IMPROVED MECHANISM FOR CUTTING COAL OR OTHER MINERALS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Rigg, of Bonnyrigg, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, and Alexander Meiklejon, of Dalkeith, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MECHANISM FOR
CUTTING COAL OR OTHER MINERALS."
Sealed the 3rd May 1878, and dated the 2nd February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugh Rigg and Alexander
Meiklejon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd August
1878.
HUGH RIGG, of Bonnyrigg, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, and
ALEXANDER MEIKLEJON, of Dalkeith, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain.
"IMPROVED MECHANISM FOR CUTTING COAL OR OTHER MINERALS."
Our Invention consists in the improved device and construction of a machine for
cutting or making holes in coal or other minerals, whereby the whole of the working
parts are arranged so that the cutting wheel or disc can cut or hole-in the mineral
to the under side of the sleeper supporting rails on which the machine travels, so as
to leave no portion of the mineral to be afterwards lifted by hand labour or other-
wise.
The machine is made so low as to work in very thin and valuable seams,
and this in many cases without cutting away any portion of the coal, at the
same time retaining great rigidity and simplicity of construction not hitherto
attained.
The dragging gear for dragging the machine along the face of the mineral while
employed is also improved, so that an endless chain can be used, and means of
adjusting the machine to cut at any angle,
The above-mentioned mechanism consists mainly in the following arrangements
A framework is constructed of sufficient, size and strength to carry the motive and
cutting powers. The framework is mounted on four wheels, in order to travel the
machine along the face of the mineral it is engaged in cutting or operating on.

page_text: The motive power is derived from steam or compressed air acting upon the
pistons of two or more cylinders mounted on the said frame, the power being
transmitted to the cutting wheel by means of cranks and bevilled pinion, which
gear into the revolving cutting wheel or disc.
The dragging or travelling of the machine along the face of the mineral is
accomplished by an endless chain, which is fixed at both ends of the wall of mineral
to be cut, and in passing round and over two pitched chain wheels, which catch the
links of the chain, the machine being thus dragged or travelled along the face of the
mineral while engaged in working.
At each of the corners of the machine are fixed adjusting screws, which are used
for raising and lowering the machines to suit the dip and rise of the seam of
mineral.
The axle boxes are so constructed as to allow of the whole framework, with disc
or cutting wheel, being adjusted to any angle irrespective of the level of the rails
and sleepers.
The disc or wheel on which the cutters are fixed may have more or less teeth, as
may be thought proper, and the shape or form of the cutters is made to suit the nature
of the mineral the machine is to be engaged in cutting. The wheel or disc is held
in position by an arm or bracket projecting from the framework.
In the above-described Invention important points are, the combination and
construction of the various parts forming a machine for cutting or operating on
coal and other minerals, whereby the cutting wheel or disc can cut or hole to the
under side of the sleeper supporting rails on which the machine travels, retaining at
the same time great rigidity and simplicity of construction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hugh Rigg and Alexander Meiklejon in the Great Seal. Patent.
Office on the 2nd August 1878.
HUGH RIGG, of Bonnyrigg, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, and;
ALEXANDER MEIKLEJON, of Dalkeith, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain..
IMPROVED MECHANISM FOR CUTTING COAL OR OTHER MINERALS."
Our Invention consists in the improved device and construction of a machine for
cutting or making holes in coal or other minerals, whereby the whole of the working
parts are arranged so that the cutting wheel or disc can cut or hole in the mineral
to the under side of the sleeper supporting rails on which the machine travels, so as
to leave no portion of the mineral to be afterwards lifted by hand labour or other-
wise.
>
The machine is made so low so as to work in very thin and valuable seams,
and this in many cases without cutting away any portion of the coal, and with
means of adjusting the machine to cut. at any angle, at the same time retaining great:
rigidity and simplicity of construction not hitherto attained.
The dragging gear for dragging the machine along the face of the mineral while
employed is also improved, so that an endless chain can be used.
The above-mentioned mechanism consists substantially in the following arrange-
ments: A framework is constructed of sufficient size and strength to carry the
motive and cutting powers: The framework is mounted on four wheels in order to
travel the machine along the face of the mineral it is engaged in cutting or
operating on.
The motive power is derived from steam or compressed air acting upon the pistons
of two or more cylinders mounted on the said frame, the power being transmitted
to the cutting wheel by means of cranks and bevilled pinion, which gear into the
revolving cutting wheel or disc.
The dragging or travelling of the machine along the. face of the mineral is
accomplished by an endless chain, which is fixed at both ends of the wall of mineral
to be cut, and in passing round and over two pitched chain wheels, which catch the
links of the chains, the machine being thus dragged or travelled along the face of
the mineral while engaged in working.
:
At each of the corners of the machine are fixed adjusting screws, which are used
for raising and lowering the machines to suit the dip and rise of the seam of
mineral.
The axle boxes are so constructed as to allow of the whole framework, with disc
or cutting wheel, being adjusted to any angle irrespective of the level of the rails
and sleepers.
The disc or wheel on which the cutters are fixed may have more or less teeth, as
may be thought proper, and the shape or form of the cutters is made to suit the nature
of the mineral the machine is to be engaged in cutting. The wheel or disc is held
in position by an arm or bracket projecting from the framework.
In the above-described Invention important points are, the combination and con-
struction of the various parts forming a machine for cutting or operating on coal
and other minerals, whereby the cutting wheel or disc can cut or hole to the under-
side of the sleeper supporting rails on which the machine travels, retaining at the
same time great rigidity and simplicity of construction, the dragging or travelling of
the machine being accomplished by endless chain or rope..
In order that our Invention may be fully understood we proceed to give a
description of the annexed Drawings.
In all the Drawings the same letters of reference are used to indicate cor-
responding parts wherever they occur.
Fig. 1 is a plan of the machine.
Fig. 2, side or front elevation.

page_text: Fig. 3, end elevation, showing cutting wheel full depth into the mineral, and
cutting to the level of the under side of the sleepers.
A is the frame on wheels, all the parts being fixed; B, B, are the two cylinders;
C, C, connecting rods; D, crank shaft; E, bevel pinion, gearing into cutting wheel
or disc; F, disc or cutting wheel, to which cutters G are attached; G, cutters fixed
to disc F; H, arm or bracket carrying disc F; I, I, I, I, four wheels on which the
machine is carried; J, J, axle boxes; K, four screws, which can be so adjusted as
to raise or lower the machine, or to put the machine to any angle, to suit the
dip and rise of the mineral; L, worm giving motion to shaft M; N, N, shafts, to
which are fixed the chain pulleys O, O, for dragging the machine along the face of
coal or other mineral; P, chain for dragging machine; Q, rails on which machine
travels; R, sleepers supporting rails.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, we hereby declare that we claim the Invention of the arrangements of
improved mechanism for cutting coal or other minerals, substantially as the same
is herein-before set forth and described and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Hugh Rigg and Alexander Meiklejon, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this 30th (thirtieth) day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
JAMES RENTON, Witness,
Westfield,
Dalkeith, N.B.
ALEX FORBES, Witness,
Eskbank,
Dalkeith, N.B.
HUGH RIGG.
(L.S.)
ALEXANDER MEIKLEJON. (L.S.)