Patent Publication Number: US-8967071-B2

Title: Guide apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/531,881, filed Sep. 7, 2011 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments provided herein generally relate to a mine guide apparatus, and particularly to an apparatus that attaches to a mine spad for identifying a boundary of a shaft or heading. 
     2. Technical Background 
     Mines such as coal mines may be created with a mine shaft or heading that spans a predetermined length into the mine and may have a relatively constant or varying height and width. Thus, depending on the particular mine, the mine shaft or heading may be sized to allow a drill or other vehicle to traverse the mine shaft or heading. Similarly, at times, the mine shaft or heading is too small to allow a vehicle to traverse the mine shaft or heading without utilizing a drilling tool to drill the desired material, such as coal, to open up the mine shaft or heading. Regardless, oftentimes the mine shaft or heading may run close to other deposits such as water, oil, natural gas, etc. or close to other mine shafts or headings. In such situations, a vehicle that inadvertently veers off course could collide with the deposit and/or other mine shaft or heading. If such a scenario occurs, not only could damage occur to the mine, but a dangerous situation may develop as well. 
     As such, mine workers oftentimes attempt to identify a desired mine path by using paint or other signifiers along the length of the mine shaft or heading. The signifier may be located on the ceiling of the mine and may allow a vehicle operator to traverse the mine shaft or heading without the risk of veering off course. However, applying the signifier may oftentimes also create a dangerous situation for mine workers. Specifically, a mine shaft or heading oftentimes includes a plurality of spads that are attached to the ceiling of the mine shaft or heading. The ceiling of the mine shaft or heading may range from about 3 feet to about 50 feet. As such, in many current solutions, the mine worker must climb up to the ceiling to attach a rod (that includes a hook) to the spads. As mine shafts and headings are often dark, the mine rods may provide a guide for a mine worker to create the signifier. However, as the ceilings are often out of reach for the mine worker, attaching the rods to the spads may create a dangerous situation for the mine worker. 
     SUMMARY 
     Included are embodiments of a guide apparatus. In some embodiments, the guide apparatus includes a body portion, a connector housing, and a rounded connector portion. The connector housing may include a connector snap surface that is disposed on an interior surface of the connector housing. Additionally, the connector housing may define a hollow portion adjacent to the interior surface. The connector housing may be coupled to the body portion via the connector snap surface. Similarly, the rounded connector portion may be coupled to the connector housing and may removably secure to a spad that is disposed on a ceiling, such that the guide apparatus hangs substantially downward, regardless of the orientation of the spad. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a spad that has been driven into a wooden plug that is attached to a mine ceiling, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of a retractable guide apparatus, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 3  depicts the retractable guide apparatus in a fully extended position, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a fully extended retractable guide apparatus, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5  depicts the retractable guide apparatus removably attached to a spad, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6  depicts the retractable guide apparatus fully extended and removably attached to a spad, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exploded view of the retractable guide apparatus, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a coupler, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of a collar, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of the connection of two body links, according to embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a perspective view of the retractable guide apparatus fully retracted, according to embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of the retractable guide apparatus fully extended, according to embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include a guide apparatus with a rounded connector portion. Additionally, the guide apparatus may include a handle, an extender portion, and a connector housing. In some embodiments, the rounded connector portion may be magnetized to removably couple with a spad. Additionally, due to the rounded shape, the rounded connector portion may be configured to hang directly downward, regardless of the configuration of the spad, to indicate preferred direction within a mine shaft or heading. In some embodiments, the retractable guide apparatus may be fluorescent in color, may glow in the dark, may reflect light, and/or otherwise be easily detectable in low-light environments. In some embodiments, the retractable guide apparatus may be extendable and/or retractable such that the length of the retractable guide apparatus may vary based on an operator&#39;s discretion. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a spad  102  that has been driven into a wooden plug  100  that is attached to a mine ceiling, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. The visible portion of the spad  102  may be configured as a substantially circular or rounded disk shape with an aperture  101  in the center. The portion of the spad  102  that is driven into the wooden plug  100  may be configured as a screw, as a wedge, and/or as another configuration. While the spad  102  of  FIG. 1  is depicted as being driven into the wooden plug  100  without bending, oftentimes, the spad  102  may be bent in use, during installation, and/or at other times. This may deform the spad  102 , such that the lowest portion of the spad  102  may be directed at an angle other than directly downward. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of a guide apparatus  300 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. As illustrated, the guide apparatus  300  includes a handle  302 , a body portion  304 , a connector housing  306 , and a rounded connector portion  308 . As discussed above, the handle  302  may be constructed of a durable material, such as plastic, wood, rubber, metal, and/or other material. The handle  302  may be any color, but in some embodiments is of a fluorescent, reflective, and/or bright color to be visible in low-light environments. 
     Coupled to the handle  302  is the body portion  304 . The body portion  304  may be a single piece, with a static length and/or may be configured as an extendable portion with a plurality of body links, which may be configured to extend and retract, such that the length of the guide apparatus  300  may be variable. The body portion  304  may be configured for a fully extended position, a fully retracted position, and/or other positions there between. The fully extended position may have a length that is longer than the fully retracted position. The body portion  304  may also take any length between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position. While in some embodiments, the body portion  304  may be embodied as an antenna style cascading metal portion, other embodiments need not be configured in this manner. In some embodiments, the body portion  304  may be configured as a plurality of rigid hinged portions that may be folded together or extended. As another example, the body portion  304  may be a rigid structure that may be rolled and unrolled for extension and retraction. Other configurations are also considered. 
     Also included is the connector housing  306 . The connector housing  306  may be constructed of a plastic material, metal material, and/or other semi-rigid material for connecting the body portion  304  with the rounded connector portion  308 . The connector housing  306  may be cylindrical, rectangular, and/or other shape and may or may not be hollow. Additionally, the connector housing  306  may couple to the rounded connector portion  308  such that the rounded connector portion  308  is secured at least partially inside the connector housing  306 . Depending on the particular configuration, the rounded connector portion  308  may be rotatable within the connector housing  306 ; however this is not a requirement. 
     It should also be understood that the rounded connector portion  308  may be constructed in any shape, such as spherical, cylindrical, and/or other regular or non-regular shape. However, in at least one embodiment, the portion of the rounded connector that extends beyond the end of the connector housing  306  may be rounded. Further, the rounded connector portion  308  may be constructed of magnetic material, adhesive, and/or other material that easily attracts and/or attaches to the spad  102  without having to insert any portion of the retractable guide device inside the aperture  101 . Because the spad  102  may be made of a metallic material, utilizing a magnetic material for the rounded connector portion  308  may provide the desired functionality. With that said, an adhesive and/or other mechanism for connecting the rounded connector portion  308  may be utilized. 
       FIG. 3  depicts the guide apparatus  300  that is fully extended, according to embodiments shown and described herein. As described above, the body portion  304  of the guide apparatus  300  may be configured for extension and/or retraction. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the body portion  304  is fully extended. By fully extending the guide apparatus  300 , the operator may be able to reach a spad  102  that is connected to a mine ceiling that of an elevation that is not easily reachable, unless the guide apparatus  300  is fully extended. Fully extending the guide apparatus  300  may reduce risks to the operator because the operator need not climb onto other objects to attach the guide apparatus  300  to a spad  102 , which may be mounted to a mine ceiling. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the connector housing  306  of the guide apparatus  300  as shown in  FIG. 3 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. As illustrated, the connector housing  306  may be configured to secure both the body portion  304 , as well as the rounded connector portion  308 . Depending on the particular embodiment, either or both of these connections may be removably secured, such that an operator may disassemble the guide apparatus  300  for storage, part replacement, etc. 
     As discussed above, the guide apparatus  300  may be configured such that at least a portion of the rounded connector portion  308  extends beyond an edge of the connector housing  306 . Similarly, some embodiments are configured such that the rounded connector portion  308  is fully within the connector housing  306 . Thus, such embodiments may be configured with the connector housing  306  that includes an open end, a closed end, or a partially closed end. Additionally, while the rounded connector portion  308  may be of any shape. The portion that extends beyond the edge of the connector housing  306  (or otherwise connects with the spad  102 ) may be rounded to allow the guide apparatus  300  to hang substantially downward, regardless of the condition and/or position of the spad  102 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts the guide apparatus  300  removably attached to a spad  102 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. As illustrated, due to the rounded nature of the rounded connector portion  308 , the guide apparatus  300  may hang substantially downward, regardless of the orientation of the spad  102 . By hanging substantially downward, the guide apparatus  300  may more accurately identify an intended path within the mine shaft or heading. Additionally, attachment and removal of the guide apparatus  300  may be easier than if the guide apparatus  300  does not hang substantially downward. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the guide apparatus  300  fully extended and removably attached to a spad, according to embodiments shown and described herein. As illustrated, while the embodiment of  FIG. 5  illustrates the guide apparatus  300  in a retracted position, the embodiment of  FIG. 6  is depicted in a fully extended position. Such a configuration may allow an operator to reach the spad  102  that is located at an elevated location, without the necessity of a ladder or other assistance. Thus, the operator may fully extend the guide apparatus  300 , attach the guide apparatus  300  to the spad  102  and then partially (or fully) retract the guide apparatus  300 , so that the guide apparatus  300  is of a predetermined length, based on the ceiling height. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exploded view of the guide apparatus  300 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. The body portion  304  of the guide apparatus  300  includes a plurality of body links  402 ,  404 ,  406 , which are configured such that a first adjacent body link may slide within a second adjacent body link. In such an embodiment, the plurality of body links includes a first body link  402 , a second body link  404 , and a third body link  406 . While in some embodiments, the body links  402 ,  404 ,  406  may be solid pieces that are hinged on opposing ends to provide the variable length, in some embodiments, the body links may be configured as hollow tubes. Thus, as depicted, the first body link  402  may be hollow and may have a diameter of the hollow portion that is of a length to allow the second body link  404  to slide within the first body link  402 . Further, the second body link may also be hollow and the hollow portion may have a diameter that is of a length to allow the third body link  406  to slide within the second body link  404 . 
     The plurality of body links  402 ,  404 ,  406  may be slidably connected via a plurality of collars  430   a ,  430   b ,  430   c  (collectively referred to as “collars  430 ”) and a plurality of couplers  432   a ,  432   b ,  432   c  (collectively referred to as “couplers  432 ”), at respective body link ends  470   a - 470   f  (collectively referred to as “body link ends  470 ”), as shown in greater detail below in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The collars  430  may be hollow and the hollow portion may have an inside diameter that corresponds with the outside diameter of the respective body links  402 ,  404 ,  406 . Thus, the hollow portion of the collars  430  may be sized such that the collars  430  may couple with the respective body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 . Specifically, the body links  402 ,  404 ,  406  may include one or more snap apertures  424   a - 424   f  (referred to herein as “snap apertures  424 ”) for securing the collars  430  and/or couplers  432 , and thereby securing the body links as described in more detail below. 
     For example, a first collar  430   a  may be hollow and thus have an inside diameter that substantially matches the outside diameter of the first body link  402 . A second collar  430   b  may be hollow and have an inside diameter that substantially matches the outside diameter of the second body link  404 . A third collar  430   c  may be attached to the first body link  402  at the opposite end of the first collar  430   a  and may be hollow and sized to secure the body portion  304  to the handle  302 . The collar  430  defines an interior portion which may be equivalent to the hollow of  430   a - 430   c.    
     The couplers  432  are also included in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . The couplers  432  may include a snap surface  426  that fits into a snap aperture  424 . The combination of the snap surface  426  and the snap aperture  424  may be used to attach the plurality of body links  402 ,  404 ,  406  together to form the body portion  304 . 
     Also included in  FIG. 7  are the connector housing  306 , the rounded connector portion  308 , and connector snap surface  428 . The rounded connector portion  308  is inserted into the connector housing  306 . The connector housing  306  includes a connector snap surface  428  which facilitates a connection between the connector housing  306  and the snap aperture  424   e  to retain the rounded connector portion  308  within the connector housing  306 , as well as secure the connector housing  306  to the third body link  406 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the coupler  432 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. The coupler  432  includes a flex fitting portion  442  for removably securing the coupler  432  to a larger body link. Specifically, the flex fitting portion  442  may be divided into a first section  443   a  and a second section  443   b , which defines a slot opening  450  separating the first section  443   a  and the second section  443   b . The flex fitting portion  442  may also be configured with a plurality of ridges  448  that is slightly larger the remaining section  445  of the flex fitting portion  442 . A tapered surface  452  may also be included for providing a stopping point for the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 . 
     To insert the flex fitting portion  442  into one of the body links  402 ,  404 ,  406 , the first section  443   a  and the second section  443   b  may be pressed together to compress the slot opening  450 . With the first section  443   a  and the second section  443   b  are pressed together, the plurality of ridges  448  may be inserted into the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 . The first section  443   a  and the second section  443   b  may provide a biasing force that creates a friction fit between the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  and the plurality of ridges  448 . The friction fit may allow the coupler  432  to be removed by an application of force without the need for tools. 
     Also included in  FIG. 8  is a snap fitting portion  444  that may also be utilized to connect with one of the body links  402 ,  404 ,  406 . The snap fitting portion  444  includes a snap surface  426  for securing the snap fitting portion  444  with a body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 , as well as a first connection portion  447   a  and a second connection portion  447   b , which define a snap slot opening  451  for providing a flexible section for inserting the coupler  432  into one of the body links  402 ,  404 ,  406 . Additionally included are an alignment ring  440  with a stop surface  446  and the tapered surface  452 . 
     To insert the snap fitting portion  444  into a body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 , the operator (and/or assembler) may press the first connection portion  447   a  and the second connection portion  447   b  together to compress the snap fitting portion  444 . With the first connection portion  447   a  and the second connection portion  447   b  pressed together, the snap fitting portion may be inserted into the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 . When the snap surface  426  is aligned with the snap aperture  424  of the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  ( FIG. 7 ), the slot opening  450  may provide a biasing force to keep the snap surface  426  within the snap aperture  424 . 
     As discussed above, the alignment ring  440  includes a stop surface  446  and a tapered surface  452 . The stop surface  446  may provide a stopping point for the body link  402 ,  404 , or  406  to rest against and provide an indication when the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  is fully seated on the coupler  432 . The tapered surface  452  may be tapered and/or configured as a stop surface and may provide the stopping point for the connection of another body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  when connected via the flex fitting portion  442 . As the body link  402 ,  404 , or  406  is pressed against the tapered surface  452 , it may provide a biasing force to center the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  on the coupler  432  and provide another friction fit to help retain the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  on the coupler  432 . By centering the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  on the coupler  432 , the tapered surface  452  enables two of the body links  402 ,  404 ,  406  that are connected to the coupler  432  to remain aligned through the use of the guide apparatus  300 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of the collar  430 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. The collar  430  includes a sliding surface  460  and a collar snap surface  427 . The collar snap surface  427  snaps into the snap aperture  424  of the plurality of body links to hold it in place. The sliding surface  460  may narrow a portion of an inner diameter of the collar  430 , such that an inner diameter of the sliding surface  460  substantially matches an outside diameter of the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  with which the collar  430  is connecting. When the collar  430  is secured into place (e.g., the collar snap surface  427  is positioned within the snap aperture  424 ), the sliding surface  460  is positioned over an end of the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406 . This increases the friction fit of the coupler  432  to ensure the plurality of body links  404 ,  404 ,  406  maintain secured and aligned. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of the connection of two body links  402 ,  404 , according to embodiments shown and described herein. The coupler  432   a  is inserted into the second body link  404  until the snap surface  426  snaps into the snap aperture  424   d  to secure the coupler  432   a  to the second body link  404 . The flex fitting portion  442  of the coupler  432   a  is inserted into the body link end  470  of the first body link  402  until the body link end  470  is seated against the tapered surface  452  of the coupler  432   a . The first collar  430   a  may be coupled to the body link  404  such that the first collar  430   a  is seated in the snap aperture  424   d . The first collar  430   a  covers the body link end  470 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts a perspective view of the guide apparatus  300  fully retracted, according to embodiments shown and described herein. The connector housing  306  secures the rounded connector portion  308  to the guide apparatus  300 . The first body link  402  is visible in  FIG. 11 , while the second body link  404  and the third body link  406  being disposed within the first body link  402 , with the collars  430  being visible. 
       FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of the guide apparatus  300  fully extended, according to embodiments shown and described herein. All three body links  402 ,  404 , and  406  are visible. The collars  430  are also visible and in conjunction with the plurality of couplers (not shown), aid the guide apparatus  300  to remain rigid in the fully extended position. 
     The guide apparatus  300  may be partially extended depending on the height of the spad  102 . The snap surface  426  may be configured as a ball bearing and/or a rod that is biased against a spring and/or surface internal to the body link  402 ,  404 , or  406 . The coupler  432  may connect to the body link  402 ,  404 ,  406  via a twist lock, an internal elastic band, or other device for biasing the body link sections together. Further, the disclosure is not limited to the use of the body links  402 ,  404  and  406 . Additional body links, collars, and couplers may be added to make the body portion  304  longer in length than as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     It should be understood that in some embodiments, the guide apparatus  300  may be configured with a light source to illuminate an area that the guide apparatus  300  is being used. The light source may be located on the handle  302 , on the connector housing  306 , on the body portion  304 , and/or elsewhere to provide the desired functionality. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     As discussed above, embodiments disclosed herein allow a user to attach a guide apparatus to a spad without the use of a ladder or other assistance. Additionally, embodiments disclosed herein may be configured to hang in a substantially downward position, regardless of spad condition and/or position. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.