Anchoring device

Abstract

This invention relates to an anchoring device and more particularly but not exclusively, to a rock anchor for use in a mining environment, and which combines the functionality of a split set and an attachment anchor. The anchoring device includes a tubular body having a longitudinal slot provided therein, and an elongate anchoring element locatable inside the tubular body. The anchoring element is displaceable between a retracted position in which an end of the anchoring element is located inside the tubular body, and a protruding position, in which at least part of the elongate element protrudes from the tubular element.

1 . An anchoring device, suitable for being installed inside a drilled hole, the anchoring device including:
 a tubular body having a longitudinal slot provided in a sidewall thereof, the body being displaceable between a tensioned position and a relaxed position, with a diameter of the tube being smaller in the tensioned position than in the relaxed position, and with the tubular body being biased towards the relaxed position so as to in use engage sidewalls of a hole in which it is installed;   an elongate anchoring element locatable inside the tubular body, the anchoring element being displaceable between a retracted position in which an end of the anchoring element is located inside the tubular body, and a protruding position, in which at least the end of the elongate anchoring element protrudes from the tubular body; and   a displacement limitation configuration for limiting the displacement of the elongate anchor element relative to the tubular body, the displacement limitation configuration including a sleeve formation located inside the tubular body, and with the anchoring element including a stopper, the configuration being such that a body of the anchoring element is displaceable relative to a bore of the sleeve formation, but that the stopper is of a larger diameter than the bore of the sleeve formation, and therefore not displaceable beyond the sleeve formation.   
     
     
         2 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The anchoring device of  claim 1  in which the sleeve formation is in the form of a body having a bore provided therethrough, which body is welded to the tubular body. 
     
     
         16 . The anchoring device of  claim 1  in which the sleeve formation is in the form of an eye or eyelet formed by punching a depression into a sidewall of the tubular body. 
     
     
         17 . The anchoring device of  claim 1  in which the displacement limitation configuration is in the form of complementary tapering formations provided on the tubular body and on the anchoring element. 
     
     
         18 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , in which the tubular body is a body of a split set. 
     
     
         19 . The anchoring device of  claim 1 , in which the elongate anchoring element is in the form of a steel eye bolt, a steel cable or an elongate element that terminates in an attachment formation. 
     
     
         20 . A tubular body forming part of a anchoring device, the tubular body having a longitudinal slot provided therein and being displaceable between a tensioned position and a relaxed position, with a diameter of the tube being smaller in the tensioned position than in the relaxed position, the tubular body being biased towards the relaxed position, characterized in that a sleeve formation is provided inside the tubular body. 
     
     
         21 . The tubular body of  claim 23  in which the sleeve formation is in the form of a body having a bore provided therethrough, with the body being welded to the tubular body. 
     
     
         22 . The tubular body of  claim 23  in which the sleeve formation is in the form of an eye or eyelet formed by punching a depression into a sidewall of the tubular body. 
     
     
         23 . A method of installing an anchoring device in a hole drilled in a rock body, the method including the steps of:
 providing an anchoring device comprising a tubular body having a longitudinal slot provided in a sidewall thereof, the body being displaceable between a tensioned position and a relaxed position, with a diameter of the tube being smaller in the tensioned position than in the relaxed position, and with the tubular body being biased towards the relaxed position so as to in use engage sidewalls of a hole in which it is installed;   an elongate anchoring element locatable inside the tubular body, the anchoring element being displaceable between a retracted position in which an end of the anchoring element is located inside the tubular body, and a protruding position, in which at least the end of the elongate anchoring element protrudes from the tubular element body; and   a displacement limitation configuration for limiting the displacement of the elongate anchor element relative to the tubular body, the displacement limitation configuration including a sleeve formation located inside the tubular body, and with the anchoring element including a stopper, the configuration being such that a body of the anchoring element is displaceable relative to a bore of the sleeve formation, but that the stopper is of a larger diameter than the bore of the sleeve formation, and therefore not displaceable beyond the sleeve formation;   inserting the anchoring device into the hole; and   displacing the anchoring element from the retracted position to the protruding position.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  including the step of securing the anchoring element relative to the tubular body in the protruding position. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  in which the anchoring element is secured in the protruding position by injecting a settable fluid in a cavity formed between the tubular body and the anchoring element. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  in which the step of providing an anchoring device includes providing the sleeve formation in the form of a body having a bore provided therethrough, which body is welded to the tubular body. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  in which the step of providing an anchoring device includes providing the sleeve formation in the form of an eye or eyelet formed by punching a depression into a sidewall of the tubular body. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  in which the step of providing an anchoring device includes providing the displacement limitation configuration in the form of complementary tapering formations provided on the tubular body and on the anchoring element. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23  in which the step of providing includes providing the tubular body which comprises a body of a split set. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23  in which the step of providing includes providing the elongate anchoring element in the form of one of a steel eye bolt, a steel cable and an elongate element that terminates in an attachment formation.