A Mine Bearing Element

Abstract

A mine bearing element for holding a mesh sheet in place against a rock formation is disclosed. The mine bearing element includes a body having (a) a rock bolt engagement portion, (b) a mesh engagement portion, and (c) a transition that connects together the mesh engagement portion and the rock bolt engagement portion in an as-manufactured form of the bearing element. The transition includes a stiffening rib.

1 . A mine bearing element for holding a mesh sheet in place against a rock formation, the mine bearing element comprising: a body having (a) a rock bolt engagement portion, (b) a mesh engagement portion, and (c) a transition that connects together the mesh engagement portion and the rock bolt engagement portion in an as-manufactured form of the bearing element, with the transition including a stiffening rib. 
     
     
         2 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , wherein the transition and the mesh engagement portion define a cavity configured to receive a nut on a preinstalled rock bolt. 
     
     
         3 . The mine bearing element of  claim 2 , wherein the rock bolt engagement portion comprises a threaded nut that is configured to threadably engage with the preinstalled rock bolt. 
     
     
         4 . The mine bearing element of  claim 3 , wherein the rock bolt engagement portion comprises an integral washer that engages with the transition, the washer having a curved engagement surface that enables the an angle of engagement with the transition to be adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of stiffening ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The mine bearing element of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of stiffening ribs is radially disposed about the body. 
     
     
         7 . The mine bearing element of  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening ribs are equally spaced from each other. 
     
     
         8 . The mine bearing element of  claim 7 , wherein the stiffening ribs are arranged in a star pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The mine bearing element of  claim 5 , wherein the stiffening ribs are integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
         10 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , wherein the transition is in the form of a flat plate or a shaped plate. 
     
     
         11 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh engagement portion includes a tubular element. 
     
     
         12 . The mine bearing element of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular element is a cylindrical shape, i.e., with a circular cross-sectional area having an edge which defines the mesh engagement portion. 
     
     
         13 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made from steel. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A mine bearing element for holding a mesh sheet in place against a rock formation, the mine bearing element comprising:
 a body having (a) a rock bolt engagement portion, (b) a mesh engagement portion, and (c) a transition that connects together the mesh engagement portion and the rock bolt engagement portion in an as-manufactured form of the bearing element, the transition including a stiffening rib, the transition and the mesh engagement portion defining a cavity configured to receive a nut on a preinstalled rock bolt, and the mesh engagement portion comprising a tubular element with a cylindrical side wall having an edge which in use contacts a mesh, and the transition and the mesh engagement portion being formed as separate components and assembled together to form the mine bearing element.   
     
     
         16 . The mine bearing element of  claim 10 , wherein the shaped plate includes a flat section, and the stiffening rib extends outwardly from the flat section. 
     
     
         17 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening rib extends axially in use in relation to an installed rock bolt. 
     
     
         18 . The mine bearing element of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening rib extends axially in relation to an installed rock bolt and radially outwardly in relation to the rock bolt engagement portion. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing the mine bearing element defined in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 forming the rock bolt engagement portion;   forming the mesh engagement portion;   forming the transition having the stiffening rib;   securing together the transition and the mesh engagement portion; and   securing together the transition and the rock bolt engagement portion.   
     
     
         20 . The method defined in  claim 19 , comprising forming the transition by deforming a flat steel plate and forming the stiffening rib. 
     
     
         21 . The method defined in  claim 20 , comprising pressing a flat sheet of metal and deforming the sheet and forming the stiffening rib.