Prop for Mining, Construction and the Like

Abstract

A prop, for example for supporting the roof of an underground mine, is provided in the form of a vessel. The vessel includes a base having a bottom and one or more sides. A cover, including a top and one or more sides is provided. The top includes a space for accommodating a roof bolt when installed in a mine. Sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a maximal extent in a collapsed configuration. A port is formed in the one or more sides for filling the vessel with material when the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a minimal extent in an extended configuration. Consequently the prop is able to go from a collapsed configuration for transportation or storage, to an extended configuration for supporting the roof of the mine. The top of the vessel may comprise a flexible envelope fast with the one or more sides of the cover for receiving the filling, in order to present a deformable upper surface for bearing an uneven load.

1 . A prop in the form of a vessel including a base having a bottom and one or more sides;
 a cover including a top and one or more sides, wherein the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a maximal extent in a collapsed configuration;   at least one port formed in the one or more sides for filling the vessel with material when the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a minimal extent in a extended configuration; and   a space formed in the top for accommodating a roof bolt when installed in a mine.   
     
     
         2 . A prop according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is substantially non-compressible. 
     
     
         3 . A prop according to  claim 1  formed with air holes to allow air to escape the vessel whilst the material is being inserted therein. 
     
     
         4 . A prop according to  claim 1  including handles for easy carrying and to assist in extending the cover from the base to a desired height. 
     
     
         5 . A prop according to  claim 1  made of plastic, metal or fiberglass. 
     
     
         6 . A prop according to  claim 1  including stops on the sides of the cover and of the base which cooperate to prevent the cover from being inadvertently disengaged from the base in the extended configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A prop according to  claim 6 , wherein the stops are arranged to be overcome by rotating the base relative to the cover in order to remove the cover from the base to thereby empty the vessel of the material. 
     
     
         8 . A prop according to  claim 1  including markings or protrusions or the like located upon the side of a portion of the vessel to provide a visual indicator as to when the limit of extension of the vessel is approaching or has been reached. 
     
     
         9 . A prop according to  claim 1 , wherein the top comprises a flexible envelope fast with the one or more sides of the cover for receiving filling in order to present a deformable upper surface for bearing a load.