Abstract: A mine service vehicle has a forward module, a rear module, and a cab module of unitized construction that can be secured together to assemble the vehicle. The forward and rear modules preferably have frame sections with terminating plates that can be affixed together with bolts, while the cab preferably mounts to the forward and rear modules by resilient couplings. The bolts preferably pass through tension sleeves into threaded holes in bolt receiver plates attached to one of the terminating plates. A frame extender can be affixed between the terminating plates to lengthen the vehicle. The vehicle preferably has a rear axle mounted to axle support bars that are each resiliently, floatably mounted to a pair of axle support brackets by a pivot bolt, with resilient bearings interposed between the axle support bar and the pivot bolt as well as between the pivot bolt and the axle support brackets.

Abstract: A rock bolter has a turret assembly having a positionable base. The base slidably and rotatably engages a cylindrical member on which a feed track support is affixed. A jack rotatably and slidably engages the cylindrical member, but cannot translate with respect to the base. The jack has a piston connected to the feed track support, and extending or retracting the piston translates the cylindrical member relative to the base to move the feed track support toward and away from a rock surface. A stinger assembly connected to the base engages the rock surface to stabilize the turret assembly. A pivot actuator connected between the base and the jack rotates the jack and the feed track support to selectively place either a drill or a bolt driver in alignment with a desired location on the rock surface.

Abstract: A bolt centralizer for a rock bolter, which advances a bolt along a work axis, has a hand pivotably mounted on an arm so as to pivot between first and second hand positions. A pair of fingers is pivotably attached to the hand. When the fingers are in a closed position, they form a centralizer passage which is aligned with the work axis when the hand is in the first hand position. The hand is pivoted to the second hand position to remove the fingers from the bolt to allow a bolt plate and bolt driver to be advanced past the hand.

Abstract: A rock bolter has a turret assembly having a positionable base. The base slidably and rotatably engages a cylindrical member on which a feed track support is affixed. A jack rotatably and slidably engages the cylindrical member, but cannot translate with respect to the base. The jack has a piston connected to the feed track support, and extending or retracting the piston translates the cylindrical member relative to the base to move the feed track support toward and away from a rock surface. A stinger assembly connected to the base engages the rock surface to stabilize the turret assembly. A pivot actuator connected between the base and the jack rotates the jack and the feed track support to selectively place either a drill or a bolt driver in alignment with a desired location on the rock surface.

Abstract: A resin nozzle positioner for a rock bolter, having a frame supporting feed tracks traversed by a drill and a bolt driver, has a resin nozzle that guides a resin sausage into a hole drilled along a work axis. A positioner base is fixed to the frame and two arms are pivotably connected to the positioner base and to a nozzle block, to which the resin nozzle is mounted. The arms remain parallel and move such that the resin nozzle remains parallel to the work axis while moving along an arc between a retracted position, where the resin nozzle is spaced apart from the work axis, and an extended position, where the resin nozzle is aligned with the work axis. An actuator operably connected to two elements selected from the arms, the positioner base, and the nozzle block serves to move the resin nozzle.

Abstract: A resin nozzle positioner for a rock bolter, having a frame supporting feed tracks traversed by a drill and a bolt driver, has a resin nozzle that guides a resin sausage into a hole drilled along a work axis. A positioner base is fixed to the frame and two arms are pivotably connected to the positioner base and to a nozzle block, to which the resin nozzle is mounted. The arms remain parallel and move such that the resin nozzle remains parallel to the work axis while moving along an arc between a retracted position, where the resin nozzle is spaced apart from the work axis, and an extended position, where the resin nozzle is aligned with the work axis. An actuator operably connected to two elements selected from the arms, the positioner base, and the nozzle block serves to move the resin nozzle.

Abstract: A rock bolter has a drill and a bolt driver, both mounted to a turret that rotates relative to a base to align either the drill or the bolt driver with a work axis. A stinger/centralizer has two head elements, each advanced along a curvilinear path. When advanced, the head elements mate to provide a centralizer passage on the work axis. A supplementary stinger affixed to the base extends to engage the rock surface and provide stability as the head elements are retracted. The drill and the bolt driver are mounted on carriages activated by a common mechanism. A drill carriage disabling surface is affixed to the base to block the drill carriage when the drill is off the work axis, and a bolt driver carriage disabling surface is affixed to the base to block the bolt driver carriage when the bolt driver is off the work axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bolt delivery system having a bolt magazine movably attached to a magazine base which in turn is affixed to a rock bolter having a bolt driver. The bolt magazine moves between a work position and a park position. In its work position, a linear incremental bolt advancing mechanism advances the bolts to where they are aligned with the bolt driver, and, in combination with a bolt-embracing arm, maintains the aligned bolt until it is engaged by the bolt driver. After the bolt driver has engaged the bolt and advanced it to engage a bolt centralizer provided to position the bolt in a pre-drilled hole in a rock surface, the bolt magazine is moved to its park position. At which time, the bolt driver is further advanced driving the bolt into the pre-drilled hole. The linear incremental bolt advancing mechanism preferably has a lower and an upper bolt advancing mechanism, and more preferably, provides the bolts a component of motion toward the rock surface.

Abstract: A tool base securing system for a rock bolter. One aspect of the invention provides a securing system for the tool base which is being advanced on a cradle along a feed shell. This system includes a forward latch which is pivotably attached to the forward section of the cradle base and has a tool base engaging lug. A mechanical linkage is provided to engage and disengage the front lug from the tool base as the cradle is advanced from and returned to a park position on the feed shell. In a preferred embodiment a rear latch is also provided which has a mechanical linkage for engaging and disengaging a rear lug. A second aspect of the invention provides a securing system which provides a mechanical interlock which immobilizes all tool bases which are off the cradle when the cradle is being advanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for setting rock bolts. The device employs a common element for affixing the end of a feed shell with respect to a rock surface, stabilizing the feed shell and providing a common centralizer for centering all subsequent bolt setting operations. The device also has a bolt delivery system which stores, advances and positions the bolts in line with a bolt driver. The bolt delivery system has a bolt magazine which, when in a work position, advances bolts along peripheral surfaces into a position where they are engaged by a bolt driver. The bolt so engaged is then advanced into the centralizer at which point the bolt magazine is rotated away from the engaged bolt to a park position where it will not interfere with the bolt driver as it continues to advance the bolt. The bolt magazine preferably also serves as a bolt plate magazine which accommodates bolt plates with which the bolts are engaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for setting rock bolts. The device employs a common element for affixing the end of a feed shell with respect to a rock surface, stabilizing the feed shell and providing a common centralizer for centering all subsequent bolt setting operations. The device also has a bolt magazine which stores, advances and positions the bolts in line with a bolt driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method which employs gas to position a resin sausage into a bolt hole drilled by a rock bolter. The system provides a controlled quantity of liquid into a resin sausage insertion chamber prior to supplying the gas to eject the sausage from the resin sausage insertion chamber. The liquid enhances the reliability and accuracy of the placement of the sausages in the bolt hole. Preferably, the system includes an expansion chamber through which the gas passes. The expansion chamber is provided so that the gas can be partially displaced by liquid and thereafter, liquid will be advanced into the resin sausage insertion chamber prior to the gas. The system can either have its own fluid supply or alternatively use a fluid supply of the rock bolter if one is provided for flushing the bolt holes.