Patent ID: 8556542
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: E21B,E21D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A shaft of a drilling tool extending between opposing ends, one of the ends being associated with a drill bit to penetrate rock, the other end being associated with a drilling apparatus to allow rotation of the shaft, the shaft comprising: a shaft section fabricated from glass reinforced polymer; a connector piece fabricated from a metal; and a mechanical joint joining the connector piece to the shaft section, wherein the shaft section has opposing shaft section ends, the shaft section being arranged to be cut and/or processed by a mining machine, wherein the connector piece is mechanically attached adjacent one of the shaft section ends, the connector piece being arranged to connect one of the drill bit, the drilling apparatus or an anchoring device to the shaft section, and wherein the mechanical joint is a deformable member swaged, crimped and/or pressed around both the connector piece and the shaft section to secure the connector piece to the shaft section.