MINE ROOF AND RIB SUPPORT

Abstract

A mine roof and rib support includes a support member comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm defines an aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt; a bearing plate defining a through-hole, the bearing plate being positioned on the surface of the roof support arm, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture; and a mine roof bolt extending angularly through the through-hole of the bearing plate and the roof support arm aperture, the mine roof bolt being configured to compress the bearing plate against the support member. The bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away from the angled junction of the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to a mine roof and rib support, more particularly to a mine roof and rib support having a roof support arm, a rib support arm, a bearing plate and a mine roof bolt.

2. Discussion of the Background Art

Mine roof and rib (sidewall) control is important for the safety and well being of miners. Surface control is critical to effective mine roof and rib support systems. Surface control devices with adequate characteristics can help reduce or even eliminate progressive roof and rib failures.

Mine roof and rib supports are commonly used in underground mining, excavating, and tunneling operations to support and control the overhead and lateral rock strata. In one conventional mine surface control system, a series of bore holes can be drilled into the mine roof or rib, a mine roof bolt can be installed in the bore hole, a channel, bearing plate, or mat can be positioned between the end of the mine roof bolt and the mine roof or rib, and the mine roof bolt can be anchored in the bore hole and tensioned such that the mine roof bolt and channel, bearing plate, or mat exert a compressive force upon the mine roof and rib to prevent deterioration of the overhead and lateral rock strata.

Channel plates, bearing plates, roof channels, and mats which help to further stabilize mine roof or rib strata, may shift over time and can be a visual indicator that the mine roof bolts have been installed correctly. However, due to the seriousness of the safety issues involved with correctly supporting mine roof and rib strata and the increasing risk of injury caused by mine roof falls, even safer mine roof and rib support systems are desired.

The present disclosure provides many advantages, which shall become apparent as described below.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates in part to a mine roof and rib support. The mine roof and rib support includes a support member comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm defines an aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt; a bearing plate defining a through-hole, the bearing plate being positioned on the surface of the roof support arm, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture; and a mine roof bolt extending angularly through the through-hole of the bearing plate and the roof support arm aperture, the mine roof bolt being configured to compress the bearing plate against the support member. The bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away from the angled junction of the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

In an embodiment, the support member comprises a base portion, an elongated reinforcement portion extending from the base portion, and longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the base portion and terminating in edges.

In another embodiment, the bearing plate has an elongated rear portion having an angular orientation, wherein the angular orientation is positioned to align with the support member.

This disclosure also relates in part to a method of supporting an arched rock formation. The method involves: positioning a support member against an arched rock formation, the support member comprising a roof support arm and rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, the roof support arm defining an aperture therethrough, wherein the roof support arm is positioned against a mine roof surface and the rib support arm is positioned against a mine rib surface; positioning a bearing plate, defining a through-hole, on the surface of the roof support arm, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture; extending a mine roof bolt angularly through the bearing plate through-hole and the support member aperture into engagement with the arched rock formation; and compressing the bearing plate against the support member to maintain the support member in contact with the arched rock formation. The bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away from the angled junction of the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

This disclosure further relates in part to a mine roof and rib support that includes: a support member comprising a roof support arm, a rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm defines an aperture for angularly receiving a mine roof bolt. The support member comprises a base portion, an elongated reinforcement portion extending from the base portion, and longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the base portion and terminating in edges.

An advantage of this disclosure is the ability of the mine roof and rib support to provide compression for holding in place the roof material/corner and thereby prevent “guttering” due to “cutters” in the geology. Cutters along the mine rib are the first aspects of failure due to that area being in tensile failure. The tensile failure is due to compression of the center of the mine entry beam caused by its sagging. The cutters then work up the mine rib and eventually over the mine roof mass and contribute to cantilever roof failure or complete mine entry roof failure at the top of, or above the mine roof bolted zone. In accordance with this disclosure, the bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away from the angled junction of the roof support arm and the rib support arm, and the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole of the bearing plate and the roof support arm aperture. Because of this unique arrangement, the material from the mine bolt borehole to the corner is placed in compression by the clamping force of the mine bolt tightening. This uniquely positioned compression delays and/or strengthens this mine area from cutters or the first signs of tensile failure.

In addition, another advantage of this disclosure is the ability of the mine roof and rib support to prevent rib sloughage. The mine roof and rib support of this disclosure provides a clamping force to thinly laminated mine roof strata close to and over the entry mine corner to increase the shear strength along bedding planes, and to reduce vertical deformation and thus the tensile stress within the lower mine roof strata.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support member of the mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support member of the mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bearing plate of the mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bearing plate of the mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bearing plate of the mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mine roof and rib support device in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A perspective view of an embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device is shown in FIG. 1. Mine roof and rib support device 100 includes a support member having a roof support arm 110 and a rib support arm 112, wherein the roof support arm 110 is provided at an angle to the rib support arm 112. The angle between the roof and rib support arms 110, 112 can generally be about 90 degrees. However, the angle can vary as needed, or desired, depending upon the angle between the mine roof 202 and the mine rib 204. An aperture is defined in support member for receiving a mine roof bolt, the aperture located away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from a junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 110 and the rib support arm 112.

The angle between the mine roof 102 and rib 104 may not be exactly 90 degrees, and the mine roof 102 and/or rib 104 may likely not be perfectly flat. Thus, embodiments of the support member of this disclosure can be sufficiently flexible to compensate for variations in the angle of the roof 102 and rib 104, and/or variations due to non-planar surfaces of the roof 102 and/or rib 104.

Support member includes a base portion having a front surface and a back surface. Integrally formed longitudinal flanges 106, 108 extend from the base portion, such as at an angle, and terminate at respective edges. Support member further includes a reinforcement portion extending from the base portion. Reinforcement portion is illustrated as being positioned centrally on the support member with aperture defined therein and having a general U-shape, thereby forming a rib. The height of reinforcement portion may be approximately equal to the height of longitudinal flanges 106, 108.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal flanges 106, 108 and the reinforcement portion project toward and abut the mine roof 102 or rib 104. There are three (3) contact points between the support member and the mine roof 102 or rib 104 in this embodiment.

The mine roof and rib support device 100 may further include a bearing plate 120 having a through-hole through which the roof bolt is installed. The bearing plate 120 can be positioned on top of the support member. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 120 abuts the back surface of the roof support arm 110. When the through-hole in the bearing plate 120 is operatively aligned with the aperture in the support member for installation of the roof bolt therethrough, the bearing plate 120 will apply force to the roof and rib support arms 110, 112, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate 120 during installation of the roof bolt. The roof bolt is installed at a 45 degree angle and may be installed at different angles. When the mine roof bolt is tightened against the outer surface of the bearing plate 120, a compressive load is applied to the bearing plate 120.

The compressive load is distributed throughout the bearing plate 120. The compressive load is transmitted from the bearing plate 120 to the roof support arm 110 and the rib support arm 112, respectively, to compress the support arms 110, 112 against the roof 102 and rib 104 of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the roof support arm 110 to exert pressure against the mine roof 102, and the rib support arm 112 to exert pressure against the mine rib 104.

The support member may include flanges 114, 116 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 110 and the rib support arm 112, wherein the flanges 114, 116 project toward the mine roof 102 or rib 104. A wire of mesh 118 may be positioned behind support arm 110 and over flange 114 in order to hold mesh 118 against the roof 102. Similarly, a wire of mesh 118 may be positioned behind rib support arm 112 and over flange 116 in order to hold mesh 118 against the rib 104.

In an alternate embodiment, a perspective view of a mine roof and rib support device is shown in FIG. 2. This embodiment is similar to FIG. 1 except that the structure of the roof support arm and rib support arm have been inverted (i.e., the longitudinal flanges 206 and 208 project away from the mine roof 202 or rib 204). Mine roof and rib support device 200 includes a support member having a roof support arm 210 and a rib support arm 212, wherein the roof support arm 210 is provided at an angle to the rib support arm 212. The angle between the roof and rib support arms 210, 212 can generally be about 90 degrees. However, the angle can vary as needed, or desired, depending upon the angle between the mine roof 202 and the mine rib 204. An aperture is defined in support member for receiving a mine roof bolt, the aperture located away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from a junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 210 and the rib support arm 212.

The angle between the mine roof 202 and rib 204 may not be exactly 90 degrees, and the mine roof 202 and/or rib 204 may likely not be perfectly flat. Thus, embodiments of the support member of this disclosure can be sufficiently flexible to compensate for variations in the angle of the roof 202 and rib 204, and/or variations due to non-planar surfaces of the roof 202 and/or rib 204.

Support member includes a base portion having a front surface and a back surface. Integrally formed longitudinal flanges 206, 208 extend from the base portion, such as at an angle, and terminate at respective edges. Support member further includes a reinforcement portion extending from the base portion. Reinforcement portion is illustrated as being positioned centrally on the support member with aperture defined therein and having a general U-shape, thereby forming a rib. The height of reinforcement portion may be approximately equal to the height of longitudinal flanges 206, 208.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal flanges 206, 208 and the reinforcement portion project away from the mine roof 102 or rib 104. The back surface of the support member abuts against the mine roof 102 or rib 104 in this embodiment. There are two (2) contact points between the support member and the mine roof 102 or rib 104 in this embodiment.

The mine roof and rib support device 200 may further include a bearing plate 220 having a through-hole through which the roof bolt is installed. The bearing plate 220 can be positioned on top of the support member. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 220 abuts longitudinal flanges 210, 211 and reinforcement portion. When the through-hole in the bearing plate 220 is operatively aligned with the aperture in the support member for installation of the roof bolt therethrough, the bearing plate 220 will apply force to the roof and rib support arms 210, 212, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate 220 during installation of the roof bolt. The roof bolt is installed at a 45 degree angle and may be installed at different angles. When the mine roof bolt is tightened against the outer surface of the bearing plate 220, a compressive load is applied to the bearing plate 220. The compressive load is distributed throughout the bearing plate 220. The compressive load is transmitted from the bearing plate 220 to the roof support arm 210 and the rib support arm 212, respectively, to compress the support arms 210, 212 against the roof 202 and rib 204 of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the roof support arm 210 to exert pressure against the mine roof 202, and the rib support arm 212 to exert pressure against the mine rib 204.

The support member may include flanges 214, 216 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 210 and the rib support arm 212, wherein the flanges 214, 216 project toward the mine roof 50 or rib 55. A wire of mesh 218 may be positioned behind support arm 210 and over flange 214 in order to hold mesh 218 against the roof 202. Similarly, a wire of mesh 218 may be positioned behind rib support arm 212 and over flange 216 in order to hold mesh 218 against the rib 204.

Another embodiment of this disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. Mine roof and rib support device 300 includes a support member 302 having a roof support arm 320 and a rib support arm 322, wherein the roof support arm 320 is provided at an angle 326 to the rib support arm 322. The angle 326 between the roof and rib support arms 320, 322 can generally be about 90 degrees. However, the angle 326 can vary as needed, or desired as described herein with regard to the support member. An aperture is defined in support member for receiving a mine roof bolt, the aperture located away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from the junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 320 and the rib support arm 322.

Support member includes a base portion 304 having a front surface 306 and a back surface 308. Integrally formed longitudinal flanges 310, 314 extend from base portion 304, such as at an angle, and terminate at respective edges 312, 316. Support member further includes a reinforcement portion 318 extending from the base portion 304. Reinforcement portion 318 is illustrated as being positioned centrally on the support member 302 with aperture defined therein and having a general U-shape, thereby forming a rib. The height of reinforcement portion 318 may be approximately equal to the height of longitudinal flanges 310, 314.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal flanges 310, 314 and the reinforcement portion project toward and abut the mine roof or rib. There are three (3) contact points between the support member and the mine roof or rib in this embodiment.

The mine roof and rib support device 300 may further include a bearing plate having a through-hole through which the roof bolt is installed. When the through-hole in the bearing plate is operatively aligned with the aperture in the support member 302 for installation of the roof bolt therethrough, the bearing plate will apply force to the roof and rib support arms 320, 322, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate during installation of the roof bolt. The roof bolt is installed at a 45 degree angle and may be installed at different angles. When the mine roof bolt is tightened against the outer surface of the bearing plate, a compressive load is applied to the bearing plate. The compressive load is distributed throughout the bearing plate. The compressive load is transmitted from the bearing plate to the roof support arm 320 and the rib support arm 322, respectively, to compress the support arms 320, 322 against the roof and of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the roof support arm 320 to exert pressure against the mine roof and the rib support arm 322 to exert pressure against the mine rib.

The support member 302 may include flanges 324, 328 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 320 and the rib support arm 322, wherein the flanges 324, 328 project toward the mine roof or rib. A wire of mesh may be positioned behind support arm 320 and over flange 324 in order to hold mesh against the roof. Similarly, a wire of mesh may be positioned behind rib support arm 322 and over flange 328 in order to hold mesh against the rib.

In an alternate embodiment, a perspective view of a support member of the mine roof and rib support device is shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment is similar to FIG. 3 except that the structure of the roof support arm and rib support arm have been inverted (i.e., the longitudinal flanges 410 and 414 project away from the mine roof or rib). Mine roof and rib support device 400 includes a support member 402 having a roof support arm 420 and a rib support arm 422, wherein the roof support arm 420 is provided at an angle 426 to the rib support arm 422. The angle 426 between the roof and rib support arms 420, 422 can generally be about 90 degrees. However, the angle 426 can vary as needed, or desired as described herein with regard to the support member. An aperture is defined in support member for receiving a mine roof bolt, the aperture located away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from the junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 420 and the rib support arm 422.

Support member includes a base portion 304 having a front surface 306 and a back surface 308. Integrally formed longitudinal flanges 310, 314 extend from base portion 304, such as at an angle, and terminate at respective edges 312, 316. Support member further includes a reinforcement portion 318 extending from the base portion 304. Reinforcement portion 318 is illustrated as being positioned centrally on the support member 302 with aperture defined therein and having a general U-shape, thereby forming a rib. The height of reinforcement portion 318 may be approximately equal to the height of longitudinal flanges 310, 314.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the longitudinal flanges 410, 414 and the reinforcement portion project away from the mine roof or rib. The back surface of the support member abuts against the mine roof or rib in this embodiment. There are two (2) contact points between the support member and the mine roof or rib in this embodiment.

The mine roof and rib support device 400 may further include a bearing plate having a through-hole through which the roof bolt is installed. When the through-hole in the bearing plate is operatively aligned with the aperture in the support member 402 for installation of the roof bolt therethrough, the bearing plate will apply force to the roof and rib support arms 420, 422, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate during installation of the roof bolt. The roof bolt is installed at a 45 degree angle and may be installed at different angles. When the mine roof bolt is tightened against the outer surface of the bearing plate, a compressive load is applied to the bearing plate. The compressive load is distributed throughout the bearing plate. The compressive load is transmitted from the bearing plate to the roof support arm 420 and the rib support arm 422, respectively, to compress the support arms 420, 422 against the roof and of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the roof support arm 420 to exert pressure against the mine roof and the rib support arm 422 to exert pressure against the mine rib.

The support member 402 may include flanges 424, 428 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 420 and the rib support arm 422, wherein the flanges 424, 428 project toward the mine roof or rib. A wire of mesh may be positioned behind support arm 420 and over flange 424 in order to hold mesh against the roof. Similarly, a wire of mesh may be positioned behind rib support arm 422 and over flange 428 in order to hold mesh against the rib.

In addition to the support members shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support member can define a channel having an opened side and front side surface opposite the opened side, the opened side having an opened side surface and two legs extending from the opened side surface (e.g., C-shaped cross-section) to contact the mine roof surface and the mine rib surface. Alternately, the support member can define a channel having an opened side and front side surface opposite the opened side, the opened side having an opened side surface and two legs extending from the opened side surface (e.g., C-shaped cross-section) and in which the front side contacts the mine roof surface and the mine rib surface.

The support members useful in this disclosure may be formed by conventional methods known in the art. The elongated metal structural support member will typically be bent at an angle of about 90 degrees. However, this depiction is not intended to limit the various possible embodiments. The roof and rib support arms need not be bent from a single length of material, and could instead be two separate pieces of material which are, e.g., welded together.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bearing plate 502 of the mine roof and rib support device 500 in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The bearing plate 502 defines a through-hole 506, and is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm 508. The bearing plate through-hole 506 is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture, and the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole and the roof support arm aperture to compress the bearing plate 502 against the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing plate 502 is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from the angled junction of the roof support arm 508 and the rib support arm 510.

The bearing plate 502 comprises a flat bearing plate having a raised portion 504 in which the through-hole 506 is positioned on a surface of the raised portion 504 such that the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole 506.

In another embodiment, the roof support arm defines a second aperture for angularly receiving a second mine roof bolt. Two bearing plates, each defining a through-hole, are positioned on the surface of the roof support arm. The bearing plate through-holes are operatively aligned with the roof support arm apertures. Each mine roof bolt extends angularly through a through-hole and a roof support arm aperture to compress the bearing plates against the support member. The step of compressing the bearing plate against the support member involves torquing the mine roof bolt against the bearing plate.

A plurality of flanges can be positioned on the bearing plate. When the bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm, the flanges extend to the roof support arm to prevent rotation of the bearing plate on the roof support arm.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bearing plate of the mine roof and rib support device 600 in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The bearing plate 602 defines a through-hole 606, and is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm 608. The bearing plate through-hole 606 is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture, and the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole and the roof support arm aperture to compress the bearing plate 602 against the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing plate 602 is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from the angled junction of the roof support arm 608 and the rib support arm 610.

The bearing plate 602 comprises a flat bearing plate having a raised portion 604 in which the through-hole 606 is positioned on a surface of the raised portion 604 such that the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole 606.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal flanges and the reinforcement portion project toward and abut the mine roof or rib. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 602 abuts the back surface of the roof support arm 608.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bearing plate 702 of the mine roof and rib support device 700 in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The bearing plate 702 defines a through-hole 706, and is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm 708. The bearing plate through-hole 706 is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture, and the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole and the roof support arm aperture to compress the bearing plate 702 against the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing plate 702 is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away (e.g., preferably about 1 foot or so) from the angled junction of the roof support arm 708 and the rib support arm 710.

The bearing plate 702 comprises a flat bearing plate having a raised portion 704 in which the through-hole 706 is positioned on a surface of the raised portion 704 such that the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole 706.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the longitudinal flanges and the reinforcement portion project away from the mine roof or rib. The back surface of the support member abuts against the mine roof or rib in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 702 abuts the longitudinal flanges and reinforcement portion.

In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the bearing plate has an elongated rear portion having an angular orientation. The angular orientation is positioned to align with the support member.

Mine roof and rib support device 800 includes a support member having a roof support arm 812 and a rib support arm 810, wherein the roof support arm 812 is provided at an angle to the rib support arm 810. The angle can vary as needed, or desired, depending upon the angle between the mine roof and the mine rib. An aperture is defined in support member for receiving a mine roof bolt. The aperture is located so that the angular orientation of the elongated rear portion is aligned with the support member.

The embodiments of the support member of this disclosure can be sufficiently flexible to compensate for variations in the angle of the roof and rib, and/or variations due to non-planar surfaces of the roof and/or rib.

The mine roof and rib support device 800 may further include a bearing plate 802 having a raised portion 804 and a through-hole in the raised portion 804 through which the roof bolt 806 is installed. The bearing plate 802 can be positioned on top of the support member. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 802 with the elongated portion 808 abuts the back surface of the roof support arm 812. When the through-hole in the bearing plate 802 is operatively aligned with the aperture in the support member for installation of the roof bolt 806 therethrough, the bearing plate 802 will apply force to the roof and rib support arms 812, 810, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate 802 during installation of the roof bolt 806. The roof bolt is installed at a 45 degree angle and may be installed at different angles. When the mine roof bolt 806 is tightened against the outer surface of the bearing plate 802, a compressive load is applied to the bearing plate 802 including the elongated portion. The compressive load is distributed throughout the bearing plate 802 including the elongated portion. The compressive load is transmitted from the bearing plate 802 to the roof support arm 812 and the rib support arm 810, respectively, to compress the support arms 812, 810 against the roof and rib of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the roof support arm 812 to exert pressure against the mine roof, and the rib support arm 810 to exert pressure against the mine rib.

As used herein, the term “upwardly” refers to a direction with respect to a mine passageway which is oriented generally along the direction extending from the mine floor to the mine roof, the term “downwardly” refers to a direction with respect to a mine passageway which is oriented generally along the direction extending from the mine roof to the mine floor, the term “outwardly” refers to an orientation generally in transverse direction extending from the walls of the passageway to the mine passageway central longitudinal axis, and the term “inwardly” refers to an orientation generally in transverse direction extending from the central longitudinal axis of the mine passageway to the walls of the passageway.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with our disclosure, it is to be clearly understood that the same may be susceptible to numerous changes apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described but intend to show all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mine roof and rib support comprising: a support member comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm defines an aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt;a bearing plate defining a through-hole, the bearing plate being positioned on the surface of the roof support arm, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture; anda mine roof bolt extending angularly through the through-hole of the bearing plate and the roof support arm aperture, the mine roof bolt being configured to compress the bearing plate against the support member.

2. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away from the angled junction of the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

3. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a base portion, an elongated reinforcement portion extending from the base portion, and longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the base portion and terminating in edges.

4. The mine roof and rib support of claim 3 wherein the elongated reinforcement portion is positioned centrally on the support member.

5. The mine roof and rib support of claim 4 wherein the elongated reinforcement portion has a height approximately equal to the height of the longitudinal edge portions.

6. The mine roof and rib support of claim 3 wherein the support member has a general “W” shape.

7. The mine roof and rib support of claim 3 wherein the elongated reinforcement portion has a general “U” shape.

8. The mine roof and rib support of claim 3 wherein the aperture is defined in the elongated reinforcement portion.

9. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the support member has an opened side and front side surface opposite the opened side, the opened side having an opened side surface and the longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the opened side surface to contact the mine roof surface and the mine rib surface.

10. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the support member has an opened side and front side surface opposite the opened side, the opened side having an opened side surface and the longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the opened side surface, the front side surface opposite the opened side contacting the mine roof surface and the mine rib surface.

11. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the bearing plate comprises a flat bearing plate having a raised portion in which the through-hole is positioned on a surface of the raised portion such that the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole.

12. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the bearing plate comprises a flat bearing plate having a raised portion surrounding the through-hole, wherein the through-hole is positioned on a surface of the raised portion such that the mine roof bolt extends angularly through the through-hole.

13. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the roof support arm defines a second aperture for angularly receiving a second mine roof bolt.

14. The mine roof and rib support of claim 13 further comprising two bearing plates, each defining a through-hole, the bearing plates being positioned on the surface of the roof support arm, wherein the bearing plate through-holes are operatively aligned with the roof support arm apertures, and each mine roof bolt extends angularly through a through-hole and a roof support arm aperture to compress the bearing plates against the support member.

15. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein compressing the bearing plate against the support member comprises torquing the mine roof bolt against the bearing plate.

16. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 further comprising a cable interconnecting with other mine roof and rib supports.

17. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of flanges positioned on the bearing plate that, when the bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm, extend to the roof support arm to prevent rotation of the bearing plate on the roof support arm.

18. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein the bearing plate has an elongated rear portion having an angular orientation, wherein the angular orientation is positioned to align with the support member.

19. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1 wherein said support member comprises a metal channel having a C-shaped cross-section.

20. A method of supporting an arched rock formation comprising: positioning a support member against an arched rock formation, the support member comprising a roof support arm and rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, the roof support arm defining an aperture therethrough, wherein the roof support arm is positioned against a mine roof surface and the rib support arm is positioned against a mine rib surface;positioning a bearing plate, defining a through-hole, on the surface of the roof support arm, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is operatively aligned with the roof support arm aperture;extending a mine roof bolt angularly through the bearing plate through-hole and the support member aperture into engagement with the arched rock formation; andcompressing the bearing plate against the support member to maintain the support member in contact with the arched rock formation.

21. The mine roof and rib support of claim 20 wherein the bearing plate is positioned on the surface of the roof support arm away from the angled junction of the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

22. A mine roof and rib support comprising: a support member comprising a roof support arm, a rib support arm, the roof support arm provided at an angle to the rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm defines an aperture for angularly receiving a mine roof bolt;wherein the support member comprises a base portion, an elongated reinforcement portion extending from the base portion, and longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the base portion and terminating in edges.