Foam blocks for construction of mine tunnel stoppings

Abstract

A light weight foam block being substantially rectangular in shape, having horizontal and vertical pairs of tongues and grooves around its perimeter enabling it to interlock with horizontally and vertically adjacent blocks to construct a mine stopping wall.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. #60 / 186846 filed Mar. 03, 2000[0002] 1. Field of Invention[0003] This invention relates to the construction of ventilation control devices or "stoppings" used in mine tunnels. The preferred mine stopping of this invention is constructed of blocks made from a light weight foaming material such as but not limited to polyurethane foam and have a tongue and groove configuration.[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art[0005] Stopping devices are used to control and direct the flow of fresh air throughout mine tunnels and more especially the working face. Conventional stoppings consist of walls constructed of concrete block. These walls are difficult to construct and very labor intensive. For example one stopping could use 160 blocks weighing 40 lbs each. This means 6400 lbs of blocks would have to be loaded on a mining car on the outside of the mine. This load would then be transported inside the mine, often a nu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These walls are difficult to construct and very labor intensive.

Moreover in many areas of a mine, the portion of the mine tunnel to be stopped may be of a limited height and cross-sectional area, requiring a miner to carry heavy concrete blocks some distance in a crouched position or even on his hands and knees.

This damage to the stopping will cause air leakage and will have to be repaired or in some cases totally rebuilt.

Each of these have had little or no practical success.

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