U.S. patent number RE32,675 [Application Number 06/923,819] was granted by the patent office on 1988-05-24 for mine stopping and method of and jack for installing same.
Invention is credited to John M. Kennedy, William R. Kennedy.
United States Patent |
RE32,675 |
Kennedy , et al. |
May 24, 1988 |
Mine stopping and method of and jack for installing same
Abstract
A mine stopping comprising a plurality of elongate panels
adapted to extend vertically in side-by-side relation from the
floor to the roof of a passageway in a mine. Each panel comprises a
first elongate member constituting the lower member of the panel
and second elongate member constituting the upper member of the
panel, each member having a web and flanges at opposite sides of
the web, one of the members having a telescoping sliding fit in the
other. The upper member of each panel has a head at its upper end
and a sealing member held in the head extending up out of the upper
end of the upper member for engagement with the roof, the head
being supported on the panel with the ends of the head spaced from
the flanges of the upper member. The lower member of each panel has
a foot at its lower end, the foot being secured to the lower panel
member with the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges
thereof. The spacing of the ends of the head and ends of the foot
from the side flanges of the panel members permits the side flanges
to move toward one another to preserve the integrity of the
stopping on relative lateral movement of the ribs toward one
another. And a method of and jack for installing the mine
stopping.
Inventors: |
Kennedy; John M. (Taylorville,
IL), Kennedy; William R. (Taylorville, IL) |
Family
ID: |
26942455 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/923,819 |
Filed: |
October 27, 1986 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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252578 |
Apr 9, 1981 |
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Reissue of: |
376957 |
May 11, 1982 |
04483642 |
Nov 20, 1984 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/132; 405/290;
52/489.1; 52/712 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21F
17/103 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21F
17/00 (20060101); E21F 17/103 (20060101); E21F
001/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;405/132,282,288,290
;52/489,573,712,764,773 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Corbin; David H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Senniger, Powers, Leavitt and
Roedel
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending
application, Ser. No. 252,578, filed Apr. 9, 1981, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mine stopping comprising:
a plurality of elongate extensible panels adapted to extend
vertically in side-by-side relation from the floor to the roof of a
passageway in a mine,
each panel comprising a first elongate member constituting a lower
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its lower end with
the floor of the passageway, and a second elongate member
constituting an upper member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its upper end with the roof of the passageway,
each of said panel members being a sheet metal member of channel
shape in cross section having a web and flanges at opposite sides
of the web, each flange having an inturned portion at its outer
edge extending generally parallel to the web and a lip at the inner
edge of the inturned portion extending inwardly toward the web,
one of said members having a telescoping sliding fit in the other
with the webs of the members in engagement, the one member
constituting the inner member and the other constituting the outer
member of the panel, a plurality of the panels being adapted to be
installed in a passageway with the side flanges of the outer
members generally in engagement,
the lips of the upper member of each panel terminating short of the
upper end of the upper member and thereby providing a notch at the
upper end of each lip,
the upper member of each panel having a head at its upper end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the upper member and greater than
the distance between said lips,
the head being generally of channel shape in transverse cross
section having a web of a width slightly less than the distance
between the web of the upper panel member and the edges of the lips
fitting between the web of the upper member and the edges of the
lips, a first flange extending up from the edge of the web of the
head at the inside face of the web of the upper panel member, a
second flange extending up from the other edge of the web having a
first portion extending up on the inside edges of the lips, a
second portion extending out from the upper edge of the first
portion over the upper edges of the lips, and a third portion
extending up from the outer edge of the second portion on the
inside of said inturned portions, the head being secured in the
upper panel member at its upper end with the ends of the head
spaced from the side flanges of the upper panel member,
the lower member of each panel having a foot at its lower end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the lower member and greater than
the distance between said lips,
the foot being secured in the lower panel member at its lower end
with the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges of the lower
panel member
and a sealing member pocketed in said head and extending up out of
the upper end of said upper member for engagement with said
roof,
the spacing of the ends of the head from the side flanges of the
upper panel member and the spacing of the ends of the foot from the
side flanges of the lower panel member permitting the flanges to
move toward one another with accompanying bowing of the webs of the
panel members to preserve the integrity of the stopping on relative
lateral movement of the ribs of the passageway toward one another
with resultant compression of the stopping from the sides
thereof.
2. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sealing
member comprises a block of expanded polystyrene or the like.
3. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at
least one bar adapted to extend substantially horizontally between
ribs at opposite sides of the passageway in the mine, a plurality
of generally U-shaped wire ties for securing the panels to the bar,
each tie having a hook at each end adapted to extend over the edge
of the lip of one of said panels, and a central portion adapted to
be twisted so as to deform the tie around the bar to hold the
respective panel in engagement with the bar.
4. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 1 wherein each head is
secured to the web of the respective upper panel member.
5. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first
flange of each head is secured to the web of the respective upper
panel member at the upper corners of the first flange.
6. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 3 wherein the lips of the
lower member of each panel terminate short of the lower end of the
lower member and thereby provide a notch at the lower end of each
lip.
7. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 6 wherein each foot is
generally of channel shape in transverse cross section having a web
of a width slightly less than the distance between the web of the
lower panel member and the edges of the lips fitting between the
web of the lower member and the edges of the lips, a first flange
extending down from the edge of the web of the foot at the inside
face of the web of the lower panel member, a second flange
extending down from the other edge of the web having a first
portion extending down on the inside edges of the lips, a second
portion extending out from the lower edge of the first portion over
the lower edges of the lips, and third portion extending down from
the outer edge of the second portion on the inside of said inturned
portions, the foot being secured in the lower panel member at its
lower end with the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges of
the lower panel member, each foot has a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the respective lower panel member
and greater than the distance between the lips and a width slightly
less than the distance between the web of the respective lower
panel member and the edges of the lips.
8. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 7 wherein each foot is
secured in the respective lower panel member at its lower end with
the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges of the lower
panel member.
9. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first flange
of the foot is secured to the web of the respective lower panel
member at the lower corners of the first flange.
10. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 1 having a resilient
sealing member pocketed in the head.
11. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 10 wherein the resilient
sealing member comprises a block of polystyrene.
12. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bar
comprises an angle bent from sheet steel, the legs of the angle
having generally flat outer edges and thereby having relatively
sharp inner and outer corners along said outer edges, said angle
extending along the panels with the said sharp inner corners of the
legs of the angle biting into the panels under tension of the wire
ties.
13. A mine stopping as set forth in claim 3 wherein the lips of the
inner members of the panels extend inwardly toward the webs of said
inner members beyond the lips of the outer members of the panels,
and the hooks of the ties engage the inner edges of the lips of the
inner members and draw the inturned portions of the inner members
against the inturned portions of the outer members.
14. The method of installing a mine stopping comprising a plurality
of elongate extensible panels adapted to extend vertically in
side-by-side relation from the floor to the roof of a passageway in
a mine,
each panel comprising a first elongate member constituting a lower
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its lower end with
the floor of the passageway, and a second elongate member
constituting an upper member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its upper end with the roof of the passageway,
each of said panel members being a sheet metal member of channel
shape in cross section having a web and flanges at opposite sides
of the web, each flange having an inturned portion at its outer
edge extending generally parallel to the web and a lip at the inner
edge of the inturned portion extending inwardly toward the web,
one of said members having a telescoping sliding fit in the other
with the webs of the members in engagement, the one member
constituting the inner member and the other constituting the outer
member of the panel, a plurality of the panels being adapted to be
installed in a passageway with the side flanges of the outer
members generally in engagement,
the lips of the upper member of each panel terminating short of the
upper end of the upper member and thereby providing a notch at the
upper end of each lip,
the upper member of each panel having a head at its upper end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the upper member and greater than
the distance between said lips,
the head being generally of channel shape in transverse cross
section having a web of a width slightly less than the distance
between the web of the upper panel member and the edges of the lips
fitting between the web of the upper member and the edges of the
lips, a first flange extending up from the edge of the web of the
head at the inside face of the web of the upper panel member, a
second flange extending up from the other edge of the web having a
first portion extending up on the inside edges of the lips, a
second portion extending out from the upper edge of the first
portion over the upper edges of the lips, and a third portion
extending up from the outer edge of the second portion on the
inside of said inturned portions, the head being secured in the
upper panel member at its upper end with the ends of the head
spaced from the side flanges of the upper panel member,
the lower member of each panel having a foot at its lower end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the lower member and greater than
the distance between said lips,
the foot being secured in the lower panel member at its lower end
with the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges of the lower
panel member,
and a sealing member pocketed in said head and extending up out of
the upper end of said upper member for engagement with said
roof,
the spacing of the ends of the head from the side flanges of the
upper panel member and the spacing of the ends of the foot from the
side flanges of the lower panel member permitting the flanges to
move toward one another with accompanying bowing of the webs of the
panel members to preserve the integrity of the stopping on relative
lateral movement of the ribs of the passageway toward one another
with resultant compression of the stopping from the sides
thereof,
said method comprising engaging the base of a jack with the foot of
a lower panel member and the end of an extensible member of the
jack with the head of the respective upper panel member, and
extending the extensible member of the jack to force the lower
panel member down and the upper panel member up for compressing the
sealing member pocketed in the head against the roof of the
passageway for sealing engagement of said sealing member with the
roof.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the base is engaged with the top
and outside of said foot between the flanges of the lower panel
member and the upper end of the extensible member of the jack is
engaged with the bottom and outside of the head between the flanges
of the upper panel member.
16. The method of installing in a mine a plurality of elongate
extensible panels adapted to extend vertically in side-by-side
relation from the floor to the roof of a passageway in a mine, each
panel comprising a first elongate member constituting a lower
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its lower end with
the floor of the passageway, and a second elongate member
constituting an upper member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its upper end with the roof of the passageway, each of said panel
members being a sheet metal member of channel shape in cross
section having a web and flanges at opposite sides of the web, each
flange having an inturned portion at its outer edge extending
generally parallel to the .[.web and a lip at the inner edge of the
inturned portion extending inwardly toward the .]. web, one of said
members having a telescoping sliding fit in the other with the webs
of the members in engagement, the one member constituting the inner
member and the other constituting the outer member of the panel, a
plurality of the panels being adapted to be installed in a
passageway with the side flanges of the outer members generally in
engagement, the upper member of each panel having a head at its
upper end, the lower member of each panel having a foot at its
lower end, said method comprising:
engaging the base of a jack with the foot of a lower panel member
and the end of an extensible member of the jack with the head of
the respective upper panel member, and extending the extensible
member of the jack to force the lower panel member down and the
upper panel member up for sealing engagement of said upper panel
member at its upper end with the roof.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the base is engaged with the top
and outside of said foot between the flanges of the lower panel
member and the upper end of the extensible member of the jack is
engaged with the bottom and outside of the head between the flanges
of the upper panel member.
18. A jack for installing a mine stopping comprising a plurality of
elongate extensible panels adapted to extend vertically in
side-by-side relation from the floor to the roof of a passageway in
a mine,
each panel comprising a first elongate member constituting a lower
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its lower end with
the floor of the passageway, and a second elongate member
constituting an upper member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its upper end with the roof of the passageway,
each of said panel members being a sheet metal member of channel
shape in cross section having a web and flanges at opposite sides
of the web, each flange having an inturned portion at its outer
edge extending generally parallel to the web and a lip at the inner
edge of the inturned portion extending inwardly toward the web,
one of said members having a telescoping sliding fit in the other
with the webs of the members in engagement, the one member
constituting the inner member and the other constituting the outer
member of the panel, a plurality of the panels being adapted to be
installed in a passageway with the side flanges of the outer
members generally in engagement,
the lips of the upper member of each panel terminating short of the
upper end of the upper member and thereby providing a notch at the
upper end of each lip,
the upper member of each panel having a head at its upper end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the upper member and greater than
the distance between said lips,
the head being generally of channel shape in transverse cross
section having a web of a width slightly less than the distance
between the web of the upper panel member and the edges of the lips
fitting between the web of the upper member and the edges of the
lips, a first flange extending up from the edge of the web of the
head at the inside face of the web of the upper panel member, a
second flange extending up from the other edge of the web having a
first portion extending up on the inside edges of the lips, a
second portion extending out from the upper edge of the first
portion over the upper edges of the lips, and a third portion
extending up from the outer edge of the second portion on the
inside of said inturned portions, the head being secured in the
upper panel member at its upper end with the ends of the head
spaced from the side flanges of the upper panel member,
the lower member of each panel having a foot at its lower end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the lower member and greater than
the distance between said lips,
the foot being secured in the lower panel member at its lower end
with the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges of the lower
panel member,
and a sealing member pocketed in said head and extending up out of
the upper end of said upper member for engagement with said
roof,
the spacing of the ends of the head from the side flanges of the
upper panel member and the spacing of the ends of the foot from the
side flanges of the lower panel member permitting the flanges to
move toward one another with accompanying bowing of the webs of the
panel members to preserve the integrity of the stopping on relative
lateral movement of the ribs of the passageway toward one another
with resultant compression of the stopping from the sides
thereof,
said jack having a base adapted to fit between the flanges of a
lower panel member and engage the respective foot and an extensible
member having a head at its upper end adapted to fit between the
flanges of an upper panel member and engage the head of said upper
panel member, said jack acting on extension of said extensible
member to force the lower panel member down and the upper panel
member up,
the base having a part engaging the top and a part engaging the
outside of said foot and the head on the extensible member has a
part engaging the bottom and a part engaging the outside of the
head of the upper panel member.
19. A jack for installing in a mine a plurality of elongate
extensible panels adapted to extend vertical in side-by-side
relation from the floor to the roof of a passageway in a mine, each
panel comprising a first elongate member constituting a lower
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its lower end with
the floor of the passageway, and a second elongate member
constituting an upper member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its upper end with the roof of the passageway, each of said panel
members being a sheet metal member of channel shape in cross
section having a web and flanges at opposite sides of the web, each
flange having an inturned portion at its outer edge extending
generally parallel to the .[.web and a lip at the inter edge of the
inturned portion extending inwardly toward the .]. web, one of said
members having a telescoping sliding fit in the other with the webs
of the members in engagement, the one member constituting the inner
member and the other constituting the outer member of the panel, a
plurality of the panels being adapted to be installed in a
passageway with the side flanges of the outer members generally in
engagement, the upper member of each panel having a head at its
upper end, the lower member of each panel having a foot at its
lower end, said jack comprising:
a base adapted to fit between the flanges of a lower panel member
and engage the respective foot and an extensible member having a
head at its upper end adapted to fit between the flanges of an
upper panel member and engage the head of said upper panel member,
said jack acting on extension of said extensible member to force
the lower panel member down and the upper panel member up,
the base having a part engaging the top and a part engaging the
outside of said foot and the head on the extensible member having a
part engaging the bottom and a part engaging the outside of the
head of the upper panel member. .Iadd.
20. The method of installing in a mine a plurality of elongate
extensible panels adapted to extend vertically in side-by-side
relation from the floor to the roof of a passageway in a mine, each
panel comprising a first elongate member constituting a lower
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its lower end with
the floor of the passageway, and a second elongate member
constituting an upper member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its upper end with the roof of the passageway, each of said panel
members being a sheet metal member of channel shape in cross
section having a web and flanges at opposite sides of the web, each
flange having an inturned portion at its outer edge extending
generally parallel to the web, one of said members having a
telescoping sliding fit in the other with the webs of the members
in engagement, the one member constituting the inner member and the
other constituting the outer member of the panel, a plurality of
the panels being adapted to be installed in a passageway with the
side flanges of the outer members generally in engagement, the
upper member of each panel having a head at its upper end, said
method comprising:
engaging the end of an extensible member of a jack with the head of
a respective upper panel member;
extending the extensible member of the jack to effect relative
telescopic extension of the upper and lower panel members thereby
to force the upper end of the upper panel member into pressure
engagement with the roof; and
disengaging the jack from the head of the upper panel member
leaving the upper and lower panel members in pressure engagement at
their upper and lower ends with the roof and floor of the
passageway. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a mine stopping, and more particularly to
a mine stopping comprising a plurality of metal panels, and a
method of and jack for installing same.
So-called mine "stoppings" are widely used in mines to stop off
flow of air in passages in the mines, a stopping generally being
installed at the entrance of a passage to block flow of air
therethrough. This invention especially involves an improvement on
the mine stopping of the type such as shown for example in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,729,064 comprising a plurality of elongate extensible
panels extending vertically in side-by-side relation from the floor
to the roof of a passageway in a mine. Each panel has a head and a
foot each comprising a metal plate secured to the upper and lower
ends of the panel and means on each plate for sealing the stopping
to the roof and floor of the passageway. A problem encountered with
the prior mine stopping is the loss of the structural integrity of
the stopping on relative lateral movement of the ribs toward one
another which may occur when there is shifting and heaving of the
mine in the vicinity of the passageway. The head and foot secured
at the ends of each panel significantly limit the extent to which
the panels can deform elastically under a compressive load with the
result that undesireable permanent deformation and, perhaps,
structural failure of one or more panels of the prior mine stopping
may occur upon such lateral movement of the ribs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the
provision of an improved mine stopping of the above-described type
which retains its structural integrity on relative lateral movement
of the ribs of the mine toward one another; the provision of such a
mine stopping which has panels which deform elastically upon being
laterally compressed; the provision of such a mine stopping which
has panels having an improved head and foot; the provision of such
a mine stopping which can be installed in a passageway in a mine
more quickly and with less labor than the prior mine stopping; the
provision of such a mine stopping adapted to maintain a seal
against the roof of the mine; the provision of such a mine stopping
having improved resistance against yielding under air pressure
resulting from ventilation of the mine and/or concussion from
blasting in the mine; the provision of such a mine stopping having
improved resistance to contraction of the extensible panels; the
provision of such a mine stopping which is simpler and more
economical than the prior mine stopping; and the provision of a
method of and jack for installing such mine stoppings.
In general, the mine stopping of this invention comprises a
plurality of elongate extensible panels adapted to extend
vertically in side-by-side relation from the floor to the roof of a
passageway in a mine. Each panel comprises a first elongate member
constituting a lower member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its lower end with the floor of the passageway, and a second
elongate member constituting an upper member of the panel adapted
for engagement of its upper end with the roof of the passageway.
Each of the panel members is a sheet metal member of channel shape
in cross section having a web and flanges at opposite sides of the
web, each flange having an inturned portion at its outer edge
extending generally parallel to the web and a lip at the inner edge
of the inturned portion extending inwardly toward the web. One of
the panel members has a telescoping sliding fit in the other with
the webs of the members in engagement, the said one member
constituting the inner member and the other constituting the outer
member of the panel. A plurality of the panels are adapted to be
installed in a passageway with the side flanges of the outer
members of the panels generally in engagement. The lips of the
upper member of each panel terminate short of the upper end of the
upper member thereby providing a notch at the upper end of each
lip, the upper member of each panel having a head at its upper end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the upper member and greater than
the distance between said lips. The head is generally of channel
shape in transverse cross section and has a web of a width slightly
less than the distance between the web of the upper panel member
and the edges of the lips fitting between the web of the upper
member and the edges of the lips, a first flange extending up from
the edge of the web of the head at the inside face of the web of
the upper panel member, a second flange extending up from the other
edge of the web having a first portion extending up on the inside
edges of the lips, a second portion extending out from the upper
edge of the first portion over the upper edges of the lips, and a
third portion extending up from the outer edge of the second
portion on the inside of said inturned portions. The head is
secured on the upper panel member at its upper end with the ends of
the head spaced from the side flanges of the upper panel member.
The lower member of each panel has a foot at its lower end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length less than the
distance between the flanges of the lower member and greater than
the distance between said lips, the foot being secured on the lower
panel member at its lower end with the ends of the foot spaced from
the side flanges of the lower panel member. A sealing member is
provided in the head and extends up out of the upper member for
engagement with the roof of the passageway. The spacing of the ends
of the head from the side flanges of the upper panel member and the
spacing of the ends of the foot from the side flanges of the lower
panel member permit the flanges to move toward one another with
accompanying bowing of the webs of the panel members to preserve
the integrity of the stopping on relative lateral movement of the
ribs toward one another with resultant compression of the stopping
from the sides thereof.
The method of installing the stopping comprises engaging the base
of a jack with the foot of a lower panel member and the end of an
extensible member of the jack with the head of the respective upper
panel member, and extending the extensible member of the jack to
force the lower panel member down and the upper panel member up for
compressing the sealing member pocketed in the head against the
roof of the passageway for sealing engagement of said sealing
member with the roof.
The jack comprises a base adapted to fit between the flanges of a
lower panel member and engage the respective foot and an extensible
member having a head at its upper end adapted to fit between the
flanges of an upper panel member and engage the head of the latter,
the jack acting on extension of said extensible member to force the
lower panel member down and the upper panel member up.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part
pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear elevation of a mine stopping installed in a
passageway in a mine;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 2--2 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 3--3 of FIG. 1
showing the head and sealing member at the upper end of one of the
panels;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section on line 4--4 of FIG. 1
showing the lower end of the panel;
FIG. 5 is a perspective of the head;
FIG. 6 is a perspective of the upper end of the panel;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective of a wire tie as supplied for
securing the panels to a support bar;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal section similar to FIG. 2 showing the panels
of the mine stopping deformed on relative lateral movement of the
ribs toward one another;
FIG. 9 is a vertical section showing the installation of a panel
and a jack used in the installation;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 9 showing a modification of
an angle bar used in the stopping; and
FIG. 11 is a section showing a modification of a panel member of
the stopping.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, there is generally indicated at 1 a mine
stopping of this invention installed in passageway P in a mine
comprising bars 3 adapted to extend substantially horizontally
between ribs 5 at opposite sides of the passageway, and a plurality
of elongate extensible panels 7 adapted to extend vertically in
side-by-side relation from the floor to the roof of the passageway.
A plurality of generally U-shaped wire ties 9 are provided to
secure the panels 7 to the bars 3, each tie having a hook 11 at
each end engageable with one of the panels and a central portion 12
adapted to be twisted so as to deform the tie around the bar to
hold the respective panel in engagement with the bar. Preferably,
each bar 3 comprises two or more steel angles, one angle
overlapping another at their inner end margins, the angles being
secured together by ties at said inner end margins thereof.
Each of the panels 7 comprises a first elongate member 13
constituting a lower member of the panel adapted for engagement of
its lower end with the floor 15 of the passageway, (as shown in
FIG. 4) and a second elongate member 17 constituting an upper
member of the panel adapted for engagement of its upper end with
the roof 19 of the passageway (as shown in FIG. 3). Each panel
member 13, 17 is a sheet metal member of channel shape in cross
section having a web 21 and flanges both designated 23 at opposite
sides of the web (see FIG. 6). Each flange has an inturned portion
25 at its outer edge extending generally parallel to the web and a
lip 27 at the inner edge of the inturned portion extending toward
the web. The upper panel member 17 is shown as having a telescoping
fit in the respective lower panel member 13, the webs 21 of the
members being in sliding engagement. (This could be reversed--the
lower panel member may have a telescoping sliding fit in the upper
panel member.) The lips 27 of each upper panel member 17 terminate
short of the upper end of the upper member thereby providing a
notch 29 at the upper end of each lip of the upper panel member.
Similarly, the lips of each lower panel member 13 terminate short
of the lower end of the lower member thereby providing a notch at
the lower end of each lip of the lower panel member.
The upper member of each panel has a head 31 at its upper end
comprising a sheet metal member having a length L less than the
distance D1 between the flanges 23 of the upper member and greater
than the distance D2 between the lips 27 of the upper panel member.
The head is generally of channel shape in transverse cross section
having a web 33 of a width W slightly less than the distance D3
between the web of the upper panel member and the edges of the lips
and fits between the web 21 of the upper panel member and the edges
of the lips 27. The head 31 further has a first flange 35 extending
up from the edge of the web of the head at the inside face of the
web 21 of the upper panel member, a second flange 37 extending up
from the other edge of the web having a first portion 39 extending
up on the inside edges of the lips, a second portion 41 extending
out from the upper edge of the first portion over the upper edges
of the lips, and a third portion 43 extending up from the outer
edge of the second portion on the inside of the inturned portions
25 of the flanges 23 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The head 31 is secured to
the upper panel member 17 at its upper end with the ends of the
head spaced from the side flanges 23 of the upper panel member by
suitably attaching the first flange 35 of the head to the web 21 of
the upper panel member at the upper corners of the first flange 35,
the areas of attachment being generally designated 45.
As illustrated, a sealing member 47 is pocketed in each head 31 and
extends up out of the upper end of said upper member for engagement
with the roof 19 of the passageway. The sealing member comprises a
block of self-extinguishing expanded polystyrene (other suitable
material may be used) which readily conforms to the contour of the
roof of the passageway to form a seal at the top of the panel when
pressed into engagement with the roof. The sealing member is
preferably resilient so that, when compressed against the roof, it
not only conforms to the roof contour but also has a spring-back or
expansion effect to maintain the stopping seal, despite occurrences
such as concussion effects from blasting in the mine that might
otherwise tend to break the seal. Resilient materials other than
polystyrene may be used. It is also contemplated that a sealing
member backed by springs may be used and it is intended that
"resilient sealing member" cover this.
The lower member 17 of each panel has a foot 49 at its lower end
having a configuration similar to that of the head, a length less
than the distance between the flanges 23 of the lower panel member
and greater than the distance between the lips 27 of the lower
panel member, and a width slightly less than the distance between
the web 21 of the lower panel member and the edges of the lips 27
(see FIG. 4). The foot is secured in the lower panel member at its
lower end with the ends of the foot spaced from the side flanges of
the lower panel member by attaching the first flange of the foot to
the web 21 of the lower panel member at the lower corners of the
first flange of the foot. Because the floor 15 of the passageway is
relatively flat as compared to the roof 19 of the passageway and
usually covered with a thick layer of dust, a sealing member such
as sealing member 47 need not be provided in the foot 49 to effect
an adequate seal between the lower panel member 13 and the
floor.
The spacing of the ends of the head 31 from the side flanges 23 of
the respective upper panel member, the spacing of the ends of the
foot 49 from the side flanges 23 of the respective lower panel
member, and the location of the attachments 45 securing the head
and foot to the respective panel member enable the flanges to move
toward one another with accompanying bowing of the web 21 of each
panel member, as shown in FIG. 7, to preserve the integrity of the
stopping 1 on relative lateral movement of the ribs 5 toward one
another with resultant compression of the stopping from the sides
thereof.
To install the mine stopping 1 of this invention in the passageway
P, holes 51 are established in the ribs 5 and the ends of the bars
3 are inserted therein. One of the panels 7 is positioned with its
inturned portions 25 in engagement with the bars and with one of
its side flanges 23 in engagement with a rib 5. Wire ties 9 are
placed over the bars with hooks 11 extending over the edges of the
lips 27 of the panel to hold the panel in place against the support
bars. The panel is extended to move the foot 49 of the lower panel
member down into sealing engagement with the floor 15 of the
passageway, and to move the upper panel member up into sealing
engagement with the roof 19, the upper surface of the sealing
member conforming to the contour of the roof upon being pressed
against the roof. The central portions 12 of the wire ties 9 are
then twisted to secure the panel to the support bars. A second
panel 7 is installed at the other rib 5 of the passageway in a
manner similar to that just described. Additional panels 7 are
similarly installed in side-by-side relation between the first and
second panels to form an array of panels across the entrance to the
passageway P. A gap G is often present in the array, and a lap pan
53 similar in construction to the panels 9 may be utilized for
covering such a gap (see FIG. 2). The lap pan 53 is secured to the
bars 3 by a pair of clamps 55 each comprising a crossbar 56 having
flanges at its ends engageable with the inner faces of the inturned
portions 25 of the lap pan, a central lug 57 extending toward the
respective support rod having holes therein adapted to receive the
hooks 11 of a wire tie 9. With lap pan 53 secured over the gap G,
the spaces generally indicated at 59 in FIG. 1 between the ends of
adjacent sealing members 47, and the spaces generally indicated at
61 between the ribs 5 and the panels 7 in engagement therewith are
filled with a suitable material such as a fiber plaster provide a
substantially air-tight seal at the stopping.
Upon relative lateral movement of the ribs 5 toward one another,
the width of the gap G narrows as the panels at one side of the gap
move laterally toward the panels at the other side of the gap. When
the panels formerly spaced apart at the gap move into engagement,
continued relative lateral movement of the panels results in
compression of the panels. The spacing of the ends of the heads 31
from the side flanges 23 of the upper panel members 17 and the
spacing of the ends of the feet 49 from the side flanges 23 of the
lower panel members 13 permit the side flanges to move toward one
another with accompanying bowing of the webs 21 of the panel
members to prevent permanent deformation of the panels thereby
preserving the integrity of the stopping.
FIG. 9 illustrates a method of this invention of installing the
stopping utilizing a jack 61 modified in accordance with this
invention for the purpose. The jack, as illustrated, is a ratchet
jack comprising a vertical post 63 formed with ratchet teeth 65,
the post extending up from a base 67, and an extensible member 69
movable up and down on the post by means of a lever 71. The post
extends up from the base adjacent one end of the base, which is
narrow enough to fit between the lips 27 of the lower panel member
13, and which has a transverse lug 73 on its bottom. That part of
the base extending beyond the lug is engageable with the top of the
foot 49 of a lower panel member 13 and the lug 73 is engageable
with the outside of the foot. The extensible member, which is
offset from the post in the direction toward the distal end of the
base, has a stepped head 75 at its upper end, this head being
mounted on an arm 77 extending laterally outwardly from the
extensible member directly above the base and having a horizontal
leg 79 engageable with the bottom (web 33) of the head 31 at the
upper end of the upper panel member 17 and an upwardly extending
vertical leg 81 engageable with the outside of the head 31 at
39.
In installing a stopping, the base 67 of the jack is engaged as
shown in FIG. 9 with the foot 49 of a lower panel member 13 and the
head 75 of the extensible member 69 of the jack is engaged as shown
in FIG. 9 with the head 31 at the upper end of the respective upper
panel member 17. Then the extensible member 69 is extended to force
the lower panel member down and the upper panel member up for
compressing the sealing member 47 pocketed in the head 31 against
the roof 19 of the passageway P for sealing engagement of sealing
member 47 with the roof. Engagement of the lug 73 with the outside
of foot 49 and of the leg 81 of head 75 of the jack with head 31
aids in preventing the jack from bowing and popping out. Following
the extension of the upper and lower panels 13 and 17 of a panel 7,
the jack is removed and used on the next panel 7.
The bars 3 may be rolled steel angles, but it is preferred that
each of these bars comprises an angle bent from sheet steel
(relatively thick sheet steel, e.g. 0.108 inch thick) with the legs
3a of the angle having generally flat outer edges 3b and thereby
having relatively sharp inner and outer corners 3c and 3d along
said outer edges, as shown in FIG. 10. The angle extends along the
panels 7 with the said sharp inner corners 3c of the legs of the
angle biting into the panels (i.e. into the inturned portions 25 of
the panel members) under the tension of the wire tie members 9
which comes into play when the ties are twisted at 12. This bite
between the angles and the panel members makes the stopping
stronger and more resistant to yielding under air pressure
resulting from ventilation of the mine and/or concussion from
blasting in the mine. It is to be noted that the legs of rolled
steel angles have rounded edges instead of sharp-cornered edges,
and do not provide the bite such as attained by the angles bent
from sheet steel stock.
Referring to FIG. 11, a modification of the panels 7 is
illustrated, involving forming the lips of the inner members 17 of
the panels to extend inwardly toward the webs of the said inner
members beyond the lips of the outer members 13 of the panels. In
FIG. 11, the lips of the inner members 17 are specially designated
27a to distinguish them from lips 27 of the outer members 13 and it
will be observed that the lips 27a are made of such width relative
to lips 27 as to effect the desired extension of lips 27a beyond
the edges of lips 27. The hooks 11 of ties 9 engage the inner edges
of lips 27a of inner members 17 where they fit in outer members 13,
and draw the inturned portions 25 of inner members 17 against the
inturned portions 25 of outer members 13 for improved resistance to
contraction of the extensible panels.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of
the invention are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and
methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *