Abstract An axially slotted roof shield is supported at its front end on a tunneling machine (or shield) frame. The frame includes a fulcrum support portion inset from said shield slots. One or more fulcrum members are movably supported on said support portion. A tunnel set or the like is anchored in the tunnel rearwardly of the frame. The fulcrum member(s) is initially positioned forwardly on its support. Elongated support poles are inserted from below the shield upwardly and forwardly through the slots. The forward portions of the poles extend into or under ground ahead of the shield. Intermediate portions of the poles rest on the fulcrum member(s). The rear portions of the poles underlie the tunnel set. The fulcrum member(s) is tied to the tunnel set so that it is axially fixed during forward movement of the frame.
Inventors
👤 Frank George Watson
👤 David Burnet Sugden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-06 12:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of tunneling through friable ground, comprising: locating a longitudinally slotted roof shield contiguously below the tunnel roof; supporting said slotted roof shield on a frame; moving said frame and slotted roof shield forwardly together in the tunnel while mining the tunnel face; installing ground support poles from below said shield, forwardly and upwardly through said slots into a supporting position for ground forwardly of the shield; firmly anchoring the rear portions of the poles for supporting the poles in cantilever fashion; then advancing the frame and slotted shield while doing further mining; and then installing further support poles through said slots, as before.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of tunneling through friable ground, comprising: locating a longitudinally slotted roof shield contiguously below the tunnel roof; supporting said slotted roof shield on a frame; moving said frame and slotted roof shield forwardly together in the tunnel while mining the tunnel face; installing ground support poles from below said shield, forwardly and upwardly through said slots into a supporting position for ground forwardly of the shield; firmly anchoring the rear portions of the poles for supporting the poles in cantilever fashion; then advancing the frame and slotted shield while doing further mining; and then installing further support poles through said slots, as before.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising locating fulcrum means on a forward part of a fulcrum support portion of the frame having axial length, resting an intermediate portion of the elongated support poles on the fulcrum means, holding the rear portions of said poles against movement, and moving the frame forwardly, including the fulcrum support portion, while holding the fulcrum means against axial movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising using an upper portion of a tunnel set as the fulcrum means, and securing the remaining portion of such set thereto to complete the next tunnel set for the tunnel lining once the frame has traveled a predetermined distance forwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising moving the rear portion of the fulcrum support portion to provide an avenue for placing a new fulcrum means onto the support portion.