Abstract

A stemming plug (60) for stemming a blast hole in a mine is disclosed. The plug has first and second wedge-shaped members (62', 62) manufactured from a suitable plastics material. The first wedge-shaped member (62') has a first sloping face received in sliding relationship with a matching face of the second wedge-shaped member (62) wherein, in use, when the first wedge- shaped member (62') is positioned nearest to an explosive material in the blast hole it has a larger surface area facing the explosive material than the second wedge-shaped member (62). In use, when a Shockwave from initiation of the explosive material in the blast hole encounters the first wedge-shaped member (62') it acts as a piston, sliding on the second wedge- shaped member (62) so that both wedge-shaped members exert diametrically opposed forces against the wall of the blast hole to lock the plug (60) in place. The two wedge-shaped members (62', 62) may be substantially identical, thus significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes

Abstract

A stemming plug (60) for stemming a blast hole in a mine is disclosed. The plug has first and second wedge-shaped members (62', 62) manufactured from a suitable plastics material. The first wedge-shaped member (62') has a first sloping face received in sliding relationship with a matching face of the second wedge-shaped member (62) wherein, in use, when the first wedge- shaped member (62') is positioned nearest to an explosive material in the blast hole it has a larger surface area facing the explosive material than the second wedge-shaped member (62). In use, when a Shockwave from initiation of the explosive material in the blast hole encounters the first wedge-shaped member (62') it acts as a piston, sliding on the second wedge- shaped member (62) so that both wedge-shaped members exert diametrically opposed forces against the wall of the blast hole to lock the plug (60) in place. The two wedge-shaped members (62', 62) may be substantially identical, thus significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes

Abstract

A stemming plug (10) for stemming a blast hole in a mine, the plug comprising a rolling member (12), and an elongate plug body (14) adapted to be slidably received in a blast hole. The plug body (14) has a cavity (16) formed therein intermediate its length and open to one side of the plug body (14), the cavity (16) being adapted to hold the rolling member (12) therein. The cavity (16) is also formed with an internal surface along which the rolling member (12) can roll when it engages with a wall of the blast hole, the internal surface being angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the plug body (14). In use, during installation, the rolling member (12) is captive within the cavity (16) and is held within an outer circumference of the plug body (14) so as not to engage with a wall of the blast hole, whereas, upon activation, the rolling member (12) engages with a wall of the blast hole and rolls along the angled surface until it wedges between the angled surface and the wall of the blast hole so as to lock the stemming plug (10) in place.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 33/12 - PackersPlugs
• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes

Abstract

An O-ring plug (10) for blocking a drill hole, is described, having an elongate body (12) of solid impervious material. An engineered surface (14) is provided on an external circumference of the elongate body (12), the engineered surface comprising an annular anchoring groove (16). The anchoring groove (16) has a rolling surface (18) with a diameter D2 which is less than a maximum diameter D1 of the engineered surface (14). The anchoring groove 16 also has a forward facing ramp (20) extending from the maximum diameter D1 to the diameter D2 of the rolling surface (18) in a forward braking direction. The plug (10) has an O-ring (22) received in the annular groove (16) on the rolling surface (18). The O-ring (22) has a thickness whereby it protrudes above the maximum diameter D1 of the engineered surface (14), and engages with a wall (24) of the drill hole. In use, when the plug (10) is moved in the forward braking direction 'A' in the drill hole, the O-ring (22) rolls along the rolling surface (18), until it wedges between the engineered surface (14) and the wall (24) of the drill hole to provide a braking action for the plug (10) against the wall (24) of the drill hole.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 33/12 - PackersPlugs
• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes
• F16L 55/11 - Plugs

Abstract

A plug (10) for blocking off mining exploration drill holes. The plug (10) comprises an elongate body (12) of solid impervious material, and an engineered surface (14) is provided on an external circumference of the elongate body (12). The engineered surface (14) comprises an annular anchoring groove (16) having a ramp (18) extending from a maximum diameter to a minimum diameter of the engineered surface (14) in a braking direction, in which it is intended to prevent movement of the plug (10) in the drill hole. The plug (10) also comprises an O-ring (20) received in the anchoring groove (16) and having a thickness whereby it protrudes slightly above the maximum diameter of the engineered surface (14) and engages with a wall (22) of the drill hole. In use, when the plug (10) is moved in the braking direction in the drill hole, the O-ring (20) rolls up the ramp (18) and wedges between the engineered surface (14) and the wall (22) of the drill hole to provide a braking action for the plug (10) against the wall (22) of the drill hole.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 33/12 - PackersPlugs
• F16L 55/11 - Plugs
• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes

Abstract

A plug (10) for blocking off mining exploration drill holes. The plug (10) comprises an elongate body (12) of solid impervious material, and an engineered surface (14) is provided on an external circumference of the elongate body (12). The engineered surface (14) comprises an annular anchoring groove (16) having a ramp (18) extending from a maximum diameter to a minimum diameter of the engineered surface (14) in a braking direction, in which it is intended to prevent movement of the plug (10) in the drill hole. The plug (10) also comprises an O-ring (20) received in the anchoring groove (16) and having a thickness whereby it protrudes slightly above the maximum diameter of the engineered surface (14) and engages with a wall (22) of the drill hole. In use, when the plug (10) is moved in the braking direction in the drill hole, the O-ring (20) rolls up the ramp (18) and wedges between the engineered surface (14) and the wall (22) of the drill hole to provide a braking action for the plug (10) against the wall (22) of the drill hole.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 33/12 - PackersPlugs
• F16L 55/11 - Plugs
• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes

Abstract

A plug (10) for blocking off mining exploration drill holes. The plug (10) comprises an elongate body (12) of solid impervious material, and an engineered surface (14) is provided on an external circumference of the elongate body (12). The engineered surface (14) comprises an annular anchoring groove (16) having a ramp (18) extending from a maximum diameter to a minimum diameter of the engineered surface (14) in a braking direction, in which it is intended to prevent movement of the plug (10) in the drill hole. The plug (10) also comprises an O-ring (20) received in the anchoring groove (16) and having a thickness whereby it protrudes slightly above the maximum diameter of the engineered surface (14) and engages with a wall (22) of the drill hole. In use, when the plug (10) is moved in the braking direction in the drill hole, the O-ring (20) rolls up the ramp (18) and wedges between the engineered surface (14) and the wall (22) of the drill hole to provide a braking action for the plug (10) against the wall (22) of the drill hole.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 33/12 - PackersPlugs
• F16L 55/11 - Plugs
• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes

Abstract

A stemming plug (10) for stemming a blast hole in a mine, the plug (10) comprising an active wedge-shaped member (12) having a sloping face received in sliding relationship with a matching face of a passive wedge- shaped member (14). In use, the active wedge-shaped member (12) is positioned nearest to an explosive material in the blast hole and the passive wedge-shaped member (14) is positioned further from the explosive material in the blast hole. The active wedge-shaped member (12) has a friction reducing material provided on at least part of its surface to reduce the sliding resistance of the active wedge-shaped member (12) relative to the passive wedge-shaped member (14); whereby, in use, when a shockwave from initiation of the explosive material in the blast hole encounters the active wedge-shaped member (12) it acts as a piston, sliding on the passive wedge-shaped member (14) so that both wedge-shaped members exert diametrically opposed forces against a wall of the blast hole and are locked in place.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes
• F42D 1/20 - Tamping cartridges, i.e. cartridges containing tamping material

Abstract

A rock bolt (10) for a ground support system, the rock bolt comprising an elongate body (12) made of resilient material with high tensile strength, the body having a head (14) at one end and a tip (16) at the other. The rock bolt (10) also has a plurality of protrusions (20) provided on an external surface of the body, and a coating of friction-promoting material (22) is applied to the body (12) so as to cover at least part of the external surface. In use, when the body (12) is driven into the borehole during installation, at least some of the coating material (22) is retained between the protrusions (20) to increase the coefficient of friction between the external surface and the surrounding wall of the borehole.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21D 21/00 - Anchoring-bolts for roof, floor, or shaft-lining protection
• E21D 20/00 - Setting anchoring-bolts

Abstract

A stemming plug (10) for stemming a blast hole in a mine comprises an elongate sleeve (12) of porous material having a first inner join line (14) and a second outer join line (16). The inner join line (14) is made of water-soluble material and defining a first diameter of the sleeve (12) which is smaller than. a second diameter defined by the second join line (16) and which is adapted to be received in a blast hole. The porous sleeve (12) contains a volume of dry grout material (18) in particulate form. When the plug (10) is immersed in water it dissolves the first inner join line and mixes with the grout material (18) to form a paste which can squeeze through the porous sleeve when the plug is tamped into the drill hole. The porous sleeve (12) is now free to expand towards the second diameter as the plug is tamped and in this way the stemming plug (10) can be used to block the blast hole once the grout material (18) cures.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42D 1/18 - Plugs for boreholes
• F42D 1/20 - Tamping cartridges, i.e. cartridges containing tamping material
• E21B 33/12 - PackersPlugs

Abstract

A grout plug 10 for plugging a drill hole 20 in a mine. The plug 10 comprises an elongate sleeve 12 of porous material adapted to be received in a drill hole 20 and a volume of dry grout material 14 in particulate form. The plug 10 also comprises a liner 16 of water-soluble material, the liner 16 being provided within the porous sleeve 12 for containing the grout material 14 within the porous sleeve 12 in its dry form. In use, when the plug 10 is exposed to water the liner 16 dissolves and the water mixes with the grout material 14 to form a slurry which can seep through the porous sleeve 12 when the plug 10 is tamped into the drill hole 20 to block the drill hole 20 when the grout material 14 cures. A related clay plug is also described having a central core of substantially solid material of low permeability which forms a substrate against which the clay material may cure.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 33/13 - Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
• E21D 20/00 - Setting anchoring-bolts