BACKGROUND

The positioning of threaded rods in place until its grouted has been practiced in different ways throughout the history of overhead rock grouting. Conventional methods include manual positioning where a person has to position the threaded rod in a predefined position by attaching the threaded rod to support sections that extend across the space in which the grout is to be pumped into. Other methods include threading on expandable heads, but it is not the best method as it is costly and expandable heads effectively restrict the grout pumped through them, and also if the hole is oversized, the assembly won't work well.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a spring suspension clip configured to steadily clip a threaded rod, and to hold the rod in position until the grout is pumped in and facilitated to set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The spring suspension clip described herein addresses the above mentioned need for a device which is configured to steadily clip a threaded rod, wherein the spring suspension clip can be easily clipped over the top of the threaded rod. A spring suspension clip configured to suspend a threaded rod member comprises a helical body with an upper end and a lower end. Then the clipping section is configured to conform to a threaded section of the threaded rod member to flexibly suspend the threaded rod member into a space which is drilled and positioned within a section of rock which is to be grouted.

In an embodiment, the clipping section is clipped at the top end of the threaded rod. In an embodiment, the threaded rod member is of an R32 grade threaded rod. In an embodiment, the grout is filled inside the space after suspending the threaded rod member in a predefined position within the space, and the grout is allowed to set within the space. In an embodiment, the height of the suspension of the threaded rod member can also be adjusted by rotating the spring suspension clip along the threaded section of the threaded rod member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the spring suspension clip.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of the spring suspension clip being used to suspend a threaded rod member which is positioned inside a space.

FIG. 2B illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked A in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of the joint between the spring suspension clip and the threaded rod member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the spring suspension clip 100. The spring suspension clip 100 is configured to suspend a threaded rod member 105, where the spring suspension clip 100 comprises a helical body 101 with an upper end 101a and a lower end 101b. Then the clipping section 102 is defined as the helical body 101 is configured to conform to a threaded section 109 of the threaded rod member 105 to flexibly suspend the threaded rod member 105 within a space 104 which is drilled and positioned within a section of rock 106 which is to be grouted, as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the threaded rod member 105 is, for example, of an R32 grade threaded rod.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view, showing the spring suspension clip 100 used to suspend a threaded rod member 105 which is positioned inside a space 104, and FIG. 2B illustrates an enlarged view of the portion marked A in FIG. 2A. In an embodiment, the grout 107 is filled around the space 104 after suspending the threaded rod member 105 in a predefined position within the space 104, and the grout 107 is allowed to set around the space 104. In an embodiment, an opposing end of threaded rod member 105 is attached to a driver 103 of a rock bolter 108, as shown in FIG. 2A.

A user first positions the driver 103 which is connected to a rock bolter 108, in alignment with the space 104, then the user connects the spring suspension clip 100 at the top end of the threaded rod member 105, and the threaded rod member 105 and the spring suspension clip 100 are inserted into the space 104. Now the threaded rod member 105 is threadably joined with the spring suspension clip 100 at a predefined height as set by the user by rotating the spring suspension clip 100 along the threaded section 109 of the threaded rod member 105 as shown in FIG. 3. Now the user fills section of rock 106 around the space 104 with the grout 107 and allow the grout 107 to set with the threaded rod member 105 positioned inside the space 104. The spring suspension clip 100 effectively grabs the threaded section 109 of the threaded rod member 105 and the two outwardly tailpieces will grab the sidewall 104a which defines the space 104 as shown in FIG. 2B. The spring suspension clip 100 is very quick to install, and can easily fit through the mechanical sleeve of rock bolter 108 carrousel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of the joint between the spring suspension clip 100 and the threaded rod member 105. The partial sectional view in FIG. 3, shows how the threaded section 109 of the threaded rod member 105 is conformed within the helical body 101 of the spring suspension clip 100. In an embodiment, the height of the suspension of the threaded rod member 105 can also be adjusted by rotating the spring suspension clip 100 along the threaded section 109 of the threaded rod member 105.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.