AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A RESIN CARTRIDGE

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing a rock bolt in a hole. The apparatus includes a drive unit, a plunger for driving a cartridge in a hole, and, a flexible linkage coupled to the plunger assembly. The linkage includes a first portion coupled to the plunger assembly, extending along a first path substantially parallel to the first direction. The linkage further includes a second portion adapted to extend laterally of the first portion along a second path. The drive unit is arranged to force the linkage in a direction from the second path to the first path to thereby drive the plunger assembly in the first direction. The rock bolt is fixed in a hole by drilling the hole, inserting a resin cartridge using the aforesaid apparatus, inset in a bolt into the hole to break the resin cartridge, and, allowing the resin to set to thereby fix the bolt in the hole.

Description: AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A RESIN CARTRIDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a resin cartridge particularly, but not exclusively, for remotely positioning a resin cartridge in a hole in a mine roof. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Throughout the specification, reference to mine roof is to be taken as including a reference to a mine wall, wall surface or a portion thereof. It is known to strengthen and support a mine roof by fixing rock bolts into the roof. Each rock bolt may be installed by firstly drilling a hole in the mine roof using a drill assembly provided on a drill boom which is manoeuvred on an articulated arm from a mining rig. A resin cartridge is positioned in the hole and a rock bolt subsequently inserted to break the cartridge so that the resin sets about the bolt, thereby fixing the bolt in position. Placement of the rock bolt in the hole may be achieved by using a second boom, allowing for maximum safety for both drilling the hole and inserting the rock bolt. However, positioning the resin cartridge in the hole is largely effected manually, through use of a plunger fixed to a rod. The combined length of the rod and cartridge make it generally unsuitable for mounting on a boom, particularly since a drive mechanism would also be required and the length dimension requirement of the boom would be exceeded. Accordingly, inserting the resin cartridge remains hazardous since workers are required to operate under an unsupported mine roof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for inserting a resin cartridge in a hole, including: a drive unit; a plunger for driving the cartridge in a first direction; and a flexible linkage coupled to the plunger assembly, the linkage having a first portion, coupled to the plunger assembly, extending along a first path substantially parallel to the first direction, and a second portion adapted to extend laterally of the first portion, along a second path, wherein the drive unit is arranged to force the linkage in a direction from the second path to the first path to thereby drive the plunger assembly in the first direction. Preferably, the apparatus includes a guide assembly for guiding the plunger in the first direction, and for housing the cartridge prior to insertion in the hole. Preferably, at least part of the guide assembly is arranged to be located in the hole. Preferably, the linkage is formed of chain link. Preferably the drive unit includes a drive sprocket for driving engagement with the chain link. Preferably, at least part of the second path is provided about the periphery of the drive sprocket and the first path is arranged tangentially thereto. Preferably, the chain link is configured so that the linkage bends in one direction, along the second path but is substantially rigid along the first path. Preferably, the apparatus includes an accumulator which stores a part of the second portion of the linkage prior to being fed onto the drive sprocket, the accumulator including a second sprocket arranged for the linkage to reverse direction around the periphery thereof for feeding onto the drive sprocket. Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to be fitted to a boom of a mining rig and includes an extension assembly for projecting the part of the guide assembly forwardly of the boom for location in the hole. Preferably, the guide assembly includes an elongate tube for housing the cartridge, the tube having at least an inner surface formed of polyethylene. In another aspect, there is provided a boom with an apparatus, as described above. In another aspect, there is provided a method of fixing a rock bolt in a hole comprising: drilling the hole; inserting a resin cartridge using the above described apparatus; inserting a bolt into the hole to break the resin cartridge; and allowing the resin to set to thereby fix the bolt in the hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is more fully described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Apparatus 1 includes a drive unit 2, a plunger 3, a guide assembly 4 and a flexible linkage 5. An accumulator 6 is provided for storing the linkage 5 prior to being fed to the drive unit. The guide assembly includes a tube 7, a tube guide 8 attached to a remote end 9 of the accumulator, and an arbor 10 arranged to guide the flexible linkage into the tube 7. The plunger 3 is located within the tube 7 and is coupled to an end 11 of the linkage 5 so that movement of the linkage 5 along a first path 12 results in corresponding movement of the plunger 3 in a first direction, indicated by arrow 13. The tube 7 also serves to house a resin cartridge 14 for insertion in a hole formed in a mine roof (not shown). The flexible linkage is formed of at least two portions 15, 16. The first portion 15 extends along the first path 12, while the second portion extends laterally with respect to path 12, along a second path 17. In the arrangement shown, the flexible linkage 5 is formed by a chain link 18, which is configured so that the linkage bends in a direction of the second path but remains straight and substantially rigid along the first path 12. The drive unit 2 includes a motor 19 and a drive sprocket 20 for engaging and driving the chain link such that the second path is defined at least in part about the periphery 21 of the drive sprocket 20. 5 The accumulator 6 is formed of an elongate casing 22 with parallel channels 23, 24 for housing the linkage 5. A second sprocket 25 is provided adjacent the end 9 of the accumulator remote from the drive unit 2. The second sprocket 25 is arranged to allow the linkage to reverse direction from the channel 24, about the periphery 26 of the sprocket, into channel 23 for direct feed onto the drive sprocket 20. 10 The apparatus 1 may be provided on a separately manoeuvrable boom of a drill rig (not shown) or may be fitted to an existing boom, such as drill boom 30, for drilling the hole in which the cartridge is inserted. In order to avoid obstruction or damage during a drilling operation, the apparatus 1 is set back from a front end 31 of the boom 30. In order to 15 accurately position the cartridge, at least a remote end 32 of the tube 7 should be located in the hole. For this purpose, an extension assembly 33 is provided. The assembly 33 includes an extension cylinder 34 coupled at one end 36 to a collar 35 which interconnects with the tube 7 and the arbor 10. The cylinder 34 is fixed at its other end 37 to a housing 38 of the apparatus 1 such that extension of a cylinder forces the collar and associated tube and arbor 20 10 forwardly, in the first direction 13 to a position indicated by phantom lines. The tube guide 8 ensures that the tube does not deviate sidewardly during forward motion. Once the end 32 of the tube is positioned in the hole, the drive unit 2 is engaged such that the chain link is driven along a second path 17 and tangentially guided by arbor 10 along the first path 12 to thereby drive the plunger 3 through the tube, and the cartridge into the hole. 25 After the cartridge is inserted in the hole, the drive unit is engaged to reverse the direction of the linkage, back along the first and second paths and into the accumulator 6. The extension cylinder can then be retracted until the collar 35 abuts with the housing 38. The boom 30 is subsequently moved away from the hole to receive another resin cartridge in the 30 tube 7, while a second boom is moved into position for fixing a rock bolt in the hole. The tube 7 preferably has at least its inner surface formed of polyethylene and is screw fitted to the collar 35 to allow for quick release and cleaning if a cartridge breaks within the tube, during installation. As can be appreciated from the above, the apparatus of the present invention allows the linkage to be stored laterally of the resin cartridge and the direction of insertion, thereby minimizing the overall length of the unit and providing a compact design which is suitable for use with a pre-existing or purpose built boom. Accordingly, the invention allows for resin cartridges to be remotely inserted in holes formed in a mine roof and further increases the safety afforded to mine workers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within its spirit and scope. The invention also includes steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification and/or claims of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of said steps or features.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. An apparatus for inserting a resin cartridge in a hole, including: a drive unit; a plunger for driving the cartridge in a first direction; and a flexible linkage coupled to the plunger assembly, the linkage having a first portion, coupled to the plunger assembly, extending along a first path substantially parallel to the first direction, and a second portion adapted to extend laterally of the first portion, along a second path, wherein the drive unit is arranged to force the linkage in a direction from the second path to the first path to thereby drive the plunger assembly in the first direction. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including : a guide assembly for guiding d e plunger in the first direction, and for housing the cartridge prior to insertion in the hole. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least part of the guide assembly is arranged to be located in the hole. 4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the linkage is formed of chain link. 5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive unit includes a drive sprocket for driving engagement with the chain link. 6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least part of the second path is provided about the periphery of the drive sprocket and the first path is arranged tangentially thereto. 7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the chain link is configured so that the linkage bends in one direction, along the second path but is substantially rigid along the first path. 8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus includes an accumulator which stores a part of the second portion of the linkage prior to being fed onto the drive sprocket, the accumulator including a second sprocket arranged for the linkage to reverse direction around the periphery thereof for feeding onto the drive sprocket. 5 9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be fitted to a boom of a mining rig and includes an extension assembly for projecting the part of the guide assembly forwardly of the boom for location in the hole. 10 10. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the guide assembly includes an elongate tube for housing the cartridge, the tube having at least an inner surface formed of polyethylene. 11. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus is 15 attached to a boom. 12. A method of fixing a rock bolt in a hole comprising: drilling the hole; inserting a resin cartridge using the above described apparatus; 20 inserting a bolt into the hole to break the resin cartridge; and allowing the resin to set to thereby fix the bolt in the hole.

Inventors: FERGUSSON JEFF, FERGUSSON, JEFF
Applicants: FERGUSSON JEFF, IND ROLL FORMERS PTY LIMITED, FERGUSSON, JEFF, INDUSTRIAL ROLL FORMERS PTY. LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E21D20
IPC codes: E21D20