Truss eye

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for securing portions of a tunnel are disclosed herein. Portions of a tunnel can be secured via attachment of a truss system to the portions of the tunnel. The truss system can include a threadbar, a tie rod, and a truss eye. The truss eye can include a base portion having a base aperture and an eye portion defining an eye. The tie rod can be received and secured in the base aperture of the base portion of the truss eye and the threadbar can be connected to the eye portion of the truss eye.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A roof truss system for supporting a roof of a mine, the roof truss system comprising:
 a tie rod comprising an elongate load-bearing member having a first end and a second end;   an anchor nut comprising:
 opposing first and second ends; 
 a threaded aperture extending between the first and second ends; and 
 a contact surface at the first end, wherein the contact surface comprises a first dimension; and 
   a truss eye comprising:
 a base having a first side and an opposite second side, 
 a first hole extending through the first side of the base and towards the second side, wherein the first hole is configured to receive and secure the first end of the tie rod; 
 a first arm extending from a first portion of the second side of the base; and 
 a second arm extending from a second portion of the second side of the base, wherein the first arm connects to the second arm at a position distal from the second side of the base to thereby define an eye sized and shaped so as to engage with the contact surface of the anchor nut. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tie rod comprises a cable. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tie rod comprises a bar. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the tie rod is secured in the first hole of the truss eye. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first hole of the truss eye is threaded. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first hole is tapered. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first hole extends through the second side of the truss eye. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the truss eye further comprises:
 a tapered wedge configured to affix to the first end of the tie rod and sized and shaped so as to be retained within the first hole; and   a wedge clip.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a first hole in the roof of the mine and a threadbar inserted into the first hole in the roof of the mine. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor nut is affixed to the threadbar and wherein the interaction between the eye truss and the anchor nut can apply a load to the threadbar. 
     
     
         11 . A truss eye comprising:
 a base portion having:
 a bottom; 
 a base top; and 
 a base aperture extending between the bottom and base top, wherein the base aperture defines an aperture axis extending along the center-line of the base aperture; and 
   an eye portion having:
 a first arm extending distally from a first portion of the base; 
 a second arm extending distally from a second portion of the base; and 
 a connecting member connecting the distal end of the first arm to the distal end of the second arm, 
 wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the connecting member define an eye having a length along the aperture axis and a width perpendicular to the aperture axis, wherein the length is greater than the width. 
   
     
     
         12 . The truss eye of  claim 11 , wherein the base aperture is threaded. 
     
     
         13 . The truss eye of  claim 11 , wherein the base aperture is tapered. 
     
     
         14 . The truss eye of  claim 13 , further comprising a wedge located within the base aperture, wherein the wedge is tapered and comprises a wedge aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The truss eye of  claim 14 , wherein the wedge comprises a three-piece wedge. 
     
     
         16 . The truss eye of  claim 13 , wherein the wedge aperture is threaded. 
     
     
         17 . The truss eye of  claim 13  further comprising a wedge clip extending from the base portion and over a portion of the base aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The truss eye of  claim 13 , wherein the truss eye is configured to hold 10 tons. 
     
     
         19 . The truss eye of  claim 13 , wherein the truss eye comprises ductile iron. 
     
     
         20 . A method of installing a roof truss system, the method comprising:
 creating a first hole in a roof of a mine;   anchoring a threadbar within the first hole in the roof of the mine;   inserting a portion of the threadbar through an eye of a truss eye, the truss eye comprising:
 a base having a first side and an opposite second side; 
 a base aperture extending through the first side of the base and towards the second side; 
 a first arm extending from a first portion of the second side of the base; and 
 a second arm extending from a second portion of the second side of the base, wherein the first arm connects to the second arm at a position distal from the second side of the base to thereby define the eye; 
   securing the threadbar to the truss eye by attaching an anchor nut to the threadbar such that the anchor nut contacts the first and second arms of the truss eye; and   affixing a tie rod to the base aperture of the truss eye.