Friction stabilizer with tabs

Abstract

A friction stabilizer having tabs comprising a tubular body comprising an exterior surface and having a first portion and having a second portion provided with a taper. The first portion has an impact end and the second portion has an insertion end. A tab is on the tubular body and extends outward from the exterior surface of the tubular body in a direction toward the impact end and away from the insertion end of the tubular body. The tabs can be rectangular shaped or triangular shaped or have other shapes which prevent the friction stabilizer from being removed from a drilled bore in a mine. When the friction stabilizer with tabs is inserted into a drilled bore in a mine, the tabs do not impede insertion. But, after insertion into the drilled bore the tabs resist removal of the tubular body, and thus allow the stabilizer to support the mine wall or ceiling. The friction stabilizer is made by taking a steel coil and punching the shape of the tabs in the metal, for example sheet metal, unrolled from the coil. A notch is also punched into the sheet at a predetermined location. Rolling die roll the tubular body, and a cutting machine cuts the tubular body at the notches, so tubular bodies of predetermined length are cut. The tabs extend from the exterior surface of the tubular body due to the natural spring constant of the steel or metal from which the tubular body is made. A weld ring is welded to the impact end and has a weld ring gap space. In another embodiment the tubular body has first portion, a second portion with a bent portion joining them together. An extendable tab is formed in the first portion proximal the bend portion and the extendable tab is diametrically opposite a tube gap space.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 946,468, filed on Sep. 21, 2004 to Valgora, for a “Friction Stabilizer With Tabs” the disclose of which is hereby incorporated by reference, which application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 507,366 to Valgora, and filed on Sep. 30, 2003, for a “Friction Stabilizer With Tabs” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cave-ins are a constant threat associated with underground mining operations. It is difficult to predict when and where a cave-in will occur. Typically, workers are provided with little or no warning prior to a cave-in, and thus they have a minimal amount of time to react to a cave-in. Indeed, mine walls or ceilings that appear fine upon visual inspection may have significant fractures just below their surfaces, making them structurally weak and prone to collapse....

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