U.S. patent application number 12/851740 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for curved mine roof and rib support.
This patent application is currently assigned to FCI HOLDINGS DELAWARE, INC.. Invention is credited to Demrey G. Brandon, John Feyrer, John C. Stankus.
Application Number | 20120034037 12/851740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45556277 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120034037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stankus; John C. ; et
al. |
February 9, 2012 |
Curved Mine Roof and Rib Support
Abstract
A mine roof and rib support includes a curved support member
comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm with a curved
junction portion between the roof support arm and the rib support
arm and an aperture defined through the support member for
receiving a mine roof bolt. A bearing plate having an upper edge
and a lower edge, and a through-hole provided therebetween can be
provided wherein the upper and lower edges are positioned in
abutment with the roof and rib support arms, respectively. Also, a
mine roof and rib support may include a curved support member
comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm and a curved
junction portion between the roof and rib support arms, wherein the
roof support arm defines the aperture for receiving a mine roof
bolt that may extend substantially vertically through the
through-hole and the roof support arm aperture.
Inventors: |
Stankus; John C.;
(Canonsburg, PA) ; Feyrer; John; (Pittsburgh,
PA) ; Brandon; Demrey G.; (Pittsburgh, PA) |
Assignee: |
FCI HOLDINGS DELAWARE, INC.
Pittsburgh
PA
|
Family ID: |
45556277 |
Appl. No.: |
12/851740 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/288 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21D 11/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/288 |
International
Class: |
E21D 23/00 20060101
E21D023/00 |
Claims
1. A mine roof and rib support comprising: a curved support member
comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm, and a curved
junction portion between the roof support arm and the rib support
arm; and an aperture defined through the support member for
receiving a mine roof bolt.
2. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, wherein the aperture
located at the curved junction portion between the roof support arm
and the rib support arm.
3. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, wherein the aperture
is defined in one of the roof support arm and the rib support
arm.
4. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, wherein the curved
support member comprises a base portion and an elongated
reinforcement portion extending from the base portion.
5. The mine roof and rib support of claim 4, wherein the curved
support member comprises longitudinal edge portions extending
angularly away from the base portion and terminating in edges.
6. The mine roof and rib support of claim 4, wherein the aperture
is defined in the elongated reinforcement portion.
7. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, further comprising a
flange provided on at least one of the roof support arm and the rib
support arm, the flange projecting toward the mine roof or rib.
8. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, further comprising a
bearing plate, the bearing plate comprising an upper edge and a
lower edge, and defining a through-hole positioned between the
upper and lower plate edges, wherein the upper and lower plate
edges are positioned in abutment with the roof support arm and rib
support arm, respectively.
9. The mine roof and rib support of claim 8, further comprising a
mine roof bolt, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is
operatively aligned with the aperture of the support member, and
the mine roof bolt extends through the bearing plate through-hole
and the aperture.
10. A method of supporting an arched rock formation comprising:
positioning a curved support member against an arched rock
formation, the curved support member comprising a roof support arm
and rib support arm and a curved junction portion between the roof
support arm and the rib support arm, the curved support member
defining an aperture therethrough, wherein the roof support arm is
positioned against a mine roof surface, the rib support arm is
positioned against a mine rib surface, and the curved junction
portion is positioned to align with the natural curvature of the
arched rock formation; positioning a bearing plate having an upper
edge and a lower edge and defining a through-hole between the upper
and lower plate edges against the support member such that the
curved junction aperture of the support arm is operatively aligned
with the plate through-hole; extending a mine roof bolt 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, such that the
upper edge of the bearing plate is positioned in abutment with the
roof support arm and the lower edge of the bearing plate is
positioned in abutment with the rib support arm.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of compressing the
bearing plate against the support member comprises torquing the
mine roof bolt against the bearing plate.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the support member aperture is
defined through one of the roof support arm and the rib support
arm.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the support member aperture is
defined through the curved junction portion between the roof
support arm and the rib support arm.
14. A mine roof and rib support comprising: a curved support member
comprising a roof support arm and a rib support arm and a curved
junction portion between the roof support arm and the rib support
arm, wherein the roof support arm defines a first aperture for
receiving a mine roof bolt; a bearing plate comprising an upper
edge and a lower edge, the bearing plate defining a through-hole
provided between the upper and lower edges, wherein the upper and
lower plate edges are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib
support arms, respectively, the through-hole being operatively
aligned with the first roof support arm aperture; and a mine roof
bolt extending through the through-hole of the bearing plate and
the first roof support arm aperture, the mine roof bolt being
configured to compress the bearing plate against the curved support
member, wherein the upper edge exerts a force against the roof
support arm and the lower edge exerts a force against the rib
support arm.
15. The mine roof and rib support of claim 14, wherein the mine
roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the through-hole
and the roof support arm aperture.
16. The mine roof and rib support of claim 14, wherein the curved
support member comprises a second aperture on the roof support arm
for receiving a second mine roof bolt.
17. The mine roof and rib support of claim 16 further comprising: a
second support member comprising a front surface and a back surface
and defining an aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt, the curved
support member receiving the second support member, wherein the
second support member aperture is aligned with the second roof
support arm aperture; and a second mine roof bolt extending through
the second support member aperture and the second roof support arm
aperture.
18. The mine roof and rib support of claim 17, wherein the first
mine roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the
through-hole and the first roof support arm aperture, and the
second mine roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the
second support member aperture and the second roof support arm
aperture.
19. The mine roof and rib support of claim 17, further comprising a
mine rib bolt, and wherein the rib support arm defines an aperture
for receiving a mine rib bolt, the mine rib bolt extending through
the rib support arm aperture.
20. The mine roof and rib support of claim 19, wherein the first
mine roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the
through-hole and the first roof support arm aperture, and the
second mine roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the
second support member aperture and the second roof support arm
aperture.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The support member relates generally to mine surface
control, and more particularly to a mine roof and rib support with
a roof support arm and a rib support arm which simultaneously
support the mine roof and mine rib.
[0002] 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. A flange may
be provided on at least one of the roof support arm and the rib
support arm projecting toward the mine roof or rib.
[0003] Some examples of mine roof and rib support systems are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,405 to Galis entitled "Mine Roof
Truss Assembly and Associated Method"; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,385,433;
5,202,209; and RE 35,902 to Calandra, Jr. et al. entitled "Bearing
Plate`; U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,348 to Seegmiller entitled "Truss
Systems, Components, and Methods for Trussing Arched Mine Roofs";
U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,266 to Seegmiller entitled "Structure and
Method for Deterring Cuter Roof Failure"; and U.S. Pat. No.
4,630,974 to Sherman entitled "Roof Support System for a Mine and
Method for Providing the Same".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An embodiment of the mine roof and rib support device
generally includes a support member may include a roof support arm
and a rib support arm, and a curved junction portion between the
roof support arm and the rib support arm. An aperture defined
through the support member for receiving a mine roof bolt is
located at the curved junction portion between the roof support arm
and the rib support arm. The support member may be bent to form the
roof support arm, rib support arm, and curved junction portion. The
support member may include a base portion and an elongated
reinforcement portion extending from the base portion and,
alternatively, longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away
from the base portion and terminating in edges. The aperture may be
defined in the elongated reinforcement portion. The elongated
reinforcement portion may be an embossment extending from a front
surface of the support arm, for example a rib. This embodiment may
also include a bearing plate having an upper edge and a lower edge,
and defining a through-hole between the upper and lower plate
edges, wherein the upper and lower plate edges are positioned in
abutment with the roof support arm and rib support arm. A mine roof
bolt may be included, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is
operatively aligned with the curved junction portion aperture of
the support member with the mine roof bolt extending
therethrough.
[0005] In yet another embodiment, a method of supporting a rock
formation includes positioning a support member including a roof
support arm and rib support arm and a curved junction portion
between the roof support arm and the rib support arm against an
arched rock formation, wherein the curved junction portion defines
an aperture therethrough. The roof support arm is positioned
against a mine roof surface, the rib support arm is positioned
against a mine rib surface, and the curved junction portion is
positioned to align with the natural curvature of the arched rock
formation. A bearing plate having an upper edge and a lower edge
and defining a through-hole between the upper and lower plate edges
is positioned against the support member such that the curved
junction aperture of the support arm is operatively aligned with
the plate through-hole. A mine roof bolt is extended through the
plate through-hole and the curved junction portion aperture into
engagement with the arched rock formation. The bearing plate is
then compressed against the support member to maintain the support
member in contact with the arched rock formation, such that the
upper edge of the bearing plate is positioned in abutment with the
roof support arm and the lower edge of the bearing plate is
positioned in abutment with the rib support arm. Compressing the
bearing plate against the support member may include torquing the
mine roof bolt against the bearing plate. A mesh mat may also be
positioned between the arched rock formation and the support member
such that the support member contacts the mesh mat to maintain the
mesh mat in contact with the arched rock formation. In this
embodiment, the mine roof bolt may extend substantially vertically
through the through-hole and the roof support arm aperture.
[0006] Another embodiment of the mine roof and rib support may
include a support member having a roof support arm and a rib
support arm, and a curved junction portion between the roof support
arm and the rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm defines
an aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt. A bearing plate having
an upper edge and a lower edge, the bearing plate defining a
through-hole provided between the upper and lower edges is
positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms,
respectively, with the through-hole being operatively aligned with
the roof support arm aperture. A mine roof bolt extends through the
through-hole of the bearing plate and the roof support arm
aperture. The mine roof bolt is configured to compress the bearing
plate against the support member, wherein the upper edge exerts a
force against the roof support arm and the lower edge exerts a
force against the rib support arm. The support member may include a
second aperture on the roof support arm for receiving a second mine
roof bolt. A second support member having a front surface and a
back surface and defining an aperture for receiving a mine roof
bolt may then be positioned over and received by the first support
member with the second support member aperture being aligned with
the second roof support arm aperture. A second mine roof bolt may
then extend through the second support member aperture and the
second roof support arm aperture. Both the first and second mine
roof bolts may extend substantially vertically through their
respective apertures. The rib support arm may also define an
aperture for receiving a mine rib bolt, wherein the mine rib bolt
extends through the rib support arm aperture in the mine rib.
[0007] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
certain illustrative aspects of the mine roof and rib support
device are described in the following description and drawing
figures. These aspects may be indicative of but a few of the
various ways in which the principles of the mine roof and rib
support device may be employed, and which is intended to include
all such aspects and any equivalents thereof. Other advantages and
features of the mine roof and rib support may become apparent from
the following detailed description when considered in conjunction
with the drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of the mine roof and rib
support can be obtained by considering the following description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mine roof
and rib support device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating embodiments of mine roof
and rib support devices installed at the intersection of the mine
roof and opposite sides/ribs of a mine work area;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support
member of the mine roof and rib support device;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of the support member shown in FIG.
3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member shown in FIG.
4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the support member shown in FIG.
4;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
support member.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a
mine roof and rib support;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the support member
shown in FIG. 9;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side view of the support member shown in FIG.
9;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the support member
taken at line A-A in FIG. 10;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top view of the support member shown in FIG.
9;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
mine roof and rib support;
[0023] FIG. 15 is an alternative perspective view of the mine roof
and rib support of FIG. 14;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of mine roof and rib
supports according to FIG. 14; and
[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a mine roof and rib support
system using the mine roof and rib support of FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference
numbers refer to like elements, a perspective view of an embodiment
of a mine roof and rib support device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
which can generally comprise a support member 15 having a roof
support arm 20 and a rib support arm 25, wherein the roof support
arm 20 is provided at an angle to the rib support arm 25, and an
aperture 30 (shown best in FIG. 3) through the support member 15
for receiving a mine roof bolt 35, the aperture 30 located adjacent
a junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 20
and the rib support arm 25. The support member 15 can further
comprise a flange 45 provided on one or both of the roof support
arm 20 and the rib support arm 25, wherein the flange 45 projects
toward a mine roof 50 or rib 55. In a further embodiment, flanges
45, 47 are provided at distal ends 60, 65 of both the roof support
arm 20 and the rib support arm 25.
[0027] The angle .theta. between the roof 20 and rib 25 support
arms can generally be about 90 degrees, since the angle .alpha.
between the mine roof 50 and mine rib 55 is typically about 90
degrees. However, the angle .theta. between the arms 20, 25 can
vary as needed, or desired, depending upon the angle between the
mine roof 50 and the rib 55. Moreover, the angle .alpha. between
the mine roof 50 and rib 55 may not be exactly 90 degrees, and the
mine roof 50 and/or rib 55 may likely not be perfectly flat. Thus,
embodiments of the support member 15 can be sufficiently flexible
to compensate for variations in the angle .alpha. of the roof 50
and rib 55, and/or variations due to non-planar surfaces of the
roof 50 and/or rib 55.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the flanges 45, 47 at the
ends of the roof and rib support arms 20, 25 can be bent from the
distal ends 60, 65 of each of the roof and rib support arms 20, 25.
In particular, for example, portions of the distal ends 60, 65 of
each arm 20, 25 can be cut away to leave a tab, or extension, which
can be bent to form the flanges 45, 47. The flanges 45, 47 can be
bent toward the roof 50, or rib 55, as the flanges 45, 47 are
intended to hold a mat, e.g., a metal mesh 70, in cases where such
mesh 70 is used in combination with the roof support arm 20 and/or
rib support arm 25.
[0029] Embodiments of the mine roof and rib support device 10 can
further comprise a bearing plate 75 having an upper edge 80 and a
lower edge 85, and a through-hole provided between the upper and
lower edges 80, 85 through which the roof bolt 35 is installed. The
bearing plate 75 can be positioned adjacent the support member 15
such that the upper and lower edges 80, 85 of the bearing plate 75
are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms 20,
25, respectively. When the through-hole in the bearing plate 75 is
operatively aligned with the aperture 30 in the support member 15
for installation of the roof bolt 35 therethrough, the upper and
lower edges 80, 85 will apply force to the roof and rib support
arms 20, 25, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing
plate 75 during installation of the roof bolt 35. The roof bolt 35
can be installed at a 45 degree angle, but could be installed at a
different angle if desired. When the mine roof bolt 35 is torqued
against the outer surface of the bearing plate 75, a compressive
load is applied to the bearing plate 75. The compressive load is
distributed throughout the edges of the bearing plate 75. The
compressive load is transmitted from the edges of the bearing plate
75 to the roof support arm 20 and the rib support arm 25,
respectively, to compress the support arms 20, 25 against the roof
50 and rib 55 of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the
roof support arm 20 to exert pressure against the mine roof 50 and
the rib support arm 25 to exert pressure against the mine rib
55.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating how the mine roof and rib
support device 10 may be installed at each side of the mine tunnel.
Because the bearing plate 75 can distribute the force from the roof
bolt 35 to each of the roof and rib support arms 20, 25, a single
roof bolt 35 can be used for each support member 15 to
simultaneously provide support for both the mine roof 50 and the
mine rib 55. The arrows 90, 95 in the drawing show the force
vectors created by torquing the roof bolt 35 against the bearing
plate 75.
[0031] FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate further details of the support
member 15, including the back surface of the support member shown
in FIG. 3. As shown, the support member 15 can be made from a metal
channel having a C-shaped cross-section. The metal channel can be
bent to form each of the roof and rib support arms 20, 25. Each arm
20, 25 can generally be the same length, but each arm 20, 25 could
have a different length if desired. Certain embodiments of the
support member 15 can be made from standard four (4) inch "C"
channel steel with 1/4 inch back wall thickness. The side walls of
the channel can be split, or notched, adjacent the bend line, i.e.,
where the channel will be bent to form the roof and rib support
arms 20, 25 at generally 90 degrees to each other. The notch
facilitates not only bending the channel to form the roof and rib
support arms 20, 25, but also permits the arms 20, 25 some freedom
of movement away from each other when the support member 15 is
bolted to the mine roof 50. The bearing plate 75 will provide the
support, similar to a brace, to resist movement of the roof and rib
support arms 20, 25 towards each other subsequent to installation
of the roof bolt 35. The channel can be heated to facilitate the
bending process.
[0032] One manner of creating the flanges 45, 47 is to cut tabs at
the distal end 60, 65, typically of both the roof and rib support
arms 20, 25, and then bend the tabs outwardly, away form the back
of the channel, i.e., towards the mine roof and rib 50, 55, to form
the flanges, 45, 47 to engage the mesh 70 that is commonly disposed
over the mine roof and rib 50, 55, under the support member 15.
[0033] In certain embodiments, the dimensions corresponding to the
reference characters in FIGS. 4 through 6 can be, for example, as
listed in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Dimensions Inches A 24 B 24 C 4 D 1.5 E 1.5
F 0.65
[0034] The exemplary embodiments shown can comprise an elongated
metal structural support member having a C-shaped cross-section
that will typically be bent from a single length of material, and
could instead be two separate pieces of material which are, e.g.,
welded together.
[0035] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and
8. Mine roof and rib support device 100 includes a support member
102 having a roof support arm 120 and a rib support arm 125,
wherein the roof support arm 120 is provided at an angle to the rib
support arm 125. The angle between the roof and rib support arms
120, 125 can generally be about 90 degrees. However, the angle can
vary as needed, or desired as described above in regard to support
member 15. An aperture 130 is defined in support member 102 for
receiving a mine roof bolt 35, the aperture located adjacent a
junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 120
and the rib support arm 125.
[0036] Support member 102 includes a base portion 104 having a
front surface 106 and a back surface 108. Integrally formed
longitudinal flanges 110, 111 extend from base portion 104, such as
at an angle, and terminate at respective edges 112, 113. Support
member 102 further includes a reinforcement portion 114 extending
from the base portion 104. Reinforcement portion 114 is illustrated
as being positioned centrally on the support member 102 with
aperture 130 defined therein and having a general V-shape, thereby
forming a rib. The height of reinforcement portion 114 may be
approximately equal to the height of longitudinal flanges 110,
111.
[0037] The mine roof and rib support device 100 may further include
a bearing plate 175 having an upper edge 180 and a lower edge 185,
and a through-hole provided between the upper and lower edges 180,
185 through which the roof bolt 35 is installed. Bearing plate 175
is shown as having a donut-style configuration with a reinforcing
portion or embossment 190 surrounding the through-hole. The bearing
plate 175 can be positioned adjacent the support member 102 such
that the upper and lower edges 180, 185 of the bearing plate 175
are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms 120,
125, respectively. In one embodiment, upper and lower edges 180,
185 each abut longitudinal flanges 110, 111 and reinforcement
portion 114. When the through-hole in the bearing plate 75 is
operatively aligned with the aperture 130 in the support member 102
for installation of the roof bolt 35 therethrough, the upper and
lower edges 180, 185 will apply force to the roof and rib support
arms 120, 125, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing
plate 175 during installation of the roof bolt 35. The roof bolt 35
is installed at a 45 degree angle and may be installed at different
angles. When the mine roof bolt 35 is tightened against the outer
surface of the bearing plate 175, a compressive load is applied to
the bearing plate 175. The compressive load is distributed
throughout the edges of the bearing plate 175. The compressive load
is transmitted from the edges of the bearing plate 175 to the roof
support arm 120 and the rib support arm 125, respectively, to
compress the support arms 120, 125 against the roof 50 and rib 55
of the mine tunnel. The compressive forces cause the roof support
arm 120 to exert pressure against the mine roof 50 and the rib
support arm 125 to exert pressure against the mine rib 55.
[0038] In one embodiment, support member 102 is produced from an
elongated channel member which is bent to form roof support arm 120
and rib support arm 125. At the location of the bend, longitudinal
flanges 110, 111 may become deformed as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and
8. The support member 102 may be configured to be stackable for
ease of transport by including angled longitudinal flanges 110,
111, the front surface 106 of one support member 102 may receive at
least a portion of a back surface 108 of another support member
102. While the entire front surface 106 of one support member 102
may not completely receive the entire back surface 108 of another
support member 102, the support members may nest within each other,
thereby reducing the overall footprint of multiple stacked support
members as compared to multiple unstackable support members 15.
[0039] The support member 102 may include flanges 145, 147 provided
on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 120
and the rib support arm 125, wherein the flanges 145, 147 project
toward the mine roof 50 or rib 55. A wire of mesh 70 may be
positioned behind support arm 120 and over flange 145 in order to
hold mesh 70 against the roof 50. Similarly, a wire of mesh 70 may
be positioned behind rib support arm 125 and over flange 147 in
order to hold mesh 70 against the rib 55.
[0040] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9-13, as in the
embodiments described above, a mine roof and rib support device 200
includes a support member 202 having a roof support arm 220 and a
rib support arm 225, wherein the roof support arm 220 is provided
at an angle to the rib support arm 225. Again, as described above,
the angle between the roof and rib support arms 220, 225 can
generally be about 90 degrees, or can vary as needed, or desired.
Also, aperture 130 is defined in support member 202 for receiving a
mine roof bolt 35, the aperture located adjacent a junction
between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 220 and the
rib support arm 225. However, the junction 240 between the roof
support arm 220 and the rib support arm 225 is curved, as opposed
to being a more sharply defined angle, as shown in the embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7. Although the terms roof support arm
and rib support arm are used in the present description, it is to
be understood that each of roof and rib support arms 220, 225 may
not take the form of a straightened arm. Support member 202 is
continuously curved with roof and rib support arms 220, 225 being
those portions of the curved support member 202 that contact mine
roof 250 and rib 255. The curved configuration of support member
202 conforms to the contour of the intersection of mine roof 250
and rib 255 when the mine roof 250 and rib 255 are cut into the
rock strata with a radius leaving an arched mine passageway. By
arched, it is meant a mine tunnel or passageway that has some
variation in the relationship between mine roof 250 and mine rib
255 due to unevenness of the rock strata, which may include at
least a partial arch configuration of the rock between the roof 250
and rib 255, e.g., a mine tunnel or passageway with a non-square,
radial, rounded, and/or curved intersection between mine roof 250
and mine rib 255, and/or a mine roof 250 and mine rib 255 without a
discretely defined angle therebetween. Additionally, although the
terms mine roof and rib are used herein, it is to be understood
that an arched mine passageway may not have a discretely defined
mine roof and mine rib. Mine roof and rib 250, 255 are used herein
to refer generally to the arched mine passageway in generally
upward and lateral directions, respectively.
[0041] As in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
support member 202, as shown in FIGS. 9-13, may include a base
portion 104 having a front surface 106 and a back surface 108.
Integrally formed longitudinal flanges 110, 111 may extend from
base portion 104 at an angle and terminate at respective edges 112,
113. Curved support member 202 further includes a reinforcement
portion 114 extending from the base portion 104. Reinforcement
portion 114 is illustrated as being positioned centrally on the
curved support member 202 with aperture 130 defined therein and
having a general V-shape, thereby forming a rib. The height of
reinforcement portion 114 may be approximately equal to the height
of longitudinal flanges 110, 111.
[0042] The mine roof and rib support device 200 may, again, further
include a bearing plate 175 having an upper edge 180 and a lower
edge 185, and a through-hole provided between the upper and lower
edges 180, 185 through which the roof bolt 35 is installed. Bearing
plate 175 is shown as having a donut-style configuration with a
reinforcing portion or embossment 190 surrounding the through-hole.
The bearing plate 175 can be positioned adjacent the curved support
member 202 such that the upper and lower edges 180, 185 of the
bearing plate 175 are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib
support arms 220, 225, respectively. In this embodiment, the
bearing plate 175, roof bolt 35, and curved support member 202
function in substantially the same way as described with respect to
FIGS. 7 and 8 by applying a compressive load to the bearing plate
175, which is distributed throughout the edges 180, 185 and to the
roof support arm 220 and the rib support arm 225, respectively, to
compress the support arms 220, 225 against the roof 250 and rib 255
of the mine tunnel, thereby exerting pressure against the mine roof
250 and rib 255. However, in an arched mine passageway having, for
example, a radius between the roof 250 and rib 255, the curvature
of junction 240 between the roof support arm 220 and rib support
arm 225 more accurately conforms to the curvature between mine roof
250 and rib 255, and the compressive load exerted by mine bolt 35
and bearing plate 175 will be more evenly distributed to mine roof
250 and rib 255.
[0043] The curved support member 202 may be produced from an
elongated channel member which is bent to form roof support arm 220
and rib support arm 225. Unlike the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the longitudinal flanges 110, 111 may not be
deformed at curved junction 240. However, the curved support member
202 may be configured to be stackable for ease of transport as
described above with reference to support member 102.
[0044] Also, like the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
curved support member 202 of FIGS. 9-13, may include flanges 145,
147 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof
support arm 220 and rib support arm 225, wherein the flanges 145,
147 project toward the mine roof 250 or rib 255 with a wire mesh 70
positioned behind support arm 220 and over flange 145, in order to
hold wire mesh 70 against the roof 250. Similarly, a wire mesh 70
may be positioned behind rib support arm 225 and over flange 147 in
order to hold wire mesh 70 against the rib 255.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, another embodiment of a
mine roof and rib support device 200 may include curved support
member 202 having roof support arm 220 and rib support arm 225 with
curved junction 240 therebetween. Again, the support member 202 can
further include flanges 145, 147 provided on one or both of the
ends of the respective roof support arm 220 and rib support arm
125, wherein the flanges 145, 147 project toward the mine roof 250
or rib 255 with a wire mesh 70 positioned behind support arm 220
and over flange 145 in order to hold wire mesh 70 against the roof
250. However, in FIGS. 14 and 15, an aperture 230 for receiving
mine roof bolt 35 is defined in roof support arm 220 (best
illustrated in FIG. 15), as opposed to being defined at the
junction 240 between roof support arm 220 and rib support arm 225,
as illustrated in FIGS. 7-13 in the above-described embodiments.
Also, the mine roof support arm 220 may optionally comprise a
second aperture 232 for receiving a second mine roof bolt 38, and
the rib support arm 225 may comprise an aperture 236 for receiving
a mine rib bolt 37, as shown in FIG. 17. The terms mine roof, mine
rib, roof support arm, and rib support, as used here, are to be
understood to be defined as described with respect to FIGS.
9-13.
[0046] As in the above-described embodiments, the curved support
member 202 may include a base portion 104 having a front surface
106 and a back surface 108 with integrally formed longitudinal
flanges 110, 111 extending from base portion 104 at an angle and
terminating at respective edges 112, 113 and reinforcement portion
114 extending from the base portion 104.
[0047] The bearing plate 275, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 17,
having an upper edge 280 and lower edge 285, includes a
through-hole 288 provided between the upper and lower edges 280,
285 through which the roof bolt 35 is installed. In this
embodiment, the bearing plate 275 is shown as having a race track
header plate configuration with an embossment 282 surrounding the
through-hole 288, wherein the through-hole 288 is in an
off-centered position, i.e., located closer to the upper edge 280
of the bearing plate 275 than the lower edge 285. The bearing plate
275 may alternatively include a pair of secondary embossments 283.
The bearing plate 275, such as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, and 17
and described above, may be a commercially available race track
header plate with a pre-existing hole 287. Hole 287 may operate as
a through-hole, or, alternatively, a second through-hole 288 may be
drilled through bearing plate 275 in any desirable position. The
bearing plate 275 is positioned adjacent the curved support member
202 such that the upper and lower edges 280, 285 are positioned in
abutment with the roof and rib support arms 220, 225, respectively,
with the upper and lower edges 280, 285, abutting longitudinal
flanges 110, 111 and/or reinforcement portion 104. When the
through-hole 288 of bearing plate 275 is operatively aligned with
the aperture 230 of roof support arm 220 for installation of the
roof bolt 35 therethrough, the upper and lower edges 280, 285 will
apply force to the roof and rib support arms 220, 225,
respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate 275 during
installation of roof bolt 35. Unlike the previously discussed
embodiments, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14-17, roof
support bolt 35 is installed substantially vertically into the mine
roof 250 through through-hole 288 and aperture 230. By
substantially vertical, it is meant that the roof bolt 35 extends
into the mine roof 250, generally perpendicular to the mine roof
250 at the point wherein roof bolt 35 is installed. It should be
understood that mine roof 250 may be uneven or somewhat sloping,
such that roof bolt 35 may not be parallel to rib 255 or
perpendicular to all points along mine roof 250. When the mine roof
bolt 35 is torqued against the outer surface of the bearing plate
275, a vertical compressive load at arrow 300 is applied to the
bearing plate 275, as illustrated in FIG. 16. The vertical
compressive load 300 is distributed throughout the upper and lower
edges 280, 285 of bearing plate 275 in both vertical and horizontal
directions. The compressive load 300 is transmitted from the edges
280, 285 of the bearing plate 275 to the roof support arm 220 and
rib support arm 225, respectively, to compress the support arms
220, 225 against the roof 250 and rib 255 of the mine tunnel. In an
annular mine tunnel, the curved junction 240 accurately conforms to
the curvature of the mine tunnel, thereby, more evenly distributing
the compressive load 300 to roof support arm 120 and rib support
arm 125.
[0048] FIG. 16 schematically illustrates how the mine roof and rib
support device 200 may be installed at each side of a mine tunnel.
Because the bearing plate 275 can distribute the force from the
roof bolt 35 to each of the roof and rib support arms 220, 225 via
the upper and lower edges 280, 285 of the bearing plate 275,
respectively, a single roof bolt 35 can be used for each support
member 202 to simultaneously provide support for both the mine roof
250 and mine rib 255. The force vectors 320, 325 in FIG. 16 show
the force created by torquing the roof bolt 35 against the bearing
plate 275.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 17, a mine roof and rib support device 200
may also be used along with an additional second support member
203, a second roof bolt 38, and rib bolt 37. Support member 203 is
a roof support having an aperture 233 defined therethrough. After
installing support member 202, as discussed above, second support
member 203 may be placed over roof support arm 220 in an
overlapping manner. The back surface of second support member 203
may mirror front surface 106 of support member 202, thereby
rendering support member 203 easily engageable by roof support arm
220. To overlap second support member 203 and roof support arm 220,
the front surface of support member 203 may instead receive the
back surface of the roof support arm 220. Aperture 233 may be
operatively aligned with second aperture 232 of roof support arm
220, such that a second mine roof bolt 38 is received through
apertures 232, 233, thereby providing additional support to mine
roof 250 by compressing the second support member 203 and roof
support arm 220 against the mine roof 250. One or more support
members 203 with mine roof bolts 38 may be installed in an
overlapping fashion and likewise engage an opposite roof support
arm (not shown) of another mine roof and rib support device, or
other structure, thereby, spanning the roof 250. Additionally, as
shown in FIG. 17, the mine rib support arm 225 of support member
202 may include an aperture 236 for receiving a mine rib bolt 37
that extends therethrough for providing additional support to mine
rib 255 by compressing rib support arm 225 against the mine rib
255. An additional support member 203 with mine rib bolts 37 could
be installed in an overlapping fashion with rib support arm 225 to
further support mine rib 55.
[0050] As used herein, the term "upwardly" shall refer 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" shall refer 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" shall refer 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" shall
refer to an orientation generally in transverse direction extending
from the central longitudinal axis of the mine passageway to the
walls of the passageway.
[0051] Therefore, what has been described above includes exemplary
embodiments of a mine roof and rib support having a roof support
arm and a rib support arm that can support both the roof and rib of
the mine at the same time. It is, of course, not possible to
describe every conceivable combination of components or
methodologies for purposes of this description, but one of ordinary
skill in the art may recognize that further combinations and
permutations are possible in light of the overall teaching of this
disclosure. Accordingly, the description provided herein is
intended to be illustrative only, and should be considered to
embrace any and all alterations, modifications, and/or variations
that fall within the spirit ad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *