Bearing plate having tab

Abstract

A bearing plate for use in a mine comprising a first side, an opposed second and having an opening that extends from the first side to the opposed second side. The opening is defined by a surrounding edge wall formed in the bearing plate, and a tab extends from the surrounding edge wall into the opening. The tab is for being received in a longitudinal gap or slot of a friction stabilizer or a longitudinal slot or gap of an embossed friction stabilizer, and the tab prevents them from collapsing when they are subjected to loading.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/691,040, filed Jun. 16, 2005, to Valgora for a Bearing Plate Having Tab.

BACKGROUND

One of the hazards associated with mining is cave-ins. Presently, in order to reduce the risk of such cave-ins, friction stabilizers are used to support the ceilings and walls of mines. The stabilization process begins with drilling bores into the walls and ceiling of the mine. The drilled bores are for receiving friction stabilizers therein.

The well known friction stabilizer has an elongate body that meets with a tapered portion, and has an impact end and an opposed tapered end. A slot extends longitudinally along the stabilizer from the impact end to the opposed tapered end. The diameter of the friction stabilizer is slightly greater than that of the drilled bore. A weld ring is welded to the exterior surface of the impact end of the stabilizer.

The friction stabilizer is used with a bearing plate having a circular opening. The opening in the bearing plate is aligned with the drilled bore and the friction stabilizer tapered end is moved through the bearing plate opening and into the drilled bore. There is typically a wire mesh provided that extends along the walls and ceiling of the mine, and this wire mesh is positioned between the bearing plate and mine wall. As the impact end of the friction stabilizer is hammered to move the friction stabilizer deeper into the drilled bore, the friction stabilizer radially compresses, because the diameter of the drilled bore is less than that of the friction stabilizer and because it has the longitudinal slot. After the friction stabilizer has been hammered, it is held in the drilled bore by a friction fit, that is, the stabilizer expands radially outward into the drilled bore, and the weld ring abuts against the bearing plate. The stabilizer secures the bearing plate which, in turn, supports the wire mesh liner that surrounds the walls and ceiling of the mine and supports the walls and ceiling of the mine. The stabilizer can be made of steel.

After the friction stabilizer has been hammered into the drilled bore it can be tested to determine if it meets the specifications for the particular job. For example, hydraulic pullers test the amount of force required to pull the friction stabilizer out of the drilled bore. The weld ring, in addition to supporting the bearing plate, prevents the radial collapse of the stabilizer as it is pulled from the drilled bore. If testing shows that a few of the stabilizers meet the job specifications, then additional stabilizers can be hammered into adjacent drilled bores without having to test them.

Some stabilizers do not have separate weld rings welded to their impact ends. For example, there is what is called an embossed friction stabilizer that has an elongate body that meets with a tapered portion, with an impact end and an opposed tapered end. A longitudinal slot extends from the impact end to the tapered end. There is an embossed ring that is integrally formed in the embossed friction stabilizer that is proximal to the impact end, such that the embossed ring and elongate body are one piece. The longitudinal slot extends through the embossed ring. After the embossed friction stabilizer has been moved through the opening in the bearing plate and hammered into the drilled bore, the embossed ring abuts against the bearing plate functions and the embossed ring supports the bearing plate.

A significant problem exists with respect to the use of embossed friction stabilizers. As previously mentioned, the walls and ceilings of the mine are lined with heavy gauge wire mesh that has openings which are about five inches by five inches (5″ by 5″) or six inches by six inches (6″ by 6″). The wire mesh is supported by the bearing plate, and the bearing plate is supported by the embossed friction stabilizer. The wire mesh can be subjected to significant loading if the ground shifts or the rocks it supports loosen. However, because an embossed friction stabilizer can collapse radially inward when subjected to loading because the embossed ring has the same thickness as the remainder of the stabilizer and has the longitudinal slot, the wire mesh can undesirably separate or slip off of the bearing plate. If that happens, then the mesh can collapse, and this can lead to an undesirable and dangerous rock fall.

Another problem with the embossed friction stabilizer is that when it is pulled out of the drilled bore during testing, it can radially collapse in upon itself, and/or twist and/or bend. As a result, it is extremely difficult to obtain an accurate pull test reading for embossed friction stabilizers, making it extremely difficult to determine if the embossed stabilizers meet the specifications for the job. This same collapse can occur in actual use if pressure from the rock face is applied against the bearing plate as discussed above.

In an attempt to work around this problem, it is a frequent practice in the industry to weld a separate weld ring proximal to the embossed ring portion of the embossed ring friction stabilizer prior to pull testing, so that the embossed friction stabilizer cannot collapse radially inward when it is pulled from the drilled bore. The problem with this is that the pull test results are unreliable, and do not reflect the reality of the situation. Using this testing method will always yield good test results because the embossed friction stabilizer cannot collapse radially inward because of the weld ring. These results, however, are inherently flawed because they do not accurately reflect the capability of the embossed friction stabilizer to support the mine. Therefore, any reliance placed on such questionable test results can have dire consequences.

Thus, there is a need for a better way to prevent the collapse of friction stabilizers.

SUMMARY

In one of the preferred embodiments, the bearing plate has a first side and an opposed second side, and an opening for receiving a friction stabilizer. The opening is defined by a surrounding edge wall formed in the bearing plate. The opening can have a circular shape. A tab extends from the bearing plate surrounding edge wall into the opening in the bearing plate. In one of the preferred embodiments the tab has a generally rectangular shape. The bearing plate can be punched, pressed or cut to form the opening with the tab extending into the opening.

In use, wire mesh is supported against the mine wall and ceiling, and the bearing plate is moved against the wire mesh and the opening is aligned with one of the predrilled bores in the mine wall or ceiling. The tapered end of an embossed friction stabilizer having a longitudinal slot and embossed ring is positioned relative to the bearing plate opening, such that the longitudinal slot is aligned with the tab. That is, the tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot. The tapered end of the embossed friction stabilizer is introduced through the opening in the plate and into the drilled bore with the tab positioned in the longitudinal slot. The impact end of the embossed friction stabilizer is hammered such that the embossed friction stabilizer moves into the drilled bore. After hammering, the tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot, the wire mesh is positioned between the bearing plate and mine wall or ceiling, and the bearing plate is supported by the embossed ring.

The embossed friction stabilizer is thus safer in actual use and application, because the elongate body of the embossed friction stabilizer cannot collapse if pressure is applied to the bearing plate by the rock face due to the presence of the bearing plate tab. This is because the tab is received in the portion of the longitudinal slot proximal to the embossed ring, and the tab advantageously serves to prevent the radial inward collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer.

In addition, during testing when the embossed friction stabilizer is hydraulically pulled from the drilled bore, it cannot collapse radially inward on itself, because the tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot proximal to the embossed ring, which advantageously prevents collapse. Thus, highly accurate pull test results can be obtained with the use of the bearing plate having a tab, and a determination can be quickly made as to whether the embossed friction stabilizer meets the job specifications. The embossed friction stabilizer can comprise steel, galvanized steel, or metal alloys.

In another embodiment, the bearing plate having the tab can be used in combination with a friction stabilizer having a longitudinal slot and to which a weld ring is welded. After hammering, the bearing plate having tab is positioned between the weld ring and the wire mesh that contacts the mine wall, and the tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot. The tab serves to prevent the inward collapse of the friction stabilizer.

Thus, the bearing plate having tab can be advantageously used with friction stabilizers having weld rings and embossed friction stabilizers. The bearing plate having tab thus advantageously increases mine safety.

The bearing plate can be made of steel, galvanized steel, or metal alloys.

In another embodiment there an embossed bearing plate that is embossed to increase rigidity. The embossed bearing plate has opposed first and second bearing plate surfaces. A central elevated portion having an opening extends from the first bearing plate surface, and an embossed bearing plate tab extends into the opening. The embossed bearing plate functions in the same manner as the bearing plate having tab described above. The embossed bearing plate can be used in combination with embossed friction stabilizers and friction stabilizers.

In other preferred embodiments, the tab and embossed bearing plate tab can have different geometries, for example, the tab can be cross shaped, T-shaped, circular shaped, arrowhead shaped, and flared-shaped all of which advantageously prevent the radial inward collapse of the. friction stabilizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

At the outset, it is noted that like reference numbers are intended to identify the same structure, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bearing plate having a rectangular shaped tab.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bearing plate having a rectangular shaped tab.

FIG. 2A is an edgewise, front elevational view of the bearing plate having tab.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, of an embossed friction stabilizer positioned in the opening of the bearing plate having the rectangular shaped tab and the embossed friction stabilizer positioned in a drilled bore.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a system having the bearing plates having tabs and embossed friction stabilizers supporting a wire mesh and the walls and ceiling of a mine.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a bearing plate having a circular shaped tab.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a bearing plate having a circular shaped tab and an embossed friction stabilizer positioned in bearing plate.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the bearing plate having circular shaped tab and embossed friction stabilizer positioned in the bearing plate shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embossed friction stabilizer positioned in the bearing plate having a circular shaped tab shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a bearing-plate having a cruciform-shaped tab.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a bearing plate having a generally T-shaped tab.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an-embodiment of a bearing plate having an arrowhead shaped tab.

FIG. 11A is a top plan view of an embodiment of a bearing plate having a flared-shaped tab.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an embossed bearing plate having an embossed bearing plate tab.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the embossed bearing plate and embossed bearing plate tab of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bearing plate having tab used in combination with a friction stabilizer having a weld ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is for a bearing plate for use in mining applications and support systems and method. An example of a prior type of bearing plate is shown generally in pending United States Patent application having Ser. No. 10/946,468 and filed Sep. 21, 2004, now United States Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0069388, published Mar. 31, 2005, to Valgora, for a Friction Stabilizer With Tabs, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Shown generally in FIGS. 1-3 is a support member or body 18 comprising a bearing plate 20 having a tab 38. The bearing plate 20 is generally rectangular shaped, and in one of the preferred embodiments has a length of about six (6) inches and a width of about six (6) inches. The bearing plate 20 has a first surface 21 and an opposed second surface 23. The plate has opposed first and second edge walls 26, 28, respectively, that are generally parallel, and opposed third and fourth edge wall 30, 32, respectively, that are generally parallel. The opposed first and second edge walls 26, 28, and the opposed third and fourth edge walls 30, 32, respectively, extend between the opposed first and second surfaces 21, 23, respectively. In other embodiments the length and width of the bearing plate 20 can be varied, and in yet other preferred embodiments the bearing plate 20 can have a different geometry, for example, the bearing plate 20 can be circular shaped. These other shapes advantageously allow for use of the bearing plate 20 in virtually any mining and support applications.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bearing plate 20 has a bearing plate opening 34 that is defined by a surrounding edge wall 36. The bearing plate opening 34 is circular shaped in one of the preferred embodiments. Also, the bearing plate 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, is flat, that is, the opposed first and second surfaces 21, 23, respectively, are substantially parallel. The bearing plate opening 34 extends through the thickness, designated T in FIG. 2A, of the bearing plate 20. A tab 38 extends from the surrounding edge wall 36 into the bearing plate opening 34. It is pointed out that the tab 38 can extend inwardly from virtually any portion or point along the surrounding edge wall 36. In one of the preferred embodiments, the tab 38 has a rectangular shape and is formed integral with the bearing plate 20, such that the tab 38 and bearing plate 20 are joined and are one piece. Thus, the tab 38 is the same thickness as the body of the plate 20, and the opposite surfaces of the tab 38 are substantially flush with the opposed first and second surfaces 21, 23, respectively, of the plate 20. The tab 38 has a first contact edge 50 and an opposed substantially parallel second contact edge 52. The tab 38 further includes a tab end edge 54 that extends between the first and second contact edges 50, 52, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

The bearing plate 20 can be made by providing a sheet of steel having the desired length and width of the bearing plate 20, and punching, cutting or pressing the bearing plate opening 34 and the tab 38 into the sheet of steel.

FIG. 3 shows the bearing plate 20 and an embossed friction stabilizer 22 partly installed in a drilled bore 102 made in a body in the form of a mine wall 100 of a mine 98. It is to be understood that wall 100 could just as well be the mine ceiling 104. In one of the preferred embodiments the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is galvanized and has an impact end 40, an embossed ring and an opposed insertion end 42. The embossed friction stabilizer 22 has a tapered portion 43 having a notch 58 that meets with an elongate body 48. The notch 58 allows the tapered portion 43 to be roll formed when the embossed friction stabilizer is rolled. In addition, the tapered portion 43 facilitates introduction of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 into a drilled bore 102 in the mine wall 100. The elongate body 48 has a generally cylindrical shape.

A longitudinal slot 44 extends between the opposed impact and insertion ends 40, 42, respectively. The longitudinal slot 44 is defined by spaced apart first and second longitudinal edges 45, 47, respectively, that extend longitudinally along the embossed friction stabilizer 22 from the impact end 40 to the insertion end 42, as shown in FIG. 3. The longitudinal slot 44 has a slot width designated W in FIG. 3 which is the distance between the first and second longitudinal edges 45, 47, respectively. In addition, the impact end 40 of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 has the formed embossed ring 41, such that the embossed friction stabilizer 22 and embossed ring 41 are one piece. As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal slot 44 extends through the embossed ring 41. Embossed rings and the method of making an embossed ring 41 on an embossed ring friction stabilizer 22 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a wire mesh 110 is provided that extends along the mine walls 100 and ceiling 104 of the mine 98. The wire mesh 110 is positioned between the mine wall 100 and the bearing plate 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the bearing plate opening 34 is aligned with the drilled bore 102, and the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is oriented such that the tab 38 is positioned in the longitudinal slot 44 of the embossed friction stabilizer 22. In particular, the tab 38 is positioned between the first and second longitudinal edges 45, 47, respectively, of the longitudinal slot 44 of the embossed friction stabilizer 22. The width W of the slot 44 is greater than the width, designated B in FIG. 1, between the first and second contact edges 50, 52, respectively.

After the tapered end 42 is introduced into the drilled bore 102 in this manner, the impact end 40 is hammered with, for example, a hydraulic hammer (not shown). Hydraulic hammers are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. As shown in FIG. 3, as the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is hammered into the drilled bore 102 the first longitudinal edge 45 slides over the second tab edge 52, and the second longitudinal edge 47 slides over the first tab edge 50. Hammering continues until the embossed ring 41 abuts against the bearing plate first side 21 and the bearing plate second side 23 abuts against a wire mesh 110 that extends over the mine wall 100 and ceiling 104. In this manner the wire mesh 110 is supported by the bearing plate 20 and held tightly against the mine wall 100. Thus, after hammering, the bearing plate 20 is positioned between the embossed ring 41 and the wire mesh 110 and mine wall 100, and the tab 38 is positioned in the stabilizer longitudinal slot 44.

The bearing plate 20 having the tab 38 advantageously prevents the embossed friction stabilizer 22 from collapsing after is has been installed in the mine wall 100 or ceiling 104, and thus provides for reliable support of the mine walls 100 and ceiling 104. In particular, any radial inward movement of the body of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is limited by contact between the first longitudinal edge 45 with the second contact edge 52, and is limited by contact between the second longitudinal edge 47 and the first contact edge 50, as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the embossed friction stabilizer 22 cannot collapse inwardly and thus the bearing plate 20 can support the wire mesh 110 which prevents rocks from falling. Therefore, the bearing plate 20 having the tab 38 advantageously provides for an inherently safer mining system in practice, as compared to bearing plates not having tabs.

An additional advantage of the tab 38 is that during testing when the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is pulled from the drilled bore 102 with, for example, a hydraulic puller, the embossed friction stabilizer 22 will not collapse. The process of hydraulically pulling a friction stabilizer out of a drilled bore 102 for testing purposes is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The tab 38, by virtue of its contact with the first and second longitudinal edges 45, 47, respectively, and as explained above, advantageously prevents the embossed friction stabilizer 22 from collapsing radially inward on itself or twisting as it is being pulled from the drilled bore 102. This advantageously allows accurate test data to be collected pertaining to how much pulling force is required to pull the embossed friction stabilizer 22 from the drilled bore 102. In addition, because the test data is accurate, it will be immediately known if the embossed friction stabilizer 22 meets with the specifications for the job.

As further advantage, if the bearing plate 20 having tab 38 is galvanized and the embossed friction stabilizer 22 having the embossed ring 41 is galvanized, then they will not rust when used in wet mining application. Thus, the bearing plate having tab 38 can advantageously be used in wet or dry mines 98.

FIGS. 5-8 show an embodiment wherein the bearing plate 20 has a circular shaped tab 38a. The circular shaped tab 38a extends from the surrounding edge wall 36 into the opening 34 in the bearing plate 20 as shown in FIG. 5. The circular shaped tab 38a has substantially parallel first and second contact edges 50a, 52a, respectively, that extend from the bearing plate 20. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the circular shaped tab 38a also has a circular edge 55 that extends from the first contact edge 50a to the second contact edge 52a. FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a bearing plate 20 having a circular shaped tab 38a, with the embossed friction stabilizer 22 positioned in the bearing plate 20. The circular shaped tab 38a abuts against the embossed friction stabilizer 22 in the manner described above in connection with the tab 38. FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the bearing plate 20 having a circular shaped tab 38a with the embossed friction stabilizer 22 positioned in the bearing plate 20 and the embossed ring 41 abutting against the bearing plate 20. It is pointed out that FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 positioned in the bearing plate 20 having a circular shaped tab 38a.

As shown in FIG. 9, in another embodiment, there is cruciform-shaped tab 38b that has first and second contact edges 50b, 52b, respectively, that function to prevent collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 in the same manner described in connection with the first embodiment. In addition, the cruciform-shaped tab 38b has an edge 57 that extends from the first contact edge 50b to the second contact edge 52b, as shown. FIG. 10 shows substantially T-shaped tab 38c having first and second contact edges 50c, 52c, respectively, that function to prevent collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 in the same manner described in connection with the first embodiment. In addition, the substantially T-shaped tab has an edge 59 that extends from the first contact edge 50c to the second contact edge 52c, as shown. FIG. 11 shows an arrow shaped tab 38d having first and second contact edges 50d, 52d, respectively, that function to prevent collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 in the same manner described in connection with the first embodiment. In addition, the arrow shaped tab 38d has an edge 61 that extends from the first contact edge 50d to the second contact edge 52d, as shown. Thus, the circular shaped tab 38a, the cruciform-shaped tab 38b, the substantially upper case T-shaped tab 38c and the arrow shaped tab 38d all operate to prevent the collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 in the same manner as described above in connection with the first embodiment.

FIG. 11A shows another embodiment wherein the bearing plate 20 has a flared-shaped tab 38e. The flared-shaped tab 38e has a first flared contact edge 50e that extends from the surrounding edge wall 36 and an opposed second flared contact edge 52e that extends from the surrounding edge wall 36. The first and second flared contact edges 50e, 52e, respectively, flare outward and into the opening 34, as they approach and meet with a flared end edge 54e, as shown. In particular, the width designated B in FIG. 11A is the distance between the first and second flared contact edges 50e, 52e, respectively, where they extend from the surrounding edge wall 36. The width of the flared end edge 54e, designated C in FIG. 11A, is greater than the width designated B, as shown, because the first and second flared contact edges 50e, 52e, respectively, flare outward as they extend into the opening 34 in the bearing plate 20. The flare-shaped tab 38e advantageously prevents the embossed friction stabilizer 22 from collapsing inwardly when the flared-shaped tab 38e is positioned in the longitudinal slot 44 of the embossed friction stabilizer 22, and the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is subjected to loading. The flared-shaped tab 38e advantageously works against the first and second longitudinal edges 45, 47, respectively, of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 moving in a direction toward one another, because the first and second longitudinal edges 45, 47, respectively, cannot move inwardly and slide across the ever widening flared-shaped tab 38e. Thus, the flared-shaped tab 38e advantageously prevents collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22. In addition, in one of the preferred embodiments, the difference between width C and width B can be about 1/32 inch or about 0.04 inches.

It is pointed out that this invention encompasses virtually any shaped tab, so long as the tab can be positioned in the longitudinal slot 44 of the embossed ring friction stabilizer 22 and has a width that can prevent the collapse thereof.

In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, there is an embossed bearing plate 60 having a central elevated portion 62 and opposed first and second edges 63, 65, respectively, that extend between opposed third and fourth edges 67, 69, respectively. The embossed bearing plate 60 has opposed first and second bearing plate surfaces 71, 73, respectively. The central elevated portion 62 extends from a flat portion 71a of the first bearing plate surface 71. The central elevated portion 62 has a central opening 66 defined by a central surrounding edge wall 68. An embossed bearing plate tab 70 extends from the central surrounding edge wall 68. The embossed bearing plate tab 70 has first and second embossed tab edges 77, 79, respectively, separated from one another by an embossed spacing edge 80. The embossed bearing plate tab 70 can be cut, pressed or otherwise formed in the embossed bearing plate 60. The embossed bearing plate tab 70 functions in the same manner as the tab 38 described above and operates to prevent the collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22 in the manner described above. In particular, as the embossed friction stabilizer 22 is hammered into the drilled bore 102, the first longitudinal edge 45 slides across the second embossed tab edge 79, and the second longitudinal edge 47 slides across the first embossed tab edges 77. The embossed bearing plate tab 70 operates to prevent the radial inward collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer 22. The embossed bearing plate tab 60 can have a rectangular shape as shown, and can have any of the shapes described above in connection with the first embodiment.

As an additional advantage, the bearing plate 20 having the tab 38, and the embodiments thereof described above, can also be used with a friction stabilizer 200 to which a weld ring 202 is welded with a weld 203, as shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the friction stabilizer 200 has an elongate cylindrical portion 216 that extends from a first end 204 to a second end 207 having a taper 218. The weld ring 202 is welded proximal to the first end 204. The friction stabilizer 200 also has a notch 209 that extends from the second end 207. The friction stabilizer 200 also has a longitudinal gap or slot 210 that is defined by first and second continuous longitudinal edges 211, 213, respectively. Friction stabilizers 200 having weld rings 202 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The bearing plate 20 having the tab 38 can be used in combination with the friction stabilizer 200 by aligning the tab 38 with the longitudinal gap 210 as shown in FIG. 14, and then hammering the friction stabilizer into a drilled bore 102 in the manner described above. In this embodiment, bearing plate 20 supports the wire mesh 110, and the weld ring 202 supports the bearing plate 200, and the tab 38 serves to prevent the collapse of the friction stabilizer 200 in the manner described above. In a similar manner, the friction stabilizer 200 can be used in combination with the embossed bearing plate 60 in the above-described manner.

It is pointed out that the bearing-plate 20 and embossed bearing plate 60 can comprise steel, galvanized steel, metal alloys or other suitable materials.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a bearing plate having a tab has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, it is not necessarily so limited, and other embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples, and uses may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bearing plate for installation with an elongated friction stabilizer for insertion into a body, and having an impact end, and an opposite insertion end and a longitudinal slot extending therebetween, the bearing plate comprising:

a first side for facing the impact end of the friction stabilizer,

an opposed second side for facing toward the body into which the friction stabilizer is installed,

an opening extending from the first side to the second side and the opening defined by a surrounding edge wall, and

a tab extending from the surrounding edge wall and into the opening for extending into the slot of the friction stabilizer to prevent collapse of the friction stabilizer during loading thereof.

2. The bearing plate according to claim 1 wherein the tab has a width, a first tab edge and a second tab edge and wherein the first tab edge and the second tab edge are spaced the width of the tab from one another.

3. The bearing plate according to claim 1 wherein the tab is flared shaped and has a first flared contact edge that extends from the surrounding edge wall and an opposed second flared contact edge that extends from the surrounding edge wall, and the first and second flared contact edges flare outward and into the opening as they approach and meet with a flared end edge.

4. The bearing plate according to claim 1 wherein the tab has a shape that is selected to be one of the following including a rectangular shape, a cruciform-shape, a substantially T-shape, a circular shape and an arrow shape.

5. The bearing plate according to claim 1 wherein the bearing plate is for use in a mine having a wall and wherein the bearing plate is supported in the mine by the friction stabilizer.

6. In combination: a bearing plate and an embossed friction stabilizer having an embossed ring and an impact end and an insertion end with a longitudinal slot, the bearing plate comprising:

a first side and an opposed second side with an opening extending from the first side to the second side and the opening defining a surrounding edge wall,

a tab that extends from the surrounding edge wall into the opening, and

wherein when the embossed friction stabilizer is moved into the opening in the bearing plate the tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot and the tab is for preventing the embossed friction stabilizer from collapsing when subjected to loading.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the tab has a has a first tab edge, a second tab edge and a width and wherein the first tab edge and the second tab edge are spaced the width of the tab from one another and the width of the tab is less than the width of the longitudinal slot.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the embossed friction stabilizer further includes a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge that define the longitudinal slot and wherein the first longitudinal edge contacts the second edge of the tab and the second longitudinal edge contacts the first edge of the tab such that upon introduction and removal of the embossed friction stabilizer from the bearing plate the first longitudinal edge slides across the second tab edge and the second longitudinal edge slides across the first tab edge.

9. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the tab has a shape that is selected to be one of the following including a rectangular shape, a flared-shaped tab, a cruciform-shape, a substantially T-shape, a circular shape and an arrow shape.

10. In combination: a bearing plate and a an embossed friction stabilizer having an embossed ring, a longitudinal slot defined by spaced apart first and second longitudinal edges and for use in a mine having a wall with a drilled bore, the bearing plate comprising:

a first side,

an opposed second,

an opening that extends from the first side to the second side and the opening is defined by a surrounding edge wall, and

a tab extends from the surrounding edge wall into the opening, such that when the bearing plate is moved against the mine wall and the opening lines up with the drilled bore the embossed friction stabilizer can be moved such that the tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot, and the embossed friction stabilizer can be driven into the drilled bore until the embossed ring contacts the bearing plate, and the tab is for preventing the collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the tab has a shape that is selected to be one of the following including a rectangular shape, flared-shaped tab, a cruciform-shape, a substantially T-shape, a circular shape and an arrow shape.

12. In combination a bearing plate and a friction stabilizer having a weld ring, a longitudinal gap defined by spaced apart first and second continuous longitudinal edges and for use in a mine having a wall with a drilled bore, the bearing plate comprising:

a first side,

an opposed second,

an opening that extends from the first side to the second side and the opening defined by a surrounding edge wall, and

a tab extending from the surrounding edge wall into the opening, such that when the bearing plate is moved against the mine wall and the opening lines up with the drilled bore and the tab is positioned in the longitudinal gap the friction stabilizer can be driven into the drilled bore until the weld ring contacts the bearing plate, and the tab is for preventing the collapse of the friction stabilizer.

13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the tab has a shape that is selected to be one of the following including a rectangular shape, a flared-shaped tab, a cruciform-shape, a substantially upper case T-shape, a circular shape and an arrow shape.

14. An embossed bearing plate comprising:

a first side having a flat portion,

an opposed second side,

a central elevated portion extending from the flat portion and the central elevated portion having a central opening surrounded by a central surrounding edge wall, and

an embossed bearing plate tab extending from the central surrounding edge wall into the central opening.

15. The embossed bearing plate according to claim 14 wherein the embossed bearing plate tab has first and second embossed tab edges separated from one another by an embossed spacing edge and wherein the embossed bearing plate tab has a shape that is selected to be one of the following including a rectangular shape, a flared-shaped tab, a cruciform-shape, a substantially T-shape, a circular shape and an arrow shape.

16. The embossed bearing plate according to claim 14 wherein the embossed bearing plate is for use in a mine having a wall and wherein the embossed bearing plate is supported in the mine by a friction stabilizer or an embossed friction stabilizer.

17. In combination an embossed bearing plate and an embossed friction stabilizer having an embossed ring, a longitudinal slot defined by spaced apart first and second longitudinal edges and for use in a mine having a wall with a drilled bore, the embossed bearing plate comprising:

a first side having a flat portion,

an opposed second side,

a central elevated portion extending from the flat portion and the central elevated portion having a central opening surrounded by a central surrounding edge wall,

an embossed bearing plate tab extending from the central surrounding edge wall into the central opening, such that when the bearing plate is moved against the mine wall and the central opening lines up with the drilled bore and the embossed bearing plate tab is positioned in the longitudinal slot, the embossed friction stabilizer can be hammered into the drilled bore until the embossed ring contacts the bearing plate, and the embossed bearing plate tab is for preventing the collapse of the embossed friction stabilizer.

18. A method of supporting a mine, the method comprising

providing a bearing plate having a first side and an opposed second side, forming an opening in the bearing plate that is defined by a surrounding edge wall, and extending a tab from the surrounding edge wall in to the opening,

providing a drilled bore in a wall of a mine,

moving the bearing plate against the wall such that the bearing plate opening lines up with the drilled bore, providing an embossed friction stabilizer having an embossed ring and a longitudinal slot and orienting the embossed ring friction stabilizer such that the tab is received in the longitudinal slot, and

driving the embossed friction stabilizer into the drilled bore until the embossed ring contacts the bearing plate and the tab prevents the inward radial collapse of the embossed ring friction stabilizer.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising selecting the shape of the tab to be one of the following including a rectangular shape, a flared-shaped tab, a cruciform-shape, a substantially T-shape, a circular shape and an arrow shape.