Abstract: A drill steel support assembly for a mining roof bolting machine is presented. The assembly is utilized for retaining and guiding a drill steel on a roof bolting machine during the collaring of the drill steel in the mine roof. Once collared, the drill steel is released by the retaining assembly inasmuch as the latter is not necessary for support purposes after collaring has occurred. The release of the drill steel from the retaining assembly is accomplished when the vibrations from the drill steel are sufficient to open the support mechanism once the drill has been collared.

Abstract: A wire feed mechanism for use in conjunction with a nail forming machine. The wire feed includes a wire clamping device connected through appropriate linkages to a reciprocating hammerslide located within the nail machine. The hammerslide is movable between extended and retracted positions for forming the nail head. Due to the direct positive linkage between the hammerslide and the wire clamping device, feeding movement of the wire into the nail machine is achieved as a direct result of hammerslide movement, thereby obviating the need for cumbersome and elaborate linkages currently in use.