IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING MACHINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by George Dexter Whitcomb, Mining Manager,
of Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, and Orange Butler,
Farmor, of Wayne, in the County of Wayne and State of Michigan, both in the
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1880..
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MINING MACHINES." A communication from abroad by George Dexter
Whitcomb, Mining Manager, of Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of
Illinois, and Orange Butler, Farmer, of Wayne, in the County of Wayne and State
of Michigan, both in the United States of America.
The Invention relates to a double acting steam or compressed air mining machine
having a cylinder mounted upon a pair of wheels and a piston and piston rod, tho
latter having a pick holder attached to it for the recoption of the pick or channeling
tool.
The improvements consists,―
Firstly. In the application to such a machine of a reciprocating slide valve
operated by a suitable cam, rotated by a single eccentric independent engine, for
controlling the supply and exhaust to and from the cylinder.
Secondly. In a slotted cup oscillating in annular guides in the top of the slide
valve, in which cup plays the aforementioned cam, the free motion of the cup
allowing it to adjust itself perfectly to the varying direction of the cam.
Thirdly. In the combination of circular ratchets rigidly secured to the supporting
wheels and suitable sliding pawls operating in the same, said pawls boing protracted
by a spring and retracted by an S shaped cam sliding againsts pins on the pawls
and operated by a rod under the control of the operator.
Fonrthly. In a pair of adjustable handles sliding in slots in the frame of the
machine, and capable of being slid in and out and secured at different points by pins
passing through holes in the frame and handles, so that they may be lengthened and
shortened or removed altogether as desired.
Fifthly. In a chisel-shaped pick or channeling tool having the bevel wholly on
one side and a V shaped notch in its edge, so that there will be no tendency on the
part of the tool to wedge or glance side-wise when in operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 21st December 1880.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD, MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVE- 5
MENTS IN MINING MACHINES." A communication from abroad by George Dexter
Whitcomb, Mining Manager, of Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of
Illinois, and Orange Butler, Farmer, of Wayne, in the County of Wayne and State
of Michigan, both in the United States of America.
The Invention relates to a double acting steam or. compressed air mining machine 1
having a cylinder mounted upon a pair of wheels and a piston and piston rod, the
latter having a pick holder attached to it for the reception of the pick or channeling
tool.
The improvements consist,―
Firstly. In the application to such a machine of a reciprocating slide valve 1
operated by a suitable cam, rotated by a single eccentric independent engine, for
controlling the supply and exhaust to and from the cylinder.
Secondly. In a slotted cup oscillating in annular guides in the top of the slide
valve, in which cup plays the aforementioned cam, the free motion of the cup
allowing it to adjust itself perfectly to the varying direction of the cam.
Thirdly. In the combination of circular ratchets rigidly secured to the supporting
wheels and suitable sliding pawls operating in the same, said pawls being protracted
by a spring and retracted by an S shaped cam sliding against pins on the pawls and
operated by a rod under the control of the operator.
2
Fourthly. In a pair of adjustable handles sliding in slots in the frame of the 2
machine, and capable of being slid in and out and secured at different points by pins
passing through holes in the frame and handles, so that they may be lengthened and
shortened or removed altogether as desired.
Fifthly. In a chisel shaped pick or channeling tool having the bevel wholly on
one side and a V shaped notch in its edge, so that there will be no tendency on the 3
part of the tool to wedge or glance sidewise when in operation.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, 1 will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
Figure 1 represents a rear view of a coal mining machine embodying the improve-
ments, the supporting wheels being partly broken away to exhibit the ratchet and
journal. Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the axis of cylinder;
Figure 3 is a plan view of one side of the machine; Figures 4 and 5 are views of
the pick separately; Figure 6 is a plan view of the pawls and accessories; Figure 7
shows the bushing through which the pick holder slides; Figure 8 is a perspective
view of the slide valve and its oscillating cup guide; Figure 9 is a vertical
section through the line 9, 9, Figure 6; Figure 10 shows another form of pick
holder.
A may represent two wheels supporting a cast cylinder B journalled in them.
A wrought iron or steel shaft a cast or otherwise fixed into the projecting lugs b,
which extend from the sides of the cylinder for that purpose, constitute the axle,
which by virtue of its material is proof against breakage from the concussions of the
machine. Surmounting the cylinder is a steam chest C enclosing the slide valve D
and its operating cam E.

page_text: The cam E is operated by a single eccentric rotary engine F, which runs
independently of the rest of the machine.
The shaft of this engine extends through the casing and has a hand wheel f¹
keyed to it for the purpose of starting the eccentric.
It is preferred to make the slide valve balanced, as shown, and upon its upper
face are cast two annular arcs d which serve to guide a horizontally oscillating cup d',
said cup being slotted at e upon its upper face for the reception of the cam E. The
free motion of this cup allows it to adjust itself perfectly to the varying direction of
the cam E, and by so doing obviates all unnecessary wear.
The piston rod stuffing box G projects sufficiently from the cylinder head to
allow of being screw threaded on its outer side, upon which is screwed the pick
holder sleeve H, the outer end of which has a bushing h screwed into it, the non-
circular opening in which corresponds to the shape of the pick holder I which slides
in it.
Attached on the upper side of the steam chest C is a rectangular box J, which
serves as a guide to two pawls K, that by engaging in the circular ratchets L on the
inside of the supporting wheels prevent any retrograde motion of the machine.
A spring M serves to protract the pawls, while an S shaped cam N'pivotted at n
and impinging against the pins & which extend from the pawls through the slots j
enables the operator by means of rod O to retract the pawls whenever it is desired
to back the machine.
In order to conveniently handle the machine two arms P are provided which slide
in guides Q, and are held in any desired position by means of pins q in said guides
and holes P in the arms.
By this means of adjustment the machine can be made to occupy the smallest
possible space when required.
The pick R is of the represented chisel form, the bevel being wholly on one
side; this prevents the pick from glancing at each thrust and thus relieves the
machine of any side pressure. The edge of the pick has a V shaped notch, as
shown, so that the wear of the tool does not destroy so quickly the salience of the
points.
A shoulder S is formed upon the pick, which resting against the end of the pick
holder affords a solid abutment for withstanding the shock of the blow.
The rear end of the pick is inserted into a hole in the end of the pick holder I,
and has a slot T for receiving a key t, which passing through a corresponding slot i
in the pick holder I secures the pick in place.
The pick holder I may have an additional slot l, as shown in Figure 10, imme-
diately in rear of the pick for the purpose of inserting a key for dislodging the pick
in case it should be difficult to remove:
A gear wheel U on the rear end of the sleeve H meshes with a pinion V having one
fourth the number of teeth. This pinion is keyed to a shaft W, on the other end of
which is a winch X, by means of which the sleeve H and pick R may be rotated by
the operator into any desired position.
A projection from the handle X springs into a hole x' in the rear cylinder head,
whereby the pick may be held in any one of four different positions.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,—
First. In a mining machine the slide valve D operated by a rotating cam E, said
cam being driven by a rotary engine F, substantially as described.
Second. In a mining machine the combination of slide valve D, annular arcs d
oscillating cup and rotating cain E, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Third. In a mining machine the arms P sliding in guides Q and adjustable by
means of pins q and holes p, substantially as shown and described.
Fourth. In a mining machine the circular ratchets L on the supporting wheels
and pawls K, operated by spring M, S shaped can N, and pins k, substantially as
described.

page_text: Fifth. The chisel shaped pick R having the V shaped notch in its edge,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
D T D MITTE
B. J. B. MILLS. (L.S.)