The present invention relates to rock reinforcing apparatus and, more specifically, to novel rock bolt anchoring systems such as typically used in the support of mine or tunnels, and the like.
Typically roof bolting plans require a certain specified strength of roof bolt installed in some sort of organized pattern in the roof of a mine. Patterns are usually square or rectangular in plan view design. This invention can be utilized within that pattern as an exclusive device or as an ancillary addition to the plan.
A mine must install roof bolts according to a predefined and Government (USA or other State or Federal Government organization) approved plan. The primary purpose of the roof bolt is to secure the roof from falling by anchoring the bolt some predetermined depth into the roof. The bolt mechanism is coupled with an extended, relatively flat bearing platform (plate, grid or strap) to act in conjunction with the installed bolt for added bearing support area.
The approved roof bolting pattern can be approved, utilizing a fixed iteration of the following variation of parameters including (but not limited to):
The intent of this invention is to provide mine operating personnel a roof bolt which allows for an easy cost effective solution for holding the roof whilst being easily able to add needed ancillary appendages to the bolt. The appendages range from requirements or desires to install other devices for assisting in holding the roof, to safety devices and other pieces not associated with holding the roof.
Typical mine roof bolt systems have been around for many years. An example of one can be seen in Yates et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,515. However, no appendages can be easily connected to the roof bolt system as shown in Yates et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,515.
An example of a system used to attach appendages to mine roof bolts can be seen in Bernosky U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,274. Bernosky U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,274 is an add system that allows appendages to attach to the typical mine roof bolt system.
This invention incorporates the components of a mechanical bolt or resin bolt with the benefit of being able to utilize the head of the bolt to install mesh and other appendages after the bolt is installed. This invention also provides for a nut casting or a removable dual attachment bolt head that replaces the traditional forged bolt head. The nut casting or removable dual attachment bolt head incorporates continual or partial internal threading, allowing access from both sides. The system allows for various bolt depths of insertion and tightening of a mated threaded bolt or rib bolt, with the additional advantage of being able to insert another secondary bolt, into the nut casting or removable dual attachment bolt head at the other end (exposed part) which is utilized to hold the appendages against bolt.
This invention provides for a bolt system for use in a mine (mine includes a tunnel) to anchor a mine surface as well as anchoring appendages to the mine. The system can include a bolt, having a bolt head at one end of the bolt that allows for driving the bolt. The bolt head can also have an integral connection receptacle that is capable of receiving and anchoring an appendage connecter.
The bolt can optionally include bolt threads on an end of the bolt. The bolt head can be a removable nut having a stud extending from a side of the bolt head having threads that correspond to the bolt threads and connect with the bolt threads in such manner that the bolt locks with the bolt head so that the bolt head can be used to drive the bolt. When the word drive is used that includes spinning the bolt. The integral connection receptacle can be identified as threads located on the bolt head.
The bolt threads can be on only a portion of the end of the bolt. The bolt head can have a stud extending from the bolt head having internal threads wherein there are more internal threads in the stud than there are bolt threads. By having fewer bolt threads when the bolt and bolt head engage, they lock so that the bolt head can drive the bolt. The integral connection receptacle can be a pass-through aligned with the internal threads, the pass-through having an internal diameter opening capable of receiving an appendage connector that threads into the internal threads.
The system can include an appendage connector. The appendage connector can be a threaded J-hook or a bolt and a plate. The grid material is a type of wire mesh or other type of mesh.
This invention also provides for a method of installing a roof bolt system in a mine in order to secure a mine roof and to secure appendages to the mine roof. The method includes providing a mine with a roof to be secured. Holes are drilled into the roof. A roof bolt with a bolt head wherein the bolt head can be threaded. The bolt is driven in the holes using the bolt and thereby securing the roof. An appendage can be provided that is attached to the bolt head by a threaded appendage connector. The bolt head can be a removable nut having a stud extending from a side of the bolt head with bolt head threads located internally within the stud. The bolt can have a threaded end that engages the bolt head threads but does not have enough threads to engage all of the bolt head threads.
The appendage connector can be a second bolt and the appendage can be grid material. The grid material can be wire mesh or other type of mesh.
The following is a list of explanatory non-limiting examples. There is no intention to deviate from the claim terms plain and ordinary meaning and the following list are illustrative examples that are meant to be consistent with the plain and ordinary meaning of the claim terms.
Non-limiting examples of a mine surface include among others a coal mine roof.
Non-limiting examples of a bolt head include among others hex, square, round, flange, socket, eye, J-bolt, shoulder, elevator, flat, oval, pan, truss, round, hex washer, socket cap, button, a removable nut having a stud extending from a side having threads, and any other device that can be used to drive (drive includes spin or spinning) the bolt.
Non-limiting examples of a drive include among others phillips, slotted, hex, square, or anything that can be used to turn the bolt.
Non-limiting examples of an integral connection receptacle include among other internal threads that are part of the bolt head that can be accessed when the bolt head is in place.
Non-limiting examples of a pass through include among others a non threaded opening that allows a threaded object to be inserted and engage threads.
Non-limiting examples of an appendage connector include among others a hex bolt, J bolt and or other types of threaded bolts or devices.
Non-limiting examples of appendages include among others grid materials, machinery parts, monorails, boom arms, conveyors, escape lighting devices (safety), additional roof holding apparatuses (steel or synthetic geo-grid), other materials connected to a mine roof bolt, wood, plastic or metal strapping, and/or hooks to elevate and hold: (i) Cables; (ii) Trolley Wire or Piping; (iii) Tubing; (iv) Reflectors; (v) Tracking devices; or (vi) Electronic devices.
Non-limiting examples of grid materials include among others geo-grid and wire mesh.
In alternate embodiments it is possible that removable nut 110 is an integral bolt head or welded on to the bolt. In that embodiment there still would be a pass-through 122 and threads 112 for attachment purposes.
Various changes could be made in the above construction and method without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims below. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not as a limitation.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/948,904 filed Mar. 6, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application also is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/280,019, filed May 16, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/843,557, filed Jul. 8, 2013 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/824,002 filed May 16, 2013 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in there entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61843557 | Jul 2013 | US | |
61824002 | May 2013 | US | |
61948904 | Mar 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14280019 | May 2014 | US |
Child | 14640185 | US |