Abstract: A method of producing a mine roof bolt includes: providing a plurality of bars of a predetermined length, moving the plurality of bars along a conveyor and indexing the position of the plurality of bars, and passing a portion of each of the bars through a processing station, where the processing station comprises at least one of a header assembly, an extruder assembly, and a threading assembly. The method further includes processing a portion of each of the bars with the processing station. A system for producing a mine roof bolt includes a conveyor configured to index and transport a bar, a feed arrangement configured to continuously deliver bars to the conveyor, a processing station comprising at least one of a header assembly, an extruding assembly, and a threading assembly, where the processing station is positioned along the conveyor and configured to receive and process a portion of the bars.

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 truss shoe for a roof support system includes a bolt receiving section, an intermediate section, and a housing having a threaded rod engaging section. The threaded rod engaging section has a passageway having a first open end spaced from, and in facing relationship to, the bolt receiving section and an opposite second end. The passageway has a threaded portion extending from the first end of the passageway toward the second end. A stop member is positioned spaced from the first open end of the passageway. With this arrangement, the end of the threaded rod passes through the space between the first open end of the passageway and the stop member into engagement with the stop member, whereby all of the threads of the threaded portion of the passageway are in engagement with the threads of the threaded bar.

Abstract: A splice tube includes a body, first and second wedge assemblies, first and second plugs, and a securing member that secures at least one of the first and second plugs to the body. The body defines first and second passageways that extend through the body. Each passageway of the body has a first end and a second end. The first and second wedge assemblies each have a passageway. At least a portion of the first and second wedge assemblies are positioned within the first and second passageways, respectively. The first and second plugs are at least partially positioned within the passageway of the first and second wedge assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: A splice tube includes a body, first and second wedge assemblies, first and second plugs, and a securing member that secures at least one of the first and second plugs to the body. The body defines first and second passageways that extend through the body. Each passageway of the body has a first end and a second end. The first and second wedge assemblies each have a passageway. At least a portion of the first and second wedge assemblies are positioned within the first and second passageways, respectively. The first and second plugs are at least partially positioned within the passageway of the first and second wedge assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: A mine roof and rib support includes a curved support member comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm with a curved junction portion between the roof support arm and the rib support arm and an aperture defined through the support member for receiving a mine roof bolt. A bearing plate having an upper edge and a lower edge, and a through-hole provided therebetween can be provided wherein the upper and lower edges are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms, respectively. Also, a mine roof and rib support may include a curved support member comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm and a curved junction portion between the roof and rib support arms, wherein the roof support arm defines the aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt that may extend substantially vertically through the through-hole and the roof support arm aperture.

Abstract: A mine support yieldable prop includes a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in an end of the prop to move into and out of the prop end to move a bearing plate toward or away from a mine roof, and/or a bearing plate pivotally mounted to the end of the prop to level the prop with uneven mine roofs.

Abstract: A truss shoe for a roof support system includes a bolt receiving section, an intermediate section, and a cable engaging section. The cable receiving section has a passageway having a first open end spaced from, and in facing relationship, to the bolt receiving section and an opposite second end, wherein the passageway has a cone-shaped portion having a decreasing diameter as the distance from the first end of the passageway increases to receive a wedge shaped cable retention assembly. The surface of the intermediate section includes a cut out portion that extends from the first opening of the passageway toward the bolt receiving section and terminating at a riser. A locking tube has one end in the passageway in facing relationship to the retention assembly and the other end in engagement with the riser to prevent the retention assembly from moving out of the first opening of the passageway.

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 mine support yieldable prop includes a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in an end of the prop to move into and out of the prop end to move a bearing plate toward or away from a mine roof, and/or a bearing plate pivotally mounted to the end of the prop to level the prop with uneven mine roofs.

Abstract: A truss shoe for a roof support system includes a bolt receiving section, an intermediate section, and a cable engaging section. The cable receiving section has a passageway having a first open end spaced from, and in facing relationship, to the bolt receiving section and an opposite second end, wherein the passageway has a cone-shaped portion having a decreasing diameter as the distance from the first end of the passageway increases to receive a wedge shaped cable retention assembly. The surface of the intermediate section includes a cut out portion that extends from the first opening of the passageway toward the bolt receiving section and terminating at a riser. A locking tube has one end in the passageway in facing relationship to the retention assembly and the other end in engagement with the riser to prevent the retention assembly from moving out of the first opening of the passageway.

Abstract: An expansion anchor assembly for a mine roof bolt having a tapered plug, expansion leaves, a bail and a removable holding ring configured to hold the expansion anchor assembly in an assembled position is disclosed. The tapered plug is configured to be threaded onto the mine roof bolt and defines plug channels to encourage symmetrical resin flow past the tapered plug. The bail defines a medial opening through which the mine roof bolt extends.

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 mine support yieldable prop includes a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in an end of the prop to move into and out of the prop end to move a bearing plate toward or away from a mine roof, and/or a bearing plate pivotally mounted to the end of the prop to level the prop with uneven mine roofs.

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: 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: 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 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.