Abstract: A rock anchor assembly includes: a tubular sleeve between first and second ends, having an anchor retaining portion opening on the second end; a rock anchor with an elongate body extending between distal and proximal ends, received in the tubular sleeve with the proximal and distal ends of the body projecting from the first and second ends respectively of the sleeve; a tensioning and locking assemblage on the anchor body between the proximal end and the first end of the sleeve, a forward part being engageable with the first end of the sleeve; and a mechanical anchor engaged to the anchor body at the distal end which, from an unexpanded configuration, expands radially to an expanded configuration. The anchor retaining portion at least partially retains the mechanical anchor in the unexpanded configuration. The anchor retaining portion expands circumferentially to accommodate retracted ingress of the anchor in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A self-drilling rock anchor assembly includes: a friction fit tubular sleeve extending longitudinally between leading and trailing ends; a rod extending through the sleeve between first and second ends, and projecting from each sleeve end; a drill bit member engaged with the rod's first end having an exterior surface part of which tapers towards a back end of the member; a backstop element engaged with the rod's second end having a first drive surface; a load bearing element on the rod between the sleeve's trailing end and the backstop that has a second drive surface. The rod moves relative to the sleeve between a drill position, wherein the drill bit is spaced from the sleeve's leading end, and an insertion position, wherein the sleeve's leading end abuts the bit. The drill and insertion positions are achieved by applying a force to the first and second drive surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A self-drilling rock anchor assembly includes: a friction fit tubular sleeve extending longitudinally between leading and trailing ends; a rod extending through the sleeve between first and second ends, and projecting from each sleeve end; a drill bit member engaged with the rod's first end having an exterior surface part of which tapers towards a back end of the member; a backstop element engaged with the rod's second end having a first drive surface; a load bearing element on the rod between the sleeve's trailing end and the backstop that has a second drive surface. The rod moves relative to the sleeve between a drill position, wherein the drill bit is spaced from the sleeve's leading end, and an insertion position, wherein the sleeve's leading end abuts the bit. The drill and insertion positions are achieved by applying a force to the first and second drive surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A tool to aid in the installation of a rock bolt assembly in a rock hole which includes a drive shaft having a proximal end, which is adapted to engage with a drilling rig, and a distal end which includes a recess which is adapted to receive a trailing end portion of the rock bolt and which has a first seat against which an axially pre-set component of the rock bolt assembly abuts, a tubular sleeve telescopically engaged with the shaft which has a first end, which is adapted to receive an axially moveable component of the rock bolt assembly and which has a second seat against which the axially moveable component abuts, and a second end, wherein the sleeve is reciprocally moveable relatively to the shaft between a biased forward position in which the axially pre-set component and the axially moveable component are spaced, and a retracted second position in which the axially pre-set component engages or connects to the axially moveable component.

Abstract: A rock anchor assembly includes: a tubular sleeve between first and second ends, having an anchor retaining portion opening on the second end; a rock anchor with an elongate body extending between distal and proximal ends, received in the tubular sleeve with the proximal and distal ends of the body projecting from the first and second ends respectively of the sleeve; a tensioning and locking assemblage on the anchor body between the proximal end and the first end of the sleeve, a forward part being engageable with the first end of the sleeve; and a mechanical anchor engaged to the anchor body at the distal end which, from an unexpanded configuration, expands radially to an expanded configuration. The anchor retaining portion at least partially retains the mechanical anchor in the unexpanded configuration. The anchor retaining portion expands circumferentially to accommodate retracted ingress of the anchor in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A friction bolt assembly, such as for use with a pneumatically actuated drill, with a friction fit tubular sleeve longitudinally extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a rod which longitudinally extends through the sleeve between a first end and a second end, and which projects from either end of the sleeve to define, between the first end of the rod and the leading end of the sleeve and the second end of the rod and the trailing end of the sleeve respectively, a leading part and a trailing part, an expansion element mounted on or formed with the rod, on the leading part, a drill engaging element axially fixed in position on the second end of the bolt and engageable with a chuck or an end of the rock drill, a first load bearing formation mounted on the trailing part of the rod and which engages the trailing end of the sleeve, and a second load bearing formation mounted over the trailing part of the rod between the first load bearing formation and the drill engaging element.

Abstract: A friction bolt assembly, such as for use with a pneumatically actuated drill, with a friction fit tubular sleeve longitudinally extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a rod which longitudinally extends through the sleeve between a first end and a second end, and which projects from either end of the sleeve to define, between the first end of the rod and the leading end of the sleeve and the second end of the rod and the trailing end of the sleeve respectively, a leading part and a trailing part, an expansion element mounted on or formed with the rod, on the leading part, a drill engaging element axially fixed in position on the second end of the bolt and engageable with a chuck or an end of the rock drill, a first load bearing formation mounted on the trailing part of the rod and which engages the trailing end of the sleeve, and a second load bearing formation mounted over the trailing part of the rod between the first load bearing formation and the drill engaging element.

Abstract: A rock anchor assembly includes a rock anchor with a flexible element and first/second cylindrical connector elements engaged to proximal and distal ends of the element, a flexible tubular sleeve longitudinally extending between first and second ends, on the rock anchor so end parts of the rock anchor project from sleeve ends; a load bearing barrel centrally bored engaging the first connector element between the first end of the sleeve and a proximal end of the rock anchor, the barrel engaging the first end of the sleeve in sealing contact, the barrel having a grout conduit between the barrel exterior and the bore, the conduit defining part of a grout passage interconnecting the barrel exterior and sleeve interior, when the barrel engages the sleeve; a seal preventing grout outflow but accommodating grout inflow; a tensioner engaging the first tubular connector element, and a mechanical anchor engaging the second tubular connector.

Abstract: A rock bolt assembly includes a rock bolt with an elongate body between distal and proximal ends, a tubular sleeve with first and second ends, proximal and distal ends of the bolt projecting from first and second ends of the sleeve, a load bearing barrel centrally bored to engage the rock bolt between the sleeve's first end and the bolt's proximal end, which barrel is adapted at a forward end to engage with the sleeve's second end in sealing contact, and which barrel has at least one grout conduit between the barrel's exterior surface and the bore, which at least one conduit defines a part of a grout passage which communicates the exterior surface of the barrel with an interior of the sleeve, when the barrel is engaged with the sleeve, and a seal which seals the grout passage to grout outflow but accommodates inflow of grout from a source.

Abstract: A rock anchor assembly includes a rock anchor with a flexible element and first/second cylindrical connector elements engaged to proximal and distal ends of the element, a flexible tubular sleeve longitudinally extending between first and second ends, on the rock anchor so end parts of the rock anchor project from sleeve ends; a load bearing barrel centrally bored engaging the first connector element between the first end of the sleeve and a proximal end of the rock anchor, the barrel engaging the first end of the sleeve in sealing contact, the barrel having a grout conduit between the barrel exterior and the bore, the conduit defining part of a grout passage interconnecting the barrel exterior and sleeve interior, when the barrel engages the sleeve; a seal preventing grout outflow but accommodating grout inflow; a tensioner engaging the first tubular connector element, and a mechanical anchor engaging the second tubular connector.

Abstract: A rock bolt assembly includes a rock bolt with an elongate body between distal and proximal ends, a tubular sleeve with first and second ends, proximal and distal ends of the bolt projecting from first and second ends of the sleeve, a load bearing barrel centrally bored to engage the rock bolt between the sleeve's first end and the bolt's proximal end, which barrel is adapted at a forward end to engage with the sleeve's second end in sealing contact, and which barrel has at least one grout conduit between the barrel's exterior surface and the bore, which at least one conduit defines a part of a grout passage which communicates the exterior surface of the barrel with an interior of the sleeve, when the barrel is engaged with the sleeve, and a seal which seals the grout passage to grout outflow but accommodates inflow of grout from a source.