CA2713811A1 - Mine roof and rib support - Google Patents

Abstract

A mine roof and rib support includes a support member having a roof support arm and a rib support arm with a junction portion therebetween and an aperture defined through the support member for receiving a mine roof bolt. The aperture may be located adjacent the junction of the roof support arm and rib support or defined through at least one of the roof support arm and the rib support arm. 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.
The mine roof bolt may extend through the bearing plate through-hole and the support member aperture. The support member may be curved having a curved junction portion between the roof and rib support arms.

Description

MINE ROOF AND RIB SUPPORT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Patent Application No. 12/547,904, filed August 26, 2009; United States Patent Application No.
12/758,221, filed April 12, 2010; and United States Patent Application No. 12/851,740, filed August 6, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention [0002] 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.

[0003] 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.

[0004] Some examples of mine roof and rib support systems are described in United States patent Nos. 4,456,405 to Galis entitled "Mine Roof Truss Assembly and Associated Method";

5,385,433; 5,292,209; and RE 35,902 to Calandra, Jr. et al. entitled "Bearing Plate'; 4,960,348 to Seegmiller entitled "Truss Systems, Components, and Methods for Trussing Arched Mine Roofs"; 4,775,266 to Seegmiller entitled "Structure and Method for Deterring Cuter Roof Failure"; and 4,630,974 to Sherman entitled "Roof Support System for a Mine and Method for Providing the Same".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An embodiment of the mine roof and rib support device can generally comprise a support member having a roof support arm and a rib support arm. The roof support arm is provided at an angle to the rib support arm, and an aperture through the support member is provided for operatively receiving a mine roof bolt. The aperture can be located adjacent a junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm and the rib support arm. The support member can further comprise a flange provided on one, or both, of the roof support arm and the rib support arm, wherein the flange projects toward the mine roof and/or rib, respectively. The support member can be made from a metal channel having a C-shaped cross-section, and the metal channel can be bent to form each of the roof and rib support arms. The angle between the roof and rib support arms can generally be about 90 degrees to generally correspond to usual angles between the mine roof and the mine rib, but the angle can be different if needed. The flanges can be bent from the distal ends of each of the roof and rib support arms to hold the mesh that can commonly be provided between the support arms and the mine roof and/or rib.
100061 In an alternative embodiment, the mine roof and rib support device may include a support member having a back surface and a front surface, a base portion, and an elongated reinforcement portion extending from the base portion. The aperture may be defined in the elongated reinforcement portion. The support member may further include longitudinal edge portions extending angularly away from the base portion terminating in edges.
The elongated reinforcement portion may be an embossment extending from the front surface of the support member, which embossment may optionally take the form of a rib. In this embodiment, the support member may also be bent to form the roof and rib support arms.
(0007] The mine roof and rib support device can further comprise a bearing plate having an upper edge and a lower edge, a through-hole provided between said upper and lower edges, and wherein said upper and lower edges are positioned in abutment with said roof support arm and said rib support arm, respectively, when the through-hole is operatively aligned with the aperture in the support member for installation of a roof bolt through each of the bearing plate and the support member, such that the upper and lower edges apply force to the roof and rib support arms, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate by installation of the roof bolt. In particular, the head of the mine roof bolt, or tensioning nut, can be torqued against the bearing plate, such that the upper and lower edges of the bearing plate simultaneously exert force on each of the roof support arm and the rib support arm. The bearing plate may include a raised portion in which the through-hole is defined and/or a raised portion surrounding the through-hole.
[0008] Further, a method of supporting a rock formation may include positioning a support member against a rock formation. The support member may include a longitudinal reinforcing portion spaced from edges of the support member and a first arm joined to a second arm.
Further, the support member may include a base portion from which the reinforcing portion extends and longitudinal edges portions extend angularly away from the base portion and terminating in support member edges. An opening may be defined intermediate of the first and second arms, wherein the first arm is positioned against a mine roof surface and a second arm is positioned against a mine rib surface. A bearing plate having an opening may then be positioned against the support member so that the support member opening is aligned with the plate opening. Then a mine roof bolt may be extended through the plate opening and the support member opening into engagement with a rock formation to compress the bearing plate against the support member to maintain the support member in contact with the rock formation. The method may further include compressing the bearing plate against at least one of the support member reinforcing portion and the support member edges. The bearing plate may further include an embossment. Additionally, a mesh mat may be positioned between the rock formation and the support member, such that the support member contacts the mesh mat to maintain the mesh mat in contact with the rock formation.
[00091 In another embodiment, a mine roof and rib support member may be stackable. Here, the support member includes a one-piece elongated member comprising a roof arm and a rib arm. The roof arm is provided at an angle to the rib arm, such that the roof ann and the rib arm are connected via a bent portion. The bent portion defines an opening for receiving a mine roof bolt therethrough. The elongated member may have a back surface and a front surface, 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. The support member is configured to receive another support member in overlying and abutting relationship. The reinforcement portion may be an embossment extending from the front surface of the elongated member. The support member may have a maximum thickness of 0.2 inches, and, optionally, the support member may include a flange provided on at least one of the roof and rib arms, wherein the flange may extend in a direction opposite to the reinforcement portion.
[00101 In another embodiment, a mine roof and rib support device may comprise a support member having a front surface and a back surface, a base portion, a roof support arm, a rib support arm, a bearing plate, and a mine roof bolt. The roof support arm may be provided at an angle to the rib support arm and defines at least one aperture therethrough.
The bearing plate may comprise an upper edge and a lower edge and a through-hole defined therethrough positioned between the upper and lower edges. The upper and lower edges of the bearing plate can be positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms, respectively, with the through-hole being aligned with the aperture through the support member. The mine roof bolt extends through the through-hole of the bearing plate and the aperture of the roof support arm. The mine roof bolt compresses the bearing plate against the support member, such that the upper edge exerts a force against the roof support arm and the lower edge exerts a force against the rib support arm. The mine roof bolt may extend vertically through the through-hole and the aperture of the roof support arm. The roof support arm may alternatively comprise a second aperture for receiving a second mine roof bolt. The angle between the roof and rib support arms can generally be about 90 degrees to generally correspond to usual angles between the mine roof and the mine rib, but the angle can be different if needed.
[00111 The bearing plate may comprise side edges that are longer than the upper and lower edges and may further comprise a loop-shaped embossment that surrounds the through-hole. In this embodiment, the through-hole may be of centered, located at a position on the bearing plate that is closer to the upper edge of the bearing plate than the lower edge.
[00121 In this embodiment, the support member can further comprise a reinforcement portion that extends from the base portion. The reinforcement portion may take the form of an embossment extending from the front surface of the support member. The support member may further comprise a longitudinal flange edge portion extending angularly away from the base portion and terminating in edges. The upper and lower edges of the bearing plate may then be positioned in abutment with the longitudinal flange edge portions and/or the reinforcement portion of the support member. Further, the aperture of the roof support arm of the support member may be defined in the elongated reinforcement portion. A flange may be provided on one, or both, of the roof support arm and the rib support arm, wherein the flange extends angularly away from the front surface toward the back surface of the support member, toward the mine roof and/or rib, respectively. The flanges can be bent from the distal ends of each of the roof and rib support arms to hold the mesh that can commonly be provided between the support arm and the mine roof and/or rib.

[0013] The mine roof bolt, or tensioning nut, can be torqued against the bearing plate, such that the upper and lower edges of the bearing plate simultaneously exert force on each of the roof support arm and the rib support arm.
[00141 A method of supporting a rock formation may include providing a support member having a roof support arm and a rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm is positioned against a mine roof surface and the rib support arm is positioned against the mine rib surface. A
bearing plate may be positioned against the support member. The bearing plate has an upper edge, a lower edge, and a through-hole. The bearing plate is positioned, such that the through-hole is aligned with an aperture in the roof support arm. A mine roof bolt may be extended through the through-hole and the aperture in the roof 'support arm to engage the mine roof surface. The bearing plate is compressed against the support member, 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 comprise torquing the mine roof bolt against the bearing plate.
The mine roof bolt may be vertically extended through the through-hole and aperture. The support member may be provided by bending a support member to form the roof support arm at an angle to the rib support arm. The angle may be 90 degrees.
[00151 Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a mine and roof rib support system comprising a front surface and a back surface, a base portion, a roof support arm, and a rib support arm. The roof support arm is provided at an angle to the rib support arm and comprises a first aperture and a second aperture defined therethrough. The system comprises a bearing plate comprising an upper edge and a lower edge and defining a through-hole therethrough positioned between the upper and lower edges. The upper and lower edges of the bearing plate can be positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms, respectively, with the through-hole being aligned with the aperture through the support member. A
first mine roof bolt extends through the through-hole of the bearing plate and the first aperture of the roof support arm. The mine roof bolt compresses the bearing plate against the support member, such that the upper edge exerts a force against the roof support arm and the lower edge exerts a force against the rib support arm. The system includes a second support member comprising a front surface and a back surface and defining an aperture for receiving a mine roof bolt. The first support member receives the second support member with the aperture of the second support member being aligned with the second roof support arm aperture. A second mine roof bolt extends through the second support member aperture and the second roof support arm aperture.
The mine roof bolts may extend vertically through their respective apertures and/or the bearing plate through-hole. The system may further comprise a mine rib bolt for extending through an aperture defined through the rib support arm.
[00161 Another embodiment of the mine roof and rib support device may include a support member including 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, optionally, 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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
[0020] 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:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device;
[0022] 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;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support member of the mine roof and rib support device;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view of the support member shown in FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member shown in FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the support member shown in FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support member of the mine roof and rib support device of FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support member of the mine roof and rib support device;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a plan schematic 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;
[0032] FIG. 12 is another perspective view of an embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device;

[0033] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the support member shown in FIG. 2 taken at line A-A;

[0034] FIG. 14 is a sectional top view of the roof support arm of the support member;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a side view of the support member;
[00361 FIG. 16 is a front view of an embodiment of a bearing plate of the mine roof and rib support device;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative mine roof and rib support system.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a mine roof and rib support;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the support member shown in FIG.
18;
[00401 FIG. 20 is a side view of the support member shown in FIG. 18;
10041] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the support member taken at line B-B in FIG. 19;
[00421 FIG. 22 is a top view of the support member shown in FIG. 18;
100431 FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mine roof and rib support;
[00441 FIG. 24 is an alternative perspective view of the mine roof and rib support of FIG. 23;
[00451 FIG. 25 is a plan schematic view of mine roof and rib supports according to FIG. 23;
and [0046] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a mine roof and rib support system using the mine roof and rib support of FIG. 23.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] 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.
[00481 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.
[0049] The angle 0 between the roof 20 and rib 25 support arms can generally be about 90 degrees, since the angle a between the mine roof 50 and mine rib 55 is typically about 90 degrees. However, the angle 8 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 a 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 a of the roof 50 and rib 55, and/or variations due to non-planar surfaces of the roof 50 and/or rib 55.
[0050] 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. 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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 % 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.
[0054] 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 from 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.
[0055] In certain embodiments, the dimensions corresponding to the reference characters in FIGS. 4 through 6 can be, for example, as listed in Table 1.

Dimensions Inches D 1.5 E 1.5 F 0.65 [0056] 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[00591 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 183 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.
[00601 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] A perspective view of yet another embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device 100 is shown in FIGS. 9-17, which, like the above-described embodiments, can generally comprise 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, and an aperture 130 (as illustrated best in FIG. 12) through the support member 102 for receiving a mine roof bolt 35. However, in this particular embodiment, the aperture 130 is located on the roof support arm 120. Again, the support member 102 can further comprise a flange 145 provided on one or both of the roof support arm 120 and the rib support arm 125, wherein the flange 145 projects toward a mine roof 50 or rib 55. In a further embodiment, flanges 145, 147 are provided at distal ends 160, 165 of both the roof support arm 120 and the rib support arm 125. Also, the mine roof support arm 120 may optionally comprise a second aperture 132 for receiving a second mine roof bolt 38, and the rib support arm 125 may comprise an aperture 136 for receiving a mine rib bolt 37, as shown in FIG. 17.
[00631 Referring to FIG. 11, the angle 0 between the roof 120 and rib 125 support arms can generally, for example, be about 90 degrees, since the angle a between the mine roof 50 and mine rib 55 is typically about 90 degrees. However, the angle 0 between the arms 120, 125 can vary as needed, or desired, depending upon the angle between the mine roof 50 and the rib 55.
Moreover, the angle a 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 102 can be sufficiently flexible to compensate for variations in the angle a of the roof 50 and rib 55, and/or variations due to non-planar surfaces of the roof 50 and/or rib 55.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the flanges 145, 147 at the ends of the roof and rib support arms 120, 125 can be bent from the distal ends 160, 165 of each of the roof and rib support arms 120, 125. In particular, for example, portions of the distal ends 160, 165 of each arm 120, 125 can be cut away to leave a tab, or extension, which can be bent outwardly, away from the back of the channel, i.e., towards the mine roof and rib 50, 55, to form the flanges 145, 147. The flanges 145, 147 hold a mat, e.g., a metal mesh 70, in cases where such mesh 70 is used in combination with the roof support arm 120 and/or rib support arm 125.
Like the above embodiments, the mesh 70 may be positioned behind roof and/or rib support arms 120, 125 and over flanges 145, 147 in order to hold mesh 70 against the roof 50 and/or rib 55.
[0065] Support member 102 may again include, for example, a base portion 104 having a front surface 106 and a back surface 108. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13-15, integrally formed longitudinal flanges 110, 111 extend from base portion 104 at an angle, for example, 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 and comprising a general V-shape embossment, thereby forming a rib with apertures 130, 132, 136 defined therein. The height of reinforcement portion 114 may be approximately equal to the height of longitudinal flanges 110, 111.
[0066] In this embodiment, the mine roof and rib support device 100 may further include a bearing plate 275, illustrated in FIGS. 9, 12, and 16-17, having an upper edge 280 and a lower edge 285, side edges 284, 286, and a through-hole 288 provided between the upper and lower edges 280, 285 through which the roof bolt 35 is installed. Bearing plate 275 is shown in FIGS.
9 and 16 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 of the bearing plate 275. The bearing plate 275 may alternatively comprise a pair of secondary embossments 283, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. The bearing plate 275, such as illustrated in FIG. 8, 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 may be positioned adjacent the support member 102, such that the upper and lower edges 280, 285 of the bearing plate 275 are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms 120, 125, respectively. The upper and lower edges 280, 285 may, for example, abut longitudinal flanges 110, 111 and/or reinforcement portion 114. When the through-hole 288 in the bearing plate 275 is operatively aligned with the aperture 130 in the roof support arm 120 of support member 102 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 120, 125, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate 275 during installation of the roof bolt 35. Roof support bolt 35 is installed substantially vertically into the mine roof 50 through through-hole 288 and aperture 30. By substantially vertical it is meant that the roof bolt 35 extends into the mine roof 50, generally perpendicular to the mine roof 50 at the point wherein roof bolt 35 is installed. It should be understood that mine roof 50 may be uneven or somewhat sloping, such that roof bolt 35 may not be parallel to rib 55 or perpendicular to all points along mine roof 50. When the mine roof bolt 35 is torqued against the outer surface of the bearing plate 275, a vertical compressive load at arrow 135 is applied to the bearing plate 275, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The vertical compressive load at 135 is distributed throughout the upper and lower edges 280, 285 of the bearing plate 275 in both vertical and horizontal directions. The compressive load at 135 is transmitted from the edges 280, 285 of the bearing plate 275 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 and the rib support arm 125 to exert pressure against the mine roof 50 and mine rib 55, respectively.
[0067] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates how the mine roof and rib support device 100 may be installed at each side of the 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 120, 125 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 102 to simultaneously provide support for both the mine roof 50 and the mine rib 55. The force vectors 190, 195 in FIG. 11 show the force created by torquing the roof bolt 35 against the bearing plate 275.
[0068] Like the previously discussed embodiments, the support member 102 can be produced from an elongated member which is bent to form roof support arm 120 and rib support arm 125.
The channel can be heated to facilitate the bending process. At the location of the bend 140, longitudinal flanges 110, 111 may become deformed as illustrated in FIG 9, 10, 14, and 15.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate further details of the support member 102. The support member 102 may be made from a metal channel having a cross-section as illustrated in FIG.
13. The metal channel can be bent to form each of the roof and rib support arms 120, 125.
Each arm 120, 125 can generally be the same length, but each arm 120, 125 could have a different length if desired.
The bearing plate 275 will provide the support, similar to a brace, to resist movement of the roof and rib support arms 120, 125 towards each other subsequent to installation of the roof bolt 35.
[0069] The support member 102 may be configured to be stackable for ease of transport by including the 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 102 may nest within each other, thereby reducing the overall footprint of multiple stacked support members 102 as compared to multiple unstackable support members 102.
[00701 The dimensions corresponding to the reference characters in FIGS. 13-15 can be, for example, as listed in Table 2.

Dimensions Inches [00711 Referring to FIG. 17, a mine roof and rib support device 100 may be used along with an additional second support member 103, a second roof bolt 38, and a rib bolt 37. Support member 103 is a roof support having an aperture 133 defined therethrough.
After installing support member 102, as discussed above, support member 103 may be placed on top of roof support arm 120 in an overlapping manner. The back surface of support member 103 may mirror front surface 106 of support member 102, thereby rendering support member 103 easily engageable by roof support arm 120. To overlap the support member 103 and roof support arm 120, the front surface of support member 103 may instead receive the back surface of the roof support arm 120. Aperture 133 may be operatively aligned with second aperture 132 of roof support arm 120, such that a second mine roof bolt 38 is received through apertures 132, 133, thereby providing additional support to mine roof 50 by compressing the second support member 103 and roof support arm 120 against the mine roof 50. One or more support members 103 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 50. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 17, the mine rib support arm 125 of support member 102 may comprise an aperture 136 for receiving mine rib bolt 37 that extends therethrough for providing additional support mine rib 55 by compressing rib support arm 125 against the mine rib 55. Additional support members 103 with mine rib bolts 37 could be installed in an overlapping fashion with rib support arm 125 to further support mine rib 55.
[0072] The embodiments illustrated have shown an elongated structural support member 102 bent from a single length of material; however, alternatively, support member 102 could instead be two separate pieces of material which are, e.g., welded together.
[0073] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18-26, as in the embodiments described above, a mine roof and rib support device 300 includes a support member 302 having a roof support arm 320 and a rib support arm 325, wherein the roof support arm 320 is provided at an angle to the rib support arm 325. Again, as described above, the angle between the roof and rib support arms 320, 325 can generally be about 90 degrees, or can vary as needed, or desired.
Also, aperture 330 is defined in support member 302 for receiving a mine roof bolt 35, the aperture may be located adjacent a junction between, or an intersection of, the roof support arm 320 and the rib support arm 325. However, the junction 340 between the roof support arm 320 and the rib support arm 325 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 320, 325 may not take the form of a straightened arm.
Support member 302 is continuously curved with roof and rib support arms 320, 325 being those portions of the curved support member 302 that contact mine roof 350 and rib 355. The curved configuration of support member 302 conforms to the contour of the intersection of mine roof 350 and rib 355 when the mine roof 350 and rib 355 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 350 and mine rib 355 due to unevenness of the rock strata, which may include at least a partial arch configuration of the rock between the roof 350 and rib 355, e.g., a mine tunnel or passageway with a non-square, radial, rounded, and/or curved intersection between mine roof 350 and mine rib 355, and/or a mine roof 350 and mine rib 355 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.
[0074] As in the previously discussed embodiments, the support member 302, as shown in FIGS. 17-22, 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 302 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 302 with aperture 330 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.
[0075] The mine roof and rib support device 300 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 183 surrounding the through-hole. The bearing plate 175 can be positioned adjacent the curved support member 302, 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 320, 325, respectively. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 175, roof bolt 35, and curved support member 302 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 320 and the rib support arm 325, respectively, to compress the support arms 320, 325 against the roof 350 and rib 355 of the mine tunnel, thereby exerting pressure against the mine roof 350 and rib 355. However, in an arched mine passageway having, for example, a radius between the roof 350 and rib 355, the curvature of junction 340 between the roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 325 more accurately conforms to the curvature between mine roof 350 and rib 355, and the compressive load exerted by mine bolt 35 and bearing plate 175 will be more evenly distributed to mine roof 350 and rib 355.
[00761 The curved support member 302 may be produced from an elongated channel member which is bent to form roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 325. Unlike the previous embodiments, the longitudinal flanges 110, 111 may not be deformed at curved junction 340.
However, the curved support member 302 may be configured to be stackable for ease of transport as described above with reference to support member 102.
[00771 Also, like the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, the curved support member 302 of FIGS. 18-22, may include flanges 145, 147 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 325, wherein the flanges 145, 147 project toward the mine roof 350 or rib 355 with a wire mesh 70 positioned behind support arm 320 and over flange 145, in order to hold wire mesh 70 against the roof 350.
Similarly, a wire mesh 70 may be positioned behind rib support arm 325 and over flange 147 in order to hold wire mesh 70 against the rib 355.
[00781 Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, another embodiment of a mine roof and rib support device 300 may include curved support member 302 having roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 325 with curved junction 340 therebetween. Again, the support member 302 can further include flanges 145, 147 provided on one or both of the ends of the respective roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 125, wherein the flanges 145, 147 project toward the mine roof 350 or rib 355 with a wire mesh 70 positioned behind support arm 320 and over flange 145 in order to hold wire mesh 70 against the roof 350. However, in FIGS. 23 and 24, an aperture 330 for receiving mine roof bolt 35 is defined in roof support arm 320 (best illustrated in FIG.
15), as opposed to being defined at the junction 340 between roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 325. Also, the mine roof support arm 320 may optionally comprise a second aperture 332 for receiving a second mine roof bolt 38, and the rib support arm 325 may comprise an aperture 336 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. 18-22.

[0079] As in the above-described embodiments, the curved support member 302 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.
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 26, the mine roof and rib support device 300 may include the bearing plate 275, as illustrated in FIG. 16, 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 is positioned adjacent the curved support member 302, such that the upper and lower edges 280, 285 are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms 320, 325, 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 330 of roof support arm 320 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 320, 325, respectively, when force is applied to the bearing plate 275 during installation of roof bolt 35. The roof support bolt 35 is installed substantially vertically into the mine roof 350 through through-hole 288 and aperture 330, substantially vertical being defined in the same manner as it is defined with respect to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9-17. 'When the mine roof bolt 35 is torqued against the outer surface of the bearing plate 275, a vertical compressive load at arrow 335 is applied to the bearing plate 275, as illustrated in FIG. 25. The vertical compressive load 335 is distributed throughout the upper and lower edges 280, 285 of bearing plate 275 in both vertical and horizontal directions. The compressive load 335 is transmitted from the edges 280, 285 of the bearing plate 275 to the roof support arm 320 and rib support arm 325, respectively, to compress the support arms 320, 325 against the roof 350 and rib 355 of the mine tunnel.
In an annular mine tunnel, the curved junction 340 accurately conforms to the curvature of the mine tunnel, thereby, more evenly distributing the compressive load 335 to roof support arm 120 and rib support arm 125.

[0081] FIG. 25 schematically illustrates how the mine roof and rib support device 300 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 320, 325 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 302 to simultaneously provide support for both the mine roof 350 and mine rib 355. The force vectors 390, 395 in FIG. 25 show the force created by torquing the roof bolt 35 against the bearing plate 275.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 26, a mine roof and rib support device 300 may also be used along with an additional second support member 303, a second roof bolt 38, and rib bolt 37. Support member 303 is a roof support having an aperture 333 defined therethrough.
After installing support member 302, as discussed above, second support member 303 may be'placed over roof support arm 320 in an overlapping manner. The back surface of second support member 303 may mirror front surface 106 of support member 302, thereby rendering support member 303 easily engageable by roof support arm 320. To overlap second support member 303 and roof support arm 320, the front surface of support member 303 may instead receive the back surface of the roof support arm 320. Aperture 333 may be operatively aligned with second aperture 332 of roof support arm 320, such that a second mine roof bolt 38 is received through apertures 332, 333, thereby providing additional support to mine roof 350 by compressing the second support member 303 and roof support arm 320 against the mine roof 350. One or more support members 303 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 350. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 26, the mine rib support arm 325 of support member 302 may include an aperture 336 for receiving a mine rib bolt 37 that extends therethrough for providing additional support to mine rib 355 by compressing rib support arm 325 against the mine rib 355. An additional support member 303 with mine rib bolts 37 could be installed in an overlapping fashion with rib support arm 325 to further support mine rib 55.
[0083] 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 and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A mine roof and rib support comprising:
a support member comprising a back surface and a front surface, a base portion, an elongated reinforcement portion extending from said base portion, a roof support arm, and a rib support arm, said roof support arm provided at an angle to said rib support arm; and an aperture through said support member for receiving a mine roof bolt.

2. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, wherein the aperture is located adjacent a junction between said roof support arm and said rib support arm.

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

4. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, wherein said aperture is defined in said elongated reinforcement portion.

5. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, wherein said elongated reinforcement portion comprises an embossment extending from said front surface.

6. The mine roof and rib support of claim 1, further comprising a bearing plate, said bearing plate having an upper edge, a lower edge, and defining a through-hole between said upper and lower plate edges, wherein said upper and lower plate edges are positioned in abutment with said roof and rib support arms, respectively.

7. The mine roof and rib support of claim 6, further comprising a mine roof bolt extending through said plate through-hole and said support member aperture.

8. The mine roof and rib support of claim 7, wherein the support member aperture is defined through the roof support arm, the mine roof bolt being 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a curved support member having a curved junction portion between the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

10. A mine roof and rib support comprising:
a support member comprising a front surface, a back surface, 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 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 roof support arm aperture; and a mine roof bolt extending 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, wherein the upper edge exerts a force against the roof support arm and the lower edge exerts a force against the rib support arm.

11. The mine roof and rib support of claim 10, wherein the through-hole is located at a position on the bearing plate that is closer to the upper edge of the bearing plate than the lower edge of the bearing plate.

12. The mine roof and rib support of claim 10, wherein the mine roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the through-hole and the roof support arm aperture.

13. The mine roof and rib support of claim 10, 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 first support member receiving the second support member, the second support member aperture being 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.

14. The mine roof and rib support system of claim 13, further comprising a mine rib bolt;
wherein the rib support arm defines an aperture for receiving a mine rib bolt, and the mine rib bolt extends through the rib support arm aperture.

15. The mine roof and rib support system of claim 13, 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.

16. 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.

17. The mine roof and rib support of claim 16, wherein the aperture is located at the curved junction portion between the roof support arm and the rib support arm.

18. The mine roof and rib support of claim 16, 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.

19. The mine roof and rib support of claim 18, further comprising a mine roof bolt, wherein the bearing plate through-hole is operatively aligned with the support member aperture, and the mine roof bolt extends through the bearing plate through-hole and the support member aperture.

20. The mine roof and rib support of claim 19, wherein the support member aperture is defined in the roof support arm, and the mine roof bolt extends substantially vertically through the through-hole and support member aperture defined in the roof support arm.