Roof support sheet handling for underground mines

Abstract

Systems for installing roof support sheets on a mine roof. One system includes a support frame, a lifting system, and a feeding system. The support frame holds a plurality of roof support sheets. The lifting system lifts at least one of the sheets from the support frame. The feeding system obtains the at least one sheet from the lifting system and feeds the at least one sheet toward an installation apparatus for installation on the mine roof. The lifting system includes a shoe and at least one arm for moving the shoe to engage and move the at least one sheet. The feeding system includes a drive assembly and a support. The drive assembly engages and moves the at least one sheet toward the installation apparatus, and the support supports the at least one sheet moved by the drive assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lifting system for installing roof support sheets on a mine roof, the lifting system comprising:
 a shoe for engaging a roof support sheet contained in a support frame; and   at least one arm for moving the shoe to engage the roof support sheet and, after the shoe is engaged with the roof support sheet, for moving the roof support sheet toward an installation apparatus for installing the roof support sheet on the roof mine.   
     
     
         2 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof support sheet includes a steel mesh sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe includes at least one tooth for engaging the roof support sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe includes a plurality of pivoting jaws for engaging the roof support sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm includes a first arm for moving the shoe at least one of horizontally, vertically, and laterally. 
     
     
         6 . The lifting system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one arm includes a second arm coupled to the shoe and positioned approximately perpendicular to the first arm, the second arm pivotable with respect to the first arm. 
     
     
         7 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hydraulic system for moving the at least one arm. 
     
     
         8 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic system for pushing the roof support sheet contained in the support frame toward the shoe. 
     
     
         9 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , further comprising an end stop in the support frame for preventing a second roof support sheet contained in the support frame from moving when the shoe, engaged with the roof support sheet, is moved by the at least one arm. 
     
     
         10 . The lifting system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe and the at least one arm are mounted on a mining machine. 
     
     
         11 . A feeding system for installing roof support sheets on a mine roof, the feeding system comprising:
 a drive assembly for engaging a roof support sheet and moving the roof support sheet toward an installation apparatus; and   a support for supporting the roof support sheet moved by the drive assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the roof support sheet includes a steel mesh sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , further comprising a lift system for raising and lowering the support with respect to the drive assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the drive assembly includes a sprocket assembly, the sprocket assembly including at least one sprocket that includes a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The feeding system of  claim 14 , wherein the drive assembly includes a drive system for driving the sprocket assembly to engage the plurality of the teeth of the at least one sprocket with the roof support sheet and move the roof support sheets toward the installation apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The feeding system of  claim 14 , wherein the drive assembly includes a hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the sprocket assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the drive assembly includes a chain drive, the chain drive including at least one sprocket supporting a conveyor chain with rollers running on a support track. 
     
     
         18 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the drive assembly includes at least one walking frame, the at least one walking frame including an arm assembly driven by a hydraulic system and having at least one rotatable tooth. 
     
     
         19 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the drive assembly includes an edge drive, the edge drive including at least one pivotable toothed wheel rotated by a drive system, the at least one pivotable toothed wheel engaging a side edge of the roof support sheet. 
     
     
         20 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the drive assembly includes an oscillating beam, the oscillating beam including a plurality of teeth rotated along a circular path under the roof support sheet. 
     
     
         21 . The feeding system of  claim 11 , wherein the drive assembly and the frame are mounted on a mining machine.