SHIELD ROOF-SUPPORT SECTION

A support assembly for a mine installation which has a floor sill connected to a goaf shield with the aid of a pivotable support member. Telescopic props are articulated between the shield and the floor sill and the shield carries a roof cap. A piston and cylinder unit is provided to swing the support member and hence the shield towards or away from the associated mineral face. A hydraulic ram used to shift the assembly is connected between the sill and the centre of a thrust member. The thrust member is pivotably linked to a coupling element which can connect with a longwall conveyor. Each end of the thrust member is connected to a resilient guide bar which extends through guide members secured to the floor sill. The arrangement is such as to permit a degree of vertical or angular displacement between the floor sill and the conveyor. The goaf shield is constructed from a main wall and separate side walls which have portions overlapping the main wall. One of these side walls is displaceable in relation to the main wall and is preferably resiliently displaceable.