IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mather, of the Firm of Mather and Platt, of
Salford Iron Works, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, and
Francis Marion Lechner, of Columbus, Ohio, United States of America, but at
present of Richmond, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING MACHINES."
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mather and
Francis Marion Lechner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 15th July 1881.
WILLIAM MATHER, of the Firm of Mather and Platt, of the Salford Iron Works,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, and FRANCIS MARION
LECHNER, of Columbus, Ohio, United States of America, but at present of
Richmond, in the County of Surrey, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING
MACHINES."
In the Specification of a Patent dated 4th April, 1881, No. 1469, in the name
of H. H. Doubleday, as a communication from the aforesaid F. M. Lechner, is
described an improved form of mining machine for "heading" work, that is,
producing a slot into the breast of the coal or other mineral; now the object of
this present Invention is to adapt or construct the said heading machine so as to
operate in undercutting the coal on the " long wall" system; this is of especial
advantage in places where room in the direction from the breast or face of the coal
cannot be obtained. According to this Invention then the machine works parallel
with the breast or face of the coal, whereas in the heading machine referred to it
works at right angles thereto.
We prolong or extend the revolving cutter shaft to one side, and by preference
so that such a prolongation can be coupled or attached to either end of the present
cutter shaft; this prolongation is fitted with removable cutters and forms the
working portion of the shaft for undercutting on the long wall system. Near the
outer end we support it in a bearing or shoe on a diagonal carrying arm or brace
from the sliding frame, which also clears the debris or cuttings behind the cutter
bar and pushes it to the face as the machine moves forward, the shoe being also
formed so as to prevent the cutter shaft from rising while cutting.
Between the said shoe and the sliding frame we arrange an endless scraper
chain for clearing away the cuttings from the face. The shoe or the brace is

page_text: provided with a lifting appliance such as a cam or eccentric for adjusting the cutting
shaft so as to keep it in a line with the frame of the machine.
To the front part of the main frame of the machine we fix a prolongation frame
by preference so as to leave some space between it and the floor to clear away the
cut coal, this prolongation forming with its underside a continuation of the guide
for the sliding frame.
-
The machine is fastened down as described in the Specification of the aforesaid
previous Patent. When the cutter bar has cut its way to the length of the traverse
of the machine the feed screw is thrown out of gear, and the speed may then be
slackened; the fixing props or jacks at the rear and at the front of the main frame
of the machine are released, and a jack placed so as to fix the sliding frame. The
go-back screw being then thrown into gear the main frame or bed of the machine
will be drawn forward by the action of the engine, the cutter bar revolving all
the time. The sliding frame is then released, the main frame fixed, and work
commenced again.
In
A cutter bar supported and operating as hereinbefore described, that is, cutting
its way through the coal in a direction parallel to the wall of coal may also be used
with machines of other constructions. We may thus, for instance, mount it or
arrange it in connection with a machine which by means of a chain and winding
drum, or by a screw and nut or other propelling gear (which may be actuated by
the driving engine on the machine) pulls itself along and up towards a post or
anchor or other fixed part or point some distance in advance of the machine.
connection with such a sliding machine we may use a track or bed consisting of
parts fitting into each other, end to end, so that when the machine has advanced
itself the length of one such part of the bed, the said last part may be detached
from the back of the bed and attached to the front of the bed. To withdraw or
return the machine we may use a fixed part or point in the rear of it and wind
up towards it, or in other ways return the machine towards it.
According to one such arrangement we mount the continuation of the cutter
bar in bearings in the front of the machine, and support the outer end of the
cutter bar in a bearing formed on a diagonal brace extending back to the side of
the machine. The horizontal cylinders of the engine are arranged in the front part.
of the machine and the crank shaft behind them.
A winding drum is mounted at the rear of the machine, and at a somewhat
higher level than the rest of, the machine; it may be driven by worm wheel and
worm. The track or bed made of wrought iron plates is fitted with dovetail or
other grooves for the machine to work in; the parts of the track or bed are accu-
rately fitted into each other, but so as to be easily detachable. The parts of the
bed or track are firmly secured and stayed against the roof of the coal by jacks or
. other stays, as required.
Or we may use a bed or track not in parts, and of a length suitable for the
length of the machine and its traverse thereon, and when the machine has per-
formed its traverse we connect the same chain that produced the traverse to the
bed or track, and pull it forward to the post or anchor or fixed part in advance
of the machine, the sliding frame or machine proper being meanwhile held in place
by a prop or jack.
The cutter driving shaft may in some cases be arranged at another level or place
than that of the cutter shaft itself, and be connected thereto by tooth wheel or
other gear, or by chain.
Instead of the driving chain heretofore used for the Lechner coal cutting machines,
and consisting of two and two links, and with a friction roller at each joint, we
employ more links, but of a lighter section, and by preference add one friction
roller and one link, making the latter only about 1/4 inch thick instead of 3/8 inch
as heretofore; we thus gain a larger roller surface and add to the strength of the
chain.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Mather and Francis Marion Lechner in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 14th January 1882.
WILLIAM MATHER, of the Firm of Mather and Platt, of the Salford Iron Works,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, and FRANCIS MARION
LECHNER, of Columbus, Ohio, United States of America, but at present of
Richmond, in the County of Surrey, Engineer. " IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING
MACHINES."
In the Specification of a Patent dated 4th April, 1881, No. 1469, in the name
of H. H. Doubleday, as a communication from me, the aforesaid Francis Marion
Lechner, is described an improved form of mining machine for "heading" work,
that is, producing a slot into the breast of the coal or other mineral; now the
object of this present Invention is to adapt or construct the said heading machine
so as to operate in under cutting the coal on the "long wall" system; this is of
especial advantage in places where room in the direction from the breast or face of
the coal cannot be obtained. According to this Invention then the machine works
prrallel with the breast or face of the coal, whereas in the heading machine referred
to it works at right angles thereto.
We prolong or extend the revolving cutter shaft to one side and by preference,
so that such a prolongation can be coupled or attached to either end of the present
cutter shaft; this prolongation is fitted with removable cutters and forms the
working portion of the shaft for under cutting on the long wall system. Near the
outer end we support it in a bearing or shoe on a diagonal carrying arm, or brace,
or framing extending from the sliding frame, this diagonally extending framing or
brace being also formed as or arranged with means which clear the debris or
cuttings behind the cutter bar and push it to the face as the machine moves
forward, the shoe being also formed so as to prevent the cutter shaft from rising
while cutting for clearing away the cutting from the face we prefer to arrange an
endless scraper chain between the said shoc and the sliding frame.
The shoe or the brace may be provided with a lifting appliance such as a cam or
eccentric, for adjusting the cutting shaft so as to keep it in a line with the frame
of the machine.
To the front part of the main frame of the machine we fix a prolongation frame
by preference, so as to leave some space between it and the floor to clear away the
cut coal, this prolongation forming with its underside a continuation of the guide
for the sliding frame.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 a plan of such an undercutting
machine adapted for having the cutter bar prolonged either on the right hand or
on the left to the extent required to under cut the coal on the long wall system
of working; the Drawing shows the lateral prolongation cutter bar and parts
belonging thereto arranged on the left of the machinery.
The arrangement of the engine, the mode of driving the cutter shaft, viz., by
means of the feed screw O, the mode of feeding the sliding frame G forward, which
frame contains the cutter shaft, the feed being accomplished by means of the feed
screw O, the arrangement for returning the sliding frame G, viz., by ineans of the
go back screw P, together with some other parts are, as will be seen, the same as
those described in the Specification of Patent, No. 1469, of 1881, aforesaid.
A is the cutter bar or outer or lateral prolongation part of the driving shaft F
and A', A', are the cutters fixed therein; B is an external bearing or shoe for the
same which is fixed on the diagonal framing C, C; this framing has a hinge bolt
attachment to the inner or sliding bed frame G of the machine by the brackets D
and D, which latter is made adjustable by the set screw d'. The sliding bed

page_text: frame G has such brackets D and D₁ on each side so that the diagonal frame C
can be connected to either side, that is to say, for left hand or for right hand long
wall work; E is a coupling on the inner end of the cutter bar A for connecting to
either end of the driving shaft F, so as to adapt the machine for left hand or right
hand long wall work. The framing C is formed mainly of an upper and a lower
plate; in order to prevent the cutter bar from rising under the action of cutting,
the bearing or shoe B is formed with an upper face extending up to the underside
of the slot cut into the coal.
I is an endless cleaner or scraper chain working between the upper and lower
plate of the frame C, passing within one or two inches from the floor of the cut
slot, and so that with the forward motion of the sliding frame G and the diagonal
frame C, to which latter it is attached, a quantity of the debris produced by the
cutter bar is carried to the face of the coal underneath the machine where the
attendant can remove it as it accumulates. The scraper chain gears with the
sprocket wheels c, c', and c³, the spindle of the latter being fitted with a worm
wheel K, which by a worm L on the spindle L', revolved by chain and sprocket
wheels, receives slow revolving motion from the driving shaft F; H, H, is a
prolongation frame fixed to the front part of the main framing M of the machine
to keep the inner or sliding frame Ġ carrying the driving shaft F and cutter
bar A rigid and in a straight line during the traverse; for this purpose the under-
side of the prolongation frame H rides or slides on the projections g on the sliding
frame G, forming thus a guide therefor.
N, N', and N2 are screw jacks or props at the front, middle, and rear respectively
of the machine for fixing the main frame and forcing it firmly against the
floor.
The machine and the driving engine thereon and other parts are shown, or
may be the same as described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, No. 1469
of 1881. The mode of working with the machine having these improvements is
as follows:
The machine is fastened down, as described in the Specification of the aforesaid
previous Patent, that is, by means of props, such as the screw jacks N and N
here shewn. When the cutter bar A has cut its way to the length of the traverse
of the machine the feed screw O is thrown out of gear and the speed may then be
slackened; the fixing props or jacks N2 and N at the rear and at the front of the
main frame of the machine respectively are released and a jack N' placed so as to
fix the sliding frame G. The go back screw P being then thrown into gear the
main frame or bed M of the machine will be drawn forward by the action of the
engine, the cutter bar F, A, revolving all the time. The sliding frame G is then
released, the main frame M fixed, and work commenced again.
A cutter bar, supported and operating as herein before described, that is, cutting
its way through the coal in a direction parallel to the wall of coal, may also be
used with machines of other constructions. We may thus, for instance, inount it
or arrange it in connection with a machine, which, by means of a chain and
winding drum, or by a screw and nut, or other propelling gear, which may be
actuated by the driving engine on the machine, pulls itself along and up toward a
post or anchor, or other fixed part or point some distance in advance of the
machine. In connection with such a sliding machine we may use a track or bed
consisting of parts fitting into each other end to end, so that when the machine
has advanced itself the length of one such part of the bed the said last part may
be detached from the back of the bed and attached to the front of the bed. To
withdraw or return the machine we may use a fixed part or point in the rear of it
and wind up toward it or in other ways return the machine toward it.
According to one such arrangement we mount the continuation of the cutter bar
in bearings in the front of the machine and support the outer end of the cutter
bar in a bearing formed on a diagonal brace or framing extending back to the
side of the machine. The horizontal cylinders of the engine are arranged in the
front part of the machine and the crank shaft behind them.

page_text: A winding drum is mounted at the rear of the machine, and in some cases at a
somewhat higher level than the rest of the machine; it may be driven by worm.
wheel and worm. The track or bed, made of wrought iron plates, is fitted with.
dovetail or other grooves for the machine to work in; the parts of the track or
bed are accurately fitted into each other, but so as to be easily detachable.
The parts of the bed or track are firmly secured and stayed against the roof of
the coal by jacks or other stays as required.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, Figure 4 an end elevation, and Figure 5 a plan of.
such a machine, the last Figure shewing on one side one arrangement of means for
cleaning away the debris and the other side another arrangement for such purpose;
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detail views.
A is the continuation shaft carrying the cutters A' and united to the driving
shaft F by a cotter. The external bearing B for the cutter shaft A is, as in the
previously illustrated arrangement of machine, fastened to the diagonal framing C,
consisting of an upper and a lower wrought iron plate, and united to one side or
other of the front of the bed frame G of the machine, as before, all according as it
is required to work on the left or on the right hand of the machine. The bearing B
is, as shewn at Figure 3, made of a box form, the brasses or bearing block B¹
having a certain amount of play vertically therein for the purpose of working
freely and of slightly accomodating itself to the inclination of the coal stratum
without putting a stress on the machine itself. The bearings F', F', for the driving
shaft F are for the same purpose arranged with vertical play for the brasses therein;
these bearings are fixed on the front of the frame G. There may be springs at top
and bottom of each bearing block B'.
The mode in which the diagonal framing C is connected to one side or other of
the front of the frame G will be understood from Figures 8 and 9, the former being
a vertical section through the framing C and the latter view being a vertical section
at right angles thereto through one side girder of the frame G. This latter has
two lugs G with eye through, and the framing Chas two corresponding logs C'
connected to the lugs G¹, G1, by means of hinge bolts c, as shewn, thus affording a
ready means for disconnecting the diagonal fraining C from one side of the sliding
frame G and connecting to the other side when required.
The cylinders Q, Q, are arranged at the front or working end of the machine
and fastened down on to the sliding frame G; Q¹ is the crank shaft driven thereby,
and is a second motion shaft driven by wheel gearing Q, Q, and carrying a
sprocket wheel R, which, by means of the endless driving chain R¹ and sprocket
wheel R on the cutter bar driving shaft F, transmits the rotary motion to the
latter and to the cutter bar A connected thereto.
On the second motion shaft Q2 is fixed a worm S, which gears with a worm
wheel S' on a shaft S2; this latter at its other end carries a worm S³, which gears
into a worm wheel T loose on the transverse shaft T¹, with which the worm
wheel T can be thrown into fixed connection by means of the clutch T sliding on
a feather on the shaft T¹; on this latter is fixed the winding drum T³, to which
one end of a feed rope T is fixed, the other end of the rope being tied to a post or
other fixed object in front of the machine.
The appliance for clearing away the cuttings on the right hand side of Figure 5
consists of an endless scraper chain I of the same form, as described with reference
to Figures 1 and 2. It is driven by worm I' and worm wheel I2, the latter being
fixed on the shaft I³, on which is also fixed a sprocket wheel I' which gears with
the cutter shaft driving chain R. The appliances for clearing away the cuttings
on the left hand side of the Figure are shown of a modified form, and consist of a
screw I, the continuation shaft of which carries a sprocket wheel I which derives
its motion from the cutter bar driving chain R'; this screw carries the cuttings up
to the side of the machine where they are taken hold of by the endless chain I°
(which is of the saine form as the scraper chain I, Figures 1 and 2); this latter is
driven by gearing with a sprocket wheel I', and passes also round a loose pulley I³
at the back of the diagonal framing C.

page_text: .
The track or bed M on which the sliding bed G of the machine travels is made
of wrought iron plates, which have grooves in which the edges of bed G work, as
shown at Figure 4; the track M is made in parts which are accurately fitted and
connected together, but so as to be easily detachable. The track M may, as shewn
in the detail cross sectional view, Figure 6, and plan, Figure 7, be made with
grooves in which the bottom flanges of the side girders of the sliding bed G work;
the parts of the track M are in this case connected by hinge joints and pins, as
shown.
The track M is firmly secured and stayed against the roof of the coal by screw
jacks or stays, as shown at Figure 10, which is an outline or skeleton end view of
the machine when applied to work, and at Figure 11, which is a side view ;
Figure 12 is a plan view.
N, N, are two screw stays for securing the track M, which consists of two parts
hinge jointed together, as described.
U is a post secured some distance in advance of the machine, and to which one
end of the feed rope T is fastened, the other end being fixed to the winding.
drum T. When the machine is put to work the drum T³ pulls the machine'
slowly along up towards the post U, the cutter shaft A cutting its way through
the coal as the machine thus advances. When the machine has advanced the
length of the front track part, the back track part is detached and connected to
the front of the track or bed. To withdraw or return the machine we may use
a fixed post or point at the rear and wind up towards it.
Or according to another arrangement we may use a bed or track, not in parts,
and of a length suitable for the length of the machine and its traverse thereon,
and when the machine has performed its traverse we connect the same chain that
produced the traverse to the bed or track and pull it forward to the post, or anchor,
or fixed part in advance of the machine, the sliding frame or machine proper being
meanwhile held in place by a prop or jack.
The cutter driving shaft may in some cases be arranged at another level or
place than that of the cutter shaft itself, and be connected thereto by tooth wheel
or other gear, or by chain.
Instead of the driving chain heretofore used for the "Lechner" coal cutting
machines, and consisting of two and two links and with a friction roller at each
joint, we employ more links, but of a lighter section, and by preference add one
friction roller and one link, making the latter only about inch thick instead of
inch, as heretofore; we thus gain a larger roller surface and add to the strength
of the chain. This form of chain is shown at Figure 5 where the links t are three
in number, and the friction rollers t¹ two in number.
+
And having thus described and ascertained the nature of this Invention and in
what manner the same is performed, we declare that we claim,―
First. The construction of long wall coal cutting machine, in which a cutter bar
extending laterally from the machine and supported at or near its outer end in a
bearing or shoe is caused to revolve while the machine or the part of same in which
the said cutter bar is mounted at the same time receives a progressive movement,
thus producing a slot in the coal, substantially as set forth.
Second. The construction of long wall coal cutting machine, in which a revolving
driving shaft is fitted or formed with a prolongation extending laterally from the
machine and provided with cutting teeth, and supported at or near its outer end
in a bearing or shoe fitted or formed on a framing which is detachable from and
attachable to either side of the machine, which latter or the part of same in which
the said cutter bar is mounted at the same time receives a progressive movement,
thus producing a slot in the coal, means being also provided for constantly
removing the cuttings from the cutter bar, substantially as set forth.
"
Third. The adaptation of the Lechner" heading machine to long wall work;
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The combination of a driving engine; a laterally extended cutter. bar

page_text: driven thereby, and having a bearing or shoe at or near its outer end, a winding
drum or other means for feeding the engine and the cutter bar along, while the
latter thus produces a long wall slot in the coal, a bed or track for the engine bed
to slide on, and means for constantly removing the cuttings from the cutter bar,
substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The combination of parts forming the long wall coal cutting machine,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 3 to 9 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mather, for myself and on behalf of
the said Francis Marion Lechner, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two.
W. MATHER. (L.S.)