SUPPORT CHANNEL

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for securing a wall are disclosed herein. A wall can be secured by attaching a support system to the wall. The support system can include a channel support, an affixation plate, and one or several securement features. The channel support can include a bearing surface that is divided into two portions by a rigidity structure. The rigidity structure can include two rigidity members that together form an M shape. The bearing surface of the channel support can be held against the wall by the affixation plate and the one or several securement features.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates in general to wall securement systems methods, and devices including tunnel wall and/or mine roof securement systems, methods, and devices.

In underground mining, excavation and tunneling operations, it is a typical practice to support the overhead and lateral rock strata by elongated structural members, such as metal roof mats and channels, that extend transversely across the mine roof and downwardly along the lateral sidewalls or ribs. The mats and channels are provided in various lengths with holes spaced a preselected distance apart through the members to conform to a conventional roof bolt plan. Roof bolts extend through the holes in the channels and into holes drilled in the rock strata and are anchored in the strata to maintain the channels compressed against the surface of the rock strata. The metal mats and channels are preferably used in place of wood timbers and are more efficiently installed in combination with a roof bolting system. In order to increase safety and better secure overhead and lateral rock strata, further improvement in the systems, methods, and devices for securing the overhead lateral rock strata are required.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a channel support. The channel support can include: an elongate member having opposing first and second ends, a top and an opposing bottom, opposing first and second sides, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. The elongate member can include a rigidity structure having a first rigidity member defined in part by a first width and a second rigidity member. In some embodiments, the first and second rigidity members extend in the same direction from the bottom of the elongate member, are separated by a distance that is less than three times the first width, and/or are located about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The elongate member can include a first angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members and a second angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members.

In some embodiments of the support channel, the first rigidity member can include a first half and a second half that extend from different points along the bottom of the elongate member and that join at an apex of the first rigidity member. In some embodiments, the second rigidity member can include a first half and a second half that extend from different points along the bottom of the elongate member and that join at an apex of the second rigidity member. In some embodiments, the first and second rigidity members are triangle-shaped.

In some embodiments, the first and second halves of the first rigidity member extend from the bottom of the elongate member at the same angle. In some embodiments, the second half of the first rigidity member and the first half of the second rigidity member extend from the bottom of the elongate member at the same angle, and in some embodiments, the first and second halves of the first rigidity member extend from the bottom of the elongate member at an angle between 40 and 60 degrees.

In some embodiments, the first half of the first rigidity member and the first half of the second rigidity member are parallel, and in some embodiments, the second half of the first rigidity member and the second half of the second rigidity member are parallel. In some embodiments, the distance between the top and the bottom of the elongate member defines a thickness of the elongate member, which thickness is between 0.05 and 0.135 inches.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a support system. The support system can include a support channel including an elongate member. The elongate member can have opposing first and second ends, a top and an opposing bottom, opposing first and second sides, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. In some embodiments, the elongate member can include a rigidity structure including a first rigidity member defined in part by a first width, and a second rigidity member. In some embodiments, the first and second rigidity members extend in the same direction from the bottom of the elongate member, are separated by a distance that is less than three times the first width, and are located about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The elongate member can include a first angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members, and a second angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members. The support system can include an affixation plate including first and second contact arms having first and second contact surfaces, and a rigidity structure channel extending between the first and second contact arms. In some embodiments, the rigidity structure channel is sized and shaped to receive the rigidity structure of the support channel.

In some embodiments of the support system, the affixation plate includes an aperture. In some embodiments, the support system includes a securement feature that can extend through the aperture of the affixation plate. In some embodiments, the rigidity structure channel is sized and shaped such that the first and second contact surfaces of the attachment plate contact the top bearing surfaces of the support channel when the rigidity structure channel receives the rigidity structure. In some embodiments of the support system, the support channel includes an opening sized and shaped to receive the securement feature.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of supporting a wall. The method can include creating a hole in a wall and positioning a channel support on the wall. In some embodiments, the channel support includes an elongate member having an opening, opposing first and second ends, a top and an opposing bottom, opposing first and second sides, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. In some embodiments, the elongate member includes a rigidity structure having a first rigidity member defined in part by a first width, and a second rigidity member. In some embodiments, the first and second rigidity members extend in the same direction from the bottom of the elongate member, are separated by a distance that is less than three times the first width, and are located about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The elongate member can include a first angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members, and a second angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members. The method of supporting a wall can include aligning the opening of the channel support with the hole, and inserting a securement feature through the opening in the channel support and into the hole in the wall.

In some embodiments, the method can include positioning an affixation plate over the channel support. In some embodiments, the affixation plate can include an aperture and a rigidity structure channel sized and shaped to receive the rigidity structure. In some embodiments, the method of supporting a wall can include aligning the aperture of the affixation plate with the opening of the elongate member.

In some embodiments, the method of supporting a wall can include inserting the securement feature through the aperture of the affixation plate. In some embodiments of the method of supporting a wall, the channel support can include a bearing surface. In some embodiments, the channel support can be positioned such that the bearing surface contacts the wall. In some embodiments, the channel support can include a bearing top surface. In some embodiments, the affixation plate contacts the bearing surface when the securement feature is inserted into the hole in the wall.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appended figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a support channel.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the support channel.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an affixation plate.

FIG. 4A is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a support system.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled support system.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Where the reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for securing overhead and/or lateral walls. These walls can be made of any material including, for example, rock strata, dirt, sand, concrete, or the like. The walls can be located above ground and/or underground and can be either naturally occurring or man-made, and can include, for example, one or several walls, including roofs, in one or several mines and/or tunnels. These walls can be secured with a channel support and/or a support system that can include a channel support.

The channel support can be sized and shaped and include features that increase the load that the channel support can carry before reaching and/or exceeding one or several specified deflection levels. In one embodiment, the channel support is an elongate member that includes first and second angular protrusions that extend along the length of the elongate member and an M-portion, also referred to herein as a rigidity structure, that likewise extends along the length of the elongate member. The M-portion can be formed from first and second rigidity members that can be positioned in proximity to each other. When a cross-section of the channel support is viewed, the first and second rigidity members together create an “M” or “W” shape. The size, shape, and spacing of the first and second rigidity members can determine and/or affect the load that can be carried by the channel support.

The support system can include the channel support and an affixation plate. The affixation plate can include a rigidity structure channel that can receive the rigidity structure when the affixation plate is positioned on the channel support. The affixation plate can be positioned on the channel support such that the affixation plate contacts the channel support and the channel support is between the affixation plate and the wall. The affixation plate can be secured with respect to the support channel and the wall via one or several securement features that can extend through apertures in one or both of the affixation plate and the channel support.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of using a channel support and/or support system to secure the walls. These methods can include drilling one or several holes into one or several walls and positioning one or several channel supports on the one or several walls. The methods can further include positioning one or several affixation plates such that the one or several affixation plates contact the channel support and the one or several affixation plates are separated from the one or walls by the one or several channel supports, and affixing the one or several affixation plates to the one or several walls via one or several securement features.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of the channel support 100 is shown. The channel support 100 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety materials. In some embodiments, the channel support 100 can be made from a natural material and/or a man-made material. Specifically, in some embodiments, the channel support 100 can be made from a metal including a metal alloy, ceramic, a plastic, a composite, or any other material capable of holding the desired loads. In some embodiments, the channel support 100 can be made from sheet metal, which can include sheet metal such as for example, shaped sheet metal. In some embodiments, the sheet metal can be any desired sheet metal and can include, for example, 000 gauge, 00 gauge, 0 gauge, 1 gauge, 2 gauge, 3 gauge, 4 gauge, 5 gauge, 6 gauge, 7 gauge, 8 gauge, 9 gauge, 10 gauge, 11 gauge, 12 gauge, 13 gauge, 14 gauge, 15 gauge, 16 gauge, 17 gauge, 18 gauge, 19 gauge, 20 gauge, 30 gauge, or any other or intermediate sheet metal gauge. Similar to the other properties, the steel used in the creation of steel sheet metal for the channel support 100 can be any desired steel having material properties adequate for bearing desired loads. In one embodiment, for example, the steel can include, for example, a high-strength low alloy (HSLA) steel including, for example, grade 2 HSLA steel. In some embodiments in which sheet metal is used in the creation of the channel support 100, the final shape of the channel support 100 can be achieved by rolling, including hot rolling and cold rolling.

As seen in FIG. 1, the channel support 100 can be an elongate member 102 that has a first end 104 and an opposing second end 106. The distance between the first end 104 and the second end 106 of the channel support 100 defines the length of the channel support 100 and the length of the elongate member 102. The channel support 100 further includes a top 108 and an opposing bottom 110. In some embodiments, the top 108 and the bottom 110 of the channel support 100 can be parallel, and in some embodiments, the top 108 and the bottom 110 of the channel support 100 can be nonparallel. In some embodiments, the channel support 100 can further include a first side 112 and an opposing second side 114. In some embodiments, each of the first end 104, the second end 106, the top 108, the bottom 110, the first side 105, and the second side 114 can be defined by a portion of the channel support 100 such as, for example, a surface, an edge, and/or a corner.

As seen in FIG. 1, the channel support 100 can include a longitudinal axis 116 extending between the first and second ends 104, 106 of the elongate member 102. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 116 can be located at the midway point between the first side 112 and the second side 114 and/or at the midway point between the top 108 and the bottom 110 of the elongate member 102.

In some embodiments, the channel support 100 can include a rigidity structure 118, also referred to herein as an M-portion. The rigidity structure 118 can be sized, shaped, and located on the elongate member 102 to increase the rigidity of the elongate member 102, especially with respect to loads applied to the elongate member 102 and having a component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 116 of the elongate member 102. In some embodiments, the rigidity structure 118 can be located at the midpoint between the first side 112 and the second side 114 and can extend along all or portions of the length of the channel support 100. The details of the rigidity structure 118 will be further discussed below.

Elongate member 102 can further include one or several openings 120. In some embodiments, the openings 120 can be sized and shaped to allow affixation of the elongate member 102 to a wall such as, for example, a mine or cave wall and/or a mine or cave roof. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the elongate member 102 includes openings 120 that are rectangular shaped and are located at the midpoint between the first side 112 and the second side 114 and are proximate to one of the first or second ends 104, 106. In some embodiments, the opening 120 can be sized, shaped, and located so as to interfere with the rigidity structure 118, and in some embodiments, the opening 120 can be sized, shaped, and located so as to not interfere with the rigidity structure 118. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the opening 120 is sized, shaped, and located such that, at the longitudinal position along the length of the elongate member 102 where the opening is located, the elongate member 102 does not have a rigidity structure 118.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the channel support 100 is shown. The channel support 100 depicted in FIG. 2 includes the elongate member 102 having a top 108 which can include, for example, all of the top and/or upper surfaces of the elongate member 102, and a bottom 110 which can include, for example, all of the bottom and/or lower surfaces of the elongate member 102. In some embodiments, the distance between the top 108 and the bottom 110, measured perpendicular to both the top 108 and the bottom 110, defines a thickness of the channel support 100 and/or of the material used to create the channel support. In some embodiments, the channel support 100 can have a uniform thickness at some or all points along the length of the elongate member 102 and/or between the first side 112 and the second side 114 of the elongate member 102. The channel support 100 can have any desired thickness and can include thicknesses between, for example, 0.01 and 0.5 inches, 0.02 and 0.4 inches, 0.06 and 0.3 inches, 0.06 and 0.2, 0.07 and 0.15 inches, 0.075 and 0.135 inches, 0.075 and 0.125 inches, 0.05 and 0.135 inches, 0.078 and 0.135 inches, 0.078 and 0.125 inches, 0.075 or 0.078 and 0.1 inches, and/or any other or intermediate thickness.

As seen in FIG. 2, the channel support 100 includes a bearing surface 202 divided into first and second portions by the rigidity structure 118. In some embodiments, the first, leftmost portion of the bearing surface 202 is parallel with and in the same plane as the second, rightmost portion of the bearing surface 202. In some embodiments, the bearing surface can be configured for abutment against the wall or portions of the wall, and specifically can be the portion of the channel support 100 that contacts the overhead and/or lateral strata in the wall. The bearing surface 202 can have a variety of widths as measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 116 and between the first and second sides 112, 114. In some embodiments, the width of the bearing surface 202 can vary based on the properties of the wall such as, for example, the loadbearing properties of the wall. In some embodiments in which the wall has lower loadbearing properties, the width of the bearing surface 202 can be increased so as to better distribute the load applied to the channel support 100 over a larger area to thereby effectively support the wall.

The channel support 100 includes the top bearing surface 203. As depicted in FIG. 2, the top bearing surface 200 is opposite the bearing surface 202 and is located on the top 108 of the elongate member 102. In some embodiments, the top bearing surface can be sized so as to allow engagement with other features of a support system including, for example, an affixation plate, the details of which are discussed at greater length below. In some embodiments, and as seen in FIG. 2, the top bearing surface 203 can comprise first and second portions that can be separated by rigidity structure 118.

Channel support 100 can further include a first terminus 204 located at and/or proximate to the first side 112 and a second terminus 206 located at and/or proximate the second side 114. In some embodiments, the first terminus 204 and the second terminus 206 can be the edges of the elongate member 102 extending between the top 108 and the bottom 110 and located at the first side 112 and the second side 114 respectively.

In some embodiments, the channel support 100 can include a first angular protrusion 208 extending from the bearing surface 202 and the top bearing surface 203, and specifically from the first portions of the bearing surface 202 and the top bearing surface 203. In some embodiments, the first angular protrusion can extend from the bearing surface 202 and the top bearing surface 203 in the first protrusion angle 210. The first protrusion angle 210 can be any desired angle and can be, for example, between 60 and 170 degrees, between 90 and 160 degrees, between 110 and 150 degrees, between 125 and 135 degrees, approximately 130 degrees, and/or any other or intermediate measure. In some embodiments, the first angular protrusion 208 can have an angular protrusion height comprising the shortest distance between the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 and the line of intersection between the first terminus 204 of the top 108 of the first angular protrusion 208. In some embodiments, the height of the first angular protrusion can be, for example, between 0.3 and 1.4 inches, between 0.4 and 1.3 inches, between 0.5 and 1.2 inches, between 0.6 and 1.1 inches, between 0.7 inches and 1 inch, between 0.8 and 0.9 inches, approximately 0.85 inches, or any other or intermediate value.

The channel support 100 can include a second angular protrusion 212 extending from the bearing surface 202 and the top bearing surface 203 and specifically from the second portions of the bearing surface 202 and the top bearing surface 203. In some embodiments, the second angular protrusion 212 can extend from the bearing surface 202 and the top bearing surface 203 at the same angle as the first protrusion angle 210, but in a direction as mirrored about the midline, between the first and second sides 112, 114, of the elongate member 102. In some embodiments, the second angular protrusion 212 can have an angular protrusion height comprising the shortest distance between the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 and the line of intersection between the second terminus 206 and the top 108 of the second angular protrusion 212. In some embodiments, the height of the second angular protrusion 212 can be the same as the height of the first angular protrusion 208 and can be, for example, between 0.3 and 1.4 inches, between 0.4 and 1.3 inches, between 0.5 and 1.2 inches, between 0.6 and 1.1 inches, between 0.7 inches and 1 inch, between 0.8 and 0.9 inches, approximately 0.85 inches, or any other or intermediate value.

Channel support 100 can include a rigidity structure 118 that can include a first rigidity member 214 having a first apex 216 and a first central axis 218, a second rigidity member 220 having a second apex (not identified in FIG. 2), and a second central axis 222. The first and second rigidity members 214, 220 can together form the rigidity structure 118 and can increase the rigidity of the elongate member to allow attainment of desired deflections under desired loads. The first and second rigidity members 214, 220 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, for example, the first and/or second rigidity members 214, 220 can be triangular, rectangular, octagonal, round, or have any other desired shape. In some embodiments, the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 can comprise the same shape and/or size, and in some embodiments, the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 can comprise different shapes and/or sizes.

In some embodiments, the rigidity structure 118 can be defined by a height and/or width. In one embodiment, the height is the minimum distance measured between the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 and the point of intersection between either of first and second central axes 218, 222. In some embodiments, the height of the rigidity structure 118 can be between 0.1 inches and 1 inch, between 0.1 and 0.9 inches, between 0.1 and 0.5 inches, between 0.2 and 0.4 inches, approximately 0.3 inches, and/or any other or intermediate value. In some embodiments, the rigidity structure 118 can be defined by a width that can be, for example, between 0.2 and 3 inches, between 0.4 and 2.8 inches, between 0.6 and 2.6 inches, between 0.8 and 2.4 inches, between 1 inch 2.2 inches between 1.2 and 2 inches, between 1.4 and 1.8 inches, approximately 1.6 inches, and/or any other value. In some embodiments, the width of the rigidity structure 108 can be a percent of the distance between the first and second sides 112, 114 of the channel support 100 which percent can be, for example, between 10 and 90 percent, between 20 and 80 percent, between 20 and 30 percent, approximately 28 percent, and/or any other or intermediate percent.

Both the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 can include an apex, which apex is the point and/or portion of each of the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 that has the greatest vertical displacement from the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 of the elongate member. As further seen in FIG. 2, the first rigidity member 214 can include a first central axis 218 and the second rigidity member 220 can include a second central axis 222. In some embodiments, the first and second central axes 218, 222 can be located at the midline of the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 as measured between the first and second sides 112, 114. In some embodiments, the first and second central axes 218, 222 can extend along the midline the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 from the top 108 to the bottom 110 of elongate member 102.

As seen in FIG. 2, the first and second central axes 218, 222 can be separated by a width 224. In some embodiments, the width 224 can be, for example, between 0.1 and 1.6 inches, between 0.2 and 1.5 inches, between 0.3 and 1.4 inches, between 0.4 and 1.3 inches, between 0.5 and 1.2 inches, between 0.6 and 1.1 inches, between 0.7 inches and 1 inch, between 0.8 and 0.9 inches, approximately 0.87 inches and/or any other or intermediate value. In some embodiments, the width 224 can be defined as a ratio with respect to the size of one of the rigidity members measured in the plane defined by the bearing surface 202. In some embodiments, for example, the width can be approximately and/or less than 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and/or any other or intermediate number times greater than the size of one of the rigidity members as measured in the plane defined by the bearing surface 202.

In some embodiments, and as seen with respect to the second rigidity member 220, the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 can each be made of first and second halves. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 2, the second rigidity member 220 comprises a first half 221-A in the second half 221-B. The first and second halves 221-A, 221-B can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the first and second halves 221-A, 221-B each comprise a straight member extending from the bearing surface 202 and/or from the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 towards the apex of the second rigidity member.

In some embodiments, and as seen in FIG. 2, the first and second halves 221-A, 221-B can intersect at an interior angle 226 that can be, for example, between 30 and 130 degrees, between 40 and 120 degrees, between 50 and 110 degrees, between 60 and 100 degrees, between 70 and 90 degrees, approximately 80 degrees, and/or any other or intermediate value. As further seen in FIG. 2, the second half 221-B of the second rigidity member 220 can extend from the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 at a first rigidity angle 228 that can be, for example, between 80 and 180 degrees, between 90 and 170 degrees, between 100 and 160 degrees, between 110 and 150 degrees, between 120 and 140 degrees, approximately 130 degrees, and/or any other or intermediate value.

In some embodiments, the first half 221-A of the second rigidity member 220 can extend from the plane defined by the bearing surface 202 at an angle having the same value as the first rigidity angle 228 but in the mirrored direction about the second central axis 222. Similarly, in some embodiments, the extension of the first half 221-A of the second rigidity member 220 can be defined by the angle between the first half 221-A of the second rigidity member 220 and the first rigidity member 214, which angle is referred to herein as the interior rigidity angle 230. In some embodiments, the interior rigidity angle 230 can be, for example, between 30 and 130 degrees, between 40 and 120 degrees, between 50 and 110 degrees, between 60 and 100 degrees, between 70 and 90 degrees, approximately 80 degrees, and/or any other or intermediate value.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of one embodiment of the affixation plate 300 is shown. The affixation plate 300 is a component of the support system and can be used to fix the position of the channel support 100 with respect to the wall. In some embodiments, the affixation plate 300 can receive and/or interact with the securement feature such as, for example, a screw, a bolt, a rod, a rebar including, for example, a headed rebar, or the like. The affixation plate 300 can be any size and shape that allow the affixation plate 300 to interact with and secure the position of the channel support 100, and the affixation plate 300 can be made of a material that can withstand loads applied to the affixation plate 300. In some embodiments, the affixation plate 300 can be made of natural and/or man-made material and specifically can be made from sheet metal such as, for example, shaped sheet metal.

The affixation plate can include a pair of contact arms 302 that can each include a contact surface 304. The contact surface 304 can be configured to interact with the top bearing surface 203 of the elongate member 102 so as to apply a force to the elongate member 102 to thereby secure the elongate member 102 with respect to the wall. In some embodiments, the contact surface 304 of each of the contact arms 302 can be sized and shaped so as to maximize contact area between the contact surface 304 and the top bearing surface 203. In some embodiments, the contact surface 304 is sized to extend approximately from the intersection of each of the first and second angular protrusions 208, 212 and the top bearing surface 203 to the closest intersection of the closest of the first and second rigidity members 214, 220 and the top bearing surface 203.

The affixation plate 300 can further include a rigidity structure channel 306. In some embodiments, the rigidity structure channel 306 can be sized and shaped to receive the rigidity structure 118. In some embodiments, the rigidity structure channel 306 can be sized and shaped to receive the rigidity structure 118 and to allow the contact surface of each of the contact arms 302 to contact the top bearing surface 203 when the rigidity structure 118 is received within the rigidity structure channel 306.

In some embodiments, the affixation plate 300 can include an aperture 308. The aperture 308 can be sized and shaped to receive the securement feature to thereby allow the affixation plate 300 and the channel support 100 to be secured and affixed with respect to the wall. In some embodiments, the aperture 308 can be threaded, and in some embodiments, the aperture 308 can be unthreaded.

With reference now to FIG. 4A, an exploded view of one embodiment of a support system 400 is shown. In some embodiments, the support system 400 can include the channel support 100, the affixation plate 300, and the securement feature 402.

In some embodiments, the support system 400 can be used to support a wall 401. In one such embodiment, a hole, and in one embodiment, a pair of holes, can be made in the wall 401. The channel support 100 can be positioned with respect to the wall 401 and the holes such that the bearing surface 202 of the channel support contacts the wall 401 and the openings 120 of the channel support 100 are aligned with the holes in the wall 401. In some embodiments, the securement feature 402 can be inserted through the aperture 308 in the affixation plate 300 and inserted through the opening 120 in the elongate member 102 of the channel support 100. The securement feature 402 can then be inserted into the hole in the wall 401, and can be secured within the hole in the wall 401 via, for example, one or several mechanical and/or chemical affixation features including, for example, an adhesive, a resin, threads, or the like. In some embodiments, the securement feature 402 can be secured within the hole in the wall 401 such that a desired compressive force is applied by the securement feature 402 to the affixation plate 300, by the affixation plate 300 to the channel support 100, and by the channel support 100 to the wall 401. In some embodiments, this force can secure and affix the channel support 100 with respect to the wall 401. In some embodiments, additional securement features 402 can be affixed to the wall 401, to the channel support 100, and to the affixation plate 300 until a desired level of affixation of the channel support 100 with respect to the wall 401 is achieved.

With reference now to FIG. 4B, a perspective, assembled view of one embodiment of the support system 400 is shown. As seen in FIG. 4B, the channel support 100 is abutting the wall 401 and is held in place by the affixation plate 300 and the securement feature 402.

The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A support channel comprising:

an elongate member having opposing first and second ends, a top and an opposing bottom, opposing first and second sides, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the elongate member comprises: a rigidity structure comprising a first rigidity member having a first width and a second rigidity member, wherein the first and second rigidity members extend in the same direction from the bottom of the elongate member, wherein the first and second rigidity members are separated by a distance that is less than three times the first width, and wherein the first and second rigidity members are located about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member; a first angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members; and a second angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members.

2. The support channel of claim 1, wherein the first rigidity member comprises a first half and a second half extending from different points along the bottom of the elongate member and joining at an apex of the first rigidity member; and

wherein the second rigidity member comprises a first half and a second half extending from different points along the bottom of the elongate member and joining at an apex of the second rigidity member.

3. The support channel of claim 2, wherein the first and second rigidity members are triangle-shaped.

4. The support channel of claim 2, wherein the first and second halves of the first rigidity member extend from the bottom of the elongate member at the same angle.

5. The support channel of claim 2, wherein the second half of the first rigidity member and the first half of the second rigidity member extend from the bottom of the elongate member at the same angle.

6. The support channel of claim 5, wherein the first and second halves of the first rigidity member extend from the bottom of the elongate member at an angle of between 40 and 60 degrees.

7. The support channel of claim 2, wherein the first half of the first rigidity member and the first half of the second rigidity member are parallel.

8. The support channel of claim 7, wherein the second half of the first rigidity member and the second half of the second rigidity member are parallel.

9. The support channel of claim 1, wherein the distance between the top and the bottom of the elongate member defines a thickness of the elongate member, and wherein the thickness is between 0.05 and 0.135 inches.

10. A support system comprising:

a support channel comprising an elongate member having opposing first and second ends, opposing top and bottom, opposing first and second sides, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the elongate member comprises: a rigidity structure comprising a first rigidity member having a first width, and a second rigidity member, wherein the first and second rigidity members extend in the same direction from the bottom of the elongate member, wherein the first and second rigidity members are separated by a distance that is less than three times the first width, and wherein the first and second rigidity members are located about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member; a first angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members; and a second angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members; and

an affixation plate comprising: first and second contact arms having first and second contact surfaces; and a rigidity structure channel extending between the first and second contact arms, wherein the rigidity structure channel is sized and shaped to receive the rigidity structure of the support channel.

11. The support system of claim 10, wherein the affixation plate comprises an aperture.

12. The support system of claim 11 comprising a securement feature configured to extend through the aperture.

13. The support system of claim 10, wherein the rigidity structure channel is sized and shaped such that the first and second contact surfaces of the attachment plate contact the top bearing surfaces of the support channel when the rigidity structure channel receives the rigidity structure.

14. The support system of claim 10, wherein the support channel comprises an opening sized and shaped to receive the securement feature.

15. A method of supporting a wall, the method comprising:

creating a hole in a wall;

positioning a channel support on the wall, the channel support comprising: an elongate member having an opening, opposing first and second ends, opposing top and bottom, opposing first and second sides, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the elongate member comprises: a rigidity structure comprising a first rigidity member having a first width and a second rigidity member, wherein the first and second rigidity members extend in the same direction from the bottom of the elongate member, wherein the first and second rigidity members are separated by a distance that is less than three times the first width, and wherein the first and second rigidity members are located about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member; a first angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members; and a second angular protrusion extending from the bottom of the elongate member and in the same direction as the first and second rigidity members;

aligning the opening of the channel support with the hole; and

inserting a securement feature through the opening in the channel support and into the hole in the wall.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising positioning an affixation plate over the channel support, the affixation plate comprising an aperture and a rigidity structure channel sized and shaped to receive the rigidity structure, and aligning the aperture of the affixation plate with the opening of the elongate member.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising inserting the securement feature through the aperture of the affixation plate.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the channel support comprises a bearing surface, wherein the channel support is positioned such that the bearing surface contacts the wall.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the channel support comprises a bearing top surface.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the affixation plate contacts the bearing surface when the securement feature is inserted into the hole in the wall.