US4026118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Movable roof support mechanism
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1976-07-14
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1996-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A device for supporting a tunnel roof at progressive work stations in a mine advances in a straight line in step-wise fashion drawing a work vehicle. Linkage mechanisms actuate a quadruple of roof support structures arranged in inner and outer pairs to advance along a straight line of travel in alternating pairs with the advancing pair unloaded and the stationary pair bearing the roof load. The vehicle, attached to the inner pair of support structures, is drawn relative to the outer pair in forward or reverse motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Vernon McCay, Jr., deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D23/00; E21D23/0004; B; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/06; E21D19/00; E21D19/02; E21D23/08; E21D23/081; E21D23/087; E21D23/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A machine to provide progressive and temporary roof support along a straight path in a tunnel, said machine having a longitudinal axis oriented in the direction of forward motion said machine comprising: a vehicle, having means thereon for translational motion longitudinally; a first pair of roof supports at opposite sides of said vehicle, said first roof supports individually and movably attached to said vehicle by a movable connecting mechanism located intermediated said first roof supports and said vehicle, said connecting mechanism substantially preventing longitudinal, lateral and angular motion of said first roof supports relative to said vehicle; a pair of carrier arms, at opposite sides of said vehicle, and means for mounting said arms translatably to said vehicle, said mounting means maintaining translation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle; a second pair of roof supports at opposite sides of said vehicle, each of said second roof supports individually and movably attached to one of said carrier arms by a movable connecting mechanism intermediate said second roof support and said carrier arm, said connecting mechanism substantially preventing longitudinal, lateral and angular motion of said second roof supports relative to said carrier arm; a first pair of feet individually and movably attached to said vehicle at opposite sides of said vehicle and constrained from longitudinal, lateral and angular movement relative to said vehicle; a second pair of feet, each foot individually and movably attached to one of said carrier arm and constrained from longitudinal, lateral and angular movement relative to said carrier arm; reversible drive means to vertically extend said roof supports and feet to press against the roof and floor respectively of said tunnel, and to retract said roof supports and feet away from said roof and floor; reversible actuation means to translate said carrier arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
298 words
A machine to provide progressive and temporary roof support along a straight path in a tunnel, said machine having a longitudinal axis oriented in the direction of forward motion said machine comprising: a vehicle, having means thereon for translational motion longitudinally; a first pair of roof supports at opposite sides of said vehicle, said first roof supports individually and movably attached to said vehicle by a movable connecting mechanism located intermediated said first roof supports and said vehicle, said connecting mechanism substantially preventing longitudinal, lateral and angular motion of said first roof supports relative to said vehicle; a pair of carrier arms, at opposite sides of said vehicle, and means for mounting said arms translatably to said vehicle, said mounting means maintaining translation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle; a second pair of roof supports at opposite sides of said vehicle, each of said second roof supports individually and movably attached to one of said carrier arms by a movable connecting mechanism intermediate said second roof support and said carrier arm, said connecting mechanism substantially preventing longitudinal, lateral and angular motion of said second roof supports relative to said carrier arm; a first pair of feet individually and movably attached to said vehicle at opposite sides of said vehicle and constrained from longitudinal, lateral and angular movement relative to said vehicle; a second pair of feet, each foot individually and movably attached to one of said carrier arm and constrained from longitudinal, lateral and angular movement relative to said carrier arm; reversible drive means to vertically extend said roof supports and feet to press against the roof and floor respectively of said tunnel, and to retract said roof supports and feet away from said roof and floor; reversible actuation means to translate said carrier arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said roof supports and feet are of extended length and the longitudinal axes of said roof supports and feet are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, and the upper surfaces of said roof supports and the lower surfaces of said feet are planar and horizontal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said reversible drive means to vertically extend said roof supports and feet comprises a quadruplet of vertically oriented, hydraulically actuated cylinder means extending vertically when hydraulically pressurized, and retracting when depressurized with one of said roof supports attached at the top end of each cylinder means and one of said feet attached at the bottom end of each cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said carrier arms translatably to said vehicle are linkage means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said reversible actuation means to translate said carrier arms are hydraulically operated pistons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said movable connecting mechanism attached to each of said roof supports comprise a parallelogram linkage device having two pairs of pivot pins each having an upper and lower pin, said upper and lower pins being disposed on a common vertical line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said means for translational motion of said vehicle are wheels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine as described in claim 3 wherein said vertically oriented cylinders attach to said roof supports and said feet by means of ball joints.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine as described in claim 1 further comprised of a seat for a person-operator attached to said vehicle and a protective canopy supported over said seat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |