Improvements in Machinery for Boring and Cutting Coal, Stone, or other Minerals.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Boring and Cutting Coal, Stone, or
other Minerals.
We, ROBERT JOHN CHARLETON, and HENRY WALKER, of 131 Pilgrim Street,
in the City and County of Newcastle upon Tyne, Electrical Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
The machine, the subject of this invention, is designed to perform the following
operations, viz. :—
1st. To drill, or bore, a horizontal hole for the purpose of inserting the cutter
bar, or for other purpose.
2nd. To cut horizontally low down, at the level of the rails on which it rests or
at any intermediate level between the rails on the "floor," and the "roof" or top of
the seam of coal, or cut along the roof.
3rd. To make a vertical cut from the "floor" level to the "roof" or top of the
seam of coal.
It is arranged to be self-acting as regards feed in both the horizontal and
vertical cuts.
The machine, as we at present propose to construct it, consists of two side frames
secured to each other by proper tie-bolts and stays so as to be readily taken apart
for transport &c., and carried on four rollers or wheels having flanges as guides on
the rails. At one end, and projecting beyond the rollers, is a transverse shaft
running in bearings and having keyed on it a worm wheel which engages a worm
mounted on the main shaft driven by the motor (which may be part of the machine,
or may transmit its driving power by wire ropes, chains or other means) running in
suitable carriages or brackets on the main framing. To the end of the transverse
shaft, next the coal "face," a coupling is provided to receive the cutter bar. This
shaft is intended for horizontal under-cutting only, as low down as possible near
the "floor."
-Immediately above the worm on the motor shaft, and the transverse shaft just
mentioned is another transverse shaft, also fitted with a worm wheel engaging the
worm on motor shaft as before. This is carried in bearings having a certain
amount of end play, that is, the whole bearing is arranged to slide to a certain
limited extent which the worm gearing provides for without disturbing the driving
contact. Carried in these bearings is a frame composed of two side bars, which
extend to the back end of the machine, and there are joined together by a hollow
shaft formed of a steel tube. This hollow shaft is caused to rotate in bearings in
the two side bars which support it, by suitable gearing from the upper transverse
shaft in the sliding bearings at the other end, and carries the cutter bar or drill
shaft.
or at
In order that this shaft, which is intended for cutting vertically from "floor" to
"roof" or horizontally at any desired height, either close under the "roof"
any intermediate point between that and the "floor" level may cut truly vertically
and not radially in an arc, guide frames are provided in which it slides vertically,
the radial action being neutralised by the sliding bearings at the other end.
When the cutter bar on this shaft is required to "undercut" the coal horizontally
near the "floor" or at any intermediate level between the "floor" and the "roof"
the vertical feed is replaced by a horizontal feed as hereafter described.
A counterweight or equivalent device to balance the weight of the frame and
shaft is provided.
The drilling or boring is effected by a drilling tool running in the hollow shaft

page_text: in the moving frame in which it takes the place of the cutter bar used for vertical
cutting and is actuated by hand or automatic feed gear.
The automatic feed in the horizontal and vertical cutting we propose to effect as
follows:
On the transverse shaft first mentioned is a worm which engages with a worm
wheel mounted on a shaft longitudinally by the main frame at one side, and at the
other end of this shaft is a worm which engages with two worm wheels upon
transverse shafts one above and one below. The lower one effects the longitudinal
feed and is fitted with a winding drum on which a steel rope or chain may be
wound. The worm wheels and the drum are so mounted and driven by adjustable
friction gear that the drum may be caused to rotate or not as desired, and the speed
of rotation may be varied and "slip" allowed in case of any obstruction being met
with.
The upper worm wheel effects the feed when the machine is cutting vertically
and is fitted with a drum and adjustable friction gear as described for the
lower one.
A steel wire rope or chain from this drum passes under a guide roller
and is then attached to the balance weight and as the drum winds it on it causes
the frame which carries the cutter bar for vertical cutting to rise and thus gives
the necessary feed.
The motor may be enclosed in dust and gas proof case and may be fitted with
safety appliance for working in explosive gases especially when electricity is
used.
A cover plate or shield may be fitted to prevent injury to the machine by any
fall from the roof.
Dated this 19th dow of Mar 1900
T. J. DANSON,
By L. W., per F. B.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Boring and Cutting Coal, Stone, or
other Minerals.
We ROBERT JOHN CHARLETON, and HENRY WALKER, of 131 Pilgrim
Street in the City and County of Newcastle upon Tyne, Electrical Engineers,
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 :-
The machine, the subject of this invention, is designed to perform the following
operations viz. :—
1st. To drill, or bore, a horizontal hole for the purpose of inserting the cutter
bar, or for other purposes.
2nd. To cut horizontally low down at the level of the rails on which it rests or
at any intermediate level between the rails on the "floor," and the "roof" or top
of the seam of coal, or cut along the roof.
3rd. To make a vertical cut from the "floor "level to the "roof" or top of the
seam of coal.
It is arranged to be self acting as regards feed in both the horizontal and vertical
cuts.
The machine, as we at present propose to construct it, consists of two side
frames secured to each other by proper tie bolts and stays so as to be readily taken
apart for transport &c. and carried on four rollers or wheels having flanges as
guides on the rails. At one end, and projecting beyond the rollers, is a transverse
shaft running in bearings and having keyed on it a worm wheel which engages a
worm mounted on the main shaft driven by the moter (which may be part of the
machine, or may transmit its driving power by wire ropes, chains or other means)

page_text: running in suitable carriages or brackets on the main framing. To the end of the
transverse shaft, next the coal "face" a coupling is provided to receive the cutter
bar. This shaft is intended for horizontal under-cutting only, as low down as
possible near the "floor."
Immediately above the worm on the motor shaft, and the transverse shaft just
mentioned is another transverse shaft, also fitted with a worm wheel engaging the
worm on motor shaft as before. This is carried in bearings having a certain
amount of end play, that is, the whole bearing is arranged to slide to a certain
limited extent which the worm gearing provides for without disturbing the driving
contact. Carried in these bearings is a frame composed of two side bars, which
extend to the back end of the machine, and there are jointed together by a hollow
shaft formed of a steel tube. This hollow shaft is caused to rotate in bearings in
the two side bars which support it, by suitable gearing from the upper transverse
shaft in the sliding bearings at the other end, and carries the cutter bar or drill
shaft.
In order that this shaft, which is intended for cutting vertically from "floor" to
"roof" or horizontally at any desired height, either close under the "roof" or at
any intermediate point between that and the "floor" level may cut truly vertically
and not radially in an arc, guides frames are provided in which it slides vertically,
the radial action being neutralised by the sliding bearings at the other end.
When the cutter bar on this shaft is required to "undercut "the coal horizontally
near the "foor" or at any intermediate level between the "floor and the "roof
the vertical feed is replaced by a horizontal feed as hereafter described.
A counterweight or equivalent device to balance the weight of the frame and
shaft is provided.
The drilling or boring is effected by a drilling tool running in the hollow shaft
in the moving frame in which it takes the place of the cutter bar used for vertical
cutting and is actuated by hand or automatic feed gear.
The automatic feed in the horizontal and vertical cutting we propose to effect as
follows:-
--
On the transverse shaft first mentioned is a worm which engages with a worm
wheel mounted on a shaft running longitudinally by the main frame at one side,
and at the other end of this shaft is a worm which engages with two worm wheels
upon transverse shafts one above and one below. The lower one effects the
longitudinal feed and is fitted with a winding drum on which a steel rope or chain
may be wound. The worm wheels and the drum are so mounted and driven by
adjustable friction gear that the drum may be caused to rotate or not as desired,
and the speed of rotation may be varied and "slip" allowed in case of any obstruc-
tion being met with.
one.
The upper worm wheel effects the feed when the machine is cutting vertically
and is fitted with a drum and adjustable friction gear as described for the lower
A steel wire rope or chain from this drum passes under a guide roller and is
then attached to the balance weight and as the drum winds it on it causes the
frame which carries the cutter bar for vertical cutting to rise and thus gives the
necessary feed.
The motor may be enclosed in dust and gasproof case and may be fitted with
safety appliances for working in explosive gases when electricity is used as the
motive power as described and shewn in our Specification No. 7235 April 14, 1892.
A cover plate or shield may be fitted to prevent injury to the machine by any
fall from the roof.

page_text: running by four roller wheels 2. 2 upon rails 3 which may be temporarily laid
parallel with the "fall" of the coal. The frames are secured together laterally by
stays 4.4 in addition to the stability afforded by the axles and by the transverse
shafts as also by the canopy or roof shield 5.
The motor consists of the ordinary parts viz. the coils 6 magnets 7 the armature 8
and the commutator 9. Upon the forward end of the armature shaft 10 is keyed
a helical or worm pinion 11 graving into a helical or worm wheel 12 upon a trans-
verse shaft 13 carried in bearings in the frames and the end of this shaft next the
"fall" of the coal carries by a coupling 14 the cutter bar 15 which is for under
cutting horizontally as low down as possible in the seam.
The operations of drilling or boring a hole into the coal for the purpose of
inserting the cutter bar (or for other purposes) as also the operations of cutting
vertically from the "floor" to the "roof" (or vice versa) and of cutting along the
"roof" or at any intermediate distance between the "floor" and the "roof" are
all effected from the other or rear end of the machine by transmitting mechanism
from the shaft 10 as follows:
The helical or worm pinion 11 on the armature shaft 10 gears into a helical or
worm wheel 16 upon an upper transverse shaft 17 carried in bearings 18 which
have a sliding play in their seats in the main frames 1. 1. to an extent which does
not disturb the driving gearing between the worm pinion 12 and the worm wheel 16.
The ends of the bearings of the transverse shaft 17 are extended on each side to
receive the eyes of two side bars 19 which hinge thereon and these bars extend
backward to the rear of the machine where their ends form bearings 20 for a trans-
verse shaft 21, which is preferably formed of a steel tube and is encased in a
hollow stay 22 which binds the ends of the side bars 19 together and this shaft is
attached next the "face" by a coupling 23 to the drill or boring bar or to the
cutter bar for vertical or horizontal cutting at any desired height between the
"floor" and the " roof." In order that the shaft 21 may cut truly vertical and
not radially in an arc, the two side bars 19 near their free ends move in vertical
guide frames 24 the sliding bearings 18 of the transverse shaft 17 allowing the
requisite amount of play and provision is made for fixing them at any required
position in the slots in the guide frames when cutting horizontally by clamps with
Theaded pinching screws with jam nuts. The shaft 21 carrying the drilling tool
or cutter bar is driven from the shaft 17 by a pair of bevel wheels 25 and 25*
through a horizontal shaft 26 carried in bearings 27-27" formed on one of the
side bars 19 driving another pair of bevel wheels 28 and 28* the latter being
keyed upon the transverse shaft 21.
The feed motion for horizontal cutting by transversing the machine upon the
rails is effected from the transverse shaft 13 driven by the armature shaft 10 and
having upon it a helical or worm pinion 29 gearing into helical or worm wheel 29ª
upon the longitudinal shaft 30 working in bearings 31 and having upon its rear end
a helical or worm pinion 32 gearing into a wheel 32* upon a transverse shaft 33
upon which is a drum 34 around which a chain or rope not shewn which may be
moored at each end ahead and astern of the machine, takes a number of turns to
ensure frictional driving power as described and shewn by drawings in the
Specification of our coal cutting machine No. 7235 dated April 14, 1892 and the
same arrangement of binding or guide sheaves may be used when desirable to keep
the machine on the rails as therein described. Alternatively the chain or rope may
be moored ahead of the machine only and wound upon the drum. In either case
provision will be made for stopping the feed by a "slip" friction clutch when any
obstructing substance is met with by the cutters similar to the device described and
shewn by the drawings in our Specification No. 7235 above mentioned.
The feed motion for vertical cutting is effected by a helical or worm wheel 32b
also gearing into the helical or worm pinion 32, upon the overhung transverse
shaft 35 carrying a drum 36 upon which is wound a chain or rope not shewn leading
under the guide pulley 36* and attached to the underside of the counterweight 37
rising and falling in the girder 38 and from the counterweight chains or cords not

page_text: shewn lead upward around the pullies 36 and attached to the side bars 19 which
carry the shaft 21 to the end of which the cutter bar is attached by the coupling 23
and thus as the drum winds on the chain or rope the counterweight is pulled down
and the side bars 19 with the cutter bar rise by the action of the chains around the
pullies 36 and so give the required vertical feed.
When the machine is cutting horizontally the vertical feed is thrown out of
operation by slacking a jam nut 39 on a bush projecting from the worm wheel 32b
which carries the drum 36 and a clutch coupling formed on the drum being thereby
released the drum ceases to be revolved by the pinion 32. Similarly when the
horizontal feed is not required the slacking of a jam nut 41 upon the transverse
shaft 33 releases a clutch coupling on the drum 34 from driving contact with the
worm wheel 32 and the drum ceases to be revolved by the pinion 32. Either of
the clutches when forced into frictional driving contact with the wheels 32" or 32b
will slip and so arrest the feed and prevent injury to the cutters when any hard
substance in the coal is met with.
The feed of the drill or boring bar is not shewn not forming part of our invention
but it may be automatic or effected by hand from the outer end of the tubular
shaft 21 by any ordinary mechanism.
The armature and commutator of the motor are shewn enclosed in a gas and dust
tight casing to prevent danger by sparking when working in places where explosive
gas or coal dust is met with with provision for introducing pure air by a fan or
ventilator as described and shewn by drawings in our Specification No. 7235 before
referred to.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. The improvements in machinery for boring and cutting coal, stone, or other
minerals consisting in the construction and application of a machine which will
effect the operations of boring or drilling holes for the insertion of the cutter bar or
other purposes at any required height between the "floor" and "roof" of the
seam; making a vertical cut from the "floor" to the "roof" and cutting horizontally
from such vertical cut along the seam at any required height between the "floor
and the "roof," and operated by steam, compressed air, hydraulic, electrical or
other motive power substantially as described.
"
2nd. The construction and application of a machine which in addition to effecting
the above operations, will undercut the seam horizontally close to the floor operated
by steam. compressed air, hydraulic, electrical or other motive power substantially
as described and in one mode of construction shewn by the drawing.
3rd. The machine for performing all the above named operations of boring or
drilling holes, cutting vertically, cutting horizontally from such vertical cut at any
required height, and under cutting the seam horizontally close to the "floor"
consisting of the various mechanical parts, combined constructed and operating
substantially as described and shewn by the accompanying drawings with electricity
as the motive power.
Dated this 20th day of February 1002
T. J. DANSON,
By L. W., per F. B.