Mine roof bolt system

Abstract

This new system can utilize a threaded bolt head on one end of a roof bolt and an anchoring device on the other end of the bolt. The roof bolt is designed in such a manner to allow the bolt head to drive the bolt for anchoring purposes and to allow the bolt head to also serve as the attachment mechanism for ancillary appendages. This system can be utilized as the primary roof bolting system, or, as an ancillary system in conjunction with existing primary roof bolts.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bolt system for use in a mine to anchor a mine surface as well as anchoring appendages to the mine surface comprising:
 (a) a bolt;   (b) a bolt head at one end of the bolt for driving the bolt; and   (c) the bolt head having an integral connection receptacle that is capable of receiving and anchoring an appendage connector.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the bolt further includes bolt threads on an end of the bolt;   (b) the bolt head further comprises:
 (i) removable nut having a stud extending from a side of the bolt head having threads that correspond to the bolt threads and connect with the bolt threads in such a manner that the bolt locks with the bolt head so that the bolt head can be used to drive the bolt. 
   (c) the integral connection receptacle comprises threads located on the bolt head.   
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the bolt further includes bolt threads on only a portion of an end of the bolt;   (b) the bolt head further comprises:
 (i) removable nut having a stud extending from a side of the bolt head having internal threads that correspond to the bolt threads, there are more internal threads than the bolt threads so that the bolt locks with the bolt head when the internal threads reach the end of the bolt threads so that the bolt head can be used to drive the bolt; 
   (c) the integral connection receptacle comprises a pass-through aligned with the internal threads, the pass-through having an internal diameter opening capable of receiving an appendage connector that threads into the internal threads.   
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , further including an appendage connector. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the appendage connector is a threaded J-hook. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the appendage connector is a bolt and a plate that holds grid material. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the grid material is wire mesh. 
     
     
         8 . A method of installing a roof bolt system in a mine in order to secure a mine roof and to secure appendages to the mine roof comprising:
 (a) providing a mine with a roof to be secured;   (b) drilling holes in the roof;   (c) providing a roof bolt with a bolt head, the bolt head having bolt head threads;   (d) driving the bolt into the holes using the bolt and thereby securing the mine roof;   (e) providing an appendage; and   (f) attaching a threaded appendage connector to the bolt head threads, thereby attaching the appendage to the roof bolt and the roof.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the bolt head is a removable nut further comprising a stud extending from a side of the bolt head, the bolt head threads being located internally within the stud and the bolt has a threaded end that engages the bolt head threads but does not have enough threads to engage all of the bolt head threads and locks the bolt head to the bolt so that the bolt head can drive the bolt into place. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the appendage connector is a second bolt and the appendage is grid material. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the grid material is wire mesh. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further including a hook on an end of the second bolt opposite the threaded end of the bolt.