Self-supporting air tube for blasting

Abstract

A self-supporting air tube for blasting and method of blasting rock using the air tube. The air tube includes an air bladder, a plurality of support wings, an inlet, and a means for securing weight. The air bladder has a diameter smaller than that of a blasting hole and extends longitudinally. The support wings extend from the outside of the air bladder symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the air bladder so as to surround the air bladder and have certain widths. The inlet is attached to the a fusion-welded portion of the air bladder to inject air into the air bladder. The means for securing weight are integrated into the support wings, bladder, and/or lower portion of the bladder. The total diameter of the air tube is smaller than the diameter of the blasting hole, and the air tube is inserted into the blasting hole and self-supported on a wall of the blasting hole.

1 .- 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . An air tube for use in conjunction with blasting in a blasting hole, the blasting hole comprising a hole diameter and a hole wall, the air tube comprising: 
 an elongated air bladder having a bladder diameter, the bladder diameter less than the hole diameter; an air inlet associated with the air bladder to facilitate injection of air into the air bladder;    a plurality of support wings associated with the air bladder, at least a portion of the plurality of support wings located radially exterior of the air bladder; and    at least one pocket for receiving the quantity of the at least one weight additional material, wherein the at least one pocket is at least one of:    (a) integral; and    (b) interconnectable;    to at least one of:    (a) the plurality of support wings; and    (b) a lower fusion weld portion of the air bladder.    
   
   
       22 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the least one pocket is located radially exterior the bladder diameter.  
   
   
       23 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the least one pocket is located longitudinally below a bottom of the air bladder.  
   
   
       24 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the least one pocket comprises at least one pocket located within each of the plurality of support wings.  
   
   
       25 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the least one pocket comprises one or more pockets attachable longitudinally below a bottom of the air bladder.  
   
   
       26 . The air tube of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more pockets are attachable using one or more hooks.  
   
   
       27 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the least one pocket comprises a pocket length less than a length of the air bladder.  
   
   
       28 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the least one pocket comprises a pocket length greater than a length of the air bladder.  
   
   
       29 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one pocket is receiving at least one of sand, soil and rock fragments.  
   
   
       30 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of support wings comprise a right fusion-welded portion and a left fusion-welded portion, and wherein the at least one pocket comprises at least one opening formed in intermediate portions of the right and left fusion-welded portions.  
   
   
       31 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one pocket comprises at least one opening formed at upper end portions of each of a right fusion-welded portion and a left fusion-welded portion of the plurality of support wings.  
   
   
       32 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein a distal end of the at least one pocket comprises a fusion-weld.  
   
   
       33 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the lower fusion weld portion is located longitudinally below the air bladder and comprises a receiving structure for attachably interconnecting the at least one pocket using one or more of adhesives and fasteners.  
   
   
       34 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of support wings comprises a right fusion-welded portion and a left fusion-welded portion continuous with the air bladder, and wherein the right fusion-welded portion and the left fusion-welded portion are continuous with the lower fusion-welded portion below the air bladder.  
   
   
       35 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein one or more openings are formed at any point along a length or width of the plurality of support wings and the lower fusion-welded portion, and wherein the at least one pocket is associated with the one or more openings.  
   
   
       36 . The air tube of  claim 21 , wherein at least one void is formed in the upper and lower fusion-welded portions to allow for attaching multiple air tubes together through various means.