Rock Bolt

Abstract

Disclosed is a rock bolt comprising an elongate shaft extending between opposite leading and trailing ends and a deformed section disposed proximal to the leading end, the deformed section being configured such that a protrusion extends outwardly beyond an outer surface of the shaft.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A rock bolt comprising an elongate shaft extending between opposite leading and trailing ends and a deformed section disposed proximal to the leading end, the deformed section being configured such that a protrusion extends outwardly beyond an outer surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         30 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the protrusion extends radially outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         31 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the protrusion comprises a flat face extending outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft and terminating at an edge. 
     
     
         32 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the protrusion comprises two opposing flat faces extending outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft and connected by a periphery of the protrusion. 
     
     
         33 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 32 , wherein the junction between at least one of the faces and the periphery forms an edge. 
     
     
         34 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the faces is flat. 
     
     
         35 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the rock bolt has an axis of rotation extending longitudinally through the shaft and the protrusion is oriented such that during rotation at least one flat face is forwardly facing with respect to the rotary movement. 
     
     
         36 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the deformed section is configured such that a depression extends radially inwardly from the outer surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         37 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the rock bolt is adapted to be inserted into a bore hole, the bore hole having a diameter less than the largest cross-sectional length of the deformed section of the rock bolt. 
     
     
         38 . A rock bolt comprising an elongate shaft extending between opposite leading and trailing ends and a deformed section disposed proximal to the leading end, the deformed section being configured to have at least one edge, at least a portion of the edge being disposed radially outwardly from the periphery of the shaft. 
     
     
         39 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 38 , wherein the deformed section includes two edges. 
     
     
         40 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 38 , wherein the rock bolt includes two deformed sections. 
     
     
         41 . A rock bolt as defined in  claim 38 , further comprising a face extending from the edge to the shaft, the face being oriented such that during rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, the face is forwardly facing with respect to the rotary movement. 
     
     
         42 . A method of installing a rock bolt in a bore comprising the steps of drilling a bore hole, positioning a resin capsule in the distal end of the bore hole, inserting the leading end of a rock bolt into the bore hole and applying rotation to the rock bolt such that the resin capsule is shredded, wherein the rock bolt includes a deformed section adapted to shred the capsule. 
     
     
         43 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 42 , wherein the deformed section comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the shaft and the step of drilling the bore hole utilizes a drill bit with a diameter between 1 mm and 3 mm less than the cross sectional width of the rock bolt extending through at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         44 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 43 , wherein the deformed section comprises two protrusions and the drill bit has a diameter between 1 mm and 3 mm less than the cross sectional width of the rock bolt extending through the protrusions. 
     
     
         45 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 43 , wherein the protrusion extends radially outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         46 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 43 , wherein the protrusion comprises a flat face extending outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft and terminating at an edge. 
     
     
         47 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the protrusion comprises two opposing flat faces extending outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft and connected by a periphery of the protrusion. 
     
     
         48 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 46 , wherein at least one flat face is forwardly facing with respect to the rotary movement 
     
     
         49 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 42 , wherein the deformed section is configured such that a depression extends radially inwardly from the outer surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         50 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 42 , wherein the shaft is sized such that the space between the inner wall of the bore hole and the outer surface of the shaft is less than 3 mm. 
     
     
         51 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 42 , wherein the deformed section facilitates chemical fixing of the rock bolt by the resin within the bore by promoting turbulence within the resin. 
     
     
         52 . A method of installing a rock bolt as defined in  claim 42 , wherein the deformed section facilitates chemical fixing of the rock bolt by the resin within the bore by promoting mixing of the resin components on rotation of the deformed section.