STACKABLE MINE ROCK SHIELDS

Abstract

A stackable mine rock shield is disclosed. The mine rock shield includes a body having a first surface and a second surface, an aperture positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism, a continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body and defining a recess wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with such first surface, and an edge portion at the perimeter of the body. The mine rock shield may further include a rigid notch at the periphery of the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/695,948 filed Jan. 28, 2010 and claims the priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/148,591 filed Jan. 30, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

GOVERNMENT INTERESTS

Not applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to underground mine supports, and more particularly, to stackable mine rock shields.

Conventional mining operations typically utilize assemblies comprising bolts, bearing plates, and rock shields to maintain and reinforce the structural integrity of underground mines. The bolts generally extend through openings in the center of and are secured against the bearing plates and rock shields to provide support to mine surfaces. During drilling, blasting or digging, as additional rock surfaces are exposed, additional rock shields are used to reinforce exposed surfaces. The bolt, bearing plate, and rock shield assemblies may also act as points of attachment for support cables or other mining paraphernalia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Before the present methods are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular systems, methodologies or protocols described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure which will be limited only by the appended claims.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “coil” is a reference to one or more coils and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mine rock shield including a body having a first surface and a second surface, an aperture positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism, and a continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body and defining a recess. The continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection. The mine rock shield further includes an edge portion at the perimeter of the body.

In certain embodiments, the body of the mine rock shield is generally planar. In other embodiments, the body is round. In yet other embodiments, the body is rectangular.

In various embodiments of the invention, the diameter of the recess defined by the continuous protuberance of the mine rock shield increases, decreases or remains constant as the continuous protuberance extends outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body. Aspects of the present invention include various shapes of the cross-sectional profile of the continuous protuberance including, for example, post, half-post, hook, bulb, T-shape, arrow, half-arrow, rectangle, square, round, triangle or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the continuous protuberance may intersect the body to form an obtuse angle of intersection. In other embodiments, a right angle of intersection is formed. In yet other embodiments of the invention, an acute angle of intersection is formed.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the edge portion is unfinished while in other embodiments, the edge portion is rounded, rolled, folded or looped. In other embodiments, the edge portion is turned upward. In further embodiments, the edge portion is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body. In still other embodiments, the edge is immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the mine rock shield includes an additional aperture. In yet other embodiments, the mine rock shield includes a second continuous protuberance disposed between the aperture and the first continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the body and defining a recess at the periphery of the body.

The mine rock shield may further include a rigid notch. The rigid notch, in some aspects of the invention, may be positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance and the first surface of the body. In certain embodiments, the rigid notch is round. In other embodiments, the rigid notch is square.

Further embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mine rock shield including a round commercial grade steel body having a first surface and a second surface, an aperture positioned at about the center of the round body for receiving a fastening mechanism, and a rib extending around the periphery of the body and defining a recess. The rib intersects the first surface of the round body to form an angle of intersection with the first surface. The mine rock shield further includes a square rigid notch at the periphery of the body and a rounded edge portion immediately adjacent to the rib. The edge portion is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a mine support system is provided that includes a bearing plate, mine rock shield, and a fastening mechanism. The bearing plate includes a first surface, a second surface, and an aperture. The mine rock shield is coupled to the bearing plate and includes a round commercial grade steel body having a first surface and a second surface, an aperture positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism, and a single continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body and defining a recess. The continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with the first surface. Also included in the mine rock shield is a stacking notch and an edge portion immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance. The mine support system further includes a fastening mechanism, which couples the mine rock shield to the bearing plate, as well as a roof bolt configured to mount the bearing plate to a mine wall, roof, or other surface.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of a mine rock shield of the prior art;

FIG. 1B illustrates a sectional view taken along 1-1 of the mine rock shield shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the mine rock shield of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of an exemplary mine rock shield according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a sectional view taken along 2-2 of the exemplary mine rock shield shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the exemplary mine rock shield of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a mine rock shield of the prior art;

FIG. 3B illustrates a sectional view taken along 3-3 of the mine rock shield shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the mine rock shield of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of an exemplary mine rock shield according to an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view taken along 4-4 of the exemplary mine rock shield shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the exemplary mine rock shield of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of an exemplary mine rock shield according to an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a sectional view taken along 5-5 of the exemplary mine rock shield shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the exemplary mine rock shield of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of an exemplary mine rock shield according to an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a sectional view taken along 6-6 of the exemplary mine rock shield shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the exemplary mine rock shield of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of an exemplary mine rock shield according to an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a sectional view taken along 7-7 of the exemplary mine rock shield shown in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 7C illustrates an enlarged partial sectional view of the perimeter of the exemplary mine rock shield of FIG. 7A.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a mine rock shield 100 of the prior art. As illustrated, the mine rock shield 100 includes a round body portion 110 positioned in a plane having a first major surface 120 and an opposite second major surface 130. The mine rock shield 100 further includes a hole 140 in a center portion of the round body portion 110 that extends through the first major surface 120 and the second major surface 130. As additionally shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a plurality of stacking lugs 150 are present on the mine rock shield 100 that elevate the perimeter 160 of the round body portion 110.

An exemplary mine rock shield 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. In this embodiment of the invention, the mine rock shield 200 may include a body 210 having a first surface 220 and a second surface 230. As shown in FIG. 2A, body 210 may be round. However, in other embodiments, the mine rock shield may be other various geometric shapes such as rectangular or triangular. The mine rock shield 200 may preferably be comprised of commercial grade steel, but may include other metals, woods, polymers or composite materials. The mine rock shield 200 may be constructed from a single sheet of commercial grade steel, for example, stamped into an appropriate shape by a pneumatic press. Alternatively, depending on the material used to construct the mine rock shield 200, the mine rock shield may be constructed via an injection molding process, a roto-molding process, or other similar construction method.

An aperture 240 may be positioned at about the center of the body 210. The aperture 240 mat is adapted to receive a fastening mechanism, such as, for example, a bolt, when the mine rock shield 200 is coupled to a bearing plate.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, a curvilinear rib or continuous protuberance 250 may circumscribe the aperture 240. The continuous protuberance 250 may extend outwardly from the first surface 220 of the periphery of the body 210 thereby defining a recess 260. The continuous protuberance 250 may intersect the first surface 220 of the body 210 to form an angle of intersection with the first surface 220. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the continuous protuberance 250 may intersect the body 210 to form a right angle of intersection with the first surface 220 of the body 210. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, such as, for example, the mine rock shield 500 pictured in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the continuous protuberance 550 may intersect the mine rock shield body to form an acute angle of intersection.

The shape of the cross-section of the continuous protuberance 250 as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C may be, for example, a post. In other embodiments, the shape of the continuous protuberance cross-section profile may be a half-post, hook, bulb, T-shape, arrow, half-arrow, rectangle, square, round, triangular or a combination thereof. The diameter of the recess 260 shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C may remain constant as the continuous protuberance 250 extends outwardly from the first surface 220 of the periphery of the body 210. In other embodiments, the diameter of the recess as defined by the continuous protuberance may increase or decrease as the continuous protuberance extends outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body.

The mine rock shield 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C may include an edge portion 270 at the perimeter of the body 210. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the edge portion 270 may be immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance 250. In other embodiments, an area of the body 210 may be present between the continuous protuberance 250 and the edge portion 270. The edge portion 270 as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C may be rounded. The rounded edge portion 270 may provide a smooth perimeter edge to the mine rock shield 200, thereby eliminating various hazards associated with sharp corners of conventional mine shields and bearing plates such as, for example, physical injury caused by inadvertent contact with a sharp corner. As such, rounded edge portion 270 may be termed a “safety edge.” In other embodiments of the invention, the edge portion is unfinished and may, as such, be sharp. In some embodiments, the edge portion may be turned upward or downward. The edge portion 270 as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C may also be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body 210 and may terminate outside of the plane of the body 210. It should be noted that the edge portion 270 is rolled for exemplary purposes only. In additional embodiments, the edge portion may be rolled, folded, looped or otherwise modified as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,933, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The mine rock shield 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C may further include a plurality of rigid notches 280 positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance 250 and the first surface of the body 210. Depending on the application of the mine rock shield 200, the rigid notches 280 may be round, square, triangular, or any other geometric shape. The rigid notches 280, the shape of the continuous protuberance 250, as well as the rounded edge portion 270 may permit mine rock shields 200 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C to be reversibly stackable on top of one another such that the mine rock shields 200 are easily separable, particularly after transportation to the installation site, thereby permitting quick installation of the mine rock shields.

A mine rock shield 300 of the prior art is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. As illustrated, the mine rock shield 300 includes a round body portion 310 having a first major surface 320 and an opposite second major surface 330. The mine rock shield 300 further includes a hole 340 in a center portion of the round body portion 310 that extends through the first 320 and second major surfaces 330. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, a rib member area 350 circumscribing the hole 340 is disposed between the hole 340 and the perimeter 360 of the round body portion 310. The configuration shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C is insufficient to provide ease in separation after stacking, especially after, for example, transportation to the installation site. During transportation of conventional mine rock shields, such mine rock shields often become compressed and become nestled together. Unstacking the mine rock shields is labor intensive and installation of multiple stacked shields can be costly.

An exemplary mine rock shield 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. As illustrated, the mine rock shield 400 may include a round body 410 having a first surface 420 and a second surface 430. An aperture 440 adapted to receive a fastening mechanism, such as a bolt, may be positioned at about the center of the body 410. As further illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, a continuous protuberance 450 may circumscribe the aperture 440 and extend outwardly from the first surface 420 of the periphery of the body 410 thereby defining a recess 460. The continuous protuberance 450 may intersect the first surface 420 of the body 410 to form a right angle of intersection with the first surface 420. The shape of the cross-section of the continuous protuberance 450 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C may be a post. The diameter of the recess 460 shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C may remain constant as the continuous protuberance 450 extends outwardly from the first surface 420 of the periphery of the body 410.

The mine rock shield 400 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C may include an edge portion 470 at the perimeter of the body 410. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the edge portion 470 may be immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance 450. The edge portion 470 shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C may be turned upward and is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body 410, thereby eliminating hazards associated with sharp corners of conventional mine shields and bearing plates.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the mine rock shield 400 may include a plurality of rigid notches 480 positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance 450 and the first surface of the body 410. The rigid notches 480 allow mine rock shields 400 to be reversibly stackable on top of one another such that the mine rock shields 400 are easily separable after being stacked.

An exemplary mine rock shield 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. As illustrated, the mine rock shield 500 may include a round body 510 having a first surface 520 and a second surface 530 and an aperture 540 positioned at about the center of the body 510. A continuous protuberance 550, ay circumscribe the aperture 540 and may extend outwardly from the first surface 520 of the periphery of the body 510, thereby defining a recess 560. The continuous protuberance 550 may intersect the first surface 520 of the body 510 to form an acute angle of intersection with the first surface 520. The shape of the cross-sectional profile of the continuous protuberance 550 as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C may be a bulb. As such, the diameter of the recess 560 defined by the continuous protuberance 550 may increase as the continuous protuberance 550 extends outwardly from the first surface 520 of the periphery of the body 510. The mine rock shield 500 of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C may further include an edge portion 570 at the perimeter of the body 510. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the edge portion 570 may be immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance 550. The edge portion 570 shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C may be folded, thereby eliminating hazards associated with sharp corners of conventional mine shields and bearing plates. The bulbous shape of the continuous protuberance 550 and folded edge portion 570 may allow mine rock shields 500 to be reversibly stackable on top of one another such that the mine rock shields 500 are easily separable.

An exemplary mine rock shield 600 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. The mine rock shield 600 shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C may include a round body 610 having a first surface 620 and a second surface 630 and an aperture 640 positioned at about the center of the body 610. A continuous protuberance 650 may circumscribe the aperture 640 and may extend outwardly from the first surface 620 of the periphery of the body 610, thereby defining a recess 660. The continuous protuberance 650 may intersect the first surface 620 of the body 610 to form a right angle of intersection with the first surface 620. The shape of the cross-sectional profile of the continuous protuberance 650 as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C may be a post. The diameter of the recess 660 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C may remain constant as the continuous protuberance 650 extends outwardly from the first surface 620 of the periphery of the body 610. The mine rock shield 600 of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C may further include an edge portion 670 at the perimeter of the body 610. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the edge portion 670 may be immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance 650. The edge portion 670 may be folded, thereby eliminating hazards associated with sharp corners of conventional mine shields and bearing plates.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the mine rock shield 600 may include a plurality of rigid notches 680 positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance 650 and the first surface of the body 610. The rigid notches 680 as well as the folded edge portion 670 may allow mine rock shields 600 to be reversibly stackable on top of one another such that the mine rock shields 600 are easily separable.

A mine rock shield 700 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C. As illustrated, the mine rock shield 700 may include a round body 710 having a first surface 720 and a second surface 730. An aperture 740 adapted to receive a fastening mechanism, such as a bolt, may be positioned at about the center of the body 710. According to further embodiments of the present invention, the mine rock shield may include an additional aperture. In some embodiments, the additional apertures may be disposed at the periphery of the body and may be used for hanging cables, support cables, wires, hooks or other mining paraphernalia. Similarly, additional hooks or attachment points may be included on a mine rock shield for performing similar functions, such as hanging cables, supporting pipes for fresh or waste water, or other related mining equipment. The additional hooks or attachment points may be welded or similarly attached to the mine rock shield. The additional hooks or attachment points may also be integrated into the mine rock shield when the mine rock shield is produced, e.g., either pressed or molded to the mine rock shield depending on the production process and material used for the mine rock shield.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, a continuous protuberance 750 may circumscribe the aperture 740 and may extend outwardly from the first surface 720 of the periphery of the body 710, thereby defining a recess 760. The continuous protuberance 750 may intersect the first surface 720 of the body 710 to form a right angle of intersection with the first surface 720. In other embodiments of the invention, the mine rock shield may include a second continuous protuberance disposed between the aperture and the first continuous protuberance that extends outwardly from the first surface or second surface of the body and defines a recess at the periphery of the body.

The mine rock shield 700 of FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C may include an edge portion 770 at the perimeter of the body 710. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the edge portion 770 may be immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance 750. The edge portion 770 shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C may be rolled under, thereby eliminating hazards associated with sharp corners of conventional mine shields and bearing plates. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the mine rock shield 700 may further include a plurality of rigid notches 780 positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance 750 and the first surface of the body 710. The rigid notches 780 as well as the rolled under edge portion 770 may allow mine rock shields 700 to be reversibly stackable on top of one another such that the mine rock shields 700 are easily separable.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mine rock shields described above (i.e., mine rock shields 200, 400, 500, 600 and 700) may be incorporated into a mine support system. The mine support system may include at least one bearing plate, a roof bolt configured to attach a bearing plate to a wall, roof, or other surface of a mine, at least one mine rock shield, and a fastening mechanism. The bearing plate may include a first surface, a second surface, and an aperture. The mine rock shield, such as, for example, the mine rock shield 600 shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, may include a body 610 comprising a first surface 620 and a second surface 630, an aperture 640 positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism, and a continuous protuberance 650 extending outwardly from the first surface 620 of the periphery of the body 610 and defining a recess 660. The continuous protuberance 650 may intersect the first surface 620 of the body 610 to form an angle of intersection with the first surface 620. Also included in the mine rock shield 600 is an edge portion 670 at the perimeter of the body. The mine support system may further include a fastening mechanism, which couples the mine rock shield to the bearing plate.

When installed, embodiments of the mine rock shield of the present invention stabilize and provide support to mine surfaces, thereby preventing such surfaces from crumbling and collapsing. The mine rock shield of embodiments of the present invention also compress cracks in mine surfaces surrounding the fastening mechanism and prevent air from entering the cracks and deteriorating the mine surfaces.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will be apparent to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A mine rock shield comprising:

a generally planar body having a first surface and a second surface;

an aperture positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism;

continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body and defining a recess, wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with such first surface;

a plurality of rigid notches extending outwardly from the first surface and positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance and the first surface of the body; and

an edge portion at the perimeter of the body immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance, the edge portion being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body.

2. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the body is round.

3. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the body is rectangular.

4. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the body is constituted of a metal, wood, polymer or composite material.

5. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the body is constituted of commercial grade steel.

6. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the body to form a right angle of intersection with the first surface of the body.

7. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the body to form an obtuse angle of intersection with the first surface of the body.

8. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the body to form an acute angle of intersection with the first surface of the body.

9. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the shape of the continuous protuberance cross-section is selected from the group consisting of a post, half-post, hook, bulb, T-shape, arrow, half-arrow, rectangle, square, round triangle or a combination thereof.

10. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the edge portion is rounded, rolled, folded or looped.

11. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the edge portion is turned upward.

12. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the edge portion is turned downward.

13. The mine rock shield of claim 1, further comprising a second aperture at the periphery of the body.

14. The mine rock shield of claim 1, further comprising a second continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the body and defining a recess at the periphery of the body, wherein the continuous protuberance is disposed between the aperture and the first continuous protuberance.

15. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the rigid notch is round.

16. The mine rock shield of claim 1, wherein the rigid notch is square.

17. A mine support system comprising:

a mine rock shield comprising:

a generally planar body having a first surface and a second surface;

an aperture positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism;

continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body and defining a recess, wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with such first surface;

a plurality of rigid notches extending outwardly from the first surface and positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance and the first surface of the body; and

an edge portion at the perimeter of the body immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance, the edge portion being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body;

a bearing plate having an aperture, wherein the bearing plate contacts the mine rock shield such that the aperture of the bearing plate and the aperture of the mine rock shield are substantially aligned; and

a fastening mechanism extending through the aperture of the bearing plate and the aperture of the mine rock shield coupling the mine rock shield to the bearing plate.

18. A system comprising:

a plurality of mine rock shields each mine rock shield comprising:

a generally planar body having a first surface and a second surface;

an aperture positioned at about the center of the body for receiving a fastening mechanism;

continuous protuberance extending outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body and defining a recess, wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with such first surface;

a plurality of rigid notches extending outwardly from the first surface and positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance and the first surface of the body; and

an edge portion at the perimeter of the body immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance, the edge portion being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body;

wherein a first mine rock shield of the plurality is stacked on a second mine rock shield of the plurality of mine rock shields such that the plurality of notches of the second mine rock shield form a stacking surface thereby providing a space between the generally planar body of the first rock shield and the generally planar body of the second mine rock shield.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of mine rock shields wherein the edge portion is folded.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of mine rock shields are easily separable.