Abstract: A mine tunnel support system of the type comprising spaced interconnected support sections is described. Each section includes at least one bearing member which, when the section is in the first, loaded state, bears against the roof of the tunnel. Drive means are provided for changing the location of each support section when in the non-loaded state. The support system is advanced along the tunnel in the forward direction in which mining is proceeding by bringing each section sequentially into the non-loaded state, commencing with that at the rear, moving the section with the drive means into proximity with the next forward section, and thereafter returning the section to the loaded state. Bolting machines may be carried on the support sections. A drill may be provided on one section and a bolt inserter provided on a section rearwardly thereof. As the system is advanced, the bolt inserter can insert a bolt into a hole previously formed by the drill.

Abstract: A joint member or fishplate intended to join together two lengths of I-Section beams at an angle one to the other. The fishplate comprising two arms including a predetermined angle and joined by a central portion having an outwardly projecting block, the sides of which extend outwardly perpendicular to the axes of the respective arms. This enables the mating ends of the two beams to be cut perpendicular to their axes and when joined together by a fishplate, the bottom flanges of the two beams abut or nearly abut and the top flanges are separated by a distance, depending upon the angle at which the beams are being joined, and which corresponds to the length of the outwardly projecting block. The ends of the top flanges of the beams then contact the sides of the outwardly extending block to form a strong joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a bore hole lining from a number of pre-formed shells is described. The shells are assembled on a lower frame which is lowered into the bore hole by a predetermined distance in a series of steps, each step being of a length corresponding to the depth of each shell loaded, the frame being lowered after each shell is assembled thereon. The frame and batch of assembled shells so formed is then lowered to the lowest unlined portion of the bore hole. Grout is poured around the shells and allowed to set and the lower frame is detached from the batch and withdrawn. This method and apparatus allows relatively long bores to be lined.

Abstract: The invention relates to the lining of bore holes with cement or the like by apparatus designed to spray cement directly on to the raw face of the hole. Such apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a spray head, means to drive the head through the hole and means for delivering cement to the head characterized in that the head has an annular chamber into which cement is fed and from which colloidal cement is fed in an annular ring to a rotatable spray disc or arm which is arranged to distribute the cement substantially evenly over the internal surface of the hole.The annular feed enables even spray to take place while avoiding problems associated with axle feeding.

Abstract: A strip metal bending machine for bending formed strip material having for example an "I" section or a "U" section, said machine comprising a plurality of rolls arranged to act on the strip along a roll path so as to bend the strip, a first roll being provided with a pair of restraining means, each restraining means located either side of the roll path so that the strip is enclosed at a bending point between the restraining means and a contact surface of said first roll, said restraining means acting on the strip in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of action of said contact surface of said first roll, means enabling continuous restraining adjustment of one restraining means relative the other of the pair during rolling action and control means for controlling said adjustment means.Such a machine enables material to be bent in a single pass with minimal or no twisting.