US 5,314,268 AGranted

Non-metallic reinforcing rod and method of use in supporting a rock formation

AssigneeJennmar Corporation

InventorsFrank Calandra, Jr., John C. Stankus, John G. Oldsen

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Abstract

An elongated rod fabricated of polymeric material for use in reinforcing an underground passage includes an integral structure of a shaft portion, washer element and torque receiving end portion. The shaft portion is fabricated of a preselected polymeric material as required to meet the strength requirements of the rod in reinforcing the rock formation surrounding the passage. For use in reinforcing the side walls of a passage, the rod is fabricated of plastic material recycled, for example, from plastic beverage containers. The integral construction eliminates the need to thread the end of the rod to receive a nut. The washer element seats against a bearing block compressed against the side wall. When used with a resin system, the rod is anchored in the bore hole to maintain the bearing block compressed against the side wall to support the surrounding rock strata.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Apparatus for reinforcing an underground passageway comprising,

an elongated rod fabricated of polymeric material having a preselected length for insertion into a hole bored a preselected depth into a rock formation surrounding the underground passage,
said rod having an anchoring end portion for insertion in the bore hole and a tensioning end portion extending out of the bore hole,
said rod having a substantially uniform cross sectional area along the length thereof between said anchoring end portion and said tensioning end portion,
retaining means extending from said tensioning end portion for transmitting torque to said rod, said retaining means including an integral polymeric structure of a torque receiving end portion separated from said tensioning end portion by a washer element, said integrally formed torque receiving end portion, washer element, and tensioning end portion extending axially on said rod,
a bearing block having an opening therethrough to receive said rod with said retaining means abutting said bearing block around said opening to maintain said bearing block on said rod, and
means positioned in the bore hole surrounding said anchoring end portion for retaining said rod in said bore hole to compress said bearing block against the rock formation to reinforce the rock formation surrounding the bore hole.

3 more elements

A reinforcing bolt comprising,

an elongated shaft having a body portion fabricated of polymeric material,
said shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion with a substantially uniform cross sectional area between said first and second end portions,
a torque receiving end portion on said shaft first end portion,
a washer element positioned between said torque receiving end portion and said shaft first end,
said torque receiving end portion, said washer element and said shaft first end portion being integrally formed of polymeric material,
said washer element having a semi-spherical surface extending axially and outwardly from said first end portion, and
said torque receiving end portion being coaxially positioned relative to said washer element for receiving torque to transmit rotation to said shaft.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.