Abstract: A steel set assembly includes a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs with the first pair of legs being spaced from and positioned opposite the second pair of legs. First and second beams are provided with the first beam being secured to one leg of the first pair of legs and one leg of the second pair of legs. The second beam is secured to the other leg of the first pair of legs and the other leg of the second pair of legs. A panel is secured to the first and second beams and includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, a block having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a pad. The block is secured to the base and the pad is positioned between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the block.

Abstract: A roof bit drill has a central shaft with a front end and a back end. The drill also has a base secured about the central shaft proximate to the front end, wherein the base has clearance channels extending axially therethrough. At least one cutting element is arranged on the base in a convex cutting pattern to permit loosened material to be evacuated. The roof bit drill may further include a drill depth locator to identify when the drill has been advanced within a mine roof to a predetermined depth. A method for using the roof drill bit is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly 10 for a cable bolt 11 comprises a clamping device (14, 16) adapted for fastening to the bolt and an outer member 18 adapted for interacting with the clamping device. The outer member 18 is able to undergo relative movement to the clamping device in the direction of the bolt's axis, and under such movement, the clamping device is caused to fasten to the bolt. Furthermore, the outer member is adapted for interacting with the bolt 11 whereby, during such relative movement, twisting of the bolt 11 with respect to the outer member 18 is restrained.

Abstract: A resin bonded mine roof bolt having an elongated rod with a first end, a second end, and a resin control surface positioned on the rod between the rod first and second ends. The resin control surface has a channel extending along the length of the bolt for distributing resin and interrupted spiral threads for mixing resin. When installed in a mine roof bore hole with curable resin, the resin control surface mixes the resin and partially fills the bore hole to minimize the amount of resin needed to anchor the bolt.

Abstract: A cable bulbing apparatus having a frame (1) and securing means (3) for holding at least a portion of a cable bolt (4) with respect to the frame (1). The apparatus also includes a bulbing assembly (5) which is releasably engagable with the cable bolt (4). The assembly (5) is movable relative to the frame (1) to enable one or more bulbs to be formed along the cable bolt length.

Abstract: A mine roof support includes a plate having a raised portion with an opening, and a mine and roof bolt, e.g. a barrel having a drive end and an opposite second end, and wedge assembly. The plate mates with a recess in a mine roof. In one embodiment, the second end of the barrel extends through the opening in the dome into a bore hole in the mine roof. In another embodiment, a second end of the mine bolt is contoured to match and fill the inner contour of the dome. A drill bit tool used to shape the recess includes a first bit, a second bit, and a third bit between the first and second bits to drill a bore hole, enlarge the end of the bore hole to receive the second end of the mine bolt, and to drill the recess.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a hollow first conduit having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end having a conical-shaped interior surface, with interior diameter decreasing as distance from the second end of the first conduit decreases; a second conduit slidably mounted in the first end of the hollow first conduit; and at least two discrete engaging members in the first end of the hollow conduit, each of the at least two engaging members engaging the conical-shaped interior surface and outer surface of the second conduit to prevent the second conduit from sliding into the hollow first conduit, while providing for movement of the first and second conduits away from one another.

Abstract: A roof bit drill has a central shaft with a front end and a back end. The drill also has a base secured about the central shaft proximate to the front end, wherein the base has clearance channels extending axially therethrough. At least one cutting element is arranged on the base in a convex cutting pattern to permit loosened material to be evacuated. The roof bit drill may further include a drill depth locator to identify when the drill has been advanced within a mine roof to a predetermined depth. A method for using the roof drill bit is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end includes a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, and a clamp assembly positioned adjacent the juncture of the first hollow conduit and the second conduit. A yield section is provided at the end of the first and/or second conduits, or at the juncture of the first and second conduits. The yield section includes a shroud spaced from an inner pipe to provide a space to receive a collapsible insert. An end of a conduit is positioned in the space and compresses the insert when the compressive load on the prop exceeds the compressive load capacity of the insert.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end including a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, a clamp assembly positioned adjacent to the first hollow conduit and the second conduit, and at least one handle connected to the first hollow conduit and the clamp assembly. The prop further includes a bearing plate positioned at the first end of the yieldable prop, wherein the bearing plate is selected from a shape comprising planar and volcano.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end including a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, a clamp assembly positioned adjacent to the first hollow conduit and the second conduit, and at least one handle connected to the first hollow conduit and the clamp assembly. The prop further includes a bearing plate positioned at the first end of the yieldable prop, wherein the bearing plate is selected from a shape comprising planar and volcano.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rock bolts which may be used in mining applications. The rock bolt of this invention includes a mechanical anchoring arrangement to facilitate retaining the rock bolt in a borehole, and also a drill bit to enable self drilling of the rock bolt. Rotation of the rock bolt about an axis of the rock bolt in a first direction causes the drill bit to drill into rock and to create a borehole to receive the rock bolt. Subsequently, rotation in the opposite direction actuates a mechanical anchoring arrangement to anchor rock bolt.

Abstract: A resin bonded mine roof bolt having an elongated rod with a first end and a second end. A segmented resin compression layer covers a portion of the rod below the first end. When installed in a mine roof bore hole with curable resin, the resin compression layer mixes the resin and partially fills the bore hole to minimize the amount of resin needed to anchor the bolt. Individual segments of the layer are tapered to create a wedging force on resin with the bore hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mine roof and rib support system generally including a square bearing plate. A through hole is positioned near a center portion of the square bearing plate. A peripheral section at least partially circumscribes the bearing plate. In between the through hole and the peripheral section is a rib member area. The rib member area may include two rib members with a convex cross-section connected by a substantially linear surface member disposed between the two rib members, two or more concave ribs with a substantially linear surface member disposed between the two rib members, or two substantially linear surfaces connected by a convex rib member. A safety edge surrounds the square bearing plate. The safety edge may be a rolled edge, a looped edge, a folded edge, or another comparable edge. Also disclosed is a method for making the mine roof and rib support system.

Abstract: A truss shoe for a roof support system includes a base member having a bearing surface and, optionally, an end having a sweeping radius for ease of moving the truss shoe into an installation position, a bolt receiving section having a bore hole, a cable engaging section, and an intermediate section. The cable engaging section includes an opening and a slot and, optionally, a lock-in device that allows a cable to move through the slot into the opening and retains the cable in the opening. In another non-limiting embodiment of the cable engaging section, the cable is moved into an assembly mounted in a conical-shaped passageway of the cable engaging section to compress the assembly around the cable. The intermediate portion includes a pair of side flanges on the base member between the bore and the opening and, optionally, a rib between the pair of side flanges.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end includes a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, and a clamp assembly positioned adjacent the juncture of the first hollow conduit and the second conduit. A yield section is provided at the end of the first and/or second conduits, or at the juncture of the first and second conduits. The yield section includes a shroud spaced from an inner pipe to provide a space to receive a collapsible insert. An end of a conduit is positioned in the space and compresses the insert when the compressive load on the prop exceeds the compressive load capacity of the insert.

Abstract: A mine roof support includes a substantially dome-shaped plate including a curved portion having a first side and a second side. The mine roof support includes a drive end such as a barrel and wedge assembly, a nut or a forged head. The first side of the plate is adapted to mate with a recess defined in a mine roof. A top portion of the drive head may be contoured to substantially match the contour of the second side of the plate. A drill bit tool used to create the recess includes a first drill bit situated at one end of the drill bit tool and a second drill bit situated near an opposite end of the drill bit tool, wherein the drill bit tool is adapted to drill a bore hole and the recess. A method for supporting the mine roof utilizes the mine roof support.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end includes a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, and a clamp assembly positioned adjacent the juncture of the first hollow conduit and the second conduit. A yield section is provided at the end of the first and/or second conduits, or at the juncture of the first and second conduits. The yield section includes a shroud spaced from an inner pipe to provide a space to receive a collapsible insert. An end of a conduit is positioned in the space and compresses the insert when the compressive load on the prop exceeds the compressive load capacity of the insert.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end includes a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, and a clamp assembly positioned adjacent the juncture of the first hollow conduit and the second conduit. A yield section is provided at the end of the first and/or second conduits, or at the juncture of the first and second conduits. The yield section includes a shroud spaced from an inner pipe to provide a space to receive a collapsible insert. An end of a conduit is positioned in the space and compresses the insert when the compressive load on the prop exceeds the compressive load capacity of the insert.

Abstract: A yieldable prop having a first end and a second end including a first hollow conduit, a second conduit slidably received in the first hollow conduit, a clamp assembly positioned adjacent to the first hollow conduit and the second conduit, a ring positioned around the first hollow conduit, and at least one handle connected to the first hollow conduit and the ring. The clamp assembly includes a housing and a wedge. The prop further includes a bearing plate positioned at the first end of the yieldable prop, wherein the bearing plate is selected from a shape comprising planar and volcano.