Patents by Inventor Heinrich Jan Roelofs

Heinrich Jan Roelofs has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Tunnel barrier
    Patent number: 8727670
    Abstract: A tunnel barrier (11) adapted to seal a mine tunnel, the tunnel barrier (11) comprising an inflatable bladder having a front wall (14), a rear wall (15) and a side wall (16) and being adapted to be inflated by a suitable gas, wherein the side wall is adapted to contact the tunnel walls, including the roof and floor to thereby seal the tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Tagfilm Pty Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich Jan Roelofs
  • Shaft plugging system
    Patent number: 7708070
    Abstract: A shaft plug for a mine shaft, the shaft plug comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be inflated by pressurised gas, the bladder being adapted to be positioned within a shaft prior to inflation and to be inflated to contact the walls of the shaft to thereby seal the shaft and provide support to the shaft wall. A plurality of shaft plugs are adapted to by linked together in a manner to provide gas communication between the shaft plugs to provide a shaft plug to enable the shaft to be substantially filled by the shaft plug when inflated. Also defined is a method of sealing a mine shaft and supporting the shaft wall by use of a shaft plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Tagfilm Pty Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich Jan Roelofs
  • Shaft Plugging System
    Publication number: 20080196885
    Abstract: A shaft plug (11) for a mine shaft (10), the shaft plug (11) comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be inflated by pressurised gas, the bladder being adapted to be positioned within a shaft (10) prior to inflation and to be inflated to contact the walls of the shaft (10) to thereby seal the shaft (10) and provide support to the shaft wall. A plurality of shaft plugs (11) are adapted to by linked together in a manner to provide gas communication between the shaft plugs (11) to provide a plug string (41) to enable the shaft to be substantially filled by the plug string (41) when inflated. Also defined is a method of sealing a mine shaft and supporting the shaft wall by use of a shaft plug (11) or plug string (41) described within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Heinrich Jan Roelofs
  • Tunnel Barrier
    Publication number: 20080190032
    Abstract: A tunnel barrier (11) adapted to seal a mine tunnel, the tunnel barrier (11) comprising an inflatable bladder having a front wall (14), a rear wall (15) and a side wall (16) and being adapted to be inflated by a suitable gas, wherein the side wall is adapted to contact the tunnel walls, including the roof and floor to thereby seal the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Heinrich Jan Roelofs