Abstract: A tapered plug valve comprising a tapered plug rotatably mounted within a bore in a valve body to intercept a passageway. Spacing means is provided to limit the amount of axial movement of the plug and biassing e.g. spring means is provided to apply an axial force to the plug.

Abstract: A mineral cutting pick of the type having a non-circular shank extending from a body for fitting non-rotatably in a socket in a pick box, the shank being recessed adjacent the end remote from the body and housing therein resilient means with projections extending from opposite sides of the shank, the projections being provided with lead-in surfaces adjacent the end of the shank remote from the body, whereby when the end of the shank remote from the body is pushed into the socket in a pick box the projections are depressed sufficiently to enable the shank to be inserted fully into the box, and part of one or both projections may spring into a cutaway extending from one or both sides of the socket at the end of the pick box remote from the body of the pick inserted therein.