Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1895
braces.
Figure 10 shows in plan and in elevation the rear cross brace.
Figure 11 shows in plan and in elevation one of the cross bars of the carriage
frame.
Figure 12 shows in plan and in edge view one of the parts of the carriage frame
at the front end.
Figure 13 shows in plan, in side view, and in end view the stand for the carriage
feed shaft.
Figure 14 gives similar views of the stand for the carriage pull-back shaft.
Figure 15 is a sectional view on a larger scale showing the devices for adjusting
the rear carriage plate, the driving wheel, etc., relatively to the front parts of the
carriage. Figure 15 shows detached the adjusting nut in Figure 15.
Figure 16 shows one of the several forms of chain which support and drive the
cutters.
Figure 17 is a top plan and section of the main longitudinal carriage bar.
Figure 18 shows a modification of the part shown in Figure 12.
Figure 19 is a plan view of the forward end of the machine shewing a modified
form of the steadying cutter.
Figure 20 is a section on line xx, Figure 19.
In the drawings, a bed-frame or main frame is shown which is adapted to be
made temporarily stationary while the cutters are at work, but which can be
moved every few minutes if desired. This bed is made of side bars A A which
are flat and are arranged with their widest dimensions in vertical planes, and are
formed with grooves or channels a a on their inner faces. At the front ends these
bars are joined together by a cross brace or connecting device B which is preferably
forged or otherwise shaped to have the vertical parts on the outside of bars A,

page_text: the arms b¹ above them, and the inward extending arms 2, see Figures 6 and 8.
At the centre of this cross brace B, there is a guide way and support B¹ for the
carriage, preferably consisting of a thick plate, having grooves 1,3 and a passage
way or slot 64.
At the rear end these bars are also rigidly braced or connected together, hy
means of a housing or brace B2 which is formed so as to receive the side bars A in
chambers, and has a bottom cross connecting bar and a top cross bar 17.
At a suitable number of places between the front cross brace B and the rear one
at B2 there are intermediate girts or braces B³. Each of these has also recesses
at 6 to receive the side bars A of the bed, and a bottom cross bar 66, but the upper
parts are not joined together. It will be seen that the upward projecting parts of
the cross brace B and the intermediate girts B³ are not joined together, as are those
of the rear cross bar B², openings being left for the passage of the carriage on
the bed.
To the upper edges of the bars A there are secured plates C which extend
inward and support rack bars D, which constitute one of the elements of the
carriage moving mechanism.
In order to slide the bed easily over the ground (and this must be done every
few minutes), shoes E are provided which are secured to the braces B³, B2, and
have rounded ends, (see Figures 2, 3 and 4).
To the bed frame above described are fitted the parts which move forward and
backward thereon during the cutting operation.
The cutting is effected by means of an endless chain F, whose links, to a suitable
number, are provided with cutters f. The chain with respect to the details of its
parts and of the cutters secured thereto may be of any suitable form. Que is
sbown merely for the purpose of conventionally illustrating a complete machine.
It passes around two main guide wheels G G with or without others intermediate
thereof, and around the driving wheel H.
In many "chain cutter" machines, as heretofore constructed, use has been made
of four or more wheels for supporting or driving the chain, this in many cases being
due to the fact that the frames (the carriage and the bed), were so constructed and
arranged that this larger number of wheels was necessary in order to give the chain
the proper direction.
Another reason has been, that when the parts were arranged as in the earlier
machines, it was necessary to have the backward moving part of the chain travel
on a line comparatively near a parallel to the carriage path, in order to bring the
culm and cuttings back along the outside of the bed.
My correspondent has overcome the necessity of this larger number of wheels by
so reorganizing the machine and so changing the relation of the bed and the
carriage that the chain can move directly from a centre driving wheel forward to
the wheel G, and directly back from the wheel G in a simple triangular path,
novel provision being made for disposing of the cuttings.
The carriage, which supports the chain and the parts that drive it, comprises a
longitudinal bar or bars 1, a cross bar or bars, as at J, J', and a rear plate or
platform K.
The cross bars or plates JJ' may be of any suitable sort. As shown, there
is one at the top and one at the bottom with the wheels G G' mounted between
them, and with the longitudinal bar rigidly secured between them at their
centres.
This bar is shaped to have a thicker central part i and tongues or flanges,
which are fitted to the aforesaid guide or guides B on the bed frame. A single
guide B has been found sufficient, the frames being so related to each other that
the strains or thrusts shall be properly received and distributed. The carriage
plate K at the rear is adapted to slide on the bed bars A, it being fitted to the
grooves, or it is secured to bars L which are fitted therein. It is preferred to
employ the latter, these bars being of the shape shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Each
has a flange which fits in the groove a, and is recessed at to receive the edge of

page_text: the carriage plate K, there being elongated slots at ♬ to permit an adjustment which
will be described.
The main longitudinal bar I is secured to the plate K, it having at the rear, a
plate or extension I which lies against the under side of the plate K and
also having below the extension I a plate or extension 12 for a purpose to be
described.
The plate K supports the engine or motor and the shafting and gearing which
take power therefrom for driving the cutters and for moving the carriage forward
and back.
In addition to the parts above mentioned as constituting the more essential
elements of the carriage frame, viz. those indicated by 1, J, J, K and L, it is
preferred to employ also laterally arranged bracing and strengthening devices, as
follows: M M are transverse bars bolted to the main bar I, and, preferably, of the
form or shape shown in Figure 11, each terminating in T-heads or flanges m.
NN are inclined bars which are bolted to the T's m they lying parallel to and
just inside of the chain and extending from near the front wheels G, G¹, to or
nearly to the rear end of the bar I and the driving wheel.
At their front ends these inclined bars N are secured to carrier bars M2 which
are fastened to the cross plates J J' and at their outer ends have T's or flanges for
fastening to the bars N.
The parts just described, the cross bars M, M', M2, and the inclined bars N
constitute a strong bracing frame for the carriage, and also provide an advantageous
support and guide for the cutter chains, as will be described more fully.
The electric motor is indicated by O, its armature O¹ having a pinion 0³ on its
shaft O².
:
The motor is supported upon brackets P, P1, P2. The field is raised somewhat
from the carriage plate K, so as to place operative parts below it.
Q is a shaft below, and preferably parallel, to the armature shaft.
It carries a
large wheel Q driven by the armature, a bevel Q² for actuating the cutter chain,
a worm for driving the carriage feed mechanism, and a smaller bevel Q for
driving the pull-back or carriage recede mechanism. It is mounted in a tubular
bracket bearing g bolted to the under side of the motor and in a stand q' bolted to
the plate K.
The bevel Q2 engages with a bevel wheel R on a vertical shaft R¹. This shaft
is mounted in a tubular bearing extending partly above and partly below the
plate K. To its lower end the main driving sprocket wheel H is secured.
When the armature is revolving, this wheel through the parts above described is
rotated and the cutter chain will be driven through the path provided by its
guides.
At the same time the cutting apparatus can be advanced into the coal, as the
carriage can be moved forward by means of the aforesaid racks D, and the
pinions S which engage with them. These are mounted on the cross shaft T which
is mounted in bearings at k held by rearward extending arms of the carriage
plate K. The shaft T is provided with a clutch T' which is adapted to engage
with a worm wheel mounted loosely on the shaft. The wheel is rotated by a
worm on the rear end of a short shaft t². This is driven by the aforesaid worm Q³
which engages with a worm wheel t³.
The parts indicated by Q, Q2, 3, 12, 1, and t are rotating continuously, the wheel t
having a relatively slow motion, which, when the clutch T is in engagement with
it, is imparted to the pinions S, resulting in a slow forward movement of the carriage
and the cutting apparatus.
By moving the clutch over into engagement with a wheel u, the carriage can be
drawn back. This wheel u revolves in the opposite direction to the wheel t and
with a faster speed. It is rotated by a worm u' secured to a shaft u² which at its
front end carries a bevel wheel t¹ which engages with the aforesaid bevel Qª on the
shaft Q.
The last named parts, viz.: those indicated by t¹, u², u¹, and u, are also in

page_text: continuous motion and are therefore ready, at any instant to actuate the carriage
mechanism to recede the cutters.
The clutch has a normal position intermediate between the wheels t and u where
It is out of engagement with either and. is. therefore inactive, and when it is in such
position the carriage is at rest..
The wheel u is rotated much more rapidly than the wheel and therefore the
carriage. is. brought back, at a much higher, speed than that with, which it is
advanced.
The clutch may be moved by means of a lever V which is secured to a shaft v..
the latter at its lower end having a pinion ¹ which engages with a rack plate v², and
the latter carries a pin which rides in the groove of the clutch, so that when the
lever is moved in one direction or the other, the power, imparted to.it is multiplied.
and is transmitted from the part v³ to the clutch.
น
The clutch can also be automatically moved away from wheel u by means of a
loose lever arm W pivotted at w, and. having a pin w' which fits in the clutch.
groove. The rear end w² is cam shaped and is adapted to impinge on a stationary
cam on the bed which is so related, that, it swings the lever W. just far enough to
throw the clutch away from wheel u. and away, from its inactive position after
which the carriage will remain at rest.
It will be seen that the parts are so arranged that the cutters rotate in a path
parallel, to the lines of the advance of the carriage as a whole, it differing in this
respect from those machines heretofore formed in which the chain rotated in, a
plane inclined to the plane of the carriage path. Many advantages. are incident to
such an arrangement as is well known. It will also be seen that when the carriage
is in its rear position, that part of the chain which is behind the front end of the
bed,lies between the outside lines of the bed. There is no danger, of accident to
the operators, such as is incident to those machines in which the chains lie more or
less outside of the side lines of the bed.
It will also be seen that by arranging the chain in the way in which they are
shown, that is to say, upon the three, sides of a centrally disposed triangle, I am
able to provide it with a guide or holder throughout the greater part of its path,
the above described guide parts at N extending to points in rear of the midway
transverse line between the wheel at H and those at G G. To those practically
acquainted with the operation of these chain machines, it is well known that one of
the principal difficulties and. objections arises from the fact that the chains are
unsupported over the greater portions of their side. paths. The chain on the
inward moving side (Y, Figure 1) is exceedingly taut, this being the draft side,
while on the other (Y, Figure 1) it is loose and slack. The slackness is not only
unavoidable, because of the wear and stretch and strain, and the expansion, and
contraction due to their becoming highly heated after being set in, motion and at
work, but is also largely necessary in order that the links, which are large (in order
to be strong) may move properly around the several curves, sprocket teeth, etc., in
their path.
The length of that part of the chain along the side (Y' Figure 1) is
from 7 to 9 feet; and therefore the slack part of it is whipped and jerked violently,
through wide vibrations,, as each link can be considered, as, travelling, often
300 lineal feet per minute. The results are disastrous to the machine.. The
whipping and vibrating of the chain speedily result in loosening the parts, it being
well known that chain, cutting machines are the most difficult to keep: in
working order. The chain itself is rapidly, worn and liable to breakage. A large
percentage of the power is lost in these detrimental motions of the chain links,.
and when they come to the front guides (in some earlier machines extending only
a few inches back from the cross plates at J J¹), they do so with, a jerk, being
instantly stopped in their vibrations.
I have succeeded in obviating the difficulties by providing, as aforesaid, a support
and guide for the chain links which extend back beyond the aforesaid midway.
transverse line, and preferably to, or nearly to, the drive wheel H, so that the
length of the chain on the slack side is so reduced, that whipping and lateral

page_text: jerking are prevented. And, then, in order to provide for the presence of more or
less slack (arising from the heating of the chain), I furnish means which compensate
for it without depriving the chain of its holding guide.
N'N' are top and bottom supporting and guiding plates secured to those at N,
above described. They are turned down at their outer edge or are so shaped, as to
provide ribs n which lie in front of the chain, links and prevent them from
flying out.
On that side of the machine where the chain is slack,, the supports for the
guides N N (which in the construction shown are the bracing bars M M¹ M²).
have some details of construction additional. to those above described. The front
bar M2 is made in such way that the forward end of the chain guide can have a
pivotal connection. As shown, it is formed in two parts m³, m² hinged or pivotted
together, guide N being fastened to the movable part m²..
The bars or braces M. M' are also formed in two parts, as at m³ m² which are
secured together in such way that one can slide somewhat, relatively to the other.
The sliding part is secured to the chain guide, and can move outward with it, when
required. Such outward movement is caused by a spring. X which may be of any
suitable character. As shown, a flat spring is placed between the rear end of the
guide bar N and the side of the longitudinal bar 1. When the chain, from. any
cause, becomes slack, the spring immediately asserts itself, and pushes outward the
guide far enough to keep it properly taut. When the chain is again tightened, as
by contraction, or when an adjustinent is made, the spring is compressed and the
links brought more nearly in line. The rear end of the guide passage formed by
the parts N, N1, N', is preferably expanded or flared, as by bending the parts
forming it, so that in whatever position it may be, the links may, smoothly and
readily enter.
An adjustment, such as was just referred to, can be made by means of the
devices shown in Figures 3, 5 and 15. The carriage plate K, as aforesaid, fitted
to the recessed parts of the bars L. is secured thereto by bolts 3 which, pass
through slots 12 in said parts ; and when the bolts 13 are loosened the plate K
can be moved forward or back, and re-clamped in a desired position.
To so move it, there is employed the adjusting screw Z. It is mounted in the
slotted or recessed part of the plate K as shown at K³. Its end is seated at z, and
bears backward against the plate, its thread engaging with a nut at which is
supported on the rear end of the main longitudinal carriage bar 1. is a jam nut
by which the screw Z can be tightly fastened after adjustment.
It will be seen that if the bolts and the jam nut are loosened, the plate K
can be pushed back relatively to the bar I and the front wheels G G by turning
the screw Z. Such backward moving of the plate K results in a tightening of the
chain F. An adjustment is frequently required to compensate for the wearing and
Jengthening of the chain, although, for the reasons above set forth, it is not
advisable to set the plate K and the bar I in such way as to hold the chain
perfectly tant, as allowance must be made for contraction and expansion.
A guide-way having the features above described, it will be seen, continues
around the front end as well as at the sides. I do not however, claim this as of the
present invention, as I am aware that flights or guide-ways of this general
character have been heretofore used as is illustrated in British Patents No. 906 of
1869 and No. 1890 of 1875.
As above stated in machines heretofore used having cutters of this character,
the culm and cuttings have been drawn backward along the outside of the side
bars of the bed. A very large amount of such culm is drawn out at each cut,
enough in fact to largely cover the operative parts of the machine unless it is
properly disposed of before getting amongst such parts. The chains were guided
backward in the way described to prevent the cuttings from moving laterally in
the path of the carriage.
Having reorganized the machine in the respects above described and having
reduced the chain wheels to three, so that it moves to the centre of the carriage

page_text: and back therefrom, there is a consequent inward carrying of the cuttings on the
side at Y. But the ready disposal thereof is provided for by employing the cross
brace bars 6 of the bed, and supporting thereon a continuous floor at B³ upon
which the cuttings are received. From this they are readily removed, either by
an automatically acting carrier, or by a hand tool, such as a scraper or shovel, of
the sort commonly in use for removing the cuttings from the machines of other
types. One operative stands at the motor to control its movements and he can
readily withdraw the cuttings that are deposited on the floor B before they so
accumulate as to interfere with or injure the machine.
I am aware of the fact that chain cutting machines have been made or proposed
in which the main frame rested upon ground wheels or shoes only at the rear end
and at the front end, the machine having no support intermediate of the ends.
In the present construction, the cutter chains as aforesaid, are brought inside
of the lines of the bed bars, and therefore a firm and solid support is given to
the machine from end to end. Moreover, the ground support can be dispensed
with, whether shoe, or roller, below the front and rear ends of the bed bars.
By leaving the forward end of the frame entirely free relatively to the ground,
the machine can be adjusted more easily as to the plane of cut desired.
When the machine is at work and the cutters are engaging with the material,
they will meet powerful resistance, and there is a reactionary thrust laterally.
Successful work demands that this reactionary thrust should be overcome; and to
accomplish this the machine is provided near its forward end with a stationary
cutter or cutters.
In Figures 1 and 3 is shewn one form of cutter which has been found adapted
for this purpose. This cutter Z is provided with a forward projecting tooth 2*
and its shank is fitted in a socket in the frame of the machine and held in place
by a wedge or key 75 or in any other suitable and desirable manner. When the
carriage is being advanced to form the main kerf this cutter will form in the
upper face or surface of such kerf a relatively small groove; and the flat sides
of the cutter bearing against the sides of such groove tend to prevent the lateral
thrust of the machine. Although I have shown but a single cutter Z* two or
more may be used if desired.
In Figures 19 and 20 is shown a modification of this steadying or holding cutter.
The form there shown consists of a plate Z, secured to the frame of the machine
by a transverse key Z, or in any other suitable manner and provided on its upper
edge with a series of teeth preferably arranged one above the other vertically
and each more or less in the rear of the preceding one.
Dated this 8th day of December 1894.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
CHALE Crining machines.
L
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of 28 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Loudon,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to 4
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in chain cutter mining machines which I
will proceed to describe with reference to the drawings accompanying my
Provisional Specification.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my improvements.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation.
,
'5

page_text: Tig. is a plan of the carriage plate and shafting, the motor being removed.
Fig. 6 is a cross section of the bed frame and carriage on line y-y, Fig. 1..,
Fig. 7 is a top plan view, and
Fig. 7 is a side or edge view of the carriage plate.
Fig. 8 shows in plan, in elevation and in side view the front cross piece of the
bed frame.
Fig. 9 shows in plan and in elevation one of the intermediate cross parts or
braces.
Fig. 10 shows in plan and in elevation the rear cross brace.
Fig. 1 shows in plan and in elevation one of the cross bars of the carriage
frame.
Fig. 12 shows in plan and in edge view one of the parts of the carriage frame
at the front end.
Fig. 13 shows in plan, in side view and in end view, the stand for the carriage
feed shaft.
Fig. 14 gives similar views of the stand for the carriage pull-back shaft.
Fig. 15 is a sectional view on a larger scale showing the device for adjusting
the rear carriage plate, the driving wheel, etc., relatively to the front parts of the
carriage. Fig. 15 shows detached the adjusting nut in Fig. 15.
Fig. 16 shows one of the several forms of chain which support and drive the
cutters.
Fig. 17 is a top plan and section of the main longitudinal carriage bar.
Fig. 18 shows a modification of the part shown in Fig. 12.
Fig. 19 is a plan view of the forward end of the machine showing a modified
form of the steadying cutter.
Fig. 20 is a section on line a-x, Fig. 19.
In the drawings, a bed frame or main frame is shown which is adapted to be
made temporarily stationary while the cutters are at work, but which can be moved
every few minutes if desired. This bed is made of side bars A. A which are
flat and are arranged with their widest dimensions in vertical planes, and are
formed with grooves or channels a a on their inner faces. At the front ends these
bars are joined together by a cross brace or connecting device B which is preferably
forged or otherwise shaped to have the vertical parts b on the outside of bars A,
the arms above them, and the inward extending arms 2, see Figs. 6 and 8. At
the centre of this cross brace B, there is a guide way and support B' for the
carriage, preferably consisting of a thick plate having grooves ³ and a passage
way or slot b₁.
At the rear end these bars are also rigidly braced or connected together, by
means of a housing or brace B2 which is formed so as to receive the side bars A
in chambers 6, and has a bottom cross connecting bar 6 and a top cross bar b².
At a suitable number of places between the front cross brace B and the rear
one at B2 there are intermediate girts or braces B³. Each of these has also
recesses at ³ to receive the side bars A of the bed, and a bottom cross bar 6º,
but the upper parts are not joined together. It will be seen that the upward
projecting parts of the cross brace B and the intermediate girts B³ are not joined
together, as are those of the rear cross bar B2, openings being left for the passage
of the carriage on the bed.
To the upper edges of the bars A there are secured plates C which extend
inward and support rack bars D, which constitute one of the elements of the
carriage moving mechanisın.
In order to slide the bed easily over the ground (and this must be done every
few minutes), shoes E are provided which are secured to the braces B³, B2, and
have rounded ends, (see Figures 2, 3 and 4).
To the bed frame above described are fitted the parts which move forward and
backward thereon during the cutting operation.
The cutting is effected by means of an endless chain F, whose links, to, a

page_text: suitable number, are provided with cutters f. The chain with respect to the
details of its parts and of the cutters secured thereto may be of any suitable
form. One is shown merely for the purpose of conventionally illustrating a
complete machine.
It passes around two main guide wheels GG with or without others inter-
mediate thereof, and around the driving wheel H.
In many
"chain cutter" machines, as heretofore constructed, use has been made
of four or more wheels 'for supporting or driving the chain, this in many cases
being due to the fact that the frames (the carriage and the bed), were so constructed
and arranged that this 'larger number of wheels was necessary in order to give
the chain the proper direction.
Another reason has been, that when the parts were arranged as in the earlier
machines, it was necessary to have the backward moving part of the chain travel
on a line comparatively near a parallel to the carriage path, in order to bring
the culm and cuttings back along the outside of the hed.
My correspondent has overcome the necessity of this larger number of wheels by
so reorganizing the machine and so changing the relation of the bed and the carriage
that the chain can move directly from a centre driving wheel forward to the wheel G,
and directly back from the wheel G¹ in a simple triangular path, novel provision
being made for disposing of the cuttings.
The carriage, which supports the chain and the parts that drive it, comprises a
longitudinal bar or bars 1, a cross bar or bars, as at J, J, and al rear plate or
platform K.
The cross bars or plates J 11 may be of any suitable sort. As shown, there
is one at the top and one at the bottom with the wheels G G' mounted between
them, and with the longitudinal bar I rigidly secured between them at their
centres.
This bar is shaped to have a thicker central part i and tongues or Hanges i', which
are fitted to the aforesaid guide or guides B' on the bed frame. A single guide B
has been found sufficient the frames being so related to each other that the strains
or thrusts shall be properly received and distributed. The carriage plate Kat
the rear is adapted to slide on the bed hars A, it being fitted to the grooves a, or
it is secured to bars L which are fitted therein. 'It is preferred to employ the
latter, these bars being of the shape shewn in Figs. 3 and 4. Each has a flange
which fits in the groove u, and is recessed at l¹ to receive the edge of the carriage
plate K, there being elongated slots at 12 to permit an adjustment which will be
described.
The main longitudinal bar I is secured to the plate K, it having at the rear,
a plate or extension which lies against the under side of the plate K and
also having below the extension a plate or extension 12 for a purpose to be
described.
The plate K supports the engine or motor and the shafting and gearing which
take power therefrom for driving the cutters and for moving the carriage forward
and back.
In addition to the parts above mentioned as constituting the more essential
elements of the carriage frame, viz. those indicated by 1, J, J', K and L, it is
preferred to employ also laterally arranged bracing and strengthening devices, as
follows: M M are transverse bars bolted to the main bar I, and, preferably,
of the form or shape shown in Fig. 11, each terminating in T-heads or
flanges m. NN are inclined bars which are bolted to the T's m, they lying
parallel to and just inside of the chain and extending from near the front wheels G, G³,
to or nearly to the rear end of the bar I and the driving wheel.
At their front ends these inclined bars N are secured to carrier bars M² which
are fastened to the cross plates J J' and at their outer ends have T's or flanges for
fastening to the bars N.
The parts just described, the cross bars M, M' M² and the inclined bars N
constitute a strong bracing frame for the carriage, and also provide an

page_text: fully.
The electric motor is indicated by O, its armature O¹ having a pinion O³ on its
shaft 0%.
The motor is supported upon brackets P P P. The field is raised somewhat
from the carriage plate K, so as to place operative parts below it.
Qis a shaft below, and preferably parallel, to the armature shaft. It carries a
large wheel Q' driven by the armature, a bevel Q2 for actuating the entter chain,
a worm Q for driving the carriage feed mechanism, and a smaller bevel Q for
driving the pull back or carriage recede mechanism. It is mounted in a tubular
bracket bearing y bolted to the under side of the motor and in a stand g' bolted
to the plate K.
The bevel engages with a bevel wheel R on a vertical shaft R'. This
shaft is mounted in a. tubular bearing extending partly above and partly
below the plate K. To its lower end the main driving sprocket wheel is
secured. When the armature is revolving, this wheel through the parts above
described is rotated and the cutter chain will be driven through the path providel
by its guides.
At the same time the cutting apparatus can be advanced into the coal, as the
carriage can be moved forward by means of the aforesaid racks D, and the
pinions S which engage with them. These are mounted on the cross shatt T which
is mounted in bearings at held by rearward extending arms of the carriage
plate K. The shaft T is provided with a clutch T' which is adapted to engage with
a worm wheel mounted loosely on the shaft. The wheel is rotated by a worm t¹ on
the rear end of a short shaft t². This is driven by the aforesaid worm Q³ which
engages with a worm wheel t³.
The parts indicated by Q², Q³, ¿³, t, t, and are rotating continuously, the wheel t
having a relatively slow motion, which, when the clutch T¹ is in engagement with it,
is imparted to the pinions S, resulting in a slow forward movement of the carriage
and the cutting apparatus.
By moving the clutch over into engagement with a wheel u, the carriage can be
drawn back. This wheel u revolves in the opposite direction to the wheel t and with
a faster speed. It is rotated by a worm a secured to a shaft u² which at its front
end carries a bevel wheel which engages with the aforesaid bevel Q on the
shaft Q.
The last named parts, viz. those indicated by t, u², u¹ and u, are also in continuous
motion and are therefore ready at any instant to actuate the carriage mechanism to
recede the cutters.
The clutch has a normal position intermediate between the wheels t and u where
it is out of engagement with either and is therefore inactive, and when it is in
such position the carriage is at rest.
The wheel u is rotated much more rapidly than the wheel t and therefore the
carriage is brought back at a much higher speed than that with which it is
advanced.
4
The clutch may be moved by means of a lever V which is secured to a shaft v,
the latter at its lower end having a pinion which engages with a rack plate v²,
and the latter carries a pin which rides in the groove of the.clutch, so that when
the lever is moved in one direction or the other, the power imparted to it is
multiplied and is transmitted from the part to the clutch.
The clutch can also be automatically moved away from wheel u by means of
a loose lever arm W pivotted at w, and having a pin to which fits in the clutch
groove. The rear end w² is cam shaped and is adapted to impinge on a stationary
cam on the bed which is so related that it swings the lever W just far enough to
throw the clutch into wheel u and away from its inactive position after which the
carriage will remain at rest.
It will be seen that the parts are so arranged that the cutters rotate in a path
parallel to the lines of the advance of the carriage as a whole, it differing in this
P

page_text: respect from those machines heretofore formed in which the chain rotated in a
plane inclined to the plane of the carriage path. Many advantages are incident to
such an arrangement as is well known. It will also be seen that when the carriage
is in its rear position, that part of the chain which is behind the front end of the
bed lies between the outside lines of the bed. There is no danger of accident to
the operators, such as is incident to those machines in which the chains lie more or
Jess outside of the side lines of the bed.
It will also be seen that by arranging the chain in the way in which they are
shown, that is to say, upon the three sides of a centrally disposed triangle, I am
able to provide it with a guide or holder throughout the greater part of its path,
the above described guide parts at N extending to points in rear of the midway
transverse line between the wheel at H and those at G G¹. To those practically
acquainted with the operation of these chain machines, it is well known that one of
the principal difficulties and objections arises from the fact that the chains are
unsupported over the greater portions of their side paths. The chain on the
inward moving side (Y, Figure 1) is exceedingly taut, this being the draft side,
while on the other (Y', Fig. 1) it is loose and slack. The slackness is not only
unavoidable, because of the wear and stretch and strain, and the expansion and
contraction due to their becoming highly heated after being set in motion and at
work, but is also largely necessary in order that the links, which are large (in order
to he strong) may move properly around the several curves, sprocket teeth, etc, in
their path. The length of that part of the chain along the side (Y' Fig. 1) is
from 7 to 9 feet and therefore the slack part of it is whipped and jerked violently
through wide vibrations, as each link can be considered as travelling often 300 lineal
feet per minute. The results are disastrous to the machine. The whipping and
vibrating of the chain speedily result in loosening the parts, it being well known
that chain cutting machines are the most difficult to keep in working order. The
chain itself is rapidly worn and liable to breakage. A large percentage of the
power is lost in these detrimental motions of the chain links, and when they come
to the front guides (in some earlier machines extending only a few inches back
from the cross plates at J J'), they do so with a jerk, being instantly stopped in
their vibrations.
I have succeeded in obviating the difficulties by providing, as aforesaid, a
support and guide for the chain links which extend back beyond the aforesaid
midway transverse line, and preferably to, or nearly to, the drive wheel H, so that
the length of the chain on the slack side is so reduced, that whipping and lateral
jerking are prevented. And, then, in order to provide for the presence of more or
less slack (arising from the heating of the chain), I furnish means which com-
pensate for it without depriving the chain of its holding guide.
N'N' are top and bottom supporting and guiding plates secured to those at N,
above described. They are turned down at their outer edge or are so shaped, as
to provide ribs n, which lie in front of the chain links and prevent them from
flying out.
On that side of the machine where the chain is slack, the supports for the
guides N N (which in the construction shown are the bracing bars M M' M²) have
sonie details of construction additional to those above described. The front bar M²
is nade in such way that the forward end of the chain guide can have a pivotal
connection. As shewn, it is formed in two parts m', m² hinged or pivotted together,
guide N being fastened to the movable part m³.
The bars or braces M M are also formed in two parts, as at m³ m² which are
secured together in such way that one can slide somewhat relatively to the other.
The sliding part is secured to the chain guide, and can move outward with it, when
required. Such outward movement is caused by a spring X which may be of any
suitable character. As shown, a flat spring is placed between the rear end of the
guide bar N and the side of the longitudinal bar I. When the chain, from any
cause, becomes slack, the spring immediately asserts itself and pushes outward the
guide far enough to keep it properly taut. When the chain is again tightened, as

page_text: by contraction, or when an adjustment is made, the spring is compressed and the
links brought more nearly in line. The rear end of the guide passage formed by
the parts N, N', N', is preferably expanded or flared, as by bending the parts
forming it, so that in whatever position it may be, the links may smoothly and
readily enter.
An adjustment, such as was just referred to, can be made by means of the devices
shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 15. The carriage plate K, as aforesaid, fitted to the
recessed parts of the bars L is secured thereto by bolts 13 which pass through
slots in said parts l, and when the bolts 13 are loosened the plate K can be
moved forward or back and re-clamped in a desired position.
To so move it, there is employed the adjusting screw Z. It is mounted in
the slotted or recessed part of the plate K as shown at K³. Its end is seated
at, and bears backward against the plate, its thread engaging with a nut at 1
which is supported on the rear end of the main longitudinal carriage bar I. z² is
a jam nut by which the screw Z can be tightly fastened after adjustment.
It will be seen that if the bolts and the jam nut 2 are loosened, the
plate K can be pushed back relatively to the bar I and the front wheels GG₁
by turning the screw Z. Such backward moving of the plate K results in a
tightening of the chain F. An adjustment is frequently required to compensate
for the wearing and lengthening of the chain, although, for the reasons above
set forth, it is not advisable to set the plate K and the bar I in such way as to
hold the chain perfectly taut, as allowance must be made for contraction and
expansion.
A guide-way having the features above described, it will be seen, continues
around the front end as well as at the sides. I do not however, claim this as of
the present invention, as I am aware that flights or guide-ways of this general
character bave been heretofore used as is illustrated in British Patent No. 906
of 1869 and No. 1890 of 1875.
As above stated in machines heretofore used having cutters of this character,
the culm and cuttings have been drawn backward along the outside of the side bars
of the bed. A very large amount of such culm is drawn out at each cut, enough
in fact to largely cover the operative parts of the machine unless it is properly
disposed of before getting amongst such parts. The chains were guided backward
in the way described to prevent the cuttings from moving laterally in the path of
the carriage.
Having reorganized the machine in the respects above described and having
reduced the chain wheels to three, so that it moves to the centre of the carriage
and back therefrom, there is a consequent inward carrying of the cuttings on
the side at Y. But the ready disposal thereof is provided for by employing the
cross brace bars 6 of the bed, and supporting thereon a continuous floor at B
upon which the cuttings are received. From this they are readily removed, either
by an automatically acting carrier, or by a hand tool, such as a scraper or shovel,
of the sort commonly in use for removing the cuttings from the machines of other
types. One operative stands at the motor to control its movements and he can
readily withdraw the cuttings that are deposited on the floor B³ before they so
accumulate as to interfere with or injure the machine.
I am aware of the fact that chain cutting machines have been made or proposed
in which the main frame rested upon ground wheels or shoes only at the rear
end and at the front end, the machine having no support intermediate of the ends.
In the present construction, the cutter chains as aforesaid, are brought inside
of the lines of the bed bars, and therefore a firm and solid support is given to
the machine from end to end. Moreover, the ground support can be dispensed
with, whether shoe, or roller, below the front and rear ends of the bed bars.
By leaving the forward end of the frame entirely free relatively to the ground,
the machine can be adjusted more easily as to the plane of cut desired.
When the machine is at work and the cutters are engaging with the material,
they will meet powerful resistance, and there is a reactionary thrust laterally..

page_text: Successful work demands that this reactionary thrust should be overcome; and to
accomplish this the machine is provided near its forward end with a stationary
.cunter or cutters.
In Figs. 1 and 3 is shewn one form of cutter which has been found adapted
for this purpose.
This cutter Z is provided with a forward projecting tooth z
and its shank is fitted in a socket in the frame of the machine and held in place
by a wedge or key 75 or in any other suitable and desirable manner. When the
carriage is being advanced to form the main kerf this cutter will form in the upper
face or surface of such kerf a relatively small groove; and the flat sides of the
cutter bearing against the sides of such groove tend to prevent the lateral thrust
of the machine. Although I have shown but a single cutter Z two or more may
be used if desired.
In Figs. 19 and 20 is shown a modification of this steadying or holding cutter.
The form there shown consists of a plate Z, secured to the frame of the machine
by a transverse key Z, or in any other suitable manner and provided on its upper
edge with a series of teeth preferably arranged one above the other vertically
and each more or less in the rear of the preceding one.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A chain cutting mining machine constructed and operating snbstantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. In the machine above referred to the arrangement of the cutter chain so as
to move in a horizontal plane round the driving wheel in the rear and the two
guide wheels in front, its cutting portion travelling across the path of the
reciprocating carriage substantially as described.
3. The combination of the reciprocating carriage, the chain arranged as set
forth in the preceding claim, and the bed having longitudinal bars outside the side
parts of the chain, vertical bars and shoes secured thereto, substantially as
. described.
4. In combination with the carriage the upwardly projecting cutting point, to
hold it against lateral movement, substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of August 1895.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for Applicant.