Abstract: A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control.

Abstract: A rack bar haulage system forms part of a drive system for moving the mining machine along a conveyor including a plurality of conveyor pans. The pans are arranged end to end, and the rack bar haulage system includes a plurality of rack bars, each rack bar end including a pillar portion extending downwardly. One rack bar is adapted to be mounted adjacent an end of a line pan, and another rack bar is adapted to be mounted adjacent the adjacent end of the adjacent line pan. The haulage system also includes a chain-link, the chain-link surrounding and engaging the two adjacent pillar portions on the ends of the one rack bar and the adjacent other rack bar. The chain-link is adapted to extend over the adjacent ends of the line pans. The haulage system also includes a clog for receiving the rack bar, the clog including an extension that engages the chain-link and traps the chain link between the extension and the rack bar.

Abstract: A disclosed rack bar system utilizes a forged or cast clog with integral lugs that accept a retainer plate. The plain rack bar pins cannot pass fully through the clog and are held in place by a plate retainer. The retainer is simply secured by a spring pin, or is held in place by gravity.

Abstract: A rack bar haulage system forms part of a drive system for moving the mining machine along a conveyor including a plurality of conveyor pans. The pans are arranged end to end, and the rack bar haulage system includes a plurality of rack bars, each rack bar end including a pillar portion extending downwardly. One rack bar is adapted to be mounted adjacent an end of a line pan, and another rack bar is adapted to be mounted adjacent the adjacent end of the adjacent line pan. The haulage system also includes a chain-link, the chain-link surrounding and engaging the two adjacent pillar portions on the ends of the one rack bar and the adjacent other rack bar. The chain-link is adapted to extend over the adjacent ends of the line pans. The haulage system also includes a clog for receiving the rack bar, the clog including an extension that engages the chain-link and traps the chain link between the extension and the rack bar.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising cymene as a larvicide against mosquito larvae of a genus other than Culex and as an adulticide against mosquito adults.

Abstract: A device adapted for pulling the ends of a continuous chain together, with each chain end including a link, in order to measure the tension in the chain. The device comprises a first straight section, a second straight section, and a third section that is connected to the first straight section to form an L shaped piece. The device also includes a fourth section connected to one of the first and second straight sections to form an L shaped piece, and means for pinning the four sections together, so that the device surrounds the chain end links so that the ends of the chain can be pulled together to measure the tension in the chain.

Abstract: The short term effectiveness of pesticidal articles, for example pesticide impregnated textile covers for use in combating dust mite infestation, is improved by the additional presence of a quick release pesticide thereon, e.g. a wettable powder formulation of the same pesticide as used for impregnation. The invention is of particular value in the area of pyrethroid containing textile covers, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,580.

Abstract: A device adapted for pulling the ends of a continuous chain together, with each chain end including a link, in order to measure the tension in the chain. The device comprises a first straight section, a second straight section, and a third section that is connected to the first straight section to form an L shaped piece. The device also includes a fourth section connected to one of the first and second straight sections to form an L shaped piece, and means for pinning the four sections together, so that the device surrounds the chain end links so that the ends of the chain can be pulled together to measure the tension in the chain.

Abstract: A shield support, suitable for use in mines, comprising a floor-engaging structure, a roof-engageable canopy, extendible and contractible prop means disposed between the floor-engaging structure and the canopy, and a shield assembly pivotally-connected to the canopy at or near its rearward end portion. The shield assembly includes a lazy tongs linkage, one element of which is pivotally-connected directly to the floor-engaging structure and another element of which is pivotally-connected to the floor-engaging structure through the intermediary of a further element.

Abstract: A roof support, suitable for use in mines, includes a roof-engageable canopy which comprises a main portion and an extension portion having a pivotal connection to the main portion. Actuator means is carried by the main portion. A wedge member, which is operable by the actuator means, is disposed between, and is engageable with, the main portion and a part of the extension portion projecting substantially beyond the said pivotal connection towards the actuator means. The wedge member is adapted arcuately to be movable by the actuator means and such arcuate movement effects tilting of the extension portion with respect to said main portion.

Abstract: A mine-roof support has a floor beam, an advancing ram and a relay bar. A bell-crank lever is pivotally-connected to the floor beam and the advancing ram is pivotally-connected to the bell-crank lever. One arm of the bell-crank lever has a member which may be in the form of a ball. The pivotal connections are such that, on extension of the ram, when the relay bar is connected to part of a conveyor, the bell-crank lever is initially urged downwardly from an inoperative position away from contact with the relay bar, into an operative position in contact with the relay bar, thereby to apply an upward thrust to the front end of the support and to maintain an upward thrust during further extension of the ram and consequential advancing movement of the mine-roof support towards the conveyor.

Abstract: A roof support suitable for use in mines includes roof-engageable means provided with a roof-engageable pad which is so mounted with respect to the remainder of the roof-engageable means as to be movable with respect thereto for exerting a thrust on the mine roof. A linkage is pivotally connected between the pad and the remainder of the roof-engageable means. Actuator means is so pivotally connected to and supported by the linkage that when operated it effects movement of the pad with respect to the remainder of the roof-engageable means, being itself constrained, simultaneously upon such movement, to move bodily with the pad.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mine roof support comprising a floor engaging member, a roof engaging member, hydraulic or other variable length struts supporting the roof engaging member, a shield pivotally connected at its upper end to the roof engaging member and a pair of links secured between a pair of pivotal connections on the lower portion of the shield and a pair of pivotal connections on the floor engaging member, so arranged as to ensure that the upper end of the shield will move in a substantially straight path perpendicular to the length of the floor engaging member. The invention provides that both shield and the top link are made of substantial width to guard against entry of debris from the goaf behind the support into the working space formed between the floor engaging member and the roof engaging member.