Stackable mine rock shields

Abstract

Disclosed is a stackable mine rock shield. 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.

1 . A mine rock shield comprising:
 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.   
     
     
         2 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally planar. 
     
     
         3 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the body is round. 
     
     
         4 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the body is rectangular. 
     
     
         5 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the body is constituted of a metal, wood, polymer or composite material. 
     
     
         6 . The mine rock shield of  claim 5 , wherein the body is constituted of commercial grade steel. 
     
     
         7 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism is a bolt. 
     
     
         8 . 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. 
     
     
         9 . 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. 
     
     
         10 . 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. 
     
     
         11 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the continuous protuberance cross-section is selected from the group comprising a post, half-post, hook, bulb, T-shape, arrow, half-arrow, rectangle, square, round triangle or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the recess defined by the continuous protuberance increases, decreases or remains constant as such continuous protuberance extends outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge portion is unfinished. 
     
     
         14 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge portion is rounded, rolled, folded or looped. 
     
     
         15 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge portion is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge portion is turned upward. 
     
     
         17 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge portion is turned downward. 
     
     
         18 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , further comprising a second aperture at the periphery of the body. 
     
     
         19 . 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. 
     
     
         20 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid notch positioned at or near the periphery of the body. 
     
     
         21 . The mine rock shield of  claim 20 , wherein the rigid notch is positioned at the angle of intersection between the continuous protuberance and the first surface of the body. 
     
     
         22 . The mine rock shield of  claim 20 , wherein the rigid notch is round. 
     
     
         23 . The mine rock shield of  claim 20 , wherein the rigid notch is square. 
     
     
         24 . The mine rock shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge portion is immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance. 
     
     
         25 . A mine rock shield comprising:
 a round commercial grade steel body comprising a first surface and a second surface;   an aperture positioned at about the center of the round body for receiving a fastening mechanism;   a protuberance extending around the periphery of the body and defining a recess, wherein the rib intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with such first surface;   a rigid notch at the periphery of the body; and   a rounded edge portion immediately adjacent to the rib, wherein the edge portion is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body.   
     
     
         26 . A mine support system comprising:
 a bearing plate comprising a first surface, a second surface and an aperture;   a mine rock shield coupled to said bearing plate, wherein the mine rock shield comprises 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; a single continuous protuberance, wherein the continuous protuberance extends outwardly from the first surface of the periphery of the round body and defines a recess and wherein the continuous protuberance intersects the first surface of the body to form an angle of intersection with such first surface; a stacking notch; and an edge portion immediately adjacent to the continuous protuberance; and   a fastening mechanism coupling the mine rock shield to the bearing plate.