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.

Abstract: A coupling particularly for use with colliery roadway supports. The coupling between an upright channel section or `I` beam and a crown beam of a similar cross-section is formed from two plates. At least a first of the plates is formed so as to lie between opposed flanges of the upright and opposed other of the two plates. The first plate extends beyond the head of the upright to a lip portion hooking all its width over the lower flange of the crown beam with preferably a bolt passing through the lip portion, the crown beam and opposed other plate. The clamping of the two plates together by the bolt or bolts securing the upright to the crown beam achieves a high resistance to lateral loading on the assembled beams to form a support.

Abstract: The invention relates to arches for use in tunnels such as underground mine tunnels. These arches are composed of a bent metal beam often of "H" or "T"-section. Problems have previously arisen in accurately bending the beams to the required shape. The apparatus of the invention includes a D-shaped former which is rotatable relative to a roller. The beam is clamped to one end of the former and on rotation of the former relative to the roller, the beam is bent around the former so that it assumes the required shape, the ends of the beam being clamped to the former. A cutting device may be employed to cut the beam, while bent around the former, into three or more sections.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank contents gauge comprises means providing an electrical signal corresponding to the vertical height of the liquid in a tank in the form of an ultrasonic transducer positioned at the base of the tank and emitting a pulse of acoustic energy vertically upwards and which detects the pulse when reflected from the liquid/air interface within the tank and including timing means provided to time the interval between the emission of the pulse and the detection of the reflected pulse, electronic means for deriving the volume of liquid corresponding to the vertical height, and an output means for providing a visual output of this volume.

Abstract: This invention relates to a building structure which is made by spraying concrete onto shuttering which itself becomes incorporated into the structure.