Bore hole support

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus and method for preventing surrounding loose rock fragments from falling or collapsing into a bore hole during drilling and immediately after removal of a drill string from the bore hole. The apparatus includes bore hole sleeve for a bore hole drill, the sleeve including a tube member adapted to be coupled to a mast of a mobile bore hole drill and to be positioned within the collar region of a bore hole, the tube member including a longitudinal internal passage for receiving a drill string therethrough and an external surface for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole.