Improvements in the Mechanical Cutting and Loading of Coal or the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Mechanical Cutting and Loading of Coal
or the like.
I, FRANCIS JOHN HENRY LASCELLES, of Rosedale, Pickering, in the County of
Yorkshire, Mining Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to the mechanical cutting and loading of coal or the like
and has for its object to combine in one machine means whereby the coal or other
material is cut in such manner and then loaded automatically that great economy
results.
To this end I employ a combination of cutters so adapted that the coal is
cut wholly or partly cut and then broken by natural weight or applied force
into the form of blocks which are loaded automatically into tubs or wagons by the
provision of channels or ways in connection with the cutters.
According to my improvements I arrange a cutter or cutters to operate on the
coal in a horizontal plane at or about the top of the seam and another or more
at or about the bottom thereof and between them one similarly disposed cutter
or two or more cutters depending on the thickness or depth to be cut. With due
regard to the position of these cutters I locate a cutter or cutters operating in a
vertical plane which severs or sever wholly or partly with the aid of natural
breakage from the main body the part or parts cut horizontally.
In connection with some or all of these cutters I may and prefer to dispose
a partition or partitions which follows or follow in the path of the cutter or
cutters and serves or serve to support and divide the blocks longitudinally and
at convenient points on or adjacent to these divisions I fit a cutter or cutters for
operating transversely on the blocks of material thus determining their length
or this may be accomplished or assisted by inclined parts or parts of different
levels or wedges in connection with the partitions which cause the blocks to
break by their own weight which may be assisted or entirely effected by a per-
cussive or pressure exerting contrivance or equivalent device.
Means of the usual kind for clearing the cutters are provided where desired
and the refuse may be deposited by conveyors in wagons or receptacles carried
on the machine or otherwise.
The several parts constituting my machine are mounted and borne wholly or
in part on a tram the whole being driven propelled or actuated by a motor or
motors and gearing all in the usual way and in operation as the machine travels
along the working face the material is obtained in the form of rectangular shaped
blocks or pieces whose depth and width are determined by the horizontal and
vertical cutters respectively and their length by the transverse cutters or breakage.
As the machine progresses the blocks are loaded automatically for which purpose
I provide as integral or adjustable continuations or extensions of the said partitions
channels or like means along which the blocks pass to the wagons in communication
therewith and if necessary the appliances aforesaid for operating on the blocks
Co
017

page_text: transversely may be fitted about these channels or instead of being the initial
means they may be supplemental. Further in these channels belts or other con-
veyors may be applied for transferring the blocks to the wagons.
Instead of loading the blocks as described they may be loaded manually if
desired and in such case the loading channels may be removed.
The cutters may be designed to be adjusted relatively to each other or removed
entirely as circumstances vary; for example the top or bottom or lateral cutters
may be displaced if the parting or material is of such a character as not to
require cutting and similarly the several parts of my invention may be varied
or modified without departing from the nature of same.
Dated this 9th day of August 1897.
PRYOR & HARVEY,
Agents.
Improvements in the Mechanical Cutting and Loading of Coal
or the like.
I, FRANCIS JOHN HENRY LASCELLES, Mining Engineer, of Rosedale, Pickering,
in the County of Yorkshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:―
My invention relates to the mechanical cutting and loading of coal or the like
and has for its object to combine in one machine means whereby the coal or other
material is both cut and loaded automatically as hereinafter set forth.
To this end I employ a combination of cutters so adapted that the materiai is
partly cut and then broken by natural weight or applied force, into the form of
rectangular blocks, which, by the provision of partitions and channels or ways in
connection with the cutters, are loaded automatically into tubs or wagons as
the machine travels along the working face, the several parts constituting it
being mounted and born completely or in part on a tram and the whole driven,
propelled or actuated by a motor or motors and gearing all in the usual way.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I have appended hereto
the accompanying drawings showing a machine in which four cutters are
employed in conjunction with two automatic loading arrangements. Fig. 1
is a general plan, partly in section below the upper cutter 1 shown in the suc-
ceeding figures. Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal and transverse vertical sections
on lines A A-A-A and B-B respectively in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side eleva-
tion of the partitions and loading channels or ways detached from the machine.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation at the fore end of the loading channels. Fig. 6 is a
longitudinal section and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are transverse sections respectively on
lines C-C, D-D, E-E and F–F–F–F in Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9
are drawn to a larger and Fig. 4 to a smaller scale than Figs. 1, 2 and 6.
1, 2, 3 are cutters operating in a horizontal plane or at right angles to the face
of the coal to be cut, 1 and 3 being arranged at the top and bottom partings of
the seam respectively and the cutter 2 at the middle thereof. 4 is a cutter
operating in a vertical plane or parallel with, and at a suitable distance from,
the working face and it is located to the rear of the horizontal cutters and made
of such a diameter as to intersect the chases cut by them, while its shaft 5 is
disposed directly in line with the cutter 2 so that it follows in the path cut by
same. The cutters shown are of the disc type, that is, in the form of wheels
fitted with peripheral tools or picks 6, 6, secured thereto so that they may be

page_text: easily displaced and replaced for renewal or repair, though, if desired, the hori-
zontal cutters may be of the usual bar type. The width of the upper and lower
horizontal cutters 1 and 3 is, or may be, less than the middle one 2, which, how-
ever, must be sufficient to cut a chase of a size to admit of the easy traverse
therein of the shaft 5 of the cutter 4 of or about the same width as the cutters 1, 3.
Working in connection with the cutters 2, 3 at a distance therefrom only
sufficient to allow clearance, I arrange at the former a partition 7 and at the latter
another partition 8 in such manner that they coincide with, or come slightly
below, the upper edge of the corresponding cutter, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6
(where the blocks are indicated in dotted lines) their function being, as they
follow in the cuts, consequent on their location and the progression of the machine,
to receive the bottoms of the blocks of coal and support them thereby relieving
the cutters from strain. I extend these partitions rearwards and connect side
plates 9, 10 thereto thus constituting channels or ways 11, 12 which are shaped
at their extreme ends, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4, to form shoots 13, 14
for discharging the contents into a tub or wagon running in communication there-
with, or a separate wagon may be employed for each shoot. The width of these
partitions 7, 8, as well as that of the channels 11, 12, is the same as, or somewhat
greater than, the distance of the inner face of the cutter 4 from the coal face, hence
the inner side of the plate 9 coincides with, or projects beyond, the edge of the
cut block as will be clearly seen in Fig. 3. The channel 11 is built upon the
channel 12 and, for convenience in loading, it is made shorter for the purpose
of discharging in advance of same, whilst its bottom is parallel or
practically parallel with the floor of the working, but not 80 the
bottom of the lower channel 12, which, to obtain convenient loading also,
is inclined upwardly to a suitable height from a point just beyond
the cutter 3 to a point about the discharge shoot 14 when it is continued
parallel with the floor. A further result accrues from making the bottom of the
channel 12 inclined, for so soon as the block of coal which has been cut leaves the
partition 8 and begins to rise up the incline, the part so doing breaks by its
natural weight transversely from the main body either wholly or partially at
the junction of the two planes, or if such does not happen completely there, then
it will do so at the junction of the incline with the bottom of the shoot 14. How-
should this transverse breakage not occur at either of these two places, it
will be effected by the end of the block coming into contact with the end of the
shoot 14, which acts to shear the adjoining portion of the block from the main
part, this being the way the block will be divided transversely in the upper
channel 11, while, in any case, imperfect breakages will be completed as the blocks
fall over the shoots into the wagons.
As will be obvious the bottom of the
ever,
channel 11 may be formed similarly to the bottom of the channel 12 so that it
may act on the blocks in the same way. A spring roller 15 or the like is applied
as shown for supporting the rear of the channels and for providing for inequalities
of the road. Below the partitions 7, 8 and corresponding with the configuration
of their ends next the cutters, I fix guides 16, 17 respectively of a depth such as
to fill up the space intervening between the bottom of the partition and the edge
of the groove cut below, shaping them as represented in Fig. 1, whereby, as the
machine travels forward, the debris resulting from the cutting is deflected out of
the groove at the coal face, thus obviating sticking. The lower guide 17 is made
wider than the upper one, since, by so doing, it assists the clearing of the vertical
cutter 4.
The cutters 1, 2, 3, 4 and the loading channels 11, 12 are connected to and carried
by a tram 18 furnished with bearings for supporting the requisite driving shafts
and to this tram the wagon or wagons before mentioned are coupled. The whole
is preferably drawn by a tram (not shown in the drawings) carrying an electric,
compressed air or other prime mover actuating the main shaft 19 and moved
forward in work by any suitable feed mechanism. These two trams are advan-
tageously braced together by side plates, one of which may conveniently be a

page_text: prolongation, 10%, of the side plate 10 connected to the tram 18 as illustrated.
This combined motor and coal getting and automatic loading machine is traversed
by the feed mechanism along the face of the seam to be cut on rails 20, 20 laid
on the floor and parallel thereto. The two trams may, however, be merely coupled
together if desired.
On the prolongation 10% of plate 10 and at the side contiguous to the coal,
I secure a bracket 21 preferably made in four parts to facilitate fitting and
unfitting. I provide it with seats 22, 22, 22 to receive the cutters 1, 2, 3 and
retain them by the aid of bolts and covers 23, 23, 23, the bearing surfaces being
formed to permit of the revolution of the cutters all as shown in Fig. 3. The
shaft 5 on which the cutter 4 is mounted, is supported in a bearing 24 integral
with, and of the same depth as, the guide 16, which, as illustrated, is made of
greater area than the guide 17 with the object of ensuring the stability of this
cutter.
1
I recommend the driving of the cutters 1, 2, 3, at the circumference, therefore
I cut teeth thereon, sloping the bottoms of the spaces outwardly to facilitate the
clearance of the dust and debris and adapting them to receive the tools 6, 6, while
preserving continuity of revolution as will be evident from Fig. 1. They are
driven from the motor shaft 19 by spur wheels 25, 26, 27, the latter wheel driving
a bevel wheel 28 gearing with wheel 29 fixed on and revolving a shaft 30 carried
in bearings 31, 31 bolted on the prolongation 10%. Fixed on the shaft 30 so as to
gear with the teeth of the cutters 1, 2, 3 and thus drive them, are spur wheels
32, 32, 32 having increased spaces at intervals to enable the tools 6, 6, 6 to pass.
Any other form of driving gear, such as the well known bevel wheel and circular
rack, may, however, be adopted if desired. The cutter 4 is driven from the
shaft 19 by a bevel wheel 33 thereon actuating a like wheel 34 on the shaft 5.
35, Fig. 1, is a chain scraper of usual form so disposed on the tram 18 that,
as it is driven from the shaft 5 by the chain and sprocket gear indicated, it
lifts the debris falling from the horizontal cutters into the shoot 13 whence it
finds egress into the wagon in connection at the small shoot 36 provided therefor.
Additional scrapers may be fitted if thought necessary, as for example, at the
point X Fig. 1 a scraper might be arranged to clear the debris produced by the
cutter 4 and deliver it to a wagon, or a receptacle fixed to the machine.
A blower 37, Fig. 1, driven from the shaft 19 may be carried on the tram 18
and from it pipes may be led to the cutters or where desired, the issuing jet
preventing the dust clogging.
38 is a rod connecting with an adjustable pin on a spur wheel 39 revolved
from the shaft 5 by a wheel 40 and it transmits the motion thus imparted to a
ratchet gearing with a ratchet wheel operating a drum mounted on the leading
tram for hauling the machine along a rope attached to a fixed point, thereby
effecting the desired feed which may be varied by adjusting the connection at
the wheel 39, this mechanism being of the ordinary construction and operating
in the well known manner.
Having, in the preceding, described the construction and arrangement of my
improved machine I will now explain its practical operation.
On starting the motor, the machine, under the control of the feed mechanism,
travels along the face of the seam and two long blocks of coal are cut of a thick-
ness or height equal to the distance apart of the horizontal cutters 1, 2 and 2,
3 and of a width equal to the distance of the cutter 4 from the working face, the
partitions 7, 8 following in the chase of cutters 2, 3 and supporting the blocks
as they are severed, the resulting debris being removed in the manner mentioned.
As the machine travels on, the blocks eventually fill up the channels 11, 12 and
when they reach the discharge shoots 13, 14, they are directed outwardly from
came in the form of shorter blocks broken transversely as before described, each
of which is finally discharged by the succeeding one into the wagon or wagons
travelling with the machine.
Thus the coal is expeditiously and efficiently cut and then loaded automatically,

page_text: the production of small or slack being reduced to a minimum and time and
labour in loading obviated, hence a great economy in cost of working is effected.
I have described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings a con-
venient and simple form of machine in exemplification of my invention, but
as will be obvious, it may be variously altered in detail as circumstances or wishes
decide.
For instance, when the top parting of the seam is of such a character as not to
require cutting, then the cutter 1 may be dispensed with, while at times, instead
of using single cutters, duplicate or triplicate cutters may be adopted, one cutter
being arranged in advance of another, but so that the grooves cut by each intersect
to accomplish the requisite severance. Also the cutters may be mounted to render
them capable of adjustment relatively to each other and to the thickness of the
seam while their number in one machine may be varied with the dimensions
of the blocks to be obtained.
Instead of making the partitions 7, 8 and channels 11, 12 integral they may be
mechanically joined so that they may be connected and disconnected and on these
parts live rollers may be situated to facilitate the travel of the blocks thereon
while belts or conveyors may be applied and moved in the channels 11, 12 for
transferring the blocks to the wagons.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be clearly under-
stood that I lay no claim, per se, to the method of and apparatus herein described
for cutting the coal- but declare that what I claim is:-
1. A combined machine for cutting and loading coal or the like arranged and
operating, substantially as described.
2. A machine for cutting and loading coal in which a series of horizontal and
vertical cutters for cutting the material into the form of blocks is arranged in
combination with partitions and channels or ways provided in connection with
the said cutters by which the coal is discharged or loaded, substantially as described.
3. In a machine of the type hereinbefore described, the provision of a channel
such as 11 having an outward bend or incline by means of which the coal is
broken in passing along such channel, substantially as described.
4. In a machine of the type herein before described the provision of a channel
such as 12 having an upward and outward bend or incline by means of which the
coal is broken in passing along such channel, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of June 1898