Patent ID: 7547161
Filing Date: 2009-06-16
Classification: E21D

Abstract:
1. A tendon positioning apparatus for urging a reinforcing tendon forwardly into a bore hole formed in a rock face, the apparatus comprising, a body having a rearward infeed end and a forward outfeed end positionable proximate to said rock face, an axially extending bore extending through the body from the infeed end to the outfeed end, the bore being generally frustoconically shaped and tapering inwardly from an enlarged diameter portion spaced towards the outfeed end to a reduced diameter portion spaced towards the infeed end, the reduced diameter portion being sized to permit sliding movement of the tendon therethrough, a wedge member disposed at least partially in said bore and movable in an axial direction relative to said body between an engaging position, wherein said wedge member is spaced towards the reduced diameter portion to be frictionally engageable with a tendon therein, such that engagement between the tendon and the bore and/or the wedge member restricts axial movement of the tendon rearwardly relative the infeed end, and an uncoupled position, wherein said wedge member is moved towards the enlarged diameter portion to permit forward sliding of the tendon relative to the outfeed end of the body, and wherein the body further defines an axially elongated throat portion opening laterally into the bore and extending substantially from the infeed end to the outfeed end, the throat portion being sized to permit lateral movement of a portion of the tendon therethrough into the bore.