US1570386A - Method and apparatus for conducting mining operations - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 19,26. 1,570,386

J. D. MaGCARTHY "ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon coNDUcTINe MINING OPERATIONS 15J-.16d mw. 1921 'rhsneets-snest 1 Dvi,

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Jai.. 19 1926.v 1,570,386

.|. D. MacARTl-IY E1' AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUGTlNG MINING OPERATIONS Filed July 2.l 1921 v x7 Sheetsi-Sheet 2 e/zf'y 0 Jim/Ion Jan. 19 ,1926.

J. D. MaccAR'rHY Er Al.

ns1-Hon AND APPARATUS non counucnue mmm orma-Ionsl Filed July g, 1921 -7 SheetS-Sheet 5 am am #zu Jan. 19 1926.

6 8 3 m s 5, w 1. H A R E P o G N I L.H AM nm I ...mm T/m, R4 A C c a M D. IW

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GO Find July 2, 1921 *I sheetsfsnget 4 Y 1,570,386 J. D. MaccARTHY r-:r-Al. f

KEITHOD AND. APPARATUS FOR CONDGTING HIKING QPBRATIOIS A med Julm. 1921 f '1 suma-sucht s Jani. 19 1926.

1m- 19 192s. l 1,570,386

J. D. MmczARTHY- Er AL I l .IBTHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING MINING' OPERATIDNS Filed July 2. 1921- 'r sheets-sheet e Jig/9. y

Jan. y19 1926; `1,570,386

- J. D. MaccARTHY Er Al.

us'mon AND APPARATUS Fox cNDUpTING lmmle OPERATIONS Filed July 2, 1921 7 sheets-sheet r1 Fatented Jan. 19, .1926.

Joann. MAoARrHYAni/J Hanny. o. 1viorinroiv,forY rsnrnMING, MICHIGAN@ METHOD ann nieuAnA'rUs'v CONDUCTINGJMINING orERATIoNs! "l Application filed JiilyfZ;

To all whom .it may @0f/cern Y Be it known that we, JOHN D. MAjoCAniHY and HENRY C). lVloUL'roN, both citizens of the -United YStates,`residi1 ig atIshpeming", inthe county olf-lylarquettev and State ot' Michigan, have invented rcertain new `and useful Improvements in Methods'andAppara-tus for` Conducting "Mining Operations; of which the followingis a specification.

This inventionr relates to mining systems and apparatus therefor and has for itspri-vr iiiaiy objects to reduce vthe amount of under! ground labor and inerease the mine output by providing an apparatus of small dimensions and simple operation which can be easily moved about the mine and which will rapidly, economically and eiciently handle the ore. l' i Further objects of the invention are to i Veliminate hand shovellingY by automatically loading the ore at the breast and .transport-y ing itv without rehandling to the dumping' point; to eliminate vboth the construetionL oftracks with ties and the hand pushing otlmining cais;to `facilitate the transportation of the ore lromthe .breast to thedump-` Ving point andthus -m'akerpossible the use of a small power unit; Vto*thoroughly clean f up the breast; to eliminate manual labor in transporting timber to the'working face; to

provide a simple and inexpensive overhead .Y

the mine; to perinitthe .handling ofthe ore. f iii narrow or badly crushed drifts where the usual tram cars can not be used; to pie vent the scattering of ore in the drift dur-i.`

ing trainming; to eliminate noise'andconfusion; to provide va system which can be K A ingthemethod of suspending the trackage readily set up and taken down; to" permit the use of electrical'power wherever practicable or desirable; to eliminate they neces- 0 sity 'for speciallyconstructed stands or in- `clines for loading thec'ars and the shiftingv oi? cars on the main level during loading;

skip detached.

i921. serial Nasalezj; v

to permit'the of any vfdimensions; to provide an apparatus which loads..

by a forward and'upward movementrather than by dragging; to permitthe tramming ofthe OredireCt fromthe breastto the raise i and ingeneral to provide a new-andim- -proved mining system and apparatus..

"vThefmanyother Vobjects and advantages .of theapresent linvention will be better understood by'refereneeI to the following specificsy tion when considered v connection f with the accompanying drawings illustrating., a

selected 'embodiment thereof, in which Fig; lisa partially diagrainmaticallside eleation of a subflevel drift xipiipped with our improved Ymining apparatus. f 1

3 is adiagra'mmaticalview showing the vrshovel-skip vin the loading position. Y

f Y 4 v'is a diagran'iinatical `view V'showing'. vthe shovelskip 'hoisted to tr`amming posi-. Ation upon'coinpl'etion of the loading.

Fig/5 is d 'agrammatioal View showing they .shovel-skip kdi'ir'nping laty the dumping g point. Y

"Fig: f6 is adiagrammatic'al View showing the empty shovel-skip returning to the load ing point after* thegdumping operationll Fig. 'Tis-a plan view ofthe power unit.

Fig. '8`is thesame asFigj?, side elevation. Fig. 9 isk av v tatie. r

Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of' the.:

turntable shownV in Fig. l0.

. Figs. A12 and 13 Vare respectively detail plan viewland side elevation of the shovelj Figi V111 is tongs `suitableffor handling mine timber.

Fig:l l5 is side` elevation of they carrier.

. {Figl lfis affront elevation, partiallyin section, of the carriershown in Fig.' 15. `f

Fig. 2 is the saine asFig. 1',l planview.

ertfical'sectionl on `the line detail view type,r of i regardless lof thebends or turns of the drift;v

sorv

Figs. '17 `and-18l aredetail views illustratduring the operation of; the apparatus. y

ing the method of securing together adja-y cent units in a multi-unit system.

Fig. 27 is a diagrammatical plan view illustrating the use of the invention in a typical iron ore sub-level.

Fig. 28 is a diagrammatical elevation of a portion of a mine showing the power unit located upon a truck or car at the bottom of the raise and the cables carried to the sub-level by idlers.

Fig. 29 is a diagrammatical view showing the breast cleaning up and the shovelskip replaced by timber tongs to enable the timber to be hoisted in the raise and transported to the breast.

Fig. 30 is a diagrammatical elevation showing the adaptation of the apparatus to a main level drift.

Fig. 31 is a diagrammatical plan view illustrating the use of the apparatus in a small drift'driven through rock.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive7 the sub-level drift 2O is provided with the usual timber columns 21 and the roof supporting beams 22. A pile of loose material 23 has been excavated at the breast 24- of the drift and is ready to be carried to the usual raise 25. One or more monorail tracks 26 preferably consisting of I-beams are suspended by chains 27 from the-roof supporting beams 22 and extend longitudinally of the drift. The number of tracks in a drift is dependent upon the width of the drift but in view of the fact that these tracks and the mechanisms operating thereon are thesame, only one will be described in detail as this description will be equally applicable to the others. The chains 27 have their opposite extremities connected to rings 170 which pass through perforations in the opposite ends of the track support 171. The length of the track sections is preferably such that the joints between sections occur below the roof supporting beams of the mine, as vindicated in Fig. 17. The track support 171 spans the joint and is preferably secured to the track sections by bolts 172 passing through the web of the track.V

A trolley or carrier 2S travels on the track 26 and a power unit 29 is supportedby this track and travels thereon independently of the carrier 2S. A loading and traversing cable 30 connects the carrier 23 with the operating drum 31 in the power unit 29. A hoisting and traversing cable 32 connects the hoisting drum 33 with the carrier 28. The cable 30 is supported by idler sheaves 3 4 mounted on the track 26. The outer end of this cable is divided at 35 and the branch 36 passes about the sheave 37 and has its ends secured to the cable adjusting drum 38 on the carrier 28. The other branch 39 of the cable 30 passes over the sheaves 40 and 41 and has its outer end connected to the forward position of a shovel-skip l2. The sheave #ll is mounted upon a cross-beam 13 at the breast. rlhe hoisting and traversing cable 32 passes over the sheave la on the carrier 28 and thence downwardl f around the lower sheave l connected to the shovelskip 4t2 and has its outer end 46 secured to the carrier 28.

ln Figs. l and 2 of the drawings two overhead tracks are shown, each equipped with its own power unit, carrier, shovelskip and operating cables. One of the shovel-skips 'i2 is shown in the loading position near the breast 24.A and the otherris just completing` the dumping operation at the raise 25. A turntable i7 is provided at track intersections to enable the carrier and shovel skip to be transferred from one portion of the mine to another. The construction and mode of operation of this turntable will be more fully described hereinafter. The drums 3l and may be operated byany convenient kind of power, but we prefer to use an electric motor a8 wherever practicable. A dumping device 4.9 is preferably provided at the, dumping point to automatically empty the shovelskip A12. tached to the track at any ioint though it is usually located abovethe raise in sublevels. An advantageous form of dumping mechanism is shown in detail in F 2() to 22 inclusive. rlhis device is omitted Yfrom the lgeneral figures of the drawings to avoid confusion. A trip 51 is preferably provided above the loading point to automatically release the shovel-skip and cause .it to be lowered into the loading position.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, the shovel-skip in Fig. 3 is shown in the loading position at the start of the loading` operation. The shovel-skip is here being drawn toward the pile of loosened inaterial 23 by the cable 3() and simultaneously slowly hoisted by the cable 32, the drums 31 and 33 being engaged. The divided ends 36 and 39 of the cable 30 cause the carrier 23 and the shovel-skip 42 to move forwardly in substantially vertical alignment. The for` ward and upward movement of the shovelskip during' the loading operation under the action of both drums is ver] advantageous because it prevents stalling of the shovelskip in very rough dirt or upon encounter- This dumping device may be at-V ing a large vchunk buriedin-qthe pile. Asl soon as the shovel-skip is. filled y anddrawn clear of the pile of loosematerialythe drum 31 is disengaged but the-'drum 88*v remains automatically locked in vthetramming yposi,- tion by mechanism provided:for/'they *purpose. The continued winding of the cable 82 on the drum 33 causes the carrier 'andvk shovel-skip to be trammed .toward theldumping point. During this tramming operation the drum 8l .is free toy revolve fand :permits the cable 8O to be nnwound therefrom. f A

. friction brake is provided on each ofthe drums 3l and .33 to maintain the cables thereon taut jduring' unwinding. shovel-skip has reached the `dumping point the e drum .33 is disengaged. device a9, is automatically-tripped byfthe carrier andlifts the handles of the .skip to emptythe contents in the mannery indicated in Fig.y rAs soon 'as the dumping'is completed, the drum 3l is.v engaged and` causes the carrier and shovel-skip, to be returned to the loading point. The shovel-skip re.- mains locked in its raised or ti'amming position until Pit has beenretur'ned to the'- loading point-,where it` is yalvltomatically released by ther adjustable trip l51 mounted onthe f Y l vclutch. 82 controlled by a lever 83.. The bearings 84 and-85 respectively support-v track7 and lowered to the loading. position indicated in Fig. o2. DuringV the `loading o operationthe carrier and skipgareadvanced by thejcable 30 at av uniformspeed so -thatthese parts are always maintainedin4 substantially vert-ical alignment. y This isaparticularly advantageous feature.A Y v Referring to Figs.l 7 to 9l inclusive, thev power unit 29 comprises upper and lower frames 52Y and 53 respectively :which are connected .by C oinei'irons .l5-1.., yTrolleys 55 and 56 are .secured upon; the endl pieces of the upper fame 52 midway between the iside members ofthis frame. Thetrolleys rand 56 are provided with rollers 57.y and ,5811espectively which operate upon the horiZontal base iianges ofthe track 26.1, Four rollers are provided in` each trolley,-one pair operating on each side of the central web of the track. These trolleys formfalsupport for the powerfnnit and enable itto travel upon the track. Skids 59 arey pref- ,Y

erably secured upon the undersideof the lower frame 53 toaid in moving the power unitup or down a-fraise. Theelectric niotoi-*48 is mountedfon the lower framezand adriving shaft 60 is-supported iii-'bearings 6l in'alignment with the, main shaft62 of the motor. Clutch members 63and '64 are respectively secured. on theV opposing v ends of the shafts 60- and 62. ,The shaft When the` The dumping 60.1is longitudinally slidable to permit the 'shaft 62 and is perinanently'in' mesh withl a gear- 67V jon thechange; speed shaft v68 mounted in brackets 69 'on'. the unit frame.

rrgearv Oi is likewise secured upon the shaft 68 Tand'lisfadapted to mesh withV a'` gear 7l y l l on the shaft 60. The shaft 60 `may be driven.V either directly bythe shaft` 62 by theengagementfof .the clutch .members .63 and v64. ork indirectly through. the gears 66, 67, Y

the fshaft68, andthe gears 70 land 7l'. This `latter connection is accomplished yby shiftking the shaft 60 by means of the lever 65 lthe sprocket 72with a sprocket 'lllupon the shaft 75 offthedruml., Thesprocket 74- is normallyfree torevolve upon this shaft but is adapted to be securedthereto Vby means of ai friction kclutch 76; operated by the lever77. A ysecond sprocket y7 8 is free- 1 ly mounted Vuponthe shaft7 5 and secured to theisprocket 76. `A chain .'79 operatively connectsthe sprocket 7 8 with a sprocket 80 upon the shaftr8l carrying the drum The sprocket 80is norinally'free to rotate upon theshaftSl but is adaptedto be'operp atively connectedrfthereto by means .of va inggthefshafts Z5-and 8l are preferably Yprothe ,drumsand drumu'shafts to be removed `Afrom the power'unitto :lighten the weight vThrust bearings '84 and 85- are preferably vvidedwith hinged upper sections to ,permit f provided upon the shafts l' 75 and -81 respectively.

yThe motor 48 is operated by a controller 86 mounted on any convenient portion of ation.y rIhe direct drive 'of the shaft 60! by kthe shaft 62 of the motorpijovides a rapidA Y rotationgof the drums and' the-indirect drive through'thechange speed shaft 68 provides a slower rotationY The high 'speed is ,de-v

sii'ableVV during' 4the ti'amniing operation, `whereas Vthe lower speed 1sy usually preferable -duringthe loading and hoisting opervthe'unit frame4 andr a resistor Vpermits .the regulation of the'speed of theA motor during the varioussteps of the. mining opera rod 89 connecting to the clutch operating handle '77 in the manner indicated in Figs. 9 and 24. When the clutch 76 is thrown out of engagement this band is simultaneously moved into engagement with the drum and maintains the cable taut. A similar brake band 90 on the drum 33 is operated by the clutch lever 83. The movement of the lever to engage the clutch releases the brake band.

. The power unit is moved from one drift to another by means of turntables 47 located at track intersections. The turntable 47, shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11, comprises a frame composed of channel irons 95 and 96 connected by cross-braces 97 and 98 stiffened by corner plates 99. These channel irons rest on the roof beams 22 of the mine and form the support for the turntable. Semi-circular track segments 100 and 101 are secured by bolts or other suitable means to the underface of the supporting frame of the turntable. Track sections 102 are suspended from the circular track by trolleys 103. The particular turntable illustrated in the drawings is intended for a two-unit system such as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and therefore two parallel track sections 102 are provided to form the connecting links between their respective tracks 26. These track sections 102 are adapted to be swung by the turntable to register with the terminals of other tracks of the same line intersecting at the turntable. The trolleys 103 consist of oppositely disposed side plates 104, each having a pair of rollers mounted on stud shafts 104 on their inner faces to operate upon the opposite base lianges of the circular track. These plates are secured to a block 106 by means of a bolt 107 and this block is connected to the upper portion of the track section 102 by straps 108. In order to facilitate handling of the turntable, the supporting` frame may be formed in two sections connected by the clamps 109.

The carrier 28 is shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16 and comprises a pair of oppositely disposed plates 1107 each of which is provided upon its inner face with a pair of rollers 111 substantially in horizontal alignment and revolubly mounted on stud bolts 112 passing through the plate. A small shaft or pin 113 passes through the plates 110 and forms the axle for the sheave 44. The hoisting cable 32 operates in this sheave and supports the lower sheave The upper sheave 44 inthe present embodiment consists of a sprocket 116 having peripherally toothed disks 117 secured on opposite sides thereof. A pawl 118 is mounted in the plates 110 upon a shaft 119 provided at its outer extremities with laterally projecting arms 120. A bar 121 is pivot-ally mounted on the outer face of each of the plates 110. The lower end of each of these bars 121 is connected by a wire or chain 122 with the corresponding arm 120.V The wire or chain 122 preferably passes over a pulley 123'so that when the bar 121 is rocked in either direction on its pivot it will cause the arm 120 to be lifted and to move the pawl 118 out of engagement with the teeth on the periphery of the disks 117. The trip block 51 on the track 26 is adapted to rock the bar 121 when this bar is moved into contact therewith by the travel of the carrier on the track. This trip block is secured upon the track at the loading point and advanced thereon as the work progresses. The hoisting cable 32 is provided with a short section of chain 125 at the proper point. This chain is composed of a few links of sufficient size to admit the teeth 126 on the sprocket 116 in the manner indicated in F ig. 15 of the drawings. The sprocket sheave 116 is preferably provided with a central peripheral groove 127 to receive the rope portion of the cable 32. The lower sheave 45 is of the type generallyV used in hoisting apparatus and is provided with a depending snap hook 128 or clasp to engage the ring 129 on the bail or support of the shovel skip 42. then itis desiredto move mine timbers the shovel-skip may be detached from this hook 128 and tongs 130, shown in Fig. 14, substituted therefor'.

A drinn 38 is supported by oppositely disposed arms 132 secured to or formed on the plates 110 of the carrier 28. This drum is adapted to be wound by a manually operated handle 133 and is prevented from nor mally unwinding by a ratchet 134A and pawl The branch -36 of the cable 30 is adapted to be attached to and wound upon this drum so that the length of this branch from the division to the drum may be adjusted for the particular length of' travel of the carrier between the loading point and the dumping point. This prevents the divided portion of the cable 30 from being Wound on the power drum. The capacity of this drum should be equal to the maximum distance of the loading point from the dumping point and all the cable will thus be unwound from this drum when the loading is at the maximum distance from the power unit. The operation in a drift will start with practically all of the cable portion 36 unwound on the drum 38 and as the drift is extended the cable will be gradually wound by the operator. The oppositely disposed plates 110 of the carrier preferably project below the lower edge of the disks 117 and these lower ends are connected by a small channel 136. Similarly the upper extremities of the side plates 137 of the lower sheave 45 extend above the periphery of the wheel 139 and are connected by a channel 138 disposed opposite to the channel 136 connecting the lower extremities of lil) - she'ave.

the plates 110. Wvhenthe sheave 45 be-'l i toward the power unit.V At this time 4,the chain 125is in engagement with the teeth of the sprocket 126 and the sprockety is Vlocked by the pawl 118 so.that the lower sheave retained in its raised position Vwhile the shovel-skip Vis being trammed to. the

dumping point7 dumped andv4 returned to the `The movement of the carriertoward thel power' unit is stopped'at thistime `by releas- 80 Y loading point.

tach jacks 145 to the Supper frameoffthe power unit in themannerfillustrated Yin Figs. 19 and 23.V The.upper jack member 146 engages the roof supporting timbers of the mine and prevents rockingot theV unit.

When two or more 'units are used' in4 the same drift as indicated in Fig.2,'the framesy of the units may be tied. together byfangles 147 and 148v (Figs. 25 and 26) orl anyother suitable means.V No jacks are needed iwheny units'are secured togethera4 Any suitable form `of Y automaticV "dumping device for the shovel-skip mightbe usedbut we have found a particularly advantageous type for a two unit systemto be that indicated in Figs. 2O to 22 inclusive in which aiv pair of pneumatic cylinders 150 is secured upon a frame 149 composed 'of cross'plates 151 having their corresponding opposite ends connected by a pair ot angle irons 152 spaced to receive a. cylinder. This vframe 149 is adapted to -re'st upon` the upper a'cef of the tracks 26 or the track [sections 102 and? be clamped thereto at the desired vdumping; point. An air supply pipe153 on theframe 149 is connected by a hose with a `source of' of each of these piston rods. V The .tripffor engaging the handles on the shovelLskip consists ot a bar 157 suspended 'atits opposite ends by cords or chains v158.'.V Each'of these cords passes upwardly-'over its respective idler 159 supported between the* angle irons' 152`and thence about thesheave 156-with its end 'secured' to the p`in1160 extending between the angle irons'1'52. "l`wo'pipes162- and 162 connect the 'main'air pipe 153 with.

"duces a very material saving in labor.

Fig. 30 illustrates the use of the apparatus 3 the pipe 163 communicating with the cylinders 150. Tliiee\vay valves 161and`161 depending arms 164and 164 adjacent totheir Acorresponding f track section. These arms 164 and 164 arecontrolled'bysprings 165 and 165 respectively to normally ma-intain the valves clcsedfposition. Mlhlt the power unit is usedgin a carrierl on eithertrack reaches the dumping f mitting air to both cylinders 15() yinfront of the pistons 154 and drawingthe pistonv rods,intothecylinders This movementfof g away Jfrom the pins 160,l and the cords y158 cause thegbar 157 to vbe uniformly4 and quickvly 'raised beneath the* handles y50o n the thepiston rods 155 draws the sheaves 156 .Y

shovel-skip 42.1Tlie load is'dumped in the f manner indicated in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings...`r

ing thev clutch Aoperating-the drum The drum 81 isneXt engaged and thecarrier re-.vv v

turned V'to theloading'r point. 1A The return movement ofthe carrier releases ythe valveV arm and the valve is closed byits. spring. Thevclosing of the v alve permits the air in the cylinders'to exhaust. The weight of the bar 157 then draws the sheaves 156 to their' vouter 1positionand the trip `;is` readyy tol enders'and insures quick dumping actio'niot-y vthe bar-157. fr if Fig. 27 'shows a typical iron oresub-level with theV usual drifts, lbreasts and raises.

This figure 'illustrates the adaptability of' Y theY apparatus'in passing around turns in] the drifts.

vention in which'the power unit173 is vlocated on a truck atthe bottom ofthe raise` levely drift byr means of idlers 174.v rlhe V construction ofthe mechanism inv this case isythe same as that described for the previous J embodiment except that' no'v turntables" arefr compressed air supply.. 'Each ofthefcylinf necessaryjand .the dumping trip is located dersis provided with a: piston154to which. vabovethe mouth of the raise. The shovelf Vskip isillustrated in the loading7 the dumping-and the tramming positions.

Fig. 29 illustrates theadaptabilityofthe v apparatus in eliminating manual labor; Thel` shovel-skip has been removed from the carrier and timber handling tongs, shownin f, Fig. 14, have been connected to the carrier. Theftimbers 175 needed for further eXtension of the -drift are"v being hoisted from the main level 176 and transported directly to' lthebmeast'. IThis'greatly facilitates thev eX? 120 tension 'off the mining operation and vproin handling ore in theV mainflevel, The dumping trip is moved along onY the 'overv head 'track froi'nfcar to cary as ea'ch car is Y l'successively'lled.' The entire train is load- "edwith'out shifting "afsingle car.v No loadfing f platforms or stands' for thelCalS al@ rig. 2s .Shows a, stained farm of the ni- 101 l sections are selected to conform to the general direction of the drift and the apparatus will work equally well in either a straight or crooked drift. The ore is conducted in the shovel-skip entirely clear of the floor of the drift so that the ore is not scattered along the drift. This is a very great improvement over the scraper type of apparatus in which the loaded scraper is dragged on the floor and the constant bumping partially empties the scraper before it reaches the dumping point. The overhead system of trackage may be quickly installed without the necessity of laying tracks with ties and the moving of cars by manual labor in these drifts is eliminated.

The power unit is simple in construction and light in weight so that it maybe easily moved from place to place on the overhead track system. Theunit may be made still lighter in weight by removing the drums from the unit frame. This is easily accomplished on account of the hinged bearings. In order to Afacilitate the movement of the power unit about the mine the frame has been equipped with skids which will enable the unit to be easily drawn up or down the raise from one level to another'. The power unit is particularly adapted to use electrical power which is both economical and convenient. Practically all ofthe larger mines are equipped. with electric wiring and the power unit may be plugged in at any desired point. lVhere it is inconvenient or inadvisable to use electric power, the unit may be provided with a compressed air motor or any other suitable power mechani sm. The entire construction including` the power unit islsub'stantially noiseless in operation so that the usual noise and confusion in the mine are eliminated. The entire apparatus is easily controlled and operated by two men, one acting as watcher and the other operating the power unit. The construction and operation of the entire device is so simple that highly skilled labor is not necessary.

The loading of the shovel-skip by a forward and upward movement is particularly advantageous for it permits the thorough cleaning of the breast which is not possible with the scraper `type of apparatus, The

simultaneous hoisting and advancing of the short time that a very material saving is produced in retimbering costs. Careful grading of the track is unnecessary. The apparatus will load into a car of any dimensions in main level drifting, whereas most loaders require a car of definite height.

te are aware that many changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of our invention and we reserve the right to make all such as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

Te claim as our inventionf l. A mining apparatus comprising a system of overhead tilackage suspended from the roof supporting timbers of the mine, a power unit supported by said trackage and adapted to travel thereon, a carrier adapted to travel on said trackage independently of said unit, a shovel-skip suspended from said carrier, and means actuated by said power unit for loading said shovel-skip at the breast and transporting said shovel-skip on said carrier between the breast and the dumping point.

2. In apparatus for undergrouml mining, a ,system of overhead trackage suspended from horizontal supporting timbers in the mine, a carrier adapted to travel on said trackage, a hoisting and traversing cable, a shovel-skip suspended from said carrier by said cable, a loading and traversing cable having a divided end connected to said carrier and said shovel-skip to cause said carrier and said shovel-skip to advance in substantially vertical alignment during the loading operation, and operating drums for each of said cables, said drums being mounted independently of said carrier.

3. In apparatus for underground mining, a system of overhead track suspended from horizontal supporting timbers in the mine,

Y 'a power unittravelingon said trackage d'ependently ofsaid carrier, `;and operating cables connecting said unit'vwith saidfcari rierand said shovel-skip. i

5. In apparatus for underground mining,

a system of overhead intersecting trackage suspended from the roof supporting beams of the mine,` an electrical power unit susing` point, hoisting the loaded shovelskipA pended from said trackagc 'and traveling thereon, a carrier 'traveling on said track-rv age independently o'lsaid unit, turntables located at track intersectionsffor shifting said unit and said carrier from onetrack to another in saidfsystem, a shovel-skip supported by said carrier, Vand means actuated by said unit orloading and tramining said shovel-skip. Y n'.

6. In apparatus for underground mining, a system of overhead trackage suspended from the roof supportingrbeams ofthe mine, f

a power unit supported by Vsaid trackage and adapted to travel, thereon, a carrier traveling on said trackage independently of said unit, a shovelskip suspended lfromv said carrier, andgmeans actuatedbysaid unit for loading said shovel-skip at the load-y into trammingY position; tramming said shovelskip tothe dumping'point, and returning the empty shovel-skip to the loadyy ing point. y Y

7. In apparatus for underground mining,

y a system of overhead trackagc suspended Jfrom the roof supporting beams of the mine, a power unit supported by said trackage' and adapted to travel thereom a carrier traveling on said trackageindepend-` ently of said unit,` a shovel-skip suspended from said carrier,- i'neans actuated by said unit ior loading'said shovel-skip at theloading point, `hoisting the loaded shovel-skip into trainming position, tramming said carrier traveling on said trackage .indeypendently of said unit, a shovel-skip suspended from saidcarrier, means actuated by said unit: for loading said shovel-skipat f the 'loading point, hoisting theloaded shovel-skip into ,trammingpositiom tramming said shovel-skip to the dumping point, and returning the empty shovel-skipv to the loading point, means 'for ymaintaining said shovel-skip inits raised or tramming posi tion during thetrammng operation,` and means: ,for automatically [releasing said shovelfskipfat theloadingip oint. Y y l ,'9. In apparatus for" underground min,k ing,k a system of 4overhead trackage sus- `pended, from the Uroof [supporting beams ofv the mine a-A owerlunitsu orted-jb said Pk kPP\Y.

trackage and adapted vto travel thereon,V a`

carrier traveling on said trackage independently of said unit,v a shovel-skip suspended from said carrier,y meansactuated Vby said vunit for loading saidshovel-skip at 'the 'loading point, hoisting the vloaded shovel-skipV intoV tramming position, train.-

ming said shovel-skip to, the dumping pointand returning the Vempty shovel-skipA to the'loading point, means controlled by the v movement of'said carrier for/auto-Y matically 'dumping v'said shovelaskip at the il dumping point, and means controlled by the movement of said carrier for vlowering vsaid shovel-skip to loadingfposition at the loading'point. Y y n llO. 'A mining apparatus' comprisingv a system*V of overhead trackage, suspended; romhorizontal supporting beams in the drift; av carrier adapted'A toy travel on said trackagejashovel-skip suspended from said carrier, a power drum,l` and an operating,v

cable having adivided outer end connected to said carrier land said'shovel-skip to s1- mult aneously advance lsaid carrier and said Vshovel-'skip during theloading operation.

i 11. Iniapparatus for" underground min- Ving, afsystem of overhead trackage sus- 'pendedlfiom the :roof supporting'l beams of: the mine, a carrier traveling on said tiackage, a sprocket sheave'mounted on saidl carrier,` a' 4lower sheave. suspended from said carrier by a hoisting cable passing over said rsprocketsheave-and provided witha short chain section for engagement with the teeth on said sprocket sheave when said 1 lower sheave is in its vraised position,jaY ratchet normally permitting rotationcf said sprocket sheave in one direction lonly and a trip on said vtrackage'iz'or releasing'fv said sprocket from said yratchet andv per mitting the escape of said Vchain section therefrom.k Y f ing, afs'ystemof overhead trackagevsus-A l2., In apparatus v` for underground minl* pended from horizontal supporting beamsV i in the mine, a carrier adaptedtotravel on said trackage, 'a power .drunnan operating cable. connecting said rdrumband said`r carv,120 frier, and ya cable adjusting drum mounted 'on saidy carrier. f

13. In apparatus Vfor underground mining, a system of overhead 1 trackage suspended 'from the roof supporting beams of the mine, ka carrier adapted 'to travel on*v said trackage, a vpowerdrum, an operating cable connectingsaid drum and said carrien anda ratchet controlled, cable adjusting `drum Vmounted on said earner.;

i iai 14. In apparatus for underground ininconnected to said shovel-skip, and a drum ing, a suspended system of overhead trackmounted on said carrier for adjusting the age, a carrier adapted to travel on said length of the cable branch connected to 10 trackage, a shovel-skip suspended from said said carrier.

5 carrier,V an operating cable formed With a divided outer end having one branch con- JOHN DJMACCARTHY. nected to said carrier and the other branch HENRY O. MOULTON.

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