shaft, respectively, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7th. In mining machines, the combination of the rotary cutting tool, and the
travelling carriage having the bearings, l, in which said cutting tool is mounted,
provided with anti-friction rollers, t, substantially as & for the purposes set forth.
8th. In mining machines, the rotary cutting tool carrying a series of cutters, in
combination with a travelling carriage having the bearings, 1, in which said cutting
tool is mounted, provided with chisel points, 13, extending out beyond the bearings
and having beveled faces, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9th. In mining machines, the combination of the rotating cutting tool, and
travelling carriage having the bearings, l, in which said cutting tool is mounted
provided with anti-friction rollers, t, substantially as & for the purposes set forth.
10th. In mining machines the combination of the travelling carriage carrying
the cutter tool at its forward end, the driving shaft extending beyond the carriage
frame and drive chain connections between the driving shaft and cutting tool
outside of the carriage frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
11th. The combination with the mining machine of the horizontal cutting tool
mounted at its forward end and having a series of cutters and the driving chains
provided at intervals with cutters, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12th. In mining machines, the combination with the travelling carriage of the
drive shaft the cutting tool having a series of cutters, and the combined driving
and cleaning chain mounted on said shaft and tool within and outside of the
carriage frame, substantially as & for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of June 1886