US2674364A - Portable conveying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

April 6, 1954 F. cARl-LIDGE 2,674,364

PORTABLE CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed Dec'. 30, 195o 6 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

TTolzNEy Apnl 6, 1954 F. CARTLIDGE PORTABLE CONVEYING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1950 INVENTOR.

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TTORNEy Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,674,364 PORTABLE CONVEYING APPARATUS Frank Cartlidge,

Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois 9 Claims.

This application is a continuation-impart of applicants prior application, Serial No. 137,404 led January 7, 1950, and now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to mining and primarily to portable conveying apparatus which may be used to follow a continuous mining machine or mechanical loading machine into a room and continuously convey the mined material out and discharge it directly onto a receiver, such as a main belt running through an adjacent entry.

Present day mining and loading machines are capable of loading out coal or other mined material at a substantially continuous rate as they advance into a room being mined. Prior to the present invention, however, there has been no satisfactory means for continuously carrying the material away. Available means have included shaker conveyors which could be extended by adding sections to follow the machine; and shuttle cars running back and forth between the machine and the discharge point.

Shaker conveyors are not entirely satisfactory because of the fact that considerable labor is required in adding extension sections and in moving the entire assembly from one room to another and also the fact that while adding a section the loading machine must be shut down.

Shuttle cars are not entirely satisfactory, either, for the reason that the machine must be shut down while an empty car takes the place of a full one.

Thus, the conventional methods of taking mined material away from the face do not permit mining machines to operate continuously, thereby preventing the full potential production of these machines from being realized.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is the provision of portable conveying apparatus which can continuously handle the production of a mining or loading machine.

Briey, the invention comprises a series of pivotally interconnected sections having endless conveyor means operable therealong, the conveyor means being suitably flexible to function even when certain of the sections are out of alignment, as for example when the series is disposed around a corner or over an uneven oor. At the front end is a receiving section having coupling means which may be connected from time to time to the loading or mining machine so the series may be pulled by the machine into the room, as the latter is mined out. At the rear end of the series assembly is a discharge trough which is adapted to overhang and discharge material onto a main conveyor running through an adjacent entry; it is supported on a traction runt, in this case endless-treadmount ed, which is power operated for pulling the series of sections out of the room when mining therein has been completed. The traction unit has a guide adapted to engage a rail running along the main conveyor to maintain the discharge end of the portable conveyor in proper discharging relation therewith as the series is puued into the room behind the loading machine. The traction unit is also provided, in its drive, with means for permitting the unit to free-wheel or coast as the series is pulled into the room.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the novel conveying apparatus shown as it may be employed to continuously convey material to a main line conveyor from a mining machine;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side view of the receiving end of the portable conveying apparatus, as seen in the direction of the arrows 2-2 in Fig. l, showing one arrangement for coupling to the rear end of the mining machine for advancing the series into the room;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan View of the receiving end of the portable conveying apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal, partlysectional View of Fig. 3 taken along the line ll-4;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an individual section of the portable conveying apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal side view, in section, of Fig. 5 taken along the line i-Ic;

Fig. 'i' is an exploded perspective view showing a horizontally swingable joint between connecting portions of two adjacent sections;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective View of Fig. 7 taken substantially in the direction of the arrows 8-8;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of Fig. l showing the traction or power unit near the discharge end of the portable conveying apparatus, certain portions being cut away to show details;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged side view orv the traction unit as seen in the direction of arrows l-lll in Figs. 1 and 9;

Fig. l1 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 3 taken on line l I i l;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional View of Fig. 1 taken along the line iZ-i 2;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional plan View 3 of a wheel mounting as seen along line l3|3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 9 taken along the line |4- 4;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing certain of the conveyor flight hold-down elements which are shown in lesser detail in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7; and

Fig. 16 is another view ments as seen, for example, along the line of Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the novel portable conveying apparatus is generally designated C and is illustrated in Fig. 1 as it would be employed with a cutting' and loading machine M as the latter mines out a room X while continuously conveying coal or the like away and discharging it onto a receiver such of the hold-down ele- IES-26 as a main line conveyor B running through' an entry E adjoining the room.

The machine M, as illustrated, may be a cut'- ting and' loading machine of the type disclosed in Cartlidge Patent No. 2,287,230 which continuously cuts out coal directly from the solid. The cutting head 2| is pivoted to swing up and down and from side to side as the machine is advanced into the mine face. A conveyor chain 22 carries the coal back'fromthe cutting head of a loading boom 23 which is likewise universally pivotal to discharge the mined coal onto the portable conveying apparatus C. Since the machine M forms no` part of the present invention, reference should'be made to the above-mentioned patent for any further desired description of it.

The main conveyor B may be of any suitable type, as for instance a conventional endless belt which carries the mined material toward the mine portal.

Directing attention' now to the novel convey'- ing apparatus C, itself, it comprises: (a) a series assembly of pivotally interconnected sections S, (b) a forward receiving section R and (c)v a rear discharge section D carried on a traction unit T. The receiving section R has suitable coupling means,.as indicated at 24 in Fig. 2, for coupling, at times,- to-the rear end of loading machine M to permit the series of sections to be advanced into they room bytractive pull exerted by the machine itself. Conveyor means 26 operate along the sections R, S and D to carry the mined material and discharge it onto the main belt B. The power operated traction means T may be operated'to pull the series of sections out ofthe room when miningl thereinA has been completed.

Any individual one of the sections S is best described in connection with Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 15 and 16.

Each sectionS is made up of a half section 21 and another half section 28 which are hinged together for up and down flexibility about a horizontal-axis at a joint generally designated 29.

Each half section 21, as best shown in Fig. 7, is fabricatedwithA an upper plate 3| and a lower platev 32.

Plate 3| supports the upper run of the flexible conveyor chain- 26 and comprises an annular piece 33 with a reinforcing U-shaped piece 34 beneath it, both pieces being assembled by welding to a main piece 36. The lower plate 32 is fabricated in the same manner from pieces 31, 38 and 39respectively. The piece 33 is formed with a bore 4| and a counterbore |12;y likewise the piece 31 is formed with a bore 43 and a counter-bore 44'. The upper and lower plates 3l and 32 are maintained in a fixed vertical spacing by means of side walls 46 which are welded along the edges of the pieces 36 and 39. At the bottom of each half section 21, and welded to the end of plate 32, is a pair of pintle-receiving members 41 which receive the hinge pintle 48 for the joint 29 as will be described.

Along each side, adjacent the joint 29, each half section 21 isprovided withv anfupst'anding wall 49 which further serves to tietheupper and lower plates 3| and 32 rigidly together. In addition, each wall 43 has an inwardly spaced verticalwall 5|A which defines a space 52 for telescopically guidingA the end of a exible side plate 53 mounted'onan adjacent half section 28; each member 49 is further formed to define a longitudinally extending recess 54 for telescopically guiding ahold-down tongue 56 carried by a corresponding one of the flexible side plates 53.

As shown in Fig. 7, each half section 28 cornprises an upper plate 6| and a lower plate 62 for supporting the upper'and lower runs of. the conveyor` 26, respectively. The upper plate' 6'l is formed by welding' a relatively' thick annularY piece 51` to va relatively thin ared piece 58, the

latter in turn being welded'to the underside of an' arcuately extending flared piece 561 which itself vis welded on the end of a rectangular piece 63.

The lower plate 62` is similarly made up from pieces 61, 68,69 and 13, respectively. The plate 51 is provided with a bore 64'.

The plates 6| and 62 are maintained ina fixed vertical spacing by means of side walls 66 welded.

in-place across the flaring edges ofA parts] 59 and 69; In addition, upstanding walls 1| are. prof vided on each side of the rectangularv pieces 63 and 13. At the endlof. each half section 28, and afxed to the underside of piece 13, is a pair of pintle-receiving members 12 whichv engage the above-mentioned pintle 48 toi comprise the hinged joint- 29;

It will be observed (Fig. 5) that the ends of upstanding walls 1| are flared outwardly sufficiently to permit the ends of walls 49 to within them: as the half sectionsl are flexed up and downv about the joint 25. To further accommodate this action,. it will also be observedv that the mating end surfaces of pieces 63--36 and 13-39 are formed on arcs struck from the center of the pintle 48.

The sectionsS are pivotal relative to one an-y other about vertical axes by the arrangement shown inFig. 7. For convenient reference each of'these joints is designated 16. To assemble a joint 16, half sections 21 and 28 are lapped'` with bore 64 vertically aligned with bores 4| and 43; The cross-sectional details of a joint 16 are shown in Fig. 11 where it will be seen that an upper trunnion 11, connected to piece 51- by means of'screws18, is mounted within al bore 6'4 and a corresponding bore 4|. In somewhat similar fashion, a trunnion 19, fixed by screws 8|, is mountedl on lower plate 62 and in a bore 43.

By this arrangement the individualY sections S workl guide space 52 provided on the adjacent half section. Similar flexible side plates, held in place by rivets |13, are provided to guide the lower run of the chain.

Provision should also be made for holding down the transverse flights 8d of the chain conveyor, particularly when successive joints i are turned in opposite directions so that the overall configuration of portions of the conveyor is the form of an S or Z shape. In the present case, as best shown in Figs. and 16, this end is achieved by a series of lapping hold-down elements 83 and 81 having stud extensions d8 extending 'through holes 89 and washers 9| and held in place by means of nuts s2. These hold-down elements are positioned to define a freeway between themselves and the upper plates 3| and 6|. One end of each series of hold-down elements is provided with an elongated tongue 56 which iits telescopically within the guide groove 5t, previously described and works in and out within guide groove 54 as the sections turn about the joints 1G. Additional hold-down guides 93 (Figs. 1 and 8), fixed to the interior of walls 1|, complete the holddown structure to prevent the nights fill from. tilting upward, out of contact with the material it is conveying. Similar hold-down means is normally not required for the lower flight because it is retained anyway between the upper and lower plates (il-32 and 6|-2 and, furthermore, it is not conveying material so it is not essential that it be held down against the surface it is riding over.

As best shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the series of conveyor sections S is resiliently supported on a spring-mounted wheel structure carried by each half section 28. As shown, a transverse, nonrotatable axle 94 is mounted in spaced blocks 95 each of which is formed with corner cut-outs to receive slideways 91. Each block M has two recesses Q3 for a compression spring 99 each of which is compressibly interposed between the bottom of its recess and the under portion i3 of the conveyor. As shown in Fig. 11, each of the vertical sliding surfaces itl of the blocks do is arcuately formed to permit the axle to tilt, without binding, to accommodate itself to uneven licor surfaces. As shown in Fig. 13, a wheel m2, which may be made of material such as steel or iron, is journaled on a bearing W3 which in turn is carried on an end of the axle Ell, this assembly being held in place by a washer |63 and a nut dill. A concavo-convex hub cover lull is carried on the wheel by means of studs |63.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and a, the receiving section R is pivotally connected to the adjacent section S by a joint similar to those already designated 16. 'llhe receiving section R comprises an upper plate |29 and a lower plate il! suitably spaced apart by upright side plates l2 and having an outwardly flared peripheral hopper portion |13 extending along the sides and the end thereof. A cylindrical-shaped end wall lll which functions as an upward extension of the lower plate l carries a pair of vertically spaced apertured ears l It for receiving vertical pin l El which holds clevis |18 in place. As shown in Fig. 2, a similar structure is carried at the rear end of the machine M and includes a pair of vertically spaced ears lle and pin l2! which holds clevis |22 in place. rllhe previously-mentioned coupling 24 connects clevises lill- 122. The ends of the coupling are pivotable, about horizontal axes, with respect to the clevises in order to provide for up and down adjustability between the machine 6 M and the receiving section'R. It will'be noted that, in order to stabilize the latter, it is provided with two sets of wheels which -rnay be similar to the wheels |02 already described, and are so indicated in Fig. 2.

The receiving section R, as best shown in Fig. 3, is provided with a transverse shaft |23 rotatably journaled in bearings |24 and carrying a centrally located idler sprocket |26. The latter acts as a return for the flexible conveyor chain to be described.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the power operated traction means, generally designated T, comprises a frame i2? mounted on endless treads 28 and includes self-contained power means for driving both the treads and the conveyor chain above-mentioned. The discharge section D, which is mounted on the frame |21, is constructed generally along the lines of the previously described sections S except that it is formed with an inclined portion |23 connecting, by means of a joint 29, to the nearest section S. The disy charge section has a rear boom |3| pivoted for up and down movement about an axis indicated at |32. The boom |3| has an extension |33 pivoted for swinging movement about a vertical axis indicated |34. Piston and cylinder means |36 mounted on an extension |31 on the frame |21 and having roller means |38 engaging the underside of the boom l3| is eifective to raise the latter when suitably controlled and operated by means not shown. The extension |33 may be suitably swung from side to side by any conventional means (not shown) or may be simply swung by hand if desired. The end of the extension |33 is provided with a return sprocket |39 mounted on a rotatable shaft ld! and spring loaded chain tensioning means M2 is provided to urge the shaft 4| backward to maintain the chain under tension at all times.

Further details of the discharge section D will be omitted as unnecessary here since that may take the form of those commonly used on loading machines.

Extending between the discharge end of sprocket |39 and the receiving end sprocket |26 and across the sections S is a conventional flexible center strand conveyor |43 carrying the transverse flights 84 above-mentioned.

Referring now more in detail to the mechanism employed for driving the treads |28 and the conveyor |43, the primary power means comprises the motor Me which drives the conveyor chain drive sprocket |45 through beveled gear |48, shaft |639, chain 15| and shaft |52. The application of power to the conveyor M3 is controlled by suitable means (not shown) through a clutch |53. At its opposite end the motor shaft |54 is connected to selectively drive the traction drive shafts |55 and 56a by the following means:

Transversely mounted in the frame |21 are shafts |51 and |58. A pair of beveled gears |59 and ll, both in mesh with the beveled motor pinion |52, are carried by the shaft |51 and are rotatable with respect to it except when connected by means of clutches N33 and IM, respectively.

Clutches 153 and Iii/i, controlled by means not shown, are splined to shaft |51 and are selectively engageable within the hubs of gears |59 and ll, respectively, to rotate shaft |51 one way or the other. A spur pinion |65, carried by the shaft |51, drives spur gear |51 and shaft |58. The latter rotates spur pinion |68 which in turn rotates ring gear |69. of diiferential |1|. Thus wheel drive shafts |56 and |5Ba are selectively operable together or singly, depending on whether neither or one of brake means |12 or |12a is applied (by control means not shown). Details of a similar tread and conveyor chain drive are amply set forth in Patent No. 2,287,230, granted June 23, 1942, to Frank Cartlidge, and reference may be made to it for any further information desired.

Thus to propel the traction unit T in one direction, only clutch |63 is engaged; to reverse it, only clutch |64 is engaged; to steer, one of the treads is selectively braked by means |12 or |12a, while driving power is applied to the other through the train just described.

To guide the series about a corner, as for example a corner at the juncture between the room X and the entry E, indicated |13 in Figs. l and l2, an arcuate guide rail |14 is provided, being held iirmly in place by jacks |16 braced between the roof and floor and to which the rail may be attached as by end brackets |11. The rail |14, may be located at a height suitable for engagement by the outer, convex surfaces of the wheel covers |04. As best shown in Figs. 9 and 14, means is provided for guiding the traction unit T in a path of movement which is parallel to the main line belt conveyor B especially while the machine M is pulling the series into the room X. In the present case this means comprises a guide rail |18 extending along the side of the main belt B and carried by brackets |19 aixed to the belt frame. A pair of rail engaging guide members |8| is carried by the traction frame and each comprises an inverted U-shaped strap |82 mounted on brackets |83 and |8d which in turn are mounted on the traction frame |21 by any suitable means such as bolts |86. Thus, as the machine M pulls the series into the room, around the guide rail |14, the traction unit is maintained in a fixed path alongside the main belt conveyor. With this arrangement, it is necessary to iit the discharge extension |33 only once to a desired overhanging disposition (see Fig. l) and this position will be maintained, discharging material directly onto the main belt over its entire range of movement therealong.

In use, before the room X is cut, the miner M and conveying apparatus C will rst be disposed along the entry E parallel to the main line conveyor B, with the discharge boom extension |33 swung to its Fig. l position to overhang the main conveyor. The coupling 24 may be disconnected as the miner advances a few feet to begin cutting the room, and its unloading boom 23 will be swung to discharge material directly into the hopper |3. The clutch |53 in the traction unit T will be engaged to drive conveyor |43 to transfer the mined material onto the main conveyor. When the room is cut out sufficiently to define the corner |13, the guide rail |14 will be emplaced, following which the series of sections will hug the rail in making a turn. At the same time the guide straps |82 will grip the main belt rail |18 to keep the traction unit for drawing away from the belt as the series is pulled into the room. The miner will continue cutting out coal from the solid and will draw the series in behind it under its own tractive power as it advances. The conveyor apparatus C may remain coupled to the rear of the miner at all times, if desired, or it may be uncoupled while the miner is actually removing material from the mine face, and coupled to it only at intervals to draw it forward. To permit the series to follow, the treads |28 will be placed in free-wheeling condition by disengaging both driving clutches |63 and |64 and both brakes |12 and |12a. Thus the traction unit discharge boom |33 may be maintained in position to overhang the main conveyor while the entire room is being mined out. With a series assembly of suitable length the room may be mined in a substantially continuous operation, with material being taken directly from the solid and transferred to the main conveyor for removal to the surface without further handling. When the room is mined out to its maximum depth, the coupling 24 will be disconnected and power applied to the traction unit to draw the series back into the entry. The miner M will then be backed out and reconnected to pull the series along the entry to start a new room.

While a particular form of the present invention has been shown, it will be apparent that minor changes therein will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l.. Portable conveying apparatus adapted to follow a loading machine comprising an articulated chain conveyor having receiving and discharge sections at opposite ends thereof; coupling means for connecting said receiving section to said loading machine for pulling the conveyor in one direction, at times, by tractive eiiort exerted by the loader; said discharge section having power operated tramming means associated therewith for pulling said conveyor in the opposite direction, at times, by tractive effort exerted thereby; an end portion of said discharge section being swingable to discharge into a main conveyor running alongside said discharge section; and guide means on said discharge section engageable with. a rail running alongside said main conveyor to maintain said discharge section end portion in position to discharge onto said main conveyor as said receiving section is drawn forward by said loading machine.

2. Portable conveying apparatus adapted to follow a loader comprising a series of pivotally connected sections having at one end portion means for coupling to the loader for pulling the series in one direction by tractive effort exerted by the loader, hopper means at said one end portion for receiving material from said loader, conveyor means operating along said sections to carry said material from said hopper to the other end portion of the series for discharge, and power operated means at said other end portion effective at times to pull the apparatus in the opposite direction, said apparatus having at said other end portion, a discharge extension mounted for lateral swinging movement into position to overhang and discharge said material onto a main conveyor running alongside said other end portion, and a downwardly opening lJ-shaped guide associated with said other end portion for slidable association with said main line conveyor and eiiective to maintain a predetermined material discharge relationship between said extension and said main conveyor as the series is pulled into the room behind the loader.

3. Portable conveying apparatus Aadapted to follow a loading machine into a room as it is being mined out and to transfer mined material from said loading machine to a main conveyor running through an adjacent entry, comprising a series oi articulated sections which are pivotally interconnected for adjustment about vertical and horizontal axes and which have flexible conveyor means operable therealong, means carried by one of said sections for driving said conveyor means, coupling means at one end for connecting to the loading machine at times for movement of the entire series by pull exerted by the loading machine, and power operated traction means at the other end of the series for pulling the apparatus at times in the opposite direction, said apparatus adapted normally to operate with its receiving end portion extending into the room behind the loading machine and with its discharge end portion extending alongside the main conveyor in the entry, said discharge portion having a terminal extension movable to a transverse disposition overlapping said main conveyor to discharge material onto the latter while being pulled along the main conveyor by the loading machine, guide means adapted to be xed with respect to the iioor of the mine and engageable with said series to guide said apparatus about a corner as the series of sections is pulled between the room and entry, and additional guide means carried by said traction means and cooperable with a rail running alongside said main conveyor to maintain said traction means at a predetermined spacing relative to the main conveyor as the series follows the loading machine into the room.

4. Portable conveying apparatus movable to follow a loading machine into a room as it is being mined out and to transfer mined material from said loading machine to a main conveyor running through an entry comprising: a series of pivotally interconnected sections having conveyor means operable therealong; resilient wheeled supports at intervals along said series; means carried by said series for driving said conveyor means; and power operated traction means at the end of the series remote from the machine for pulling the series away from the machine; said series adapted normally to operate with its receiving end portion extending into the room behind the loading machine and with its discharge end portion extending alongside the main conveyor in the entry; said discharge portion having a terminal extension movable to a transverse disposition overlapping said main conveyor to discharge material onto the latter as said discharge end portion is moved along a line paralle to said main conveyor; means for disconnecting the power at times from said traction means to permit the latter to free-wheel as the loading machine pulls the series into the room; a guide rail extending along said main conveyor, and guide means carried by said traction means and opening toward the ground for slidable engagement with said rail along opposite sides thereof to constrain movement of the traction means to a path parallel to the main conveyor.

5. In a mobile conveying apparatus adapted to follow a loading machine into a mine room during the mining operation thereof and to transfer the mined material from the loading machine to a main conveyor extending along an adjacent entry, extending transversely of said room; an articulated conveyor assembly having a front section, coupling means selectively operable to cona neet said front section to the rear of the loading machine, to accommodate the loading machine to pull the assembly into the room and follow the same during the loading operation, said assembly having a rear discharge section laterally swingable into material discharge relationship with respect to the main conveyor, an endless conveyor extending along said assembly from the front to the rear sections thereof, a traction unit including traction devices supporting said rear section, a driving connection between said motor and said conveyor means including clutch means selectively operable to drive said conveyor means from said motor, a driving connection between said motor and said traction devices, including clutch means selectively operable to connect said driving connection to said traction devices and to disconnect said driving connection therefrom, to accommodate said traction unit to free-wheel and to be pulled alongside said main conveyor by the loading machine, and means maintaining said rear section in material discharge relation with respect to said main conveyor comprising a rail extending along the main conveyor and a guide member on said rear end section extending along opposite sides of said rail and having sliding engagement with said rail for maintaining the travel of said rear end section parallel to said main conveyor during movement therealong.

6. A portable conveying apparatus adapted to follow a loading machine into a room during the mining operation thereof and to transfer mined material from said loading machine to a main conveyor running through an entry at an angle to the room, comprising a series of wheel supported trough sections, means connecting said trough sections together at their adjacent ends for movement about transverse axes, each of said trough sections being movable about vertical axes disposed intermediate their ends, an articulated chain and flight conveyor movable along said trough sections, coupling means at the end of the series adjacent the loading machine for pulling the series into the room behind the machine when connected thereto, power operated traction means at the end of the series remote from the loading machine for pulling the series out of the room, said traction means also having means thereon for driving the conveyor, and the conveyor extending over said traction means and being movable into position to discharge into the main conveyor extending generally parallel to said traction means, a guide rail independent of said traction means and extending along the main conveyor in parallel relation with respect thereto, and a guide member carried by and spaced laterally from said traction means and extending along opposite sides of said rail and having slidable guiding engagement therewith, to maintain said discharge end portion of said conveyor in material discharge relation with respect to said main conveyor, as the series is pulled into the room.

'7. Portable conveying apparatus adapted to follow a loading machine into a room as it is being mined out and to transfer mined material from said loading machine to a main conveyor running through an entry at an angle to the room, comprising a series assembly of transversely pivotally connected trough sections, each of which is articulated for movement about a vertical axis disposed intermediate its ends and is wheel supported adjacent said pivotal axis, and receiving and discharge end trough sections, a laterally flexible chain and flight conveyor movable along said trough sections from one end trough section to the other, coupling means at one end trough section for connecting the series assembly to a loading machine for movement of the entire series thereby, power means at the other end section, for driving said chain and flight conveyor, and said other end section extending laterally from said power 4means into `position to 'discharge `onto the rnain conveyor, an arcuateguide `adapted to be x'ed about a corner at -a juncture of the room and entry, means on said-sections adjacent the pivot thereof `andin vertical alignment with the laxes of said wheels for'engagement with said guide,

.to guide the series about a corner, a guide 4rail extending along the -main conveyor, and -a `guide .member extending laterally -from said :power means and having guiding engagement with opposite sides of the rrailvfor maintainingsaid discharge end in material discharge relation with respect to the conveyor.

`8. Portable conveying apparatus adapted t( follow a loading machine into a room as it -is lbeing mined out and to transfer mined material yfrom said loading machine to -a main conveyor running through an entry, comprising a series assembly of transversely pivotally connected intermediate trough sections, each of vwhich `is articulated for `movement about a vertical axis disposed intermediate `its ends and is wheel supported adjacent said vertical axis, and receiving and discharge end trough sections, a 'laterally .exible chain and Aflight conveyor -movablealong I end section extending over said traction .means into material discharge -relation with respect to the main conveyor extending along one side -of said traction means, an arcuate guide `adapted to be xed about a corner at the vjunctureiof the room and entry, means on Ysaid sections for engagement with said guide, to guide Ithe series about a corner, a rail extendingalong the'main line conveyor, and other-guidesextending from said traction means into position to Lengage `opposite sides of said rail and maintain -the ldischarge end section of the conveyorlin material discharge relation with-respectto the'main conveyor.

Afollow a loading machine comprising an articulatedchain conveyor having mobile receiving and discharge trough sections and a rplurality of intermediate wheel mounted .trough sections pivotally connected together, coupling means for connectingsaid receiving sectionto said loading machine for pulling the conveyor in one direction, `at times, by tractive-effort exerted by the loader,

said discharge section having power operated tramming means associated therewith for pulling said conveyor lin .the opposite direction, at

times, by tractive eiort exerted thereby, an end lportion vof said discharge section extending into discharge relation with respect to a main conveyor running alongside of said discharge section, and guide means on-said discharge section opening toward theground for engagement with opposite sides of a rail running alongside of said main conveyor, to maintain said discharge sec- -tion in discharge relation with respect to said main conveyor as said receiving section is drawn forward by said loading machine.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,426,271 Bandura Aug. 15, 1922 1,920,500 Garcia Aug. 1, 1933 1,932,897 Jaggard Oct. 31, 1933 1,933,655 Brooks Nov. 7, 1933 2,250,933 Manierre July 29, 1941 2,285,558 Bisset June 9, 1942 '2,305,009 Jarrett Dec. 15, 1942 2,305,393 Smith Dec. 15, 1942 2,388,385 Cartlidge Nov. 6, 1945 '2,420,009 Osgood May 6, 1947 '2,538,144 Carretto Jan. 16, 1951 V2,607,472 Senstock Aug. 19, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 494,103 Germany Mar. 19, 1930 554,384 Germany July 11, 1932 488,041 Great Britain June 30, 1938 611,784 Great Britian Nov. 3, 1948

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