GB237772A - Improvements in or relating to mining machines - Google Patents

Abstract

237,772. O'Toole, E. Aug. 13, 1924, [Convention date]. Coal-cutting machines.-A combined mining and loading machine comprises an endless conveyer the working strand of which travels in the same direction as the return strand of the cutter chain so that said strands co-operate in conveying the mined material. The conveyer flights are pivoted to the conveyer chain and are folded during the return passage of the conveyer chain to reduce the width of the machine. The machine frame comprises a base plate 2 mounted on transverse skids 10 and carrying along its front edge the supporting frame 9 of the cutter chain 17 and along its rear edge the supporting frame of the convayer chain; the frame may be made in sections, the sections being detachably connected at the rear by overlapping fingers 80 and pins 81, and at the front by overlapping recessed bars 82 and locking plugs 84, these connections giving limited flexibility vertically. The conveyer comprises a chain 27 with triangular flights 28 pivoted thereto, the flights carrying rollers 31 which, on the forward side of the conveyer, engage a channel beam 4 to hold the flights in working position; on beginning the return movement, the flights engage a bent portion 33 of a rear channel beam 3 and are folded over the chain, being returned to active position at the end of the return flight on engagement of the rollers with a cam plate 35. An inclined plate 8 covers the returning part of the conveyer. The delivery end of the conveyer is elevated to deliver direct to mine cars; at this end a vertically arranged bracket conveyor 72 is provided to lift material carried out by the cutter chain and deliver it through a shoot 72<a> tu the main conveyer. Casings 38, arranged along the rear of the main frame, contain worm gearing 40 driven through shafting 41 and driving screws 44 engaging nuts 45 carried by hydraulic roof-supporting jacks 46, whereby the machine is advanced to its work. The base plate 2 carries a motor B which drives the cutter chain through bevel gear. ing 49 and chain gearing 53<a>, and also, through reducing gearing 55, drives a shaft 56; the shaft 56 drives the feed-operating shafting 41 through a clutch, bevel gearing 57 and pinions, drives the main conveyer through a clutch, spur gearing 62, chain gearing 64, 71, and bevel gearing, and also drives the bucket conveyer 72 directly.