Load supporting bearing plate

摘要

A generally flat rectangular bearing plate particularly adapted to cooperate with a plurality of other such plates in supporting an underground mine roof. One face of the plate defines a support or bearing surface and a major embossed area extends outwardly from and generally longitudinally along the other face for purposes of increasing the support strength of the plate. The top or outermost wall of the major embossed area tapers outwardly relative to the one face from a minimum height at opposed end areas adjacent the lengthwise ends of the plate to maximum height adjacent the midpoint of the plate. The opposed side walls of the major embossed areas diverge outwardly relative to each other from each of the opposed end areas toward the transverse axis of the plate. A recessed area having a generally flat bottom wall is provided at substantially the midpoint of the plate and which recessed area extends inwardly from the major embossed area top wall area back toward the support or bearing surface. The bottom wall is inwardly recessed a distance sufficient to conceal the head of an elongated bolt member received through an opening in the bottom wall for purposes of rigidly affixing the bearing plate to a mine roof. A minor embossed area extending outwardly from the major embossed area and surrounding the recessed area may also be included to add even further structural strength to the plate. Loop-like hangers may be conveniently included to facilitate the stringing of electrical cables, telephone wires and the like through the mine shaft once the plate has been installed.