Improved Drilling Assembly Comprising a Friction Bolt

Abstract

A drilling assembly for simultaneously drilling a hole and inserting a friction bolt, the drilling assembly comprising a drill string, a drill bit and a friction bolt, wherein: (i) the drill string defines a leading end adapted to releasably operatively connect to the drill bit and a trailing end adapted to operatively engage with a means for imparting energy on said drill string; (ii) the drill bit is mounted on the leading end of said drill string; (iii) the friction bolt at least partially surrounds said drill string; and wherein (iv) the drilling assembly further comprises an elongate spacer that defines a leading end and a trailing end and is located between said friction bolt and said means for imparting energy on said drill string.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A drilling assembly for simultaneously drilling a hole and inserting a friction bolt, the drilling assembly comprising a drill string, a drill bit and a friction bolt, wherein:
 (i) the drill string defines a leading end adapted to releasably operatively connect to the drill bit and a trailing end adapted to operatively engage with a means for imparting energy on said drill string;   (ii) the drill bit is mounted on the leading end of said drill string;   (iii) the friction bolt at least partially surrounds said drill string; and wherein   (iv) the drilling assembly further comprises an elongate spacer, located between said friction bolt and said means for imparting energy on said drill string, that defines a leading end and a trailing end and a longitudinal axial passage therebetween for receiving the drill string therethrough without transferring at least some rotational energy, from said means for imparting energy, to the friction bolt.   
     
     
         56 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the elongate spacer is adapted to contact the trailing end of the friction bolt and transfer impact energy from the means for imparting energy on said drill string to the friction bolt. 
     
     
         57 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the elongate spacer is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         58 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the longitudinal axial passage defines a substantially smooth inner surface. 
     
     
         59 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the longitudinal axial passage or bore has a uniform cross-sectional shape and size. 
     
     
         60 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the longitudinal axial passage or bore is sized to enable the drill string to rotate therein without unduly impacting the elongate spacer. 
     
     
         61 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , further comprising at least one washer member located between the elongate spacer and the means for imparting energy on said drill string to contact the trailing end of the elongate spacer and transfer impact energy from the means for imparting energy on said drill string to the elongate spacer. 
     
     
         62 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein the at least one washer member comprises two washer members. 
     
     
         63 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , further comprising a coupling member adapted to operatively connect the means for imparting energy on said drill string with the drill string. 
     
     
         64 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 63 , wherein the coupling member is generally cylindrical and defines first and second threads. 
     
     
         65 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 64 , wherein the first and second threads are located at opposed ends of the coupling member and the first and second threads have different widths. 
     
     
         66 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 63 , wherein the coupling member is a reducer. 
     
     
         67 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the drill bit comprises a plurality of parts. 
     
     
         68 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 67 , wherein the drill bit comprises a means for engaging with the end of the friction bolt. 
     
     
         69 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the means for engaging with end of friction bolt is a circumferential groove on the drill bit that provides for a friction fit between the friction bolt and the drill bit. 
     
     
         70 . A drilling assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the friction bolt is a generally cylindrical structure adapted to be inserted into a rock or other formation to provide reinforcement. 
     
     
         71 . A means for imparting energy on a drill string for simultaneously drilling a hole and inserting a friction bolt, said means comprising:
 (i) a drill string adapted to receive the friction bolt thereon, and   (ii) an elongate spacer mounted on said drill string and located between said friction bolt and said means for imparting energy on said drill string that defines a leading end and a trailing end and a longitudinal axial passage therebetween for receiving the drill string therethrough without transferring at least some rotational energy from the means for imparting energy on said drill string to the friction bolt.   
     
     
         72 . A method for simultaneously drilling a hole with a drill string and installing a friction bolt into a body requiring reinforcement with a means for imparting energy on said drill string and said friction bolt, the method comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing the drill string including the friction bolt, a drill bit and an elongate spacer located between said friction bolt and said means for imparting energy that defines a leading end and a trailing end and a longitudinal axial passage therebetween for receiving the drill string therethrough without transferring at least some rotational energy from the means for imparting energy on said drill string to the friction bolt; and   (ii) imparting rotational energy to the drill string and impact energy to the elongate spacer simultaneously.   
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 72 , further comprising the step of not applying rotational energy to the elongate spacer and/or the friction bolt. 
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 72 , further comprising the step of detaching at least part of the drill bit prior to retracting the drill string from the hole.